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Monday, April 29, 2024

It's Monday - Some Terrific Books!



            

        Visit Kellee and Ricki at UnleashingReaders and Jen at Teach Mentor Texts to see what they and others have been reading! Your TBR lists will grow! 

          Here's what happened in my reading last week! It was a busy week, so I have fewer books, but each one will be a great one for certain people. I enjoyed them all!


         From the intro to this book on Goodreads: "When Jarrett J. Krosoczka was in high school, he was part of a program that sent students to be counselors at a camp for seriously ill kids and their families. Going into, Jarrett was worried: Wouldn't it be depressing, to be around kids facing such a serious struggle? Wouldn't it be grim?" 

        Jarrett Kroscoczka turns the early worries about being chosen to be on the crew for this special summer camp week into days he will always cherish, friendships that have stayed for a lot of years, and the memory of a few kids who blessed him by being who they were, in spite of serious illness. Allowing us readers to get to know those kids and to know his counselor buddies, how the whole camp felt like someone had found the best place in the world was a wonderful experience for me, too. Just knowing that volunteers make camps like this happen for those who in need made me re-read it yesterday, to be sure I didn't miss anything. I hope you who are reading this review won't miss reading it either!

      I enjoyed Krosoczka's visuals of the night scenes, which were full of fun activities for everyone, and the expressions, mostly happy, sometimes alarmed or sad, on both the kids' and the counselor's faces. As the week continued, faces became more relaxed and happy nearly always, until the goodbyes. 



         It's 1942, this time in occupied Paris and 12-year-old Miriam lives with her parents in the quarters set aside by the Nazis for Jewish people. Her father has been arrested and they know very little. Miriam (Miri) is shy and doesn't like going to stand in line for the small bits of food available but she does. This one time, nearly home, a roundup has started, and Miri cannot make it home but is pushed onto a bus with her neighbor and her young child, Nora. Right before, very near to her home, she hears a loud noise, thinking it a shot, thinking it was her mother killed. Then, on the bus, the neighbor begs Miri to take Nora when they get off, and run! That is the beginning of the story, filled with tension and worry, filled with a 12-year-old who must be cautious, learn who to trust, adults and then, roommates in a Catholic boarding school run by nuns. It is summer, and not all the kids are there, but two are, and one seems to look at Miri with mistrust. She knows to be so careful. There is much more to this story, a nearby castle, with both history and a way to get across the River Cher to a safer area of France. Imagining such a life for a young one is not unrealistic for that time. Many children had to act, to help others and to save themselves. This Miriam learned about courage during this time, along with some helpers, and some magic, too. Kmberly Brubaker Bradley make an interesting choice in this story, one I liked reading yet in creating something about such a perilous and tragic time for those persecuted, I'm unsure if the magic doesn't make less of the true stories of those who continually fought and took life-threatening chances to save people, young and old.

       


      Since I'm a grandparent, I love grandparent stories, and this is a sweet one! I'm sure many have read books where older siblings are "waiting for baby," and all feel just right for different ages. Derek Mascarenhas writes his first picture book about Simon, who looks about eight or nine, and his Pappa, waiting! Simon asks, "When will the baby come? more than once. He's not so excited, but Pappa is patient, saying "It takes time." Simon already knows his parents will be busy. They already have, setting up the new crib, etc. After a few more asks, Pappa says, "100 Chapatis!" In other words, by the time all that happens, it could be time, and besides, everyone will be busy and love that the chapatis are ready! How it's done and during that time, is fun, and after so many, well, you'll see! It's a loving family story beautifully illustrated by Shantala Robinson, and great to see about another culture with the "same" story of impatience and a bit of jealousy!

Now reading: The First State of Being, Erin Entrada Kelly -- It's been hard to put it down!



10 comments:

  1. I loved Hey Kiddo but haven't yet read Sunshine--I'm going to grab my copy from the shelf in my classroom library and take it home to read tho. I'm so happy to hear that Erin Entrada Kelly's novel has been compulsively readable--I always love her books and look forward to reading that one.

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  2. Every time I think about a book with SUNSHINE as a title, I think of the Norma Kline book; it was everywhere when I was in school. Glad you're enjoying The First State of Being.

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  3. I've been really intrigued about both Sunshine and The Night War. Thanks for your reviews!

    Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction

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  4. Thanks, everyone! I love reading what you shared! I've spent much of the morning at the Denver Motor Vehicle site doing some auto licensing changes - 2 hours of standing & sitting in line, but it's done!

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  5. 100 Chapatis sounds wonderful. Seeing that you are reading The First State of Being has reminded me that I need to look for that one.

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    1. I loved 100 Chapatis, Lisa, another special one for young siblings waiting! The first State of Being is quite intriguing so far! Thanks!

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  6. So many lovely books here, Linda!! Me loving graphic novels but not having read Hey, Kiddo or Sunshine is a full-on travesty that I need to resolve. And you sharing more about what Sunshine is about really caught my attention—a story dedicated to sharing about the lives of others who changed the author is an idea that really resonates with me!

    I love Kimberly Brubaker Bradley's book Fighting Words but have not kept up with her other books, so I really appreciate you sharing about The Night War, and what worked for you, and how the magic element didn't quite fit. And I've seen 100 Chapatis and it looks like such a beautiful story—thank you for bringing it to my attention again!

    Also, congrats on surviving the DMV office, per your comment above—2 hours is a long, long time to wait, but you made it through!! 🥳 Thanks so much for your thoughtful reviews, as always, and have a lovely week!

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    1. Thanks for the reply, Max. I have read and loved 'Hey, Kiddo', too, and enjoyed it, hope you find a chance to read at least some of Krosoczka's work! Bradley's new book is intriguing, and if you do find the time, I'll be interested in what you think. 100 Chapatis is just a book full of love. Yes, the DMV was a long wait, but I met some nice people & we had some good conversations! Happy reading this week!

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  7. The Night War is on my TBR for May. Can't wait to read it.

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    1. Thanks, Earl, I'll be interested in what you think of it!

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