After a very, very long hiatus, summer reading is finally back! Check back periodically to read my book reviews as I read away the hazy hot and humid days of summer!
Deza Malone and her family struggle to return to normalcy after a tragic accident involving her father forces them to leave their home in Gary Indiana.
Topics/themes: families, African-Americans, the great depression, Joe Lewis (boxer), resilience, poverty, character development, alliteration, words
My two cents:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I’m happy to finally have had the opportunity to have read this book. It was recommended to me by a colleague shortly after it came out and I’m just getting around to it now.
As I’ve seen in many of Curtis’ books his characters rely on the strong relationships with family and friends. Deza and her family are smart and caring and were it not for the fact they are African-American and living during the Great Depression their story might be completely different. In his afterwards, Curtis talks about poverty in America today. This book could be a great springboard for conversations about education, and children, and the impact that poverty has on their lives.
Pair with:
Children of the Great Depression by Russell Freedman
The Great Unexpected by Sharon Creech. Realistic Fiction/Mystery/Folklore.
Naomi and Lizzie find their friendship tested when a body falling out of a tree turns out to be Finn, a boy who captures hearts. Meanwhile, across the ocean, Mrs. Kavanaugh and Miss Pilpenny discuss murder and plot revenge.
Recommended for: Grades 5 and up, discussing symbolism, discussing author’s craft and word choice, readers who like a bit of sadness, but not sobbing tear-jerkers, readers who like a mystery, readers who are able to trust a story, discussing characterization, discussing parallelism
My Two Cents: It was very hard to assign a genre to this book. In some respects it felt like a mystery… Who (or what) is Finn? What kind of devious revenge are the spinsters planning? In some respects this felt like folklore/fantasy… Is Finn a ghost? What’s with all of the crows (rooks)? Is there really fairy gold? I think though that this is mostly a story about relationships, which I think makes it fall best under realistic fiction. Reading the themes and content above you may get the impression that this is a dark depressing book, but in fact it is not.
For the many Sharon Creech fans out there, the writing won’t disappoint. She just has such a unique style that on every page I was delighted with her little gems of word choice. This was also a book I had a hard time putting down, for several reasons. Of course her word choice is incentive enough to keep reading, but I really loved Naomi, Lizzie, and all of the characters in the book. Naomi is down to earth and a little sarcastic (which I can always appreciate.) Lizzie is a little more needy and formal, and a chatterbox! They make an unusual pair, but when their friendship is tested you find yourself hoping that they will overcome the challenge. Finn is a charmer, and a mystery and the source of friction between the girls. The odd thing is that even after finishing the book he is still a mystery to me. The secondary characters in both Blackbird tree and “Across the Ocean” are just as interesting, each one with a unique quirk or personality.
This book could be challenging for some readers. It is the kind of book in which you have to have a little blind faith that the confusion at the beginning of the story will work itself out by the time you reach the end. That confusion was part of what kept me glued to this book. I kept reading because wanted to make sense of the story. Creech is masterful in the way that she reveals essential plot points little by little along the way. This could work as a read aloud, but might be difficult because of the way the dialog is written (at times,) and the Irish brogue.
Here is a short video in which Sharon Creech discusses The Great Unexpected:
Similar/Paired Books from EHUE Library:
Blashfield, Jean F. Ireland. New York: Children’s Press, 2002. Print.
Burns, Batt. The King with Horse’s Ears and Other Irish Folktales. New York: Sterling, 2009. Print.
De Valera, Sinéad. The Magic Gifts. Dublin, Ireland: Wolfhound Press, 2000. Print.
Doyle, Roddy. A Greyhound of a Girl. New York: Amulet Books, 2012. Print.
Krull, Kathleen. A Pot o’ Gold : a Treasury of Irish Stories, Poetry, Folklore, and (of course) Blarney. New York: Hyperion Books, 2009. Print.
Spilsbury, Richard, and Louise Spilsbury. A Murder of Crows. Chicago: Heinemann Library, 2003. Print.
