Ricki – Page 93 – Unleashing Readers

The Man with the Violin by Kathy Stinson (Ricki’s Review)

July 27, 2015January 23, 2014 by Ricki

The Man with the Violin
Author: Kathy Stinson
Illustrator: Dusan Petricic
Published August 8th, 2013 by Annick Press

Goodreads Summary: This gorgeous picture book is based on the true story of Joshua Bell, the renowned American violinist who famously took his instrument down into the Washington D.C. subway for a free concert. More than a thousand commuters rushed by him, but only seven stopped to listen for more than a minute. In The Man With the Violin, bestselling author Kathy Stinson has woven a heart-warming story that reminds us all to stop and appreciate the beauty that surrounds us.

Dylan is someone who notices things. His mom is someone who doesn’t. So try as he might, Dylan can’t get his mom to listen to the man playing the violin in the subway station. But Dylan is swept away by the soaring and swooping notes that fill the air as crowds of oblivious people rush by. With the beautiful music in his head all day long, Dylan can’t forget the violinist, and finally succeeds in making his mother stop and listen, too.

Vividly imagined text combined with illustrations that pulse with energy and movement expertly demonstrate the transformative power of music. With an afterword explaining Joshua Bell’s story, and a postscript by Joshua Bell himself.

Review: My aunt bought my son this book when she heard people raving about it in the bookstore. It is an absolutely wonderful story. People pay hundreds of dollars to hear Joshua Bell play his violin, yet few stopped to listen when he played in the subway. It begs the question—just what are we missing each day, as we pass through our lives bustling about, blind to the beauty in the world around us? I can’t wait until my son is a bit older, as I think this would be a fantastic book to read together and then head out into the world, stopping and noticing.

Teacher’s Tools for Navigation: This would be a great book to read before a field trip or an outdoor walk. I also love that the author turned a news article into a picture book. It would be really fun for students to choose a news article to transform.

Discussion Questions: Just what are we missing each day?; Why do you think children noticed Joshua Bell more often? What does this say about people, in general?

We Flagged: “Who is playing that beautiful music in the subway? And why is nobody listening?”

Read This If You Loved: Walden by Henry David Thoreau, Little Bobo by Serena Romanelli, Little Rat Makes Music by Monika Bang-Campbell

Recommended For:

Top Ten Tuesday: Things On Our Reading Wishlists

January 25, 2014January 21, 2014 by Ricki

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because The Broke and Bookish are particularly fond of lists (as are we!). Each week a new Top Ten list topic is given and bloggers can participate.

Today’s Topic: Top Ten Things On Our Reading Wishlists

We’d love for authors to write about…

Ricki

1. Knowledge

At times I feel that I have read every possible theme and topic out there. My favorite books, though, are the ones that include little tidbits of knowledge in their writing. For example, John Green includes famous last words in Looking for Alaska. I love this!

2. Anxiety

Many of my students suffered from severe anxiety. I would like for authors to include more of this issue in their writing because it is so relevant to my students.

3. Science/Mathematics

There are many books that include the subjects of history and English. I would love to read more fictional books that include scientific or mathematical information (without being didactic).

4. Teen Pregnancy (I am risking it with this one…_

I am not wishing for poorly written problem novels where this topic is the main focus of the books, but I would like more books that more realistically portray pregnancy and parenting than 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom. I don’t think teens realize how hard it is to be moms and dads, and I would love more honest portrayals of this.

5. A Setting within Any Historical Time Period

I am stealing this one from Kellee’s top five below. Like her, I am a historical fiction junkie. I can’t get enough of it! Take me back in time, please!

Kellee

I had never thought about this! So many of the books I want are already out there, but if I could, I would love for authors to write (more) about:

1. Chemical Imbalances

Not suicide, not massive depression, not bipolar, but chemical imbalances which millions of people have.

2. Characters who struggle with reading (and a teacher who helps them)

I’d love for my students to see themselves in books (and for them to see that there is hope).

3. Any random historical time period

I did not have a very good history education throughout my secondary education and love reading historical fiction novels to learn about history.

4. The 90s

Such a wonderful time period! Right now the 80s and before are being written about and modern day is being written about, but what about some contemporary historical fiction books about the 90s.

5. Other sports

My students love sports books, but they keep asking me for random sports like lacrosse, gymnastics, hockey, etc. and I cannot find good books about them.

What is on your reading wishlist?

and

Heartbeat by Elizabeth Scott

January 16, 2014 by Ricki

Heartbeat
Author: Elizabeth Scott
Published: January 28th, 2013 by Harlequin Teen

GoodReads Summary: Life. Death. And…Love?

