Educator Guide to A Long Walk To Water by Linda Sue Park

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Click on over to request an educator guide to A Long Walk To Water by Linda Sue Park.  Are you using this one in your classroom?  Let us know here at The Things You Can Read.

Happy Reading & Writing☮

The Things You Can Read!

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books & Writing!

Don't Forget To Be Awesome!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

I am an educator with over 25 years of teaching experience; I currently teach English in the public school system of Virginia. In my spare time I am an avid reader. writer, reviewer, blogger, writing/art journaler, beekeeper, grad student, and MOTHER. - See more: Here

BACK tO SCHOOL 2014-2015

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GOOD LUCK TO ALL THE TEACHERS OUT THERE!  HAVE A GREAT 2014-2015 SCHOOL YEAR!

Happy Reading & Writing☮

The Things You Can Read!

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books & Writing!

Don't Forget To Be Awesome!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

I am an educator with over 25 years of teaching experience; I currently teach English in the public school system of Virginia. In my spare time I am an avid reader. writer, reviewer, blogger, writing/art journaler, beekeeper, grad student, and MOTHER. - See more: Here

Are You Addicted To Reading?

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Thought Catalog listed "49 Signs You're Addicted to Reading," in a recent posting.  Click on over and peruse their list.  Do any of these sound familiar?  Click back here and let us know, which ones apply to you!  Our personal favorite is, "You don’t understand how people can be lonely when they have books."  Enjoy finding and sharing your favorites with us here at The Things You Can Read!

Happy Reading & Writing☮

The Things You Can Read!

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books & Writing!

Don't Forget To Be Awesome!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

I am an educator with over 25 years of teaching experience; I currently teach English in the public school system of Virginia. In my spare time I am an avid reader. writer, reviewer, blogger, writing/art journaler, beekeeper, grad student, and MOTHER. - See more: Here

Back To School In Style

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Back to School is upon us and with that in mind, do you need a new book bag?  Well, if you are looking to go back to school in bookish style check out Huffington Post's article "17 Tote Bags Book Lovers Will Absolutely Adore" and if these 17 don't work for you check out Out of Print Clothing's selection of totes.  You are sure to find something to send you on your way to school accessorized to the bookish max.  Let us know which tote you'll be carrying here at The Things You Can Read.

Happy Reading & Writing☮

The Things You Can Read!

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books & Writing!

Don't Forget To Be Awesome!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

I am an educator with over 25 years of teaching experience; I currently teach English in the public school system of Virginia. In my spare time I am an avid reader. writer, reviewer, blogger, writing/art journaler, beekeeper, grad student, and MOTHER. - See more: Here

This Week at The Things You Can Read: 300,000 Views OH MY!

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We are so excited to announce that this week marked The Things You Can Read's 300,000th page view!  That's right over 300,000 page views in just a tad over 2 years!  Thanks you to all our regular viewers of The Things You Can Read and a big reading and writing welcome to our new readership.  Let us know what you like most about the The Things You Can Read!  What keeps you coming back for more?

Happy Reading & Writing☮

The Things You Can Read!

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books & Writing!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

I am an educator with over 25 years of teaching experience; I currently teach English in the public school system of Virginia. In my spare time I am an avid reader. writer, reviewer, blogger, writing/art journaler, beekeeper, grad student, and MOTHER. - See more: Here

Happy Anniversary To The Wizard of Oz: Pages to Film

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In our opinion The Wizard of Oz is one of the best book to film adaptions ever. Today it celebrates its 75th anniversary.  The Wizard of Oz had its Hollywood premiere on August 16, 1939.  To read seven things you didn't know about this classic film click on over to Huffington Post.  Don't forget to follow the yellow brick road as you journey through life.

Let us know what film you think was the best page to film adaption here at The Things You Can Read!

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Happy Reading & Writing☮

The Things You Can Read!

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books & Writing!

Don't Forget To Be Awesome!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

I am an educator with over 25 years of teaching experience; I currently teach English in the public school system of Virginia. In my spare time I am an avid reader. writer, reviewer, blogger, writing/art journaler, beekeeper, grad student, and MOTHER. - See more: Here

Start Planning your Hobbit Day Celebration!

