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This story is a story of a girl named Finley who knows the ups and downs of family struggles. Finley's parents are having problems but are pretending they do not exist (especially around Finley). When the summer comes around, she is sent off to her grandparents house, which she had never met before. We then discover that Finley is struggling with depression from what is going on in her life, and the only way she can escape this world of depression, is through her adventures in Everwood, a forest kingdom that is only a place in her notebook. Finley soon realized that the woods behind her grandparents house is just like Everwood where she then finds her new place to escape. She discovers there is so much out there to find including a family of pirates, a wizard living in a house of bones, and trees that are covered in ash. Finley seeks out to save Everwood with the help from her new found friends, her cousins. As she begins to discover the secrets of Everwood, she uncover things that are a bit more scary than she would have thought and along with this, the scary secrets within herself are piling up as well. She soon realizes she must save herself and work on her scares before working on discovering and saving Everwood. She learns how to work on her depression and her frights within herself. Finley soon is no longer lonely, has new friends, memories, and is looking forward to her next summer with her cousins.

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I love this story, not only because of how relate-able it can be for our readers, but how the author was able to make a subject that is so scary to touch on, not so scary. Claire made the idea of family struggle and depression okay and validates the feeling of being hurt and sad. This is an amazing message to get across, especially for kids at younger ages.

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A ten year old boy named August "Auggie" Pullman, was born within facial deformity and made it difficult to make any friends. After a few month of Auggie at his new school, his classmates soon get use to his deformity but they were mean to him and said he would give them the plague if they touched him. This made him feel alone and alienated and made school miserable. In the middle of the story the perspective to the older sister's who is beginning high school at the same time as Auggie. She discusses the idea that their family's lives revolve around Auggie. She is also dealing with a lot in her life with her friends that stopped talking to her. The perspective continues to change between Jack and Summer. We begin to hear ore about the story and it begins to come together. The final section of the story goes back to Auggie's perceptive. Auggie finally become popular and the story ends happily.

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After reading this story, I was definitely looking st things from a different perspective. I have never read this book before but a lot of people recommended this book to me so I was excited to read it. I think there is a lot of negativity but relate able content in this book and if people don't relate, they can understand and/or sympathize.

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i actually related a little to Auggie because when I was in fifth grade, I was in a wheel-chair. And for such a young girl to be in a wheel chair in school, it was a little uncommon. This made people make fun of mean and be hurtful towards me. Things actually ended up changing in sixth grade when people got used to the fact of me in a wheel-chair.It helped me see things from Auggie's point of view and understand on a deeper level of what he went through.

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I read this story because of all the recommendations that my friends said previously. I was intrigued to feel the emotion they had felt. Whats next: This book is part of a series and I would love to read the other two, "Auggie and Me" and "365 days of Wonder".

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This story is about Jennifer Jansen, also known as "The Camera" or "Cam", a fifth grader with a photogenic memory. Cam and her friend Eric are on a mission to try and find the thief that stole diamonds from Parker's Jewelry Store.Cam's photographic memory and her questioning the people at the jewelry store, helped her solve the case but also get her in a little bit of trouble. She ended up finding the couple who stole the diamonds but was then kept against her will in their hiding spot and had to find a safe place until Eric and the Police came to save her. The mystery got solved and the bad guys got caught all thanks to Cam and her amazing memory.

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I always loved reading Cam Jansen growing up and reading this story, the first Cam Jansen Adventure book brought me back. I think the story is great for young readers based on how much it keeps the readers guessing. You can do so much with these mystery stories, and I think that even as an adult, I was on the edge of my seat, curious unto who the thieve was!

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I connected to this book by being able to just remember how I read these when I was in elementary school. I was never a big reader, but I knew Cam Jansen was more than reading, but a mystery to be solved. I remember getting stacks of Cam Jansen books from the library and bringing them back a couple weeks later ready to read more and more of the same kinds of books.

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I read this book because it has been a while since I have read a Cam Jansen book, but this oldie but a goody was worth the read. Bringing back memories and keeping my interest piqued, there was never a dull moment reading this story now and there wasn't when I was younger as well.

After some research, I found some highly reviewed adult stories that deal with Mysteries. I found that Tana French writes mystery novels that I think I would enjoy reading because her books are series and they connect to one another. Having multiple books for me to read about mystery will really keep me interested.

