Yule Book Flood - Library Style - Days 1-15

Jolabokaflod: Your Favorite New Holiday Tradition

Get behind Iceland's “Yule Book Flood” this holiday season and read books on Christmas Eve or just over the school break.  What a great tradition!

Iceland has a Christmas Eve book tradition of jólabókaflóð or Yule Book Flood. Everyone in Iceland gets a catalog of all the new published books in their mailbox at the start of the holiday season and they start buying books. They exchange books on Christmas Eve and then spend the evening reading them!

The Yule Book Flood started during WWII when imports were limited but paper was cheap and available. The country was too small to support year round book publishing so they flooded the market with books at the end of the year. Books became the traditional Christmas gift.

For the next 15 school days, I will be flooding you with book recommendations. Maybe one of these titles will be your perfect Holiday read over the break.   You don’t have to buy these books...just get them from your school library!

Here is the Link to my Google Slides for the first 6 days of my Book Flood!

 Book Flood

Macy McMillan and the Rainbow Goddess by Sheri Green

If you love books, read a great many books. 

If you love to sing, sing loudly and often.

Whatever you do, do it with all your heart. 

Deaf sixth grader Macy McMillan is facing big changes in her life as her mother gets ready to get married and put their home up for sale. Macy will be gaining a stepfather and six-year-old twins for stepsisters and she is not sure this will be so great.   In the meantime, Macy’s mother sends her to help an elderly lady in the neighborhood pack up as she plans to move to assisted living.  The relationship that blossoms between Macy and Iris is delightful. Through Iris baking cookies, telling stories, and giving much wisdom Macy begins to accept her future. 

The book is written in free verse and is a quick read. It is amazing at how well Iris and Macy communicate even though Macy is deaf.  It is a feel-good story that I enjoyed reading. There is a recipe for Sugar and Spice cookies at the end of the book.  I actually made them, and they were delicious!

I loved the book and rate it a 4 out of 4.  

• Age Range: 8 - 12 years
• Grade Level: 4 - 6
• Reading Level:  5.2
• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Pajama Press (May 15, 2017)

Mission Mumbai by Mahtab Narsimhan

The cover of this book just drew me in right away because these boys looked like they were having a great time! And boy do they have funny and dramatic adventures when they go to India for a wedding. Rohit's family is from India but they live in New York city. Dylan is an only child from a wealthy family who live in New York as well.  Dylan becomes best friends with Rohit and talks the families into letting him go with Rohit's family for a three week Indian trip. The culture sometimes confuses Dylan but he falls in love with the food, new experiences, and the loving family. 

There are a lot of slapstick humorous parts in this plot that involved gross things related to toilets, vomit, spitting, sweat, and poop. This should hook kid readers! 

As you adventure with Dylan and Rohit it is like going along on their trip. The descriptions of India are very interesting and it is definitely a character in the book. Dylan gets into plenty of cultural scrapes as he mistakenly does things that are not acceptable in the Indian culture. 

Dylan is dealing with parents with marriage troubles and feels alone with plenty of things but not enough of a loving family. He is attracted to Rohit's family who struggles with finances but has a caring and warm home life. This is one reason he wants to go to India. He also wants to win a photography contest to prove to his father that even though he isn't athletic, he can be successful at something.  I kept thinking about the poor little rich boy or The Prince and the Pauper when I thought of Dylan (rich and unhappy) and Rohit (poor and happy).

Dylan loves food and the author describes lots of Indian dishes in this book. I looked up most of them on my ipad.  It made me hungry!  This is a book where I would encourage the reader to look things up for more information about India. Dylan for the most part takes in stride the poverty and cultural differences he encounters without complaint.  I was impressed with his positive outlook.  As a reader, I was reminded of how blessed we are in the United States.  This is a terrific book and I give it a 4 out of 4 rating!

This is a book where I would encourage the reader to look things up for more information about India.

