Lucky For Good

Lucky for Good

Susan Patron (2011)

Third in the Lucky of Hard Pan series. Hard to pin down what this book is "about" except it's about Lucky and how she deals with different events -- school bully, friend leaving, religious beliefs, her absent father.... Good characters, interesting stories.

Untouchable

Untouchable

Scott O'Conner (2012)

Not a children's book (wait until you're older, you wouldn't understand most of it, anyway) but a book I am recommending to any and all that will listen. It's dark, but with art and light and hope.  It's sad, but with love, unbreakable and true.  It's quiet, with emotions and memories and a pull that doesn't let go. It made me wish I could start the last school year over just so I could make sure there were no students like The Kid, hurt and ignored and misunderstood.

The Neverending Story

The Neverending Story

by Michael Ende (1979)

About half way through, but I've been enthralled since the beginning -- and confused: Why have I never read this before?!?

I think it's because the movie came out in 1984, and as a high school senior I wouldn't be caught dead even debating seeing a silly puppet kid's flick... I still haven't seen it, and I've exposed my kids to The Dark Crystal and every Muppet epic.

......

update: Finished! It's a long one, could almost say it felt ne.  ver.  en.  ding, but well worth the full read.  Heroes, self-worth, scary and silly creatures (very Narnia-like), finding and following the right priorities of love for family and friends.  I think the first half would be a great read aloud for the classroom, but the second half gets a little long and deep.

An adventure, magic, fantasy story with elements of bullying, self-image, being who you are, reaching your potential, and putting others above self.

Love to find more info on the author and the story (beyond Wikipedia).

Gregor the Overlander

Summer is here, and with the sun, free time, and slim chance I might get a classroom next fall comes the list of childrens/young adult books to read -- the stack's not too tall yet if you have any suggestions...

by Suzanne Collins (2003)

A good ol' traditional Tolkien-ish fantasy quest, including the unlikely hero full of unexpected bravery, the quarreling companions, the ancient poetic prophecy, and right down to the spiders... these ones are orange with blue blood, but still creepy and gross.  This one adds in a cute and courageous baby sister who sings to giant cockroaches, and a good time is had by all.

Quick paced, fresh ideas, lively battles, and of course more adventures/books to come!

Jim the Boy

Jim the Boy

by Tony Earley (2000)

Loved it.

A boy whose father died before he was born, but is very much present in his and his mother's life*, grows up in small town America with trains, Ty Cobb, the coming of electric lights, and his 3 uncles to show him the way.  Good balance between the lighter county fair and school yard chapters and those that deal with Polio, a dead father, and a scary grandfather.  Captures the confusion and perspective of a young boy well.

*Probably some of the "eternal love" stuff is above a 10 yr old, but even if the boys just skim through those parts there's a lot good in the book.

The Book Thief

The Book Thief*

by Markus Zusak (2005)

Great book.  Beautiful, simple, touching book.

Very rarely do I want to start a book over as soon as I finish it, but this one is on that special list.  Narrated respectfully by Death, the collector of souls kept extremely busy by Hitler and WWII, it is the story of a girl who loses and gains everything. She knows death and loss from the beginning, but through a new family, friends, and a Jew hidden in the basement we are shown the strength of love, hope, and doing what is right.  It is not always a happy book, and it certainly isn't a traditional happy ending, but it brings attention to what is truly important. 

I really liked the use of art in the story, the pages of illustrations that show us Max's book, not just tell us about it.  Students could make their own nook/graphic novel with old books.

My 15 year old loved it, my 12.75 year old will read it next.  It's not an easy book for every reader, but it's not difficult either. Beyond the Holocaust connection there can be discussions of family, loyalty, risk, and the power of words/books.


*I have found that in the 20+ times I have written the title of this book in various places over the past 2 weeks, I have spelled the word "thief" correctly exactly once.  Well, twice, since I just spelled it right in that last sentence, but that was 'cause I was really, really concentrating.

Freak The Mighty

Freak the Mighty

by Rodman Philbrick  (1993)

This is another one of those books Son #2 has been recommending for several years.  He started reading it to #3 in the truck when we ran errands.  I really liked the "Live Audiobook" version, but we got home at a good part and I couldn't lock the boys in the car until they finished reading, so I finished it up myself.

