MrsK's K-8 Books Worth Reading

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Thursday, February 26, 2015

Two Kids by Richard Levine

Two Kids by Richard Levine
By Richard Levine
Publisher's Synopsis:
Tall, gawky, and twelve, D.C. Blau stumbles into her cousin Becky's birthday party wearing a neon yellow T-shirt so bright it could burn someone's eyeballs out. Towering above the boys there and self-conscious about her height, she prefers to think that it's the boys who are the outliers, that Becky has more "dwarf" friends than Snow White -- but one among them catches her eye, Rob, a definite Bashful.

Strangely, though they've never before met, the tall girl and the shy boy take to each other like long lost pals. So begins an unusual tweenage friendship, one that carries the two kids though a year both terrible and wonderful. There's banter, and fun with fantasy. Ballplayers so huge they're named after mountains. An island populated with up-chucking vampire birds. Freaky fortunes from a funky fortune-teller lady. A flukey fishing trip, and a rollicking, roller-coaster of a small plane ride. Father's Day blues. And in the end, a climactic, life-changing event that spirals down from "out of the blue."

MrsK's Review:

How painful are those awkward years when your body is growing and "geekieness" seems to always be tripping you up. The story of DC and Rob begins one summer day. DC has just moved to town and her cousin is having an end of school party. Do you remember what it is like when those boy and girl parties first began?

Meet DC, she is a "too-tall, out-of-town girl." Her dad's candy store T-shirt is bright yellow which causes her to stand out (as if being tall doesn't). DC has a little brother, a baby sister on the way, and a father who thinks he's funny (weird humor). Her father is taking time off for the move and enjoys flying a small plane just for fun, of course many of his references are connected to flying in one way or another. DC considers her Captain Strangedad as an alien from the Planet Odd. Her mother is thirty five and pregnant. And, her little brother, Tommy is quite the artist. There are so many changes during this summer. DC begins enjoying their new home and a life of leisure, until the morning she finds her mother not responding.  

Meet Rob, he wonders how he missed the new "tall, pretty, and wearing a T-shirt that's so bright it just might burn your eyeballs out." Rob has his own type of humor, especially when he creates headlines for certain situations (Kiss,N Tell Gazette: Party Over, Cheek Kisses Exchanged). Rob's little sister might only be six, but she has personality that causes everyone to take notice to her newly acquired intelligence. Rob has always played baseball, and yet this summer he finds his concentration "swings off" to DC. During a game of hoops, Rob is close to beating his dad for the very first time (10-0)... when his entire world comes crashing down.

Life's tragedies will always create a void, and yet, a willingness to be a friend will provide moments of hope, joy, and the strength to keep moving forward as your parents begin a new season in their lives. Will this journey bring a happy ending or will it be only a fading memory for DC and Rob? 

The enjoyment of their story is enhanced with so many great headlines, word play, and foreshadowing. Their naivety about life, summer romance, and tragedy resonates with days gone by. It's all about walking through tough days knowing "You've got a Friend!"

Enjoy DC and Rob's story,
MrsK
Friendship, Life, and First Love
Meet the Author:
 Richard Levine  Richard grew up in Jericho, Long Island, and practiced Diagnostic Radiology for many years before retiring. He and his wife have two daughters.
"I received this eBook for this review."
MDBR Book Promotion Services 

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MrsK's Reading Bio

Reading is important! No questions asked, not even a blink of the eye from any student I grew up with. On the first day of the First grade, we were given our first books. Day two we all read aloud, round robin of course. Day three we were place in our first basal, now known as a lit circle group. Books were so important, publishers designed new curriculum so that every student was reading by the end of the first week. These early readers had images that looked like what we could see in the classroom, beyond the classroom, even on the big screen. Reading is important, throughout history every generation has believed that “Reading” opens up the world for endless possibilities.

I adore the 1950’s Dick and Jane books. Actually, most reading specialists and experienced (45+) educators believe that every student learned to read with Dick and Jane. Since these books are being re-issued, I have heard many parents, grandparents, and students claim that Dick and Jane stories of repetition does teach students to read.

Early influences from my mother influenced my desire to read. I would watch her read and we would go on “secret” excursions to the library. The library became my playground. I owned every book I could carry home, of course they needed to be taken back to their home after visiting with me for a week or two. My first book that I could pull off of the library shelf and read was, Father Bear Comes Home. I only saw my dad on Sundays for a few hours. I would pull this beginning reader off of the library shelf every week. Every week I would try to read the first chapter. Every week I got further in the story. My mom would let me check it out, only if I could read it myself (She didn’t like the illustrations therefore she didn’t want to take time to read it to me). One day, I pulled the book from the shelf and when mom came to get me from the children’s corner, I realized that I had read the whole story. I ran to the check out desk and the Librarian KERCHUNKED the checkout card. My mother, brother and neighbors read. My teachers read. We all read aloud all day long in school. The Priest read aloud every day at mass, even in Latin. Everybody in the Doctor’s office read. People on the bus read. Dad’s waiting in their cars as the Mom’s and children grocery shopped, read. In fact, once you could read and write, Sunset Magazine considered you a reader and sent you mail every day.

Reading is important; I’ve spent my life reading. I’ve traveled around the world and into space through books. My favorite genre is whichever book I have open at the time. Children’s Literature is my passion. Book clubbing is one of the best past times, especially if food is involved. In fact my friends of old are in a book club and we are about to embark on a beach trip to “read” and discuss our newest selection.

My “home-run” book story has helped every student find his or her own “home-run” reads. Every year, I have shared my, Father Bear Comes Home, and every year my students have brought in their “home-run” books. That’s the “diving board” into our Lit. Studies.

In “Growing Up Digital,” Tapscott’s insights into the new generations enthusiasm for the Net reminded me of my generation’s enthusiasm for reading, movies, TV, parties and our driving permits. The Net-Generation, as Tapscott describes, “are learning, playing, communicating, working, creating communities, and enforcing a social transformation.”
N-Geners are interactive “techies” who are always looking for a way to “work it” verses the TV Generation of “Baby Boomers” who started out looking for “how it works.” Reading development is tougher today, society moves too fast to invest their “non-working” free time into a book or even “home work.” Since I stepped into my own classroom, I have seen students being told to read, being forced to read, and threatened into reading. Homework is not any longer the vehicle for students to gain their future lifestyles or careers with. Yet, the Internet does create an enthusiasm for learning. Since I have been enrolled in these courses, I have used the computers in every subject. My students are using the newest technology in the classroom because I am giving them investigative sites to use as they learn from each other and books. I agree with Tapscott, in order to bridge the gap with this up and coming generation we must “live and learn with them.”


FTC Required Disclaimer: I receive these books from the publishers. I did not receive monetary compensation for these reviews. These reviews have been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)

2014

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Booked 4 Success: Inspired Learning