Poetry Friday November 29, 2019


Poetry Friday is hosted today by Bridget Magee at wee words for wee ones. She's sharing her experiences of trying to host a Thanksgiving dinner in Switzerland where she now lives. Don't miss her turkey poem!

Don't forget to check out the links to other participants sharing poetry today.

I have been contemplating Michelle Barne's Little Ditty challenge since the beginning of the month. I thought playing around with language would be simple. After all, I do it a lot with my grandchildren!

My husband and I are lucky to live with my son, his wife, and Ada, their two year old daughter. When Ada and I are out and about together, we mess around with language. Some of this is about rhyming games I create to help her pronounce words more clearly. Other times it’s for the shear joy of basking in our magical power over words and sounds. Recently while we were traveling in the car she entertained herself by creating her her own rhyme. I heard her sing song chanting roly poly, roly poly, roly poly. Then she shouted from her car seat, "I did it! See Gramma! I did it!" She played with those words while I beamed with pride and listened  intently from my driver's seat. It ended up something like this.

roly poly
roly poly
roly roly poly
roly roly poly
up up up
down down down
roly poly
roly poly
roly roly poly
roly roly poly
round and round

by Ada aged 28 months

It wasn't until later that I realized it was her version of a song she learned in story time at the library. I still think she's brilliant.

Soon after Kate O'Neil's challenge I was walking to my car in the Costco parking lot. The late afternoon light emanated a scene from The Birds. Sky, bushes and trees were thronging with cawing crows. Watching them congregate on their daily migration home in the evenings is an ordinary occurrence here, but I have never been in the middle of it before. Experts estimate that between 13,000 to 20,000 crows converge at the rookery near where I was. The following video gives you a sense of what it's like. 



After gazing starstruck by the spectacle, I crawled into my car and scribbled a collection of words. It still took what seems like forever to come up with this draft.

Crow Magic

it’s a caw caw caw
cawcophony
of crows

it’s a caw caw caw
cawnjure
of corvids

it’s a caw caw caw
cawreening
cawnga line

it’s a swoop loop troop
whooping
home to bed

it's a caw caw caw
cawniferous
cradle

it's a sh sh sh
shnoozing
roost of crows

Happy Thanksgiving to all you American contributors to Poetry Friday!




#IMWAYR November 24, 2019

#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.


Last weekend my partner and I took one of my sons and our two grandkids away for a few days. I discovered that when you put three adults and two two year olds together for four days, the toddlers win. I got no reading done whatsoever except for the audiobook I listened to while travelling.

Before we left I attended the Vancouver Children's Literature Roundtable's Illustrator’s Breakfast. It was a tribute to Sheila Barry, a beloved publisher and editor at Groundwood Books. I enjoyed all the different speakers. I also bid on a number of book collections and art work in the silent auction. I came home to discover that I had purchased three of those collections. I still haven't had a chance to go through them to see what I ended up with.

Titles with a 🍁 indicate this is a Canadian Author and or Illustrator.

Clicking on the title of the book will take you to the Goodreads page of the book.


RECENT BLOG POSTS

Poetry Friday November 22, 2019 - A poem for my father. 

PICTURE BOOKS

5 stars
Mustafa by Marie-Louise Gay 🍁

Right from the dedication, For Sheila Barry, I knew this book would be an emotional read. It is the story of a young boy, Mustafa, whose family have travelled a long way to come to a new country. He has nightmares about the smoke and fire and loud noises of the country they left. His mother wakes him to look at the same moon that they saw there. Then he can sleep.
In his new country Mustafa explores the park beside where he lives. So much of it reminds him of his old life. He watches the world around him but feels invisible as no one seems to acknowledge his presence. Eventually a young girl and her cat befriend him and Mustafa begins to learn a new language.
It is a beautiful story, but the art is absolutely stunning. The autumn image is my absolute favourite. Mustafa wonders if this is magic, and if the old lady talking to the birds is the magician. I too wish I could speak bird language.

