Jillicious Reading: The Paper Cowboy

The Paper Cowboy 
by Kristin Levine

Summary: Tommy is a good looking kid who is liked and followed by the kids at his school.  But what they don't know is that he is hiding many secrets.  At home, his mother is prone to severe mood swings and Tommy has to help a great deal with his little sisters. When his older sister is severely burned in an accident, things go from bad to worse.  As Mary Lou, his only ally in the house, heals in the hospital,Tommy must take over Mary Lou's early morning paper route and try to hold things together at home as his mother becomes more and more violent. Tommy lashes out, becoming a cruel bully at school, stealing from a neighborhood store, and even framing the store owner. 

Tommy dreams of being a cowboy, like the great Gary Cooper in the movie High Noon.  But instead, he is acting like one of the bad guys.  Is it too late for Tommy to make things right?   

Thoughts:  The Paper Cowboy is a powerful, authentic story of a young boy's struggle to deal with a troubled home life and to figure out who he is in the process.  Levine adeptly pulls the reader into the fragile setting where everything depends on Tommy's mother's mood and his overwhelmed father has no idea how to handle the situation.  Levine develops a complex character in Tommy - he bravely withstands his mother's abuse, tenderly protects his little sisters, and worries about the healing of his older sister; then the next day, he harshly treats kids at school, steals, and lies.  But, his inner struggle with his behaviors and the way he grows with each chapter provides hope and has the reader cheering for Tommy to do the right things. 

The historical backdrop of McCarthyism adds depth and interest to the novel.  Levine's excellent connections between the boys' bullying on the schoolyard to the adult targeting of alleged Communists allow for much thought and discussion. The theme of bullying is contrasted perfectly with the caring friendships that develop in the community once Tommy takes the time to truly get to know the people in his school and in his neighborhood.  

The Paper Cowboy is a thoughtful novel about acceptance, compassion, and overcoming life's struggles. Inspired by the author's father's childhood, the book ends with interesting notes and photographs.  

Read The Paper Cowboy if you ...  

• enjoyed Kristin Levine's previous novels
• like engaging historical fiction that is well-researched and immediately transports you to a different place in time
• have ever been a bully or the victim of a bully
• are inspired by stories of characters overcoming difficult circumstances
• enjoy books where the characters greatly develop and grow 
• ever wanted to be a cowboy, a hero, or just one of the good guys 

Visit Kristin Levine's website for more information about The Paper Cowboy and Ms. Levine's writing.  

NOTE:  Last year several of our 7th grade classes read Ms. Levine's The Lions of Little Rock as a class novel.  At the completion of the novel study, we Skyped with the author.  What a great experience!   She is a fun, inspiring lady.  

Jillicious Reading: The Winner's Curse

The Winner's Curse
by Marie Rutkoski

Summary: Kestrel is the daughter of the general, part of the aristocracy.  She is used to winning and to getting what she wants.  On a whim, she purchases a slave, Arin, in an auction.  It is not long before he starts to change the way Kestrel thinks, the way she sees the world, the way she feels about everything.  But Arin is not what he seems.   

Thoughts: The Winner's Curse is a completely enthralling novel. It pulled me in from the very beginning because of its originality.... a world of indulgent aristocrats, a conquered people-turned-slaves, and a society that values military strategy and prowess in combat over the arts.  

Kestrel is passionate about music, but it is not seen as a worthy pursuit of the upper class.  Her father insists that she join the military or get married, so she looks for ways to exert control in her life.  This is quickly lost when her world is turned upside down.  The novel is lush and intoxicating, pulling the reader into a world of high society, political intrigue, secrets, forbidden love, and betrayal.  Kestrel and Arin are complex, well-developed characters, both full of surprises.  I look forward to their continued story in the next two books of the trilogy.                

Read The Winner's Curse if you ...

• like books that pull you into a completely different, fully imagined new world
• liked the Incarceron series by Catherine Fisher, the Shadow and Bone series by Leigh Bardugo or For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund
  
• look for atmospheric novels with a unique feel
• enjoy stories with unexpected plot twists and turns
• love stories of star-crossed love!  :)

Click here to read more about The Winner's Trilogy and author Marie Rutkoski. 

Jillicious Healthy Bites: True Stories from the Holocaust

Stories from the Jewish Holocaust during WW II continue to captivate readers.  As difficult as it is to read about the depths of human evil reached during this time, it is also incredibly inspiring to read of those who held onto hope in horrific circumstances and ultimately survived to tell their story.  It is also so vitally important to read these narratives and remember how simply and subtly these dreadfully evil initiatives began.  

