You're not the boss of me; I'm going to read what I want!

Even though I made a comment to Twilight (Shannon Harris) about being open minded and actually *reading* the Twilight series, really it’s up to her. I mean, I know I’m right about how fantastic the series is (remember, I’m ALWAYS right), but in the end, I’m not the boss of her (mostly) and she can pick whatever she wants to read. That goes for the rest of us, which includes me.

If you’re paying attention to what I’m currently reading, you’ll notice that I was reading The Hunger Games. I read almost 50 pages of it and had to put it down. The story is extremely well written, but it was just way too suspenseful for me. I was on edge the whole time! When I read, I like to relax and escape from everyday life. That book did the complete opposite for me because it was so realistic and I could see those events as a possibility for the future; not the near future, mind you, but still…

Basically, what I’m telling you is that you NEED to read what YOU want, and if you give the book an honest try, but still don’t enjoy it, then try something different. You can move on to a different author in the same genre or to another genre altogether. Don’t waste your time torturing yourself with a book you can’t stand. Reading is one of the greatest things you can do with your time, so read what you want, escape, and enjoy!
Read On!!
Mrs. T...hompson

Just Curious

What's your favorite book of ALL TIME?  You know...the one that you read over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over.  The one with the worn pages and torn book cover, or maybe it's one from the media center/library that you keep checking out over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over again.  Mine is To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee.  I highly recommend it, and guess what?  It's in our school media center, and guess what else?  There's three (that's T-H-R-E-E) copies AVAILABLE right at this very minute!!   Just a suggestion, don'tcha know?
Read, Read, Read!
Mrs. T...hompson

Bodacious Book Blogs

Dudes and Chicks,
If you go to the right side of my blog and scroll down, you will see a list of Bodacious Book Blogs.  For extra credit, click on the rcms blog, and take the two polls.  Then have your parents write a little note (on paper, and NOT in the comments section of this post) saying that you accomplished this assignment and then you will receive extra credit.  The note must be turned in to me by Friday (February 19th) in order for you to receive credit.
Rock my socks with your reading progress...your book reports are due oh so soon!!
Mrs. T...hompson

Peace, Love, and Schooled

Here’s another book that I think you’ll positively love!

Schooled is about a high school student named Capricorn (Cap) Anderson. He has lived on a farming commune all of his life with his grandmother, Rain. He has long hair, wears hemp clothes, homemade sandals, and practices tai chi on the front lawn. Cap has been homeschooled his whole life, so he has never watched television, never eaten pizza, and doesn’t even know what a wedgie is! One day, Rain falls out of a tree while picking plums; she breaks her hip, and has to stay in the hospital until it heals. Since Cap isn’t old enough to stay on the farm by himself, he has to temporarily live with his social worker, and go to REAL school!! What do you think will happen next? For extra credit, make a prediction about what you think will happen to Cap. It must be submitted before midnight tonight or you will not receive credit. This is a fantastic book for both dudes and chicks that will hold your attention until the end! Anybody who passes up the opportunity to read this book is missing out on a TON of real life experiences and characters.  I'll try to pick up a copy of Schooled this weekend, but I'm not making any promises!  Check your local library; they'll probably have a copy there.
Peace, Love, and Reading!
Mrs. T...hompson

Take the Stargirl Challenge

     I absolutely *LOVE* Jerry Spinelli!  I would call him "my rock star boyfriend" only he isn't a rock star, so let's just refer to him as "my author boyfriend".
     Stargirl is about, well, a girl actually named Stargirl.  She goes to Mica High and nobody can quite figure her out.  She wears bizarre clothes, plays the ukulele, and has a pet rat that loves to ride on her shoulder.  Leo is dealing with his own idenitiy by trying to fit in, but falls in love with Stargirl.  Will she become accepted by her peers?  Will Stargirl change who she is just to fit in, or will Leo turn out just as weird as Stargirl? Stargirl is a book that appeals to both guys and girls.  The girls will relate to Stargirl (obviously) and the guys will see that fitting in with their friends holds some challenges too. 
  On a scale of 1-5 where 1 is the worst and 5 is the best, Stargirl most positively, definitely a 5!!  This is my third (?) time reading Stargirl from cover to cover, and every time I reread it, I become inspired to be who I really am.  When I'm feeling like nobody understands me, I'll pick up the book, flip open to a random page and just start reading.  It gives me the confidence to know that it's alright to just be me no matter how weird I may seem to some people. 
     So, here's the  Stargirl challenge, I double dog dare you to pick up a copy of Stargirl (it's in the school media center), read it, and tell me what you think.  Has it changed you?  Has it changed the way you look at people?  Post here if you're going to take the challenge, and later on, I'll post the comments you've made about the book.
Keep on Reading!
Mrs. T...hompson