Falling Over Sideways

It might be 30* outside, but I'm ready to start my summer reading! Each summer I compile a list of books that is a mixture of books recommended to me throughout the year and the books on the newest Rebecca Caudill list. This year I realized my list was already 35 books and it I was only April. It made me panic a little. I hate making lists that I won't be able to complete. I had an urgent need to get some of these books in my hands. Now.

I took a quick trip to the library to see if I could get any of the books on my list. I was lucky enough to find two of the books. Both of these books are by authors I have enjoyed in the past. I decided to start with Falling Over Sideways written by Jordan Sonnanblick. Sonnanblick happens to be the author of my FAVORITE book, Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie. I figured kicking off my summer 2018 reading with one of his books was the best thing to do.

I started and finished Falling Over Sideways on the same day. (That tells you how good it was…) Something unexpected happened when I finished the book. I had a new favorite book. This book touched me from the moment I read the dedication page. It was a sweet message that told me I was going to be able to relate to this book, probably not in the way the author intended, since I am not the actual target audience, but in a parent way. I saw that he is close to someone who can be dramatic… I might know a girl who is dramatic, maybe.

This story is so sweet. One that most students, especially girls, who are in or have been in middle school, can relate to. It was a reminder to me of what A1 was going through as far as school and dance are concerned. Claire and A1 are similar in so many ways it gave me chills. I think Jordan Sonnablick could be living next door to us, he is all too familiar with A1. He has to have a front row seat to her life.  

This story was beautifully written. The flow of the language. The humor. The teenage sarcasm. The way it really made me feel. I loved it.  I laughed out loud a few times. A2 kept asking me what was so funny. She couldn’t believe a book was making me giggle. Honestly, it has been awhile since I read anything that made me LOL. I even cried a few times, especially at that last sentence. OH, THE FEELS!

Do yourself a favor, if you are going to read any of the books I recommend, PLEASE read this one. One of the reasons this is my favorite book it that was able to enjoy it as an almost 40-year-old AND I will be able to recommend it to students and A1. In fact, I strongly encouraged her to read it. Which means she probably won’t read it, but I think I talked one of her friends into reading it, which means she will probably read it.

Fish in a Tree

You know how sometimes you read that one book that really speaks to you, the one that makes your life make sense? I am reading that book right now. I didn't expect this book to touch me so deeply. I picked it up because it is a Rebecca Caudill book and I want to read at least 3 to my class, so they are eligible to vote in March.

Quick summary: Ally a middle school student has always been misunderstood in school. She always found herself accidentally in trouble and was labeled as a trouble maker. To make matters worse, her dad was in the military so her family moved a lot. She wasn't ever in one school for very long. Through out the course of the story we learn that Ally is dyslexic. This story beautifully illustrates how a person with a learning disability feels in a variety of situations. 

I have been reading this to my jr high class. The students in that class can all relate to Ally and what she is going through. This book has sparked so many awesome discussions. I am amazed by the way the students are hanging on every word and usually are bummed when the chapter is over. Yesterday we read about the class student counsel election. It brought up a lot of current event topics. I am so impressed by the connections my class is making between this book and real life!

Last week the book hit me in the feels. Ally described how it felt living with a learning disability. I actually got choked up while I was reading.

It made things so clear. I couldn't help but think about A2. This is her struggle. Every day.

Then I thought about my students. This is their struggle. Every day. 

This book gave me a new sense of importance and urgency in my job. I could be the "lifeline" for these struggling students. I want to be that person. I want to make learning easier. I want to make learning make sense for them. I want to help them keep their bikes together while they ride. 

I hope every teacher adds this book to their personal reading list. It is Y.A. It isn't a challenging read. It is probably a a 4 hour uninterrupted read. This will give a whole new perspective on those kids who need more help than others. 

I can't wait to share this book with the A Team!

