LAST IN A LONG LINE OF REBELS by Lisa Lewis Tyre!

LAST IN A LONG LINE OF REBELS by  Lisa Lewis Tyre! 

    

Lisa Lewis Tyre is a debut novelist and boy what a debut!  If you are looking for a great read for young adults or just want to recapture your youth with a book that has the ring of a Nancy Drew Mystery, Last in a Long Line of Rebels is a must read.

     

For the past thirty years, I have lived in houses that date back to the 1800s. Once I even tried to have a Historic Landmark Marker placed in front of one of my houses.  Let me just say, I was an adult and that whole process was a fiasco, so I could truly empathize with Lou's plight.  

After Lou inadvertently discovers that her Civil War era home might be demolished by the city she springs into action.  The thought of losing her home is unfathomable and her plan to save it is ingenious.  I was right there with our protagonist each step of the way.  Lou is outspoken and full of spunk.  No way is she about to take the news lying down.  The journey to save her home from being condemned is full of surprises because Last in a Long Line of Rebels is more than a story about saving an old house it also tackles the issue of intolerance that still exists in the world today.  

The novel is a coming of age story that allows the reader to make unexpected discoveries right along with the main character. Surprises abound the deeper into the novel the reader journeys.   Let's just say the further Lou digs into the past of her ancestors the more she realizes that one must continue to be vigilant in the fight against injustice or history can and will repeat itself.  Tyre's characters feel real and authentic and readers will be right there with Lou Mayhew on her journey of self-discovery.

Lisa Lewis Tyre’s TLC Book Tours TOUR STOPS:

Monday, February 1st: Geo Librarian

Tuesday, February 2nd: Randomly Reading

Wednesday, February 3rd: All Roads Lead to the Kitchen

Thursday, February 4th: Life is Story

Monday, February 8th: Just Commonly

Wednesday, February 10th: Shooting Stars Mag

Thursday, February 11th: Musings by Maureen

Monday, February 15th: Peeking Between the Pages

Tuesday, February 16th: You Can Read Me Anything

Wednesday, February 17th: WV Stitcher

Thursday, February 18th: Tina Says…

Monday, February 22nd: The Things You Can Read

Wednesday, February 24th: A Chick Who Reads

Thursday, February 25th: Just One More Chapter

Monday, February 29th: Laura’s Reviews

Wednesday, March 2nd: Absurd Book Nerd

Thursday, March 3rd: FictionZeal

Monday, March 7th: View from the Birdhouse

I'd like to thank TLC for allowing me access to an advance readers copy (ARC) of  LAST IN A LONG LINE OF REBELS by  Lisa Lewis Tyre

Does  LAST IN A LONG LINE OF REBELS by  Lisa Lewis Tyre GRAB your attention?  Is it a novel you'd be interested in reading?  Let us know here at The Things You Can Read!

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

Teaching Idea: Charcter Tees

Have you tried having students design "Character Tees"? Here is how it works.  Cut out tee-shirts out of poster board or bulletin board paper, and then have students come up with words and images that represent a character from a class novel.   Here is the catch, no character names may appear on the "Character Tee".  Afterwards, display them and have a guessing contest to see who can correctly identify which tee's belong to which character. Check out Scholastic's website for reproducables to use with this activity.  Good luck, and let us know how it works out for you

Happy Reading!

Things You Can Read

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

Writing Prompt Sites

Are you looking for great writing prompts?  Well, here are two great sites: Photo Prompts and Writing Prompts  Let us know what you think!  How do you use writing prompts in the classroom?

Need more sites to rev up your writing juices.  Check these out:

Learning Blogs New York Times
Teach Hub Writing Prompts
Creative Writing Prompts

Happy Reading!
The Things You Can Read

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

Teaching Irony: "The Walrus and The Carpenter" from Alice in Wonderland

Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

We are big fans of Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll and we love to use it to teach English.  Currently, we are reviewing the concept of irony and here is one of our favorite poems, which contains several examples of irony.  On a more personal note, we are currently re-reading Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and the big surprise is that we are enjoying it more as an adult than we did as a child. Has this ever happened to you?  Well, take a stroll or a retro-moment with a "favorite to you" children's classic, and see what happens. 

