tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79760514750458440662024-02-20T01:31:58.970-08:00Brookside Teachers ReadThe teachers at Brookside Middle School in Sarasota, Florida love to read. The whole world can read their reviews of books, articles, poetry, and a plethora of other literary genres through this "virtual" book club. This page does not recommend books for our middle school students. Instead, it reflects a true love of reading and demonstrates the wide-ranging interests of our staff.About Debbie Shultshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15337687398538791688noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7976051475045844066.post-64566714373363375292009-04-24T04:31:00.000-07:002009-04-24T04:40:05.817-07:00#33: Ms. Zywica, Science Teacher<span style="font-family:verdana;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lizard-King-Passions-Greatest-Smugglers/dp/0446580953/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1240573035&sr=8-1">The Lizard King</a>, by Bryan Christy</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><div align="justify"><br />I chose to read this book because of the luring declaration on the cover, "The True Crimes and Passions of the World’s Greatest Reptile Smugglers." After reading it I feel that passion is too romantic of a word to use, maybe it should be replaced with ravenousness. The author, Bryan Christy, does an adequate job of keeping the story interesting, but there are definitely moments when I wished he would have just gotten to the point. The book doesn’t focus on one single "Lizard King" rather it chronicles the lives of many smugglers and how the crown was passed through generations. The excitement of the book lies in the tales of how mass amounts of reptiles would pass right under the noses of custom agents and how the smugglers lived on the edge of reason often times risking losing their freedom forever if they were to be caught. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">Amongst all the narratives of animal depredation the book does offer a hero, Chip Bepler, a Special Agent for the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Bepler is portrayed as being just as devoted to catching and prosecuting smugglers as the smugglers are about obtaining the most exclusive reptile species. Bepler’s chronicle is bitter sweet and the reader is left aware that our global governing bodies are not protecting reptiles adequately enough. Christy ends the book with a note in which he describes his motivation for writing the book out of wonder. He wonders, as do I, how can someone who is truly passionate about something take that something and exploit it to the point of ruin. </span></div>About Debbie Shultshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15337687398538791688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7976051475045844066.post-13940604864590265432009-03-19T17:24:00.000-07:002009-03-19T18:09:22.578-07:00#31: Mr. Kohler, Data Coach<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;">I recently finished reading <strong><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Three-Cups-Tea-Mission-Promote/dp/0143038257/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1237508755&sr=8-1">"Three Cups of Tea"</a></strong> by Greg Mortensen and David Oliver Relin. I was given this book by my sister for my birthday. I of course accepted the book with grace and gratitude but thought that I was being handed another sappy story ala, "Mr. Holland's Opus" because I was a teacher and this book was about education. What a cynic I was! I love this book! From the first page to the last page I was totally engrossed. This book taught me about the struggle of a people and a culture, I am ashamed to say, I saw as my enemy face.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />Three Cups of Tea is about Greg Mortenson a climber who failed to summit K2, the second tallest mountain in the world. On his way down he gets lost and wanders into the town of Korphe, Pakistan. Here he meets the village elder, who opens his house up to him and nurses him back to health. In this small village confronted by the incredible kindness of his hosts, Mortenson develops the idea of building a school for this village. Little did he know that this would become his lifelong mission.</span></div>About Debbie Shultshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15337687398538791688noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7976051475045844066.post-85037129836657052752009-03-01T17:19:00.000-08:002009-03-01T17:27:55.601-08:00#30: Mrs. Timmons, Science<a href="http://www.amazon.com/When-You-Are-Engulfed-Flames/dp/0316143472/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1235957156&sr=8-1">When You Are Engulfed in Flames by Dave Sedaris</a><br /><div align="justify"><br />I posted a review on Dave Sedaris not too long ago, so I apologize if I sound a little redundant. Dave Sedaris writes short stories, and his books carry with them a quirky and quite funny sense of humor. When you read Sedaris's books, it's like you are getting an opportunity to listen to his thoughts. His thoughts can be somewhat demented and the dialog between himself and the characters within his life are many times laugh-out-loud. There are times where his thoughts mirror those of your own, allowing you to say to yourself, "Yeah! I wonder the same things sometimes!" While in other instances, his thoughts/analogies are NOTHING like the ones your personal mind experiences. You can tell that his stories are also taken from his real life. From shenanigans while growing up in Raleigh, North Carolina to living next to this grouchy old woman in his apartment building in New York City. None of his stories seem too far fetched or ridiculous to be true. Mary Newcomb (IB 7/8 Math) can vouch for some of the stories from Raleigh, as her brother actually lives in the house Dave Sedaris grew up in.