Outcasts, one huge/quiet/parentally challenged (one dead, one in prison) and one small/loud/obsessed with quests, find each other and form a bond against bullies and criminals.  It's a sad story...

oops, powers running out.

Just asking, but which came first -- this book or John Irving's Prayer for Owen Meany?

Ramona and Her Father

Ramona and Her Father

by Beverly Clearly (1975)

A little more serious than the other Cleary books I picked up -- unemployment, nicotine addiction, abandonment issues, engine trouble... but still sweet, still humorous.  The focus is on Ramona and daily life dealing with her father losing his job and trying to quit smoking, with the strong family bond and balance of relationships throughout.

Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy

Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy


by Gary D. Schmidt (2004)


Newbery Honor Book


This book tried hard to bring tears to my eyes, but I held out.  Beautiful, but not cheerful.


A 13-yr old minister's son deals with racism, grumpy old lady neighbors, the "Eephus" pitch, clams, and falling in love with Lizzie Bright... based on historical events in 1912, the story follows Turner Buckminster as he attempts to adjust to a new town while dealing with being a minister's son.  His only friend is Lizzie, a poor black girl living where the town wants to build hotels.  But Turner learns to stand up for himself and his beliefs, even get a little rebellious, and his Dad, the bully, and the grumpy old lady sidle on over to his side as well.  After a rough (emotionally) climax, the ends are tied up a little too neatly, but after all that is the end of the book.  Thank goodness this isn't one of those "part 1 of 17 in the series" books...


A tough read for some students, but rewarding and much to discuss.

Because of Winn-Dixie

Because of Winn-Dixie

by Kate DiCammilo (2001)

Newbery Honor Book

A dog that smiles and is afraid of thunderstorms.  A mother that runs off and a father that preaches.  Quirky townsfolk that help a girl cope. Great book.

I think this book would be useful in helping students start writing, using pets/animals that communicate with children.

Winter Danger

Winter Danger

William O. Steele (1954)

A boy and his father live the "woodsy" life, sleeping in hollow trees and hunting for food, until a extremely hard winter forces the father to leave the boy with relatives; the solitary, independent boy learns about family, community, depending on and helping others. Plus he has a cool battle with wolves.

connections: LHontheP, Hatchet

The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs

The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs

by Betty G.* Birney (2005)

A boy who wants to travel and see the world, or at least get off the farm and ride a train, looks around his small town for "wonders" and finds how special his family and neighbors really are. Well done characters, humor, strength of family and community, but also following your dreams, looking out into the wide world.

*are there a lot of other Betty Birneys out there she might get confused with?

George's Secret Key to the Universe

George's Secret Key to the Universe

Lucy & Stephen Hawking (2007)

How to get kids interested in black holes and the depths of space... pages from a science text subliminally placed inside a story about a secret super computer that can get you a ride on a comet, with reminders to care for the earth and solve our wasteful ways before it's too late...

Quick, light story but not predictable... great to accompany space/science lessons

The Anybodies

The Anybodies

by N. E. Bode/Julianna Baggott (2004)

The entire story was worth the house made of books (which I'm sure is cheaper than the prices here in SoCal)... lots of references to classic children's lit, clever and humorous comments from the "author", nice family connections, a sweet and strong lead character... I really liked this one!

update: I saw on the author's website there are 39 books and their characters, from Charlotte & Fern to the Bible, referenced in this book... can you find them all?

Eggs

Eggs

by Jerry Spinelli (2007)

Misfit, emotionally stressed, parentless kids argue and bond and help each other... they argued a bit much for me, but maybe that's because I have my own that I usually refuse to let bicker/fight/insult (unless it's clever) with each other. A deceased mom, a wacky mom, missing and rarely there dads, a clueless Grandmother that lets her 9 yr old roam the streets all night (?), and a teen girl with issues (the book on her would be a J Frey/C. Love memoir) all connect for a too easy ending, but lots of issues to discuss with kids -- grief, growing up/personal responsibilty, connecting with others...

Babe and Me

Babe and Me

by Dan Gutman (2000)

"A Baseball Card Adventure" -- if my review gets confused, it may be because we just watched the movie Everybody's Hero about a kid and Babe Ruth... pretty cool, mixes in real world events with a boy that can travel back in time, unbelievable but fun...