The Walrus and The Carpenter

The walrus and the carpenter

Were walking cross the land

The beach was wide from side to side

But much to full of sand

"Mr Walrus," said the carpenter,

"My brain begins to perk

We'll sweep this clear and in a year

If you don't mind the work."

"The time has come," the walrus said,

"To talk of other things

Of shoes and ships and sealing wax

Of cabagges and kings

And while the see is boiling hot

And wheather pigs have wings

Kaloo Kalay no work today

We're cabbages and kings"

Oysters, come and walk with us

The day is warm and bright

A pleasent walk

A pleasent talk

Would be a shear delight

(Yes and perhaps if we get hungery on the way

We coul stop and ah, have a bite!!)

But mother oyster winked her eye

And shook her weary head

She new too well it was much to soon

To leave her oyster bed

"The sea is nice

Take my advice

And stay right here" mom said

The time has come my little friends

To talk of other things

Of shoes and ships and sealing wax

Of cabbagges and kings

And while the sea is boiling hot

And wheather pigs have wings

Kaloo Kalay come run away

With the cabbagges and kings

Now ah, let me see

Ah!! A loaf of bread is what we cheerly need

(And how about some pepper, salt and vinagar?)

Ah yes yes of course of course

Now oysters dear, if you are ready

We shall begin the feed

(FEED!!)

Oh yes ah, the time has come my little friends

To talk of food and things

(Of pepper corns and mustard seeds

And other seasonings

We'll mix 'em all together

In a sauce that's made for kings

Kaloo Kalay we'll eat today

Like cabbagges and kings!!)

I, I wait for you I, oh excuse me

I deeply simplisize

For I've enjoyed you company

Oh much more than you realize

"Little oysters, little oysters??"

But answer there came none

And this was scarcly all because

They'ed been eaten

Every-one

THE TIME HAS COME!!!!

Were cabbagges

And kings!!!!

The End

Great Images from the ORIGINAL Alice in Wonderland: CLICK HERE

Soon to be released:  Alice in Wonderland: Norton 3rd Critical Edition

Enjoy!  Let us know all the examples of irony you find in the poem.

Edward Gorey's Alice

Happy Reading!
Things You Can Read

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

A Warning to College Profs from a High School Teacher

A Warning to College Profs from a High School Teacher

Here is an excerpt from a Washington Post article entitled "A Warning to College Profs from a High School Teacher".  The article is filled with memorable quotes to help those who are not in the classroom understand the realities of teaching in our public schools today.  

Please do not blame those of us in public schools for how unprepared for higher education the students arriving at your institutions are. We have very little say in what is happening to public education. Even the most distinguished and honored among us have trouble getting our voices heard in the discussion about educational policy. The National Teacher of the Year is supposed to be the representative of America’s teachers—if he or she cannot get teachers’ voices included, imagine how difficult it is for the rest of us. That is why, if you have not seen it, I strongly urge you to read 2009 National Teacher of the Year Anthony Mullen’s famous blog post, “Teachers Should Be Seen and Not Heard.” After listening to noneducators bloviate about schools and teaching without once asking for his opinion, he was finally asked what he thought. He offered the following:

Where do I begin? I spent the last thirty minutes listening to a group of arrogant and condescending noneducators disrespect my colleagues and profession. I listened to a group of disingenuous people whose own self-interests guide their policies rather than the interests of children. I listened to a cabal of people who sit on national education committees that will have a profound impact on classroom teaching practices. And I heard nothing of value. “I’m thinking about the current health-care debate,” I said. “And I am wondering if I will be asked to sit on a national committee charged with the task of creating a core curriculum of medical procedures to be used in hospital emergency rooms.”
The strange little man cocks his head and, suddenly, the fly on the wall has everyone’s attention.
“I realize that most people would think I am unqualified to sit on such a committee because I am not a doctor, I have never worked in an emergency room, and I have never treated a single patient. So what? Today I have listened to people who are not teachers, have never worked in a classroom, and have never taught a single student tell me how to teach.”

