Under the Egg

Posted on July 10, 2014 by Mrs. Hembree

What painting is under the egg?

That is the mystery “Theo” Theodora Tenpenny must solve when her grandfather’s dying words are “Look under the egg.” The problem would be easily solved if she had any idea what he was talking about. Under the Egg is a great art, mystery story that reminds me of Chasing Vermeer and the movie Monument Men. Theo’s mom is a bit “off” – not crazy, not slow, but rather extraordinarily gifted, and just not really in the reality of this world. She spends every waking moment in her bedroom trying to solve a mathematical equation for her 15 year old dissertation. That leaves Theo in charge of food, cleaning, fixing and trying to figure out how to stretch out less than $400 so they don’t get kicked out of their house on 18 Spinney Lane.

Once Theo realizes that the mysterious “under the egg” item is really a painting, and might be a masterpiece from Raphael, life gets really complicated.

The School of Athens is a fresco painted by Raphael between 1510 and 1511. It was painted on the wall of the library in the palace at the Vatican. The painting shows many of the philosophers of Ancient Greece including Plato, Socrates, Aristotle, Pythagoras, and Euclid.
Source:http://www.ducksters.com/biography/artists/raphael.php

Raphael, was one of the Renaissance painters from the early 1500’s, who was commissioned by Pope Julius II to paint some interior rooms in the Vatican. He is considered to be one of the great Italian painters. How could her grandfather have a Raphael in their house? Was it stolen? Was her grandfather really a thief?

Read Under the Egg by Laura Marx Fitzgerald to find out! If you love it, try also reading more art mysteries like Chasing Vermeer or The Calder Game by Blue Balliett.

Happy Reading! Mrs. Hembree

The Red Thread Sisters

Posted on July 2, 2014 by Mrs. Hembree

What would you do to help a friend?

Friendship and family are the themes of Red Thread Sisters by Carol Antionette Peacock. Wen, an eleven year old girl who has spent the majority of her life in a Chinese orphanage, is suddenly adopted by her forever family and moves to Boston, Massachusetts. Wen is bewildered by her conflicting feelings of joy over being adopted, and sadness that she must leave her best friend, Shu Ling. Wen and Shu Ling have been the only family either of them have ever known, and it’s heart wrenching to leave her behind. Wen promises to find Shu Ling her own forever family so she too can move to America. Of course, that’s not an easy task.

Courtesy of http://carolpeacock.com/bio.php

Carol Peacock bases some of the background of the story on her own experiences adopting her two girls from China. If you would like to learn more, please read this interview with Carol Peacock. I thoroughly enjoyed this realistic fiction book, especially this ancient Chinese legend, included in the beginning of the book, and woven throughout the story.

An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but it will never break.

The legend really made me stop and think about the people who have become important parts of my life. They are my red threads. Who is your red thread? Leave a comment and let me know. In the meantime, please send enjoy the book trailer. Red Thread Sisters is one of the 2015 Battle of the Books selections.

Happy Canada Day!

Posted on July 1, 2014 by Mrs. Hembree

Thanks Josa for this great Canada Day photo. Thanks to you, I learned on the website http://www.statutoryholidays.com/canadaday.php that “Canada Day celebrates the birthday of Canada. On July 1, 1867 Canada became a new federation with its own constitution by signing the Constitution Act – formerly known as the British North America Act.Canada Day is a national statutory holiday celebrated in all provinces and territories and it is a day off for most businesses. There is, of course, a lot more to Canada Day but the purpose of this page is only to give you a date and a brief history.”

I hope you are enjoying Canada Day! What is that interesting building behind you?

Keep Reading!

Mrs. Hembree

Climb to the Top

Posted on June 27, 2014 by Mrs. Hembree

Have you ever thought about climbing to the top of Mt. Everest?

Four teenagers. The tallest, meanest mountain. Bad weather.

And one snitch.

This is the story of Everest: The Contest (book 1), The Climb (book 2), and The Summit (book 3) and if you answered yes or no to my question, then Gordon Korman’s trilogy, is the series for you! If you are a climber, you will not be able to put down these books, about 4 teen climbers, one of whom is only thirteen, who train and climb Mt. Everest. If you are like me, then you will love reading about someone else doing the climbing and call it good. I admire the tenacity and strength of people to climb to the top of mountains, I’m just not in your club.

This series is a quick summer read for intermediate readers. Each book is only about 150 pages and the action will keep you on the edge of your seat. Caution! You may not want to put the book down to come to dinner. If you get in trouble, don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Happy Reading! Mrs. Hembree

Look Alex Reads too!

Posted on June 25, 2014 by Mrs. Hembree

How many books have you read so far?

It looks like Alex is participating with summer reading fun. Look at him enjoying the fabulous Bulldog yearbook from 2009-2010! Today marks one week since school let out for summer vacation. What books have you read so far? I hope by now you have read at least ONE book to keep your reading skills sharp. I am reading Odd Weird and Little by Patrick Jennings. He is the author of Guinea Dog, Guinea Dog 2, My Homework Ate My Homework, Invasion of the Dognappers, and Lucky Cup. He’s also a local author, but local I mean he lives somewhere in western Washington State! Who knows, he might be your neighbor. If you look on his website, you can find out the answer if you READ carefully!

