Educating the Net Generation: How to Engage Students in the 21st Century by Bob Pletka

I read this over the holidays in an effort to understand those digital natives I work with on a daily basis. Pletka makes an appeal to teachers to incorporate more technology into their curriculum development planning. In particular, he suggests more collaborative learning using Web 2.0 technologies.

This book was just OK. I was hoping for more research-based suggestions and pedagogical best practices. Instead I got a lot of Pletka's own opinions and an in-depth look at one classroom project that used Web 2.0 technologies. The information about the classroom project was great, but not enough. Finally, Pletka needs an editor. There were several sections that repeated, verbatim, information that had just been presented.

Impossible by Nancy Werlin

Folklorists know that the song most of us know as "Scarborough Fair" (you know, "parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme") by Simon and Garfunkel is hundreds of years old and rife with fanciful and negative side stories. If you think about it, really, who would make their true love do impossible tasks to earn their love? Would you be surprised to learn that in many cases the maker of impossible tasks is an elfin knight up to no good?

Werlin takes the dark side of this beautiful song, adds a curse, and sets it in modern times. Her writing is good and easy to read, but the whole book fell a bit short in terms of character development. It was a fun read, however, and I'd recommend it to those who can't get enough romantic fantasy under their belts.

Eclipse and Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

These are the last two books in Meyer's vampire quartet. I finished them in one day during the Thanksgiving break. They are as good or better than the first two. Edwards and Bella's star-crossed romance continues with all its tortured twists and turns. I hated to see the series end.

On Stupidity Part I and Part II

Part of my professional development goal this year is to look at information literacy and how it relates to the “digital natives” I have as students. I’ve been pondering reading things like Born Digital and The Dumbest Generation, but I’ve recently discovered a couple of Chronicle of Higher Education articles on the role of a liberal education in an increasingly digitized world.

On Stupidity: Part One
http://chronicle.com/jobs/news/2008/08/2008080101c.htm
The author looks at the anti-intellectualism of Americans, amplified by the new “democratization” of information, through the lens of recently published books on the topic and on his personal experiences in the classroom.

On Stupidity: Part Two
http://chronicle.com/jobs/news/2008/09/2008090501c.htm
The author ponders teaching digital natives.

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer

The tension between Bella and Edward continues even though they are apart and werewolves have come to town.

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer

I had steadfastly put off reading this book because by all accounts I wasn't going to be able to stop once I started it. Yes, everyone was right. I picked up the new paperback of this book at the airport in Cleveland and had it done before I reached Minneapolis. Next book in the series, here I come! I'm glad it is almost Thanksgiving break!

So, if you've been living in a closet...Twilight is the first volume in the biggest vampire series out there today. It is a love story between human Bella Swan and "good" vampire Edward Cullen. Edward is immortal and Bella is not. Edward could turn Bella into a vampire (which she wants) but he doesn't want her to lose her soul, on the other hand, Edward can't/won't live without Bella. The dramatic tension and fast-paced action make this a great read. Beware. You won't be able to put this book down!

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

This is the first book in the Mortal Instruments series and many of my student readers love the series, so I thought I'd try it. I found City of Bones to be an enjoyable fantasy story featuring "darkhunters" who fight demons from other realms. There are also a few vampires and werewolves thrown in for good measure, and of course, a little romance and a lot of adventure.

Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski

I'm still reading this one. I picked it up because it was set in Mellen, WI which is just down the road. So far I'm enjoying the read...

Yes, I'm still reading (even though I've finished 4 other books since starting this one!).

OK, now Hamlet has come to play in the plot of the book. I get it now; this isn't just a dog story. I think I'll start the whole thing over during Thanksgiving break.

From Dead to Worse by Charlaine Harris

Sookie is back after the vampire hotel explosion and Harris sets her readers up for more adventures down the line. Sookie's love life is turning topsy (Is Quinn still in the picture? Does Bill have a chance to get her back? And Eric, hey, guess who gets his memory back?); she gets involved with a Were-war; she tangles with more out-of-state vampires (this time they are from Las Vegas); her fairy-grandfather shows up; and she makes a telepathic connection with a surprise character. Fans of the series will be left waiting (again!) for the next novel (this is number 8 in the Southern Vampire Series).

