BOOKS CURRENTLY WAITING TO BE READ

We take a brief pause from our 2013 retrospective tour to look ahead to 2014 and what is currently in my stack of books to read. (again - in no particular order)  What books are in your "to be read" pile?

The Searchers:  A Quest for Faith in the Valley of Doubt by Joseph Loconte  Recommended by Os Guinness and Eric Metaxas

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

Whistling Past the Graveyard by Susan Crandall

Love in the Time of Global Warming by Francesca Lia Block

Splintered by A. G. Howard

Rags & Bones: New Twists on Timeless Tales by folks like Holly Black and Neil Gaiman

Under the Empyrean Sky by Chuck Wendig (Book 1 of The Heartland Trilogy)

Fallout by Todd Strasser  (What if the bomb had actually been dropped?  What if your family was the only one with a shelter?)

A Street Cat Named Bob and How He Saved My Life by Jim Bowen (due back at the library so this will be first!)

The Runaway King by Jennifer A. Nielsen (sequel to The False Prince)

All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill  "Time travel done right"

Scorched by Mari Mancusi (dragons!)

Counting by 7's by Holly Goldberg Sloan

      

What I Read in 2013 (#4) 

Tweens

Prisoner 88 by Leah Pileggi ~ Historical fiction loosely based on the true story of a young boy who is arrested and jailed in Idaho in 1885.  The story is narrated by ten-year old Jake as we follow him into a prison system that was created for adult men.  Jake faces lots of tough choices that will make for some great discussions if this is used in a book club or read aloud.  Ages 10 and up.

Salt:  A Story of Friendship in a Time of War by Helen Frost ~ Historical fiction written in free verse.  Set in 1812, it is the story of two twelve-year old boys, James and Anikwa, who live in the Indiana Territory.  It relates how they - and their family and friends - must handle rising tensions between the Miami and the American settlers.  Again, good discussion material.  Ages 10 and up.

And Fortunately, The Milk by Neil Gaiman ~ Just read it - very short, absurdly silly, and delightful.  Several years ago, Neil Gaiman wrote "The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish".  The dad in that story was, basically, clueless.  But folks kept writing to Neil about how they were giving that book to their dads on Father's Day...  so he decided he needed to create a story in which the dad was a bit more of a hero.  So, we have a time traveling stegosaurus, aliens, dwarves, wumpires, ponies...  and a hero dad who saves the world.  Ages 9 and up.

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein ~ Mr. Lemoncello is a modern day Willy Wonka except instead of creating yummy candies, he creates games.  All kinds of games - board games, electronic games, computer games.  And he loves books.  So he builds a brand new library for his home town and invites a dozen twelve year olds to join him on the even of the grand opening.  Delightfully fun.  

The Thing About Luck by Cynthia Kadohata ~ Winner of the National Book Award, the story of twelve year old Summer and her younger brother, Jaz, who must accompany her grandparents as part of a harvesting team working their way up through the Midwest.  I liked parts of this book -- even though Summer's life is very different from many other twelve-year olds, it is also very similar.  Summer also has lots of difficult choices to make; it's a good story of persevering through hard times.  Ages 12 and up?  This is not going to appeal to everyone - mainly girls, is my guess.

Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures by Kate diCamillo ~ An unassuming squirrel is accidentally sucked up into a Ulysses vacuum cleaner by Flora Belle Buckman's ditzy neighbor.  Amazingly, the squirrel comes out alive and now in the possession of several super powers.  Flora, of course, immediately adopts him and names him Ulysses.  I LOVED this book.  Please read it.  It may take you a few pages to get into it but trust me -- it is worth it.  It is one of my top ten favorites of the year.  

One Crazy Summer & PS Be Eleven by Rita Williams-Garcia ~  Books 1 & 2 in the Gaither Girl series.  One Crazy Summer follows Delphine and her two younger sisters as they fly from Brooklyn to California.  They are headed for Oakland to spend the summer with the poet mother who abandoned them years before.  The books take place in the 60s and the Black Panthers play a role in Delphine's Crazy Summer.  The second book finds them all safely back home in Brooklyn and heading off to a new school year.  Their beloved Uncle Darnell has returned home from Vietnam but he is very different.  And their dad has gone and gotten himself a girlfriend!  These are excellent books.  Highly recommended for ages 10 and up.  

