Have you ever wondered what it's like to be a twin? Have you ever wondered what it's like to be different? Sundee T. Frazier explores both in her novel The Other Half of My Heart. Twins Keira and Minni are eleven years old - they are opposite in just about every way, including the color of their skin. Their mom is African American and their dad is white. Keira has her mother's skin color while Minni has her dad's. Minni thinks she knows what it's like to be different but it isn't until a summer vacation with their maternal grandmother preparing for the Miss Black Pearl Pageant that Minni truly understands.
Geronimo Stilton, mouse, newspaper editor and in this book, an unwilling student of karate, is a hit with kids. The pages are colorful and engaging, perfect for the eight year old set.
Much to the dismay of the third graders, I had never read a Judy Moody or Stink book. Now I have and I can see why the kids like them. Easy to follow stories of likable kids who make mistakes and then learn a lesson. Good old fashioned fun.
The Candymakers by Wendy Mass is a delightful read. Four twelve year olds meet up at the Life is Sweet Candy Factory as part of an annual contest. Over the course of a few days they are given all the help necessary to come up with the next great candy and will present it at the annual candy convention along with the 28 other winners. Logan, Miles, Daisy and Phillip are all there for different reasons, all are desperate to win. Each character is given a chance to narrate their story and it is through these various perspectives the parts become the whole.
When a book goes through two kids in the same family in one night it's a pretty good sign. The Stonekeeper (Amulet) is the first book of Kazu Kibuishi's graphic novel series tells the story of siblings Emily and Navin as they try and save their mom with the help of the magical amulet. While not a big fan of fantasy I do enjoy a well put together graphic novel - this was a perfect combination.
Often times parents will ask us to steer their kids away from the picture book section thinking they are too easy as their child becomes a better reader. As politely as possible I try and let the parents know picture books have the power to spur and engage wonderful conversations. With that in mind I would recommend the following three non-fiction picture books for that very reason
Black Jack: The Ballad of Jack Johnson by Charles R. Smith is the biography of boxer Jack Johnson. As an African American in the early 20th century he wasn't allowed to fight for the heavy weight title. This is a story that covers courage, desire, prejudice, and the value of hard work and believing in yourself.
She Loved Baseball: The Effa Manley Story by Audrey Mernick is another story that explores the role of racism and prejudice in society. Prior to getting involved with baseball, Effa Manley was a believer in being heard - no matter how long it took. She organized protests and wrote letters to share her beliefs but it was in the world of baseball that Effa made her mark. Manley loved baseball and with her husband owned a Negro League team. She treated her players with respect, making sure their needs were taken care of so they could be successful ball players. When the Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier, Effa set out to make sure the Negro League teams were compensated for players MLB drafted. When she realized the Baseball Hall of Fame made no mention of the Negro League, she made herself heard. A great read.
Librarian on the Roof: A True Story by M.G. King tells the story of a wonderful Texas librarian by the name of RoseAleta Laurell. Determined to update the Dr. Eugene Clark Library in Lockhart, Texas and create an environment where her patrons, especially children, would want to spend time, she came up with an unusual way to raise the necessary funds. Good stuff.
Justly or unjustly I often judge a book on whether or not I would like to be friends with the characters. Are they likable? Interesting? Can they laugh at themselves? Jake by Audrey Couloumbs is a simple Christmas story of family, immediate and extended. Jake himself is delightful as are all of the characters you meet. I would definitely hang out with Jake. Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett is an engaging mystery that's been around for a while (in fact, there are a couple of follow-ups). Sixth graders Calder and Petra are deep thinkers who find themselves in the midst of an art heist. They too are likable. I could see myself helping them solve future mysteries. Sophie Simon Solves Them All by Lisa Graff stars - Sophie Simon, a brilliant third grade loner who has no interest in making friends. She is at first glance, not particularly likable. But thanks to classmates who you would want to be friends with, who take the time to find the likable in Sophie, I changed my mind as the story finished up.
Is it a fiction book? Is it an everybody book? I'm not sure where it will end up in our library but what I do know is, Bink and Gollie is good fun. It's rich in vocabulary while celebrating the joy of friendship and the importance of respect and compromise. The illustrations are plentiful and expressive. Just about a perfect book.
In Justin Case, Rachel Vail has created a thoroughly engaging character who struggles with being a son, big brother and third grader. Told in daily diary entries from just before the first day of school in September to the end of June, the reader rides the roller coaster of being eight. Vail does a great job capturing the angst and awkwardness of third grade with just the right amount of humor.
Let's Take the Long Way Home by Gail Caldwell is an incredibly touching memoir of her friendship with author Caroline Knapp (Drinking: A Love Story, Pack of Two). Knapp died of cancer at age 42 and Caldwell has honored their relationship with sensitivity, grace and kindness.
