Review: The Enormous Crocodile by Roald Dahl (with class pics)

 

Summary and image from amazon:  

The Enormous Crocodile is a horrid greedy grumptious brute who loves to guzzle up little boys and girls. But the other animals have had enough of his cunning tricks, so they scheme to get the better of this foul fiend, once and for all!

I admit, I have never read a Roald Dahl book in it's entirety.  I've watched Matilda, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (both versions, though I prefer the Gene Wilder version).  My students love The BFG.  But I've just never finished one myself.  

During one of the Armchair BEA twitter parties, a question was posed as to what was your favorite short story or novel.  So I asked, any for kids?  And the response from several tweeters was "The Enormous Crocodile" by Roald Dahl.  So, for the last week of class with my students (though not the last week of school---I don't pull the last week due to helping with kindergarten screening and end-of-year paperwork), I thought, why not?  My 5th grade group is a blood-thirsty bunch, they'd love a tale of a crocodile who likes to eat kids.  

And they did.  They couldn't get enough of the crocodile---even choosing to come with me to read more, rather than stay in class and play "minute to win it".  This NEVER happens in my world.  

Because 5th grade liked it so much, I thought for my last day with 3rd grade, I'd show the video of The Enormous Crocodile I found on youtube. 

They got so into it, they grabbed the copies of the book I had on the table and started reading along.  Here are some (edited) pics of my 3rd graders :)

When we were finished, they drew the 4 "clever" tricks the crocodile tried and rewrote the ending (as some did not like that he was shot into space.  They thought he deserved a different punishment). 

I was worried that it was going to be a little too "dark" for my kids.  But, shoot, it was great!  Nobody was scared, in fact, they thought it was funny.  They really enjoyed finding out what the tricks were, what animal was going to stop it and what the crocodile was going to do. 

Thank you, twitter and Armchair BEA for opening my eyes to this great book! 

Back to life, back to reality

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TB54dZkzZOY

This past week has been amazing!  I was fortunate enough to be part of the Armchair BEA planning team, helping to coordinate the Oh Snap! Instagram Challenge.  I also was prize patrol for the Monday evening twitter party---I had no idea that twitter parties and chats go SO QUICKLY!  I had to lay down for a bit after all that!  (Not really, but it made my head spin!)  I loved interacting with everyone, saw some great new-to-me blogs, met some cool people, and saw some very creative people as part of the Instagram Challenge.  I can't wait until next year!

In case you missed my Armchair BEA posts, here they are:
Day 1:  Introductions
Day 2:  More than Words
Day 3:  Expanding Blogging Horizons
Day 4:  Giveaways!  (I've already chosen a winner---please don't enter!)
Day 5:  Genre Discussion---Middle Grades and YA

And not only that, but we had guests this weekend---our second family!  Our friend, Britta and her 3 children stopped for the weekend on their way from Arizona to New Jersey.  

We visited my new favorite food truck (Lobsta Rollin') on Friday.

On Saturday, we went for what felt like a 100 mile hike, but was actually only 5 along the Massanutten Ridge.  

The treeline, looking out onto Harrisonburg.

After that, we visited a lavender farm , sadly the lavender isn't in bloom yet, but the products that they made smelled, and tasted(!), wonderful!  

We then spent time searching for hair chalk and ended up just getting oil pastel chalk from Michaels.  It did the same thing, was a whole lot cheaper for more colors!  Here we are trying to take a good selfie!  I did mine with a pink streak, Britta did purple, and her daughter did beautiful sea green tips!  Yes, it washes out pretty quickly, but it was fun!  

Then we went to a local baseball game.

 I also got this sweet Dementor to guard my house.  Freaked some neighbors out. 

Sunday, we went to Massanutten waterpark---I think the adults needed a nap after this day.  In fact, both Britta and I may or may not have fallen asleep at the waterpark while waiting on children!  

Then we went to Benny Sorrentino's for dinner.  We'd never been, but will definitely be back!  The slice was honestly too big for 2 plates!  It was bigger than my face!  I ate the whole thing, but was in a Thanksgiving-sized food coma afterwards.

And now...back to normal life.  I had such a great week.  Thanks for being part of it!  

