Sunday, September 9, 2012

Good Books Make My Days

Jen and Kellee host this kidlit meme at TEACH.MENTOR.TEXTS.  If you want to read about good books, come look.
          It's Monday! What are you Reading? is another meme hosted by Sheila at BOOK JOURNEYS where many others share all kinds of books they are reading.
If you’re on Twitter, use the hashtag #IMWAYR when sharing your link!

Dead End In Norvelt by Jack Gantos
       I listened to Jack Gantos read this, his Newbery winner that treats history like a winner, too. It took me a while to enter into the story, but I soon realized the deeper meaning Gantos was telling us readers. It's a coming of age, pay-attention-to-the-past, crazy story about a boy named Jack, his neighbor down the road charged by Eleanor Roosevelt herself to take care of the town and Jack's Parents so at odds with each other, but still so loving. Spicy mixtures make good stories, and this will make the taste buds tickle.

Anne Frank, The Anne Frank House Authorized Graphic Biography by Sid Jacobson and Ernie Colon
       It's hard to believe one can like a book that offers information I've already known. This graphic story brings everyone to life differently, from the artist's view, and I loved how each frame revealed another aspect of this family's story, and also more about Anne. A favorite book is still the one by Miep Gies, who served as the link to the outside, but this is now number two.


The Old Man & His Door by Gary Soto,  and illustrated by Joe Cepedia

         I found this book in the school library while looking for another one. Like other times, it's the author's name who caught my eye.  When I see the name Gary Soto, I know it'll be a long day of reading. In this whimsical book there is a big mistake in communication because of two Spanish words being so close to one another.  Instead of bringing el puerco (a pig) to a picnic as his wife told him, he brought la puerta, a door.  The book, with a few Spanish words added in, show an old man taking the door on his back and includes the clever ways that the door comes in handy, thus the old man's wife is not angry, but pleased about the door.  It's funny and clever.
Reviewed last Wednesday.
       
Next

Smile by Raina Telgemeier and finish Choice Words by Peter H. Johson

                                                                          
                                                        Thanks Jen and Kellee for hosting!


27 comments:

  1. Hi there Linda, I'm glad to read your thoughts about Jack Gantos' Newbery Medal book as people seem to either love it or hate it. I'm very intrigued, hopefully I get to read it soon. Right now, I'm torn in so many places as I just borrowed quite a number of books from our library for our next bimonthly theme, and I soo wish I could find the time to read all of them! They look good enough to eat! :) Will post about this on Sunday next week when we officially launch Books about Books. :)

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    1. Thank Myra. I'm looking forward to your new theme. The Gantos book was interesting & perhaps I liked it because he read it, too.

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  2. Poop Happened - one of my students' favorite books. :) And congrats on winning Annie and Helen. It was a beautiful book.

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    1. So glad to hear that your students like that book. I have now lent it to a colleague with lots of 10 year olds. They also are studying civilizations so should find it both hilarious & interesting. Thanks, Katherine.

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  3. I just purchased Poop Happened - made for sixth graders! The Anne Frank book looks so interesting - a unique perspective, I think. Like Myra, I've heard mixed things about the Gantos book, which means it's time for me to read it myself!

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    1. I'll look forward to seeing what happens with your sixth graders! I really enjoyed the book's content. Loved the art in the Anne Frank book. Thanks, Tara.

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  4. Nice to see what you are reading, Linda! I have started "Three Times Lucky" -- have you read it? The narrator's voice is great.

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    1. ThreeTimes Lucky is on my list-glad to hear another recommendation, Tabatha.

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  5. I think you are really going to enjoy Smile. My son has been re-reading that one every few days since we got it in August. He listed it as his favorite book on his back-to-school profile.

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    1. Thanks Katya. Your son & his story is what added it to the top of the list!

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  6. I'm looking forward to reading (or probably listening to, based on all the excellent reviews) Dead End. He narrated one of his stories from Guys Read: Funny Business and it was so outrageously crazy, we were wiping laughter induced tears from our eyes. I just finished the Annie Sullivan/Helen Keller GN and thought is was great and I even learned some new things . . . the Anne Frank one sounds similar in that way.

    Lorna

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    1. Yes, I did learn too, Lorna. I'll look for thr Helen Keller book. Thanks- hope you enjoy Norvelt.

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  8. Let's try this again. I have Dead End, but have not had a chance to read it yet. I'm curious about the mixed feelings. I'm not familiar with Gary Santos, so I will look for this book. It sounds like a great read.

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    1. Dead End is just different enough that at first you're just not too sure you like any of the characters, but they sneak up on you via the shenanigans of each one. & don't forget, it's Gary Sota, a current writer, lives in CA-thanks!

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    2. Sorry, I got it wrong, too. It's Gary Soto!

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  9. I'm going to have to get Poop Happened!

    I was one of those who didn't really enjoy Dead End. Just wasn't my thing.

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    1. Dead End is certainly a quirky book, Maria. But Poop happened was as fun for me as I imagine it will be for a variety of his. Thanks.

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  10. Thanks for the tip about the twitter hashtag. It's fun to be part of the group, and see all the great books everyone is reading. I want to check out the Gary Soto book -- I used his work in a middle school writing course I taught. Thanks for the tip.

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    1. I hope you like the Soto book. I have used the middle school writings too, but didn't know about the picture book. It's such fun. Thanks, Jeanne.

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  11. I have to get Poop Happened!! I think my kids will love it. :)

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    1. I imagine they will, too. It is really fun. Thanks Julie.

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  12. The Anne Frank graphic biography intrigues me. Would be a good addition to the classroom to share that story with students who might be less interested in a "traditional" version. Will have to check this out!

    Also? Gary Soto is just plain awesome and I haven't read this one.

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    1. Thanks, Maria, finding it was a great surprise.

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  13. Love the sound of all these and must put the Anne Frank at the top of my list to buy next. Dead End in Norvelt has been on my list for ages....! The Poop Happened sounds fun.
    Kathryn

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  14. I always love to read what you have to say. We think a lot alike. I want to get that Poop Happens book.

    1stinmaine.blogspot.com

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  15. Thank you Kathryn & Kimberly. The books, as you saw me write, are certainly worth reading, for you & for the students.

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