Stuck With the Blooz
Can't wait to read this book. This is the time of year when I need motivation and inspiration. A teacher that uses literature to help change lives....I'm in! The Road Out: A Teacher's Odyssey in Poor Americaby Deborah HicksFrom the Publisher: Can one teacher truly make a difference in her students’ lives when everything is working against them? Can a love for literature and learning save the most vulnerable of youth from a life of poverty? The Road Out is a gripping account of one teacher’s journey of hope and discovery with her students—girls growing up poor in a neighborhood that was once home to white Appalachian workers, and is now a ghetto. Deborah Hicks, set out to give one group of girls something she never had: a first-rate education, and a chance to live their dreams. A contemporary tragedy is brought to life as she leads us deep into the worlds of Adriana, Blair, Mariah, Elizabeth, Shannon, Jessica, and Alicia seven girls coming of age in poverty.
This is a moving story about girls who have lost their childhoods, but who face the street’s torments with courage and resiliency. “I want out,” says 10-year-old Blair, a tiny but tough girl who is extremely poor and yet deeply imaginative and precocious. Hicks tries to convey to her students a sense of the power of fiction and of sisterhood to get them through the toughest years of adolescence. But by the time they’re sixteen, eight years after the start of the class, the girls are experiencing the collision of their youthful dreams with the pitfalls of growing up in chaotic single-parent families amid the deteriorating cityscape. Yet even as they face disappointments and sometimes despair, these girls cling to their desire for a better future. The author’s own life story—from a poorly educated girl in a small mountain town to a Harvard-educated writer, teacher, and social advocate—infuses this chronicle with a message of hope.A Link to This Book and Others You Might Find Helpful:
Author/Illustrator: Jenni DesmondInterest Level: Ages 4 and Up
From the Book Jacket: Red Cat: nimble cat. Blue Cat: clever cat. When they meet: jealous cats! Does Blue wish he could be like Red and Red want to be like Blue? They do! Find out what happens when...Blue tries to become red, and Red tries to become blue. Or, could it be that what both cats need to discover is: what is the color of a happy cat? Why It's On My Bookshelf: These two cats act like they don't like each other. They fight and mean mug each other but deep down they are envious of the other's strengths. It's a humorous story of learning to get along when you are so completely different. We are all born with unique and special gifts so don't get in the losing game of trying to compare - great message. I think this would also work great for dealing with sibling rivalry. Red Cat and Blue Cat reminded me of my relationship with my older sister. Although we fought like cats - we secretly admired the other person. PS. You'll appreciate the cute ending when Yellow Cat shows up! A Link to This Book and Others You Might Find Helpful:
Author: Todd ParrInterest Level: Kindergarten and Up
A Note From the Publisher: I am thankful for music because it makes me want to dance.
I am thankful for my feet because they help me run and play.
I am thankful for kisses because they make me feel loved.