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Martin Rising is a story about the last few months of Martin Luther King, Jr's life told through poetry. Through poems, we see Martin's life all the way from January 15, 1929, the day he was born. His life is then fast-forwarded to his 39th birthday in 1968, and hear about his life through the ages that year. We travel through his months of speeches through more than just poetry, but through the paintings by Brian Pinkey with vivid colors, deep emotion, and musical cadence. This all leads up to his "I've Been to the Mountaintop" speech. This story shows Martin's death in a tender and beautiful way. The "Pop" at the end of the story, resembling King's death, gives the readers the idea of what happened but the story isn't about him dying and how sad this is, but how much King was able to overcome and how much he accomplished in his 39 years of life. The celebration of Martin in this book is a beautiful touch of how writers can tell a story in non-traditional ways to bring a new outlook on events and still leave a big impact on the readers.

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I believe this book was beautiful, not only because of the words spoken in the poems, which were amazing, but by the illustrations from Brian that I believe really pulled the whole story together. With his paintings, you could see the story really come to life, with each color representing emotions, events, and different times and places.I believe that this story could have a great impact on young readers and really tell Martin's story in a different light that can intrigue students as well.

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I did not have many connections to make to this story other than the memories I have had in elementary school when I learned about Martin Luther King Jr. and we learned about his life. I wish that I would have had this story as a young reader not only because of how informational the text is, but how engaging it and and how many different activities students could do with this text.

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I knew I wanted to read this story based on just flipping through the pages at a first glance. I knew by just the paintings in the book that the story must be beautiful. I also noticed that it was written in poetry which is different than a story I had seen or read before. I love the idea of the Andrew and Brian being a couple duo writing a story together and seeing how strong that connection is through the words and paintings on the page.

I am excited to read a book by Andrea Pinkney that I had actually read when I was younger but reading it now and seeing if I have the same reaction. Pinkney's "Sit-in: Four Friends Stood Up by Sitting Down" is a story I vaguely remember because, again, the images were so vivid and I realized that the Illustrator was drawn by Brian Pinkney. So, I am excited to read this story again, along with other books written by the Pinkneys.

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I began reading this book because based on the back of the book, there was a quote from Natalie Lloyd that says "Finley's marvelous adventure will resonate with anyone who has battled broken heart through the power of story. The courage she finds along the way will leave you cheering and believing in magic - even in the darkest parts of the woods". I just was automatically hooked based on Natalie's review right then and there because of part where she says the "power of story" which is a powerful statement. Stories can be so moving and I believe that talking about the broken heart and finding your light in the darkest moments of someones life is a lesson that should be taught and I have been looking for books that touch on these matters in ways that younger readers can connect to. I automatically want to read  Natalie Lloyd's books, and one specifically called "A Snicker of Magic". I think that if she gave such a good review about Claire's story, she may have connected to her book as well and possibly have similar ideas in her books. I am excited to read Natalie's book.

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I could actually connect to the story based on my past and my parents splitting up when I was only in fifth grade. I was able to connect with Finley's feelings and understand how she felt by experience but not only this, I have such a strong relationship with my cousins, who are some of my closest friends. I can see just how much of a special place that family can have in the lives of younger children, especially cousins. I actually read an article once about why kids need there cousins. I will attach this below as well if you want to read it (I highly suggest).

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Cousins can play such a vital role in a child's life. Cousins are often our first friends. The people we grow up with. The children we gather with on Birthdays and Christmas', year after year.

The memory bank between cousins can be plentiful if parents spend time helping to nurture these special family ties by bringing their children and their cousins together outside of the usual annual gatherings.

It is at this point that cousins can get to know one another truly. A time where their bonds can grow and blossom. The more time they spend together the more special their relationships will become, and in later years their bond will hold a very important place in their hearts.

Cousins can really add to the family dynamic - particularly if there are no other siblings in the family.
Countless play dates, gatherings during school holidays, sleepovers. Learning and growing together. You share the same blood. You grow up with the same people around you. You have similar life experiences and in essence its like having the benefits of a siblings but not having to live with them.

Even if this isn't the case and a child does have siblings, cousins can often feel like the brother or sister you wished you had. In our adult life, cousins are often closer than they are with their own siblings.

"Cousins, because parents couldn't handle us as sisters." - Unknown

From a parental perspective - you probably trust your siblings more than anyone. You know they will treat your children as their own. You know whilst in their care - they will be loved, encouraged and celebrated. Having a close network around you is vital for well being.

As you grow cousins are there for each other. As they start school for example, having an older cousin looking out for you - having a familiar face often brings comfort and reassurance.

