I NEED YOUR HELP!

Right now I am transitioning into a new school and grade (no more middle grades) and have just found out that I will not be given a classroom library for my students!! I want to make sure my students have the materials they need to succeed. So I’ve created a classroom project request at DonorsChoose.org, an award-winning charity.

I’m asking for donations of any size to help my kids. For the next four days, any donation you make to my project will be doubled (up to $100). If you know anyone who is passionate about education, please pass this along. Your donation will brighten my students’ school year, and you’ll get photos and thank yous from our class.

Here’s my classroom request:

http://www.donorschoose.org/project/whats-a-classroom-without-a-classroom-l/1258425/?rf=email-system-2014-07-teacher_promo_expiring-teacher_2386946&challengeid=20425590/

To have your donation matched dollar for dollar, enter the promo code INSPIRE on the payment screen. This awesome match offer lasts through July 25.

My students and I greatly appreciate your support.

Jamee

Holes

Author: Louis Sachar

Lexile: 660

Grade Level: 5-8

I’ve heard it before, “I’m the most unlucky kid in the world”. You must have not met Stanley Yelnat. Stanley’s a good kid, his family are good people, but they just can’t escape the curse that’s been haunting their family for decades! Somehow, Stanley’s bad luck now brings him to Green Lake Juvenile Detention Centre, and for something that he didn’t do! Green Lake has it’s quirks. First off, he’s asked to dig five feet wide by five feet deep holes and report whatever he finds inside. Somehow this is character building, but in reality, leads to much, much more. You’ll laugh and gasp with Stanley while reading this book, that’s a fact.

What I Liked: For every action, there is a reaction in this novel. Everything is interconnected in surprising, yet meaningful ways. Although, the truth is, Stanley really is unlucky, he does find some luck at Green Lake. He finds new friends, a little respect, and a few life lessons. I also loved the real world topics this book covers: racism, family, and working up to your potential.

What Could Have Been Better: Although I thoroughly enjoyed the plot, there were a few too many coincidences for me. At first they got me excited; however, after the fourth one in a row, I started to lose interest.

Who Should Read This Book: If you’re going through a rough time, have ever blamed your family for the way things are, or just have a free Sunday, pick up this book. You’ll learn a lot without even realizing it.

Quest for the Lost Treasure

Author: Gerry Gaston

Age Level: 3-8

Take control of your reading with this graphic novel. It’s up to you to find the treasures that the pirates stole from your village! Make the right choices so that you can get to the treasure before the pirates are lost forever! Climb trees, enter caves, and choose the right island and before you know it, you’ll be the village hero!

What I Liked:This entire book is interactive and puts the reader in charge of the story. The graphics are bright and engaging and the plot keeps the reader’s attention. The writing is large and simple, keeping the reader focused on the text right along with the graphics.

What Could Have Been Better: I would have liked more options for readers. This book let’s readers be creative, Id love for it to allow them to be even more. Also, it seemed as though some of options malfunctioned. I would choose one option and end up at another. Other options simply didn’t work.

Who Should Read This Book: This is the perfect graphic novel for those young readers who love technology, gaming, etc. reading is disguised as a game, a win win in my book. This book can be read multiple times with different end results as well, perfect for those who get bored with books easily.

A Pixie Called Pudding

Author: Travis Flynn

Lexile: 700

Age Level: 10-13

Pudding is not your average pixie. Yes, she goes to school, has a tight group of friends, and enjoys hanging out by the beach, but one thing makes her way different. She loves science. In a world filled with magic, the people of Luinia never saw a reason to focus on science. Because of this shared belief, many of the adults frown upon her work. Even one of her friends proves to be jealous and tries to sabotage her. I bet you’ll never guess what happens.

What I Liked: Pudding is a great lead character. She’s quirky, does her own thing, and isn’t always the center of attention the way that most characters tend to be. Although she makes a lot of HUGE mistakes, she takes everything as it comes and never falls into a negative attitude (there’s enough of that to go around from another character). I also liked the length of this book. It was a quick read; but one filled with deep thoughts, connections, and inferences.

