As you all know, I am a strong believer that if you are to become an accomplished writer, you MUST read good literature. I recently returned from a BER seminar entitled “The Best Young Adult Books of the Decade and How to Use Them in Your Program (Grades 6-12)”. I learned about so many great books that I wanted to share some of them with you. Dr. Scates gave book talks on over 75 books during the day, so the list here does not do justice to the great literature out there for young adults. First, I will post  Denni Kay Scates’s (the presenter) list of the:

Top Ten Young Adult Books for Grades 6-8.

1)          Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis

2)          The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick (Adventure)

3)          Cirque Du Freak (series) by Darren Shan (Fantasy; Horror)

4)          To Dance by Sienna Cherson Siegel (Science Fiction; Graphic Novel)

5)          Death by Eggplant by Susan O’Keefe (Humor)

6)          Click Here and Find Out How I Survived 7^th Grade by Denise Vega (Humor)

7)          Waiting for Normal by Leslie Conner (Realistic Fiction)

8)          Guys Write for Guys Read by Jon Scieszka (Short Stories)

9)          Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Murdock (Realistic Fiction)

10)      A Baseball Card Adventure Series (ie. Babe and Me) by Dan Gutman (Fantasy; Series)

Besides Dr. Scates’s Top Ten, I made a list of :

“Top Ten Books I Want to Read”

1)          Point Blank: an Alex Rider Adventure by Anthony Horowitz (Adventure)

2)          From Baghdad With Love: a Marine, the War, and a Dog Named Lava by Jay Kopelman (Memoir)

3)          How to Be Popular by Meg Cabot (“Chick” Lit)

4)          The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova (Fantasy; Horror)

5)          Code Talker by Joseph Bruchac (Historical Fiction)

6)          Fire From the Rock by Sharon Draper (Historical Fiction)

7)          24 Girls in 7 Days by Alex Bradley (Humor)

8)          Dead Girls Don’t Write Letters by Gail Giles (Mystery)

9)          Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Murdock (Realistic Fiction)

10)      Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life by Wendy Mass (Mystery)

You knew I would want to give my two-cents, so here it is:

Mrs. C-P’s Top Ten List of Young Adult Books

1)          Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Michaelsen (Adventure)

2)          Running Out of Time by Margaret Petterson Haddix (Historical Fiction/Adventure)

3)          Flying Solo by Ralph Fletcher (Realistic Fiction)

4)          Jack on the Tracks by Jack Gantos (Humor)

5)          Swimming Upstream: Middle School Poems by Kristine O’Connell George

6)          Sideways Stories From Wayside School by Louis Sachar: (Humor)This book is below the middle school level reading-wise; however, is rich in language and lends itself to impromptu plays

7)          Guts by Gary Paulsen (Biography)

8)          Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz (Adventure)

9)          Silent to the Bone by E.L. Konigsburg (Realistic Fiction a bit more mature topic than the rest)

10)      Writing Magic by Gail Carson Levine (Non Fiction): One of the best books to encourage young writers.

If you are interested I have a catalog of ALL of the books BER recommends for students 6-12. It is lengthy, but it gives a brief description of the books. As readers of this blog your assignment is to add to the list through “comments”. What books have your read that should DEFINTELY be on the TOP TEN LIST OF YOUNG ADULT BOOKS GRADES 6-8? Leave a comment with the title of the book, author and why you think it should be on the list. Happy reading and writing…

Baseball

Before the bottom of the ninth,

When your team is down a run,

While the fans yell and scream,

As you are up to bat,

You try hard to score the winning run.

Although your team is an underdog,

While your down by 10,

When you have no chance,

Before the game started,

You hope you can still win.

-J.W.-

Lunch

 As I get out of class,

When I put my books away,

While I slowly walk down the hall,

After I get in line,

I wait for my food.

After I get my lunch,

As I look for my friends,

While I go to sit down,

When I get ready to put my food in my mouth,

My stomach growls.

