Part 2 Review of 39 Clues (including potential spoilers)
I should have known that I was just getting a taste of the mystery with this first book! Of course there have to be clues hidden in the next 10 books, otherwise why would students keep reading them? Unfortunately, this has the feel of a Ponzi scheme to me! The book comes to a great climax of finding the 2nd clue and a mysterious substance, when, oh. you have to go buy the next book now. While I can see the appeal of a series that children HAVE TO keep shelling out money for, Nancy Drew, the Bobbsey Twins, the Hardy Boys, etc, had a loyal following while being episodic. Yes, this format keeps the story broken down into manageable chunks, but as an adult, I just want to give Scholastic a hard shake for publishing this series this way.
We shall see if I continue to read any of the books in this series. I recommend for middle school students, but I may spend my reading energy elsewhere. I'm glad I got a taste of Rick Riordan's writing style; I enjoyed much of the book. I just don't think I can commit to reading 10 more books at this time.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
39 Clues Book Review Part 1
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2921082-the-maze-of-bones" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="The Maze of Bones (The 39 Clues, #1)" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1293421240m/2921082.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2921082-the-maze-of-bones%22%3EThe Maze of Bones</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15872.Rick_Riordan%22%3ERick Riordan</a><br/>
<br /><br />
I'll admit, I judge books by their covers. I was hesitant to pick up The Maze of Bones because of the juvenile cover and unfamiliarity with the 39 Clues series. After reading through the first 100 pages or so last night, I have been pleasantly surprised at the ability of Mr. Riordan to get my pulse racing and my heart caring about Dan and Amy. (I have not read any of Rick Riordan's books yet).
<br/>
<br/>I am not certain how much I will buy into this Cahill "family" legacy. Also, I am already not caring about the four factions of the family. By assuring us that so many historical figures are Cahills, this story is distorting my idea of the term "family." Certainly many of Earth's inhabitants share the same bloodlines, but how far back can you go and still call someone a family member? If we are going to see the Cahill family go back to ancient times, I'm calling baloney on this idea. Surely this "most-powerful-family-ever" contains enough weak links that it can also be referred to as "the weakest family ever" (if you are looking at the weakest, infamous members). Or, in other words, "humanity." It remains for me to see how far back the authors will go to identify the progenitor of the Cahills.
<br/>
<br/>I am intrigued by the mystery, I can't wait to find out what the authors' have determined to be the most powerful secret of the family. I was saddened by the events of the first chapters and I hope Dan and Amy develop into strong characters. . . . Will continue this review after finishing Book 1.
<br/><br/>
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/6118398-penny%22%3EView all my reviews</a>
<br /><br />
I'll admit, I judge books by their covers. I was hesitant to pick up The Maze of Bones because of the juvenile cover and unfamiliarity with the 39 Clues series. After reading through the first 100 pages or so last night, I have been pleasantly surprised at the ability of Mr. Riordan to get my pulse racing and my heart caring about Dan and Amy. (I have not read any of Rick Riordan's books yet).
<br/>
<br/>I am not certain how much I will buy into this Cahill "family" legacy. Also, I am already not caring about the four factions of the family. By assuring us that so many historical figures are Cahills, this story is distorting my idea of the term "family." Certainly many of Earth's inhabitants share the same bloodlines, but how far back can you go and still call someone a family member? If we are going to see the Cahill family go back to ancient times, I'm calling baloney on this idea. Surely this "most-powerful-family-ever" contains enough weak links that it can also be referred to as "the weakest family ever" (if you are looking at the weakest, infamous members). Or, in other words, "humanity." It remains for me to see how far back the authors will go to identify the progenitor of the Cahills.
<br/>
<br/>I am intrigued by the mystery, I can't wait to find out what the authors' have determined to be the most powerful secret of the family. I was saddened by the events of the first chapters and I hope Dan and Amy develop into strong characters. . . . Will continue this review after finishing Book 1.
<br/><br/>
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/6118398-penny%22%3EView all my reviews</a>
Friday, September 16, 2011
Presentation Model vs. Grammar
So far, grammar is winning!
