Lisa > Recent Status Updates

One thing that is interesting at this point in the book is...

This morning, something that caught my attention was...

One thing I wonder about, in this story/information is...

I think I will finish this book by...

The names in this book, written in some of the Aztec languages, are difficult for my brain. I am totally intrigued by this story, and would like to learn more about the author and why he wrote it. I also think it would be good for me to have a map of the area while I read.

I chose this book because I was fascinated by the play Kiss My Aztec, by John Leguizamo, and want to know more about this Spanish colonization. I think the beginning is interesting because everyone seems like a well-rounded character. I am struggling a bit with the complex Aztec names in the book

I was hooked by this book, curious about the author's role in supporting migrant youth that are unaccompanied as they arrive in the US from Latin America. The questions they ask the most frequently are shapes the book's structure, which I also find interesting. I am inspired to learn about people taking action to support immigrants in general, and youth in particular.

In this part of the story, I can't believe that the writer has a Netflix deal already, and she is just out of college! No wonder her friend is sort of jealous. I predict something bad is going to happen in this friendship.

I chose this book because my friend Ratha recommended, and I like her taste in books. I was intrigued and sort of offended by the title, curious if it had to do with Blackface, which is so offensive. In the beginning, I learned about these two friends who are both writers, and one is jealous of the other.

Almost finished with this wild book. I can't believe he survived being a soldier as a young teen. I also am really blown away by the ways he was not psychologically destroyed by this experience. I like how he and the other youth helped each other.

This book is motivating and inspiring, and I like how she talks about being on a team. I think it is interesting that she compares soccer to other things in life. One of my favorite quotes, so far, is where she says, "Have each others' back. Always."

I chose this book because I think it's interesting to learn the stories of people from Central and South America migrating through Mexico. I haven't heard a story like this before. I have just started learning about the character named Chico, but he seems cool.

It's interesting to see that Wombach is writing this book not just for soccer players. I was inspired at the beginning when she was giving a graduation speech at a college and she talked about the power of being in a team in life. She discusses what it is like to be in a team of powerful, strong women in any context, which is inspiring to me.

This book is really interesting, so far, because...

I think the main character, the author, was brave when he and his friends realized that their village was under attack, and they would need to rush back to their homes to warn their families. When they got there and their families were already gone, I felt so worried. Would they ever reunite? How is this 13 year old kid supposed to survive?

I am sort of confused so far, as it seems like Death is the narrator of this story - can that be true? I chose this because my friend Victoria loves this book and she has good taste. It's weird that the first chapter is called Death and Chocolate.

This book was recommended to me by my friend Ciara, who lives in the Bay. She is an amazing reader who has recommendations I usually like. So far, this book seems to be made of very short chapters that are like snapshots of a neighborhood. I like it.

I chose this book because it looks intense, and I like true life stories. I also am curious because this book takes place in Sierra Leone, and I don't know enough about that history. I predict that the main character, the author, has a rough and scary experience as a child soldier.

3+ sentences about HOW THE BOOK IS GOING or WHY YOU CHOSE IT.

Example:

I chose to read Villain because I like the freaky cover, and I love the color green. I also heard Michael Grant is a good writer, and one of my students who is in twelfth grade now begged me to buy his boxed set of books. I think this might give me nightmares.

This book is really interesting and a quick read, so far - in the story, it is compelling that it takes place in San Diego, in National City with references to other San Diego locations. I think the author does a good job of capturing realistic talking between teens in the story. He has a good sense of dialogue, with slang and cussing and quick back-and-forth that is true to how many teens speak.

This book is really engaging. The main character, Julia, is really realistic and interesting. I love reading her inner thoughts, and seeing her combination of grieving her sister's death while also being critical and annoyed with so many others in her daily life.

THREE SENTENCES ABOUT HOW IT'S GOING AT THIS POINT

I am really excited to dive into this book. I was intrigued at the title, because I know what ratchet is, but wonder if "Ratchetdemic" is connected to COVID or other things?? I am interested to see that he starts each chapter with a quote from people who inspire him.

THREE SENTENCES ABOUT HOW THE READING IS GOING: I just got this book, and I am excited because I like Chris Emdin's work a lot, and respect his views on education. I just started the book, and something that caught my eye is that there are a lot of quotes at the start of each chapter. I know the word Ratchet, but am curious if this is also related to the pandemic?

In this section, the author is introducing the events that surrounded the Wounded Knee massacre of indigenous people. I know some things about that massacre, but am interested (and worried) to learn more, because I know it was atrocious. Third sentence...

There is so much I never learned before about indigenous people in the USA and their histories. I am so curious to learn more about indigenous people here in San Diego, as well as to learn what new laws and proposals might come with the 4? or 5? new lawmakers in Congress who are indigenous themselves.

I just reread some poems I haven't read in a long time. I love Walker's work, and this collection is my favorite. I actually have her signature in the front of the book. The poems about her own family are my favorite, including "Rest".

I have read and reread this collection since I was fifteen! I love her work. I also have other collections of her poems that I want to reread. I am excited.

I love books about soccer and soccer history. This book is in Spanish, which I don't usually choose to read in (though I am fluent). I look forward to what I will learn about Pele and his life.

I am looking forward to this book. I have watched the Matt Damon movie and liked it. I am curious how this book is the same and different from the movie.

I am blown away by this book. It is really humbling and upsetting to realize how much indigenous people's history I have never learned or even taken a peek at in all of my many years of learning in schools and universities! I love the way the book started, and want to share it in this class. I also am inspired to learn more about the Kumeyaay as they are the stewards of this land where I live.

I chose this book because I am always curious to learn more about the experience of people who have lived different lives that mine. I am also always really interested in racial justice and unpacking the racialized experiences of Black Americans, in particular. This book is amazing, even from the very beginning.

This book is totally trippy - I wondered if it would be too "dark" for me, or give me nightmares, but so far it's not. I am reminded of Hunger Games or The Giver in some ways by the ideas in this book, but Shusterman has such an interesting twist on the main idea and how people have to be killed to maintain human existence. Can't wait to dig in more.

This book is incredible, and I wish I could just take a week and read it slowly and thoroughly. Focused on four pillars that help us to understand the core of the caste system in this country, Wilkerson is thorough and full of direct and clear language that captivates me as I read.