So excited for school to start!

I'm so excited for school to start! I've been working now for 10 days, (and 4square says I'm even the mayor at THS again!) and I've got the reading unit tweaked. I think I have the Best Job EVER. I can't wait to start teaching. Can't come soon enough for me!

I'm listening to the flex music I'm going to use to teach certain core concepts, and I'm so jazzed to teach. SIGH. Where are the kids when you need 'em?? Hot Chelle Rae for repetition? SO MUCH FUN!! Now, I just need to borrow a copy of The Help from Mrs. Gardner before I go see the movie. I'm dying to know what's in it... Like everyone else, right??

Restructuring Reading Unit

When you look at how much things have changed on my blog and website, you think, well I guess things change very little from year to year in Mrs. Phippen's class, and yet, I re-think EVERY LESSON, every time I teach it. I re-think my lesson plans, my units, my disclosure documents, and I re-think the structure of everything I do from the ground up, every year. I think that's how I keep my job fresh every year. I also think that's why I love my job so much.
Every year, it's brand new for me. The students aren't the only NEW thing for me, the material is brand new and fresh for me. It's percolated brand new, from scratch, every year. I throw it all out, look at it again, and decide "Is this PERFECT?" Is this JUST what works? Is this the very best thing I have to teach this, or could I find something better? If something isn't the best thing, I don't use it. Sometimes, I'll devise something better from first period to fourth period and my periods won't all have the same assignments. I reserve the right to get better as the day gets long. I think that's the benefit of improvement.
My newest restructure is the kindle. One of these days I'm going to go 3G. My mom gave my the non-3G, which works great... in my bedroom. If I wander away from my bed, no wireless. Why do I not get wireless reception in my kitchen?? God only knows. It's only of those Cosmic Mysteries. I often get hit-or-miss reception on my front porch. I do know that it will change the way people read, and it will change the way I teach kids to choose books because choosing a book by the front cover in *black & white* is not nearly the same as choosing from Amazon.com in color. Yeah. Color makes a HUGE difference when choosing a book.
Anyway, my reading unit is being rethought, and rethought, and it's my baby. I know it's thing thing I do best, and I teach writing through reading. So... because I am an integrated teaching, all that I do is being rethought. This is my favorite time of year. I love the thinking about how to get things done and the set-up of how to get there. :o)

The Iron Daughter (Ah, LOVE!)

I love a good Saturday read, and I love a good romance novel... This is the sequel to The Iron King, and both are Harlequin Teen Fiction. Based on characters from Much Ado About Nothing, we have Puck, Queen Mab, Oberon, and a host of other Fey who are in NeverNever and locked in a dance between the upper Sidhe and Unseelie Court. This is definitely Faery Fiction at it's finest. This is not Shakespeare.

Our plucky romantic lead is played by Meghan Chase, daughter of Oberon, and a member of the Summer Court (a half-human Sidhe) and she is the Juliet to our Romeo, Prince Ash, son of Queen Mab of the Unseelie Winter Court. Meghan is currently a prisoner in the Winter court...

1. It's an up and down love story, and it does require reading the first book in the series. However, it's not predictable and has several nice twists in the story. While the characters might feel predictable, the story is new. There are two lovers who are forbidden to be together, not just for one reason, but for several, and they aren't all clear from the outset. That's one of the nice twists of the story. 1 star.

2. The characters are nicely rounded. The heroine is strong. She spends the entire story discovering that she doesn't need the men to rescue her, she doesn't need magic to rescue her, and she doesn't need her father or her parents to rescue her. All of those things are nice, but everything necessary is inside her. She can choose any one of those things as extras, but who she is inside is enough. That's a message not often found, and is so incredibly rare in a romance novel that I'm going to give this book 2 stars just for having the message at all! She fights the demons, and all of the most important, most strong characters, including powerful characters in the book, are female. Love it. Love it, love it. Julie, you are clever. That the male characters are also nice people is great, too. Don't get me wrong. The two men who are in love with her are nice men. She has a choice between two nice men, and it's not an easy choice. Julie. Again. A great reason for 2 stars.

3. I like that Meghan's story has a happy ending at this point. At the end of book 1, she had a good resolution. At the end of book 2, she has a great resolution. However, it's very obvious to me where Kagawa is headed with this story. I know what the only possible truly happy ending can be. I hope there's a twist I haven't seen yet. I'm pulling for ya, because I've just read book 4 Radiant Shadows in Melissa Marr's series, and I want something new. Give me something new... No, really.

At this point, it's a really solid series. Girls will enjoy it. I did. It's also a clean read, which is hard to find!! There was NO SEX in it!! It gets another star for that. You don't find that very often in teen lit...

