The Kohlmans

One of the things I'm doing in the library this year is creating different displays to encourage students to come in and check out a book. This way they don't even have to browse the shelves! This coming week September 22-28, is Banned Books Week, during which the book nerds celebrate all things banned and challenged. I found the basic idea on Pinterest and added my own quotations and books from our collection.

We spend quite a bit of time reading to Lincoln; we have since just about the day he was born. The bookshelves in his room are filled with popular classics, old favorites, and new finds. Although I like variety in the reading, I definitely find myself drawn to a few new-to-me gems. These are my current favorites. I am the Heartland, Great and wide. I sing of hope. I sing of pride. Heartland came to us via my Grandma & Grandpa Loganbill's downsizing. I had never read it until I picked it up one afternoon to read Lincoln to sleep (back when he would relax while reading, rather than squirm until he himself is holding the book). The rhythmic words on each page paint a picture of the plains that must be experienced to be understood. All the illustrations are paintings. It must be out of print, because the copies on Amazon are a bit pricey. I may order a new copy soon, just in case this one gets ripped. I love it that much. This is Not My Hat is a tale of a...

This month Lincoln participated in his first summer reading program through the Future Jayhawk club. We read 31 books in July... and it's only the 17th. You'd think they'd choose a challenging number!

This is Lincoln and mommy's version of a messy room - books everywhere!

I've been thinking about it for over a year. I mentioned it in my 26 things post . My thinking about it made Brad think about it, and a few weeks ago we took the plunge. We bought an e-reader. (cue collective gasp) Our Kindle Fire is not just an e-reader. It's a kinda-sorta tablet. Not an iPad, but we definitely weren't ready to shell out that kind of cash. My entire calendar, all my to-do lists, and even a few games are on it. No more stack of papers on the ottoman! (No, I'm not going to stop reading physical books. In fact, I've probably read 2-3 times as many of those as e-books since I got it. It's an addition, not a substitute.) The kicker (at least for me) was when we realized that we wouldn't have to use our budget money. We had almost $100 in Amazon.com credit from trading in textbooks and video games. Then we added our Christmas in February cash from Grandma & Grandpa Loganbill. And picked out a refurbished one. I love it! I wa...

...realizing, after checking out at the library, that the last time you opened your wallet was during your last trip to the library. Three days ago.

"Children who are not spoken to by live and responsive adults will not learn to speak properly.  Children who are not answered will stop asking questions.  They will become incurious.  And children who are not told stories and who are not read to will have few reasons for wanting to learn to read." -Gail E. Haley

My second summer reading update - just as thrilling as the first. I'm now finished with the list of William Allen White nominees. In fact, my list of books to read is getting pretty darn short. Couldn't put it down Nickel and Dimed by Ehrenreich (surprisingly, since it is nonfiction...) The Rest of her Life by Moriarty  (thanks to sister Hannah for this suggestion - great book by a KS author) The Stormchasers by Blum Diamonds in the Shadow by Cooney Shine by Myracle All the Broken Pieces by Burg (WAW)   The Great Death by Smelcer (WAW)   Return to Sender by Alvarez (WAW) The Amaranth Enchantment by Berry (WAW) (cute ending) Sing You Home by Picoult Double Eagle by Collard (WAW) Heart of a Shepherd by Parry (WAW) The Center of Everything by Moriarty  Very good reads Faith, Hope, & Ivy June by Naylor (WAW) Anything But Typical by Baskin (WAW) Operation Yes by Holmes (WAW) My Name is Phillis Wheatley by Cooper (WAW)  Notes...

Here's the update you've all been waiting for with bated breath, I'm sure (with my highly detailed assessments... ha! But really, if you want to know about a book just ask.) Couldn't put it down Nickel and Dimed by Ehrenreich (surprisingly, since it is nonfiction...) The Rest of her Life by Moriarty  (thanks to sister Hannah for this suggestion - great book by a KS author) The Stormchasers by Blum Diamonds in the Shadow by Cooney Shine by Myracle All the Broken Pieces by Burg (WAW)   The Great Death by Smelcer (WAW)   Return to Sender by Alvarez (WAW) Very good reads Faith, Hope, & Ivy June by Naylor (WAW) Anything But Typical by Baskin (WAW) Operation Yes by Holmes (WAW) My Name is Phillis Wheatley by Cooper (WAW) Was okay Phoenix Rising by Hesse Confetti Girl by Lopez (WAW) Should have abandoned it Peace Like a River by Enger Did abandon it n/a... yet Yet to read (in no particular order): Sing You Home by Picoult Do...

I made a comment the other day to some friends (my language arts teacher friends, no less!) that I would rather read a book than watch a movie - they don't necessarily feel the same way. It's true, and it's why they love me. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the mindless entertainment provided by my TV on a regular basis. But most of the time I'd rather be reading. (Maybe I need one of these t-shirts?! ) So here's what I'm working on for the next few months... My summertime reading list in no particular order: Phoenix Rising by Hesse Sing You Home by Picoult Confetti Girl by Lopez All the Broken Pieces by Burg Anything But Typical by Baskin Double Eagle by Collard Faith, Hope, & Ivy June by Naylor The Great Death by Smelcer Heart of a Shepherd by Parry Operation Yes by Holmes Return to Sender by Alvarez Wild Things by Carmichael Years of Dust by Marrin Perfect Match by Picoult ? (I'm not sure if I've read this one or not) Ever...

Although I'm currently in a phase of life where all clutter is frustrating to me and even books are eliminated (I finally came to the conclusion that the only reasons - for me - to keep a book are: a. I've loved it so much I want to read it over and over again, b. to save to share with someone else, or c. to show off that you read that book), I do dearly love this quotation that I ran across today. "I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves." -Anna Quindlen

Here is my current reading list: Four from my birthday Three for work (one is a re-read) One for school Two still from Christmas Three to read before putting on the shelves in my classroom Some day.