Newbery Challenge

I love to read, so when this Newbery Challenge was presented at the school where I work before the summer began, I hopped on board! The challenge is to read (or re-read) 13 Newbery Medal or Honor books by December 13, 2013.

The John Newbery Medal is awarded each year by the American Library Association for the most distinguished American children's book published the previous year. So, the 2013 medal is awarded to a novel published in 2012.

I picked my 13 books, and am going to try to read as many as I can before the busy school year begins (and Team Winters has literally every weekend in September booked with something to do). Want to motivate my students to do it too, I love instilling a love for reading!

1. 2013 Medal Winner: The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate 8/14/13
2. 2012 Medal Winner: Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos
3. 2011 Medal Winner: Moon over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool
4. 2010 Medal Winner: When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
5. 2006 Medal Winner: Criss Cross by Lynne Rae Perkins 11/21/13
6. 2001 Medal Winner: A Year Down Yonder by Richard Peck 10/1/13
7. 1996 Medal Winner: The Midwife's Apprentice by Karen Cushman 12/5/13
8. 1994 Medal Winner: The Giver by Lois Lowry 11/17/13
9. 1992 Medal Winner: Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
10. 1990 Medal Winner: Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
11. 1979 Medal Winner: The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
12. 1978 Medal Winner: Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
13. 1968 Medal Winner: From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg 8/20/13

Book Review: Where'd You Go Bernadette?

This past year, I have fallen back in love with the library (I think I finally owned up to the fact that we are going to be renting at our current place for a couple more years and got back on the library wagon), and what a love affair it has been. One of the things I have struggled with since becoming a mama is having time for Harper, career, husband, and myself. When I am able to go to bed a bit early with a cup of tea and a good book from the library, I get that time and it completely recharges me and helps me be a better mommy.

So, for my first book review on the blog! And, it's a good one. This book was recommended to me by my amazing mother-in-law (seriously, people. I lucked out with the best mil in the universe) when we were talking about books on the Fourth of July.

Where'd You Go Bernadette? is a story about Bernadette Fox, an eccentric stay-at-home mom with an amazing daughter named Bee who attends Galer Street School, an a Microsoft Exec. husband Elgin. Being that I'm immersed in the world of Independent Schools here on the eastside, the beginning pulled me in and was completely and hysterically relatable. This is a no-holds-barred peek into that scene, and was accurate to a fault. Taking place in Seattle, it was refreshing to read such an honest take from the family perspective (since I most often see it the other way).

Bernadette is a great character that is easy to fall in love with and see what antics befall her next. Her daughter Bee, is also a well written character. This book was a great summer read, as I devoured it within a week (with an infant thank you very much). The writing style is fun, as it's snippets of emails between characters and with some explanations from Bee to tie it all together. You won't believe where Bernadette, an award winning architect, ends up!

Completely recommend this fun read!

Reminiscing...

Been reminiscing a lot this week about many things: baby girl, my career, summer camps past and present (hooray for the last day today, I'm exhausted!), and the list goes on. Probably due to the fact that I turned 31 last Saturday, which really makes me reflect on the past year - more so than during New Year's Eve. I'm coming up with a list of things I want to accomplish in the next year and am already working on checking it off.

Since I have also been thinking about Harper a lot (and it's almost her birthday, how in the heck did that year go by so quickly?!?), I decided to throw a little collage together of our family photo. Fun to see newborn Harper, infant Harper, baby Harper, and now pre-toddler Harper! I already miss having a squishy newborn around!

Will get around to finally writing Harper's birth story and doing some blog updates in the next couple of weeks before school starts. Also on the agenda for the rest of August: Jess & Paul's wedding, prepping for Harper's first bday, a family reunion, professional development week at school, and Harper's first birthday and party!!! So much is happening, and I'm so excited to soak up the last remaining evenings I have with my little girl before my schedule changes again!