Posts Tagged ‘books read’

December books read

148) Torn by Margaret Peterson Haddix – I’ve finally caught up with the series so far

149) Abandon by Meg Cabot – I love it!  When in the next one coming out?

150) Thursday Next:  First Among Sequels by Jasper Fforde – “Poetry is the crack cocaine of the literary world.”  Enough said.

151) Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater – hauntingly beautiful.  I was sad for it to end.

152) Battle Dress by Amy Efaw – a peek inside West Point’s basic training

153) Wonderstruck by Brian Selznik – I am struck with wonder!

154) Smile by Raine Telgemeier – this will be another popular graphic novel in my class

155) The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger – too much fun.  Now for the sequel!

156) The Pull of Gravity by Gae Polisner – wonderful…and inspiring.  I think I need to read Of Mice and Men again now.

157) Darth Paper Strikes Back by Tom Angleberger – I predict this one won’t get much shelf time once I take it back to school.

158) Stupid Fast by Geoff Herbach – not what I was expecting, but very good

159) Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld – Wow!  Bring on Behemoth!

160) Woodsrunner by Gary Paulsen – Paulsen has done it again!

161)  Bossypants by Tina Fey – provided a good laugh just when I needed it

162) You Are God’s Gift to Me by Chris Shea – catching up on reading Mom’s Christmas books sitting around

163) Principles of Personal Defense by Jeff Cooper – picked this one up at my dad’s

164) And Another Thing by Eoin Colfer – an unexpected surprise addition to the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy saga

It’s been a good reading year.  My goal was 111 books, and when the year started, I wasn’t sure I could do it.  Not only did I exceeed my goal by 53 books (the English teacher can do math!), I enjoyed every book.  I must have been saving the best for last because December is filled with great reads.

I cant’ wait to see what books this next year holds for me.  Some are already on my TBR pile, and some are still waiting for me to discover them.  My goal is to read at least 150 books in 212 and to continue reviewing them on my blog.  Even though I don’t always succeed at the #bookaday challenges during breaks, I will keep trying.

What are your favorite books from last year?  What books are you looking forward to this year?

Reading Update

I’m a little behind with this reading update, but here are the numbers for how many books each class has read as of mid-November.  I know many of you have finished books since then, so keep on reading!  I would say that my students have read more this year than they ever thought possible, and the year is not half over yet.

Our goal is 40 books–that’s each student reading 40 books during one school year.  The averages aren’t quite up to that point, but many individuals have exceeded that goal.  I’m proud of what you have accomplished so far, especially for those of you who are just finding books that you actually like!

  • 2nd period:  30 students have read 344 books, for an average of 11.5 books per student.  Ten students have read 15 or more books.  The most number of books read is 29.
  • 3rd period:  26 students have read 236 books, for an average of 9.1 books per student.  Five students have read 15 or more books.  The most number of books read is 24.
  • 5th period:  31 students have read 220 books, for an average of 7.1 books per student.  Three students have read 15 or more books and another five students have read 10 or more books.  The most number of books read is 17.
  • 6th period:  21 students have read 151 books, for an average of 6.9 books per student.  Seven students have read 10 or more books.  The most number of books read is 15.
  • 7th period:  27 students have read 177 books, for an average of 6.5 books per student.  Six students have read 10 or more books.  The most number of books read is 27.
Drumroll, please….That means all together 135 students have read 1,128 books!
Out of all those books, which one is your favorite book that you have read this year?

November books read

137) Hearts Aglow by Tracie Peterson – historical Christian romance

138) Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins – why did I put off reading this series for so long?

139) Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane by Suzanne Collins – Gregor’s back in the Underland for another prophecy

140) Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods by Suzanne Collins – more, more, more please

141) The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie – WOW!

142) Gregor and the Marks of Secret by Suzanne Collins – It’s hard to stop reading!  Only one more to go.

143) Gregor and the Code of Claw by Suzanne Collins – a strong conclusion to this series

144) Al Capone Shines My Shoes by Gennifer Choldenko – Moose is back, and now he owes Al Capone a favor

145) Theodore Boone, Kid Lawyer by John Grisham – a nice story, but not much of the thriller I expected

146) The Watch that Ends the Night: Voices from the Titanic by Allan Wolf – what a beautifully written account of a tragedy

147) The Slayer Chronicles:  First Kill by Heather Brewer – I loved getting the other side of the story about Joss.

October Books Read

125) Bull Rider by Suzanne Morgan Williams – loved the voice in this one.

126) City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare – loved every word right until the very end.  Please tell me it doesn’t end like this!

127) The Eleventh Plague by Jeff Hirsch – a chilling look at a possible future I don’t want to see

128) Models Don’t Eat Chocolate Cookies by Erin Dionne – funny, heartwarming.  I loved it!  Celeste rocks!

