Special Time - One Night

The Tuesday Slice of Life is hosted by the Two Writing Teachers blog.  Go there to visit the other"slicers"! I'm looking forward to more great posts from Stacey, Tara, Dana, Betsy, Anna, and Elisabeth!

  Hurrah!  The Cybil's finalists will be announced on January 1st!  Watch for them!

            I believe I’ll do my reflecting from 2013 in small chunks, a bit at a time.  It’s been a long year with reflecting built in, so it’s not a good time for me to re-look again.  But-for this end-of-2013 post, I want to thank so many thoughtful commenters, friends, writers.  It was a wonder of a year in that part of my life.  I was able to attend the All-Write Conference in Indiana in June and meet so many with whom I had only an online connection, very special indeed to meet such a terrific group, and have 

lo-o-ng conversations.  Thanks Bonnie, Ramona, Robin, Katherine, Amy, Betsy, Elsie and to Ruth, Deb G. and Mary Helen for being such terrific welcomers!

Books I Must Read In 2014

Carrie Gelson of There's A Book For That and Maria Selke of Maria's Melange have put together a hashtag for posting #MustReadin2014 those we keep saying we need to read, but STILL haven't done.  It's a type of goal setting, and we'll read more, but still need to cross these off the TBR list!  

           I've also joined a reading challenge hosted by Myra, Fats & Iphigene at Gathering Books.  Check this post for more info!
              And this latest one that gathers all that are signed up so far in both challenges!

                            Here's mine, at least one for every month although I know I'll read more.

SO EXCITING!

Allegiant - Veronica Roth - Finished!

Rose Under Fire - Elizabeth Wein

Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures - Kate DiCamillo & K.G. Campbell - Finished!

Fangirl - Rainbow Rowell 

The Summer of Letting Go - Gae Polisner 

Navigating Early - Claire Vanderpool

The Dream Thieves - Maggie Stiefvater

Forgive me, Leonard Peacock- Matthew Quick

Golden Boy - Tara Sullivan

Every Day After by Laura Golden

More than This by Patrick Ness

far far away - Tom McNeal
Rump - Liesl Shurtliff

The Nazi Hunters - Neal Bascomb

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library - Chris Grabenstein

The 14 Fibs of Gregory K - Greg Pincus

Seraphina - Rachel Hartman

Paperboy - Vince Vawter
for adults

Dog Songs - Mary Oliver

Quiet - Susan Cain

The Little Bookstore of Big Stone Gap - Wendy Welch

The Late Scholar - Jill Paton Walsh
The Orphan Master's Son - Adam Johnson
for professional development

Celebrations - Ruth Ayres with Christi Overman
Notice & Note - Kylene Beers & Robert E. Probst
Nonfiction Notebooks - Aimee Buckner

I was reading the dictionary. I thought it was a poem about everything.
Steven Wright 

The Last Monday of 2013

               It's Monday! What are you Reading? is hosted by Jen at TEACH.MENTOR.TEXTS, and shared with Ricki and Kellee at UNLEASHING READERS.   

         And, also visit Sheila at BOOK JOURNEYS for more reviews. Thanks to all these blogs we are able to discover many, many new books!  Thanks Ricki, Kellee, Jen and Sheila!

 Tweet! at #IMWAYR

This time, too, I am linking with Myra, Fats and Iphigene at Gathering Books for their Award Winning Book challenge by reading The Snow Day, by Komako Sakai, an author/illustrator from Japan.  I'll share about their new challenge next week.  See the blog for more info if you're interested now!

I'd also like to share that I'm joining the 2014 Latin@s in Kid Lit Reading Challenge

See the sidebar for the link!

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         I took a week off, so now am challenged as to how many books to share with you.  Here is a list of the books read, with some reviews.  Sorry the post is long, but please skim if you'd like! You can find further reviews on my Goodreads page.  I completed my goal of 300 books, and think I'll keep that goal.  I read more, but many were re-reads, for lessons, for sharing, for pleasure, so they don't count in the overall goal.  There were amazing books this year. I hope you found some wonderful books in 2013, and find a few more below.  

The Snow Day - written and illustrated by Komako Sakai   She won the Dutch Silver Pen Award for this book!

