Sunday, February 10, 2013

Lots to Love This Week


It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a kidlit meme hosted by Jen and Kellee at TEACH.MENTOR.TEXTSHead over to find plenty to choose from!  Plus, there is a terrific meme hosted by Sheila at BOOK JOURNEYS that offers more reviews of all kinds of books, adult and children.  Bookstores must be thrilled to see so many readers!

         I had the pleasure of reading some wonderful books this week.  Many of you have read them, because that's how I found out about them, and then got them at my library.  We are lucky to have libraries!  

          "Nutrimentum spiritus (food for the soul)."  ~Berlin Royal Library, inscription



            I just returned from the CCIRA - the Colorado Chapter of the International Reading Association conference, and wanted to share one link of the many pieces of information I found during the 3 days.  I spoke a long time with some on the learning side of National Geographic, who have a new program you should see.  I have always loved their lessons, and they are now producing all kinds of approaches to non-fiction.  I hope you can look here!   

                               The Reader – by Amy Hest, illus. by Lauren Castillo
             When reading this book, one loves it even more because it’s about books, children and dogs, snow, and reading!  It’s hard to describe actually.  Other than those things mentioned, I loved that the story was all outside, and wondered if we’d ever find out when the reading came in, and it did, in a lovely surprise, toward the end.  The illustrations are bright and happy, seem like old-fashioned illustrations from long ago.
Ninth Ward – by Jewell Parker Rhodes
          It took a while to get started with the book, but sometime about page 50, I got really nervous, hoping that ending wouldn’t disappoint.  It did not.  The main character Lanesha lives with Mama YaYa, an older woman who has taken Lanesha as her daughter.  She was the mid-wife at Lanesha’s birth, but her mother.  Both have what might be called “second sight”, and there is one thread that follows Lanesha as “different”, different eyes, sees ghosts, and so on.  She has no friends. The plot is driven around Hurricane Katrina coming, then arriving, in addition to relationships, and a story of community and friendship.  The writing is good! I especially loved two parts, the exciting description of the hurricane and one part at the end.  Here is a brief quote from the hurricane:  “The house shakes, teetering, in the wind and rain’s violent game.  Dodgeball.  Tug-of-war.  Shakes, sways, and I swear, it’s going to fall…fall, fall, fall over.  Down.  The bed is rattling, creeping across the floor like it grew feet.”  And then toward the end of the book:  “What is it that makes laughter feel so good?  I think I must remember this moment.  When I am in trouble again, when life surprises me, I should laugh.”  One could say that the book is rather a Pollyanna treatment of the Katrina disaster, but in the midst of that terrible time, there were stories of those who survived terrible circumstances.  And it is good for everyone, including children, to hear about those stories too. 
                                      Z is for Moose – by Kelly Bingham, pictures by Paul O. Zelinsky
           This is the happiest book, one that will tell others that mistakes can be made, but it will be okay if people are patient and kind.  Dear Moose is so excited to be in the book, but he gets carried away and manages to invite himself to each letter, sometimes jumping right into the picture, and sometimes just peeking and asking, “is it time yet?”  The surprises in store for us the reader, and for Moose, are just delightful, and even the inside cover gives a little taste of the chuckly sense of humor to come.  I can’t wait to read this aloud to a group of young students! 

                                      Nightsong – by Ari Berk, illustrations by Loren Long
          A beautiful book of imagination and very little color, but the words and that sweet little bat Chiro are all it needs.  “The music of the land rose up in all of its many textures, each tree, each cliff, each place he’s passed, until finally the song of home added its voice to the others.” Chiro needs to move out into the world from his mother’s arms, to “listen” to his own voice, and his mother sends him.  Like young human children, he ventures forth, even further than told, and has quite an adventure.  It’s great!


 NEXT:  Must finish Book Love by Penny Kittle, just starting Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson, and, a gft from a friend, Twelve Kinds of Ice by Ellen Bryan Oded and Barbara McClintock.

32 comments:

  1. You read some great books. You are the second person who has put Nightsong on their blog. I'm going to have to find this one. I'm also going to look for Book Love because I've heard a lot of talk about it. Hope you enjoy Hattie Big Sky. I can't wait for the next one!

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    1. Thanks Stacey, Book Love is truly wonderful, like her other book, but I've been busy with many things, so it's taken a while. I'm sure I'll return to it again & again. Nightsong is wonderful!

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  2. I'm quite excited to have Book Love on order, can't wait to begin reading... Nightsong looks adorable. Ninth Ward looks quite interesting... Happy reading this week!

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  3. I just added The Reader to my library list, and like you, I need to finish Book Love (I think this is the third week I've said that so I'm really going to have to do it.) Thanks for the recommendations!

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    1. I guess there's just too much to read, right? I know that I will return to Book Love again & again, so it's okay to go slowly! Thanks!

