Mo Willems Doodles: KNUFFLE BUNNY: A CAUTIONARY MUSICAL tour schedule!
Click on the link and then scroll down for a fun video describing the “making” of Knuffle Bunny; the musical!
The Girl Who Fell From the Sky
(2010)
262 pages
Oh, what a relaxing break I’ve had! My two sisters came to visit this weekend and we had a wonderful time together. I am so happy my father, in his “mid-life” crisis, married a beautiful woman with 5 interesting children-two of which are women. I grew up with three brothers so I have loved getting to know these sisters over the years. They are both smart and caring women so it was just a great weekend.
Now though it is time to catch up. I finished this amazing book two weeks (yikes!) ago and it is time I finish my post about it. This book was suggested by my friend, V for our reading long-distance book club.
Synopsis (from Barnes and Noble):
Rachel, the daughter of a Danish mother and a black G.I., is the sole survivor of a tragic family incident. With her strict African American grandmother as her new guardian, Rachel moves to a mostly black community, where her light brown skin, blue eyes, and beauty bring a constant stream of mixed attention her way. As she attempts to come to terms with an unfathomable past, she confronts her own identity as a biracial young woman in a world that wants to see her as either black or white.
My thoughts:
Told in alternating chapters it is Rachel’s story as she comes to terms with her family history, which includes the heavy themes of depression, alcoholism, identity and racial issues, which keep Rachel from feeling comfortable with her looks. Rachel tells her story with the help of Jamie, a Chicago neighbor, Laronne, her mother’s kind employer, her father, Roger and Nella, her mother. They interchangeably recreate Rachel’s life first, with her mother, trying to understand late 1970’s America and second, her life with her African-American grandmother, living in Portland, Oregon.
I enjoyed Durrow’s creation of Rachel as she incorporated every woman’s struggle of rebellion against family and the search for love in order to define oneself. I appreciated Rachel’s flaws as much as her triumphs. She wants so much, but mostly simply the need to feel love. Durrow did a great job of intertwining Jamie’s (Brick) story with Rachel and loved the outcome.
A quote:
“And look at your hair. All this pretty long hair looking all wild from outside.”
“We’re gonna wash that tonight,” she continues. “Your Aunt Loretta will help you. Bet she know how to do something better with that mess of hair than what you had done before. You’re gonna go to school Monday and be the prettiest girl there.”
She doesn’t say better than your mama. She doesn’t say anything about my mother, because we both know that the new girl has no mother. The new girl can’t be new and still remember. I am not the new girl. But I will pretend. (5-6)
Rachel is a realist but so in need of love and acceptance and Grandma is hard-to-please. Struggle. It’s this struggle added to the vivid cast of characters that make this worth reading. Aunt Loretta, Drew and Brick were positive characters in this tragic tale. I felt healed just a bit from reading Rachel’s story…as if I was able to forgive myself my own struggle as a teen through Rachel’s journey. 5/5 stars-Highly recommended
**Winner of the Belliwether Prize for Fiction**
Other reviews:
Booksploring
Jennifer at The Literate Housewife
The Bluestocking Guide
Burning Question
Picture courtesy of Pamela Villars website
Last night I had a blook club meeting. We didn’t have a reading selection we just met to discuss our summer reading. I brought a huge stack to share. Somewhere in the middle of everyone sharing their book love someone brought up this crazy idea of reading the last page, sentence or word of a book. The thought was that if you are enjoying the book why not take just a tiny peek at the ending…
There was an audible gasp from some of us there. and then the fence came up. It seems some people really do read the last little bit, whether its the last word, sentence or page. Several of our book club members owned up to peeking on purpose!! And they weren’t ashamed to admit it. The reasons ranged from wanting to see if the book was worth finishing, or to see if a character makes it to the end to even one answer (I read just the last word-it reflects the rest of the book).
