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VanChocStrawberry

VanChocStrawberry

Joined June 2017

8th Grade ELA teacher, Reader of any (fiction) genre, mother to 3 teens. Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/JeniSmith
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Greystone Secrets #1: The Strangers by Margaret Peterson Haddix
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Ghost by Jason Reynolds
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Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson
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VanChocStrawberry
City Spies, Volume 1 | James Ponti
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@Lovesbooks87 has done it again! Look at all these books for my classroom! My students are gonna be thrilled! I can not wait to infuse my shelves with this goodness! Thank you, Jessica!!!!

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VanChocStrawberry
Delicates | Brenna Thummler
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My students were spoiled again by the wonderful @Lovesbooks87 !! Thank you so much for your generosity. The kids will be so excited for these books!

AmyG Oh wow. How wonderful @Lovesbooks87 🙌🏻 (edited) 2y
Lovesbooks87 Your welcome! I hope your students enjoy them as much as I did ! 2y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks So sweet 📚❤️ 2y
19 likes3 comments
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VanChocStrawberry
Amina's Voice | Hena Khan
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My students this year are ravenous book worms. I am so excited to take two huge boxes of book donations from @Lovesbooks87 to them tomorrow! They will be so very excited. Thank you, Jessica!!!!

Lovesbooks87 So glad they made it to you. I hope they enjoy all of them ! (edited) 3y
18 likes1 comment
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VanChocStrawberry
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So excited. No words.

Megabooks Mail carrier get here soon! Mine‘s coming today too! 3y
Lovesbooks87 Mine has been shipped. Hopefully it will get here soon! 3y
Moonprismpower Oh man didn‘t the last one leave off on a cliffhanger???? 3y
20 likes1 stack add3 comments
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VanChocStrawberry
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@Lovesbooks87 you made my day, again! I had an observation today. It went well, but I am exhausted today and so worn out! This was an amazing surprise to come home to and my students will be so pleased!!

Lovesbooks87 So glad they made it to you safely and that they made your day. Hope your students enjoy them! 3y
27 likes1 comment
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VanChocStrawberry
Amelia Unabridged | Ashley Schumacher
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Pickpick

This book was lovely. I will definitely re-read it. If you have dealt with a big loss, have newly adult children, and/or loved the gentle magic of books like The House on the Cerulean Sea, you should give it a try.

21 likes2 stack adds
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VanChocStrawberry
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Mehso-so

Cute, but major TW for weight loss and body image issues. When a girl who weighs a 105 lbs complains about her huge butt, and EVERYONE notices how she‘s gained SO MUCH weight, well, it took me out of the book a lot.

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VanChocStrawberry
Readathon: Occasional List : Geleentheidslys | Gauteng (South Africa). Education Media Service
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I have some work to do for school tomorrow, so this is where my #24in48 ends. (I did 6pm Friday to 6pm today.)
Not bad considering I had grades to do, a baby shower to zoom into yesterday, and church this morning. 📖 📚 It was such a great way to spend this chilly weekend!

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VanChocStrawberry
PHO Love Story | Loan Le
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Pickpick

I had an ALC of this (thanks to Libro.fm)
It‘s a charming story. I loved the families of these two characters. A perfect read for a cold Sunday afternoon. (And now I want someone to take me to eat pho who knows what to order.) #24in48

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VanChocStrawberry
Winterkeep | Kristin Cashore
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Finished. Loved it. I‘ll never get tired of this world. #24in48

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VanChocStrawberry
Winterkeep | Kristin Cashore
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Halfway through book number 2!
#24in48

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VanChocStrawberry
Bitterblue | Kristin Cashore
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Will finish first for #24in48
Who all‘s participating?

Linsy I am! Love that cover!! 3y
VanChocStrawberry There are new covers for the first three books and they are all gorgeous like this! The fourth book just came out and it‘s also 😍😍. 3y
22 likes2 comments
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VanChocStrawberry
Other Side of the Sky | Amie Kaufman, Meagan Spooner
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📖 hardback usually, but I do find paperbacks easier to hold. I have equal amounts of both.
📖 Without
📖 ebooks more and more
📖 total mood reader although I will look at my TBR first
📖 fiction
📖 both? I love a good romance. And lots of action, too. 😉
📖 all the time. But I teach English so I‘m lucky that way!
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @ElizaMarie @Soubhiville

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VanChocStrawberry
Unexpected Gifts | Elena Aitken
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I don‘t have words to tell you how much Jessica‘s ( @Lovesbooks87 ) support has meant this school year. I needed to replace missing books and wanted to make the selections as diverse as possible. Jessica has sent boxes of books for my classroom three times! And just look at these amazing titles!!!! Thank you, Jessica. You have made a huge difference!

