Hello everyone. I hope you are all doing well and keeping safe. Today I'm sharing two weeks of reading. Somehow I lost track of time last week. I wish I could say it was because I was reading great literature, but really, it was just worry and reading news articles after news article about this pandemic. I am relieved that here in BC where I live there is hope that we might be finally flattening the curve, but I'm worried about all my American friends and acquaintances.
My stress level is heightened by having to move at the end of April and wondering how to make that happen. The universe might be unfolding as it should, but I wish it was a little kinder.
Titles with a 🍁 indicate this is a Canadian Author and or Illustrator.
Clicking on the title will take you to the Goodreads page of the book.
PICTURE BOOKS
A Little House in a Big Place by Alison Acheson & Valeriane Leblond (Illustrator) 🍁
I haven't lived on the prairies, but have visited often enough to appreciate how much this book captures a sense of place. A young girl's main interaction with the world outside her home is watching trains cross the landscape. The bit about watching the train arrive as a dot on the horizon and following it until it disappears again, is gorgeous. Her relationship with the engineer feels authentic. I especially appreciated that when she grows up and leaves home, she heads off on a train.
The Moon Watched It All by Shelley Leedahl & Aino Anto (Illustrations) 🍁
This is beautifully written and beautifully illustrated. It's a poignant story of two misfits finding each other. My problem with it is that there is too much text on the pages.
CHAPTER BOOKS
Anne Chapter Book Series
These illustrated readers pay homage to the famous Anne of Green Gables. Kallie George's love of the original books is obvious in this series. I am impressed by how rich these are and how authentically they capture the essence of Anne Shirley and her escapades. Abigail Halpin's art is gorgeous. I adore these adaptations and can hardly wait for the next one.
Anne Arrives: Inspired by Anne of Green Gables by Kallie George & Abigail Halpin (Illustrator) 🍁
Thanks to Kallie George, I have fallen in love with Anne and the rest of the characters all over again.
Anne's Kindred Spirits: Inspired by Anne of Green Gables ( #2) by Kallie George & Abigail Halpin (Illustrations) 🍁
This instalment deals with Anne befriending Diana and Marilla's missing broach.
Scallywag on the Salish Sea by Sara Cassidy & Mike Deas (Illustrations) 🍁
This charming chapter book is full of rollicking fun. A young lad ends up as kitchen boy on a pirate ship. While cleaning fish he discovers all kinds of jewels and deduces that where this pollock was caught, there must be a treasure. Not only does this book have a multitude of fascinating characters, it's got plenty of action and hilarity before our lad discovers a bit about his past and manages to purchase his freedom. A sequel in the works will entertain us with his further adventures.
Just a Kid by Rie Charles 🍁
I really like this. Meerin Hoy is just an ordinary kid who discovers that the city is planning to turn the vacant farmland across from her home into a housing development. She is determined to stop it. Among other things, she starts a petition and writes a letter to the editor to get the the city council and the mayor, who hardly acknowledges her, to change their minds.
This satisfying story about a strong little girl is sure to inspire readers with courage and determination to make necessary changes in their own communities.
It's not easy to get beginning chapter books this appealing, but Rie Charles manages it!
GRAPHIC NOVELS
Shadow Island by Nancy Deas, Mike Deas 🍁
This book is targeted for readers from grade two to grade four. They are going to love it. It's got four kids breaking rules and discovering that strange monster like creatures exist. The children are sure that their PE teacher has nefarious designs on these animals so they rescue them and escape to a nearby island where they hope the creatures will be safe. They are wrong on so many levels.
The west coast rain forest setting is wonderfully illustrated. I liked the way the children are portrayed as a diverse collection of friends. We only get hints at all of their characters, but I'm sure they will become richer as the series progresses. The book is full of action and excitement. My only complaint is in how Ms Grundle, the PE teacher is drawn. Her features were just too wicked witch for me and distracted from the rest of the story.
