peacefulreader

Big Day

It is hard to believe a whole week can go by without scanning through my blog lists or posting! This year my schedule at work is crazy hectic and when classes are in the library it is a little overwhelming with the sheer volume of students!!

More important is that last night I made 24 white cupcakes with whipped cream chocolate frosting!! The occasion for these delicious treats is my peaceful girl is turning SEVEN!! My baby is a person; a real grown-up girl; and this young girl chose to have a sleepover party to celebrate this big occasion! Think of me tonight with 8 chatty girls. We are making pizza, making tie-dye t-shirts and having a book swap (yes, no new toys coming in) all in one lovely evening! Oh, and watching Matilda, J’s all-time most recent, favorite movie. I’m sure after all of that they will be sleeping like babies!!

p.s. my cupcakes did not look like that, even though I wanted them to look this stylish!

I did manage to finish Catching Fire by S. Collins-I have to write about that tomorrow, when I have an extra moment!! Oh, it was good…

Luxury

One of the best things about taking a road-trip is all the reading I can get down as my husband tools along. This trip we were with out any children riding, talking, or fighting in the backseat. I was enthralled in Anna Godbersen’s The Luxe and kept stopping to exclaim about all the unusual plot twists!! I couldn’t help telling him about each unique character and about the lavish balls and of course all the mixed-up love stories had to come out; so at some point, I just began to read aloud to him. It kept him awake…what can I say, it was a blast. I read all the way up and all the way back and that is how I was able to finish The Luxe in just two days, well, that and the story is absolutely riveting!! What great research Anna Godberson had to have done in order to make this story so believable and charming. I like historical fiction but have not read anything quite like this before. I loved the variety of voices the story is told in and the snippets of turn of the century advice given to begin certain chapters. It’s like 19th Century People Magazine, dishing into the rich, old and new money and famous, with their secrets and pampered lives. It is so very romantic, yet not “romance-y”(if that makes sense) and wonderfully-twisted!
I just recieved Catching Fire by S. Collins from Amazon, and want to begin that but when I finish I will have to pick up the second Luxe novel, Rumors!

Quick Synopsis (find more at the great HarperTeen site or Godbersen’s site.

In a world of luxury and deception, where appearance matters above everything and breaking the social code means running the risk of being ostracized forever, five teenagers lead dangerously scandalous lives. This thrilling trip to the age of innocence is anything but innocent. from HT website.

Click here for HarperTeen Luxe site.
ps. The Luxe has been on my tbr list because I read about it over at Janssen’s@Everyday reading! Thank you for such a great recommendation-and she’s right, the book is worth it for the cover alone. Now, if I could find a dress like that-hmmmmm-just one day I would love to wear it!

Who is Walter Anderson?

In my mailbox at school I had a large manila envelope from Random House,waiting for me the other day!! I was pretty excited to get something other than junk mail and when I opened it a beautiful book fell out. I deliver here the story line from Random House’s website.

The secret world of Walter Anderson (Sept. 8, 2009)

Synopsis:

Enter the fascinating world of reclusive nature-lover Walter Anderson — perhaps the most famous American artist you’ve never heard of.Residents along the Mississippi Gulf Coast thought Walter Anderson was odd, rowing across twelve miles of open water in a leaky skiff to reach Horn, an uninhabited island without running water or electricity. But this solitary artist didn’t much care what they thought as he spent weeks at a time on his personal paradise, sleeping under his boat, sometimes eating whatever washed ashore, sketching and painting the natural surroundings and the animals that became his friends. Here Walter created some of his most brilliant watercolors, work he kept hidden during his lifetime. In a beautifully crafted picture book biography, writer Hester Bass and Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator E. B. Lewis pay homage to an uncompromising American artist.

Of course, I took it home and read it to my quirky 6-year-old daughter. We’ve been reading chapter books this summer with an occasional picture book thrown in so she was excited to see this something-new book. We read our chapter of Felicity of American Girl fame and I thought my little sweet pea would be to, to sleepy to read a biographical picture book, because she was looking pretty droopy.

