#IMWAYR January 25, 2016

#IMWAYR is when bloggers write about the titles they have been reading the previous week. Originally it focused on adult literature. Then Jen at Teach Mentor Text and Kellee and Ricki at Unleashing Readers created a kidlit version of this meme. If you are interested in finding out what's what and who's who in children's literature, you will want to read these blogs even if you are not a  blogger yourself. 


Thankfully my mother is out of the hospital and back in her own home with a bit more support. We hope this will help her function while we look around for alternative care that will eventually become inevitable.

My reading life this week has been mostly delightful. 

I perused many picture books in search of books to support one of our teacher's anti bullying unit. I'm going to have to group this collection together so I don't have to search for books each time. On top of that, books that should have been on the shelf were not. Other librarians will most likely understand my frustration when I discover that important books have gone missing. Grrr..

On a more positive note, one of my super library monitors did a guest post for me last week. Check out what Maya S (I really love this kid) thought of Bird and Squirrel On The Edge. I'm hoping to get more students to take on guest hosting my blog for me. They get first dibs and new titles so I figure we are all happy, and after all, it is impossible for one person to read all the books that come into our library!


NON FICTION

Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer: The Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement by Carole Boston Weatherford & Ekua Holmes (Illustrations)
5 stars

I am so grateful to Tara Smith at A Teaching Life for introducing me to this book. I suspect that Fannie Lou Hamer will continue to be an inspiration for many people long into the future. This quote of Hamer's that marks the beginning of the rest of the text, told me I was going to love this woman. 

The truest thing that we have in this country at this time is little children.... If they think you've made a mistake, kids speak out.

Anyone who has ever worked with children in any capacity understands this truth. 

Weatherford's poetry is beautiful and powerful. With reference to Lyndon B. Johnson's signing the Civil Rights Bill into law, she says, "The blood of freedom fighters was in his pen." Ekua Holmes illustrations augment and enhance Johnson's words. 

While I'm trying to find more picture books to reflect Canadian black history, Fannie Lou Hamer's story will provide a glimpse into the larger context. 

4 stars
Emu by Claire Saxby & Graham Byrne (Illustrations)

One of my library monitors exclaimed, "Wow, what an artistic book with lots of interesting information." I couldn't have said it better myself. I was particularly fascinated to learn that it is the male emu who sits on the nest and looks after the chicks for the next six months until they are old enough to look after themselves.

I'm so looking forward to whatever this team come up with next.  

5 stars
The Blue Whale
 by Jenni Desmond 


WOW! This is some amazing nonfiction writing. I especially appreciate the comparisons that are shown in the text and the images. For example: as well as informing the reader that a blue whale can measure up to 100 feet, it goes on to explain that "this is the same length as a truck, a differ, a boat, a car, a bicycle, a motorcycle, a van and a tractor-all lined up." The accompanying illustrations shows all these vehicles lined up in a row. I love that the page discussing the eye explains that it is 6 inches wide, and the image of the eye is 6 inches. The language is so straightforward and beautiful it will make fantastic mentor text for nonfiction writing. 

NOVELS


5 stars
Stella By Starlight by Sharon M. Draper

I enjoyed this story of a young black girl growing up in the 1930's. The audiobook was extra special because of being able to listen gospel music. I love reading historical fiction because of what it reveals about time and place and the people who lived there. I was worried that this novel would be a harder read because I am not unaware of the horrific challenges faced by black people in the states and here in Canada at this time. ( I wish we could say it was over) Instead, this book is inspirational. It is filled with love and purpose and the enduring power of community.  

I went looking on the internet to see if there might be a playlist of the music and instead I found this lovely book trailer where Sharon M. Draper explains her inspiration for this story. Discovering that it comes from the true story of Draper's grandmother just made this book more poignant for me.  






3 stars

The Fugitive (Theodore Boone #5) by John Grisham

The truth is that I started listening to this book because I didn't have anything else ready to go and it was available from the library. It is an ok read, but I think I might have just had enough of Theodore Boone. In this one, a culprit from an earlier novel makes an appearance and finally gets his comeuppance. 

CURRENTLY

I finally started Tomboy by LIz Prince. It has been on my to read list for ages, but last friday another of my library monitors convinced me that I should read it over the weekend. So far I am completely enamoured with this book. The reason I haven't already finished it is that Manners and Mutiny as both a book and an audiobook became available from the public library. As I get into this story I am both delighted and distressed as this is the last book in the Finishing School series by Gail Carriger. I will have to go back to reading her adult fiction I think. I'm loving Moira Quirk's narration so much that I'm pretty sure I did much more housework today just to have an excuse to continue listening. I have abandoned Pickle by Kim Baker, but I'm still reading The Pirate Code by Heidi Schulz.  

UP NEXT
It will depend on what becomes available but I'm thinking it might be time for an adult read of some kind. I'm waiting as patiently as is possible for me for All American Boys to become available. 

31 comments:

  1. I'm glad your mother is doing better. I moved my parents into a senior facility two years ago, and it's been a good thing. My mother ended up in assisted living, while my father has his own apartment. They can spend their days together, but I don't have to worry that he'll let her go out into the garden, where she will fall on her face. It's tough. Hang in there.

