Teacher Mystery Challenge #3

Here is another weekly dose of the Teacher Mystery Challenge - Week 3

Voting Goal for the week - 150 Votes!!! Spread the word and have your friends vote.


The answer to the challenge from last week is in the Nerd Factory Video #5

1. What flavor of Kool Aid was your favorite? – Grape
2. What do you think of hot dogs? I like them grilled where they are really done!!
3. Favorite Holiday movie or tv special? A Christmas Story
4. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Water
5. Can you do push ups? If yes, how many? Do girl push ups count? Then yes!!
6. Favorite hobby? Reading
7. Middle name? Lynn
8. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment? How many questions are there? Tomorrow is Friday. How many other teachers are answering these?
9. Current worry? Getting my tests graded.
10. Dum da dum dummmm what is that? The sound that is made when you are in trouble or something bad is going to happen!!
11. Where would you like to go? Europe
12. Do you own slippers? Yes
13. What color shirt are you wearing right now? Multicolored shirt
14. Can you whistle? Yes
15. Favorite color? Green
16. Would you be a pirate? No
17. What was the last song that was stuck in your head? Dirty Little Secret
18. What’s in your pocket right now? Lint
19. Best toy as a child? Love legos!!
20. What is your favorite candy? Anything with chocolate or orange lifesaver mints
21. Favorite Sports Team? Iowa State Cyclones
22. What are you currently reading? The Lost Symbol
23. What is your favorite book of all time? Water for Elephants
24. If you could meet anyone living or dead who would it be and why? My Grandfather because I heard he was very funny!
25. What would we find in your refrigerator right now? Yogurt and Eggs
26. What is one fact that students would not know about you prior to asking this question? That I was a state champion swimmer.
27. If you were an animal/a can of soup/some other random object, which one would you be? Random Object

Love List Challenge

After viewing the Nerd Factory video episode 5 you know that I have asked you submit ideas of things you like or love. This is the challenge I presented after reading Hate List by Jennifer Brown. We are going to create a list of positive things that we enjoy to help spread good karma. So.....add a comment about something you like and let us see where the list takes us.


I will start off. Here are five things that I like


5. Coffee
4. Computers
3. Reading
2. Being a nerd
1. My family(especially when I play air guitar with my kids!)

So now it is your turn. Post away my fellow Nerd Clansmen.

Happy Halloween

Here are the Maurer Pumpkins. This has turned out to be a tradition where every year we must do better and better. No more triangle eyes. No paint. This is the real deal. Aiden, Addy, and myself pour through the designs to find the ones that are cool, but yet not too technical. This pumpkin tradition has now lead to an all day affair. We go to the Pride of the Wapsi to find just the right pumpkins after being hauled to the fields in a tractor. We check out all the other things there like feeding the goats and watching the pigs poop(not a real attraction, but we did watch it happen and my children and myself no longer wanted to see the pigs). After spending the day there we came home to prepare. The cleaning and carving of the pumpkins is a couple hour process. In the end this is the outcome. Go ahead, marvel at the amazing skill I possess. Do you think you did better? Then go right ahead and submit a picture via email to aarmau@gmail.com I will post your pics here on the blog and maybe even have a voting contest if enough submit. Anways, enjoy the weekend, snag some good candy, and be safe.

Book Review: Dirty Little Angels by Chris Tusa

Dirty Little Angels
Chris Tusa
Format: e-book

Acquired: from the author through contact via email

I want to start off by stating that this book is NOT a young adult book. The reason that I have a review posted on my blog is that I was contacted by the author to review his novel. I agreed and part of that agreement was to post it on my blog. With that said I do not encourage middle school students to read this book as it is not appropriate for middle school students. However, I did find this book to be a good read. Additionally, I was uber excited to be contacted by an author to read their book.

From his website

“Dirty Little Angels is the To Kill a Mockingbird of 2009. Brilliant, tender, engrossing, compassionate and challenging, Chris Tusa’s Dirty Little Angels marks the debut of a brave new voice in contemporary American literature.” –
Burl Barer, Edgar Award winning author of The Saint, Mom Said Kill

Set in the slums of New Orleans, among clusters of crack houses and abandoned buildings, Dirty Little Angels is the story of sixteen year old Hailey Trosclair. When the Trosclair family suffers a string of financial hardships and a miscarriage, Hailey finds herself looking to God to save her family. When her prayers go unanswered, Hailey puts her faith in Moses Watkins, a failed preacher and ex-con. Fascinated by Moses's lopsided view of religion, Hailey, and her brother Cyrus, begin spending time down at an abandoned bank that Moses plans to convert into a drive-through church. Gradually, though, Moses's twisted religious beliefs become increasingly more violent, and Hailey and Cyrus soon find themselves trapped in a world of danger and fear from which there may be no escape.
To read samples of Chris Tusa’s work, visit his website: http://www.christophertusa.com/


This novel is a gritty, raw, and a realistic read in terms of what can happen to people. This is a dark book. There is little positive to be found, but this I believe was done with the intention of making the reader stop and question how we can impact our own lives. Our choices lead to the life we live. We are in control despite the circumstances we are born into.

His descriptions of different scenes in this book were some of the best I have ever read(even though some made me squirm). I loved the writing style of this author and look forward to watching him continue his career. I reread several scenes just because I loved how he crafted his words.

This book fits into my profile of books I like because it was not a happy warm-hearted read where everyone becomes friends at the end. There are some real negative events that arise. I think what makes the book appealing is that everything seems so real. I have not lived a life at all like any of these characters, but I know several people who have had similar circumstances.

If the blurb above sparks your interest, then I suggest you give this book a try. Like I said, I would NOT give this book to any middle school students as there are references and scenes that deal with adulterous parents, criminal siblings, sex, drugs, and friends. These ideas are woven into the story to have the reader think and ponder, “What would I do in a given situation?”

