Must Read in 2016 - Final Update

I really enjoy being a part of the #MustReadin... community. Reading is certainly the hobby that fills a vast part of my free time, and I love having a goal with a checkoff list. I thank Carrie Gelson for organizing this, sharing posts, and sending reminders. In the past two years that I have taken part, I have immediately begun the new year reading as many books from my list as I can get my hands on, only changing gears a bit when our state's new award lists are announced and I focus on those titles. 

This year, my goal was to read 40 books, and I started out strong. At the time of the April update, I was well on my way with 26 of the 40 read. The link to my update post is below:

Must Read in 2016 - Spring Update

I slowed down a little after that, with the end of school, a daughter graduating, but as summer began I enjoyed more free time being able to participate in #bookaday. On June 20, everything came to a screeching halt. Early that morning I received a call that my son, who was running with his cross country team, had been hit by a semi truck. Certainly our lives were turned upside down for the months to follow. Over a three month period he went through eight surgeries along with countless hours in the hospital and rehabilitation center over 120 miles from our home. We are very grateful that he continues down what is definitely a long road to recovery, and has returned to many of his normal activities.

Anyone who knows me would assume that I spent many of those hours of waiting with my head in a book, and I often tried, but I must say that I rarely moved more than a couple of pages, and then I wouldn't remember what I read. I fought it for a while, and finally realized the only reading that was happening for me during that time was picture books, so I did read picture books, and several of them, but I definitely took a long break from any type of novel. I also missed out on reading updates from others and taking part in many chats, book clubs, etc. I tried to stay in touch with a few contacts, but my time and focus was obviously spent elsewhere.

In September, I got back into my groove as life became somewhat more normal, and I began reading more like I normally do. It was interesting how many books became mirrors after the experiences of our summer that might not have been before. 

These two sets of books that I read in 2016. The first set includes new releases, and the second set was made up of books I had missed.

I added a new component to my 2016 goal, setting out to read four classics, three of which were rereads. This is where is just missed my goal! I read three of the four. The one I missed was Treasure Island, which is the one I had never read. I am hoping to get to it soon!

Many of these books I have listened to the audio version. While I believe I have always been more of a visual learner, I have become a huge fan of audio books and listen to one or two per week.

From the new releases, a few of my favorites are below:

Each of these five books had characters and stories that stayed with me. I would classify all of them as heartprint books for me. I had the awesome experience of skyping with Nora Raleigh Baskin along with some of my book club members from school. Talking to her about her work on Nine, Ten was truly an amazing experience for us! We are hosting Sarah Weeks at our school in April, and I cannot wait to hear her tell more about Save Me a Seat and her experiences in writing it with her co-author.

From the set of books I had missed reading, the one that stood out to me most was Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson. I listened to the audio version, which was amazing, so I continued with trilogy, and was captivated by all of them. While I have read many books about slavery, I have not read hardly any from this time period.

From the classics I read, Peter Pan was fun as it used to be a favorite of my own children. The one that stood out to me most was Heidi. Many years ago, I convinced my grandma to let me take her old copy of Heidi. I didn't read it for years, but I loved it when I finally did, and even more this time. I think Heidi is an absolutely delightful character.

I have enjoyed looking back over my own reading, and am happy to report that I read 39 of the 40 titles. I look forward to seeing everyone else's updates before we begin 2017.

Books From Our Grandma

As a child, I spent a great deal of time at my grandparents' house. I was one of ten grandchildren, and we were all welcomed to make ourselves at home there, and we did. My cousin Pam and I loved to explore the entire house, yard, and barn. Some of my happiest childhood memories took place there.

With Pam being my older cousin, she was somewhat of a role model for me, and I usually wanted to do the things she was doing. On one particular occasion, Pam had arrived there at our grandparents' home before me, and she had done a little exploring on her own. She had been down in the basement digging through some boxes in the storage area, where she had come upon some of Grandma's old books. She was proud to show me old worn copies of Bambi and Bambi's Children. But that wasn't all, she shared with excitement in her voice. Grandma had told her she could keep them, to have for her own! I am sure Pam saw the look of envy developing on my face, because she quickly followed by telling me that she was sure I could pick one too. We charged down to the boxes and dug around until I picked a somewhat tattered copy of Heidi by Johanna Spyri. Soon after, we bounded upstairs to see if Grandma would let me keep one too.

I should share a few bits of information at this point. Grandma loved to read and almost always kept a book that she was reading in the living room. Pam loved to read, and often told me about the books she was reading. I also loved books, but at this point I was very young. I honestly don't remember how old I was, but I am going to guess around five. I had lots of books, but they were mostly picture books. My mom read to me most nights before bed, even though she wasn't a reader herself. I loved to look through and "read" my books, but I wasn't really a reader at that point, unless it was a very simple book. The book I had chosen not only had no pictures, but it didn't even have a cute cover like some copies of Heidi do now. This one was old, frayed, and brown.

