Summer Reading Part 2: The New Classics

                                                               

      As teachers, we all love to read the "oldie but goodie" books to our students. Caps for Sale, A Wrinkle in Time, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory etc.. These are tried and true tales that children love. This week I read a few stories that I think will  join the ranks of these books. These titles, I hope, will become a staple of my collection and I'm guessing teachers will read them to their classes for years to come.

                                                       

The Wild Robot by Peter Brown is fabulous! I have encountered so many fellow readers this summer who have gushed about this book. The story is completely original. Fresh off the assembly line, Roz, a robot, crashes onto a deserted island. Not knowing how she got there or that she doesn't belong, Roz does everything she can to survive the wilderness and adapt to her surroundings.

At first the animals run away from her in fear, but they slowly learn that she is good and kind and simply wants to help them however she can.

Oh Roz! She is so sweet and nice that I kept forgetting she was a robot. Of course metal and the natural elements of the island don't really mix so she often finds herself in a pickle, but she keep trying. She analyzes her surroundings and determines the best course. Even though she isn't technically alive, she experiences love, friendship, and even fear. It is very well written and easy to read. I think both students and teachers will love it. Grades 3 and up.

                                                        

If ever a book deserved a Newbery Honor Award, it is this one. The War that Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley is an incredible story that tells the tale of two children during WWII who struggle through less than ideal circumstances. Ada is 9 years old and suffers from a club foot. Because of her deformity, her cruel mother locks her away with no crutches, no education, no friends, barely any food and certainly no love or comfort. Ada have never been outdoors, never felt the sun, never experienced Christmas and doesn't even know when her birthday is. As the war begins, Ada and her little brother escape to the country where children are being sent to keep them safe (Ada has to sneak out and crawl to the train station). They are placed with a childless woman, Susan, who despite her initial protests, grows to love the kids and provides a wonderful home. 

While Ada and Jamie's life prior to Susan is horribly sad, I never felt depressed while reading because Ada has such a strong spirit. Reading about how much even the smallest gift or kindness means to Ada I am reminded over and over how horrible her mother was. Regardless, Ada is determined to find a happy life. She can be difficult and doesn't trust Susan at first, but she SLOWLY begins to come around and appreciate this new chance at happiness. She is a spitfire who yearns to ride horses and run like other children. Susan does everything she can to help Ada's dreams finally come true while navigating air raid drills and preparations for the war. I read a description of this book that is perfect- "Ada's journey is both heartbreaking and triumphant." Again, for as sad as this book could be, the tone didn't feel that way. It was interesting, hopeful, and healing. I REALLY liked this book and I think I am going to read it aloud to my students come September.

                                              

                                                            

Kate DiCamillo is a favorite author of teachers around the world. Her writing is beautiful and her stories are always entertaining. Children often check her books out from the library, but I've always felt that a student would get more from her books if there was teacher and classroom discussion. It's just that her books are so rich in meaning that students often miss key teachable moments on their own. When my son read Because of Wynn Dixie, he kind of skipped over the bottle tree not realizing about how important it is to the story. Raymie Nightingale is the same kind of story- underlying meanings and deep soul searching themes that kids might miss without a little guidance. I like this sentence from the Kirkus Review "somehow such modest prose carries the weight of deep meditations on life, death, the soul, friendship, and the meaning of life without ever seeming heavy, and there's even a miracle to boot."  

Raymie is a young girl whose father just left the family. She has convinced herself that if she wins the local beauty pageant, he will come home. Of course to win a pageant, she had to learn to twirl a baton. She attends a local twirling class and meets two unexpected friends. The frequently fainting Louisiana with the crazy grandmom and tough talking daughter of a cop, Beverly. The unlikely trio embarks on a mission to save beloved pet and they learn the value of friendship.

I enjoyed this book. It was funny and sad and there was never a dull moment. I really think my students will like it as well, but I do worry that it's just a tad too deep for them to really "get it." This one, in my opinion, is better read along with a parent or teacher. 