Author Interview: Jennifer Brown - Hate List

My first author has responded to my interview questions. I cannot begin to express how excited I am to share this. The author is Jennifer Brown who has created the brilliant novel Hate List (click this link to read my review). She has taken time out of her very busy schedule to answer the many questions I threw her way. She has also agreed to send me some autographed bookmarks. As soon as those come in, I will be giving those away. I am open to suggestions as to the way they are delivered. If you are a reader of this blog, then you know that I love challenges. So, while I ponder a challenge for the bookmarks, you can also offer suggestions by adding a comment to this post. Anyways, here is the interview which I am so proud to present.

1. Growing up, when I was reading books I never really even considered authors to be human. I never gave a thought to actually talking to them or sending them letters. Now authors do interviews (like this), Skype conferences, blogs, email, etc. How does the utilization of all the latest technology and internet help you as a writer? Do you think it helps you or is it more of problem trying to fit it all in?

Ah, well, both! It's very stressful trying to keep up with all the online obligations. The social networking sites, the tweets, the interviews -- it all takes serious time away from actual writing and it does take real effort at organization to make sure you don't waste all of your writing time chatting online.

But I'm able to reach so many more readers with these tools than I ever would have been able to without them. I've met a lot of really great people online, and several school visits have come directly from online friendships with people who have connections. I can't imagine how difficult it was to really spread the word about a new book before authors had all these tools at their disposal.

Plus, I think the accessibility of writers nowadays has made reading more fun for young adults, who feel like they can approach writers and ask them questions about their books and about being a writer (I even have readers email me to ask for bookmarks and other swag). And it's great, for writers, to get feedback from readers! For that reason alone, I think online tools are extraordinarily valuable in the writer/young reader relationship.

2. How did you come up with the idea to write Hate List? I am sure that you have been asked this a million times, but how does one go from being a writer of humor to creating a novel that has such little humor in it?

Even though I've been writing humor for several years, I actually began by writing more serious work, and it was always my intention to write serious work. I just happened to also find a niche in humor-writing. It's the oddest thing -- when I sit down to write a humor column, it works, but if I try to infuse humor into my fiction-writing, it almost never works. I'm much better with serious writing in fiction.

My simple answer to the inspiration behind HATE LIST is to say I got the Nickelback song "If Everyone Cared" stuck in my head one night while I was asleep, and when I woke up in the morning, I had the idea for a novel about a school shooting in my head. But the truth is, I just think a bunch of things came together at just the right time for me.

I was definitely picked on and bullied in junior high and high school and I've never understood what makes some people be so mean. I guess that's probably been in the back of my mind for a lot of years. Then, as a parent, I pay special attention to news coverage of these kinds of horrible and tragic events, with this thought of how sad it is that the place we parents always thought was the safest place in the world to send our kids is maybe not always so safe anymore.

I was watching news coverage about a school shooting and I started asking myself questions. The song got stuck, and ka-pow!, everything came together for me and next thing I knew... there was the novel.

3. How were you able to understand what Val was going through? I really felt like I was inside her mind and not that I know anyone that has been in her situation, but it was exactly like I thought it would be.

I had help. My husband is a clinical psychologist, in private practice for about 25 years or so. I actually wrote up a very exhaustive character sketch of Valerie, and included everything I could think of about her. I gave him the sketch and asked him to "do therapy" on her.

He and I must have talked for hundreds of hours about Valerie and I really felt like I had a good feel for what she might be going through along the way of putting her life back together.

4. Who was the hardest character to write in the novel? Why?

Valerie, for sure, because in the first draft she was not at all likable. And I really struggled with softening up, making her less ugly, because I felt she truly was in an ugly place and when someone is in an ugly, horrified, grieving place, they may not be overly likable. So I struggled with making her someone readers would care about and want to read on about, and also making her realistic. This is where my editor really helped me out.

5. What advice on life would you provide your young adult fans?

Wow, on life in general? That's a tall order! I guess my advice would be to take on Valerie's task -- to try to see people for who they really are, rather than what you think they are. Try to reach out in friendship, try to be tolerant. I think you'll never be sorry when you tried to be a good friend to someone who really needed one.

6. What surprised you most as you were writing this novel?

That it sold so quickly! I've been writing a long time, and was accustomed to waiting for months and months to get word on a submission. But this one sold within weeks.

7. I was on your website and noticed you like the Beatles. If you could choose to meet one Beatle who would you pick?

John Lennon, without question.

8. I recently read a book title, Six Word Memoirs, which has a website. If you had to write your memoir in six words, what would you write?

Look, Ma! I Amounted to Sumpin!

9. I am sure that you have met many teens and avid fans of yours while out promoting and going to schools. Could you share any stories or instances that reminded you of the impact you have on your readers?

So far my most touching moment was at an alternative high school. The kids were so enthusiastic, and I felt like they really understood what I was trying to say. I found out that I was the first visiting author to ever come to their school, which made me feel so... honored. Since visiting them, I've discovered that they're starting up a student-led book club, and the kids chose HATE LIST as their first book! Yay!

10. Do you listen to music when write? If so, what would be a playlist on your ipod?

Yes, I do! But I can't listen to music without singing along, so I have to listen to music sung in foreign languages (or music without lyrics). My favorite CD is called "Spirit of Africa." I play that one a lot while I'm writing.

11. What other books would you recommend young adults to read besides your own?

There are two YA authors that I'm totally and embarrassingly fangirly about: Gail Giles and John Green. Gail's books are dark and disturbing, and so beautifully written. My favorites of hers of WHAT HAPPENED TO CASS McBRIDE? and SHATTERED GLASS. John Green is just all-around amazing. I love to watch his videos, and I love, love, loved LOOKING FOR ALASKA! The characters in that book were just so wonderful.

