Now, Then and Every When by Rysa Walker

   I joined a Coronacation reading challenge with my co-workers and that is driving my reading selections for now.  One of the categories was a book about time travel.  Usually I am pretty hesitant about time travel books.  I love them when they are done well but I find that so often they aren't.

I really hate the girl goes back in time, girl meets boy, they fall in love but they aren't from the same time so they are doomed forever trope.   I try desperately to avoid it, but it is fairly common in time travel books.  I am happy to say that this book definitely wasn't that.

This book is about Chronos, a time travel governmental agency and what happens when two agents cross paths in one of the most tumultuous times in our history.   Someone breaks the time line, but who?  And how will they fix it? 

I enjoyed this book because it incorporated a lot of things that I find interesting or that I enjoy.  It talks about the 1960's and the civil rights movement.  It projects so much of what it was like, especially for a person of color to live then.  It also talks a lot about music and the importance of pop culture - but especially music.   I had no idea of the real importance of the Beatles.  I mean, of course they are one of the most influential bands - EVER - but when I read this book I learned a lot about their politics, too.  I had no idea that the Beatles refused to play in front segregated audiences.  Think about that.  It's just so powerful.

I love when I read a book and learn something new.  Something unexpected.   This book also had a lot of legal arguments  - human rights arguments so that aspect was really interesting, too.   Unfortunately, I only gave it three stores because sometimes, with such a complex story,  the author got a little lost in the weeds it felt like.   There was just so much information to sift through - a cult in the 1900s,  multiple time lines,  court cases,  a video game played by a psychopath, etc..... Good effort - too convoluted.

Summer of '79 by Elin Hillderbrand

       So I want to start off by saying that this story is a sequel to Elin's wonderful book The Summer of '69.   You have to read that one first.  This is just a short story/novella that lets you know what happened to those beloved characters 10 years after the end of the story.

I absolutely LOVED the Summer of '69.   I wasn't alive then, but it was fun to reflect on what life was like then.  The characters were so real and vivid, not to mention that there was just so much going on historically.   I enjoyed every second.  You can about every single character - the grandmother, Exalta,  the mother, Kate, oldest sibling, Tiger, oldest girl, Blair, middle wild child, Kirby and the youngest, Jessie.   I didn't want Summer of 69 to end so I was absolutely thrilled to know that there was so much more to the story.

As i said, I wasn't alive for the summer of 69, but I was for 79.  I was almost ten.  I remember everything in this book and it brought back so much nostalgia.  I mean, remember the macrame everything?  My mother even had macrame plant holders for goodness sake.  The playlist mentioned in the book was wonderful.  I could hear the songs in my head.  Just life.  It brought so much back - all good things.  Plus,  I finally felt like all the characters were on a course that I could see them living happily ever after.  Who doesn't love a happy ending?   Five stars

ClickBait by Evelyn Dar

  So I am doing a reading challenge with my work friends for the duration of coronacation.  One of the  tasks was to read a YA book.  If you have ever read my blog, you already know I read a lot of YA so I wanted to read something that wasn't my typical fare.  This seemed to fit the bill.

First of all, let's talk about that cover.  It's gorgeous and really made me curious about the story.  The basics of the story involves a Trumpian  politician, a SAT scandal, a coverup and the use of social media to expose it all.   I didn't love this book, but there were definitely things that I liked.

First, I loved the inclusion in this book.  The two main characters are both girls and, even though they are coming from opposite  places in this story,  it is mainly a love story about them.  The great thing that I enjoyed about this relationship was that it happened so organically.  It didn't seem forced.  Even as a straight woman, I could relate to their feelings and experiences.  I think that is really hard to write.

And there weren't just gay characters.  There were transgendered characters too.  Maybe because most of the characters in this book are teenagers, and this takes place, at least partially in high school,  this inclusion seems more natural.  I really enjoyed the supporting characters in this story, especially Mady.  She really brings a unique perspective to the story and I wish the author had explored it some more.   Maybe Mady will get her own book some day.  I think I would enjoy reading it..

I loved the use of social media.  This book did a beautiful job both of showing how we use it in such a frivolous way and how it can be used as a force for good.

Finally, I think the author did a really great job with voice.  Each character seemed real.  You could see them and understand, although not always agree, with their perspective.  I could hear their voices in their head.

I guess at the end of the day, I didn't love the story but did think the book was well written.  I gave it three stars.

What Great Teachers Do Differently Chapters 7-13

   I continue to enjoy this really concise and wonderful book by Todd Whitaker.  Here are my reflections on Chapters 7-13. 

Probably the most important take away from this - good teachers always look for something they can control- their own performance.  I have always believed that if my students aren't understanding something that I am teaching them, they haven't failed - I HAVE.  It is my job to find a way to communicate to them so that they can understand.    It is never someone else's fault. 

Avoid the lunchroom.  Literally there is a chapter in the book about this and Mr. Whitaker doesn't mean specifically the lunchroom but rather any place that is a potential hive of negativity.  I love my coworkers and most of the time I want to share their joys and triumphs.  We all work those few though who NEVER have anything good to say.  They are always gossiping about other people, complaining, etc.... This kind of negativity is like a cancer and it is HIGHLY contagious.  Don't get caught up in it.  I realize that I have in the past.  That I react to it, even as I strive to distance myself.  I'm not going to do that anymore.  I have no time for that, and I don't want to perpetuate the drama.

