1776 and John Adams

                                                                                 

So, I LOVE teaching social studies, and the fifth grade curriculum is really fun. We start with reviewing maps and globes, then a quick overview of the early natives to settle in the Americas, then European exploration of the New World in the 16th and 17th centuries, development of the colonies, and finally the American Revolution and Birth of a New Nation. David McCullough's books provide a wealth of background information to help bring this time in history alive for me. I am fascinated reading about the personalities and inner thoughts of the early settlers and leaders in America.

First I started reading 1776 on my phone, and then I used a gift card I had to purchase hard copies of 1776 and John Adams. Reading these books gives me lots of juicy details to share with the kids, and makes me feel like I'm doing professional development at the same time!

Warm Bodies

How did I forget to write about this little gem of a book? I read Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion sometime in 2012 before the movie came out in February 2013—a Meredith recommendation. I loved this book. I fell in love with the zombie who fell in love with a human girl after eating her boyfriend's brain. I loved the clever dialogue and quirky situations the characters found themselves in. The subtle writing style is respectful of the unusual subject matter and helped me to identify with the motivations of the characters.

The movie had some good points but was mostly disappointing. It's more difficult and a little jolting to translate such a crazy plot into a visual medium, I think. There were some funny and touching moments in the film, but it was also quite hard-hearted and grim.

I suppose that's to be expected in a movie that pits zombies against uninfected humans!

The Island

The Island by Elin Hilderbrand was a quick, enjoyable summer read borrowed from my cousin. The story explores the relationships between mothers and daughters and sisters and nieces in connection with several life milestones including a suspended wedding due to the death of a fiancé. It features interestingly real characters who come to terms with their current situations and ruminate on their pasts while spending time together at an old family beach house.

Mockingjay

Finally finished Book 3 of Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games trilogy. I enjoyed Mockingjay more than the second book, but was still disappointed overall. So dark and depressing. Dismal, joyless, bleak are more adjectives that come to mind. The heroine seems to be in a perpetual state of confusion and rehabilitation and has become a major, big-time buzzkill.

Catching Fire

Catching Fire is Book 2 of The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins. I didn't like it as much as the first book. The main character, Katniss is starting to wear on me. I was also surprised—not in a good way—by the plot, which I won't give away here. Let's just say I was hoping the story would focus more on life back at home in District 12 after being victorious in the Hunger Games. Maybe flesh-out the characters more, provide more history of Panem in flashbacks, get more insight into what life is like in some of the other districts. Nope, instead we get a Quarter Quell. You'll have to read the book to find out what the heck that is.

I've just begun Book 3. I'm still annoyed with the main character but starting to get into the story.