I also really enjoyed Jay Asher's 13 REASONS WHY, and found it to be incredibly engaging. And one of my newest favorites is debut author Sarah Ockler, whose book TWENTY BOY SUMMER blew me away!

12. I am starting our very Exquisite Corpse Adventure writing project at our middle school. I was wondering if you would like to contribute a line or two to add to our story. This is still in the primary stages so I can tell you how it starts out, “Test Test Test Test Test Test”.

I would love to answer this question, but I'm not sure if I understand it. Can you clarify?

Here are some additional random questions that you could answer if you feels like it(though not really necessary, but students wanted me to add). These come from the Teacher Mystery Challenge that I have on my blog. They thought it would be cool to hear answers from an author.

1. What flavor of Kool Aid was your favorite?

What do you mean "was"? Definitely cherry.

2. What do you think of hot dogs?

About the only time I really enjoy one is at a football game.

3. Favorite Holiday movie or tv special?

A three-way tie between "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" (the Jim Carey version), "The Nightmare Before Christmas" and "Christmas Vacation."

4. What do you prefer to drink in the morning?

Decaf, with a splash of skim milk and two packets of Splenda. If I'm splurging, I'll go for the really good stuff -- Blueberry Cobbler coffee. Yum!

5. Can you do push ups? If yes, how many?

Oh, please, I can barely push up out of my chair most days.

6. Favorite hobby?
Reading, hands-down.

7. Middle name?
Marie

8. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment?

The chair is too low, the air conditioner is too cold, and it's getting too late.

9. Current worry?
My middle kiddo has the flu.

10. Dum da dum dummmm what is that?

My deadline slowly trudging up behind me, ready to bludgeon me with my laptop if I don't get my work turned in soon. Ack!

11. Where would you like to go?

Walt Disney World. Always Walt Disney World.

12. Do you own slippers?

Oh, yes, several pairs. It's a little known fact that cold toes actually paralyze the writing portion of the brain.

13. What color shirt are you wearing right now?

Red and it says "William Jewell College 1849," which is the school I graduated from, but, contrary to what my children believe, not the year I graduated. Ha!

14. Can you whistle?
Only while I work.

15. Favorite color?
Green.

16. Would you be a pirate?

I have been a pirate. Seriously. Just last weekend I was a pirate for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. Pirates are cool. Yargh!

17. What was the last song that was stuck in your head?

A parade song from the party mentioned above. "Boo to you and you and you..."

18. What’s in your pocket right now?

No pockets, but if I had a pocket, it would be full of sunshine.

19. Best toy as a child?

My imagination.

20. What is your favorite candy?

Cherry Mash.

21. Favorite Sports Team?
I love to watch sports (basketball's my favorite), but I don't have any specific teams I root for.

22. What are you currently reading?

Finishing up LOOKING FOR ALASKA by John Green (omigosh, awesome book!) and getting ready to start Pam Bachorz's CANDOR (so excited!)

23. What is your favorite book of all time?

THE GRAPES OF WRATH by John Steinbeck

24. If you could meet anyone living or dead who would it be and why?

John Lennon, because I think he was special and a spreader of peace and amazingly talented and just an all-around nice guy.

25. What would we find in your refrigerator right now?

Oh, it's crammed all the time. But the really exciting thing in there right now is a half-eaten cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory.

26. What is one fact that readers would not know about you prior to asking this question?

That I think "The Office" is one of the best shows to ever appear on television and I have a secret crush on Jim.

27. If you were an animal/a can of soup/some other random object, which one would you be?

If I were a cartoon character, I'd be Minnie Mouse.

What a great interview! I have become an avid fan of Jennifer Brown even more after reading the interview. She has moved up my author list to the ranks of John Green. You go girl!

Scary Tic Tac Toe - Be Warned

Are you good at Tic-Tac-Toe?

If so, then see if you can beat the computer. The game has been revised to be extra cool. Be sure to turn the sound on to hear the computer talking to you.

It did take me a few times to win. If you beat the computer, then post a comment to tell me how many tries it took you to be him/her/monster

Try it out! Hold on tight!

This is REALLY Cool!!!

Click on the Tic-Tac-Toe link (below) to play.

See if you can beat the computer...

CLICK HERE:

TicTacToe

**Thanks to Ms. Olson for sharing this game**

My Comments

1. Your reading my comment
2. Now your saying/thinking that's a stupid fact.
4. You didn't notice that I skipped 3.
5. Your checking it now.
6. Your smiling.
7. Your still reading my comment.
8. You know all you have read is true.
10. You didn't notice that I skipped 9.
11. Your checking it now.
12. You didn't notice there are only 10 facts

Oh, by the way tomorrow I will be posting my interview with Jennifer Brown who is the author of the MUST READ book HATE LIST! Happy Wednesday

Don't forget to vote for Teacher Mystery

Don't forget to post gross facts to the gross fact challenge

Teaser Tuesday

So...here are the rules. Please add your own if you wish or comment as you please.

* Grab your current read.
* Let the book fall open to a random page.
* Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
* You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from…that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given.
* Please avoid spoilers!


My Teaser:

The Well by A.J. Whitten

It was the bigger bones, a towering stack of them, that sat in one corner.
Human Bones
Licked, or maybe chewed, clean.

Teacher Mystery Challenge #2

Here are the answers for the next teacher. Go ahead read the answers and start to investigate the teachers. This is a good one!

In case you don't know, the answer to Teacher Mystery Challenge #1 is in the Nerd Factory Video #4. Here are the results. My video is off when it comes to mentioning the number of students who voted as three votes were entered after I made the video.

Our goal this week is to get at least 75 votes in. VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!