Lovesbooks87 Your welcome! I was so afraid they were lost with sending them out almost three weeks ago. So I was so happy when I saw they had been delivered this morning. I still have more to read and will pass them along when I am done with them! 😀 3y
kspenmoll What grade do you teach? Do you need more? (edited) 3y
VanChocStrawberry It was such a nice surprise!!! I‘ve only read a few of these, so I‘m going to dig in over break. 3y
See All 8 Comments
VanChocStrawberry @kspenmoll I teach 8th. I can always use more middle grade and YA books. Because of the abrupt move to learning at home last spring, a bunch of my classroom books didn‘t get returned. I‘ve mostly replaced them and Jessica has been tons of help! 3y
britt_brooke So wonderful! 3y
Chrissyreadit Amazing!! 3y
TheKidUpstairs 👏👏👏 3y
Crazeedi Thats so special❤️❤️❤️ 3y
30 likes8 comments
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VanChocStrawberry
Finding Audrey | Sophie Kinsella
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I was completely and totally spoiled by @ElizaMarie for the #llfs #litsylovefallswap
Eliza, thank you so much for the thoughtful gifts. I love that you included local Vermont items and the books you picked were perfect. You blew me away with your thoughtfulness! I can‘t wait to enjoy all the books and goodies! @Bookgoil

Crazeedi She outdid herself! Such a thoughtful gift! Enjoy! 3y
Bookgoil Wow what an amazing swap!!! Love all the goodies and do I spy Attachments I love Rowell!! 3y
ElizaMarie Oh yeah I‘m so glad you enjoyed it!!! I‘m gonna be opening yours tonight :) I am at work now (I can‘t wait!!!) 3y
VanChocStrawberry @Bookgoil Rowell is one of my auto-buy authors, but I didn‘t own a copy of Attachments. This completes my collection! ❤️❤️❤️ 3y
32 likes4 comments
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VanChocStrawberry
Date Me, Bryson Keller | Kevin van Whye
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Pickpick

Read this in one sitting. Super cute; but not just fluff. #ownvoices #cinnamonrollsfordays

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VanChocStrawberry
They Called Us Enemy | George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott
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@Lovesbooks87 spoiled my students again!!! Super excited about all three of these titles! Thank you!!!!❤️❤️❤️

Lovesbooks87 Your welcome! I still have some more for you. Just was at the post office so I thought I would mail them your way! 3y
VanChocStrawberry I love that these add diversity to my library in multiple ways! I‘m actively growing my graphic novel and non fiction sections, plus looking to add a lot of authors of color. Thank you! 3y
22 likes2 comments
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VanChocStrawberry
Holiday Swap | Zara Stoneley
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Forgot to take the pic of my package, but it‘s in the mail now! #litsylove #litsyloveswap @ElizaMarie @Bookgoil It should arrive Friday!

ElizaMarie yay thanks! Did you get the package I had spent? 3y
VanChocStrawberry Yep! A long time ago! I tagged you in the post; I thought you saw it. lol. It‘s been tempting me for over a week! ❤️❤️ 3y
VanChocStrawberry @ElizaMarie I checked tracking and saw the package arrived yesterday. I hope it‘s safely in your hands. ☺️ 3y
ElizaMarie I got it! thanks! I am excited ... when do we open?
3y
VanChocStrawberry @ElizaMarie Monday? I think? I can‘t wait!!! 3y
16 likes5 comments
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VanChocStrawberry
The Holiday Swap | Zara Stoneley
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My #litsylove swap package arrived! I‘ll be sending mine early next week! Thanks @ElizaMarie

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Yay!!! 🎊🎉 3y
20 likes1 comment
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VanChocStrawberry
Thank You | Amelia Riedler
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This is love. Donating books to my classroom to help build up my library after losing many books to the no-warning shut down last spring. Thank you, @Lovesbooks87 These will get into young people‘s hands ASAP. #litsylove

Lovesbooks87 Yay! I am so glad that they made it to you safely. I have been stalking the tracking to make sure they made it to you! 4y
27 likes1 comment
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VanChocStrawberry
Word Collector | Peter H Reynolds
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𝚆𝚑𝚢 𝚢𝚎𝚜, 𝙸 𝚍𝚒𝚍 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚝𝚘 𝚖𝚢 𝟾𝚝𝚑 𝚐𝚛𝚊𝚍𝚎𝚛𝚜!