-P.P-

End of School

When I go to my locker,

After the bell to end class,

As I set my books down,

While I open my lock,

I’m talking with my friends.

When I get off the bus,

After the school day has ended,

While the bus pulls away,

As I climb the porch steps,

I say “hi” to my mom.

-K.W-

Thanksgiving

Although I have to admit,

When the food is tasty,

As if you taste a winner,

Until you have to admit what is best,

My dear family’s turkey is the best of them all.

When you have the Thanksgiving meal,

Before you thank the chef,

If you every wonder,

While you taste think,

These wonderful treats are so delightful, thank you all and have a good night.

-M.A.-

The Softball Diamond

When we practice on the diamond

While the sun is beating down,

As if we were playing like pros,

Until the day was done,

All the diamonds were pitch black.

When playing on the diamond,

If you like the rush of the air,

As the glove catches the ball,

While the fans cheer after each catch,

You know softball is just right for you!

-K.A-

At the MOVIES

As I stumble into the cramped lobby,

After people trip over me like bricks falling,

While purchasing the yummy popcorn,

When they layer the drizzly butter,

It’s really hard to wait for the buttery goodness!

Because we bought the tickets before deciding,

Since we already chose 2012,

While staring in agonizing boredom,

Before I should’ve said,

Mom, I don’t want to watch this movie!

-M.D.-

The Mall

After I arrive into all of the excietment,

Before I get in a mammoth line,

While I’m browsing,

As I tumble around,

I enjoy the mall!

As I jump from section to section,

Before the mob reaches me,

Since I still have a bundle full of money,

If I haven’t rached my curfew,

I shop till I drop!

-M.C.-

             I Am From

I am from a house that warms me tenderly,

And siblings who grant me as their example.

I am standing strong, with friends playing in the streets,

I am from a place where “I got a B on my report card” is unacceptable.

I am from laughter being spread across the room,

I am from my ancestors watching every move I make, along with every step I

take.

From the wind blowing in my face, and smiles all over the neighborhood.

I am from memories and courage being passed on from generation to

generation,

From books speaking to me through their pages,

And from where showing favoritism isn’t allowed.

Integrity and love run through my family,

And hope never being brought down.

-I.H.- 

Here is an example of how I can post your Wordle if you send it to me. Also, don’t forget to send me your “I Am From..” pieces to post on our website. Send them to: cuttillm@mfschools.org 

If you don’t have access to a computer at home, you can give me your hard copy and I will retype it and post it here. You can find a copy of the “Wordle Instructions” in the “Resources” section of this website. Happy Publishing!! Here is the wordle address   http://www.wordle.net/

Here are a few of the amazing pieces MFMS students created to honor our veteran’s for the Veteran’s Day assembly on Wednesday.

FREEDOM WALL:

Courageous and strong are words used to describe a veteran.  Veterans are the men and women who dedicate their lives to fight for our freedom. This makes them our country’s heroes. Fighting in a war isn’t an easy thing to do and many soldiers’ sacrificed their lives.  This is why we owe our deepest thanks to our veterans.

A.M. (7-7)

   As she stands over the USA, she waves at Americans of all colors. With the twinkling stars and broad stripes, she represents our country’s great pride and history. With red, white, and blue she captures the country’s greatest journeys. Defending our freedom and rights, she gets tattered and torn by bombs and flying debris. As we gather around, we salute her with our hands over our hearts; sharing tears and hardships with the great heroes of our nation and reminding ourselves of the ordinary people doing extraordinary things. With an overwhelming amount of strength, courage, hope and discipline, they place their lives on the line for people just like you and me. Gazing at “Old Glory”, we can thank God for all the brave brothers and sisters out there protecting our nation.

A.R. (7-7)

American Flag

Majestic, Patriotic,

Dreaming, Rising, Believing,

May it be stars and stripes forevermore.

Star-Banner

E.M. (6-5)

Veterans

Brave, Strong,

Respecting, Defending, Honoring,

Heroes walk tall and stand proud.