• Age Range: 9 - 12 years
• Grade Level: 4 - 7
• Reading Level:  5.0
• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Press (March 29, 2016)

Front Desk by Kelly Yang

I have been in a reading slump and I blame this book! I loved it so much and read it quickly, enjoying the experience. I can't seem to find another book as good and therefore, I have been abandoning books all over the house.  Read this book!

Front Desk is a about a girl named Mia Tang who is the 5th grade daughter of Chinese immigrants from the 1990's who manage a hotel in California. The owner of the hotel pays them poorly and has unreasonable demands. They keep the job because of few work options for them. This is how the owner keeps them working....by threatening that they can be replaced. Mia volunteers to work at the front desk so her parents can clean rooms. Although guests are surprised at her young age, she quickly shows that she is capable of tending to all their needs. 

Throughout the story, you find out that many Chinese immigrants find their way to the Tang's hotel and they give them a few days of recovery after escaping some situations of danger or hardship.  Mia helps one of the long term guests who gets into a police situation by using her writing skills and persuades others to do the right thing. The ending might be improbable but I loved it. Stranger things do happen when you are determined.  

Front Desk is loosely based on the life story of Kelly Yang.  She wrote this book for her children to let them know about her childhood experiences. 

This book reminded me of It Ain't So Awful Falafel by Dumas.   Both are about the author''s childhood immigrant experiences in California in the last part of the 20th century.  They are funny and heartwarming, featuring a strong female character.  

The TV comedy series, Fresh Off the Boat is another comparison which features a Chinese family assimilating into a Florida community. 




I give this book a 5 out of 4 rating.  It is great for grades 4-6.  

Check out this book trailer!

• Print Length: 304 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Inc. (May 29, 2018)
• Publication Date: May 29, 2018
• Sold by: Scholastic Trade Publisher
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The Countdown Conspiracy by Katie Slivensky

It has been a while since I have posted. I have been reading lots of adult books and listening to audio books on my car trips this summer. I now have a long list of  book titles for personal reading because looking for books to read always leads you on a trail of even more titles to read.  But now that the August will start tomorrow, it is time to start reading from my pile of school library books.  

This book, The Countdown Conspiracy looked like a winner when I selected it and it turned out to be a super book.  I really liked learning about Astronaut Scott Kelly and his year adventure in outer space. Scott Kelly's Website  (I gave  the book he wrote about this experience to my brother in law.  I wonder if he is finished and is willing to let me read it!) So this title was in my wheelhouse. 

The Countdown Conspiracy is set in the future and plans are being made for six students who have been selected from around the world to go to Mars. Except they have nine years of training before it is a reality.  The trip will take 9 months to get to Mars, then they spend a year there and then come back.   There are three boys and three girls selected from a rigorous application process and all of them are geniuses on their own in engineering, technology, science, robotics and mathematics. They are just middle school kids. The world has just suffered from a devastating world war and so this Mars mission is hopefully a key to promoting peace and confidence in society again. 

Except, the main character, Miranda, from the USA, gets a warning that lives are at risk. She and other members of the six are attacked and the warnings keep coming.  Miranda and the other five team members try and figure out what is going on but, on a simulation test, the trip to Mars doesn't turn out to be practice but reality. They have to rely on their skills and intelligence when no one else is available to help them get back to Earth. 

I am not a sciencey type of person, however, this kind of book fascinates me and I don't worry if I don't understand what they are talking about all the time.  I am not sure I need to get everything.  The adventure kept me turning pages and wondering what they could possibly do to get out of the trouble they were in. The characters were interesting and fun to get to know.  I felt like a great snoop onboard a space mission!

There are a few swear words in the book and some deaths and violence. I would give this book to a fifth grader and older to read.  There is a great glossary at the end of the book and an author's note talking about how she learned about space missions in order to make this book to be more science than fantasy.  The reading level is 5th grade and it is 309 pages long. I rate it a 4 out of 4.  I look forward to reading more from this author. 

• Age Range: 8 - 12 years
• Grade Level: 3 - 7
• Lexile Measure: 700 
• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (August 1, 2017)

Nevermoor - The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend

Morrigan Crow was born on the eve of eventide which is something like the turn of a new decade. If you are born on eventide you are doomed to die on your 11th birthday. You are also an unlucky child and are responsible for all of the poor luck and misery that surrounds you because you are the ultimate scapegoat. Morrigan is marked for sadness and her family, for the most part, ignores her. 