4 stars, recommend.

The Atlantis Complex (Artemis grows a conscience)

It's been two full years since I read The Time Paradox, time enough to cleanse my palate and want to revisit Atlantis and my favorite teen villain, Artemis. In fact, time enough to hope Coulfer had reinvented Artemis and re-energized the series.

After the tragic epic fail of The Time Paradox, either nothing could be worse, or Artemis had only one last chance... So, here we were.

1. Most of the plot is once again in the arctic. Brrr. I was concerned at the start of the novel with several things. Let me outline them quickly so that I can get them out of the way: global warming (yawn), OCD/mental complex (over-done?), rehash of old villains (blah, blah, blah). However, Coulfer quickly convinced me that he was not going to bore me, preach to me, or give me something that sounded like a trip to the psychologist's chair. I also was interested in all the characters. They didn't sound old to me, even though I knew I knew them. They were new again. Kudos to Coulfer. 2 stars.

2. Artemis is definitely growing up. Coulfer could choose to do one of two things with the Fowl series. He could choose to do as several other writers do, and firmly ground Artemis in the 9-12 arena and leave him there as many writers do. Instead, Artemis is growing and evolving, more in the Rowling-Potter style. The books are getting longer, and Artemis is growing and learning. Artemis is much, much more complex than when book one was written in 2003. I must say, I adore him, and what pours out of him in several sections, while it may appall him in certain sections is delighting to the reader. Artemis is a round, amazing character. He's why I read Coulfer and very possibly my favorite fictional character of all time. Criminal mastermind, devoted son, bespoken suit, faery friend, demon defender. He's a total package. There are other darling heroes out there in books, but Artemis Fowl is quite possibly the best one in print. 1 star.

3. Captain Holly Short always saves the day. Give her a situation, and she can make it happen. She never gives up, she never gives in, and she can fly anything. Oh, and give her a weapon, and she'll usually use it against Artemis, not in malice, of course. The fact that she's a strong female character tickles me pink, and that she's always saving the day, and that she's round and not flat as a side-kick is also great bonus material. She and Foaly are fantastic back-up characters, but in this novel, Holly is worth her weight in gold. She moves the plot along, and she's the "driving" force in more ways than one. I'm pulling for Holly, and she's always dragging Artemis into doing the right thing. This time, Artemis drags Holly into the right thing, and the flip is just so delicious. Coulfer, I love you. 1 star.

4. Meh items? Colfer had some other plot items that I don't think he liked, and he did a bit of cleaning house. I think that's what the last book was about. The Time Paradox seemed a lot about cleaning up plot issues, or it was simply a mis-step. This time, there was a lot right  in the Artemis Fowl world. I definitely enjoyed this book.

It's not my favorite book of the series, it's a strong one in this series. I adore who Artemis is becoming, and it had some funny moments. Recommend for the junior high set who like modern fantasy with gadgets in their mix. If they liked Anthony Horowitz's Alex Rider, they might like Artemis Fowl. I know I do.

4 stars

Mockingjay! A Machiavellian Ride...

After back to school night, I came home to the most pleasant surprise: my copy from Amazon had arrived! Despite being absolutely knackered, I opened it about 10:30pm, and read it anyway. When I finished it... here are my thoughts:

1. Suzanne Collins did tie up all the loose ends. There's nothing to finish, no story, character, or plot to revisit. She tied everything up, and there are no plot holes. 1st star.

2. The characters are nicely rounded. Despite the book being told in first person, Katniss is not the only "main" character. The book is still deeply introspective, but Katniss is deeper, richer, and grows to be a likable character. She realizes who she is, what she wants, and the reader sees what they want for her in the future. Gale, Peeta, Prim, and the other characters are also nicely rounded out this time around. Even the more minor characters are likable. The villains are true antagonists vs nemesis, which makes them realistic. This is "real life" instead of "super heroes." Life in microcosm. 2 stars.

3. There was a lot of emotional appeal. I was torn about how it played emotionally. For its teen audience, I guess this is OK. Sometimes I wondered if this was more than needed. This will be great for the silver screen. Much of what happened in the book was a gigantic emotional appeal of "spots"--advertisements--promos (propo--propaganda) for either side of the revolution. "Tell me how to feel." One of the gigantic themes of the book is "Don't mess with how I feel". Real or not real? It plays on the philosophical idea that "reality exists in the mind" and that sanity is a state of mental clarity.

4. The book had a lot of action, jumped around in location, and went places. This was fine. It kept the reader waiting, wanting, and reading... Another star.

All in all, I give the book 4 stars. A good, solid finish to an excellent series. It had 2 plot twists I was not expecting (which is always good!) and tied up the series well. 