5 stars
How to Give Your Cat a Bath: In Five Easy Steps by Nicola Winstanley πŸ& John Martz (Illustrator)  πŸ

I've been reading this with my 2 1/2 year old granddaughter over and over this week. I'm not sure she gets the humour since we don't have a cat, but she likes it. So do I.

I've started sharing some of my vintage picture books with the grandkids. Aside from cautioning them to be very careful with them, they and I have been enjoying reading these two wordless picture books. I was nervous that the fox in the first book, and the wolf in the second, would cause nightmares, but it seems to bother me more than them.

5 stars
What Whiskers Did by Ruth Carroll (1965)

This was first published in in 1932. This illustrations in the 1965 edition are much different from the earlier version. These are in colour and the original were in black and white. I love this wordless picture book. So do my grandkids. We've been 'reading' it over and over and over. Whiskers is Scottish Terrier. He and his girl are out for a walk in the snow when Whiskers' leash breaks and he takes off following some rabbit tracks. He has quite the adventures before finally making his way home again. If you can find a copy to read, It is delightful. Don't you love the expression on these little bunnies faces?

5 stars
The Adventures of Paddy Pork by John S. Goodall (1968)

Paddy is a young pig who takes off from his mother to follow the circus. He has some dangerous misadventures before finding his way home again. The interesting thing about this book is that each double spread has a half page to turn that reveals more of the story. I hope you can find a copy of this one to read. I'm sharing a couple of pages below so you can see the detail in the art.




GRAPHIC

4 stars
Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell & Faith Erin Hicks πŸ (Illustrator)

I was hooked by the first chapter of this novel after I read it from Netgalley. As much as I loved it, I wasn't prepared to rate it based on only one peek. At last, I've read the whole thing. It is delightful. It's full of humor, charm, references to delicious food, and two fabulous characters.
The setting of the Pumpkin Patch is fun. Such brilliant colours. The search for the idolized love interest is loaded with mishaps. That goat, well that goat almost stole the show.

4 stars
Estranged by Ethan M. Aldridge

Two boys are switched at birth. The fae child keeps his powers secret from his human family. The human child is raised as a kind of plaything in the fae court. When the fae court is destroyed, he goes in search of his counterpart in the human world.
I loved the examination of what family means that is at the heart of this fantasy adventure. I’m looking forward to the sequel.

5 stars
Just Jaime (Emmie & Friends) by Terri Libenson

There are many fabulous graphic novels available today that deal with friendship. All of them highlight what it looks like to be in a healthy relationship. This is another stellar addition to the group.
I love that this shows the perspective of two girls caught up in a toxic clique. It’s as authentic as it gets.

4 stars

Invisible Emmie (Emmie & Friends) by Terri Libenson

I read these out of order, but after I read the the most recent, I had to go back and learn more about the other characters. The story is told in two parts. The text based one tells the story of Emmie, a quiet reserved young girl. The graphic section tells of an outgoing popular girl named Kate. What these two girls have in common is a delightful surprise.

NOVELS

4 stars
Ramona Blue by Julie Murphy & Thérèse Plummer (Narrator)

I really enjoyed these characters. Authentic and realistic are words that come to mind regarding their personalities, their interactions and their situations.
I kind of wish Ramona had identified as bi at the end, but I’m OK with the acknowledgement that sexuality is fluid and complex.

3.5 stars
Death Bringer by Derek Landy & Stephen Hogan (Narrator)

It’s not that I didn’t enjoy this book. I did eventually. Perhaps it was too long since I read the previous books, and it took a while to reconnect. I did eventually get caught up in the characters and the plot. Readers who like fantastical tales full of action, battles, and a smidgeon of romance should try out the series.

3 stars
The October Man by Ben Aaronovitch

The problem with this book is that the main character, Tobias Winter, is boring. He has no pizazz. Compared to Aaronovitch's Peter Grant series, it's a letdown. I didn't mind the rehash of this magical world. I might even have appreciated it if only I could have connected to and believed in Tobias Winter and his side kick, Vanessa Sommer. If there are more in the series, perhaps they will become more real and endearing.

