It's Been a Long Time Coming...

A long time ago I decided that I was a card-carrying, glasses-wearing reader and writer. My first trip to the Principal's office was due to "excessive reading during math class." (Hence- my awful math skills. 2+2=?) But lately I have been so busy with all of the new things in life that I haven't been able to keep up with my reading! So as a belated New Year's Resolution, I am going to try to read more, and post a blog about what I find at least a few times per month. 


Funny thing- I thought I was "so busy" in college, yet I was able to blog constantly and go to the gym two hours a day? Oh, and go to school...when necessary. 


So here we go. 


I recently read the Hunger Games Trilogy...in three consecutive days. 

I admit, I jumped on the band wagon. But I am so glad that I did! This book series is intended for young adults, but I would suggest anyone- regardless of age- read them. The emotions are palpable, the writing is thrilling and keeps you up until three a.m. on a work night. The only thing that would have made this book series better would be if it came with a small tube of Smashbox concealer. That way we all could have something to cover the puffy dark eye circles produced from crying and staying up too late reading these book. 


As I was reading this I thought, this book series would be such a great tool for parents of teenagers to use to connect with their teens. Teens love it, parents will love it. I also strongly believe that if parents want to connect with their kids, they need to get to know what their kids are into. Plus, the movie is coming out soon. Parent-teenager outing? Possibly. The bottom line? READ with your kids, encourage them to read what they are interested in, and they will go far with their literacy aptitude and comprehension. 


Here is the official movie trailer for The Hunger Games, book number one of the series.

Have You Read all of the top 100?

As I've said before, summer is a great time to relax with a good book. I can remember setting goals for myself every summer to read at least 50, 100, then 200 books by the time school started. My life is a little bit busier nowadays  but I still try to balance in some quality reading time. (Possibly is lieu of T.V. time) My goal this summer is to read books that can help me grow. As a person, a reporter, a first-time finance handler. For personal growth, I've read my Bible and some great bible studies that have helped me through this transition of life I'm going through. I've read biographies of many of my favorite female reporters and anchors, trying to learn from their experiences. As for the finance handling, my Nanie bought me Suze Orman's book, "The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous & Broke." That will seriously come in handy!

I also have decided to look up the 100 best books that the National Education Association and try my hand at finishing the list. I hope that you can try too! Here is the list, with pictures next to my favorites:

Books for All Ages

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
Where the Sidewalk Ends: the Poems and Drawing of Shel Silverstein by Shel Silverstein
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
Heidi by Johanna Spyri

Books for Preschoolers - More Preschool Titles from TeachersFirst / TeachersAndFamilies

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see? by Bill Martin, Jr.
The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
Corduroy by Don Freeman
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise
Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney 

Books for Children Ages 4-8 - More Primary Reading from TeachersFirst / TeachersAndFamilies

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
Love You Forever by Robert N. Munsch
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst
The Mitten by Jan Brett
Stellaluna by Janell Cannon
Oh, The Places You'll Go by Dr. Seuss
Strega Nona by Tomie De Paola
The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams
How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss
The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by John Archambault
The Complete Tales of Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Joffe Numeroff
The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman
Jumanji by Chris Van Allsburg
Math Curse by Jon Scieszka
Are You My Mother? by Philip D. Eastman
The Napping House by Audrey Wood
Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig
The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
Horton Hatches the Egg by Dr. Seuss
Basil of Baker Street by Eve Titus
The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper
Curious George by Hans Augusto Rey
Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox
Arthur series by Marc Tolon Brown
Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes
The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton
Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish
The Art Lesson by Tomie De Paola
Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina
Clifford, the Big Red Dog by Norman Bridwell
The Paper Bag Princess by Robert N. Munsch

Books for Children Ages 9-12 - More Books by Grade Level from TeachersFirst

Charlotte's Web by E. B. White
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder 
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner
Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan
The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks
Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell
Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli
The BFG by Roald Dahl
The Giver by Lois Lowry
James and the Giant Peach: A Children's Story by Roald Dahl
Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor
Stone Fox by John Reynolds Gardiner
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh by Robert C. O'Brien
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson
Matilda by Roald Dahl
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume
Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by Beverly Cleary
The Trumpet of the Swan by E. B. White
The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery
The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson
Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder- Laura Ingalls Wilder Webquest
Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar
Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh
A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein
Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard Atwater
My Father's Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett
Stuart Little by E. B. White
Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech
The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis 

Books for Young Adults - More Books by Grade Level from TeachersFirst

Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien
Summer of the Monkeys by Wilson Rawls
The Cay by Theodore Taylor
The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare

I hope everyone's summer is going well! Please feel free to message me for tips on what to read, fun activities to do, or just to say "hi!" 

Taking a Leap of Faith

This week's literacy post is going to be based off of something that I am currently dealing with. On May 26, 2011, I walked across a stage and received a piece of paper that culminated my time at Troy University. With that piece of paper came a strong sense of pride and joy, then a crash of WHAT NOW??

I've got this Degree- Now What??

So many people go through this is life, be it graduation, like me, or a job layoff, or even a relocation to another area. As I write this I am reminded of the last time I felt the "what now." The summer of my sophomore year of high school, my best friend told me that she would be moving to another state for a while. Prior to this news, we were inseparable, so obviously I was crushed. What I did then, and what I am doing now as I go out in search for a job is taking a leap of faith. 

For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

As difficult as it is to take this leap of faith, this verse offers me comfort. Tomorrow I take an incredible leap of faith, as I am interviewing for a job! I am excited, and I want to make a good impression. When was the last time you had to take a leap of faith? Ask your child about this, it could be a great conversation starter. I even found some books that discuss life's little unplanned moments, and how we can react to them!  

The Berenstain Bears' Moving Day

by: Jan Berenstain, Stan Berenstain
Summary: This is the story of how the Berenstain Bears moved into their tree-house in Bear Country. Brother Bear is nervous about the move. How will it turn out?

Wings of Change

by: Franklin Hill

Summary: Wings of Change is the story of Anew, a contented little caterpillar who is afraid to become a butterfly. After experiencing some puzzling dreams, he turns to Faith, a wise old snail, for advice. She gently explains, "As the world turns, so do you. When you change for the good, you change the world too."

update: I didn't get to post this on its intended date, but I do get to post it with some good news! The "leap of faith" was rewarded and the interview went well! Now I just have to wear out my praying knees and see what my next move is.