A Scattered Life, Karen McQuestion's debut novel, grabbed me from the first page. Interesting and complex female characters, all flawed and yet you root for each of them to find peace. I saw a train wreck coming and couldn't wait to see how McQuestion untangled things. But to be honest, I was disappointed. I had invested myself in the book and the characters and felt the author knew she had come to the end but wasn't quite sure how to do it. Will this keep me from reading another book by McQuestion? Probably not - she has character development down. Hopefully, the rest will come.
It's taken me two months to get back to the blog but I'm excited about some of the books I've read recently. It's heavy on the kid stuff for now but adult reviews will follow in the next day or two.
Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell was written fifty years ago. I'm sure I read it when I was in elementary school but decided to revisit it for old times sake and I'm glad I did. It is as much a story of survival as it is a story of a girl coming into her own on her own. The details of how Karana, who is stranded on an island off of the California coast deals with being alone for eighteen years (foraging, hunting, etc) can be a bit monotonous but my goodness it is an empowering story based in history. Well worth a read.
I finally spent some quality time with The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart. My nephew mentioned it first and then 5th grader Ava told me in no uncertain terms I needed to read it. I'm glad I did. Thrown together by circumstance (all are orphans of various ages who are gifted), the four members of The Mysterious Benedict Society learn the value of thinking differently, listening well and working together. It is because of their willingness to accept their fate they agree to work with Mr. Benedict to help save the world. Plenty of twists and turns await the reader. Don't be put off by the number of pages - it's worth the investment of your time.
When a student says, "Ms. Coupe, you have to read this book. I've read it 14 times and I never get tired of the children's heads being cut off," what choice does one have? A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz is quite simply, a great read. Mr. Gidwitz takes Hansel and Gretel on a tour of seven other Grimm fairly tales and weaves a story that is so thoroughly engaging you lose sight of the horror (despite the author's numerous warnings). Really good stuff - no wonder A Tale Dark and Grimm is on a number of "best of" lists.
Ratfink by Marcia Thorton Jones is a story of Logan, misunderstood fifth grader. He sets out to be a different kid when school starts but his reputation precedes him and he is never given the benefit of the doubt, even by his parents. Throw in an aging grandfather who has moved in with Logan and his folks, a new girl who acclimates very quickly and has some bullying tendencies and you have a book that you want to both yell at and embrace.
Tricia Springstudd has written a delightful book about community. What Happened on Fox Street chronicles the ups and downs of 11 year old Mo Wren. Her mom has died and her father works long hours to support Mo and her little sister. Fox Street might not have any foxes but it does have the woods where Mo often escapes and every summer, Mo's best friend, Mercedes, visits her grandmother, a long time resident of Fox Street. Fox Street is also a treasure chest of memories from when Mo's mom was alive so when things start to shift in the neighborhood, Mo struggles to keep her balance. Fox Street is a story about love and change and acceptance. Hard stuff for a lot of people but Ms. Springstudd handles the story with grace and kindness. (As an aside, Ms. Springstudd was college roommates with Mrs. Serellier, our ESL teacher here at North Mianus.)
The same student who recommended A Tale Dark and Grimm stopped by the Media Center on Wednesday and said, "Ms. Coupe, I read this book last night. It's from Perrot and I have it for two weeks. I think you should bring it home and read it." So I did. And I enjoyed it immensely. Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea chronicles a teacher's first year from the perspective of seven students: the class clown, the genius, the bully, the angry one, the fat girl, the "bad influence" girl, and the new girl. Told with sensitivity, Mr. Terupt is a story of mistakes (by both students and teacher) and forgiveness; acceptance and understanding. As an added bonus - one of the math challenges Mr. Terupt has the kids do in the book is one my dad used to love. Nothing better than the dollar word game.
I knew I hadn't posted in a while (the whole neck thing has definitely slowed me down) but didn't realize it's been as long as it has. That's not to say I haven't been reading, I have. Just not as much as usual. Here are three books I've made my way through recently...with more to come.
Mentor A Memoir by Tom Grimes is the third best book I've read about the writing process (Stephen King's On Writing and Ann LaMott's Bird by Bird are a bit better, in my opinion). In Mentor, Grimes chronicles his friendship with writer Frank Conroy, his personal struggles as a writer and his battle with anxiety. It is an incredibly honest book and Grimes chooses each word carefully (as Conroy taught him). I found it dragging a bit toward the end. And slightly depressing.
Dirty Sexy Politics by Meghan McCain was an interesting read. John McCain's daughter, a graduate of Columbia University, is no dope. She speaks frankly about her experiences on the campaign trail, how she was treated and how the republican party needs desperately to change in order to be more appealing to her generation. It is a memoir as much as it is a plea for tolerance and acceptance - two things republicans, as a whole, aren't particularly good at.
