The Trouble with Tuck

     When I was rereading this book, I noticed that there is a trend with the books I have chosen. They involve animals. The subject of animals is very prominent in many children's books because they can relate to them or know what they are, especially dogs and cats. If you have these animals in your books, children usually will be very intrigued because it makes them think of their own pets. Pets seemed to be a topic that many children chose to write about it when we visited the writing workshops.
     In this book by Theodore Taylor, Tuck is a dog who is suffering from losing his eye sight. At first, his owners do not realize that is what happening, but they eventually catch on. The main character, a 13 year old girl named Helen, is very disheartened when she learns this about Tuck. She feels an empty feeling in her stomach. This made me think about when one of my dogs was starting to lose his eye sight. I was young, about 7 years old, when it happened with my dog and I still remember that feeling Helen is feeling. She wants to believe that nothing is wrong, but she cannot ignore what she is seeing. He is running into things and not acting like he used to.
     Kids really love to talk about their pets and it is a good way to get them to open up. I never realized how many books I read about animals when I was little. Also, they are the ones I want to revisit as an adult. It just goes to show that when we relate to something, we are more likely to remember it.
   

Scooby-Doo! and the Rowdy Rodeo

    I decided that I should switch it up this week and read something more light-hearted and innocent. I love reading books that make you think and feel deeply, but sometimes it is nice to read something that is not as serious and that takes you back to your childhood. This is exactly what this book did for me! Scooby-Doo! is a classic to me no matter what form it is in. I loved the tv show, movies, and books when I was younger.
     I vividly remember buying this book from my school book fair in fourth grade. When I bought it, I was so excited to read it and share it with my brothers even though they probably were not interested. This book reminded me of the book fair and how much I used to look forward to it. When I saw all of the books at the Young Author's Conference, it made me so happy because I knew that some kids were feeling exactly the way I felt when I was younger.
     When I started rereading this book, I realized how great the author really was at getting the character's personalities across. In this particular book, the gang is going to a rodeo and they are discussing how to yodel. In true Scooby fashion, he says "Rodel-rady-rodel-rady-rodel-rady-hee-roooooo!" The author made sure to make Scooby sound just like he did in the movies and tv show. The author, James Gelsey, also made Shaggy sound like himself by saying, " Like, excuse me, Mr. Pokey, but is there a snack bar around?" Shaggy always used to say "like" so much, almost as much as we do now. I think that it is great that the author allows us to make a connection between the character's personalities in the books and in the tv shows. There is definitely not a disconnect. Along the way, this book has illustrations that also makes the author think of the tv show and really picture the characters.
    This book is a great read if you are looking for something comical and easy to read. Sometimes we need a break from the heavy stuff and this gave me the break I needed.

Hey, Kiddo

From looking at the cover of this novel, I figured that this book would make me very emotional. And of course, it did. This graphic novel covered topics such as addiction, abandonment, fitting in, and finding a parent you have never met before. With these topics, I believe that a lot of young children, teens, and even adults can relate to this book in some capacity. I love how vulnerable the author is and how he puts his childhood on display for others to see in hopes that it could help someone.
     As I was reading, I felt that the main character, Jarrett, had so many emotions in him and did not have a way to express them. He had been through so many traumatic things at such a young age. When things happen this young, there has to be an effect on them. He was living in a dangerous environment with his mother and I think that he had no idea.  He was mad when he was separated from his mother. He now lived with his grandma and grandpa. Of course, he did not understand why he could not live with his mother and see her because he was so little. He just wanted his mom. It makes me sad to think about how he had to go through something like this.
     In the book, Jarrett is graduating 8th grade and they have a dinner before the graduation. At first, Jarrett told his grandparents that none of his friends parents were going, so they did not have to go. In reality, Jarrett was embarrassed to bring his grandparents instead of the usual mom and dad. His grandparents were hurt and Jarrett eventually asked them to go. When they got there, Jarrett was surprised by the amount of single-parents, divorced parents, and grandparents were there. This made me think of how many students come from households that are not seen as typical. The word family means more than just mom, dad, brother, or sister. It is unique to every person. This is important to keep in mind when thinking of our students. We will need to be in contact with the children's guardians and we need to treat them all as equally important.
     I was very skeptical about this book because it is a graphic novel. To my surprise, this novel was easy to read and easy to follow. The way that the author illustrates the book is amazing and really allows you to see it right in front of you. The author even included real hand-written notes from his mother, which made this story even more real and heart wrenching. This novel was a great read and gave us a glimpse into the author's life.