Morrigan's family solemnly prepares for her death on the eve of her birthday, but she is ultimately rescued from the Hunters of Death by a mysterious man named Jupiter North. He whisks her to the magical land of Nevermoor where he introduces her to a whole new world. She discovers friendships, family, freedom and acceptance. She is also enrolled in a series of tests for the Wundrous Society. She has to prove her talents and abilities to the society but she has no idea what they are. Her mentor, Jupiter, assures her that she has nothing to worry about. However, the trials she has to face leaves her in much doubt. Some sinister characters are sabotaging her efforts along the way. She has also been warned that she doesn't belong and will be sent back home if she can't prove herself. 

The world Morrigan lives in is fantastical but you will recognize many elements of her life which parallel a realistic world. There are lots of delightful customs and details that are fun to learn about in the Nevermoor society. From dragon flying to ever changing decor to match your mood, there are many whimsical descriptions of Nevermoor life. 

The author plans on writing 7 books in this series and I found that it is the closest to being Harry Potter like without exactly mirroring that series. Movie rights have already been purchased and publishers are talking about this book being the next popular series.  As I read this book, I also thought it was perfect for Harry Potter fans.  I look forward to seeing if this title becomes popular. I know I will be promoting this series. 

The author is from Australia and now lives in London. This title won't be eligible for a Maud Hart Lovelace nominee since the author is outside the United States. But I still highly recommend this book. The reading level is 5.6 and has 481 pages. Both boys and girls will like this book. I give it a 4 out of 4. 

• Print Length: 481 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (October 31, 2017)

Watch the following video where the author reads from her book!

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The Perfect Score by Rob Buyea

The kids in a 6th grade class get a teacher who was asked to come out of retirement for the year. Mrs. Wood is a great teacher and has a no nonsense approach and knows how to manage a classroom. She also excels at the daily read aloud time and it becomes the highlight of the day for some of the students.  Meanwhile the statewide testing focus causes her administration to ask her to start practice test sessions early in the school year and require cutting out non essentials such as birthday parties, read alouds, and even some recess time. The students feel the pressure from their own lives and school and when the time comes to take the test, team up and devise a plan to cheat in order to all get perfect scores.  This results in some consequences they hadn't planned on. 

The author, Rob Buyea, used to teach fourth grade and so I expect that his realistic stories about school will be described correctly.  His experience with testing is not like my school.  All our tests are done on the computer and not paper and pencil.  And even when it was with paper and pencil, none of the tests were exactly in the same order. It would have been impossible to cheat the way the ids in this story do. Our students don't receive results of their tests until way into  the summer. The results don't have as much impact on them. It does however impact the teacher, and the report card of the school. 

Buyea uses the multiple points of view in his previous books and does the same in this book as well. Each student has some issue in their own life which shades how well they are doing in school. From no time to study because of sports, bullying, dyslexia, to always wanting to perform perfectly.  The consequences for each student helps family and school understand more about the difficulties the students are dealing with at school and home. 

This is a fun and fast read. You have to keep the characters straight but it is pretty easy if you remember to read the chapter headings. I give this book a 3 out of 4 rating. It is a 4.7 reading level.

• Print Length: 351 pages
• Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (October 3, 2017)

Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling

This book is a fast read because it is hard to put down. The main character, Aven, was born without arms. She was put up for adoption and a couple from Kansas fell in love with her at first sight and adopted her. Aven's parents raise her to do things by herself and figure out ways that she can do everything, even without arms.  Aven's mother nicknames her Sheba because she explains that every foster parent did everything for her before she was adopted...just like the Queen of Sheba. Aven becomes very capable, and has a hilarious sense of humor and enormous confidence. She is just a likable, positive and perky character. 