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  4. NIghtsong and Ninth Ward are going on my TBR list. Great reading week! Enjoy Book Love, it is a great book.

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    1. Thanks Andrea. Hope you enjoy those two as much as I did.

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  5. Hi Linda, I just started Hattie, also. Since we have ANOTHER snow day, I should get pretty far...I have seen the Reader but haven't picked up--need to do that-- and Moose looks like a fun alphabet book. I think I'll be spending some time with National Geographic, as well. Thanks for all that you share!

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    1. You are welcome, Melanie, & thank you. I was so excited about the National Geographic books!

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  6. Beautiful books! I enjoyed Ninth Ward, was in love with Z is for Moose. Hattie is fabulous, Twelve Kinds of Ice is quietly beautiful, and Book Love is affirming. Have a great week!

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    1. Thanks Katherine, you too! Looks as if we enjoy many of the same kinds of books!

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  7. I loved Hattie Big Sky and can't wait for the sequel. I just put Nightsong, Z is for Moose and The Reader on my TBR list. Book Love is on my wish list because I have heard so many good things about it. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. I hope I can get well into Hattie today. I've put it off way too long. Thanks Kristen!

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  8. Hi Linda, I have to catch up with my blog-visits - I've been swamped by a thousand and one things, I haven't had a chance to say hello. I'm so glad to see a lot of familiar titles here. I am glad that you enjoyed Z is for Moose and Nightsong - both my favorite Cybils nominee from 2012. The Reader reminds me so much of our books about books theme, you know how I love love love those. I received Ninth Ward as a book prize several years back but haven't had a chance to read through it yet. Sounds promising though - good to hear your thoughts about it. :) I've been hearing so much about Book Love, we don't have that title here yet in our libraries, will definitely recommend it. :)

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    1. Wow, Myra, thanks for all your responses! I appreciate each one. These three picture books are treasures, for sure! And I too would like to purchase each & every one of the books about books. I loved the theme when you did it. Have a great week!

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  9. So many interesting and intriguing books to explore! I need another blizzard or two...and not in the Dairy Queen way. Thanks for the ideas. I'm starting to stock up for grandson and some homeschoolers I work with.

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    1. Nice to have a stack for grandson. I think my older granddaughter will love Z is for Moose, & later Nightsong. Thanks Donna! Yes, snowed in does help with the reading! I thought of you today, too, when I finished Twelve Kinds of Ice. The author grew up in, & also now lives in Maine. I think you will love it!

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  10. I was just thinking that I need to start reading a professional book a week in addition to my kid lit. Book Love has been at the top of my amazon wish list since September! I've been waiting for someone to read it with, because I know I'm going to want to talk about it. I think it's time I hit "order," even it it's gonna be a solo reading experience.

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    1. A few of us bloggers read Write Beside Them together & it was wonderful. We tried with Book Love, but I had too much going on to keep up then. If you can find someone here, it would be great!

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  11. Linda - Great titles! I read Hattie Big Sky just last month and yes, all that fuss and hype is well deserved. What a story! Hope you enjoy it! Z is for Moose was a very pleasant surprise for me. Such fun. It sits in our favourite books bin in my classroom and I frequently see the children sitting with it and giggling! Enjoy your reading this week!

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    1. Thanks Carrie. I am looking forward to Hattie, & that moose is priceless!

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  12. I love the Berlin library quote. As another lover of libraries, I recently interviewed the wonderful children's librarian at my favorite local library -- she was chosen "Person of the Year" for the community, and I just had to publicize that!

    http://www.ilovelibraries.org/childrens-librarian-april-hayley-named-san-anselmos-2012-person-year

    I can't wait to read THE READER and find out about the surprise at the end.

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    1. I will check out your interview; what a lovely idea, & how great that she is the 'person of the year'. Must have made her so happy!

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  13. Ah! I read Z is for Moose this week as well- oops!
    Thank you for sharing what you learned at CCIRA.

    Happy reading this week! :)

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    1. Thanks Kellee. That Z is for Moose is just delightful-makes me laugh like the Elephant and Piggie books.

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  14. What a great list, all new to me. I must find Z is for Moose, sounds like a great read aloud as you said.

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    1. Yes, it's great. I imagine little ones everywhere looking and looking! Thanks!

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  15. So much fun, Linda! I really love The Reader. I read it recently and it was so magical for me. I also think Nightsong looks great. The Artwork looks meticulous. I have to say that Z is for Moose wasn't my favorite...not sure why but it didn't do well in our house.

    Have a great week! <3

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    1. Everyone likes different things, makes things interesting doesn't it? I'm glad you liked The Reader. I thought it was just the sweetest story. Thanks Jen.

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  16. I have to check out The Reader and Ninth Ward. I love finding out books I hadn't heard of before. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by. I hope you find and like them!

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