                                                                  

This book is a perfect summary of what I wish for my son. I wish that he would have a summer of camp outs, building forts, sharing secrets, laughing hysterically, and finding adventure. Fort by Cynthia DeFelice is a description of that ideal boy summer. Wyatt and Augie pay a trip to the local junk yard and find enough sheet metal to build a spectacular fort in the woods; however, their dreams of perfect summer nights are soon dashed by the local town bullies. The boys quickly launch Operation Doom to teach the bad seeds a lesson.

Reading this book in the summer was perfect because I could easily picture everything that was happening in the story. I think my students will relate to this book and the boys, especially reluctant readers, will thoroughly enjoy it. One of my favorite parts is when the boys befriend a teenager with special needs. They show him kindness and he repays them in an unexpected and hilarious way.

 I wish I was still young enough to run off into the woods with my best pals! 4th grade and up.

Summer Reading Part #1

                                                          

I have a pile of books to get through this summer (both adult and children) and I'm slowly making my way through them between swimming lessons, summer camps, and beach days!

I am THRILLED to have found this great new series, Fairy Tale Reform School, by Jen Calonita. I think elementary school students (especially girls) will really love it. The first in the series is Flunked. This is the story of Gilly, the poor shoemaker's daughter, who gets caught stealing items that she hopes will help feed her very poor and hungry family. Gilly gets sentenced to three months at Fairy Tale Reform School where all of the teachers are former villains. The headmistress is Cinderella's stepmother, the school therapist is the Evil Queen from Snow White, and there are several other now reformed famous villains teaching the students the error of their ways. Throughout her stay, Gilly learns there is a mysterious plot to destroy the school and she and her new friends try to get to the bottom if it. Are the royal princesses to blame? The Big Bad Wolf? A secret enemy from long ago?

This book is a lot of fun. There's magic, mystery and lots of enchanted items. I especially enjoyed all of the fairy tale references because I felt like I already knew so much about the recognizable characters (Rapunzel hair care products anyone?). The story moves quickly and the dialogue is very funny. It questions whether bad people can really change and just how much trust one can have in a former bad apple. Super enjoyable!


                                                          

I've always been a HUGE Joan Bauer fan and have found I can never go wrong recommending her books to my students. Soar is no exception.
Jeremiah's life revolves around one thing- baseball. He lives and breathes it, but unfortunately, due to a serious heart condition, he can't play. Hillcrest, his new town, is known for baseball, so Jeremiah does the next best thing to playing- he starts coaching. Shortly after he arrives, the town is rocked by a scandal and the townspeople start to give up on baseball. It's up to Jeremiah to save the town and the team.

Jeremiah is a fantastic main character. His life is full of multiple struggles, yet he remains positive in the hopes that his can-do spirit will rub off on his team. He is courageous and funny and an extremely likable character. I found him to be incredibly inspiring. Jeremiah refuses to give up, and I actually cheered out loud a few times while I was reading. Even though it's a baseball story, I think both boys and girls will enjoy it.


                                                             

Pax by Sara Pennypacker has been on my reading list for a while. It's critically acclaimed and in serious contention for major book awards.

Peter has been caring for his fox, Pax, since Pax was a kit. They are the best of friends. When his dad enlists in the army, Peter is forced to leave Pax on the side of the road on the way to live at his grandfather's house (no animals allowed). Peter lives one day without Pax and realizes that he can't spend his days without his beloved pet. He packs his school bag with essentials and begins a 300 mile trek back to his old home to find Pax. Meanwhile, Pax is confused by his new surroundings, but remains confident that Peter will come back for him some day.