White, Ruth. Way Down Deep. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2007. Print.
Favorite Quote: (There were so many it was hard to choose!)
“Her companion, Miss Pilpenny, recapped the pen. ‘Yes, Sybil, a fine and clever revenge.’
‘Shall we have a murder tonight?’
‘Indeed Sybil, splendid notion.’
‘And then perhaps a little jam and bread.'”
(Creech, Sharon. The Great Unexpected. New York: Joanna Cotler Books, 2012. 10. Print.)
The Final Word(s): Beautiful writing! Stick with it! 😀
The lives of three “dumpsite boys” become forever entwined when one day Raphael discovers a bag containing a wallet, a map, and a key. Soon all three are running from the police and desperately trying to solve the mystery of why the bag is so important to the authorities.
Themes/Content: Poverty, trash, waste, money, corruption, power, survival, courage, fear, friendship, education, codes, standards of living, character perspective, environment, greed
Recommended for: Grades 6 and up, readers who like dramatic stories, readers who like a lot of action, readers who like mystery, inquiry projects for social awareness or environmental issues, discussing character perspective
My Two Cents: When I choose a book to read I intentionally try to not know much about it. I rarely read the summaries or reviews before I read the book. It took me several chapters to realize I wasn’t reading dystopian science fiction. The conditions of squalor in which the characters live are so extreme, how could I think otherwise? Then I started thinking about my trip to Ghana several years ago, and I connected some of the scenes described in the book with some of the poverty stricken areas I had visited then. Here I confess that I broke out of my normal routine and skipped to the acknowledgements at the end. Mulligan said, “Behala dumpsite is based loosely on a place I visited whilst living in Manila.” Here is what he had to say about the book:
This book is definitely not for younger students, even though young children are the protagonists. The authorities are brutal with Raphael as they interrogate him. Rat (Jun-Jun) is completely alone in the world, living in the midst of filth and trash with the rats as company. Gardo takes the leadership role and gives the others strength. They all must take drastic measures just to survive in the harsh environment which surrounds them. The boys do find compassionate people who play a role is helping them solve the mystery. At first solving the mystery is a matter of survival, but eventually the boys realize that they are compelled to right a wrong that occurred before they were born.
This book will be eye-opening for those of our students who are born into a life of privilege. As we encourage our students to be more globally aware, Trash could be used to spark discussion about living conditions in developing countries and possibly as in impetus for our students to affect change. The book might also encourage students to learn more about the environmental impact of these very real sites.
Similar/Paired Books from EHUE Library:
Bailey, Gerry, and Felicia Law. Cowries, Coins, Credit. Minneapolis, Minn.: Compass Point Books, 2006. Print.
Bedford, Deborah J. Garbage Disposal. North Mankato, Minn.: Smart Apple Media, 2006. Print.
Bellamy, Rufus. Food for All. North Mankato, Minn.: Smart Apple Media, 2006. Print.
Clifford, Tim. Around the World with Money. Vero Beach, Fla.: Rourke Pub., 2009. Print.
Kent, Zachary. The Story of the Peace Corps. Chicago: Children Press, 1990. Print.
Ma, Yan, and Pierre Haski. The Diary of Ma Yan : the Struggles and Hopes of a Chinese Schoolgirl. New York: HarperCollins, 2005. Print.
Milway, Katie S. One Hen : How One Small Loan Made a big Difference. Toronto, ON: Kids Can Press, 2008. Print.
Povey, Karen D. Garbage. Detroit: KidHaven Press, 2006. Print.
Favorite Quote: “The absence of money is drought in which nothing can grow. Nobody knows the value of water until they’ve lived in a dry dry place- like Behala. So many people waiting for the rain.” (Mulligan, Andy. Trash. Oxford: David Fickling Books, 2010. 149. Print.)
Zoe and her family, who foster rescued Great Pyrenees dogs, hope that their furry friends will help the new boy next door find his voice.