NOVELS
On the Come Up by Angie Thomas
In case you haven't noticed, Angie Thomas sure can write. I was worried sick about what kind of messes Brianna “Bri” Jackson was getting into. There were numerous times when I wanted to shake her and shout, "Girl, what are you doing?" (Yes, I was invested in her.) What she's doing is trying to help her family get out of poverty. I appreciated how much I learned about rap, and getting stuck in a hole that you can't get out of.
False Value (Rivers of London #8) by Ben Aaronovitch & Kobna Holdbrook-Smith (Narrator)
I was a bit confused in the beginning of this and kept wondering if I was listening to the same part again. (I probably was) Soon I was all sorted out and loving it. I adored the references to Ada Lovelace, Charles Babbage and his thinking machines, and how it all ended up being connected to the development of artificial intelligence. Peter Grant is right on his game in this one - dealing with upcoming fatherhood, a nefarious tech company, and all kinds of subterfuge in his new role.
There is a delightful and fascinating interview with both of these contributors at the end of this audiobook. I love this so much that I have taken to listening to it again late at night when I can't sleep.
Swing by Kwame Alexander & Mary Rand Hess
It was pure joy to listen to this as an audiobook. I loved the characters. The friendship between Noah, Swing and Sam is realistic. I adored all the jazz references!
I'm not the target audience so it's not a big deal that the love angst stuff just irritated me.
The ending, well that ending had me in tears.
Nevers by Sara Cassidy 🍁
I wasn't sure about this book at first. I read the prologue and first bit to a group of grade 5/6's. Only one of the eight wanted me to continue. After I read a bit more by myself, I couldn't put it down.
The story is set in post revolutionary France. Fourteen year old Odette looks after her helpless mother, Annaline, who seems to be a curse for her husbands. All five or six of them have died in bizarre accidents. After fleeing from a recent disaster they end up in the town of Nevers where they settle in. Odette works hard to get them established and hopes they have found a place to stay. Soon she has a new friend in Nicoise. Together they try to solve a mystery from the past.
This has such a rich cast of characters - M. Gustave who wants to be a chicken, the aging Mme. Genevieve who wants to be an inventor, and even a donkey who talks latin at night. In spite of how hard Odette works to make a life for her and her mother, this book is full of whimsy and delight. Fans of Kate DiCamillo's The Magician's Elephant will love this. I'm sure if I had continued reading to that aforementioned group of students they would have become as mesmerized as I was.
The Mostly True Story of Pudding Tat, Adventuring Cat by Caroline Adderson & Stacy Innerst (Illustrations) 🍁
Pudding Tat, an albino cat, was born on a farm in rural Ontario in 1901. Although he was almost blind, he ended up travelling around the world. He couldn't have done it without Flea in his ear. They have many adventures and meet all kinds of interesting people. Even when the characters are not real, they are composites of people who lived at the time.
Pudding Tat begins his adventuring by going over Niagra Falls with Annie Edson Taylor. He's at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York when President William McKinley is assassinated. Musical geniuses, Gus Edwards and Vincent P. Bryan befriend him.
These are just the beginnings of Pudding Tat and Flea's many experiences. As readers learn about some major historic events, they are entertained by the humour in the duo’s relationship. Flea provides much of the comic relief to Pudding Tat’s straight man.
After reading this, I wished I were still teaching grades 3/4. I would love to do this as a read aloud and then have the students do mini research projects based on the many fascinating events and characters in the book.
I enjoyed the illustrations for each new chapter. My only quibble is that I don’t think the cover does the book credit.
NONFICTION
The World Around Us Series is geared towards students aged five to eight. Each book has a similar layout. They begin with a page introducing the topic. After that they are formatted with a question or statement on one page and the response on the next. Each page has a sidebar that extends the answer. I especially appreciated the illustrations in them. Some are photographs and others are art. Diversity of all kinds is represented in them. The back matter contains a note from the author explaining her personal connections to the specific topic. There is also a page of additional resources.
While these are geared for younger readers, they can be used with older readers as well. I think they would make brilliant nonfiction mentor text!
I would purchase the whole series if I was still in the library.
