Marilla by Sarah McCoy

I found this on my local public library "Libby" app.  It was available and I snatched it up. I tend to listen to audiobooks from my app and skip the digital books because I enjoy reading a paper book. However, this book called to me.

I loved Anne of Green Gables and last year read the graphic novel. Loved that one! Next I watched the newest PBS Anne of Green Gables show...and loved it as well. So, I was thinking that this book would probably be a disappointment.  Maybe too edgy or simply not in the style of the original books. Wrong! It was perfect.  Sarah McCoy did a lot of research  as you read in the end notes. In fact, I thought, wow, she went to a lot of research and effort for this book!

The book starts with a short chapter on Marilla and Matthew deciding they need help around the farm and are hoping to find an orphan boy to help them out. Well...we know how that works out! Then, the book goes back to a 13 year old Marilla and her 17 year old brother on the farm at Green Gables. Right away you are introduced to the parents and begin to discover how Matthew and Marilla grew to adulthood.  You meet their friends, neighbors, and relatives and learn about their struggles and joys. Some of the stories are simple and similar to Anne of Green Gable scenes. Other stories portray Canadian political issues and some are about the Underground Railroad.  I enjoyed this insight into history.  

This book is like a fresh summer breeze or a cozy cup of tea.  If you enjoy a sweet story and enjoyed Anne books... then this is a perfect book for your TBR pile.  I would put it at the top! It is also appropriate for teens who have read Anne of Green Gables books too.  I rate it 5 out of 4!  

Hardcover: 320 pages

Publisher: William Morrow (October 23, 2018)

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The Unteachables by Gordon Korman

Reading this book broke my reading dry spell. I giggled and laughed out loud and enjoyed every minute of this story. Gordon Korman has mastered the humorous school story in this new offering of his.  He is so prolific and yet brings it home again and again with a winning book. 

This is a story of a depressed teacher who is burned out and ready to take his early retirement. In his last year of teaching, the administration gives him the worst class in eighth grade. Everyone has given up on them and they are placed in the far reaches of the school to stay out of sight and hopefully trouble.  He doesn't have very many students but they are all quirky characters.  Korman writes this book with many points of view and yet it doesn't get confusing. He has great character development. 

Sometimes you read school stories where the teacher is too good to be true or really evil. This is a story about a real teacher with feelings and someone you care about despite his issues and failures.  He has lost his way just like his students have.  I do love a story with transformation and this one has it in spades. Each character is on his or her own journey and just needs a bit of help.  Never give up on someone. 

I give this book a 5 out of 4 rating.  I think it would be fabulous on Audible.  I noticed they had many different narrators credited...so I imagine each character has a different reader. This book is fun, fast, and easy! Loved it!

Reading Level:  5.1
Grade Level: 3-7
Pages:  288