When Aven is in 8th grade, her father gets a job in Arizona working as a manger for a rundown western theme park.  The family moves and Aven finds that making friends is more difficult than she imagined. She grew up with her friends in Kansas and so she was not a curiosity in their eyes.  Because lunchtime is difficult, she avoids it but discovers a few other kids who also avoid the crowd for various reasons.  Aven takes them on as friends. She helps Conner who she meets in the library look for support for his Tourette's syndrome and she befriends an overweight boy who eats outside everyday.  She does this with plenty of humor and charm. 

Meanwhile there is a mystery to solve at the theme park and as Aven meets its quirky characters, she has some questions about who owns the park and just why her father was asked to manage a park that is practically bankrupt. The conclusion surprised me and I found the book to be an encouraging read. 

If you liked Wonder by Palacio, then this is what you should read next. The book is for readers from grades 5-8. The reading level is 4.6. I would recommend it as a read aloud and it would be a great Division 2 book for the Maud Hart Lovelace Award.  I rate it 5 out of 4. 

Print Length: 274 pages
Publisher: Sterling Children's Books (September 5, 2017)

Lemons by Melissa Savage

I am always excited to read a book by a Minnesota author. This book is a winner! Lemons is about a 9 year old named Lemonade Liberty Witt whose mom taught her the motto that "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." Her single mother has instilled a postiive outlook and attitude to her daughter. However, when her mother dies, Lemonade goes to live with a grandfather she has never known. The story revolves around why the  relationship had been estranged and how Lemonade adjusts to a new family. 

Lemonade connects with a 11 year old neighbor named Tobin Sky who is searching for bigfoot. The town they live in is called the "Bigfoot Capital of the World". He invites Lemonade to join his detective agency.  Together they go on detective adventures when neighbors call with potential sightings.  Of course, as a reader, I wondered where this would lead. Will this book be fantasy or realistic fiction?  I am not going to say how it turns out, but be aware, you will find yourself wondering where the plot will lead. 

What a wonderful book!  The setting is during 1975.  The author purposefully chose this era in order to eliminate all of the modern communication technology, such as cell phones and the internet, which would probably change the dynamic of the story. This story is funny, heartwarming, and maybe a little crazy at times.  It really shows how children can make it through tough times in their life. 

I would love to see this as a Maud Hart Lovelace nominee. It is great for both boys and girls, a good read aloud, a fourth grade reading level and good for Division 1. I rate it 4 out of 4. 

• Print Length: 311 pages
• Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers
• Publication Date: May 2, 2017

Anne of Green Gables

Blogger: 23 Books {A Bottomless Book Bag} - Edit post

The Great American Read is going on this summer on PBS.  Did you watch the show on May 22nd? Here is the link in case you want to catch up.  The Great American Read  You can vote for your favorite books out of the 100 titles that are featured all summer. One of the books I voted for was Anne of Green Gables b y L. M. Montgomery. 

Who doesn't just adore Anne!  I have a kindergartner student this year who is a Anne of Green Gables act and look alike!   Her hair isn't ginger but should be.  She has a continual positive monologue with boundless energy just like Anne in the novel.  

Years ago when I worked in a nursing home, the director of nursing decided to have a read aloud everyday.  She chose Anne of Green Gables.....unfortunately everyone fell asleep.  She said all of the descriptions made for a soothing sound. But I did think what a good choice....written in 1908 with a lot of girlhood memories for the residents. 

I didn't read Anne until I was an adult and adored it and read the entire series.  When the new graphic novel came out which is written by Mariah Marsden and illustrated by Brenna Thummler, I heard it was terrific.  I was doubtful because I wasn't sure if the story would really translate well into graphics.  So, I read the book.  I loved it....and I laughed and cried. It brought back the storyline to me really well.  Another teacher read the book after my recommendation and felt the same.  The true test was giving the book to a teacher who hadn't read the book. Unfortunately, it fell flat for her.  She had a hard time figuring out the characters and didn't feel all of the emotions that I experienced.  I suspect that this graphic novel is best read by someone who has already read the novel. 

Here is a page from the book that I really loved...it was a two page spread. 

