No Fixed Address by Susan Nielsen

Susan Nielsen creates beautiful characters: individuals you believe in and care about. Felix and his mother, Astrid, are homeless. We learn this from the get go. The rest is the revealing of what happened to get them to this place and what might happen next.

I got my digital copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Here's the synopses from GoodReads:

Felix Knuttson, twelve, is an endearing kid with an incredible brain for trivia. His mom Astrid is loving but unreliable; she can't hold onto a job, or a home. When they lose their apartment in Vancouver, they move into a camper van, just for August, till Astrid finds a job. September comes, they're still in the van; Felix must keep "home" a secret and give a fake address in order to enroll in school. Luckily, he finds true friends. As the weeks pass and life becomes grim, he struggles not to let anyone know how precarious his situation is. When he gets to compete on a national quiz show, Felix is determined to win -- the cash prize will bring them a home. Their luck is about to change! But what happens is not at all what Felix expected.

I've never been homeless, but I have met people who, through no fault of their own, have ended up there. Here in Vancouver, B.C., where the story is situated, there is a dearth of low income housing. It's becoming a profound problem.

Who's fault is it here that Felix and his mom are homeless? His biological father has no money and was never expected to contribute financially anyway. Some might blame Astrid who seems to have serious interpersonal problems that get in the way of her holding down a job. We readers soon learn that she has slumps and anger issues, and as funds get tighter, stops taking her medication because she can't afford it. She sounds a lot like my bipolar sister without the manic bits. What's for certain is that she loves Felix and he loves her. 

There is a lot going on in this book.

Poverty, homelessness, single parent family, absent father, and mental health are explored. There is a bit of bullying going on as well. 

On the other hand, we see so much of the best in people. Felix's two best friends, Winnie and Dylan, oddballs themselves, are as stalwart as they come. At one point Felix tries to shoplift and gets caught. The immigrant owners of the shop discover that he is hungry and end up feeding him. His teachers are kind and authentic. Even the police officer who Felix is telling his story to does her best to reassure him and ensure that everything works out for the best for him and his mom. 

I have so many favourite parts in this book, but one of them is near the end of the book when the three friends are arguing over who's belief is most credible. Felix concludes to himself, “I get why Winnie believes in God. I get why Dylan believes in Bernard. I get why I wanted to believe in Mel. It can give a person comfort, feeling that something mysterious and otherworldly is looking out for you. 

But now I’m learning to have faith in something new. Something my mom stopped having faith in a long time ago.

Other people.”

Part of what makes this book so pleasurable to read is that it's set in my home town. When Felix talks about the places where he and his mother park their van, Spanish Banks in particular, I know them well and even imagine exactly where they might be. 

I enjoyed every bit of this satisfying story. I'm not particularly fond of reading on my device, yet had a hard time putting the book down and was compelled to keep coming back to finish it. I was so deeply engaged that my eyes leaked copiously for the last twenty five pages or so. Go buy this book, yours might too. 

#IMWAYR September 17, 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 UnleashingReaders host the kidlit rendition. Whatever you are looking forward to in your next great read, these are fabulous places to start your search.

It's been a busy week. Friday we celebrated our son being called to the bar! We went to my brother's birthday party on Saturday and then Sunday we celebrated my husband's 65th birthday. I managed to finish a shirt for his gift. I'm also sewing the binding on a baby quilt.

Next week won't be much better as I will be working on another shirt for my son who has his birthday next Monday I'm working a couple of days at different schools, and my other son is coming over early Tuesday morning to make salsa!

BLOG POSTS LAST WEEK

Gordon: Bark To The Future! by Ashley Spires

#MustReadIn2018Fall Update

(I had finished this in advance of our official update and then forgot about it til last week)

BOARD BOOKS

3 stars

Little Critters by Xavier Deneux

The construction of this book has a lot of potential. It has different little creatures protruding from the pages. The name of the animal is usually on the top of the page with additional details in smaller print near the bottom. This secondary text identifies parts of the body. However, many of these details are not shown in the images.

