Wednesday, July 31, 2013

What I'm Reading Wednesday


I'm linking up with Juice Boxes and Crayolas for this week's What I'm Reading Wednesday!

When You Reach Me Summary:
"Twelve-year-old Miranda has enough to worry about: her best friend, who suddenly refuses to hang out together; a boy she might kind of like; the homeless guy on the corner near her New York City apartment; and her single mom, an aspiring game show contestant. But now Miranda is getting creepy hidden notes that tell her to write down the story of what happens to her -- but not inform anyone. It will take a tragedy to show Miranda that neither the notes nor her friendships are quite what she imagined."

My Thoughts- I just started this book today but did a little researching beforehand. I was recommended this book by a professor when I was in college. It is definitely for the older kids. I think that it's perfect for sixth graders, but could be appreciated by some mature fourth and fifth graders. What attracted me to the book was the setting and the fact that Rebecca Stead, the author, touches on racism. I teach about the Civil Rights Movement and the racism, discrimination and segregation that occurred during that time. It sparks a lot of brilliant conversations between my students and I. Because of that, I think that this book would be interesting to my students since race is such a discussed topic in my classroom during that unit. I'll have to keep you updated on how this book turns out to be!


I am also reading the "Divergent" Series by Veronica Roth. I'm currently on the second book, "Insurgent" and loving it. I'm not reading this from teacher's perspective. I'm reading it for pure enjoyment, but I think that this book would be very enjoyable to a older middle schooler, especially since they're making a movie out of the book!

I am so excited to see the movie! The book reminds me a lot of the Hunger Games, which is one of my favorite series. However, it is different enough from the Hunger Games. I would definitely suggest this as a read for adults, but definitely not for our elementary school kiddos because there's some iffy language and even scenes with drinking involved.

Divergent Summary (in the Author's words):

"In Beatrice Prior’s dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can’t have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris, and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together, they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes-fascinating, sometimes-exasperating boy fits into the life she’s chosen. But Tris also has a secret: one she’s kept hidden from everyone, because she’s been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly-perfect society, she also learns that her secret might be what helps her save those she loves . . . or it might be what destroys her."





11 comments:

  1. Thanks for linking up! I love the Divergent books! Can't wait for the movie and book three! Hope you'll link up again next week! :-)

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  2. I've been wanting to read The Divergent Series too. I think I bought 10 books for the summer, and I've only read about three. Love this link up. I might have to join in the fun next week!

    Glad that you found me because now I am your newest follower! Since you are a Virginia blogger, I wanted to let you know that there is a Southern Hospitality Blog Hop taking place this weekend. If you' like to be part of it, send me an email at mrsoknows@gmail.com and I will send you the details!

    Mrs. O
    Mrs O Knows

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  3. Hi there! I happened upon your blog, and I look forward to following it, as I will be co-teaching in the fourth grade classroom this year!
    ~Deb
    Crafting Connections

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    1. I think you'll love the fourthies. It's such a fun age.

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  4. Thanks for stopping by! I'm following you now too!

    Wendy
    Read With Me ABC

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  5. I LOVE the Divergent series! I actually got to meet the author last September at a book festival event and she signed my copies of the first two books! Also, I'm a fellow 4th grade teacher and your newest follower!

    Stephanie
    http://crayonsandstorybooks.blogspot.com

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  6. Great book reviews! I haven't heard of either of these books so I appreciate your perspective.

    Love your blog! I'm your newest follower!

    By the way, did you know that you are a “no reply blogger?” This means that when you leave a comment on another blog, the blogger can’t reply to you via email. You can visit www.ideasbyjivey.blogspot.com and click on “Techy Tips” if you want to fix that. :) (I didn't know I was one until someone told me!)

    Jennifer
    Mrs. Laffin's Laughings

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    1. Great, thanks so much for the tip! I just changed the setting! I'm also following you!!! :)

      -Caitlyn
      Fourth Grade Lemonade

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  7. Hi Caitlyn,

    Thanks for stopping by my blog! I am a new follower of yours as well.

    Tina
    Flamingos and Butterflies

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  8. I keep hearing about the Divergent books, and I'm thinking it's time to check them out. Thanks for the reviews!

    Don't Let the Teacher Stay Up Late
    Follow me on Bloglovin!

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