I also heard that there was a new Anne of Green Gable movie that came out in 2016.  I watched it on Amazon Prime and loved it.  Don't read the reviews because most hated the new version and kept referring to the 1985 version with Megan Follows as their favorite. Now, I admit, that version was awesome but I also really liked the new version. I think if you watched the 2016 version first, it would become a favorite too. 

So, try one of the Anne of Green Gables books or movies and enjoy the wonderful story of a poor orphan who succeeds trials and troubles with her boundless energy and positive attitude.

• Print Length: 232 pages
• Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing (October 24, 2017)
• Publication Date: October 24, 2017

Ban This Book by Alan Gratz

Fourth grader, Amy walks into her school library one day and discovers that her favorite book is no longer available for check out because it has been banned by the school board. She discovers that there is a list of books that were also removed.  Not only were they removed, but they were not even given a chance to go through a formal reconsideration committee. So Amy starts to hunt down copies of these banned books and even spends her own money to buy a few. Other kids start to find out that she has the banned books and ask to borrow them. Her locker becomes known as the BBLL or Banned Books Locker Library! The kids realize that they can do something about the problem especially when more and more books are also removed. They fight back in a clever way which makes for a satisfying conclusion. 

I connected to this book immediately because Amy loved the same book I did when I was her age. It was From the Mixed up files by Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. And of course, as an elementary librarian, this setting is my everyday life! This book is a fun, fast, and easy read and feels like a situational comedy where everyone learns great lessons at the end of the show.  I rate it 4 out of 4 and recommend it as a great addition to any elementary library.  It would be a great read aloud and be a great title for the Maud Hart Lovelace nominees in the future.  

•  257 pages
• Tor Books (August 29, 2017)
• 4.5 Reading Level
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The Wolf Keepers by Elise Broach

I picked this book up when I was on vacation. It reminded me of a previous vacation to Yosemite National Park a few summers ago. I can't resist books with connections to places I have visited. 

The story starts out with the main character,  12 year old Lizzie Durango,  describing the wolves she has been studying at the zoo where she lives.  Her father is the head zookeeper at a California wildlife park not too far from Yosemite National Park.  She is right at home at the zoo with their house actually on the zoo property. 

The wolves are a new exhibit and they fascinate her. One day she discovers a strange boy is actually living behind the elephant enclosure and befriends this runaway named Tyler.  They become fast friends and discover that as the wolves began to get sick and die, something mysterious might be happening instead of natural causes. 

Through some sneaking around they find themselves in the middle of Yosemite National Park having to survive in the wilderness at night with practically nothing but a bit of water and some scraps of food. A side mystery is the legend of naturalist John Muir's lost cabin that no one has ever found in Yosemite. They are hopeful that they can figure out where it was in the park. 

I enjoyed this book and found the details very interesting about wolves and John Muir and Yosemite.  They mystery ended a bit flat for me and I found myself thinking...is that all there was to it?  The characters were a delight and the general plot made this book a fun read.  I will still recommend the book despite the ending though!

Age Range: 9 - 1410 - 14
Grade Level: 4 - 6
Reading Level:  4.65.2
Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher:Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) (October 11, 2016)
Rating:  4 out of 4

This book reminded me the of mystery series set in a zoo by Stuart Gibbs where Teddy Fitzroy who lives at FunJungle solves mysteries there. 

 

 

Yours Truly: A Pumpkin Falls Mystery by Heather Vogel Frederick

I read Absolutely Truly when it first came out in 2014 and really liked this cozy mystery. I have repeatedly put it up on a display stand in the library hoping someone will check it out but it usually continues to display instead of going home with someone. I have wished that a sequel would come out....because I really love cozy mysteries and expect lots of sequels as you get to know the characters.  So, I was delighted to find book 2 at a book store when I was on vacation over spring break. It came out in 2017.  That is really too long for such a charming book!

The book features a family of seven who move from Texas to Pumpkin Falls, New Hampshire to help run the family bookstore. The father is suffering from injuries in the Afghanistan war and is no longer able to serve as a pilot for his career. In the first book, the family settles into the family home, school and bookstore business and in the process solve a mystery involving a first edition copy of Charlotte's Web. The season is winter.

