Malcolm Under the Stars by W. H. Beck, a heartfelt story with charm galore

This is a charming story filled with suspense. Under Beck's deft touch, McKenna School comes to life, with all of its sights, sounds, and scents. As you progress through the story, you find yourself rooting for the sometimes unlikely allies.

In the end, as a mother and a librarian, what resonated most with me is the bittersweet truth that all of the "nutters" eventually grow up and move on. Throughout the story, Malcolm grapples with the knowledge that he is facing a future without Amelia, but could his future hold someone else who will need Malcolm, his courage, and his big heart, as well as the other animals of the Midnight Academy? Like Malcolm sniffing a crumb out of Jovahn's pocket, I "sniff" and hope for a sequel.

Review of Red Berries White Clouds Blue Sky by Sandra Dallas

Tomi Itano is a twelve-year-old American girl of Japanese descent. Her parents came to this country for freedom and opportunity.  In the aftermath of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Tomi's father is suspected of being a spy and is taken away while Tomi and the rest of her family are sent to an internment camp.

I enjoyed this book. The story is told from Tomi's point of view which allows a reader to truly grasp and share her dismay at the gross injustice being enacted upon these people. One particularly poignant moment occurs when Tomi asks a boy who has been prejudiced against Americans of Japanese descent what language he speaks at home. He responds: "German." This is a compelling moment in the story that is deftly handled by Dallas.

The book is subtle and delicate in tone and illuminates a tragic chapter in American history in a way that is immediately accessible to middle grade readers. My only criticism of the story is that Dallas ties it up too neatly in the end, but I will leave it at that.

This is a book that I intend to share with my fourth and fifth grade students in the upcoming school year.

Chippewa Valley Book Festival - Author in the schools

I am super excited that I will be one of the authors presenting in the schools as part of the Chippewa Valley Book Festival in October. It is a wonderful event and I have thoroughly enjoyed having the authors appear at my school.

Chippewa Valley Book Festival - Authors in the Schools

Review - ONCE by Morris Gleitzman

Once is an interesting read. It is the story of Felix, a Jewish boy whose parents have hidden him in a Catholic orphanage in Poland. Felix is a hopeless optimist in the very best sense. He genuinely believes that his bookseller parents will ultimately be returning to reclaim him, that, for the past three years, they have been simply hiding and protecting their books. Felix is a storyteller who has recorded his stories for his parents in his journal. Felix sets off through war torn, 1940s Poland in search of his parents. Along the way, the horrible and tragic reality of World War Two becomes apparent even to Felix, who truly imagines the best in all things and people. He rescues a little girl named Zelda and, accompanied by her, finds his way to the sheltering protection of a kindly dentist. The story is beautifully written and Felix is a compelling and sympathetic protagonist. It is nearly painful to watch as the veil of optimism is torn from Felix's mind and heart. Still, throughout the story, Felix's essential goodness remains untouched. The essence of the story is captured in the title, that is: "Everybody deserves to have something good in their life at least . . . Once." The concept is beautiful and this theme underpins the story. There is no easy resolution to Felix's life situation, and the author handles it deftly. A compelling read for students in fifth grade and above. The reading level makes it accessible to younger students, but the subject matter would be more accessible and comprehensible to middle grade readers.

The Prisoner of Cell 25 - couldn't put it down

I bought this book of a review several years ago. It was described as a great book for reluctant readers. So, I suggested it as an end of year read aloud for a 5th grade classroom. Michael Vey mania ensued. All of the students, girls and especially boys, were discussing the book, requesting it, reading it. It was a librarian's dream. I ordered the sequels and the phenomenon continued. But, for some reason, I didn't pick up the book myself. I understood the premise, a boy with electrical powers who also grapples with Tourette's syndrome while fighting an evil group bent on world domination. Then, one weekend, I somewhat reluctantly, brought the book home. That night, with determination, I sat down to read, and found I couldn't put it down. Michael is an appealing hero, an underdog, but one who rises to every occasion. I liked the idea of the other electrical kids and their unique and different powers. I like how Michael makes unlikely allies, even with some rather suspect kids. I guess what I most enjoyed about the book is that Michael is a real and believable middle school aged kid. The book is a nonstop thriller that kids and adults can't put down. I am a Michael Vey fan!

Classic Librarian Cartoon

Some of My Favorite Christmas Books for Children

 

 

 

This is one of my favorite "true" Christmas stories. It is set on the western front on a Christmas Eve during World War One. It relates a magical night when the soldiers laid down their arms to celebrate the spirit of the season. When I teach this book, usually to fifth graders, I also play the song. This is a deeply moving tale.

 

 

 

I absolutely love the illustrations in this animal oriented telling of the Christmas story. The handling of the Jesus story is very gentle and deft. The animals express nearly human thoughts and feelings about miracle of Christmas.