I am off to camp

I will not be posting to the blog until the weekend. Why? Because I will be camping with the 100+ 6th graders from 6H3 up at Camp Ewalu. Will be back on track Saturday. Until then go ahead and order yourself some Unicorn meat

Book Review: Beezus and Ramona

This was the first book I read as part of my Back in the Day Reading Challenge. I chose this book for a couple reasons

1. This was one of the first series that I loved reading as a kid.

2. This series helped me to find the Mouse and the Motorcycle series

3. I thought my children would like me to read these stories to them.

We started to read this book at night before bed. Aiden loved to listen about Ramona and all the problems she caused. I have vivid memories of thinking she was the greatest and how I wanted a friend like her. So when the book arrived from the library I was excited. Quickly I realized that I don't have the same sentiments about Ramona now as I did as a kid. The key element here is my age. As a kid you can relate to Ramona and struggling with a sibling and just trying to find ways to stay entertained. As a parent/adult I kept thinking if my child acted this way I would not be anywhere near as patient as the mother. She is so calm throughout. She does not even get upset when Ramona invites 10 kids over for a party that the mother knew nothing about. I would blow up! She even counts to 10. I count to 3 with my kids and sometimes that is too much time.

All in all, Ramona was not quite as cool as I used to think. I realized why I liked it back when I was young. With each chapter being its own short story in the life of Ramona is makes it easy for younger kids like my own to listen and process. It is not a book where they must remember what we read a week ago. I will go ahead and read the rest because this book I don't particularly remember like I do Ramona, Age 8 and some of the others. However, it was nice to travel down memory lane. I just purchased Hardy Boys book 1 and as soon as that comes in I will begin this voyage next.

What Do You Think Is The Greatest Album of All Time?

As I was sorting through all my books I came across one that I completely forgot about. It was VH1 100 Greatest Albums. As I was sifting through this book I could not pass up the opportunity to ask my followers, "What do you think the greatest album of all time is in your opinion?" This book had Beatles "Revolver" as #1. I love the Beatles and I sat down and listened to the entire album to find out what was so great about this cd. I could go on and on, but I am curious to know what you the readers of this blog think is the greatest album of all time.

P.S. As I continue my Musical Journey if you have an album that you think I should listen to and review please let me know by posting a comment and I will add it to my list.

Metaphor of You

I am stealing this question from the Amanda Project website. The Amanda Project is a novel that I reviewed a while back about the mysterious disappearance of a girl. The site is a continuation of sorts of the book with all these discussions, challenges, contests, etc. for the readers to participate in. Check it out if you have never visited the site and be sure to check out the book.

Anyways, here is the question that I pose for you this morning. Please share your thoughts in the comments. This one is a very cool question and one that really forces you to take a look at yourself which at times can be scary.

Do you have any important objects in your life – clothing, books, tiny treasures – that are metaphors for who you are? Symbols of yourself?

Star Wars Sound Effects Quiz

http://www.boingboing.net/2010/04/04/star-wars-sound-effe.html

Book Review: By The Time You Read This, I'll Be Dead

By the Time You Read This, I'll Be Dead by Julie Anne Peters


I have read some great reviews about this book. I have read several books about suicide in teens and multiple young adult books about teens who were dealing with suicide. I find it a fascinating element of human nature that someone views life as so unworthy that the best way to get out of their element is to kill themselves in a physical sense. I don't know why I am so fond of this book idea, but if you check out the books I have read(LibraryThing) you will see about every YA suicide book worth reading. So, when I read about this book I just had to read it.

Did I like the book? Yes, I enjoyed this book because it was different from the rest. The main character is a girl named Daelyn who is attempting to finally herself successfully. She has tried in the past and has failed. She does not speak. She will not talk to anyone after her last failed attempt. She joins a website that gives her advice on how to kill herself as well as a place to speak with others. She can also find out when others were successful in suicide. This part scares me because I feel that this is real. There are probably many places on the internet that offer these services. The website makes you wait 23 days so her countdown begins. As each day goes by we learn more and more about Daelyn. This part I really liked because her life story was not drastic nor what is so far fetched. It was real. It dealt with issues that every teenager faces. It bothers me to know that someone would take those factors to use as a way to escape life. As a teacher I have seen teasing and bullying. It is a part of growing up that will never go away no matter how much we punish, teach, preach, discuss about the topic. This book really made me realize that we should do more with teaching the youth about how to love themselves for who they are, being comfortable in their own skin, and how to deal with these issues. I know this has been mentioned several times before me on different blogs, websites, and reviews, but this book is to the topic of suicide as Wintergirls was to eating disorders. That was my first thought when I finished the book.

