Everything for a Dog

Did you ever read A Dog's Life? Ever wonder what happened to Squirrel's brother, Stone? The last time we saw him he was being carried away from the mall parking lot he and his sister were dumped in. Thankfully, Ann Martin has written Everything for a Dog, where we learn exactly what happened. I wish I could say he immediately ended up in a nice home where he lived happily ever after but then it would be a short book. Told in three voices, Everything for a Dog celebrates perseverance, both boy and canine.

Looking for Calvin and Hobbes by Nevin Martell

I can't tell you how often a student comes into the Media Center looking for a Calvin and Hobbes book - a boy and his tiger who we have not seen for fourteen years continues to entertain kids of all ages. Nevin Martell grew up on Calvin and Hobbes; he has very fond memories of reading the strip every morning while he ate his cereal and now that he's a writer decided to find out what exactly happened to the cartoonist, Bill Watterson who created the strip and why after ten glorious years (for us) he decided to walk away.

Looking for Calvin and Hobbes is a book for adults; a book that covers a whole lot of ground. Watterson never gave an interview to Martell so Martell interviewed other cartoonists about the reluctant legend. Put simply, Watterson walked away in 1995, disgruntled and disillusioned. What Martell describes is fascinating on a number of different levels - it is an intimate look at how cartoonists create characters; the cut throat environment of syndication and the power of the almighty dollar (did you know Charles Schultz earned 30 to 40 million dollars a year towards the end of his career).

Is it enough to say Watterson is a tortured artist? Probably not but if it is that simple then we are all the more lucky to have been gifted for ten delightful years.

A Blizzard of Books

One thing this weekend's snowstorm was good for was plenty of reading. I have three to recommend for the 8 - 10 year old set. All three charming and good fun, with a little bit of sibling rivalry thrown in.

Chicken Feathers by Joy Cowley is quite simply the story of a boy and his pet chicken, Semolina. Semolina isn't your run of the mill chicken either. She talks - but only to Josh and she likes her whisky. Josh has his own stuff to deal with - his pregnant mom is in the hospital on bed rest; his neighbor may have a new boyfriend and his grandmother doesn't like chickens in the house. Reading Chicken Feathers is a thoroughly delightful way to spend a winter afternoon.

The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies tells the story of a brother and sister. Born 14 months apart, Evan and Jesse are each other's best friend...until the letter from school arrives towards the end of the summer. Evan gets angry, Jesse reacts and suddenly there's a bet about who can sell the most lemonade. Will Evan's outgoing personality outsell the very deliberate business plan Jesse has drawn up? Wondering what the letter from school said? Read The Lemonade War to find out.

Star Jumper - Journal of a Cardboard Genius by Frank Asche chronicles the very vivid imagination of Alex as he builds a cardboard spaceship in an attempt to escape the trials of living with his little brother. As Alex often reminds us, Einstein has nothing on him.

U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton

I LOVE Sue Grafton. I LOVE her private investigator, Kinsey Millhone. I wait and wait for each new book and then when it arrives I savor it. Oh sure, I want desperately to dive right in and read until I'm done but I don't. I read a chapter or two and then go and do something. Come back and read some more. I just don't want the book to end. If you have never read a Sue Grafton mystery go find A is for Alibi and start.

In U is for Undertow, it's 1988; Kinsey still uses a typewriter to record her reports, still uses index cards to organize her investigations, still heads to the public library to search microfiche. There is a terrific mystery and Grafton artfully tells a story that started in the 1960s. Great character development; great plot; good, clean fun.

Websites to Checkout

I have come across a number of interesting websites about books and reading recently and thought I'd share.

Daniel Pink's 10 Favorite Books of the Year (for adults)

New York Times Best Books of the Year (for adults)

New York Times Notable Books for Kids

New York Times Best Illustrated Books for Kids

105 Ways to Give a Book

New York Public Library - 100 Titles for Sharing and Reading 2009 (for kids)

How Stories Save Us by Pam Allyn

The Hunger Games - Young Adult

When someone says, "Amy, you have to read this book - it's the best worst book I've ever read," what choice do I have?

