Slow Summer Reading

Well I've recently (like 2 weeks ago) finished the second book for my summer reading, and I've also finished my professional pick, The Book Whisperer by Donna Lynn Miller. I'm not setting any speed reading records by any means, but I'm having a fun filled summer and enjoying some great books too!

For my fictional pick I chose The Raft by S. A. Bodeen. It was another recommendation by Allie, she read it and then said I HAD to read it! She was right, I loved it! The Raft had lots of action and adventure and a strong character named Robie. She's a typical teen except for the fact that she lives on Midway, an atoll in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.  She's visiting her aunt in Hawaii and she thinks she can be on her own when her aunt has to leave for a few days, but gets scared and decides to go home on her own. I don't want to reveal too much but as you can tell by the cover Robie is adrift on a raft and has to survive the unthinkable.  With only a bag of Skittles and her knowledge of  the ocean will she make it home?  You'll have to read it to find out!

I really enjoyed The Book Whisperer too!  It was an enjoyable read highlighting the importance of student choice in independent reading.  Ms. Miller's classroom library seems as if it would rival Mrs. Viens', with shelves upon shelves of books and she knows which will be just the right ones for her sixth grade students.   She also includes a great interest survey for students and an end of year evaluation too.

Now I'm working on Closer Reading by Nancy Boyles, who presented at a conference recently.  I appreciated her insights on reading and wanted to follow up with her book.  For my fictional tastes it will be Hurt Go Happy to satisfy my desire to read about apes who can use sign language. I've read quite a few of these in the recent past. Happy reading!