            I’ve read many picture books in these two weeks, and this rates near the top.  It was published in 2005, but someone recommended it and I finally bought it!  Every student and teacher knows about the specialness of snow days, but this little kindergarten bunny has his very first one in this story.  Both the soft and snowy illustrations and the story are wonderful.  He gets to sleep in, but jumps right up when his mother tells him it’s been snowing all night.  Sadly, she says also he can’t go out until the snow stops, so he watches and they play cards and he watches again.  His daddy can’t get home from a business trip because of the snow.  The little bunny says, “Mommy, we are all alone in the world.”  But just at bedtime, he makes a discovery, the snow has stopped! You’ll have to read the book to see the magic that happens next. 

Books I imagine will win awards this year!

Herman And Rosie - written and illustrated by Gus Gordon

            There are many things to love about this book, if you love NYC, if you prefer happy endings, and if you adore picture books that appeal to all ages because of story told so well by words and illustrations!  Several have recommended this, and I do agree, it’s a beautiful book to savor.  I’ve read it twice, just looking and looking at all the details added to the story in the illustrations.  For example, Herman works at a job selling ‘things’, and in a sketch of him at his office, there is a bulletin board  that includes a list of ‘things’, like sparkly things and round Things.  Some backgrounds are ephermera like cutouts of newspaper weather data or a cash register printout.  There are also small parts that show the city is New York City, although the name is never written.  In such a short text, it’s wonderful to see how the tension builds, as slowly Rosie and Herman move closer to a meeting.  And that’s all I can say.  You’ll have to find the book to enjoy the rest of the story, and to enjoy more than once!   

     

The small moments fill me up!

             Thanks to Ruth Ayres at DiscoverPlayBuild,  for this Saturday tradition of sharing our celebrations.  It's time for special reflections, and celebrations, at this end of 2013.

It is the small things.  Here are a few favorites:

Family, all together with time to talk, to cook together, to be.

Waking up to a full household.

Walking in the cold to get ice cream with grandson Carter.

Seeing granddaughters happy to be in their princess dresses for Christmas, and Carter happy to 'be' Santa!

Merry Wishes All Around

           My first day of the holiday break, the day before the earth changes once more, and our days begin the turn toward spring.  Happy Solstice everyone!  Run over to Buffy Silverman's blog to see what others have for you this week, and to enjoy the 'snappy' poem she's written about her Venus Flytrap!  Thanks for hosting, Buffy!
           This year, again, I had the pleasure of swapping poetry with several wonderful people, both during the summer, and now for the holiday/winter swap!  Thanks to Tabatha Yeatts of The Opposite of Indifference who started this marvelous idea.  This holiday, I was excited to have Irene Latham as my swap partner.  I've read and loved her books, the children's fiction and the adult poetry (you can find them here), and look forward to her new poetry book, The Sky Between Us, out very soon!

New Kind of Slice of Life

         The Tuesday Slice of Life is hosted by the Two Writing Teachers blog.  Go there to visit the other"slicers"!  Thanks to Stacey, Tara, Dana, Betsy, Anna, and Elisabeth for all the marvelous posts they share!

               "Friendship Doubles Our Joy And Divides Our Sorrows"

        I’ve started a new slice in my life, sort of, by volunteering at the nursing home where my husband lived for 18 months.  I’ll be able to help with those patients I grew to like so much, and to meet new ones.  I’ve been back more than once since Arvie's passing, and have discovered I miss the connections I made there. 

        When I first began this journey with my husband, I wanted to get to know those who would be caring for him.  I spent time sharing with the staff about him, about myself, and about my family.  My own family and a few friends visited.  Slowly we all began to know each other, about our family and about theirs too.  I knew who had children, who was not married, who had grandchildren. I discovered who visited their mother, sister, friend, brother, father.  We were unique, but all connected because of the diagnosis of dementia in its diverse forms.  It became nearly as good a visit with others who lived there as it was with my husband. 

It's Monday - Book Sharing

It's Monday! What are you Reading? is hosted by Jen at TEACH.MENTOR.TEXTS, and shared with Ricki and Kellee at UNLEASHING READERS.   

         And, also visit Sheila at BOOK JOURNEYS for more reviews. Thanks to all these blogs we are able to discover many, many new books!  Thanks Ricki, Kellee, Jen and Sheila!