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins grabs you by the throat and pulls you in. You quickly become appalled by what's going to happen and then can't walk away until you find out the resolution. If I were to break it down in it's simplest form I might say The Hunger Games is a futuristic version of survival of the fittest...for 12 to 18 year olds. Twenty four are chosen (12 male, 12 female) but there can be only one survivor. Collins weaves an incredible tale - twists and turns abound. It is not for the faint of heart but those who get through it, book two recently came out and book three is due next summer.

Time to Catch Up - Adult Reviews

I traveled to San Diego over Thanksgiving break which afforded me plenty of time to read. Twelve hours in an airplane and a little bit of insomnia work wonders when you have a list of books to get through.

The Crowd Sounds Happy by Nicholas Dawidoff is a memoir. We learn early on that Dawidoff's father suffers from mental illness and his mother leaves with the kids, settling in New Haven. Despite not having access to TV or a daily newspaper (limited money meant cutting corners where they could); Dawidoff develops a love for baseball, in particular the Boston Red Sox. This isn't a quick read but if you know someone who grew up with a transistor radio under their pillow, it may be a worthwhile purchase.

Speed Shrinking by Susan Shapiro would qualify as chick lit. Julia, an expert on sugar cravings, is left to fend for herself as her best friend moves away, her husband goes out to California to pursue an acting job and her long-time shrink relocates to Arizona. Is it great literature. Nope but I will say it brings up some interesting issues about food (not to mention the mental health profession).

One more...

Another one to make you cry. The title says it all: Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine & a Miracle (Brian Dennis, Mary Nethery and Kirby Larson). It did get me thinking, would any of my dogs travel seventy miles to find me? Maybe if I had cheese.

Browsing at Barnes and Noble

I recently had a chance to browse the children's section of Barnes and Noble - I found a book that made me cry, a book that made me laugh, a book that left me in awe and a book that made me wish I had a five year old niece or nephew.

14 Cows for America by Carmen Agra Deedy, in collaboration with Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah tells a simple story of how one man from Kenya (who was studying in the US) was so altered by the events of 9/11 (he was in the city ) that he returns to his village and tells his community they must do something. An amazing story with beautiful illustrations.



The Dunderheads by Paul Fleischman with illustrations by David Roberts tells a rollicking story of students determined to get revenge on their tyrannical teacher, Miss Breakbone. Every student has a special gift - whether it's throwing spitballs or making paperclip chains and the Dunderheads need to work together to prevail. This isn't great literature but it is a fun read and not too intimidating.


Jerry Pinkney is amazing - in his brand new The Lion and the Mouse he wordlessly leads the reader/observer so successfully that you are left with your mouth agape. The illustrations are vibrant, fill the page and express emotion while at the same time reminding us we are all capable of great things, no matter our size. Aesop would be proud.


Otis by Loren Long is the story of a reliable tractor who with his delightful personality manages to calm the animals around him, in particular a new calf. Despite his wonderful work ethic, the farmer eventually replaces Otis with something bigger and better and sends Otis out behind the barn where he is left unused and forgotten. Oh sure the yellow tractor is bigger but is it better? Does the new tractor know what to do when the calf flees into the muddy pond? Can the new tractor rescue the calf? Can Otis. A perfect read for kindergarten and first grade.

Guilty of Judging a Book by its Cover

So in the Media Center Mrs. Belmonte and I have our favorite books - one of hers is Stranger in the Woods. Every time a student borrows it she gets excited. Me? I never understood why - the cover sort of creeped me out. Last week I decided to venture further than the cover. Stranger in the Woods and the two books that follow: Lost in the Woods and First Snow in the Woods are wonderful stories that combine beautiful language and incredible photography by Carl Sams and Jean Stoick. Check them - they'd make great holiday gifts.

It's been a while...

Sorry for the lack of updates - once school got going I lost all sense of time. Here we go...a handful of books I've read...