Under Our Clothes: Our First Talk about Our Bodies by Jillian Roberts & Jane Heinrichs (Illustrations) 🍁
This begins by addressing and confirming our rights to boundaries for our own bodies. It includes advice about what to do if someone ignores these. I like that it acknowledges that different people have different ideas about their own bodies and what they are comfortable with. The latter part addresses body image, body shaming and self esteem. This section emphasizes the differences in our bodies and the impact social mores have on how we feel about ourselves. A small bit introduces the idea of transgendered peoples' need to use gender neutral bathrooms.
I have a few quibbles with this - just because it tends to oversimplify some things, but I still think this is a good introduction for younger readers. It will be also be a good fit with existing abuse prevention programs.
On the Internet: Our First Talk about Online Safety by Jillian Roberts & Jane Heinrichs (Illustrations) 🍁
This book begins with a simple explanation of what the internet is and proceeds into a conversation about boundaries for its use. It discusses online bullying and the problems with retracting what you post. It addresses safety issues with respect to online friendships. Like the other books in the series, it focuses on the importance of telling a trusted adult if something makes you uncomfortable. It also acknowledges that the internet can be used as a learning tool and as a way to do good in the world. The back matter contains a note from the author and a page of additional resources.
The checklist for how to comport oneself while online is one that older students and adults should follow.
On the Playground: Our First Talk about Prejudice by Jillian Roberts & Jane Heinrichs (Illustrations) 🍁
This continues with the same layout and format as in the other books in the series. It acknowledges the different feelings felt by different people when teasing and bullying take place on the playground. It begins by naming this as harassment and connects it to prejudice. Motive for this behaviour is connected to fear of difference that can be passed down from generation to generation. It highlights that we are all equally important no matter how we are different. A Sidebar explains diversity. I appreciate the section that talks about individuals can do to help others. "The key to respect and acceptance is understanding. Take time to learn about the many diverse people in the world around us." To get us started, another sidebar introduces reader to Sophi Kamlish, a Paralympic athlete.
CURRENTLY
I'm listening to The Wicked King by Holly Black. With my eyes I'm reading Finding Cooper by Stacey Matson and Making Friends with Billy Wong by Augusta Scattergood.
UP NEXT
The Atomic Girls by Janet Beard is lined up to be my next audiobook. Other than that, I will continue pulling out books from the boxes and see what happens.
PROGRESS ON MY READING GOALS
#MustReadIn2020: 4/25 1 in progress
#MustReadNFIn2020: 3/12
25 Books by Canadian Indigenous Authors: 9/25
100 books by Canadian Authors: 61/100
Goodreads Reading Challenge: 130/333
My stress level is heightened by having to move at the end of April and wondering how to make that happen. The universe might be unfolding as it should, but I wish it was a little kinder.
Titles with a 🍁 indicate this is a Canadian Author and or Illustrator.
Clicking on the title will take you to the Goodreads page of the book.
PICTURE BOOKS
 |
| 5 stars |
I haven't lived on the prairies, but have visited often enough to appreciate how much this book captures a sense of place. A young girl's main interaction with the world outside her home is watching trains cross the landscape. The bit about watching the train arrive as a dot on the horizon and following it until it disappears again, is gorgeous. Her relationship with the engineer feels authentic. I especially appreciated that when she grows up and leaves home, she heads off on a train.
 |
| 3 stars |
This is beautifully written and beautifully illustrated. It's a poignant story of two misfits finding each other. My problem with it is that there is too much text on the pages.
CHAPTER BOOKS
 |
| 5 stars |
These illustrated readers pay homage to the famous Anne of Green Gables. Kallie George's love of the original books is obvious in this series. I am impressed by how rich these are and how authentically they capture the essence of Anne Shirley and her escapades. Abigail Halpin's art is gorgeous. I adore these adaptations and can hardly wait for the next one.
Anne Arrives: Inspired by Anne of Green Gables by Kallie George & Abigail Halpin (Illustrator) 🍁
Thanks to Kallie George, I have fallen in love with Anne and the rest of the characters all over again.