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    1. Thanks Karen. Looking after aging parents is hard work. Her ending up in the hospital was great because it is a geriatric hospital and the geriatricians have managed to get her functioning as well as possible.

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  2. Happy that your mother is more settled, & hope you find a good place for her, Cheriee. It's a hard time going through this, I know. Thanks for your good reviews. I loved Voice of Freedom, too, & anything by Claire Saxby is wonderful. Still need to read Stella By Starlight. I have it, & someday will get to it. It's wonderful that you are having your monitors write for your blog. They must love that! Hope your week is good.

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    1. Voice of Freedom is just stunning. Stella is an unforgettable character you will love I think.

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  3. I've read everything but Theodore Boone. Great PBs and I loved Stella! I hope you enjoy All American Boys. So important for right now!

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    1. I'm waiting and waiting for All American Boys. Theodore isn't all bad. I started the series because I have some boys who like it. (and I have a son at law school)

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  4. I am not familiar with Emu. It looks like a good one to add to a nonfiction collection. I'll also have to check out more by that author.

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    1. You really will love it and her other title, Big Red Kangaroo.

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  5. I do wish we had a greater selection of beautiful, powerful Canadian books to share with our students, books that celebrate or commemorate Canadian figures, events or experiences (and aren't just dry Nonfiction).The selection is getting better, but we still lag so far behind our neighbors who keep producing such amazing and inspiring books.

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    1. I know, I've been looking at lists, and we already have just about everything already. There is a dearth of picture books revealing the story of slavery in Canada.

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  6. We love your idea of having students be guest bloggers - It is so powerful for them to see that their opinions can be shared with others. Voices of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer is on our TBR list.

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    1. It is a fabulous title. I've ordered a copy for us.

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  7. I was looking forward to your post because I've been praying for you and your mother. I'm glad things are a bit more peaceful this week. I just got Voice of Freedom from the library today, and I'm already in love with this book. It's very powerful. And even though I've read quite a bit of literature dealing with the Civil Rights Movement, I still learned quite a bit. Hope you have a great week!

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    1. Thanks Jana, I'm not sure how long this respite will last as we are all aware that the slide is down hill from hereon in. Voice of Freedom is so inspiring!

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  8. I am waiting for All American Boys as well. I loved Stella by Starlight - what a well done story.

    Glad to hear your mother is at home. Best Wishes with all the changes. Take Care.

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    1. Thanks Joanne - I think if we get enough people reading All American Boys we can schedule a twitter book club conversation!

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  9. I'm sorry to hear about your mother, but glad that she's out of the hospital. I hope harmony comes your way soon in all aspects of your life.

    Stella by Starlight sounds really interesting. I'll have to read up on that a little more because I don't think I've read many novels set in the 1930s.

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    1. I think you will enjoy it whether or not you are aware of the historical context. Thanks for your kind words about mom.

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  10. So happy to hear your mother is doing better! Stella and Voices of Freedom on on my TBR as is All American Boys :)

    Happy reading this week!

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    1. thanks Kellee - Both are amazing books. We really need to have an All American Boys read and twitter book club meeting! So many people want to read it.

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  11. You've been busy! I am glad to see Voice of Freedom on your blog! I haven't read it yet, but everyone raves about it. I reserved it at the library and am waiting my turn!

    I am so happy to hear about your mom. I'll be sending positive thoughts as she transitions. HUG!

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    1. Thanks so much Ricki. We are not sure that mom is really ready for this, but it is what it is I guess. I think you will love voice of Freedom. Fannie Hamer was an amazing woman!

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  12. Emu and The Blue Whale are both favourites of mine! Glad you enjoyed them too. Happy to hear this about your Mom, Cheriee. Hope things go well. We need to do a coffee soon don't you think?

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    1. To heck with coffee! I think we need to get together for a glass of wine. A friday maybe?

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  13. I'm glad to hear your mother is doing better. When I read your description of the book about Fannie Lou Hammer, I kept hearing the song about her by Sweet Honey in the Rock. I do want to read Stella by Starllight since I love everything I've read by Draper. I wonder how it compares with Mildred Taylor's Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, since they are set in a similar time period.

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    1. That's a really interesting question about Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry. It has been so many years since I read it, I really would have to reread it.

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  14. Hi, Cheriee! You have some great titles this week. I, too, loved Stella by Starlight. It is a really well-done book...; kind of "just right" for the age group and the subject matter. You have me really anxious to get the Fannie Lou Hamer book as well as Emu and The Blue Whale! I'm also wanting to get my hands on All American Boys.

    I'm sorry to hear about what you are going through with your mom. I hope things will feel more settled for you all for a while now.

    Have a good week!

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    1. It was a delightful reading week Virginia. You are right about Stella by Starlight, it is perfect for this age group.

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  15. I am very sad to say that we still don't have both EMU and Voice of Freedom in our libraries - hopefully early this year. Glad to hear that your mother is well :)
    I've been reading so many great things about stella by Starlight - hopefully I get to read it this year.

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    1. Thanks Myra. Mom is better, but she is on the downhill slide. You will love all of these books I am sure

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  16. Emu looks fantastic. I really enjoyed Tomboy. Graphic novel memoirs are some of my favorites.

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