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• The One left Behind by Willo Davis Roberts
• Things Hoped For by Andrew Clements
• The Scary States of America (I can already predict which students will pick this one up)

(The above titles are books purchased with book club bonus points, destined for my classroom book nook. I like to at least skim each one before I put it out for students, even when it’s by a known and respected author. I can place the books properly by reading level and recommend to eager readers who might enjoy them.)

• Book 4 of the Lucy Calkins Writers’ Workshop series: Writing Fiction: Big Dreams, Tall Ambitions. This book outlines and guides the next unit I’m teaching to my fourth graders. Implementing Lucy’s program has meant a big time investment for me, but so far it’s been worthwhile. I’ll skim this volume, then go back and read it in detail, breaking down the lessons into manageable pieces and sketching out my own plans. Lucy Calkins is amazing. If I ever get to meet her, I’m sure I’ll be speechless, like a teenaged fan meeting an idol.

Pleasure Reading

• Local newspaper. Every day, every article, savoring having the time to read it all. The crossword puzzle, too, if Husband doesn’t get there first. It’s okay, we usually share.
• Other newspapers. I like to pick up newspapers for fun when I have time to read them. Reading news online, while fascinating, doesn’t have the same feeling as holding and folding a real paper.
• Road Map to Holland by Jennifer Graf Groneberg. This is not strictly pleasure, as I volunteered to read and review it for Mothertalk. However, I only offer to read and review books that interest me. It’s still pleasure reading.
• Welcome to the World, Baby Girl by Fannie Flagg, a classic found at the Goodwill store. I enjoyed Fried Green Tomatoes and Standing in the Rainbow, so this one is a logical pick.

The next decision: which coffee should I brew to accompany the reading material? Ah, such a dilemma.