Gregor the Overlander

Author: Suzanne Collins
Age: 9-14
Rating: 3/5

Summary: One afternoon Gregor and his baby sister fall through an open air vent into a world he never dreamed was possible. Cockroaches, bats and rats grow to incredible sizes and almost as surprising for Gregor is that there is a thriving human city here. The Underlanders can help Gregor get home, but they are on the brink of war and need his help.

Thoughts: This book is around the 300 page mark, but the reading level is pretty easy. It would be fine for that advanced reader who is still too young for more serious or explicit content, but still good for an older student who reads at a lower level. The story itself progresses quickly and the quest is easy to follow. The main hero -Gregor- is very likable. He places his family first and their worries above his own, he is loyal, he believes in fair play and justice. Gregor is also sensitive to others, not only his family but even with people (or creatures) he doesn't particularly like.


This book got a three because I'd recommend it, and I can appreciate why kids would like this story, but there are so many other adventures out there that I've enjoyed much more. As an adult my biggest beef is that the conflicts were too easily resolved for me to be satisfied with the story or to be much excited for the rest of the series. But as a kid for whom this is intended -it's just right.

I have many many boys who tell me they love this series and would like to read something similar. That's the tough part. I'd recommend trying:

-The Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series by Rick Riordan
- Keys to the Kingdom Series by Garth Nix
-The Book of Ember Series by Jeanne DuPrau

Know any other read-a likes?

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

Author: Betty Smith
Rating: 5/5
Ages: 12+

I’ve been recommended this book so often by people that I love and respect, and some by whom I was totally surprised to learn this was their favourite book of all time. I tucked the information away, but never picked up the book to read it. And really only ever thought of it when I’d see somebody reading it. Then I bought a t-shirt with the cover printed on it. Normally, I never would get a shirt that advertised something so boldly about myself, especially since I hadn’t read the book. But it looked so comfy and I liked the cover image a lot. I promised myself I wouldn’t wear it until I read the book. Well, I didn’t follow through on that. I found a copy, but wore the shirt before I even broke the spine. I’ve never had so many strangers be so eager to talk to me as when I wear that shirt. It is a lot of people’s favourite book! What a fraud I felt wearing that shirt… So I finally picked up the book.

And I’m pleasantly surprised by this thoughtfully written, slowly unfolding story. It’s the story of a girl who is growing up in Brooklyn New York at the turn of the century. Not a whole lot happens. It is not full of action or suspense, but it built a curiosity inside me about the characters and their lives that made we want to get to know them better. I’m not sure I’ve ever gotten to know a character so well as Katie or Francie Nolan.
This is a thinking story. The characters spend a lot of time just thinking. They think about the people in their communities, about the people in their families and about their lives and what is important in a good life and about their place in the world. So this would be best shared or recommended to a “thinker.” The story could be moralizing at times, which made me think that this might be a story to share with a daughter or special little girl of 11 or 12 years old, or if you have that type of relationship maybe a daughter older. Some points of discussion that could be raised with them might be about pride, wants/needs, morality, sexuality, marriage and faith.

One of the things that really makes this a recommended story by me is that Francie is so in love with life. She finds so much beautiful around her, and I love the way the author describes everyday objects or routines in a way that allows the reader to see them beautiful too. If this is on your “to read” list and you’re looking for a classic, consider this one.

Castle Waiting

Vol.1 & Vol.2
Author: Linda Medley
Ages: 14+
Rating: 4/5

What is it about?
Once upon a time there was a castle. In that castle were a good and wise King and Queen, and in their kingdom was peace. But the King and Queen wanted a baby, and this is where the trouble begins. Fast forward a hundred years and everybody in the castle awakens when a prince wakes a princess with a kiss. Then the prince and princess abandon the castle and all the people in it. This book is about what happens after that.


