Monday, September 28, 2015

It's Monday!



          Visit Jen at TeachMentorTexts and Kellee and Ricki at UnleashingReaders to see what they've been reading, along with everyone else who link up.  Others join Sheila to share adult books at Book Journeys




        Come visit, and tweet at #IMWAYR. Thanks to Jen, Kellee, and Ricki for hosting!



I Crawl Through It - written by A.S. King  
          It's heartbreaking reality here, although the book is described as surrealistic fiction. Four teens live in various stages of struggling with school life-the pressures of constant testing, the anxiety of bomb threats-along with personal trauma and loss. One lies, one splits in two, one turns herself inside out, and the last builds an invisible helicopter for escaping. Unfortunately, these behaviors don't seem to help, things do not improve and toward the end, they figure out that facing the challenges is the only way to save themselves. No matter how surrealistic the scenes and action were, I continued to feel compassion for the deep hurt exhibited by these teens. It was sad to feel them so alone, yet the strong friendship among the four offered hope at the end. Strong language and strange scenes might prevent recommendation to early teens, but it depends always on the individual's maturity. Definitely would recommend to older teens and their parents and teachers. In this book, A.S. King offers a window to the inner lives of some teens, and whether we wish to or not. we need to know so we can help. Thanks to Net Galley!

If Everybody Did - written and illustrated by Jo Ann Stover
       Perhaps the moral of this book is to think before you act, because "If Everybody Did" IT, things would not turn out so well. For example, "If everybody made tracks," there is a sketch of a living area "filled" with muddy footprints. Stover has used black and white sketches for the story, and filled it with exaggerations to make her point. It's fun to view, and imagine. Luckily, she ends it positively, showing what would happen if only "one" did something. Clever idea for a read aloud, would be great fun to talk about this with a group of kids.


Flutter & Hum - Poems in Spanish and English, written and illustrated by Julie Paschkis
           Julie Paschkis' art itself is a joy, but this time she's added two more layers, poems about animals in both English and Spanish. Sometimes the English page stands alone, and the animal changes with the Spanish one, and often Julie chooses a double-page spread to show the animal. Julie's known for splashy color, but one of my favorite pages is about a crow, on a gray day, the page with crow silhouettes cawing. Julie's poem ends, however with "He hops,/stops,/and stares/at a yellow umbrella--/the only sun shining/today." This time, the splash sits on one corner of the page, a young girl with that bright, yellow umbrella. Each page swirls words, in English on one side, Spanish on the other, that connect to the animal within the art. For example, on "Dog", motion swirls around "His wagging tail/fans wild happiness/into the wide world", and words within the art are "bump, bounce, and abound". Clearly, a focused study of the animals made the poems and the pages come alive, non-fiction poetry to enjoy, and to use as one's own mentor text.


Oh My Pumpkin Pie and I See Fall - both by Charles Ghigna
             Easy readers that I purchased for my granddaughters, happy pictures with all kinds of kids celebrating the season. They loved them.

The Full Moon At The Napping House - written by Audrey Wood and illustrated by Don Wood
             With beautifully dreamy illustrations and soothing repetition of what happens during the full moon in the napping house, it's hard not to read this book more than once, and I did. There are moments where you think you've missed something in the pictures, so you return to look again, and find still another part, like the cricket and the mouse on the windowsill. It's a most wonderful bedtime book, and thank goodness for 'full-moon songs'.


Duncan, The Story Dragon - written and illustrated by Amanda Driscoll
          Poor Duncan, he gets so excited about reading books that he can't control his fire, and burns the books before he gets to the end. He asks various animals to help, but they're too scared, until one little mouse is willing to try. Happy Ending!







Next: I'm reading  A House Divided by Jennifer Neilsen, and it's started wonderfully.  

28 comments:

  1. I am such a fan of the original Napping House story that I must admit I am a little afraid to read this one. Duncan looks adorable - I love his red sneakers! This newest A.S. King is definitely on my list. I read everything she writes.

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    1. All I can say is that Ingrid and I loved The Napping House book, and she wanted to read it twice! The A.S. King was quite different, and I like that she tries new ways to talk about adolescents and their lives. I'll be interested to see what you think. Thanks, Carrie.

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  2. Time to request The Full Moon at the Napping House. I'm like Carrie, wondering if I could like it as much as the original. I missed Julie's reading at the Seattle Art Museum Saturday. Crossing my fingers that she'll be doing some more in the area.

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    1. Oh, that would be wonderful to see her in person, Ramona. I liked this a lot, & really don't know if I've read the first one, so just enjoyed # 2.

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  3. Still haven't read any A.S. King books. I want to read more of the Wood's books.

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    1. There are many authors doing wonderful stories, I know. Hard to keep up!

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  4. Duncan the Story Dragon sounds like my kind of book. I'll have to look for a copy. Came see my week here. Happy reading!

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  5. The Napping House is a book I read every year when I taught first grade. I hope this next one is just as good!

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  6. I have Duncan the Story Dragon in my library bag. ;-) The A.S. King book looks really good!

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    1. Thanks, Holly, enjoy Duncan. "I Crawl Through It" is both wonderful & tough to read, but it seems important too.

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  7. I've ordered The Full Moon At The Napping House, because I loved The Napping House. If Everybody Did looks interesting, but it sounds a bit negative. I can't help but wonder if it deals with how great things would be If Everybody Did..... Thanks for the heads up about the readers. I can never have too many good ones in the library.

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    1. I liked the illustrations, and some were hilarious, but it was sometimes a little moral-driven to me instead of simply fun. Full Moon at The Napping House is wonderful, every single page.

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  8. A.S. King's books rarely work entirely for me, but I always find them thought-provoking, compelling reads, so I'm sure I'll eventually get to this one. Napping House cover really draws me in--will be looking for this one!

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    1. Thanks, Elisabeth, hope you find good things to enjoy in both.

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  9. I love the Napping House, so will be looking for Full Moon at the NH. I am definitely going to seek out Flutter & Hum. I will also have to read the A.S. King book. I have really enjoyed all of King's books so far.

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    1. Terrific, Crystal, I hope you like them all, each terrific in its own special way.

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  10. Your review of I Crawl through It is fabulous. I just came back from a screening of the TESTED documentary, so this idea is at the forefront of my brain. I am glad to see that you enjoyed this book. I am really looking forward to getting a copy of it!

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    1. I taught early adolescents for a long time, Ricki, and some were getting ready for this huge leap into high school with such fear, some ready as they could be. I've kept in touch with some, & it is so challenging. I enjoyed the book because it touched on the minds of those who are struggling to figure things out, & some of today's high school life is so hard. A.S. King shows it here, at least for some. I hadn't heard of the 'Tested' documentary, will watch for it. Thank you!

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  11. I feel like I'm missing out for not having read any books by AS King. They sound like my kind of book--one that will make you think.
    The picture books look like fun reads!

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    1. Thanks, Kay. I hope you will find A.S. King an author to enjoy. Her books are always thoughtful, edgy, just right for growing up!

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  12. I just checked out I Crawl Through It. A.S. King's books are always interesting! I read the new Napping House book this week too and thought it was quite well done.

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    1. I'll be interested to see what you think of I Crawl Through It- a new way to show the characters!

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  13. Flutter & Hum looks really lovely, and I have yet to read an AS King novel. Iphigene enjoys most of her novels so I really am looking forward to at least reading one before the year ends or early next year, if it can't be managed this year.

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    1. It will be interesting to see what you think of her stories, Myra. This one is a unique read. Thanks!

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  14. All new books to me! Thank you for sharing about them!

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    1. Hope you'll find one or more that you love, Loralee. Thank you!

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