I am creating lesson plans for Simple, Compound, and Complex sentences for the next four models. The very first model is Presentation. Think Lecture. Think 15 minutes of me talking about sentences. I'm not really demonstrating, I'm not really looking for student interaction, I'm not always using these sentences correctly in my blogging.
I've sent an email off to my cooperating teacher/instructor/expert inspirer. I'm pretty sure her background is in math, so she should have plenty of experience taking very specific math rules and turning them into an engaging presentation. I'm hitting a brain-block on how to talk about subjects and predicates and conjunctions in a Big Picture style.
I have had some fun on youtube watching various videos of teachers trying to liven up this very subject! Until they get bogged down in nitty, gritty details and I find myself a bit confused. And technically, I already know all about the topic!
Phew, grammar, you are important to the world. But seriously, hard for me to think about!
I am creating lesson plans for Simple, Compound, and Complex sentences for the next four models. The very first model is Presentation. Think Lecture. Think 15 minutes of me talking about sentences. I'm not really demonstrating, I'm not really looking for student interaction, I'm not always using these sentences correctly in my blogging.
I've sent an email off to my cooperating teacher/instructor/expert inspirer. I'm pretty sure her background is in math, so she should have plenty of experience taking very specific math rules and turning them into an engaging presentation. I'm hitting a brain-block on how to talk about subjects and predicates and conjunctions in a Big Picture style.
I have had some fun on youtube watching various videos of teachers trying to liven up this very subject! Until they get bogged down in nitty, gritty details and I find myself a bit confused. And technically, I already know all about the topic!
Phew, grammar, you are important to the world. But seriously, hard for me to think about!
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Book LOOOOOVE!
I am so inlove with books right now, it is amazing. 2 out of 3 of my classes are all about literacy/literature. I'm entrenched in adolescent lit this week, and pumped about a new bookstore that I found thanks to a tip from my Adolescent Lit instructor.
Let's just say "free books" was the catch phrase and I came away with 10 such items!!
My Monday after work activity was to meet up with a friend and head over to this quaint little local bookstore. Think Meg Ryan and You've Got Mail. The children's book buyer for the store was presenting all the best new books for K-12 for September. And BONUS! She had a bunch of advance copies of various novels to distribute FOR FREE!!! Ok, I feel adolescent myself to use extra exclamation points, but I've already read one of the free books and it was amazing. Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins ( http://stephanieperkins.com/books.html ) was just a stellar adol lit teen romance. Smart, well-rounded characters. Vibrant dialogue. Love. I'm going back to the said bookstore to buy her first novel, Anna and the French Kiss to both support the bookstore and the author. I am so grateful to have been introduced to this store, and in a way that introduced me directly to the writing style of a budding author.
I can't wait to read the other 9 books I received, and also share the above book with future students. It may have a gender limited audience (aka my boy students are unlikely to pick up its pastel-y glory), but every teen/preteen girl needs a nice romance to read about.
Two more classes this week, and I'm finally getting into the meaty bits of lesson planning. Too bad I'm distracted by that with all these shiny books!
Let's just say "free books" was the catch phrase and I came away with 10 such items!!
My Monday after work activity was to meet up with a friend and head over to this quaint little local bookstore. Think Meg Ryan and You've Got Mail. The children's book buyer for the store was presenting all the best new books for K-12 for September. And BONUS! She had a bunch of advance copies of various novels to distribute FOR FREE!!! Ok, I feel adolescent myself to use extra exclamation points, but I've already read one of the free books and it was amazing. Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins ( http://stephanieperkins.com/books.html ) was just a stellar adol lit teen romance. Smart, well-rounded characters. Vibrant dialogue. Love. I'm going back to the said bookstore to buy her first novel, Anna and the French Kiss to both support the bookstore and the author. I am so grateful to have been introduced to this store, and in a way that introduced me directly to the writing style of a budding author.
I can't wait to read the other 9 books I received, and also share the above book with future students. It may have a gender limited audience (aka my boy students are unlikely to pick up its pastel-y glory), but every teen/preteen girl needs a nice romance to read about.
