Book Reviews: Read to Write

Y Thank you to Mr. Benz and Mr. Lewis for sending us the Grey Griffin series! Y

Book Reviews: 

Reading, Reviewing, Writing, Publishing

Bloggers, you are currently working on your first in-depth book review. What book are you using for the assignment, and how is it going?  Blog any Qs that you might have, and post comments on any part of the review. Remember, the key to this assignment is : 

Writer's voice and write to your audience. Follow all directions!

V Don't forget to find and print your Barnes and Noble reviews for a grade.  Sign your name next to your review once you have printed it. 

Whatcha Reading? I Can't WAIT to Hear!

To my Independent Radical Readers from Room 700... 

Your only homework over Spring Break is to READ! Blog and tell me what you are reading & how you like it.  Is it worth the honorable "Book Restriction?" Remember our class goals- make or cross the line on the Pink Chart! 

Hayden's Spring Break Blog

Welcome to Hayden's Blog!

This is Hayden's "CowKid" blog to journal his vacation accounts over Spring Break.  Feel free to read and enjoy his accounts or post comments.  

Significant Passage Hunt

Find It, Share It, Explain It!

Find a significant passage or quote in your reading to share.  Include the quote, book title and page #, and why you selected it [explain its meaning to the plot].

Character Traits 3.2

Reading Standard 3.2 Character Traits

How the character's qualities affect the outcome of the story.  

While you read, focus on finding character traits for your main characters that affect the plot. Some character traits include :  bold/shy, brave/cowardly, eager/reluctant, faithful/disloyal... Describe how the trait affects the plot.  X-Factor: Include the passage from the book that shows the trait.

Commit to Share It's "Book Swap" time.

Are you ready for a new book to read, but you don't have one?  Here's your chance to advertise for a new book.  

If you have just finished an amazing read, one that you're willing to swap, post the title, author, and brief synopsis on this blog.  Any interested students will respond to your post and commit to bringing in a book to swap. Make sure to write your name inside the book so you get it back.

Ready or Not... be Ready to Read!

Are YOU ready for school, ready for work... and ready to READ?

3 weeks of vacation...sleeping in...cartoons until noon...sound familiar?  So how did reading fit into your vacation schedule?  Did you find yourself tied to an amazing plot? Were you mesmerized, drooling, and unable to put down your book until the very last page? Were any of your break books worth "Book Restriction"?  Enough questions- let's talk blog.  I want to know the answers to the following questions:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1. How much time did you dedicate to reading?

2. Did you visit Barnes and Noble or the library for new books?

3. Did you surf the Net for book ideas/new releases/links to authors?

4. # books read these past 3 weeks [Be honest ;-)]

5. The BEST read from vacation...and give us details! Talk Plot!

Here are my answers.  Remember- I try to lead by example, so I do my homework too!

1.  I dedicated a lot of time to reading these past 3 weeks.  I read every day, with the exception of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

2.  I LOVE Barnes and Noble!  I went 3 times and bought too many books. I also visited Jamba Juice and had my favorite Orange Dream Machine [A little reading~a little snackie]!  The good news is that I read all but 3 of the books I bought.  I have 3 days left though, so watch out!

3.  One of my "Teacher-to-Do" list items included contacting publishers and authors searching for opportunities for our Recommended Read program.  I contacted 4 different publishers and 2 authors.  :-)  I blogged on a website dedicated to teen reads [they have no idea I'm old!  haha] and wrote down a list of HOT new reads out in January.

4. To date [Drum roll please....] I have read 10 books [plus 1 re-read so it's actually 11].  Just so that you think I'm not crazy- I don't watch T.V., reading is so much better! I'm just starting The Luxe by Anna Godbersen.  It looks good- I'll let you know!

5.  Best book that I've read has to be City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare.  It was so so so good, although I cannot elaborate on the plot just yet.  Since this was an Advanced Reader Copy [ARC], revealing any plot secrets would be totally uncool.  Once the book is published, I'll tell you why I loved it.  ;-) It's a blog rain check!