Book Recommendations: Winter Break

Don't get me wrong: I have teenagers myself. I'm not naive enough to think your kids are going to spend the majority of their break working on extra math practice, doing engaging science projects, and reading books upon books upon books. However, I do hope that the tv or video games will be turned off on occasion...and after they get back in from getting some exercise and fresh air, they might pick up a book and read for a while.

Well, the holiday season is for hopes and dreams anyway.

Here are a few books your kiddos might enjoy over winter break.



Fish In a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
Appropriate for ages 10 and above

This book is going to become a frequent read-aloud in classrooms from 5th through 7th grade, I can just tell. It's the Wonder of 2015.

Ally has been smart enough to fool a lot of smart people. Every time she lands in a new school, she is able to hide her inability to read by creating clever yet disruptive distractions. 

Her new teacher, Mr. Daniels, sees the bright, creative kid underneath the trouble maker. With his help, Ally learns that dyslexia is nothing to be ashamed of. She discovers that there is a lot more to her - and to everyone - than a label, and that great minds don't always think alike.






Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli
Appropriate for ages 11 and above

We're going to have a Holocaust survivor speak to our classes in January (more info & permission slip to come), so this book might be the perfect "easing in" to the events of World War II. This is one of the more "tame" Holocaust fictional tellings, and if your child has read The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (and they probably have), then this one is appropriate.


He's a boy called Jew. Gypsy. Stopthief. Runt. Happy. Fast. Filthy Son of Abraham. He's a boy who lives on the streets of Warsaw. He's a boy who steals food for himself and the other orphans. He's a boy who wants to be a Nazi some day, with tall shiny jackboots and a gleaming Eagle hat of his own. Until the day that suddenly makes him change his mind. And when the trains come to empty the Jews from the ghetto of the damned, he's a boy who realizes it's safest of all to be nobody.



Goodbye Stranger by Rebecca Stead
Appropriate for ages 11 and above

A compassionate novel about the problems with social media. This book reflects the discussion we had the week before break with Westminster Police Detective Adams from the Internet Crimes Against Children division.

Bridge is an accident survivor who's wondering why she's still alive. Emily has new curves and an almost-boyfriend who wants a certain kind of picture. Tabitha sees through everybody's games - or so she tells the world. The three girls are best friends with one rule: no fighting. Can it get them through seventh grade? 

 
Brady vs. Manning: The Untold Story of the Rivalry that Transformed the NFL by Gary Myers
Appropriate for ages 12 and above

If our compare/contrast unit is any indication, this will be a popular book for my students who love loudly arguing passionately debating about sports.

A chronicle of the illustrious careers of Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, two of the most successful quarterbacks in NFL history. Brady vs. Manning traces their special rivalry, highlighting their dramatic match-ups and focusing on their mutual respect.







Book Scavenger by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman
Appropriate for ages 10 and above

Engaging and thought-provoking - great for reluctant readers and fans of 39 Clues.

For twelve-year-old Emily, the best thing about moving to San Francisco is that its the home of her literary idol: Garrison Griswold, creator of the online sensation Book Scavenger (a game where books are hidden in cities all over the country and clues to find them are revealed through puzzles). 

After Griswold is attacked, Emily and her new friend James discover an odd book, which they come to believe is from Griswold himself, and might contain the only copy of his mysterious new game. Racing against time, Emily and James rush from clue to clue, desperate to figure out the secret at the heart of Griswold's new game before those who attacked Griswold come after them, too. 




Star Wars Jedi Academy (Series) by Jeffrey Brown
Appropriate for ages 8 and above

This series of books is about a Jedi Padawan in middle school and is perfect if your kiddo loved(s) Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

Book 1: Jedi Acaedmy
Book 2: Return of the Padawan
Book 3: The Phantom Bully

Each book is the account of one year at the Jedi Academy. Roan has to navigate what all other middle schoolers do: making friends, first crushes, bullies, and school dances. He also has to learn to use the Force and fly a spacecraft.

Winter Break: December 18-January 4

See you on Tuesday, January 5, 2016!

Internet Safety

Today your students attended a presentation by the Westminster Police Department and its Internet Crimes Against Children division (ICAC). Detective Adams discussed the realities of predators on the internet, the real dangers and consequences of cyberbullying, and most importantly, how to keep yourself safe on social media. Please review this presentation with your child and reiterate that it was not meant to scare them, but to help them understand how easy it is to get swept up in internet drama that can turn very serious very quickly.

Did you know...?

...taking, sending, and receiving inappropriate, sexual images of children (those under 18 years of age) are all federal crimes

...if you receive an inappropriate image and don't report it and/or delete it off your phone, you can be brought up on charges of possessing child pornography

...the best person to contact regarding an activity you aren't sure is appropriate is your parent, Officer DeHerrera (our school SRO), or a counselor

...the worst person to contact regarding an activity you aren't sure is appropriate is your friend or anyone under the age of 18

...32% of kids hide their browsing history from their parents; 27% of tweens put a fake age in their online profiles; 28% of tweens have had a stranger contact them through their online profile

...predators hang out on social networking sites, gaming systems, and chat sites to find their victims

...cyberbullying is now a crime in Colorado (Kiana's Law)

Questions about this presentation can be directed to administration or counseling. 

Compare and Contrast Book vs. Movie

Today in Language Arts, students worked toward their compare and contrast analysis standard by reading a chapter of The Fault In Our Stars and watching the movie clip of the same scene. Students were completely engaged in this lesson and ideas about the differences between book and movie were hotly debated. We love seeing our kiddos get passionate about any topic, and even more so recognizing and sympathizing with the struggle and heartache that people with terminal illnesses go through.

I encourage you to discuss today's lesson in Language Arts with your child. Here is the video clip we showed and a PDF of the chapter that was analyzed.