This story is told with alternating narration between Peter and Pax. It was really fascinating to read Pax's chapters because I never really gave much thought as to what a fox might be thinking. He feels sad and betrayed to be left on the road, but he never gives up on his "human" Peter. I think Ms. Pennypacker wrote in beautiful detail what it must be like to be a domesticated wild animal now forced to survive on its own. Pax never knew how to be a true fox and must learn from others like him how to survive. Meanwhile, Peter's journey is interrupted by an injury and he is forced to spend time with a reclusive army veteran while he heals. This old woman, Vola, teaches Peter valuable lessons about life and grief and he teaches her a few things as well.

I'm not going to reveal if Peter ever finds his fox, but the ending is satisfying. I liked this book, but I'm not certain my students will fully appreciate it. It's emotional and there are some deep lessons throughout, but I'm not sure a young reader will pick up on them without a little help. Also, it's a bit slow at times, and I found myself skimming through some of the "Pax" chapters. There will definitely be some kids who really like it, and I will keep it front and center in the library come September in the hopes the right reader will give it a chance.

It's Monday! What are you Reading? #IMWAYR 6/20/16

                                                 

                                                   

                                                      

One of my absolute favorite books of last year was What Do You Do With an Idea by Kobi Yamada. It's a picture book that tells the story of how a child keeps a brilliant idea growing and growing until he realizes all ideas have the potential to change the world. It's incredibly inspiring and teaches a most wonderful lesson about protecting ideas from fading away and how to nourish them and keep them alive. I think ALL ages can benefit from hearing/reading it.

Last month Yamada published, What Do You Do With a Problem, and it is as wonderful as the first book. This is the story about experiencing a problem and how it grows bigger and stronger until it becomes completely overwhelming bringing feelings of no escape. Then, like in Yamada's first book, the story shifts and the boy faces the problem and finds that he has been given an opportunity- a chance to be brave and face the dilemma and find a solution. I think it's an uplifting book that will help many children who feel like their problems, big and small, will swallow them whole. This story will be useful for many young students. 

Unfortunately, I read a review of this book from School Library Journal calling it simplistic and heartless as some problems are too tragic to be solved on one's own. This review REALLY annoyed me. It's a sweet, simple book designed to teach courage and hope. Yes, if a child is suffering horrific abuse or lives in a war zone (as the review stated), this book most likely won't fix their problem, but give me a break. Why does everything have to be a politically correct guide to life? Calling a picture book designed to help children "heartless" is probably the most ridiculous review I've ever read. I will FOR SURE put this one on my library shelves because I find it valuable just the way it is!

                                                             

I was thrilled when I read this book because I think I just found a new favorite series for my elementary school students (especially the boys). The Terrible Two by Jory John and Mac Barnett is a series I've been looking for to fulfill the wish list of my youngest reluctant readers. 

Miles Murphy has a very special talent- he is a prankster and a very famous one in his home town. Now, after having to move to a new city over the summer, Miles is a bit lost. His new school, in the cow capital of the world, already has a class prankster, and he seems to be even more successful than Miles ever was. Is the school big enough for TWO ingenious prank players? As one can gather from the title, when the two join forces their pranks have the potential to become epic.

O.K., so this isn't The Lightning Thief, or City of Ember or even an Alex Rider adventure, but it's funny and cute and it kept my own little reluctant reader laughing until the very end. Sometimes a book is perfect if it can be simply light and entertaining. They don't all have to be Lord of The Rings.

                                                             

I picked this book just from the cover, barely skimming the description. Looking at Finley Flowers New and Improved by Jessica Young, I saw what was supposed to be a 4th grade girl on the cover dressed in "inventor" clothes. I  scooped it up thinking it would be perfect for budding female engineers in this age range. I assumed she was an inventor extraordinaire, and I had FINALLY found a book with a strong female scientist and a cute name. Well I should have know better than to assume. I was, however, actually half right. This is an adorable new series for girls, but outside of this book, Finley isn't especially focused on S.T.E.M. Also, even though she is supposed to be in fourth grade, I think this series would be better suited for 8-9 year old girls. That being said, Finley is a great character! She is funny, bright, and determined. She's also a great friend. This book focuses on her school's invention convention and Finley's struggle to make the perfect contraption to win the fair. It was really endearing. 