Themes/Content: Family, courage, rescue dogs, mutism, Great Pyrenees dogs, writing, imagination, friendship, coping, patience, parrots, first person narratives
Recommended for: Grades 4 and up, dog lovers, read aloud, role models, Adopt a Shelter Pet Month (October)
My Two Cents: This is a heartwarming story for dog lovers everywhere. Zoe’s entire family serve as wonderful roles models. Her mother is passionate about rescuing unwanted dogs. Her father is a veterinarian. Her sister Alice has a vivid imagination and see everything through the lens of an author writing a story. Zoe is patient and courageous, especially when it come to her relationship with the new neighbor, Phillip.
Minor spolier alert: If you’re looking for high drama, this is not the book for you. There is just enough drama to to add a hint of danger. This is not a tear-jerker… no dogs die in this book.
This book would make a great read-aloud for any class. I would be the perfect choice for October, which is Adopt a Shelter Pet month. You could even tie in community service projects with the local animal shelter.
Nuzum, K A. The Leanin’ Dog. New York: Joanna Cotler Books, 2008. Print.
Paulsen, Jim, and Gary Paulsen. Road Trip. New York: Wendy Lamb Books, 2013. Print.
Favorite Quote: “We laughed and laughed so much that Kodi woofed at us, and the sun came out from behind a cloud creeping across the yard and up the steps to warm our feet.” (MacLachlan, Patricia. White Fur Flying. NY: Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2013. 47. Print.)
Fish Finelli: Seagulls Don’t Eat Pickles by E. S. Farber. Illustrated by Jason Beene. Mystery.
After making a bet with Bryce Billings, Norman “Fish” Finelli and his friends, Roger and T. J. set out to find the lost treasure of Captain Kidd. The boys worry when they realize the Mystery Man, and his equally mysterious partner, are also searching for the treasure.
Themes: Friendship, mystery, treasure, Captain Kidd, bullies, fishing, boating, ocean life, ghosts, pirates, trivia, imagination, first person narratives
Recommended For: Grades 4 and 5, readers who are interested in treasure, readers who like mysteries, teaching about characters’ traits, read aloud, readers who like trivia, “Talk Like a Pirate Day”
My Two Cents: This is a great mystery for fourth graders with plenty of opportunity for extension into other curricular areas. Fish, Roger and T. J. have vivid imaginations and distinctive character traits: Roger seems to be the practical joker in the group; T. J. is constantly snacking on something and Fish seems to be a walking encyclopedia. In fact, “Fish’s Fun Facts,” random bits of trivia associated with the story, are interspersed alongside of the text. I’ll have to admit though, T. J.’s constant snacking on sugary treats has me a bit concerned that he’s on the fast track to obesity, diabetes, or both.
There is just the right amount of silly dialog, gross-out humor and word play to make this book appealing to both girls and boys. Throughout the book Beene’s illustrations are black and white caricatures of the action. As the book ends it’s clear that this is the first in a series.
I would have liked Farber to include an author’s note at the end of the story, explaining which facts about Captain Kidd were historically accurate, and recommending additional resources. There is a discussion guide available from the publisher. “Talk Like a Pirate” day is Thursday, September 19th. This book would be a great way to work it into your class.
Similar/Paired Books from EHUE Library:
Avi. Windcatcher. New York: Avon Books, 1992. Print.
Bryant, Jennifer. Kaleidoscope Eyes. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2009. Print.
Cheshire, Simon. The Pirate’s Blood and Other Case Files. New York: Roaring Brook Press, 2011. Print.
Colfer, Eoin. Eoin Colfer’s Legend of– Captain Crow’s Teeth. New York: Miramax Books/Hyperion Books for Children, 2005. Print.
Dixon, Franklin W. The Twisted Claw. New York: Grosset & Dunlap, 1969. Print.
Harrison, David L. Pirates : Poems. Honesdale, Pa.: Wordsong, 2008. Print.
