Summer 2014 YA Reading Suggestions

Those people who know me know that I'm always reading. I pride myself on trying to be up-to-date with the latest titles, both in adult books and in Young Adult (YA.) Friends and coworkers frequently ask me what I'd recommend for them to read next. Here are a few YA titles I'd like to share for your summer reading enjoyment.

The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

     I saw this book at the IRA conference. A line on the cover claims that the book is "Criminal Minds for the YA world." SOLD! As soon as we got home, I went to the library and got my hands on it. A group of teenagers with natural abilities in profiling, reading body language, and other skills are in a program grooming them for eventual work with the FBI. Of course they eventually get involved their own situation where they must use their natural talents to save one of their own. I look forward to reading future books in this series!

Counting by 7's by Holly Goldberg Sloan

     Willow is a highly gifted girl who is misunderstood by just about everyone. When tragedy strikes, she must learn to rely on others to survive her grief without losing herself in the process. If you are a fan of Wonder, I think you will definitely enjoy this touching story of what it means to be a family.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

     Perhaps everyone has heard of (and possibly read) this book by now. It is the love story of two teenage cancer patients who go on a quest to find out more information about their favorite novel. 

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

     People were raving about this book on social media way before we regular folks could get our hands on it. I had seen people describe it as the "Gone Girl for YA." I do think that comparison is somewhat off the mark, but like with GG, the reader is kept constantly guessing about what is going to happen next. If there is one characteristic that I truly crave when reading, it is the ability of the author to completely shock me with plot developments that I couldn't see coming. And boy-howdy did E. Lockhart accomplish that! It was a quick read, and it is one that will stay with me for awhile. I made all of my close friends read it so I could discuss it with someone.

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

     The story of two twins who go off to the same college but to very different experiences. Wren is a huge fan-fiction writer who tries to come to term with a changing relationship with her twin sister and other new relationships at college. I enjoyed this book, but not quite as much as I loved the final book on this list, Eleanor & Park, also by the same author. Nevertheless, I will continue to read anything that new author Rainbow Rowell produces! (She's really fun to follow on Twitter, too!)

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

     E & P is my favorite book that I've read this year. It is the story of two extremely different teens who find themselves sitting together on a seat on the bus. On that bus, an unlikely love develops against all odds. I admire how Rowell wrote the story, alternating between Eleanor and Park's voices, giving the reader valuable in sight into each character. I love the book description that states, "Two misfits. One extraordinary love." 

Other longtime favorites I'd recommend:

     Wonder by R. J. Palacio

     Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper

     The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

     Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo

     Tiger Rising by Kate DiCamillo

     The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo

     

And finally here are some YA books that I'm looking forward to reading this summer:

     The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau (Another dystopian novel)

     If I Stay by Gayle Forman (If you were lying in bed in a coma, would you chose to go to heaven with your parents or stay on earth?)

     The Great Greene Heist by Varian Johnson (reminds me somewhat of an Oceans Eleven for teens)

     Boys of Blur by N. D. Wilson (boys have to run fast during the sugar cane harvest in Florida)

     Flora and Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo (not really sure what it's about, but it's by DiCamillo!)

     The Diary of Anne Frank (I realized that I've never read the entire work, and I want to.)

Happy reading! :)

When IRA Hands You Lemons...

It's been a month since we went to the 59th annual conference of the International Reading Association (IRA) in New Orleans. It was my first time to visit the Big Easy and to attend the IRA conference. I don't want to exaggerate, but this trip truly was a life-altering experience! If I had to sum up this trip with one cliche, it would be, "when life hands you lemons, make lemonade." 

We had planned to fly out of DFW, but after our flight was cancelled, we waited in line for four hours to learn that there were no other flight options. We had to DRIVE the EIGHT HOURS TO New Orleans. Just the thought of an eight hour car trip makes me want to puke. But, it gave my BFFs and me so much time to chat and sing crazy 80's songs at the top of our lungs. "Hit me with your best shot! Fire Away!!" I wouldn't trade that quality time with my best friends for the world!

The first morning of the conference, we had our dog-eared programs marked with the sessions we wanted to attend. Our first choice after the general assembly with featured speaker Jeff Kinney was to see Dr. Tim Rasinski (whom we had seen the evening before while he was eating at a sidewalk cafe.) We were at least 15 minutes early, but we were too late. The session was closed due to crowd size. Instead we walked around the exhibit hall. Having learned our lesson, we wanted to get to our next choice of session super early. It was a session with Penny Kittle, Kelly Galagher, and THE Book Whisperer, Donalyn Miller. (I am a huge stalker admirer/fan of each of them, but I was most excited about finally hearing Donalyn speak in person, and this was the only session she was presenting.) Well, wouldn't you know it....even though we were almost 45 minutes early, the session was already CLOSED. We tried to divert the attention of the IRA bouncers (seriously, they had bouncers!) so we could sneak in, but no luck. I was so disappointed and upset. I had just about decided that my entire IRA experience was ruined. 