CURRENTLY

I'm listening to Over the Moon by Natalie Lloyd. I'm in the middle of Mighty Jack and Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke. I just started A Boy Is Not a Bird by Edeet Ravel.

UP NEXT

I hope to get to Wilder Girls by Rory Power, My Jasper June by Laurel Snyder, and Dual Citizens by Alix Ohlin.

PROGRESS ON MY READING GOALS

How exciting is this? I have reached nearly all my reading goals!

#MustReadIn2018 25/25

#MustReadNFIn2018 11/12 - one in progress

25 Books by Canadian Indigenous Authors 24/25

25 books by Canadian Authors 85/25

Goodreads Reading Challenge 377/333


Poetry Friday November 22, 2019



Poetry Friday is hosted today by Rebecca Herzog at Sloth Reads. She has written a delightful poem about salad. It sounds delicious, except I imagine my arteries clogging just reading the recipe.

Don't forget to check out the links to other participants sharing poetry today.

My father would have been eighty seven today.

He and my mother were on their way to a Masters' Bridge Tournament in San Fransisco when he had an aneurysm and died. He was fifty seven.

He was injured in a logging accident when he was only twenty five. Although he recovered, he used a wheelchair for the rest of his life. I wrote this poem for him awhile ago. I added the last stanza recently, because my father survived that tragedy and came out the other side a better person than he might have otherwise been.


Tribulation

My father
was a logger,
a high rigger,
a faller of stoic giants.
It's perversely fitting
that one of them felled him

My father
was handsome:
a tall, blonde,
Nordic god,
heir to kingdoms of possibility.
When gods fall, they fall hard.

My father
couldn’t climb up
into his before.
He raged against
his impossibly broken body
and let dark descend.

My father
took years to climb
up out of that dark
into the sunlight of a new life.
Vestiges of it left him volatile
and humbled,
our hero.




#IMWAYR November 11, 2019

#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.



Today is Remembrance day here in Canada so last week schools were preparing for their own ceremonies. I set up a display of books in the library I was working in. Of course I sat down and read a few that were new to me. I've written about them here today. I'll be off at the local cenotaph this morning to think about all the people: men, women and children, who die in wars. I'll say a prayer for peace.

Titles with a 🍁 indicate this is a Canadian Author and or Illustrator.

Clicking on the title of the book will take you to the Goodreads page of the book.

RECENT BLOG POSTS

Poetry Friday November 8, 2019

What the Eagle Sees by Eldon Yellowhorn & Kathy Lowinger

PICTURE BOOKS

5 stars
Proud as a Peacock, Brave as a Lion by Jane Barclay & Renné Benoit 🍁

This is my new favourite Remembrance Day book. A young boy helps his grandfather get ready for the ceremony at the cenotaph. It's beautiful writing with beautiful art, just perfect for elementary students. My eyes leaked at the end.

4.5 stars
Memorial by Gary Crew & Shaun Tan (Illustrator)

This is set in a small town in Australia. When men come back from World War I, a statue of an unknown soldier is erected, and a small tree is planted in memory of those who served and didn’t return. Three generations remember their return from war in ceremonies under the tree. A child from the fourth generation does his best to save the tree from being cut down.
This is best for older readers as the text and images are complex and require close attention to understand the message. Just like war itself, this has an unhappy ending.

5 stars
Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler

Found this in a drop in centre where I took my grandkids last week. It was a lot of fun to read this tale out loud to a group of toddlers! One laughed every time I used a special voice for the different characters. As a witch and her cat are flying on a broom she keeps dropping things. When she goes looking for it, an animal finds it for her and then joins them on the broom. Then disaster ensues. 

