The LONG Summer of...reading, relaxing, and rejuvenating!

Two and one half school days remain for our WCPS students this year (and a mere 4 for teachers)!  This will be the longest summer of my 21 years of teaching as our state has declared that no one can start school until the day after labor day.  We have, in the last few years started school as early as August 17.  In addition, we only had 1 (yes 1) snow day!  So, our last day is JUNE 1 and our kids won't return to school until September 5....that is a full 3 months off!  

So, this summer I have a HUGE pile of professional books, children's and young adult literature, and for fun books that I want to read.  In addition I look forward to spending time with my boys, husband, and our parents both on some short trips and here at home!  

This summer I'm going to try to return to the blogging world.  I'm going to commit to try to chronicle my reading.  I had a teaching friend, retired, who wrote down every book she ever read in a journal (many journals).  Each year she would, on the first day of school, ask each of her students their birthdate and tell them the book she was reading on the day they were born....how cool is that!!!!  I always wished I had done that.   But, at least I can start chronicling them here whether anyone reads this or not!  

So, here goes..... After reading OUT OF MY MIND I instantly became a Sharon M. Draper fan!  This is absolutely one of my favorite books and a great read aloud.  So, when I found that she wrote STELLA BY STARLIGHT I knew I couldn't pass up this book!    

  

The book on the left is the original cover....it was the one that drew me into the story.  The cover to the right is the one I purchased because was hardback and on sale at the Scholastic Fair BOGO for $7.99.  I am not in love with the newer cover ... it doesn't give you a window to the story and I think the girl looks nothing like a child of 1932 but, none the less, the price was right!  

This is the story of a child, from a small, segregated North Carolina town, who comes upon the Klu Klux Klan late one night.  The reader, gets to experience, through Stella's eyes, what it feels like to be black in the south in the 1930's.  In addition to the historical context, Stella is also a struggling writer.  She likes to write but sometimes struggles to get her thoughts on paper the way she wants.  Stella's writings (and her mistakes and corrections) are scattered throughout the story.  

This book is steeped in history and culture and written with fabulous diction.  I couldn't help but underline passages that would make for lively book group discussions!  Add this book to your list for a read aloud (grades 3-6) or for books clubs (grades 4-6).  This book is a F&P level V book.