In Yours Truly, the main character, Truly Lovejoy, a junior high girl, helps her friends figure out who is sabotaging the spring maple syrup production at the local farms in Pumpkin Falls. Truly's cousin visits over spring break and causes jealousy among her friendships and my favorite plot point was when Truly discovers a diary that leads to the discovery of a station on the Underground Railroad.  

This book has a little history, some mystery, and a touch of growing up angst. There are a lot of fun details about the family, book store, and town they live in.  I think I like cozy mysteries because they allow me to be a bit of a snoop and experience the life of the character and their family and community. And they are never too scary and usually resolve well.  I am not sure if the loose ends of the mystery tied up exactly the way I expected but I overlooked it just because I enjoyed the book. 

If you are looking for lots of adventure and thrills then this is not the book for you. This is a quiet and charming story about a family and their lives in a small town. I happen to really love this type of book. I only hope the next book comes along faster!

Age Range: 10 - 14
Grade Level: 4 -8
Reading Level:  5.2
Hardcover: 336 pages

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (January 31, 2017)
Rating:  4 out of 4

I thought about Miracles On Maple Hill by Virginia Sorensen when I read Yours Truly. It was a Newbery winner in 1957. This is a story about a family who move from the city to a Pennsylvania farm to help the father who is suffering from post traumatic disorder after coming home from WW II. The daughter, Marly, experiences life in the country and with the arrival of spring gets to be part of the maple harvest.  

It is another charming story of family who are helping the father to heal after serving in the military.  I really enjoyed this book.  I think reading both books would be a interesting book experience. 

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle

  

Age Range: 10 - 14 years
Grade Level: 4 - 6
Hardcover: 256 pages
Publisher: Square Fish, Media Tie In Edition, (November 7, 2017)
Rating: 3 out 4

Summary:  Meg Murry and her family receive a surprise visit from an unearthly stranger out of another dimension in time


I decided to reread A Wrinkle in Time before I went to the movie but, I haven't made it to the movie yet and so I can't compare the movie and the book. I imagine it has changed a bit and an new artistic flair has been given to the movie edition. 

This is my third time reading this book.  I read it in sixth grade and I don't think I understood it very well.  I read it again when I began my career in the library media center and I think I enjoyed it and of course understood it.  Now, the third time around, I realized that I didn't remember much of the details.  What I did notice is that there is a lot of fantastic and amazing scenes that will probably translate very well on the big movie screen.  The director received a large budget for the special effects and the making of this film.

This was a TV movie in 2003 and Madeline L'Engle was alive at that time. She said it didn't translate as well on television because they just didn't have the budget for special effects. A granddaughter of Madeline L'Engle appreciated the new version and felt that the changes from the book were appropriate for this new version.  So I am looking forward to viewing this movie when I have some time to see it.

What was funny about the book were some of the words they used which are out of style these days. Moron was a name they called Charles Wallace many times. Sometimes I would have to reread because the writing seemed awkward to me. This book didn't connect with me as much as other books I have read. It was good but I did plod through portions of it. Fantasy is not my go to genre and they don't tend to be my favorite reads. I rate it a good which is a 3 out of 4 for me. 

The Ostrich and Other Lost Things by Beth Hautala

Olivia is exceptional at finding things, she gets a lead in Peter Pan, her new friend is blind, and she keeps finding the zoo’s runaway ostrich!

Age Range: 10 and up 
Grade Level: 5 - 6
Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: Philomel Books (February 20, 2018)

Olivia is an eleven year old who has a special knack for finding things, but when her autistic older brother loses his toy ostrich, she can't find it and fears that his condition will get worse.  The family revolves around taking care of her brother Jacob and Olivia dreams of more for her summer. Her favorite story, Peter Pan has open auditions for a summer theater and Olivia is offered the lead. However, she is concerned when her parents insist that Jacob also participate in the play. A temporary zoo moves into town for the summer and Olivia ends up befriending the zookeeper's son, who is blind, as well as helping a runaway ostrich who ends up in her yard in the middle of the night throughout the summer. All events tie together to help Olivia and her family learn and grow as they navigate having a child who has autism that they love but are not sure what is best for him. 