4 stars
In Front of My House by Marianne Dubuc & Yvette Ghione (Translator) 🍁

If I were still teaching and working with students learning English, I would use this book. It's a circular journey that includes many prepositions and surprises before the reader returns home.

4 stars
Animal Masquerade by Marianne Dubuc & Yvette Ghione (Translator) 🍁

Gorgeous illustrations and repetitive language makes this a great book for beginning readers. Each time I was starting to grow a bit bored, Dubuc threw in a complication. Just delightful.

5 stars
Lizzy's Lion by Dennis Lee, Marie-Louise Gay (Illustrator) 🍁

It doesn't get much better than this duo.
When a robber breaks into Lizzy's bedroom in search of loot, even the candy he brought along won't stop Lizzy's lion from putting an end to him.
Bouncing, four line, rhyming stanzas make this a delight to read out loud and listen to. Don't read it to anyone who has a soft spot for thieves since this one comes to a messy ending.

5 stars
Merry Christmas, Ollie! (Gossie and Friends) by Olivier Dunrea

I know it's a bit early for seasonal books, but some of us shop early. I have been purchasing Gossie and Friends titles as baby gifts for ages, but until I started reading them with my grandkids, I had no idea how perfect they are for toddlers. I wasn't so enamoured with the Halloween book, but I will most certainly purchase this one for my darlings!

GRAPHIC

4 stars
Positively Izzy (Emmie & Friends) by Terri Libenson

It took me until the end of the book to figure out what was going on with the alternative plot lines in this book. One story is told in graphic novel format and the other is primarily text based. I sill enjoyed all of it.

NOVELS

5 stars
Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward  & Cherise Boothe (Narrator)

Jesmyn Ward is one of the finest American writers today. I'm not going to say this is a comfortable read. It's an emotionally hard slog. Eche is fourteen and pregnant. She lives with her three brothers and alcoholic father in a coastal town in Mississippi. The novel begins 12 days before Hurricane Katrina hits. It's brilliantly written with passages that made me swoon. It's also terrifying at times (I skipped over the part with the dog fight) but these characters have so much heart and love you won't be able to let go of them when you are finished the book.

5 stars
Where You'll Find Me by Natasha Friend

I’m a Natasha Friend fan. My upper elementary girls loved her. At one point I had at least 4 copies of Perfect in our school library. They were always out. She writes with authentic grittiness about real issues that are pertinent to these middle grade readers.
I expect they are loving this one.
At the beginning of 8th grade, Anna’s best friend informed her that they could no longer be friends. Shortly after that, Anna's mother attempted suicide. Anna found her. Her mom ended up in the hospital with Anna staying at her father’s place with his new wife and their baby. It’s a heck of a lot to deal with.
Through the course of the novel Anne makes new friends, connects to her step mom and half sister, reconnects with her father, and begins to forgive her mother. It’s a thoroughly authentic satisfying read!

5 stars
Miles to Go by Beryl Young 🍁

In 1940's on the Canadian Prairies, two young girls have to deal with overwhelming loss. Keeping their friendship intact requires gargantuan effort. Beryl Young has created brilliant characters and put them into realistic situations.
I cried buckets.
I learned in the back matter that the book is based on real events.

5 stars
Exit Strategy by Martha Wells

I warn you, this series is addictive. In this one Murderbot rescues Mensah and her crew from from the corrupt Graycris corporation. I adore Martha Wells for creating this character. I love the fast paced plots. I adore the humour. I was heartbroken thinking this was the last in the series, but see that a fifth is scheduled for released next year. I can hardly wait.

POETRY

5 stars
Bravo!: Poems About Amazing Hispanics by Margarita Engle, Rafael LΓ³pez (Illustrations)

The book contains poems about eighteen important hispanic individuals who lived in what is now known as the United States of America. The earliest character, Juan De Miralles, was born in the early 1700's and one of the most recent, Baruj Benacerraf, died in 2011. Women and men are highlighted. Many of them are mixes of African and indigenous peoples. Their contributions are diverse. Some, but not all of them are famous. I knew of a few of these people, but most were new to me. The back matter contains short biographies of each of them.
The poetry is exquisite. So is the art. If you click on the Poetry Friday post above, you can see samples of the art and read snippets of poetry.

