Review in Miniature: Hello, Gorgeous: Becoming Barbra Streisand by William J. Mann

Here is a secret about me, movie trivia is my thing.  Not current stuff, I'm talking tidbits from the silent era to about 1970.  I often lament...If only I could cash in on my worthless movie knowledge.  Honest to goodness, I'm a savant when it comes to this topic, which brings me to my other secret love and that is reading autobiographies and biographies of actresses, actors, directors, producers, screenwriters...you get the idea, so I'd never pass up the opportunity to read about one of the greats: Barbra Streisand.

Having read oodles and oodles of this genre I can say without hesitation that this is a great read!  I stop here to add that this is not your typical biography.  It does not cover Streisand's entire career, but rather a crucial period of five years at the start:  1960-65.  Seventeen in 1960 we see just how one with the right mix of determination and talent makes it.  The only downside to the book is that Mann doesn't tell us the rest of the Streisand story.  If you enjoy peeking inside the world of movie icons then this is a must read.

Thank you Net Galley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for allowing me access to a review copy of  Hello, Gorgeous: Becoming Barbra Streisand by William J. Mann. 

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Quote to Think About

As a collector of bookish quotes I can't help, but share them.  Here is yet another one that I found thanks to a post on Nerdy Book Club's blog:

“That’s what fiction is for. It’s for getting at the truth when the truth isn’t sufficient for the truth.”-Tim O’Brien

What do you think? Agree? Disagree? Share your opinion with us! Thanks Nerdy Book Club for yet another great post.

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Happy 4th of July, 2014 From The Things You Can Read

Happy 4th of July Reading☮

“America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.” ― Abraham Lincoln

“Lock up your libraries if you like; but there is no gate, no lock, no bolt that you can set upon the freedom of my mind.” ― Virginia Woolf, A Room of One's Own

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Review in Miniature: Love Slave By Jennifer Spiegel

Need a break from those heavier books of literary fiction you've been reading? Looking for that next hipster read for the summer? Well, here it is, Love Slave by Jennifer Spiegel. Realistic in its presentation of Sybil Weatherfield’s life circa 1995, enter the craziness that is the New York City lifestyle. Sybil is witty, sarcastic, and a cynic, in other words, she is my kind of gal. Like many from this generation she is not able to reach her full potential and therein lies the conflict.

Again, if you need a break from heavier reading choices then take a trip to NYC via Love Slave and see what Sybil is up to.

Thank you Net Galley and Unbridled Books for the review copy of Love Slave by Jennifer Spiegel.

Happy Reading☮

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Review in Miniature: Autism Breakthrough: The Groundbreaking Method That Has Helped Families All Over The World by Raun K. Kaufman

When the book blurb reads, “This is the book that parents, professionals and educators of children with Autism have always wanted!” the book has a great deal to live up to and guess what, this one really does live up to the hype. I am an educator who has taught Autistic children in the regular classroom and I am a parent of a recently diagnosed child with Autism/Asperger’s Syndrome (February 2014), and I can tell you based on my research and reading on the topic this book is one of the best I have read on the subject to date. I say this after just having finished Tony Attwood’s The Complete Guide to Autism. Please keep in mind that Mr. Attwood is considered one of the leading Autism gurus or experts, if you will. What book am I referencing? Answer: Autism Breakthrough: The Groundbreaking Method That Has Helped Families All Over The World by Raun K. Kaufman.

Let me start by saying that Raun K. Kaufman confesses to having experienced a full recovery from Autism and let me add that this proclamation is somewhat controversial, but considering that it wasn't until 1980 that Autism was even on the research radar whose to say that it can’t be cured. I suggest laying aside the controversy that surrounds Kaufman’s Son Rise Program/ Option Institute and focus instead on the useful information that is to be discerned inside Autism Breakthrough. Information that parents, professionals and educators of children with Autism can use to help a child who suffers from Autism. This book is a tool for adults who chose to look at an Autistic child and, “...see possibilities not deficiencies,” and for those who want to create a truly safe environment where their child can grow and reach his or her full potential.

Again as an educator and parent, I highly recommend this book to anyone wishing to understand and help those who have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Thank you Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for the Advance Reader’s Copy of Autism Breakthrough: The Groundbreaking Method That Has Helped Families All Over The World by Raun K. Kaufman.

