Todd LaMontagne

Becky Wentworth reviewed a book.

“Katie Casey is not like other girls. She likes baseball, not baking and sewing. But in the 1940s, girls weren't supposed to play baseball, that is, until the men were needed to fight in WWII and girls like Katie got to play in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. While Katie is...”

“Katie Casey is not like other girls. She likes baseball, not baking and sewing. But in the 1940s, girls weren't supposed to play baseball, that is, until the men were needed to fight in WWII and girls like Katie got to play in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. While Katie is not a real person, the book describes the girls baseball league, what it was like for girls to play and how the fans reacted to them.

The book explores the theme of being true to yourself and following your dreams. Katie was different from the other girls until she met others who were like her in the professional baseball league. Stereotyping is also a theme. Because Katie was a girl, she was supposed to do certain things, not play baseball. The book is a good historical fiction book, introducing children to life in the 1940s. Students could learn more about the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. They could also learn about real players. The book also gives an interesting fact about the song "Take Me Out to the Ball Game". It was written by a woman who wanted to go a baseball game with her boyfriend. Students could learn about the background of other popular songs.

I found the book to be interesting and fun. The author's note, in particular, includes good information about the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.”

Becky Wentworth reviewed a book.

“When the story opens, the main character, a homeless orphan, doesn't even have a name. She is trying to find warmth in a dung heap and perhaps a place she can find food regularly. She is taken in and named Beetle by the town's midwife, in exchange for hard work and assistance in the trade of...”

“When the story opens, the main character, a homeless orphan, doesn't even have a name. She is trying to find warmth in a dung heap and perhaps a place she can find food regularly. She is taken in and named Beetle by the town's midwife, in exchange for hard work and assistance in the trade of midwifery. Over time, Beetle becomes a member of this medieval community, but she continues to question herself and her abilities which sends her on a journey to find herself. In the end, she realizes it is up to her to make the life that she wants for herself.

The major themes in The Midwife's Apprentice are overcoming adversity and finding personal identity. the main character is an orphan who needs to fend for herself from an early age. Her identity becomes increasingly important to her as the book progresses, from giving herself a name, Alyce, to determining what her future will hold, she struggles with who she is and will be. This book would be a good addition to a unit on overcoming adversity perhaps comparing the difficulties Alyce has to those in a more modern novel. It certainly could be used as part of a study on medieval times as Alyce comes in contact with people of all types in the village. It could be read alongside Good Masters, Sweet Ladies, which also deals with medieval times.

I have been meaning to read this book for years and thoroughly enjoyed it. I think Alyce is a good role model in her quest to find herself and continue to face adversity with strength and intelligence. I would recommend it for 6th to 8th graders due to the vocabulary used and the background needed on medieval times. ”

Katty Quezada reviewed a book.

“The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro

The protagonist of this novel is an English butler named Stevens. He has worked in Darlington Hall for more than thirty years. He is a meticulous man who believes that maintaining a strict professional decorum in all his interactions with other...”

“The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro

The protagonist of this novel is an English butler named Stevens. He has worked in Darlington Hall for more than thirty years. He is a meticulous man who believes that maintaining a strict professional decorum in all his interactions with other people is the ultimate symbol of dignity. For most of his years of service, Stevens was unquestionably devoted to the now deceased Lord Darlington . The story unfolds in 1956, when the residence is acquired by a wealthy American named Mr. Farraday. Upon the insistence of his new employer, Stevens decides to go on a road trip. It is during this brief vacation that Stevens reflects upon his life’s choices and their consequences. As Stevens recalls the past, his views and actions are questioned and the faulty character of his former employer is revealed. Stevens’ fixation on becoming a dignified butler prevented the development of his own perspectives and intimate relationships. In Stevens, readers will find a lonely man whose misplaced values led him to sacrifice family and friendships for his career.