{ArmchairBEA Day 5}: Genre Discussion---Middle Grade & YA

 

Design by Amber of Shelf Notes

Today's topic:  Our final genre of discussion is one that we know is a popular one these days: books for the younger crowd, from middle grade to young adult. If you do not normally talk about this genre on your site, maybe you want to feature books that you remember impacting you during this stage in your life. If this is where you tend to gravitate, maybe you want to list your favorites, make recommendations based on genres, or feature some titles that you are excited to read coming later this year.

I thought that today, instead of talking about my favorites, since I mainly blog about children's-YA books, I'd talk about WHY.

I started this blog to become more aware of great children's books that I can use in my classroom.  And I am.  I have just too many running around in my head to be more specific (though, if you have a specific genre or subject you'd like a book about, let me know, I'll give you some suggestions).

But, I find myself reading MG and YA in my "spare" time, too, since I've started blogging.  I could probably count on both hands the number of "adult" books I've read in the past 3 years. 

With "adult" books (which, when I say that, makes my mind go to a naughty place, but I do it anyway), I don't like being pushed into a genre---fantasy, romance, whatever.  In YA, I feel like the characters have much more depth and the stories are more interesting.  I also find myself identifying more with characters in YA books than women in--let's call them---grown up books. 

I think once people look past the label of YA, they'd find a wonderful world of complex stories and characters that I have a hard time finding in grown-up books. 

{ArmchairBEA Day 4}: Giveaways!

 

Design by Amber of Shelf Notes

Today's topic:  One of the favorite days of past years is our day of giveaways! You host the giveaway on your own site and link it up here for all our participants to come and visit. Don’t forget to give Armchair BEA a little love when advertising, but you can choose your own guidelines and deadlines.

If you are a faithful reader of this blog, you'll know that I rarely do giveaways.  It's not because I don't want to.  It's usually because whatever books I read/review, I either use in my classroom, pass on to another teacher who might be able to use the book, or give to my friend's kids.  I rarely keep anything for myself.

However, today (mark your calendars), I am hosting a giveaway---United States only, sorry international peeps, it's just too expensive.  It's pretty simple.  To enter:
1.  You must live in the US
2.  You must be 13 years of age or older.
3.  Fill out the form with your name, email, snail mail address and select a category (primary/picture books, elementary, middle grades or young adult).  You choose the category, I'll choose the book. 
4.  One entry per person.

For one day only, I am going to give away a book from the 2014-2015 Virginia Reader's Choice nomination list.  So, click here to see the nominated books.  I'm partial to the elementary list, but I'm not going to pressure anyone into choosing that.  Again though, you choose the category, I'll choose a book from the list and ship it to you.

I also have some handmade notebooks and bookmarks.  I'd like to start selling them on Etsy, but, I don't know about you, but as soon as I make something, I think it's horrible, and I need someone to tell me that it isn't (or if it is, how I can improve it).  So, if you are a lucky winner, I'll send you a notebook and bookmark and in return, you give me some constructive feedback.

Top Row:  1, 2, 3

Bottom Row:  4, 5, 6

So, in the form, just tell me which number you'd like. 

So, you have until midnight TONIGHT to enter.  Once responses go into google forms, they get assigned a number.  I'll use a random number generator to pick the winner.  I will contact the winner (hopefully) on Friday, but no later than Saturday to let them know they've won.  Good luck!

I love how I try to embed something AND IT NEVER WORKS!  It can't be me every time, can it?  Anyway, here is the link to the form:  http://tinyurl.com/ldzmscx  
Sorry for any inconvenience!   

Any deviation from the above rules will get your entry thrown out (meaning---no cheating!)  Good luck!

{ArmchairBEA Day 3}: Expanding Blogging Horizons

 

Design by Amber of Shelf Notes

Today's topic: What do you think about when you think about going beyond blogging or expanding your horizons? Is it a redesign of your blog? Have you branched out into freelance writing or even published a novel of your very own? Or, have you moved into a different venue like podcasts or vlogging? This is the day to tell us about how you have expanded on blogging in your own unique way.