Later that evening, the BFFs and I were done putting the finishing touches on our presentation for the next day. It was around 9 pm, and I told the ladies about a gathering of the Nerdy Book Club that I'd seen mentioned on Twitter by Donalyn. We freshened up and walked a block to a hotel bar where we were greeted by none other than Donalyn herself. We had the obligatory photo ops, and then she introduced us to several other people. 

We spent several hours discussing literacy, books, and life in Texas. And, as Donalyn said, "Who else would be sitting at a bar in New Orleans discussing test prep?" Yes, I admit I was a total fan girl that night. This was about as close to literacy royalty as I'd ever get! I was so impressed by Donalyn. She spoke so eloquently about what she had seen in her travels around the country, on literacy policy, and on the trials of parenting. But what impressed me even more was how she made each of us feel welcome and how she valued our opinions. What an absolutely amazing night!

The lemonade I'd made in New Orleans was second to none!

Robin Johnson, Donalyn Miller, Jill Culmo, Micheal Kessner

A Little Bit About Me

My name is Jill Culmo. I am an educator who is passionate about literacy. I love to read, and I work tirelessly to get my students to love reading, too. I wholeheartedly believe that students who read more, achieve more, and that one of our top priorities as educators is to motivate kids to want to read more (hence the name of this blog!)

I have attempted to write a blog several times. I previously wrote a combination personal and professional blog, but I've now made the decision to separate the two. I recently made a promise to myself to revive the professional-side of my blog. I wanted to give the blog some depth, so some of the posts you'll read here are cut and pasted from my earlier blogs.

I just finished up my 17th year in education. I was a classroom teacher for 15 years, teaching all grades from first through fifth. (I also did a stint semester teaching seventh grade summer school. Yikes!) I've also taught developmental reading courses at a local community college, and I was honored to be an adjunct professor at a university. I received my Bachelor of Science from the University of North Texas and my Master of Science in Reading from Texas A&M University--Commerce. In 2009, I completed my Doctor of Education in Curriculum, Supervision, and Instruction at TAMU-C. The title of my dissertation was The Impact of Daily Independent Self-selected Reading on Second Grade Students. Currently I work as an Instructional Specialist and Early Literacy Specialist in the Mesquite Independent School District. As my principal put it, I help "to grow both teachers and students."

My husband and I are the parents of three wonderful children, ranging in age from 3 to 12 years. When I'm not working, taking care of my kids, reading, or doing laundry, I pretend to be a runner.

Nerdultion: Day One

A New Definition of Writing

I love a challenge! And the Nerdlution has provided just that. All over the country, book nerds are committing to do different activities over the course of 50 days.  I personally committed to read for 30 minutes daily, to write for 15 minutes daily, and to exercise for 30 minutes four times a week.

As I worked on setting my goals, I knew the reading goal would be attainable. We have 15 minutes of DEAR time each morning at school, so I’d already be halfway there just from that. The past few weeks, I’ve been pretty consistent with exercising three times a week. So, I added an extra day to challenge myself. The real issue would be making myself write daily. It’s not that I dislike writing. In fact, I enjoy writing a lot. I am just so hard on myself and am reluctant to get words on paper. I am my own worst critic.

Yesterday, December 2, was the first day of the challenge. I had blown through the thirty minutes of reading before 8 am!! Right after work, I went to Curves (yes, I exercise with the old ladies!) for my thirty-minute workout. I had every intention of sitting down at the computer to write after my youngest child fell asleep. Well, I never made it out of bed until my alarm went off at 4:50 this morning.

While showering, I was beating myself up.  I didn’t even make my goal on the first day! But, then I realized that I was being too hard on myself. I needed to take a deeper look at what I’d done during the day. I had actually written many times throughout the day. I’d taken at least six pages of handwritten notes during the workshop I’d attended. I had written numerous emails to people. I’d written in my son’s planner. In fact, I had written much longer than just 15 minutes!

One of the most powerful learning activities I’d go through with my students involved having them document all of the times they’d have to read throughout the day away from school. The purpose and power of this activity was twofold—the students saw that reading was a necessary life skill, and they saw that reading did not just mean sitting down to enjoy a novel. Their definitions of what constituted reading expanded. 

Likewise, this is true with writing. We write for many different purposes, and we should look at each of those purposes as valid and worthy to be called “writing.” Just because we may be responding to a friendly email or writing a grocery list, we are still writing, and therefore, are writers.

Welcome!

Hello, and welcome to my new blog! This is the place where I will share my thoughts, reflections, and ideas on teaching. Most of my posts will probably revolve around literacy as it is my passion.