Why I loved it?
This is a story about stories. Many many years after the prince and princess abandon the castle only three handmaidens remain of the original inhabitants. The castle becomes a place where misfits find refuge from a cruel world outside. The characters are dynamic and each has a background story, though we're not introduced to all the backgrounds yet. The characters are a family: the love each other and they drive each other crazy, and they have secrets from each other -seemingly convinced that the rest couldn't accept or love them as well if all the details were known. The stories are endearing and funny and some are a little bit heartbreaking -which is a trait I kind of love in a story.


I would recommend this graphic novel for an older audience because I don't think that it would be as well appreciated by anyone younger. But, somebody younger might read it and enjoy it, then come back in a few years and appreciate it in a different way. NOTE: Some 'cussing', nothing too harsh but probably not something you'd want a 9 year old repeating.  

This rating could only be higher if I didn't have to wait so long for the next volume, which as far as I can tell doesn't even have an anticipated release date yet.

Garmann's Summer

Author: Stian Hole
Age: 5+
Rating: 5/5

About: Summer is almost over which means that 6 year old Garmann will start school for the first time. But he's nervous and a little scared, and he still has all of his baby teeth. And like every summer, his three elderly Aunties are coming to visit. This year, Garmann wonders if they are afraid of anything?

Thoughts:

"Every year the aunts come for a few days,

bringing rheumatism, hernias, and almond tart." 

p. 2

I love the writing. Mostly simple sentences, which are perfect because the story is about a six year old and his ideas and wonderings. It has an interesting balance between jadedness or skepticism and innocence. Or maybe it is the balance between such a serious yet honest question in relation to the unique illustrations, but I thought it quite poetic.

This story was thoughtful and charming and interesting. Garmann asks two big questions like"what are you afraid of" and "are you afraid to die?" The answers that the Aunties and his parents give are all a little different, and while they make him feel better -he's still scared.
But that's okay -aren't we all?

I want to own this.

The Graveyard Book

Author: Neil Gaiman
Rating:4/5
Ages: 9+

Summary:
Bod was adopted as a baby, and has grown into a normal boy. As normal as a boy who was adopted and raised by ghosts that is. He lives in an old and sprawling graveyard, and only has only ever met one other living person, well half-living, and that is his mysterious guardian Silas. Bod's adventures in and around (and below) the graveyard will not leave you bored.

Thoughts:
I read this a few years ago, and I admit I'm a little foggy on the details of my first impressions of the book. I do know that enjoyed reading this book, and that it was fun to read about Bod's adventures growing up in a graveyard -learning the secrets of ghosts, venturing where he was told never to go, even the loneliness the first time he makes a wholly human friend. This was a good adventure with a little bit of mystery and darkness.

The thing that still stands out for me is the character Silas. We never do learn very much about him, just that he lives in both worlds, ghost and human. I would love it if Gaiman wrote a companion novel just about Silas and his adventures, or history.

Baboon

Author: David Jones
Age: Grade 5+
Rating: 5/5

About: Gerry's parents are scientists. They study baboons on the Africa savannah for 6 months of the year, and they always bring Gerry with them. Though he's not too thrilled about it. But things get worse for him before they get better. On their way to their new camp, the plane flies into a lightning storm and the plane crashes. Gerry is thrown from the plane. When he wakes he's a baboon.

Thoughts: This is one of the hottest books from my list. It's been checked out all summer so far.

I really liked this one. I was hooked from the point of the plane crash, which is a few pages in. It's got some creepiness -faceless baboons in some dream sequences. It's tense -especially when he begins to realize that the longer he's a baboon the more he forgets about being a person. And it is clear that the author is passionate about baboons and did some considerable research for this book. All this combined with his efforts to survive and become human again make this book great for recommending.

Plus it's less than 200 pages, but doesn't feel rushed so it's great to sell to reluctant readers.

Crunch

Author: Leslie Connor
Age: 10+
Rating: 4/5

What it's about:
Have you ever imagined what it would be like if there were no cars on the road? You could just ride your bike on the street instead of on the sidewalk. Well, one summer, the gas stations run out of gas. That's good and bad news for Dewey's family. Good news because his family owns a small bicycle repair business, and with no cars around people need bikes. It's bad news because Dewey's Dad drives Big Rig trucks for a living, and now he's stuck on the other side of the country with their mom. So Dewey and his siblings are running the business on their own.