For adults, A Change in Altitude by Anita Shreve was a big disappointment for me. I have really enjoyed her work in the past so when I decided to devote all my spare time last weekend to starting and finishing a book, I chose Shreve's new release. For me it came down to not having anyone to root for. Because of my past history with the author, I did not apply the 50 page rule and kept hoping that things might get better. They didn't. The best part was learning a little about Kenya.

Kathy Jarombek, Director of Youth Services at Perrot Library recommended some great books recently. Among them - Tsunami (by Kimiko Kajikawa), There are Cats in This Book (by Viviane Schwarz) and Wolves (by Emily Gravett). All three received rave reviews at our school wide reading celebration last week.

And for the Adults...

You've heard me use the term book diet - here are three books that exemplify this idea (at least in my mind).

The Imposter's Daughter by Laurie Sandell is a graphic memoir. It seems Ms. Sandell's father isn't who she thought he was. The deception he wove and his wife enabled is impressive but this is also a story of how we view ourselves - should our lives be defined by our past? Where do we find the fortitude and inner resources to forgive and change. I picked this book up expecting something completely different than what I got. My guess is that Sandell set out to write a memoir about life with her dad and realized that she was as big a part of the story as he was.


The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley is a wonderfully funny murder mystery. You can't help but love eleven year old sleuth Flavia as she uncovers the mystery of the dead body she found in her father's garden.






Official Book Club Selection by Kathy Griffin is an engaging look at a performer who has truly worked her way to the top. Yes she can be crass; yes she can be incredibly indelicate but she is a gifted storyteller who has a tremendous amount of love for her parents and understands that fame is fleeting. This book had far more depth than I thought it would. Not Pulitzer Prize winning depth but a sweet, tender depth (along with some laugh out loud inappropriateness).

The Unfinished Angel by Sharon Creech

I love Sharon Creech and am incredibly comfortable with her style so it was a surprise to read The Unfinished Angel - a thoroughly delightful surprise. As a comparison, I am known for making a really good chocolate chip cookie so you might arch your eye brows were I to show up with meatballs. It might take a few bites but you would eventually realize I make a mean meatball too. In The Unfinished Angel Sharon Creech invites us to Switzerland where her unnamed angel is looking for a purpose. Enter Zola, a feisty and determined girl who helps the angel find her way. Subtle humor and well defined characters make this a lovely read.

Return of the Homework Machine by Dan Gutman

Dan Gutman is back with the same cast of characters from The Homework Machine. A quick and fun read, the students once again tell their story through an interrogation by Police Chief Rebecca Fish. If you remember, Benton was receiving mysterious phone calls at the end of the original book - do they continue? Will the foursome try and make another machine (sixth grade is hard)? Will their new teacher, a former military man, rule the classroom with an iron fist? And where exactly did the machine land when they catapulted it into the Grand Canyon? Take a hike through Return of the Homework Machine - you won't be disappointed with the adventure.

Some stuff for adults

Friday I stopped by the library and found James Patterson's Swimsuit on the shelf. Fluff for a Saturday at the beach. I read it and then wondered what exactly a shrink would say about Patterson and his collaborators - they weave these stories of evil and once you pick up the book you're engaged, whether you like it or not (which begs the question why do I keep going back for more).



One book I finished and highly recommend if you're looking to make a change in your life is Changing for Good: A Revolutionary Six-Stage Program for Overcoming Bad Habits and Moving Your Life Positively Forward by James O. Prochaska, John Norcross, and Carlo DiClement. It's a fascinating look at how people change and reassuring in it's simplicity. Great food for thought (ie. change isn't linear), it offers simple suggestions on how to make meaningful change.


I was at Barnes and Noble on Friday night and I stopped by the New Biography section and found a memoir by David Small, a children's book illustrator. Why is this memoir different? He wrote it graphically. It is a very quick, heart wrenching read. The reason I mention it is because some scoff at whether or not graphic novels are "real" books. Can a graphic novel adequately tell a story? If you read Stitches there will be no doubt.