</div><div align="justify"><br />If you would like a great book that will literally have you laughing out loud and is convenient (you can read a few chapters and then set it down for a month without losing your place), then this is a book for you. I would recommend his other books as well, as the stories are all intertwined and build off of each other. His other books include Barrel Fever, Me Talk Pretty Someday, Naked, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, and a personal favorite, Holidays on Ice. </div>About Debbie Shultshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15337687398538791688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7976051475045844066.post-6395559257648806532009-02-19T18:10:00.000-08:002009-02-19T18:14:30.001-08:00#29: From Ms. Rodriques, Media Specialist<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;">I'm am not a scientist by training, usually skip reading the instructions on electronic equipment I buy, and am not all that enthusiastic when Scientific American comes in, but I have found a true gem of a book called <strong><a href="http://www.amazon.com/mc2-Biography-Worlds-Famous-Equation/dp/0425181642/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1235095688&sr=8-1">E = mc2: a Biography of the World's Most Famous Equation</a></strong> by David Bodanis.</span></div><span style="font-family:verdana;"><div align="justify"><br /> It was not only easy to read but was stock full of really cool information- did you know that their are pieces of German ships on the moon? This is a book we can recommend to those with high reading skills- 1170 lexile- but it is of great interest for those with limited reading skills as well. This writer put the equation into a real world perspective. First, he tells us about the origin of "E". How does the concept we now know as "energy" come to be? </div><div align="justify"><br />The story winds itself around scientific history from Newton to how Einstein got his job in the patent office through the misunderstood relationship between Otto Hahn and Lise Meitner, physicists who helped to solve the mystery of the equation. Which one got the Nobel Prize? How do we decide the toll we take for the "greater good"? One violinist? The future health of millions of people? Count to 43 seconds- how long it took between the release of the first atomic bombs and the initial impact. How do we treat the scientists from Germany who were developing the same type of explosion? Were they "guilty" of war crimes or just furthering scientific discovery?</div><div align="justify"><br /> There are several biographic representations within the book- Newton, Einstein, Oppenheimer- and a slew of notes that give details about information within the chapters.</div><div align="justify"><br /> It's a great book, is in the media center and is ready to get checked out.</span></div>About Debbie Shultshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15337687398538791688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7976051475045844066.post-75317380136632966642009-01-17T12:57:00.000-08:002009-01-17T13:21:33.681-08:00#'s 27 & 28: From Mrs. Lyons, 8th Grade Language Arts<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;"># 27: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Gate-House-Nelson-DeMille/dp/0446533424/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1232226000&sr=8-1">The Gate House </a>by Nelson <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">DeMille</span><br /><br />This is a continuation of the Gold Coast story. A family on Long Island is hounded by Mob neighbors and this picks up the lives of the husband (who got dragged into being a Mob lawyer) and his wife (who got “involved” with said mobster and ended up shooting and killing him). The mobster’s son wants to re-involve the lawyer in Mob business and get revenge for the murder of his father. Nelson <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">DeMille</span> has a knack for creating wise-guy characters that I really enjoy (does this have something to do with the kids we teach?). Purely for entertainment value – not a brain-stretcher.<br /><br /><br />#28: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Poisonwood-Bible-Novel-P-S/dp/0060786507/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1232226202&sr=1-1">The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Poisonwood</span> Bible </a>by Barbara <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Kingsolver</span><br /><br />This is the story of a Baptist missionary family that heads to the Congo in 1960 to “save” the locals. It is a tale of how Americans charge in and botch things up without a clue as to the way of life that currently exists in a foreign country. The US government was very involved in the assassination of the elected leader, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Lumumba</span>. The American choice for his replacement was <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Mobuto</span>, who was a cruel thief who built palaces for himself while the African people starved. The missionary children all were deeply affected, in entirely different ways, by their early experience in the Congo. In a way, this is also an environmental tale as well as a good story and commentary on US foreign policy. Thanks to Jen Powell for recommending it during our CAR-PD class!</span></div>About Debbie Shultshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15337687398538791688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7976051475045844066.post-61117168462894906532009-01-05T15:02:00.000-08:002009-01-05T15:03:46.088-08:00#26: From Mr. Kohler, Data Coach<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong><em>The Art of Racing in the Rain</em></strong>, by Garth Stein, is a gem of a book. The story is told from the point of view of the dog. Sounds quirky but it works. The dogs name is Enzo, and he is named after none other than Enzo Ferrari. If you love, dogs, racing, family and tales of redemption this is the book for you. This book if very poignant and at the same time is very funny. I highly recommend it!