Reading Challenge Book 5

I really wanted to like A Monster Calls, but, well, I just didn't. I feel bad admitting that, especially since one of my favorite book reading mom friends loved it.  I really wanted to open this book and not want to put it down. Sadly that just didn't happen.

This is the first Caudill nominee that didn't make me cry. I was starting to think that one of the nomination requirements was turning on the water works. The premise of the book is sad. There were a lot of events in the book that were sad, but I just wasn't that invested in the book to even feel that pre-cry pain in my throat.
I felt like the entire book was a riddle; a riddle I just didn't get. I love the challenge of figuring out riddles, discovering the plays on words. I am usually a great riddle solver. This book was like a riddle without an answer.  Perhaps I was just too distracted by real life to get the riddle, but that is another problem with me not being invested in this book. I was distracted by everything while I read it. Typically, I am that reader who would miss a dinosaur attack in the living room if I was into a good book.

The book wasn't terrible. In fact there were some good things in the book. There were great moments. I had some feelings. The illustrations were super dark and amazing.

I would recommend reading this book if your cable is out, all of the laundry is done and put away, and you have a few hours to kill.

Reading Challenge Book 4

I have always been a fan of historical fiction books. It probably goes back to my mom and me spending hours reading Little House on the Prairie books together. I was really excited when I read the reviews for May B and saw that it was compared to Little House on the Prairie over and over again.

At first I was, honeslty, a little disappointed with the Little House comparison. Other than setting, there wasn't much else the same. However; the book is fantastic even without the Little House-ness. I really connected with May B. I totally and completely hurt for her with every turn of the page. When she was lonely, I was lonely. When she was cold, I shivered. When she was hungry, my stomach growled. When she was anxious, I was biting my nails with every word I read. When she was discouraged, I was crying. I felt every emotion May B felt. (Way to go Caroline Starr Rose!)

As with all the Rebecca Caudill Award nominations, I found myself having a major case of the eyeball sweats.  May B has a reading disability, probably dyslexia, but is so determined to learned to read. She works hard even when others discourage her from trying.  During her time away from home she has a lot of time for self reflection. At one point, while she is discouraged by her situation, she also becomes discouraged by her ability to read.  Page 80 hit me hard:

"I must be stupid." Those four words sunk me. I thought about all the students I have had who struggle with reading. I thought of bubbly A2 and her reading struggles. Would she eventually get to the point where this is how she felt about herself. Does she already feel this way about herself? What can I do as a teacher, as a mom, to prevent my young readers from this self-destructive mentality? 

For me this book wasn't life changing, but it was "life improving." I will try to be less frustrated as I listen to A2 slowly struggle through her reading assignments. I will do my best to hide my concern.  I will take my role as a supportive, encouraging mom to a whole new level. 

I will be reading this book with my class this year. I am certain many of my students will relate to May B, just like I did. 

Reading Challenge Book 3

This book. Holy Wow! And to think, this is one that I was dreading reading.  I really didn't think I could handle reading a 160 page poem.  I was acting all judgey and assumed reading THAT much poetry would be torture. 

I was wrong. 

I instantly fell in love with the story and the characters. It was a quick read that I finished in just under two hours. The reading level for this book is 3.9 and would be a perfect way to introduce children and adults to poetry. I see it completely easing that feeling of dread people get when they hear they have to read poetry. Don't even pretend you don't know what I am talking about.  Poetry is intimidating stuff!   

I feel 100% comfortable recommending this book to any of the 5th graders at my school. I would also allow A1 to read this book without hesitation, although I think some of it probably wouldn't really interest her, since there aren't any mermaids or zombies. 

Reading Challenge Book 2

Last night I finished the 2nd book in my challenge, Counting By 7s. I am still not really sure how I feel about this book. I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it. Perhaps I jumped into it too soon after I finished See You at Harry's. I think I was still suffering from book hangover.  

