Maria's Mélange

(This post got originally posted to my Tumblr 6/25, since I had trouble getting Blogger working in Ireland. I'm reposting it here so everything is together, and so I can add in some photos from the site I'm describing) Newgrange Passage Tomb - Ireland This will be a short slice, as I’m discovering that I’ve become highly reliant on a full sized keyboard. My handwriting is atrocious - I can barely decipher it. (I can’t get into Blogger here, so I’ll move this post back to my main blog when I return) At this point in my trip, I’ve visited mostly archeological and natural sites. We began in Newgrange and Knowth - Neolithic sites. Newgrange is the better known of the two sites. It has a large cruciform passage tomb that is open for guided tours. As I slipped through the opening, I felt the weight of human history settle down on me. The idle chatter of those around me died to a hush. Or maybe I just stopped noticing. The passageway was narrow, requiring others...

It's been a few weeks since I posted a nonfiction review, but it's time to toss my hat back into the ring. This newly released graphic novel is one that belongs in every library. Primates: The Fearless Science of Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Biruté Galdikas by Jim Ottaviani (Goodreads Author), Maris Wicks Hardcover, 144 pages Published June 11th 2013 by First Second ISBN 1596438657 (ISBN13: 9781596438651) Goodreads Synopsis: Jim Ottaviani returns with an action-packed account of the three greatest primatologists of the last century: Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Biruté Galdikas. These three ground-breaking researchers were all students of the great Louis Leakey, and each made profound contributions to primatology—and to our own understanding of ourselves. My Thoughts: Hmm... what's not to love? The graphic novel format was a wonderful choice for this story. I love comic style books, and having a book that shares the lives of three amazing sci...

Time for Treat Tuesday! I've been sharing my treat Tuesday photos just on Twitter lately, because the end of the school year is crazy. This week, though, we got ourselves together in time to do an official post! Don't forget to stop by Daydream Reader's site for her weekly offering, and check out Mom 2 Boys as she shares a special treat she made with her clan.  Older : Eye of the Storm by Kate Messner I'm a HUGE fan of this book... here's what he has to say. I like this book because you don't often see a weather apocalypse and it is amazing how they evolve around it. I can't say more because I'm not far in. Younger: The Unwanteds: Island of Silence - he got hooked on this series due to his brother's influence. I like this book because there is magic and action combined! I'm between books - I just finished Eleanor & Park and I'm just about to start The Higher Power of Lucky (for Nerdbery) an...

Sometimes you just have to grab the little slices of time for writing. This post was mostly written while waiting...  It's been a few weeks since I sliced, and it will probably be another few weeks as I head out on a once in a lifetime vacation on Friday.  Left Out: I'm waiting in the audience for my son's fifth grade "Celebration of Learning". It's not officially a graduation, though it is his very last day of elementary school.  The crowd is abuzz with chatter. Moms talking, dads taking, mingling galore.  As an introvert, I'm not part of the conversations. While there are a few parents I know from cub scouts, my tendency is to quietly observe and reflect.  There was also a "Mom's Tea" for fifth grade  mothers a few weeks ago. As a working mother, I wasn't part of the volunteering or the social gatherings over the years. As a working mother, the tea being held on a work day at 10 AM would've excluded me even if I ...

Summer of the Mariposas Part 1 - The Departure A few weeks ago, we discussed our thoughts prior to reading. Cover Thoughts Due to life getting in the way, it took a little while before we could resume our discussion. Now the Batty About Books duo is back to chat about the first chunk of this lovely book. As usual, my thoughts are in purple with Kathy (aka The Brain Lair) in blue. My ponderings reside here, but don't miss checking out the other side of the conversation at The Brain Lair. Wow - what an impressive beginning! I have so many thoughts swirling around my head that I’m going to have to pick and choose or this post will be massive. Connections to Greek Mythology I’m torn about when to use this book with students. Do I do it after they have some Greek mythology background? I think the story will hold up well even if they miss these references, but students who are intrigued by the stories will delight in “myth spotting”. I don’t have enough Greek...

Well.... here we are! I have a ton of things to do to finish up my school year (We aren't done until June 17th), but this week reading took priority over almost everything else. Don't forget to stop by Teach Mentor Texts for the other posts this week. Nerdbery Update - 2 more down (that's 79 done for those of you playing at home). Wasn't super excited about either of these. Middle Grade Realistic Fiction Okay, so Small Medium at Large isn't completely realistic. She DOES talk to ghosts, after all. But the core of the story really fits that tag. I'm not used to reading about boy crushes and bra shopping! My Side of the Mountain was a reread for my Retro Review that will be on Nerdy Book Club this Thursday. Love that book. Zero Tolerance comes out soon. I plan to review it - hopefully before I leave on my trip. Picture Book / Sci Fi I saw several reviewer who didn't like this book. I think it may be the different target au...

Check out other posts by readers, librarians, and teachers at Shannon Messenger's blog each Monday ! The Barftastic Life of Louie Burger by Jenny Meyerhoff Publication Date - June 11th. Goodreads Synopsis Fifth grader Louie Burger figures that with a goofy name like his, he mustbe destined to be a king of comedy like his idol Lou Lafferman. But he’s only ever performed his stand-up act in his closet, where he and his dad created the most exclusive comedy club ever—if by “exclusive” you mean that no one’s ever allowed inside. With the school talent show coming up, Louie’s wondering if now is his moment to kill (that’s comedian talk for “make actual people laugh”). And maybe, if he brings down the house, he’ll win back his former best friend Nick—who seems to be turning into one of those annoying sporty types—and fend off his dad’s home-improvement obsession, which threatens to remodel Louie’s comedy closet into a private bedroom for his older sister. ...

It was a HOT one this week! At least where I am. Did you all stay cool and read? Don't forget to check out the other posts at Teach Mentor Texts ... My reading week was slightly light, and it is once again the fault of The Doctor. Doctor Who? Exactly. I'm almost caught up, so that should get better soon... Humorous Middle Grade The Barftastic Life of Louie Burger by Jenny Meyerhoff Publication Date - June 11th. This is a GREAT middle grade book. I'll do a full review next week. (I received an ARC of this book from the publisher) Creepy Upper Middle Grade The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls by Claire Legrand I won a copy of this one from the author during teacher appreciation week (along with her upcoming title The Year of Shadows - but I have to steal that back from my students to read) It is creepy as ALL heck - the perfect book for students who like Coraline, Juniper Berry, and Spindlers. I can't wait to create a Creepilicio...

Check out Shannon Messenger's blog for more Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts! Generally I'm sharing books that I *think* middle grade students will like. I'm usually correct, but it's so nice to be able to write about books that I *know* at least one middle grade student adored. My older son often takes off with books that arrive at my house before I have a chance to read them, but this week it's my younger son (3rd grade) who takes center stage. The Key & the Flame by Claire M. Caterer Hardcover, 480 pages Published April 2nd 2013 by Margaret K. McElderry Books ISBN 1442457414 (ISBN13: 9781442457416) Goodreads Synopsis:  Eleven-year-old Holly Shepard wants nothing more than to seek adventure outside of her humdrum American life. She gets her chance at last when her family travels to England and Holly receives an unusual gift: an iron key that unlocks a passage to the dangerous kingdom of Anglielle, where magic is outlawed and those who pra...