 Tweet! at #IMWAYR

This time, too, I am linking with Myra, Fats and Iphigene at Gathering Books for their Award Winning Book challenge by reading The Thing About Luck, by Cynthia Kadohata, illustrations by Julia Kuo! 

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I'd also like to share that I'm joining the 2014 Latin@s in Kid Lit Reading Challenge
See the sidebar for the link!

Novels

Borrowed Names – written by Jeannine Atkins

             There is more than one book in my house that I’ve bought because it somehow called to me, and that I haven’t read.  This has been one of them, and I’m sorry I put it off so long.   I enjoyed it very much.  Not only are the stories beautifully told in verse, but I learned new things about these women, one of which I had never heard of, one I know because of her books I love, and one I know only because of my meager science knowledge.  Jeannine tells the loving and at times not so loving stories of Laura Ingalls Wilder, Madam C.J. Walker, and Marie Curie and their daughters, the strong history of each highlighted, but also the pull of the relationship.  Each of the mothers were born in 1867.  

Tiny Things-Like The Temperature!

Thanks to Ruth Ayres at DiscoverPlayBuild, for this Saturday tradition of sharing our celebrations.  Come visit to share the celebrations!  Tweet at #Celebratelu

       There is that spirit in the air, busy with final projects at school, planning for different kinds of celebrations, with students, colleagues and friends, and then finally, family!  This recent week I

*had high tea with friends at a local tea house, complete with lemon curd and clotted cream on scones!

A Gift for Me and Now for You

Tabatha Yeatts, at The Opposite of Indifference, is our host this Poetry Friday, and I know I will learn something new, as I do often when visiting Tabatha's posts.  Thank you, Tabatha!

          Some days it’s not so easy to choose the topic for Poetry Friday.  I’ve been thinking about the passing of Nelson Mandela, wondering how to share more that hasn't already been written, and eloquently.  Did we lose something of much value, or will his legacy be more powerful now?  Will there be someone else who takes up the message?  Although it is always on my mind, at this Christmas time of year for many, I think about those military women and men who will miss being with their families, are missing their growing children, their aging parents, the changes at home.  On our television, we have more than one military person saying hello to their families here, so I send a thought and a prayer to them across the miles, wishing they could come home, and soon.  I wish for peace.

           And then, today, a dear friend and colleague with whom I trade books back and forth brought me a book to read, which I want to share with you. Maya Angelou’s Amazing Peace, A Christmas Poem was published in 2005.  The dedication says: “For my great-grandchildren, Caylin Nicole Johnson and Brandon Bailey Johnson.  For all the children of the world, who, in order to grow healthily, need our love and poetry.”  The message is written, and I cannot write it better, only agree.

Traditions - or Not!

             

Tuesday Slice of Life is hosted by the Two Writing Teachers blog.  Go there to visit so many other terrific "slices"!

           I’ve never had a tradition with Christmas trees.  As a child or in my marriage, there has been more than one “thing” we’ve done about “the tree” for Christmas.  Monday, I went to Target and bought a new artificial tree.  I was not happy with a bigger tree last year, and finally found time to shop for a new one.  I discovered a sweet little pre-lit tree that fits just right in one place in my living area. 

           Is this the ideal memory-making event for Christmas?  Maybe?  I’ve found that doing things during the holidays, and perhaps every other day has more to do with the attitude I use than what happens in the event.  I went to Target, found just the tree I imagined, stopped at Starbucks for chai, and went home to put it up.  It was a good time. My granddaughter will be over later in the week to help with the trimming.  We’ll play Christmas music, read some special books, and she’ll help me.  We’ll make memories!

It's Monday, and Busy!!

          It's Monday! What are you Reading? is hosted by Jen at TEACH.MENTOR.TEXTS, and shared with Ricki and Kellee at UNLEASHING READERS.   

         And, also visit Sheila at BOOK JOURNEYS for more reviews. Thanks to all these blogs we are able to discover many, many new books!  Thanks Ricki, Kellee, Jen and Sheila!

 Tweet! at #IMWAYR

This time, too, I am linking with Myra, Fats and Iphigene at Gathering Books for their Award Winning Book challenge, having read two books who have earned awards.   