Below are three 2013 releases, two nonfiction and one fiction based on a true story, that tell the hopeful, heroic stories that came from this time of persecution: 

Odette's Secrets
by Maryann MacDonald

Odette's Secrets tells the story of a young Jewish girl living in Paris during the Nazi occupation.  Her father joins the French army, her mother joins the Resistance, and Odette is sent to the French countryside for safety.   

Throughout the frightening time, young Odette is both terrified and confused.  She fears the soldiers, worries about her father, and runs from those who bully her for her yellow star.  She also wonders about her Polish roots, her Jewish faith, and later the Christian values of the foster family that cares for her while she seeks refuge in the country.  She gets used to silently observing, keeping secrets, and hiding in plain sight.  

I never thought of what these young people must have endured as they tried to make sense of the terrifying world around them as well as their own identity.  And what extremes their parents went to for their protection!  This moving novel also shows what the survivors faced when they triumphed over their persecutors, but then tried to return to their homes and to their former lives.

Author Maryann MacDonald was deeply moved by Odette's story and asked her family permission to share her experience in a book for children.  She ultimately chose to tell the story as a first person novel-in-verse instead of a factual biography to allow a more intimate view into the young poet-to-be's thoughts and feelings.  The result is a accessible, personal narrative that immediately pulls the reader into Paris in 1942 and provides another perspective from this time.
Odette's Secrets is a selection on the 2014-2015 Texas Bluebonnet List.

 

The Boy on the Wooden Box 
by Leon Leyson

Leon Leyson was the youngest survivor on what became the world famous "Schindler's List." This memoir tells how Leyson's life went from a happy childhood to a terrible nightmare at the hand of the Nazis and their occupation of his Polish homeland.  Leon's family was forced to move to the Krakow ghetto, but through determination, luck, and ultimately the attention of the man named Oskar Schindler,  Leon, his parents and a few of his siblings' avoided placement in the horrific concentration camps. 

Constructed from Leyson's personal notes and speeches, The Boy on the Wooden Box tells of how he survived in Schindler's factory with almost nothing to eat but holding onto hope and believing in Oskar Schindler, who became his lifelong hero.  Leyson tale's is honest and reflective, but told without bitterness and hatred.  It is a powerful, moving memoir that celebrates the risks taken and the perseverance necessary to survive during this time of persecution.

 The Boy on the Wooden Box is a title on the 2014 Texas Lone Star Reading List.

The Nazi Hunters: How a Team of Spies and Survivors Captured the World's Most Notorious Nazi
by Neal Bascomb

After WWII ended, one of the highest ranking Nazi officers, Adolf Eichmann, vanished.  Believed to have eradicated over 700,000 Jews from Hungary and to have been responsible for millions of Jewish deaths, Eichmann was a prime war criminal to be brought to justice; but he had not been seen or heard of in years. Until a clue finally surfaces from a blind Argentinean man and his teenage daughter.  Then the manhunt begins. 

The Nazi Hunters tells the riveting true story of how the Eichmann case went from a desire to find the man to promising leads to dead ends to the forming of an elite team of Israeli spies to plan and execute an incredible capture.  This team - all of whom had been directly affected somehow by Eichmann's crimes - would have to secretly enter Argentina, capture Eichmann, and smuggle him out of the country and return him safely to Israel so he could be brought to justice on Israeli soil.   

Neal Bascomb has crafted a work of narrative nonfiction that expertly provides historical facts and reads like a spy novel.  I was on the edge of my seat reading this book!  It is truly fascinating.  The author does an outstanding job of introducing the young, powerful Eichmann, later showing what he has become during his years in hiding and his views of his actions, and finally showing what an impact the time with Eichmann has on his captors.  Bascomb also effectively weaves in the story of an Auschwitz survivor, Zeev Sapir. The reader meets him early in the book when he has an encounter with Eichmann; later Sapir has a chance to testify against Eichmann.  It's quite powerful to see one survivor get to face his tormenter and get to share his story with the world.  Photographs and documents are included throughout the book that add intrigue and authenticity to the captivating account. 

This is a must-read for anyone interested in WWII, Jewish and Holocaust history, narrative nonfiction, and/or page-turning tales of spying and intrigue.          

The Nazi Hunters is a title on the 2014 TAYSHAS Reading List. 