Do I recomend? Absolutely. Check this book out. Read about Daelyn. Reflect on your life and what you can do differently with either the treatment of others or yourself. The guiding questions and resources at the end of the book are very thought provoking as well.

Book Review: Will Grayson, Will Grayson

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan

Young Adult Novel

Acquired by purchasing instantly upon release as John Green is one of the best and David Levithan is continuing to make his climb on my list.

I can honestly start this off by stating I read this book without reading a single review about it. I tried to stay away from any information while reading so I would not run into any spoilers. I will also start off by stating that this book is for a more older audience like high school and maybe 8th grade. Not because there are gay characters, but because of the language(which I loved and laughed out loud to several times while reading).

I absolutely loved this book. I can always tell that a book is going to make a special place on the bookshelf when I begin using Post-It notes to mark passages, quotes, or something else that I feel is worth marking for a reason of my own. I marked many passages in this novel. This book tells the story of two boys who are both named Will Grayson. The story is told in alternating chapters where John Green writes about the Will Grayson who has a gay friend named Tiny Cooper and David Levithan writes about the other Will Grayson who is gay and trying to find someone to connect with. Both Will Graysons cross paths in the book and this is what makes the great appeal to the storyline. I will not mention how their lives intertwine because that would really ruin the book. The message of the book is powerful and is told not through a sad tale or a story that makes you weepy. Rather John and David use their writing styles of humor, sarcasm, and real world voice to convey the message of love and to never stop trying in whatever facet of life you are dealing with. I think even the stronger message that I absorbed from the reading is that everyone has problems and we have no right to judge others and their problems just because they are not our own. Each person has issues and those issues are what infiltrates their minds and daily choices in life.

It is funny that I was reading this book at a time when I came across a post by Maureen Johnson(another fantastic author who is a friend of John Green) that posed the question, "What would your high school self sound like?" This books ties in to this question and myself as I ponder this question. Who I was in high school is not who I am today, but I think that kids are more open today and more willing to be themselves and not fear such bullying and teasing as when I was in school. Now, I am not suggesting that bullying and teasing does not go on today because it does, but when I was growing up we never expressed feelings, emotions, or things going on in our heads besides the typical male jokes and conversations. This novel has students who are trying to find themselves, but are not afraid to voice their ideas/identity to other people(whether it be parents, friends, strangers) to find answers.

I am getting sidetrack(my ADHD). This book was wonderful. I will read this again as I do all books by John Green. David Levithan was also wonderful. There were times when I liked his storyline more and then and I would switch back to John and continue this process. I can imagine why this book took so long to write. Read this book! If you have read John or David before you will be in for a treat. If not, then read their other stuff and finish with this. I will be sharing this book with others and possibly even a book club in the near future. Now back to John and Hank's videos and blog to see what people are saying about the book. I am interested to read reviews to see what others have to say. Go on, go read this book. Tiny Cooper demands you to be fabulous.

Question to Ponder: What's my sentence?

I follow between 35-40 different people for about 35-40 different reasons on Twitter. One person I follow is Daniel Pink who wrote A Whole New Mind which has the thesis of why right brain people will rule the future. It is a very thought provoking read and makes complete sense with everything happening with the economy(especially the midwest). Anyways, he has a new book out titled Drive which focuses on what motivates us to do our best. In the book he poses the following question(I have not read the book yet as it is still on hold at the library), "What is your sentence?". Go ahead and watch this video and then post what your sentence is that best describes you.

Two questions that can change your life from Daniel Pink on Vimeo.

