#IMWAYR time again, when readers share what they have been reading and find out what others have been up to in the past week. Kathryn hosts the adult version of this meme at Book Date. Jen at Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki at Unleashing Readers host the kidlit rendition. Whatever you are looking forward to in your next great read, these are fabulous places to start your search.
BLOG
POSTS LAST WEEK
PICTURE
BOOKS
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| 5 stars |
This
book will wow you. It’s partly because of the art on the textured paper. Not
only is it visually stunning, there’s a tactile component that had me running my hands across the pages as I turned them.
Each
of the different parts has a different maze. I couldn’t help myself from
stopping and wending my way through them.
Although
I don’t really comprehend all parts of this poem, it gave me pause to reflect on my own life. I think I understand the big
idea. As an agnostic, it’s kind of how I expected the king to be. Many thanks to Myra @ Gathering Books for turning me onto this poem. I'm looking forward to reading other versions.
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| 4 stars |
This
continues the story of Joe and Cody who are out fishing and picnicking on the
ice. Mama and Joe were cuddled in the sled. Cody and Papa were just setting the
nets under the ice when the dogs began chasing after a fox, taking Mama and Joe
with them.
The
story is written in both English and Cree. Brian Deines' art is gorgeous, but
I'm still hoping that this book, like the others in the series, will be
released with illustrations by a modern indigenous artist.
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| 4 stars |
Mark
Teague is hilarious. I'm delighted that the teacher librarian I was in for set
out this book and another for me to read with groups of children.
Wendell
and Floyd are always late for school and their teacher never believes that they
nearly capture by space creatures, attacked by pirates, or delayed by a plague
of frogs.
The
next day they leave very early and take a shortcut to school. It wasn't a good choice as they end up having even wilder adventures. Fortunately they
arrive at school in time, (barely) as there is no way their teacher, Ms Gernsblatt would have believed what
happened!
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| 4 stars |
This
is the other book I read to primary students last week. I'm not sure the
kindergarten group enjoyed the humour as much as the older ones did. Ike LaRue
is a bad dog who has been sent to obedience school for a couple of months. The
contrast between what he writes in his letters home to Mrs. LaRue (shown in
black and white images) compared to the reality (shown in colour) is hilarious.
Even though school is more like posh summer camp than a prison, Ike is so
unhappy without Mrs LaRue that he runs away from the school.
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| 5 stars |
Owl
Moon by Jane Yolen & John Schoenherr (Illustrator)
I
picked this book up to read after discovering that Heidi E.Y. Stemple, the
author of Counting Birds: The Idea That Helped Save Our Feathered Friends, is
the young girl in this story and Jane Yolen's daughter. It tells the story of
one evening when a father and his young daughter go out into the woods to call
down an owl. It's beautifully poetic with gorgeous artwork. Knowing of the
family's involvement in the Audubon Christmas Bird Count added deeper meaning to the
story.
NONFICTION
Freeky
Nature Series
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| 5 stars |
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| 5 stars |
I
discovered this delightfully creepy series at a school library I worked in this
week. It's written for elementary school students grades two and up. Zombies in
Nature shows how different kinds of parasites take over a host's body and turn
them into zombies. Super Powers in Nature shows us different plants and animals
with capabilities that you might only expect to read about in comic books.
Both
have brightly coloured photographs with captions explaining the image. I like
the question and answer format on most of the two page spreads. Significant
words in the text are highlighted in bold red, with a different font than the
rest of paragraph. These words can be found in the glossary at the end of the
book. The back matter also includes an index, a read more section, and links to
websites. There is also a bit about the author.
I
read both of these to groups of children this week and they were fascinated by
them. I was planning on reading the rest of the series by myself, but the
children ended up checking them all out. I'll be seeing if find any more of
them in my public library.
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| 5 stars |
This
book tells the story of Frank Chapman and how he initiated the Audubon Christmas Bird Count. You must go
and read my review for a peek at how absolutely stunning Clover Robin's illustrations
are.
NOVELS
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| 4 stars |
Eric
Walters is one of my favourite Canadian authors. Sam and her father, along with
a secret partner, run an elephant sanctuary. They live a comfortable life doing
meaningful work. Initially Sam has a bit of conflict with her father's
girlfriend, but that gets resolved positively. Then the birth of a new baby elephant changes everything. I learned a lot about elephants while reading this
enjoyable novel and readers will too. The science fiction component (which
really isn't that far fetched) adds a fascinating complication.
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| 5 stars |
I'm always worried when reading books that get loads of praise because it can
set the book up for unrealistic expectations. In this case, however, every positive
thing you read about this book is true. In fact it's difficult to actually
oversell this one.
The story is set and told in alternative time frames: the present day and in 1957. Two youngsters, Candice Miller and Brandon Jones, set out to solve a decades old puzzle that involves the ramifications of a tennis match between a black and white team, and ends up being a search for a missing fortune. The historical aspects teach us much about life in America during the early days of the civil rights movement, while the modern day aspects show us how much has changed, and how much farther we have to go.
I love the references to novels and literature. I love these characters and their families!
The story is set and told in alternative time frames: the present day and in 1957. Two youngsters, Candice Miller and Brandon Jones, set out to solve a decades old puzzle that involves the ramifications of a tennis match between a black and white team, and ends up being a search for a missing fortune. The historical aspects teach us much about life in America during the early days of the civil rights movement, while the modern day aspects show us how much has changed, and how much farther we have to go.