From the moment the adults in the room saw the book I had chosen, I was encouraged to find another one. Looking back, my mom was probably hoping I'd go back and choose a shorter one! I remember asking Grandma if she had liked the book. Well, yes, she said, she had. So I asked her what it was about. I don't think I really even listened very well to her answer, but they laughed when I told them that I was very interested in both Heidi and goats! So, just like Pam, I had one of Grandma's books.

This is the point where I really wish the story was different. I wish I could say that my mom read from that book every night until we finished it, but that was not the case. I wish I could say that I had Grandma read it to me every time I visited, but that didn't happen either. I am going to be truthful when I say that I don't think I really cared much at that point about Heidi's story or reading that book. Now don't get me wrong, I WANTED that book! I wanted to own one of Grandma's books, and I loved showing it to everyone and telling people that she gave it to me. I wanted to be the same type of reader that she was, and to be able to read the same books she did. I even wanted to be like Pam, who was enjoying the books that she got from our grandma. Even though I would have never admitted it to anyone, I really wasn't ready for that book right then, nor was I really even that excited to read it. What was exciting to me was skipping around the house with it that day, showing it off to the other cousins, aunts, uncles, and anyone else I saw. I was proud to take it home and keep it on my book shelf and show friends, but it was a long time before I ever actually read that book.

I think of this experience of my own sometimes as teachers, librarians, and parents debate about book levels, good fit books, and what is appropriate for kids. The right book for a kid can be many things, but not always the things that we may be considering. I don't think you could find an educator who would have agreed that Heidi was the right book for me at that time, and in a lot of ways they would have been right, but I don't think there was ever another book I was so excited to receive or one that made me want to become a reader so much.

My grandma, Norma Keen Edmison, passed away on Friday, July 15, 2016, but she will always hold a special place in my heart. Years after she shared her book Heidi, she loaned some of her other books to me, and I shared some of mine with her. I would often search to find a book to give her for her birthday or Christmas. At one point, her failing eyesight made reading difficult, and she began reading on a Nook so that she could enlarge the print. I don't think a birthday or Christmas went by that we didn't get her a gift card to buy books. I am grateful for many experiences with her, but our shared love of books is one I celebrate today.

Spring Update - #Must Read in 2016

I have read and listened to several great books so far in 2016. Of my forty books on my #mustreadin2016 list, twenty-six are checked off. It is typical for me to do more reading than usual during the month of January, because I have extra time at home, including a few days remaining at the end of winter break. I am by not a fan of cold weather or the shortened daylight hours, and if it's below freezing I seriously leave my house as little as possible! So, even though we only managed to score one snow day, I hit my list pretty hard, reading fifteen of those titles.  That pace dropped dramatically in February (four books), March (six books), and April (1 book, so far!) as my life became busier and I began reading some books from our upcoming state award list.  I have kept track of the dates for each book I read on my original post:  http://mrssimpsonreading.blogspot.com/2016/01/must-read-in-2016.html

Some of my favorites are below:

• Historical Fiction:  Paper Wishes by Lois Sepahban. Manami's story broke my heart. I really had not read or learned much about Japanese prison camps until very recently, and this is a touching book.  Full Cicada Moon by Marilyn Hilton, which is written in verse, is an amazing story about Mimi, who stands up for herself during the late sixties. My student readers who have taken this book have loved it!  Chains, by Laurie Halse Anderson, was another book that showed me a new perspective. Isabelle and her sister Ruth, who are slaves during the American Revolution, face cruel treatment and horrible living conditions after their owner dies and they are sold.
• Beautiful Writing: The Key to Extraordinary by Natalie Lloyd. I was fortunate to be part of a group that read this book while adding short notes about our thoughts on it as we went. Then we passed the book on to the next person through the mail. It was an amazing journey, and made a beautiful book even more special while sharing it with friends. 
• Best Audio Book(s):  Masterminds: Criminal Destiny by Gordon Kormon. I love this story, and in this audio version, I believe the different voices make it even better if possible. It is full of mystery and action. I will also say that even though I thought I had it all figured out, it still threw me for a loop!  Five, Six, Seven, Nate! by Tim Federle is another excellent audiobook, narrated by the author himself, and he really brings Nate's character to life.
• Books I Expected to Be Great:  Booked by Kwame Alexander. I loved The Crossover, and this one did not disappoint! I enjoyed the format and the story, and I think kids are going to fall hard for it too!  Pax by Sarah Pennypacker made my day one Saturday when an ARC arrived by surprise in the mail. I could not put it down! As a dog owner and lover, this one touched my heart.
• One of My Favorite Characters: All Rise for the Honorable Perry T. Cook by Leslie Connor. I adore Perry and his friendship with Zoey. What a wise young man!
• Great Read Aloud:  Save Me a Seat by Sarah Weeks. This book alternates between two narrators, Joe and Ravi. I was really drawn into both of their stories and liked watching them become woven together. We will be getting a copy of this book for each of our intermediate grade classrooms at school for the 2016-17 school year.
• Biggest Surprise: Death By Toilet Paper by Donna Gephart. While this book contains some humor, the storyline is much more serious than the cover may lead you to believe. Ben and his mother are facing hard times financially as they try to recover from the impact of the death of his father. 