Connections: I would include this book in a summer reading list at the high school level. The narrative would enrich a discourse about regrets, how our profession shape who we are, the necessity of living a balanced life, the importance of self-expression and understanding and following our personal values.
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Katty Quezada reviewed a book.

“Naming the World: A Year of Poems and Lessons by Nancie Atwell

This book is an instructional guide for improving literacy skills through the teaching of poetry at the middle school level. The collection of poems is divided into several sections that include a lesson starter for each...”

“Naming the World: A Year of Poems and Lessons by Nancie Atwell

This book is an instructional guide for improving literacy skills through the teaching of poetry at the middle school level. The collection of poems is divided into several sections that include a lesson starter for each poem. For instance, the first section explains the effect that poetry can have on the reader and writer. With amusing examples, it helps teachers show students that poetry is “limitless”, any topic could be covered. Moreover, students will be able to connect to many of the poems introduced in the text. Poems such as “You Can’t Write a Poem about McDonald’s” by Ronald Wallace, “Footsteps to Follow” by eight grader Kelli Carter and “My Room” by fellow student Joe Powing will make audiences laugh, reflect and share personal anecdotes or political opinions. In today’s assessment driven educational system, this guide provides quick and fun activities that reinforce many of the language arts standards.

Connections: This is a great guide for writing and reading workshops at the secondary level. One of the teacher’s at my school recommended this collection to me. She uses this book with her after-school poetry club. The collection includes topics about sports and other activities that motivate reluctant readers to read and write poems. I personally enjoyed the poem “First Love” by Carl Linder which is about his love of basketball. My colleague finds this book very helpful and I would agree. It would be a great addition to a school library’s collection of teacher’s resources.
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Katty Quezada reviewed a book.

“Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand is a biography about the life of Louis Zamperini, a 1936 U.S. Olympic track athlete whose prospects are halted by being drafted into the Army Air Force during World War II. Most of the narrative focuses on this period of Zamperini ‘s life. It is an unfathomable...”

“Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand is a biography about the life of Louis Zamperini, a 1936 U.S. Olympic track athlete whose prospects are halted by being drafted into the Army Air Force during World War II. Most of the narrative focuses on this period of Zamperini ‘s life. It is an unfathomable account of barely surviving bombing missions with malfunctioning B-24 planes to being shot down over the Pacific Ocean. Stranded at sea for more than forty days, Zamperini (and the other two survivors) face severe starvation, exposure to the blazing sun and sharks attacks. Their perils worsen when they are captured by the Japanese. What follows is a vivid and difficult-to-read depiction of the torture that Zamperini and other prisoners of war endured in Japanese prison camps.
How does one resume normalcy after enduring such atrocities? The author describes how Zamperini’s inability to overcome these traumas after returning to the United States led him to alcoholism. Readers will cheer for him as he slowly regains his sense of purpose and dedicates himself to his family and working with underprivileged youth. This inspiring true story shows how the human spirit can triumph despite unthinkable cruelty and tragedies.

Connections: This incredible narrative would enrich a social studies curriculum on World War II. The author includes many facts from history, information about how Japanese culture affected the captors’ inhumane treatment of the POWs and the aftermath of war in Japan. Students will also learn about survival skills and the importance of will power. This text is most appropriate at the high school level because of the detailed descriptions of the horrific conditions that the POWs endured.
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Katty Quezada reviewed a book.

“My Friend Dahmer by Derf Backderf

This graphic novel is a memoir of the author’s experience going to high school with Jeffrey Dahmer, who later became one of the most notorious serial killers. Jeffrey was a troubled teenager. He abused alcohol and was truant. His bizarre behavior and...”

“My Friend Dahmer by Derf Backderf

This graphic novel is a memoir of the author’s experience going to high school with Jeffrey Dahmer, who later became one of the most notorious serial killers. Jeffrey was a troubled teenager. He abused alcohol and was truant. His bizarre behavior and lack of social skills made him an outcast in school. He was bullied by others, including Derf and his group of friends who were often amused by Jeffrey’s antics. The author research into Jeffrey’s background reveals an adolescent who endured severe parental neglect and repressed homosexual thoughts. The book discusses how Jeffrey’s disturbing fantasies lead him to commit his first murder. It provides an inside look into the mind of a serial killer.

