Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Ever since I started teaching, "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" has been in almost every book bag and talked about by every child. I didn't dare pick it up because I thought it would be lame. Finally, a student bought it for me and I decided to read it and find out what all the fuss was about.

I thought it was pretty good. First of all, it took me less than an hour to read. That was great because I don't have a whole lot of time anyway. It was funny and the drawings were great.

I can see why it appeals to so many kids. I recommend reading it just for a laugh. I want to read the other books, but I need to get them first.

Jane Eyre

Bob and I watched the recent release of Jane Eyre on DVD last weekend. It was disappointing. The BBC version is much better. Watch that one instead!

Princess Acadmey

A few weeks ago I had a student recommend that I read "Princess Academy" by Shannon Hale. She even brought me her copy and I didn't touch it for a while because I didn't have time and also because I thought it sounded sappy. I picked it up and started reading out of boredom on Saturday night around 8pm and I couldn't put it down until it was done. I loved it! It is especially great for young girls who think they aren't anything special or who feel like they don't belong. I strongly recommend it. It made me laugh and it made me cry. I love younger books and I felt so refreshed after reading it. I think you guys would enjoy it.


"Miri lives on a mountain where, for generations, her ancestors have quarried stone and lived a simple life. Then word comes that the king's priests have divined her small village the home of the future princess. In a year's time, the prince himself will come and choose his bride from among the girls of the village. The king's ministers set up an academy on the mountain, and every teenage girl must attend and learn how to become a princess.

Miri soon finds herself confronted with a harsh academy mistress, bitter competition among the girls, and her own conflicting desires to be chosen and win the heart of her childhood best friend. But when bandits seek out the academy to kidnap the future princess, Miri must rally the girls together and use a power unique to the mountain dwellers to save herself and her classmates."