What I'm Reading

I read quite a few books over my spring break, which made it a nice "stay-cation."
One of the most enjoyable books I read was The Key to Extraordinary by Natalie Lloyd, which is about a girl named Emma.
Emma, like all of the women in her family, is a Wildflower. The women in the family are visited with special dreams (Destiny Dreams) that predict/foreshadow the accomplishments that follow. Before Emma's mother died, she told Emma that she thought Emma's dream would come early. So, Emma waits every evening in the hope that she'll have her Destiny Dream and that she'll be able to fulfill its promise when it comes. Meanwhile she helps out at Boneyard Cafe, the family business situated on the edge of a cemetery, and gives tours of the cemetery to tourists. The café has fallen on hard times, and when it looks like Granny Blue, her tough, tattooed, ex-boxer grandmother, might sell the place to a developer, Emma looks for answers within the local folklore about a hidden treasure and a ghost. The voice reminds me of Mo LoBeau in the books by Sheila Turnage. Natalie Lloyd also wrote A Snicker of Magic, which I am ready to re-read.

Another book I read was Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys - definitely more of a Young Adult book than one for my students but it was fabulous! It is a historical fiction novel based on one of the biggest maritime disasters in history, the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff.  This was a disaster that not many people actually know about - I certainly did not.  The story follows four main characters, each from different countries in Europe, as they make their way towards the Wilhelm Gustloff  in order to escape the advancing Soviet army. The characters really made this story and I would highly recommend it. I previously read Ruta Sepetys' Between Shades of Gray, which I also enjoyed by I liked this one even better.

Other books I read include some that are possibilities for my district's Battle of the Books next year.
The Genius Files by Dan Gutman is a fast-paced adventure story that I think my 4th and 5th graders would enjoy.
I also read A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle. Technically this is a re-read but I didn't remember much! I believe I last read it in college, over ten years ago. I'm trying to decide if it will appeal to a wide range of students. I'll let you know what we decide. :)

Happy reading!