As penance for his actions, Julian Twerski’s English teacher, Mr. Selkirk, requires him to write about the event that caused his recent suspension from school. The project stretches through the school year as Julian avoids studying Shakespeare and avoids discussing the topic.
Themes/Content: Friendship, family, regret, bullying, writing, school, first person narratives, foreshadowing, Shakespeare, running (track), self image, Judiasm
My Two Cents: This is a compelling story, set in the late 1960’s, about a boy who knows he’s done something wrong, but doesn’t want to admit it. Each chapter chronicles another misadventure in which he tries to show that what he did to cause his suspension was not as bad as some of other things he has done in the past. Julian is a very likable character and even though he makes a lot of poor choices, he also makes his best effort to make amends. I can really relate to Julian because he communicates much better in writing than he does orally. As the story progresses you can see the writing on the wall (no pun intended) as he documents his conversations. You feel for him, when those conversations lead to misunderstandings.
The events in the story focus on Julian and his friends, all sixth graders. Consequently there is a lot of action revolving around sixth grade boys doing typical “sixth-grade-boy” things. There are dangerous stunts, and budding romances, and there is some language that you might expect from sixth graders out of earshot of adults. A few of the passages might not be appropriate for some readers, but as a whole the story is very appropriate for sixth graders.
This is a good book for teaching foreshadowing because you know something bad as happened but Julian skirts the issue, leaving the reader curious about what he did. As the story progresses, Goldblatt drops little bits and pieces of information that change your perspective about what has been written previously. The historical backdrop does not play a very big role in this story so I put this in the category of realistic fiction rather than historical fiction. I can recommend this a read-aloud for the right class, provided you are comfortable with the pubescent passages and text.
Similar/Paired Books from EHUE Library:
Aliki. William Shakespeare & the Globe. New York: HarperCollins, 1999. Print.
Buyea, Rob. Because of Mr. Terupt. New York: Delacorte Press, 2010. Print.
Canfield, Jack, and Mark Victor Hansen, Patty Hansen and Iren. Chicken soup for the preteen soul : 101 stories of changes, choices, and growing up for kids 9-13. New York: Scholastic, 2000. Print.
Clements, Andrew, and Mark Elliott. Trouble-maker. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2011. Print.
Preller, James. Bystander. New York, NY: Feiwel and Friends, 2009. Print.
Schmidt, Gary D. The Wednesday wars. New York: Clarion Books, 2007. Print.
Shakespeare, William, David S. Kastan, and Marina Kastan. William Shakespeare. New York: Sterling, 2000. Print.
Shakespeare, William, William Rosen, and Barbara Rosen. The tragedy of Julius Caesar : with new and updated critical essays and a revised bibliography. New York: Signet Classic, 1998. Print.
Favorite Quote: “Sometimes when you brace yourself for a storm, you get a gentle breeze. The storm only comes when you’re braced for nothing whatsoever.” (Goldblatt, Mark. Twerp. NY: Random House, 2013. 16. Print.)
Final Word(s): Julian’s an honest character. Read this one! 🙂
Life in the small town of Tupelo Landing, NC is pretty typical until trouble rolls into town in the form of Detective Joe Starr. Before long the town is buzzing with news of a murder and it’s up to Mo LoBeau and her friend Dale (a.k.a the Desperado Detectives) to crack the case.
Themes/Content: Detectives, murder, family, friendship, orphans, hurricanes, restaurants, first person narratives, kidnapping, voice, small town life, read aloud, NASCAR, humor, abuse, dialogue, word choice
Recommended for: Grades 5 and up, readers who like mystery, readers who like action and adventure, readers who like a funny story, read aloud, discussing word choice, reader’s theater
My Two Cents: Yet another terrific novel to add to my summer reading list! Turnage has concocted a cast with just the amount of quirkiness that you’d expect from a small town. Their names alone will catch your attention (Moses LoBeau, The Colonel, Miss Lana, Lavender Macon, Thessolonians…) All of the town seems to meet and eat in the “café” and you’ll get caught up in their sometimes-casual, sometimes-chaotic lives.