I know to colleagues and friends, I come across as this mega-huge tech savvy person, who probably knows how to do coding, reads tech how to manuals, and just is super up to date on how to do everything.  But, I'll let you in on a little secret---I'm not!  Sure, I may know more than the average bear, but it's because I sat and taught myself how to do it.  So, when it comes to expanding blogging horizons, somethings that I would like to learn how to do are:
1.  Creating my own blog background, header and buttons.
2.  Figuring out the editing software on the mac so I can create vlogs---not that you guys necessarily want to hear my voice, but it is a nice alternative.

Some other bloggy/book things that I'd like to figure out are:
1.  After you write a book, what is the next step in the publishing process?  An agent?  An editor?
2.  I don't want to come across as greedy, but how do people get so many ARCs?  I guess I don't know how to market myself to a publisher to get added to "the list".
3.  HOW DO YOU HAVE TIME FOR IT ALL?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

And on a personal note, I've always had stories running around in my head, so I'd love to expand and be able to write them down.  I'm just scared to take that step!

What are you doing to expand your horizons?   

{ArmchairBEA Day 2}: More than words

Design by Amber of Shelf Notes

Today's topic:  There are so many mediums that feature more than just words and enhance a story in a multitude of ways. Examples may include graphic novels and comics, audiobooks, or even multimedia novels. On this day, we will be talking about those books and formats that move beyond just the words and use other ways to experience a story. Which books stand out to you in these different formats?

 Every time I see this topic, I think of the song.  Is it just me?  Well now it isn't:


Extreme, More than Words

From an education standpoint, I love graphic novels.  My students aren't always the top readers in the class, but, a graphic novel or even a mixed book like Diary of a Wimpy Kid or Big Nate makes them feel accomplished.  It is a bigger book (length-wise), but because of abundance of pictures and not a lot of words, they can understand the story.  A lot of inferring (or drawing conclusions) have to be done, as well.

I also like using wordless picture books to facilitate writing in my classroom.  It's also a great way to teach inferring.  

In my own reading, I love graphic novels.  I can sit for an hour and read like 500 pages!  When I have a lot of books to read, such as for Virginia Reader's Choice, if I can crank through 2 graphic novels in a night, I get so pleased with myself.

Another media I love is audiobooks.  Again, in my classroom, I like them because my students can listen to a native English speaker reading properly.  They can hear what those hard words sound like, and focus on the story, rather than decoding the words.

In my personal life, I love to listen to an audiobook in the car on my way home from work (not to work, because that's when I listen to the Elvis Duran morning show---Hello, Lady!)  When my master's class was meeting an hour and a half away from my home, an audiobook was what kept me sane.  We've listened to Harry Potter on our cross-country trips (though I haven't finished 7 because I JUST DON"T WANT IT TO END!).

But for me, a big part of an audiobook is the narrator.  I personally think the best audiobook narrator out there is Jim Dale.  He has narrated a ton of books, but most importantly, the Harry Potter series.  His voice is just so smooth.  I could listen to him read the phone book. 

What are some of your favorite graphic novels or audiobooks?

#ArmchairBEA & Instagram

new design by Amber of Shelf Notes

I just wanted to put out there how much fun I'm having, and how happy I am to be helping, moderate (I guess you could call it), the Armchair BEA "Oh Snap!" Instagram Challenge (for daily topics and guidelines)!  That's right friends, I just pulled back the curtain to reveal that I, Amanda, am the one hearting / posting / reposting / picking winners for the Instagram Challenge.  AND I LOVE IT!  Everyone's pictures have been great so far, I can't wait to see what the rest of the week will bring us!  

 
(Click the icon to be taken directly to the Armchair BEA Instagram Account)

I just want to float it out to the universe that if I could get a job running someone's Instagram account, I'd totally take it!  I'm having THAT much fun!  

And a big "THANK YOU" to Tif of Tif Talks Books for all her help and support.  She is the head lady in charge and is doing an amazing job!  If only you saw all the behind the scenes stuff she is doing, and I'm sure I don't even know the half of it! 

{ArmchairBEA Day 1}: Introductions!

 

Design by Amber of Shelf Notes

So, welcome to my blog!  If you are a new visitor, thanks for stopping by!  I hope everyone enjoys what they see and comes back!