What Could Have Been Better: I know some authors like to throw in an antagonist (evil character), but Nemesis was just too harsh! I hated that Pudding stayed her friend after everything Nemesis did and said to her and her friends. I hope Pudding comes to her senses in the next book!

Who Should Read This Book: This one is definitely girl focused, although the cover persuaded me otherwise. Although there’s science, adventure, and action, it’s still “girly” to me. If you like a little fantasy in your reading, pick up this book.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

Author: L. Frank Baum

Grade Level: 3-6

Lexile: 1000L (in my opinion, 600L)

Dorothy lives the simple life in Kansas, where her only real entertainment is her dog, Toto. But, when a twister comes and takes her to a far away land, all she wants is to find a way back home. Her landing causes quite a bit of attention, even the Good Witch of the North appears and shows her in the right direction towards the Great and Powerful Oz, the only person who may have a solution for Dorothy. Even with the Good Witch’s help, finding her way to Oz is not an easy task. Luckily she meets some unlikely companions who also want to see Oz for a brain, a heart, and courage. Together, they find their way, and might even discover exactly what they are looking for.

This novel is filled with twists and turns, ups and downs, and bumps and bruises. But, what you really find, is that lasting friendships form out of the most outrageous of situations.

What I Liked: Being an avid fan of the movie, I was expecting to know all of the scenes, narration, etc. Boy was I wrong! Plenty of scenes were taken out, others were added, characters were missing, new places existed. I could go on and on! And to tell the truth, I loved that they were so different. If you’ve read the book, you need to see the movie, and if you saw the movie, you need to read the book. No spoilers either way.

What Could Have Been Better: Although the story line is easy to follow and each character has distinct characteristics, I felt as though they weren’t as developed as well as they could have. I relied on my knowledge of the movie to give the characters greater depth, something first time viewers of the Wizard of Oz cannot fall back on.

Who Should Read This Book: if you’re between 8-14 read it. Just do it.

Nikki Powergloves: A Hero Is Born

Author: Kevin Estes

Grade Level: 2-5

Lexile: 400

Nikki is bummed when she finds out her best friend, Spencer, is going away for the summer with his dad. She has nothing to do and no one to do it with. Right when she thinks she’s doomed, she finds a Beaverpine, or correctly known as a Weeble, in a clearing in a forest. When her curiosity gets the best of her and she follows it into the woods, she’s introduced to the Weeble, who has a special gift for her, a treasure chest! Inside the chest are gloves, but not ordinary gloves, power-filled gloves. When she puts them on she possesses special powers, such as flying, becoming invisible, and stopping time.

Once she realizes what she’s been given, she rushes home to call Spencer, who just happens to be coming home early. Together, they discover the powers of the gloves and help the people of Cragglyville along the way. Don’t be mistaken, everything is not rainbows and butterflies. With every hero comes a villain. Nikki Powergloves’ villain just happens to be Jimmy Power…. See what Jimmy is capable of as this book unfolds.

What I Liked: This book has awesome written all over it. First off, Nikki is an all around good person. She’s loyal to her best friend, listens to her parents, and loves her dog. She’s your typical nine year old with a treasure chest of special powers. Second, once she’s received these powers she doesn’t turn into an instant pro. Instead she makes mistakes and learns from them. Third, she stands up for what is right. She doesn’t go to the dark side just to be like the other “power kids”. She follows her morals and sticks with Spencer, even though he doesn’t have super powers.

What Could Have Been Better: I know it isn’t a big deal, but I hated her costume! It took away from my enjoyment of this book. There’s no way people weren’t able to recognize her with only a braid covering her eyes! She didn’t like the idea of a fancy superhero costume, but at least make yourself unrecognizable! Silly, I know, but it kept frustrating me while reading!

