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BOOKS-ON-DECK List
BOOKS-ON-DECK List
Readers are always on the lookout for new and exciting books to read! They also keep track of titles that sound intruiging so that they can reference this list when they're ready to start a new book. I invite you to take a look at my "books on deck" padlet to check out what I'm hoping to read next: Mrs. Hickman's Books-on-Deck list
Summer Reading 2025 Summer means I have more free time to read, and this summer, my goal was to finish 5 books. I read 4, and even though I didn't quite reach my goal, I loved what I read. Check out my summer reads and add them to your own books-on-deck list if any titles sound intriguing...
The Naturals: young adult mystery/thriller... the first in a series!
Remarkably Bright Creatures: realistic fiction, contemporary
Black Star: historical fiction, a novel in verse... the second in a trilogy!
The Women: historical fiction set during the Vietnam War
Summer 2022 Reading
Summer 2022 Reading
One thing I love about summer is more time READ. Here's my commentary on each book I read this summer...
Taste: My Life Through Food
the nonfiction book Taste, written by actor Stanley Tucci, is was recommended to me by Ms. Lauritzen. It's all about how food has played a significant role in the author's life, nourshing not only his body, but his soul.
New From Here
From Kelly Yang (author of The Front Desk) comes her newest middle grades realistic fiction book about three siblings who move to the bay area from China at the start of the pandemic. Timely and relatable!
New Kid
I don't tend to gravitate towards graphic novels, but it seems that whenever I end up picking one up, I always enjoy it more than I expect! This book is about finding your way as the new kid, even when you feel like you don't fit in at all.
Private Label
Another realistic fiction read by Kelly Yang, this one falls under the YA (young adult) category. The story alternates between the two main characters, Serene and Lien, and is about overcoming hardships, finding love in unlikely places, and reaching your full potential. I tore through this 400-page book in just two days!
shelfie: (noun) a picture or portrait of your bookshelf, showcasing literature in all its glory; the term was originally defined by author Rick Riodan; not to be confused with selfie
*defined by Urban Dictionary
Use Common Sense Media to check out the appropriateness of a book and determine whether or not a book may be right for you.
Summer 2021 Shelfie
Summer 2021 Shelfie
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs was my favorite. It's a cross between mystery and fantasy, with some elements of time travel. The books is unique because the author sprinkles creepy old black-and-white photos throughout the story to help move the plot along. It begins with the protagonist Jacob experiencing a family tragedy that leads him to travel to a mysterious island off the coast of Wales to uncover the mysteris of his grandfather's past...
I made it to the page equivalent of 12 books this past school year. Even though I didn't quite complete the 20 BOOK CHALLENGE I set for my students and I, I'm still proud of the work I did on building my reading stamina. Also, I discovered books that I absolutely adored; in fact, it's hard to pick a favorite. Here are my top 4 in no particular order:
American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang wins for most quirky read, plus it made me laugh and I enjoyed reading a graphic novel for a change. This book was unique!
The Boy in the Black Suit by Jason Reynolds served as a window into what it might be like to lose a parent. I also related to the main character Matt in some unexpected ways. This book is a middle school must-read.
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens was a murder mystery set in a small marsh town in the south, and I found myself rooting for the main character until the very last page- I loved every word of this book!
Becoming by Michelle Obama is a memoir written by the former First Lady, from her childhood to her years in the White House. I loved the insight this book provided as far as what it's like to live in the public eye. Mrs. Obama told her story in a way that is down-to-earth and inspiring, and I found myself connecting with her as a busy mother. I think this book would win my award for all-around best.
My 2018-2019 SCHOOL YEAR SHELFIE!
My 2018-2019 SCHOOL YEAR SHELFIE!
2018 Summer Reading Shelfie
2018 Summer Reading Shelfie
A Night Divided (historial fiction) and El Deafo (memoir/graphic novel) were my favorites.
A Gentleman in Moscow (historical fiction) was my challenge read.
Mrs. Hickman's Favorite Books of 2018:
Mrs. Hickman's Favorite Books of 2018:
Ghost by Jason Reynolds & The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
I loved both of these realistic fiction books because they each provided a "window" into a world very different from mine. And both were nominated for the National Book Award!
Castle Crenshaw, also known as "Ghost," has a lot of anger and some family secrets he's been carrying around with him. When he's recruited by an Olympic medalist coach to join the track team, he is at a crossroads: will Ghost be able to harness his raw talent for speed, or will his past catch up with him? This book was a quick read and a beautifully told story that had me routing for the main character from start to finish. It's also part of a series. The sequel is called Patina and tells the story of another runner on Ghost's team.
This is the story of a 14-year old boy named Junior who is caught between two worlds: the Spokane Indian reservation that he was born into, and the all-white farm town where he attends school. Junior is trying to take his future into his own hands, but it isn't always easy. The author captures the "voice" of a 14-year-old boy perfectly; the book made me laugh out loud, and was heartbreaking at the same time. I also loved the cartoon-style drawings sprinkled throughout the book!
Check out the links below for book recommendations...
Andrew Luck Book Club: A forum for a book-reading community to grow through the love of reading
Click here for the Andrew Luck Book Club
Goodreads: A social-media-style forum to share books you love and get new recommendations from a community of readers. You can create an account, OR search and browse book titles without making an account.
Santa Clara County Library: Top Books for Teens by Genre
http://www.sccl.org/Teens/Read-This
NPR Books: 100 Best-Ever Teen Novels
http://www.npr.org/2012/08/07/157795366/your-favorites-100-best-ever-teen-novels
Young Adult Library Services Organization: Best Books for Young Adults
Some of my favorite books! I highly recommend them to you!
Pam Munoz Ryan: Meeting one of my all-time favorite authors (again!)
Pam Munoz Ryan: Meeting one of my all-time favorite authors (again!)
Pam Munoz Ryan is one of my favorite authors and I've had the pleasure of meeting her twice: first at the Burlingame Library, and second when she came to Blach in the spring of 2015 to share her new novel Echo. I was starstruck to be able to meet this remarkable storyteller!
Ji-Li Jiang, author of Red Scarf Girl: In the flesh!
Ji-Li Jiang, author of Red Scarf Girl: In the flesh!
What an honor and treat to have author Ji-li Jiang visit Blach in 2014 and 2016 to speak about her experience during China's Cultural Revolution. After studying her memoir, Red Scarf Girl, Ji-li's story came alive for my students and I, and became so much more meaningful after meeting her.
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