The Most Wonderful Place on Earth

I just finished the most wonderful book. I mean literally, just, finished it.  I read the last page, gave that bittersweet sigh you give when you finish a truly fantastic book (you're happy because it was a great read, but sad because it's over), and thought, "I have to share this book."

What is this book, you ask.  It's Chris Grabenstein's Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library.  Think Willy Wonka made a library.  Mr. Lemoncello's library has got to be one of the coolest places ever described.  Part of me wishes this book is made into a hit movie and someone makes a theme park out of the library so I at least have a chance of experiencing just a small taste of what this library is like.
 

And now I'm torn.  There are so many simply spectacular things I want to tell you about this book, but part of the joy in reading this book is discovering all of the hidden secrets.   Suffice it to say a successful game maker (of both board games and video games) decides to use some of his enormous fortune to build a library unlike any other.  Yes, there are games there-but even better visiting the library is a game within itself.

One final teeny tiny spoiler.  This book references tons of other books-be on the lookout!  Sometimes it's the title, other times a famous line or character.  The edition I read has a list of all the books in the back (formatted as a checklist-and you know how much I love reading all the books on a list...).

Realizing how amazing a library can be...that's kids stuff.  

P.S.  I realized I didn't tell you anything about the characters-as you might guess based on my glowing reviews-they are wonderful.  My favorite is Sierra-she reminds me of me!

Getting your Fix

I teach reading and as part of that I try to read the books that my students are reading.  I also make a concerted effort to read a variety of genres so that I have plenty of things to recommend.  That being said, I definitely have a favorite "type."  Something that when I need to "get my fix" I go to.  For me, my type of book usually features a dystopian or fantastical society, a young hero or heroine, and some new world they are finding (Think Harry Potter; The Giver; Divergent, etc.).  Also these books tend to be part of a series.  

This week is conference week at my school.  Unfortunately, as students get older not as many parents come to conferences which means here in 8th grade I have a lot of free time during conferences.  This was a perfect opportunity for me to get my fix.  Jeannie DuPrau's The City of Ember, hit all of the criteria to be my type of book.  

Bonus-this book is also a movie

Lina Mayfleet, the main character, has just turned 12 and is given her assignment.  But things are not as rosy as the Mayor of Ember makes them out to be.  Blackouts are occurring with more and more frequency and supplies are running low.  Lina and her friend Doon seem to be the only people who feel this is cause for alarm.  Since I've already told you I like books with a young hero/heroine you can probably guess that they end up saving the day.  But how they save the day I'll leave for you to discover.  

One of the reviews on the back of the book describes it as, "science fiction for those who do not like science fiction."  This is absolutely true and probably the reason I liked this book but didn't love it.  I'm missing that fantasy element, but for a student who prefers more realistic fiction this is a perfect book.  And don't get me wrong, I did really enjoy this book and I will definitely be checking out the rest of the series. 

Getting your fix...that's kids stuff.  

Monopoly

"It's not a good game of Monopoly unless somebody cries."  This is the viewpoint held by my husband and his family.  I'll be the first to admit I am a very competitive game player but bringing somebody to tears is just a little too intense even for me.  Thankfully, Will Tuppence and his friends have a very different outtake.  They gather weekly for a round of Monopoly, and though there are some surprising upsets, there aren't any tears.

Will is the main character in Jerry Spinelli's Smiles to Go (see Spinelli's Newbery winning novel here), and Monopoly is not the only unusual hobby he and his friends share.  This group of 9th graders also enjoy Astronomy and Will is a chess champion. But wait!  Before you think this is a nerd book let me tell you that Will and his pals are also avid skateboarders.  I love that Spinelli's characters don't conform to any one specific "type."  They're real-like us, multi-faceted and unable to be pigeon-holed.

That's not to say there aren't universals.  Like many other 9th graders Will struggles with knowing his place at school, what should he do with his life, and-the big one-why do I get so excited when I see certain girls.  How does this boyfriend/girlfriend thing work?

And, as many people can relate to, Will has a younger sister.  A charming though pesky and often irritating younger sister.  Like all siblings they test each other, but when the unthinkable happens (and no-of course I'm not going to tell you what it is), they realize how much they really love each other.  Wait-I know what you're thinking and don't worry, this isn't a sappy book either.

  Finally, Will is a planner. This is something I definitely relate to.  As soon as Will started listing out his plans I immediately felt connected to this character.  I rooted for him, I wanted his plans to work.  Did they?  You'll just have to read the book.

Taking games seriously....that's kids stuff.  

These Crazy Kids

One of the things I try to do is read the books I see a lot of my students reading.  Especially those books they keep reading as I'm trying to teach.  You know, when the put the book under their desk and think that I don't notice.  Secretly, I love that they have found a book they just can't put down and I make a mental note to read that book later.  Of course as the teacher I have to say something like, "It's time to put that away and focus on the lesson."

Buddy by M.H. Herlong was one of these books.  I must admit that I was guilty of starting class a

minute late because I couldn't put the book down.

When I was little my brother begged and begged for a dog.  Every project he did at school revolved around why he should get a dog until finally his teacher called home and said, "please get that boy a dog."  Li'l T puts that kind of effort into getting and caring for a dog, even though his family doesn't think they can afford one.  Li'l T does every odd job imaginable to raise money for Buddy.

Li'l T and his family live in New Orleans and once Buddy joins the family he and Li'l T are inseparable.  That is until Hurricane Katrina strikes and not everyone can fit in the car.  I can't sugar coat it for you, that part was heart-wrenching.  At the risk of giving too much away I can say I was satisfied with the ending.

This is a beautiful tale of an adolescent who maneuvers his way to adulthood with the help of his ever faithful dog Buddy.  I know that sounds sappy and I assure you this book isn't sappy (many of the boys I teach wouldn't have read it if it was).  It is powerful and really grabs you at an emotional level..ugh, that still sounds sappy.  Just read the book and you'll see what I mean.

Doing whatever it takes to get your dog...that's kids stuff.  

Love Dogs

Anyone who has seen my desk can probably guess that I love dogs.  After all with supplies like these I'm not exactly keeping it secret.









So for my next series of posts I'm going to focus on books about dogs.  My favorite is the first poetry book I ever loved-or even liked for that matter.  You see I'm not really a big fan of poetry.  I know that may seem surprising since I tend to write favorably about all the books I post here; but poetry just isn't really my thing.  So what is this book that changed my mind about poetry.  It's Sharon Creech's Love that Dog.

Written entirely from the perspective of a 3rd grade student, and mostly in free verse Love that Dog tells the story of Jack's trip through the year studying poetry and writing about his own beloved dog.  I have read this book to my husband and to all of my classes.  I love this book and by the end I love Jack and I love that dog too.

The best part?  She's written a sequel.  It's called Hate that Cat.

Loving dogs....that's kids stuff.  

PS Sharon Creech is also a Newbery winner.  Read about that book here.