Maria's Mélange

I've read several great science and science fiction graphic novels over the past few weeks, so I need to start catching up on the posts so that YOU can find out about them! Today's selection is historical fiction - but with a very heavy dose of history. If you haven't learned anything about the Soviet space program from the 50s, I'll need to warn you that this is a "dead dog" book. Laika by   Nick Abadzis Paperback, 208 pages Published September 4th 2007 by First Second (first published September 1st 2007) original title - Laika ISBN 1596431016 (ISBN13: 9781596431010) Goodreads Blurb : Laika was the abandoned puppy destined to become Earth's first space traveler. This is her journey. Nick Abadzis masterfully blends fiction and fact in the intertwined stories of three compelling lives. Along with Laika, there is Korolev, once a political prisoner, now a driven engineer at the top of the Soviet space program, and Yelena, the lab technician

Parenting is a complicated dance. Some days are full of fun and energy      Harlem Shakin' all around. Other days I'm out of step,       I twist when he bends,       he shimmies when I shake. Each day dancing farther apart      (Except the days he needs my lift, though it angers him to admit) Relegated to the role of     Spotter     Sideline Support Expected to always be ready to      jump back into the fray      for an unexpected waltz. It's been a rough few weeks at my house. I'm trying so hard to find the right balance of support for my sons while backing away so they can become more independent. There have been poor scores, forgotten tasks, and tears. I dart back in briefly to bolster each one, helping set up backpacks and binders to be more efficient. I want to become obsolescent, but the days of holding their hands are still so close in my memory. Mistakes have been made - on both sides. We have years left to rehearse the dance, though I dou

Grab the badge if you want it for posting on your own blog! Welcome to all those who decided to do a read-along with Batty. Welcome to those who are just stopping by the blog to hear about The Archived. Today’s post is entirely spoiler free, as we are just chatting about the outside of the book! Want to join in the fun?  Check out our… Post on Nerdy Book Club explaining how we’re opening up our Batty Duo to everyone this time around! Facebook Page Tumblr Now, let’s talk Cover Appeal! Spine: Maria: I’m going to start with the spine. In some bookstores, The Archived may not end up facing out. Would that spine design be enough to pull me in? Between the intriguing title (I admit it, I love books… and the word “archive” sounds fascinating) and the parchment-like quality of the letters themselves, it would absolutely cause me to at least yank the book off the shelf to learn more. The spine seems designed to appeal to a bibliophile. I am curious abou

History is filled with the story of men, but we all know that women were just as important in shaping our world. Here are a few of my favorites... some brand new and some older titles.  This post is part of the NF 10 for 10 from Reflect and Refine   AND the weekly Nonfiction Challenge at Kid Lit Frenzy .  Healing Hands Clara and Davie by   Patricia Polacco A lovely story of the early life of Clara Barton. It's a wonderful way to show students that famous women in history started out as children - just like them. Clara's love for animals and healing were with her from the very beginning, and her older brother Davie was her support and inspiration. Florence Nightingale by   Demi A beautiful title! I wrote a full review earlier this year on the blog.  http://www.mariaselke.com/2014/02/review-of-florence-nightingale.html  Who Says Women Can't Be Doctors?: The Story of Elizabeth Blackwell by   Tanya Lee Stone   (Goodrea

It's a Bloggy Celebration! Join me as I do a little happy dance to celebrate my 500th post! Maria's Melange is my hodge-podge;      a celebration of an eclectic mind. Where science fiction and fantasy reviews      coexist with fancy nails and mommy news It's opened doors,          opened minds,               opened hearts. My portal to a world of readers and writers;      fangirls and friends. Five hundred is a number to celebrate,      but it's only the beginning. Thank you to everyone who stops by, reads, and comments. I never imagined when I started my blog that I would get to know some of you so well. I love the Nerdy Book Club community, the Two Writing Teachers Slicers, my pal Karen at Teen Librarian Toolbox, my fellow Doctor Who fanatics, and my Batty About Books partner. To all of you who make a point of reading or sharing, I give my heartfelt gratitude. I participate (most weeks) in a writing community at  Two Writing Teachers . We

It's Monday - which means it's time to share a reading update. Don't forget to head to Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers for more fabulous posts. I also have exciting news posted over at Nerdy Book Club today - come join Kathy Burnette and I for a fun experiment in a virtual book club.    http://nerdybookclub.wordpress.com/2014/02/17/we-want-you-batty-about-books-goes-wild-maria-selke-and-kathy-burnette/  I'm continuing to make excellent progress on my #MustReadin2014 and #CORL books. So far this year, I've read 11 of the 36 on my list! I've always been a fan of vampire novels, and Holly Black knows how to write them! Creepy, gory, and "Dead On". There's the spice of romance without it overwhelming the overall plot. Couldn't put it down. I was so excited to borrow this book from my building librarian, who snagged it at ALA Midwinter. There were some slow spots for me, but overall I thought it was a great wrap up

I pride myself on trying to break the mold. I read comics.   I watch science fiction and fantasy.  I love my chunky boots and my Converse sneakers; including my favorite Batgirl shoes and my newly acquired grey pinstripe shoes that remind of the Tenth Doctor. I enjoy being unconventional (compared to many of my students' usual experiences).  Partly for my students. Partly for my sons. Mostly for myself. I wonder, though, if I am giving them the whole message. Girls can be anything. We can DO anything.... including embracing any "girly" traits we like, right? So when my Twitter pal Shannon Houghton tweeted out photos of her funky fingernails, I was intrigued. Could I let go of my discomfort with girly? Could I let a quintessentially feminine pastime into my routine? I started by trying to actually grow nails. Thanks to some advice from my Nerderati, I found the right combination of strengthening polish, fun colors, and quick dry top coat to make it all work

I make no secret of my love for picture book biographies. It seems like the past year has given us a treasure trove of amazing new titles. I get even more excited when the person featured is a woman who changed the face of history. Florence Nightingale by Demi Hardcover, 40 pages Published February 4th 2014 by Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) ISBN 0805097295 (ISBN13: 9780805097290) source: ARC from the publisher From Goodreads: Florence Nightingale revolutionized the world of medicine by emphasizing cleanliness, food that was hot and nutritious, and organization in hospitals. What began as an attempt to make army hospitals safer and more effective became a lifelong mission, and remains relevant today. My Thoughts: Florence Nightingale is one of those names that comes up again and again during women's history month. Even so, I was amazed by how little I really knew about her. Yes, I knew she was a nurse. Yes, I knew she helped improve medical practice. I just had n