KIds who have an interest in theater will enjoy this story as well as those who deal with a family member or classmate with autism. This book is a coming of age story of a girl who is learning more about herself and her family challenges in the course of a summer.  Olivia has an interesting summer and it was fun to go along with her on her adventures. I think both boys and girls would enjoy this book.  It is a book about family love and dealing with personal challenges. I think there is much to learn from this story. I give it a 4 out of 4. 

I want to give a shout out to the fact that this author is from my state of Minnesota. I read her previous middle grade book called Waiting for Unicorns and loved it and looked forward reading this one! 

Greetings From Witness Protection by Jake Burt

"You will also maintain regular friendships: do not withdraw or become a loner, deadhead, goth, vamp, emo, punk, or skater." page 61

• Age Range: 10 - 14 years
• Grade Level: 4 - 9
• Reading Level:  5.1
• Hardcover: 368 pages
• Publisher: Feiwel & Friends (October 3, 2017)
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Summary:
Thirteen-year-old Nikki Demere is an orphan and a kleptomaniac, making her the perfect girl to portray the Trevors' daughter in witness protection, but she soon learns that the biggest threat to her new family's security comes from her own past.

This is a fun read. I like reading about witness protection situations. They always involve some suspense and the unbelievable and almost impossible situation of starting over as someone else.  It is never easy. Nikki has never had an normal life and despite her less than desirable upbringing, she is a decent person who has good intentions. Her foster families don't "stick" for various reasons and so when the U.S. Marshals come looking for a potential candidate for their new "family" program, she is selected.  Her job is to become part of a family in order to make it more difficult to find them because of an extra child in the mix. Nikki takes responsibility for this new role and adds her own "skills" of crime she learned at her grandmother's knee to help her family unit. However, things go awry and Nikki ends up becoming noteworthy instead of blending in. 

I recommend this book to grades fourth grade and up. I think it is a great adventure and growing up story that will appeal to both boys and girls. I rate it a 4 out of 4.  

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Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

“We know that God is everywhere; but certainly we feel His presence most when His works are on the grandest scale spread before us; and it is in the unclouded night-sky, where His worlds wheel their silent course, that we read clearest His infinitude, His omnipotence, His omnipresence.” 

― Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre

Summary: 
Jane, a plain and penniless orphan in nineteenth-century England, accepts employment as a governess at Thornfield Hall and soon finds herself in love with her melancholy employer, Mr. Edward Rochester, a man with a terrible secret.

My book club read Jane Eyre last month and it was a great stretch for me! It was my first time reading this classic. One of our members read the above quote as one she liked. The words comes from a dark time in Jane's life when she has run away and is sleeping out in the wilderness under the stars. Yet she finds comfort because she feels God's presence in her life. 

The book is a Gothic, romantic, mysterious and moral story. It is lengthy and my audio version took about 17 hours. I read the book on my Kindle and synced it up with my audio version from Audible. The words were highlighted as the narrator read to me. The narrator had a great British accent with a smooth and well paced dramatic delivery.  I enjoyed it a great deal.  My vocabulary couldn't match the vocabulary in the book and I had to look up at least one if not more words per page. Our language has certainly changed since this book was written in 1847. I highly recommend using a Kindle and Audible sync if you are reading a book that is difficult. It helped a great deal.  

The book was a bit wordy and I think a modern editor would have had the author shorten up parts of the book. However, there is no doubt that Bronte was a very good writer. Our club also imagined that books were probably longer at that time because people were glad to have a long book to read for their evening entertainment instead of watching something on television!

Yes, I would recommend reading this book but I would advise an audio recording if you are having trouble with the reading process. It helps so much and was quite fun too.  I give this book a 3 out of 4 stars.  I would only recommend this book to those willing to take on a challenge but, if you want to read a classic, this is a great start.  The next adult fiction book I read, coincidentally had a blurb calling it a modern day retelling of Jane Eyre. It was fun to have read the book and determine if that was really a true statement in my eyes.  I will be reviewing that book next! Come back and find out the title!

