It's Monday - Another Wonderful Group to Share!

        

        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!  The National Book Award winners are announced this coming Wednesday. If you're interested, the YA list is here. The first book today, The Lost Year by Katherine Marsh, like Gather by Kenneth Cadow that I shared last week and A First Time for Everything by Dan Santat that I shared a few weeks ago are all on the list. I enjoyed every one and imagine I will like the others when I can read them. Also, enjoy NCTE if you are going!

         There must be numerous stories that come out of the first year students were experiencing lockdown because of the pandemic. Overnight, they'd lost their friends, their every interaction in person, now, if they had it, stuck only together via the internet. This book by Katherine Marsh is about such a student, Matthew, but also based on her own family history, the Ukrainian famine during Stalin's time in power, how it evolved, what people did, or tried to do, here in America  . 

         Matthew is stuck, and as it begins, he's more stuck than most because his mother has recently moved his great-grandmother (name - Nadiya) but called GG (for, as Matthew says "for great-grandmother, obviously) into their home from a nursing home. He cannot even have a friend near to visit in the backyard. It's too, too dangerous. Now, he's living in online learning but mostly in his Switch gamer, until out of frustration from his mom, she takes it away and sends him outside, then gives him a task, to help GG go through all the boxes still stored in her room. Matthew's dad, whom he misses terribly) is a reporter on a big job in Paris and yes, you guessed it, now he's stuck there. It appears there's no hope for Matthew!

         Matthew isn't happy, has been reluctant to even be with GG for most than a few minutes to bring her a meal, etc. Yet, he does start, and after a few other crazy things that happen, out of one box, with GG's permission, he brings a photo. 

         Author Marsh soon surprises with a new chapter from long ago that intertwines with Matthew's. First we meet Mila, then Helen, both from years past, and from different parts of the world. The book is poignant, showing resilience and thoughtful children growing up into young adults  affecting their own stories. They are willing to take risks, some life-threatening, all life-altering. It's a spectacular story of courage and of a history that needs telling, of the holodomor, or the Ukrainian famine of  1932-33, which means "death from hunger" in Ukrainian. It seems particularly sad while considering the events in the recent year plus since Russia has attacked Ukraine.
        There's an extensive author's note at the end, with photos!

Thanks to Walker Books -
Division of Candlewick Press
for this copy!

           I haven't read the first one about these silly (also energized and resilient) chickens but this is one I imagine kid readers will laugh over as pages turn and adventures arrive. And they will find changes as the time traveling unfolds. Those chickens don't always remain chickens, and while they try very hard to make outlandish knock-knock jokes, they don't often succeed. There are pages of activities (and warnings if it's a library book) and tests, yes, tests! Obviously, in this back-in-time world, it's good to pay attention. There's even a history of rules about messing up things in the past, causing ripples that should never happen in the future. I loved every fun page, crammed full of fun and funny events that shouldn't be missed!

        I had the pleasure of receiving a copy of this book from Nancy Tupper Ling, a beautifully illustrated book of brief poems by Nancy of various Bible verses. For bedtime or perhaps at snack time, it will make a nice way to introduce some stories from the Bible to young children. From Noah and the flood to the special story of Jesus' birth and the tale of Adam and Eve, gorgeous illustrations by Alina Chau will entice the young ones to want to know more. It encompasses the Bible's entire story arc, a loving beginning to telling this story. My brother has a young granddaughter this will be perfect for. I will certainly pass it on! 

Poetry Friday - Escaping The Noise

 

            It's Poetry Friday, and Karen Edmisten is hosting HERE at her blog.  Not only does she have a "blog with the shockingly clever title" but she's sharing a loving fall tune and a laugh from a favorite movie - poetry goodness! Thanks for hosting, Karen!

            It was cold and rainy this last Wednesday, now warmth is back and clouds have traveled on. But on Tuesday it was sunny and in the mid-seventies and I went walking at a favorite lake. It was such a day that in April, we would all be saying "almost summer"! This visit was rewarded with many geese, out doing their own version of sunbathing, also dunking in to grab a bite, nearly all squawking and talking, at least I imagine they, too were loving the sunshiny calm day! Here's a pic:

           And then, the sun went behind a cloud as I walked around to the other side, and there was the loner. I imagined all kinds of things, mostly his wish for some peace, like all of us! Or, perhaps he wished, like Frank Sinatra, to do it "His Way." 

a tanka

the raucous gaggle

pushes me into a glide

quieter water calls

for sunny meditation,

returning slowly 

 

Linda Baie ©

 

Hello November - More Books To Read Inside

            

        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!   