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CLICK HERE

Did you know that September 22 was Hobbit Day?  Well, it is and if you want to start planning your party here are some resources that are available at HMHBooks.com. If you need another reason to celebrate here it is:

"Celebrate Bilbo’s birthday and your love of The Hobbit with us. Need another reason to celebrate? The third film in The Hobbit Trilogy, The Hobbit: The Battle of The Five Armies comes out in theaters from Warner Bros. Pictures on December 17th."

Read on for event ideas and downloadable resources to help you host your own celebration.

Event Ideas

  • Throw Bilbo a birthday party, complete with cake, balloons and games. For games, how about a scavenger hunt to play in classrooms, bookstores or libraries, and a Hobbit version of Pin the Tail on the Donkey, Pin the Ring on Bilbo!

  • Interested in a hobbit feast? Download menu ideas and recipes.

  • Have a Hobbit trivia night; download The Hobbit trivia questions

  • Host a marathon reading of The Hobbit

  • Nametags for your guests. Why not have them write their names in Dwarven runes?

Here are more resources to use in your classroom, book group, or at home:

The Hobbit reader's guide

The Hobbit teacher's guide

The Hobbit reference guide

The Hobbit trivia questions

On Twitter, use #hobbitday to follow the celebration and post your own events, birthday toasts, and favorite Bilbo and Frodo moments.

Happy Reading & Writing☮

The Things You Can Read!

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books & Writing!

Don't Forget To Be Awesome!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

I am an educator with over 25 years of teaching experience; I currently teach English in the public school system of Virginia. In my spare time I am an avid reader. writer, reviewer, blogger, writing/art journaler, beekeeper, grad student, and MOTHER. - See more: Here

Books About Americans in Paris

Flavorwire highlighted the "25 Essential Books About Americans in Paris," According to the article:

"Americans have been traveling to Paris to be appreciated for their poetic struggle for years, and a whole Seine's worth of books have come along to share the story."

Here are three of our favorites on the list:

The Greater Journey: Americans in Paris by David McCullough

Leave it to unparalleled dad-historian David McCullough to go into the root of the American artist’s journey to Paris, covering minds like John Singer Sargent, Isadora Duncan, and Mary Cassatt.-Flavorwire 

Paris to the Moon by Adam Gopnik
A plus about writing for The New Yorker: they will send you to Paris. You will probably have to write about your impressions. Gopnik calls his time in Paris, with un bebe in tow, a “sentimental re-education.”-Flavorwire 

A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway

A crucial piece of the Hemingway mythology, this memoir takes you to 1920s expatriate Paris with Hemingway and the rest of the gang, including F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gertrude Stein, and Ford Maddox Ford, among others. Learn where Hemingway smoked, drank, and wrote, and feel some sort of inspiration in that knowledge.-Flavorwire 

If you'd like to travel to Paris without the expense before the chaos of the fall "Back to School" fever grabs hold of your life look at Flavorwire's  list and pick one to take you on a ride down the Seine.  

Happy Reading & Writing☮

The Things You Can Read!

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books & Writing!

Don't Forget To Be Awesome!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

I am an educator with over 25 years of teaching experience; I currently teach English in the public school system of Virginia. In my spare time I am an avid reader. writer, reviewer, blogger, writing/art journaler, beekeeper, grad student, and MOTHER. - See more: Here

A Wrinkle in Time Moves From Pages to Film!

Guess what? A Wrinkle in Time may be headed for the big screen.  The Los Angeles Times reported the following:

"Variety reports that Jennifer Lee, who wrote and co-directed Disney's "Frozen," has decided to take on "A Wrinkle in Time" for Disney as her next project."-Los Angeles Times

Read the full story HERE and let us know your thoughts.  Are you a fan of this 1963 Newbery Award winning book?  We sure are and we can't wait to see the Jennifer Lee take on this children's classic.

Happy Reading & Writing☮

The Things You Can Read!

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books & Writing!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

I am an educator with over 25 years of teaching experience; I currently teach English in the public school system of Virginia. In my spare time I am an avid reader. writer, reviewer, blogger, writing/art journaler, beekeeper, grad student, and MOTHER. - See more: Here

As We Head Back To School....Remember!

