Here
it is again, Monday, a time for bloggers to reveal what they've been reading in
the past week. Jen
from Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and
Rickie from Unleashing Readers host this weekly event. Check
out the links on their sites for ideas to enrich your reading life.
That was one spectacular reading week! From picture books to
novels it was almost as perfect as it could get.
 |
| 5 stars |
Wind Flyers by Angela Johnson and Loren Long (Illustrator)
This book knocked my
socks off. It is one of the most exquisite combinations of text and images that
I have seen in a long time.
Salaam: A Muslim American Boy's Story by Tricia Brown and Ken Cardwell
 |
| 3 stars |
I'm glad we have this
book in our library, even though I have some reservations about it. It
introduces readers to an American Muslim family through the eyes of their
youngest son, Salaam. He is revealed to be a normal American boy.
Unfortunately, while this is supposed to be narrated by Salaam, the voice
didn't come across as authentic for me. I also found that the black and white photos
give the book a dated look.
 |
| 5 stars |
Greenglass House by Kate
Milford
This was a stunning
read. I loved so much about it, especially how fresh and unique the story was.
The ending was not what I expected! As soon as I put this book on display,
readers starred it! (More about student starred books in another post)
 |
| 3 stars |
A lonely prince manages
to convince his father to allow him a friendship with the daughter of the
queen's seamstress. When the queen looses her emerald, the two children set off
into the different parts of the kingdom in search of it. This is an early
chapter book that some of my younger readers have loved. I think it's ok. I
enjoyed the illustrations. I especially like how the children are portrayed as almost gender less. The images do a great job supporting the text for struggling readers.
 |
| 5 stars |
Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson
I sat down to read for a
few minutes, and didn't get up till I was finished the book. While hugging the
book tightly to my chest (serious book love indeed) I found out where the
nearest roller derby was! I can't wait to go with a few friends next weekend.
That will be some Mother's Day treat!
 |
| 4 stars |
Fish In A Tree by Lynda Mullay Hunt
At first my feelings about this book were
conflicted. This is probably because I can't believe a learner would go through
five years of school without someone realizing he/she has some kind of learning
issues. At our school, primary teachers flag students they are worried about early on!
Thankfully, the novel moved beyond this, and I came to care deeply for all the
characters. Still, I enjoyed One For the Murphy's more.
 |
| 4 stars |
As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust (Flavia de
Luce, #7) by Alan Bradley
This wasn't my favourite Flavia novel, but any
time I get to hang out with her is time well spent. Mostly what I missed in
this one, was Flavia's flying across the British countryside on Gladys, her
trusty bike.
Currently I'm listening to The Darkest
Part of the Forest by Holly Black and reading The Lost Boy by Anne Ursu. I've
also got Winger by Andrew Smith on my ereader.
I have no idea what I'll take on next.
Happy reading this week everyone!
Wow, great reading this week! A bit of everything. I enjoyed Roller Girl very much.
ReplyDeleteIt was indeed. To bad you live to far away to join us at the roller derby this coming Saturday!
DeleteSo much great book love here! Green Glass House is on our state book award list this year-I LOVE that book! Such a cool and complex story. I think it is so cool that you are going to a roller derby after reading Roller Girl! Have fun! And tell us how it was!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Nicole, if you are in the neighbourhood of Vancouver BC, you are welcome to join us on Saturday! Greenglass is one of those books you can't gush too much about!
DeleteThat is a bummer that Salaam's voice didn't feel authentic. There is a huge gap in the literature regarding Muslim American characters and stories, and I was hoping this might be good when I saw you posted it. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteSo did I when I purchased it. It fills a space and will be ok, it just isn't stellar.
DeleteI missed Gladys and Mrs. Mullet too! I was thinking about listening to The Darkest Part of the Forest as well. Are you enjoying it? I hope you enjoy Winger. It's one of my favorites! Thanks for sharing. ~Megan
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I'm listening to The Darkest Part of the Forest and loving it! I'm hoping Winger is as good as Grasshopper Jungle!
DeleteI struggled with Fish in a Tree too. Also struggled with One for Murphys, since I parent a child from a trauma background and didn't think the foster care situation was remotely realistic. Still, both titles are hugely popular in my Children's Lit class and seem to resonate with kid readers too. Have you ever listened to any of the Flavia de Luce books on audio? They're brilliantly read! I just picked up Roller Girl last night, then got distracted and lost my reading time, but I'm determined to read it this week!
ReplyDeleteOne for the Murphy's reminded me of The Great Gilly Hopkins, a book I have loved forever. I can't speak to the realism of the foster experience, although when I was an older teen, my parents took on fostering one of my brother's friends. That worked probable because we already had connections. My cousin and his partner (among the people I admire most in the world) have fostered at least 30 children over the years. I have listened to all except the first Flavia de Luce as audiobooks. I agree that they are spectacular. Enjoy Roller Girl. Too bad you don't live closer and we could all go the the derby together!
DeleteI haven't read Roller Girl yet but I know I need to soon. It's sitting on my bookshelf begging to be read.
ReplyDeleteOh Beth, you have such a treat in store!
DeleteHi Cherlee,
ReplyDeleteThank you for telling us about Wind Flyers. We are big Angela Johnson fans.
Best
Tammy and Clare
With Angela Johnson and Loren Long it can only be fantastic!
DeleteI brought home Roller Girl, but a teen in my house made off with it. I should have it back soon though. I had to check also and the local roller derby team is starting their season this Saturday. I think I may ask for that as a Mother's Day present. :)
ReplyDeleteOh Crystal how delightful! We are heading off to New Westminster this weekend for the second in the season. Have a wonderful reading week!
DeleteI haven't read any of the Flavia de Luce novels yet, but we have an upcoming mystery/mayhem reading theme, so I just might give the series a go. I've also read lots of great things about Greenglass House - I'm intrigued - I wonder what it's about. Roller Girl is definitely a book that I will give to my 13 year old girl who's crazy about comics.
ReplyDeleteOh Myra, Flavia is one of those characters you come to adore, in spite of all her faults. I found the first one a bit slow, but as my sister and niece had loved it, I persevered and came to love her and all the mysteries. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I do. These other titles are also fantastic!
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