So I have to ask…how many of you take a little peek at the last page of a book?? Do you read the ending often or just once in awhile? I’m so curious about this as I don’t read ahead or look at the ending. Which side of the fence are you on??
Teaser Tuesday-
Teaser Tuesday is hosted by Should be Reading-head there for more details.
Otherwise just…
- Grab your current read.
- Pick a random passage (not a spoiler) and post it.
- Share the author and title so it can be added to reading lists.
Here’s my teaser(s):
That afternoon involved four sandwishes, soda, chips, buttered toast, chocolate milk. I ate my way through the refrigerator. Mom was still away at her new job, at the woodworking studio near Micheltorena, off Sunset into the hills, and my brother and George poured sugar and jam over toast and talked about their favorite TV series with the robots while I bit and chewed and reported to George. (36) The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender.
I am really enjoying this book and like Bender’s writing style. I’m interested in her other books-are they good also??
Harry Potter
Just saying that name aloud makes me smile. Did J.K. realize how important that name would be when she put Harry together with Potter and added James and Lily. Having my children spread out in ages a bit has given me the rare treat of repeating my HP love all over again. I was delighted when my 7-year-old broached the subject of reading the first Harry Potter to her. I jumped at the chance, of course. Her desire to start the series came through her older siblings and school chums, who naturally got the fever from their older siblings…and so on…
I remember my own fever of waiting for the delivery of each book, wrapped in brown paper, hiding its magical contents. We attended many HP coming out parties for both books and movies, staying up late to drink witch’s brew and eat Bertie Bott’s every flavor beans. After the first book came out our local mall hosted a HP look-a-like contest and our now 15-year-old, ever dramatic, dressed the part. He didn’t win but we had such a great time talking with the many other participants. Several summer vacations are memorable as we traveled across the country to the sounds of Jim Dale keeping us silent, in rapt attention as he magically read all the parts with perfect detail! Ahhh, the memories!
Peaceful Girl, her dad and I finished the first book soon after our Michigan trip and are almost half way through the second book and we are finishing the first movie as I type. This, for me, as a teacher, is what summer is all about…the fact that I can hold my little ones hand as she watches the Hogwart’s Express take Harry, Ron and Hermione away!
Click for J.K. Rowling’s website.
How about you? How many tmies have you reread any of the Harry Potter books? Do you remember great HP parties?
Library Finds
Been to the library.Have a whole stack to share.
1. Creamed Tuna Fish & Peas on Toast (2009) by Philip Christian Stead
This one is cute with a great refrain-kids will love to help you repeat it. Wild Man Jack does not like creamed tuna fish & peas on toast so all week long his sweet children ask him “What will you do if Mama Jane cooks creamed tuna fish and peas on toast?” and each time he responds with a new reply. What makes this book really dynamic is the cool layered illustration created by Stead. Click on the author for his funky website.
2. Food For Thought; The stories behind the things we eat (2009) by Ken Robbins.
This is a good resource book with detailed information about apples, oranges, corn, bananas, tomatoes, potatoes pomegranates, grapes and mushrooms. Each food covers at least 3-4 pages with everything from how to eat it, how it grows and its history. The information is interesting but seems scattered to me. About the banana he moves from where bananas grow (Southeast Asia, Africa, India, Central America) to what a Banana republic is (large plantation owner from developed country in charge of poorest pickers), to a discussion about bananas vs. plantains to the healthy benefits of bananas and then jumps to Carmen Miranda becoming Chiquita Banana advertising to slapstick comedy (slipping on a banana peel). While it was jumpy to me I think kids will enjoy the variety of topics and how fast moving it reads.
