Ms. Anderson's ATM

Hello everyone! I can hardly believe it. Students in the halls of Jefferson this week. Woohoo! It feels like we are on a path back together--even if it's a slow one. I'm excited to see some students in the building and even more jazzed to get books into their hands.

So, other than making lesson plans and having anxiety about the world and reopening, what has been keeping my attention? Reading of course! I'm conquering my struggles to stay focused and relaxed by having a wide range of titles at my fingertips.

I'm super excited about this. I know, I know. Clapping my hands in glee just reveals my geekiness, but I'm serious. I am interested in learn more about how our government works and then consider some suggestions for how to fix some of the flaws in our systems. The format is easy to read and has lots of charts and graphs that make me feel engaged and hold my interest. Prepare to do some intellectual adulting. Fun fact: This is a 2021 Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults Award finalists.

So, I've been on a bit of an audiobook drought but this one has sent my listening into peek attention. It ticks two boxes: a mystery and by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. I like the sound of the reader's voice and the pace is like lightning. It's a combination of The Westing Game, Pretty Little Liars, and 39 Clues. Just so much fun to read.

My next two are much different in tone and topic. So, so serious.

Punching the Air reminds me of Monster. Our main character is on trial (not sure for what crime) but it is clear something terrible has happened. The book in verse keeps the tension high and the pace fast. I'm both interested to have the events revealed and reluctant to face what did (or didn't?) happen to the character. I am hopeful the story gives me some hope.

This is the second book I've read recently on an era of history about which I'm woefully ignorant. The Balkans. The last book I read, Terrorist: Gavrilo Princip, the Assassin Who Ignited World War I, is a riveting graphic novel that unpacks the events that ultimately lead to decades of war in the early 20th Century. And now, The Cat I Never Named, is in the same location, but is set during the Bosnian genocide of 1992. This is also a 2021 Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults Award finalists. Reading both this and Punching the Air simultaneously will be grueling so I'm going to have to plan a lighter bit of reading next week.

I hope to see you soon.

Happy Reading!

Ms. Anderson