What Are You Reading?

As my final post in this year's March challenge the following titles give you glimpses into many moments of my days throughout the month. Below are the books I read this month, which I always post on the final Monday of the month.

“It’s Monday! What are you Reading?” is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. It is a chance for book lovers to share their reading accomplishments as well as what is on the proverbial nightstand. She even does a giveaway. Subsequently Jen and Kellee at Teach Mentor Texts added an opportunity for those reading kidlit to join the fun. Since I read both I will post to both. Check them out, join the conversations, and discover more great books.

Books marked with an '*' I would put in my classroom library.
(Books marked with a ^'#' would be in an middle or high school library.)

Jumping Off Swings by Jo Knowles #
An honest look at high school life, which is not always pretty.

The Orchardist by Amanda Coplin
This book was recommended to me by my mother-in-law. The setting is her neck of the woods. I enjoyed the premise and overall storyline, but it was too drawn out for me and a bit of a chore to get through.

Orange Is The New Black: My Year In A Women's Prison 
by Piper Kerman #
This was recommended by Kristen Howerton of Rage Against The Minivan fame. (I happen to have a one degree of separation to her, but that is neither here nor there.) I was riveted from beginning to end.

The People of Sparks by Jeanne DuPrau
This is the second book in the series. At the close of City of Ember I was curious what would happen next, but that curiosity has been quenched and I won't read the third book.

Fracture by Megan Miranda #
An intriguing YA novel with a near death experience and a best friend/boy next door thang going on.

The Ocean At The End Of The Lane by Neil Gaiman
Interesting in its uniqueness, but nothing I am going to say you need to read.

The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman *
Themes of power and friendship with strong examples of character development. (I sound like a teacher, don't I?)

Radio Fifth Grade by Gordon Korman
This book did nothing for me, nor the students I know who read it. I like lots of things Gordon Korman has written, but this one I will leave for someone else' shelf.

The Conch Bearer by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni *
I am not sure what to say. I want to read more by Divakaruni. I enjoy her writing and find her style to be fresh and enjoyable. (In fact, looking her up I found I have read another one of her books, One Amazing Thing, which I liked as well.)

Where The Streets Had A Name by Randa Abdel-Fattah *
One of my students had this book from the library and I requested to read it after her. It takes places in locales I have spent time in. I found it to read true to those I know who live in the occupied West Bank. It is appropriate for my fifth graders and an accessible way to new understandings.