Ring-the-Bell Monday & It’s Monday! What are you reading?

A new week, a new batch of books–both books finished and being read. Today is…

Ring-the-Bell Monday

{Wherein we share what books we have read in the past week.}

&

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

Visit Teach Mentor Texts for Jen & Kellee’s “original”.

{Wherein we share the titles we are currently reading.}

[click the book to read the first chapter]

Description

Evvy Hoffmeister is thirteen years old when her family brings her to Loon Lake Sanatorium to get cured of tuberculosis (TB). Evvy is frightened by her new surroundings; the rules to abide are harsh and the nurses equally rigid. But Evvy soon falls into step with the other girls in her ward. There’s Sarah, quiet but thoughtful; Pearl, who adores Hollywood glamour; and Dina, whose harshness conceals a deep strength. Together, the girls brave the difficult daily routines. Set in 1940 at a time of political unrest throughout the U.S. and Europe, this thought-provoking novel sheds light on a much-feared worldwide illness. Hundreds of thousands of people died each year of TB, and many ill children were sent away to sanatoriums to hopefully recover.

This is a masterful novel—both eloquent and moving—that gives voice to those who fought hard to overcome the illness.

My comment: I can’t imagine being confined to a bedroom, on my back, in bed for days… not to mention months. But in the early 1940s, that’s how tuberculosis was treated. Too much stress, too much talking, too much coughing might just be enough to send a patient to her deathbed. And that happens more than once in Breathing Room. Though slow-moving, I’m glad I stuck with it and watched the relationships among Evvy and her roommates develop. I also learned quite a bit about the disease from the story itself, but also from the interesting primary source graphics that were used throughout and the author’s notes at the end.

Visit Marsha Hayles’ site to learn more about this book.

[ Thanks to Kim Krug (@MonkeysRead) at Monkey See, Monkey Do bookstore for this book.]

Also:

Great non-fictionish book about our first president. A fun story with many tidbits of historical information.

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I don’t know what to think of this book. It’s weird, and kind of cool, and strange. Pomelo is a “garden elephant” who is just realizing that he’s growing bigger. This brings on all sorts of new thoughts and excitements and fears about growing up.

Sweet little story. Karla has a quilt made by her grandmother out of old fabric she calls schnitz. These schnitz tell stories to her at nighttime–until her baby sister moves into her room with her.

A cat joins F.U.R.S.T.–Felines of the Universe Ready for Space Travel. Clever.

Since last Monday, my A Class has read:

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15

My B Class has read:

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16

My C Class has read:

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16

And after watching the trailer on Friday, from the library I reserved:

Other books that are at the top of my list:

[An ARC from Edelweiss, recommended by RJ Palacio.]

[Highly recommended by Mr. Peterson]

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And, just so you know, this book celebrates a book birthday tomorrow. I can’t wait to hear the song:

[Click the book for the activity booklet.]

Some of the books A Class is reading:

Click here for a SpinCam of Class A reading!

B Class Books:

Click here for a SpinCam of Class B reading!

C Class Books:

Click here for a SpinCam of what Class C is reading!