Connections: The author criticizes the lack of adult intervention during those troubling years. Derf states that Jeffrey’s parents, teachers and counselors ignored him, instead of helping him overcome his demons. I would not recommend this book because Derf does not address the role that other schoolmates and him played on Jeffrey’s demise. Jeff was constantly bullied and completely excluded. He did not have any friends at school. Derf and his group befriended Jeffrey only when they needed amusement. Why doesn’t the author delve into their influences on Jeffrey? Although aware of Jeffrey’s truancy and alcohol abuse, none of the schoolmates reported their observations to an adult. Does Derf feel a sense of responsibility or regret? The author’s dismissal of Jeffrey’s treatment by his schoolmates sends a wrong message to teenagers.
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Cheri Amster reviewed a book.

“Mike Brown was determined to find another planet within in our solar system. He was convinced that if he searched hard enough he was bound to find the tenth planet. Mike searched and searched and sure enough he found objects within our solar system; Quaoar, Sedna and Santa. After four years, he...”

“Mike Brown was determined to find another planet within in our solar system. He was convinced that if he searched hard enough he was bound to find the tenth planet. Mike searched and searched and sure enough he found objects within our solar system; Quaoar, Sedna and Santa. After four years, he even found an astral body that was in fact bigger than Pluto. But if every astral object found that size was considered a planet, than there’s no telling how many planets could be found. This led to scientists from around the world to rethink the definition of what makes a planet. As such, their decision led to a new definition for a planet, thus demoting Pluto to a dwarf planet status. Mike knows that if he continues to search, he will one day find the tenth planet of our solar system.

Curriculum Connections
This book would work great as a kick off into a unit about our solar system. The teacher can discuss how Pluto was once considered on of our 9 planets, and then was reclassified as a dwarf planet.

This book would also work well within a biography unit and/or a narrative nonfiction unit.
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Cheri Amster reviewed a book.

“This is the true story of a baseball team made up entirely of brothers, twelve brothers to be exact. The Acerras were a family that lived in the 1920s and 1930s. With twelve sons, there were enough players to make up an entire team. The Acerras had a true love for the game and cared and...”

“This is the true story of a baseball team made up entirely of brothers, twelve brothers to be exact. The Acerras were a family that lived in the 1920s and 1930s. With twelve sons, there were enough players to make up an entire team. The Acerras had a true love for the game and cared and supported each other. They played the game for years, only taking time off when some of the brothers went away due to the war. Years later, when they made it to the hall of fame, their bus broke down on their way home. They used that as an opportunity to take out their gloves and throw the ball around.

Curriculum Connections
This is a great book to use during a unit on nonfiction and/or biographies. The pictures are rich and vivid and capture young readers. It could also be used to explore some of the historical content including the America’s pastimes, the 1939 World’s Fair and World War II.
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Cheri Amster reviewed a book.

“Cassia Reyes lives in a perfect society. There is no crime, or cancer or confusion about your place in the world. The Society rules over the people and decides all aspects of their life. When young girls turn 17, they are invited to their Matched banquet, in which they will be introduced to...”

“Cassia Reyes lives in a perfect society. There is no crime, or cancer or confusion about your place in the world. The Society rules over the people and decides all aspects of their life. When young girls turn 17, they are invited to their Matched banquet, in which they will be introduced to their person they will be married to. Wearing a green dress, Cassia attends the banquet, trusting the society explicitly to choose her perfect match. As unlikely as it seems, Cassia is matched to her best friend Xander and she knows complete certainty that he is her ideal mate. When she goes to view Xander’s biographical data on her port screen, she is surprised to see someone else’s face flash in front of her. This boy is Ky Marham. The society is quick to assure her that this was a malfunction and she should forget about it. However, now that Ky has been brought to her attention, she can’t stop thinking about him. As the summer goes on, Cassia and Ky spend more and more time together, and slowly fall in love. The idea that the person she falls in love with is not whom the society has chosen, has forced Cassia to question all of the choices the society has made for her. She can’t help but think the perfect world she has always known, maybe isn’t so perfect.