Anyway, for our first day of Armchair BEA, we have our introductions!  The directions are to choose at least 5...

I was going to make a video, instead of typing out my responses, but then I didn't feel like it....

 

My "I don't want to make a video" face

Anyway....here goes!

1.  Please tell us a little bit about yourself: Who are you? How long have you been blogging? Why did you get into blogging? Where in the world are you blogging from?
     My name is Amanda, I'm an elementary English as a Second Language teacher.  I love my students and sharing the love of reading with them!  I've been blogging for, I think, 3 years this past January, but I can't really remember.  I got into blogging because I wanted to stay up to date on great books for my students.  I am blogging from Harrisonburg, Virginia, which is located in the Shenandoah Valley, about 2 hours south west of Washington, DC.

2.  Describe your blog in just one sentence. Then, list your social details -- Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc. -- so we can connect more online.
     My blog is very eclectic---it started out as a book blog, but has evolved into stuff I use in my classroom, stuff about my dogs, about my subscription boxes---it represents how I've evolved in the past 3ish years.
      Twitter:  @maestra_amanda
      Facebook:  I don't have my blog connected to Facebook.  I think that may be something I need to do this week.
      Instagram:  akfurman (be warned, it's filled with pictures of my dog, Luna)
      Pinterest:  www.pinterest.com/maestra_amanda

3.  What genre do you read the most? I love to read because ___________________ .
      Obviously, I love anything from picture books to YA, but my favorite type, is fantasy.  I've gone through phases:  historical fiction, crime, romance, and now fantasy.  I like being transported to different worlds and seeing how they would work.

4.  What does your favorite/ideal reading space look like? (Pinterest encouraged!)

From: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/53480314295208141/

5.  Share your favorite book or reading related quote.

 

From http://www.pinterest.com/pin/17099673558595545/

6.  If you were stranded on a deserted island, what 3 books would you bring? Why? What 3 non-book items would you bring? Why? 

     I'd bring Harry Potter #7, Game of Thrones #1 and a survival guide.  I'd bring HP7 and GOT1 because they awesome, but also super long.  I'd bring a survival guide, because DUH!  I have no clue how to survive in the wild!  

     As my non-book items, I'd bring a 2 gallon tub of sunblock, duct tape (I saw that Mythbusters, you can make a ton of survival stuff out of duct tape), and a hunting knife.  The name of the game is survival, and not getting sunburned.  

Hope you enjoyed my intro!  Have a great Armchair BEA! 

Armchair BEA Update: Oh Snap! Instagram Challenge

Design by Amber of Shelf Notes

It's Monday!  And that means we are announcing the Armchair BEA Instagram Challenge!

(clicking the icon will take you to the Official Amchair BEA Instagram Account) 

In case you didn't know, I am on the Armchair BEA team this year, specifically, helping with the Instagram Challenge!  I'm so excited to be able to let you know all the great daily challenges we have lined up for you.

First things first though, it is now called the Armchair BEA Oh Snap! Instagram Challenge!

Please head over to the Armchair BEA blog to read the official announcement and get all the rules and such.

Get snappin!  I can't wait to see great pictures in everyone's Instagram feeds! 

Armchair BEA Updates!

Design by Amber of Shelf Notes

I don't know about you, but I am getting so excited for ArmchairBEA (May 26-May31)!  This is my first time really "behind the scenes", and I am just so impressed by the work that is being done and the great ideas bouncing around.  I'm so happy to be a part of it.

But, update time:

*don't forget to sign up to participate!  Click here to go to the ArmchairBEA blog. 

*Daily post topics have been announced (here) ---I don't know about you, but I'm going to be using my free time in the next few days to get some of these posts scheduled!

*Introduction questions have been announced (here)

*Twitter Party Dates/Times have been announced (here)

Next week, ArmchairBEA Instagram Challenge topics will be announced (I'm super excited about this, I won't tell you any details, except for I LOVE ALL THE CHALLENGES!)  

I really hope you decide to participate!  

Armchair BEA Updates: Call for Cheerleaders

 

Armchair BEA is in need of cheerleaders!  We need people who are enthusiastic and willing to comment on other people's daily blog posts.  

