Thursday, November 7, 2013

A Letter to Rick Riordan

Dear Mr. Riordan,

I know you probably won't get to read this letter, since you have so many fans.  But I thought I'd share with you the impact that your books had in my own life. Unlike most of your readers, I am a little older than a child or teen.  I am now 28 years old, and when I first read a book of yours it was while I was teaching 7th grade. 

My first year teaching was anything but wonderful.  I had a hard, tough group of students.  I taught four class periods of Social Studies and one class period of Language Arts.  That school year, I was way past the "sink or swim" mentality.  By the time spring came around (around March 2008) I was in the "sinking, but still trying to fruitlessly swim" mode of teaching.  I had no desire to return to the teaching profession the next year and was despairing in the fact that I had gone to school for four years for the horrendous year I had.

I randomly had some last minute inspiration to do  Literature Circles with my students.  I don't know why or even how in the world I had motivation to do it, but I figured that since I only had one class period I had to prepare for, then I would be okay.  I headed off to our school's library to see if they had any good size sets of books for my students to choose from.  I really can't recall too many of the other books because my eyes were attracted to a golden colored paperback. 

I lifted it up, and read about this young man named Percy Jackson, and how he was a son of Poseidon.  It sounded interesting enough, that I went ahead and grabbed the books for a group of my students, among a few other titles, and I left. 

That weekend I went home and read The Sea of Monsters, quickly figuring out that it was not the first book in the series (which I usually hate doing).  I finished it though, completely entertained and amused by the book.  I went ahead and found the first and third books, and read those as well the next week. 

I was nervous about starting my literature circles study.  I didn't know how many students would want to read actual chapter books, since they were stuck reading short stories and poems for most of the school year, and they hated doing that even.  I tried to be enthusiastic as possible, and students grudgingly chose books.  I gave them their reading assignment for the day, and walked around monitoring my students.

After the first day, I was still undecided about whether this 'experiment' of mine would backfire or not. 

But then, a miracle happened. On the second day, and the day after that, it seemed like a change came over my students. The group of students that chose to read The Sea of Monsters were smiling and laughing aloud while reading it.  Some of them would stop, and discuss what Percy and Annabeth were saying.  Some of them would make fun of the way Tyson spoke (they're still 7th graders, right?)  And then, some of the other groups would watch and ask them about the book. 

And to my surprise, this group of five students reading The Sea of Monsters, were summarizing, and describing characters, and the setting; concepts that I had fruitlessly been trying to get them to do all year long.  They were giving glowing recommendations to this second book in the series.  I had so many of my students scowl at the books they were reading and ask if I had anymore copies of The Sea of Mosnters

My answer was "no, but you could try the library".  I also made sure to tell my class that the first book was actually called The Lightning Thief.  Day after day, I had more and more students bringing in the Percy Jackson books.  They would swap them with each other after they were done.  Eventually, I believe I had my whole class, at one point or another those last few months of school, read at least one of the Percy Jackson books. 

I found that the first three books were at the Scholastic Book Fair at our school, and I immediately told my students that if they were interested, they were only $5 each---a steal.  I wasn't expecting many kids to buy the books, since I taught in an impoverished area, but I was once again surprised by the enthusiasm exhibited by these students. Some of these kids even went out of their way to walk to the Super Wal-mart close by after school and buy the newly released The Battle of the Labyrinth.  

I think often about that school year, and the lows that I went through.  But I also remember how much my students loved reading your books.  That was a huge turning point in my life as an educator.  I remembered why I wanted to be a teacher to begin with.  I found the resolve to teach the next year, switching schools and districts and promising myself that my next year teaching would be a lot better.  And it was.  I taught two more years (this time all of my classes were Reading/English) until I had my first son and made the decision to stay at home with him.

I can't thank you enough for writing books for children and teens.  The way you write speaks to so many kids these days. Whenever a student came up to me, and told me that they "hated" reading, I would point them to The Lightning Thief.  And more often than not, your books would help cure them of their hatred for reading.  The hard part was finding them another series of books that they would like as much as your books after they were done! 