What are your thoughts on how public schools are doing educating our children?  Are you concerned?  Why or why not?  Let us know your thoughts, here at The Things You Can Read.

Happy Reading!
The Things You Can Read

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

The Secret to Fixing Bad Schools 

Here are a few quotes which are "food for thought" from the New York Times article entitled "The Secret to Fixing Bad Schools."

"Ask school officials to explain Union City’s success and they start with prekindergarten, which enrolls almost every 3- and 4-year-old. There’s abundant research showing the lifetime benefits of early education. Here, seeing is believing."

"From pre-K to high school, the make-or-break factor is what the Harvard education professor Richard Elmore calls the “instructional core” — the skills of the teacher, the engagement of the students and the rigor of the curriculum. To succeed, students must become thinkers, not just test-takers."

"From a loose confederacy, the schools gradually morphed into a coherent system that marries high expectations with a “we can do it” attitude. 'The real story of Union City is that it didn’t fall back,' says Fred Carrigg, a key architect of the reform. 'It stabilized and has continued to improve.'"

Take a gander at the full New York Times article.  What are your thoughts?

Happy Reading!
The Things You Can Read

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

Writing Prompts: The Writing Whisperer

We wanted to let our readership know about our other blog, which is more writing oriented.  We use The Writing Whisperer with our students.  The mission of The Writing Whisperer is as follows:

The Writing Whisperer is intended to inspire higher level thinking and discussions, which will culminate in a thoughtful written response.  The Writing Whisperer is intended primarily as source of writing prompts, which often encompass a visual piece to aid in a more contemplative response.  The Writing Whisperer is geared to be used in the classroom, however, it can also be used for writers seeking a prompt to get their "writing juices flowing". In addition, The Writing Whisperer, from time to time, will also feature writing related information and resources.  Now, start writing!

Please feel free to send suggestions for prompts via The Writing Whisperer or The Things You Can Read...of course we will properly credit you, and of course, we will provide a link back to your blog for your contribution!  For the writers and the readers in The Things You Can Read's audience please consider following The Writing Whisperer...Now, start scribbling!

Happy Scribbling!

The Writing Whisperer

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the power of the Written Word!

Things You Can Read

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

Book Tour: Six Weeks to Yehidah by Melissa Studdard

Book Summary Courtesy of Goodreads: 

Six Weeks to Yehidah

by Melissa Studdard (Goodreads Author)

Paperback, 170 pages

"The thing you would notice most was the rain, how the rain fell and fell and never seemed to stop. The sky was constantly swollen with it, then birthing it, swollen, then birthing again, and the hills, like greedy babies, suckled up all that rain. They shone and glistened green as the backs of frogs on bright green lily pads.

Annalise was ten then, old enough that she’d begun thinking about grown up things, like picking her own clothes out for school, yet young enough, still, to indulge in fanciful imaginings of enchanted trees and talking hills. Her best friends were the clouds that canopied her village and the verdant hills that hosted her most precious and outrageous dreams."

As spunky young Annalise travels from one adventure to another, she learns ancient wisdom traditions and gains deeper and deeper insight into herself and her world. Eventually she must make the most important decision she's ever faced -- whether or not to return to the self she has always known.

Published August 2nd 2011 by All Things That Matter Press

ISBN

0984651705 (ISBN13: 9780984651702) 

edition language English

My Review

Six Weeks to Yehidah by Melissa Studdard

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Reading Six Weeks to Yehidah, the debut novel by Melissa Studdard, one cannot help, but be reminded of a few other books. In fact, the more I read, the more I began to formulate a recipe in my minds-eye:

Recipe for Six Weeks to Yehidah by Melissa Studdard

Directions: Take pen and paper and add the following:

A half tablespoon of The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

A pinch of Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

A sprinkle of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

A smidgen of The Odyssey by Homer

A dash of A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

A teaspoon of The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

A squeeze of Buddha: A Story of Enlightenment by Deepak Chopra

Mix vigorously and pour onto the page. Now read.