She perked right up at the very first page, her head bobbed up and asked “is this poetry?” wow, what a compliment…I hope when I write a book someday, she might say the same thing to me!! Mind you, it is not written in rhymming words but it is lyrical. She listened all the way through Walter’s story and even explored the end pages with examples of his art work. Perfect book, Lovely, really lovely illustrations from E.B. Lewis!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you to whomever-you-are- marketing genius who made the decision to send advanced copies to librarians!!! I love mine and will share it frequently!

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.
Anyone can play along!

Just do the following:

TEASER TUESDAYS asks you to:

Grab your current read.

Let the book fall open to a random page.

Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.

You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!

Please avoid spoilers!

Here’s my teaser:

Elizabeth glanced quickly at Henry, whose arrogant face was pointing somewhere off into the leafy wilds of the park. She shifted her gaze back to Will and wished she could know what he was feeling.
~p. 188 Luxe by Anna Godberson

Two on Sunday

Sunday I finished two chapter books-it thrilled me to finish two in one day! I was a few chapters into eleven by Patricia Reilly Giff, when I received one of those great packages in the padded envelope-it held a copy of Once a witch by Carolyn MacCullough. Of course, I started witch, which then put me in-between in two books. I alternated reading each one and think it only fitting to blog about them at the same time.

Once a witch ( Sept, 2009) is suspenseful, exciting and not creepy! I hope Carolyn MacCullough is planning a sequel; I want to know more about Tamsin and Gabriels’s story!! As I described it to a friend on the phone-the premise is good because of course, who doesn’t want to be a witch, I ask you?! You know, the same reason HP is so popular-ordinary kids doing magic!!!

In this one, Tamsin Green comes from a long line of magically talented folk yet she doesn’t find her “talent” at the regular age and resents that she is “normal”. Tamsin attends boarding school in NYC to keep a little distance between her and her family. During summer break she meets someone who mistakes her for her talented older sister, Rowena. It is this mix-up and her resentment that fools the antagonist (Alistair) into believeing Tamsin will fold against her family. Tamsin’s family is unique and believable and I wanted to be one of them!
Once a witch kept my interest easily, the characters were wonderful and the story made sense-all important aspects for me! I especially liked Tamsin’s relationship with Agatha, her roommate and Gabriel, her long-lost childhood friend.

I received this arc from a Picnic Basket request-thank you!

Check out the cool Once a witch website where you can find out more, take quizzes (discover which witch you most resemble-yes, I played) and research the Green family tree.

Read the synopsis and a quick review from Kirkus review by clicking here.

For Carolyn MacCullough’s web page click here. I found out this is her fourth book!

Eleven (2008) by Patricia Reilly Giff is the story of Sam and his grandfather, Mack Mackenzie. Sam, who struggles with reading, begins to have dreams that do not make sense to him. He is drawn to the attic, which holds a lock box with one clipping hanging out. The clipping shows his picture and his name…with a different last name. He cannot read enough of it to make sense and he needs to get the box open. Sam makes friends with Caroline, a good reader at school, who will help him. Together they form a close connection between searching for clues to Sam’s life as well as building a castle for a class project on medieval life. Sam is a builder like his grandfather, but he cannot feel comfortable until he solves the mystery of his dreams. This is a great read for 3-5th grade students.

Recommended

Browsing

Last night I planned on posting something (didn’t have a plan for what as I am still reading Once a witch) but I got so wrapped up in reading down my list of other bloggers-I never made it back to post. I was too sleepy to write but not too sleepy to keep reading all the other great posts out there.
I loved seeing the pictures of Jannsen’s new Boston apartment as she gets ready for her next adventure-you can check out the pictures over at her blog, Everyday Reading.
I scrolled way down to an Aug. 14th post at Reading Rumpus and found some fabulous back-to-school lists of picture book choices!! I made notes ‘cuz there were quite a few I don’t have in my school library and I think they would be worth purchasing. Even though we are officially past the first days of school most teachers are always looking for great read-alouds. Go check out the lists at Reading Rumpus!
Kaye at Pudgy Penguin Perusals had a whole slew of historical books I’ll be searching out to add to my tbr bookshelves. I found The Confidential life of Eugenia Cooper by Kathleen Y’Barbe, A hint of wicked by Jennifer Haymore– then I clicked over to Jennifer’s blog and website and spent a fair amount of time reading her posts. The front cover of A hint of wicked is so well, wicked…check it out on Jennifer’s website and I loved how she had a nice long excerpt of the book there for me to read. I’m not a fan of romance novels but I love historical fiction and this one read very well!! Glad I could sample a little.
Seriously, one thing leads to another great thing out here on the web and my Friday night was gone but well-spent, “visiting friends”.