What I've Read so Far... Not in order...

Incarceron by Catherine Fisher (I'd give it 3 stars). It was a decent read, and I'll probably buy the sequel just to see how it ends. Interesting premise on several levels.
The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan (which I would give 4 stars). It's a much better (tighter) story of The Nicholas Flamel series currently out which I have spent (wasted) time reading.
The Sorcerer by Michael Scott (which I would give only 2 stars) is meh. I'm half-way through the series. I didn't enjoy it nearly as much as the Red Pyramid (and I read the Red Pyramid after). Rick Riordan's book is better.
The Necromancer by Michael Scott (2 stars) See above.
The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting (3 stars) Amazon recommended this one, and it was an interesting, if a bit gothic/emo romance. Some of my girls will really like this "freaky" romance.
Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta (1 star) I got this book as a "bargain" drama, and it intrigued me because of the "Jellicoe cat" reference, and who doesn't love a bit of TS Elliot in the AM? But, skip, skip, skip, all the way home. DID NOT LIKE, DO NOT recommend. Convoluted plot, totally unrealistic ending. I hated slogging through it, and had to really, really twist myself to figure out how on God's green earth she'd figured out a plot so odd.
Ranger's Apprentice Kings of Clonmel #8 by John Flanagan (4 stars) For a book written for a kid age 10, I really enjoy these books. Although this isn't my favorite in the series, it was a good read. Nice solid plotting. Not too predictable. No magic. Love that about this series.
The Sookie Stackhouse (True Blood Series)
Dead Until Dark (3 stars) I liked this--not for girls under 17! This is NOT Twilight!
Living Dead In Dallas (3 stars)
Club Dead (4 stars) This was a really, really good one. I liked Alcide and the other characters!
Dead to the World (5 stars) This is my FAVORITE of the whole series!!
Dead as a Doornail (2 stars) as a follow up to the one before, this was a HUGE downer.
Definitely Dead (1 star) HATED this book. It was my LEAST favorite books of the series, but we did get the cute new character of Amelia from New Orleans and cousin Hadley.
Altogether Dead (3 stars) this was a MUCH better book than the last, and at least SOMETHING happened at the end.
From Dead to Worse (2 stars) I skimmed this one... Figuring out what was going on with the characters... No real mystery in this one
Dead and Gone (2 stars) Meh
Dead in the Family (2 stars) Meh
I happened to HAVE all the Sookie Stackhouse books, and thus read them all at one time
The Eyre Affaire by Jasper Fforde (5 stars)
Lost in a Good Book by Jasper Fforde (5 stars)
The Well of Lost Plots by Jasper Fforde (5 stars)
Thursday Next, First Among Sequels by Jasper Fforde (3 stars)
The Big Over Easy: a Nursery Crime by Jasper Fforde (4 stars)
The Fourth Bear: a Nursery Crime by Jasper Fforde (4 stars)
Mort by Terry Pratchett (5 stars) Death takes an apprentice. LOVELY book set on Discworld. If you've never visited Terry Pratchett's Discworld, you should visit.
Hogfather by Terry Pratchett (3 stars) Death stands in for Santa. Why and how come?
Soul Music by Terry Pratchett (2 stars) Buddy Holly, Death, and Death's granddaughter "Susan" because it's Terry Pratchett on Disworld.
Reaper Man by Terry Pratchett (4 stars) Death takes a holiday---ok, he gets FIRED. Funny stuff.
Fablehaven (4 stars) This was a good solid read
Rise of the Evening Star (Fablehaven) (3 stars) liked this book, read it quickly.
Grip of the Shadow Plague (Fablehaven) (3 stars) I had all
Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary (Fablehaven) (5 stars) I think I've got it figured out... And my favorite of the series.
Fablehaven, Book 5:Keys to the Demon Prison (2 stars) I didn't like the ending of the series. It was 2 books smashed into one book, and it was long. It should have been written as 2 books. It wasn't that the series didn't end properly or as I expected, just that the ending seemed hurried.
Pillage  (3 stars) This was a lovely book about dragons. Recommend for grades 4-6.
The Iron King (Harlequin Teen) (4 star) Retelling of A Midsummer Night's Dream. I really liked it. Clever.
Tempted (House of Night, Book 6) (2 star) Meh. Seriously? Where is this series headed??
Burned (House of Night Novels) (2 stars? perhaps?)
Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia (4 stars) I started this book last year and got to Indonesia with her and never really understood why she continued on to Bali. I finished out the book, but the second time around, I really connected with her. The first time around, I thought it was a 2 or 3 star, but the second time around, I liked it better. Of course, I'm coming at it from the same place, so I'm empathizing, too. That makes a difference.