I really had trouble getting into this one. I didn't feel a strong connection with Willow. I wasn't really even sure if I liked her, but I knew I didn't hate her. I think this might have been the goal of the author since Willow is such a strange and socially awkward little creature, she didn't want the readers to make a strong bond with her. But I am not sure if that is smart. And I think this author is smart because eventually I did start to take interest in her. After I got past page 95, I even started to care about her.   

In some ways I could relate to her. She always feels like an outsider. She even says, "I don't like to exclude people. (I am the one always being excluded, so I know how that feels.)" I often feel that way. I always go out of my way to make sure I am not leaving anyone out and feel bad when situations come up when someone has to be left out, but on the flip side I am always being excluded. Friends get together for dinner, I don't get the call. Friends get their kids together for play dates, I don't get the call. Friends gossip over lengthy text messages, I don't get the text. Friends plan matching outfits, I don't get the plans. (ok, that one was made up, but you get the idea... I honestly don't think me being excluded is malicious or intentional, it is just something that happens. A lot. Maybe there is something about me that needs fixed? That is for another blog...) But, in a lot of ways I had trouble relating to Willow. She super smart, like Mensa smart. She uses big words that I had to look up. She is obsessed with medical things and even enjoys diagnosing people with their ailments for fun. Not my idea of fun.

The transformation Willow takes on is extraordinary, and for that, it is worth reading. I am torn about the recommended ages for this book. The interest level is 6-9 and the reading level is 5.6, so it would be in libraries for 4th-9th grade students. I don't know that all kids at that age could handle some of the stuff in this book. The thought of losing both parents in a freak car accident and then not having anyone to live with would cause a lot of anxiety for kids not mature enough to handle this emotion. I know I won't be letting A1 reading it anytime soon.  

Next Big Challenge

Now that I have added middle school librarian to my job title, which I am not complaining about because it is every book nerd's dream to spend time in a library and get paid!, I have given myself a new challenge. I plan on reading every book nominated for the 2016 Rebecca Caudill Award by the end of February.

This by far is my favorite challenge I have ever issued myself.  What in the world could be better than curling up and spending quiet evenings with award worthy books? I can't think of anything better, Brach's Malted Eggs- the original recipe comes close. 

There are 20 books on the list. The interest levels range from 4th-8th grade, while the reading levels range from 3rd to 8th grade. This shouldn't be too hard.  I have already finished one of the books and I am starting the second tonight.

See You at Harry's was the first book of my challenge. I started this book while waiting for A1 at piano lessons. I read the entire time she was inside. I was hooked. I rushed home, got the other girls ready for bed, and put them to bed early, so I could continue to get lost in Fern's life. I read the entire 310 pages in about 4, slightly interrupted, hours. It was such an emotionally gut wrenching book I didn't want to put it down, because I knew I would need closure. Honestly, I am surprised I wasn't dehydrated the next day! I started choking back tears, and eventually losing, about a third of the way through and didn't stop until well after I went to bed. It was especially tough being the mother of a 3 year old! 

There are so many neat touches in this book.  

1. The characters are all named after other well known favorite book characters. 
2. There are lists in this book.  I love lists! 
3. The first line, "The very best day of my life, I threw up four times and had a fever of 103 degrees." caused my sarcastic heart to flutter.  
4. Knowles writes about fantastic friendships and complicated family relationships.
5. It felt so real.

I am not sure, if I could recommend this to 5th graders though. There are some pretty heavy things dealt with and I know I wouldn't want A1 reading it right now. She would be needing to talk about this book every day/night for years. BUT I would recommend it to anyone 7th grade and up, especially all the parents out there, so many things to think about after page 310! 

*** Good news I just checked, this book is a 7th-8th grade interest level. I don't have to worry about the judgement of those who nominated this book! yet.

If you want to join me on this challenge, click on 2016 Rebecca Caudill Award book nominations to find the list. I hope some of you will read these books, because I LOVE talking about books!

*** More good news, Barnes and Noble has the fist 176 pages as a free sample! Go start it NOW!