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! I didn't have much reading time this week, but I do have a few books to share! Hope all have had a good start to September! Here comes fall!
And, because you saw the cover, you know that I just finished reading Olivetti by Allie Millington. There is Ernest, the center of this story, a 12-year-old who prefers to read dictionaries instead of talking to his family of three other siblings, a mom and a dad. At least, this is the beginning, yet suddenly, they learn that mom has gone missing. And her beloved typewriter, an Olivetti Lettera 22, is missing, too. They spend the next hours and days putting up missing posters, talking with neighbors, filling up with anxiety. Until they arrive at a neighborhood pawn shop and see that same typewriter that they call Olivetti, they know little. The owner realizes something is very wrong, and his daughter, Quinn, enters into the search later, forcing herself into Ernest's world but only to help.
It's an extremely emotional story, despite the fact that a typewriter really is participating by telling its part in what may have happened to the mother. There is an underlying mystery that Ernest refers to as the "Everything that happened" earlier in the family's life. It's intriguing to imagine what an inanimate object that is connected to words, might know, and further, be able to communicate. This story which moves from past to present, alternating with the typewriter's story-telling, still feels very real, showing a family, alternating falling apart and then holding each other up. Those outside the family, like Quinn, and a few others, add to the story with their compassion and willingness to step in with support. I know it's a cliche, but I must call this book an exceptional roller coaster ride, from the anticipatory rise when one begins to read, to the breath-holding for many pages before one drops, and then, the satisfying feeling at the end.
Thanks to Charlesbridge for this copy! |
Traci Sorell shows the delightful ways of gratitude that she so beautifully shared in her picture book, We Are Grateful. This time, she has brought parts from that original book to place in board books for each season. They have few words, centering on family and activities specific to each season, like swimming and watching animals outside, playing in the snow, and also including festivals like the Great New Moon ceremony in the fall. They're just-right introductions to the seasons with colorful illustrations by Frane Lessac.
It is an older book but one needed by many. It is a lesson in finding the good things in life every day! If you don't know it, find this one at your library! By Carol Chapman and illustrated by Arnold Lobel, one to savor!
This feels as if it will bring great discussions of what "Purple People" are and how one can recognize them. Kristen Bells shares that they ask lots of questions, laugh a lot, use their voice when needed, and work very hard. There is a Step Five, but I'll let those who find the book discover that one! It's fun to read, will be nice to read aloud to a group, to show a way to give respect to ALL kinds of people, and in this book, kids! Daniel Wiseman's illustrations are funny and happy and full of many colors, not only purple!
Happy Reading!
Oh my goodness, that typewriter! I actually used a typewriter in my first post-college job - it was an electric typewriter, but still, I used to be soooo careful when typing long documents because typos were such a bother to correct!
ReplyDeleteI've had this typewriter out for my granddaughters, who love typing stuff, think it's amazing! (Of course, they both have laptops & iPads!) Glad to know your memory, too, Jane. I agree, errors were very challenging to fix! Thanks!
DeleteI feel like I haven't been on your blog in eons, Linda—I'm so sorry! I'm very glad to be back seeing what you've been reading lately. And wow, Olivetti sounds like an incredible book—I love the idea of a typewriter giving its memories back to a family in a time of need. (It's reminding me of Flora & Ulysses a little bit, with the typing connection!) And I love your intro to the post from your own Olivetti typewriter—I am definitely from the computer era, though my grandfather used to have an electric typewriter in his office, but I've never used a real mechanical one before!
ReplyDeleteThe remaining books you shared look lovely too, especially the We Are Grateful board books—I love that they adapted those from the picture book. Thank you so much for your thoughtful reviews and excellent picks—I always enjoy stopping by here! Have a wonderful week!
It's okay, Max, I know you are busy, but I'm happy you came by so you could read about Olivetti especially! It is a special book! Happy reading to you! And, thanks for coming by!
DeleteI have seen Olivetti at the library and bookstores and love the cover so much--just beautiful! I have major typewriter envy (and feel sad that I gave mine away so many years ago--it's costly to replace now!). I couldn't decide whether I wanted to read it, despite that gorgeous cover, but your review has pushed me firmly into the category of yes, I want to read it! Now I just have to find it again at the library! Loved the touch of opening your review with some typing on your own Olivetti!
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy it, Elisabeth. I found it so interesting the way Allie Millington weaves the story with, amazingly, a typewriter! Happy reading!
DeleteI've already read Olivetti and loved it, but I still need to read Braiding Sweetgrass. Requesting the picture books for the boys. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteOlivetti is such a delight. I hope it gets some shiny things in January! Enjoy those books, very fun! Thanks, Ramona!
Delete