Jillicious Reading: P.S. Be Eleven

P.S. Be Eleven
by Rita Williams-Garcia

Summary:  After spending the summer of 1968 with their estranged mother, Delphine and her little sisters, Vonetta and Fern, are heading back to Brooklyn. They take with them a deeper understanding of their mother (a poet/activist), experiences with the Black Panthers, and newly discovered independence. Back home, Delphine struggles to reconcile new thoughts and perspectives with her changing family and the struggles of sixth grade. And, the only help her mother is offering is a continual reminder at the end of her letters to "Be Eleven." 

Thoughts:  I loved One Crazy Summer.  It was the perfect blend of family drama, 1960s tensions, differing

perspectives, strong female characters, and the universal struggles of growing up, all explored with humor and heart.  And now in the sequel P.S. Be Eleven, Rita Williams-Garcia completely succeeds again!  I may even like this one better than the first.  

This novel picks up right where the last ended, allowing the reader to immediately see the way the girls' summer experiences affected them and how balancing new thoughts and independent streaks is going to be a challenge at home.  As in One Crazy Summer, the story is told from the strong, honest voice of eleven-going-on-twelve-year-old Delphine.  She faces many obstacles as she tries to control her headstrong little sisters, laments being the tallest girl in her class, worries about the Valentine Dance, tries to accept that her father is dating, and seeks to understand her uncle who has returned from Vietnam a changed, melancholy man.  The story is interspersed with letters to and from her mother, Cecile; the correspondence perfectly contrasts the perspective of a woman dedicated to a cause and that of a young girl trying to figure things out, many times simply her own feelings.

One of my favorite parts is when the girls fall in love at first sight with The Jackson Five. :) Williams-Garcia perfectly depicts the thrill of being swept away by new music and celebrity infatuation.  Reading it, I was immediately a kid again falling for Sean Cassidy, listening to Da Doo Run Run over and over ("Somebody told me that her name was JILL!!")  :)

Through it all, Delphine begins to reconcile her experiences, learn from new ones, and figure out who she is in ... her family, in her class, and in the tumultuous world.  

Read P.S. Be Eleven, if you ... 

• read One Crazy Summer
• enjoy quality historical fiction
• like stories about strong, feisty girls
• struggled being the oldest sister (or the youngest ... or stuck in the middle!)  
• want to expand your views of life in the 1960s
• have ever fallen head-over-heels for a celebrity or boy band!  :)     

Click here to visit Rita Williams-Garcia's website to learn more about these books and her writing.  I hear she is working on another story about these plucky Gaither sisters... I'll be the first in line!

Jillicious Pairing: Bomb & Shadow on the Mountain

I suggest pairing ...



Bomb 
by Steve Sheinkin

In January, I blogged about Bomb, an outstanding nonfiction book detailing all that happened around the world during the mad race to be the first nation to build an atomic bomb.  Click here to read my full post about this fascinating book.

And, be sure to keep your eye on author Steve Sheinkin, the rock star of YA nonfiction!  His well-researched, quality informational books are always highly readable and engaging.


with ...


Shadow on the Mountain 
by Margie Preus

Shadow on the Mountain tells the story of Espen, a fourteen-year-old Norwegian boy living through WWII.  When Nazi Germany invades and occupies Norway, Espen and many of his friends join the Norwegian Resistance Movement, an underground espionage and sabotage effort of Nazi operations.  Some of Espen's friends fell under the spell of the Germans and their desire to dominate the world.  But Espen, and others like him, stayed loyal to their country and risked their lives to gain and deliver intelligence. 

The novel is fast-paced, exciting, and informative. It gives the reader an authentic look at the Resistance as well as at the Norwegian people and their patriotism.  I lived in Norway for a few years when I was in middle school, so I particularly enjoyed revisiting this setting. Espen's story is based on the real-life adventures of Erling Storrusten; notes, photographs, maps, and other informative artifacts are included.     

Why this pairing works ... 

These two pair nicely as Bomb details some of the Resistance spies and covert missions tied to the atomic bomb; Shadow of the Mountain gives a broader, insider picture of what happened throughout Norway during the years of German occupation.  The Norwegian efforts during the war are not well known to many readers, and these two selections help bring a fresh, informative perspective. 

Jillicious Reading: The Dark Unwinding

The Dark Unwinding 

by Sharon Cameron 

Summary: Katharine is sent by her domineering aunt and guardian to check on the estate of an uncle she has never known. His mental state is in question, and her aunt wants to seize the estate so that the inheritance will be received by her son. Katharine arrives ready to carry out her aunt's wishes. However, she soon makes several surprising discoveries about her uncle, his estate, and herself that lead her to question her aunt's plans. 