I am looking forward to reading the rest of the titles on the list and seeing updates from other participants. Excitement bubbles as my summer break is quickly approaching (last day - May 16!), which means much more time for reading!

Must Read in 2016

Here we are at the beginning of a brand new year, and it's time to make new reading goals. Last year was my first time to actually share a written list of books to read, and it was a great inspiration to me, while also helping me stay on track. It was fun to watch other participants' progress when updates were posted. I am excited to take part again! I have only included kid lit for my challenge this time. I have divided the books into three categories: 2016 Releases, (Fairly Recent) Books I've Missed, & Classics. The books I plan to read are listed below:

2016 Releases
These are several of the 2016 books that I am looking forward to reading.

• Paper Wishes by Lois Sepahban (January 5) 1/16/16
• Ruby Lee and Me by Shannon Hitchcock (January 5) 1/18/16
• Soar by Joan Bauer (January 5) 1/28/16 
• The Hero Two Doors Down: Based on the True Story of Friendship Between a Boy and a Baseball Legend by Sharon Robinson (January 26) 4/3/16
• Some Kind of Courage by Dan Gemeinhart (January 26) 3/25/16 
• Masterminds: Criminal Destiny by Gordon Kormon (February 2) 3/6/16
• Pax by Sara Pennypacker (February 2) 1/30/16
• The Key to Extraordinary by Natalie Lloyd (February 23) 2/15/16
• All Rise for the Honorable Perry T. Cook by Leslie Connor (March 1) 3/11/16
• Summerlost by Allie Condie (March 29) 2/28/16
• Booked by Kwame Alexander (April 5) 1/10/16
• Just Like Me by Nancy Cavanaugh (April 5) 3/13/16
• The Last Fifth Grade of Emerson Elementary by Laura Shovan (April 12) 5/18/16
• Ramie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillo (April 12) 4/23/16
• Save Me a Seat by Sarah Weeks (April 26) 1/13/16
• The Family Fletcher Takes Rock Island by Dana Alison Levy (May 10) 12/4/16
• The Firefly Code by Megan Frazer Blakemore (May 3) 6/2/16
• The Seventh Wish by Kate Messner (June 7) 4/16/16
• Nine, Ten: A September 11 Story by Nora Raleigh Baskin (June 28) 6/8/16
• Towers Falling by Jewell Parker Rhodes (July 12) 4/3/16

Books I've Missed
These are books that were published in the past few years that I have wanted to read and just didn't get to them.

• All Fall Down by Ally Carter 4/24/16 - audio
• Bayou Magic by Jewell Parker Rhodes 5/9/16 - audio
• Blackbird Fly by Erin Estrada Kelly 1/30/16 
• Book Scavenger by Jennifer Chambliss Bergman 1/18/16 - audio
• Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson 1/23/16
• Cody and the Fountain of Happiness by Tricia Springstubb 2/17/16
• Death by Toilet Paper by Donna Gephart 3/26/16
• Dory and the Real True Friend by Abby Hanlon 1/14/16
• Five, Six, Seven, Nate by Tim Federle 1/5/16 - audio
• Full Cicada Moon by Marilyn Hilton 1/16/16
• How to Speak Dolphin by Ginny Rorby 5/8/16
• The Jumbies by Tracey Baptiste 2/21/16 - audio
• Listen, Slowly by Thanhha Lai 3/7/16
• Peak by Roland Smith 1/5/16
• Rules for Ghosting by A. J. Maquette 10/24/16
• Serafina and the Black Cloak by Robert Beatty 1/22/16 - audio

Classics

I am going to add just a few older books that are mostly rereads for me, but it has been years!

• Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie  12/30/16
• Heidi by Johanna Spyri 12/30/16
• Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
• Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne 1/17/16

My list is made up of forty books, which is fifteen more that last year, but I have more new releases on this list, and those are ones I am always anxious to read. I am looking forward to a year full of great books. Let the reading begin!

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