Library Matters

#IMWAYR October 22, 2018

#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.

It was a lovely week. Not only did I read some spectacular books, I finished piecing two quilt tops and got some knitting accomplished. Ada's baby doll now has her own knitted outfit. Now I'm trying to get a couple of pumpkin hats finished for my grandchildren and work on some Christmas projects.
The larger of these two quilt tops is from a kit that was given to me and I created the smaller one from the leftover fabric. I'll be taking those in to be quilted this week.

Because I have appreciated other bloggers who link their reading to Goodreads, I've decided to do that here. If you click on the title, the link will take you there.

PICTURE BOOKS

5 stars

Drawn Together by Minh Lê & Dan Santat (Illustrator)

I now get what all the buzz is about. This book is visually stunning. The ultimate connection through art by an estranged grandfather and grandson makes my heart sing. Hope and love vibrate through it!

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4 stars

Please, Open This Book! by Adam Lehrhaupt & Matthew Forsythe (Illustrator)

This reminded me of a Sesame Street book, There is a Monster At the end of this Book, that I read to my boys over and over and over again when they were little. Please, Open This Book! is hilarious and I'm sure will entertain many new generations of youngsters. Whatever you do, don't close the book!

4 stars

Introducing Teddy: A Gentle Story About Gender and Friendship by Jess Walton & Dougal MacPherson (Illustrator)

I like the simple, straightforward way gender is dealt with here. Aside from the fact that we are talking about a Teddy Bear acknowledging it's true gender, the responses from the friends feels genuine. My suspicion is that adults make way more fuss about this than children would.

GRAPHIC

5 stars

Crush (Awkward #3) by Svetlana Chmakova

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Don't tell anyone, but my middle school self has a huge crush on Jorge. I can't help it. He's sweet, honest and exceptionally kind. He’s an athlete but not into toxic jock culture. Alas Jorge already has a crush on someone else.

Seriously, this book captures the essence of the tumultuous time of adolescence. It's all completely believable. I love how earnest Jorge and Olivia are about making their school a safe place. Sure there are the usual insecure, nasty jerks, one of whom is near to them. but ultimately these are great kids with good teachers.

Now I have to go back and read Brave, the second in this series. I am loving this high caliber graphic series. If you haven't read them yet, I encourage you to find and read Awkward, the first one. You too will be hooked.

NOVELS

5 stars

Louisiana's Way Home by Kate DiCamillo (From Netgalley)

Oh my, if I could, I would give this book more stars. Louisiana just jumps off the page and into your heart. There is just so much I adore about this book. It's deeply philosophical. It's gut wrenching. It's got heart and soul. I cried with sorrow and joy. This is a must read middle grade novel that celebrates the best in all of us.

4 stars

The Third Mushroom by Jennifer L. Holm & Georgette Perna (Narrator)

This was a satisfying sequel to The Fourteenth Goldfish. I love the characters. This one has lots of science, a bit of romance on multiple levels, positive friendships, and a tragedy. It's so delightful to read about a healthy functioning family. I adore this school librarian!

ADULT NONFICTION

5 stars

The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel A. van der Kolk & Sean Pratt (Narrator)

Sometimes a book can change the way you see the world, others and yourself. This is one of those. If you work with children, or people of any age group, you must read this. If you have ever experienced trauma, or know someone who has, you need to read this. If you just want to understand yourself better, read this book. Ultimately this book is about hope. The author, Bessel van der Kol, shows that there are many ways to help PTSD and other survivors of childhood abuse recover and live meaningful lives.

CURRENTLY

These days I'm listening to Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls 2 by Elena Favilli & Francesca Cavallo. I'm in the middle of Be Prepared by Vera Brosgol and am almost finished Barbara O'Connor's Wonderland.

UP NEXT

I hope to start listening to A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness, one of my Mustread titles for this year. I fear that I will not meet my goals if I don't get really really busy reading from those lists! Other than this, I'll see what strikes my fancy in the pile of books here.

