Here are my favorite books that I read during the last month of vacation. Click on the titles to read plot summaries. If you'd like to see all of my books, you can follow me on Goodreads.
Picture Books
Some of These Are Snails by Carter HigginsMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Oh! This one I like, I like! Not sure if the kids will agree, but this lends itself to so many lessons re: shapes and colors and sorting. Bright and fun with rhythmic text.
Twenty Questions by Mac BarnettMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Christian Robinson does most of the heavy lifting here. And WHO ASSAULTED MR. BECKETT???
Looking forward to the K/1 Mock Caldecott discussion, but I may skip poor Mr. Beckett's page.
Big by Vashti HarrisonMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Love what Harrison does with the colors and the spreads where the girl gets bigger and bigger and breaks out via foldout pages. Not sure how it will do as a readaloud, but I'll try it for Mock Caldecott.
100 Mighty Dragons All Named Broccoli by David LaRochelleMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
I really like the math elements and will use for Mock Caldecott, but ... WHO IMPREGNATED THE LAST BROCCOLI? Really hoping no students ask.
You Rule! by Rilla AlexanderMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Love this for introducing shades of meaning to my students. May be a bit confusing as a readaloud, but I'm putting it on my Mock Caldecott list.
Middle Grade Novels
The Labors of Hercules Beal by Gary D. SchmidtMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
VERY reminiscent of "The Wednesday Wars," which is one of my favorites ever, and I'm ok with that, although the structure following the Labors of Hercules was a bit forced. Too coincidental that they even went in order. But a clever idea. However, I didn't feel as emotionally invested in Hercules as I did in Holling, and there were several stock figures, like Mr. Moby. Oh boy oh boy.
Still, Schmidt has a way with words.
p. 235: There was more light now - the clouds had shoved away and every star in the whole galaxy was glittering, and Orion was twisting his shoulders to watch, and the planet Jupiter had turned its lights up to High Beam, and Taurus the Bull was pointing his horns.
Nonfiction
Jumper: A Day in the Life of a Backyard Jumping Spider by Jessica LananMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
I think the kids will like this one - factual, but not overwhelming. Although, I was a bit icked out by the image of the fly wrapped up in silk, waiting to be liquefied and slurped up. Nature is gross.
Going Places: Victor Hugo Green and His Glorious Book by Tonya BoldenMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book is very cagey about being nonfiction ... lots of "must have made" and "likely" and "maybe" and "I'm guessing" and "perhaps." And I hate the term "goo-gobs of information." But overall, pretty good. I will do it as a RICBA readaloud.
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For Grownups
The Candy House by Jennifer EganMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Two things I came away with: we are all connected more than we realize, and we also never know exactly what others are going through.
I enjoyed the web of relationships that Egan wove, and how she used different styles for different sections. Very much like Goon Squad. But I wanted more details on some of the future stuff, especially what counters do all day at work.
The Stranger Diaries by Elly GriffithsMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Solid mystery with four different narrators. I had read the second book in the series first and will now order the third!
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