Two more classes this week, and I'm finally getting into the meaty bits of lesson planning. Too bad I'm distracted by that with all these shiny books!
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Hopefully, not the only geek in the room
Last night I made it through my first Literature class without completely revealing that I've read all twelve of the required books these past few weeks. At least, I hope no one could tell that I was just itching to talk about all of these books!
Luckily, I know that the guy to my left is taking the class for graduate studies credit, and he could clearly be just as big a geek as I am about adolescent literature ;)
It is interesting going sideways/halfway backwards in my studies. I have earned 33 credits in a master's program that I did not want to finish, and at a pretty competitive school. Now, I am enrolled in undergrad courses at State U and it is like a flash back! Grad schoolers wear business casual or at the very least, nice jeans and cute tops. Undergrads wear whatever smells the least dank. I remember crawling out of bed as an undergrad, throwing on a bra, shoes, and a coat and just heading off to class "as is." Since I am taking evening classes, I think there is a good mix of non-traditional and traditional students. Yet. I was the only one that I could see who was wearing slacks, a button down, and short sleeved sweater. And high heels.
I was so overdressed! At least I made the wise choice and did not accessorize with pearls ;)
I do have my absolutely FAVE accessory for this year - it is a purse meets briefcase tote from Franklin Covey. I LOOOOOVE this bag! It has a pocket for my sunglasses!!!
So far, I have fit my wallet, my planner, a little makeup case, my pencil case, a full size notebook, a half-inch full size binder, and a textbook in it!!! I will be watching for strain on the straps - but it seems well enough constructed to take this abuse! and they really should test bags that are this big by filling them with books. Since that is all a big bag means to me - more room for books!
I'm all packed and ready for class #2 tonight, it would be fabulous if some of the kids from last night are in the class with me! Friends!
Luckily, I know that the guy to my left is taking the class for graduate studies credit, and he could clearly be just as big a geek as I am about adolescent literature ;)
It is interesting going sideways/halfway backwards in my studies. I have earned 33 credits in a master's program that I did not want to finish, and at a pretty competitive school. Now, I am enrolled in undergrad courses at State U and it is like a flash back! Grad schoolers wear business casual or at the very least, nice jeans and cute tops. Undergrads wear whatever smells the least dank. I remember crawling out of bed as an undergrad, throwing on a bra, shoes, and a coat and just heading off to class "as is." Since I am taking evening classes, I think there is a good mix of non-traditional and traditional students. Yet. I was the only one that I could see who was wearing slacks, a button down, and short sleeved sweater. And high heels.
I was so overdressed! At least I made the wise choice and did not accessorize with pearls ;)
I do have my absolutely FAVE accessory for this year - it is a purse meets briefcase tote from Franklin Covey. I LOOOOOVE this bag! It has a pocket for my sunglasses!!!
I'm all packed and ready for class #2 tonight, it would be fabulous if some of the kids from last night are in the class with me! Friends!
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
First Day of School!
Today/tonight is my first day of school as a gonna-be teacher. I've realized my whole self has been programmed to be a teacher.
1) I'm always on the look-out for school supplies.
2) August brings me a sense of renewal and hope - not so much New Year's Eve.
3) I want to share my knowledge with everyone. All the time.
My syllabi so far are showing me how much work this semester is going to be - and yes, the first one was exciting, the second one was overwhelming, and the third is still an unknown. I think there is a parallel to life here, but I'm too excited about my pencil case to follow through on that one.
It is perfection!
It is the perfect combination of pretty and functional. And it will keep all of my multi-colored pens handy for "fun-with-notetaking."
During my trip to Office Depot yesterday (whence I found said pencil case), my sister and I went a little crazy for the $.01 notebooks and $.50 items to donate to our university's school supply drive. Does anyone else do this? The cashier was not amused with how excited we were about the deals. But $.50 for highlighters?!? That is amazingly fun in our world.