I must add that what Studdard has created is totally original and not a copy of any of the books mentioned in the recipe, yet certain aspects of Studdard's story do lend themselves to the comparison, but in a good way. 

Six Weeks to Yehidah is definitely different, and like the Chronicles of Narnia can be appreciated on many different levels.  Adults will see the deeper layers the book offers, while YA may simple enjoy it as fun fantasy. I will caution, it is one of those book that if you give up on it too soon, you will miss a real treat.

The overriding theme of the book is self-discovery, and I applaud the author for tackling such a difficult message. There are too few of these types of books out there for young people to read. Luscious narrative fill the 170 pages, and adventures abound. If you take the time to read this novel you will be rewarded twofold.

I also want to mention that the author has created a teaching component for Six Weeks to Yehidah that can be purchased separately entitiled My Yehidah-A Journal into the Story of You, which sounds like a must if you are considering using the book as a teaching tool.  One Amazon customer reivew by Scott Lutz stated, "Within these brilliantly written and illustrated pages of mandalas, writing prompts, and drawing spaces, children can explore and expand their creativity, and tap into the limitless potential within themselves. Melissa Studdard and Cheryl Kelley have created a magical instrument to serve as companion to the bestselling novel Six Weeks to Yehidah. Pick up some brightly colored markers and get set for a journey of wonder and self-discovery along with the vibrant and colorful characters in My Yehidah."  I've added this item to my wish list on Amazon, and I encourge you to check it out as well.

Image credit:  Amazon

I want to thank Sage at Sage's Blog Tours for the opportunity to read and review this book.

More about the author:

Melissa Stud­dard is the author of the best­selling novel Six Weeks to Yehi­dah, and its companion journal, My Yehidah (both on All Things That Matter Press). Since its August 2011 release, Six Weeks to Yehidah has been the recipient of many accolades, including the Forward National Literature Award and January Magazine's best children's books of 2011. It was also named a finalist in the National Indie Excellence Awards and is a current finalist for the Readers Favorite Awards.  

As you might have guessed already, she loves anything related to writing and reading, whether it's sitting alone with a book and a cup of hot tea, or attending a large poetry reading or literary festival. She also loves travelling, meditating, going for walks, bicycling, practicing yoga, and spending time with family. 

She currently resides in Texas with her wonderful daughter and their four sweet but mischievous cats. 

There is No Place Like Home

Image Credit: Think Mind-Cinemagraphs

A writing activity inspired by The Guardian writer, Stuart Evers, who also just happens to be the author of If This Is Home, goes like this...

Mr. Evers chose his top 10 homes in literature noting that he "decided to restrict it to traditional homes in novels--i.e. buildings in which fictional characters live."  We, here at The Things You Can Read thought it might be fun to have students make their own top 10 list of homes in children's or YA literature.  Their choices need to be either homes they might like to live in or homes they might like to visit.  Give this a whirl, and let us, at The Things You Can Read, know how it works out for you!  What would your list look like?

Image Credit: Think Mind-Cinemagraphs

Writing Activity: Introduce Yourself-Three Little Words

Introduce Yourself in Three Little Words

Breaking the ice during the first few weeks of school is always tricky.  We, here at The Things You Can Read, are always trying to do it better.  This year we decided to try this activity.  Hand students an index card as they enter the room, and tell them they need to write three words that describe themselves on the card.  Make sure students understand that they will introduce themselves to the class using just these three words.  In other words, they need to choose wisely!  

Also, consider as a pre-activity reviewing adjectives and nouns; since often the words chosen by folks tend to fall into these two parts of speech.  If you want to extend this activity ask students to take their three words and write three sentences or even a paragraph that describes them.