So many of these students that I taught had a hard life at home, with school as their one escape.  And, by finding the Percy Jackson books, they were able to find another way to escape through the wonderful world of literature.  And as a former teacher (and a current teacher of my own children), I can't describe to you how much I love and appreciate what you have done in your writing.   I often hope and pray that those students of mine were changed for the better by being in my class, and a lot of that is thanks to you. 

Thank you, Mr. Riordan.  Not only have you inspired many children and teens to read, but you also inspired one young, naive teacher to keep moving forward with her chosen profession as an educator.   I look forward to the new books you write and rereading all of your other books with my sons as they grow up. 

Friday, May 3, 2013

Day 14: Favorite book by favorite author

I think the question is "What book don't I like by Roald Dahl?"

Well, I think that my favorite book is a toss up between The Witches, The Twits, The BFG, James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, and Roald Dahl's Revolting Rhymes.  I like all of the books that I've read by him, and I still need to read a few more, but let's say The Twits and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  

I was first introduced to the story of Charlie Bucket when I was watching the movie Willy Wonka (you know, that classic one from the 70s).  My sisters and I really enjoyed it, and then I had figured out that it was a book (probably in 2nd or 3rd grade) and I devoured it.  I loved the book and the story.  And I loved candy... Maybe that was part of it as well.  I love how the main children (besides Charlie) are all products of indulgent parenting.  Even though Charlie was a poor kid, he was still happy because he had his family and it made him humble, and not so stupid.

And The Twits.  I just remember that when I read this story that one of the things that I read was that if people are mean and have ugly thoughts it will make them ugly.  And that's what happened to the twits.  It really was an amazing concept for me to understand when I read it (again sometime in elementary school). 

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Day 13: Your favorite writer

For children's books, there really was no contest on this one.  Well, maybe a little bit.  I really like JK Rowling.  And Rick Riordan.  And Katherine Paterson (so underrated).

But my favorite writer of children's books is without a doubt, Roald Dahl.  I loved his books when I was younger, and to this day, I still enjoy reading his books, and I hope that my sons will enjoy reading his books as well.

I love that the way Dahl wrote brought so much creativity, imagination and magic to kids.  He had a wonderful sense of humor with the way that he wrote, and I really loved the books because they were so funny when I was younger.  I feel like they are definitely geared to children, but the young at heart would enjoy his books as well.

And he has so many wonderful things to say about the importance of children being children and using their imaginations.  LOVE this author, and I hope that I can get all of his books collected one day. 

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Day 12: A book you used to love, but don't anymore

The Outsiders by SE Hinton

I really loved this book when I read it  (8th grade).  But I never had any desire to read it again.  The older I got, the less sad endings I like.  BUT, I feel like this is a book that all middle schoolers should read.  I won't read it again, but it is an excellent book. If this was in the grown-up books or classics category, the book would be Wuthering Heights. 

Day 11: A book you hated

This, I think, kind of goes under the most overrated books.  Oh well.  A book I hated.  Well, let's just say that I am the type of person, that if I can't make it through the book, there's a good chance I am going to "hate" it.  

That being said, there is only one book I can recall reading all the way through when I was younger, and I had no desire at all to read it again.  That book is:  From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.  

I don't recall much of the story, except I read it in 5th grade and I did not like it at all.  And, I have had no desire since reading it, to pick it up again.  So, that's the end of that.  :) 

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Day 10: Favorite classic book

Ugh.. I haven't read most children's classic books, but there does come to mind one book in particular.

 
Winnie-The-Pooh by AA Milne.  I love this collection of stories.  My mom has a bunch of classic Winnie-the-Pooh collectibles, and among those are a treasury of stories by A.A. Milne.  I just love how this stuffed bear comes to life because of the love Christopher Robin has for him.  A definite "classic".  