PROGRESS ON MY READING GOALS

#MustReadIn2018 21/25

#MustReadNFIn2018 9/12

25 Books by Canadian Indigenous Authors 20/25

Goodreads Reading Challenge 355/333

#IMWAYR October 15, 2018

Today I'm sharing two weeks of reading because last week we were celebrating Canadian Thanksgiving. I couldn't get it together with all the food preparation. We feasted on the usual turkey and trimmings but added a kimchi dish this year to celebrate our Korean daughter in law and some of her friends who came for dinner.

Other than that and reading, I've been subbing in school libraries and working on another quilt. Cutting out all the different sized pieces turned out to be the most challenging aspect to it, although I admit that squaring it up is turning out to be more difficult than I anticipated. I might just send it off to be quilted as it is and trim it later. I'm also in the middle of planning another couple of quilts. There are many new babies in our world.

BLOG POSTS

Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster by Jonathan Auxier

Tilly and the Crazy Eights by Monique Gray Smith

Out of the Ice: How Climate Change is Revealing the Past by Clair Eamer & Drew Shannon (Illustrator)

PICTURE BOOKS

4 stars

I Hate Everyone by Naomi Danis & Cinta Arribas (Illustrator)

This book reveals the complicated feelings of a young child at her birthday party. When I read these kinds of books I always try to make connections to my own life and the children I know. I live with a toddler and see this tension between the need for closeness and the desire to have things their way. Even though she can't explain what's going on, we try to reflect her feelings back to her. I wish I had had this book when I brought my second child home from the hospital. It makes my heart ache to see how this book captures my older son's conflict.

Give this book to parents of young children.

My daughter in law just told me it reminded her of herself at 14, so maybe just give it to parents with children at all ages.

5 stars

Jerome by Heart by Thomas Scotto & Olivier Tallec (Illustrator)

Raphael loves his friend Jerome unabashedly. This book pays homage to these kinds of close friendships.

It's beautifully written and translated.

"But she never says anything about how warm his smile is. She doesn't seem to notice that I have a secret hideout there, where I feel protected by Jerome's two eyes."

Olivier Tallec's illustrations have a warm tenderness that captures this relationship.

This is a feel good book, but there is also a bit of tension in the parent's inability to fully understand how and why Jerome is so important to Raphael.

4 stars

You're Finally Here! by Mélanie Watt

I read this one at work this week. What can I say? It's Mélanie Watt so it's hilarious. As someone who hates to wait, I feel much compassion for this overwrought bunny.

5 stars

Orca Chief by Roy Henry Vickers & Robert Budd

This beautifully illustrated book reminds all of us to be mindful of the world around us. It shows us how connected we are to the rest of the planet and to give thanks for what we get from it.

3 stars

Beyond the Pond by Joseph Kuefler

A boy dives deep into a pond and discovers an unimaginable world on the other side. Upon his return home, he sees his ordinary world isn’t so ordinary after all.

3 stars

In the Middle of Fall by Kevin Henkes & Laura Dronzek (Illustrator)

Gorgeous illustrations take the reader through the beginning to the end of fall.

4 stars

Moon Glowing by Elizabeth Partridge & Joan Paley (Illustrator)

The art in this is just stunning! With simple poetic text, it shows animals getting ready for winter. At the back of the book is a page of information about each of these animals. I and the kindergarten class I read this to, had fun transforming ourselves into the animals and preparing for fall.

4 stars

Sun by Sam Usher

I love the granddad grandson duo in this series of books about weather. Here they head off for a picnic on a scorching hot day. Poor Granddad has to take a lot of rests, but they still have a fabulous adventure. The way Usher shows the sun getting hotter and hotter is brilliant. The picture of the cover here doesn’t show the glitter on the actual cover that makes it sparkle and shine.

GRAPHIC

4 stars

Awkward by Svetlana Chmakova

I liked this a lot even if i do have problems with parts. I can't help but wonder where staff are when bullying takes place and why something isn't done about it. That said, I liked the way two feuding school clubs were forced to come together to save themselves. I also loved the artwork and appreciated all the information in the back matter about Chmakova's working process.

4 stars

Peanut Butter and Jelly by Ben Clanton

Jelly finally convinces Narwhal to try a taste of peanut butter cookie, and ends up on an out of control peanut butter eating binge. Like the other Peanut Butter and Jelly books, there is plenty of humour, sweetness and even some scientific facts. While this isn't my favourite of the series, I adore the puns on the back cover!

