KivaFriends Book Club

[Guest]

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[Eli]

Just a reminder, 'Of Beetles and Angels' book discussion will occur in an hour (noon eastern time)!  Come early for tea and cookies!

[Mona]

Here is the Thank You letter we got today for our Beetles and Angels DonorsChoose project:

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I have been overwhelmed by the impact the book "Of Beetles and Angels" has had upon the students in my 5th grade classroom. Each day after we read a chapter the students would write in their "reflection-connection" journals. Almost every student would share a significant event in their own lives that connected to someone or something in the text. Their willingness to share personal sorrows and struggles brought us even closer together as a community of learners.

As we discussed the impact the book had on each of us, many students shared that they now understand that they need to work hard and diligently in order to earn a scholarship for a college education. Some even have dreams now of going to Harvard! They shared daily the "beetles" and "angels" in their own lives that either hinder their progress or help them achieve their dreams. We all learned that whenever we choose to do good, use kind words, and help others we are being used as angels. When we tear down and discourage we become beetles. It was great to hear one student ask another,"Are you being a beetle or an angel right now?"

I mentioned in my proposal that one of my Ethiopian students had read this book and asked if we could make it one of our class projects. Due to the generosity of all the donors Fadumo, especially, will take this educational experience with her forever. Because of this experience she, along with several other students, are writing their memoirs about their journey from Africa to America. As an educator, I will now use this book in my reading curriculum every year. The inspiration it brought to my students has been priceless.

With gratitude,
Mrs. C.

[Mona]

Mrs. C. has today also included some lovely photos. 

[TheTatiana]

Wow, that's pretty inspiring.  Those are some great photos.

I wanted to let kfs know that I friended Mawi on Goodreads, and sent him a message thanking him for his inspiring books.  He answered my message very kindly, and sent his facebook link for me to follow him.  I wanted to share those things with those of you who read and loved his book.

Thanks, Tatiana.
I appreciate your kind message. I wrote the books with the hope that they would impact people in exactly the way you describe in your email - so thanks.
Drop me a good mailing address for you when you have a moment and I'll send you a couple of books you may enjoy.
If you're on facebook, you can stay updated on my speeches and events through this link:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mawi-Asgedom/59750015898

Thanks,
Mawi

Mawi's goodreads page

[Mona]

Here is a little challenge for out book fans. No donations needed, only a click.

Choose a book. Change a life.
http://bookvote.asiafoundation.org/

In the hills of Northern Thailand, the children at Morwakee School can't afford their own books. Books for Asia knows that a good book can change a life. What storybook would you give these children? Vote for a book – and we'll deliver the winning book to every student at the school.

In the list are:

The Little Engine That Could (by Watty Piper)
The Little Engine That Could is one of the greatest tales of motivation and the power of positive thinking ever told. In this well-loved classic, a little train carrying oodles of toys to all of the good boys and girls is confronted with a towering, seemingly impassable mountain. - jacketflap.com

Oh the Places You'll Go (by Dr. Seuss)
Inspirational yet honest, and always rhythmically rollicking, Oh, the Places You'll Go! is a perfect sendoff for children, 1 to 100, entering any new phase of their lives. Kindergartners, graduate students, newlyweds, newly employeds--all will glean shiny pearls of wisdom about the big, bountiful future. The incomparable Dr. Seuss rejoices in the potential everyone has to fulfill their wildest dreams. - goodreads.com

Make Way for Ducklings (by Robert McCloskey)
It's not easy for duck parents to find a safe place to raise their ducklings, but during a rest stop in Boston's Public Garden, Mr. and Mrs. Mallard think they just might have found the perfect spot. When Mrs. Mallard and her eight ducklings are stuck at a busy street in downtown Boston, their policeman friend Michael rushes in to stop traffic and make way for them. This classic won the Caldecott Award in 1942. - teachervision.com

The Best Word Book Ever (by Richard Scarry)
Kenny and Kathy Bear and their Busytown friends introduce new and familiar names for objects grouped by subject, theme, and setting, in the city and on the farm, at the dentist and at the grocer's, in the kitchen and at the circus and all the places they frequent. -barnesandnoble.com

Where the Wild Things Are (by Maurice Sendak)
Max, a wild and naughty boy, is sent to bed without his supper by his exhausted mother. In his room, he imagines sailing far away to a land of Wild Things. Instead of eating him, the Wild Things make Max their King. - powells.com