Who Should Read This Book: Perfect for all middle elementary students. Although the main character is a girl, Spencer plays the best sidekick I’ve read in quite a long time, making this book five stars for both boys and girls. It’s for those that like a fantasy novel, but one that we believe might really happen one day. Anyone who’s ever sat bored over summer vacation, or even over a weekend for that matter, wishing something exciting would happen, will connect with this book….and I bet you’ll continue with the rest of the series too!

Alexis Tappendorf and the Search for Beale’s Treasure

Author: Becca C. Smith

Grade Level: 4-6

Lexile: 600

Alexis isn’t exactly the average 21st century kid. Instead of worrying about her next play date, she’s had to focus on where her family’s next meal is coming from. Don’t get me wrong, her parents love her, they do, but her dad’s obsession with discovering the secret treasure of Atlantis has gotten in the way of paying the bills. Desperate for money, her parents decide to become lab rats for the summer and leave Alexis with her Great Aunt Mae, an aunt she’s never met, in the middle of nowhere Virginia. What could be worse?!

A lot actually. Aunt Mae turns out to be great, and Alexis even makes a new best friend, Olivia. AND they even set out to find Beale’s treasure! Best summer ever, right? Not exactly. Turns out the Woodmore’s, who basically run the whole town, have been hunting for this treasure for three generations and they’re not exactly going to let two “runts” steal it from them. Follow Alexis and Olivia through all of the ups and downs (literally) towards finding the hidden treasure.

What I Liked: Although I consider this book highly fictional; I really enjoyed all of the real world components tied into it. Families really do struggle for money and therefore do crazy things. People really do get shooed out of hospitals when they don’t have insurance. People really do put the ones they love first regardless of the circumstances. And best friends really do have the power to find a secret treasure when they put their heads together.

What Could Have Been Better: Things get a little too crazy at the end of this book. Or at least I hope nothing of the sorts would ever come close to happening. The rest of the book is believable, but in the end too many out of this world things happen in literally every paragraph. Oh yea, by the way, there’s going to be sequel….but the hook to it is just too extreme! I’m not saying the sequel doesn’t have potential, I’m just saying, jeesh! It could have happened a little more subtly!

Who Should Read This Book: If you like twists and turns, this books for you. You need to REALLY like them because something new happens after every page! This book’s also for those who enjoy a good underdog novel. Also for those who believe that kids have what it takes to do things better than adults. If you fall into any of these categories grab your friends and start reading! There’s plenty to talk about within every chapter.

The Fault In Our Stars

“The world is not a wish granting factory”

Author: John Green

Grade Level: 8-12

Lexile: 850

What’s the point in really living when you know you’ll die soon? That’s the mindset Hazel Grace followed; especially when it came to meeting new people. Why make one more person devastated over my death? Hazel Grace is not alone. Many cancer patients prefer to live quietly and focus on things they can control, like their studies, video games, and in Hazel’s case, reading.

Although Hazel liked to be alone, her parents try to get her out whenever possible. She enrolled at the community college at only 16 and participated in the Cancer Kid Support Group once a week. Although the group’s usually a drag, it’s where this story really began.

Sometimes you need someone to really get you living again. And that’s what Augustus Waters did for Hazel when he walked into CKSG. From the first day forward the two of them grew a friendship, which turned into a relationship, that would be hard to forget. This novel focuses on what it’s really like being a cancer kid, and how it’s not having the illness that sucks, what sucks is what the illness takes away.

What I Liked: I loved how this novel takes into account all of your emotions. I’d be laughing, crying, and reflecting all within the same page. This book gave me a greater appreciation and understanding of all those young people that are currently going through the same things as Hazel as well. There’s more to a “cancer kid” than cancer. A lesson many of us still need to figure out.

What Could Have Been Better: The reading level is perfect for middle grades. The plot is perfect for middle grades. The messages/themes are perfect for middle grades. BUT there are a few scenes that are just not age appropriate! I wish Green would make a censored version for that purpose! Although, I’d love to pass this book on to future classrooms, I just don’t feel comfortable recommending it below the high school level. If you’re in high school or older, get your hands on this book!!