Cousins are childhood playmates who grow up to be forever friends." - Unknown

We danced to music and would often make our own. We invented our own games, taught each other things and we would inevitably attempt as much mischief as possible. We laughed till we cried.
As a woman in my 30's now I will never forget the happiness of them days. I truly believe the secure relationships I experienced as a child helped lay a concrete foundation for me as a grown up today.
"A cousin is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost." - Marion C. Garretty

When the family experiences a loss for example - no one will be there to reminisce with you like a cousin. Not only that but you know they will feel the pain you do. You can help heal each other and help each other smile again.

Its feels natural and enjoyable to be around people who share similar interests, similar sense of humours. It feels like home - and the people we often feel like this with are our cousins.
Perhaps distance keeps you apart for some time. Maybe you have work commitments or move away - once secure bonds have been made, cousins have an ability to pick up where they left off. Distance does not affect the bonds they have.

"Our roots say we're cousins. Our hearts say we're friends." - Unknown

"Some people make your laugh a little louder, your smile a little brighter, and your life a little better." - Unknown
So if you too are fortunate to have a cousin you adore or you are the parent working hard to make sure your children know their cousins - know that the bonds you have made and are in the process of making - will last a lifetime.

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Cousins can play such a vital role in a child's life. Cousins are often our first friends. The people we grow up with. The children we gather with on Birthdays and Christmas', year after year.

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Why: I read this book because:                 1) The book received two awards, the Newberry Award and the Coretta Scott King Award                    2) The reviews for this book were off the charts and talked about the ups and downs of the book will keep me hooked           3) The style of the book was different than what I have ever read before, which intrigued me
What's Next: After reading this book, I learned that he had written two other books for a series called: 1) Booked (2016)        2) The Playbook: 52 Rules to Aim, Shoot and Score in this Game Called Life

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What worked best:

Marking the dates in my calendar and figuring out how much to read each night to get the book done in time

What I could change:

Spreading the reading time out for a longer period of time to relieve a little more stress

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I personally don't find reading with other very beneficial because I am a very social person and when I had time to read "with others" I ended up always talking more than reading. Even when we discussed about our books, I wish I had more time reading than discussing so I could wrap up my text first.

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I think setting goals was very beneficial for me because it helped me remember what I needed to focus on while reading and what to do afterwards. I would change maybe the ideas I would focus on next time.

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Based on my reflection of my previous goals I would make my goals for the future more concise and fewer so I can really go in depth of each goal. Examples include:

1.   Be able to tell what the struggles are with the main characters

2. Determine what the main idea and theme of the story and how can I explain this

3. Be able to read a book over a two week period of time

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The Crossover is a book about a 12-year-old basketball player at Lewis Middle School, named Josh Bell. We take a journey overtime to see where Josh's basketball career takes him throughout his season. Josh's twin brother Jordan, also plays basketball and they both love playing the sport. The difference between the brothers is that Josh strives to make his dad, former basketball star still famous, proud and impress him through his deep admiration for basketball and how he plays. Things begin to to go downhill when Jordan (JB) gets a girlfriend and his relationship with Josh and their father Chuck, become more and more distant. This distance between the brothers creates anger for Josh that leads to a bet where JB gets to cut of Josh's dreadlocks and eventually shave his head completely. This only led to more strain in the brothers relationship. Through all of this, Chuck is going through terrible health issues that eventually get him admitted into the hospital due to a heart attack. Eventually, Jordan and Josh's father has two more heart attack's , the second one leading to Chuck's death. This causes Josh to shut down but eventually come to the realization that he still has his brother JB, who soon realizes this as well. The brothers end up creating a bond stronger than before when they realize that they have each other and their mother to lean on for support

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My initial thoughts on this book were a little shaky because I am not the biggest fan of basketball but I took a risk with this book because of how much of a great review it got from reader. Let me tell you, I am very glad I took that risk because this book was so much more than basketball. The story took me for a whirl by not only the creative style the author took with his writing, but with the ups and downs of the plot of the story and the emotional challenges of this story pulled at my heart strings and helped me find an attachment to the story and the characters.

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I will read and be able to summarize the main ideas, themes, and concepts of the book.

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I will be able to find connections between personal events and the story

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I will be able to discuss why I wanted to read the book, what books I want to read now because of, and why.

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In a timely manner (one every 2 weeks) finish a book to keep on track and get my reading done before the due date.

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I was really able to connect to the brothers and the relationship they ended up having after their father died. My sister and I have always had a good relationship but only recently have I realized just how important she is to me and how much I can and do lean on her for help and healing. This helped me understand Josh and Jordan more along with sympathize for their situation

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I will be able to reflect on my goals and the tools and strategies I used to reach those goals