Thoughts: After hearing this author speak at a literary event months ago, I read the first chapter of The Dark Unwinding. Then, I got sidetracked by some other books (typical behavior) and finally got back to it last week. Once I read a little further, I was completely engrossed by this Victorian world. It's written in an atmospheric gothic style and is full of intrigue, mystery, drama, and the most interesting characters! I fell in love with Uncle Tully (who seems to suffer from what we would know today as autism), the silent little Davy, and the handsome, brooding Lane. Also Katharine is a delight as she grows from dutiful, unnoticed girl to a keen, strong, lovely young lady. I am so glad I returned to this novel and eagerly await the sequel A Spark Unseen. 

Read The Dark Unwinding if you ... 

• appreciate the gothic tales of the Brontes or novels inspired by their writing 
• enjoyed Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey 
• like the Steampunk genre or might want to discover what it is!  This novel would be the perfect introduction to the genre's blend of historical settings with scientific advancements. 
• love an engrossing historical tale that sweeps you away to a completely different time and place
• enjoy reading books by promising debut authors. Ms Cameron won the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators' Sue Alexander Award for Most Promising New Work. (Honestly, I didn't know what this was until I heard The Dark Unwinding won it. But, it sounds impressive!! Now, I will be watching to see who wins each year.) 

** Be sure to read the Author's Note to learn about the real Victorian estate that inspired the novel. 

For more about this author and her writing, click here to visit her website. 

Jillicious Reading: Zebra Forest

Zebra Forest
by Adina Rishe Gewirtz

Summary: Annie and her brother Rew know very little about their parents, just the few things Gran has told them.  Since Gran is a master of lies, the little they know might not even be true.  Gran is getting worse, spending more and more days up in her room, frequently leaving the siblings to fend for themselves. Then ,a stranger shows up at their door.  The stranger brings answers, but these answers make Annie and Rew question everything.  

Thoughts:  Zebra Forest is a powerful little novel.  Annie B, the spunky sixth-grader at the center of the story, stole my heart immediately.  She has been forced to grow up beyond her years and has done her best to care for Rew, her mentally ill grandmother, and herself.  She longs to know about her past, her dead father, and the mother who left her when she was three.  The story takes place during the Iran Hostage Crisis which sets the perfect backdrop as Annie and Rew become trapped in their own family crisis.   

Zebra Forest explores heavy themes such as family secrets, lies, betrayal, complicated relationships, crime, and abandonment.  But, all is done adeptly and beautifully through realistic, well-developed characters and a suspenseful plot that grab and hold the reader to the hopeful end.  The classic Treasure Island, the siblings' beloved book, is used effectively as the children seek escape from their circumstances, question the world, and find the truth.  

Read Zebra Forest if you ... 

• are looking for a gripping read 
• enjoy a short novel that packs a powerful punch
• appreciate books about children dealing with tough circumstances such So B. It by Sarah Weeks and Homesick by Kate Klise
• love heroines with pluck
• like reading debut novels by exciting new authors 

  Visit Adina Rishe Gewirtz's webpage and expect more from this debut YA author!   
 

Jillicious Reading: One Came Home

One Came Home

by Amy Timberlake

Summary:  When her sister goes missing and a body turns up in her sister's favorite dress, Georgie is not convinced.  She is certain that Agatha is alive and sets out on a journey to find her.  Although she is determined and quite a sharp shooter, Georgie is not prepared for all that awaits her on the Western frontier. 

Thoughts:  I thoroughly enjoyed every word of this novel.  Author Amy Timberlake's expert writing builds a loveable, plucky heroine in Georgie and sends her on an unexpected adventure that is suspenseful, humorous, and moving. The lyrical writing is to be savored; here's an example: 

Ma's grief, in particular, wore on me like sandpaper. She dragged her sorrow room to room, and I found out that viciousness nested inside me. When I saw receipts left in the till, or noted that Ma had forgotten to mark down a sale, I mentioned it. I become a fault-finding expert; bins missing their lids, eggs gone bad, a customer unattended, a boy in a fancy blue serge suit with a fist in the penny candy. I knew I shouldn't do it, but the part of me that was unredeemed spoke.