Monday, April 29, 2013

Day 9: A book you thought you wouldn't like but ended up loving

Princess Academy by Shannon Hale

 The crown prince's bride will come from Mt. Eskel, the small mountain village where Miri (dainty, petite and 14) lives with her widower father and sister.  Miri is too small and frail to work in the quarries, so she feels as though she doesn't help out much. 

In order for the crown prince to choose a bride, many of the girls are to attend an academy in order to learn to be a princess.  And Miri learns many, many things about herself and how she, in her own way, can help her family. 

Okay... seriously.  Where do I even begin with this book?  I was teaching 7th grade, and my mom, who is a former elementary school librarian/media person, called and told me she had gone to a book fair and bought some books for my classroom library. 

I was pretty excited, and when she mentioned this title, we discussed it and said it was probably good chick lit so that way the girls would want to read some of the books that I had. 

Seriously, though, I was blown out of the water with this book.  When I hear "Princess", in any phrase, I think Disney, and well, this was not Disney.  The teacher of the academy was a strict, witchy lady who looked down on the girls for their lack of education.  And Miri manages to learn so much about herself.  She doesn't want to end up with the prince, but she wants to be the top of the class to prove she can.  And in the very end, Miri not only helps save the academy from some terrible people (bandits), but she also manages to help save her village and nab the guy that she has liked for a long while.  This girl knows how to get it done!   This book completely surprised me.  I didn't think that I would like it, but I tried it, and well, I am happy to say that it's a book that I would recommend to all my students to read (especially the girls). 

Day 8: Most overrated book

Nothing but the Truth by Avi
Star Girl by Jerry Spinelli

I don't think that this has to do with any of the contents of these books.  I think is has to do solely with the author's style.  I've just never been a big fan of either of these authors.  I don't like the way they write, and although the books both ended up being better than I expected, I still ended up disappointed in the end. I think the books just started up a little slow and I never got in to them.  Or, it may just be that they're a little dry in my opinion.  Anyways, I really don't have much else to say about them. 

Day 7: Most underrated book

Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman, is another book that I read in middle school, this time 7th grade.  Catherine is 14, and she lives in the medieval age.  (The year being 1290).  Her father is a minor nobleman, and she, being his daughter is to marry a suitor that her father approves of.  Unfortunately for said suitors, Catherine is a little bit of a troublemaker.  She scares off most of the suitors by playing humiliating pranks on them, while infuriating her father. 

She tells her story through the diary that she keeps, and in it are a lot of little facts and tidbits about the time period that she lived in.

I love this book.  It's funny and cute.  It has a nice resolution to the book, and I really enjoyed seeing an early feminist being portrayed, because girls like her, I hope, really did exist and didn't give in too easily to the whims of men. 

I think that this is a really underrated children's book that you really don't hear too much about. 



   

Day 6: A book that makes you sad


 I think that Katherine Paterson is an underestimated author.  I love everything that I've read by her.  And, this story is the first one that I read. I read this in my own 8th grade Language Arts class when I was 13.  After reading it, I wanted to get my own copy because I liked it so much.

Lyddie is about a young preteen girl in the middle of the Industrial Revolution who is sent to work as a maid at a tavern and later as a factory worker in a textile mill. While working at the mill, she is taken under the wing of one of the leaders working toward better working conditions.  And during her time as a factory worker she witnesses several things that are quite horrifying to a young girl, including a friend with turberculosis and having a close encounter herself while working.

I really like this book, but it is sad, because this girl, who was the same age I was when I read it, was forced to work in the factory and to try and provide for her desolate family.  She learns a lot about her self though, and eventually decides to go to college instead of giving in to her trials and problems.  It always makes me sad, though, thinking about this book and all of the problems that she had to face.  Still a favorite though.  :) 

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Day 5: A book that makes you happy

Bunnicula by James and Deborah Howe.


