The Book Maven's Haven: #bookaday Wrap Up

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

#bookaday Wrap Up

I love my job but I have to admit I also loved every day of my Christmas vacation. I took a true vacation from school. I think this is the first time in my teaching career I didn't step foot in the building over the break. Participating in Donalyn Miller's (@donalynbooks) Book-a-Day challenge was one of the highlights of my break. The other highlight was spending time with my family as well my dear friend, Ksenia, who was visiting from Russia. So, while I didn't make it through all the books in my piles, I did manage a nice BALANCE, and isn't that what we are all trying to achieve?

My #bookaday reads included:
Middle Grade Novels

Ninth Ward by Jewell Parker Rhodes

What a beautiful book! Told from 12 year old Lanesha's perspective, this book captures the anxiety and fear that Gulf Coast residents must have felt during Hurricane Katrina, without resorting to overly graphic details, or laying blame for the horrific flooding that resulted. The winner of Allen Country Public Library's Mock Newbery Award, I'm surprised it's not getting more Newbery "chatter".

Penny Dreadful by Laurel Synder

This a delightful story of a rich, bored little girl who makes a wish that changes everything for her family. I loved all the mentions of other books that Penny reads, wishing her life was more like them! With appeal to both girls and boys, I think this book would make a great read aloud!

A Tale Dark & Grimm by Adam Giwitz

When are heads are chopped of in the first chapter, kids can't help but be hooked! This book continues to deliver blood and guts...all the way to the end...and boys especially are going to love it! It was dark and gory with the perfect amount of humor. I love how snarky the author was and how he broke that wall between the reader and the book so often, without being annoying. His comments alone make this book stand out!

Forge by Laurie Halse Anderson

Although I missed Isabel (she is mostly in the background in this second book of a trilogy), I did cheer for Curzon as he ran for his freedom, fought at Valley Forge, and continued to navigate prejudice/racism. I loved the perspective of an African-American slave fighting for American freedom, and finding friendship and acceptance among his fellow soldiers. I look forward to the third book, in which I hope Isabel will be reunited with her sister Ruth.

Picture Books
*indicates my favorites

Lost Boy: The Story of the Man Who Created Peter Pan by Jane Yolen (illus. Steve Adams)

Soar, Elinor! by Tami Lewis Brown (illus. Francois Roca)

*The Extraordinary Mark Twain (According to Suzy) by Barbara Kerley (illus. Edwin Fotheringham)

*Ballet for Martha: Making Appalachian Spring by Jan Greenberg & Sandra Jordan (illus. Brian Folca)

The Christmas Giant by Steve Light

*Switching on the Moon by Jane Yolen & Andrew Fusek Peters (illus. G. Brian Karas)

Tell the Truth B.B. Wolf by Judy Sierra

*The Incredible Book Eating Boy by Oliver Jeffers

Disappearing Desmond by Anna Alter

*Pop! The Invention of Bubblegum by Meghan McCarthy

But I Wanted a Baby Brother by Kate Feiffer (illus. Diane Goode)

Kylie made it through her entire pile...twice! Her favorite book from her #bookday pile was The Boss Baby by Marla Frazee! To quote her, "Auntie, Marla just cracks me up!" I have to agree!