Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because The Broke and Bookish are particularly fond of lists (as are we!). Each week a new Top Ten list topic is given and bloggers can participate.

 Today’s Topic: Top Ten Books We’d Love to Read With Book Clubs

These books spark long, soul-fulfilling conversations.

Ricki

1. How it Went Down by Kekla Magoon

There is so much to discuss. Which characters were telling the truth? Were the others lying or did they really believe what they said? Why did the author structure the novel the way she did? How did it add to our understandings of race, gangs, and friendship?

2. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

When I taught this book, my students had rich conversations. The time would fly by, and before we knew it, the bell would ring. Now that I am in doctoral school, I miss discussing this book very much.

3. A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd

Are you tired of hearing about this book? Well I am not tired of talking about it. It would be a wonderful book to discuss in a book club. We would have to eat ice cream while discussing it, of course.

4. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

I suspect this will be a book on many lists. My copy has dozens of flags, which is a good sign that there is much to discuss in a book club!

5. The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls

I love this book with every ounce of my soul. I feel like I could talk about it for hours upon hours in a book club and still think of aspects to discuss!

Kellee

1. The Giver by Lois Lowry

I love to talk about these books, so they’d be perfect for a book club! I think they are so much deeper and more intricate than the initially seem.

2. Graceling Realm by Kristin Cashore

So we could gush about all of the twists and turns in the stories, the surprises, the action, and, of course, the romances!

3. Paper Towns by John Green

This book would be perfect to have as a book club book here in Orlando! Not only does it take place here, it is a John Green book which means there is so much to talk about.

4. Reading Ladders by Teri Lesesne

I’ve always wanted to have a teacher book club with this book, and then make a whole bunch of reading ladders as references.

5. The Spellman Files (series) by Lisa Lutz

Have you not read these books?!?! They are hilarious! They’d be so much fun to laugh over with a club.

Which books would you like to read with a book club?

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Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because The Broke and Bookish are particularly fond of lists (as are we!). Each week a new Top Ten list topic is given and bloggers can participate.

 Today’s Topic: Top Ten Books that Feature Characters who Show Resilience Despite Disabilities

Ricki

1. Wonder by R.J. Palacio

August Pullman was born with severe facial deformities. He says, “I won’t describe what I look like. Whatever you’re thinking, it’s probably worse.” Because he is continually in and out of surgery and recovery, Auggie has always been home-schooled. When his mother suggests he start the fifth grade in a private school, he is against it but decides to give it a try. This book made me want to be a better person.

2. Emmanuel’s Dream by Laurie Ann Thompson

Emmanuel’s Dream is an inspirational story about a boy who refuses to be overcome by his disability (a deformed leg). Others tell him he should just become a beggar, but he is determined to be the best he can be. The illustrations are absolutely beautiful, and the story flows well. Students will find hope and strength in Emmanuel’s strong, resilient spirit.

3. The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen

This book won the 2012 Schneider award. It is about a high school girl who loses her leg in a car accident. When I was on a plan, the man in the seat next to me was reading it. He turned to me and said, “This book is really good. Everyone should read it.”

4. Paperboy by Vince Vawter

An eleven-year-old boy who is growing up in the 1950s South struggles to say his own name–he has a stuttering disorder and shows incredible strength.

5. Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco X. Stork

Marcelo has an Asperger’s-like cognitive disorder. His father forces him to spend the summer working in a law office, promising if Marcelo follows the rules of the “real world,” then he can choose between his special ed school or public school for his senior year. Marcelo may, perhaps, be one of my favorite characters of all time.

Kellee

I must second Ricki’s #1, 2, & 4. I love all of those books, and they definitely deserve to be on this list.
There were so many amazing books about kids overcoming their disability, that I had a very, very, very, very hard time choosing 5. I ended up choosing 3 books about kids who are deaf and 2 books about kids with learning disabilities. There are also so many amazing books about autism, cerebral palsy, blindness, etc. etc. This is just a snapshot.

1. Hurt Go Happy by Ginny Rorby

Not once in this book do you think Joey is incompetent because of her disability. Although her mother may try to keep her from growing, she has learned how to survive and succeed in the world she lives in. Joey may seem like a normal kid, but she is more than that. She has learned to live in a world with no sound without really, truly being able to communicate. Then when ASL is introduced into Joey’s life, you begin to learn how intricate of a language ASL is, and the reader begins to build even more respect for the deaf.

2. El Deafo by Cece Bell

Although Cece finds herself deaf at a young age, we see her overcome this blow and turn it into a superpower. But this book is about more than deafness; it is about being a kid, about growing up, about friendship, about ackwardness, about school, about crushes, about family, about life. This book is truth.

3. Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick

Ben and Rose are both deaf and find themselves on a journey to New York searching for someone important to them. This book shows how a disability can change a life, but can also lead to a different, maybe better life.