3. Our Corner Grocery Store (2009) by Joanne Schartz; illustrated by Laura Beingessner.
This sweet book tells the story of Anna Maria, who helps her grandparents at their store. Nonno Domenico and Nonna Rosa open the store promptly at eight and Anna Maria helps Nonno arrange the fruit and vegetables in the front wooden racks. It talks about pricing the produce, the layout of the store and the variety of items they stock. The lunchtime crowd shows the deli side, with everyone picking their favorite meats and cheeses. Both peaceful girl and I noticed how important to the grocery store is to the neighborhood and how they all help each other. This brought back memories of grocery stores of the past but also of city markets I shopped at in Chicago. I can see this book as a great tool for teachers in my school. Click here for an interview with author and illustrator froom Open Book Toronto.
Reading and writing about these three books has made me hungry. Time for lunch.
I hope you check out any of these books at your own library and explore with a child or your own child-like eyes!
Pins and Needles
I saw an acupuncturist on Wednesday and it was a new experience for me. There was a lovely windchime right outside the office door dispelling all the bad chi or at least moving chi around. The waiting room reminded me of a hip massage place with earthy music, chimes and beautiful shaded lamps.
After my paperwork was complete I was lead to one of those small cubicle rooms with more lovely music and a massage style table and it was heated!! I only found that out after I disrobed and put on an odd hospital-like gown and was able to lay down on that bed-hard and skinny but warm with nice cotton covers on it. Tara Anderson-the acupuncturist-(who by the way, was much younger than I expected!) came in and we chatted about my back and how I felt in general. She asked if I wanted to see the needles she would use and of course, I said yes. They are tiny and soft, more like a flexible pin. She quickly moved around me dabbing alcohol (i think) on particular parts of my body and she started inserting the needles at my scalp-a little pinch, yes!) but those were the only ones that bothered me.
Tara continued around my body from my head she put a few in my hands, my stomach and down my legs. She said they need to stay there for 20-30 minutes, she flicked out the light and left me to meditate or sleep. I couldn’t feel the needles while I was laying there and I kept waiting for some amazing flash of brilliant color but nothing psychadellic happened. The massage table was toasty warm and I think I did fall asleep for a few minutes. Then the nurse aide came in, removed all the needles, zip, zip, zip, and after I sat up, she gave me a quick little back massage. I am walking a little easier even though I still have some aches and pains. I did make another appointment for Monday evening because, even though I’m anti consummer and don’t really buy into programs (other than yoga), I felt it was a positive. I liked that it was a whole experience similar to a massage and unlike chiropractic appointments, which last all of 5 minutes. So thumbs up for acupuncture!!
Devil on My Heels
Joyce McDonald
(2004)
262 pages
Young Adult
I have a blogging friend who has read so many, many books that when we go to the library she is really good about going down the stacks and pulling out random books (books you might not otherwise take one look at) and asking (telling) you to read them. I generally listen until my stack gets too high and she is always right. The last time we were at the library she told me I just had to read McDonald’s Devil on My Heels and I loved it!!
Fifteen-year-old Dove narrates this historical fiction/coming-of-age tale and her story begins like this:
Lately I have taken to reading poems to dead boys in the Benevolence Baptist Cemetary. They don’t walk away before I have finished the first sentence, like most of the live boys I know. When I read to them, their eyes don’t wander to something, or someone, more interesting. I can pretend these boys are listening. I can pretend they hear me. (1)
Dove is studying poetry with her English teacher, Ms. Delpheena Poyer and she continues:
On Friday afternoons like this one, right after seventh period. I head straight for the cemetary. I like to sit beneath the Austrian pines in the cool shade, reading lines from Tennyson or Wordsworth, listening to the trees making up their own poems. Soft words in the language of wind and pine needles. (1)
See that’s all on just page one…Dove is a great character, innocent to the ways of the world but savvy enough to know that “live boys” don’t appreciate great poetry. Her mother passed when she was a four-year-old and she lives with her father on an orange grove in Benevolence, Florida. Her days are spent hanging out with her friends, going to school and trying to feel older than she is. It hasn’t been that many years past that she was tearing around the orange grove with Gator, a young African-American grove worker and Chase Tully, a grove owner’s son. Things are beginning to change for Dove…
Both Gator and Chase are still important to her and are critical in helping Dove see how the groves provide a working environment one rocky step up from slavery. It’s a slow realization that things are not as easy going as her life has been in the past as she gets used to the idea that the local KKK group is rearing it’s ugly head again as the workers are blamed for random fires started in several groves. Delia Washburn, Dove’s housekeeper since the death of her mother, also provides answers to old mysteries involving her dead husband. Inbetween trying to figure out the meaning of all the local fires, Dove tries to put out the fire burning inside her every time Chase looks as her now. Yep, things have really changed for Dove! McDonald provides several great twists as Gator, Chase and Dove avoid the KKK and run from those they love in order to save their friendship! I recommend this book for middle and young adult as well as all adults interested in great writing. 5/5 stars
Other reviews here:
Read this
Maxson Middle School
Joyce McDonald’s website
***counts for 2010 Support Your Library Reading Challenge***
Tomorrow I’ll try to answer all burning questions about my acupuncture appointment!!