I just love that ... "the part of me that was unredeemed spoke."  What a lovely way to describe the ugliness that lives within us. I highlighted many expertly penned passages throughout this engaging mystery novel.
  

Read One Came Home if you ... 

• enjoyed True Grit
• are a fan of historical fiction
• like feisty heroines
• enjoy suspenseful mysteries
• appreciate fine writing and outstanding word choice

Click here to visit the author's website and to learn more about One Came Home and Ms. Timberlake's writing.  I eagerly await her next novel!

The Fire Horse Girl

by Kay Honeyman

Summary: Jade Moon was born under the sign of the Fire Horse.  This sign is a curse for Chinese girls ensuring that they are too spirited and strong willed.  As Jade Moon's family worries about who will marry her, she dreams of a different life where she will not be married off and won't always be an embarrassment to her father.  An unexpected turn of events takes Jade Moon to America where her cursed strong spirit may be exactly what she needs to survive.      

Thoughts:  The Fire Horse Girl is a well-researched, beautifully written historical novel.  Feisty Jade Moon is an endearing character with a compelling story; she quickly won my heart.  I knew very little about the Angel Island  internment and the plight of the Chinese immigrants during this time.  Honeyman gives us a vivid, authentic picture of this experience through the eyes a memorable teen.

Read The Fire Horse Girl if you ...

• like stories about plucky heroines 
• enjoy reading about characters who must find the strength and courage to overcome adversity
• have ever felt that you don't quite fit in
• like books about Asian culture and history
• relish finding books by exciting new authors!  

Mrs. Honeyman's story is an interesting one.  She became fascinated with Chinese immigration while going through the process of adopting a son from China.  Visit her blog to read more about her journey and her writing. 

Full disclosure:  Author Kay Honeyman is a co-worker and a friend.  Yet I choose to spotlight her novel strictly because it is a lovely piece of historical fiction for young adults.  

The False Prince

by Jennifer A. Nielsen 

Summary: The country of Carthya is on the brink of a dangerous civil war.  A man named Connor has a plan to save the country.  To do so, he must find someone to impersonate the long-lost prince.  Sage is one of the orphan boys chosen to compete in a lethal battle to earn the place as the imposter.  His life is at stake, whether he wins or loses. 

Thoughts:  The False Prince is an action-packed, highly entertaining adventure.  Sage is a delightful character - smart, snarky, and fearless.  I liked him immediately as well as many of the others in the interesting cast of characters.  The story is full of political intrigue, suspense, and action.  It's thoroughly enthralling and the perfect start to a new trilogy.  And if you're a fan of audiobooks, this is a perfect addition to your audio library.   

Read The False Prince if you ... 

• like books with a fast pace and twisting plots.
• like bold, clever characters.
• enjoy novels with royal courts and a medieval feel.
• are fans of Megan Whalen Turner or John Flanagan.

      
 Visit author Jennifer A. Nielsen's blog to read more about the Ascendance Trilogy.

An Elephant in the Garden

by Michael Morpurgo

Summary: Lizzie's mother "Mutti" works at the zoo in Dresden, Germany.  She becomes attached to an orphaned elephant named Marlene (after the actress Marlene Dietrich).  Fearing for the young elephant's life during the war, Mutti persuades the zoo director to allow Marlene to stay in the family's garden.  The bombing of Dresden in 1945 then forces Mutti, Lizzie, and her little brother Karli to flee the city, but they do not leave without Marlene.  

Thoughts:  As friends or followers might now, I love elephants; so it's no surprise that I was drawn to this novel.  I was not disappointed.  Inspired by true events, An Elephant in the Garden is a mesmerizing historical tale that shows the different sides and sorrows of war as well as the power of the human spirit to prevail.  The novel's tight writing and quick pace make it very readable and interesting.  Fellow animal lover, author Michael Morpurgo offers a different type of war story by bringing together history, courageous victims, and an admiration for animals and their ability to soothe the wounded soul. 

Read An Elephant in the Garden if you: 

• enjoyed War Horse or any of Michael Morpurgo's previous novels
• are a history buff
• like novels about WWII
• (are like me and) love elephants!  The author says they are "the noblest and wisest and most sensitive of all creatures.":)  

 Click here to read more about An Elephant in the Garden, to find activities inspired by the book, and to learn more about the very accomplished British author, Michael Morpurgo. 

