Why Did I Read This Book? **THIS BOOK REVIEW IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION** I felt like I needed a bit of an intellectual challenge heading into my third year as a teacher, so I enrolled in the Master of Arts in Teaching and Curriculum program at Michigan State University. I read this book for my graduate course TE 808: Inquiry into Classroom Teaching and Learning. It was the guiding text for our Action Research Projects that we conducted over the course of the semester. When I shared with my students the title of this book during a Reading Roll Call in September, they were not that intrigued. Usually a student will ask me what the book I'm reading is about. I will provide the class with a short book talk with me either reading from the back of the book or a quick update on where I'm at in the book. I was met with silence and some laughs about this one. "Reading this for my grad class," was the response I gave the silence. No one cared to hear anything else, so I moved on to the first student and carried on with Reading Roll Call. Oh well ... I am also able to count The Power of Questions for the following reading challenges:
Strengths As stated on the back of the book, this book provides the reader with the process of action research in an illustrated and step-by-step process. My course followed this set up exactly, so it was interesting to read about the research process and then enact it with my own research question about my practice in my classroom. This was very helpful to see how the book's directions and the process of research was to be conducted. The authors also provided a wide variety of excellent examples of how action research could be done in a classroom. I enjoyed reading the secondary examples the most, as I am a secondary teacher. The examples used connected from chapter to chapter as well, so you could trace both the writing and research process from the same teacher throughout the book. WeaknessesWhile the text does an excellent job of scaffolding the reader into understanding the many ways research can be conducted, I felt like most of the chapters were dry and not compelling. I know I wasn't reading a thrilling novel or nonfiction account of an event, but, man, this book was easy to put down and walk away from. This is a minor weakness to the book, but some of the sentences were very close together meaning there did not seem to be a space in between the period of the previous sentence and the capital letter of the next. Again, minor detail, but it became distracting after a while, so much so that I am writing about it here. Recommendation The book is great for teachers of all levels whether they are a preservice teacher, a new teacher looking for a way to be proactive in their new setting, a graduate student in education, or a veteran teacher looking to investigate problems or issues that have been plaguing their practice. I would recommend it to any of my colleagues at my school or within my various networks. It is a quality text that I will keep close by as I continue to rewrite, revisit, and reflect on the teaching and curriculum decisions in my classroom.
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From the Back of the Book "For Dr. David Beck, the loss was shattering. And every day for the past eight years, he has relived the horror of what happened. The gleaming lake. The pale moonlight. The piercing screams. The night his wife was taken. The last night he saw her alive. Everyone tells him it's time to move on, to forget the past once and for all. But for David Beck, there can be no closure. A message has appeared on his computer, a phrase only he and his dead wife know. Suddenly Beck is taunted with the impossible - that somewhere, somehow, his wife is alive ... and he's been warned to tell no one." Strengths I found David, the protagonist, to be a likeable character that I could trust throughout the book. I did feel sorry for him and his roller coaster of a situation regarding his wife. The initial story of he and his wife celebrating their anniversary with an annual tradition and having that venture take a horrible, deadly spin was extremely realistic. We live in a world full of crazies and Coben's detail and realistic depiction of the scene was both good and bad in that I wanted to keep reading despite the sick details put into the killing. Throughout the Tell No One, I felt like I was in David's mind and along for the emotional ride he encountered. At the beginning of the novel, Dr. Beck receives an email from an unknown sender yet he is drawn in and opens it because of the subject line: "E.P. + D.B. /////////////////////" (19). The subject line recreated a tree carving that David and his deceased wife had done. It was made up of their initials and a "/" for each of their years together. In David's mind, no one else could have possibly known about the tree carving except for his wife, so he is dragged into a series of emails with specific information that lead him on a long journey to solve a mystery very close to his heart. Various characters and plot lines are created to thicken story. As the book progresses, mobsters and criminals become involved, along with family members from David's and Elizabeth's families. Initially, I would question how and why a character or set of characters would be introduced, but would find the answer out later as David uncovered clues mostly on his own. The strengths in this book outweigh the weaknesses. Weaknesses The title of the book Tell No One is a tad contradictory. While I feel a guilty about the little spoiler, I think it deserves to be mentioned. David does confide in a character close to him about his wife potentially being back in the picture. When he did this, I flipped the book over to reread the cover and make sure I had the title right. David does not retell the specifics, like the codes or communication tactics, but the fact that he did tell someone and there were not any repercussions bothered me. Recommendation I would recommend this to someone looking to read a detailed, quick read. The language Coben writes with is accessible and easy to navigate. Readers who enjoy John Grisham or David Baldacci would catch a break with this book, as it is not heavy in court- or police-related jargon and references. Tell No One centers around a murder mystery, too, so readers who enjoy books full of mystery and/or murders would enjoy this book. I often felt like I was reading a Criminal Minds episode as David used tactics shown on that show to get the answers he wanted to know surrounding his wife's murder. Why Did I Read This Book? This book was recommended to me by one of my students. Right off the bat, she said, "I think you would like this book." It just so happened that she was able to put the book in my hands as well, so it left no excuse for me to get started.