Curriculum Connections
In this book the government, The Society, makes all the decisions for the people. These decisions include everything in their world from the foods they eat, to jobs they do, to the people they marry. All choice has been eliminated from their lives. Students can discuss would it would be like to live in a society where all of their decisions are made for them.

The Society has limited the cultural and historical contents of the past only 100 pieces; 100 songs, 100 historical lessons, 100 poems, etc. Students can discuss how they would choose the 100 pieces that should live on and how the other pieces would be discarded for good.
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Patty ODonnell Kirby rated a book.

• Rated 3 stars

Cheri Amster is now reading a book. (see 3 more books added to shelf)

Patty ODonnell Kirby reviewed a book.

“Born with the name "Tulip" and abandoned at birth, she decided to take charge of her life by changing her name. After much thought, she settled on Hope. Her Aunt, who is raising her, cautioned Hope that it was a big name to live up to.
Hope and her Aunt have to move unexpectedly from...”

“Born with the name "Tulip" and abandoned at birth, she decided to take charge of her life by changing her name. After much thought, she settled on Hope. Her Aunt, who is raising her, cautioned Hope that it was a big name to live up to.
Hope and her Aunt have to move unexpectedly from Brooklyn, NY to Mulhoney, Wisconsin. It's not the first move they've had to make, but each one is a little harder on Hope. She has to prove herself to the other waitresses where she works and find new friends...again. For someone who has lived through the disappointment of not knowing her father and knowing her mother doesn't want her, will this be the move where she finds what she doesn't even know she's looking for?

I liked this book, but didn't love this book. The events were predictable, and yet I still wanted to see what happened.

Curriculum Connections:
Hope chooses her own name...did she choose right? Decide if she has lived up to the meaning of her name.

If you could choose your own name, what would it be and why?


Hope talks a lot about comfort food. How can food bring people together? Can it change your mood?

Hope keeps a list of waitressing tips from her mother. How can those tips be used in life?”

Becky Wentworth reviewed a book.

“Pathways to the Common Core: Accelerating Achievement reviews the Common Core Standards in reading, writing, and speaking/listening and helps guide teachers in how they can teach with these standards. The book begins with an introduction to the standards, looking at them like a "curmudgeon"...”

“Pathways to the Common Core: Accelerating Achievement reviews the Common Core Standards in reading, writing, and speaking/listening and helps guide teachers in how they can teach with these standards. The book begins with an introduction to the standards, looking at them like a "curmudgeon" reviewing some of the issues and concerns of the standards and then looking at them like "gold" pointing out the positive aspects of the standards. The introduction also gives advice for implementing the standards such as reviewing current literacy initiatives and looking for gaps, then focusing on instruction and assessment. The book then focuses on each of the standards in more detail. The section on the reading standards, starts with literal understanding, then literature, and finally informational texts. The book switches to writing standards, covering narrative, argument, and informational texts. The final portion is a brief overview of the listening and language standards. Each section includes information on what students need to know and how teachers can teach to help students get there, as well as what administrators need to do to help teachers.

This book is extremely helpful in breaking down the literacy standards and helping teachers with the language and activities they need to use to teach to these standards. I see this as a book that I will read numerous times. It provided a good overview giving me ideas I can implement right away. I will read it again and add more as the students are better able to deal with the rigors of the standards. ”

Becky Wentworth reviewed a book.

“Spiders by Seymour Simon explores the world of spiders in text and gorgeous photographs. The book describes the different kinds of spiders, what makes a spider a spider instead of another type of insect, where they live, how they make webs and what the webs are used for, spiders' main diet, and...”