Anything but Typical

If you liked Rules by Cynthia Lord then do yourself a favor and pick up Anything but Typical by Nora Raleigh Baskin. What Baskin has done is masterful. Written from the perspective of Jason, a twelve boy with autism, the reader experiences what life is like for him and how he negotiates a sometimes unfriendly world. The empathy Baskin has for her characters is awe-inspiring. And parents, if you're looking for an adult version of what it's like to be autistic, try reading Born on a Blue Day, a memoir by Daniel Tammet.

The Red Blazer Girls

I'm always looking for a good mystery and The Red Blazer Girls not only filled that need but also brought me back to my days as a uniform wearing high school student (although our blazer was an ugly brown polyester not an engaging red). Four seventh grade friends, an old woman with a mysterious letter, her ex-husband and their estranged daughter, an eavesdropping maid and her creepy husband make for some interesting characters in Michael Biel's first book (and I didn't even mention the nice looking boy who not only helps but complicates things). Filled with puzzles both literary and mathematical, The Red Blazer Girls is a fun and innocent read for sixth graders and up.

Fluff and Not Fluff

James Patterson takes the reader on a wild ride in Cross Country. After a brutal murder in the DC area, Detective Cross travels to Africa in search of The Tiger and sees brutality and desperation up close. Of course he escapes death time and time again. It's not great literature but it's fun for a day at the beach (when you don't have to watch the kids in the water....). The story did give me pause as Patterson's descriptions of Africa are heartbreaking.

Yesterday was memoir day at the beach. Autobiography of a Face by Lucy Grealy tells her story, the story of young girl who does battle with Ewing's sarcoma. Discovered quite by accident, the cancer, Lucy learns, has a five percent survival rate. Despite parents who don't quite get how to care for a sick child (be tough, show no fear, don't cry), Lucy perseveres through years of daily radiation treatments, weekly chemo appointments, endless teasing by boys and 30 operations in two different countries. Is she a hero? I would say she showed heroic qualities at different parts of her life. Conflicted, complicated may be more apt descriptions.

Ann Patchett, author of Bel Canto, wrote a memoir of her friendship with Lucy five years ago titled Truth and Beauty. Patchett and Grealy went to Sarah Lawrence together, though their knowledge of one another was minimal. It wasn't until the Iowa Writer's Workshop that they forged a bond. I read it when it came out simply because I love Patchett. If I remember correctly, Patchett paints a hard picture of what it's like to be Grealy's friend (though she knew Grealy was a gifted poet).

One more thought

I was lamenting recently that as my nieces and nephews grow they migrate from my area of book expertise (is there nothing better than picking out a picture book) but Friday night as I shopped at Barnes and Noble I had the most delightful realization - I only lose them for a short amount of time. Today, one of my favorite people in the whole world turns 23. My niece Megan is working as an MSW with at risk kids in Rhode Island. Yesterday I went up to see her first apartment and hangout for awhile. As a birthday present I brought with me three books and explained to her the reason for each one: The Help (great literature; well developed characters); Janet Evanovich's One for the Money (fluff at it's best) and Changing for Good by James Prochaska, John Norcross, and Carlo Diclemente (it's good to read books that make you think, plus Prochaska is a clinical psychologist and professor from URI, her new home state). But perhaps the best part of the day was spent at Border's browsing the fiction section - we had great conversation about books we've read; books we want to read and what some of our favorites are (although she was reluctant to use the term favorite, "I don't think I've had enough experience with books to have a favorite,"). I love being an aunt.

Never enough time

I made two stops on Thursday - one at school and another one at the Rowayton Library. At school I picked up some new books and at the Rowayton Library I left with five books, including a Playaway of The Time Travelers Wife (thanks for the suggestion Mrs. F). In addition, I've got a number of books downloaded to my Kindle. It's safe to say they'll be even more reading than normal going on. The question is, will it be at the beach under the sun or at home in the big red chair. Only the weather knows.