Thoughts: This was such an enjoyable read! Dewey is trying to prove how responsible he is by taking care of the family business, and he's doing a great job actually. But he doesn't want to recognize that maybe he's taking too much on. He's only 14 after all, but he's being professional and trying to deliver quality service and great customer service.

What I liked so much about this story is that it is realistic. Dewey is trying to prove that he's responsible and that he can handle the stress of the situation he's in, but it's burning him out. He's got a lot to deal with, the family business which is getting busier and busier, a grumpy younger brother to help him, a proud older sister who doesn't think they should accept any help from anyone, and a twin 5 year old siblings who don't understand why their parents can't come home yet. Then on top of it all he realizes that somebody is stealing from them! Yet, despite all the stress, he's still a 14 year old who likes to ride his bike -fast, and spoil his 5 year old siblings. He tries hard to believe the good in people, and there are plenty of great family moments that made me smile. This was probably one of my favorite Grade 5 picks this year.

Author: Elvira Woodruff
Ages: 9-12
Rating: 4/5

About: Forrest is the Ravenmaster's son in the Bloody Tower of London. He helps to look after the tower's ravens and the prisoners. But Forrest is a sensitive good hearted boy. So after the last public hanging, when he got sick at the sight of the execution, the other boys make fun of him. Wishing for a chance to show his courage, Forrest can't wait to take care of the Tower's new inmate -a Scottish rebel. That is, until the rebel turns out to be an 11 year old girl.

Thoughts: I really enjoyed reading this story. It was a little slow to start, but did a great job of bringing the reader into the 18th century and giving a glimpse of what life was like.
The dialogue was also stylized after the 18th century way of speaking and gives young readers new vocabulary to try out. Woodruff does a nice job of explaining uncommon words and expressions in such a way that makes it part of the story, rather than an aside. A glossary at the back helps to clarify further.

This was a fairly quick read for me, as I was anxious for the characters and didn't want to put the book down until I finished the story!

Hide & Seek

Author: Katy Grant
Ages: 10+
Rating: 2/5

About:  Chase has started a new hobby: Geocaching. This will be his first geocache search on his own and he's excited, but when he finds the cache it has been tampered with by somebody who appears to need help. With a little patience and some clever thinking Chase discovers two boys who seem to be perpetually camping with their dad. Chase is suspicious and determined to find out what these boys are hiding or what they are hiding from.

Thoughts: This story definitely had some suspense, but so much of the story was drawn out and slow going that it often took away from the main interest of the plot. I liked the descriptions of the wilderness and Chase's appreciation of it all but I found that often these parts were inserted into the story when I was getting anxious about what would happen next. And what would happen next was just more of Chase daydreaming about elk or how his parents might move the family to the city.
 
*Spoiler* It turns out the two boys Chase befriends have been kidnapped by their father, and have been missing for almost two years. Obviously he is stunned and doesn't know what to do. Leading up to this point he's repeatedly thought about how great it would be to be a hero. He want's to save the day and prove he's not a kid anymore. So here is his chance to save these boys and reunite them with their mother. So does he call the police? No. Does he call his parents? No. He does call the missing boys' mother and tells her he has seen them. But then hangs up without giving her any details about where they might be going. And he does have ideas, and he gave the boys a way to signal him. He decides it would be useful to find out for sure where they went before telling anybody else about it. He should have told his parents and or the police as soon as he realized the boys were kidnapped. Then if he didn't want to wait around, I could buy that he went out looking for them and all the same action could have happened.

And I can't believe it. But for the sake of a coming of age story, I'm willing to see past this major oversight. What turned me off the most was at the end.

Chase's parents are all telling him how proud they are of him and how he did the "right thing" and used his common sense, and how he's a hero because he saved a boy's life. ... Wait what? Even after he's found at the gas station after being missing all night, he doesn't reveal what happened. He waited for his dad to pick him up, topped up on breakfast, and had a heart to heart with his dad before he spilled about the boys -meanwhile the littlest one was getting so sick he almost died. 

