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. I guess everyone will know the ALA reward results by the end of Monday next week. It is exciting to imagine what might wear those medals!
As we take this day to remember the important life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., I hope we all remember his words: Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. Let us step up and use our words for good as he did!
I've loved Neal Shusterman's books before and loved this one, too, written with his son, Jarrod, although this time I liked it a bit less and possibly because it was too real, too close to home. I live in Colorado where we often wish for moisture.
The stage is set, the players involve 16-year-old Alyssa Morrow and her little brother, Garrett, whose parents disappear because there is a possibility of getting water from the new ocean machines. Their neighbor Kelton McCracken was born into a survivalist family, well-prepared, but their protected home is not so safe when desperate neighbors come to call in a group (a mob)? Kelton has assumed leadership here when he sees the need also to help Alyssa and Garrett.
Kelton leads Alyssa and Garrett to find their parents, end up in a heart-stopping situation, is saved by a street teen who joins the group. One more new teen joins in later on this dangerous trek to safety and water (Kelton's family's 'bug-out', a hide-out in the mountains). The book is interrupted once in a while by “snapshots” of perspectives outside the main plot while tension rises with some in the group wanting the power, and some wishing they were anywhere else, but have nowhere to go. A range of experiences with other people who are surviving and take chances in very different ways occurs, too, sometimes with alarming consequences. Descriptions of those near to becoming "water zombies" horrify, and acts of kindness feel very good indeed. It feels very close to our future in some areas. Great book, but often scary. First one in my #mustreadin2019 list!
Thanks to Candlewick, I had fun reading this book out this month! Main characters Prince Veera and his companion, Suku, a farmer's son who won a contest to become educated at the palace, are center stage in these delightful 'trickster' tales from India. They sometimes take over Veera's father, King Bheema's court where they hear complaints from the commoners and try to solve the problems and/or conflicts. And at other times they discover problems out in the market, even helping Suku's Aunt Chandra. The different problems will be fun to read aloud to see if students can figure out how to solve them as Prince Veera and Suku do. And the cultural names and experiences with new foods and ways of living add to the interest. I enjoyed the stories. Originally published as two smaller books, now out in this one collection.