Sunday, June 15, 2014

It's Monday - Reading Magic

                 Thanks to Jen at Teach.Mentor.Texts and Ricki and Kellee at Unleashing Readers, we have a terrific Monday Reading community. Come Visit!
          Tweet at #IMWAYR



            I’ve been out of town helping with my grandson since last Tuesday and didn’t have much time for reading, yet managed to finish We Were Liars on the plane coming home. My grandson is better, still restricted to quiet activities (eye injuries are serious!), but it does look as if he’s escaped surgery! I had a wonderful time with him, and with my son and daughter-in-law. Now I’m back, and on my way to the All-Write conference this Wednesday, so exciting. I hope some of you will be there! And I hope to find more books to read for this summer!

We Were Liars- written by E. Lockhart
                  One cannot put this book away from one’s mind either during the time reading, or at the end. It will be one that stays with me for a long time. I re-read parts as I read, and am actually happy I have it on my Kindle, because it’s ready to visit again. I wonder if I’ll see more truths this time? The story tells of a few summers on a private island owned by a wealthy family who gather each summer.  There are gorgeous descriptions and achingly beautiful scenes. The story mesmerizes, from parts about the patriarch to the youngest, and the secrets can’t be revealed except when you turn your own pages as you read it yourself. 











Baseball Is … - written by Louise Borden and illustrated by RaúlColón
               For those baseball lovers, this is almost poetry, the words “baseball is” defining every single lovable moment of our national sport, the players, the fields, the umpires, home plate, the pitcher’s mound and of course those famous players of long ago, and those in the All-Star game, coming soon next month. There is a part of all of us that is baseball, and the story by Louise Borden includes the fans and those children who start playing and dreaming while very young. And Colón’s illustrations, while colorful, are nostalgic in style, and filled with action in the baseball he shares. Just take a look at the cover, such excitement, like baseball!

Something Beautiful – written by Sharon Dennis Wyeth and illustrated by Chris K. Soentpiet

               I'm sure I read this when it came out years ago, and because of a friend's review, I found it again at my school library, will be sure to share it with teachers and students next year. It's a story of a young African-American girl who sees some things in her neighborhood that aren't pretty, an empty lot full of trash, an ugly word scrawled on her apartment's front door, a homeless woman. This particular day she goes searching for something beautiful and finds those in her neighborhood who have something to share. A beautiful apple at the market, a smooth stone in a pocket, a sidewalk hip-hop dance and other 'things' help her to find beauty. The author shares that the idea comes from a small pitcher her mother gave her, and that the 'something' beautiful we all have is what we have inside us. It's a perfect book for conversations about appreciating and noticing small things.


NEXT: I don't know what I'll find at the conference, but will try to read one of the NetGalley titles I have downloaded. I'm behind in reading these new books, & they look good, most of them are YA, but I have a few for younger readers too. 
Happy Reading everyone!

15 comments:

  1. Love Baseball Is... Discovered it right when the season started - such wonderful descriptions! I can't wait to get to We Were Liars! I've heard so many good things. Again, glad to hear about your grandson. I just heard about All Write this year. We'll be heading to your neck of the woods, so maybe next year I'll have to try it out :) Have fun!

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    1. The Baseball book is awesome, I agree, Michele. Sorry about All-Write, but do hope to meet you next year. If you're coming to CO, have a great time! Thanks again for asking about my grandson. It was scary, & still is healing. Enjoy We Were Liars-amazing read!

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  2. I read Something Beautiful for the shelf challenge last year. Loved it! Hadn't see Baseball Is.... Will have to put that one on the wish list.
    Mrs. Brown Loves Bookworms

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    1. Hope you enjoy it, Sara. Thanks for stopping by.

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  3. I am fascinated by your description of We were Liars. I must find a copy of Something Beautiful. I love the lesson of this. Have fun at All Write! I am a little jealous. Just home from Chicago, I had considered extending my trip but it just didn't happen.

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    1. I wish you could have made it Margaret, would love to spend time with you, but your time in Chicago was precious. Next year! Enjoy Something Beautiful!

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  4. I will definitely have to get "We Were Liars", Linda - it sounds like a thoughtful and memorable book. Safe travels to All Write - it should be a wonderful time, and I look forward to reading all about your time there.

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    1. I'll be interested to hear what you think of We Were Liars, Tara. Since I just returned from Texas, my suitcase is already out, ready for the next adventure. I'll try to share as much as I can!

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  5. I haven't read any of these books Linda but they all look wonderful. I especially will look for the first book. Hope your grandson recovers quickly.

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    1. Thank you Beverley-we hope his eye gets better fast, too, & so does he. He's missing a lot of summer activities! Enjoy the books, whatever you choose-all so enjoyable!

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  6. I have heard such nice things about BASEBALL IS. I should definitely try to get my hands on it. I am a huge baseball fan. Wishing you a great week, Linda! I hope it is oodles of fun. :)

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    1. Thanks, Ricki, I think it will be fun. It really was terrific last year, too! Find Baseball Is-such a sweet tribute!

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  7. I love Something Beautiful and managed to find my own copy in a box of donations. I am excited to read We Were Liars - glad you got a chance to finish it. Great news about your grandson!

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  8. I am such a huge fan of Chris Soentpiet's artwork - I haven't found this one yet in our library, will be actively looking out for it next time. I hope you're having a wonderful time at the conference. Hope to see you later this year, Linda!

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