Emma would give anything to talk to her mother one last time. Tell her about her slipping grades, her anger with her stepfather, and the boy with the bad reputation who might be the only one Emma can be herself with.

But Emma can’t tell her mother anything. Because her mother is brain-dead and being kept alive by machines for the baby growing inside her.

Meeting bad-boy Caleb Harrison wouldn’t have interested Old Emma. But New Emma-the one who exists in a fog of grief, who no longer cares about school, whose only social outlet is her best friend Olivia-New Emma is startled by the connection she and Caleb forge.

Feeling her own heart beat again wakes Emma from the grief that has grayed her existence. Is there hope for life after death-and maybe, for love?

My Review: I should start by mentioning that I will read anything by Elizabeth Scott. She does a great job developing characters in unique situations, and I always get lost in the plots of her stories. This book was different from the other titles I have read by Scott because it is quite a sad story. Emma’s situation is heart-wrenching, and I felt the pain of her grief. What I liked most about this story was Emma’s growth as an individual. She shows an incredible amount of strength and isn’t afraid to examine her beliefs as she tries to determine what is right and true.

Teacher’s Tools for Navigation: Teachers might use this book to help readers learn about the stages of grief. It would be interesting to hold a debate about who is more justified in his or her position: Emma or her stepfather. Students might research the laws and practices of life support to help them think more deeply about the novel.

Discussion Questions: Is Emma’s position justified? Do you think she is being fair?; How does Emma’s relationship with Caleb help her grow as an individual?; Where is the turning point of the story? Why?; Do you think Emma’s mother should be kept on life support?

We Flagged: “When someone you love…when they die, you want it undone. You’d do anything to have them back, and it’s easy to believe that if only this had happened or that had happened, everything would be fine. And that’s what makes you angry. What makes you hate. You don’t want to believe that sometimes bad things happen just because they do.”

Read This If You Loved: If I Stay by Gayle Forman, The Truth about Forever by Sarah Dessen, The Last Summer of the Death Warriors by Francisco X. Stork, Boy21 by Matthew Quick, Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz, Hold Still by Nina LaCour, Personal Effects by E.M. Kokie, The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

Recommended For:

**Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Teen for providing the Advanced Reader Copy for review!**

For the Good of Mankind?: The Shameful History of Human Medical Experimentation by Vicki O. Wittenstein

July 27, 2015January 15, 2014 by Ricki

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday is hosted by Kid Lit Frenzy and was started to help promote the reading of nonfiction texts. Most Wednesdays, we will be participating and will review a nonfiction text (though it may not always be a picture book). Be sure to visit Kid Lit Frenzy and see what other nonfiction books are shared this week!

For the Good of Mankind?: The Shameful History of Human Medical Experimentation
Author: Vicki O. Wittenstein
Published: August 1st, 2013 by Lerner Publishing Group

Summary:

Experiment: A child is deliberately infected with the deadly smallpox disease without his parents’ informed consent.
Result: The world’s first vaccine.
Experiment: A slave woman is forced to undergo more than thirty operations without anesthesia.
Result: The beginnings of modern gynecology.
Experiment: From 1946 to 1953, seventy-four boys are fed oatmeal laced with radioactive iron and calcium.
Result: A better understanding of the effects of radioactivity on the human body.

Experimental incidents such as these paved the way for crucial medical discoveries and lifesaving cures and procedures. But they also violated the rights of their subjects, many of whom did not give their consent to the experiments. The subjects suffered excruciating pain and humiliation. Some even died as a result of the procedures. Even in the twenty-first century—despite laws, regulations, and ethical conventions—the tension between medical experimentation and patient rights continues.

How do doctors balance the need to test new medicines and procedures with their ethical and moral duty to protect the rights of human subjects? What price has been paid for medical knowledge? Can we learn from the broken oaths of the past?

Take a harrowing journey through some of history’s greatest medical advances—and its most horrifying medical atrocities. You’ll read about orphans injected with lethal tuberculosis and concentration camp inmates tortured by Nazi doctors. You’ll also learn about radiation experimentation and present-day clinical trials that prove fatal. Through these stories, explore the human suffering that has gone hand in hand with medical advancement.

Review: Human experimentation is a very difficult subject matter, one that both horrifies and fascinates teens. I always try to believe in the good of mankind, but books like this always seem to challenge that assumption. It was difficult for me to read this book because I cannot fathom how any person could justify using individuals (including CHILDREN!) for experimentation. This book is incredibly well-researched and documents a variety of cases of experimentation. I couldn’t put it down because I was so astonished by the details of the cases. It is colorful and eye-appealing, and this will captivate reluctant readers. I think teenagers would see nonfiction in a very positive light if they were given books like this one. I absolutely recommend it to teachers.