My sentence would be........Someone who was not afraid of trying new things to help others do the same thing because in the end who really cares about what others think.

UPDATE: Of course now that I keep reflecting on this question to ponder I feel like I can do better so maybe I will change this sentence. Man, one more thing to add the cyclone of chaos in my head right now.

Ninja Pirate Zombie Unicorn T-Shirt Give Away Update

We have our first correct entry to the T-Shirt Give Away Challenge. You have until May 10th. Chelsea you are the first and you had them all correct. Way to go girl! I will not post your answers so that others will not copy them, but you are correct.

Soul Train - Episode 7 - Media Center, PE, A Hall(back)

Here it is, the final episode in the School Wide Soul Train Dance Off. Great job to everyone who was cool enough to get out there and dance. I know it takes some courage and many of you were able to get out there and just have fun. I am working on a Best Of video so if you have any nominations just let me know what episode and the time frame and I will give it an opportunity to be added to the video. Enjoy the last episode.

Book Review: The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin

Author website: http://joshberkbooks.com/

The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin by Josh Berk

Man, I have just blazed through a couple books in a couple days after being in a reading slump. To make it even better, the books I have read are all acceptable for middle school. This novel is another book that I enjoyed. It tells the tale of a deaf fat kid who is trying public school for the first time and finds himself involved in trying to fit in while solving a crime that occurs in a cave during a field trip. This book was laugh out loud funny. I really want to share some of my favorite passages, but I won't ruin the jokes for you. You will have to read them yourself.

This book contains the two elements that most middle school students are looking for when reading: humor and mystery. There is so much sarcastic humor it is ridiculous. While you are enjoying the viewpoints from the deaf narrator you are also trying to solve the crime. What I liked best about this book is that the main character has a disability, but he does not view it this way nor does it dwell on the issue. Rather, the deaf element of the story is what really makes this book so enjoyable. It brings to light typical issues in a very humorous way. Go out and check this author out. This is his debut and he might be another author for me to add to my list. This book will be added to my book-talk list and I will be promoting this book because I think there is great appeal with this novel.

Here is another the review/summary from

From School Library Journal

Starred Review. Grade 8 Up—Will Halpin has ditched his former "deaf school" and is now trying to merge into the auditory-able mainstream at Carbon High in eastern Pennsylvania. As the new, overweight kid who has to sit off to the side during classes so he can try to read the lips of both his teachers and his classmates, Will—no slouch when it comes to reading human reactions—quickly downsizes his social expectations and retreats back into the soundless cocoon of his own skull. Luckily for readers, it's darkly hilarious in there. That's this debut novel's most potent hook: the opportunity to spend some quality time inside the precociously perceptive and sardonically witty head of this ultimate outsider as he visually eavesdrops—and rips on—the sick subtleties of a typical high school's social order. What teens wouldn't want to have Will's skills as he, notebook in hand, monitors the school bus mirror and pieces together what all the cool kids are talking about? Most, Will discovers, as he deftly dissects personalities and devilishly deconstructs high school culture, are slavishly focused on being invited to an exclusive party being thrown by popular jock Pat. But when Pat dies during a field trip to a defunct coal mine, under suspicious circumstances, the story morphs into an engaging mystery as Will reluctantly accepts the unsettlingly friendly overtures of a quirky classmate bent on enlisting him as a partner in some amateur sleuthing. A coming-of-age mash-up of satire, realistic fiction, mystery, and ill-fated teen romance, The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin is a genre-bending breakthrough that teens are going to love.—Jeffrey Hastings, Highlander Way Middle School, Howell, MI Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Zombie Ninja Unicorn T-Shirt Give-Away Challenge

Watch the video to learn how you can win this super cool shirt from me.


Here is where I bought the shirt

Musical Journey: Stop 3 - Ornette Coleman

My next stop is the world of Ornette Coleman. I sat down and listened to Something Else!! I truely mean this when I say that this is not my typical listening. A man with a saxophone. Jazz musical notes flying everywhere. I don't understand jazz and have maybe listened to one or two jazz records prior to this. There are no vocals, just Ornette tearing up the saxophone. I am not going to try and analyze this album because my lack of jazz knowledge would not do him justice. But, I will say a couple things.....