5 stars

The Broken Vow (Spill Zone #2) by Scott Westerfeld, Alex Puvilland (Artist) & Hilary Sycamore (Colorist)

I’ve been waiting for this book for what seems like forever. Spill Zone 1 won the Cybil teen graphic award last year. I expect this will be a contender this year.

It continues where the last one ended. Addie has collected dust from the spill zone to sell, but touching it changed her. Don Jae, a North Korean teen, has also been touched by the zone and has super powers. When Lexa, Addie’s sister is taken over by a being and is being stalked by another from the zone, it’s up to them to save her.

The colours in this are gorgeous! It’s emotional and exciting with a complex storyline and compelling characters. Now I have to wait for the next one! I hate waiting.

NONFICTION PICTURE BOOKS

3 stars

Ada Lovelace by Mª Isabel Sánchez Vegara & Zafouko Yamamoto (Illustrations)

This very simple biography of Ada Lovelace has charming illustrations. The additional information about her life at the end rescues it from being too simple.

4 stars

The Mushroom Fan Club by Elise Gravel

This delightful book will teach young readers a lot about mushrooms! The illustrations are fun and the text is simple. It's perfect for this time of year when mushrooms are popping up everywhere.

3 stars

Out of the Ice: How Climate Change Is Revealing the Past by Claire Eamer & Drew Shannon (Illustrations)

This is more than a picture book. It is a solid information book about glacial archaeology. There are plenty of text features. My complaint is that at no time do they come close to addressing the serious ramifications of climate change.

NOVELS

4 stars

Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster by Jonathan Auxier

Jonathan Auxier sure can write. This novel looks at the plight of chimney sweeps in Victorian England. It's got a bit of a Dickensian feel, but it includes a loveable golem.

5 stars

Tilly and the Crazy Eights by Monique Gray Smith (for adults)

Tilly and a group of indigenous elders head out on a road trip to Albuquerque for the world's biggest Powwow. It ends up being a coming of age novel for the older crowd. Sure it's loaded with laughter and tenderness, but there is also loss, heartache and romance. A lot of learning and growing takes place. Each of them has issues to grapple with. Not the least are their histories of residential schools. I ended up weepy at numerous points in this book.

Ultimately it's a heartwarming feel good read about a group of people who are survivors. What more can you want?

NONFICTION

4 stars

A Short History of Progress by Ronald Wright

I finished this one up for a book club and then we had to change our date. I hope I remember what it was all about by the time we meet. I seriously doubt that is possible. Wright takes us through the rise and fall of civilizations across time. I found it fascinating and depressing. Ultimately he brings us to a place where we have to face that we here now are repeating the same patterns as humans from earlier times, only this time we are destroying the entire planet, not just one part of it.

CURRENTLY

The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk is the audiobook I have on the go. I'm reading Louisiana's Way Home by Kate DiCamillo as an ARC on my device.

UP NEXT

I have no idea, although I hope to dig into the pile of library books that I have here. I will start reading Crush, another graphic novel by Svetlana Chmakova.

PROGRESS ON MY READING GOALS

#MustReadIn2018 21/25

#MustReadNFIn2018 8/12 1 in progress

25 Books by Canadian Indigenous Authors 20/25

Goodreads Reading Challenge 349/333

Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster by Jonathan Auxier

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This novel looks at the plight of chimney sweeps in Victorian England. It's got a bit of a Dickensian feel, but it is imbued with magic, including a loveable golem.

It's the story of a sweep who finds a baby girl, Nan, and looks after her. He teaches her his trade, but he is also a story teller who fills their hardest times with love. The story unfolds in two sections. Italic text tells the story of Nan when she was still with her sweep. Regular text puts the reader into Nan's present. When he disappeared he left Nan his top hat and a magical piece of coal that is always warm. It turns out this piece of coal is the seed for a golem that is released when Nan almost dies in a chimney fire.

Jonathan Auxier writes gorgeous, complicated and rich characters. You can't help but worry about all of them. Nan is spunky and smart. Toby, who at first she isn't sure she likes, is resilient, loyal and clever. Charlie, the golem, is naive, strong, and full of love. At first he is hardly aware of his own power and purpose. Nan's sweep is a kind of ideal caregiver. Even Roger, the antagonistic sweep Nan works with, is shown to have a heartbreaking background that enables the reader and Nan to understand him better.