Soldier

P.H. (6-4)

Liberty

Bravery, Heart,

Sacrificing, Believing, Hoping,

Sweet land of honor

Freedom

A.R. (6-5)

Veteran’s Day means remembering the American soldiers that died in all the wars. They died protecting us and our freedom. Some died to set other people free in other countries. My great grandpa Robert Branham was a veteran of World War II. He fought in the battle of Normandy. My grandpa, George Miller, was a veteran of the Vietnam War. They both have passed away, but my family and I will think of them on every Veteran’s Day. I hope everyone will make time on Veteran’s Day to remember the soldiers, like my grandpas. They were the people who died for our freedom and for that I am grateful.    R.M. (7-7)

The still gunshots rang out in silence,

As they marched slowly onto the battlefield teeming with faith,

But honor in red, white, and blue stands strong ahead,

Reminding many that this is where we stand.

On land, on sea, and on air our veterans thrive,

With not just weapons, but with friends and hope,

Noble heroes made from just ordinary people,

Days pass and days go by waiting for family to come home.

Understanding the risk and standing tall to the challenge,

Our veterans are saviors that give freedom and light,

At home family grieves, but at the thought stay strong,

Finding heart in this time may be hard, but veterans stand tall.

N.H. (7-7)

L.I.B.E.R.T.Y.

Loving

goIng toward your dreams

Believing in your nation

Encouragement

pRide and self confidence

proud To be an American

loYal to your country

T.K. (7-8)

Veteran’s Day Assembly

Do you think you have a novel inside of you screaming to get out? Here is your chance. November is National Novel Writing Month and YOU can participate. Check out their cool website here:

NaNoWriMo Young Writers Program

You will find everything you need to begin writing your novel during the month of November. If you choose to participate, please let me know, as it will (of course) be worth oodles of extra credit for you.

Write ON!!!

Things in a House

The T.V. blinks its eyes at me,

As the door waltzes back and forth,

And guitars sing back at me,

While the computer hums an electric song,

The sofa lounges in the living room,

Then toys call me to play,

And the lamps sneeze light everywhere.

N.P

My Car Ride

The cars bustled around us,

As the horn screamed at cars,

And the mountain grew taller,

While the trees walked across the plain,

As the lake stood still,

And the clouds seemed to dance across the sky.

M.D.

Christmas

The Christmas tree is showered with light,

While Christmas lights whisper as they are being hung,

And the presents enjoy being opened,

While the cookies perfume themselves,

The ornaments on the tree are calling me,

As the candles sing with joy,

And the stockings are exclaming with being filled.

P.W.

ART

The canvas silently waited,

As the paints poured onto the palette,

The pencil danced on the paper,

And the paintbrush swept across the surface,

The paper begged to be drawn on,

As the acrylic paint applied itself across the portrait.

The painting spoke to me with its beauty.

E.S.

The Jungle

The tiger screams to awake the animals,

While the birds whisper a soft song,

And the lion shouts to warn of attackers,

While the alligators sneak for morning food,

The coyotes yell to alert the pack,

And the jungle parties to have a good time.

C.C.

End of the Day

Bookbags jump out of lockers,

Coats flail with excitement,

Busses spring to life,

Bicycles sprint away,

Cars rescue children,

School slowly dies,

As the bell announces the end of the day.

C.R.

Thanksgiving

The turkey ran around the table,

While the ham screamed in my mouth.

The dishes chatted in the sink,

My aunt’s house echoed and bounced.

The candles winked as I walked by,

The stuffing sprinted across the table into my mouth,

My pumpkin pie danced and whistled down my throat.

M.A.

Video Games

My controller is lounged in my hands.

My game system is humming with delight.

The TV grumbles as the noise continues.

The couch moans under the weight.

Bottons shriek as they are pressed rapidly.

Fingers skip over buttons as I play my video game

H.K.