The Big One has been spotted. The villagers are packing their gear to catch The Big One. Nana, the oldest elder, and Mina, the smallest villager, form a team to catch it. Do they have the grit and gumption to be successful?
I loved this book-the word choice, the figurative language, the detailed illustrations (many different perspectives). The end pages are creative/clever. I learned something too-- I had never heard of sea-wolves!
*Highly, highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
This book is #3 in a trilogy. I had to read it before #1 & #2 because of its ILL due date.
Nancy anticipates moving into the little silver house with her parents in May. The book, however, begins in February. From February through May, Nancy, her friends, and adults in her community assist her in discovering more information about the little silver house and its previous owners. Mysteries abound. Through letter writing and inquiring of adults in the area, Nancy and her friends discover interesting stories and piece together the tidbits for a delightful story.
Some inclusions that I liked-Alex can't walk and is confined to a wheelchair. He is not defined by his handicap. Nancy & Alex are homeschooled-before this method of schooling was popular.
I loved learning about the Swedish culture through the grandmother.
As I read this book, I pondered if children living now would appreciate this book. It does not address serious issues (except Alex has a back surgery, from which he could die.). Everything works out perfectly/predictably. Everyone is kind and good. The character development is somewhat flat. I enjoyed the story but am not sure how children born in this era will respond to it. Stories have changed. Our expectations have been trained to what is being published now.
This book is priced at $999.99 or $498 on Amazon!
-Borrowed via ILL
Another book recommended by Abigail Dodds on the Home Fires podcast
Mark recounts a summer day helping his grandmother and extended family at their seaside food stand. After they close the stand for the day, his grandmother takes him on night boat ride for an encounter with moonjellies.
Based on a true event from the author's childhood
I love the depiction of a family working hard together. The word choice & incorporation of the senses immerse the reader into this seaside, summer day.
I would have loved more pages/words spent on the moonjelly encounter. When I started reading the book, I thought I would be experiencing an extended interaction with Mark and the moonjellies. Instead it was one page.
The pastel illustrations are not my preference.
*Highly recommend for the robust depiction of family working together and celebration of the ordinary.
-Borrowed via ILL. However, initially no libraries in my state were fulfilling my request. So I pre-ordered it (Purple House Press is republishing it). The day I pre-ordered it, I found out a library had shipped it to my library. So I read a library copy. After June 1st I will own it.
After observing his grandfather write a haiku, Kiyoshi asks him where poems come from. His grandfather, Eto, suggests they take a walk. Through the encounters on this walk, Kiyoshi learns how poems are inspired.
I would use this book when introducing poetry to elemenatary-age students and when learning about haiku.
-Borrowed from the library.
-a Caldecott Honor Book -1984
I love this retelling of the Brothers Grimm tale becaue of the illustrations! Ms. Hyman's attention to detail whisks the reader into the world she has created. I loved the abundant flowers, cats/kittens slinking and tumbling on the pages, the cozy clutter in the homes, and the borders. Seeing the rumbled rug at Grandmother's front door reinforced how Ms. Hyman's goal seems to be to create realistic scenes.
*Highly recommend.
Considerations: This story is by the Brothers Grimm. . .so there will be some gruesome details- like the wolf eating Grandmother and Little Red Riding, the huntsman killing the wolf with a knife and slicing him open. Children may find it creepy or odd that Grandmother and Little Red step out of the wolf, whole & unharmed. A warning was glued to the front of this library book about wine (Little Red delivers wine to her sick grandmother) and how CA & FL challenged this book because it seem to be promoting alcohol to minors (in 1990).
-Borrowed from the library.
Readers will learn about the complicated process of creating a rug in this picture book. An Iranian boy and his grandmother make a Persian rug together (from wool prepping to dying to weaving). The subject matter fascinated me. When children are learning about weaving, the Middle East, or Iranian culture, this book would be perfect to share.
-Borrowed from the library.
Clara loves her eccentric family. However, when her former fiancee threatens to utilize their pecularities and past for his gain, Clara immerses her days in trying to keep them out of the public eye. They do not need another family member instutizalized! Life becomes more complicated when a stranger arrives at her grandfather's clock shop looking for work. Can he be trusted? Clara is forced to form a relationship with him when her grandfather flies off into the London skies on his flying owl machine. He leaves clues for her to engage in a scavenger hunt all over Europe. A villian pursues them. Can Clara save her family's reputation?