AH!  I didn't read this book until after I was in my mid-20s.  I bought a little anthology of three of the books for Rick as a fun Christmas present since I knew that he liked to read them when he was younger. 

And, so at 23 (maybe 24?) I read it for the very first time.  What a fun book. As a basic summary to the book, the Monroe family finds a bunny in the movie theater during the film Dracula.  The family adopts the bunny, naming him, "Bunnicula" since they had been watching the vampire movie at the time. 

While the humans of the family aren't completely aware of the true nature of the bunny, the family dog (Harold) and cat (Chester), concoct all sorts of weird theories as to why the bunny doesn't sleep at night, and why he seems to drain the juice out of fruits and vegetables. 

This is really a silly little story, but I love the relationship between the dog and cat.  I really like this book because it is fun, sweet, and innocent.  AND, it is completely age appropriate. 

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Day 4: Favorite book of your favorite series

Harry Potter:  Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by JK Rowling:

Book 3 is my favorite.  I like them all, but there is something about Harry finding out so much about his father and knowing that he's not truly alone but has someone in the wizarding world that's an adult (besides teachers and Hagrid) that is watching his back.

The first time I read any of the Harry Potter books was back in 2001, right after my 16th birthday.  My sister Bethany and I went out to DC to see my sister Sarah, who was living there.  And, to see N*Sync in concert...but that's another story.  :)  We went in August, when there was a ton of thunderstorms and heavy rain, and because of the time difference, I had trouble sleeping.  Sarah had all four books (the current 4 that were out at the time) and I spent my nights reading them.  I finished each book in 1 night, and the 4th book in about 2 night's time.

I remember after reading Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, that I was completely thrown for a loop.  I loved it.  I didn't see any of it coming with Sirius being a good guy, and then Scabbers, the rat, was a nasty guy that betrayed Harry's parents.  Eww... I totally loved the writing style.  I was on the edge of my seat during the entire book.  And although the remaining Harry Potter books in the series are all wonderful, this was the first time that I thought, when I was reading, "Wow.  This is what everyone was talking about."  The first two books didn't do it for me as near as much as this third one.   Loved it. 

Percy Jackson:  The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan

What I really liked about this book?  I liked that there were people that died (I know that sounds morbid, but considering that most of Riordan's books are pretty light-hearted amid a emotionally heavy plot, he shows that with war there comes some sacrifice...)  I liked that the past of Luke came to light.  I liked that Percy was a completely awesome hero, with all of his fighting and taking down monsters and titans like it was nothing.  I love how his relationship with Annabeth progressed, and I liked that Riordan tied up a lot of loose ends, with the main examples being Nico and Hades' inclusion in the battle and the reappearance of a living oracle.

What I like most about these books, and especially about this last book in the series, is that you feel the entire time, that the most important person in the books is Percy.  He's the protagonist, and tells the story and for most of the series, it's implied that he will make a huge decision that will either cause evil to go away or to make evil come with Kronos coming alive.  And, that hero, turns out to be someone else.  Percy makes a choice, in the end, but he is not the one that saves everyone.

What I like though, is this:  Even though, at the very end of the series, Percy is not the amazing hero that was implied from the beginning, it is still an example that even the smallest choices can bring about consequences.  In this case, Percy did the right thing.  But, it's a good example in teaching students and children that regardless of how big or small they think the choice is, there will still be consequences for their actions. And, sometimes it's not the big choices that determine who you are as a person, but the small ones as well.  And even though Percy wasn't "the hero" because he didn't personally save the world (even though he kind of inadvertently did), he still had the strength and character of a hero throughout the series.  And one that most boys want to be like (kind of like a Greek Demigod Batman). 

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Day 3: Favorite Series (for children)

It's a toss up between a few. That's cheating, right?  Well, if I have to narrow it down!