I did this last year, and I really enjoyed visiting new blogs.  How it worked last year, based on the number of cheerleaders, you are assigned to comment on certain numbers on the daily link-ups--for example, I think I was assigned to comment on #160-180 on the link up.  You are assigned with a team, so you won't be the only one (but, you don't want to be the only one who doesn't comment!)  

If you are interested in signing up, click here.

Armchair BEA 2014: Updates April 14-18

Make sure you're signed up for the Armchair BEA google+ community!  Join here!

And, registration is now open for Armchair BEA, so make sure you've registered here!  You aren't going to want to miss this!  

Armchair BEA and Instagram!

I'm excited to announce that I'm on the Armchair BEA Central team for this year!  I am part of the Instagram Challenge team, and if you know me, you know I love Instagram!  Though I usually use it to post annoyingly cute picture of my dog, Luna.  I'm sure we will have wonderful challenges for you to participate in!

For more information about Armchair BEA, click here

To follow Armchair BEA on twitter:  @armchairbea

To follow me on twitter:  @maestra_amanda

To follow me on instagram:  akfurman

Armchair BEA: Keeping it real & Children's/YA Books

Design credit: Emily of Emily's Reading Room

Let's keep it real, yo.

Ok, I had to do that.  I'm sorry.

I try to keep my material fresh, but I really don't know how!  I just am honest and enthusiastic about the books I read, and I hope that it shows through.  If I can use it in my classroom as a mentor text, I try to say what topic I'd teach with it.  Sometimes I try to do fun stuff, like my "Deep Thoughts" posts, my Pinterest posts, If I had $100 posts, audiobook reviews, Books on Vacation posts, or Christmas posts.

But, when I feel that I don't have anything fresh to say, I don't post!  I take a break.  Bottom line, I do this for me.  If I'm not enjoying it, then I stop for a bit until I can enjoy it again.  I've got enough stress in my life, I'm not going to turn something that I do for fun into something that I hate to do.

As a childrens/ya book blogger, with the exception of the Game of Thrones books, I can count on one hand the number of "adult" books I've read since I've started blogging.  And I'm ok with that.  But, as a 30 year old woman, why do I enjoy these books so much?

1.  They're fun.

2.  I can talk to my students about them (for the most part)

3.  They're short.

4.  They're hilarious!

5.  Even though I don't have to use my brain, they still make me think (Hello, Hunger Games!)

6.  They let me escape my reality, and take me to places I've never been to or thought of

7.  The characters and plots are very well thought out (probably better than most adult books I've read)

8.  They make really good movies.

9. ALL THE FEELS!  Sorry about that...but seriously, I have never laughed, cried or thought as hard about books since I started reading childrens/YA.

Armchair BEA: Ethics and Nonfiction

Design Credit: Emily of Emily's Reading Room

I am, to a fault, and honest person.  It has gotten me in trouble before, but that's ok.  I'd rather be honest than not.  But, I'm also a cautious person and don't like to cause waves, so while I will tell you what I think, I'll do it in a nice way. 

And so, I've always tried to be honest with my blogging.  If I don't like a book, or parts of a book, I'll tell you.  I don't care if you are my BFF, if I don't like it, I don't like it.  I'm not going to write that it was the best book ever.  I'll also tell you if I like it and everything I think that is awesome about it. 

There always seems to be some sort of drama in the blogging world.  Somebody is plagiarizing.  Somebody is firing back at authors who leave mean comments.  My advice to you, stay out of it.  Don't get caught up in it.  It will just lead to headaches and hurt feelings.  And remember, everything you post online stays online.   

And in the spirit of honesty, I'll say, being accused of plagiarism is my biggest fear.  Not because I do it.  But because I'll unknowingly write something that sounds like something someone else wrote or do a google image search for a picture, find one I like, use it and then be accused of stealing it.  There's nothing I can do about the first, really, besides saying, I don't and never will copy something someone else wrote (with the exception of a summary, but I always credit Amazon or Goodreads for those).  As for the google image thing, I always note that I got it from a google image search.  I give credit when I know what it is.  I won't hide anything. 

So, good luck.  Be honest.  Stay out of drama.  You'll thank me later.

