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 Characters Who Are _Smart_. 

We decided to share some of the most intelligent characters. Note: We use the word nerd respectfully and endearingly. We are nerds, and being a nerd is something anyone should be proud of.

Ricki

1. Pudge from Looking for Alaska by John Green

I had to limit myself to one John Green character. Pudge is one of my favorite nerds. He can spout off the last words of famous folks. That takes a lot of brain power!

2. Auggie from Wonder by R.J. Palacio

Auggie is wise beyond his years. Instead of describing his deformities to readers, he says, “I won’t describe what I look like. Whatever you’re thinking, it’s probably worse.” The way Auggie handles his appearance shows immense bravery, confidence, and intelligence.

3. Tyrell from Tyrell by Coe Booth

With a deadbeat dad and loser mother, Tyrell is guaranteed to fail, right? But he isn’t the average kid. Instead of giving up, Tyrell uses his brains to make money to survive.

4. Amber Appleton from Sorta Like a Rockstar by Matthew Quick

Amber is a total nerd, and I greatly admire how she handles the hellish situations that slam into her life. When confronted with tragedy, she still manages to spread kindness to others.

5. Pierre Anthon from Nothing by Janne Teller

Pierre Anthon is, perhaps, too intelligent for his own good. He teaches his young peers: “From the moment we are born, we begin to die.” While his statement takes a depressing outlook of life, Pierre Anthon can definitely be categorized as an extremely intelligent child.

Kellee

1. Alaska from Looking for Alaska by John Green

You can’t have a list of smart characters without a John Green character. Alaska loves books and is wise beyond her years. Some of my favorite quotes from a book ever are about or by Alaska

2. Sam from Life From Outer Space by Melissa Keil

Sam is a big old nerd. Is he ashamed of it? Nope. He’s proud of his friends, movie knowledge, and World of Warcraft. Even when a sassy young lady enters his life, he never strays from his ways.

3. Tatum from Audition and Subtraction by Amy Fellner Dominy

Tatum  represents a population of middle schoolers that are not usually found in literature- a smart, math & music “nerd” thus making it so another group of girls will see themselves reflected in a book.

4. Matilda from Matilda by Roald Dahl

The first book worm I ever found in books. I finally saw myself reflected in someone although to a crazy extreme (I am not a genius, but Matilda was). It is great to have a main character who loves to read and learn.

5. Mal from Mal & Chad by Stephen McCranie

Mal is a genius and no one knows it. I mean he made his dog talk and has built time machines! He is one cool kid!

Who are some of the smartest characters you know? 

 and

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 Unique Books We’ve Read

Ricki

1. Nothing by Janne Teller

The plot of this book was extremely clever and very different from any other book I have ever read. It is one of my favorites. I read the first few pages aloud to my students and they are fascinated by it.

2. Wonder by R. J. Palacio

The voice of this book was so powerful that it felt unique. I felt as if I was trapped in this young boy’s body. I won’t describe what I look like. Whatever you’re thinking, it’s probably worse.

3. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer

I didn’t particularly love this book, but it was one of the most unusual books that I have read. The text features were very neat.

4. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

I love how Riggs used old photographs to create this story. I found that to be very different from any book I have ever read.

5. Liar by Justine Larbalestier

The premise of this book is that the main character is a liar. The story is very interesting because she lies to the readers throughout the book. I liked the confusion this provided.

Kellee

1. Ghetto Cowboy by G. Neri

Horse stables in the middle of Philadelphia and a boy dealing with all of a sudden living with an absent father—unique. I love how this book is written and the premise of it. There is no other book like it.

2. Graceling by Kristen Cashore

At the time when I read Graceling, I’d not read any high fantasy like this. Katsa is such a unique character and the book is just as amazing. I mean, the whole idea of being “graced” is a unique concept.

3. Airborn by Kenneth Oppel

I was so enthralled with this book! I was fascinated by the idea of airships as cruise ships, Kate going against everything that she has been taught is right, and the zoology discussed throughout. I have not read anything else like this series.

4. Battle Bunny by Jon Sciezska and Mac Barnet

This is a “golden book” given to Alex by his grandmother; however, Alex makes it his own. This picture book cracked me up, made me want to share it with everyone and anyone, and was just so well done. And there is nothing like it.

5. Anything by Roald Dahl

He was so ahead of his time and all of his books are unique (mostly if you compare it to other books being written at the time).

What really unique books have you read?

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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 “Gateway” Authors/Books

These are authors/books that got us into reading, got us into reading a new genre, or some other gateway into a new reading experience.

Ricki

1. The Boxcar Children series

I read every book over and over again. I should also give a shout-out to the Nancy Drew series, which taught me to make predictions very well.

2. Wonder by R. J. Palacio

This book showed me how brilliant middle grade (and younger) fiction can be, and how it can be accessible for adults.

3. Looking for Alaska by John Green

This was the first book that I read in a  YA class as a student. Wow. It prompted a flurry of reading for me.

4. Graceling by Kristin Cashore

I didn’t think I liked fantasy before I read this book. It taught me that I LOVE fantasy!

5. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

I read this as a freshman and thought it was okay. Rereading it as an adult taught me how incredible rereading texts can be!

Kellee

1. Anthony Horowitz

The Stormbreaker series helped me realize again, after my literature degree, that reading can be fun.

2. Among the Hidden then Hunger Games

I loved The Giver (my favorite book ever!), but it wasn’t until Among the Hidden then Hunger Games that I jumped into the dystopian fad and read as many as I could.

3. Mo Willems

He definitely shows that picture books can be brilliant (and usually hilarious!).

4. Baby-Sitter’s Club series

These were my gateway book when I was younger–I don’t know if I would be the same reader I am today without it.

5. Betsy books

These are the books that my mom read to us at bedtime. I thank her and Betsy for helping me be a reader.

What authors or books were your gateway? 

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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 on our Spring TBR List

Here are some books we’re planning on reading this spring (hopefully)!

Ricki

1. Locomotive by Brian Floca

Kellee sent me a text message about this book. When she texts me a book title, I know I have to read it. I just got my notice from the library that it is in. Yesss!

2. Grasshopper Jungle by Andrew Smith

I have had the galley (in e-book and print form) for far too long.

3. We Were Liars by e. lockhart

Everyone is raving about this one. I have it, and I am ready to roll. I just need to find a bit more time.

4. Hidden Like Anne Frank by Marcel Prins and Peter Henk Steenhuis

I am looking forward to reading this nonfiction title.

5. Just One Year by Gayle Forman

I am embarrassed that I still haven’t read this! I absolutely loved the first book, so I am excited to get to it. My past student said it was excellent.

Kellee

1. Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick

I was a huge fan of Boy 21 and want to read more of Quick’s books.

2. Reality Boy by A.S. King

Like #1, I have liked everything by King that I’ve read, so I want to read her newest (and everyone loves it).

3. Winger by Andrew Smith

Another one I want to read because everyone who reads it loves it, and when I saw Smith speak at ALAN it made me definitely want to read it.

4. Storm Watcher by Maria V. Snyder

I loved hosting the blog tour for this book and sharing the guest post Maria wrote, but I haven’t gotten around to reading it yet. I love books with science mixed in and meteorology is fascinating.

5. The Secret Hum of a Daisy by Tracy Holczer

Any book compared to See You At Harry’s is a book I want to read. I also am looking forward to sharing a guest post by Tracy closer to when this book is going to be released.

What books are you looking forward to? 

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