I can't help but wonder how much I am influencing my granddaughter's lack on interest in this book. It begins with a spider, and much as I try to be neutral, I am not particularly fond of spiders. Irrational fear comes closer to describing my relationship with them. That said, other pages are delightful and Ada does like to feel the different little creatures.

3 stars

Ears by Flowerpot Press

I like the photographs in this book a lot. I like that it is a nonfiction title for the littlest ones. On one two page spread it shows just the ears of a specific animal and a question asking, with some specific detail, who has ..... ears like these? The next page spread shows the whole animal.

Unfortunately, Ada doesn't love it as much a I do, although she can now show us where her own ears are!

3 stars

Who Can? by Charles Ghigna & Vlasta Van Kampen (Illustrator)

Vlasta van Kampen's illustrations are gorgeous in this rhyming riddle book. Ada and Everett are not really ready for the puzzle part but they do enjoy the images, especially if we read the book as if it is a hiding game.

5 stars

Who is Smiling? by Yusuke Yonezu

We love this book. It's one of those that Ada brings to me regularly these days while saying "book." But don't take my word for it. Look at her reading it to her doll in this video.

PICTURE BOOKS

3 stars

A Stone for Sascha by Aaron Becker

I've read this book numerous times and I still haven't figured out what to think about it. On the one hand the artwork is hands-down beautiful. What confounds me is the storyline. It begins with a young girl and her family burying their pet dog. Then the family is shown at the beach with this young girl making connections to a rock that she finds in the ocean. We are then shown a possible history of this rock across time and space.

I think the author is trying to show that the death of a family pet is a small thing in the bigger picture of time and space and that this brings the girl comfort. Even if young readers figure out this connection, which is debatable, I think it's balderdash. I say this as someone who is in the middle of grieving these days. Knowing a loved one's death is part of a larger picture does not assuage one's grief. It doesn't bring comfort. Over time perhaps this connection makes sense, but it doesn't feel authentic to me given that the girl has just buried her beloved pet.

I do think the second narrative, of the life cycle of the rock landing as a meteorite on earth, stands on its own as a brilliant story.

GRAPHIC

4 stars

Gordon: Bark To The Future! (P.U.R.S.T. #2) by Ashley Spires

Ashley Spires can do no wrong! If you are not a fan of all her graphic novel series, (Binky and PURST) you are leading a deprived life. I wish I had a dog like Gordon! If you have beginning readers, you need these books. 

NOVELS

4 stars

The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend & Gemma Whelan (Narrator)

Morrigan Crow is a cursed child who is doomed to die on her 11th birthday. She is rescued by Jupiter North, who brings her to Nevermoor, where he sponsors her to compete in the trials to become a member of the Wundrous Society. This book is a wonderful fantasy that highlights the truly important things in life, being connected to others and belonging.

Although there is a bit of irritating girl snarkiness, it's negligible, and there are interesting twists inside of it.

I'm really glad I got around to reading this. Not only did I love this tale of Morrigan Crow, but no sooner did I finish it, I went to see if the next in the series was available. Unfortunately, it's on order, but not as an audiobook, so I'll wait a while and try to catch up on the rest of my reading.

5 stars

No Fixed Address by Susin Nielsen

I barely finished this NetGalley title this afternoon. I'm in the process of writing a review, but here are a few important things about it. I'm not particularly fond of reading on my device, and I was compelled to keep coming back to finish this one. Also, my eyes leaked for the last 25 pages or so.

Adult Nonfiction

           

4 stars

Quilting Modern: Techniques and Projects for Improvisational Quilts by Jacquie Gering & Katie Pedersen

Ever since reading about Gee's Bend quilts I've become more interested in modern quilting. To be honest, I skimmed through much of the basic information about quilting since I've been making quilts and wall hangings or some time already.

CURRENTLY

I'm listening to Word by Word by Kory Stomper. I plan to start reading Front Desk in the next couple of days and I need to finish The Vanderbeekers and the Hidden Garden by Karina Yan Glaser, a NetGalley title, before it expires on me!