1. I actually liked this album. For some reason I kept envisioning him playing for the Cosby family and watching Heathcliff "Cliff" Huxtable and Claire smiling and dancing while the family watched before joining in before too long.
2. I listened to the whole album at once so it cannot be that bad if it held my interest.

A couple things about Ornette Coleman(pulled from many websites)
1. Born March 9th, 1930
2. Played the violin, saxophone, trumpet and was also a composer
3. His playing was unorthodox and his playing bothered many musicians and he become controversial for his style of play

Something Else was his first album released in 1958. This album is said to have shaken up the jazz world because he combined blues and jazz together. He did not follow the typical jazz structure of the time and instead began the new jazz concept of free jazz.

Once again, I feel that I have learned to appreciate a new type of music. I am not sure that I will listen to this album again with all the other music available, but glad I took the time to listen to it. Now, I am off to David Bowie Young Americans

Soul Train - Episode 6 - J Hall

Here is the latest episode. This is the second to last episode and then we will hav captured everyone who wanted to dance. Once again, not as many dancers as previous episodes, but some new creative moves.

1 episode remains

Day 7: April 20th · Media Center and P.E. – 9 TA’s – we will have the dancing in the hallway at the back of A hall instead of the gym

The songs danced to in the video are
1.Tear the Roof Off - Parliament

2. Saturday Night Fever - Bee Gees

3. Shake Your Booty - KC and Sunshine Band

Vimeo version which is better audio

Soul Train - Episode 6 - J Hall from aaron Maurer on Vimeo.

Soul Train - Episode 5 - B Hall(back)

Here is the latest episode. This is another good episode. There are some smooth dancers on this one that will be making it to the "Best Of" video.

2 episodes remain

Day 6: April 16th · B18, J1:J7, A15, A14, A12 – 7 TA’s Day 7: April 20th · Media Center and P.E. – 9 TA’s – dance the back of A hall instead of the gym

The songs danced to in the video are
1.Funkytown
2. Kung Fu Fighting
3. Machine Gun



Here is the Vimeo version which the audio is much better.

Soul Train - Episode 5 - B Hall(back) from aaron Maurer on Vimeo.

Soul Train - Episode 4 - C Hall(back)

Here is the latest episode. This could be the one to beat. This is right up there with B hallway. A few hallways left to do better. Good times, Good times.

Day 5: April 15th
· B8:B16 – 8 TA’s mostly 8th grade
Day 6: April 16th
· B18, J1:J7, A15, A14, A12 – 7 TA’s
Day 7: April 20th
· Media Center and P.E. – 9 TA’s – dance in gym if ok(still need to ask for permission)


The songs 7th Grade c Hall danced to in the video are

1.Fire - Ohio Players
2.Love Rollercoaster - Ohio Players
3.Disco Inferno - Trammps

Here is the Youtube Version



Here is the Vimeo - watch this one if you can as the audio is much better and more fluid.

Soul Train - Episode 4 - C Hall(Back) from aaron Maurer on Vimeo.

Soul Train - Episode 3 - C Hall(front half)

Here is the latest episode. There were not as many dancers as the 6th grade halls, but boy were these students creative. I saw quite a few new moves not performed by the other hallways which was nice. Can you do better? Prove it. Don't be scared and don't think you are too cool to dance.

Day 4: April 14th
· C11:C38, F2 – 12 TA’s mostly 7th grade.
Day 5: April 15th
· B8:B16 – 8 TA’s mostly 8th grade
Day 6: April 16th
· B18, J1:J7, A15, A14, A12 – 7 TA’s
Day 7: April 20th
· Media Center and P.E. – 9 TA’s – dance in gym if ok(still need to ask for permission)

The songs 7th Grade c Hall danced to in the video are

1.Mighty Mighty - Earth Wind and Fire

2.Atomic Dog - George Clinton

3.Celebration - Kool and the Gang

Here is the Vimeo version which I think is better than the YouTube version.

Soul Train - Episode 3 - C Hall from aaron Maurer on Vimeo.

