Catching Fire Climax

Happy New Year's Eve, 5th graders!  I set a goal for myself to finish Catching Fire by the end of our holiday.  It's going to require me to step it up.  I've been trying to read two books at one time, and that makes it difficult.  Has anybody had a similar experience?  When you read multiple books at the same time, it took a long time or you didn't understand it well.
Anyway, Catching Fire is definitely picking up.  The rising action is intensifying (getting more exciting), and I think I know what the climax will be.  Katniss is in the Hunger Games again...with Peeta (Yuck!).  There are some new characters that I kind of like though.
I hope you've all enjoyed your vacation!  Talk to you soon!

Part 2

I reached Part Two of "Catching Fire".  It was a big moment in the plot, so I'm getting into the book again.  It definitely helps that I'm on vacation and can read for some longer periods of time.  I put a few books on my Christmas wish list, so I'll have to keep you posted.  Is anyone reading over the break?  Do you get more time to read or less?  Santa bringing books?

Hi 5th Graders

So, I'm expecting that a lot of you 5th graders are reading this for the first time.  I hope you're able to make some interesting comments.
I'm going to make this an easy one for you.  Look at the books I've been reading.  Here are some suggestions about how you could comment:

• Have you read any of the same books?  Did you like them?
• Are you reading a similar/different book? Tell me about it?
• Do you like the books I've read or want to read one of them?  Why?
• Do you have any book recommendations for me? What are they?
• Anyone reading The Hobbit?  See the movie?
• Anything else that you want to add.

I'm really looking forward to hearing from you.

Mr. Milbrand

Directions for Commenting

I hope my 5th grade students or other readers will add their own comments.  Here's how to do it.

1. At the bottom of the post it will say “No Comments” (click it) or it will have a box to type in your comment.
2. After you’ve typed your comment, check for spelling.
3. Underneath your comment is a dropdown box that says, “Comment as:”.  Click this and select "Name/URL."
4. Type your first name and last initial in the "Name" box.  Leave "URL" blank.
5. Finally, click publish.

Thanks.

Bogged down

Catching Fire, part 2 of the Hunger Games series, is slow going for me.  The story is starting to get a little more interesting, but I'm not totally into it.  I know that part of the problem is that I'm reading another book, Clash of Kings, at the same time.  My students often get to a point like this in their books.  My advice is usually to start reading another book (Why waste time on a book you don't like?!).  However, I'd really like to be familiar with this series, so I'm going to set a goal to finish it over the holiday break.  Hopefully, it speeds up soon!