There are also serious aspects to the story, however. Mo has started a “message-in-a-bottle” campaign to find her “upstream mother” who lost Mo during a hurricane. There is also an actual murder, and kidnapping, and there are dangerous criminals in their midst. At times the story seem humorous and light only to turn introspective or dangerous. Turnage is able to successfully work these conflicting emotions into a believable and balanced tale.
Not only would this book make a wonderful read aloud, I think it would be an excellent choice when talking about word choice and author’s craft in writing.
Similar/Paired Books from EHUE Library:
Barnett, Mac. It happened on a train. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2011. Print.
Montgomery, Monte. Kid confidential : an insider’s guide to grown-ups. New York: Walker, 2012. Print.
Pullman, Philip. Two crafty criminals! : and how they were captured by the daring detectives of the New Cut Gang. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2012. Print.
White, Ruth. Way Down Deep. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2007. Print.
Favorite Quote: “Dale can choose not to worry like he chooses not to wear socks. Miss Lana says I have more of a Jack Russell brain. I think things apart for sport.” (Turnage, Sheila. Three times lucky. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers, 2012. 237. Print.)
Final Word(s): Three thumbs up! Great mystery, fun read! 😀
After his mother’s death, Jack Baker’s move from Kansas to a boarding school in Maine causes him to feel like a fish out of water. His relationship with his father is distant both physically and emotionally and when his father has to postpone his visit, Jack finds himself on an adventure with an eccentric classmate who is on a quest to find Pi.
Themes/Content: Friendship, family, Pi, Boarding schools, Polaris, death, Ursa Major, bears, navigation, math, rowing (crew), fathers and sons, WWII, Appalachian Trail, Maine, Billie Holiday, synonyms, similes, National Geographic Magazine, military, adventure, first person narratives, synesthesia, autism, quests
Recommended for: Grades 5 and up, students and adults, students who like math, students who like historical fiction, students who like adventure, discussing constellations or stars, discussion of Pi (as well as pie,) discussion of simile, read aloud, character study
My Two Cents: Clearly this has been the summer for reading some outstanding books, because Navigating Early is certainly another winner. I love it when an author combines such a unique storyline with such powerful characters. There are two story threads that entwine around each other. The first is the story of the friendship between Jack and Early. The second is the story of Pi, interpreted by Early who sees the story in the infinite decimals places of Pi. Pi’s story is paralleled in the quest that Jack and Early make as they navigate their way along the Appalachian Trail.
Vanderpool’s story is creative and smart and her characters are completely captivating. I laughed out loud at Jack’s sarcastic and slightly self-deprecating sense of humor. Early is outwardly confusing and eccentric, but as the story progresses we realize that internally, he has a much tighter grasp on reality than he communicates. (My opinion is that Early has a type of synesthesia although Vanderpool, in her author’s note, is not quite so specific.) Given his determination and quirkiness, Early reminds me of Owen Meany (A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving.)
There are a multitude of curricular tie-ins with this book and it would make an outstanding read aloud. I’m grateful that Vanderpool included “Pi: Fact or Fiction” in her author’s note. (If she hadn’t, rather than completing this book review right now, I’d be trying to calculate the digits of Pi.)
Similar/Paired Books from EHUE Library:
Buchan, Jamie. Easy as pi : the countless ways we use numbers every day. Pleasantville, NY: Reader’s Digest, 2009. Print.
Dowd, Siobhan. The London Eye mystery. Oxford: David Fickling Books, 2008. Print.
Mass, Wendy. A mango-shaped space : a novel. New York: Little, Brown, 2005. Print.
McCallum, Ann. Eat your math homework : recipes for hungry minds. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge, 2011. Print.
Neuschwander, Cindy. Sir Cumference and the dragon of pi : a math adventure. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge, 1999. Print.
