Noticing Sentences

Another amazing Lincoln Award finalist. And again, another book that I probably wouldn't pick up on my own. I cannot more highly recommend using the list in your classroom and even getting involved in the committee. Or finding what your own state has and being involved. Your state doesn't have one? Start it. Be yourself "Seriously? That's what you think I should be relegating my brain space to? Looking nice? Like, if I don't make the effort to look beautiful, my entire existence is nullified? Nothing else matters-- not my intellect, not my personality or my accomplishments; my hope and dreams mean nothing if I'm not wearing eyeliner ?" p6 When Dimple Met Rishi by Sanhya Menon Character Description "Look man, I know you... you and I don't always see eye to eye on everything. You're, like, some weird thirty-year-old teenager. But don't you think you're rushing things? First MIT, and now this girl and Insomnia Con... I mean,

A quick plug-- I love this series so much. If you have not read the Illuminae Files , you should.  As before, I do not edit out cursing so that you can choose to do that yourself. This book series censors itself, very tongue in cheek. I do not know how to add boxes in the way that they do, so I simply put some asterisks.  I will attempt to avoid spoilers, but be warned. Sacrifice Can you imagine that? Sacrificing yourself like that? When you look down the barrel at your ending, will you be able to smile at it the way this guy does? I can't imagine what's going through his head. The needs of the many, maybe? Thinking he'll see his family soon? I dunno. p107 Obsidio by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff Yearbook, anyone? I read this and laughed, not only because it's a joke, but because I figure my journalism kids would understand it.... the fake Latin used is the like... "standard"? fake Latin. NikM: lorem ipsum maximus butticus Pauchok: ... wait t

World Building The sixth and final fight of his contract would determine whether he landed a new deal or found himself on the next flight back to Earth, relegated to fighting in orbital dives reeking of pot, where the vacuum plumbing regularly gave out and big bubbles of pee floated in the bathrooms. p4 Zeroboxer by Fonda Lee The zero gravity complex, recently renamed the Virgin Galactic Center, loomed ahead of them. p9 Zeroboxer by Fonda Lee After a couple seconds, he said, "Connection's good," and one of the screens above flickered and shifted into the view from Carr's optic cameras, now being fed live to his subscribers. p 20 Zeroboxer by Fonda Lee Who in this part of the world still had a defunct genetic disease like asthma ? Only people with parents too poor to afford even the most basic gene therapy but irresponsible enough to have kids anyways. Low, even by the standards of their neighborhood. School boys would go after such a glaring mark of weakne

Although I absolutely loved this book, I didn't mark a lot of things. I like to think it's just because I was so caught up in the story. World Building If you haven't noticed yet, I'm apparently a sucker for little details that make worlds feel more real and complete. The arrangement is layered with the pinks and purples of hedge nettles and showy orchids. It is as pretty as a wedding cake, early bloomed by the naturalist gift. Each family has brought their own, and most brought extra, to decorate the tables of the giftless. p34 Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake Strength/ Standing up for yourself He leans forward to kiss her, and she jerks back. It was so sudden. She stammers an apology. Though she does not know why she should be the one to apologize, when it was he who was too forward. p65 Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake Reversal of expectations "It was only a joke, Mira," says Bree gently. "Of course I do not wish that. No one rea

I read this book because it was a Lincoln Award finalist for 2018. It's not in my usual wheelhouse, I tend to shy away from books that are modern realistic fiction romance. But I ended up loving this book because I loved Vivi and her personality. Let me take a moment to plug YA book awards. Being on the selection committee of the Lincoln Award is one of the most exciting and rewarding things I do all year. If your state has a similar program, I cannot more highly recommend applying to participate. And in my state (Illinois), teens participate as well, so encourage your students to apply! Revealing Character I think Betty keeps words like sugar, darlin', and honey etched on a pair of dice in her mind. With each customer interaction, she shakes one or both dice to land on a single word or a combo: honey pie, sugar darlin', doll baby . I like to hear who I am each day. The term of endearment is like a fortune cookie at my favorite Chinese restaurant; it's not why I