 I love Harry Potter, The Chronicles of Narnia, and Percy Jackson and the Olympians.  Other notable book series that I enjoy(ed) as an adult or child:  Boxcar Children, Series of Unfortunate Events, Enchanted Forest Chronicles (Dealing with Dragons is the first one), and Artemis Fowl.  

But, I am just going to stick to two of my favorites.  While I really love Chronicles of Narnia, I sometimes feel like they are a little deep for kids.  Harry Potter, while being a children's series also tends to do that, especially with the very last book. 

Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan. 
---I already mentioned that Mark of Athena was the best children's book that I read this year.  This series gets criticism for being too juvenile (uh, it's target audience is 5th-8th grade boys), and having the same plot for each book.  I feel like that Riordan is creative enough with using different mythology sources with the plot, that it really doesn't bother me that Percy and his friends always fight a whole bunch of monsters on their quests.  All I care about, is that I enjoy reading them and their highly entertaining.  (And they get kids to read).

Harry Potter
--Ah, I still have to put this on here.  I think that Ms. Rowling really wrote an amazing series of books.  The plot, characters (and their development), and setting in a magical world hidden to the muggle world.  Harry Potter gets mentioned a few more times on this list.  So,  I'll be going into more detail there.  

Monday, April 22, 2013

Day 2---A book that you've read more than 3 times

Picture from amazon.com
If I was doing this for adult/older people books, then I would probably have The Lord of the Rings on here.  But, since I am doing the "children's edition", I decided to go with Matilda by Roald Dahl.

This was by far my favorite book when I was younger.  I loved the tale of the girl that loses herself in books.  And is supernaturally gifted.  I guess my love for sci-fi really started early.  There's also the humor that Roald Dahl writes with.  Very over-the-top, but children appreciate it. 

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Day 1: Best Book You Read Last Year

Is this in the past year OR in the past 12 months?  Like, 2012 only or can I include the few books I've read at the beginning of the year. 

I think the winner for this one goes, hands down, to this book. 

The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan.  I bought this book on the kindle so my husband could read it while he was gone during his training and I bought a hard copy for myself, so that I could read it that day.  And I am pretty sure that I ignored my kids most of the day that I read this book.

I am such a sucker for Percy Jackson and the books that he stars in.  I'll have you know, that Percy Jackson has to be one of my favorite characters.  He's such a believable character to me, especially with the smart aleck routine, cocky attitude and having the desire to be normal. 

And, I've always appreciated that Rick Riordan has the ability to make an upbeat and humorous book that could easily be overshadowed by darker events and tones of the plot.  Of course, that's not to say that Rick Riordan wraps everything up for all the characters nice and easy.  I appreciated that he was able to kill off characters in The Titan's Curse and The Last Olympian and not just fuddy duddy red shirts, but people that we had seen since the first book that Percy liked.  And the cliffhanger in this book... WOW.  I just really love that Riordan is able to create a book with believable characters and relationships with a mythological twist. Some people think that he is too repetitive with his plots, but I think they need to remember that the targeted age group for these books is upper elementary to middle school.  And a lot of adults enjoy them too.  I'll have a more in depth review of the book up on this blog probably after the fourth book in the series has come out, and I'll take a look at each of them. 

One year later...

It's been a whole year since I've updated this thing, and I thought that I would!  This has been a whirlwind of a year.  I had a baby (okay, maybe I had a baby in March of 2012...), moved twice, separated from my husband for 3 months due to military training and I have been dealing with the public school districts in trying to get my 3 year old speech therapy or preschool or something that will help him with this speech delay.

I was going to just stop with this blog and leave it up as a resource as is because I was running out of steam keeping up with posts.  And it was fine, until I started getting several comments on my post on "The Highwayman", asking for the printable that is no longer on the shareable downloading site that I had it on. 

Now that things have settled down slightly, I think I'll begin making posts again.  They will be book oriented and I will hopefully have compiled a master list of books based on genre and age.  And I will do more book reviews.  To start out, I  am going to do a 30 days of books blog challenge (the teen/children's book edition).