Apple Blossom Books Promotes Reading at Merrill

On Tuesday, February 26, Michael McArther, from Apple Blossom Books, came to Merrill Middle School to present a book share to our first and second hour literacy classes.  Apple Blossom Books is an independent book store located in the City Center in downtown Oshkosh.

Mr. McArther brought in titles of books that will supplement the various civil rights and human rights titles that we are already reading in our classes for literature circles. He introduced us to a variety of authors and genres that dealt with human rights around the world and throughout history. We want to thank Mr. McArther for having the courage to meet with our classes and share his knowledge of books.

Were there any titles that interested you the most? Why? What are some of the human rights conflicts that are occurring in the books you are reading.  Be sure to identify the book and author in case someone else wants to read the book next?

-Mr. Kohl

I've Never Read a Semi-autobiography Before

Dead End In Norvelt by Jack Gantos is a fictional semi-autobiagraphy of author, Jack Gantos's life in the summer of 1962's in Norvelt, Pennsyvania.

Sometimes a book comes along that gives the reader a peek into the lives and lifestyle of small town America as perceived by the author.  In this case the main character is the author, Jack Gantos, and the facts of the story are a condensed perspective of his life growing up in the summer of 1962, in a dying mining town, during the communist red scare, and a potential  mystery.  What is happening to the remaining original residents of a proud mining town whose history is connected to First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and her legacy of fighting big business, and even her husband, President Roosevelt, for quality living for all Americans. Could it be the Hells Angles motorcycle gang? The Communists? or maybe even Jack's own God fearing Mother who's responsible?

Dead End In Norvelt is a Newbery Medal winner that is worth the read.  I had the opportunity to hear Jack Gantos speak about writing and he was a very funny guy, very spontaneous, and an entertaining speaker.  I heard that he reads his own books on tape, and after hearing him speak, I can imagine how he will incorporate his own voice and passion into his stories. Check him out if you get a chance at ReadingRocket.org.

Dead End In Norvelt is a fiction story throughout, but it's fun to discover how Jack's fate gets him grounded for the summer by both his parents for firing a Japanese WWII rifle at the nearby outdoor movie screen, and this leads him into the depth of a mystery while writing obituaries for his elderly neighbor who also serves as the medical examiner in the town. Jack's character reminds me of a grown up Donald Zinkoff from Jerry Spinelli's book, Loser.  I know you will enjoy this book.

What author or book character would you like to meet?  What makes them special?

Interesting Photo, Your Caption

Photo by Erik De Castro/Reuters 

In Readers Digest they have a feature where the magazine publishes an interesting photo, and the readers submit what they think the caption or headline will be. My challenge for you is to be creative and fun with this interesting photo. Be original.  I'll start it.  You continue it.  Don't be afraid to praise creative comments as well. I'm not sure how this will work here, but we'll give it a try.

A Side of WW II Often Left Untold

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys is the story of fifteen year old Lina Vilkas, whose father is sentenced to death in a Russian prison camp, and the rest of the family is forced from their Lithuanian home by the Russian NKVD (later to be the KGB).  Under the government orders of Joseph Stallin, the NKVD attempt to rid the region of any family that will potentially undermine his efforts to spread communist ideals throughout western Asian and eastern Europe. The time is 1941. All of Europe and the world are keeping an eye on Adolf Hitler in Germany, and Benito Mussolini in Italy, as stories of human rights atrocities begin to leak out of eastern Europe.  At this time everyone seems to be turning a blind eye to the thousands of citizens being removed from their home and country, and who's keeping an eye on the Russians.

Lina keeps a record of their journey, including their forced removal from their home in Lithuania, being packed like cattle on a train, to a labor camp across the Ural Mountains into central Russia. Her account tells the story of love, death, and survival of her family and thousands like her.  Eventually her fate leads her and a selected few survivors to the northern most outpost of Siberia during the winter months above the arctic circle.

I really enjoyed this book. Ruta Sepety's research into a actual accounts of the Russian's activities prior to World War II gave me a new perspective into what the world was like in Europe at that time. I compare it to other popular young adult historical stories that give the perspective of life for millions of people trying to escape communist or socialist government takeovers.

Mr. Kohl

Do We All Need A Pep Talk?

I have a poster in my room that has been there for the past five years, and it has been one of the most important messages I can give to the sixth graders that might find themselves in a rut in my class.  Believe me, the advice is appropriate for adults as well.  It is the picture of a crawling baby making a serious, wrinkled brow face.  We all know the face.  The caption on the poster reads, "Baby Philosophy: If Something Stinks, Change It!"  Perhaps that is the message by Kid President in a recent video that was sent to me by at least five different people today. Perhaps we all need this little pep talk.

A Pep Talk From Kid President to You is a video promoted by the website, SoulPancake.  The video showcases nine year old Robby Novak acting as Kid President encouraging people to get moving, change something, and make a difference. It has over 6 million views and is still growing.  6 million people?! That's a lot of pep talk.

Read the article By Laura T. Coffey, of TODAY if you want to get more details about Robby Novak and how he got involved in inspirational web videos.

Visit the websites SoulPancake and Kid Presidentt. Pay attention to the details of these two sites.  What makes them unique? What is their motivation?

Watch the Pep Talk video.  What do you think?   What is the message?  How did it make you feel?  Begin your discussion today.