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Monday, July 1, 2013

Some Good Books This Week

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It's Monday! What are you Reading? is hosted by Jen at TEACH.MENTOR.TEXTS.  And shared with Ricki and Kellee at UNLEASHING READERS.  These sites host a meme where many of us link up to share the book's reading the week previous.  Although my list grows longer, it's always fun to visit other's sites to hear them read about books!  And, also visit Sheila at BOOK JOURNEYS that offers more reviews of all kinds of books, adult and children. 

        I thought I would accomplish even more reading this week, but several different things kept me busy with other things, like workmen at my house fixing my air-conditioning!  It's repaired, but took a long time!  I did finish Capture The Flag and loved it, therefore now must find Hide and Seek.  The list of "must-reads" grows! 



Capture The Flag – by Kate Messner
         It’s not easy to review a mystery.  I don’t want to give away too much, but I do want to tell about the excitement that this story holds throughout, and every bit of the fun, and danger, takes place in an airport over a little more than a day.  Kate Messner lets us, the readers, in on a main part of the mystery at almost the beginning, connecting the three main characters who were previously strangers to each other, with the words, silver jaguar. And later, the term become the Silver Jaguar Society
           It is terrific the way Messner introduces Anna, Henry and José as children stuck at the airport, soon to be grounded by a blizzard, then immediately re-connecting them in an event the night before at the Smithsonian that showed off the newly restored Star Spangled Banner.  Each has a connection to the flag through relatives.  Anna’s father is a Senator, José’s mother was one of those who worked with the flag on its restoration, and Henry’s aunt is an art lover.  There soon arrives a packed-up orchestra, Sounds for a Small Planet, that played at the reception, and in that group is a little boy, Sinan.  With English as his second language, Sinan begins to pepper his sketchbook with small pen and ink sketches, doing his best to figure out numerous idioms that are so difficult for new English language learners.  It becomes an important light relief part of the story, yet adds to the finish later.
           Thus begins quite an adventure, in those long airport hallways, but mostly in the areas that sound like every child’s dream adventure, the baggage routing area, filling up with bags because of the storm delays.   The kids show courage when most needed, and one at a time, have their time to shine.  There are scary villains, but the kids think together and win out in the end.  Can’t say more, only that Hide And Seek  is now out, the second book about the three young detectives.

This Moose Belongs To Me – written and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
         Can anything wild really belong to us?  That is the question and/or theme in this picture
book by Oliver Jeffers.  The story begins with Wilfred and his moose, who claims to have a moose, Marcel, for whom he creates a number of rules of how to be a good pet.  They are rules like number 4, “not making too much noise while Wilfred plays his record collection,” or number 7, “maintaining a certain proximity to home.”  Unfortunately, Marcel the moose doesn’t pay much attention to rules, but does what moose usually do, wanders about, especially toward trees, to munch and meander.  When Wilfred gets lost, and then Wilfred and Marcel run into an old woman who shouts, “Rodrigo, you’re back!”, the story becomes interesting.  You’ll need to find and read this story to discover the resolution.  Much fun with a lesson to learn!  Jeffers interesting illustrations of cut-out paintings, occasional full-color backgrounds and speech bubbles create a wonder to see!

The Rain Stomper - written by Addie Boswell and illustrated by Eric Velasquez
          It’s so appropriate that the author of this “rainy” book lives in Portland, because here in Colorado, although the occasional rain-stomping day does happen, we would never want to stomp it away.  It’s Parade Day in this story, and twirler Jazmin is ready to march in a parade, only to open her front door to find “slap, clatter, clatter, slap!” Rain pouring down in buckets.  She returns inside, but then in a burst of defiance, begins to stomp her feet and “kick the rain down the steps” of her apartment house.  It’s an exuberant story, with full color rainy pages, showing Jazmin and then other children insisting through their actions that the rain must go away! 

Joone - written and illustrated by Emily Kate Moon
         This is the sweetest story of a little girl and her grandpa, who live together in a yurt, and do the simple things, like playing games and gathering rocks for a turtle, Dr. Chin, so he can climb stairs.  Joone is five, and a delight, as are the watercolor illustrations.  The story takes the reader through a day with Joone, finding her at the end going to bed, reading a story to Grandpa, and if he’s good, she reads him two!