CURRENTLY

I'm listening to Ramona Blue by Julie Murphy. I've started Just Jaime by Terri Libenson. I'm not going to mention The Creativity Project by Colby Sharp or The Dinner Party by Judy Chicago until I'm finished them!

UP NEXT

Estranged by Ethan M Aldridge and Pumpkinheads: A Graphic Novel by Rainbow Rowell are up next. I've also got a pile of picture books.

PROGRESS ON MY READING GOALS

How exciting is this? I have reached nearly all my reading goals!

#MustReadIn2018 25/25

#MustReadNFIn2018 11/12 - one in progress

25 Books by Canadian Indigenous Authors 24/25

25 books by Canadian Authors 84/25

Goodreads Reading Challenge 366/333



Poetry Friday November 8, 2019 - Bravo! Poems About Amazing Hispanics

Poetry Friday is hosted today by Irene Latham at Live Your Poem. She shares Words of Peace and Wisdom by Native Americans and a poem of her own inspired by them.

Don't forget to check out the links to other participants sharing poetry today.

Last week I found this book of poetry in a library I was working in. I had to bring it home because of the author and the illustrator. Seriously, who could resist this cover?



I've read it at least three times and pored over the illustrations. The book contains poems about eighteen important hispanic individuals who lived in what is now known as the United States of America. The earliest character, Juan De Miralles, was born in the early 1700's and one of the most recent, Baruj Benacerraf, died in 2011. Women and men are highlighted. Many of them are mixes of African and indigenous peoples. Their contributions are diverse. Some, but not all of them are famous. I knew of a few of these people, but most were new to me. The back matter contains short biographies of each of them.

The poetry is exquisite. I was already a Margarita Engle fan, but her work here is profound. If you don't know her wordsmithing, you are in for a treat. She manages to reveal much about each person with her straight forward deceptively simple free verse. The first person narrative has lines that will blow your mind.

Here are a few snippets from the poems:


Julia de Burgos 1914 - 1953

MY RIVER OF DREAMS

Six of my twelve brothers and sisters
died of hunger, but my gentle mother
took me for long walks
beside a river
of beautiful dreams.

I learned to love nature and the island,
even though we were so poor that I
had to climb into classrooms
through a window, because we
could not afford school tuition.
...


Juana Briones 1802 - 1889

ON MY OWN

This is a land of good herbs
and great sorrows -- the conquest
of los indios, my soldier-husband's
cruel job.
....
I survive as a rancher and healer,
curing the sick with medicinal plants,
and healing myself
with independence.




Rafael LΓ³pez' art is as gorgeous as the poetry. Each portrait reveals information about the individual's character. Other details hint as to their time and place.

Ever since I finished this collection, I've been thinking about my grandmother. Margarita Engle has inspired me to work on a poem about her and her life. Here is a rough draft of a beginning stanza.


When I was a young girl
I saw Buffalo Bill’s
Wild West Show.
That’s why
I learned to shoot
and how Annie Oakley
came to be my hero.

What the Eagle Sees by Eldon Yellowhorn & Kathy Lowinger

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this title. It will be released November 12, 2019 by Annick Press.

I truly appreciated this book. I highlighted chunks of text and made notes to refer back to for when I wrote this review. Unfortunately, one week later, when I went to use all that, I couldn't open the ebook. Apparently there was 'no valid license’ for it. I can download another copy to reread, but I don't have time.

The history of indigenous peoples isn't comfortable reading. This book begins with a preamble explaining the story of the eagle and of the old North Trail. The trail spans the North American continent from north to what is now the Yukon, south to Mexico. Indigenous peoples used it for millennium prior to first contact with europeans. What the Eagle Sees spans Indigenous history from their victory over the Vikings, to how people manage to survive and thrive today. I appreciated the many photographs, and inserts of additional information.