14 likes1 stack add
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VanChocStrawberry
Truly Devious: A Mystery | Maureen Johnson
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Loving this book so far! 📚
I always enjoy Maureen Johnson‘s books!

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VanChocStrawberry
Playing Catch-Up | A. B. Guthrie
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Just sent out twenty or so notes to #litsylove folks! Le that school is over, I got to catch up! Woot!

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 💗💗💗 4y
25 likes1 comment
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VanChocStrawberry
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1–I can‘t even think of one...hmmm. Sophie Kinsella‘s books in general.
2–The List of Things that Will Not Change. Sooooooooo good. Not a tear-jerker, but relatable sadness over life changes.

@TheSpineView #two4tuesday
@Stacypatrice

I tag: @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Thank you ❤️📚 4y
TheSpineView 😊👍📚🤩 4y
21 likes2 comments
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VanChocStrawberry
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Pickpick

Such a good mystery with great audio performances. Perfect if you love Veronica Mars-ish stuff. It‘s not exactly noir...but it‘s dark. And while I figured out parts of it, parts were a surprise.

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VanChocStrawberry
The Gravity of Us | Phil Stamper
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Pickpick

Loved this book. Great story, well drawn characters, wonderfully done audio, too!

23 likes1 stack add
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VanChocStrawberry
Letters | Horace Walpole
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This may not look like much...but I caught up on 6 months of #litsylove today!

Lovesbooks87 Wow! That‘s amazing. Way to go!!! 🎉🎉🎉 4y
VanChocStrawberry @Lovesbooks87 thanks! It was fun and relaxing to sit down and write. ❤️ 4y
Crazeedi Yay!! I'm trying to catch up too!! 4y
UwannaPublishme Yay! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 4y
30 likes4 comments
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VanChocStrawberry
Sick Kids In Love | Hannah Moskowitz
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Pickpick

First book of 2020. I really liked it. Every time I thought the author was doing something typical, she made an unexpected choice. I really enjoyed this and laughed out loud several times.

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VanChocStrawberry
Good Omens | Gaiman, Neal
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#litsylove #winterswap was super fun! Thank you @Nevermore88 for a thoughtful package!!

Nevermore88 Yay glad you like it 4y
41 likes2 comments
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VanChocStrawberry
Shopping Swap | Erin Brady
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It‘s been here for a while! Happy to look at this every day until opening day! @Nevermore88 #litsylove #swap

Nevermore88 I received my package yesterday. Can‘t wait😊 4y
VanChocStrawberry Yay!! I forgot to post that I shipped it...glad it arrived on time! 4y
18 likes2 comments
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VanChocStrawberry
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Pickpick

I'm very slowly adding books to all the #bbrc lists, but I've only gotten two finished.
I posted my #AZ list back in July, I think. Here's my #ER list. Tagged book was definitely my favorite. The illustrations are great and there's a timeline and real photos at the back of the book. The Boring Book was also quite humorous. The others were...eh. (Although Warm Hearts Day has lovely illustrations!)

@librarianryan

VanChocStrawberry Also I didn't want to pay $2 to Canva to use their premium images, so my only other option was to download with watermarks. I appreciate Canva giving me that option, though! 4y
LibrarianRyan Hey I use the water marked images. Make sure to fill out you Google form please, or make a copy of the spreadsheet and email me please. 4y
VanChocStrawberry I emailed it earlier. Let me know if you didn‘t get it. 4y
VanChocStrawberry It‘s from jnewswangersmith. 4y
15 likes4 comments
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VanChocStrawberry
Guts | Raina Telgemeier
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Pickpick

Excellent. Can‘t wait to get a copy for my classroom! Love a good non fiction GN!

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VanChocStrawberry
Pickpick

Good and practical ideas. Always useful when teaching books are written by people currently teaching!

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VanChocStrawberry
Wayward Son | Rainbow Rowell
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I‘m on Fall Break and this was my first read. No review since it just came out Tuesday and I AM FULL OF SPOILERS!!!

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VanChocStrawberry
The Swap | Antony Moore
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#litsylove #litsylovewinterswap
1–yep! I also have a to-purchase list on goodreads.
2-bookmarks, candles, button/pins, stickers (anything smallish)
3-LEGO minifigs, button/pins (regular 1-inch and the enamel ones)
4-fruity tootsie rolls, sweet tarts ropes, mint anything, chocolate, too. (Really any candy. Ha.)

Nevermore88 Good to know 😊!! 4y
VanChocStrawberry @Nevermore88 you can do it, too!! ❤️ 4y
21 likes2 comments
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VanChocStrawberry
The Swap | Megan Shull
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Hello from my classroom!
For my #litsylove swap partner, my TBR on here is all stuff I‘d like to own at some point. I also have an “owned” shelf and a “to purchase” shelf on Goodreads. My TBR books on goodreads are not necessarily books I want to buy.