Grave Mercy 

by Robin LaFevers

Summary:  Ismae, a peasant girl, is sold in marriage to a horrible man.  She narrowly escapes and finds her way to the St. Mortain Convent.  As it turns out, Ismae is the daughter of Mortain himself, the god of death.  He has plans for her to serve him as a trained assassin in a dangerous destiny. 

Thoughts:  Grave Mercy is a dark, historical novel full of intrigue, treason, and murder.  It is also a captivating romance between Ismae and the very swoon-worthy Duval.  I really enjoyed this novel.  It's unique and well-written, complete with interesting characters, a rich setting, and many intriguing plot twists .... and worth mentioning again, plenty of scenes with the dashing Duval. ;)  Grave Mercy is a sophisticated read, however, and likely not right for all young adult readers.  It's the first volume in the new His Fair Assassin series, and I cannot wait for book 2! 


Read Grave Mercy if you ... 

• are a fan of Graceling by Kristin Cashore or the Rebel Angels series by Libba Bray
• enjoy historical fiction rich with lush detail
• like strong, brave heroines
• enjoy stories about high courts full of betrayal and struggles for power
• are looking for an interesting new fantasy

Click here to learn more about Grave Mercy and author Robin LaFevers or here to learn more about the author's books for a younger audience including the popular Theodosia series.          

National Poetry Month 2012

Today the sun sets on National Poetry Month 2012.  Here a few recent reads and favorite verse offerings from last year to keep you celebrating the power of poetry for many months to come: 

Emma Dilemma: Big Sister Poems
by Kristine O'Connell George 


Emma Dilemma is a charming collection of 34 poems that explores the many emotions felt by a big sister - annoyance, jealousy, anger, love, loyalty.  The book is aimed at elementary students, but readers of all ages can easily relate to the highs and lows experienced in a close family relationship.  I am a big fan of Kristine O'Connell George and look forward to her next poetic adventure!  

Won Ton: A Cat Tale Told in Haiku 
by Lee Wardlaw


Won Ton is one of my favorite picture books of 2011.  The story of an adopted cat is told completely in haiku verse.  Eugene Yelchin's expressive illustrations are a delightful accompaniment to the clever verse and capture the personality and peculiarities of all that is cat! Pet-lovers and beyond will be drawn into this touching story and the unique format.  

The Arrow Finds its Mark:  A Book of Found Poems
Edited by Georgia Heard

"Found poems" are created from words found in everyday text - on a slip of paper, in a magazine, on Facebook pages, in an advertisement, on Twitter, on a traffic sign ... everywhere!  An all-star poet line-up has transformed found words into a fun collection of new poems, celebrating language and creativity.  This unique poetic form will encourage young (and old!) poets to seek out writing in everyday life and try their hand at the fun of creating found poems! 

Under the Mesquite 
by Guadalupe Garcia McCall


This novel-in-verse has earned many awards and accolades, deservedly so.  The lovely poems tell the story of Lupita, a Mexican-American immigrant and budding actress.  Lupita is facing the typical challenges of growing up as well as struggling with her mother's battle with cancer.  In addition to worrying about and caring for her mother, Lupita also works to care for and provide for her many younger siblings.  This beautifully written novel celebrates the love of family and the excitement of self-discovery.  

Sisters of Glass
by Stephanie Hemphill


Murano is an island off the coast of Italy and has been the home of Venetian glassblowers for centuries; travel there in Sisters of Glass.  This verse novel takes place in the 14th century but the happenings and themes are those of a modern story - sibling rivalry, complicated family ties, promises, grief, a desire for independence, the beauty of art, and love.  Sisters of Glass takes readers on a lyrical, romantic ride they will not soon forget. 

Sorta Like a Rock Star 
by Matthew Quick


Sorta Like a Rock Star is a 2010 book, but immediately came to mind when thinking of poetry.  Amber Appleton is an almost homeless teen struggling to keep her life together and to take care of her mother.  In spite of this, Amber makes the effort to invest in the lives of those around her, always positive and hopeful.  I mention it in this line-up because of a memorable character who uses haiku verse as a way of searching for hope, beauty in the world, and healing.  Sorta Like a Rock Star is a powerful novel featuring unforgettable characters and is one of my all-time favorite YA reads.  It's also excellent on audio. 


FOR EDUCATORS: 

Dr. Sylvia Vardell's new book The Poetry Teacher's Book of Lists is an outstanding resource to help teachers and librarians easily find poems to use with students of all ages.  It includes 155 lists organized in categories allowing educators to locate poems on a particular topic or in a specific poetic form.  Use this guide to incorporate more poetry in the classroom and to encourage young writers to explore this exciting genre. 
     

