There is another writing challenge on the horizon, this time a rhyming challenge. I am already in a chapter book challenge. I do these challenges to write more and get it together.
Wish me luck!
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Tag Archives: writing
Lessons Learned through Culture
Lessons Learned through Culture
Lesson Learned: Leadership Lessons from the Cherokee Chief who transformed his Nation
By
Chad “Corntassel” Smith
Mr. Smith utilized a traditional Cherokee prayer and based his leadership model on this prayer. He utilized learning as way to improve life for the Cherokee nation. As a teacher in a turnaround school, I wonder if this format would help bring out the best of the school. If this format would improved test scores and improve the culture within the school. This sure seemed to help the Cherokee nation.
I understand there is difference between a school and an entire nation. However, the basics are there prayer that Chad “Corntassel” Smith used is sound. In order to get the return educators need to know their students and understand where they come from, but not use it as an excuse to keep them for growing. The principals are sound and can help rebuild Nation, could help rebuild a school.
Book Reviews
BOOK REVIEWS
The art of reviewing a book is very interesting. Recently, on Linkend I proposed the idea that book reviewers should be paid for their services. WOW!!!! I did not realise how much people, rather how little people thought about reviewing books. This is interesting to me because almost every author I know, electronic, website, app, etc., want someone to review their book honestly. What they don’t want to do is pay that person for that review. Some want you to pay for the book at a reduced price. Most of the books I review are galley or unfinished copies of the book. Publishing companies not only want you to provide a review, but post it your blog, link it to one or two social networks and post it on Amazon or Barnes and Noble type websites.
Before I go any further, I should point out that any book reviews that you may have read on this site have not be paid for, in other words no money exchanged hands. I have received most of the books gratis with the understanding that I will review the book honestly and provide a well written book review on that book. In addition, I try to play fair and write a nice review to books that I do not like.
Now that my disclaimer is out of the way, the first and foremost reason that I review books is because I like to read, LOVE TO READ! In elementary school I would put my book inside the text book and read during class. Yes, I did get busted, but it did not stop me from continuing the practice. When Amazon first marketed the Kindle eReader, it was on my Christmas list that year. While I went through Chemo, I brought the Kindle with me to almost every treatment, doctor’s appointment and procedure. I actually wore out my Kindle from use. The technical people at Amazon were astonished and I like to think that the survey I filled out for them helped them to improve the next generation of a Kindle. Currently, I have two Kindle eReaders ( a Kindle keyboard 3G and a Kindle Paper lite) and a iPad. They are always in my purse, which I bought based on the fact that I could put all of them plus my writing notebooks and organiser. Apparently I like to read and I like to write about what I read.
The other reason that I like to review books is because I often get a book that I would not normally read for whatever reason. More often than not I get a book from a new author and I am pleasantly surprised how well the book is written. Not only that, but a new concept in writing or twist on an old idea. Sometimes I get a book and it is very difficult get through that book and believe me those are the hardest. Regardless, I try to find something good about the book.
Reviewing book takes time, energy (physical and electrical), software, etc. Personally, I think that I should be monetarily compensated for reviewing the books. I do know some reviewers who do receive up to $200.00 for a review. I am not there yet. I require the book, galley, pdf, something. I will not pay for the book. I used to do that, just because I wanted to have book reviews on my site and publishers weren’t sending me anything.
IN addition, the profession of reviewing books (yes, you read that correctly) reminds me of the profession of teaching. Both of very low paying, if at all. Both are treated with some contempt. Finally, people want other people to do these services because “anyone can teach” or “anyone can review a book”. Not true, and a very insulting viewpoint. I have a hard time with someone who views any profession or service in this manner. Just because you don’t want to do it, doesn’t mean someone else should do it for free.
Odd Duck
A Book Review
Cecil Castellucci
First Second
Pub Date: May 14 2013 | Archive Date: Apr 1 2013
The initial introduction of Theodora did not give me a good feeling about her. I didn’t like her. I did like Chad and thought of him as the duck who was trying to be a good neighbor. The more I read the book, the more the story charmed me because of their friendship. It is a great book to teach children about friendship and why differences are good.
Mimi’s Village
A Book Review
And How Basic Health Care Transformed It
Katie Smith Milway
Kids Can Press
Pub Date: Aug 1 2012 | Archive Date: Not set
What a great book for to introduce student to the importance of good health practices! This story provides an interesting way to explain and describe good health practices. The story is written in such a method that explains why prevention is so important and how a little knowledge can help with prevention. This book could also be used as a part of a social studies unit and provide older students with information as part of research.