ArmchairBEA: Top 10 books that EVERYONE should read

Design credit: Emily of Emily's Reading Room

Today, Armchair BEA doesn't really have a set topic.  Today is giveaway day, but I don't have anything to give away.  I clean off my shelves and either take books to my classroom or give to my friend's children.

But, the discussion topic is literature.  And they said to "be creative", so I decided to make a Top 10 list of books that are hands down, my absolute favorite books.  Aka books that I would press on you in a bookstore.  Yes, they are mostly children's books, but hey, it's a childrens/YA book blog.

(Images from Amazon.com unless otherwise noted)

my personal copy

 10.  Anne of Green Gables (just that one, I didn't care for the rest) 

pic from Scholastic.com

9.  Origami Yoda series

8.  The Idiot Girl Series (memoirs)  

image via google image search

7.  Georgia Nicolson series

From ChaosWalking.wikia.com

6.  Chaos Walking series

5.  Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls

4.  Percy Jackson and the Olympians series

3.  Wonder by RJ Palacio

2.  Game of Thrones series

1.  Harry Potter series (even the audio books.  Jim Dale's voice is sooooo good)

and lets not forget those favs that just didn't crack The Top 10:  The Elite books by Kiera Cass, The Hunger Games, The Graceling series by Kristin Cashore, 

ArmchairBEA: Blogger Development & Genre Fiction

Design credit: Emily of Emily's Reading Room

Today, we're talking about how we developed ourselves as bloggers and then our favorite genre of fiction.  Sounds easy right?  Yeah, it's probably one of my hardest! 

It's hard for me because I don't think of myself as any sort of "authority" on blogging and don't really feel comfortable giving development advice.  I do what I do to share the love of books and reading, and as an outlet for all the great books I've read. 

But, I guess the two big bloggy things I've done is being a Cybils judge and I also blog on Bookalicious.org .  I've also blogged at Nerdy Book Club, which was pretty cool :)

I never thought I'd say this, like EVER, but I think my favorite genre of fiction is fantasy.  I mean, Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, Percy Jackson...hello!  Other favorites are: dystopian, steampunk (which is fantasy, I guess), and historical fiction.  But, as a reader, I've always been on kicks or phases.  I've been through a historical fiction phase, a romance phase, a murder mystery phase, a mobster phase, a contemporary phase.  But, the genre that has my favorite books is fantasy. 

ArmchairBEA Introduction

Design credit: Emily of Emily's Reading Room

Hello and welcome!  Thanks for visiting my blog, and I hope you enjoy my blog :)
Today is "introduction day"

Please tell us a little bit about yourself: Who are you? How long have you been blogging? Why did you get into blogging?
Hi!  My name is Amanda, and I teach English as a Second Language to children in grades 3-5 (about ages 8-10).  Last year, I graduated with my Masters in Reading Education and I'm just crazy enough to go back to school in the fall to get another masters in Education, with a concentration in Technology and Literacy.  When I'm not reading, I enjoy taking pictures, traveling, gardening, baking and flowboarding (surfing and bodyboarding on a manmade wave---like on the cruise ships).  I'm a huge Harry Potter fan (hence the owls).  In January, I think I'll have been blogging for 3 years.  I got into blogging because I wanted to become more involved in what my students read---I wanted to become more knowledgeable about what books were out there and what they should be reading, and blogging became my outlet for all the good books that I've been reading.  
  
Where in the world are you blogging from? Tell a random fact or something special about your current location. Feel free to share pictures.  
I am blogging from the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia (specifically Harrisonburg).  It is the home to James Madison University (from where both Kristen-Paige Madonia---author of Fingerprints of You---and I graduated), and something that I didn't know until I looked on the Wikipedia page---the hometown of Maggie Stiefvater (Shiver, Raven Boys, Scorpio Races), and the biggest town to author Jodi Meadows (Incarnate).  WHO KNEW ALL THESE COOL PEOPLE WERE IN HARRISONBURG WITH ME!?!?!?!?!?!?!?  And there's mountains and stuff, too....