A whimisical, fun, adventurous book A book that celebrates family, redeemption, and a trust in God I loved it!
*Highly recommend. I would feel comfortable recommending this book to a teen girl.
-Borrowed from the library.
While visiting his family in Palestine (Israel), Ali helps them harvest olives from his favorite tree, Hilwa. During his stay, he learns about the myriad of gifts Hilwa bestows on the family.
A sweet, multi-generational story set in a region not often featured in children's books.
Discussion: How the author calls the region Palestine, not Israel
-Borrowed from the library.
This book is recommend in Soul School by Amber O'Neal Johnston.
Tamika loves spending time with her grandfather-listening to his stories, taking talk-walks, and watching him perform in plays at the local theater. His face and expressions proclaim that he loves her, even when he is scolding her. One day she witnesses him practicing his lines in front of the mirror. His face and eyes are cold-full of hatred. What if he looked at her with that face one day? Tamika withdraws and misbehaves until Grandpa takes her on a talk-walk.
A sweet story featuring the unique relationship between a grandparent and grandchild
-Borrowed from the library.
Below are a few books featured/recommended in Soul School, which I recently reviewed. I borrowed all these books from the library. I do not "highly recommend" all of these books. Please read carefully.😀
1. Saving the Day by Karyn Parsons illustrated by R. Gregory Christie
In rhyme, Ms. Parsons shares Garrett Morgan's childhood and his idea for the traffic signal. She imagines a story to highlight his invention. She also reveals he that invented many other helpful objects but only shares one other device-a gas mask.
I loved reading about Dexter Foreman, homeschooled by his grandmother and her elderly friends at The Pines retirement village. Because she has not filed any paperwork all of these years, a truancy officer arrives and requires Dexter to attend Wolf's Eye Middle School as a seventh grader. Initially Dexter hates it there. The building is falling apart (He cannot resist fixing things, even a collapsed step.); the kids' education is inferior. Then his wish comes-he is expelled from the school. Suddenly he is a celebrity. The kids, who prior would not interact with him, demand he returns. Chaos abounds at Wolf's Eye Middle School. Will Dexter choose to stay home or return to public school?
I loved Dexter's elderly friends and how they taught him with excellence. I also loved how the author forms friendships with unlikely ages-the elderly and the middle schoolers. The author points out the quality education Dexter received at "home" but also emphasizes the importance of Dexter being with kids his own age.
The chapters are told from many different perspectives. The perspectives are repeated throughout the story.
Considerations: middle school drama, catty, petty middle school behavior/friendships, Dexter's only friend from his childhood who is his age, shows up, looking very pretty-he notices, discuss homeschool vs. public school,an elderly friend passes away, the ending is a bit dramatic and not quite credible
A young girl relates how much she loves spending two weeks at her grandmother's house. Spending two weeks crafting, baking, playing, acting out stories is glorious! This day, however, Grandma thirsts for a cup of quiet. Exiting the house, they find a quiet spot in the back yard where the girl collects sounds of nature in her imaginary cup. Grandma drinks deeply and is refreshed.
A delightful book I especially like that it features a Black family with no mention of race.
-Borrowed from the library.
Two different years- 2017 & 2019
Two different characters-Mukesh, an elderly widower who grieves over his wife constantly, and Aleisha, a seventeen-year-old who feels trapped in her own home with her mentally-ill mother
What joins these two characters together? A library and books
Aleisha works at the local library in Wembly, London. She dreads her job until she finds The List. Someone had taken the time to write a list of books to read with the welcoming introduction, "Just in case you need it . . ." As Aleisha reads through these novels, she finds peace and companionship. She also develops friendship with Mukesh as she suggests these books to him and then follows up with discussion. An unlikely friendship develops.
This story was compelling and realistic. I found reading about a main character with an African Hindu background interesting. I also liked the ending. I reread the prologue after I finished. It made more sense then. My favorite character was Mukesh. One character left me feeling so sad and wishing he could have been saved from his turmoil.
What was on "The Reading List"? To Kill a Mockingbird, Rebecca, The Kite Runner, Life of Pi, Pride and Prejudice, Little Women, Beloved, and A Suitable Boy.