YouTube version

The Popularity Papers by Amy Ignatow

Summary from Amazon:

Lydia Goldblatt and Julie Graham-Chang are best friends with one goal: to crack the code of popularity. Lydia’s the bold one: aspiring theater star, stick-fighting enthusiast, human guinea pig. Julie’s the shy one: observer and artist, accidental field hockey star, faithful recorder. In this notebook they write down their observations and carry out experiments to try to determine what makes the popular girls tick. But somehow, when Lydia and Julie try to imitate the popular girls, their efforts don’t translate into instant popularity. Lydia ends up with a bald spot, their parents won’t stop yelling, and Julie finds herself the number-one crush of Roland Asbjørnsen. Worse, they seem to be drifting farther and farther from their goal—and each other. Amy Ignatow’s hilarious debut novel introduces the intrepid fifth-graders Julie and Lydia, whose quest to understand popularity may not succeed in the ways they want, but will succeed in keeping readers in stitches.

I enjoyed this book. I was in a book slump where nothing was really grabbing my attention. This is probably due to the fact that I have been in boogie fever and enjoying the outdoors, but I usually can always find something to read. Anyways, this is not my type of book that I sit down with and enjoy. However, I read this in one sitting while watching my children play outside. This book goes through the typical thoughts(yes, I am generalizing here) of a middle school student. Trying to find that niche to make themselves stand out. This book hits upon those issues, along with best friends, best friends fighting, becoming best friends again. Additionally, some of the things they do are typical decisions of middle school. That whole irrational, do before thinking mentality will really appeal to readers. I loved the artwork and the whole feel to the novel with actual pen writing. This book will be loved by the intended audience of 9-13 year old girls. More importantly, I had my moment. I have been struggling with how I am going to approach writing my book and this book gave me that "A-HA" moment. My whole concept to my book hit me while reading this book so I give much credit to the authors/illustrators for this book because it has helped me.

All in all, this is a fun, light hearted read that will meet the approval of middle school students. Check it out and enjoy the artwork and storyline.

Back in the day reading challenge

So, here is my challenge for this year. I was originally going to make this strictly Hardy Boys, but then I realized that I would never achieve this goal to read them all. So, I have altered my reading challenge. Feel free to join in this challenge and keep the fellow coffee nerds updated with what you are reading by posting in the comments. Here are the details to the challenge.

What is the challenge? To go back and read books from my past growing up. There are so many great books being written and published every single day that I have forgotten about the classics. Are they still as good now as they were back then when I read them? Time will tell.

Goal? To remember the books I read and to go back and read them. My goal is to complete at least one or two series and to try and read at least 25 classics from when I was growing up

Can I join? Sure, just think back to your past, check out or buy a book and then post to the comments of this post of what you read, what you liked/disliked, etc.

When does it start? Now. I have begun reading Beezus and Ramona to my children and just ordered book #1 of the original Hardy Boys

To check back to this post all you have to do is click the picture you see at the top of this post over in the sidebar. This will link you to this post so you don't have to backtrack. Now, off to finish my TBR pile from the library so I can go back in time.

Random Thoughts 4.10.10

Can you not see me doing something like this?

Watch this video! I order you to. This is sooooo cool. I am going to learn how to make a balloon bass. Probably will not be good at making music(just like my guitar t-shirt that I am not smart enough to figure out yet). But, I will give it a try. How about you try, submit me your video and I will post it here.

Soul Train - Episode 2 - B Hall - 6th Grade

Here is the latest episode. I had to do some precision trimming of video footage to get everyone in the video. To post online I have to keep it at or under 10 minutes and under a certain file size. So, I was not able to go back and slow down the sweet dance moves like in episode 1. However, you who were great dancers have not been forgotten. I will be creating a Best Of video and that is where the special effects and the showcasing of your moves will be displayed. Sit back, enjoy, and here is schedule for next week.