“Spiders by Seymour Simon explores the world of spiders in text and gorgeous photographs. The book describes the different kinds of spiders, what makes a spider a spider instead of another type of insect, where they live, how they make webs and what the webs are used for, spiders' main diet, and much more. The author makes spiders fascinating instead of repulsive through the text and pictures.

Themes in this book are the wonders of nature and the interconnectedness of the natural world. The book could certainly be used as part of a unit on spiders or insects. It would also be used as part of a nonfiction unit on author's point of view. It is clear through the text and photographs that the author feels that spiders are fascinating and beautiful creatures. This could be contrasted with a book that is merely factual or a story in which spiders are shown as fearful or disgusting.

I have read several Seymour Simon books in the past such as Wolves and The Sun and have always been impressed by their beauty and excellent information. I chose to pick this one up because I HATE spiders and I found that they are actually quite fascinating and almost beautiful. I shared this book with my students and found most of them to be utterly intrigued by it, just like I was. ”

Becky Wentworth reviewed a book.

“George Washington: Leading a New Nation is a biography of George Washington written in graphic novel format. The story is told in four parts: his life as a child, his experiences in the Virginia militia and as a member of the Continental Congress, his role as leader of the Continental Army in...”

“George Washington: Leading a New Nation is a biography of George Washington written in graphic novel format. The story is told in four parts: his life as a child, his experiences in the Virginia militia and as a member of the Continental Congress, his role as leader of the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War, and finally his presidency. The book concludes with additional facts about Washington and corrects myths about Washington such as the myth about Washington chopping down the cherry tree.

The book highlights Washington's early difficulties such as the loss of his father and brother when he was young and his struggles as a soldier in the Virginia militia and leading the Continental Army demonstrating the theme of persistence and tenacity. The book also shows how one man can make a difference as Washington's leadership helped the Continental Army defeat the British. George Washington: Leading a New Nation would be a good introduction to George Washington for elementary readers. It could be read as part of a biography unit or a unit on the Revolutionary War.

George Washington: Leading a New Nation covers Washington's whole life in just 29 pages. As a result it does not include a great deal of detail about any one part of his life. However, it would be a good introduction to Washington. Readers would benefit from some background about the 1700's because the book tells of Washington's experiences at Fort Necessity and as a member of the Continental Congress which could be hard to understand for readers unfamiliar with those historical events. I liked the fact that direct quotations from primary sources are in a different color than other text so that children can see what Washington's true words were as opposed to words written by the author. ”

Becky Wentworth reviewed a book.

“Cherry Blossom Friends is a picture book that is actually two books in one. At the top of each page are riddles written in poetry form about the cherry trees and the animals that live around these trees in Washington DC. The bottom of each page is text giving very detailed facts about the...”

“Cherry Blossom Friends is a picture book that is actually two books in one. At the top of each page are riddles written in poetry form about the cherry trees and the animals that live around these trees in Washington DC. The bottom of each page is text giving very detailed facts about the cherry trees themselves as well as other landmarks in the city. The illustrations are made of lovely collages of the animals and sites around our nation's capitol.

This book focuses on the friendship between countries, describing how Japan gave the cherry trees to the United States not once, but twice. The book also explores the interconnectedness of nature, showing how all the different animals in the area depend on the trees. This book would be a great book to share with young readers to introduce them to Washington DC. It could also be used in a unit on Japan, showing how the two nations have been friends.

Cherry Blossom Friends gives good information about Washington DC and has beautiful illustrations. The reading levels of the top part of the page and the bottom part of the page are drastically different. This could be good as the book could grow with the child, or it could frustrate and confuse young readers.”

Katty Quezada reviewed a book.

“The Book Whisperer by Donalyn Miller

Donalyn Miller is a sixth grade language arts and social studies teacher. In this book, she discusses her approach to nurturing lifelong readers. For example, her students fill out surveys at the beginning of the year that provide information for book...”