I watched a British movie from Amazon called Jane Eyre. There were several to choose from and this one was the newest.  I liked it a lot and thought they created a good film version. I highly recommend it. There is another one that I have queued up to watch next. 

Blooming at the Texas Sunrise Motel by Kimberly Willis Holt

I'm like that seedling....Despite everything, I'm certain it's growing, reaching toward the clouds, branching out to all the places they once had been. Page 325

Grade Level: 3-9

Reading Level: 3rd

Hardcover: 336 pages

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) (March 28, 2017)

Rating: 4 out of 4

Summary:

After the sudden death of her parents, thirteen-year-old Stevie is sent to live at a rundown motel, where she charms everyone except her estranged grandfather.

This story is a "feel good despite an awful situation" book. In this case, Stevie is a girl who manages to bloom despite difficulties. Her parents die unexpectedly and because they had cut off the relationships with relatives, Stevie goes to live with her grandfather who is a stranger to her. He isn't easy to love but Stevie begins to learn about her past and form an attachment to her new family which is comprised of her grandfather and the people who live and work at the motel where they live. Lots of quirky characters, which I happen to love.  Eventually, Stevie has to make a choice about her life and it is up to her to figure out what will be best. What a lot of responsibility for a new teen. As I read the story, I had a hard time figuring out what was the best choice myself.  Enjoy this book. It reminds us that life doesn't have to be average or normal to be a good one! I give it a 4 out of 4. 

Heartwood Hotel Series by Kallie George

We live by PROTECT AND RESPECT,
not by TOOTH AND CLAW.

We live with LOVE AND LAUGHTER,
not with SNARLS OR GROWLS.

MANY ROOTS make the HEARTWOOD STRONG.

• Age Range: 4 - 8 years
• Grade Level: 2 - 5

Book 1:  A True Home 
176 pages - Disney-Hyperion, July 3, 2017

When Mona the Mouse stumbles across the wondrous world of the Heartwood Hotel in the middle of a storm, she desperately hopes they will let her stay. As it turns out, Mona is precisely the maid they need at the grandest hotel in Fernwood Forest. 

Book 2:  The Greatest Gift
176 pages - Disney-Hyperion, July 3, 2017

Following the festive St. Slumber celebration, most of the guests have settled in to hibernate, and the staff is looking forward to a relaxing winter. But disruptions abound, from a difficult duchess to a mysterious midnight snacker. 

Book 3:  Better Together
176 pages - Disney Hyperion, February 6, 2018

Spring has come, Mr. Heartwood is on vacation, and it's up to Mona and the rest of the staff to keep everything running smoothly. They plan a Spring Splash but some uninvited guests have been drawn to the festivities. Can Mona find a way to save them all from danger? 

Book 4: Home Again
176 pages - Disney Hyperion, July 3, 2018

It's summer at the Heartwood Hotel, and everyone is in a flurry getting ready for Ms. Prickles's wedding to Mr. Quillson! Meanwhile, a new mouse guest named Strawberry comes to stay. She's sweet and soft-spoken like Mona, and gifted in the kitchen just as Mona's mother was-could Strawberry be a long-lost relative?







This is a delightful and charming series for our youngest elementary students.  Advanced readers in Kindergarten - second grade will love reading these books on their own. They are also great read alouds for the teachers and parents to share with their children. 

This series takes us through a year in the life of Mona the mouse who finds safety and then a new job as a maid in a large tree which is a Hotel for the small woodland creatures. She saves the day in each of the the three books I read. In the fall she makes friends with a bear who helps scare away the wolves. In the winter she discovers who is stealing their food supply and in the spring story she deals with an invasion of owls. The summer book isn't out until July. However, it looks like a wedding and a new guest who might be related to Mona are featured in the story. 

I will be recommending this series and give it a 4 out of a 4.