I took my student at her word and read the book quickly. I did have multiple long sitting arrangements throughout the fall with responsibilities associated with standardized testing and flights to conferences. My student was correct; I really liked Tell No One. It was a shelf worthy book with memorable characters and a complicated yet provoking plot line. I am also able to count Tell No One for the following reading challenges:
From the Book Jacket"In this captivating debut novel, Lindsey Lee Johnson unleashes a cast of compelling characters in a realm known for its cruelty and peril: the American high school. The wealthy enclaves north of San Francisco are not the paradise they appear to be, and nobody knows this better than the students of a local high school. Despite being raised with all the opportunities money can buy, these vulnerable kids are navigating a treacherous adolescence in which every action, every rumor, every feeling, is potentially portable, shareable, viral. Lindsey Lee Johnson's kaleidoscopic narrative exposes at every turn the real human beings beneath the high school stereotypes ... In this complicated web, an idealistic young English teacher arrives from a poorer, scruffier part of California. Molly Nicoll strives to connect with her students - without understanding the middle school tragedy that played out online and has continued to reverberate in different ways for all of them. Written with the rare talent capable of turning teenage drama into urgent, adult fiction, The Most Dangerous Place on Earth makes vivid a modern adolescence lived in the gleam of the virtual, but rich with sorrow, passion, and humanity." StrengthsToday's students are so much more connected to their phones and the internet than any generation ever before. I'm a connected educator on social media, online news sources, and two email accounts throughout the day, but I feel that a majority of my students are consumed by their personal or school-issued electronic devices. The Most Dangerous Place on Earth captured this lifestyle of my students very well with the students of Marin High School. Ms. Nicoll, the new English teacher, cannot wrap her mind the idea of centering your life around technology as seen early on in the novel: "When she circled the room, she'd peer over their shoulders at the phones in their palms, catching flashes of photos and texts. What were they doing? she wondered. What lives were they living on those little screens?" (45). Within "those little screens", Johnson's characters were built through their tone, word choice, and vernacular on their electronic media, specifically social media and the comments section of a news article. These instances of electronic media were sprinkled into the novel's story and provided the reader with a play-by-play of the electronic interaction.
WeaknessesAt some point in Lindsey Lee Johnson's life, a teacher crossed her. How do I know this? Check out her depictions of the American high school teacher:
As an American high school teacher, I cringed every time Johnson began to dig into and belittle the profession of teaching. I'm not sure if she was trying to connect with a younger, teenage audience that hates school and the adults that run it or if she was trying to get back at a teacher or two who criticized her writing with red pens in either high school or college. If the latter is the case, I can see why. As the book jacket states, Johnson writes in a "kaleidoscopic narrative." This is not a good thing, in my opinion. While the sections of the book are in chronological order, the rest of it jumps around from the present to backstory that attempts to fill in the reader on missing details that ultimately mean nothing. Johnson also focuses on minor characters for too long. The book does not wrap up well to boot. RecommendationIf you are a fan of high school drama or are looking for a quick beach read for Spring Break, this is the book for you. If you look at the weaknesses I pointed out and find them to be aspects of books that you like or can look over, then pick up this book. Ultimately, if you want to read it, borrow it from a friend or the library. Why Did I Read This Book?The Most Dangerous Place on Earth was my Book of the Month selection for January 2017.
