Sunday, April 19, 2015

It's Monday - Books & Poetry too





Link up with Jen at TeachMentorTexts and Kellee and Ricki at UnleashingReaders. and Sheila at Book Journeys.  Come visit, and tweet at #IMWAYR. Thanks to Jen, Kellee, and Ricki for hosting!

          Some of us are sharing on twitter with the hashtag #DigiPoetry, created by Margaret Simon, of Reflections on The Teche.You're welcome to join us. And be sure to find other Poetry Month offerings rounded up by Jama Rattigan at Jama's Alphabet Soup.  I've been writing haiku and related poems every day except yesterday when I added my line to Irene Latham's Progressive Poem. Irene blogs at Live Your Poem, has published adult poetry, children's poetry books and middle grade novels.  Be sure to check her website. Each of us add a line throughout the month. It's like reading a short story, bit by bit-much fun!


18)  
like sunshine in spring,
crackling fire in the evening -
books warm us, too.

 Linda Baie © All Rights Reserved





The Road - written by Cormac McCarthy
          This is a re-read for me. I just finished reading it with a book group who had a wonderful experience examining the premise of a post-apocalyptic story that is both dark and loving. There is a moment when everyone needs to begin asking what will one do in extreme circumstances. Will one become one of the “good guys” in one’s need for survival? This was a main question of concern, along with the relationship between the man and the boy (father and son), the wonder of how far can one endure hardship. It was a learning experience for us all.

The Boy In The Black Suit - written by Jason Reynolds
           Matt, a sixteen year old boy in NYC, has just lost his mother to cancer, and Daisy Miller was his life. His dad is a good guy too, but the early part of the book includes how she was, words she said to Matt, etc. Although she has passed, it took nearly the whole story for Matt to let her go. Matt lands in the most unlikely of places for a job, a funeral home. His neighbor across the street, Ray, is the owner of the funeral home, and takes Matt under his wing plus gives him a job. The job involves simply setting up flowers and the dining room for "after', but Matt insists he needs to be "at" the funerals, although doesn't tell anyone why. Through this job, the challenge of keeping his dad upbeat after he's hit by a car, meeting and falling in love with his first girlfriend, Matt comes to some conclusions. Those you'll have to read after getting your own book. It's an easy, down-to-earth read, poignant, funny, and satisfying.

IN - written and illustrated by Nikki McClure
           There is so much to do IN side, especially in one’s pajamas, with large baskets and a tiny giraffe, with looking out windows, and on. But then there’s rain, and it’s fun to be OUTside in it, running and sliding into puddles. This simple story is fun for younger children, reminds me of the older picture books that used only one color plus black and white. The illustrations are big and bold, full of action like the little boy who’s IN and OUT.

Red Knit Cap Girl and the Reading Tree - written and illustrated by Naoko Stoop
         I know so many raved about this book, but I just never got to it. Now I’m glad I did. It’s such a whimsical story of a little girl with a “red knit cap” and her friend, the rabbit who are shown a special place by a squirrel, and the visitors begin to show up. The place is a tree nook, where each begins to share books to read, but also other things they are especially talented to offer, like wool blankets from the sheep and a hewn shelf from the beaver. The book’s sweet and bold color illustrations help tell the story of the importance of reading and of working together.

Elsie’s Bird - written by Jane Yolen and illustrated by David Small
             With Jane Yolen’s beautiful story of a girl and her father moving to the Nebraska prairie from Boston and David Small’s illustrations that show each location in its own beauty, we have a story to relish. Elsie finds the prairie too quiet, so stays inside with her canary, Timmy Tune, singing to him and listening to his songs too. When Timmy escapes, Elsie is forced to go out into the grasses, down to the creek to find him, and that is when she realizes that the prairie offers beautiful sights and sounds too. It’s a lovely story, will be a good one to talk about moving and change with young children.