Remember, to vote just simply check the box next to the teacher name on the poll over on the right side of the screen. Once the box is checked, then click the "Vote" button at the bottom of the names. You will then be able to see the current results.

1. What flavor of Kool Aid was your favorite? Grape with a little more sugar then the package calls for.
2. What do you think of hot dogs? If they are cooked right, they’re great. If they’re from the microwave – forget it. Also, I like them plain – No catsup or mustard – just the dog.
3. Favorite Holiday movie or tv special? Polar Express – love it.
4. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Coffee. Unfortunately, I drink way too much of it.
5. Can you do push ups? Is yes, how many? Yes. I’ve never tried to see how many I can do in a row, but I can do a few sets of 20 without much trouble.
6. Favorite hobby? I love to golf, but it takes up so much time away from my family that I feel guilty. I only play once in a while so I don’t feel too guilty.
7. Middle name? Edward
8. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment? I’m hungry. What am I going to do today? Wow, there are a lot of questions on this thing.
9. Current worry? H1N1 – I think my daughter has it. Hope my wife or son don’t get it. I don’t think I’ll get it. I usually don’t get sick.
10. Dum da dum dummmm what is that? Yeah, what is that?
11. Where would you like to go? Anyplace warm with palm trees and an ocean view.
12. Do you own slippers? No. I did but I wore holes in them so I threw them away. Haven’t replaced them yet so I wear Crocks with socks instead. I don’t like to be barefoot around the house – my feet get cold.
13. What color shirt are you wearing right now? Black hooded sweatshirt
14. Can you whistle? Yes, but not as good as Mr. Hernandez ( guess that gives away that I am not Mr. Hernandez.)
15. Favorite color? Blue – I think. I really don’t have one but I’ve declared blue just for when people ask me this question. I’m pretty impartial when it comes to colors. I like all colors – except fuchsia.
16. Would you be a pirate? No way. I’d feel bad taking from people. I would like to take a ride on a pirate ship though. I think that’d be pretty interesting. Plus I’d like to go in the hidden cave of One-Eved-Willie from “Goonies”. Those water slides look awesome!
17. What was the last song that was stuck in your head? "Wake Up" by The Arcade Fire. – It’s the song from “Where the Wild Things Are” movie. I can’t wait to see that movie. It’s one of my favorite books to read to my kids and the movie looks awesome. Movies usually aren’t as good as books though.
18. What’s in your pocket right now? No pockets in these pants – wearing my Bears Gameday pants.
19. Best toy as a child? Three-way tie between G.I. Joe, Transformers, and He-Man. I played with them all the time.
20. What is your favorite candy? Don’t care much for candy. If I have to pick, I’ll go with Whoppers. I’d rather have snacks than sweets any day.
21. Favorite Sports Team? Da’ Bears
22. What are you currently reading? Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters: 10 Secrets Every Father Should Know.
23. What is your favorite book of all time? “My Losing Season” by Pat Conroy. It’s an autobiography about the author’s love of the game of basketball and its role throughout his life.
24. If you could meet anyone living or dead who would it be and why? Dave Matthews. I love his music, but I also feel like he’d be very interesting to talk to. Maybe we’d become friends and he’d give me tickets to as many concerts as I’d like.
25. What would we find in your refrigerator right now? We just went to grocery store today, so it’s pretty full. Lots of juices, lunch meat, and a ton of fruit.
26. What is one fact that students would not know about you prior to asking this question? I hate parades. They drive me nuts. They are boring, the weather rarely cooperates, and I just don’t get the appeal.
27. If you were an animal/a can of soup/some other random object, which one would you be? If I were an animal, I’d love to be a hawk or an eagle. To be able to fly would be great. I wouldn’t have to worry about bigger birds and I’d just soar around and watch everybody.

Book Review: Paper Towns

Paper Towns
John Green

I have become a major fan of John Green after reading the book LOOKING FOR ALASKA. I became almost an obsessed fan after reading AN ABUNDANCE OF KATHERINES. I have now made him my #1 favorite author after reading PAPER TOWNS. Yes, I know it has taken me some time to read this third novel. I was holding on to savor the genius. I finally have it off my TBR pile(my goal is to knock this pile down to under 5 before adding more).


John Green has this uncanny ability to nail life in high school to a T. I had many of these types of conversations growing up myself(on a disclaimer note: this book is aimed for the high school crowd or teenage age group and not necessarily sixth or seventh grade). I had many connections to this story from the road trips that Q, Lacey, Radar, Ben all embarked on to the simple moments of high school where you just sat around and laughed the night away. I could not read this fast enough to find out what happened to Margo after she and Q completed the 11 tasks together. Margo shows up at his window dressed as a ninja forcing Q to help her on this little adventure. This adventure just sets the tone for the rest of the book.


If you follow any of the awards given to books, then you will know that this book has won some pretty noteworthy awards. I will say no more about the plot of this book except to say that you will not be disappointed. The conversations in novel are brilliantly written yet very accurate to the real world. If a book can get me to laugh out loud several times, share passages with my wife(who really could care less), and also make me ponder life, then I have come across a great read. This one is a great read.

Six Sentence Saturday

First off, can you believe the Iowa game? I have never been so into an Iowa game before in my life. What a finish and that is coming from a Notre Dame fan. They are having quite a season.

By the way, can you believe that someone actually referenced me? I feel so cool in my uncool world of cyber-nerdiness. What joy this brings me!

Anyways, here is my six sentences of what I have been reading lately.

Twitterville - Shel Israel - This is not a YA book, but a book that examines Twitter and how businesses are using to help them. A very interesting read as business, schools, and life in general are continuing to change as technology and the internet evolve.

Paper Towns - John Green - Yes, I am still reading this book and the reason for it is twofold. One, I always read his books slowly to process his genius writing skill and am always trying to find more meaning than what is actually there. Second, I don't want the book to end because I will have no more John Green to read until his next book is published.