It’s not as in depth as Thomas King’s The Inconvenient Indian, but it’s a brilliant introduction for readers unaware of indigenous relationships with settlers.

This is an important read for everyone eleven years and older. It should be mandatory reading for all educators. It goes without saying that it provides an important mirror for indigenous children, and a window for the rest of us.  I plan to now go and read the authors’ first book, Turtle Island: The Story of North America's First People

#IMWAYR November 4, 2019

#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.



Halloween is over and I only managed to finish reading one creepy novel and one creepy graphic novel last month. How did you do? 

Although I am a second tier Cybil judge in the graphic novel category, I've been trying to read many of the nominations anyway. I like to know what the finalists were up against. Really tiny font is a killer for me no matter how fabulous the story and artwork!

Titles with a 🍁indicate this is a Canadian Author.

Clicking on the title of the book will take you to the Goodreads page of the book.

RECENT BLOG POSTS

Poetry Friday November 1, 2019

Poetry Friday October 25, 2019

PICTURE BOOKS


3 stars
Red Parka Mary by Peter Eyvindson &  Rhian Brynjolson (Illustrator) 🍁

I enjoyed this heartwarming tale about a boy and an elderly woman who become friends. The characters are indigenous but the author is not. It was published in 1996, before the #Ownvoices movement. All the money from the sales of this and the author's other books go towards funding homes in Haiti for abandoned children. I'm wondering if this justifies cultural appropriation.


4 stars
Charlotte and the Rock by Stephen W. Martin & Samantha Cotterill (Illustrations) 🍁

I read this picture book about a girl and her pet rock in a classroom I was in. They were studying geology. Readers will learn there are advantages and disadvantages to having a rock for a pet. I liked the surprise ending but wish there had been some hints earlier. Delightful vintage illustrations.


4 stars
Poppy's Best Paper by Susan Eaddy & Rosalinde Bonnet (Illustrations)

I read this one while subbing in Carrie Gelson's classroom recently. It's a charming book with two important messages: celebrate our friends' successes and it takes work to be a great author.

GRAPHIC


3 stars
Grimoire Noir by Vera Greentea & Yana Bogatch

In this small town all the women have special powers. There is a special force field around the town that makes it impossible for them to leave. Our hero, Bucky, once longed for a power of his own, but then his sister was kidnapped. As he searches for her he learns the dark side of having powers.
I was impressed as all get out by the artwork here. I had a devil of a time reading the font though. I appreciate the story line, which is truly creepy, but the ending didn't leave me feeling satisfied.


4 stars
Click by Kayla Miller

This is a delightful novel about friendship and finding your own way of fitting in. When the Fifth Grade Variety Show is announced, all of all of Olive’s friends form groups and make plans for what they want to do. Olive is left out. At a sleepover with her aunt they watch old variety shows and Olive finally decides what she would like to do. I love the diverse cast of characters. I like Olive and her friends. I’m looking forward to meeting them again.


4 stars
Guts by Raina Telgemeier

What I loved most about this book is that Raina and her friends discovered that authenticity is best. Being and sharing who you are helps all of us realize that we are not so different.


5 stars
Best Friends by Shannon Hale & LeUyen Pham (Illustrator )

In this book Shannon Hale explores the difference between being part of a popular group, and having real friends. Her grade 6 year is full of near crippling anxiety. Her worries about fitting in get in the way of her just being who she is. She makes some terrible mistakes before she comes to understand that it is ok to follow her own passions.

NOVELS


5 + stars
The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss & Nick Podehl (Narrator).

Just Wow! What a story! It was more than 28 hours of listening, but I hated each time I had to pause and deal with the details of real life. In this book Kvothe, the protagonist, tells of his early life and time at the university learning magic. I feel compelled to start the next in the series, The Wise Man's Fear, but at 994 pages, I might wait for next Summer's Big Book Challenge! At almost 43 hours, I don't think I will listen to it.