Day 3: April 13th
· D2, C1:C12, F3 – 10 TA’s mostly 7th grade
Day 4: April 14th
· C11:C38, F2 – 12 TA’s mostly 7th grade.
Day 5: April 15th
· B8:B16 – 8 TA’s mostly 8th grade
Day 6: April 16th
· B18, J1:J7, A15, A14, A12 – 7 TA’s
Day 7: April 20th
· Media Center and P.E. – 9 TA’s – dance in gym if ok(still need to ask for permission)

The songs 6th Grade B Hall danced to in the video are

1.Love Train - O'Jays

2.Blame it on the boogie - Michael Jackson

3.Brick House - Commodores

Here is the Vimeo version which I think is better than the YouTube version.

Soul Train - Episode 2 - B Hall - 6th Grade from aaron Maurer on Vimeo.

Here is the Youtube version

Soul Train - Episode 1 - A Hall **UPDATED**

Awesome Job 6th grade A Hall. You have set the standard high for other hallways to beat. Can your hallway do better? Have you figured out your dance moves? Have you worked on creating a true Soul Train Line with people on the sides dancing and grooving waiting their turn to take the spotlight. Watch and enjoy!

Hallway B 6th grade you are up next on Friday. Be ready!

UPDATED VIDEO(updated April 8th at 4:45 a.m.)
YEAH!!!! I was able to find a new site to post the video the way I liked. Disregard the video on YouTube and watch this one instead. It is so much better. Enjoy!!!

Soul Train - Episode 1 - A Hallway from aaron Maurer on Vimeo.

Here are the songs they danced to

Sly and Family Stone - Dance to the Music
Barry White - Can't Get Enough Of Your Love
Chic - Le Freak
Aretha Franklin - Respect

Here is the YouTube version, but this is one is not as polished as they muted most of my audio as copyright so it is a little choppy and I was not able to smooth everything out as the Vimeo version posted above. Anyways, here it is.

That is it.................

I can't do it anymore. I have had enough. It is finally official. I cannot read anything that involves vampires anymore. I know that there is some good writing and stories out there, but I am done. I have tried and when I read about them all I think is "Good Lord, not another story with romance and....and....and..."

I tried to read the new collection of short stories that dealt with supernatural and vampires and whatnot, which I am told are great and worth the read. However, I cannot do it. This is like the fifth YA book that I just cannot get into. I don't know if I am just being a moody reader right now, but it is not gonna happen. I have had enough of the supernatural story lines. I apologize for my rant, but when will the masses move on? I know that you have to sell millions and then everyone and their mother will jump on board. Actually, why don't you all stay involved with vampires so you don't go ruining another genre or topic. Now, I am off to find something to read that will grab my interest. I am still working through The Stand, but that is not an easy read. Any suggestions? I am open and desperate.

On our drive to the Bubble for baseball for Aiden

Amanda(looking over to the car next to us at a red light): Who is that lady talking to?

Me: She is talking with Bluetooth

Aiden: What is bluetooth dad?...........I know, that means you have a cavity.

Classic conversation from our van

Soul Train Info Cartoon Style

Random Thoughts: Coffee, Dancing, Nestle, Spitting

Wreck This Journal: Update #4

Ms. Maxwell was the latest to engage in the Wreck This Journal Challenge. I have added the updated pictures to the sideshow so check out the latest entries. Still need a few more volunteers. I am sending the journal off to another 6th grader when we return to school and then it will be available again. This journal has really gone above my expectations to thank you to those of you who have added your two cents worth.

Book Review: Scott Pilgrim: Precious Little Life

Scott Pilgrim: Precious Little Life(Volume 1)
This is a graphic novel by Bryan Lee O'Malley
Acquired from the public library

The cover of the book suggests this comic for ages 13+ and I could not agree more.

I placed this on hold when I came across some review online(which I cannot remember where) and felt like this might be something for me to enjoy. I will be honest when I read the review I did not know it was a comic/graphic novel. However, I was not disappointed. I loved the artwork in the comic. It just felt right for the storyline. I know that seems like common sense, but I have tried to read some graphic novels that I was just not able to get into because I felt like the illustrations just did not flow with the story.