Demon Keeper - Royce Buckingham - A perfect for around Halloween that deals with Nat who is in charge of taking care of the demons and the Beast in his house(action, humor, and monsters all wrapped into one...extending this sentence to be super long as I only had one sentence left).

Nerd Factory Video Post #4

This video contains the following:

1. Gross Fact Challenge
2. Answer to Teacher Mystery #1
3. Answer to math problem challenge from Nerd Factory #3
4. Shrinking Arm

Gross and Interesting Facts Challenge

This idea popped up in my head while creating Nerd Factory Video #4. This is your chance to share some gross and interesting facts like the ones I shared in the video.

Here are the rules.

1. State the fact(s)
2. Include the website to verify the fact(s) are true.

Book Review: Wish You Were Dead

Wish You Were Dead
Todd Strasser


This author is known for his other works such as Give a Boy a Gun, Boot Camp, If I Grow Up, and the Help, I’m Trapped . . . series. This book is the latest in the thriller genre that seems to keep gathering up more bookshelf space in the young adult section.

There are many reviews on the web that praise this book. I think the fact that I just read two of the most powerful books ever, After by Amy Efaw and Hate List by Jennifer Brown, really had a factor on my interest in this book. I am not knocking the book in anyway as this is right up my alley. Students are being abducted from a high school when they are caught alone. A killer is on the loose and nobody can figure it out. To complicate matters there is the online social networking aspect of the book where a person posts negative feelings towards the students and when these thoughts are posted is when the kids are taken.

I could not figure out who the killer was while reading the book. I think this will grab the attention of the young adult crowd. The creepiness of the book is no longer a part of my life. The social networking, cell phone messages, being out late at night, etc. Had I been in high school this book would have freaked me out. It held my interest to finish the book and the best description of this book would be to call it an entertaining read. Being that the students are in high school be warned that there are scenes of alcohol consumption and parties. Additionally, it does deal with a killer so the ending can be intense if that is not your cup of tea. All in all, a good read, but there are many more books that I would place in front if this were still in my TBR pile.

Nerd Factory Video #3

This video was created Wednesday night as I could not fall asleep and thought what better way to waste my time than to create a new episode in the Nerd Factory video series.

Teaser Tuesday

I keep reading more and more blogs using this as a post so I thought I would jump on the bandwagon because I find them very engaging and sparking my interest to add more books to my TBR pile.

So...here are the rules. Please add your own if you wish or comment as you please.

* Grab your current read.
* Let the book fall open to a random page.
* Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
* You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from…that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given.
* Please avoid spoilers!


My Teaser:

The Crossroads by Christ Grabenstein

A young man in blue jeans and a leather jacket appeared in the small clearing near the stump. A man with slick -back hair. Pasty flesh. Cold and evil eyes. "What do you think you're doing?"

Teacher Mystery Interview

Yes! I have a new challenge. This is something for Bettendorf Middle School students, teachers, parents, etc. to take part in. Watch the video below for some information and good luck from there.



Teacher Mystery Interview Challenge #1


What flavor of Kool Aid was your favorite? Grape

What do you think of hot dogs? Great at baseball games and cookouts.

Favorite Holiday movie or tv special? Frosty the Snowman

What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Juice

Can you do push ups? If yes, how many? Nope

Favorite hobby? Playing with my kids.

Middle name? Mitchell

Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment? Be careful. Watch out. Interesting.

Current worry? Worried about the H1N1 flu

Where would you like to go? The beach

Do you own slippers? yes

What color shirt are you wearing right now? white

Can you whistle? Sort of

Favorite color? Blue

Would you be a pirate? No

What’s in your pocket right now? $5.00 and a grocery list

Best toy as a child? Legos and Barbies

What is your favorite candy? White chocolate

What are you currently reading? James Patterson “5th Horseman”

What is your favorite book of all time? The Giving Tree

Book Review: Hate List

Hate List
Jennifer Brown



This is from the inside cover

Five months ago, Valerie Leftman's boyfriend, Nick, opened fire on their school cafeteria. Shot trying to stop him, Valerie inadvertently saves the life of a classmate, but is implicated in the shootings because of the list she helped create. A list of people and things they hated. The list her boyfriend used to pick his targets. Now, after a summer of seclusion, Val is forced to confront her guilt as she returns to school to complete her senior year. Haunted by the memory of the boyfriend she still loves and navigating rocky relationships with her family, former friends and the girl whose life she saved, Val must come to grips with the tragedy that took place and her role in it, in order to make amends and move on with her life.

I don't know how to start this review. My emotions after reading this novel are in disarray. I think I am going to start off with pondering three words to describe the novel and see what avenues my brain takes.

1. Agonizing - Not in terms of reading as this novel is a MUST READ. Agonizing in terms of the raw emotions I felt for the characters, especially Valerie. Can you image being in love with someone who also killed your fellow peers. Being in love with someone that you had no idea was going to take the venting process of life to the extreme? Agonizing in terms of waking up from the terrible day and have to face everyone who thinks you are just as guilty and wishing you were dead also? These emotions made my insides feel like they were going to collapse.

2. Pulchritudinous(yes I did use a thesaurus) - This word means beautiful. I chose this because it is an obscure word for a simple idea. This book is the same way. The events are far from beautiful, but the story and the way the author crafted her storyline is beautiful. I honestly felt like I was right there. I felt like I was part of the high school and was affected. It was beautiful in the way that it felt so real. How was Jennifer Brown able to get inside the heads of every character to make this story so genuine?