Goblin Secrets by William Alexander ~ Also a National Book Award winner, Alexander creates a complex fantasy world called Zombay.  There is a witch named Graba (very much like Baba Yaga) who has a horde of abandoned youngsters living with her and answering to her every need (or else).  Rownie is one of them but he desperately wants to find his missing brother so he risks running away from Graba to join a roving theatre troupe comprised of goblins.  Fascinating and well written!  I have the second Zombay book on my stack of to be reads. Ages 10 and up

Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu ~ Another of my top ten favorites for the year.  This is the story of Hazel and her dear friend Jack.  Jack is injured by a snowball that Hazel threw at him in the midst of a jealous fit.  Unfortunately, the injury is in the form of a piece of glass from a magic mirror and it lodges in Jack's heart.  This causes Jack to enter the Magic Forest, lured by the Snow Queen.  Hazel, of course, must go after her friend and rescue him.  Loosely based on Andersen's "The Snow Queen", but set in modern day Minneapolis. The thing I love most about this story is what Hazel learns about herself as she ventures out to find Jack.  Please read this if you get the chance.  It also has lovely illustrations by Erin McGuire.  

The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp by Kathi Appelt ~ Oh, Kathi Appelt!  Why must you write such complicated stories?  Parts of this tale are perfect for the younger set - two adorable raccoon brothers, J'miah and Bingo, entrusted with guarding the swamp from danger plus the story of twelve year old Chap whose mama makes the best fried pies in Louisiana but needs a boat load of money to keep her house and cafe from -- and this is where the story shifts to an older audience -- the bad guys.  Sonny Boy Beaucoup, and his alligator wrestling partner, Jaeger Stitch are determined to pave over the swamp and create a theme park.  Plus a marauding horde of wild hogs and, of course, the Sugar Man. It's a great romp of a story; I just always have a hard time deciding what age is best for her books.  Realistic fiction with a touch of magic.   

What I Read in 2013 (#3)

Easy Reader type books 

I'm a Frog!  (Elephant & Piggie #20!) by Mo Willems ~ Buy this book.  All about friendship and pre-tend-ing!  Love Elephant and Piggie.  

A Big Guy Took My Ball (Elephant & Piggie #19!) by Mo Willems ~  Pair this one with Unicorn Thinks He's Pretty Great by Bob Shea. Again - jumping to conclusions about people is not always a great idea.  

Chu's Day by Neil Gaiman; illustrated by Adam Rex ~ OK -- not really an easy reader. But I forgot to include it in my picture books.  What happens when Chu sneezes?  Chu fans will be happy to know there is a sequel in the works. If I remember correctly, Chu goes to school!  If you want a few activities to accompany the book, check out this website - Mouse Circus.

Penny and Her Marble by Kevin Henkes ~ This is the third book in the Penny series. If you have not met her yet, please take the time to get to know her -- she is delightful.  And in this book, she struggles with a moral dilemma!

Robot, Go Bot! by Dana M. Rau ~ A creative little girl builds a robot out of scraps and then proceeds to boss him around.  Cute! 

       

What I read in 2013 - continued

Non-Fiction/Poetry picture books (again - in no particular order)

Lifetime: The Amazing Numbers in Animal Lives by Lola M. Schaefer ~ If you have a child that loves to count and also loves nature -- find this book!  How many egg sacs will a spider create in its short lifetime (Fans of Charlotte - you know this one!)  How many holes will a woodpecker peck?  How many teeth does a dolphin have?  Fascinating.  And it even includes a few word problems!

The Animal Book: A Collection of the Fastest, Fiercest, Toughest, Cleverest, Shyest--and Most Surprising--Animals on Earth by Steve Jenkins ~ This is our new coffee table books. Steve Jenkins has written more than 30 books on animals and he draws from many of those to create this one book to talk about LOTS of different kinds of animals.  For those who want to learn more about the amazing world of animals.