“The Book Whisperer by Donalyn Miller

Donalyn Miller is a sixth grade language arts and social studies teacher. In this book, she discusses her approach to nurturing lifelong readers. For example, her students fill out surveys at the beginning of the year that provide information for book recommendations. Topics range from students’ preferences of books, movies, television programs, and sports to famous people they would like to interview. Her vast classroom library provides a wide range of reading choices for students. On the other hand, she has clear expectations and structure such as a reading requirement of forty books for the year. Furthermore, Miller uses the time normally spent on reading comprehension worksheets and book reports for extra independent reading in the classroom and thoughtful readers’ responses. These are some of the many strategies examined in the book that empower and motivate students to read and write well independently.

Connections: This book is particularly useful for language arts teachers. It discusses methodologies used to get kids excited about reading. It also provides sample lessons, surveys and a student recommended book list. The text encouraged me to reflect on the practices that I employ to promote reading in my foreign language classroom. I have allotted classroom time for SSR in Spanish on Fridays. I have a small collection of children’s favorite stories translated to Spanish and beginner magazines. I recently gave my students a survey to determine their interests, and am in the process of submitting a request to expand my classroom collection.
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Cheri Amster reviewed a book.

“In 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor and thrust the United States into World War I. Like on the home front changed dramatically for Americans, especially Japanese Americans. This is the story of a Japanese family that is sent to an internment camp during that time. The father is taken away...”

“In 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor and thrust the United States into World War I. Like on the home front changed dramatically for Americans, especially Japanese Americans. This is the story of a Japanese family that is sent to an internment camp during that time. The father is taken away first, in the middle of the night in his bathrobe and slippers. Shortly after, the mother begins to close down the house as she prepares to leave to an unknown place. They are first taken to Tanforan, a run down horse track, and then later placed on a train and sent to a camp in Utah. During that time, the live in barracks, are woken by sirens, wait on line for food, and live in sub-standard conditions for over three years. Upon their return, they must face a community that no longer embraces them, and learn to live as outcasts.

Curriculum Connections
This book would be great in a social studies class that is studying World War II and life on the home front. Japanese internment was a big part of that history. Students can investigate Evacuation Order 19, and the implications that came with it. Other aspects they can study are the life of Americans during that time.
The book is told from four different perspectives. During writing, students can explore how the story may have sounded different if told from a single perspective. For example, we hear from the mother’s perspective in the beginning, but only learn of her depression through the eyes of her children. How would the story sound differently if told through only the eyes of the mother?
Students can also investigate the statistics of Japanese immigration to the United States leading up to the war.
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Cheri Amster finished reading a book. (see 2 more books added to shelf)

Cheri Amster reviewed a book.

“This is the story of Spirit and Opportunity and the team of scientists responsible for sending these two rovers to Mars back in 2003. The beginning of the book introduces us to Steven Squyres, an astronomy professor at Cornell, whose vision and perseverance saw this mission through. The book...”

“This is the story of Spirit and Opportunity and the team of scientists responsible for sending these two rovers to Mars back in 2003. The beginning of the book introduces us to Steven Squyres, an astronomy professor at Cornell, whose vision and perseverance saw this mission through. The book details the journey of the mission from its inception through lift-off and then as the two rovers explore Martian terrain. We learn of the team made up of scientists, engineers and geologists on the ground that developed, built and facilitated the mission. We also follow Spirit and Opportunity as they explore Mars. What was originally designed to only last three months, lasted for six years. The goal was to find evidence as to whether life could have existed on Mars. These two “rolling geologists” far exceeded the expectations of everyone involved. Curriculum Connections
This book would work best on a unit of Mars exploration. Students can explore each facet of the mission from building the rovers, to launching them, to troubleshooting problems that the rovers faced while on Mars. Students can try to recreate the protective landing gear used to shield the rovers from crash landing. Other experimenting can involve studying rocks and their formations and compositions.
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