Spring is Here!

April hath put a spirit of youth in everything.  ~William Shakespeare

I love spring!  The green, the blooms, the fresh air, the new beginnings.  Here are a couple of recent reads that celebrate the special spirit of spring:

 And Then It's Spring

by Julie Fogliano

Illustrated by Erin Stead

In this charming picture book, a young boy eagerly awaits the green of spring after the brown of winter.  He plants some seeds, and with the help of some furry friends, cares and protects them as the seeds as they "try" to find their way.  The long wait is finally rewarded with the first signs of spring. 

This simple yet lovely book celebrates the hope of spring and the sweet reward that comes after a long wait.  The gentle illustrations of Caldecott-winning artist Erin Stead beautifully complement Fogliano's tight text.  

 

Esperanza Rising

by Ram Munoz Ryan

The little gardener in And Then It's Spring putting his ear to the ground to listen for "the greenish hum" of beginning life reminded me of Esperanza doing the same thing - that she first learned from her father - in Esperanza Rising. So, I decided to "read" this old favorite again on audio. 

After living like a princess on a beautiful ranch in Mexico, Esperanza's life is changed overnight when tragedy hits the family.  She and her mother must move to California and work as migrant workers.  This change and the new life of long, hard-working days under the steaming sun is difficult for Esperanza.  But through this "winter", she learns and grows and eventually experiences a new "spring."  This inspirational novel is based on the true life of Pam Munoz Ryan's grandmother as explained in a lovely author's note at the end. 

The Boy on Cinnamon Street

by Phoebe Stone

Another character going through a dark season in her life is Louise "Thumbelina" Terrace.  She is a 4'7" seventh grader struggling to fit in at school as well as trying to escape her past.  Sudden notes from an anonymous admirer help her begin to deal with things and finally reach a new season.  

Through strong characters and graceful writing, Phoebe Stone tells an uplifting story that reminds the reader of the light at the end of the tunnel, the sweetness of a spring after a long, dark winter.   

Born Wicked

by Jessica Spotswood

Summary:  Since her mother's death, Cate has been trying to protect her two younger sisters and their secret:  they are all witches.  In their early 1900s New England society, this is a secret that, if discovered by the controlling Brotherhood, could result in death.  Cate then finds a diary left behind by her late mother that indicates the three sisters might be part of a dangerous ancient prophecy.  All of this plus the arrival of a new governess, the return of Paul - her childhood love - and the handsome Finn she can't stop thinking about all mean that life for Cate Cahill will never be the same.  

Thoughts:  Born Wicked, the first in the new Cahill Witch Chronicles, is an absorbing novel.  The mysterious, tense mood of the story keeps the reader intrigued and constantly wondering what is next for Cate and her sisters.  The judgment of the community's witches is believable and, sadly, similar to the discrimination found in the real world toward those with differences.  I particularly liked the strong female characters and the handsome Finn. :)  The novel ends with a bit of a twist and leaves the reader eager for book 2! 



Read Born Wicked if you: 

• enjoy historical novels.
• like books about sisters.
• are looking something for different from the trendy paranormal novel. 

Watch the trailer or visit author Jessica Spotswood's website to learn more about this intriguing new series. 

Jillicious Home Cooking: Classic Favorites

Anne of Green Gables
by Lucy Maude Montgomery

Summary:  Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert, a brother and sister living on Prince Edward Island, decide to adopt an orphan boy to help them run their family farm.  They are quite suprised when Anne Shirley, a fiesty, red-headed girl arrives instead. 

Thoughts:  This classic novel is a true treasure.  I recently listened to the audio version and fell in love with it all over again.  The charming setting, delightful characters, and lovely language are worth revisiting again and again.  I have since listened to the sequel, Anne of Avonlea, and am currently waiting for the third novel to arrive at the library!  If you haven't read it or haven't read it in a while, definitely add it to your list. 

Read Anne of Green Gables if ...

• you have never read it.
• you love plucky, spirited heroines.
• you like cozy stories set in small towns.

War Horse
by Michael Morpurgo

Summary:  The young horse Joey is sold to a hot-headed farmer, but luckily finds a master in the farmer's kind-hearted son Albert.  Joey and Albert become loyal friends until they are torn apart by the war.  Joey meets many horses and soldiers on both sides of the conflict, but never forgets Albert, his first and most beloved companion.    

