Review: Because of Mr. Terupt

Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My best friend has been after me for years to read this book. In fact last summer, we made a deal I would read Mr. Terupt and she would read The Phantom Tollbooth, one of MY favorites she has never read. Neither one of us read our books. Fast forward to now and I am making a change from the library back to teaching Fifth grade Reading, which is one of my great loves and favorite things. I was discussing books I might want to do next year and the BFF brought up this book again. My sister was on the feed and asked about it, I told her the story and the pact...etc. Well my sister very quickly read both books, showing us who was truly boss and now I had two people bugging me to read this book.

So read it I did.... this morning..... in one sitting...... I am emotional wreck! The book is amazing, it is great for teaching character change and characterization in general. It is fabulous for teaching voice and POV, and it is emotionally wrenching. I knew going in it would be, but I had been assured that it ended well, or I would have NEVER read it.

Once again both my sister and my friend have proven that they know more than I do, because I love this book and it WILL be in my classroom curriculum next year.

I don't want to give away too much of the book, but it is told from the POV of seven students in the fifth grade class. Each of these students have a stereotypical character. Think Breakfast Club for the Elementary set. What it teaches though, is the power of relationships; at its heart that is what I take from it. The power of us all in it together. I can only hope it touches my students the way it touches me. It has all the feels...

View all my reviews

Review: Who Was Frida Kahlo?

Who Was Frida Kahlo? by Sarah Fabiny
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I read this book because I will be using it to in the classroom next year. I didn't know much about Kahlo before I started reading it and found it interesting. I think a great test of a nonfiction book is when you finish and immediately start researching more on the subject. That happened here as well. It should probably get 3.5 stars, but since that isn't an option I will leave it at three.
This is an easy to read book in a fabulous series. I recommend it especially for anyone who is interested in Mexican Folk Art or Frida Kahlo in general. She was a woman of great personal strength and fortitude.

View all my reviews