4. Fish In A Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Ally is so many students that I have had over the years that just needed a teacher to take the time.
Mr. Daniels is the teacher that I hope I am, that I wish I could be, that I want all teachers to be, and that I want to be friends with.
Ally’s journey is one that I hope I inspire my students to have.
Albert is so many student in our schools that are just a bit different thus leading to a life of sorrows.
Shay shows that meanness often is because of meanness.
Travis shows that it is never too late to change a kid’s life.
So many special characters and such a special story.

5. Bluefish by Pat Schmatz

This is one of those books that makes me proud to be a teacher. Students like Travis is the reasons why I became a teacher, and I hope that I am a teacher like Mr. McQueen who ultimately changes Travis’s life. And not only is this book a love story to good teachers, it is a love story to books and the written word.

Which books featuring characters with disabilities are your favorites?

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Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because The Broke and Bookish are particularly fond of lists (as are we!). Each week a new Top Ten list topic is given and bloggers can participate.

 Today’s Topic: Top Ten 2014 Releases We Meant To Read But Didn’t Get To

It is 2015, but that isn’t stopping us from reading these 2014 books!

Ricki

This was the hardest Top Ten Tuesday that I have done in awhile. There are so many books I want to get to! I decided to do it by category. I do have adult books on my 2014 TBR list, but I decided to do two YA books because that list is so much longer!

1. Picture Book: The Girl and her Bicycle by Mark Pett

Everyone has been raving about this book. I am looking forward to it.

2. Middle Grade: Gracefully Grayson by Ami Polonsky

The topic of this book is so important. I will definitely be reading it this year.

3. Young Adult: Glory O’Brien’s History of the Future by A.S. King

I read everything A.S. King writes, and I didn’t read this one right when it comes out, but I just got it for Christmas, so I will be reading it soon!

4. Young Adult: I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson 

Several friends have recommended this book to me. I just need to nab a copy of it!

5. Nonfiction: Dreaming in Indian edited by Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Leatherdale 

I received the ARC of this book from NetGalley, and it expired before I got to it, so I asked for it for Christmas. It looks fantastic!

Kellee

I always have so many books that I planned on reading each year that I didn’t get to. For this list, I decided to look at the New York Times Notable Children’s Books and list the ones I had wanted to read but didn’t get to.

1. We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

I want to know the ending that everyone keeps mentioning!

2. Noggin by John Corey Whaley

A National Book Award finalist by a Printz Award winning author with a super unique premise? It has to be good.

3. The Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson

Laurie Halse Anderson. That is all.

4. The Port Chicago 50 by Steve Sheinkin

Another National Book Award finalist! The premise of this book seems so unbelieveable, but it is the exact opposite: nonfiction. Intriguing!

5. The Madman of Piney Woods by Christopher Paul Curtis

I loved hearing Christopher Paul Curtis speak at ALAN (and meeting him!), and I have loved everything of his I’ve read. I look forward to this one.

Which 2014 books do you hope to read in 2015?

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Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because The Broke and Bookish are particularly fond of lists (as are we!). Each week a new Top Ten list topic is given and bloggers can participate.

 Today’s Topic: Top Ten Most Anticipated Debut Novels For 2015

These authors debut in 2015, and we are looking forward to their books!

Ricki

1. Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast by Josh Funk

I am very much looking forward to this picture book, which comes out in the fall of 2015!

2. Mosquitoland by David Arnold

I keep hearing about this book from everyone! A tease: “I am a collection of oddities, a circus of neurons and electrons: my heart is the ringmaster, my soul is the trapeze artist, and the world is my audience. It sounds strange because it is, and it is, because I am strange.” I can’t wait to read this one.

3. My Heart and Other Black Holes by Jasmine Warga

Mental illness and suicide are very important topics for me. I think it is very relevant for many teens, and I am grateful for all of the authors who publish excellent books on this topic. Books save lives.

4. Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Many of my friends have listed this book on their TBR lists. The summary is enticing, and I suspect it will be very popular.

5. More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera

Because the cover entices me. Oops. Was I not supposed to judge a book based on its cover?

Kellee

1. Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast by Josh Funk

Because Josh is hilarious, a wonderful supporter, and those sketches (above from Josh’s blog) are AWESOME!

2. The Honest Truth by Dan Gemeinhart

Because people I really truth have this book 4 and 5 stars.

3. I Don’t Want to be a Frog by Dev Petty

Because Colby Sharp recommended it.

4. Simon vs. the Homo Sapians Agenda by Becky Albertalli

Because Andrew Smith blurbed it.

5. Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

Because the concept (being allergic to the outside world) terrifies me, and I want to see what the protagonist does to overcome this.

Which debut books are you most anticipating?

Check out the Fearless Fifteen website for some other debut authors publishing YA in 2015.

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