Because of Winn-Dixie

     When I was rereading Because of Winn-Dixie by Katie DiCamillo, I realized how many children probably loved this book just as much as I did. This book tells a story of a stray dog that somehow finds itself in a grocery store called Winn-Dixie and somehow manages to also find an owner too. Opal, a young girl who had just moved into town, claimed that this stray dog was hers because she did not want the dog to go to the pound. From there, the relationship blossoms and portrays how important a relationship between dog and owner really can be.
     Most children really like pets and often beg to have one of their own. Opal was just like any other child who hoped for the best. When she decided to claim this stray dog as her own, she brought it home in hopes that her father would let her keep the dog. Luckily, her father said she could keep the dog. I wonder how Opal was feeling when her father decided to allow her to keep the dog. When children get their first pet, they tend to learn a lot about responsibility. Since Opal had a big heart and did not want this dog to the pound, she had to learn how to take care of a dog that had not been taken care of in a long time and it showed. Opal explains, "Winn-Dixie looked up at me and wagged her tail. He was kind of limping like something was wrong with one of his legs. And I have to admit, he stunk. Bad. He was an ugly dog, but already, I loved him with all my heart" (p. 14). This just shows how much love children have in their heart, no matter the circumstances. This made me think of when I found a stray dog and begged my parents to keep him. They ended up letting me keep him, but explained to me that he was my responsibility. This dog looked like how Opal described Winn-Dixie, but I loved him so much anyway. When children are passionate about something, they will more than likely follow through. I love the way that the author touches on a subject that a lot of children can relate to. This will really pull the reader in. 

Read Like a Writer with Katie Kazoo

     As I was reading my second Katie Kazzoo Switcheroo book for the 20 book challenge, I realized how many comprehension strategies and skills this book holds. The possibilities are endless with author Nancy Krulik's writing style that demonstrates the ability to relate to teachers and students. Most of the plot takes place in a school where we are given a glimpse into the mind of a student who shares her views on her school, her friends, and her teachers. 
     Krulik's writing style provides many opportunities for this book to become a great mentor text. When using this book as a mentor text, I would want to use cause and effect as a possible targeted comprehension skill. When writing, it is important to not leave loose ends untied. As we write, we have to keep in mind the importance of cause and effect. Cause and effect is the very thing that keeps the plot going and keeping the reader intrigued. Cause and effect also comes with sequence, or the order of the events that happen. The author does not skip around within the text. She talks about Katie's day in order so that the reader does not get confused. When children first start writing, it is often times hard for them to not jump around from one topic to another. To give a little background information to what is happening in the text, Suzanne (Katie's best friend) passes a note to Katie in class. To explain cause and effect and the importance of finishing up the idea you were just writing about, I would use this passage: 
           

               Just then a small piece of paper landed on Katie's desk. It was a note from

               Suzanne. Katie read the note and scribbled an answer.

              "Kevin, pass this to Suzanne?" Katie whispered.

               "No way," he whispered back. "I'm not getting in trouble."

               Katie understood. Mrs. Derkman does not like kids passing notes in class.

               Katie waited until Mrs. Derkman was looking the other way. Then she

               tossed the note to Suzanne.

               "Suzanne give me that note," Mrs. Derkman ordered.

               She opened the note and read it...out loud!

               "My mother bought me these horrible pink flowery underpants. They're for

               babies.

               "Do you have to wear them?" Mrs. Derkman continued, reading Katie's part

               of the note.      

               "I'm wearing them right now." Mrs. Derkman said, as she read what Suzanne

               just had written. 