Thanks to Candlewick Press
for this copy!

        I've waited a day to write about this new book, a debut YA by Kenneth M. Cadow that's on the short list for the National Book Award. His story of Ian Gray, starting as a fifteen-year-old, will linger with me a long time. Ian lives on about ten acres in the woods with his mom, ten acres and part of the big house that used to be on about 300 acres, owned by several generations before him. Now, they struggle. There is a leaky roof, broken tiles in the kitchen, and a rotten porch floor, among other broken things. Among those things is his mom, an addict who adds to Ian's anxiety for sometimes when he comes home from school, she isn't there but a needle lies on the arm of a chair.  

         Cadow shows Ian as one who finds his own solace in memories of his grandpa, stories that special grandpa told, adventures Ian was a part of, like hunting or simply roaming the woods, learning, learning to be a part of them. When a stray dog arrives, he knows his mom won't approve so this new pal he named Gather stayed in the shed and Ian, resourceful as he is, brings scraps from the school cafeteria for food. Sometimes it's Ian's food, too. He is a 'problem-solver', seemingly part out of need but really most out of love. He knows much about machinery, how to fix things, learned a lot from that grandpa. Watching Ian in and out of school shows how kids can learn and grow in numerous ways, not only from a book.

         The story brings a new look at how kids also learn how to survive, how to keep the truth from those adults at school, especially because there is a possibility of being taken away, fostered. How the book slowly brings in the people Ian will learn to trust or not to trust, what they do and how they act, might be a way for us readers to learn, too, to care for others in sad circumstances with respect, giving in need, and sometimes those needs can be only words, a good conversation. And as for Gather, many times, they can be a warm dog snuggling in when the heat is not working and the room is freezing. I wanted to keep reading but I also didn't want the book to end. It's one of those books I will re-read with pleasure. It is an extraordinary book!

        It's an Advanced Reader copy and as you see, "final cover to be revealed". It's out at the end of January, 2024. Thanks to Harper Collins Children's Books for this copy.

       

       I read the original book by Zora Neale Hurston years ago and now have read this adaptation for young readers by Ibram X. Kendi. He kept the flavor, the horror and the heartbreak told to Hurston by Cudjo Lewis, captured and brought to the states by the Clotilda, the last slave ship to bring slaves. Even then, it was illegal and they slipped through and even tried to burn the ship to keep it from being found. In his own dialect, Cudjo, African name, Kossula, begins with his life in Africa which he has never forgotten and seemed to yearn for it even as he worked hard as a slave, then a free man, helping to create their next home, Africatown. This was the advanced copy and the art by Jazzmen Lee-Johnson was not complete, but it looks as it will be powerful illustrations that capture some special parts of Kudjo's story. It will be a good book for many kids to learn of that time from one who lived it.

      Here is a Wikipedia article that also tells the story. 

       First published in Germany, it's whimsical along with being very serious. A man finds a penguin who tells that it had been flying and now cannot. What happens while he stays with the man is heartwarming because of the man's persistence and creativity to help and the penguin's willingness not to give up! What happens at the end shows how one thing overshadows all the other ideas. Wonderful line illustrations help tell this adventurous tale. What would you do if you found a penguin in need? This will make an intriguing conversation with a group! 

           Joseph Coelho was the UK Children's Laureate in 2022. His many "ten-word tiny tales" host a different artist for each in this page-by-page amazing book that will thrill and inspire, have readers smiling and mostly laughing out loud! For classrooms and any writer who wishes to have a ton of fun writing a story or a poem that can "enhance" the already written story, this is the book. Or, readers can sit and pore over pages with delight, words rumbling around inside the brain, many of them "What if?" 