The Thankful Book celebrates all the little things children can give thanks for. From everyday activities like reading and bath time to big family meals together and special alone time between parent and child, Todd inspires readers to remember all of life's special moments. The perfect book to treasure and share, around the holidays and throughout the year. Why It's On My Bookshelf: Best book to read to kids during Thanksgiving week ever!! First page of the book starts out: Every day I try to think about the things I am thankful for. Totally love that. It's a classic Todd Parr book with just the right amount of humor and goodness. If kids need help brainstorming what they are thankful for - grab this off your shelf and start reading! Happy Thanksgiving! I am so thankful for my lovely little blog. A Link to This Book and Others You Might Find Helpful:
Author: Kes GrayIllustrator: Lee WildishInterest Level: K -3
A Note From the Publisher: A little boy is feeling sad because every day he has to face a bully. But this story’s little boy also has friends. A frog, a cat, a rabbit, a cow, and other animal friends insist on helping him, even after he tells them: “There’s nothing you can do for me/ There’s nothing you can say.” Fortunately, he is mistaken, because the next time the bully approaches, they all join with him and shout, “LEAVE HIM ALONE!” And it works! The bully turns around and goes away. Why It's On My Bookshelf: Originally I saw this book posted on Pinterest and thought how did I miss this book? This might seem like a really quick read but there is a lot of power behind the story. It empowers the victim and the bystanders when a mean situation is going down. I think a lot of kids will relate to the feeling of being powerless. Hate having to write that but it's true. There are some kids in my school who just "put up with it." But I have a whole lot of kids who are witnessing it and can PROTECT that child. In the story, there are animals who represent the bystanders. I'm thinking I'll have fun with this book and bring in LOTS of stuffed animals for kids to use in role plays.Side Note: I loaned this book to another school counselor in my district and she mentioned to me how much she loves the book. Love that feedback. A Link to This Book and Others You Might Find Helpful:
I have discovered two absolutely fabulous books explaining Alzheimer's in a very empathetic way to children. The books are not only educational but they are so full of heart. If Alzheimer's is impacting your family and your kids are confused as to what is happening to a family member - especially a grandparent, these are two books I highly recommend. As I finished reading both of these - I could immediately FEEL how comforting they will be for children trying to understand a very complicated and frustrating disease. Grandpa's Music - A Story About Alzheimer'sAuthor: Alison AchesonIllustrator: Bill FarnsworthInterest Level: Grades 1 and Up
Summary: Grandpa takes care of the garden, kneads bread, and makes music on the piano. Everyone in Callie's family helps out around the house, now that Grandpa, who has Alzheimer's, lives with them. The family becomes Grandpa's "home team," and Callie loves spending time with them. As months go by, Grandpa forgets more, and he can't do as much as he could before. But he can still make music - his fingers remember the notes on the piano. And when he can't recall the words to a favorite old song, Callie helps him come up with new things that they can sing about together. Alison Acheson's thoughtful storytelling and Bill Farnsworth's touching paintings portray a family that learns to adapt to the challenges of Alzheimer's disease while making the very best of their time together.The Memory BoxAuthor: Mary BahrIllustrator: David CunninghamInterest Level: Grades 1 and UpBook Summary: Zach is excited - three weeks of fishing Gramp's lake and eating Gram's cooking. Their first day together is so good, Gramps call it a "Memory Box" day. But Zach isn't prepared, for the story about the memory box. It's a box to save the memories forever; and it's especially for Gramps because he has Alzheimer's disease. The three of them spend their days together filling the box, with new memories and old. And all three support each other, building strength to handle whatever comes. A Link to These Books and Others You Might Find Helpful:
Author: Jacqueline WoodsonIllustrated by E.B. LewisInterest Level: Grades 1-5From the Book Jacket: Chloe doesn't really know why she turns away from the new girl, Maya, when Maya tries to befriend her. And every time Maya asks if she can play with Chloe and the other girls, the answer is always no. So Maya ends up playing alone. And then one day she's gone. When Chloe's teacher gives a lesson about how even small acts of kindness can change the world, Chloe is stung by the opportunity that's been lost. How much better could it have been if she'd just shown Maya a little kindness and opened her heart to friendship?Why It's On My Bookshelf: This is going to be one of the most important books I read to students this year. It will definitely be one of my favorites. It came in the mail this morning and I just had to blog about it today because it is a MUST for your bookshelf. This is a powerful story PACKED FULL of life lessons. A new student Maya is treated horribly by her classmates. She tries making friends with the other students but is rejected and becomes a target because of her economic status. Students will feel sadness as you read this story - because they will be filled with an overwhelming empathy for Maya. In the end, we never know the full damage that may have been caused to Maya because she moves. We can surely guess though. However, it's Chloe who teaches us the lesson. She had shunned Maya but is filled with guilt, remorse, and emotional pain as she becomes aware of her own hurtful behavior. She is never able to make amends. I cannot wait for the discussion this will create. If we can teach our children to live their lives in complete kindness - hopefully they will not have to learn this lesson the hard way. What an AMAZING teaching tool! A Link to This Book and Others You Might Find Helpful:
