Stoneheart

In London there is much below the surface of what the average boy will see. There are ancient powers and animals not apparent to the eye. George is in the Natural History Museum and not having a very good day. He accidently breaks the head off a stone dragon and awakens an ancient power. From then on the adventures are instant and scary. A stone pterodactyl shakes himself off the wall to pursue George. He runs! Everyone around can only see him except for Edie who is also trapped in this strange other world. This is a great read for boys.

Kings, Lovers & Fools

Shakespeare was active writing plays in his twenties and creating dramas of his own at twenty-eight. This volume from Scholastic gives middle school students a shortened version of Macbeth, Julius Caesar, Hamlet, As You Like It, Othello, Antony and Cleopatra, and A Midsummer Night's Dream. These are great introductions to reading longer versions, and then on to full length versions. Written in narrative form which is easier to read for students by Johanna Johnston, many middle school students have come to like Shakespeare. Like it enough to ask to create an AR quiz collaborating with me and their Language Arts Teacher and this is a sweet result.

The Dragon Series
Christopher Paolini started creating the Inheritance Series of books around a 15 year old boy, a blue dragon, and a world of adventure, intrigue, and mystery. There are many complex sub-themes with in each of the books. Earagon is the first in the series, which introduces us to Eragon. He discovers a blue stone which he thinks he can sell or trade for food for his family. When the sone hatches, he knows he should not keep the baby but he does. He has stumbled on a mystery that will change his life. Book 2, Eldest deals with his training as a Dragon Rider, discovering ever more about the races of Alagaesa and the evil Empire. Book 3, Brisinger unfolds more mysteries along with the maturing Eragon involved in evermore complex plots and his loyalties are tested. This is very well written and a favorite of both students and adults. I enjoyed the breadth and depth of the author's imagination as well as his skill. Book 4 yet to come will be a winner also.

Readicide?

Readicide?  This was a new thought presented by a very highly thought of teacher of the year, Bill Ferriter, an 8th grade teacher.  

Please see the following link and then add your own thoughts.  Please view the link to VoiceThread and listen to other educators. You might have to copy and paste the link into your browser window

Http://teacherleaders.typepad.com/the_tempered_radical/2009/01/conversation-on-readicide-begins-today.htm.