Who Inspires You?

November 29, 2014 by mrsrombachreads

photo credit: www.goodreads.com

As we finish reading A Long Walk to Water, Linda Sue Park’s riveting story about former Lost Boy Salva Dut, I know many of us have been profoundly affected by Salva’s treacherous journey to freedom. This young man, who at age 11 left his South Sudanese village amidst brutal civil war, came to lead 1200 boys and and young men to safety.

Salva Dut’s courage astounds his. His determination, not only to survive but to change his part of the world, leaves us awestruck. We marvel at his unrelenting determination. If you ever doubt your ability to singlehandedly make a difference in this vast universe, remember Salva Dut. One hope-filled person with a mission…that’s where change begins.

Speaking of Salva Dut, check out his response to my tweet. Pretty cool. 🙂 Now, tell me who inspires you and why. I can’t wait to read your replies.! Leave a comment with your blog URL. When you click on the title of this post, you’ll be able to see my example. 🙂

The First Book of Summer…Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library

June 20, 2014 by mrsrombachreads

Introducing the Blogtastic Book Club‘s

first book of summer…

The votes are in, and author Chris Grabenstein’s Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library takes home the win. You can order this book online or pick it up from your local public library, but be sure to get Mr. Lemoncello in your summer reading hands pronto. Here’s the teaser found on Amazon:

In this cross between Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and A Night in the Museum, Agatha Award winner Chris Grabenstein uses rib-tickling humor to create the perfect tale for his quirky characters.

Kyle Keeley is the class clown and a huge fan of all games—board games, word games, and particularly video games. His hero, Luigi Lemoncello, the most notorious and creative gamemaker in the world, just so happens to be the genius behind the construction of the new town library. Lucky Kyle wins a coveted spot as one of twelve kids invited for an overnight sleepover in the library, hosted by Mr. Lemoncello and riddled with lots and lots of games. But when morning comes, the doors stay locked. Kyle and the other kids must solve every clue and figure out every secret puzzle to find the hidden escape route!

This much-talked-about book earned high praise from my rising sixth grade son, Sean, who gave up YouTube, FIFA gaming on Xbox, and Discovery Channel extreme nature shows to dedicate every waking minute of a 24-hour period to finish Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library. When I asked him what he liked most about the book, he replied, “Everything! It’s one of the best books I’ve ever read.” That’s quite an endorsement from my Rick Riordan-obsessed boy. So what are you waiting for? Pick up the first book of summer. Before you do, take a virtual trek over to Chris Grabenstein’s kid-perfect website.

By the way, all red type indicates an active link. Click and instantly be transported. Once you’ve started reading, post comments here–and in your own blog post. Better yet, post a picture of you reading Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library and share it on your blog, Instagram, or Twitter (#ermsreads, @CGrabenstein). If you’re an Eagle Ridge reader, be sure to register for the Summer Reading Challenge (if you haven’t done so already). I encourage EVERYONE (of every age) to enroll in A Million Books for Hope read-a-thon to help raise funds to cure childhood cancer.

Visit author Chris Grabenstein’s ridiculously awesome website to:

(1) watch the book trailer

(2) read the first three chapters (while you’re waiting for your copy to arrive!)

(3) play Mr. Lemoncello’s Great Library Escape game

(4) read Chris’s interview with Jack and Jill Magazine

(5) visit the school library that inspired Mr. Lemoncello’s Library

(6) buy the paperback or hardcover version of the book (Amazon is currently the least expensive at $5.04 for the paperback).

(7) meet Fred, his retired Hollywood dog

(8) learn about all the other books written by Chris (including Crossroads, a book about zombie hauntings).

Don’t forget to be blogtastic all summer long. Read and write. Write and read. Who knows…maybe someday your 6th, 7th, or 8th grade writing journal will be sitting pretty on your own author’s website. I wonder…what special features would your author website include? Post a comment and let the world know!

Happy Summer! Happy Reading!

Mrs. Rombach

P.S. — Roadtrip on Sunday to deliver Cady to Summer’s Best Two Weeks in PA. Rest assured, I’m bringing Mr. Lemoncello along for the ride.

Read this Summer to Help Cure Childhood Cancer!

June 11, 2014 by mrsrombachreads

The Blogtastic Summer Book Club Starts Next Week

Just two more crazy days in a classroom before summer break officially starts. With the countdown nearly complete, I wonder…what’s on your summer to-do list?

Besides digging my bare toes into the sun-bleached North Carolina beaches, I’ll be turning pages in books I’ve been dreaming about reading all year long. Next week, we (as in you and me) officially launch this blog’s Blogtastic Summer Book Club, a way to keep us reading and writing about fabulous, must-read books. (Vote for Blogtastic Book #1 at the bottom of this post.) This summer, it’s time to read for pleasure…and for the promise of a future without childhood cancer.

A Million Books for Hope – Summer Reading Challenge

Thanks to Alice, one of my students who knows all too well the tragedy of losing a young friend to cancer, I can share A Million Books for Hope read-a-thon with all of you. No matter how old we are, an adversary like cancer makes us feel helpless. Did you know that cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children and adolescents in the United States? In fact, cancer kills 7 children every day in the United States. (Source: National Cancer Institute).