What are you currently reading, or what is your favorite book you have read so far in 2013? 
Ok, so I'm typing this up on Saturday night, and I'm between books.  I can't specifically say what I'll be reading on Tuesday when this posts.  But, if I think of it, I'll update...
But, the best books I've read this year so far are the Game of Thrones books.  I STINKING LOVE THEM!  

If you could eat dinner with any author or character, who would it be and why? 
I'd love to eat dinner with JK Rowling or Fred and George Weasley.  I'd love to just bask in the awesomeness that is Ms. Rowling.  But Fred and George are my favorite characters from Harry Potter and I think it would be a good time.  Second choice would be Ned Stark, Jon Snow, Arya Stark or Daenerys Targaryan from Game of Thrones.  Why?  Why not?  They're awesome!

 
What literary location would you most like to visit? Why?
HOGWARTS!  Of course!  And not just the studio, or the castle now...but legit Hogwarts with Snape, Dumbledore and McGonnegal.  I want the floating candles in the great hall.  I want the house elves to prepare an awesome dinner.  I want to see the whomping willow and then sneak down to Hogsmeade.  

It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA

 

Its Monday!  What are you reading?  From Picture Books to YA is a weekly feature hosted by Jen and Kellee of Teach Mentor Texts and inspired by Its Monday!  What are you reading by Sheila at Book Journeys.

2 more weeks of school!  9 more days (plus 2 work days...but those don't count!) 
 

Source: slowrobot.com via Amanda on Pinterest

My husband didn't get it....I just look at him and shake my head sometimes....

Anyway, over the weekend, I was able to finish A BOY CALLED DICKENS by Deborah Hopkinson (a picture book biography of Charles Dickens), BIRD AND SQUIRREL ON THE RUN by James Burks (cute buddy-adventure early graphic novel) and ZIGZAG ZOOM by Patricia Reilly Giff (she must write in her sleep).  I need to go to the library and pick up more books for Virginia Reader's Choice, I feel like I need to read most of those books before I start my TBR pile.  We'll see though!

This week is Armchair BEA (and the real BEA of course), and I am a commenting cheerleader (which means that when you link up your daily posts on Armchair BEA, if you are in my section, I will be leaving you comments and cheering you on!

May Calendar

Sunday	Monday	Tues.	Weds.	Thurs.	Friday	Sat.
	It’s Monday!	VRC recap	1 Review:  The Selection Series	2 #Thirstday I took a pic, but shared via twitter, not blog	3	4
5	6 It’s Monday!	7 Review: Fish Finelli	8	9	10	11
12	13 It’s Monday!	14 Review: Crystal City Lights	15 Big news!	16 Review on Bookalicious	17	18 If I had $100
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Review: Penguin's Hidden Talent by Alex Latimer

 

Image and summary from Amazon:

All of Penguin's friends are excited about the upcoming talent show, but Penguin can t seem to figure out what his talent is. He tries juggling appliances with Bear, doing magic tricks with Rabbit, and burping the alphabet with Fox, but he doesn't seem to be good at any of it. Stuck behind the scenes organizing, Penguin leaves the contest saddened, the only one who hasn't received a medal. His friends decide to throw him a party to make him feel better, but their festivities fizzle. That s when Penguin discovers he might have some special skills after all as he sets to work planning them all the best party ever.  

I won this book thanks to Peachtree Publishers and ArmchairBEA, and would like to say a huge "Thank you!" to both!  It unfortunately doesn't come out until August 1, but its one that you will want to check out!  

I really enjoyed this book.  It was simple, but with such a great story:  Penguin would like to join his friends and perform in the talent show.  However, it doesn't seem like he has any talents.  So, to stay involved, he volunteers to organize the whole she-bang...and does a wonderful job!  

It does take a special talent to organize and keep things running.  Not everyone can be the rock star or the pro-athlete, and unfortunately, those are talents that people think of first.  But the person who gets the rock star those gigs/cds/etc is just as talented.  I am the organizer, my husband, the star.  And believe me, it takes a lot to keep him organized!  (He's my 3rd full time job---after the one that pays and blogging!)   

I like that this book explores and explains that everyone is talented in their own way.  Kids need to see that.  It floors me that Mr. Latimer could do it in 25ish pages!  

Like I said, this is one that you'll want to pick up (or at least check out from the library!) on August 1st.