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Post by Mary on Jul 27, 2006 7:21:24 GMT -5
This book was very refreshing for me! It might just be that I've read entirely too many "problem" books for the upper end of the Newbery age spectrum recently, but it was nice to read a chapter book geared more to younger chapter book readers. It's difficult to compare this more simple writing style with some of the complex titles on our list, and there were parts of the book that seemed out of place -- like the school nurse's discussion with Mac when he has a nosebleed -- but I thought the main characters were well developed. I also enjoyed the science experiments at the end of the book... I imagine exploding film canisters will be flying! Has anyone else read this? Comments?
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Post by Mary on Dec 5, 2006 23:18:06 GMT -5
Today our Library held its annual Mock Printz election. I'm pleased to report that this book was one of the honor books selected by the group in attendance.
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Post by Mary on Sept 14, 2006 15:29:18 GMT -5
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Post by Mary on Jul 19, 2006 12:44:48 GMT -5
I just finished this amazing book. I loved the story and, reading the after-notes, was astounded at the structure of the book. I think it probably fits into Printz consideration more than Newbery. Has anyone else read this? What are your thoughts?
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Post by Mary on Aug 18, 2006 15:54:07 GMT -5
This was a book I was prepared to force myself to read; I was convinced from the cover picture that I would not enjoy it. And then it turned around and surprised me! I really enjoyed Ugly's journey through his 1st year of life.
I loved the conversations between the animals. One of my favorite bits is at the very beginning of the book when Mother's last egg just will not hatch. The freckled duck thinks it's not a duck egg in the nest:
"You can't be right," said Mother at last. "I counted my eggs every day. There were no extras." "Count for me. Start at one and keep going." "One, two, three, many, many, many more, so many, lots, lots and lots, gobs." "See?" said the freckled duck. "Just as I suspected. You're a lousy counter. You'd never notice an extra egg."
I'm glad this book is on our list.
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Post by Mary on Nov 27, 2006 8:45:24 GMT -5
Cathy - I think you have a point! You might want to post your comments about this book, and other possible Geisel contenders, on our Mock Geisel discussion board: acplmockseuss.proboards54.com/
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Post by Mary on Jun 1, 2006 21:07:06 GMT -5
I truly enjoyed this book. Yes, it is slow-paced and “nostalgic,” but it offers an incredibly clear view of the 1950’s world as seen through the eyes of a preteen girl. I would love to sit down to eat and talk with her loving Italian-American extended family, Uncle Dominic in particular. I was also fascinated by the author’s note and family pictures at the end of the book.
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Post by Mary on May 29, 2006 23:06:33 GMT -5
Has anyone else read this title? I picked this book up because I enjoy Stanley's picture book biographies so much. I found I enjoyed this novel with its many Cinderella elements a great deal. I recommend it. What do you guys think?
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Post by Mary on May 29, 2006 22:59:33 GMT -5
I just finished this book today, and I think the title is apt. This is a fun book written in Peck's folksy style. The characters were believable and very clearly drawn. There were more than a few times that I laughed out loud! (I'd loved to know the actual tune to sing the Librarian's Hymn.) I loved seeing strong girl and women characters. I also enjoyed the way the book ended, with a newspaper clipping from decades later so the reader had an overview of what happened to Peewee.
Here's my problem with the book... I never knew when Peck was drawing on actual historical detail and when he was creating a realistic fantasy out of whole cloth. For example, the book opens with a tornado. This tornado does some pretty incredible things. I googled and googled trying to find data about this tornado with no luck. I searched trying to find information about cemeteries and tornadoes to document that an event like this could happen -- it seems very unlikely to me -- with no luck. Later in the book a cat is fitted with a wooden paw after losing his in an unfortunate accident. It sounded like his prosthesis was strapped on fairly permanently allowing the cat to effectively hunt mice. I found it hard to wrap my head around the idea that a cat would allow a device like this to remain attached to his leg with a thong.
All in all, I think this book should be added to our Mock Reading List. I'll be curious what you all think of it.
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Post by Mary on May 23, 2006 17:44:36 GMT -5
Thanks for mentioning this book, Tess. I had it on my "to be read" pile when I read your post. I just finished it and really believe it belongs on our Mock Newbery reading list. By the author of The Secrets of Droon fantasy series, this book is nothing like those very popular books. This is a book that you'll want to read and discuss! I can't wait to hear what you all think of it!
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Post by Mary on May 18, 2006 12:59:10 GMT -5
I totally bought into the whole idea of a child being bright enough to program his computer to do homework; I REALLY enjoyed the style of writing and watching each character develop; and the subplot about Sam's soldier dad being sent to the Middle East was very strong... but I was disappointed in the ending of this book. I don't want to spoil a fun read for any of you who have not yet read the book, but Brenton in particular seemed out of character as the book resolved itself. I'll be interested in hearing what you all think.