Anne's Kindred Spirits: Inspired by Anne of Green Gables ( #2) by Kallie George & Abigail Halpin (Illustrations) 🍁
This instalment deals with Anne befriending Diana and Marilla's missing broach.
 |
| 4 stars |
This charming chapter book is full of rollicking fun. A young lad ends up as kitchen boy on a pirate ship. While cleaning fish he discovers all kinds of jewels and deduces that where this pollock was caught, there must be a treasure. Not only does this book have a multitude of fascinating characters, it's got plenty of action and hilarity before our lad discovers a bit about his past and manages to purchase his freedom. A sequel in the works will entertain us with his further adventures.
 |
| 5 stars |
I really like this. Meerin Hoy is just an ordinary kid who discovers that the city is planning to turn the vacant farmland across from her home into a housing development. She is determined to stop it. Among other things, she starts a petition and writes a letter to the editor to get the the city council and the mayor, who hardly acknowledges her, to change their minds.
This satisfying story about a strong little girl is sure to inspire readers with courage and determination to make necessary changes in their own communities.
It's not easy to get beginning chapter books this appealing, but Rie Charles manages it!
GRAPHIC NOVELS
 |
| 4 stars |
This book is targeted for readers from grade two to grade four. They are going to love it. It's got four kids breaking rules and discovering that strange monster like creatures exist. The children are sure that their PE teacher has nefarious designs on these animals so they rescue them and escape to a nearby island where they hope the creatures will be safe. They are wrong on so many levels.
The west coast rain forest setting is wonderfully illustrated. I liked the way the children are portrayed as a diverse collection of friends. We only get hints at all of their characters, but I'm sure they will become richer as the series progresses. The book is full of action and excitement. My only complaint is in how Ms Grundle, the PE teacher is drawn. Her features were just too wicked witch for me and distracted from the rest of the story.
NOVELS
 |
| 5 stars |
In case you haven't noticed, Angie Thomas sure can write. I was worried sick about what kind of messes Brianna “Bri” Jackson was getting into. There were numerous times when I wanted to shake her and shout, "Girl, what are you doing?" (Yes, I was invested in her.) What she's doing is trying to help her family get out of poverty. I appreciated how much I learned about rap, and getting stuck in a hole that you can't get out of.
 |
| 5 stars |
I was a bit confused in the beginning of this and kept wondering if I was listening to the same part again. (I probably was) Soon I was all sorted out and loving it. I adored the references to Ada Lovelace, Charles Babbage and his thinking machines, and how it all ended up being connected to the development of artificial intelligence. Peter Grant is right on his game in this one - dealing with upcoming fatherhood, a nefarious tech company, and all kinds of subterfuge in his new role.
There is a delightful and fascinating interview with both of these contributors at the end of this audiobook. I love this so much that I have taken to listening to it again late at night when I can't sleep.
 |
| 3.5 stars |
It was pure joy to listen to this as an audiobook. I loved the characters. The friendship between Noah, Swing and Sam is realistic. I adored all the jazz references!
I'm not the target audience so it's not a big deal that the love angst stuff just irritated me.
The ending, well that ending had me in tears.
 |
| 4 stars |
I wasn't sure about this book at first. I read the prologue and first bit to a group of grade 5/6's. Only one of the eight wanted me to continue. After I read a bit more by myself, I couldn't put it down.
The story is set in post revolutionary France. Fourteen year old Odette looks after her helpless mother, Annaline, who seems to be a curse for her husbands. All five or six of them have died in bizarre accidents. After fleeing from a recent disaster they end up in the town of Nevers where they settle in. Odette works hard to get them established and hopes they have found a place to stay. Soon she has a new friend in Nicoise. Together they try to solve a mystery from the past.
This has such a rich cast of characters - M. Gustave who wants to be a chicken, the aging Mme. Genevieve who wants to be an inventor, and even a donkey who talks latin at night. In spite of how hard Odette works to make a life for her and her mother, this book is full of whimsy and delight. Fans of Kate DiCamillo's The Magician's Elephant will love this. I'm sure if I had continued reading to that aforementioned group of students they would have become as mesmerized as I was.
 |
| 5 stars |
Pudding Tat, an albino cat, was born on a farm in rural Ontario in 1901. Although he was almost blind, he ended up travelling around the world. He couldn't have done it without Flea in his ear. They have many adventures and meet all kinds of interesting people. Even when the characters are not real, they are composites of people who lived at the time.