Update:

I implemented the strategy of "Joining" with my son and I can say it works.  He is not talking and he is about to turn four on August 2, but when I joined in with his STIM behavior we were counting out-loud to twelve in a matter of minutes.  His stacking STIM behavior was a way for him to count INTERNALLY and when I joined him and started counting the spice containers from the spice shelf OUT-LOUD he gave me a big smile and joined in OUT-LOUD.  He didn't just do this once he counted repeatedly and added more jars to our lineup as we continued to count together.  We did this for about five minutes TOGETHER.  I know that doesn't sound like much to most parents of an average four year-old, but this is a tremendous breakthrough for my son who we knew had a lot going on in his own internal world.  I also need to add that prior to reading this book when he would get into the spice cabinet we would repeatedly correct him only to have him return to the cabinet and repeat his stim behavior.

Additional Links:
NPR: Send in the Idiots: Stories from the Other Side of Autism by Nazeer, Kamran

NPR:  A Conversation with Temple Grandin

NPR:  Tracking Causes of Autism Back to the Womb

NPR:  Researchers Set Sights on Early Autism Diagnosis
NPR:  Commentary: Autism and Vaccination
NPR:  Dr. Fred Volkmar on Asperger's Syndrome

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Review in Miniature: The Violinist's Thumb And Other Lost Tales of Love, War, and Genius, as Written by Our Genetic Code by Sam Kean

In recent years I have grown to love nonfiction. I didn't always. It has to do with the methodology/structural choices that modern-day nonfiction writers use to share their information. Here's what it boils down to...when the information unfolds like a story it makes it so enjoyable to read that I forget I’m reading nonfiction. Then couple that with the ability of the author to take a complicated idea and bring it down to a level that my non-sciency-self can understand and you have a great read. This is why Sam Kean’s books are so enjoyable to read.

I have to admit that it was the title that grabbed me on this one along with the reference to Paganini, the famous violinists. Interesting what will make one open a book. I certainly learned a great deal about what made Paganini more accomplished than other violinist, but the author didn't stop there. Kean takes the reader on a DNA ride of titanic proportions. He shares terms, anecdotal stories, and other science stuff a non-sciency person like myself never expected to enjoy. A big thanks to Mr. Kean for making science accessible and interesting.

If you want to know more about DNA, but were afraid the science was too complicated then grab a copy of The Violinist's Thumb and start reading!

Thank you Net Galley and Little, Brown and Company for the review copy of The Violinist's Thumb by Sam Kean.

Happy Reading☮

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Review in Miniature: The Art Forger A Novel by B. A. Shapiro

Let me start by saying that I love stories that deal with the art world.  We all have favorite artists and there is nothing better than seeing a favorite painting in person, which is why the The Art Forger by B. A. Shapiro hooked me from the get-go.  

As many may or may not already know, on March 18, 1990, thirteen works of art today worth over $500 million were stolen from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston and this heist remains the largest unsolved art theft in history.  What really happened?  Well, here is a plausible fictional accounting of what might have been.  There is so much fact inside The Art Forger you can easily forget that you are reading a work of fiction. I was quickly caught up in the world of artists, art dealers, gallery owners, critics, curators, and  forgers.  

My favorite part of the book was the expertly researched detail the author shared on how one creates a believable forgery.  So not only does this novel entertain with a compelling story it also educates those of us who do not live and breathe the art world; sharing with us the secrets on how one goes about fooling the experts.

Love Claire or hate Claire you can’t help, but be caught up in her world. I highly recommend this novel to anyone who loves a good mystery or anyone who like me loves stories set in the art world.

Thank you Net Galley and Algonquin Books for the review copy of The Art Forger.  As always I continue to count on Algonquin to publish quality works of fiction and The Art Forger is just another example of the discerning choices this publishing house makes.

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Teaching Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery"?

Do you teach Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery"?  Well, if you do or if you just like this classic tale you'll love the interesting trivia uncovered over at Mental Floss.  Checkout "11 Facts About Shirley Jackson's The Lottery."  One of which states that, "Even the staff at the New Yorker were baffled by this controversial story."

As always let us know your thoughts on this classic and controversial short story.

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Quote to Think About

I am a collector of quotes here is one I found thanks to a post on Nerdy Book Club's blog:

"A story saves life a little at a time by making us see and hear and taste our lives and dreams more deeply. A story does not rescue life at the end heroically, but along the road, continually."--Kim Stafford, Essayist and Poet

What do you think of that?  Agree?  Disagree?  Share your opinion with us!  Thanks Nerdy Book Club for the great post.

Happy Reading☮

The Things You Can Read!

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Summer Reading 2014

You know summer has arrived when all your favorite book sources start sharing their summer reading lists here are a few:

• NPR's "go-to librarian" Nancy Pearl summer picks 
• The Huffington Post recommended "10 super fun teen summer novels that adults will love too," 
• Mental Floss uncovered "6 beach reads from 100 years ago."

