Matterhorn

Well, I don't get the general public. I have seen a zillion movies and read half as many books about the Vietnam war and this was not as amazing as everyone was saying. Some parts were horribly long - some was horribly unnecessary. The main character was annoying. It was accurate, but not needed. All in all, I say: SKIP IT.

Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest

I have just checked out the last book in the Larsson series. It starts off right after the shooting in book two. Problems, meaningless scenes and mundane conversations. Again, like his other books he is caught up in too many unimportant details that bore me to death. All in all, I say: SKIP IT unless you read the other two. In which case, hurry up because the third movie comes out this month.

Books for School

I also read Francis Parker: The Children's Crusader. He's no relation. All in all, I say: Read Wink if you are interested in teaching critically; read Stern if you like social studies history; read Campbell's if you want to know how Parker influenced schools today.

Sizzling Sixteen

I am listening to the latest Plum novel. There is as always some car damage. Stephanie has some help getting into some weird situations in this one. There are stink bombs, alligators, hobbits, and cows. In New Jersey? Yes. This one is crazy. All in all, I say: CHECK IT OUT. Why hasn't anyone made movies or tv shows out of this series?

The Girl Who Played With Fire

Larsson's second book. Still have Lisbeth figuring out a mystery. This time it is personal - she is wanted for murder and there is someone from her past that shows up. He gets into the details about the "Evil" that happened when she was 12 or 13. This book had a thousand unnecessary characters. It had so many unnecessary descriptions. IT WAS BORING! All in all, I say: stop while you are ahead and just wait for the movies. SKIP IT.

Changes

The most recent book in the Dresedn files series. Book 12 brings us Harry having to figure out what the Red Court is up too. They say they want peace with the wizards, but he knows better. Also, Susan is back, but don't get excited she has news. Harry is a dad & his baby girl is in the hands of the Red Court. Who will help him and what are they up too? All in all, I say: READ IT if you have read all the other ones otherwise SKIP IT.

Flirt

The 18th book in the Anita Blake series. A vampire executioner & a necromancer. I liked the first five or so in the series because there was a lot of action and mystery. The last several in the series have been nothing but sex. This one was the shortest ever and had both. All in all, I say: READ IT if you have read all the others otherwise, SKIP IT.

Wise Social Studies Teaching in an Age of High-Stakes Testing

A series of articles from researchers on how teachers can still use wise practices in the classroom even though they must adhere to strict standards and high-stakes tests. The is mostly qualitative research with some mixed methods in the articles. Interesting material that I might use to model my dissertation. All in all, I say: READ IT if you are a social studies teacher otherwise, what's the point.

Same Kind of Different As Me

A Modern-Day Slave, an International Art Dealer, and theUnlikely Woman Who Bound Them Together. A long title for a long story. Ok, it's short but it felt LLLLOOOONNNNGGG. God, God, and more God it would never end. All in all, I say: SKIP IT and save God for church.

What Every Middle School Teacher Should Know

Very pratical guide for new teachers. A quick read with losts of lists! All in all, I say: READ IT if you're a teacher.

Fang

The next novel in Patterson's young adult series Maximum Ride. I am not done yet, but I am getting tired of the story line - Max must save the world and be nice to her family. It's become predictable so I say he should stop writting. All in all, (so far) I say: READ IT if you have read all the others in the series.

Olive Kitteridge

I have about one hour left of this audiobook by Elizabeth Strout. Each chapter is written from the point of view of a different person in this small Maine town. Olive does appear in most and at first doesn't seem to be connected to the others, but is by human connections. It is an interesting way to show that we have an impact on others whether we realize it or not. All in all, SKIP IT. In the end it didn't make a big impression on me & felt like a chore.

Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers

Written by a journalist with a healthy sense of curiosity and who happens to be an amazing researcher. All the ways cadavers - and not just human - have helped and hurt us as a society. Soem of the stuff is crazy & some of it is so funny I cried. Yes, I said it was funny. How is being a cadaver like being a cruise ship? All in all, I say: you have to READ IT to find out!

Learning to Teach for Social Justice

More of a why you should teach for social justice than how to teach for social justice. A series of VERY SMART graduate students from a very FANCY college tell us what we should do. It felt like they were tooting their own horn - I am trying to stop that feeling whenever I read a narrative. All in all, I say: READ IT if your a teacher and you have a diverse class - well even if you don't.

Participant Observation

A book for those graduate students that will need to go to a research site. How is the site just as important as what happens there? All in all, I say: READ IT if you are planning to visit a research site.

Using Documents in Social Research

Lots of theory behind how to analyze documents for your research. Not really a step by step guide for those who need it though. All in all: I say, SKIP IT.

Qualitative Interviewing: The Art of Hearing Data

A book on listening to all the things a person doesn't say in an interview. All in all, I say: READ IT if you are a graduate student and your research requires interviewing. I feel like I already did this one?

Doing Multicultural Education for Achievement and Equity

No picture - sorry. Grant & Sleeter (the Kings) have yet another book. This one is for the new teacher and has tons of reflection exercises. All in all, I say: READ IT if you are a new teacher.

Doing Multicultural Education for Achievement and Equity

No picture - sorry. Grant & Sleeter (the Kings) have yet another book. This one is for the new teacher and has tons of reflection exercises. All in all, I say: READ IT if you are a new teacher.

Meet Me in the Middle

Written by a middle school teacher with tons of ideas for new teachers. I found some of the dated stuff funny like he uses the work Boom Box. All in all, I say: READ IT if you are a new teacher. READ IT if you need more tricks.