4 stars
Unseen Academicals by Terry Pratchett

As you might have noticed from the quote at the top of this blog, I am a hard core Terry Pratchett fan. Sometimes a person needs to escape the realities of of their ordinary life and visit Terry Pratchett’s Discworld. This hilarious novel is a parody of football. Like all of Pratchett work it’s full of important messages about living a good life and getting along with others. I always come back from his worlds refreshed and full of laughter .


5 + stars
Wicked Fox by Kat Cho

Gu Miyoung is half Gumiho. She needs to feed on human energy. Her conscience is appeased by killing only evil men. Then she rescues Jihoon, a teen boy, from a goblin. Their fates become entwined.
I couldn't put this book down. I adore the combination of mythology and modern times. Readers will discover plenty of pathos, action, and humour in this love story that highlights doing the right thing. Although it has a satisfying ending, it also introduces us to the sequel. (I can't help but wonder if schools in Korea really have this level of bullying.)
I don't say this often about a book, but this was the jewel in my last two weeks reading life.


3.5 stars
The Ghost Collector by Allison Mills 🍁

Three generations of Cree women live together. They all have the ability to see ghosts, catch them, and help them move on. Shelly, the youngest of them is in 6th grade and looking forward to following the family tradition. When her mother dies in a car accident Shelly searches for her ghost and ends up collecting and keeping a menagerie of other ghosts in her bedroom.
I liked the three characters. My problem with this book is that it's more about dealing with grief than it is about the ghosts. I wanted more. I wanted to be more connected to and afraid for Shelly but that never happened.

NON FICTION


3 stars
Meet Tom Longboat by Elizabeth MacLeod, Mike Deas (Illustrator) 🍁

This was ok. I appreciated reading this biography of an important indigenous Canadian. I tried to find out if either the author or illustrator have any indigenous connections but unfortunately couldn't find any. I can't help but wonder how different it might be if it was. This was published in 2019, well after the #Ownvoices movement. I don't see how Scholastic Canada can justify this cultural appropriation.


4 stars
Of Numbers and Stars: The Story of Hypatia by D. Anne Love, Pamela Paparone (Illustrator)

This is a good introduction to an unknown philosopher and mathematician. It doesn’t address the challenges that must have faced Hypatia and her father as she was brought up with the freedom and education only available to men. The art is spectacular.


5 stars
What the Eagle Sees by Eldon Yellowhorn & Kathy Lowinger 🍁

The history of indigenous peoples since first contact with Europeans isn't comfortable reading. This makes it necessary to read about it from an indigenous perspective.
I've written a blog post that I will share this week, closer to the publication date. If I was still in my library I would preorder two copies of it. I would book talk it at a staff meeting and strongly encourage every teacher in the school to read it.

POETRY


5 stars
The Lost Words by Robert Macfarlane & Jackie Morris (Illustrator)

As gorgeous as the poetry in this book is, it's almost completely overshadowed by the spectacular art.

CURRENTLY

I've just started listening to Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward. I'm into Positively izzy by Terri Libenson. I made a bit of progress on The Creativity Project by Colby Sharp and The Dinner Party by Judy Chicago.

UP NEXT

I've got Miles to Go by Beryl Young, Estranged by Ethan M Aldridge,  Exit Strategy by Martha Wells are up next. I'm also planning on reading the full version of Pumpkinheads: A Graphic Novel by Rainbow Rowell. I downloaded it from Netgalley without realizing it was just the first bit. In retaliation I decided to read the whole novel before reviewing it. (I hope the rest is as good as that snippet)

PROGRESS ON MY READING GOALS

#MustReadIn2018 23/25 one in progress

#MustReadNFIn2018 11/12 - one in progress

25 Books by Canadian Indigenous Authors 24/25

25 books by Canadian Authors 79/25

Goodreads Reading Challenge 353/333