<br /></span><a href="http://www.goenzo.com/">http://www.goenzo.com/</a></div>About Debbie Shultshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15337687398538791688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7976051475045844066.post-5047354746214673612008-12-03T07:48:00.000-08:002008-12-03T07:54:49.779-08:00#25: From Mrs. Pelosi, Reading Teacher<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Any Small Goodness A Novel of the Barrio</span> by Tony Johnston is a novel about learning from life experiences and then turning that learning into service for the community. Arturo is a Mexican immigrant to L.A. who is trying to find his way in the world of a not always nice city. From trying to fit in at school where the teacher changes his name to something easier for her to pronounce, to not having books in the library, to gang problems in the neighborhood, this is a story about a young man who chooses to do good after some not so good experiences. When his family is targeted by a local gang, he decided to start his own gang and calls it the "Green Needle Gang". Read this really good story to find the twist in the plot! </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">I highly recommend this book to anyone working with immigrant students or service learning. It shows the experiences of a child trying to learn his way in a new world and turning what he learns into good for others. Learning and Serving! </span><br /></div>About Debbie Shultshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15337687398538791688noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7976051475045844066.post-40021165429048366012008-09-22T18:04:00.000-07:002008-09-22T18:06:41.021-07:00#24: Ms. Connery, 7th Grade Language Arts<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.jodeeblanco.com/">Please Stop Laughing at Me</a></em></strong>…, by Jodee Blanco, is a memoir that gives the reader an insightful and frightening view of the effects of bullying. Ms. Blanco’s depiction of the physical, verbal and emotional abuse she endured throughout her school career leaves the reader wondering how and why something so horrific could continue for so long. The author’s perseverance through the bullying at times was admirable yet also self-inflicted. <br /><br />As I read this memoir, I continued to question how a child could suffer at the hands of other children at school and have no authority witness these acts. My thoughts then led me to question myself – what have I not seen happen to my students in my own classroom. This unknown answer sickens me. Ms. Blanco’s story ends on a very positive note, but to think how she endured the beatings, being spit on and ostracized for so long still makes the rainbow bittersweet.<br /><br />This is a must read for all educators.</span></div>About Debbie Shultshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15337687398538791688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7976051475045844066.post-77022706580138059372008-08-29T03:40:00.001-07:002008-08-29T03:47:46.988-07:00#23: From Mrs. Timmons, Multi-grade Science<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Your-Inner-Fish-Journey-3-5-Billion-Year/dp/B0010SKTRA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1220006630&sr=8-1"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Your Inner Fish</span></a>, By Neil Shubin<br /><br />"A Journey into the 3.5 Billion Year History of the Human Body" is more than I bargained for. I listened to a podcast, On Point, which we download for free from iTunes, featuring this scientist. He is absolutely amazing to listen to, but even more remarkable to read about. This book details where our major organs originated from, how we as humans came to be. <br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;">Neil Shubin is first an anatomist and second, a fish paleontologist, who unearthed Tiktaalik, a 375 million year old fossil fish whose flat skull, limbs with fingers and wrist bones, provided a link between fish and the first land dwelling organism. But, he doesn't just hone in on this fish-like fossil, he finds cellular similarities between our cells and sponges. He links our teeth and ear bones, and identifies the origins of our senses.</span> <span style="font-family:verdana;">It is a science book for those who are hesitant to embrace scientific text (because it's usually SO boring!) and he writes in a manner that can be understood by all. This book will open your eyes to the similarities of species and the universal body plan that has changed over time to better fit the environment we live in. <br /><br />I HIGHLY recommend this book if you have ever wondered where hiccups originated from, how we have gills in the womb and then we don't or if you are just amazed at how perfect organisms are for their time, place and purpose.</span> </div>About Debbie Shultshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15337687398538791688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7976051475045844066.post-11754244371009560642008-08-06T10:31:00.000-07:002008-08-06T10:41:03.282-07:00#21 and #22: From Mrs. Pelosi, Reading<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Best selling author, Catherine Coulter, takes you back to her FBI Thriller Series in<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Double-Take-FBI-Thriller/dp/051514469X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1218044012&sr=8-1"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> Double Take</span></a>. Meet up with FBI Special Agents Sherlock and Savich as the story of Special Agent Ruth Warnecki and Sheriff Dix Noble continues with a twist. Dix, a country sheriff from Virginia, is still looking for a reason his loving wife disappeared three years ago abandoning him and their two sons. Just as things are starting to look normal, a call from California of a sighting of his missing wife, Christie, sends his world spinning. The reader is dragged into the world of mediums and psychics as Dix tries to find out why Charlotte in San Francisco is the spitting image of the missing Christie, and why people are being murdered. The series can be read in islolation, but if you are one of those readers who attaches to the characters, this series is the one for you. </span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">2. