Title: Long Way Down Author: Jason Reynolds Publisher: Antheneum Copyright Date: 2017 Will’s brother, Shawn, is dead. The rules of his neighborhood say he must avenge his brother. He grabs a gun and enters the elevator with a plan to murder Shawn’s killer. The sixty seconds that Will rides the elevator help him to see that revengeContinue reading “Long Way Down: A Book Review”
Monthly Archives: December 2018
2019 Read the World Challenge
Every year I forget how quickly time passes. I feel like I was just writing my goals for 2018 and here I am days away from 2019. Part of my annual goal setting means creating a plan for reading. Losing myself in the pages of fictional stories has become a daily part of my self-careContinue reading “2019 Read the World Challenge”
Merry Christmas
From our family to yours… Many blessings on this Christmas Day! The Ameri Brit Mom
The Bridge of Clay: A Book Review
Title: Bridge of Clay Author: Markus Zusak Publisher: Knopf Copyright Date: 2018 As the semester came to a close my freshmen students presented a book they read throughout the year thus far. I read alongside my students several days a week and so I kicked off the presentations with one of my own. This book review isContinue reading “The Bridge of Clay: A Book Review”
Fearless Writing: Write What You Love
“Now here we are, this attractive idea and me, going somewhere together, and it doesn’t matter at all that I don’t know the destination, because I’m already someplace I want to be.” (Kenower 49) The most successful writers are those who love the stories they write. They don’t write to someone else’s standards or forContinue reading “Fearless Writing: Write What You Love”
Books I Read in 2018
I’ve had so many reading adventures to share with you from 2018. I traveled back to Hogwarts, solved the murder of a teen in detention, witnessed the prejudices against minorities, fought countless types of mental illness, united a broken family, visited postwar Europe to save a child, and restored my faith in the human race.Continue reading “Books I Read in 2018”
Still:Five Minute Friday
That last week before Christmas break makes all of us teachers go a bit crazy. Case in point, it’s Saturday and I’m reviewing my week and somehow I managed to get just about NOTHING off my to-do list done. I survived Monday-Friday and that’s all. No, there were great moments for sure (like the oneContinue reading “Still:Five Minute Friday”
Fearless Writing: Feel First
I’m jumping into the third chapter of Fearless Writing: How to Create Boldly and Write with Confidence by William Kenower. This chapter challenged me in my approach to unfinished pieces. When I open my Google Drive it’s full of partial-manuscripts and half-finished short stories. I’ve completed only one manuscript and it is in need ofContinue reading “Fearless Writing: Feel First”
My (New) Car
Last week I was coming home from dropping my oldest off at church. The battery light came on and all of the lights within my car started to dim. By the time I reached my neighborhood I didn’t have any headlights. It was a scary journey home. I now know that the alternator needed replaced.Continue reading “My (New) Car”
Balance: Five Minute Friday
It’s a chilly Friday night in Ohio and I’m bundled up in my fluffy robe, fuzzy socks, and fleece blanket. This was one of those weeks that lingered beyond its welcome. Tuesday felt like Friday and each day thereafter was salt in the wound. I’m so glad to jump in on this Five Minute FridayContinue reading “Balance: Five Minute Friday”
The Ameri Brit Mom 