UP NEXT

I hope to get to The Nowhere Girls by Amy Reed, a pile of picture books and hopefully spend some time dealing with the pile of picture books!

PROGRESS ON MY READING GOALS

#MustReadIn2018 21/25

#MustReadNFIn2018 6/12

25 Books by Canadian Indigenous Authors 17/25

Goodreads Reading Challenge 310/333

Gordon: Bark To The Future! by Ashley Spires

This is the second in the PURST series. It might make more sense if you have already read the first in the series, Fluffy Strikes Back.  That said, it is a barrel of fun anyway. If you are not already a fan of Ashley Spires' Binky series, you are living a deprived life. If you have, or work with children in the 'beginning to read stages,' all these graphic novels are a must have. 

It doesn't matter that Gordon is a dog, and and Binky is a cat. They are best friends and partners. They are also members of PURST. (Pets of the Universe Ready for Space Travel)

In this volume, Aliens (flies) have invaded the house in the middle of the night and captured Binky. Gordon's superior officer, Fluffy, has been neutralized. No one at PURST is responding to his calls for help. It's up to Gordon to save the day! 

Gordon is not known for his agility and strength. His weapon is his mind, but none of his inventions have prepared him for this! He has a prototype that might help, but it has never been tested.

I can't help but love how goofy Gordon, the brilliant dog is. In the middle of dire circumstances, when he must decide what to do, he is distracted by his love of playing with his ball and steak. 

Readers will love these humorous insights into his character. At last, when he manages to focus enough to get into his time traveling device, he unfortunately ends up a bit too far into the past.

I leave it to you, dear reader, to find out if Gordon can save his people and the world. I guarantee you will enjoy the wacky mishaps, the puns, and general sweet goofiness of the story and images. 

#MustReadIn2018 Fall Update

Carrie Gelson at There's a Book for That, hosts #MustRead. I have been joining in for the past couple of years. If you have a "want to read" list on Goodreads (or somewhere else) that goes on forever, then you might be interested in joining. All you have to do is choose any number of specific books on that list, and do your best to read them all. A few times a year Carrie reminds us that it's time to be accountable and post an update of how we are doing. It's a good thing for me since knowing these times are coming up reminds me to focus regularly on reading from my lists.

This year I created a number of different reading goals from my never ending and always expanding want to read list on Goodreads. My goals were to read at least a specific number of books from different lists including some general fiction, some nonfiction, and some from Canadian Indigenous authors. You can see my original goals here.

As I was putting this together I realized that a number of the books I have read in the last few months are included in at least two of my categories here. I hope this isn't cheating.

MUST READ IN 2018

I identified fifty fiction titles of which I planned to read twenty five. I've completed another eleven since April, which puts me at twenty-one. I might actually meet my goal this year!

Here is what I finished so far.

The ones I most enjoyed reading include:

Thousand Star Hotel by Bao Phi

I adored this book. I think it inspired me to write more honest poetry during poetry month. On the other hand, Bao Phi’s writing intimidated the heck out of me.
I have lines and phrases from this book scribbled on bits of paper and in the notes app on my ipad.

Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

This beautifully written book is intense, but worth every page. Historical fiction has much to teach us about who we are, and what we don’t know about the world. I was a young teenager when this novel takes place. The only thing I knew from western media was about the starving Biafrans and how I better eat my vegetables. This book shows us, through the stories of three connected characters, how Biafra came to be, what it was like to live through the war, and how it was lost.

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

I'll fall into any kind of fantastical world that Neil Gaiman creates. As usual he has spun a tale that sucked me completely into it. Richard Mayhew is an ordinary businessman who, by doing a kindness for a stranger, ends up in a strange and dangerous world under London. The book reminded me a bit of the Peter Grant series by Ben Aaronovitch. I hope there will be a sequel to this, but given that it was first published in 1996, I doubt it.

MUST READ IN 2018

I've cheated a bit with my nonfiction goal. My goal was to read 12 books from a collection, but my purpose was to ensure that I read at least one information book a month so I've added new books to that list. So far I've completed 6 books since our last update, and started another.