Here is a quick review
From Publishers Weekly
Scott Pilgrim is 23 years old, lives in a cold, unnamed Canadian town, plays bass in a band called Sex Bob-Omb and has a very cute 17-year-old Chinese-Canadian girlfriend, Knives Chau. His "precious little life" is amiably unstructured, and he drifts, happily unemployed, between band practice and time spent with Knives. His relationship with Knives is chaste—walks, chats and hugs—although Knives is getting bigger ideas. "We haven't even held hands," Scott explains. "It's just nice, you know." But then he starts having dreams about Ramona Flowers, a mysterious, equally cute and perfectly legal hipster chick on Rollerblades who delivers books for Amazon.com. Ramona is anything but simple, and O'Malley's tale of adorable slackers in love is transformed into a wildly magically manga–kung fu fantasy adventure. We meet the first of Ramona's seven evil ex-boyfriends, Matthew Patel, who challenges Scott and his band to a supernatural martial arts duel right out of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. O'Malley has crafted a delightfully hybrid comics love story. It's an alt-lit, rock 'n' roll graphic novel with wonderful manga-influenced drawing and a comically mystical plot that manages to capture both the genuine intimacies and serial dishonesties of young love. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

This was a fun read. I found myself laughing out loud a few times and just felt compelled to read it in one sitting. I read this book in under a hour and am ready to dive into the other volumes. I am so glad I put on hold all the volumes so I don't have to wait. This is a quick moving story with humor, very cool characters who I enjoyed reading about, and a fun plot line that really held my interest. I cannot wait to meet the rest of the evil ex boyfriends. I would steer clear if you are of the younger generation for the language, some crude jokes, mild sex references, etc. Nothing too bad, but there is a reason for the 13+ age suggestion. Just want to make that clear to protect myself.

I have to admit that my favorite part of the novel despite having nothing to do with the plot line is during a fight scene when they used the old comic fighting words like POW! KAPOW!. The one that tops it all is when the O'Malley added SMURF and CHOP SOCKY! I am so going to use those phrases from now on.

On another level, this comic is being made into a movie(well, it is already made and just in post production). Michael Cera will be playing Scott Pilgrim. Check out the trailer and read the comic before the release date. I will keep you updated on other volumes as I read them.

How to know when someone's butt smells!

Ramona is a movie? What?

I cannot believe this! I forgot all about this book series. I came across this trailer and realized how much I loved this series when I was little. I also remember the tv show which is what I loved more. After reading about Ramona I had no idea that so many people were against the tv show. What you are oblivious to when you are kid. I came across the opening theme song on Youtube and I instantly remembered the entire atmosphere. I remember the house, Ramona in the rain, and the one episode where she gets gum in her hair or something. I am now in pursuit of copies of the tv series.



Here I am feeling old that this is being remade into a movie with the next generation of celebrities. So what do I do to prepare myself. I figured since I was already traveling down memory lane with my Musical Journey quest I decided to do the same with my reading. Yes, I went online and put ever Ramona book on hold. Let the nostalgia take place. Will keep everyone updated as they come in. In the meantime go ahead and check out the movie trailer. For some reason this does not bother me like the remake of Karate Kid.

Book Review: Traces: Framed by Malcolm Rose

Book: Framed! (Traces)

This description is from http://www.flipkart.com/ Forensic Investigator Luke Harding is called to investigate his first real case--a young student has been mysteriously shot and killed by an arrow. The boy's murder is followed in swift succession by two more grisly deaths in this first installment in the Traces series. Luke Harding is excited to become the youngest person ever to qualify as a forensic investigator. He barely has time to celebrate his final exams when Malc, his Mobile Aid to Law and Crime, calls him to their first case. A fellow student has been mysteriously shot dead with an arrow. Two more grisly on-campus murders follow, and all the evidence points to Luke himself. The stakes are high as Luke sets out to prove his innocence and show that he has the talent to crack any crime.