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My teaser.

“I look up and meet his eyes, and for one inexplicable second I feel as though I am looking at someone else. Or rather, as if another person is looking out from behind his eyes, watching me eagerly.”

from pg. 59 of Once a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough

Saving the world thorugh Judy Moody's eyes.

Judy Moody saves the world! by Megan McDonald (2002)

This is one fast-paced book, which makes it very appealing to kids! Judy and her brother, Stink are trying to win a band-aid decorating contest, which Stink ends up winning. At school, Mr. Todd, is teaching Judy’s class about saving the earth. When her teacher says “it only takes on person to make a difference”, Judy is off and running with this great idea. Here is my favorite quote ” One person! If all it took was one person, then she, Judy Moody, could save the world!” Such enthusiasm!!
They learn about all sorts of recycling ideas like composting and Julia Butterfly Hill-my favorite tree-hugger!!! Judy has very similar energy to Junie B. but without all the negative (stupid, etc.) language. Appropriatly, J and I found this wonderful gem at our local second-hand book store. Find a copy and read it with a little person!

How many readers out there know who Julia Butterfly Hill is…or are willing to find out? Post a comment and tell me what spectacular thing she did to make a difference…I’ll send you a copy of her amazing book.

Judy’s own website-click here!

Find Megan McDonald’s website here.

Julia Butterfly Hill’s weblog here.

Historical fiction perfect for today!

I finished Patricia McKissack’s A friendship for today…today. I picked this one from our Scholastic Book Fair last year because it looked like an interesting historical fiction choice for 4-5th graders. McKissack’s main character, Rosemary is smart yet struggles with the issues of the day like is it okay for her to let her best friend, J.J. (a boy!) beat her in a race just because the other boys are watching. Her parents are not much help as they argue about a woman’s independence over dinner. Both her parents want Rosemary to remember that she’s as good as anybody but also not better. Brown vs. Board of Education has just passed and Rosemary’s colored school is closing and she will be transferred to Robertson Elementary, integrated into a previously white school. Right before the beginning of school, J.J. contracts polio and is hospitalized. Now Rosemary will be the only integrated student in her 6th grade classroom. It’s very difficult being the only one but with the help of some hard-earned friends, a progressive principal and a very positive teacher Rosemary makes it through the year. This is an easy read and one that will really help 3-5th graders understand this very important era of change in our history. Reading the author’s note at the end it is made clear why this story is such a believable one as Ms. McKissack experience this same 6th grade year right outside St. Louis, MO!

Find a great article about Patricia McKissack here at the Brown Bookshelf.

Bella And Bean by Rebecca Kai Dotlich

This little book by Dolitch, is the kind that give me tingles after I read it! You know, like when someone brushes your hair-those tingles!

It is a lovely story! Bella writes poetry and Bean wants to play, she wants the attention of her friend, Bella.

It begins like this: “Bella lived in an old brick house with white shutters, just up the hill from Spoon Pond. Every day she wrote poetry at a small desk, beneath a small window, shaded by a canopy the color of plums. ” Bean likes to come to that exact window to talk to Bella and is bored with Bella’s writing time.

Eventually Bella gets to a stopping point, misses Bean and goes off to seek her friend. What happens next is wonderful because the two friends begin to create some word imagery together and Bella puts it all together!! I’ve already taken this to my favorite 5th grade teacher so she can use it to introduce her poetry unit this year! The illustrations are beautifully drawn by Aileen Leijten. Thank you Rebecca and Aileen for giving me book tingles!! (2009, simonsayskids publishing)

Click here to see Rebecca’s website.

Click her to see Aileen’s website. (including a link to another great blog (seven impossible things to do before breakfast for an interview with Aileen.)