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.