Here is what I've finished since April.

The best of this lot are these:

We Were Eight Years in Power: An American Tragedy by Ta-Nehisi Coates
This is one of those books I am recommending that everyone who wants to understand America should read. Coates' writing is powerful and profound. There are parts of it that were hard to listen to because it details the dystopian reality of being black in America and Canada too.

Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer

This is an important, profound book. It has much to teach all of us about gratitude, sharing, and reciprocity. These are all critical things if we are going to ensure our existence upon the planet. Ultimately we must defeat the Wendigo of greed and selfishness that leaves us empty, and find a new way of democratically being in the world. It’s going to be hard for many of us to start thinking of all the plants and animals as our equals, but without it we are in serious trouble. (This book counts as both a nonfiction title and an indigenous one)

Disrupting Thinking: Why How We Read Matters by Robert Probst, Kylene Beers

This book provides a new way of looking at how we talk about our reading. While it's set in America against a backdrop of high stakes testing, much of this will be relevant to teachers here in Canada who want to ensure that children grow up to be social activists engaged in deep aspects of democracy.
A couple of things surprised me. First, although I knew the amount of reading a student did made a difference in their academic achievement, the numbers in vocabulary acquisition based on how much reading was going on stunned me. Second, although I would never want to spend more than a month reading a novel out loud, their suggestion that it shouldn't take more than a week was an aha moment for me.
I wish I had read this book while I was still teaching. I hope I can use these ideas if I end up substitute teaching in the coming year. At the very least I hope to be able to use the HBB model for book club conversations.
The most distressing thing for me is that we still need to assert the importance of free choice reading everyday for students.

INDIGENOUS LITERATURE

My other goal was to read at least 25 books by Indigenous authors. Although I'm focusing on Canadian, I included some American writers here. So far I have completed another ten, which brings my total here to seventeen.

Of these I adored:

Heart Berries by Terese Marie Mailhot

This book will wrench your guts out and break your heart. Terese Marie Mailhot’s memoir gave me insight into what it means to have a bipolar diagnosis. Her life has been filled with all kinds of horrors most of us can’t imagine. She seems to have come out the other side, and is a successful writer and teacher, but I still find myself worrying about her.
I can’t recommend this book highly enough!

Ravensong by Lee Maracle

This book is the prequel to Celia's Song, a book I read earlier this year. It was interesting in that many events that happened in this book, were referenced in that one. It is told from the perspective of Celia's older sister, Stacey who is attending her last year of white high school across the bridge from their village. She plans to go to UBC and become a teacher after graduation.
Like in Celia's Song, Maracle makes us aware of the differences between her people's way of seeing the world and our own. Both are important books.

A Day with Yayah by Nicola I. Campbell & Julie Flett

This book takes me back to the landscape of my youth and the times I went gathering wild plants with my family.
In this book a group of children go on a plant harvesting expedition with their Yayah (Grandmother) and other elders. Although I am familiar with many of these plants, I had no idea that some of them, like the arrowleaf balsamroot, are edible. The book integrates Nte?kepmxcin vocabulary into the story. There is a glossary with a pronunciation guide at the end of the book.

#IMWAYR September 10, 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.

Last weekend I was away at our house in Oliver, B.C., canning tomatoes and peaches, and making and canning juice and salsa. I didn't have time to do a blog post. I did get some reading in, although mostly I was listening to audiobooks while I worked. 

September is birthday month around our house so now I'm busy trying to sew shirts for my partner and son. It's a good thing I have lots of audiobooks ready to go!

BOARD BOOKS

I've got a pile of new board books to share with you, but for today I'm just letting you know about this one that I am almost getting tired of rereading over and over.

5 stars

Do Cows Meow? by Salina Yoon

This is Ada’s favourite book these days. It’s a bit bigger than most of her books and has flaps to lift. She even gives me time to read the rhymes if I go really really fast. The last pages where they fold out to show all the animals is a big hit!

