Night of the Twisters

LEXILE 790 ages 9-12

Ah, more scintillating fifth grade curriculum connections. Having just finished our weather unit in science we're supplementing our studies with a dramatic read aloud of Night of the Twisters by Ivy Ruckman. Here is the Lexile Framework summary, "A fictional account of the night freakish and devastating tornadoes hit Grand Island, Nebraska, as experienced by a twelve-year-old, his family, and friends."

I found the writing a bit awkward, but that probably had more to do with the decade (1986) it was written than the writer's style. It certainly lent itself to a very satisfying read aloud. Our students were enthralled during Mrs. Sullivan's animated reading of the book during snack time every day leading up to our winter break. The experience culminated with a viewing of the DVD on December 23 which I regrettably missed due to a nasty migraine headache.

The Glass Castle

LEXILE 1010

Just finished, in record time, reading The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, and I loved it. This memoir held my interest so much that I even went online to investigate more about the author's life. Jeannette Walls is an MSNBC correspondent who endured a crazy childhood due to the quirky whims of her eccentric parents. Written in a matter-of-fact, non-judgmental but deeply moving manner, it's one of those books that makes you reflect on your own dysfunctional upbringing. While it's hard to imagine the deprivation and neglect suffered by Walls and her three siblings, the story does offer positive affirmations in its focus on self-reliance, resourcefulness, loyalty, and the importance placed on education. Thoroughly enjoyed and would highly recommend this book.

Pedro's Journal

LEXILE 1030 ages 8-12

Fifth graders really enjoyed reading Pedro's Journal by Pam Conrad. And so did I.

Fictional character Pedro de Salcedo, chronicles his experiences aboard the Santa Maria on Columbus's expedition to the Americas in 1492. Chosen as a ship's boy for the voyage because of his ability to read and write, Pedro captures the excitement, adventure and peril of exploration. His details humanize the aspirations of the European explorers as well as the deposition of the natives they encountered.

Drowning Ruth

Drowning Ruth by Christina Schwarz is predictable yet implausible, boring and disappointing. The book's beginning held promise, but by the middle I had totally lost interest in the characters. I forced myself to finish reading it in one night and never gave it a second thought after that. Very unfulfilling.

The Graveyard Book

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman did not hold the interest of my 13-year-old son. I enjoyed reading it but didn't like the ending. I also didn't recognize the correlations to The Jungle Book until after I had finished reading it. It was fun to join Nobody Owens and become a part of the lives of the deceased characters, but I found the resolution of the story's central mystery to be unsatisfying and contrived. 

LEXILE 820 ages 9-12

I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell

I'm embarassed to admit that I laughed out loud several times while reading I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell by Tucker Max. While this bonehead of an author is overly concerned about people believing that all of his juvenile exploits are true, ironically, what ultimately makes his stories so hilarious is that they read like fiction! Who hasn't fantasized about assailing an unsuspecting victim with a barrage of witty, verbal insults.

Some examples, "Uh oh! Did I piss you off? Are you going to write angsty poetry?"

"So that spare tire you're carrying, is it for a car or a truck?"

"How am I supposed to arrive drunk if you won't sell me liquor? What kind of barbarism is this??"

Max is particularly good at this...if, in fact, we can believe his accounts actually took place.

"Granted, these stories are not perfect forensic accounts of everything that happens to me all the time. For instance, they are my best recollections of events that usually occur when I am drunk, edited down to the best, most entertaining parts."

hmmmm...

Diamond Willow

Diamond Willow by Helen Frost. I was intrigued by the unusual structure of this book, so I borrowed it from the library. Because of the format—most pages are composed of diamond-shaped verse—it was a quick read, even for me, the slow reader.

The story is sweet and sad. I actually cried at one point in the middle of the book when a secret was revealed to the main character. I'm also a sucker for stories that portray animals as wise caretakers.

The book centers on the introspection of a young girl who lives in Alaska. This blogger did a better job than I could of capturing the soul of the story:

http://thereadingzone.wordpress.com/2008/12/23/diamond-willow-by-helen-frost/

I liked Diamond Willow so much I purchased it for my personal library. I think that 4th or 5th grade girls who are reluctant readers would enjoy this book. LEXILE 670 ages 9-12