When troublemaker Donovan Curtis pulls a prank that goes too far, it looks like he’ll be facing serious consequences. Then his paperwork is confused with students with a genius IQ. He ends up being placed in the Academy of Scholastic Distinction. It’s the perfect alibi, as long as he convince a group of geniuses that he’s one of them.
My Thoughts:
This is the classic Korman formula:
1.) Due to unusual circumstances a kid ends up with a group of other kids they would usually never associate with at school.
2.) Chaos insues.
3.) They find a passion project, that is somehow threatened
4.) They overcome the thread and everyone learns a lesson.
I am not saying this as a criticism. The formula works. Korman’s books are funny and appeal to both kids and adults. I love that his books are popular with kids who do not like to read.
John “Crash” Coogan is the star football player and one of the most popular kids in school. Crash can’t figure out his neighbor Penn Webb. He doesn’t fit in with the other kids. His family doesn’t eat meat or own a television, and he’s a cheerleader. Crash and his friends taunt Penn and pull mean pranks, but the kid can’t take a hint. Then when Crash faces family difficulties he starts to realize that Penn acts more like a real friend.
My Thoughts:
This is kind of a throw-back selection since it was written in 1996, but I decided to include it since I started reading it with one of my classes this week. We always focus on dynamic vs. static characters for this unit because Crash undergoes such a big transformation. Spinelli does a great job of writing from the viewpoint of a seventh grader. Crash makes impulsive decisions and is overfocused on what others think. But, he’s figuring out who he is and becoming a better person.
Hanna is a half-Asian girl living in California during the 1880’s. At a time of extreme prejudice against Chinese people her simple dreams are nearly impossible: graduating from school, becoming a dressmaker and making a friend. As the story progresses, Hanna finds ways to fight for what she wants.
My Thoughts:
If you’re a regular reader, you know that I love Laura Ingalls Wilder. But, even as a young white girl in the 1980’s I recognized how insensitively Native Americans were portrayed in the novels. Park gives readers a more realistic view of pioneer life, while still paying homage to Wilder. Hanna faces prejudice ranging unintentional microaggressions to legalized racism. At the beginning of the novel, she is very timid. I love the way she finds ways to quietly stand up for herself. Rather than focusing on a major historical protest or legal case that promoted change, Prairie Lotus small ways change individuals hearts and the power of friendship.
The ones that speak to me are those whose final pages admit there is no going back. That every good thing must end. That every bad thing does too, that everything does.
That is what I’m looking for every time I flip to the back of a book, compulsively checking for proof that in a life where so many things have gone wrong, there can be beauty too. That there is always hope, no matter what.
Nora Stephens’ life is books—she’s read them all—and she is not that type of heroine. Not the plucky one, not the laidback dream girl, and especially not the sweetheart. In fact, the only people Nora is a heroine for are her clients, for whom she lands enormous deals as a cutthroat literary agent, and her beloved little sister Libby.
Which is why she agrees to go to Sunshine Falls, North Carolina for the month of August when Libby begs her for a sisters’ trip away—with visions of a small-town transformation for Nora, who she’s convinced needs to become the heroine in her own story. But instead of picnics in meadows, or run-ins with a handsome country doctor or bulging-forearmed bartender, Nora keeps bumping into Charlie Lastra, a bookish brooding editor from back in the city. It would be a meet-cute if not for the fact that they’ve met many times and it’s never been cute.
If Nora knows she’s not an ideal heroine, Charlie knows he’s nobody’s hero, but as they are thrown together again and again—in a series of coincidences no editor worth their salt would allow—what they discover might just unravel the carefully crafted stories they’ve written about themselves.
My Thoughts
I read a lot of great books this month. So much so that I am planning on adding and honorable mentions post. Book Lovers took the honor because I felt the deepest connection. I love Hallmark movies, but I keep thinking that I want a twist where they don’t want to stay in the small town. That’s what this is, a look at the other side. The person who usually gets dumped in the movies because they love their jobs and city life. Even though I’m more of a small-town girl, I loved the way Nora and Charlie were so dedicated to helping their family. As someone dipping her toes into the writing world, I also really liked the behind-the-scenes view of the publishing industry.
What I liked about this book
Nora and Charlie are both great characters
The book is a good mix of humor and sentiment
Even though Charlie and Nora had bad first impressions of each other, they didn’t drag it out too long once they finally realized they had a lot in common
The relationship between Nora and her sister Libby
Mr. Wolf is tired of always being the bad guy and decides to make a change. He recruits Mr. Shark, Mr. Snake and Mr. Piranha for a mission to rescue 200 dogs from a pound. But it’s not as easy as he thinks. The public thinks of them as the bad guys, not heroes. The other bad guys aren’t as enthusiastic about the change, and Mr. Snake keeps trying to eat Mr. Piranha.
My Thoughts
I love this entire series. Going in, I picked this out expecting it to be like other graphic novels such a Captain Underpants or Dogman. All three series are funny and appealing to kids. However, I think Bad Guys has more adult appeal. The humor is a little more subtle, and the characters are more complex. Even though I was reading it with a student because I thought they’d like it, I found myself wanting to continue reading on my own.