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lavender-Field-Jeanette-Baker/dp/0778323110/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1218044288&sr=1-1"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">The Lavender Field</span></a>, by Jeanette Baker is a love story for the ages. Brought together by the Austrian government, lawyer Whitney Bendict has to convince Gabriel Mendoza to give up the Lipizzan stallions his father rescued during WWII by smuggling them from Austria to the United States. With his father's death, Gabriel had to give up his dreams of being a English Lit professor and came home to help on the family horse farm. With a disease ravaging the horses back in Austria, the Austrian government is pressuring him to sell them all the pure bred Lipizzans he has in his stable. Throw in some twists with an exwife who abandoned her family, a surly teenager, an out-of-control aging mother, a child with Asberger's Syndrome: a form of mild autism, and a huge field of lavender, and someone is sure to fall in love. It was a quick and easy read which brought me into the field of horse breeding and racing. A story that shows that your "dream" life may not be the end all and be all as Whitney learns what she is missing by isolating herself in the corporate world. I recommend this book for anyone with interests in love and and easy read!</span></div>About Debbie Shultshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15337687398538791688noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7976051475045844066.post-71459300833627471202008-08-06T08:37:00.000-07:002008-08-06T08:53:10.873-07:00#20: From Mr. Kohler, Data Coach<p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">This summer, I’ve been reading a book called <b style=""><i style=""><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Generation-Kill-Evan-Wright/dp/0425224740/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1218034217&sr=8-1">Generation Kill</a></i></b>, by Evan Wright.<span style=""> </span>Wright was with the First Reconnaissance Battalion Marines when they entered <st1:country-region st="on">Iraq</st1:country-region> through <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Kuwait</st1:place></st1:country-region> back in 2003.<span style=""> </span>His account of the war is written at the platoon eye-view.<span style=""> </span>Wright is able to show how the average soldier sees the war and immediately identifies disconnects in the logic of some of the decisions made by commanding officers.<span style=""> </span>For example, Wright tells of how the marines from <st1:placetype st="on">Camp</st1:placetype> <st1:placename st="on">Pendleton</st1:placename>, California did not use the same radio frequency as the marines from <st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on">Camp</st1:placetype> <st1:placename st="on">Lejeune, North Carolina</st1:placename></st1:place>.<span style=""> </span>This inability to communicate led to several friendly fire casualties.<span style=""> </span>Wright captures the egos of leadership and the snafus they can cause.<span style=""> </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>I recommend this book to anyone interested in the reality of warfare.<span style=""> </span>The book is A-political, neither promoting nor condemning the war.<span style=""> </span>The language used by the soldiers is gritty and beyond colorful; therefore making this book not suitable for younger readers.<span style=""> </span>As an ex-military person, I instantly felt a connection with the incredible boredom of a soldier’s life.<span style=""> </span>Not having served in a war, I was glad I couldn’t relate to the battle situations these men experienced.</p>About Debbie Shultshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15337687398538791688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7976051475045844066.post-27292317918251118292008-08-03T13:45:00.000-07:002008-08-03T13:52:04.218-07:00#19: From Mrs. Pelosi, Reading<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sunrise-Over-Fallujah-Walter-Myers/dp/0439916240/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1217796565&sr=8-1"><b style=""><span style="font-family: Verdana; color: black;">Sunrise Over Fallujah</span></b></a><span style="font-family: Verdana; color: black;">, by Walter Dean Myers, usually a young adult author,<span style=""> </span>takes a young man from the Bronx to <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Iraq</st1:place></st1:country-region><span style=""> </span>just after the fall of Saddam Hussein.<span style=""> </span>Seeing the war from the eyes of a boy who really didn't know what he was getting into was an eye opener to me. As part of the coalition force brought to <st1:country-region st="on">Iraq</st1:country-region> in Civilian Affairs, these soldiers are supposed to secure and stabilize <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Iraq</st1:place></st1:country-region> while changing the attitude of the Iraqi people towards the Coalition forces through interacting with locals while never knowing if they are hostile or friendly. He sees the war from both sides as he tries to survive in the war zone including places that are supposed to be safe.<span style=""> </span>I think this book is going to be a great addition to my classroom library.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-style: italic;">Editor's Note: The main character in this book is the nephew of the main character in Myers' popular Vietnam War novel, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fallen-Angels-Walter-Dean-Myers/dp/0545055768/ref=pd_bbs_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1217796565&sr=8-3"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fallen Angels</span></a></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">. </span><br /></o:p></p>About Debbie Shultshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15337687398538791688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7976051475045844066.post-30213927821337993552008-08-03T08:25:00.000-07:002008-08-03T09:18:27.838-07:00#18: Mrs. Shults, Literacy Coach<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">I have just read an interesting book entitled, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Q-E-D-Beauty-Mathematical-Proof-Wooden/dp/0802714315/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1217777296&sr=8-3"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Q.E.D. Beauty in Mathematical Proof</span></a>, by Burkard Polster. This little book, fifty-eight pages, contains proofs for some of math's most essential concepts. Of course, Pythagoras, Archimedes, and Euler are main characters in this book, but ideas like pi, phi, and the mysterious properties of circles, cones, and right triangles are made understandable to the most novice math mind, and I'm definitely talking about my mind. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">I was introduced to this book this summer at a literacy in math session during the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Just Read, Florida</span> conference in Orlando. Although the initials, Q.E.D. are an abbreviation for the Latin phrase <span style="font-style: italic;">quod erat demonstrandum,</span> or "what had to be proved," one of the math teachers in the session said it really stands for "Quite Easily Demonstrated." I agree. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in math or wants to keep their whole brain working. And of course, the teacher in me sees many ways this book could be used in the classroom. I hope you'll check it out.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div>About Debbie Shultshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15337687398538791688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7976051475045844066.post-3126458593068059302008-07-29T15:41:00.000-07:002008-07-29T16:10:27.940-07:00#17: From Ms. Drackett, Multi-age Math<div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;">While visiting my aunt in June, I noticed that every time I left the room she pulled out her book and began reading. She said the book was so good she couldn’t put it down. So, I purchased a copy of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Guilt-John-Lescroart/dp/0440222818/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1217372401&sr=8-2http://"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Guilt</span></a> by John Lescroart and began my summer reading adventure that has included Lescroart’s <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dead-Irish-John-Lescroart/dp/0451214277/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1217371995&sr=8-1"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Dead Irish</span>,</a> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mercy-Rule-John-Lescroart/dp/0440222826/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1217372533&sr=8-1"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">The Mercy Rule</span></a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/11-Titles-John-Lescroart-Hearing/dp/B0012U44K4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1217372627&sr=8-2"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">The First Law.</span></a> Now well into <a href="http://www.amazon.com/11-Titles-John-Lescroart-Hearing/dp/B0012U44K4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1217372627&sr=8-2"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Hard Evidence</span>,</a> I have come to feel like the characters are part of my family.<br /><br />Set in San Francisco, these books involve police detective Abe Glitsky and attorney Dismas Hardy. In each one, I have been kept guessing until the last pages about the guilt or innocence of the accused. The characters are interesting and grow and change over time. The plots are complex and satisfying for those who love this genre. I recommend that anyone interested start with <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/11-Titles-John-Lescroart-Hearing/dp/B0012U44K4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1217372627&sr=8-2">Dead Irish</a>,</span> the first Dismas Hardy book, and go from there, although <a href="http://www.amazon.com/11-Titles-John-Lescroart-Hearing/dp/B0012U44K4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1217372627&sr=8-2"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Guilt</span> </a>was great. Enjoy!<br /></div>About Debbie Shultshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15337687398538791688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7976051475045844066.post-80919104327145618782008-07-24T08:41:00.000-07:002008-07-24T10:22:27.722-07:00#15 and #16: From Ms. White, Speech, Language, and Hearing<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >Special Note From the Blog Editor: This post is submitted by Ms. White, but it was written by her new puppy, Rogue.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />I have read two books this summer on dog training. The books are: the <a style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;" href="http://www.amazon.com/ASPCA-Complete-Dog-Training-Manual/dp/1564584879/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1216914343&sr=8-1">ASPCA Complete Dog Training Manual</a> by Bruce Fogle, D.V.M. This book has great photo illustrations to make learning easy. The second book is <a href="http://www.amazon.com/TRAINING-YOUR-DOG-STEP-STEP/dp/B000JWTLYA/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1216914505&sr=8-6"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Training Your Dog - The Step by Step Manual</span></a> by Joachim Volhard and Gail Tamases Fisher. </span><span style="font-family:verdana;">Both books include a wealth of knowledge regarding the canine species. Lessons are provided in a clear, well organized manner.<br /><br />The books also address the psychology of the dog so owners can understand how to approach the learning process with their beloved pet. Despite recommending positive rewards and treats for man's best friend, I personally did not find any practical use for the information contained within their pages. I have chosen not to alter my behavior as recommended by the authors.