Teacher’s Tools for Navigation: Teachers might assign different chapters to groups of students. Students will enjoy reading about and presenting the material covered in this book. Persuasive essays are always a chore, but there are many controversial issues within this book, and I think students would really enjoy writing essays about this subject matter. This book also includes discussion questions for readers.

Discussion Questions: Can we justify the experimentation on a human being if it will better the lives of millions of people?; Why do you think human experimentation was allowed for such a long time? Can we judge the doctors who experimented on people centuries ago?; Applying the stories to animals, do you think animal experimentation is justifiable? Why or why not?

Read This If You Loved: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot, books in the Real Justice series, Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

Recommended For:

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Debut Novels (EVER!)

March 29, 2014January 14, 2014 by Ricki

Today’s Topic: Top Ten Debut Novels (EVER!)

We strayed from the assigned topic a bit today, but we really wanted to share our favorite debut novels ever.

Ricki

1. Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

This is one of my favorite young adult novels, and I can’t believe it is Ruta’s first! I will admit that I stole it from Kellee’s list (see below). It is hard to believe that Ruta worked in the music industry before she started writing because this novel seems to be authored by a seasoned writer. Amazing (as I shake my head in disbelief).

2. Looking for Alaska by John Green

Who wins the Printz Award on his/her debut novel? This guy. Looking for Alaska is an incredible book that offers invaluable lessons to teens. Years after reading this book, I still find myself comparing other books and characters to it. I imagine that many of the readers of this blog have read this book, but if you haven’t—read it. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

3. Ball Don’t Lie by Matt de la Peña

I received this book in my first ALAN Workshop box. When I got home from the conference, I picked it up to read it and fell in love. I immediately searched for his other books and was disappointed to find that this was the only one that existed! Since then, I have read every book by this man. He is an incredible author. (I should add that he sent me ten personalized books to my students who were most at-risk of dropping out. Isn’t he wonderful?)

4. Graceling by Kristin Cashore

I have been trying very hard to keep this book off of my TTT lists to show variety. I can’t help myself this time. Even if you don’t love fantasy, you will fall in love with this book. It is accessible to people of all ages (and both genders, I might add). I see that Kellee includes it on her list below. We are both addicted to Kristin Cashore.

5. Divergent by Veronica Roth

I still can’t believe Veronica Roth wrote this book when she was a senior in college. It shows her innate talent at writing. After The Hunger Games came out, I had difficulty getting students to find other books they would enjoy. When this came out, it was a perfect choice. I found it to be intellectually more complex and a great next book on the ladder after The Hunger Games. (By the way, if you don’t know the term “ladder,” you should check out Teri Lesesne’s Reading Ladders—an excellent book for teachers of reading.)

Kellee

This was a tough one to determine as I wasn’t always sure when a book was a debut novel. These 5 are ones I know are debut novels and are just wonderful–you would never know they are debuts!

1. Wonder Show by Hannah Barnaby

Portia is looking for her family, but ends up finding a place in the least likely places- a “freak show” touring around the midwest during Depression-era America. The author seamlessly intertwines Portia’s story with the story of the traveling show even mixing up points of views and narrators during the story. Although it sounds like it should definitely not work, it does. And it does beautifully. This book is mostly about heart, family, and home. Portia’s story is so enthralling and her transformation is amazing to be part of.

2. Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

This is such a powerful story with characters that you grow to love as they are put through hell. What makes the hell even more grotesque is that it is based off of stories that really happened during a time of history that does not get spoken of too often. Like Holocaust books, this book is one that will rip you apart as you read it. And all of it is based off of Ruta Sepetys’s family history!

3. Under the Mesquite by Guadalupe Garcia McCall

This book is a beautiful book in verse that not only has a touching narrative, but has exquisite verse. The narrative deals with a topic that many readers will have some sort of connection with, cancer, as well has coming of age in a household where the disease has struck. But what makes this book different than other stories about the effects of cancer is that it also tells the story of growing up as a Mexican-American here in America.

4. Graceling by Kristin Cashore

High fantasy can be intimidating because of having to completely immerse yourself in an invented world and sometimes I find it hard to imagine somewhere that doesn’t exist; however, with Graceling, the characters are so strong that the original confusion with the setting didn’t even bother me and then by the time I thought about it, I’d lost all confusion and was in Katsa’s world.

5. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling

What can you say about this one?! Harry Potter was J.K. Rowling’s first try at a novel. Wow.