3. Battle - Life is a constant battle with everything that is being thrown are way. It felt good to read about a character(and female in addition) who was strong enough to not back down. It felt good to read about a character that was far from perfect, but was not heavily abusing drugs and sex in every chapter to make the book non-suggestible to middle school students. It felt to relate to someone(not in the shooting aspect) who has been placed in a bad situation and has to learn to suck it up and deal with life.

READ THIS BOOK! Tell me your thoughts. Post me your questions. Let us create a discussion about the book. As a forewarning to my students and parents of students, this book does deal with a school shooting in the high school. There are some intense scenes. I just want to clear the air so you are not upset with me about the book. I would suggest age 13 and above if you are looking for an age range

Six Sentence Saturday

Welcome to Six Sentence Saturday.

Where I try to express my thoughts on recent reads using only 6 sentences!!!!.

I have taken this idea from many different blogs. I really liked the idea. I am not going to rate the books as that will go into my review when they are finished. These will be books that I am currently reading, but have not finished. I will also change the parameters in that I can only write six sentences total no matter how many books I write about. I have to choose my words wisely.

1. Hate List - Jennifer Brown
I cannot describe the thoughts in my head right now. I cannot stop reading this book and I feeling a range of emotions that I went through when I read After by Amy Efaw.

2. Dirty Little Angels - Chris Tusa

Another engaging read that takes a look at society in present tense. It is not young adult(even though I do hate the label/genre title for personal reasons) because I would not be able to recommend this to my students due to certain scenes. However, I think it is worth reading so far and I cannot wait to find out how it will all come to a close.

3. Paper Towns - John Green

I have one sentence left so all I can say is that this is another amazingly genius(if that even makes sense) by one of my(if not my #1) favorite authors.

Nightlight: A Twilight Parody

How great is this? I cannot wait to get my hands on this. I read the series and I have my own very biased opinions about this series. However, this sounds too good to be true.


'Nightlight': A 'Twilight' parody by the twisted minds at 'The Harvard Lampoon'

Shared via AddThis

What? It is almost Friday?

Holy cow! Where has the week gone? I just now realized that the week is almost too a close(thank goodness), but I have been away from the blog. I have been working on finishing up my review for the author Chris Tusa who contacted me to review his novel, "Dirty Little Angels". I will have that up by the weekend. I have been working on my latest video post and all the other fun things that come with the job of education and getting ready for parent conferences.

Despite the fact that I have had little time to read and I have 18 books from the library waiting to enter my brain I cannot wait for this book to come in. I cannot wait to read this even though it seems a little on the blue side.

Hold Still book trailer



Oh yes! I almost forgot.....

Anyone create any cool creations of things to put on my desk? If so, then take a picture and submit to me or if you attend the school I teach at just bring it to my office.

Anyone want to add their thoughts to our Exquisite Corpse Adventure Story? I am still waiting for a few more entries before I post what has been submitted.

I know some of you teachers are struggling for something to do during TA. Why not hold a little competition to have students submit their work to me. I could add some voting options on here. Spread the word and let us pick up some steam.

Signing off from the Nerd Factory(I have college work to do)

Teaser Tuesday

I keep reading more and more blogs using this as a post so I thought I would jump on the bandwagon because I find them very engaging and sparking my interest to add more books to my TBR pile.

So...here are the rules. Please add your own if you wish or comment as you please.

* Grab your current read.
* Let the book fall open to a random page.
* Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
* You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from…that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given.
* Please avoid spoilers!


My Teaser:

Paper Towns by John Green (I don't know why I have not read this book yet considering he is my favorite young adult author.)

page 71 in the hardcover version

"You said....When the guy died, you said maybe all the strings inside him broke, and then you just said that about yourself, that the last string broke."
She half laughed. "You worry too much. I don't want some kids to find me swarmed with flies on a Saturday morning in Jefferson Park."

Book Review: Operation Yes

Operation Yes
by Sara Lewis Holmes

How strange is it that the last two books I have read have two common elements, but are two completely different books. This novel and One of the Survivors(review is further down the blog) both contained the song "Taps" and fire alarms going off constantly during school. I find it strange that in the randomness of my book choosing that two books right in a row contain these elements. Sorry for the nerd in me coming out and finding that exciting and intriguing.

Here is a video of Taps in case you have never heard this or maybe you want some nostalgia.

Anyways, what a fun read. I picked this book up based on the cover alone. Then I proceeded to read the first couple pages and I was hooked when the teacher was taping tape to her floor. I am a teacher and therefore had to know what she was doing. The main character is a boy named Bo. He is the son of a colonel on a military base. He has made a deal with his dad to do good in school and stay out of trouble. Things are going okay until his cousin Gari moves in with them when her mother gets shipped off to Iraq. Without getting into a summary of the book, Bo, Gari and their classmates have to learn how to find school interesting while dealing with the life of being a military child. Don't take my review wrong as this is a funny, upbeat book with a positive message. Miss Loupe, the teacher, is what made this book for me. Her "taped spaced" and other activities really hit home with me to remember our jobs as teachers. I think my favorite line in the whole book is one that everyone can relate to whether you have someone in the military or not.

"Everyone you meet is fighting a great battle." Think about that for a moment. We tend to forget that everyone has a lot on their plate. Read this book. I really see this book taking off and I really hope it receives the praise it deserves.

Check out the website by the author and her Operation Yes website. Both are very cool.

Nerd Factory Video Post

Here it is! My first attempt at a vlog or video post. It is rough and not too exciting(like myself), but please watch and let me know what you think. Yes, I have presented a challenge for the viewer. Maybe this time, one of you will actually submit something. My fingers are crossed.

3 Book Reviews

One of the Survivors
by Susan Shaw

24 dead, 2 survivors How can you fix that? Tell me how?

This is my first book that I have read by Susan Shaw, but I have already placed some of her books on hold to read more by this author.