Thoughts:  War Horse is the novel that inspired the award-winning Broadway production and blockbuster film.  Told from the horse's point of view, the novel is a powerful, heart-rending tale of the unbreakable bond between a horse and his master.  As a lifelong horse lover, I was completely enthralled by this story from page 1.  It beautifully explores friendship, the human spirit, the power of kindness, and the horrors of war.  This is a must read for horse lovers and fans of historical fiction.  

Click here to read more about author Michael Morpurgo and his many other animal books.                

Once
by Morris Gleitzman

Summary: Felix has been living in an orphanage for years in Nazi-occupied Poland.  He is Jewish and completely unaware of what is going on beyond the walls of the orphanage.  Convinced his parents are searching for him, Felix runs away, literally taking his life into his hands as he tries to find his family.

Thoughts: Once is a true standout among Holocaust novels.  Morris Gleitzman brilliantly juxtaposes Felix's innocence against the atrocities carried out by the Nazi regime.  The understanding reader views the happenings through the naive eyes of a child.  It is incredibly powerful and heartbreaking as Felix begins to realize what is going on around him and is forced to grow up way too fast.  I really loved this main character and the other characters he meets along his journey, one based on a real-life hero from this time.  Although it is difficult to read about the Holocaust, I look forward to reading more about these characters in the sequel, Then.     

Visit author Morris Gleitzman's website to learn more about him and his books. 

Wonderstruck
by Brian Selznick

Summary:  Wonderstruck, "a novel in words and pictures," tells two stories, one of Ben and one of Rose.  Ben lives at Gunflint Lake, Michigan in 1977.  After his mother passes away, he sets out to New York City to find the father he never knew.  Fifty years earlier, Rose lived in Hoboken, New Jersey, and she, too, set out for the City to find what her life her was missing.     

Thoughts:  Brian Selznick has created another masterpiece of storytelling and art in Wonderstruck.  He uses the same format of his Caldecott-winning The Invention of Hugo Cabret, yet brings a new freshness in this wholly original tale.  The stories are told side by side, Ben's through text, and Rose's through pictures.  Rose is deaf, and I was impressed with the way her story was told visually; the quiet experienced as the reader "reads" the illustrations is the perfect accompaniment to her journey.  The cinematic quality of the illustrations and Selznick's brilliant spreads, zooming in and out, are truly mesmerizing.  It is impossible not to be pulled in from the very first page!  From there the reader is taken on a fascinating adventure as Ben grieves for his mother, struggles with his own hearing, and seeks answers about his father, a quest that leads him to the American Museum of Natural History.  


The author includes many references to the beloved novel, The Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, and the classic journey taken to the Metropolitan Museum of Art by Claudia and her little brother Jamie.  (I have found a few and may have to reread both books so I can catch more!)  I loved this tribute to the classic novel (a lifetime favorite of mine) and also loved that Ben's mother, described by the author as a strong, independent, revolutionary, was a librarian.  :)  The "Acknowledgments" at the end of the book are worth reading as they tell of the author's inspirations and how things all came together in this new work.  Wonderstruck will surely be a favorite of readers of all ages, those who loved Hugo as well as those who are just meeting Brian Selznick for the first time.    

If you haven't read The Invention of Hugo Cabret, take the time to do so before this story hits the big screen in November 2011 (directed by Martin Scorsese).  Brian Selznick's first "novel in words and pictures" tells the story of Hugo, an orphan living secretly in a Paris train station in the 1930s, and a mystery involving his father and an automaton found in a museum.  This groundbreaking book was the perfect format to tell this intriguing story involving a father, a son, a toy-maker, friendship, clocks, train stations, silent movies, invention, and dreams.  


Visit Brian Selznick's website to learn more about The Invention of Hugo Cabret (both the book and upcoming movie) and to get a sneak peek of Wonderstruck.      
  

Between Shades of Gray
by Ruta Sepetys

Summary:  Lina, her mother, and little brother are taken from their Lithuanian home by Soviet officials and sent on a horrific journey.  Her secretly-created art and the hope that she will one day be reunited with her father give Lina the strength to fight for her life.


Thoughts:  Lina's story is a difficult one, but one I am so glad I read.  I did not know about the horrific treatment of the Lithuanians during WWII under Stalin's brutal regime.  The haunting story is expertly told.  The complexity of the characters, the beauty of Lina's art, and the strong bonds of family and love bring hope to a grim tale.  The story is based on the real experiences of the author's family, and is a story that readers will not soon forget.