Book Review: August and September

I'm a reading and writing teacher, so naturally I spend time reading at school, and I enjoy reading outside of school as well!

At school we keep track of what we're reading through our 40 Book Challenge on our Tally Chart and My Reading List, but at home I keep a spreadsheet with a recap of all of the books that I've read. 

So, here's what I've been reading for the past two months...

Balancing in Heels

Balancing in Heels is a quick read. 

It has workout tips and food tips. 

It details Kristin Cavallari's life from back when she was on Laguna Beach until today. 

She shares her love life, having children, getting in shape, staying in shape and how to love your body. 

This was a super quick and easy read!

A Long Walk to Water

I loved this book. 

It's going to be one of the options for one of our Literature Circles in class this fall. 

This story is told as a parallel story between two children living in Sudan. One is living back in the 80"s and another more in the present day. Both children share their trials and tribulations that come up by living as children in this country. Salva is one of the Lost Boys of Sudan who comes to find safety and later go back to help the people of Sudan where his story intersects with the parallel story being told in the present time.

Iqbal

This is another option for one of our Literature Circles this fall.

Children in Pakistan are forced to work in labor camps-carpet factories, brick factories, etc. The children do whatever they are told until Iqbal comes along. Iqbal was known to be rebellious and was sold several times, but it's not until he makes it away from his Master Hussain that he can show the other children about hope for the future. This story is based on the true story of Iqbal Masih told by Fatima, a girl who worked in the carpet factory with him.

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One of Us is Lying

If you're a fan of mysteries, then you will love this. 

It took me a while to get into this book because there are four main characters, and the plot is told from all of their perspectives. 

After you get about 60 pages in, you will be hooked. 

A high school boy has an allergic attack in after-school detention and dies from not getting administration of his Epi-Pen, which ends up being missing from the school office. 

This story details all of the clues that are left from the four other students who were in after school detention with the boy when his attack occurred. 

You are left to put together the pieces to try to solve the mystery.

Alex and Eliza

Elizabeth Schulyer is sent off to liver with her aunt and uncle. Some years ago she met Alexander Hamilton at a ball her family threw. Years later after moving in with her aunt and uncle she happens upon him again. This time she's intrigued by the caring person that this man who isn't rich or well known has become. Eliza has many decisions to make along the way-she is set with deciding whether to honor her family or herself.

Monster

A nontraditional book written as the making of a movie. 

I read this book in college but reread it again in two days to see if it would be something that my student's might like to read. 

I decided against using it, but it details the murder of a local store owner. 

Three boys are alleged to have committed the murder and the story details their trials and the final conviction. 

A few years back it was a big hit, but I wasn't as impressed this time around. 

So there you have it. 

My reading for the past two months revolved a lot around preparing books for our literature circles in class. 

I spend the summer preparing for the school year, and now that I've got most of my books set for the year, I'm going to start enjoying some more of my own reading.