To glaze over the fact that he should have trusted his parents (at least) who clearly love him, made me crazy. Yes, I can see praising Chase for his kindness to the boys, and for his cleverness in uncovering the mystery around who they were. But he put the boys and himself in danger by not confiding in anybody. In a book for young people, to not emphasize that he should have told somebody/anybody at least before he took off that last time, is irresponsible. Keeping secrets can be dangerous. That is the point I would have liked to see reinforced.

Fatty Legs

by Margaret Pokiak-Fenton and Christy Jordon-Fenton

Age: 9+
Rating: 4/5

Summary:
This is a memoir for children about a girl's experiences at a residential school. Margaret was an 8 year old who wanted to learn to read. Her older sister knew how to read, but always told Margaret not to go to school.  And when the boats came to collect students from Margaret's isolated island, her mother and father tried to hide her away so that she wouldn't have to go to school. But Margaret was stubborn and she begged and convinced her parents it was a good idea to send her to school. But Margaret's classes are not what she expected, and the teachers are even further from it.


Thoughts:
It's a topic that is difficult to approach with kids (it's difficult to talk about with adults for that matter), but the authors did a great job of making the story of residential schools accessible to younger readers. The personal illustrations throughout really add to the interest factor I think, and reinforce that this is a true story. I'm looking forward to reading the sequel, about Margaret's return home and the challenges she faces then.

Sammy Keyes

 And the Skeleton Man

Author: Wendelin Van Draanen
Ages: 9+
Rating: 5/5

About:
Sammy is ALMOST too old to go trick-or-treating. She's in grade 8, and might have quit except that it's the only night you're allowed to be out running around like a banshee without parents.  And knocking on the Bush Man's door and scaring yourself silly is all part of it, but not tonight. Tonight somebody robbed the Bush Man, and Sammy can't help but to figure out why.

Thoughts:
Sammy is a great spunky girl. While trying her best to keep her nose out of the Bush Man's business (which will never happen), Sammy also has to deal with a bully at school, major fashion faux-pas (heh heh -that's a pun you'll get if you read the book), and a pretty messed up family situation. That's a lot for a girl to deal with, and yet the story isn't a downer. Sammy doesn't stew in self-pity, she stands up for herself, she's resourceful and very clever.

I chose the first book in this series for my Summer Booklist (Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief), but we don't have it in my library yet. I read this one in the mean time to make sure it would be alright. The first book takes place in September of grade 8, and this one in October/early November.

As an aside:
Despite what we're all taught "Never judge a book by its cover" everyone does. The cover is a clue to the contents. It and the title are what makes it stand out from millions and millions of other books.  The cover of the edition I read is the one at the top. It's an older copy, and the cover art kind of dates it. The interesting thing I think are the re-incarnations of the book cover. Below are three newer covers. I'm pretty disappointed by the cover on the left because I think that it would narrow the potential audience of the book. A boy probably wouldn't pick it up. A tomboy probably wouldn't pick it up. Heck, I'm not sure if Sammy would pick it up. 

Summer Reading 2012

My Grade 5 list for the 2012 Summer Reading Game.

• Dog Sense  by S. B. Collard
• Crunch  by L.Connor
• Fatty Legs  by M. Pokiak-Fenton
• Amelia Lost  by C. Fleming
• Igraine the Brave  by C. Funke
• The Graveyard Book  by N. Gaiman
• The Exchange Student  by K. Gilmore
• Hide & Seek  by K. Grant
• Baboon  by D. Jones
• The 6th Grade Nickname Game  by G. Korman
• Liesl & Po  by L. Oliver
• A Dog's Way Home  by B. Pyron
• Alcatraz versus the Evil Librarians  by B. Sanderson
• Ghostopolis  by D. TenNapel
• Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief  by W. Van Draanen
• The Ravenmaster's Secret  by E. Woodruff

I have not read them all, which makes composing the list so much more difficult. Some I've just been meaning to read for a long time, and others came recommended from co-workers and goodreads.