Birds On a Wire:  A Renga 'round Town by J. Patrick Lewis & Paul B. Janeczko ~ What is a Renga?  An ancient form of poetry writing where one person writes a verse and another responds to it.  This is an older book so look for it in your local library and then - create some renga on your own!

The Story of Silk:  From Worm Spit to Woven Scarves by Richard Sobol ~ A very interesting look at the history of silk and how it is manufactured today (at least - in the village in Thailand where he centered his book!)  5,000 silkworms to create one silk dress!

Unspoken:  A Story from the Underground Railroad by Henry Cole ~ A young girl discovers a runaway slave hiding in her family's barn.  The wordless book format is perfect for this book about keeping secrets and remaining silent and still.  It allows ample opportunity for discussion.

Stardines Swim High Across the Sky: and other poems by Jack Prelutsky ~ A menagerie of wonderful new animals!  My own personal favorite?  The Slobster!  Time to get busy creating your own animals! 

Year of the Jungle:  Memories from the Homefront by Suzanne Collins ~ Yes.  The Hunger Games Suzanne Collins.  This is a very personal memoir of the year she was five and her dad was sent to Vietnam for a year.  Have someone in your life who deploys for a long period of time? Check this one out.  

Twelve Kinds of Ice by Ellen Bryan Obed ~  I loved this book!  The author explores the different kinds of ice that take her and her family through the winter.  A great book to have for the winter many of us are experiencing this year!  

Step Gently Out by Helen Frost and Rick Lieder (photographer) ~ An invitation to look more closely at the wonderful world that surrounds us.  

What I read in 2013 

That I would recommend.  Let me explain "recommend" a bit -- it is in reference to people in my life.  Would I give it to my precious granddaughter?  Or - to one of my nieces?  If the answer is "Yes" - then it is recommended with that point of view in mind.  It may have a few cautions added to it, though.  

PICTURE BOOKS (in no particular order)  These books are all recommended!  There are more but I am trying to limit myself to no more than ten in each category.

Nighty-Night Cooper by Laura Numeroff ~ A sweet bed time book with a twist - little songs made up to familiar tunes.  I think this is a wonderfully creative book that could spark much imitation at home.  Highly recommended.

Unicorn Thinks He's Pretty Great! by Bob Shea ~ A fun book about preconceived notions.  Don't judge someone until you try to understand where they are coming from.  Goat and unicorn = friends after all.  I saw Mr. Shea read this at TBF - too much fun!  

Mr. Tiger Goes Wild by Peter Brown - How to go from super proper to wild and then find a happy medium.  If you own the book, peek under the dust cover for a look at the cover underneath.  This one has some Caldecott buzz.  Time will tell.

 Battle Bunny by Jon Scieszka and Mac Barnett ~  I seriously love these guys.  I wish there was some way to determine how much Jon Scieszka has done to encourage reading.  Have you ever wanted to take one of those cute little Golden Books and change it into something --  a bit darker?  That's what they have done with this book.  Hilarious.  

If You Want to See a Whale by Julie Fogliano and illustrated by Erin Stead ~  I love everything Erin Stead illustrates.  This is no exception.  How would you go about trying to see a whale?  

Count the Monkeys by Mac Barnett ~ Try to count the monkeys!  Except -- other animals keep scaring them away.  Very interactive; very fun!

That is NOT a Good Idea! by Mo Willems ~ What happens when a hungry fox invites a plump goose over for a visit?  Another interactive delight!  

Bluebird by Bob Staake ~ A wordless book about loneliness, bullying, and looking for friends in unexpected places.  Also has a smidgen of Caldecott buzz. Share this one with K and up.  

Hello, My Name is Ruby by Philip C. Stead ~ Follow Ruby, our tiny avian protagonist, as she ventures forth into the big world in search of friends.  Love the Steads! They write great picture books.  

The Matchbox Diary by Paul Fleischman ~ A great-grandfather shares his very unique diary - a cigar box filled with matchbooks which created as an Italian-American immigrant before he could read or write.  Follow along as he shares his journey with his great-granddaughter!  Share this one with K and up.  