A little bit about my professional life....This is my sixteenth year working in public education in the great state of Texas. I have a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of North Texas. I have a Master of Science in Reading and a Doctor of Education, both from Texas A&M University Commerce. I have taught first and fifth grades and all grades in between. I've taught at Title One schools and at a non-title school. Currently I am a instructional specialist, working with kindergarten, first, and second grade teachers and students. My principal best summarized what I do in this job. I "help grow both students and teachers."

A little bit about my personal life....I am married and am the proud mother of three amazing, brilliant children. I have a fifth grade daughter, a third grade son, and a tenacious two year old daughter. Being a parent informs me daily about the kind of teacher I strive to be. The day I became a mother, the way I approached teaching changed forever. That was when I began seeing each and every student through a parent's eyes.

My approach to and philosophy of literacy education is simple. It is all about motivation. When kids WANT to read, they WILL read. Then, they will KEEP reading and their reading achievement will SOAR! It's our job as educators and parents to put books into kids' hands that they want to read.

So, welcome to my blog. I hope that you will read what I have to share with an open mind. Please feel free to make comments as you wish. Happy reading!

Saving CeeCee Honeycutt

“Oysters are a lot like women. It’s how we survive the hurts in life that brings us strength and gives us our beauty.”

In my quest to find new reading material, I stumbled upon the website of a fellow Texas educator, Julie Ballew. There she listed many books that she enjoyed reading. I jotted down her recommendations and headed off to the local public library. One of the books I came home with was Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman. What a sweet, endearing book. I simply loved it.

CeeCee Honeycutt is a twelve-year old young lady living with a flamboyant, possibly "crazy" mother. When tragedy strikes, CeeCee is sent to live with her Southern relatives. This book was a fast, easy read, and characters were quite relatable. This book is a beautiful combination of The Secret Life of Bees, Steel Magnolias, and The Help. CeeCee learns a great deal about Southern Hospitality. Here's how she describes it: "…I realized that Southern hospitality not only came from the heart but was a practiced social art that had been passed down from one generation to the next—like fine silverware or china. Southerners had a way of doing things that made you feel special." (p 263) I totally agree with her sentiment. Having spent lots of time with family in Georgia, I know firsthand how diligently Southern ladies and gentlemen "work" to make visitors feel important.

The idea that I loved the most from this novel was the metaphor of each person having their own "Life Book," which is explained here in this conversation between CeeCee and her beloved neighbor, Mrs. Odell: “Life is full of change, honey. That’s how we learn and grow. When we’re born, the Good Lord gives each of us a Life Book. Chapter by chapter, we live and learn.” 

“But, Mrs. Odell, I’ve never even heard of a Life Book.”

“It’s not a book you can see or touch. It’s a book that’s held deep within your heart. It’s guarded by your spirit.”

“My spirit?”

“Yes,” she said, smoothing a loose strand of hair from my face. “When a chapter of your Life Book is complete, your spirit knows it’s time to turn the page so a new chapter can begin. Even when you are scared or think you’re not ready, your spirit knows you are.” (p 41)

The women that CeeCee encounters through her own Life Book give her lots of wonderful advice and share their own wisdom with both CeeCee and with the reader:

     “Oysters are a lot like women. It’s how we survive the hurts in life that brings us strength and gives us our beauty.” She fell silent for a moment and gazed out the window. “They say there’s no such thing as a perfect pearl—that nothing from nature can ever be truly perfect.” (p 255, Momma)

     “Don’t go wastin’ all them bright tomorrows you ain’t even seen by hangin’ on to what happened yesterday. Let go, child. Just breathe out and let go.”

I knotted up the corners of my mouth and nodded. “You’re so wise, Oletta.”

“People is wise ‘cause they get out in the world and live. Wisdom comes from experience—from knowin’ each day is a gift and accepting it with gladness. You read a whole lot of books, and readin’ sure has made you smart, but ain’t no book in the world gonna make you wise.”

     “Everyone needs to find the one thing that brings out her passion. It’s what we do and share with the world that matters. I believe it’s important that we leave our communities in better shape than we found them.

“Cecelia Rose,” she said, reaching for my hand, “far too many people die with a heart that’s gone flat with indifference, and it surely must be a terrible way to go. Life will offer us amazing opportunities, but we’ve got to be wide-awake to recognize them.” (p 101 Aunt Tootie)

My reflections after reading: I've heard it said that there is a feeling worse in God's eyes than hate. It is  indifference: when a person has no emotion at all, good or bad, towards someone or something. Is is worse to be a bully or to be a bystander who lets bullying occur? What can each of us do today that will move us from being mere spectators and into action?

If I had to write about my own "Life Book," what events would I say shaped me? 

That's all from me today. Happy reading! :)