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins, the third and final book in The Hunger Games Trilogy, was as head shaking as the first two. I will not attempt to recap the story as I cannot do it justice. To say it is about survival of the fittest isn't fair. Collins has weaved intricate and dynamic relationships in a world where fear is foremost in everyone's mind. Unlike Gregor which is a great elementary series, Hunger Games is most definitely a middle school and beyond book (I heard about the series from an adult who said, "It's the best worst book I've ever read,").
When Mrs. Jarombek visited in May to share some of her favorite books Powerless was among them. I was sitting in the back when she picked it up and Ian, now in sixth grade, said under his breath, "Great book." And they were right. I loved Powerless. It is a book that explores so many things - friendship, good vs. evil, what it means to be a hero (and do you have to have a super power to be a hero). The characters are well developed as is the story. And the best part? I just checked Matthew Cody's website - he's working on a sequel. This is a book best read by mature fourth and fifth graders.
I talk a lot about having a balanced book diet with the kids. And I since I try and practice what I preach I picked up Ann Tyler. I figured she would be my protein, my main course. And Ladder of Years is written beautifully but you know what, sometimes the main course looks pretty but doesn't have any taste. I am perhaps being a bit harsh but this is a book I became frustrated with early on and the only reason I stuck with it is because I wanted to see if Delia decided to return home after abandoning her family (on a whim, I might add). I imagine there are people who read this book and say of course that's how Tyler had to end the story. I am not one of them. Which means - if you choose to read the book we may have plenty to talk about.
Wow. Penny Kittle is thoughtful, kind, and incredibly observant. She is the kind of teacher I wish to be. There is so much food for thought in this little book - about teaching, about writing, about living. A gift.
This is the last of the Nutmeg nominees and it's an adventure story not to be missed. Senior patrol leader of his Hilo, Hawaii, scout troop, eighth-grader Dylan looks forward to camping on the coast in the shadow of a volcano despite the presence of Louie, the troop bully. The hike down to the volcano is tougher than expected and then the troop is hit with not just an earthquake but a tsunami as well. It is amidst disaster that both Dylan and Louie have to let go of preconceived notions and rely on one another to help save their friends. Based on a true story.
I finished this book a week ago and I still can't decide whether or not I liked it. As the readers of this blog know, I am big into whether or not I can relate and/or root for a character. Split into two parts and filled with flashbacks, Richard Russo creates characters that are memorable; likable I'm not so sure. Jack Griffin returns to the Cape for a wedding. His father's ashes are in the trunk and his mother (long divorced from his father) constantly on his cell phone. The Cape is a place they vacationed as a family, memories plentiful. But his parents were bitter academics and Jack discovers maybe he's more like them than he would like. Over the course of that first weekend he explores his relationships not only with his parents but his wife and daughter, too. Fast forward one year, his daughter is getting married in Maine and life is far more complicated than it should be. There are laugh out loud scenes and Russo gives you plenty to think about.
Have you ever wondered what it's like to be a twin? Have you ever wondered what it's like to be different? Sundee T. Frazier explores both in her novel The Other Half of My Heart. Twins Keira and Minni are eleven years old - they are opposite in just about every way, including the color of their skin. Their mom is African American and their dad is white. Keira has her mother's skin color while Minni has her dad's. Minni thinks she knows what it's like to be different but it isn't until a summer vacation with their maternal grandmother preparing for the Miss Black Pearl Pageant that Minni truly understands.
Geronimo Stilton, mouse, newspaper editor and in this book, an unwilling student of karate, is a hit with kids. The pages are colorful and engaging, perfect for the eight year old set.
Much to the dismay of the third graders, I had never read a Judy Moody or Stink book. Now I have and I can see why the kids like them. Easy to follow stories of likable kids who make mistakes and then learn a lesson. Good old fashioned fun.
The Candymakers by Wendy Mass is a delightful read. Four twelve year olds meet up at the Life is Sweet Candy Factory as part of an annual contest. Over the course of a few days they are given all the help necessary to come up with the next great candy and will present it at the annual candy convention along with the 28 other winners. Logan, Miles, Daisy and Phillip are all there for different reasons, all are desperate to win. Each character is given a chance to narrate their story and it is through these various perspectives the parts become the whole.
When a book goes through two kids in the same family in one night it's a pretty good sign. The Stonekeeper (Amulet) is the first book of Kazu Kibuishi's graphic novel series tells the story of siblings Emily and Navin as they try and save their mom with the help of the magical amulet. While not a big fan of fantasy I do enjoy a well put together graphic novel - this was a perfect combination.