Check these out and let us know what you think!

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Juliet in August: Mini-Review

In twenty-four hours a lot can happen.  Even for those living in the quiet prairie town of Juliet, Saskatchewan. Pick up a copy of Juliet in August by Dianne Warren and see what an outwardly sleepy little town has to offer. A tale of families, but with a finely focused view of their lives in a twenty-four hour period.  If you are a fan of Alice Munro then Dianne Warren is an author you need to try.  I guarantee Juliet in August will not disappoint.  A character driven novel that will not let those who love this genre down.  

A big thanks to Net Galley and Amy Einhorn Books/Putnam USA for the review copy of Juliet in August.

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Final Research Projects: "I" Witness To History

The 2013-2014 School year is coming to a close and the final "I" Witness To History research projects are in.  Students did a great job with the revamped Research Unit.  As I reflect back I feel I had the most success with the summative assessment assignment (the aged journal with three entries) then in previous years (traditional five paragraph research paper), but I already have plans to tweak the unit a bit next year.

Checkout out the NEW material that has been added to our newest page: STEM Problem Based Unit Plan: "I" Witness to History. We also have additional information on the Titanic Research Project-Student Writing 2012 and 2013 Page.  We continue to tweak this project and thereby consider this a work in process, and we still are finding new resources and ideas to try so don't be surprised to see that we are adding information on a continuous basis,.  There are some great links and PowerPoint presentations to aid in teaching the research process located on this site and should you use  any of these resources your feedback is greatly appreciated.  Visit STEM Problem Based Unit Plan: "I" Witness to History, as well as, Titanic Research Project-Student Writing 2012 and 2013, and be sure to let us, here at The Things You Can Read, know if these resources are useful!

Check out Stunning Images of the Titanic: HERE

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Excellence is a habit!

The great Aristotle had it right, excellence is attained through the habit of practice, practice, practice!  Great quote to remember as we work to find our blogging juju again.

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Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to The Things You Can Read!  We are two today!  What they say is true, life events really do affect your blogging.  We welcomed a new baby into our lives on March 20, 2014 and his impending arrival and his post delivery demands really impeded our blogging, but not to worry.  We will forge ahead and try to get back to our blogging rituals.  Thanks for your continued support.  We have actually added a ton of material to our research project so make sure you check out the Stem Based Unit Plan: "I" Witness to History page.  We really turned teaching research on its ear this year.  Continue to check us out each day as we work to get back to our regular posting schedule.

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The Things You Can Read!

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Create Lessons Easily on Blendspace

A "NEW to ME" teacher resource came to my attention at a recent professional seminair I attended on Saturday, it's called Blendspace.  Its easy to use and has so many practical applications in the classroom.  Check out the LESSON we created below or hop on over to Blendspace and check it out for yourself.  As always let us know what you think of this resource, and don't forget to check out our STEM Problem Based Unit we created on our newest page!

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Titanic Presentation Longwood University: STEM Problem Based Unit Plan: "I" Witness to History

Saturday, May 31, 2014 I will be sharing my ideas with other educators on teaching research using a STEM Problem Based Unit, which I created using the historic Titanic disaster.   My original idea back in 2011 was to try to try and re-engage students who refused to participate in the research process.  Now, three years later, my Titanic unit truly captures student interest in the research process by immersing students in everything Titanic.  I am excited to share what I have created with not only my fellow Virginia educators, but also with those of you out in the blogosphere.

Checkout out the NEW material that has been added to our newest page: STEM Problem Based Unit Plan: "I" Witness to History. We also have additional information on the Titanic Research Project-Student Writing 2012 and 2013 Page.  We continue to tweak this project and thereby consider this a work in process, and we still are finding new resources and ideas to try so don't be surprised to see that we are adding information on a continuous basis,.  There are some great links and PowerPoint presentations to aid in teaching the research process located on this site and should you use  any of these resources your feedback is greatly appreciated.  Visit STEM Problem Based Unit Plan: "I" Witness to History, as well as, Titanic Research Project-Student Writing 2012 and 2013, and be sure to let us, here at The Things You Can Read, know if these resources are useful!

Check out Stunning Images of the Titanic: HERE

Happy Reading!
The Things You Can Read

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

May the 4th Be With You!

In honor of all things STAR WARS, including the many book related items this movie has inspired, MAY THE 4TH BE WITH YOU!




Happy reading to all! ☮

Happy Reading☮

The Things You Can Read!

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