I hope all prospective and returning English students are enjoying the summer as I am.  I encourage all of you to continue to keep your reading skills polished by reading some books during summer break.  I have just finished reading Steven King's Duma Key ( a little long but thrilling as typical of his work), The Poetry of Robert Frost (made me think), Nectar in a Sieve (made me sad), Siddhartha (encouraging), Fahrenheit 451 (reminded me of 1984), Life of Pi (verdict is still out), Workshop, by and for teachers (best practices of teachers using writing workshop format), In the Middle (excellent resource for student friendly teaching) and How We Die (I read over 10 years ago but found again at Helping Hands and it makes more sense now).  I have really stored up my titles I wanted to read but couldn't get to this past school year.  I encourage you to do the same.  Nothing is as wonderful as reading a book and learning something new, verifying something you already knew, or looking for evidences of life and living as I go about my business. I have my nose in a book, but I'm living life large......I wish this for you also.  Have a safe summer.  See you all soon enough!  Ms. Milstead