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Thursday, December 28, 2017

#MustReadin2017


In January, I made a list of "must reads" for 2017 along with Carrie Gelson of There's a Book for That and a community of other bloggers. Throughout the year we have written blog posts with updates on our progress on our must-read lists. You can read the blog post in April here and the one in September here. Today's post is an end-of-the year update. 


My #MustReadin2017 List



Middle Grade Books


The middle grade titles on my list were all titles published in 2017. I read all of them except for one, Chester and Gus by Cammie McGovern. Since the end of the year was coming and I wanted to complete my must-read list, I looked for it at the library last week, but it is checked out to someone else. Hopefully, it will be available in the next few weeks so I can finally read it. Of all the books on my list, I think A Boy Called Bat by Elana Arnold was my favorite. Bat is such an endearing character. I am looking forward to reading the second book, Bat and the Waiting Game in the new year. I think the most popular book with my students is CatStronauts by Drew Brockington. There are now three books in the series and I constantly have students checking them out. 

Professional Books


I had four professional books on my list to read this year. I read the following:

This week I started the one other professional book that was on my list: Language at the Speed of Sight: How We Read, Why So Many Can't and What Can Be Done About It by Mark Seidenberg. This book is interesting, but it is packed with research and scientific information about reading. This is a book that I find I am reading slowly because there is a lot to digest and I often have to go back to reread. The author, a cognitive neuroscientist, states, in the first chapter, that there is a gap between what is known about learning to read based on science and how reading is taught in schools. How the brain learns, in general, and how the brain learns to read are areas that fascinate me. I am amazed with the human ability to learn to read considering that reading is such a complex skill and one that our brains aren't naturally wired to do. Even though this is a heavier professional read than other professional texts I have read recently, I am enjoying it. 


With the exception of one book, I have read all of the books on my must-read list. Not bad! In addition, I have read lots of other books, children's literature and some grown-up reads, throughout the year. I look forward to more reading in 2018!

7 comments:

  1. I was so happy to see there was going to be another book about Bat! This too was one of my favorite reads this year. I'm intrigued by Seidenberg's title. I'll be looking more into this one. Thanks for sharing!

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  2. I love that you read and share so many of your professional reads. So much to learn! I also loved A Boy Called Bat.

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  3. I still need to read A Boy Called Bat. Thanks for the reminder. Have a great year of reading.

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  4. You did such a great job finishing your list! All but one title is REALLY impressive! I have been considering putting A Boy Called Bat on my Must Read in 2018 list, I think I will after reading what your thoughts.

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  5. Congratulations on your success! Short was on my list too and ended up one of my favourites.

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  6. Great list!!!
    Short was one I really loved last year, and I love Bat so much as well. I am so excited for the next one!
    I love the Squirrel girl comics--I should definitely pick up the Hale book.

    Looking forward to your 2018 list! Happy New Year!

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  7. I've read many of your list, have Tumble & Blue which will be soon! congrats on reading all but one, Lisa. Wow! And thanks for telling about the new book about Bat. I loved the first one, too! Happy New Year!

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