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Rogue White</span></div>About Debbie Shultshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15337687398538791688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7976051475045844066.post-55759511554544630172008-07-22T18:46:00.000-07:002008-07-22T18:58:33.973-07:00#13 and #14: From Ms. Newell, Grade 8 Language Arts<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jane-Eyre-Dover-Thrift-Editions/dp/0486424499/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1216777834&sr=8-3">J<span style="font-family: verdana;">ane Eyre</span></a><span style="font-family: verdana;"> by Charlotte Bronte</span><br /><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;">Perhaps my favorite book of all. Jane is an orphan for whom life has not provided. However, she is far from "poor me". Instead, she lives a life if integrity and self reliance. Jane provides for herself, never taking the easy road such as marriage to a particular rich man (he does have a rather spectacular deal-killer of a flaw). Jane guides her own life and forges her own destiny. I just like that.<br /></div><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.amazon.com/Life-Pi-Yann-Martel/dp/0156027321/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1216778067&sr=1-2">Life of Pi</a><span style="font-family: verdana;"> by Yann Martel</span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This is an unforgettable book. It tells the story of a young man shipwrecked on a raft with a wild tiger he calls Richard. The book itself is a journey, not just of the young man's tenuous survival, but of one's own religious beliefs. At the heart of the book is the question "Why do we belive what we believe?" and "What is the nature of this thing called Faith?". Heavy subject matter, I agree, but when explored through allegory it becomes accessible. </span><br /></div>About Debbie Shultshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15337687398538791688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7976051475045844066.post-35967902738421116202008-07-20T07:37:00.000-07:002008-07-20T07:54:50.805-07:00#12: From Mr. Winemiller, Grade 7 Math<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">When I'm not reading about the Gators, I like to read science fiction for enjoyment. As I was looking for a new author at Selby, I stumbled across Douglas Adams (first science fiction author alphabetically). His first in a series of books is titled: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hitchhikers-Guide-Galaxy-Douglas-Adams/dp/0345391802/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1216564794&sr=1-1"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.</span></a> After reading a few chapters with my opinion of it going for a roller coaster ride, I was about to give up on it, until I realized it was full of satire. Adams balances futuristic imagination with humor as the main characters try to find the true meaning of life, the universe, and everything. He particularly enjoys poking fun at human nature. I find myself laughing out loud when I least expect it, which is a new experience for me with science fiction. I've completed the second book as well, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Restaurant-at-End-Universe/dp/0345418921/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1216565540&sr=1-1"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">The Restaurant at the End of the Universe.</span> </a> There are five books in this series. </span><br /></div>About Debbie Shultshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15337687398538791688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7976051475045844066.post-62297686431595516732008-07-20T07:28:00.001-07:002008-07-20T07:33:23.870-07:00# 11: From Ms. Lucas, Grade 6 Language Arts<div style="text-align: justify;">After years of prodding from my parents I finally read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Seabiscuit-American-Legend-Laura-Hillenbrand/dp/0345465083/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1216564317&sr=8-2"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Seabiscuit</span>,</a> by Laura Hillenbrand. Going into it, I had no real interest except my parents' rave reviews, and I'll admit I was skeptical. Horses are great and all, but a whole book??? I was pleasantly surprised!!! It is a nonfiction account of arguably the best and most popular racehorse ever to run. It reads like a novel, and I found myself totally enthralled pulling for the horse and all those involved with him. <br /><br />Hillenbrand tells the story of the horse and his owners, trainer, and jockeys, giving equal time to all. You learn about the hardships and successes of each, pulling for them in the victories and the defeats. Her depiction of Seabiscuit is especially touching, portraying his personality and how the humans in his life were so touched by him. The book is also quite the history lesson of our country during the Depression. Overall, I found it interesting, informative, and intriguing. I think that's pretty good for a nonfiction book!<br /></div>About Debbie Shultshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15337687398538791688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7976051475045844066.post-12893605030034741092008-07-17T10:34:00.000-07:002008-07-17T10:40:52.620-07:00# 10: From Mrs. Drake, Grade 6 Science<p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-family: Verdana; color: black;">I am reading a series of African stories by an English gentleman born in Zimbabwe, Mr. Alexander McCall Smith.<span style=""> </span>The first book is, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ladies-Detective-Agency-5-Book-Boxed/dp/0307261581/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1216316364&sr=8-3"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency.</span></a><span style=""> </span>There are 8 so far in the series, and I have completed 5 of them.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-family: Verdana; color: black;">Precious Ramotswe, at the death of her father, has begun a detective agency in the <st1:placetype st="on">land</st1:PlaceType> of <st1:placename st="on">Botswana</st1:PlaceName>, <st1:place st="on">Africa</st1:place>.