I loved this book. I know it is a few years old. Once again, this author is from the UK and I found his materials shopping in the Amazon UK site(I love UK so much more than the US store). The UK has once again proven that their authors and what is popular there is so much cooler than US. The book jackets are better and the stories are more clever and right up in your face. This book is recommended for grades 5-8 and how I wish I had a book like this growing up. The murder scenes are cool, the robot helper is awesome. I cannot say enough about this book. I read it one sitting while my children were sleeping and Amanda was in Chicago. Needless to say I have ordered the rest of the books in the series(so much for reducing my book collection) and will read them all when they arrive. If you like murder, mystery, forensic science and tv shows, then read this book. It reads very fast and the characters are all ones that I cannot wait to enjoy reading about again.

Another crazy cowinkiedink

I was preparing or rather brainstorming in my mind about a thought that has been plaguing me lately in terms of my blog(that last part of my statement is going to go right against my forthcoming argument...I realize this now). I put in a post or two every day on my blog as my own creative outlet. I have a brain that spins in this vicious cyclone where I just suck in and absorb everything and cannot focus on one task at a time. This blog has evolved from just being a place to post book reviews after not having a set classroom in 6th grade anymore. It allowed me a chance to connect with the students in the building in a new format. As the year has progressed I have moved the blog to become more of who I am, my thoughts, my posts on what I think is funny, thought provoking, etc. From time to time people will ask why not just stick to book reviews? Or, why do you post what you do?(I also receive many compliments so this is by no means a "pity me" moment). I have been trying to figure out a way to address these questions. I really just want to say, "Who cares if you like the post or not?". It is your opinion. Today, I was reading a blog post of an amazing author, Justine Larbalestier, who wrote a entry title, Feel Free to Hate Antelopes, where she poses the question, "Why do so many people read any statement, no matter how innocuous, as being about them?" You can read the article, but in essence she is asking why people will read something they don't care about or like and then respond with a comment that does not move the dialogue or conversation. I realized at that moment that this answers my question. We have a hard time thinking that things are not about "me"/us(take me for example and how many times I have referenced myself in just this post). To give an example, people know I love coffee, but do I really need to know that you don't like coffee? No. Justine puts it best in her post when she writes

Why do people keep being affronted by other people caring about something they don’t care about? If it doesn’t interest you, don’t engage. Why the need to tell the world that you hate and/or are bored by it? Why do people read a long post in which someone sets forth their love of antelopes as saying that everyone must like antelopes. You are free to hate antelopes! Go forth and hate antelopes! But, you know, don’t bore the person who just spent time and energy waxing eloquent about their love of antelopes. You can take it as read that their interest in your antelope hatred is zero.

So, let us just keep it simple. Rather than asking you to respond to this rant(because I guess in the end I would rather hear any of your thoughts just to know I have an audience whether important or not....I like the communication aspect of blogging), how about we just lay things on the line because I feel that will get more responses and comments on the blog(selfish once again).
Here is what I am posing to you. Post what you like and/or don't like. I am providing you a chance to vent your ideas.

Here are my likes in no particular order
1. Coffee

2. Chocolate

3. Pens over pencils

4. Music

5. Being unafraid to make fun of myself and sharing my thoughts on this blog(seriously overtaken my life)

6. Family(well, most of them anyway)

7. YouTube

8. Basketball

9. Warm weather

10. Reading



Here are my dislikes

1. Feet....especially toes

2. Hair

3. Squash

4. My two dogs

5. The fact that my metabolism is slowing down and my weight is shifting ever so slightly especially when I consume massive amounts of chocolate.


6. The hair on my head is falling out while growing in other places(no further comments people)

7. People who walk their dogs, dog(s) poop in my front yard, owner continues walking without cleaning up, me or my children walk in poop.

8. People who walk dogs with bags of poop being held in their hand. Really, who is in charge? What a power trip to poop on the ground, have someone pick it up for you while you kick grass at them, then force them to follow behind you while you have a smile on your face while people look at them funny for having a bag of turds. (I just have a strong temporary dislike for dogs due to my own two ignorant creatures that reside in my household).

9.Ignorant People

10. The lack of common sense. Yes, this is different from being ignorant. You can be intelligent but lack all the common sense in the world.

What are yours? Yes, I realize this post is long and has moved to several ideas(hence the reference to my chaotic cyclone in my head). Feel free to post any thoughts, ideas, comments.