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Reading Can Be Fun!

Happy Reading & Writing☮

The Things You Can Read!

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books & Writing!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

I am an educator with over 25 years of teaching experience; I currently teach English in the public school system of Virginia. In my spare time I am an avid reader. writer, reviewer, blogger, writing/art journaler, beekeeper, grad student, and MOTHER. - See more: Here

Happy Book Lover's Day

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Happy Book Lover's Day!  Sorry we're a day late for this one, but over here at The Things You Can Read every day is a Book Lover's Day!

Happy Reading & Writing☮

The Things You Can Read!

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books & Writing!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

I am an educator with over 25 years of teaching experience; I currently teach English in the public school system of Virginia. In my spare time I am an avid reader. writer, reviewer, blogger, writing/art journaler, beekeeper, grad student, and MOTHER. - See more: Here

14 Classic College Books to ReRead as an Adult

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Here is yet another list of classics.  This one is a list of classics you read or should I say were suppose to read in college that you should revisit as an adult.  Head on over to Bustle.com and check out their list. Which ones did you read in college?  Have you revisited any as an adult?  Our favorite on the list of revisits is Flannery O'Connor's Everything That Rises Must Converge.  If we were to add a novel to this list we'd add To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.  Share your thoughts on classics that should be reread as an adult. What classic would you add?

Happy Reading & Writing☮

The Things You Can Read!

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books & Writing!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

I am an educator with over 25 years of teaching experience; I currently teach English in the public school system of Virginia. In my spare time I am an avid reader. writer, reviewer, blogger, writing/art journaler, beekeeper, grad student, and MOTHER. - See more: Here

How to Write Like Jane Austen

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If you are a Jane Austen fan click over to Qwiklit.com and check out their article entitled, "How to Write Like Jane Austen."  Click back and let us know what you think.  Would  you like to write like Austen?  What's your favorite Austen novel?  We're partial to Persuasion. Here's a peek at what you'll learn about Austen:

For all the praises that literary scholars and countless book clubs put on Jane Austen, one of the most virtuosic novelists in English literature is still misunderstood today. Some see her novels as dinner-party rabble and the relics of the British Empire at its most stodgy. What most people overlook is that Austen, iconoclastic and quiet in the tempestuous social circles of the day, saw through the veneer slow rural life and pointed out the frailty of human existence while also portraying its most redemptive aspects.-Qwiklit.com

Enjoy the delectable world of Jane Austen this weekend! 

Happy Reading & Writing☮

The Things You Can Read!

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books & Writing!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

I am an educator with over 25 years of teaching experience; I currently teach English in the public school system of Virginia. In my spare time I am an avid reader. writer, reviewer, blogger, writing/art journaler, beekeeper, grad student, and MOTHER. - See more: Here

Why Books Make Us Laugh?

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Why do books make us laugh?  Well, click on over to Huffington Post for all the details.  What it boils down to is this: 

"Why do we laugh just by looking at some ink on a page? Because in our imaginations we recreate the story, parts of us think it's real, and we react to benign violations just like we do in real life. You can read a frightening story, or an adventure story, from the safety of your living room: it's the pleasure of something that feels scary but is actually safe."-Huffington Post

What was the last novel that made you laugh out loud?  Mine was one of the many essays found in the David Sadaris Collection.  

Happy Reading & Writing☮

The Things You Can Read!

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books & Writing!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

I am an educator with over 25 years of teaching experience; I currently teach English in the public school system of Virginia. In my spare time I am an avid reader. writer, reviewer, blogger, writing/art journaler, beekeeper, grad student, and MOTHER. - See more: Here

The One Word In Everyone's Texts/Conversations Right Now

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The idea of the English language morphing and changing at the speed of light is a concept that is a more recent development-at least in my mind.  I think it is a sign of the times that started with the use of email, but has seen an even more rapid growth with Facebook, Twitter, Et cetera, Et Cetera, Et Cetera. Social media has really been behind the growth of these "new words" that seem to eventually make their way into the hallowed pages of the Merriam Webster Dictionary.  Thanks to Huffington Post recent article "The One Word In Everyone's Texts/Conversations Right Now" I learned all about the SLASH.  Yes, you heard me the SLASH.  I guess it is a verbal way to "air quote".  You be the judge.  According to the article:

"After so much time being delegated to such boring utilitarian functions as dates ("8/30/2014") and fractions ("3/4 cup"), the humble slash mark seems to be getting a linguistic makeover. Anne Curzan, professor of English at the University of Michigan, described the practice among students in her classroom last year. Since then, Curzan told me in an email, she's been studying examples of slash usage on Twitter. The most common use corresponds most closely to "and/or," but she said a fair number are "used to connect one idea to another, perhaps meaning something like 'following up' or as something like a spoken semi-colon." Still, other examples use the slash as a way to indicate "truth values for the elements it connects," Curzan explained. In other words, saying one thing when what you really mean is the next. Like saying you need to rest when what you're really planning is binge-watching TV."  Huffington Post

What do you think of the SLASH.  Are you using it in conversations.  Check out the full article and let us know your thoughts here at The Things You Can Read.

Happy Reading & Writing☮

The Things You Can Read!

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books & Writing!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

I am an educator with over 25 years of teaching experience; I currently teach English in the public school system of Virginia. In my spare time I am an avid reader. writer, reviewer, blogger, writing/art journaler, beekeeper, grad student, and MOTHER. - See more: Here

BE.PROMPTED Monthly Journal Prompts

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One of my goals this year is to journal, but not just journal with words with art too.  Art Journaling is something I wanted to do, but just didn't feel I had the skill set.  So how did I begin working on correcting this not so little problem?  Well, with Hope Wallace's help of course.  Hope over at Besottment.com is a great teacher for those of you looking to be more creative with your journaling definately pop over to her site and look around.

I'm very excited because she is offering monthly journal prompts.  Go take a peek.  The monthly prompts are FREE, but if you are looking for more of what Hope has to offer I can highly recommend her E-Courses.  Come journal with Hope over at Besottment.com.  As always, let us know what you think.  Are you a journaler?  Do you start and stop journaling and need a kick-start?  Tell us your journaling experiences here at The Things You Can Read.

The first prompt can be found HERE
Flickr Group:  Here

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NOW...Go Journal!

Happy Reading & Writing☮

The Things You Can Read!

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books & Writing!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

I am an educator with over 25 years of teaching experience; I currently teach English in the public school system of Virginia. In my spare time I am an avid reader. writer, reviewer, blogger, writing/art journaler, beekeeper, grad student, and MOTHER. - See more: Here

Happy Esther Day!

Happy Esther Day!  John Green, author of The Fault in Our Stars described Esther Day as, “...the day where we think ‘who do I love who I have trouble saying I love you to.'  Not some romantic interest, that’s just using Esther Day as an excuse to tell someone you love them, that you already want to tell them… no.  I mean family, or platonic friends, which for me is even harder than family.” - John Green. 

I invite everyone to join in and reach out to someone you haven't told, "I Love You."  Who would you like to share this Esther Day with?  Let us know here at The Things You Can Read!

Click Here to discover more about Esther Day.

Happy Reading☮

The Things You Can Read!

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books!

Can't Wait to Read: Louise Loves Art by Kelly Light

Becoming Created by Irene (4 years old) and Lillian Marcella (3 years old)

"For fans of Olivia and Eloise, this stunning debut from Kelly Light is an irresistible story about the importance of creativity in all its forms."  GoodReads

The summer months have been ones for creating all kinds of art in our home and at our local Art Museum.  We have painted, molded sculptures, and collaged.  Needless to say our house is one with several budding artists.  I am so excited about the publication of Louise Loves Art and I can't wait to add this one to our growing pile of children's books.  With comparisons to Olivia I know this book will live up to the hype.  I can't help, but remember what Picasso said, "Every child is an artist.  The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up."  It you want to help your little artist stay on his or her own "Artists Way" give Louise Loves Art a read and see if it sparks that creative gene.

Happy Reading☮

The Things You Can Read!

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books!