Hello all! 

I am currently half way through my all time favorite adult book on this Earth. I LOVE Dear John, by Nicholas Sparks. This is probably the only book that I have read at least five times. Everyone always says that the book is much better than the movie, but it is close. When I first read this book in sixth grade, it was probably the first book I had picked up to just casually read. I got about five chapters in and I was hooked.

So, a few of the main charters in the book are John and Savanna. John worked for the military before and during his time with Savana. It was an accident that they even met. It just so happened that John was home for a visit from the military when he met Savana on a beach in North Carolina. The story only gets better from here. Another main character is John's father, Bill. Later in the story there is some drama between John and Savana because of Bill's health issues and mental state. This is actually where I am at right now in the story. The next main charters are Tim and Adam. Tim is Savana's best friend who has a son (Adam) with autism. Savana studies behavioral issues and mental illness in college so she is very connected with Adam and John's father since they are suffering from a mental illness. This causes some conflict between Savana and John throughout their journey together. 

During the two weeks John was home visiting, he fell in love with Savana and spent the entire time with her. Savana loved John just as much and they were  both dreading the day he had to go back to where he was stationed in the military. It is an emotional roller coaster from the second he left Savana at the airport to go back to work. You will laugh and you will cry for sure. However, my heart has never hurt so bad after reading... well you will see! It is such a great book and I recommend it to anyone no matter who you are! I think that it is appropriate for fifth grade students because it is not a hard book to read.

Hey everyone! 

Today I finished Junie b. Jones Cheater Pants by Barbara Park. This is my first Junie b. Jones book of my 20 book challenge! Reading Cheater Pants was a fun book to ease the stress of this week. I love these books because they are easy reads and cute for young girls.

Cheater Pants gets its name because Junie forgets to complete her homework assignment over the weekend and decides to copy off of her friends homework that sits beside her while she was away from her desk. Julie did not both reading the directions on her homework and all she was suppose to do was write about what she did over the weekend. When she was asked to read her homework in front of the class, her teacher noticed that her response was the same response as her friend, May. Julie knew right away that she was in big trouble. Her teacher called her out to the hallway to discuss the issue and Junie was quick to blame it on May for leaving her homework laying out on her desk in the first place. Her teacher became very upset with her and proceeded to take away her recess privileges. During her recess, she had to talk to her teacher for the second time to make sure she learned her lesson. She clearly did not learn her lesson because she was snippy with her teacher, so he decided to send a note home for her parents to see what she did. This did not make her very happy and she was so scared to go home and show her parents the note from her teacher.

Her parents had a conversation with her about cheating. All and all, there are some really great lessons for kids to learn throughout this book and I think that is the main idea. The teacher did a good job with the disciple and treated Junie as if she was an adult. I like how the teacher handled the situation minus taking away recess time because I am totally against that! ;) However, I still think that this is a wonderful read for young students because it is clear and fun. I think this book will scare kids right out of cheating! 

This week, I have decided to re-read a book that I read when I was in fifth grade. I am trying my best to read the entire thing, but I don't know if my emotions will allow me to do that! I am reading The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne. I love this book/movie so much, but it literally drains me.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas takes place in a Germany during the Holocaust. Bruno is eight years old and along with many other young children, has seen way too much in his lifetime. In fact, he has seen things that not even grown adults could handle. Throughout the book, the author puts things into perspective from Bruno's perspective. While it is such an amazing story and you can't wait to read more, part of you will just want to close to book and cry because it was reality. Bruno experienced many family members and friends die during the Holocaust, but is too young to really understand the full meaning behind all of it. I am at the part in the story where Bruno and his family move from their home to somewhere else that was safer at that time. Bruno didn't exactly like his new living situation, but did end up finding a friend to interact between a fence for awhile, Schmuel.  Schmuel is in a concentration camp and Bruno does not realize and hat is why there is a fence in between the two boys.

I am not all of the way finished and I don't really remember exact details in between, but I know that the ending is gut wrenching. It hurts my heart to even think about. I guess I decided to read this book again because I am really interested in learning about the Holocaust because it is so bizarre to me. If you are interested in the Holocaust as well, it really is a great book. I will not spoil the end for you, but just get ready.