I am also able to count The Most Dangerous Place on Earth for the following reading challenges:
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From the Book Jacket"After eight long years, an abducted daughter suddenly reappears harboring deep secrets. Her mother wrestles with the ultimate guilty question: Do I really know my daughter? Julie was kidnapped from her own bedroom when she was thirteen years old, while her mother, Anna, slept just downstairs, unaware that her daughter was being ripped away from her. For eight years she has lived with the guilt and void in her family, hoping against hope that Julie is still alive, but realizing just how unlikely that is. And then one night the doorbell rings. A young woman who appears to be Julie is finally, miraculously, home safe. Anna and the rest of the family are thrilled, but as Anna hears Julie's story, that happiness turns again to guilt and sadness over what has happened. As Anna tries to reconnect with Julie, she begins to see holes in her story. Things just don't add up. She hates to think it, but is her daughter lying to her? When Anna is contacted by a former detective turned private eye, she starts to wonder if this young woman is even her daughter at all. And if she isn't Julie, what does she want?" StrengthsThis book was a solid psychological thriller with plenty of twists and sudden turns, so it was a page turner for me. The biggest strength was Gentry's descriptions that made the book easy to read, even if some of the plot developments were not the easiest to read about.
WeaknessesThe biggest weakness of Good as Gone was the chapter layout. While the chapter layout allowed Gentry to create a developing plot, I found it to be more of a jigsaw puzzle that had me confused until the middle of the book when pieces started to fit together. The two opening chapters were from Anna's perspective. Chapter three began with Anna's perspective and ended with Julie's perspective. Chapter four, again, began with Anna's perspective, but another woman's name and perspective were introduced. Who were these women? How do they connect to the rest of the story? I'm not going to give away the secret, as you may also have to struggle through these questions during your read. The limited use of the c-word in this book caught me off guard and I felt like it wasn't necessary, If that word offends you, especially when used at unnecessary times, be warned. It doesn't ruin the book, but I said, "Really?" outloud and shook my head every time it was used. RecommendationIf you enjoy the detailed and often messed up backstories of characters in crime-themed TV shows like Law and Order and Criminal Minds then this book is for you. As a frequently Criminal Minds watcher, I felt like portions of the book would be great episode starters or were inspired by a plot line that I've seen before. The detail and care that Gentry used throughout the book to build the worlds, characters, and plot were comparable to these shows. Why Did I Read This Book?This is the first book I have read AND finished from my Book of the Month subscription. I have been reading along with my classes a lot this semester and needed a break from the classics for something different. This is exactly what I needed.
I am also able to count Good as Gone for the following reading challenges:
Like lightning, this review has moved elsewhere in a flash!
At a GlanceAbout Jeff KinneyThe following list was modified from Penguin Books Australia's "10 Things You Did Not Know About Jeff Kinney." Check out biographical sketches about Jeff Kinney in my reviews of Rodrick Rules and Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
From the Back of the Book"Let's face it: Greg Heffley will never change his wimpy ways. Somebody just needs to explain that to Greg's father. You see, Frank Heffley actually thinks he can get his son to toughen up, and he enlists Greg in organized sports and other "manly" endeavors. Of course, Greg is easily able to sidestep his father's efforts to change him. But when Greg's dad threatens to send him to military academy, Greg realizes he has to shape up ... or get shipped out." StrengthsA simple strength of The Last Straw is the simplicity of the text. Paragraphs do not exist in the series, so it explains why students struggle bridging the gap between reading these books and more difficult texts. The same could be said between grade expectations concerning writing a sentence or two and a paragraph or two. Regardless, I think the text simplicity helps new and struggling readers find confidence in their ability to read. Here are a few examples of how the simplicity makes the reading easier and still, successfully, advances the plot in an easy-to-understand way.