Looking at the other books in the series, I think Finley Flowers books are a great choice for 2nd grade and up.

It's Monday! What are you Reading? #IMWAYR 6/6/16

                                          

I can't believe it's been a month since I posted, but I promise you I have been reading like crazy! I got caught up in this "Twilight-esqe" series called The Shade that has 27 books in all! I'm not kidding- 27 books!!!! I made it to book 8 and then I had to be done. A reader can only take so much angst between one couple and lets face it- no one will be Edward and Bella.  After that I was reading a few books from my favorite adult authors (Karen White, Jane Green, and Diane Chamberlain) but now I am back to books for my library. Sorry boys- all girl books today!



                                                              

Summerlost is by Ally Condie, the author of the acclaimed Matched series, but this book is NOTHING like that series. It would be like J.K. Rowling writing a romance novel as a follow upto Harry Potter- totally different. I liked Summerlost. Not loved, but liked. It is a tender story about a girl who just suffered a great loss in her family. After the tragedy, Cedar moves to a new house in Iron Creek and begins to work at the town's famous summer Shakespeare festival where she meets her soon to be best friend, Leo. Leo doesn't quite fit in with the other boys, but he's a perfect fit for Cedar. Soon, she and Leo embark on a mystery to discover what happened to a famous Hollywood actress that once graced their summer stage.

This is sweet story about grief and healing and the power of friendship. I also enjoyed the relationship between Cedar and her little brother Miles as they have to navigate a new path after the tragedy. It was refreshing to read about siblings who like each other, and I feel like all the characters are interesting and fresh. Additionally, the story kept my attention and I was happy to keep reading (but it wasn't one that I had to stop everything until it was finished). The mystery is a little slow moving, but I do think ages 9+ will really enjoy this book.

                                                               

This is my kind of story! The Lost Twin by Sophie Cleverly is an excellent debut novel. One twin, Scarlett, dies under mysterious circumstances and the other twin, Ivy is forced to take her place in a creepy old boarding school called Rookwood- complete with  an evil headmistress who favorite past time seems to be disciplining with her cane! Upon arriving at the school, Ivy finds a piece of Scarlett's diary that begs for her sister's help. Fearful of someone reading her words, Scarlett has hidden pages all over campus and Ivy has to solve the clues, find the pages, and discover the truth about her sister's final days at Rookwood. Of course the headmistress wants to keep the truth buried, so Ivy must watch every step she takes.

I enjoyed every minute of this book. The gothic setting, the spoiled boarding school classmates, and of course the twin mystery. I loved that shy Ivy begins to come out of her shell as she impersonates her feisty sister. There were a lot of twists and the ending was a complete surprise.

This is the first book in a trilogy. The other two have already been published in the U.K. so I might have to order them from there because I'm dying to know what happens next. I contacted the author and she's not sure when the other two will make it to the U.S.
I highly recommend this to students who like this kind of story. I promise it's not too scary at all!

It's Monday! What are you Reading? #IMWAYR 5/9/16

                                              

                                                     

I might be the only librarian on the planet who did not enjoy Natalie Lloyd's A Snicker of Magic, so I didn't have high hopes for her newest book The Key to Extraordinary. I'm glad I fought against my instincts and gave it a try because I liked it very much. 

Every woman in Emma's family had a dream which revealed their destiny. Some were spies, some musicians, and some were great leaders. Emma's destiny dream leads her on a treasure hunt through the local graveyard to save her special town which is being threatened by a selfish businessman.  Located in the hills of Tennessee, her town is like something out of a dream. It has enchanted flowers that carry whispers of voices from the past, haunted graveyards with singing ghosts, rose petal rain drops and many more ethereal elements. It also, of course, has a local cafe were all of the eccentric characters gather to enjoy a cup of magical hot chocolate.