This is the story of Joey and Maureen. They are two students who survived a school fire. They were they only two to leave their classroom. Instead of being hugged and loved, they are being branded as murderers because the community cannot figure out how they escaped, but nobody else. The book bounces back and forth through the journals of Joey and the current events that are unraveling in his life.

This book really hits on the concept that when things go wrong it is easy or almost human nature anymore to blame somebody or something for the wrong. I recommend this book for middle school readers. She has done a nice job tackling an issue that could have really been taken to a high school level and keeping it available for the 10-14 year age group. I was frustrated at times at the events unfolding, but the book does a great job tackling the feelings of loneliness, guilt, forgiveness, and moving on. I will be honest and tell you that I was getting tired of the first 100 or so pages of the same old "Why me? Poor me" attitude, but I also know anyone would feel that way if you were in the shoes of Joey. From page 154 and on I was hooked and the ending more than made up for my boredom of reading about emotions.

Another book I read was

Odd and the Frost Giants
by Neil Gaiman


Whenever Neil Gaiman writes something whether a book, graphic novel, his blog, etc. I have to read it. His genius of storytelling and his unbelievable ability of making mythology appealing is amazing. I noticed that this book came out and I had to read it right away. I will tell you upfront that this is geared for a younger crowd like maybe upper elementary. However, if you know your mythology, then this book has a lot to provide despite the small amount of pages. Odd is a Viking boy who embarks on a journey to save Asgard with three animals. You may have to research your Norse mythology to help make the book more in depth for those who read like me. The book is about this boys journey to help remove the Frost Giant and return Asgard back to normal. A very fast read as I read it in about an hour. A great escape from everyday life and quite enjoyable. Nowhere near as intense as his other writings, but it was nice to have an easy read with a good storyline.

The last book that I will book talk is

The Monstrumologist
by Rick Yancey


I loved this book.

This is the journal of Will Henry. Will Henry is an orphan who lives and becomes the assistant of Dr. Pellinore Warthrop. This man studies and lives for monsters. This is what he studies. The doctor is odd in his own right and who wouldn't be if one studies monsters for a living. A grave robber comes in the middle of the night Dr. Warthrop and Will Henry embark on an gruesome journey.


This is not a fast read. It is written in the old Victorian style and theme. The characters are well developed, it has a freakish setting and tone which is perfect for this time of year. You really have to focus to read this book. It does contain many scenes of gore and violence(duh! they do hunt and research monsters), but nothing else would need to be cautioned to the reader. The monsters in this book are crazy and none of any I have ever dreamt or created in my mind. If you want something to keep you on edge at night and enjoy longer books, then read this bad boy. I hope there are more to come in this series(if it is even a series). A perfect Halloween read.

Saturday Morning Insights

I have let a couple days slip by in my posting, but it was not due to a lack of ramblings and useless information to share. Rather, it has been due to the fact that I have been asked to be everywhere.

I know this is somewhat old news, but I still don't understand how this is ethical? I understand that the moon does not have an atmosphere and therefore things much larger crash into the moon all the time, but this just seems like it is opening up a new can of worms.

I have finished up two books and the reviews will be coming shortly.

I am SO excited. I have been contacted by an author to review a novel. This is my first time where an author has contacted me. I cannot wait to read and review. I have the book and it is titled, "Dirty Little Angel" by Chris Tusa. I am finishing up a book right now and then I will begin my review. I cannot tell you how awesome this is for me. In a sense it makes me feel important(even though I am just a peon of the large spectrum of blogs like mine)

Yes, my reading of The Lost Symbol continues to get pushed further behind. On the other hand, I am creating my first vlog as we speak so be wary of my ugliness creeping on this blog.

Just in case you have not read it, Episode 2 of The Exquisite Corpse Adventure is available. Read Episode 1 first if you have missed out on this.

Finally, another video. How I love to show crazy clips.

Remember the Good Times

It has been over a week since I have stepped back in time. The reason I have chosen this music video to share with the world

1. The outfits are incredibly terrible. What is even more terrible is the fact that at the time it was viewed as "cool" and everyone wanted to look this way. How the past brings back the thought, "What was I thinking?"

2. I remember doing this hand gesture while roller skating at the roller skating parties. Back in the day we did not have dances at junior high, but we did tear the roller rink with four wheels and some ugly brown skates with orange shoelaces.

3. This memory that I shared above was stirred up while contemplating my great idea for my writing project that I keep blogging about that starts on November 1st.

4. It is Friday or will be by the time most of you read this and who needs a little jingle to be stuck in your head all day. This video will bring a smile to your face. I know you forgot about this song.

Would You Like To Be My Guest Blogger?

Yes, I am still determined to have those of you who read this blog to post comments and offer your insights. Yes, I am still determined to have the students who read this to get more involved. Yes, I have a new challenge.

Who would like to submit a post as a guest blogger? This could be a book review or on something else of your choice. The only requirements that I have are
1. It is school safe. Teachers, parents, peers, and the world read this so let us keep it reasonable.
2. It will be worthwhile to post
3. If you are a student, then you have asked permission from your parents
4. You tell all your friends and family so more people get involved with the blog (self promotion at its finest)

Email me at aarmau@gmail.com if interested OR post me a comment. I look forward to seeing who will step up first.

Book Review

As promised in a post from a week or so ago, here is a book review on the Bone Magician by F.E. Higgins.

This is the second book that I have read by F.E. Higgins who is from the UK. I love UK authors. I get their sense of humor. I get their writing style and in many ways I feel they get me even though I don't know who they are and the books are rather crazy.