In the next couple of weeks I'll be focusing my entries on these books. In the mean time if you like, you can check out the only one I've reviewed so far Alcatraz versus the Evil Librarians.

Phileas's fortune

Author: Agnes de Lestrade
Illustrator: Valeria Docampo
Age: 4+
Rating: 5/5

About: In a world where people must buy words to eat in order to speak them, how do you tell someone how you feel if you do not have the words to tell them? Phileas captures words left floating in the sky and puts his heart behind the words he owns to share what he feels.

Thoughts: Phileas can't afford the words he wants to speak to his neighbour for her birthday. But he's found some beautiful words that he's been saving for her, and when he finally gets to share them... The combination of anticipation, intimacy, colour and the words created a rushing feeling in my ears and a warm feeling in my fingers.

I also love the versatility in words that author uses. The idea that one word can mean so much more than what you might find in a dictionary is so lovely to me, and can show how important it can be to choose your words carefully.  Words can hurt, they can help healing, they can show great love. How  words are shared with the people you exchange them with gives so much to their meaning and how they are received.   

This story is simple but gets an important message across. Sincerity and actions filled with love are more powerful than cold thoughtless ones.

Red Sings from Treetops

Author: Joyce Sidman
Illustrator: Pamela Zagarenski
Ages: any+
Rating: 5/5

About: An illustrated book of poetry about the colours of seasons.

Thoughts: I'll probably buy this book, I love the illustrations so much. Mixed media and rich colours helped me enjoy the poetry a lot more than if the poems had appeared on their own. Were the poems written to go with the paintings or the other way around? They pair beautifully. Read this aloud with my husband.

This author and illustrator have paired to create another volume I enjoyed which was This is just to say: Poems of Apology and forgiveness.

It's about a class of Grade six students who write letters of apology to those around them about something they feel they've done wrong. The first half of the book is the class poetry, the second half are the responses. Some of them made me laugh, a couple of them broke my heart, but they all were worth it to read.

NOTE: This is fiction, the class does not actually exist.

But it's easy to imagine they do.

Singing Away the Dark

Author:Caroline Woodward
Illustrator: Julie Morstad
Ages:3+
Rating:4/5

About: A little girl walks from her home to the bus stop, through the woods, in the dark early morning of winter.

Thoughts: I like the leisurely pace of this story, even though she is rushing to the bus, we get the chance to see so much on the way. I love the old fashioned flavour of the illustrations and the use of white space in them.

I also love this book because it reminded me a little of when I used to walk to and from the bus in the woods in the dark, or even to my Aunt and Uncle's who lived next door. I would get spooked by the dark thinking a bear was just beyond my sight. So my mom told me to sing out loud and it would scare anything away (I still tend to hum when I'm nervous). So I was pretty pleased to see the author actually grew up in Peace Country, same as me!

Press Here

Author: Hervé Tullet
Ages: 3 up!
Rating: 5/5

The first time I came across this book I was fascinated. What a creative wonderful idea for a book! I immediately brought it out to the front desk where I was working, and made an impromptu storytime with a co-worker. An older gentleman observing us, asked if he could participate in the story. He gently shook the book when the pages asked him to, and clapped loudly with other staff members when I asked for all their help with the book.

Now, I've finally used it with the age group the publisher intended it for -with roaring success. First a group 5-6 year olds who giggled and laughed throughout, then with a group of 3-4 year olds who participated with awe.

A favorite of mine for storytimes from now on. There's enough pages that I can get every child to have a turn making something in the book happen.

Still not sure what makes this book so great?
I don't think I can even describe it. Watch this Book Trailer instead.

Library Propaganda

Came across this awesome poster while on a friend's tumblr page..











Which reminded me of a few I saw on an awesome blog I love to follow called theoutreachlibrarian








Oh library advocacy, how I love you.