Jordan wants to go to art school, but his mom is convinced Riverdale Academy Day School will provide him with the best opportunities for his future. The exclusive private school, with little diversity, is a whole new culture for Jordan. He struggles to balance two worlds while staying true to himself.
My Thoughts:
Many teachers, myself included, are often guilty of picking books we find meaningful rather than books that are interesting to kids. New Kid is a perfect mix of both. The graphic novel format and humor make it appealing to kids. At the same time, it deals with relevant social issues. While it’s specifically about microaggressions that students of color face, anyone who has ever felt like they don’t belong can relate.
Peter loves his grandfather and is happy that he will be moving in with the family. Until he finds out it means giving up his room. He thinks Grandpa will give up the room if he plays a few pranks. Instead, Grandpa declares war.
My Thoughts
This classic from the 1980’s was made into a movie starring Robert DiNero in 2020. I decided to do a retro pick this week because one of my classes will start reading it next week. This is a fun, quick read. I love that even though Peter and Grandpa are at “war”, it is clear that they love each other, and the pranks aren’t mean spirited.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an electronic ARC in exchange for an honest review. Publication Date: September 13, 2022.
Summary:
When Skye’s grandmother moves to a retirement community, Skye is not allowed to go with her. Instead, she is sent to live with her Uncle Anish in Area 51. Yes, that Area 51. Rumors of alien landings in Area 51 are true, but there’s a lot more to the story. It’s not some UFO crash site, it’s a place where beings from the entire universe can live in peace. The catch is you can’t leave or communicate with the outside world; it would be too dangerous if the truth ever got out.
The same day Skye arrives a group of zdstrammers go missing. It seems like too much a of coincidence for everyone to believe that they happened to disappear at the exact time Skye appeared. Skye’s uncle soon becomes the first suspect, but she knows he’s innocent. Skye teams up with her new alien buddy, Elvis, a mean kid from school, Zane, to solve the crime. Her pet hedgehog, Spike and Elvis’s dog, Pickles come along for the ride.
My Thoughts:
This was the perfect book for engaging middle grade readers. It’s filled with action, aliens, fart jokes and funny illustrations. I love the characters names. What kid won’t laugh at Agent Belcher and Agent Fartz? The story itself is very entertaining, but the drawings really enhanced the book. In most of the illustrations, Spike, the hedgehog, holds up signs with his own commentary (usually asking for pizza).
June Jones emerges from her shell to fight for her beloved local library, and through the efforts and support of an eclectic group of library patrons, she discovers life-changing friendships along the way.
Lonely librarian June Jones has never left the sleepy English village where she grew up. Shy and reclusive, the thirty-year-old would rather spend her time buried in books than venture out into the world. But when her library is threatened with closure, June is forced to emerge from behind the shelves to save the heart of her community and the place that holds the dearest memories of her mother.
Joining a band of eccentric yet dedicated locals in a campaign to keep the library, June opens herself up to other people for the first time since her mother died. It just so happens that her old school friend Alex Chen is back in town and willing to lend a helping hand. The kindhearted lawyer’s feelings for her are obvious to everyone but June, who won’t believe that anyone could ever care for her in that way.
To save the place and the books that mean so much to her, June must finally make some changes to her life. For once, she’s determined not to go down without a fight. And maybe, in fighting for her cherished library, June can save herself, too.
My Thoughts
There’s no lack of books featuring an introverted millennial who spends their life absorbed in books, avoiding real life. That is until their beloved bookstore or library comes under threat, and they must step out of their comfort zone to save it. Naturally, a handsome potential love interest will show up as well, and they must learn to risk their heart. While it might be turning into a cliche, there’s a reason these books are so popular. They leave you with a warm, fuzzy feeling and a sense of belonging with the reading community. The Last Chance Library was both funny and touching. I really liked the way it emphasized the role of a library in a community beyond just providing books.
What I liked about this book:
the group of “pensioners” occupying the library was so funny
the way June and Alex shared books with each other to convert the other to their favorite genre
even the minor characters were well developed and showed different sides
When River, Freak, and Fiona discover a mysterious sofa sitting at their bus stop, their search for loose change produces a rare zucchini-colored crayon. Little do they know this peculiar treasure is about to launch them into the middle of a plot to conquer the world!
The kids’ only hope is to trap the plot’s mastermind when he comes to steal the crayon. But how can three kids from the middle of nowhere stop an evil billionaire? With the help of an eccentric neighbor, an artificially intelligent domino, a DNA-analyzing tray, two hot air balloons, and a cat named Mucus, they just might be able to save the planet.
My Thoughts:
This book was filled with fast-paced zaniness and humor. I love the idea that the plot revolved around a rare crayon. While there is a message of friendship and good vs. evil, it’s mostly just a fun book that kids will love. I think it would be a great book for a reluctant reader who thinks most of the books adults hand them are boring.
