The Dog Days of August

 AUGUST

August? August got away from me...  But here is what I read.  Cute sloth books! Lots of graphic novels! And some middle grade books on the Newbery Award radar.

Klassen has a new series of board books - one for each season. They are exceptional. Have you ever heard of Gogoosh? She is a singing superstar from Iran and this picture book bio about her is a very interesting story. I enjoyed both Free Piano (Not Haunted) and Creaky Acres. The middle grade fiction on various Newbery lists includes The Peach Thief which is historical with a girl disguised as a boy protagonist; Bad Badger, a rather unconventional but completely wonderful love story; and The Trouble with Heroes which deals with grief, COVID, and 9/11. And climbing LOTS of mountains.

 What are you reading for fall?

                   

   

       

         

     

 JULY 

So many books, so little time...  I enjoyed Will's Race for Home by Jewell Parker Rhodes. It is historical fiction about the Oklahoma Land Rush of 1889 and I've never read much about that. I knew it happened but did not realize how much land was rushed. Rhodes also discusses the fact that the land was really not America's to give away. There are two fairy tale retellings - James Marshall's The Three Little Pigs and Goats Afloat by Lezlie Evans. I am working my way through Marshall's fairy tales and they are delightful. The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies by Alison Goodman was very thought provoking. Evil has always existed and this book delves into the particular evils perpetrated against women and children in 1812 England. Most Regency period historical romances don't necessarily involve forty year old women - especially those doing their best to right societal wrongs. I am looking forward to reading the second book.