The Reinvention of Edison Thomas
2010
This is the story of Eddy; short for Edison because of a crazy old family tradition. He even has an uncle named Beckett Thomas. I immediately fell in love with Eddy. He’s charming throughout this difficult journey of self-discovery. When the story opens Eddy is competing at the Drayton Middle School annual Science Fair. He comes in third and is mad, disappointed that he won’t get the chance to compete in the regional science fair. It is easy to tell from his behavior at the fair that something is a little different about Eddy. He is affected by loud sounds and has a hard time processing events that occur around him. As Eddy’s story unfolds we never do get a full description of what causes his anxieties but we do learn what brings them out. He doesn’t like loud noises, he doesn’t understand common euphemisms, his social skills are low and his speech pattern is more robotic than pre-teenager. He is incredibly smart and loves to tinker around with used parts, trying out a variety of inventions. When the crossing guard is let go from the intersection closest to school Eddy becomes obsessed with the dangers this could cause to young students.
Many of his strong points make him a “geek” at school and because of his social skills he has a difficult time figuring out who his friends really are. Two of the bigger themes in this book are bullying and friendship. These themes play out as as Eddy tries to figure out why his old friend Mitch sends him such mixed signals. Eddy does make some real friends who can appreciate all of his good points while gently guiding him through the few little things that cause him trouble. Most of the characters were well-written by Houtman except the school principal and the therapist Eddy sees at school. They both annoyed me. I thought it was ridiculous that the principal didn’t realize he was being played and Tiffany, the therapist, didn’t have great follow-through with Eddy. I kept thinking this must be her first year as a therapist!
But I loved Eddy and was happy to see him begin to understand the true meaning of friendship and to cope with Mitch’s behavior.
Perfect Quote:
The last page of the pamplet appeared in his mind. He began to recite the speech he had prepared. “I may not be as popular as you-““Tell me something I don’t know,” said Mitch as he found what he had been looking for in his locker and closed the door. “The square root of 1,225 is 35, but do not change the subject. I may not be as popular as you are, but I am a human being-” Eddy T. (152)
Mitch, who is a very believable bully, goes on to make fun of Eddy but what I love about this quote is it took me reading it twice to get it!! I love these little bits of subtle humor. This book would be a great read-aloud for its many themes including its wide use of common euphemisms. The author is a scientist and does such a good job of adding in random bits of essential information, which would make a cool student project-to collect those facts highlighted and study them! I recieved this from The Picnic Basket.
5/5 stars
elementary fiction
Read more here-
Jacqueline Houtman’s blog
Georgia McBride Books
Aurora’s Reviews
20 Questions-I answered them all…
(My kids playing by Lake Michigan)
Rebecca at Lost in Books hosts 20 Questions and I was featured waaay back on June 24th-right in the middle of my Michigan camping vacation. Read my answers to her interesting questions by clicking here. Her questions really made me contemplative about how everyone comes to reading from different places but how similar we all become with our faces tucked behind a book.
