Thursday, October 31, 2013

October Reading Round-up

I heard about this book on my favorite am news show, "Morning Joe." A group of various Jewish writers and artists (and others, just non-Torah "scholars") came together to each take on one of the parshiot (stories) in the Torah and "wrestle" with it. They each looked at the text and wrote what we call a d'var torah looking at the story from a totally new and different way. For the parsha where the plagues afflict Pharoh, it's written as an amazingly witty WebMD search log. For the section where the plans for the portable temple were outlined, it's reset in modern day NYC as a premier new building. I most loved the reexamination of the story of Hagar, Avraham, and Sarah. It made me step back and think about my connection to these stories and was an amazing read. I bought this on the ipad, but then saw it in print at the local book shop - get the book - it's gorgeous! 


I had never seen this film, but heard it's a great story. I am on operation read up on the latest literature that's in for late elementary school kids so I decided this was a great choice. It's a quick read (for a 25 year old) and is a wonderful story of trying to find out who you are and where you belong, despite what your family expects of you. It's a sweet tale written from a narrator's voice. I love that it has "big" words, but the narrator explains them in a great conversational way. I work hard on making sure kids understand each word they read, so this helps with that! I highly recommend! 

13 thoughts on the matter:

Buckeroomama said... {Reply}

I'll have to check out The Tale of Despereaux. We didn't catch the film when it was out.

Heather{Our Life In a Click} said... {Reply}

I loved reading Tale of Despereaux with my girls! What a great teacher you are!

4 Lettre Words said... {Reply}

We did see the movie, but I didn't read the book. Gonna add it to my list. :)

P.S. Congrats on the big win! We were watching.

Snap said... {Reply}

I always enjoy seeing book recommendations ... especially for grade school kids like my grand kidlet. Congratulations to the Sox -- well done.

Nancy said... {Reply}

Love the cover illustration on the second book -- and hooray for the Sox!~ :)

Pride In Photos Beauty said... {Reply}

I wanted to be the first to congratulate you and your city on the BIG win last night!!!! Happy day to you.

Adrienne said... {Reply}

I am going to order Unscrolled right now! And, with tired eyes, a tiny head ache and a dry throat I say... WOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

Kim Cunningham said... {Reply}

Yay Sox! Are you exhausted? :). We love Kate De Camillo books! She is a great author. The movie was ok, a little dark for my younger kids, but you wouldn't think so. I love her Edward Tulane book. Break your heart good.

Deanna said... {Reply}

Oh wow, you won, congrats. Bet it was an exciting time!! Love the illustrations in the children's book. And I also loved the animation in the movie. Great job.

Kim Stevens said... {Reply}

You know, I think I may enjoy that first book, and the cover is gorgeous! I did see the movie of the second, and you know, although in the past I haven't been much of a reader of novel type books, I'm starting to read more. I know that sounds shocking, but I have always been a nature/science kinda geeky nerd and always gravitate to those kinds of reads, but large print? Yep, I like that! haha

Suburban Girl said... {Reply}

Back in my teaching days I used to be up to date on all those kind of books. Not anymore, I just read for me now. :)

Dara @ Not In Jersey said... {Reply}

unscrolled sounds very interesting!

renae said... {Reply}

Congrats on the Red Sox Victory! I was cheer them along at a distance just because of you. LOL