Effective praise is really important.  But what does effective mean?  Mr Whitaker outlines five requirements - authentic, specific, immediate, clean and private.   Clean means no buts.... just the praise.  No add ons.  Private is the important part.  Praise that is meant to influence another students behavior isn't really effective praise.   I will be changing this when I get back to an actual classroom.

And finally the big one.  I had a really bad encounter with a coworker just before christmas break.  This co-worker misinterpreted a situation, and jumped to erroneous conclusions because she was too busy to stop and ask for clarification.  It was a really unfortunate situation and one that I understand a little better now.  It's sad really because I fear that it will always color my interaction with her.  Here's the thing though,  I need to remember this because the same thing can happen to me.  I could rush to judgment, misinterpret something a coworker or student says and my response could color their opinion of me - forever.  I want the picture that I give to my coworkers to be clear and true.  I want them to have a true reflection of who I  really am and so I have to remember that in my interactions - to be clear, concise and careful  - not rushed and hurried.  Easier said than done  but I think this is REALLY important.  I want to keep this lesson in the forefront of my mind because even though it was painful for me to experience, I would feel worse if I did this to another person, especially a student. 

The Hen Party by Emily Benet

   I selected this book for an upcoming themed book club.  One of our themes is a book where you would like to travel to.  I have wanted to go to Majorca for some time, and it just so happens that this book is set there.  I was looking for something fun and light and this book seemed to fit the bill.

This is the story of Fiona, a bride to be who won a fabulous get away hen party on Majorca.  Think Big Brother type reality tv.  Fiona can invite four "hens" in addition to herself to celebrate her pending upcoming nuptials. She's very posh and has clear ideas of what a hen party should be - yachts, fancy restaurants,  beautiful alcoholic beverages with umbrellas and beaches. 

Unfortunately, Hen Party, the tv show, has a new director who wants to take the show on a more environmental bent.  Let's just say that Kate and Fiona don't quite see eye to eye.

Between the hilarious friction between Kate and Fiona and the tension and secrets among the hens, there is a lot that will be revealed along the way. 

I gave it three stars. It was entertaining enough, but basically just fluff.  The perfect book to keep my mind off of quarantine and not have to work too hard.

What Great Teachers Do Differently by Todd Whitaker. Self Reflection chapters 1 -6.

  This book has a lot to offer and much to parse through.  So I decided that I would review and reflect on it parts.  These are my thoughts on chapters 1 -6.   So often with "teaching"  books, I wonder how much of it will be applicable to me, as an assistant teacher.  I mean, at the end of the day, it is my job to support but it isn't  my classroom.  I am not the final arbiter and so it is a delicate balance dealing with students and other teachers.  This book really does have a wealth of information that is directly beneficial to me.  Some take aways so far:

1.  No matter how good or bad the programs in the schools, what really matters is the PEOPLE.   A good teacher can make all the difference in the lives of a child and contribute to the over all climate of the school.  I know in my own life there are teachers that I will always remember.  Mrs. A comes immediately to mind, as she always does.  It didn't matter what she was taking what mattered was HOW.

2. Set Expectations from the start and be consistent.  The rules have to apply evenly and to every student.  They have to be applied the same today and tomorrow - even if it's your favorite or least favorite student doing it.  This one is tough for me but I definitely have seen the importance of having fair and consistent expectations.  When the rules apply evenly, students know that you are fair and that they can expect you to keep them safe.  Children push boundaries to help them learn and in my role as a mom and as an educator, I honestly believe that they want someone to step them back when they push the limit too far.  They need to trust us to do that.

3.  I have always known the " we don't smile until Thanksgiving" adage is complete bullshit but I work with people who follow it.  I work with small children - a smile, love, kindness... it all matters and it matters every day.  Period.  Of course we all have bad days - even the kids, but how we say things can be as important as what we say.  This has been a big lesson in my life and something that I have to constantly remind myself of.

4.  Sending students to the office - this part of the book really gave me a different perspective from administrators point of view.  I grew up in the 70's and 80's.  Then, if you were sent to the office, you were in a LOT of trouble.  I lived in fear of my principal.  I never wanted to see her or talk to her - ever.  I realize now this is the wrong approach.  If a teacher has to ask for support, an administrators job becomes not just helping support behavioral expectations, but also to de-escalate the student.  After all, sending a student back from the office more upset than when they left doesn't help or support the teacher or the student.  This perspective really opened my eyes and changed the way I think about some things.

and finally, my biggest take away so far, really can't be understated.  Every teacher has high expectations for their students, but we need to have even higher expectations for ourselves.  I think it's really important to never fall into the "we've always done it this way" mentality.  I think it's really important to always be self reflecting, trying to improve our own practices, watch what our colleagues do well and maybe emulate them and finally, always be willing to learn something new.  I tell people all the time that we all have something to teach and we all have something to learn.  I have learned more from my students than I have probably ever taught.   That's true. 

I'm really enjoying this book so far.  Looking forward to the next part - chapters 7-13. 

Happenstance by Jamie McGuire

   I picked this book up because it was free on Kindle unlimited and because I enjoyed All the Little Lights by the same author.  I thought I would give this one a try.

It was frivolous but entertaining.  It is the story of three Erins - Alderman, Sonny and Easter.  They were all born on the same day and friends, until the 6th grade, when things went awry as they so often do in 6th grade.  Now Easter is a pariah, tortured by the other two and just trying to keep her head down until she leaves her small one horse town for college.

Enter Weston.  The boy she has had feelings for forever.   And also Alderman's boyfriend.  How complicated can things get?  Well,  you wouldn't believe me if I told you.

I gave this one three stars  I doubt I will continue on with the story, it's simply a little too far fetched.