A Little of This, A Little of That

Good Sunday afternoon my En Fuego readers.  Is anyone else totally loving this cooler weather at the end of July?  I guess it's not pool weather, but I do like enjoying the fresh air with my windows open!  The weather does not keep me from reading, though...hot, cold, whatever, you'll find me with a book in my hand about half of every day (or more if I'm lucky!).  Here's what I've been reading.

Ms. Scearcy mentioned this book to me and it's been on my to-read list for a bit.  I finally got a chance to read it and WOW.  So. Very. Good.  Wonder, by R.J. Palacio is about August Pullman.  August was born with severe facial deformities and has been protected and coddled his whole life.  Until suddenly, he learns that his parents think he may need to go to a real school instead of being homeschooled.  August really isn't sure about this, but after a visit to the school they have in mind, he decides to give it a try.  He is used to the shock, the stares, the horror that many people experience upon seeing him for the first time, but it's the first time he's every truly put himself out in the world.  He makes a couple of friends and is betrayed by one, but discovers an inner strength he didn't know he had and doesn't give up.  The story is told mostly through August's perspective, but a few other perspectives, as well and comes together as one of the most touching and heartwarming stories I've ever read.  I'm not going to lie, I cried a few tears at multiple points in this story, but if left my heart warm and fuzzy at the end.

Let's mix it up with a little non-fiction too.  I've been wanting to read Chasing Lincoln's Killer, by James Swanson since I got it from Scholastic last year.  Earlier in the summer, I read Bloody Times, which was also by this author.  This was a fascinating look at how President Lincoln's assassination came about and the hunt for John Wilkes Booth and those who conspired with him to murder the nation's 16th president.  I just love books that are full of historical facts, but read like a fictional story.  This also had lots of pictures of items and places from that time that helped you to picture all the who, what, when, & where details.  If you like nonfiction - pick up this book.

I also finally got around to reading Uglies, by Scott Westerfeld.  This has been on my to-read list probably for a year.  This is part of a dystopian trilogy about a society where people who are normal-looking are considered to be ugly.  At the age of 16, everyone gets an operation that turns them pretty - they're given features that are attractive and those features that aren't so attractive, like that big nose or eyes that are too close together or to far apart, are changed.  Once you turn pretty, you have no worries, you get to party all the time, and live a wonderful life.  Tally can't wait to turn 16 and get her operation.  All her friends have already had the operation and she looks forward to joining them.  But as she waits, she meets a new friend, Shay, who doesn't want to turn pretty and tells her about a place, called "The Smoke", where they can go to escape the operation.  Tally doesn't want to go, but a week before their birthdays, Shay leaves, but leaves Tally directions for how to find her.  When Tally goes in for her operation, she is told that unless she finds Shay and the Smoke for them, she will be ugly for the rest of her life.  Tally goes along, but once she gets to the Smoke, she realizes that becoming pretty has a steep price tag...should she expose her new friends and go back and live the life she always wanted or stay where she is and live a life different from anything she ever expected?  She may not have a choice.  This is a very fast-paced and exciting read.  There is quite a twist at the end that will make you want to rush out & read the next book in the series, Pretties!

So has anyone else looked at the calendar & realized we'll be seeing one another really soon?  I was at school last week starting to get things ready.  The supply list you need is on our facebook page and is also linked on the Congress webpage.  If you need a copy, let me know, I'll e-mail you one.  I hope you're enjoying these last few days of summer...with a good book, of course!