Summer reading challenge
I'm challenging my students to read a book a day during our summer vacation, which started yesterday. I'm off to a good start, thanks to Netgalley! Today I got to read "Gertie's Leap to Greatness" by Kate Beasley. Kate's sister, Cassie, wrote one of my favorite books from last summer, Circus Mirandus, and Kate's story is just as good. It's about Gertie Reece Foy who lives with her great aunt Rae. Gertie's dad works on an oil rig so he's gone a lot. Aunt Rae also takes care of a little girl named Audrey who is kind of like an annoying little sister. Gertie's mom left the family when Gertie was very small and although she lives fairly close by, Gertie doesn't know her. Gertie is very excited about the new year in fifth grade until a new girl shows up and then Gertie decides to be the best fifth grader ever. Gertie is such an interesting character with such strong feelings and emotions. She's more thoughtful than Clementine...