<span style=""> </span>Other characters are her assistant, Mma Makutsi, and her betrothed Mr. J.L.L. Matekoni. Mma Ramotswe is an unusual woman. She has chosen a profession that is uncommon for a lady in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Botswana</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<span style=""> </span>Her adventures are purely African and you gain insight into the culture of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Botswana</st1:place></st1:country-region>. Great to read on a rainy day.<o:p></o:p></span></p>About Debbie Shultshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15337687398538791688noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7976051475045844066.post-9735527094085680342008-07-17T06:51:00.000-07:002008-07-17T06:58:53.294-07:00#9: From Mrs. Roberts, 8th Grade Science<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;">I have read 5 food mysteries and <b style=""><i style=""><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Animal-Vegetable-Miracle-Year-Food/dp/0060852569/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1216302858&sr=8-1">Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life</a>,</i></b> by Barbara Kingsolver. (Food is my love.)<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>The book describes the old ways of farming and our pipeline to the food industry. Very Powerful Book - more for adults or mature kids.<span style=""> </span>Check it out.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span><o:p></o:p></span></p>About Debbie Shultshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15337687398538791688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7976051475045844066.post-322254362274223122008-07-17T04:46:00.000-07:002008-07-17T04:52:03.071-07:00#8: From Mrs. Timmons, Multi-grade Science<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">If you enjoy short stories, you have GOT to read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Me-Talk-Pretty-One-Day/dp/0316776963/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1216295340&sr=8-3"><b style=""><i style="">Me Talk Pretty One Day,</i></b></a> by Dave <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Sedaris</span>.<span style=""> </span>I absolutely adore the author's somewhat caustic sense of humor, especially in regard to his childhood in <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">North Carolina</st1:place></st1:State>.<span style=""> </span>I also particularly love the title of the book, because the underlying theme for all of his stories in this book (his 4<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span> on, by the way) is the inability to communicate.<span style=""> </span>For instance, he moves to <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">France</st1:place></st1:country-region> and tries to learn 10 new French words a day: exorcism, facial swelling and death penalty were at the top of one day’s list, while slaughterhouse, sea monster and witch doctor topped the following day's list.<span style=""> </span>I find those words to be extremely critical when attempting to have a conversation with an individual of the French persuasion, don't you? <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">In one of his essays, Dave recalls that while growing up in <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">North Carolina</st1:place></st1:State>, he had a lisp and therefore had to go to a speech therapist, who, ironically and stereotypically enough, pronounced the word "pen" in 2 syllables.<span style=""> </span>In another, he attempts to be a college professor at the Art Institute in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Chicago</st1:place></st1:City> (which goes horribly wrong as he assigns the students to observe soap operas for homework!) and you literally find yourself laughing out loud at his lack of insight and ability in being an instructor.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I highly recommend this book to everyone because you can read an essay, put the book down for a week, month or a year and pick right back up where you left off.<span style=""> </span>I know Christmas is just around the corner, and his book, <b style=""><i style="">Holidays on Ice</i></b>, is equally as impressive.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>About Debbie Shultshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15337687398538791688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7976051475045844066.post-42482769746609608742008-07-15T18:11:00.000-07:002008-07-15T18:49:28.618-07:00# 6 and # 7: From Ms. Connery, 7th Grade Language Arts<div style="text-align: justify;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.amazon.com/21-Ways-Finding-Peace-Happiness/dp/B001CAP8JA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=miscellaneous&qid=1216172099&sr=8-2"><u><span style="font-family:Verdana;">21 Ways to Finding Peace and Happiness</span></u></a><span style="font-family:Verdana;">, by Joyce Meyer, is an excellent book that offers the reader insight as to how to have peace in the middle of life’s confusion.<span style=""> </span>Meyer shares personal stories that give an in-depth understanding on how to handle people and situations in the middle of stormy situations</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">This inspirational book offers those who seek to have peaceful relationships and desires to have the knowledge on how to do so.<span style=""> </span>This book is a quick read and gave me the support that I don’t have to ‘fix’ everyone who comes to me for help.<span style=""> </span>Wow, what a relief!<span style=""> </span>Some people – believe it or not – enjoy being miserable!<span style=""> </span>Mrs. Meyer shares that it is okay NOT to dwell on that type of person.<span style=""> </span>It’s not worth losing my peace!<o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_misc?url=search-alias%3Dmisc&field-keywords=Reduce+me+to+Love&x=0&y=0"><u><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Reduce Me to Love</span></u></a><span style="font-family:Verdana;">, by Joyce Meyer, is another excellent source on how to understand the ultimate gift we can give to others.<span style=""> </span>Love.<span style=""> </span>Meyer shares that it is impossible to give something you don’t have, so she proceeds to explain in this book how a person can ‘”unlock the secret to lasting joy”.