The very beginning of the book lets us know that "A Child's Christmas in Wales" was first performed as a BBC radio broadcast in 1945. In 1947, Thomas wrote "Conversations about Christmas". Finally, in 1950, he joined them together into one essay titled "A Child's Memories of Christmas in Wales". After Thomas died in 1953, the version used in this book was published as "A Child's Christmas in Wales". Though truly it is a collection of his memories of how Christmas was celebrated when he was a young boy in Wales in the 1920s. 

Raschka's illustrations are an excellent companion to Thomas' prose. The cover of the book is the color of a winter sky with silver glitter reminiscent of the ever-present snow that "grew overnight on the roofs of the houses like a pure and grandfather moss..." The language is beautiful; the story somewhat disjointed since it is a collection of memories. The size of the book is perfect - a 6" x 8.5" oblong. Nine years old and up, maybe? They will completely understand the snow wanderings and the discussion of Useful vs. more desired Useless Presents. Certainly enough for them to say, "Oh yes - we have that at our Christmas, too!"   My advice is -- if you are familiar with Dylan Thomas and this particular story, then buy this copy.  It's beautifully done and I don't think you will be disappointed.  If, on the other hand, you have never read it before, check out a copy from your local library first.  There are many versions - but giving it a read through will let you know if it's something you want to purchase for your own collection.  

I should also add that I won my copy! Many thanks to Candlewick Press and Elizabeth O. Dulemba for promoting the contest.  

THE LISTS ARE COMING! THE LISTS ARE COMING!

It is indeed that time of year -- when it seems like everyone on the planet puts out "The Best Books of ..." lists.  So my "To Read" list is growing by leaps and bounds!  Here is what I have added in the last few days. 

Bone by Bone:  Comparing Animal Skeletons by Sara Levine; Illustrated by T. S. Spookytooth.  Seriously - who could resist a book illustrated by T. S. Spookytooth?  Comparative anatomy for the K - 2nd grade crowd.  

The Great American Dust Bowl by Don Brown; Illustrated by Don Brown.  A thorough investigation of the Dust Bowl - in graphic novel format!  For ages 11 and up. It has been described as beautiful and compelling; sadly my library does not own it yet so I will have to look for it elsewhere.

The Mad Potter: George E. Ohr, Eccentric Genius by Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan.  I had never heard of George E. Ohr.  Which is one of the things I truly love about kid lit -- you meet so many interesting people!  Both alive and dead.  :-) This man wore his mustache curled around his ears!  And he made beautiful pottery, too.  Ages 10 and up though accessible to younger kids also.

The Tapir Scientist:  Saving South America's Largest Mammal by Sy Montgomery and Nic Bishop.  I have never read anything by Sy Montgomery that was not completely fascinating.  Therefore I assume this story will be also.  Quick!  Where in South America does a tapir live?  Brazil's Pantanale.  What does it look like? It has a snorkel snout!  How lovable is that?  Ages 10 and up.  Lots of pictures; lots of text, too!

Boxers & Saints by Gene Luen Yang Though technically this is probably closer to historical fiction, I am putting it here because it provides a LOT of history about the Boxer Rebellion from both sides of the story.  It is a two-volume graphic novel.  The first volume is Boxers and presents the more traditioanl Chinese side.  The second volume is Saints and presents the Chinese Christan side.  From what I have read, it's a bit gruesome in spots.  But it has received rave reviews.  And I really can't wait to read it.  7th grade and up

Bluffton:  My Summers with Buster Keaton by Matt Phelan  Another graphic novel; another sort of historical/biographical fiction.  Told from the viewpoint of a young boy who grew up close to Buster Keaton whose family spent summers in Bluffton.  A bit of a coming of age tale set in 1908.  6th grade, maybe?  

And last but not least -One that I have read.

The Boy on the Wooden Box: How the Impossible Became Possible... On Schindler's List by Leon Leyson. This is a memoir written by Leyson who was the youngest survivor "adopted" by Schindler.  Read it. It is short and compelling.  

I have read four or five Holocaust stories this year so I will write more about them in a different post.  Happy reading!  Or happy placing holds at your local library!