All examples allow the reader to get the gist of the story through short lines or small blocks of text that include two to three sentences. This way of writing allows for easy, understandable reading. WeaknessesOne of the biggest criticisms that the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series has from both myself and others is how Greg Heffley, the main character, is not a good example for upper elementary and middle school students to learn from. He is lazy, rude, a complainer, and never sees how he could be in the wrong. This weakness was rampant in the first two books of the series, but comes to a strong light in The Last Straw. I think the title shows that the people in Greg's life are fed up with his behavior, too, not just me. The opening diary entry is a great example. The story begins in the month of January directly after New Years when people are making New Years resolutions to improve themselves. Greg informs the reader: "...it's not easy for me to think of ways to improve myself, because I'm already pretty much one of the best people I know" (1). He continues with his resolution, which is "to try and help OTHER people improve" (1). It turns out that this resolution is impossible to keep because it is dependent upon others, and Greg throws in the towel anyway because of its difficulty. In the end, his mother tells him, which doesn't help the situation or his ego anyway, "'Everyone can't be as perfect as YOU, Gregory.'" His response to himself, "I think she's right" (4). Why would this type of behavior and belief in oneself be that of merit and honor? It's not. The little prick is the first to find the fault in others and point it out, but when others criticize him, its "poor little Greg" time. *Eye roll* Greg and his neighborhood friend Rowley bury a timeline later in the book. They throw in a few dollars and some video games to showcase their time period for future peoples. When Greg is in a bind because he has not had enough sugar, of all things, he got "desperate" and "dug up the time capsule" (75). We all know and despised the kid who peaked in the time capsule at school or found it a few years early and ruined the surprise for everyone. We hated that kid. Why don't we hate Greg Heffley? The only time that Greg did something positive with his quick wit and thinking skills was when the last straw happened - his father strongly threatened sending Greg to a military academy (about time). Greg "wanted to join the Boy Scouts" (164). Even though that meant that he was able to get out of soccer, another obligation and join the "cool" troop, we begin to see Greg motivated to do good things without regretting them in order to impress his father. This situation makes me believe that Greg may be improving overall, but we'll see as the series continues. Recommendation
Why Did I Read This Book?I am continuing to plan for my Red Cedar Writing Project Spartan Writing Camp session on creating your own Diary of a Wimpy Kid adventure. I am only 30% through the series, but I am starting to get comfortable with Kinney's style and purpose.
I am also able to count The Last Straw for the following reading challenges:
At a Glance
About Jon Krakauer
StrengthsAt the beginning of each chapter, Krakauer used snippets of adventure-related works, highlighted portions from books in McCandless's possession, and, on occasion, etchings from the bus where McCandless stayed. These helped to highlight the overall focus of the chapter, reorient the reader if we were going to rejoin Chris, and provide a well-deserved break to Krakauer's lengthy accounts in a previous chapter. "Dark spruce forests frowned on either side the frozen waterway. The trees had just been stripped by a recent wind of their white covering of frost, and they seemed to lean toward each other, black and ominous, in the fading light. A vast silence reigned over the land. The land itself was a desolation, lifeless, without movement, so lone and cold that the spirit of it was not even that of sadness. There was a hint of laughter, but of a laughter more terrible than any sadness - a laughter that was mirthless as the smile of the Sphinx, a laughter cold as the frost and partaking of the grimness of infallibility. It was the masterful and incommunicable wisdom of eternity laughing at the futility of life and the effort of life. It was the Wild, the savage, frozen-hearted Northern Wild. Jack London, White