<o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><o:p> </o:p><br />I loved this book for two reasons.<span style=""> </span>The first is that I am developing a plotline for a trilogy I’m writing and one of the main character’s major flaws stems on <i style="">love</i>.<span style=""> </span>The second reason is that this book is based on my life verse, First Corinthians 13, written by the Apostle Paul.<span style=""> </span>The information in this book can be hard to deal with, because it offers the reader to see his or her reflection in the words.<span style=""> </span>Sometimes it is hard to see ourselves in the true Light.<o:p></o:p></span></p>About Debbie Shultshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15337687398538791688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7976051475045844066.post-15219716708676797112008-06-23T17:49:00.001-07:002008-06-26T07:48:38.267-07:00#5: From Mrs. Powel, 7th Grade Science<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;color:black;" ><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Time-Travelers-Wife-Audrey-Niffenegger/dp/015602943X">The Time Traveler's Wife</a>, </span>by Audrey Niffenegger, is a love story between Henry and Clare.<span style=""> </span>It is an unusual love story because Henry has the ability to travel through time.<span style=""> </span>Henry goes into the past and visits Clare during her childhood, meets her in present time and visits her in the future.<span style=""> </span>This makes for an interesting relationship.<o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;color:black;" ><o:p></o:p>I really enjoyed this love story because it was so unusual. The story is told from both Clare's and Henry's point of view so you get an understanding of the person who is forever vanishing into a different time and the person who is forever waiting for him to return.<span style=""> </span>This book speaks to the power of love!</span></p>About Debbie Shultshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15337687398538791688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7976051475045844066.post-48699599630942715792008-06-23T07:43:00.000-07:002008-06-23T07:47:54.416-07:00#4: From Ms. Pelosi, Reading Teacher<p style="text-align: justify;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" ><b style=""><span style="color:black;">Fearless Fourteen</span></b></span><span style=";font-size:100%;color:black;" > by Janet Evanovich continues the Stephanie Plum series--<span style=""> </span>In this story, Plum, a hapless bail bondsman in Trenton, New Jersey, is sucked into a bank robbery gone wrong with people named Bugger, Zook, Mooner, and Stalker Gary.<span style=""> </span>She is also called in to assist Ranger in a security detail for a desperate aging singer named Brenda who decides she wants to become a reality star and follows <st1:place st="on">Plum</st1:place> around filming all of her mishaps and just generally getting in the way.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-size:100%;color:black;" ><o:p> </o:p><br />If you want to laugh out loud, read any of Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum books.<span style=""> </span>Everything that can go wrong does when Stephanie Plum tries to pick up her skips--bombs, naked old men, monkeys, etc.<span style=""> </span>Her sidekick, a character with a colorful background named Lulu, is just as funny.<span style=""> </span>Stephanie’s love interests are a cop named Morelli and a security agent named Ranger who are driven crazy trying to protect her.<span style=""> </span>This book is an easy summer read that will make you laugh out loud.<span style=""> </span>Book numbers 1-13 were even funnier!</span></p>About Debbie Shultshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15337687398538791688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7976051475045844066.post-61520342280341898632008-06-21T18:54:00.000-07:002008-06-23T07:55:36.609-07:00# 3: From Ms. Zywica, 8th Grade Science<p style="text-align: justify;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">The book that I immersed myself in was <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Water for Elephants</span> by Sara Gruen.<span style=""> </span>It is the story of a man that joins a traveling circus as its veterinarian.<span style=""> </span>The book opens with a prologue that keeps the reader horrified and hopeful as the rest of the story unfolds.<span style=""> </span>It is told in a retrospective manner from a man in a nursing home that is so old he can't remember how old he is.<span style=""> </span>With the majority of the book's setting being a traveling circus the characters, both humans and animals, all have unique and intriguing personalities.<span style=""> </span>The plot is well rounded with aspects of adventure, love, and the hardships of living in the era of prohibition.<o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"><o:p> </o:p><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">I really enjoyed reading this book on the beach here in </span><st1:city style="font-family: verdana;" st="on"><st1:place st="on">Sarasota</st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family:verdana;">. The book has a variety of pictures that are part of the </span><st1:place style="font-family: verdana;" st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Ringling</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Museum</st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="font-family:verdana;"> collection. The Ringling Brothers circus is only referred to occasionally the book, but it does give a </span><st1:city style="font-family: verdana;" st="on"><st1:place st="on">Sarasota</st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family:verdana;"> reader a sense of pride. I would definitely recommend this to adults, but most of the situations in the book are not the aspects of a circus that a child should see or read about.</span><span style=""><span style="font-family:verdana;"> </span> </span></span></p>About Debbie Shultshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15337687398538791688noreply@blogger.com0