Mission: READ

Did you know that a few Rebecca Caudill books are less than 100 pages? Here’s a short book that still has a lot to say: Locomotion by Jacqueline Woodson. Lonnie Collins Motion’s life changed forever four years ago. He has had to call many places “home” since his parents died in a fire and he was separated from his sister–but none of them have felt like home. When he gets to Miss Edna’s house he assumes it will be just like all the others, ut it turns out to be different. And Ms. Marcus, his teacher, encourages him to share his thoughts and feelings by writing poems. We get to read his poems to find out about Lonnie’s life and how it may be changing for the better….

Naomi Solidad Leon Outlaw has a life that’s changing as well. She and her little brother Owen, who has some disabilities, have lived with Gram in Baby Beluga, an old silver trailer home, ever since their mother left them with Gram years ago. The three have a peaceful life in the town of Lemon Tree, and while they don’t have a lot of things, they share a lot of love. Then one day their mother, Skyla, surprises them by knocking at the door. At first Naomi is thrilled to see her mother and enjoys the attention and new clothes she gets. But then she begins to notice a few things about Skyla: she is uncomfortable with Owen because he is different; she “forgets” to attend student conferences, heading to Las Vegas with her boyfriend for a long weekend; she seems to be drinking again. So when Skyla suggests that only Naomi should come live with her and Clive to keep Clive’s daughter company, Naomi doesn’t want to go and she and Gram must come up with a plan to keep that from happening. Can they do it? Read Becoming Naomi Leon by Pam Munoz Ryan to find out.

ARRGGGHHHH! Did you know that September 19th was “Talk Like a Pirate Day?” If you missed it, this next book gives you the perfect opportunity to get caught up! Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson is full of swashbuckling adventures that rival those of Pirates of the Caribbean!

Here’s the book’s recipe for greatness:

• One part mistreated orphans with a leader named Peter en route to slavery on a faraway island
• One part terrible, greedy pirates like Black Stache and Mr. Grin
• One part increduble treasure hidden in an ordinary travel trunk
• One part sweet but sophisticated Molly, who is not what she seems
• Mix all of the above together in a greasy galley stewpot and let the roaring waves and splashing surf mix it up into a great prequel to Peter Pan
• Read and enjoy, mateys!

Mission: Accomplished

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Check out the Charger Guys Read Blog! It tells about a bunch of CJHS guys who meet during study hall for books, guest speakers, and podcasting. Thanks to grants from the Mid-State Reading Council and Beyond the Books we have great books and equipment to get started.

Mission: Accomplished

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In September, lots of people look forward to the start of the new TV season. I do, too, but I also look forward to the new season of Books & Bites, when students come once a month to eat lunch in the IMC and hear about great new books. Linda from the Normal Public Library and John from the Bloomington Public Library join us to share their favorites, too.

In September, we always talk about current Rebecca Caudill Nominees. You can find the whole list here: CJHS Rebecca Caudill Page. The IMC is a voting site, and gives out prizes for students who read 10 or more Rebecca Caudill nominees. Get the blue brochure from the IMC to keep track of your reading and to see what you can win.

Now, on to the books:

Once upon a time, there was a guy named Christian who lived in the woods with his father, Edric, a troll who found him in lost in the woods. Christian is happy with his life in the forest UNTIL he uses his telescope to spy on the castle and falls in LOVE–with a princess (of course). Now, don’t think this is just a run-of-the-mill fairy tale, or a sappy, lovey-dovey one. The author, herself, describes the book as “part comedy, part love story, part everything-but-the-kitchen sink.” After exchanging p-mails (sent by pigeon) with Princess Marigold and making a gutsy move to meet her in person, Christian gets more than he bargained for–like an evil queen who wants to kill off her own daughter! Read Once Upon a Marigold by Jean Ferris, and you’ll see what I mean.

Next up is one of my favorite books of all time, Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett. Why do I like this book so much? Because it is a mystery that really makes you think and when you get to the end, you’re amazed at all the lose ends the author ties together–some that you didn’t even know were there! One day, Petra, a student at the University of Chicago Lab School, is walking home and finds a note blowing around in the bushes. It says: “Dear Friend:  I would like your help in identifying a crime that is now centuries old.” But the letter is swept away so she can’t finish it. This is just one in a series of weird things that happens to Petra. When a famous painting by the artist Vermeer is stolen on its way to the Art Institute (and a “ransom” note appears in the newspaper), Petra and her friend Calder start noticing coincidences that can’t be just coincidences, and they think they just might be able to figure out who has stolen it. And they just might–by using their wits, their powers of observation, the “magic” of Calder’s pentominoes, and their conversations with people like Mrs. Sharp, who believes that her husband was killed for what he knew about Vermeer… There’s a a cool website to go with the book, and the sequel is The Wright 3, as in Frank Lloyd Wright–and it’s awesome, too.

Mission: Accomplished

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