      

      I used that passage because it demonstrates a cause and effect situation. Suzanne passed the note and Katie had a feeling they were going to get caught. I would explain that the cause would be that they decided to pass the note and the effect would be they got caught and they were embarrassed. I would stress the importance of following a sequence of events just like Krulik did when explaining this situation. It was easy to follow and she stayed on topic. I would emphasize that almost everything has a cause and effect relationship and it is important to have both as you begin to write. Just imagine if Krulik would have started with passing the notes and not included if they got caught or did not get caught. As writers, it is important to make sense and follow a sequence of events so that the reader will keep reading. Krulik does a great job of keeping the reader interested and tying up loose ends. 

The Poet X pt.2

     As I continued to read on in The Poet X, I found myself sympathizing with the main character, Xiomara. She continually had to go through struggle after struggle and finally felt completely knocked down when her strict, Catholic mother found out that she was in a relationship with a boy at age 16. As if this was not enough, her mother found her poetry book that held all of Xiomara's deepest secrets. It explained how she felt about boys and most importantly and consequently, her mother. I felt myself wanting to try to save Xiomara from the turmoil that was overtaking her life.
      We all have that one thing that keeps us feeling alive. Poetry was Xiomara's thing. It kept her head above water when she felt like she was drowning in a sea of despair and disappointment. She could always rely on poetry as an outlet to release all of her frustrations in her life. She felt like the paper was the only thing that was up for the challenge of facing her deepest, darkest feelings and that paper took a metaphorical beating every day. I believe that writing can be cathartic for some individuals who do not feel like they have anyone to go to when they are feeling the weight of the world on their shoulders. This is something I want to share with my future students. Writing how you feel is a positive way to get out your thoughts and feelings out so that it does not eat you up inside.
     Just as Xiomara thought she was going to get a break, her mother found her most prize possession. As Xiomara walked into her home, her mother was standing there with it in her hand. Her mother reached for a lighter and began to light the book on fire. As the author described the smell of burning leather and Xiomara's overwhelming emotions, I found myself wanting to reach and grab the book out of her mother's hands. That was Xiomara's lifeline. I could not imagine the intensity of this situation and how Xiomara felt. She was distraught.
     After this traumatic event, Xiomara was able to pick herself back up. She attended slam poetry sessions where she had the opportunity to share her own poems. She found out that her poems were in her heart and that she did not need the book. She found out that she could take her poems to the next level by performing them. As teachers, we could be responsible for introducing a passion to a child. A teacher noticed that Xiomara had a real talent and passion for poetry and encouraged her to join poetry club. When we teach, taking notes about what our students enjoy and are good at can really make a difference. We could supply them with a little bit of encouragement and confidence that could change their lives.

The Poet X

     Before I started reading this novel by Elizabeth Acevedo, I looked at the cover and saw the word "poet." I thought to myself "this will be a challenge." I am not a huge fan of poetry and this is 375 pages full of it. A whole novel. To say the least, I was skeptical. Whenever I think of poetry, I always think of it as something I will find difficult to read and something that will most likely not benefit me to read. I know it's harsh, but that was my experience from high school and even prior to high school. To my surprise, this novel proved me wrong.
     As I was reading, I found myself enjoying how fast it was to read, how easy it was to follow, and how the content pulled me in. This novel is about a teenage girl who is experiencing new thoughts, feelings, and ideas all while under the strict control of her Catholic parents. She is always torn. She is always deciding with three factors in mind-- her feelings, her mom's feelings, and God's feelings. She feels immense pressure to act a certain way in her community and is forced to conceal who she really is. This is a daily struggle for her. I wondered how long she could take this piling pressure before she would rebel or hide any trace of who she really is just to appease the people surrounding her. While I was reading, I thought about how many people are in the same position as her. So many people struggle with issues like this and many could find solace in finding out that someone else is going through a hardship just like them.
     While I was reading, I found a poem that I think a lot of people can relate to. In this poem, called "On Papi," she describes her father's role that he plays in her life. The best way to sum up the poem and her relationship with her father is in the final line. It states, "Just because your father's present doesn't mean he isn't absent" (p.65). When I read this, I thought about how many kids, even adults too, could relate to this line. She feels like her dad is there in her physical life, but always vacant in her emotional life. He is there in their home every day, but he could be a stranger and she would not know the difference. This makes me very sad. It seems like we live in a world now where it is rare that a father is involved in his child's life. I always think about this when I hear children talk about their parents and how they are not around and how I want to do something, anything, to make them feel better.