How can a parent–much less a kid–do something that actually makes a difference? What if I told you that by reading books you can contribute to the cure? It’s true. Childhood cancers get shortchanged when it comes to federal funding. Grownups are working on that issue, but while they’re speaking out nationwide and lobbying Congress, we can take part in A Million Books for Hope read-a-thon. Ask your Mom or Dad, Aunt Kathy or Uncle Oakley, or MeeMaw and Grandpa to sponsor you. Whether it’s $1/per book or $5/book, 100% of proceeds go to childhood cancer research. Plus, with Barnes and Noble as A Million Books for Hope sponsor, you’ll earn a $25 gift card if you raise $250. Raise more; earn more! Prizes are detailed on the webpage. Click here to register (or just get more information).

Maybe you know someone who’s living with cancer? We at Eagle Ridge have our own hero, Gavin Rupp, #15, who lost his life to brain cancer on July 30, 2013. Only 4% of cancer funds go to childhood cancer. That needs to change. We will find a cure…one day soon.

Eagle Ridge Summer Reading Challenge

To encourage and inspire you to read as many books as possible this summer, sign up for the ERMS Summer Reading Challenge, too. Read whatever you want…and keep track of the books you’ve read. If you do, prizes are potentially in your back-to-school future.

On Tuesdays, you’ll receive a text message with book recommendations. You can read one of the recommended books…or any book that interests YOU!

Keep track of what you read.

On Sundays, you’ll get a text message as a reminder to log any book you’ve finished. Click here to log books.

Tweet about what you’re reading! #ermsreads

Instagram your books! #ermsreads

Pick a Winner…

Which book should the Blogtastic Summer Book Club read first? Click on the book cover to watch the book or movie trailer.

Vote today. Winner announced next week!

movie trailer for If I Stay

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Librarians Read the Best Books!

February 23, 2014 by mrsrombachreads

NEWS FLASH: Student blogs are now on my blog roll!

If you don’t see your name, you didn’t fill out the student blog survey on Google Docs,

which was homework before the big snow!

Today, I am delighted to welcome a very special guest blogger,

Eagle Ridge librarian extraordinaire,

Mrs. Bryden-Miller.

I asked Mrs. Bryden-Miller to tell us about her favorite book.

Before you read her post, make a prediction.

What book do you think she chose as her all-time favorite book?

What book would you choose to top your list of best books ever read?

Written by Mrs. Bryden-Miller

As a librarian, I read a lot of books. A lot of books. More books than types of beetles exist.

But only a few stand out among the rest, a few that really remind me how much I like reading

opposed to what I do for work.

One of those books is The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg.

Claudia and her little brother Jamie run away from home,

in part because Claudia doesn’t feel appreciated. An initiating event

that has shown up in many stories, but the setting

is what makes all the difference: the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

While fishing for coins in the fountain and hiding from the guards,

Claudia and Jamie find a mystery that must be solved.

I loved the way the author uses all the details of the museum.

I always wondered what happened at night in the space,

and the thought of spending all the time with the art and artifacts is a fantasy. Claudia is relatable and

sympathetic for a protagonist.

I would recommend this especially for those who like

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library.

PS: Click on the book titles and you’ll be transported

to a book trailer or the author’s website!

What’s Your “Word of the Year”?

January 16, 2014 by mrsrombachreads

Reminder: Scholastic online book orders are due by Saturday, January 25. Click here to order.

One little word…

with enormous potential.

In 2009, Mrs. Haseltine, my friend and fellow ERMS English teacher, decided to start the new year with a word, rather than a resolution. This one, carefully selected word guides her through each new year–and inevitably delivers surprises and challenges along the way.

Your homework, which is due before Wednesday, January 22, is to claim your word.

What one word defines the goals you’ve set for yourself this year? What one word encapsulates how you’ll face whatever comes your way? What one word would you like to define you in 2014? Mull it over. Make a list of potential words. Check the dictionary if needed.

Then, decide which one word you’ll post here.

Once you’ve settled on one word, publish it–and a brief explanation as to why you’ve chosen it–as a comment.

Mrs. Haseltine’s One Little Word for 2014:

risk

To read all about how and why Mrs. Haseltine chose this particular word, click and visit her blog, Crayons and Pencils. On her blog page, you can check out her students’ blogs and the words they’ve chosen.

If you’re still reading this far into my blog post, you might be wondering why my word for 2014 is equilibrium.

equilibrium: (noun) state of balance; condition in which opposing forces exactly balance or equal each other.

In determining my word, equilibrium quickly rose to the surface. In 2014, I am seeking balance in my life, and right now, I’m struggling to keep the scales from teetering in one direction over another. I absolutely adore my five children. I know my life is richer through volunteerism. After 24 years of marriage, my husband and I deserve “date nights.” For me, exercise must be a regular part of my life. I love my job; teaching 70 sixth graders is as energizing as it is exhausting.

So….this year, I want to find equilibrium in my life…to do my best in balancing all of my passions and priorities. We shall see how choosing the word equilibrium guides my choices this year. Likewise, we’ll see how your word defines your year.

See you soon, world’s best sixth graders! 🙂