Http://www.goodreads.com/jenismith

Swaps are always so fun! I need some non-school things to look forward to!

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Yay!!! 🙌🏻❤️🙌🏻❤️ 5y
21 likes1 comment
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VanChocStrawberry
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I‘ve been MIA for a while. I‘ll try to post more, but this return to traditional classroom teaching after 16 years is exhausting! The first week with students went really well and I‘m impressed by many of my 8th graders. I love this age—old enough to make some keen observations, young enough to want to please their teachers.

Eggs I love this age too💗👏🏻 5y
BookishMarginalia Welcome back to the classroom! Yours looks very nicely set up too 💪🏻 5y
Crazeedi That's awesome that you've returned to teaching! 👏🎉 5y
VanChocStrawberry Thanks!
@bookishmarginalia I have the kids in rows right now, so I can look at and memorize their faces. I hope to make groups with less traditional arrangements soon. We also get up and move, circle up and try to do things other than sit. The periods are 80 minutes, so they need to stretch and move some! :)
5y
MelissaSue81 Look at your lovely classroom library!
Glad the first week went well!
5y
39 likes5 comments
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VanChocStrawberry
Untitled | Unknown
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LibrarianRyan 😁👍🏻❤️ 5y
13 likes1 comment
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VanChocStrawberry
Vegetables in Underwear | Jared Chapman
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It was super fun reading these books this summer! I was working part time at the library for Summer Reading, and I used any down time I had to read these picture books for the #BBRC #A2Z
Thanks for the great graphic, @librarianryan

LibrarianRyan Yeahhhhh, 5y
19 likes1 comment
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VanChocStrawberry
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So excited for this book, I had it delivered to me on vacation! ❤️❤️

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VanChocStrawberry
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Forgot to put these in the picture with my other #summersantagoespostal things! I‘d already added them to my pile of stuff to pack for an upcoming trip! :) thanks, @LibrarianRyan

LibrarianRyan one of those things you can never have enough of, 5y
VanChocStrawberry Absolutely! I love the flower ones; I‘ve not seen them before! 5y
coffeewithbooks Hey @VanChocStrawberry we where match for #bbrc 5y
34 likes3 comments
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VanChocStrawberry
The Swap | Megan Shull
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The other goodies! @LibrarianRyan so much fun stuff! I love the tiki pops and those plates will be so fun to use this summer. I use page tags like no one‘s business.
This has been a great great swap! Thank you!
And thanks for hosting, @BookishMarginalia
#summersantagoespostal

LibrarianRyan Yeah, I'm glad you liked it. 5y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 5y
22 likes2 comments
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VanChocStrawberry
The Swap | Megan Shull
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The books!
I‘ve read lots of Avi, but not this one! (Also, @LibrarianRyan , I‘ve heard Avi speak and he was great...I‘ve heard similar stories to the ones you told. People are complicated, right!) I‘m excited to read The Explorers!
I‘m also super excited to own the Binti books! I‘ve read the first one and LOVED it!! Sooooo excited to read the rest.

Thank you for your thoughtful picks!!
#summersantagoespostal @BookishMarginalia

LibrarianRyan Yeahhhhhh. It was really hard not to say anything when you posted needing books for your classroom since I knew I had sent some. I believe that that is the newest Avi book, but don't quote me. I bought myself a copy to read as well as he is in my top five fav MG authors. 5y
VanChocStrawberry Yes, I‘ve given his books as gifts before. When I heard him speak, I had him sign a book for a neighbor girl who loves his work and he was super nice. But maybe he‘s like my daughter and only like to be “on” when he‘s expecting it? 5y
LibrarianRyan @VanChocStrawberry That could be totally true. Our head of the Illinois Center for the Book loves him. Said he was really the first author to do and speak highly of doing skype visits. 5y
hermyknee I have those copies of the Binti trilogy - aren‘t the covers so pretty?! 5y
VanChocStrawberry @hermyknee yes!! They are gorgeous! 5y
41 likes5 comments
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VanChocStrawberry
The Swap | Megan Shull
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Look at all this goodness!!! Thank you, @LibrarianRyan !!! This is an amazing swap! I love the books! I love the goodies! ❤️❤️❤️