Brewing Made Easy
A Book Review
Joe and Dennis Fisher
Storey Publishing
Pub Date: Jan 9 2013 | Archive Date: Jan 29 2013
I read with book because the subject matter interested me. I was not disappointed by the content as it provided a great deal of information about the process of making beer. In addition, one of my favorite authors always referenced home brewed bear in her stories so I was interested in determining how hard it was to make beer.
The book did provide a great deal of information, however, the sequence of events did not flow well for me. I know a little something about the process of making beer. I grew up in Germany, lived in Minnesota and attended the Oktoberfest in both places. I like the book as a whole. The authors provided great information and the instructions were written in a readable fashion. However, I thought the arrangement of the materials could be a little different. The chapters did not really flow and I think that putting the recipes of the beer next to the various degrees of the difficulty in making beer. Despite those formatting issues, I did like the book.
Luca Lashes Visits Mommy in the Hospital
A Book Review
Nicole and Damir Fonovich
PR by the Book
Pub Date: Jan 15 2013 | Archive Date: Not set
Great Story! Great story in so many ways! The authors wrote and illustrated a wonderful story that is not about Mommy having a baby in the hospital. This story provides a original outlook on visiting a sick person in the hospital. The end of the book provides great suggestions on how to bring a child to the hospital for a visit. I highly recommend the book both as an instructional piece and as a story.
The Forbidden Text
A Book Review
The Forbidden Text
By Dawn Clark
The story begins with a great hook, however, it takes a too understand how the beginning connects to the rest of the story. I did like the story and enjoyed reading the book and for the most part the book flows along pretty good. There are times when the author flips from one character or one thread of the story too quickly. For example, the story is discussing the main character and then it flips over to a torture session. As I read the story it turns out that this particular session really wasn’t necessary. Another issue is the paranormal abilities of the main character, it seemed as though her paranormal abilities developed for each scene. It would have been better to have introduced the character and her paranormal abilities introduced a bit earlier.
The sequences of events do not flow and there are some scenes that do not need to part of the story. The story has great potential and has easily been split into two different stories. As I read, I would get into the story and then the chapter would end. A completely new theme would start and I would get into it and the chapter would end, again. I really didn’t like this because there really wasn’t a segue into the next chapter.
I have not been financially compensated for this book review.
Greenleaf Book Group Press
Pub Date Feb 19 2013
Let’s meet the Librarians
A Book Review
Let’s Meet a Librarian
Gina Bellisario, Author; Ed Myer, Illustrator
Who are these energetic individuals who seem to know all? What is more they are so willing to share what they know with everyone who asks. This book encompasses all of the wonderful aspects of a librarian. The format and flow of the book moves the story right along, so that the children do not realize how much they are learning. What a wonderful way to introduce the librarian to the children.
This book has three chapters; a spy, no shushing allowed and a computer expert. Each of these chapters illustrate the librarian at our school. The librarian is able to put her hands on each aspect of research that is needed by an inquisitive student. Just like our librarian, no shushing is allowed, because she provides wonderful lessons that include noise and visuals to focus on her lessons. Finally, the computer expert, this is so true because everyone goes to the library for helps regardless of whether or not there is someone who has that title. The librarian is just such an intricate part of the school environment and culture.
The book hunt at the end of the story is a great way to provide a time for the students to get to know what the librarian does and what is in the library. This book hunt will help children become familiar with the library. This is wonderful! This book can be used on so many levels and different environment. The book can be used by public librarians to explain what they can do to help their patrons. School librarians and teachers can use this book to explain the same thing but with a different slant to the students. In addition, parents can use the book to help their children understand the job librarians do each day. This is one slant; I can see teachers using this book in their community service workers theme or to introduce the staff to their students at the beginning of the year.
The author put the text together in a wonderful way, but illustrations really put book together. It is really very well put together book.
I have not been financially compensated for this book review.
Lerner Publishing Group
Millbrook Press
Pub Date Feb 1 2013
In Session
A Book Review
IN SESSION
Dr. Morgan Snow with Steve Berry’s Cotton Malone, Lee Child’s Jack Reacher & Barry Eisler’s John Rain
By M.J. Rose
A group of men being analyzed, what a concept! I may be one of the few people in this world who really do not know the characters in this book. The concept of the book is okay, but I could not tell if the author was trying to pull all of them together into one group. It was difficult read because each chapter did not segue fluidly from one to another smoothly. Once I got into the story and past the first page or two of each new chapter I enjoyed the story. I am still confused as to the theme for the book, which is difficult because the men and the counselor each have a slightly different audience.
This book should be read by someone who knows these characters from their original authors. I read the last of the book, where I found how much collaboration the authors had in constructing this book.
I haven’t been financially compensated for this book review.
AuthorBuzz
Pub Date Oct 17 2011
Michelle Writes!! 