As we were scoping out all the deal bins, a father and his three little teeny, tiny school children were scooping up the great deals too. I overheard a child asking if they were buying more school supplies for him and the dad had the best parenting answer I've heard in a long time. To paraphrase, "We are blessing others today, sometimes things are about others instead of you." I promise it was said with the most caring tone, and I can't quite capture how nicely that dad gave a lesson on charity. All with the help of penny items! I hope my items bless students as well.
My first class isn't until 6:55pm, and I cannot wait! My bag is packed and ready and this day cannot go by fast enough at work! Good thing I have some fun* data entry projects.
*Fun of course being subject to perspective and personal ideas of a work day's success.
1) I'm always on the look-out for school supplies.
2) August brings me a sense of renewal and hope - not so much New Year's Eve.
3) I want to share my knowledge with everyone. All the time.
My syllabi so far are showing me how much work this semester is going to be - and yes, the first one was exciting, the second one was overwhelming, and the third is still an unknown. I think there is a parallel to life here, but I'm too excited about my pencil case to follow through on that one.
It is perfection!
It is the perfect combination of pretty and functional. And it will keep all of my multi-colored pens handy for "fun-with-notetaking."
During my trip to Office Depot yesterday (whence I found said pencil case), my sister and I went a little crazy for the $.01 notebooks and $.50 items to donate to our university's school supply drive. Does anyone else do this? The cashier was not amused with how excited we were about the deals. But $.50 for highlighters?!? That is amazingly fun in our world.
As we were scoping out all the deal bins, a father and his three little teeny, tiny school children were scooping up the great deals too. I overheard a child asking if they were buying more school supplies for him and the dad had the best parenting answer I've heard in a long time. To paraphrase, "We are blessing others today, sometimes things are about others instead of you." I promise it was said with the most caring tone, and I can't quite capture how nicely that dad gave a lesson on charity. All with the help of penny items! I hope my items bless students as well.
My first class isn't until 6:55pm, and I cannot wait! My bag is packed and ready and this day cannot go by fast enough at work! Good thing I have some fun* data entry projects.
*Fun of course being subject to perspective and personal ideas of a work day's success.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
A new beginning
In just one week, I am regaining my path towards teaching.
I've been sidelined by social services and personal struggles. I thought I could increase literacy by working outside of the public schools and supporting the students with social services. But I was only seeing kids 1-2 hours a week and that was simply not enough to reach my goal, wait for it, it is very overwhelming and big -
!!!Improving America's Literacy!!!
I had created 3 long term goals and was on track with all of them when "Things Happened." You know, the things that turn your world upside-down and make you question your place in life. It has been over 2 years since the worst of it; I've been slogging through life in a job I took just to get by and heal from it all. And now it is time to continue towards the path I set out on at age 19.
Yes, the fact that I will be 30 a few months after completing my Teaching Certification Program means that this whole journey will be fraught with "oooh I feel old!" since I'll be a non-traditional student among undergrads ;)
My other two goals are "Home Ownership" and "Doctoral Degree" - with a side of "Find True Love."
The new school year is always a good feeling for me - a hope that is far more resonate than the New Years Eve hope. I've been tied into education for so long, that the advent of September and yummy cuddly sweaters is where I find renewal.
I've been sidelined by social services and personal struggles. I thought I could increase literacy by working outside of the public schools and supporting the students with social services. But I was only seeing kids 1-2 hours a week and that was simply not enough to reach my goal, wait for it, it is very overwhelming and big -
!!!Improving America's Literacy!!!
I had created 3 long term goals and was on track with all of them when "Things Happened." You know, the things that turn your world upside-down and make you question your place in life. It has been over 2 years since the worst of it; I've been slogging through life in a job I took just to get by and heal from it all. And now it is time to continue towards the path I set out on at age 19.
Yes, the fact that I will be 30 a few months after completing my Teaching Certification Program means that this whole journey will be fraught with "oooh I feel old!" since I'll be a non-traditional student among undergrads ;)
My other two goals are "Home Ownership" and "Doctoral Degree" - with a side of "Find True Love."
The new school year is always a good feeling for me - a hope that is far more resonate than the New Years Eve hope. I've been tied into education for so long, that the advent of September and yummy cuddly sweaters is where I find renewal.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)