          Here is the artist list, copied from Goodreads: Alex T. Smith * Camilla Sucre * Chuck Groenink * Daishu Ma * Dapo Adeola * Dena Seiferling * Flavia Z. Drago * Freya Hartas * Helen Stephens * Julia Sarda * Katie May Green * Karl James Mountford * Maja Kastelic * Mariachiara Di Giorgio * Nahid Kazemi * Raissa Figueroa * Reggie Brown * Shaun Tan * Thea Lu * Yas Imamura * Yoko Tanaka

Poetry Friday - Loving November

 

            It's Poetry Friday, and a new month! She's HERE at her blog. And, not only does she share about her new book, On A Flake-Flying Day, she has a new special poem about a leaf and flakes flying! Thanks for hosting, Buffy. (Buffy, I wrote this "before" I read your post! We had our first snow also this week.)

        When I am sad and worried about the world, I find solace outside, as I imagine Buffy must, too. As some of you have shared in the recent weeks, autumn trees are a treasure, no matter the leaf-raking, sometimes the cold and snow, they bring a beauty that keeps us in awe every year. That same old tune never gets old.

photo-Linda Baie- 11/1/23

 

        I also want to share three of my favorite "older" fall books. Plus, don't miss Buffy's On A Gold-Blooming Day, out just last year!

Happy November, a month for being grateful!

Monday Reading Recap

           

        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!   

        

         The book flap says this is a book for ages 8-12, yet perhaps it's for ages even older? Those ages might see themselves or their friends as Simon tells his story but teens will relate to their younger selves, understanding how they navigated those tough years and became who they are now. Parents also may see Simon's and his friends' parents as companions in this new journey of dangers in friendships and in school, how to help and how to let go. Simon's voice shows a thoughtful, but scared young man, already wanting to leave his past behind and wishing everyone else would, too. Driven by alpacas to Grin and Bear It, Nebraska, Simon's Dad takes on another job as Deacon of the Catholic Church as well as continuing his love of playing the sackbut (a kind of trombone) while his mother, an undertaker, becomes the new one at Slaughter and Sons, no kidding! This town is the National Quiet Zone where radio astronomers listen for communication from outer space. There are radio telescopes everywhere! No internet, no TV equals a lot of time for Lego and to be with friends, no matter the attacking peacock, no matter the challenges Simon brings with him. The story makes one giggle, sympathize, cry, and celebrate throughout in this extraordinary time to grow up. Thanks to Erin Bow for letting Simon tell his story! 

Thanks to Charlesbridge for this copy!

          Even the endpapers are exciting! 

            It feels as if I'm going to repeat all the usual things. This book is so exciting, full of information, so much that it could serve as a year-long quest to learn even more than the great amount of information already given. Its underlying quest, the sub-title, is to "Explore Earth's Most Extreme Places Through Sight, Sound, Smell, Touch, and Taste." This includes, see the title, Mount Everest, but less-known places like the Danakil Depression, Ethiopia, "one of the hottest, driest, and lowest places on the earth (where people can live)". Some of the first pages help prepare with tips for survival and for what to pack. There are rules given sometimes, ideas for something to eat (or NOT eat), little stories of other people's adventures, too. Aaron Cushley's colorful and prolific illustrations surround the paragraphs of information. It's such a terrific and interesting book by Leisa Stewart-Sharpe, who adds a final invitation to get out there in an adventure. Also added is a glossary! 

         What happens to a book that has first been challenged by those who deem it is harmful to children? In Jonah Winter's story, although first defended by a librarian, she is overruled and the self-named "Warriors" (WAR = we are right) censor, then remove (they prefer 'deselect') the book and throw it in the trash. You need to "see" this picture book. Winter's few words, most being blacked out and Gary Kelley's illustrations will both astound and make you teary. 

         In poetic couplets, Andrea Debbink offers a celebration of the beauty and history of rivers, how they flow, how people diverted and polluted them, what is being done to clean them up. Nicole Wong's illustration show the beauty and the harm in gorgeous full pages, wrapping into and around the words. There is added information in a double-page spread at the back, "The Wonder of Rivers". This would be a perfect place to start a study of a river in one's own area. What is its history, how is its health, is there an organization taking care of it? It's a book to enjoy and spark interest in this part of nature many take for granted.