Monday, June 10, 2019

It's Monday - All About "Hope"

Visit Kellee and Ricki at UnleashingReaders and Jen at Teach Mentor Texts to see what they've been reading, along with everyone else who post their favorites. 
         

     Some weeks I find connections among the books I share. This time, each book centers around "hope", something everyone can use more of. 

     FYI - I shared Stonewall last Wednesday here in celebration of #PrideMonth!




        Eleven-year-old December has landed in her umpteenth foster home with bird lover and taxidermist Eleanor, certainly not a person to trust. Eleanor might see that December is really a bird, lure her and eventually stuff her. Meeting December in a tree, ready to jump to see if her wings will emerge from the scar on her back so she could fly away took me into a child's hopes hard to imagine. For such a young person to have experienced the trauma she had is heartbreaking. Sandy Stark-McGinnis shows the powerful truth of December's strong methods of survival. The one thing from her mother is a bird guide inscribed with "In flight is where you'll find me." Stark-McGinnis shows how hard is December's journey to release her dream, to realize that trusting Eleanor might bring a 'home' instead of another 'house'.  Though December's thoughts rarely waver; she WILL fly away someday! Slowly, a few cracks appear as December begins a new kind of journey. The scenes at her new school show also the heartbreak of bullying but a strong trans girl who becomes December's ally shows December that she can be one, too. There are many moments where I held my breath wishing that the truth shown was never so harsh for a child. I am reminded of these words: "Be kind. Everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle you know nothing about." For teachers and those who work with children and for children who might recognize themselves in this story and find new ways to be, this is the book.




      I could read every one of Matthew Cordell's books over and over.  This one is special to me, a grandchild's and a grandparent's message for each other.

      Diana Murray's rollicking rhymes celebrate this special day (for unicorns) with Luke Flowers' spectacular bright and bold colors and faces expressing all the feelings of a celebration, but then one where something is not.quite.right. It's a happy story that comes to a surprising stop. Oh no! The unexpected happens, and children will cheer when the problem is happily solved. This will be a good low-key way to introduce the idea that everyone can be included, no matter that they are different.



        I wish very much that I could read this book by Cathy Ballou Mealey aloud to a class. When I get the chance, I will read it to my granddaughters and we will laugh at every page. It's an awesome 'what if?' tale with a bit of a twist. When one thing occurs (like a tree growing), two things can happen. And, then? I'm sure when reading this very fun tale, those hearing it will be shouting answers of what will happen! Kasia Nowowiejska's illustrations add to the laughter as she fills the pages with lovely animals living all together, sometimes with quirky alarm, but mostly with happiness.



        Elin Kelsey and Soyeon Kim have already reminded us of the wonders of our world in their work for You Are Stardust and Wild Ideas. In this new book, they tell of our surroundings, each one helping in a grand collaboration to take care of us in a magical chain of connections. We only have to look and learn how each thing participates. Soyeon's mixed media pictures are entrancing. Ah, those children! There is a nice letter from Elin at the back and a link that adds to the science background of her story.

        How can anyone not want a "lift" for tomorrow, all the marvelous and amazing things that 'most likely' can happen? It's a lesson in anticipation when seeing Lane Smith's gorgeous ways to illustrate Eggers' beautiful imagination!

What's next? - I'm headed to the beach this weekend, won't be back for a few weeks, but I will keep track and share in July!

21 comments:

  1. Unicorn Day looks adorable. I definitely need to check that book out!

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    1. It is cute, Beth. I hope you enjoy it! Thanks!

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  2. So many great books here, Linda! I love your review of Extraordinary Birds. I've been looking forward to reading this one. It's so hard to wait! I have to add When a Tree Grows to my list as I didn't have it down, yet. Have a lovely time at the beach -- I'll miss you!

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    1. I hope you'll find Extraordinary Birds soon, Shaye. It is wonderful! And I was delighted with When A Tree Grows, very fun and creative! Thanks!

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  3. Extraordinary Birds is definitely a favorite from this year. I've got it on my Mock Newbery list, I think it's just so beautifully written.
    I hope you have a wonderful vacation! Put those toes in the water for me next week!

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    1. Thanks, Michele, I know you love Florida, too! I will wade for you! Yes, I loved Extraordinary Birds, wanted to have more!

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  4. You know that I loved Extraordinary Birds, too, as I had it on my blogpost today, also! Yay! Your picture books are all new to me, although I've had Unicorn Day on my To Read List for a while. I'd better get over to the library and find them. Thanks for sharing and have a terrific week!

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    1. Thanks, Jana. I loved reading your review of Extraordinary Birds, too. What a wonderful book! Enjoy those others, too!

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  5. Several books that fit in with my new hobby of bird watching. Sounds like a good reading week. Enjoy your vacation1

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  6. I love the cover of Unicorn Day. Unicorn books are definitely very popular with many students!

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    1. Yes, I agree! Hope you enjoy it, too, Lisa. Thanks!

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  7. Extraordinary Birds sounds intense, but important.
    You are Never Alone is full of a message that I am carrying with me these days. I need to purchase my own copy. I love it that much.
    I'll be on the lookout for the rest of these books.

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    1. I adored the way Elin Kelsey presented her theme in You Are Never Alone, Cheriee, so glad you liked it, too. Yes, Extraordinary Birds is intense, but don't miss it if you can find it. Enjoy them all! Thanks!

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  8. I didn't know about You Are Never Alone. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. It's a wonderful book, Earl. Hope you can find it! Thanks!

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  9. I've read most of these--yay! Glad you loved them too :) Tomorrow Most Likely is inspiring, You Are Never Alone is beautiful, and Unicorn Day is fun! I do need to read Hope--I love his illustrations. I, too, read Extraordinary Birds recently :)

    Happy reading this week!

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    1. Lovely to hear from you about these, too, Kellee. I bet Trent's grandparents will love Hope! Thanks, & happy reading to you, too!

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  10. I think I saw Tomorrow Most Likely in our library - but controlled my impulse to read it (we are on a #WomenReadWomen2019 theme hehehehe), will be one of my top reads next year, most definitely. Hope also looks quite special. Thanks for sharing all these lovelies! Have a great reading week, Linda!

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    1. With any theme, still hard to resist a different kind of book, I'm sure. Enjoy when you can, plus "Hope", too! Thank you, Myra!

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  11. I really loved Extraordinary Birds. It was such a #heartprint book. Unicorn Day will definitely appeal to kids and I'm glad it has a message of inclusion.

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