Who Should Read This Book: As I said above, make sure you’re ready for this content. If not, see if a parent or older friend will read it with you. It’s not the language that’s difficult, it’s content. This is a phenomenal book and deserves to be shared with many, but wait until you’re in high school! …then go ahead and grab it.

Wonder

Author: R.J. Palacio

Grade Level: 5-7

Lexile: 790

Meet August Pullman. He was given the short straw and has had to live with the consequences. Auggie is your ordinary, humorous, kind hearted, smart fifth grader…except he was born with a facial abnormality. A severe facial abnormality that has been the cause of unwanted attention since he could remember.

Up until the start of the book Auggie’s parents have homeschooled him; however, now they decide he’s ready for a real, formal education. When the first day of fifth grade arrives, Auggie not so confidently passes through the doors of Beecher Prep, not sure what he’ll find on the other side. Luckily, Beecher Prep is a great school with an approachable principal, creative teachers, and some out of this world students! But, like all schools, Auggie must struggle through making true friends, dealing with bullies, and learning all the new rules of school. Imagine how hard it’d be for you to start a new school in fifth grade; now think about having to start a new school with a mismatched face.

What I Liked: I couldn’t put this book down! It took me two days to read it cover to cover. First, this book is “raw”. All of the scenarios could and do really happen, many to students without facial abnormalities. The author doesn’t sugar coat…there were times (many times) I gasped to myself while reading! Second, the friendships that were built throughout the book were heart warming. It was great to see/read that students weren’t just being nice because Auggie was “different” but because of his true personality. Third, having other narrations throughout the book deepened the entire plot. I loved hearing what Auggie’s sister thought about the entire situation, and Jack’s feelings too.

What Could Have Been Better: No comment. I thought this book was exceptional. I felt like I was part of the family from the beginning and only hope that there will be a sequel!

Who Should Read This Book: I believe all ages will thoroughly enjoy this book. Another great book to read with a parent. If you’ve ever felt left out, bullied, or just plain ugly, you’ll be able to relate to Auggie. Auggie will become you’re new best bud and I can predict you’ll be just as bummed as I was when it’s over as I was.

Zoe and Zak and the Yogi’s Curse (A Magic Fantasy Action Adventure #2)

Author: Lars Guignard

Grade Level: 3-6

Lexile: 690

Zoe and Zak are at it again. This time they’re off to Moonstock Himalayan Boarding School, one of the most prestigious schools in India! It doesn’t take long for Z and Z to realize that this is no ordinary school when elephants pick them up from the train station! Things only get more strange once school starts. People go missing, wet footprints magically appear, and monkeys and parrots just won’t leave them alone!

Everything takes a turn for the worst when they find out their old friend, Mutka, is in trouble. Now it’s up to Z and Z to solve the yogi’s curse, protect the golden elephant egg, and save the whole school from freezing! With Zoe’s powers and Zak’s gadgets, they just might have what it takes.

What I Liked: This is more than your typical “fantasy adventure” series. You can learn a lot from this one. The author embeds history and culture into each novel, letting your mind learn while it’s still reading for pleasure. I learned about Hindi Gods, mythology, and Indian culture, and you can too.

I also liked the boarding school setting. This is no Hogwarts. There aren’t any wizards or witches; just a few quirky pre teens trying to figure out life. Life that includes guard monkeys and hall monitor parrots; but realistic ones none the less.

What Could Have Been Better: Maybe it’s just the teacher in me, but I was disappointed that adults played such a negative role in the plot. Both Zoe and Zak’s moms was absent from the entire story and the principal was evil! Even though this book is definitely all about kid heroes, I would have liked some role models/mentors shuffling about.

Who Should Read This Book: Anyone who enjoys adventure and fantasy will devour this book! Also, although this is definitely a “kid-centered” book, this novel makes for a great bedtime read aloud/read along. Kids and parents alike will be stunned at how many twists and turns are tucked into this book!