Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

why: This officially begins the year where I will read as much critically acclaimed YA lit as I possibly can. (ok, so maybe I'm starting on my 2014 challenge a month early here)

when: 12/2/13-12/7/13 (I just realized I read three books this past week)

how: as an ebook on my iPad

thoughts: I loved this book. Loved loved loved it. And maybe it's because of the two teenage characters who connect over the same new wave music that was so vivid in my own teenage years. And maybe it's because the book was such an honest and genuine portrayal of a relationship unfolding. And maybe it's because the ending was perfect. Just perfect. And maybe it's because Eleanor and Park are such an unlikely pair but the totally work. I don't know but I just loved it. And now I'm reading Fangirl--another by the same author.

Click on the book image to get to the author's website.

review haiku:
the cure, depeche mode
U2, school bus, teenagers
my own nostalgia

MIss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

why: Ms. Maytum (my student teacher) suggested this one

when: 12/2/13-12/4/13

how: I read the hard copy that Ms. Maytum let me borrow.

thoughts: I just discovered this will be a 2015 film directed by Tim Burton. Fun! One review I saw said that this was the next Harry Potter type adventure. I don't agree so much. This book can stand all by itself in its own class. What was cool is that it seemed everything was normal in the world of this book until it just wasn't normal anymore. Surprising. Mind bending in some ways. There is a sequel in the works but I'm not sure I'll read it. And I was somewhat surprised that yet again another book comes to me carrying with it WWII and the holocaust AND carnies. These topics keep coming up in books I pick up. Not sure what that's all about.

Click on the book image to learn more about the book.

review haiku:
peculiar children:
see the levitating girl
she's real I kid you not

Taking Action on Adolescent Literacy: An Implementation Guide for School Leaders

why: The BVSD literacy director asked me to read this to see what I thought about its suggestions for making change.

when: start 12/2/13, end 12/4/13

how: I read the hard copy I got from the literacy director for BVSD. It's full of sticky notes with my thoughts.

thoughts: There are some good suggestions in this book--things that confirm many of the strategies we are already undertaking. But it does somewhat contradict the viral model of change and seeks to work more top-down. Which doesn't work as well.

Click on the book image to learn more.

review haiku:
systematic change
is a fallacy. Change moves
in stealth, virally.

The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell

why: I've been thinking a lot about how change actually happens in a place like a school, and the presentation I did at NCTE recently with some FHS colleagues was all about how we've seen change spread like a virus here, so I wanted to read this book. It's all about viral change. 

when: start 11/10, end 12/2

how: as an ebook on my iPad

thoughts: This really does help me to think about how change happens. The book has been spinning in my head all week. Definitely some frameworks here to think about how to make meaningful change for people. 

Click on the book image to get to the wikipedia entry about the book. 

review haiku: 

sticky ideas tip

spreading change like a virus

making things better