Fang" (9) "The dominant primordial beast was strong in Buck, and under the fierce conditions of trail life it grew and grew. Yet it was a secret growth. His newborn cunning gave him poise and control" Jack London, The Call of the Wild (38) McCandless looked up to Jack London and Krakauer found strong, powerful, and rich lines from London's works to show what McCandless was experiencing throughout his adventure. But what proved to be even more powerful were the lines from McCandless himself. Krakauer sprinkled these both at the beginning of chapters and throughout the book. "Jack London is KING Alexander Supertramp May 1992" (9) "All Hail the Dominant Primordial Beast! And Captain Ahab Too! Alexander Supertramp May 1992" (38) "TWO YEARS HE WALKS THE EARTH. NO PHONE, NO POOL, NO PETS, NO CIGARETTES. ULTIMATE FREEDOM. AN EXTREMIST. AN AESTHETIC VOYAGER WHOSE HOME IS THE ROAD. ESCAPED FROM ATLANTA. THOU SHALT NOT RETURN, 'CAUSE 'THE WEST IS THE BEST.' AND NOW AFTER TWO RAMBLING YEARS COMES THE FINAL AND GREATEST ADVENTURE. THE CLIMATIC BATTLE TO KILL THE FALSE BEING WITHIN AND VICTORIOUSLY CONCLUDE THE SPIRITUAL REVOLUTION. TEN DAYS AND NIGHTS OF FREIGHT TRAINS AND HITCHHIKING BRING HIM TO THE GREAT WHITE NORTH. NO LONGER TO BE POISONED BY CIVILIZATION HE FLEES, AND WALKS ALONE UPON THE LAND TO BECOME LOST IN THE WILD. ALEXANDER SUPERTRAMP MAY 1992" (163) These allow the reader into the mind of McCandless even though they provide no true detail to what he was truly thinking, feeling, and believing, which I believe is a strength. It adds to the mystery of Chris McCandless and the suspense of his journey until his demise. Ultimately, Krakauer does a wonderfully detailed and drawn out job to showcase Christopher McCandless's journeys and final journey. Each piece of the puzzle is introduced well and then woven into the grand scheme of Chris's life. WeaknessesThere were many points while reading Into the Wild that I wanted to shake both Chris McCandless and author Jon Krakauer. I wanted to shake our protagonist for his sheer stupidity and brash, sometimes arrogant attitude towards the world and people around him, but his high school friend, Andy Horowitz hit the nail on the head when he was quoted as saying, "Chris 'was born into the wrong century. He was looking for more adventure and freedom than today's society gives people'" (174). And, the reader learned all about those that did have the opportunity for adventure and freedom, including the author, in plenty of, in my opinion, longwinded and, to an extent, pointless history lessons on previous explorers of Alaska's frontier. There were a few chapters that I fell asleep during (no joke) or just skimmed to get the gist. These chapters and snippets made up about a quarter of the book. Focus on the main character, Krakauer, not yourself. RecommendationIf you have ever enjoyed reading survival-themed books such as My Side of the Mountain, Hatchet, and/or a Jack London classic then this book is for you, especially if you are bored with these fictional stories. Into the Wild is nonfiction and recounts the steps that Christopher McCandless endured until his death. Krakauer goes into extreme depth and analysis, too. If you are interested in all of the details of attempted survival and adventure then this book will be right up your alley. If you like adventure and survival type books, but not the detail, I would still recommend this book to you because it offers a balanced mix of Chris's adventure and the details surrounding it. Why Did I Read This Book?I read this book because of its reputation. Many family members and friends have recommended it to me over the years. I read it to finally say, "I read it, and this is what I think about Chris McCandless."
I know it has been made into a movie, but I am a book-to-movie purist. I enjoy reading the book first then watching the movie, and drawing my conclusions from there. I am also able to count it for the following reading challenges:
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The Avalanche of Books
As an educator and avid reader, I am constantly hearing about books. I feel like I am being chased by a giant, rolling avalanche of titles and authors. Rating System
5 books - New fave! Read it now!
4 books - Shelf worthy 3 books - Quality read, but ... 2 books - Borrow it 1 book - Skip it Archives
December 2017
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