The Maze Runner

Title: The Maze Runner 

Author: James Dashner

I will freely admit that I am not your normal book nerd. I don't typically read the first book of a trilogy the moment it is released. The reason? I CANNOT wait patiently for the next book to come. It is a terrible weakness and it does keep me behind in the trends when it comes to all the wonderful sequel or trilogy types of reads. I prefer to wait until all of the story is written and released, have all the books right in front of me, then dive in. So it is that I am just now reading The Maze Runner books.

On to the story, Thomas is thrust into a strange and confusing world called the Glad with his memories wiped away by WICKED and his only friend an outcast trickster newbie. Immediately after Thomas' arrival, things begin to change and an urgency is felt among all the Gladers. Teresa, the first girl to be sent to the Glade, has a mysterious connection to Thomas and they must solve the Maze in order to escape the Grievers, horrible creatures who inhabit the maze at night and seek to kill the boys, one each day.

 In our class PowerPoints, the Boys & Books PowerPoint especially applies to this book. In considering Brozo’s Male Archetypes, I see Thomas as the Patriarch, modeling responsibility, nobility, caring, and self-sacrifice for the other boys. For example, when he throws himself through the maze doors just as they are closing for the night because two boys were hurt and were not going to make it back to the safety of the Glade for the night. Thomas broke the rules, but could not bear the thought of leaving those boys out in the Maze alone. He did what he thought was right at that moment, even though it might have meant sacrificing himself.

The School Library Journal recommends this book for grades 6-10. I also recommend following James Dashner on Twitter! He is very active. Following authors and illustrators on twitter is a fun way to get a glimpse into their lives and sometimes they will post about their writing process or upcoming books! Check him out at @jamesdasher

Reference: Brozo, William (2010). To be a boy, to be a reader: Engaging teen and preteen boys in active literacy 2nd ed.

Spine Poetry

Our Language Arts Methods course experimented with spine poetry today! What a great way to get students into the library and into poetry. Non-threatening for new writers and super engaging. Here are examples of our work:

Impossible

Werlin skillfully weaves elements of both contemporary realistic fiction and modern fantasy into a unique and well-told tale! Teens will be intrigued by the use of a well known folk song to convey a family curse through the generations.

Lucy, the main character, is like Juno with a dose of superwoman thrown in the mix. She fearlessly faces the Elfin Knight and tackles the seemingly impossible tasks with determination even in the face of crippling adversity. Her strength makes her a much stronger female character than Twilight's Bella...though the themes of love and supernatural are present in both stories.

Learn more on Nancy Werlin's website: http://www.nancywerlin.com/

DO!

I just received my copy today and, as others have already said, I was immediately struck by the handcrafted nature of the book...the textures, the quality of construction, and the striking images. What a wonderful classroom tool for teaching verbs, Indian culture, bookmaking, artistic expression, and on and on!

I also glanced at the little publisher catalog and have already selected several other titles to order from this unique publisher. I'd give this book an enthusiastic 5 because it is so very unique and lovely...a piece of artwork, indeed!
Copy and past the address below to see a video of how Do! is pieced together by hand...each book...amazing stuff!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=sP60hTjmZxI

Holiday Reading List...

I always look forward to cozying up to some good books over the Winter Break! Here are a few that are on my reading list:


Shooting the Moon by Frances O'Roark Dowell


Hate that Cat by Sharon Creech


Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis
I know, I know...I should have read this one a long time ago, but better late than never, right?

I'll be reviewing them over on my Librarything website, so be sure to check it out! Be sure to spend some time by the fireplace with a good book during your break, too! I'd love to hear about what you're reading in the comments section!

New Newbery

I just cracked open one of the newest Newbery books, Savvy by Ingrid Law. The cover art alone is enough to grab your attention and I love the size and rough cut edges of the pages. It's a beautiful book.

I'm enjoying Law's writing style as well. From the very first page, she draws readers in with phrases like "push-pulling waves" and "...moving had been hard, hard like the pavement the first time I fell off my pink two-wheeler and my palms burned like fire from all of the hurt just under the skin."

I'm only on page 83 and I'm thinking of a million ways this book could be used in writer's workshop and how the characters are so rich and unique...what a great character study they would make. And what about the careful word choice and assonance in this sentence (p. 13), "I had to poke and prod broody Samson up the long, soggy boggy road toward our mailbox..."

Anyway...it's a hit so far! Check out the official book website for some more fun and I'll be back to tell you more about the rest of the book soon!

Franklin Roosevelt

I was ecstatic to win an advance review copy of Remember Me: Tomah Joseph's Gift to Franklin Roosevelt. The book tells the tale of a little known slice of Roosevelt's childhood and his friendship with a Passamaquody tribal elder. Children will learn about birchbark canoes and baskets, wildlife, and several Passamaquody words. This is a nice addition to any Native American collection.