Fly Free - written by Roseanne Thong and illustrated by Enjin Kim Neilan

         With a dream-like quality of pictures, Neilan helps Rosanne Thong tell this lovely story of a young girl, Mai, who wishes to free the birds at market. She does a good deed, which is passed on, then passed on again. I’m reminded of the ‘pay it forward’ movement, and the back matter explains the importance of kindness coming full circle. It’s a lovely story that makes one want always to turn the next page to see the next kind deed.

NEXT: I've started All The Bright Places and also just finally received my hold of Dreaming In Indian.  I might alternate between the two. 

26 comments:

  1. I've considered reading The Boy In The Black Suit, but it looks so depressing, and I am looking more for upbeat books these days.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It actually isn't so depressing, Karen. Although Matt struggles mightily with missing his mother, the story is also about his relationships with the funeral guy and with having a girlfriend. It's about loving life despite the loss. Thanks for sharing.

      Delete
  2. Yikes! I haven't read any of these! Not even THE ROAD! And I feel like there is not going to be much reading until school's out! This is such a crazy time of year! I love your metaphor-- sun, fire, and books. So true!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Carol. I know, just that little bit of reading before bed! So busy here at the end. Hope you have a good week!

      Delete
  3. I didn't know about Elsie's Bird, Linda. I'll have to find it. Thanks--and I love your haiku!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Jane. Elsie's bird is beautiful, & about the prairie which you'll love, I think.

      Delete
  4. I loved Elsie's Bird. I also thought it would be a good mentor text to focus on sensory details--especially sound. I loved the contrast between Yolen's descriptions of city and prairie sounds.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Very true, Kay. It is certainly a beautiful book that I hadn't seen before. Thanks!

      Delete
  5. I will have to grab The Boy in the Black Suit. I really enjoyed When I Was the Greatest! Oh, All the Bright Places. So good. Thanks for sharing. Have a great week! ~Megan
    http://wp.me/pzUn5-2iT

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I need to read When I Was The Greatest, too, Megan, so many good ones available! Thanks!

      Delete
  6. Great books! I can never get enough Jane Yolen, and that is one I have not yet read. Will have to check it out.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is a lovely find, Katie. I hope you enjoy it, too. Thanks.

      Delete
  7. My husband has told me not to go near The Road because it will not be my kind of book. I'm trusting his judgement, but it seems like everyone who has read it is blown away by it. I've got The Boy in the Black Suit on my to read list along with All The Bright Places. I'm wondering about the latter as it is sold as a children's book, yet my readers here at our school tell me it should be on the Grade Seven shelf.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. McCarthy is a beautiful writer, but that said, this book is pretty dark. I think All The Bright Places is not for children, definitely YA, Cheriee. Thanks.

      Delete
  8. I just started The Boy in the Black Suit. I love Jason Reynolds's voice.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He just makes the characters so likable, doesn't he? I found the voice/story refreshing. Hope you enjoy it, Beth.

      Delete
  9. The Boy in the Black Suit is on my must read list. I loved the Reynolds's work I read this year, so I know I will like this one as well. His voice is so strong.

    Happy reading this week! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Kellee, it was a good story. I'm looking forward to reading more by Reynolds.

      Delete
  10. I want to get to The Boy in the Black Suit also. I have enjoyed his other books. Have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Crystal, hope you like it. Have a terrific week, too.

      Delete
  11. I keep picking up The Boy in the Black Suit and then putting it down. I bought When I Was the Greatest, I need to read that. I'll try to hold off buying until I get the other one read. Sometimes that's hard to do!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I bought both, & somehow this one appealed more to me, will try When I Was The Greatest this summer I guess. I know what you mean, I have a bunch of others already that I need to get to. Thanks, Michele.

      Delete
  12. Love your list this week. I have read both of Jason Reynolds books - fantastic! So many books but this author needs to be on our radar. Happy reading and writing this week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Carrie, I still need to read When I Was The Greatest, am sure I will like it!

      Delete
  13. Great reviews, I haven't read any of those and you made me want to read every single one!

    ReplyDelete
  14. We are coming up with a bibliography of tree-themed stories and the Red Knit Cap picturebook has been mentioned. I look forward to finding it and reading it very soon.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for visiting!