3.15.2016

Coming Soon!!!! -- Rarity from the Hollow

Hey everyone! Today I am really excited to share with you a teaser for a book I will be reviewing soon!

Rarity from the Hollow by Robert Eggleton is an important novel. It is "a children's story for adults". That alone is intriguing, right? How about the fact that author proceeds from the novel are donated? Yes, you read that right. Author proceeds from this novel are donated! Robert is donating his proceeds from the novel to child abuse prevention. That in itself is enough to make me purchase a novel - you all know how near and dear that topic is to me considering my field of work.

Now, without further ado- the details about Rarity from the Hollow:

About the book
Lacy Dawn's father relives the Gulf War, her mother's teeth are rotting out, and her best friend is murdered by the meanest daddy on Earth. Life in The Hollow isn't great. But Lacy has one advantage -- she's been befriended by a semi-organic, semi-robot who works with her to cure her parents. He wants something in exchange, though. It's up to her to save the Universe.

To prepare Lacy for her coming task, she is being schooled daily via direct downloads into her brain. Some of these courses tell her how to apply magic to resolve everyday problems much more pressing to her than a universe in big trouble, like those at home and at school. She doesn't mind saving the universe, but her own family and friends come first.

Will Lacy Dawn's predisposition, education, and magic be enough for her to save the Universe, Earth, and, most importantly, protect her own family?

Rarity from the Hollow is adult literary science fiction filled with tragedy, comedy and satire. It is a children's story for adults, not for the prudish, faint of heart, or easily offended.

Author Info:
Robert Eggleton has served as a children's advocate in an impoverished state for over forty years. He is best known for his investigative reports about children’s programs, most of which were published by the West Virginia Supreme Court where he worked from 1982 through 1997, and which also included publication of models of serving disadvantaged and homeless children in the community instead of in large institutions, research into foster care drift involving children bouncing from one home to the next -- never finding a permanent loving family, and statistical reports on the occurrence and correlates of child abuse and delinquency.


Today, he is a recently retired children's psychotherapist from the mental health center in Charleston, West Virginia, where he specialized in helping victims cope with and overcome physical and sexual abuse, and other mental health concerns. Rarity from the Hollow is his debut novel and its release followed publication of three short Lacy Dawn Adventures in magazines: Wingspan Quarterly, Beyond Centauri, and Atomjack Science Fiction. Author proceeds have been donated to a child abuse prevention program operated by Children’s Home Society of West Virginia (http://www.childhswv.org/)
Robert continues to write fiction with new adventures based on a protagonist that is a composite character of children that he met when delivering group therapy services. The overall theme of his stories remains victimization to empowerment.

Okay guys, can you see why I had to have this book?!! I can't wait to dig in and find out what happens with Lacy. I hope you guys find this inspiring and I encourage you to check out the book over on Amazon (find it here).



write to be understood, speak to be heard, read to grow

3.08.2016

Harry Potter in the Classroom

As many of you know, I purchased a thematic book unit of Harry Potter that was aligned to the Common Core for grades 5 - 8 and have been steadily working my way through the books with my classes. Overall, it has been a hit.

I had a few false starts because my class roster changed dramatically (and quickly) but have finally gotten in a groove with my current group. We have finished years 1 through 3 and are starting year 4, Goblet of Fire this week. The kids go through phases (as all kids do) and got a bit bored with Prisoner of Azkaban in the beginning. Once we got to the "big reveal" though, they were super interested and it got to the point where they were asking to continue reading (instead of one chapter at a time). We finished it last week and of course had our Harry Potter party to celebrate. We watched the  movie, enjoyed snacks, and had a sundae bar. The kids also turned in their final projects and completed a comprehension quiz. After the movie screening, they did a compare/contrast activity between the film and book.
Here's our party in pictures:
A few of the projects completed
At the end of each book they get a certificate for completing the book
Found this on Pinterest and printed it - the kids loved it. Here's the link to make your own
Our kitchen staff is amazing and set up this awesome sundae bar for the kids
The party was a hit, the kids made awesome final projects, and they did great on their final assessments. I am always so proud of the work and effort they put it!

So now, it is on to year 4. We have previewed the book and I've shown them the covers from around the world, including the many variations by Scholastic and Bloomsbury. They're excited for Goblet of Fire, but are a bit apprehensive due to the pure size of this one. It may not be one of my favorites in the series, but most people love it and I have no doubt that the class will soon realize it is one of their favorites because of all the Quidditch and the entertainment in the Triwizard Tournament.


write to be understood, speak to be heard, read to grow

3.07.2016

Madeline is TEN!

Whoa now, see that headline?... my stepdaughter turned 10 on the 2nd. Where has the time gone?? I met her when she was a wee little thing (five and not yet even in kindergarten!), which means this is a milestone for me as a stepmom too - I've been in her life for (a few months shy of) half of her life! This may not seem like big or interesting news to others, but it is for me. The significance is huge- this little one stole my heart and I have committed my life to being the best Stepmomma I can be to her. She is an amazing girl and I am proud and honored to wear the title of "Stepmom".

This weekend, we threw her a big birthday bash - the theme this year was a painting party! I'll let the pictures do the talking....

Our "melted crayon art" cake we made
The kids making their initial art

Initial artwork!

Maddie blowing out her candles

10 candles for our sweet girl

Egg paint bombs!!

Collaborative egg bomb painting... SUCH fun to create 

Everyone enjoyed themselves and created some fun art. We munched on mini pizzas, veggies, and snacks. At the end, all the kids went home with an artsy goodie bag (paint, brushes, and a mini canvas) and a paint brush cake pop my mom had made for us. I am so pleased with how fun the party was... definitely one of our best!

write to be understood, speak to be heard, read to grow