40book challenge post -

Sunday 22 May 2016 - Ko te Ratapu rua teakau ma rua o Haratua rua manu tekau ma ono.

Dear Team12,

Wow, it seems like this term is flying. I am reading up a storm as per normal! This term I have finished 4 books - all over 300 pages - so I guess that is 8 books in the book challenge world.

I just finished reading  Thegirl with 7 names by Hyeonseo Lee. Mike Hosking recommended it on TV and I immediately downloaded it on my Kindle.  It is an autobiography written by a North Korean defector. It opened my eyes to the world of communist North Korea. It made me feel really lucky to live in New Zealand. It is a heart wrenching story - and an epic adventure.

I also finished reading A Waltz for Matilda by JackieFrench. It is the first in a series set in outback Australia. It is another epic story that is set the late 1800's and early 1900's. Matilda is a young girl who is really brave. Drought, farming, inventions and hard work life that again made me really feel for the character and make me feel lucky to be living in the 2000's. 

One other book that I have 'read' was Robert Muchamore's the Recruit - it’s the first of the Cherub books. It is an interesting story - action packed, spies, adventures, struggles and maybe even a hint of love. I would recommend this for both boys and girls as the lead character is a 12year old boy, but there are strong female characters too. It was funny at times - making me laugh out loud.  I read this via audio book while I was out walking. I think audio books are underrated - no one is too old to listen to a good story - and seeing as I don't have anyone to read to me I might as well listen along. It also makes good use of my time. I suggest you download an audio book onto your phone or iPod to listen to when you walk to school - maximising reading time!

I am still deciding what to read next - I am thinking maybe finishing Rat Burger by David Walliams or starting the 13th Story Treehouse. I have a couple of autobiographies to read as well including biography of the actor who plays Raj on Big Bang Theory.

I am looking for new suggestions - please add them to this doc for me..

Till next time,

Miss M

For the Love of Reading

Wednesday 4th of May 2016 - Ko Te Raapa tenei ra wha o Haratua.

Dear Team12,

Wow I can't believe it's been 13 weeks since we started the 40 book challenge. It's time to reflect and think about our progress and the things we would keep doing, start doing and stop doing with the 40book challenge.

So far I have 27 books (but with the over 225pages that’s 42!!!)

I am pretty amazed - I knew I read a lot, but I didn't think I would have had time to read quite so much!

My favourites would have to be The One and Only Ivan, Loot, Freak the Mighty, Cinder and The Phantom of Terawhiti (you'll get to hear this one as it is part of the #NZReadAloud this term!) I think the reasons that I liked these books is because the characters were personable and the writing was descriptive - I could imagine myself in the setting of the novel.

My least favourite has been Lord of the Flies -which is a classic and I abandoned it was SO boring because I didn't click with the characters and the writing style was very dry. There wasn't much information for my imagination to grab hold of and create pictures.

So what would I keep doing?

I would keep reading each night in bed - its my relax time and I have had success with the number of books I have been reading.

What should I stop doing?

I think I want to change up the genres - they were really hard for me to achieve and I am a good reader. Grownup picturebooks - there are too many maybe we should include graphic novels in this genre. Also There are too many classics - and we didn't really understand what a classic is - so we need to set a time limit on the publishing. E.g if it was published before 1990? Or maybe 1985?

Maybe add a new genre?

What should I start doing?

I need to start talking about books more in class -I think ALL students should have to share a book at least once a term. Sell it to the class in an interesting way - be it a video or a quick chat.

I also want to start using Edmodo more for the 40book challenge - its an under utilised resourse.

I think I need to also start writing to the class regularly - so they can see me writing and how the writing processes works for someone else.

Thanks team for your efforts with the 40book challenge - I was surprised when I went to the town library in the holidays and the Librarian there told me that parents from BOHALLY had been in and talking about the challenge. Super stoked! It was a feel good moment for me!

Till next time,

Miss M