Which are your favorite debut novels?

and

The Killing Woods by Lucy Christopher

July 27, 2015January 9, 2014 by Ricki

The Killing Woods
Author: Lucy Christopher
Published: January 7th, 2014 by Chicken House (Scholastic)

GoodReads Summary: Fatal attraction, primal fear, survival in the forest: From the author of the Printz Honor Book Stolen, the highly anticipated thriller about deadly games played in the dark.

Ashlee Parker is dead, and Emily Shepherd’s dad is accused of the crime. A former soldier suffering from PTSD, he emerges from the woods carrying the girl’s broken body. “Gone,” he says, then retreats into silence.

What really happened that wild night? Emily knows in her bones that her father is innocent — isn’t he? Before he’s convicted, she’s got to find out the truth. Does Damon Hilary, Ashlee’s charismatic boyfriend, have the answers? Or is he only playing games with her — the kinds of games that can kill?

Review: I absolutely loved Stolen, so I was thrilled to read another book by Lucy Christopher. This book reads more like a thriller. I was sucked into the mystery and very curious about how the plot would unravel. I think this book is most notable for the intricate descriptive details about the setting. I felt the dark coldness of the killing woods. The setting was spooky, which set the tone for the dark story. There are richly realized themes of friendship, family, and loyalty.

Teacher’s Tools for Navigation: Emily’s father suffers from PTSD. I think Lucy Christopher is delivering a message about PTSD, and it would be important for readers to think more about this. Students might find value in learning more about PTSD before, during, and after reading this book.

Discussion Questions: Why is everyone quick to blame Emily’s father? Do you think he is guilty?; What is The Game? What are the different roles that everyone plays in The Game? What does it teach us about this group of kids? Is it realistic and does it reflect people in general?

We Flagged: “I guess whoever built and buried that IED out there in the desert will never know how far that blast traveled. But all things ripple out, cause shrapnel.”

Read This If You Loved: Stolen by Lucy Christopher, The Body of Christopher Creed by Carol Plum-Ucci, Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk, What Happened to Cass McBride by Gail Giles, The Things a Brother Knows by Dana Reinhardt, The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

Recommended For:

**Thank you to NetGalley and Scholastic Chicken House for providing the Advanced Reader Copy for review!**

Top Ten Tuesday: Bookish Goals and Resolutions for 2014

January 7, 2014 by Ricki

Today’s Topic: Top Ten Bookish Goals and Resolutions for 2014

Forget the weight-loss. We are going bookish on you!

Ricki

1. 114 Books

Every year, I increase my goal by one book. I always match the year. Because it is 2014, I am aiming for 114. This might be impossible with a new baby, but I will be reading more picture books.

2. Children’s Book All-Star

I want to become a children’s book all-star. I want to get the nostalgia of old books and jump into the fun of new releases.

3. To learn to love more middle grade novels

Some of my favorite books are middle grade books. That said, I don’t tend to love novels directed to this age group. This year, I am going to aim to change that by reading more widely within the field.

4. To keep up with new YA releases

I will devote everything to my new baby, but I don’t want to neglect my love of YA books, so I want to try to keep up with the best new releases.

5. To read to my new baby every night

I haven’t had a baby (obviously), so I am not sure if this is a lofty goal. Are there going to be some nights where I can’t read to him because I am so tired from breastfeeding? I have no clue how my life is going to be this year, but this is my goal!

Kellee

1. 275 books in 2014

In 2012 I read 397 books, which is crazy!, so for 2013 I set my goal for 300 thinking it’d be no problem… well, I have not been reading like I did in the past. I ended up lowering my goal to 225 because I knew that I was not reading like I used to. During 2014, I’d like to push myself more and try to get close to that 300 again—I’m going to aim for 275. This may be crazy with a new baby at home, but I guess we’ll find out!

2. Get more book reviews up on my teacher website

My teacher website is being used more than ever now that we are an iPad school, but I haven’t updated the book reviews on there all year. I hope to get more up there.

3. Get into classes more often to book talk

This year I took a job as a reading coach and found myself all caught up in logistics, observations, and intervention. I want to go back to the basics and get into classes more often to book talk and to do book passes.

4. Get back into the reading groove

Like my #1 says, I really want to try to get back into the reading groove of reading every night. Right now, there are nights where I do not touch a book. I know it has been a combination of my new job and the pregnancy making me super tired, so I hope I can overcome it in 2014 (I know, I know… a new baby will make it very hard, but it doesn’t hurt to try.)

5. Read to my new baby every night

One thing that will definitely help is reading to baby Boy Moye every night. I want him to be a reader and I cannot wait to share with him all of my favorite picture books and I cannot wait to find out what his favorites are.

What are your bookish goals?

RickiSig and