Time to Look a Where I Am, Where I've Been, and Where I'm Headed

Photo Credit: http://hrringleader.com/

Where I Am
It has been a while since I wrote a post. We have been in the midst of state testing for the last two weeks. I am also preparing my class for what will be a heartbreak for me. I have four more weeks of school left this year. I've had a wonderful year with some of the best students ever. However, in four weeks I turn my classroom over to a very capable young man. He will finish out my year for me. I will be having surgery and then will spend some time in a rehab facility and then physical therapy throughout the summer. I've been trying to catch up on reviews, prepare my students for the rest of the year and testing. I've had to sprinkle in all those things you must do to prepare yourself, your family and house for when you are away. I realized I had begun to hate my blog as it seemed as if I was always rushing. I had wonderful parents this year that were very supportive. Yet I still felt like I was running behind. I was in the middle of revisions of my latest book and even that got shoved to the side.
I created a summer reading assignment and then gave  this blog url for reading suggestions. In this manner I didn't have to create a small reading list when there are so many great books out there. The assignment allows them to pick their own book and this assures parents there is help out there in case they don't know what to suggest for their kids. My principal was concerned about whether they were appropriate for students and how they would find the books. So, I went back and redesigned my blog adding a simpler way for parents and kids to find just right books for them. At the top of the blog there are four new buttons: Children, Middle Grade, Young Adult, and Adult. If they want to find a book by genre then they can look in the sidebar. However, eventually there will be a link from the books listed to their review. I can continually add to the list.

Where I've Been
It was while I was going through the review to find the list of books that I came across a post from 2011 that reminded me why I blogged, where I started and how well I was doing. You can read it here.  It made me realize that the reason it began to feel like a job instead of what I wanted it to be in the beginning, was because I was spreading myself so thin that I'd lost site of my reason for the blog. I have done no challenges except asking my students to set a goal. I've had no books to give away at school. Most authors are sending me ebooks. This makes it difficult to put new books on my shelves. Due to medical issues there has been no money for new books. I've not been able to do a school wide challenge as we've had so many new challenges this year.

Where I'm Headed
As I go through the summer preparing for next year I need to think seriously what I want for my blog and for my school. I want to continue my writing. That needs to be first and foremost. I've cut down on the number of reviews I can guarantee. I need to get back on track because I have really loved it so much and hate to think I have let those who follow me down. I hope you will continue to follow as my journey continues to evolve. I'm not sure what that will look like, but as long as I constantly reflect on where I've been and what I've done I am sure I will always keep moving and adapting to changes that come my way.

Children's Picture Books by Amy Best and Rachel Michaels

Genre: Picture Books
Source: I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

A wonderful group of picture books by two very talented authors. These are great for the youngest child up to kindergarten.

Hopper and Friends
Hopper was moving. Like many kids he was afraid he would not be able to make any new friends. Read to find out whether he was right or wrong. This is a wonderful book to read to a child who is getting read to move. It will show them there is nothing to fear.








Hopper's Birthday Surprise
Hopper's friends want to surprise him on his birthday. Hopper has seen many of them throughout the day and no one wished him a happy birthday. He believes they all forgot ad runs away. Will they be able to find him and give him his happy birthday?

Fiona Fox's Not So Happy New Year
Fiona Fox is dreading the new year. She has set up a list of resolutions and this year she wants to follow all of them. Her resolutions are so strict that the more she thinks about them the sadder she gets. They are very strict. Will she be able to do it?







Jungle Juniors and the Mysterious Egg
Geoff the giraffe and Monica the monkey find an egg while out walking. They take it home to help it hatch. Read the book to find out how they work together to help this egg hatch and exactly what hatches.

Hopper and the Rollercoaster
Hopper is happy a new amusement park is coming to his part of the forest. But, Hopper is hiding a secret. He has a fear of rollercoasters. Every time his friends invite him to go to the amusement park he comes up with an excuse. Then his friend Shannon Squirrel invites him to her birthday party. He accepts and then learns it is to be at the new amusement park. Will Hopper learn to conquer his fear? Will his friends learn his secret?





Belinda Bear's Special Talent
Everyone has a special talent in this wonderful story. That is everyone except Belinda Bear. When an announcement is made that there will be a special talent show, everyone demonstrates their talent except belinda Bear. She has tried telling jokes, Singing, dancing and a circus act, but none of them seem to work for her. She is sad, but happy for her friends. To support them she begins to bake treats for them while they practice. What will happen the night of the talent show?

Lucas the Lion and the Pirate Ship
Lucas the Lion has always protectedhis friends from the hunters. He chases them to the river and stops. He never catches the because he's afraid of water. What do you think will happen when his friends get on a boat on the river?




Monica Monkey Saves the Day
Monica Monkey visits Monkey Beach when his friend Geoff is gone. She has had trouble at Monkey beach in the past. Monica doesn't seem to fit in with the other monkeys. They make fun of her because she is small and not their same color. She has to eat by herself. When they are caught and put in a cage by hunters it is Monica who must save them.

Ryan the Rabbit's Big Move
Ryan and his family have always lived in the carrot patch behind a farmer's house. They have lots of friends. One day his parents tell him and his sisters that they will be moving half way around the world to Africa. They are not sure they will be able to make friends. They don't know what to expect. Imagine Ryan and his sister's surprise while exploring the jungle around their house when they meet a lion. They soon learn that he is friendly and introduce him to carrots. What will happen next?

Death By Sunken Treasure by Kait Carson

Genre:  Adult, Mystery

Source: I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

From Goodreads:
When Hayden Kent’s mentor and friend discovers her son Mike’s dead body, dressed in full scuba attire, washed up on Pigeon Key, she needs Hayden. Her paralegal and dive skills may help unravel the tragedy of Mike’s last days. He’d recently discovered a sunken Spanish galleon and rumors that he hit the mother lode ran through the Keys like wildfire. 

Hayden’s dive on the treasure site uncovers gold, and clues that Mike’s death was something far more sinister than an accident. When two different wills, both signed the day Mike died, are delivered to the courthouse, the suspect list grows, as do the threats against her. The danger escalates as she tries to save herself, discover the motive, and find the killer. 

My Thoughts:

I was thrilled to read a book where the action takes place in the Florida Keys. I live in Florida and it is one of our favorite places to visit. Hayden Kent is the main character. The woman who took care of her after her parents died has just lost her son.  They soon decide it was murder. The author has created characters that are very believable, along with a great plot line. I could picture myself in the Keys.  The dives were well described.  The pace is just right for this type of novel.  I realized that this was the second book, and I would definitely need to read the first book to find out how it all started. It is not necessary to read the first one to understand the second one. I am one of those people who doesn’t want to miss out.  I had not read anything by this author, but would definitely recommend them.

Author Website