129) Car Trouble by Jeanne Du Prau – a road trip of the best kind.  The landscape inside the heart changes as much as the one outside

130) Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan – I love the new heroes, Frank and Hazel.

131) Feed by MT Anderson – a challenging book.  I’m still deciding what I think of it

132) Want to Go Private by Sarah Darer Littman – a powerful, must-read book for teens and the adults who care for them

133) Bad Island by Doug TenNapel – this one will be a hit in my classroom

134) Sabatoged by Margaret Peterson Haddix – love the tie in with the Lost Colony, but once again the ending leaves me hanging.

135) Crispin:  The End of Time by Avi – an exciting end to Crispin’s story

136) What I Saw and How I Lied by Judy Blundell – amazing mystery set amid the glamour of the 1940’s.

Look what we’ve been reading!

Check out the awesome–and colorful–locker tags up and down the 8th grade hallways.  Each one tells what books students are currently reading.  Everywhere you look, you can find another good book to read.

My students have been busy reading.  Many of them have surprised themselves with how much they have read.  Some are still not sure they will be able to read 40 books by the end of school, but many are beginning to believe it is possible!  Here are the totals for the end of the first grading period. 

 

    • 2nd period:  30 students have read 199 books, for an average of 6.6 books per student
    • 3rd period:  27 students have read 156 books, for an average of 5.7 books per student
    • 5th period:  31 students have read 127 books, for an average of 4.1 books per student
    • 6th period:  21 students have read 79 books, for an average of 3.8 books per student
    • 7th period:  27 students have read 116 books, for an average of 4.3 books per student

 That’s a total of 677 books!

The most powerful book I’ve read since school started would have to be The Hate List by Jennifer Brown.  It was not an easy book to read since it explores the aftermath of bullying and a school shooting, but it gave me much to think about.  You can read more about my response to it here

What has been the best book you’ve read this year?

You can also enter to win free books from TeenReads.com.  If you haven’t checked out this website for teen readers, click on over now for the Book O’Lantern contest.

September Books Read

114) Donut Days by Lara Zielin – a humorous, heart-warming look at discovering what we believe

115) Heart to Heart by Lurlene McDaniel – another hit from the “crying and dying” author that celebrates life and overcoming adversity

116) Claire de Lune by Christine Johnson – beautiful werewolf story.  I can’t wait to get my hands on Nocturne.

117) Rival by Sara Bennet Wealer – Wow!  I can’t wait to share this powerful novel about music and friendship

118) The Implosion of Aggie Winchester by Lara Zielin – another powerful novel about friendship that will be popular with my students

119) Maus II by Art Speigelman – powerful story in words and pictures

120) Sent by Margaret Peterson Haddix – an exciting installment in The Missing series, but I still want to know when & where Jonas is from

121) Sweet Venom by Tera Lynn  Childs – I love this modern take on Medusa

122) The Hate List by Jennifer Brown – oh wow.  This is an intense book, a powerful book, a needed book

123)  The Girl Who Was on Fire edited by Leah Wilson – My English major heart loved this collection of essays. Now I want to go back and read The Hunger Games again, looking for my own essay

124) Dear Bully edited by Megan Kelly Hall and Carrie Jones – a powerful witness and testimony.  I will be sharing with my classes as a read aloud.

 

August books read

104) The Believers by Janice Holt Giles – an interesting look inside a Shaker village through story

105) Schooled by Gordon Korman – hilarious!  I can’t wait to share this title

106) Claudette Colvin:  Twice Toward Justice by Phillip Hoose – I am amazed at what I didn’t learn in history class.  Claudette’s story is inspiring and brave and should be shared with every teen who feels their life can’t make a difference

106) Beauty Queens by Libba Bray – fantastic!  awesome!  I want more!

107) A Thousand Never Evers by Shana Burg – I like Addie Ann

108) Crossing Stones by Helen Frost – poetry, women’s suffrage, and war

109) War Horse by Michael Morpurgo – Joey is quite a horse

110)  Ain’t Nothing But a Man:  My Quest to Find the Real John Henry by Scott Reynolds Nelson – what a way to make research come alive

111)  The Roar by Emma Clayton – Is there going to be more to follow, or should I be satisfied with the ending?

112) The Mammoth Hunters by Jean Auel – Listening to this one made me realize how much of this series I skim when I read them.

113) Stupid Cupid by Rhonda Stapleton – a fun read that many of my girls will enjoy

July books read

83) The Book Whisperer by Donalyn Miller – inspiring and thought-provoking

84) “The New World” by Patrick Ness – definitely whetted my appetite for the trilogy that this short single precedes

85) Rilla of Ingleside by LM Montgomery- I love Rilla almost as much as Anne

86) Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by JK Rowling – just as good as the first time I read it

87) YH Scat by Carl Hiaasen – give me more!

88) Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by JK Rowling – I liked it better this time around

89) Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Journey by Alfred Lansing – an amazing & compelling survival story

90) YH The Beef Princess of Practical County by Michelle Houts- warm, funny, touching story from Nowhere, IN–just in time for fair season.

91) Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by JK Rowling – still my favorite

92) Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by JK Rowling – I liked the book better this time around and the movie much less.

93) Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by JK Rowling – Love the DA and the increasing importance of Neville and Luna

94) Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince – I’m a sucker for wanting the background information and I soaked up the history of Voldemort. Even though I knew it was coming (and why) I’m still shocked at the end.

95) Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – so many powerful scenes and lines. It’s hard to decide on a favorite. I am looking forward to the last movie tonight.

92) YH Runaway Twin by Peg Kehret – action & suspense combine in a story that explores what family is

93) YH Before Columbus: The Americas of 1491 by Charles C Mann – Everything I learned in history class was wrong. History may not change, but our knowledge of it does.

94) YH Notes from the Dog by Gary Paulsen – This book was much more than I expected.

95) YH Found by Margaret Peterson Haddix – fast-paced mystery that sets up the rest of the series

96) Heist Society by Ally Carter – makes the life of theives sound glamorous

97) YH The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart – a good story in the tradition of Roald Dahl

98) YH The Girl Who Threw Butterflies by Mick Cochrane – a baseball story about overcoming loss

98) YH The Year of the Bomb by Ronald Kidd – combines physics, horror movies and the Cold War

99) YH When the Whistle Blows by Fran Cannon Slayton – interesting structure where each chapter is All Hallow’s Eve a year apart

100) YH The Brooklyn Nine: A Novel in Nine Innings by Alan Gratz – baseball fans will love how the history of baseball is woven through the generations of the Schneider family in Brooklyn, NY

101) YH The Compound by SA Bodeen – lots of twists and turns right up to the last page

102) Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter – just as good as the first one

103) Forever by Maggie Steifvater – I loved the ending to this trilogy and almost hate to say goodbye

June books read

64) The Truth about Forever by Sarah Dessen – I love how Dessen’s characters learn to speak up for themselves

65) The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne – I can’t believe I waited this long to read this haunting, tragic story

66) The Prophet of Yonwood by Jean DuPrau – I finally finished the series with this prequel.

67) Small Steps by Louis Sachar – very enjoyable!

68) Hell Week by Rosemary Clement-Moore – wisecracking Maggie Quinn is back, this time infiltrating a demon-controlled sorority

69) The Excellent Eleven by Ron Clark – nice to hear excitement and praise for teaching

70) Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney – too funny

71) The Invention of Hugo Cabret – I had been putting it off, but it was worth the wait

72) The Maze Runner by James Dashner – exciting twists and turns and an ending I didn’t see coming

73) Things That Are by Andrew Clements – a satisfying conclusion from Gwen’s point of view.

74) Woe Is I, Jr. by Patricia T. O’Conner – I will definitely be sharing this one in class

75) I Am a Star by Inge Auerbacher – inspiring story of survival and the triumph of hope over evil

76) The Scorch Trials by James Dashner – lots of twists and turns in the action

77) Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo – thought-provoking & at times funny, harrowing and heartbreaking

78) Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko – fabulous!  Why did I wait so long to read it?

79) Everfound by Neal Shusterman – a stunning conclusion to the Skinjacker’s trilogy

80) How I, Nicky Flynn, Finally Get a Life (and a Dog) by Art Corriveau – this is one I will be recommending in the fall

81) Throne of Fire by Rick Riordan – a rocking adventure to save the world

82) Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen – a beautiful love story full of adventure

I had many favorites this month:  The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, Small Steps, The Invention of Hugo Cabret, Al Capone Does My Shirts, Everfound, How I, Nicky Flynn, Finally Get a Life (and a Dog), and Water for Elephants.

May books read

53) Spilling Ink by Anne Mazer and Ellen Potter – two writers give friendly and helpful advice to student writers

54) Mockingbird by Katherine Erskine – what a beautiful book!

55) Elephant Run by Roland Smith – exciting adventure story set in World War II Burma

56) A Break with Charity by Ann Rinaldi – a few souls picked this book and I loved watching them make the connections with today

57) Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes by Chris Crutcher – I was overwhelmed with the response to this title

58) The Giver by Lois Lowry – Most who read this one fell in love with it

59) The Outsiders by SE Hinton – Things haven’t changed much in school even though this title is older than I am

60) Nothing Buth the Truth by Avi – I love listening in on discussion for this one–especially as students read the last line.

61) Homer’s Oddesey by Gwen Coop – inspiring story of a blind cat

62) Getting to Heaven by Don Piper and Cecil Murhpy –

63) Marcello in the Real World by Fransisco X. Stork – an amazing character, voice, and story

My favorites for this month are Mockingbird, Marcello and Elephant Run.  Now I’m looking forward to summer and some serious reading–and catching up on reviews.

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