Next!  I am grateful that I received an advance copy of The Real Boy by Anne Ursu and am loving it, sneaking in a few pages every chance I can!  Soon-Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell, and I have a great stack of picture books waiting, mostly from all of your recommendations!
Happy Reading!

26 comments:

  1. I've decided that we are going to start Library Mondays at our house! We'll be looking for capture the flag today!

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    1. And find Hide and Seek, too, Katie. Good mysteries!

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    2. I love the idea of library Mondays. My Mom took my brother and I during the week whole we were kids too. What a good idea to set a day and make it part of the weekly routine. We'll be looking for the picture books (you'll love Capture the Flag)!

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    3. Thanks Lee Ann. It is a good idea. When I spent summer weeks with one grandmother (on a farm), our weekly trip to town included the library. We were all big readers! Now I wish I could see what those grandparents read!

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  2. It's hard to FIND good mysteries, too. I'm always glad to see anything that Messner writes.

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    1. You'll need to scroll down on Kate Messner's blog, but on 6/23 she wrote a post about other good mysteries available, along with hers! I thought it was helpful. Thanks!

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  3. Ohh, I loved Capture the Flag, too! I think there's a sequel, too. The Rain Stomper sounds delightful, Linda - especially on this thunderstormy day!

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    1. Yes, The Rain Stomper was fun, & we actually had some rain last night-wonderful! Thanks Tara!

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  4. I love Oliver Jeffers' style. We were just at the library this morning, and I picked up several new-to-me titles to enjoy this week.

    Maria @novalibrarymom.com

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    1. I'll definitely keep looking for more, Maria. Thanks!

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  5. Hi Linda, The Rain Stomper and Joone look good. I also enjoyed Capture the Flag and Hide and Seek. Of course, in Maine we love a good moose book too :)

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    1. Thanks Gigi, we like moose in Colorado too!

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  6. Oh that book Rain Stomper speaks to me! We have many rainy days here in Vancouver. I will look for this title for our classroom collection. I also loved this Oliver Jeffers book. So beautiful and much to smile about. Both of your next novels are also on my TBR list. Looking forward to hearing what you think.

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    1. For rainy times, Rain Stomper would be such fun to bring out, Carrie. I think I'm just too busy, & won't ever catch up with what I want to read. Today might offer some time. The rest of the week looks busy too-must stay up later!

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  7. I just love This Moose Belongs To Me! Have you seen the new book Jeffers illustrated, The Day the Crayons Quit? It's fantastic!

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    1. I've heard of the 'crayon' book, Stacey, but haven't seen it for real! Thanks for reminding me!

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  8. My students loved Capture the Flag when we read it aloud. I've certainly got to get the sequel since they are looping with me this year :)

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    1. And I think people are talking about a third one to be out soon! They are delightful, aren't they? Thanks!

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  9. I have no idea how you do everything you do! Thanks for these. I might check out the first one. I do love a good mystery.

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    1. Thanks Doraine, hope you like it! It's a good one for the middle graders!

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  10. This Pacific Northwest kid will definitely have to find that Rain Stomper book! And just by the cover alone, Joone, looks adorable. So glad you enjoyed Capture the Flag--a great mystery option for those middle grades. Enjoy Eleanor and Park, I just adored it. And everyone is heaping praise on the Real Boy! Lucky you! :)

    Lorna

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    1. If you were down the block, I could just pass The Real Boy on, Lorna! Joone was just the sweetest book, an 'easy' story to enjoy. And I am really looking forward to Eleanor and Park. Thank you!

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  11. I love recommending Joone. She's so unique! I think I met Addie Boswell when she was talking about writing children's books in the library two years ago. And I remember wanting to read Capture the Flag but accidentally ended up reading I Capture the Castle!

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    1. Fun memories, Earl! I must have found Joone because of your recommendation! I loved it! I also love Capture The Castle, what an interesting family story! Thanks!

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  12. Thanks for the Kate Messner recommendations. I needed a push to get on them, and you gave me that push!

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    1. Terrific for middle grades, Ricki. Thanks!

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