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)
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
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
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