I really enjoyed the mystery part of the story and the quirky characters (especially the adventurous Emma and her motorcycle riding ex-boxer grandmother), but just like Lloyd's first book, the strong theme of magic was just a bit too much for me. The flowers start to sing and nobody seems to find it the least bit strange. Perhaps I'm just not whimsical enough for a book where anything goes! I'll have to work on that before her next novel. Grades 4 and up

                                                         

This is one that I think most young boys will really like. It's a new version of books told in journal form and I dare say I might like it a bit more than Wimpy Kid because it's totally appropriate for younger children. The Brilliant World of Tom Gates by L. Pichon is, in a word, brilliant! My 10 year-old son had an opportunity to review this book for a fabulous website called litpik (www.litpik.com). It's a terrific site where students read and review new books (they can even get the books for free). I think his words perfectly explain my thoughts. This is his review: 

In The Brilliant World of Tom Gates, Tom has three hobbies:

1. annoying Delia (his sister)

2. being in a band (Dog Zombies)

3. eating caramel wafers

Tom has a lot of things in his life that bug him. He gets stuck sitting next to annoying Marcus Meldrew and way too close to his teacher Mr. Fullerman. His sister drives him crazy and his Dad dresses like a homeless man when he picks him up from the bus stop. Tom's teachers give him too much homework, but he always finds a creative way to get out of doing it. Also, he is totally in love with a girl named Amy and if he could just score tickets to his favorite band's concert,  he's sure Amy will like him back (because of course they will invite him on stage to sing their final song). Tom's imagination helps him all throughout the story. Everything that can go wrong in Tom's life usually does like a terrible camping vacation with his family, an interesting class trip or what happens when he finally does get tickets to see Dude 3. Somehow Tom always manages to find a way to come out on top. This story is told in journal form with doodles and pictures on every page that makes this story really easy to read.

I really liked this book. I laughed out loud so many times. Tom's drawings are hilarious, and I liked the story being told with so many doodles. I think it made it much easier to read. I also liked that Tom was always trying to find a funny excuse for not doing his work, but his teachers still really liked him. He wasn't disrespectful or rude, just funny. There were so many great parts like the fire drill, the choir practice, and the class assembly. I never knew what was coming next, but I knew it would make me laugh. Also, one thing that was great was that I could relate to all of the things Tom goes through. All kids try to get out of homework! 

Thanks Wyatt for the review! Grades 3 and up

                                                         
As soon as I saw the cover of this book I picked it up without bothering to read the jacket. I tend to  LOVE scary books for young adults because they aren't especially violent or gory. I'm a big Mary Downing Hahn and Willow Davis Roberts fan. Is "creepy" a genre? If it is, it's my favorite!
In The Haunting of Sunshine Girl, Sunshine is a 16 year-old girl who recently moves to Washington with her adoptive mother, Kat. As soon as she arrives, she knows something is wrong in her new house. She hears a child's laughter and footprints and her room is rearranged each day after school. It's clear to Sunshine that her house is haunted, but besides her harmless ghost, there seems to be another scarier presence that puts her mother in danger. With the help of her new friend Nolan, Sunshine must discover the truth behind what lurks in her house but the truth is a bigger surprise than she ever thought possible.

I finished this book in one sitting because I knew Sunshine was somehow extraordinary and connected to these spirits but I couldn't solve the mystery on my own. I didn't find it to be predictable at all and was surprised by the big reveal. One of the best features of this book is that Sunshine is the one narrating the story and she is a very funny girl. Her humor helps to offset the scary parts of the novel.

I would love to recommend this to my elementary students but I think it might be just a bit to intense. I'd have to say Grade 6 and up. 

It's Monday! What are you Reading? #IMWAYR 4/25/16

                                                 

                                                    


                                                             

Lost in the Secrets of Bearhaven by K.E. Rocha was a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon!