This is a about a boy named Hector who is seeking revenge on the man who killed his father. It takes place in the world of Urbs Umida where the other book I read took place as well. Hector goes out on this journey to seek revenge and finds himself in a rather twisted mysterious world. Hector's father collected butterflies and the book references, intertwines, uses a metaphor of the butterfly throughout the story if you can pick up on it as a reader. All I have to say is that the Lady of the castle is beyond sinister and what she eats will be sure to get a rise out the reader. I never mentioned the importance of the title and that is perhaps because you need to read this book and the other books as well. She has become one of my favorite authors. The last of her books that I have not read just came in the mail. I cannot wait to read this book which I am sure will earn great reviews from me as I loved her other books. Check this one out as it will not disappoint you. Don't take my word for because it is all in the eye of the beholder(sorry, I could not resist a little play on word with the title)

Until the next nerd salute, I bid you adieu

Books by this author

The Black Book of Secrets (2007)

The Bone Magician (2008)

The Eyeball Collector (2009)

Thoughts After the 2 Day ITAG Conference

I spent the last two days in Coralville, IA for the ITAG conference to help learn more about the field of giftedness. I learned some really good pieces of information about brain development, gender differences, the levels of giftedness, Iowa Core, and problem based learning. I walked away with more questions than I had prior to attending so I guess that is a good thing. However, instead of boring the general person with information that they may not care about, I have decided to post my ADHD thoughts that ran through my head during breaks and lunch and at times during some sessions where I lost focus.

1. The one keynote speaker had the last name Gallagher. She was awesome with tons of research. All I could think about was the the comedian that looks identical to my dad who has the same name. (By the way he has some great comedy bits online, but not all are school appropriate. The one with the English Language is a classic)



2. I asked a question and was told very firmly, "I'm not going there!" My new mantra is from a Beastie Boys song. I was angry and really felt like expressing myself until I sang the song that had the line

"I got no time for the drama 'cause stress is for kids

'Cause when you're dead and buried well you got no biz" - Beastie Boys

3. Too much Starbucks leads to the my left eye twitching all afternoon.

4. My doodles kept reminding me that I am not an artist. I kept trying to draw like the guy who does the Daily Monster (great book and website by the way) and the results were not anywhere near as good.



5. I am nerd because I was so excited to come home to my computer and read and put on request the articles and books suggested to read from the keynotes. Learning never gets old for some reason.

6. I have created a title for my writing project that I blogged about a couple days ago - http://www.nanowrimo.org/ - and I am going with

The Adventures of the Bald and Beautiful

7. How much of a pet peeve I have about presenters who use PowerPoint incorrectly. It drives me insane beyond all comprehension.

8. The conflict of research as they tell us lecture is such a bad teaching and learning technique as they lecture for 60 minutes.

In closing, I need to get my Drake work done, I have a massive pile of books I need to read so I can finally enjoy Dan Brown's new novel, and my to do list for my job keeps getting longer and longer. But, I am reminding myself the quote from Oscar Wilde, "Life is too important to be taken seriously."

All this posting makes me that much more excited to buy a new battery charger for my Macbook Pro. This post would be awesome had it been in video. I have some vlogs in mind when I buy my charger this weekend, but if you have some Top 5 lists or topics that you think you want me to expand on, then please leave a comment. The more suggestions the better the blog.

Get Your Brains and Fingers Ready to Go

You have a couple weeks left to prepare yourself for the challenge. Are you ready for a new challenge? Something to make you stop worrying about what you are thinking and just deliver the goods? I am going to attempt this challenge. Let me know if you are to and maybe we can discuss the process here on the blog. Click the link below to learn more.

nanowrimo

Please join me in the craziness.

Also, a little something to start off the week.

Book Review: After by Amy Efaw

After by Amy Efaw

This comes from the product description on Amazon

An infant left in the trash to die. A teenage mother who never knew she was pregnant . . .

Before That Morning, these were the words most often used to describe straight-A student and star soccer player Devon Davenport: responsible, hardworking, mature. But all that changes when the police find Devon home sick from school as they investigate the case of an abandoned baby. Soon the connection is made—Devon has just given birth; the baby in the trash is hers. After That Morning, there’s only one way to define Devon: attempted murderer.

And yet gifted author Amy Efaw does the impossible— she turns Devon into an empathetic character, a girl who was in such deep denial that she refused to believe she was pregnant. Through airtight writing and fast-paced, gripping storytelling, Ms. Efaw takes the reader on Devon’s unforgettable journey toward clarity, acceptance, and redemption.

The plot of this novel is nothing new in terms of a baby/child/kid being left by the mother to fend for itself. These stories pop up in the news all the time which is both sad and unfortunate. This book covers the storyline from the opposing angle and focuses on the mother after the incident occurs. However, even though the topic is not new, this was one of the most refreshing and new voices to come out of YA in a long time.

Right away you are probably thinking, "lock her up, put her in jail, what a terrible mother, how could she do that to her own kid, where is the father, where is the family, why, why, why?" Or at least that is what I was thinking when I started reading. These questions were answered by the end and not in the way I had imagined.

This book really puts everything into perspective about what the teenage mother was thinking and going through. You may change your opinion on a few things. Sounds like there would be no way, but I stopped many times while reading this book and had to ponder my very strong thoughts and some did change.

THIS IS ANOTHER MUST READ. I was not able to put this book down. I really liked Devon, the main character, and I was sucked into her world. I recomend this book to anyone - teenager or adult. This book will create great discussion about the topic of making choices in life and having to live with the results. There is nothing inappropriate in the book. It does discuss some of the delivery and her getting rid of the baby, but is done to illustrate some key points. Some scenes are graphic, but necessary to convey the emotion and powerful situations of the book. I am writing this review after two weeks of reading and I still remember the storyline and my emotions very vividly. This is another one to definitely check out. Ages 12 and up.

The author has some great resources on her website. The stat that one baby every day is discarded in America. Once again this book brings up another silent horror that occurs in our country that is rarely discussed very much.