I've been hooked on Harris' books for awhile. A student from a couple of years back got me hooked. Ashley, I blame it all on you! ;-)

Dead Hot Shot by Victoria Houston

The 7th in Houston's Loon Lake fishing mysteries series, Dead Hot Shot involves a Thanksgiving day murder, several dysfunctional families, a lot of fishing licenses, and a hacker of credit card transmissions. The regular cast of characters are all here: Lew Ferris, Doc Osborne and Ray Pradt and they are joined by a host of new and old Loon Lake characters. If you haven't read Houston's novels, you need to get reading, especially if you live in the northwoods of Wisconsin! I promise, you'll enjoy the stories and maybe you'll recognize your own town in Loon Lake.

The Templar Legacy by Steve Berry

This is a Davinci Code wanna-be, but what the heck. Berry's story involves the Knights Templar, conspiracy theories, and a lot of action. It is a fun recreational read.

Narrow Dog to Carcassonne by Terry Darlington

What a hoot. Darlington, his wife, and their dog (a whippet, aka "narrow dog") take a British canal boat (a long, cigar shaped boat designed to navigate the British canal system) and sail it across the English Channel (defying all odds and advice) and through the canals of France. Their adventures are never ending and Darlington's sharp wit makes their experiences absolutely hilarious. You *might* be inspired to sail the Canal du Midi, or maybe not. In either case, you'll enjoy the story of the Darlingtons' adventures!

Gaviotas: A Village to Reinvent the World by Alan Weisman

Alan Weisman relates the birth and life of a small town dedicated to innovating and practicing sustainable practices in the llanos region of eastern Columbia. Their story is eye-opening and inspiring. This book should be required reading for everyone.

Living the Good Life: Tried and Tested Strategies for Sustainable Living by Linda Cockburn

Linda Cockburn convinced her Queensland-based family (husband Trevor and son Caleb) to live as self-sufficiently as possible over a 6 month period. Her goal, and therefore their goal, was to grow all of their own food and not spend any money at all during that 6 months. They fell off the wagon a couple of times, but in the end, they did a fair job of meeting their goal. The tale of their experiences is practical, informative, inspiring, and downright amusing; anyone who has ever contemplated living off the grid will enjoy this book.

Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevin

Did you ever wonder what it would be like to not remember yourself? What would you be like if you didn't remember all your hang ups and bad experiences? Would you suddenly be a nicer person? More forgiving? More social? Interested in different things? Naomi Porter got that chance at the beginning of her senior year of high school. She cracked her head on the school's front stairs and lost four years worth of memories. Her re-introduction to her old world, her old friends, her old crowd isn't smooth so Naomi reivents herself; but then one day her memory comes back...

101 Foods That Could Save Your Life by David Grotto

If you are interested at all in nutrition, this is a great reference book. Grotto has listed 101 foods, alphabeticaly by name, and included a great deal of information about each: a history, information about where it is produced/grown, what is in it that is helpful to your health, how it can help your health, and a recipe or two. What I really like about the book in addition to its great information is the quality of its index (you can look up medical conditions you are interested in and find out what foods help) and the bibliography (Grotto has done his homework and extensively cites major medical research stuides to back up his claims). This is not quackery; it is good, scientifically grounded information that is fun to read and consult.

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt

This is a true story that reads like a murder mystery. The story is set in Savannah, Georgia in the 1980's and is populated with an eccentric bunch of characters including a social climbing housing developer, an inept DA, a haughty antiques dealer, a woman who practices voodoo, a black drag queen, and a young male prostitute who just wants a big headstone when he dies. The New York Times Book Review said this book was "elegant and wicked" and I utterly agree. I loved it!

The King of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner

This is the third book in the series started by The Thief and The Queen of Attolia. If you made it through the first two books you can expect the same graceful writing, attention-getting action, and intriguing plot twists. The only problem with this book? The fact that the fourth book isn't out yet!

The Queen of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner

OK, so I liked The Thief so much that I had to go on to the next book in the series. The Queen of Attolia is just as good as The Thief and will keep readers on theif toes. Enjoy!

The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner

This is a great fantasy book with some marvelous plot twists and turns. I read it because one of our student's parents recommended it and we are thinking of having Megan Whalen Turner, the author, come visit our school. I was delighted with the book!

The main character of the novel is Gen and he is the thief mentioned in the title. Gen is a great thief, or so he says, to a lot of people. His bragging and foolhardiness lands him in the king of Sounis' prison where he is left to rot. Unexpectedly, he is freed by the king's magus in exchange for finding and stealing a magical, mythical stone from the gods. Is Gen just full of hot air, or are his skills as a thief as good as he says? Readers should expect action, intrigue, fun and an old fashioned good read.