I browsed in our school library this week and chose a few picture books that looked interesting, along with reading Soldier Bear.  We are lucky to have a great library.  

        In 2012, Soldier Bear won The Mildred L. Batchelder Award, given to an American publisher to recognize the year’s most outstanding translated children’s book published in the United States.

Soldier Bear – written by Bibi Dumon Tak, illustrated by Philip Hopman

Celebrating With A Special Group

          Thanks to Ruth Ayres at DiscoverPlayBuild,  for this Saturday tradition of sharing our celebrations.  It's special to read all the posts.  

Tweet at #celebratelu

           On Thursday, my daughter, son-in-law and I attended a Service of Remembrance given by Vitas, the hospice group who cared for my husband until he died.  At the end of the year, they hold this ceremony with a "reading of the names", in their words, "to remember and honor those who have died and gone before us."  It was bitter cold and only three families were able to come, but others were honored.  We participated in a few readings, listened to some lovely and reassuring words from one of the chaplains, and the names were read.  

Poetry Friday-thankful for past history

We are celebrating Poetry Friday with our wonderful host today, Robyn Hood Black of Life On The Deckle Edge.  Visit there for all the Friday links, plus don't forget to visit Robyn's Creative blog, Artsy Letters, that links to her Etsy site-great for gifts for all your creative friends and family.
          I want to offer a blessing for Nelson Mandela on his passing.  I know that South Africa is saddened for the loss of their great leader tonight, as are many in all parts of the world.  This post is also about the loss of a leader.

New Thinking from An Old Idea

        Tuesday Slice of Life is hosted by the Two Writing Teachers blog.  Be sure to check out all the other slicers.  It's terrific to see what they're sharing.

      SPECIAL:  I'm visiting Michelle Barnes at Today's Little Ditty: Limerick Alley, with a limerick of course!  I'm thrilled to be there, but the road to limerick writing is definitely not easy!  Come visit!
        Many, many others have written great reflections about NCTE.  I actually have taken a few notes from other blogs because they went to sessions I would have loved to, but was in a competing time.  What to do, where to go-the continual questions!  Here is one small slice of one session with a big idea and another project it reminded me of that I've done, too. At Poetry Central To Our Core, presenters were Maureen Barbieri, Georgia Heard, Tom Romano and Linda Rief.  
      Linda Rief spoke of a project that could be adapted to varied needs and student ages.  She referenced Georgia Heard's well-known idea of creating heart maps of topics and ideas important to list for future writing ideas.  And, she took it further, suggesting that students could also create a poetry book from those heart maps.  She asked students to find a new poem each week that reflected something from the heart map (which is used as the book's cover).  In a double-page spread, copy the poem (type or hand-write) and illustrate it. Each week, she introduced a new art technique too.  On the right hand side, students were asked to explain why the choice and what is the connection.  

Monday Reads!

          It's Monday! What are you Reading? is hosted by Jen at TEACH.MENTOR.TEXTS, and shared with Ricki and Kellee at UNLEASHING READERS.   

         And, also visit Sheila at BOOK JOURNEYS for more reviews. Thanks to all these blogs we are able to discover many, many new books!  Thanks Ricki, Kellee, Jen and Sheila!

 Tweet! at #IMWAYR

Eat Like A Bear – written by April Pulley Sayre, illustrated by Steve Jenkins

            With the part rhyming text and the gorgeous full-page illustrations, this is a book to enjoy with young children over and over again.  All about what bears eat, how they find food, and eventually ready their bodies for winter will be a book to entertain as well as inform. I think it might also start the wondering about other animals’ eating habits, too.  Terrific and beautiful book.

Carnivores - written by Aaron Reynolds, illustrated by Dan Santat

            It’s been written about a lot, and it’s well worth the look at three carnivores—a lion, a shark and a wolf—feeling a little low because they are made fun of because of what they eat.  After all, they eat meat!  And that means all those other animals who are meat are just a little scared and make unkind comments.  All sorts of solutions are created to solve this self-esteem problem, but the end solution, helped along by another carnivore, a wise old owl, is good advice for everyone, self acceptance.  I imagine this will start big conversations among younger students.  The illustrations are bold and entertaining, sometimes tongue-in-cheek funny!