Spencer Plain always believed his parents were bear activists, but what he didn't know was that they dedicated their lives to creating a secret bear city-Bearhaven. In this hidden world, bears live like humans. They speak, go to school, play video games, and even have their own underground train. When Spencer's parents go missing, he must work with the bears to try to find their captors.

This is a terrific story that works for both younger and older readers. The world of Bearhaven is definitely fantasy, but it's explained in a way that makes it seem entirely possible.  I like that it educates readers about animal cruelty (the reason Bearhaven came to exist in the first place) without being scary. The details of this secret city help bring it to life. Great debut novel from this author with the squeal expected this summer. Perfect for 8 years old and up!


                                                               

When I first started Once Was a Time by Leila Sales, I assumed it was going to be completely set in WWII Germany. Charlotte's father is a scientist working for the London government on a top secret project. After a few pages, I settled in for a nice historical fiction book (I obviously didn't read the book jacket) when WHAMMO- I was pleasantly surprised to read that Charlotte travels through time to the year 2013. Unfortunately for Lottie, she is alone and left to speculate about what has happened to her family and best friend Kitty back in war torn London. As Lottie tries to find her answers, she discovers that life isn't actually all that different in the future. There are still mean girls and tough pre-teen choices to make.

I think this book is adorable. Lottie and Kitty's friendship is a wonderful testament to what true friendship should look like. Also Lottie's attempts to fit in 70 years into the future are really cute. Of course my favorite part is Lottie's passion for books and the library. She continues to be a voracious reader in a world of iPhones and internet, and it's her love of books that leads her to the answers she is searching for throughout the book.

My only criticism is that the end wrapped up a little too neatly (and a bit far fetched). I had to question the actual science, but I can overlook that because it was a satisfying conclusion.
I'm guessing this book is going to be one of the most popular this year!

It's Monday! What are you Reading? #IMWAYR 4/11/16

                                                  


                                                        


Space Case by Stuart Gibb is a very exciting book. It's sequel, Spaced Out was published last week, but I had to read the first before I can read the second. I wrote in an earlier post that my son, who is a reluctant reader, liked this book and now I know why. It's got everything little boys love- space travel, robots, science, mystery and quite a few sentences devoted to using the bathroom on the moon.

Dash Gibson's family was selected to be one of the first families to live on the moon in a brand new colony. Unfortunately, living in space isn't as exciting as he had hoped. The base is small, the food is terrible, there isn't really a lot for a 12 year-old boy to do until the colony's top scientist dies, and Dash sets out to prove he was murdered. Of course NASA doesn't want the world to know that the new colony might be dangerous, so Dash must quickly and cleverly discover the truth on his own.

Set in 2040 this book was really neat. Just reading about the technology had me humming The Jetson's theme song. I've sometimes thought about what it would be like to live on the moon and this book gave me a clear picture of what that might look like. Additionally, there was one humdinger of a cliffhanger! I'm glad I read this today so I can buy Spaced Out tomorrow to see what happens next. While the story is quite intriguing, and I would love to recommend this to a young audience, there are some themes that might be a bit scary (the murder mystery being number one). I would have to say this one is for 4th grade and up.
                                               
                                                         

If  I suddenly found a magic pencil that could give me all the answers to every question that came to my mind I would simultaneously want to ask it everything and be too scared to ask anything at all! In All The Answers by Kate Messner, Ava Anderson finds a pencil like this and must decide exactly what kinds of things she really wants know. Should she use it for test answers? to reveal who has a crush on her? to discover if her friends and family are all in good health? These are all questions that the pencil can respond to, but Ava, already a  natural worrier, gets even more anxious now that she has access to all the answers. Sometimes knowing the outcome is not always a good thing.

This book is very sweet. Ava is a responsible girl who doesn't want to abuse the pencil for silly questions and this makes her a charming heroine. She must learn that pushing through her fears and living through uncertainty offers a more meaningful life than one with automatic answers. This story was easy to read and the mystery of the pencil's origin was very surprising. I think students ages 9-12 will enjoy this book very much.