Lucy Rose Big on Plans by Katy Kelly

In Big on Plans, Lucy Rose tackles summer - all 92 days of it. Written in diary format we peak in on Lucy's life in Washington DC where she lives with her mom, her grandparents just a stone's throw away. It is a tough summer on so many different levels for Lucy Rose - she and her friends Jonique and Melonhead are put in charge of ridding an apricot tree of squirrels; her dad and mom are on the verge of getting a divorce and there's a new girl in town who just doesn't like her. But if Lucy Rose is one thing, she's plucky. And I find when one is plucky, life, no matter how hard it is, can be bearable and dare I say, enjoyable (especially when you're surrounded by people who love you).

Scat by Carl Hiaasen

I really enjoy Carl Hiaasen's adult books - they are funny and engaging. Scat is his third book for kids and while humor is in play, the books, written for upper elementary and middle school audience are more ecological mystery than anything else. In Scat the cast of characters ( Nick, Marta, Smoke, Twilly, and Mrs. Starch) do battle with the Red Diamond Energy Corporation as they fight for the survival of the Florida panther. Should you choose to read Scat be prepared to devote some time to the story; at 371 pages there's a lot to take in but it's well worth it.

Calvin Coconut Trouble Magnet

Calvin Coconut Trouble Magnet by Graham Salisbury describes the adventures of an impish boy desperate to hold onto summer (despite the reality of school beginning in a few days). Set in Hawaii, Calvin takes us on a rollicking ride as he negotiates life with Stella, his new "sister," Tito, the school bully and Mr. Purdy, former Army drill sergeant, now fourth grade teacher. With simplicity, Graham Salisbury gives us a story about friendship and family. And if Calvin is the kind of guy you'd like to hear more from, book two, The Zippy Fix will be available in September

And some 1st grade favorite reads...

Mercy Watson

The Missing Piece
Arthur’s Honey Bear
Mouse & the Motorcycle
Dinosaurs before Dark
Flat Stanley
Goalkeeper in Charge
Andrew’s Loose Tooth
History of NY Yankees
How Things Work
Sister Magic the Trouble w/ Violet
Pinkalicious
The Giving Tree
Too Many Dogs
No David
Bark George
Burger Boy
Who Broke Lincoln’s Thumb
Secrets of Droon
Magic Tree House
Nancy Drew
Christopher Counting
I’m not Cute
Atomic Ace

Book Reviews...from some 3rd graders

Prior to school ending I worked with some of the third graders on writing book reviews. I have been remiss in posting. We're going with the better late then never line...

Looking for a good mystery? Annie and KK, daughters of the first woman president live in the White House and have heard all the stories about the Lincoln Bedroom. Their goal is to find out whether or not Lincoln’s ghost really haunts his old bedroom. Does he or does he not? Read The Ghost, The White House and Me to find out.
Kara & Allison


Matilda is a kid genius and had some tricks up her sleeve. With mean parents and a fierce principal she has to find her way out of problems. With all these people around her, can she prove she’s smart?
Grace, Ryusei, & Gaby



Looking for adventure? Join Coraline as she travels through locked doors and magic mirrors searching for her parents. Will she find them and the lost children before time runs out? Read Coraline to find out!
Jenna



Percy Jackson is about to be kicked out of school for the tenth time when he overhears his friend Grover talking to his teacher about escorting him to a “half blood camp." Percy doesn’t know what to think or who to turn to. The Lightning Thief sends the reader on an action packed adventure. Fasten your seat belt and read it.
Gregory & Connor


Fantastic Mr. Fox should definitely be on your summer reading list- it’s funny and silly. The Farmers who aren’t as smart as they think they are try to kill the foxes (and all the other animals) again and again. Read FMF to see if the farmers ever succeed.
Simon & Philip

Beach Reads

I received an email from a friend this morning with a list of NPR listeners Best Beach Reads. She wondered how many I had read and how many were actually read on the beach. After looking at the list I realized two things - there's a whole lot I haven't read and perhaps my definition of a beach read is very different than a listener of NPR. I was happy to see Barbara Kingsolver mentioned multiple times; Pat Conroy, too. And I can't argue with Harry Potter at number one but a few books screamed high school English instead of beach chair. What do you think? Click the beach chair for the list.