Pudding Tat begins his adventuring by going over Niagra Falls with Annie Edson Taylor. He's at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York when President William McKinley is assassinated. Musical geniuses, Gus Edwards and Vincent P. Bryan befriend him.
These are just the beginnings of Pudding Tat and Flea's many experiences. As readers learn about some major historic events, they are entertained by the humour in the duo’s relationship. Flea provides much of the comic relief to Pudding Tat’s straight man.
After reading this, I wished I were still teaching grades 3/4. I would love to do this as a read aloud and then have the students do mini research projects based on the many fascinating events and characters in the book.
I enjoyed the illustrations for each new chapter. My only quibble is that I don’t think the cover does the book credit.
NONFICTION
 |
| 4 stars |
The World Around Us Series is geared towards students aged five to eight. Each book has a similar layout. They begin with a page introducing the topic. After that they are formatted with a question or statement on one page and the response on the next. Each page has a sidebar that extends the answer. I especially appreciated the illustrations in them. Some are photographs and others are art. Diversity of all kinds is represented in them. The back matter contains a note from the author explaining her personal connections to the specific topic. There is also a page of additional resources.
While these are geared for younger readers, they can be used with older readers as well. I think they would make brilliant nonfiction mentor text!
I would purchase the whole series if I was still in the library.
Under Our Clothes: Our First Talk about Our Bodies by Jillian Roberts & Jane Heinrichs (Illustrations) 🍁
This begins by addressing and confirming our rights to boundaries for our own bodies. It includes advice about what to do if someone ignores these. I like that it acknowledges that different people have different ideas about their own bodies and what they are comfortable with. The latter part addresses body image, body shaming and self esteem. This section emphasizes the differences in our bodies and the impact social mores have on how we feel about ourselves. A small bit introduces the idea of transgendered peoples' need to use gender neutral bathrooms.
I have a few quibbles with this - just because it tends to oversimplify some things, but I still think this is a good introduction for younger readers. It will be also be a good fit with existing abuse prevention programs.
On the Internet: Our First Talk about Online Safety by Jillian Roberts & Jane Heinrichs (Illustrations) 🍁
This book begins with a simple explanation of what the internet is and proceeds into a conversation about boundaries for its use. It discusses online bullying and the problems with retracting what you post. It addresses safety issues with respect to online friendships. Like the other books in the series, it focuses on the importance of telling a trusted adult if something makes you uncomfortable. It also acknowledges that the internet can be used as a learning tool and as a way to do good in the world. The back matter contains a note from the author and a page of additional resources.
The checklist for how to comport oneself while online is one that older students and adults should follow.
On the Playground: Our First Talk about Prejudice by Jillian Roberts & Jane Heinrichs (Illustrations) 🍁
This continues with the same layout and format as in the other books in the series. It acknowledges the different feelings felt by different people when teasing and bullying take place on the playground. It begins by naming this as harassment and connects it to prejudice. Motive for this behaviour is connected to fear of difference that can be passed down from generation to generation. It highlights that we are all equally important no matter how we are different. A Sidebar explains diversity. I appreciate the section that talks about individuals can do to help others. "The key to respect and acceptance is understanding. Take time to learn about the many diverse people in the world around us." To get us started, another sidebar introduces reader to Sophi Kamlish, a Paralympic athlete.
CURRENTLY
I'm listening to The Wicked King by Holly Black. With my eyes I'm reading Finding Cooper by Stacey Matson and Making Friends with Billy Wong by Augusta Scattergood.
UP NEXT
The Atomic Girls by Janet Beard is lined up to be my next audiobook. Other than that, I will continue pulling out books from the boxes and see what happens.
PROGRESS ON MY READING GOALS
#MustReadIn2020: 4/25 1 in progress
#MustReadNFIn2020: 3/12
25 Books by Canadian Indigenous Authors: 9/25
100 books by Canadian Authors: 61/100
Goodreads Reading Challenge: 130/333
