MrsK's K-8 Books Worth Reading

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Sunday, June 17, 2018

Reclaiming Shilo Snow by Mary Weber

Reclaiming Shilo Snow (The Evaporation of Sofi Snow, #2)
ISBN: 9780718080945
Publisher's Synopsis:
Trapped on the ice-planet of Delon, gamer girl Sofi and Ambassador Miguel have discovered that nothing is what it seems, including their friends. On a quest to rescue her brother, Shilo, a boy everyone believes is dead, they must now escape and warn Earth of Delon’s designs on humanity. Except the more they unearth of the planet and Sofi’s past, the more they feel themselves unraveling, as each new revelation has Sofi questioning the very existence of reality.

Meanwhile, back on Earth, Sofi’s mom, Inola, is battling a different kind of unraveling: a political one that could cost lives, positions, and a barely-rebuilt society, should they discover the deal made with the Delonese.

But there’s a secret deeper than all that. One locked away inside Sofi and ticking away with the beginnings, endings, and answers to everything. Including how to save humanity.

"Lord Ethos, Inola, please... let's just all calm down.
I'm sure none of us intended it to go this far."
MrsK's Review:
During the "taking," Sofi dealt with her father's death, her mother's abandonment, and her little brother's kidnapping. Normally that would be more than anyone could handle. For Sofi, her life on the farm, her family's survival after the fourth world war, and now her survival and quest to save her little brother would consume her heart, detour the rescue, and use all of her mental intelligence to stop the evil plans of the alien Delonese. 

Inola is the mother of Sofi and Shilo, but more importantly she is earth's CEO of Corp 30. She is a woman of calculated risks. Her raising up a society after the devastation of the war has offered her a status and  following that brings her to the point of life or death. With her daughter being hunted, Inola seeks an ending to the contract with the Delonese. Of course there will be a cost and Inola will need to decide to what lengths will she push and/or at what price will she pay.

Miguel is a man of honor. Those who are his friends are family. Those he is placed in charge of are his to protect. As an Ambassador for Corp 30, he will not let anything keep him from his assignment. Sofi must be brought safely away from this alien ship, if only there wasn't such a bothersome ache that is causing a delay in his thoughts.

Most readers and movie goers are aware of the good vs. evil in any Sci-Fi conflict. Yet, when an author weaves together our current realities with a futuristic outcome, your skin begins to crawl. You begin wondering "what-ifs." Sofi Snow will not be denied. Her mental strengths and skills will be tested before the end of this saga. Miguel will need to rely on his heart-moves and ability to overcome physical weakness. All of earth's survivors will need to rebel or...

Warning, do not try this book until you have the freedom to read well into the early light! This story line is understandable as a stand alone read due to the seamless weaving of both stories. The quest pushes the reader to "go back" and reread as a way of dealing with the plot twists. The climax will have all readers engaged with powerful emotional outbursts!

Be ready, Sofi Snow is reclaiming her life and future,
MrsK
"That we are alive at all is a testament to the ingenuity of our forefathers...
Because arrogance at its worst masquerades as goodness.
It deceives itself and others that it is for the people.
But my friends..."
A chilling look into what our future might become!
Mary  Weber  Mary Weber is the multiple-award-winning author of the bestselling young adult Storm Siren Trilogy, and The Evaporation of Sofi Snow series (all by HarperCollins). An avid high school, middle school, and conference speaker, Mary's passion is helping others find their voice amid a world that often feels too loud. When she's not plotting adventures involving tough girls who frequently take over the world, Mary sings 80's hairband songs to her three muggle children, and ogles her husband who looks strikingly like Wolverine. They live in California which is perfect for stalking L.A. bands, Comic-Con, and the ocean.
"I received this book from the Fiction Guild for this review."
Thomas Nelson

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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

Traits of Writing: Inking Thoughts

Booked 4 Success: Inspired Learning