Hi, all. How was your week? I taught my last class for the semester and now all I have to do is lots and lots of grading. (Yes, I write this every week, it’s been a grading-heavy semester). But then I’ll really be done until at least January (that’s the plan, at any rate). I do feel gratified reviewing my students’ work to see that it looks like I have taught them some worthwhile lessons this semester. It’s a good feeling.
This week I read Tuck Everlasting (loved, loved, loved this book — it was a school book and I remembered liking it but I appreciated it so much more now), Don’t Call It Art (book darted some ideas and quotes), and The Pushcart War (hilarious). I’ve pushed my yearly Goodreads goal to 100 books from 52, on account of all the very short books I’ve been reading (especially the American Girl books). I am currently on track with that goal. Need to read more by Natalie Babbitt.
I am also collecting names of picture books to read for my picture book project, which I hope to commence either at the start of the school year or the start of 2027, depending on when I want to get into it. Feel free to nominate your favorites! I’m looking for books appropriate for about ages 3-10 (so no books for babies, although I love that category).
On Tu B’Av I tried another Rita’s custard, campfire marshmallow. I would rank it below orange cream and above butter pecan, which is followed by cake batter. I also cheated a little and sampled cheesecake but didn’t love it.
Finally, I read this beautiful and interesting article about a “decades-long passion project” which — well, those words were definitely going to pique my interest!
Wishing you a restful Shabbos!
(Photo credit: Maria Fernanda Perez/Pexels)
I’m a teacher, so love picture books. Some favorites off the top of my head: The Rabbit Listened, Fletcher and the Falling Leaves, all of the Frog and Toad books, Blueberries for Sal, and Tyrannosaurus Drip
Yay, thank you for the recs! Love Blueberries for Sal!
How about all our 5th grade books?
Miss Frisbee and the rats of NIMH, shades of Gray (I’ll admit I haven’t been able to track that one down), the Cay, The Stray (still adorable).
Also Blue Willow if you want to complete the set. I hated that one in 5th grade but I bet it’s more meaningful as an adult.
Ah, I must reread Mrs. Frisby! I recently reread The Stray, cute if silly. The Cay made me cryyyy so I’m a little afraid to reread haha. Shades of Gray is by Carolyn Reeder, I remember that book was so good because it really got you to think in, well, shades of gray. And I started Blue Willow a couple weeks ago but could not get into it!
Have The Phantom Tollbooth out from the library!
Oh, and The Phantom Tollbooth. That’s exceptional.