Example:  mom, librarian, banjoist

Don't forget to let us, here at The Things You Can Read, know how this activity worked out for you.  Leave a comment sharing your success with Three Word Introductions.

Note:  

The Things You Can Read has to thank the Goodreads Group, 

YA Reads for Teachers (And Any Other Adults!), for inspiring this activity.  If you aren't a member consider joining YA Reads for Teachers (And Any Other Adults!) discussions on Goodreads.

Back to School Resource Series: Giant Cookie Message Maker

According to the Giant Cookie Message Maker, "Giant cookies are much yummier than their normal-sized counterparts."  So make as many as you want using the Giant Cookie Message Maker!

Happy Messaging,
The Things You Can Read

Another Tool in our Back to School Series

Here is another tool in our series of Back to School resources to use in your classroom or on your blogs.  Write your own message for your multimedia presentation using Back to School Chalkboard Message.  Fun, easy, and free, three things we love at The Things You Can Read.  Give it a whirl and share your messages in the comment section here at The Things You Can Read, and one more thing, don't forget to follow us via email or Google Connect.

Happy Reading☮

The Things You Can Read!

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

Another Great Tool: Animoto for Educators

In The Things You Can Read's quest to find new and exciting resources to make teaching and blogging more exciting, we have found another great tool:  Animoto.  If you use YouTube in your classroom and you noticed all those great projects popping up many of them were created with Animoto.  Check out our one minute video to see how it works.  We haven't shared the best part yet, Animoto will give teachers a free trial for 160 days.  Since you are limited to 50 videos with the free educator account, you may want to consider a personal account too.  Here is the link for all those educators out there: Animoto for Education.  Just an FYI...We have both types of accounts here at The Things You Can Read because with over 100 students, we'll use up our 50 video limit in no time.  Now, if you don't mind being limited to 30 seconds, then you can create 30 second videos for free all the time, but you will still need to set up an account.  Let us know, here at The Things You Can Read, how this tool works out for you!

Happy Animotoing!

The Things You Can Read

Quotes to Turn a Quote into a Masterpiece: Create a Quote

Image Credit: L. Frank Baum

In celebration of the The Things You Can Read's discovery of Create a Quote.  We thought we'd share a few quotes from the inimitable L. Frank Baum, the writer of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz series.  Enjoy and think about creating a masterpiece using Create a Quote, and don't forget to share your masterpiece with us here at The Things You Can Read.

Quotes courtesy of Goodreads:

“A baby has brains, but it doesn't know much. Experience is the only thing that brings knowledge, and the longer you are on earth the more experience you are sure to get.

“A heart is not judged by how much you love; but by how much you are loved by others”
― L. Frank Baum, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

“Oh - You're a very bad man!"

Oh, no my dear. I'm a very good man. I'm just a very bad Wizard.”
― L. Frank Baum, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

“I shall take the heart. For brains do not make one happy, and happiness is the best thing in the world.
”
― L. Frank Baum, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

“To be angry once in a while is really good fun, because it makes others so miserable. But to be angry morning, noon and night, as I am, grows monotonous and prevents my gaining any other pleasure in life.”― L. Frank Baum, The Emerald City of Oz

“As a matter of fact, we are none of us above criticism; so let us bear with each other's faults.”
― L. Frank Baum, The Marvelous Land of Oz

“Everything has to come to an end, sometime.”
― L. Frank Baum, The Marvelous Land of Oz

“Never question the truth of what you fail to understand, for the world is filled with wonders.”
― L. Frank Baum, Rinkitink in Oz

“No thief, however skillful, can rob one of knowledge, and that is why knowledge is the best and safest treasure to acquire.”
― L. Frank Baum, The Lost Princess of Oz

“. . .It is the Law that while Evil, unopposed, may accomplish terrible deeds, the power of Good can never be overthrown when opposed to Evil. . .”
― L. Frank Baum, The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus

Image Credit: Create a Quote