This book connects to universal truths about what it means to be human. Sometimes you read a book and certain lines jump out at you with the power of their universal truth. Here are some lines that resonate with me.

"That's how it works, doesn't it? We are saved by saving others." page 180

"That's what it is to care for a person," Toby Said. There was not even a hint of mocking in his voice. "If you're not afraid, you're not doing it right." page 272

Love is what this book is all about. After finishing it I've been thinking about what parents and caregivers give to their children and how much more we might be prepared to give to ensure their survival. Would we, like Nan's sweep, give our lives? Maybe we already do, bit bit, just like he did.

Tilly and the Crazy Eights By Monique Gray Smith

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

To begin, I liked it so much that I plan to pick up and read Monique Gray Smith's prequel to this, Tilly: A Story of Hope and Resiliance. I don't think it's necessary to read them in order. It will just be delightful to spend time with this character again and get to know her better.

In this novel, Tilly and a group of indigenous elders head out on a road trip to Albuquerque for the world's biggest Powwow.

The trip originated in the women's stitch and bitch group with Sarah, one of the ailing members, talking about her dream of dancing at the Powwow. Then two older men join them. They managed to raise enough money for the trip by having film nights and baked goods sales. Each one of them has a specific bucket list item they want to cross off while on their journey. Tilly, the youngest, left her husband and children to look after them and be their driver.

Shortly after they are on the road they name themselves Tilly and the crazy Eights. We get to know a lot about each of the characters as they travel from Vancouver, Canada, to New Mexico. I ended up caring for all of them although I wish Mable had had more of a presence.

It's a coming of age novel for the older crowd. Sure it's loaded with laughter and tenderness, but there is also loss, heartache and romance. A lot of learning and growing takes place. Each of them has issues to grapple with. Not the least are their histories of residential schools. I ended up weepy at numerous points in this book.

Ultimately it's a heartwarming feel good read about a group of people who are survivors. What more can you want?

Out of the Ice: How Climate Change is Revealing the Past by Clair Eamer & Drew Shannon (Illustrator)

I read a digital copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book presents an overview of the kinds of artifacts that are coming to light as climate change causes a melting of the earth’s cryosphere. It’s organized around specific sections. The first four chapters deal with ice patches. The second section includes three chapters about glaciers. The four chapters in the third section deal with permafrost and finally there is a chapter about the cryosphere in general.

Here's the goodreads blurb:

"As climate change is warming our planet, the ice in Earth's cryosphere is melting --- from glaciers to mountaintop patches to permafrost. An unexpected result of this melting has been the discovery of artifacts that were long preserved in the ice's depths. Tools, clothing and, perhaps most remarkable, human bodies have been revealed at the edges the retreating ice. Examining these discoveries, along with traces of plants and animals also melting out of the ice, is the work of researchers in a brand-new scientific field called glacial archaeology. This one-of-a-kind introduction to the work of these researchers examines some of the fascinating artifacts that have been uncovered and the insights they provide into how our ancestors lived. It also describes the urgency of this work; as soon as these clues to the past become exposed to the elements, they begin to disintegrate."

The layout is pleasing. Information on each page is accompanied by illustrations and photographs. Most of these have captions that explain what is happening. The illustrations give the reader a sense of what the world was like at the time the discovered artifacts were created.

There are sidebars with additional data. The back matter contains a glossary, an index, a timeline, and a list of where to go for further information.

I sure wish this book had been around when I working with a group of classrooms doing research on aspects of the hydrosphere. I would have purchased at least one copy. This book will be an invaluable resource in Elementary schools in all kinds of ways. Budding archeologists and anthropologists will be fascinated. So too will young meteorologists and hydrologists. Who doesn't want to read about ancient hunters and their tools, learn about mummies, and ancient rituals? It’s a fun and informative read for all of us.

However, I have one significant criticism of this book. While it does discuss how rapidly major aspects of the cryosphere are melting, at no point does it address the implications for how devastating this is going to be.

Let's face it - it's not going to be, "Oh goody! Look at what we can learn as all this ice melts."