Anyway, Odd Weird and Little is a funny book about bullying. Yes, usually books about bullying are serious because bullying is a serious topic. Yet, Patrick Jennings knows how to take a subject like bullying, twist some humor into it and create a book that readers will love and learn from. Woodrow and his classmates are surprised by the new kid who comes into their class. He is small, like really small, wears a full suit, strange old-fashioned glasses over his HUGE eyes, carries a suitcase, comes from Quebec, Canada, and allegedly only speaks French. I have a idea who Toulouse, really is, but need to wait until I get further into the book, to confirm my hunch. Do you have an idea from my description so far?

http://www.readerkidz.com/2014/03/09/accepting-your-friends-for-who-they-are/

I hope you will leave a comment and let me know. Even better, go to your local library and check it out yourself, read it and then leave me a comment about what you think of the book! Here’s a link to a blog post where the author explains how he got the idea for Odd Weird and Little. You can also visit Patrick Jennings virtually on his website (check with a parent first) www.patrickjennings.com To leave a comment, just click on the bubble at the top of this post, fill in the required information and type your reply. Push send! Easy, peezy!

Don’t forget to send me your Super Summer Reading pictures! Mrs. Adei in Ghana, told me that she thinks she has some students who will want to participate too! Remember, we are trying to excitement about reading span every continent this summer! Send them to:

Happy Reading! Mrs. Hembree

Reading in a Teepee

Posted on June 20, 2014 by Mrs. Hembree

Check out our first summer reading photo from Connor!

He’s reading the “STAT” series by Amar’e Stoudemire. STAT means Standing Tall and Talented is a basketball series written by a former professional basketball star. Amar’e Stoudemire, Captain of the New York Knicks and a six-time NBA All-Star, is a well-respected professional basketball player who has left his mark on the game and the community through his award winning outreach. He is focused on creatively inspiring youth to avoid poverty through education. He is the father of three children.

There are four books in the series. Here’s a review of Book #1 Home Court. If you are a fan of sports fiction and basketball, this might be the perfect series for you.

Check them out at your local library or at a bookstore near you. Remember to let me know what you think! Is this a series we need to add to our Sport Fiction section?

The Super Summer Reading program is open to anyone near or far. If it’s summer vacation or still the school year for you, please have a trusted adult send a photo of you reading to me! The email address is shown here.

Be sure to let me know where you are so I can let our readers know in the blog post. For more information about this fun summer reading program, click on this link.

Happy Reading!

Mrs. Hembree

PS. I am currently reading The Meaning of Maggie by Megan Jean Sovern (realistic fiction)

Time for Summer Reading

Posted on June 18, 2014 by Mrs. Hembree

Summer vacation begins today and so does our annual Super Summer Reading Program! It’s just as important to read in the summer time as it is during the school year. To make it a little more fun, we add a dose of silliness! We get caught reading in super fun or super silly places!

It’s super easy to participate! Here are the directions:

1. Choose a something you are reading. It can be a book, magazine, eReader, pamphlet, map – the choice is yours! Reading can happen in all sorts of ways!

2. Snap a photograph of yourself reading this summer! It can be silly or serious. It can be a picture of you here or there or anywhere! Do not hurt yourself or your book! No underwater reading! Unless you are scuba diver! You can be reading in your house, or backyard, on vacation or even in a kayak!

3. Ask your parents/adult family member to email the photograph to Mrs. Hembree between now and September 1, 2014. Students may not send a photo from their personal account. It must come from an adult. Send to my blog email address:

***Important Parent Note: By emailing the photograph, you grant Mrs. Hembree permission to post it on the Bulldog Reader Blog. I never publish last names! http://bellbulldogreaderblog.edublogs.org

4. Prizes will be given to everyone who participates. In the fall, I will make a poster of all of our photos and hang it in the library!

5. Have fun! The best part about reading in the summer is making your own choices on what to read! Twenty minutes a day all summer long will keep your reading skills sharp and ready for the fall. I urge everyone to read at least 5 books during your reading brain healthy and strong!

Need an idea for what to read? Keep checking the blog. I plan on posting ideas and review all summer long. Visit one of the area book stories like ParkPlace Books, Third Place Books, or Elliott Bay Books. Browse the shelves at Value Village and Goodwill for inexpensive choices too. Check out neighborhood garage sales and pick up a book that your neighbor has finished reading.

Another place to find ideas for books is on the website Common Sense Media. You can explore books by age level and genre interests. You can use the ideas to find books at your local library or bookstore. Have fun! There are also ideas for apps and websites.

Send in those photos! I can’t wait to see what you are reading this summer! Remember, anyone can participate. You don’t have to go to our school to send in photos.

Have a great summer reading!

Bobcats Readers Blog

Bridging Books, Lessons and Technology

Category Archives: Super Summer Reading 2014

Under the Egg

The Red Thread Sisters

Happy Canada Day!

Climb to the Top

Look Alex Reads too!

Reading in a Teepee

Time for Summer Reading