Here are the books I am reading each week. Feel free to comment on the book, or make recommendations for the future. No spoilers!
I am currently reading The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin. This book is sad and stunning. It is disgustingly heart-wrenching while still being beautiful. It is simple with many layers. This is a book about a gifted girl who’s ex-best friend drowns. However, the protagonist tried to prove that her friend was instead stung by jellyfish. The book, told through past and present, is a wonderful example of coping with a loved one’s death.
I have decided to begin reading Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. I am excited to read this marvelously popular novel and I know I will love it. I have seen the play several times and cannot wait to read the book.
This week I am reading Courage for Beginners by Karen Harrington. It is an imaginative and suspenseful book. The main character, Mysti, is a creative and gifted young girl going through the ups and downs of middle school. Not to mention her mother has never left their house, because of her agoraphobia. I have eaten it this book up, and will need a new book by Friday! 🙂
If anyone has suggestions for my next book, or is looking to read this one, please let me know. I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys to read about gifted children.
A few days ago I finished reading the all new novel by Chris Colfer, The Land of Stories: Beyond the Kingdoms. Although I won’t give away any spoilers here, this is an incredible book.
In this story, main characters Alex and Connor travel between worlds and stories to stop an evil villain from recruiting an army of literary antagonists. Along the way they form friendships and bonds in magical worlds unlike their own. But can they stop their own world from being destroyed?
To find out what happens next, read The Land of Stories: Beyond the Kingdoms.
This week, I finished rereading one of my favorite novels, Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper. This book is interesting and thought-provoking. It is the story of a young girl named Melody who is diagnosed with cerbal palsy. Melody is very bright, but she can’t talk and so she ends up going insane! I feel for anybody who has to experience that, for it must be very difficult. Ms. Draper has given us a special gift by writing this novel. I recommend it for anyone with an open mind and open heart.
As some of you may have noticed, I have gotten out of the habit of posting Book of the Week. I think one way to help me get back into this category is to change it up a bit. Instead of choosing an exceptional children’s book each week, I will describe the book I am reading that particular week. This week, for example, I am reading To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Feel free to comment thoughts about each book (no spoilers, please!) and of course, reading recommendations.
The Giving Tree is a loving book about a boy and a tree. As the boy grows older, the two of them separated. But the boy keeps coming back to the tree. In the end the tree and the boy are happy together. I think many young children will enjoy this caring and poetic book.
Ask: What is the moral of this story?
How can you tell time is passing based on the pictures in the book?
Write: Write a continuation to The Giving Tree. Describe what happens to the boy and the tree, and include lots of detail.
Draw: Draw a picture of you and an inanimate object. Include color and background.
The Hello, Goodbye Window is the delightful story of a little girl and her grandparents’ kitchen window. She plays all sorts of games and does different kinds of things, but her favorite thing is to sit by the Hello, Goodbye window and watch as all different people come and go. The girl knows that the window will always be there, and that it is filled with many memories that she and her grandparents have had. The Hello, Goodbye Window is a cute little book that many children will enjoy reading.
This is a funny book that helps little girls see that a princess is inside of them. This book is cute and entertaining. Many small girls will enjoy reading it.
Ask:
-Why do you think the little girl asks these questions?
-What is the lesson in this story?
Write: Write a story about a prince or princess of your own. Tell about the way they act and look. Also describe their family and friends.
Draw: Draw a picture of you as a fancy prince or princess. Include as many details as possible. On the back draw a picture of you doing something silly like playing in the rain or messing around in the mud.
This is a cute and funny book about a temporary fairy named Alice. She uses her magic wand to turn her father in to a horse, to draw pictures on water, make leaves fall from trees, and make her dad’s cookies her cookies! Of course she has to have a magic mirror- what’s the fun of being a fairy if you don’t? This a delightful story that I think many will enjoy reading!
Ask:
-What is the author’s purpose in this story?
-Do you think that Alice believes in magic?
Write:
Write a story about you spending a day with a magical creature. It can be a fairy, a dragon, or a unicorn. Describe where you go, and what you do together.
Draw:
Draw a picture of a magical thing. Include details, a back round, and if you would like, yourself.