I love the references to novels and literature. I love these characters and their families!
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| 3.5 stars |
I had the strangest case of déjà vu as I started this
book. I was sure I had read about these characters before. It took me a while
before I realized they were introduced in a short story in Flying Lessons, a collection of short
stories by different authors.
This is a 3.5 roundup for me. I wanted to abandon this book a couple of times but my friend, Carrie Gelson, told me to persist. I did and I'm glad for it since I enjoyed the second half of the book much more than the first. I loved the close inter generational family relationships. I didn’t like the mean girl component but I appreciated that Merci finally found some true friends she could honestly be herself with.
My gripe with this book is that it took me so long to really get engaged. In my experience most kids won’t give a book this much effort to get to the good stuff.
This is a 3.5 roundup for me. I wanted to abandon this book a couple of times but my friend, Carrie Gelson, told me to persist. I did and I'm glad for it since I enjoyed the second half of the book much more than the first. I loved the close inter generational family relationships. I didn’t like the mean girl component but I appreciated that Merci finally found some true friends she could honestly be herself with.
My gripe with this book is that it took me so long to really get engaged. In my experience most kids won’t give a book this much effort to get to the good stuff.
 |
| 4 stars |
I
started out listening to this adult novel but when it expired, finished it up through
a fast read Ebook from my library.
I
thought I had written a review, but must have forgotten to save it, or only
thought about what to say.
Transcription
is a spy story set during the second world war. It's a fast paced mystery with
complicated twists and turns and heart pounding intrigue. What else would you
expect from this author?
CURRENTLY
I'm
listening to Lu by Jason Reynolds and reading, with my eyes, Harbor Me by
Jacqueline Woodson. I've started Brave by Scetlana Shmakova.
UP
NEXT
My
goal is to read all the picture books I have out from the library! I also plan
to read The Law of Finders Keepers by Sheila Turnage. It's one of my MustRead titles for this year and my library finally has it in!
PROGRESS
ON MY READING GOALS
I thought I was almost finished my goals only to discover that the Eric Walter's Elephant book I read this week wasn't on my list! I still have a month though and will start one of my last few books next week.
#MustReadIn2018
23/25
#MustReadNFIn2018
12/12
25
Books by Canadian Indigenous Authors 25/25
Goodreads
Reading Challenge 411/333
I haven't read Dear Mrs. LaRue or Owl Moon in a long time, but they were favorites when I taught first grade. I loved Elephant Secret. The twist took me by surprise. I think the author captured how really interesting elephants are. I have The Laws of Finders Keepers and I have to to get to reading it, too.
ReplyDeleteIt will be fun to compare notes on Finders Keepers. I am a huge Sheila Turnage fan!
DeleteOwl Moon is an old favorite, Cheriee. I'm so glad you found it. Heidi Stemple seems to be taking off with her own writing now, along with her mother who never stops making beautiful books. I'll look for the first two you shared, but sadly our library doesn't often have Canadian books. I did love The Parker Inheritance & Merci Suarez, too. Best wishes for all your projects!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad for Heidi Stemple also. What a talented family!
DeleteThat's sad that your library doesn't have many books by Canadians. We have many fine authors including Susin Nielsen, Jonathan Auxier, and Kenneth Oppel just to name a few!
Merci Suarez Changes Gears does a terrific job of presenting some pretty serious family issues in a way that would be engaging for middle grade readers. I really enjoyed that book. The Secret Shortcut looks like a fun book to share with kids. Thanks for sharing and have a great week!
ReplyDeleteI agree that Merci Suarez deals with some of the problems with aging in a positive way. I really wanted to love it as much as I loved the short story that is the prequel to it.
DeleteOooh, I run a nonfiction book club at the library, and that Freaky Nature series sounds like the perfect draw to pull kids into the exciting world of nonfiction!!
ReplyDeleteIt worked for the kindergarten and grade 1 and 2 groups I read it to!
DeleteThank you for mentioning The Secret Shortcut -- I just put in a request for it through my library. I'm also requesting Owl Moon. I don't know if I've read this one, yet, but it looks well worth my time. I'm so happy you enjoyed The Parker Inheritance. There were so many wonderful things about this book. I'm noting the others, as well. I always love all you have to share each week, Cheriee!
ReplyDeleteBoth of these Mark Teague titles are oldies but goodies, and of course, Owl Moon is a classic!
DeleteI get all kinds of reading ideas from you as well Shaye!
I also liked Elephant Secret and enjoy much of what Eric Walters writes.
ReplyDeleteI have been meaning to get to The Parker Inheritance, and think I have to add it to my Must Read in 2019 as I just keep putting it off. I really enjoyed all of your non-fiction and will add several to my list. Thanks for the great post!
I've been adding titles to my nonfiction list already too. There just isn't enough time to do all the reading I want to do!
DeleteI am so so so thrilled that you found a copy of The Conference of the Birds and enjoyed it. If you are looking for other versions, I would like to strongly recommend another one: The Conference of the Birds translated by Sholeh Wolpe - an Iranian poet/performer/translator. I had the privilege of listening to her magnificence when she was here for the Singapore Writers Festival last year. She is stunning and I am sure her translation has added a different, dare I say, feminine variation into this version.
ReplyDeleteAlas, my library does not have Sholeh Wolpe's translation of this book. Luckily, I think I can get it as an interlibrary loan from a nearby municipality. I sure hope so!
Delete