Considerations: some swearing (including "f"), Aleisha gives someone the middle finger, underage drinking & drug use, a main character's family member commits suicide during the story, mental-illness
I would like to read Ms. Adams's newest novel, The Twilight Garden. It seems like another novel that focuses on relationships.
-Borrowed from the library.
Redeemed Reader reviewed this book and gave it a starred review.
Even though the Emancipation Proclamation freed Will's family, they still do not own their land as they spend their days as sharecroppers. When Will's father brings home a pamphlet announcing the opportunity for free land in OK, the family decides to leave Texas for Oklahoma. During the arduous journey, Will's relationship with his reticent father transforms. Fending off thieves, facing racism, fending off rattlesnakes, eduring long, boring days and befriending a former Union soldier (Caesar), Will becomes a young man with his own identity.
An exciting coming-of-age story This engaging historical fiction novel brings the Oklahoma Land Rush to life. Highly recommend having your children read it when studying this period of history
Finally, a historical fiction with a male main character which will appeal to boys. So many historical fiction books target girls!
Warnings/discussion for sensitive readers or younger readers: racism, violence-Western fist fights and gun battles, When Will stakes out his family's land, he encounters a group of men who want to steal his plot from him. Will threatens to kill them with Caesar's Colt and realizes that he is capable of killing another man, which goes against his father's principles. He grapples with this person he is becoming.
*Highly recommend for grades 4 and older.
-Borrowed from the library.
After the Civil War, six orphan cousins find refuge and a home at their grandparents' farm in Maine. This collection of humorous, entertaining stories transports the reader to a time where hard work and problem-solving were the norm. I loved reading how resourceful and confident children were during this time period.
I was disappointed to learn that these stories were "quasi-autobiographical". They are based on some true events in C.A. Stephens's life. Despite this disappointment, I know that they accurately depict what rural life was like and what the mindset of the people was like during the late 19th century.
My ninth grader read this book last year. When he heard that I was finally reading it, he commented that he should reread it. I agree with him. It is a story I would read again!
*Highly recommend.
-I own this book.
I love this author/illustrator.
The story lines are simple but promote imagination and delight in the every day. Some extra appeals-that each book focuses on the boy's relationship with his granddad, the stacks of books, the meals/teas they share.
The boy and his granddad cat sit and attend a wild cat party. In the next book they help a bird and finally find a place where he will remain. Both are from his Nature Quartet.
**Highly, highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
What a delightful set of books!
In each book the main character, a boy (1st person narration) and his grandfather venture outside for an adventure. Each book ends with, "I hope it ____ again tomorrow.". I love the grandfather-grandson relationship depiction and the value of imagination. The coverings are stunning and creative.
**Highly, highly recommend all of them.
At age fourteen Eva finally meets her British grandmother, who lives in a manor house. She and Frankie, grandson & son of the staff members, share a belief in fairy tales and other worlds. When she views her grandmother roaming the manor grounds at night, she follows her and discovers portals into a world where her grandmother was "once a queen".
Beautifully written and captivating! I cannot wait to read the sequel Once a Castle which is being published on Feb. 11, 2025. Although I highly recommend it and loved it, I felt like something missing with the character development. I wanted to know the characters better.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
The Reagan family serves NYC in various roles-Police Commissioner, detective, Assistant D.A., and a beat cop. This Catholic family bonds over Sunday night dinners. The grandfather, a former Police Comissioner, adds humor to the conversation. I love how this series celebrates family.
*Highly recommend for adults. Proceed with caution with teens. Not suitable for younger than high school. See warnings.
Warnings: murder/violence,drug use, sometimes cases take the investigators/police in questionable places (usually you can tell when & can fast forward/turn eyes), whenever the Reagan family is relaxing or meeting together, they usually drink some sort of alcohol (not getting drunk)
-Borrowed from the library.
Ms. Archer is an amazing collage artist. The reader can gaze and marvel at just the illustrations. Each page is a piece of art. The story is engaging and endearing. Daniel meets his grandfather in the park. When his grandfather asks, "What's new, Daniel?", Daniel dashes around the park, investigating the surprises spring has persuaded to emerge. As I read, I smiled and thought about my own delights over spring this year.
**Highly, highly recommend.
Point to discuss: Rock tells Daniel that it has been soaking up the sun for a million years.
-Borrowed from the library.