Favorite Quote: (It was hard to pick just one.) “Connecting the dots. That’s what Mom said stargazing is all about. It’s the same up there as it is down here, Jackie. You have to look for the things that connect us all. Find the ways our paths cross, our lives intersect, and our hearts collide.” (Vanderpool, Clare. Navigating Early. New York: Delacorte Press, 2013. 291. Print.)
Final Word(s): A unique and amazing read! Love it! 😀
Eleanor’s awful August begins with the devastating news that Bibi, her babysitter, is moving far away. After Bibi leaves, everything reminds her of Bibi and makes her sad. Eleanor wonders how her life will ever be the same.
Themes/Content: Babysitters, friendship, change, family, coping, loss, novels in prose, first person
Recommended for: Primary grades, students with friends/relatives moving away, introducing prose novels
My Two Cents: This is a short, sweet book that makes the reader realize that the magnitude of a problem is in the eye of the beholder. To an adult, a friend moving away may seem like a minor loss compared to other situations, but to a third grader this is a great tragedy. Eleanor’s new babysitter handles the situation with compassion, not trying to step into Bibi’s shoes, but finding her own path into Eleanor’s heart.
Although the novel is written in free verse, there is not a lot of figurative language. This might be a good way to introduce free verse because the text is so direct. Cordell’s illustrations are on nearly every page and work well to draw attention to specific lines of the text. As much as I don’t like to stereotype a book, I think that this book will probably appeal more to girls than boys, and therefore might not be the best choice for a read aloud.
Similar/Paired Books in EHUE Library:
Bowe, Julie. My last best friend. New York: Scholastic, 2007. Print.
Bryant, Annie. Bad news/good news. New York: Aladdin Mix, 2008. Print.
Cabot, Meg. Moving day /#1. New York: Scholastic Press, 2008. Print.
Carbone, Elisa L. Starting school with an enemy. New York: Knopf, 1998. Print.
Danziger, Paula. Amber Brown is not a crayon. New York: Putnam’s, 1994. Print.
Krishnaswami, Uma. The grand plan to fix everything. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2011. Print.
Mattox, Wendy A. Babysitting skills : traits and training for success. Mankato, Minn.: Capstone Press, 2007. Print.
Sternberg, Julie. Like bug juice on a burger. 2013. Print.
Lonely, grieving and locked in an attic, Liesl is befriended by a ghost, Po and its pet, Bundle. An accidental mix-up by an alchemist’s apprentice, Will, soon has all of them entwined in a dangerous adventure as Liesl endeavors to return her father’s mortal remains to his final resting place.
Recommended for: Grade 5 and up; fantasy lovers, read aloud,
My Two Cents: I enjoyed this book so much, that I am having a hard time writing about it.I just won’t be able to do justice to Oliver’s clever and magical writing. I’d get that little “butterfly in the stomach” feeling as a read certain passages and marveled at how she chose her words. As I was reading I started taking pictures of the text with my phone so that I could remember some of my favorite passages.
You’ll have such empathy for the protagonists Liesl, Po, Bundle and Will, but my heart was stolen by Mo, the Lady Premiere’s guard.
Also worth mentioning… read the author’s note at the end of the book. I always do, but this one was truly touching and gave me even more appreciation for the story.
Similar Book from EHUE Library:
Auxier, Jonathan. Peter Nimble and his fantastic eyes : a story. New York: Amulet Books, 2011. Print.
Barrie, J M. Peter Pan. New York: Scholastic, 2002. Print.
Gaiman, Neil. The graveyard book. New York: HarperCollins, 2008. Print.
Nimmo, Jenny. Midnight for Charlie Bone. New York: Orchard Books, 2003. Print.
Favorite Quote: “This was the other problem with the living ones: They were separate, always separate. They couldn’t truly merge. They did not know how to be anyone other than themselves, and even that they did not know how to be sometimes.” (Oliver, Lauren. Liesl & Po. New York: Harper, 2011. 92. Print.)
Curiously Questioning 