Lucky Breaks by Susan Patron

Lucky lives with her French guardian Brigitte in Hard Pan, California (population 43). Despite it's small size, Hard Pan has a way of teaching Lucky some of life's most important lessons, especially the week before her 11th birthday. In addition to Brigitte, Lucky has her best friends Lincoln and Paloma, Miles a six year old boy genius and a whole bunch of quirky locals to help her find her way. Susan Patron won the Newbery Award for the first book in this series: The Higher Power of Lucky. I found Lucky Breaks equally engaging.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Caroline Robbins was right. The Help by Kathryn Stockett is a wonderful read. From the first page you are drawn into life in Jackson, Mississippi, 1962. Told in three alternating voices, The Help explores the relationships between white women and their African American maids. Miss Skeeter is 22 years old, a college graduate living at home. Unlike her friends, she wants a life beyond wife and mother. Thanks to Constantine, the maid who raised her, she sees with her heart, the color of one's skin doesn't matter. Aibileen is a black maid who has helped raise 17 children. Her only son was killed in a work accident when little was done by his bosses to help save his life. Loving and smart, Aibileen understands the dynamics of being black in the south and is ready to shake things up. Aibileen's best friend Minny is the third narrator. Married with five kids and an abusive husband, Minny has been blacklisted by the women of Jackson - she steals, she talks back, she is disrespectful. Not all of it true, Minny eventually finds work with Miss Celia and realizes that Skeeter is colorblind and on her side.

Great Website

Sue and I are often stumped when asked what book comes next in a series. I just came across a great website that will help us out: What's Next?

It includes lists for both adult and youth series.

The Value of Friends

I heard from Caroline Robbins this morning and she says, The Help by Kathryn Stockett is not only the best book she's read this summer but the best book she's read in a long time. I picked it up at the library last week so I put the book I'm reading down and dove right in this morning. Already, I am hooked.

One of the things we talk about with the kids (and I apologize if I mentioned this before) is the value of recommendations. As I was reading The Help at the beach today one of my favorite "book recommenders, " Annie, walked by and struck up a conversation. She lives down the street from my brother and his family and I see her every so often. Inevitably we talk books. When she saw what I was reading she said it was on her list and suggested another book, The Outlander by Gil Adamson. "Great page turner," said Annie (who loves to read so much she would occasionally hide in the closet so her kids wouldn't find her and she could finish reading a book).

And one more note from Caroline Robbins: Jane Green will be at Just Books in Old Greenwich on Tuesday, August 4th.

Janet Evanovich - Fluff at its best

I will admit there may be some who question why I'll take a Janet Evanovich mystery over a Jane Green novel but in my book you can't go wrong when there are ample opportunities to laugh at inappropriate topics. In Finger Lickin' Fifteen, Evanovich has once again placed Stephanie, Lula and Grandma Mazur into situations that are completely unbelievable but engaging in a summer beach chair kind of way. It's a quick, easy read that will have you smiling right up until the last page.

Chick Lit - Oh my goodness

Last summer I was introduced to the Chick Lit genre. I read some Jane Green stuff and a book by Elin Hilderbrand. It was good for passing an afternoon on the beach. Well I just finished Green's latest - Dune Road. Wow. I often suggest to the kids that every story starts with the question, "What if...." Suffice it to say, Jane Green asked a lot of what ifs (there is a bit of a spoiler ahead but what I give away is fairly predictable): What if the main character is recently divorced, has a distant mother who has rejected her from birth, falls in love with Steve who is actually Jed, her best friend's conniving ex-husband while finding out that she also has a half sister she never knew about who grew up in England. And that's only half of it. Jane Green lives in Westport and draws a fairly harsh picture of life on the Gold Coast. As most of you know, I am not an expert on family life in Fairfield County but allow me to say, if even just a little bit of the story has some truth there's some exciting stuff going on :-)