PICTURE BOOKS

4 stars

The Honeybee by Kirsten Hall & Isabelle Arsenault (Illustrations)

I'm fascinated by all things bee, and this charming book delivers basic information on how pollen and nectar are turned into honey. It could even be considered a nonfiction picture book. The beautiful text reflects the busy life of bees. It rhymes in sections and is loaded with alliteration and other poetic devices. It sure worked for me.

Then there are Isabelle Arsenault's gorgeous illustrations. Her work is breathtaking. Her bees are whimsical, but it's her landscapes and fields of flowers that are just glorious.

5 stars

The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld

This book is just bloody brilliant! It reaffirms why picture books are so important for people of all ages. I've been thinking a lot recently about how we can best support friends and family who are going through hard times. In charming illustrations and simple text the profound solution is laid out here for everyone to read and understand. It's really pretty simple. All you have to do is listen.

4 stars

What Can You Do with a Rebozo? by Carmen Tafolla & Amy Córdova (Illustrator)

You can do a whole lot more with a rebozo than you can imagine! This beautifully illustrated book takes us inside Mexican culture through the many ways this traditional shawl is used.

GRAPHIC

4 stars

All Summer Long by Hope Larson

Bina's best friend, Austin, is headed off to soccer camp, leaving her alone for the summer. At first Bina spends her time reading and practicing her electric guitar. Then she connects with Austin's older sister, Charlie, who invites her to hang out. Ultimately that doesn't really work out. When Austin returns home, the two of them have a lot of sorting out to do.

This is a book about family and friendship. I loved Bina, who is on her way to being a rock and roll star. Parents are realistically supportive. I like the bit about Bina's older brother and partner adopting a baby. I especially appreciate that these characters manage to deal with their conflicts in healthy ways.

I hope there is a sequel!

NOVELS

4 stars

The Perfect Score by Rob Buyea

This book looks at a group of children who are in a classroom together. They are forced to deal with the disruption of their regular school days because of high stakes testing. What they end up doing because of this ends up getting them in trouble, but also points out the absurdity of the tests in the first place.

Rob Buyea has a created an appealing, complicated group of students and adults. I sure hope change comes soon for all their counterparts in the real world.

3 stars

Give Me Some Truth by Eric Gansworth

Give Me Some Truth by Eric Gansworth, (432 pages) is my fifth and last big book this summer. I struggled with it because I couldn't connect to these characters like I did in his first book, If I Ever Get Out of Here. I liked this well enough to not give up on it, and I was happy to see that the characters seemed to evolve by the end of the novel.

Is it possible to get to old to read YA?

5 stars

Neverwhere (London Below, The World of Neverwhere #1) by Neil Gaiman

Neil Gaiman has, as usual, spun a tale that sucked me completely into it. Richard Mayhew, an ordinary young businessman, aids a young woman and ends up trapped in a fantastical, dangerous world underneath London. I was caught up in his world and am hoping that there will be a sequel. However, since this book was first published in 1996, and one isn't available yet, it's highly unlikely. While reading it I was reminded of the Peter Grant series by Ben Aaronovich, which, if you haven't read yet, you should definitely treat yourself to.

4 stars

My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante, Hillary Huber (narrator) & Ann Goldstein (Translator)

I loved this book and have the next in the series cued up to start soon. It's the story of a friendship between two women. This first book in the series shows them as children and teens. I especially love the honesty and complexity of their relationship, but I'm also fascinated by this look into a community in Italy during the 50's and 60's.

CURRENTLY

I'm reading No Fixed Address by Susin Nielsen and listening to Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend. I'm also reading (in bits and pieces) Quilting Modern: Techniques and Projects for Improvisational Quilts by Jacquie Gering & Katie Pedersen.

UP NEXT

I hope to get to The Nowhere Girls by Amy Reed, a pile of picture books and hopefully, Front Desk by Kelly Yang.

PROGRESS ON MY READING GOALS

#MustReadIn2018 21/25 

#MustReadNFIn2018 6/12

#BigBookSummer 5/4 1 in progress

25 Books by Canadian Indigenous Authors 17/25 

Goodreads Reading Challenge 301/333