Coincidentally, the last two books I finished had teachers I aspire to be like: summer school teacher, Ms. J (BenBee and the Teacher Griefer by KA Holt) and 7th grade science teacher, Ms. Salonga (We Dream of Space by Erin Entrada Kelly). Can I just say--My Newbery 2021 list is quite long and it is only mid-May. Both of these books and many of the ones I have already read are at the tippy top.
Since I wrote about Teacher Griefer yesterday, I must give equal time to Space. Seriously, this is why I could never be on an ALA committee. I'd be rallying for multiple gold medals right about this time of year.
Since I wrote about Teacher Griefer yesterday, I must give equal time to Space. Seriously, this is why I could never be on an ALA committee. I'd be rallying for multiple gold medals right about this time of year.
Twins Bird and Fitch and Cash are all 7th graders in Park, Delaware. Their parents are always arguing and they never eat dinner together, a small detail that is a big deal. The kids are navigating life pretty much on their own. It's January 1986 and there is big lead up to the launch of the Space Shuttle Challenger in Ms. Salonga's class and for Bird, an aspiring space explorer.
I was a senior in HS and, because of regents, was home from school that dreaded da. I know the end of that story but Bird, who dreams of space, does not. The anticipation of the actual day for me, the adult reader, was tough. How was Bird going to handle it? Ms. Salonga?
These kids. I loved them so much. Fitch trying to manage his anger and his attempt to make good with Amanda. Bird accepting being "not pretty" and deeply wondering what it would be like to have a family like Dani's, who do eat together and listen. And Cash running away to something. I love how they navigate the relationship with themselves, leaving the parents out.
Finally, it was wonderful to take a walk down the memory lane of phone books, pinball, VCRs, soap operas and Tab. And even though I wasn't in 7th grade in 1986, 1982 was close enough. I am surprised I'm admitting all this. Well, I am looking forward to my Area 51 socially distant birthday party next month.
Want more? Found on the Harper Collins Erin Entrada Kelly Educator guide, here are some extension activities for We Dream of Space:
A couple of weeks ago we had a book birthday for this book. Only three kids showed up. Book unread, I bought them each a copy. I spun the wheel and got the win. Ace showed me his copy today. I can't wait till he finishes so we can talk ALL about it.
Get reading, Ace (and Kyle and Khloe)! And anyone else who wants to talk. Pajama Mama?
I was a senior in HS and, because of regents, was home from school that dreaded da. I know the end of that story but Bird, who dreams of space, does not. The anticipation of the actual day for me, the adult reader, was tough. How was Bird going to handle it? Ms. Salonga?
These kids. I loved them so much. Fitch trying to manage his anger and his attempt to make good with Amanda. Bird accepting being "not pretty" and deeply wondering what it would be like to have a family like Dani's, who do eat together and listen. And Cash running away to something. I love how they navigate the relationship with themselves, leaving the parents out.
Finally, it was wonderful to take a walk down the memory lane of phone books, pinball, VCRs, soap operas and Tab. And even though I wasn't in 7th grade in 1986, 1982 was close enough. I am surprised I'm admitting all this. Well, I am looking forward to my Area 51 socially distant birthday party next month.
Want more? Found on the Harper Collins Erin Entrada Kelly Educator guide, here are some extension activities for We Dream of Space:
A couple of weeks ago we had a book birthday for this book. Only three kids showed up. Book unread, I bought them each a copy. I spun the wheel and got the win. Ace showed me his copy today. I can't wait till he finishes so we can talk ALL about it.
Get reading, Ace (and Kyle and Khloe)! And anyone else who wants to talk. Pajama Mama?
No comments:
Post a Comment