Thank you @BookishMarginalia for hosting!
#summersantagoespostal

monalyisha Those tiki popsicle molds are so cool! 5y
VanChocStrawberry Also @LibrarianRyan did you see I used a pic of the wrapping paper as the background? 😂 5y
LibrarianRyan @VanChocStrawberry I did, I did. I like that wrapping paper. I'm glad it was a big roll so I sill have some. 5y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Awesome 👏🏻 5y
BookishMarginalia 💜💜💜 5y
38 likes5 comments
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VanChocStrawberry
The Swap | Megan Shull
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Look at these fun and pretty boxes that arrived today!! @LibrarianRyan the media mail and the priority arrived same day, same time! @BookishMarginalia I‘m so excited to open these!!!!!!!!!
#summersantagoespostal

BeckyandBooks I love the unicorn paper! 5y
LibrarianRyan Yeahhh. I‘m surprised you got both in the same day. That‘s awesome b 5y
VanChocStrawberry @LibrarianRyan one was supposed to be delivered on Saturday and one on Wednesday (I have informed delivery), but they must have traveled together and split the difference! 😂😂 5y
VanChocStrawberry I love the paper, too! Makes me happy every time my eye catches them! ❤️❤️ 5y
LibrarianRyan @VanChocStrawberry I always find the most awesome paper at Home Goods or TJ Maxx (here they are two different stores). But be careful, If you don't pay attention you are likely to get a roll that is already cut into sheets instead of a continuous role. I hate when I do that. 5y
33 likes5 comments
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VanChocStrawberry
The Helpline | Katherine Collette
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I'm moving back into classroom teaching this year and need to build my library up a bit. I'm teaching 8th grade ELA. The area that needs the most help is poetry and non-fiction. There are only a handful of both in the classroom now. What titles (poetry and non-fiction esp.) would you recommend as must-haves? Also what titles do think 8th graders would WANT to read (whether or not you think they are high literature. haha)

LibrarianRyan umumumumum I really want to say something. But ...... youll see. okay, anything Jason Reynolds, Rangers Apprentice, Try the Young Bond series, you can pick them up used cheaply. Alex Rider, even though books in the later part of the series get pretty teen. The Golden Compass Series. Also, since it's for a class room, I can totally send you a box of items I have finished. I usually save them for Halloween, but I have way more then I need. 5y
See All 13 Comments
Lindy Actually, anything by Joyce Sidman. Another that‘s good is both nonfiction and poetry: 5y
VanChocStrawberry Thank you!! 5y
VanChocStrawberry @LibrarianRyan I would totally appreciate that. Also—📚📚📚 🎉 5y
13 likes13 comments
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VanChocStrawberry
Photobooth: A Biography | Meags Fitzgerald
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#motivationalquote for #bookfitnesschallenge @wanderinglynn

This is a great quote for me this week!

wanderinglynn Great quote! 🙌🏻 5y
BookwormAHN Nice quote 👏🏻 5y
27 likes2 comments
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VanChocStrawberry
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Well I failed this week! Hardly any walking, hardly any posts! I don‘t think I even finished a book!
Restart tomorrow, right?! #bookfitnesschallenge @wanderinglynn
Points: 152 (I missed one from last week. 149, plus this post and the challenge post.)
Books-10/10
Miles-2/10

cobwebmoth Keep going! *hugs* 5y
LibrarianRyan you and me both. But we will smash it next week. 5y
wanderinglynn I failed too. It was a tough week. But tomorrow is a new day! 💜 Just keep swimming. 🐠 (I love Dory & use her line as my motto.) 5y
Crazeedi It's ok! You'll get back in the swing I'm sure, crap happens right? Shut the door behind you and look ahead!!💕 5y
BookwormAHN You'll get back into it 🌻 5y
22 likes5 comments
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VanChocStrawberry
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I‘m anxiously awaiting my #summersantagoespostal box! (I have no chill.) I‘m signed up for informed delivery from USPS and just got a notification that a package should be delivered on Saturday! Thanks @BookishMarginalia for hosting the swap.

In the meantime, I‘ve gotten my first #litsylove cards! I forgot to write down the names of the senders, but will update when I‘m home! Thanks, ladies! ❤️❤️❤️

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks ❤️❤️❤️ 5y
27 likes1 comment
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VanChocStrawberry
Too Tired | Ann Turnbull
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This week has been too crazy. Restart next week. On summer break now! Woot!
@wanderinglynn #bookfitnesschallenge

wanderinglynn Still decent progress. And you crushed your book goal. 🙌🏻 The important thing is you didn‘t quit! 5y
bewareofwords You‘re still doing great! 👏🏽 5y
BookwormAHN Nice going 👏🏻 5y
Clwojick You‘re crushing it! ♥️🧡💛 5y
18 likes4 comments