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Post by Mary on May 16, 2006 8:51:43 GMT -5
I have not yet finished The Homework Machine, but I am so pleased that it is on our reading list. I had been worried that this book would just be a rehash of Danny Dunn and the Homework Machine, but I have been very pleasantly surprised. I enjoy the writing style which uses short, first-person entries from the 5th graders themselves, their teacher, their parents, and even the police chief. This will be a great book to discuss at our Mock Newbery AND will be a great book for classroom discussions of ethics, friendship, honesty, and integrity.
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Post by Mary on Apr 13, 2006 20:28:49 GMT -5
Set in the early 1900’s, this book tells the story of a 12 year girl in Vermont. It is a fine historical novel which speaks clearly to issues of child labor and the efforts of the National Child Labor Committee to stop underage children from working in the cotton mill. I was particularly impressed with the growth & development of the main character and how seamlessly the issues of illiteracy and innumeracy are tied in with the cycle of poverty. There are lots of issues for good discussion in this book. I think it belongs on the Mock Newbery list.
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Post by Mary on Mar 31, 2006 14:27:10 GMT -5
"You must be filled with expectancy. You must be awash in hope. You must wonder who will love you, whom you will love next."
I was prepared to not like this book about the travels and travails of a three foot tall china rabbit. Surprisingly, I really enjoyed it! I recommend reading it and believe that this book definitely belongs on our Mock Newbery list.
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Post by Mary on Dec 5, 2006 23:17:30 GMT -5
Today our Library held its annual Mock Printz election. I'm pleased to report that this book was one of the honor books selected by the group in attendance.
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Post by Mary on Mar 16, 2006 22:46:56 GMT -5
You might think that a book about a 16 year old adopted girl in a loving and well-adjusted family who finds her first boyfriend and connects with her birth mother would be silly and/or sentimental. Instead this is a very strong and believable portrait of a teenager’s growth and exploration of who she really is and in her belief systems. This book, a brief chapter in my impossible life, is very powerful. The characters are believable and showed growth. A sense of hope permeates the novel. For readers at the upper end of the Newbery readership, I believe this book belongs on the Mock Newbery reading list.
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Post by Mary on Mar 13, 2006 20:46:03 GMT -5
This is a title that was suggested to me as a worthwhile addition to the Mock Newbery reading list. I think it will be a fun book to discuss. Has anyone else read it? What do you think?
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Post by Mary on Apr 18, 2006 21:11:24 GMT -5
kmg365 brings up an interesting point with the comment " I am curious as to what makes this a Newbery candidate (as opposed to Printz). The themes certainly seemed to have loads of teen appeal. Not that I think the book is inappropriate for children, just that the tendency seems to label anything remotely "young-adultish" as teen, teen, and only teen." The Printz and the Newbery Awards are selected by two entirely different committees. Because of their eligibility requirements and definitions, it is likely that some titles will be considered by both committees. According to the Printz requirements, ( www.ala.org/ala/yalsa/booklistsawards/printzaward/aboutprintz/michaellprintz.htm) “To be eligible, a title must have been designated by its publisher as being either a young adult book or one published for the age range that YALSA defines as "young adult," i.e., 12 through 18. Adult books are not eligible.” According to the Newbery requirements, ( www.ala.org/ala/alsc/awardsscholarships/literaryawds/newberymedal/newberyterms/newberyterms.htm) “The book displays respect for children's understandings, abilities, and appreciations. Children are defined as persons of ages up to and including fourteen, and books for this entire age range are to be considered.” There is an overlap between the two committees... both committees look at books for kids ages 12 to 14. Interesting, isn't it?! It will be equally interesting to see if this is a title that our Library's Young Adults Services department puts on their Mock Printz list!
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Post by Mary on Mar 12, 2006 15:23:30 GMT -5
It’s interesting that Sachar would take one of the lesser characters in Holes as the primary character of his latest book. Very different in tone from its predecessor, this title could easily be read and enjoyed by someone who has not read Holes. Strong elements of humor and social commentary punctuate the book. I found some of the situations entirely unbelievable, but the well-drawn characters and growing relationships are strengths which compel the reader forward. I think we should include this book on our Mock Newbery reading list.
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Post by Mary on Oct 19, 2006 18:43:04 GMT -5
POSTED FOR PHYLLIS:
Hi all. This is my first time to post anything...Mary reminded me that she had yet to see my any posts from me. So here goes... I read WEEDFLOWER and at first didn't think I'd like it. I was prepared to have it be very sympathetic to the Japanese Americans and down on the Americans for placing the Japanese in camps, regardless of the attack on Pearl Harbor. By the end of the book I didn't feel that way. The book made me do a lot of thinking about what it must have been like during that time...I was all of 10 months and 18 days old at the time...and it sparked quite a discussion with some friends of mine. I liked the book a lot, and kept cheering for the main character. It broke my heart when she was denied entry to the party (altho I saw that coming), and then to have her have to sit on a bench for 2 hours, waiting for her ride. I particularly liked her relationship with the boy she meets in the desert, and her older cousin. It's been some time since I read it so names have escaped me. Should it win the Newbury...not sure about that. It does draw a clear picture of Japanese American life during that time, before and during internment. Forgive me if I'm a little rusty at this...I've been retired now for 3 1/2 years and don't do much reviewing of material anymore. Phyllis
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Post by Mary on May 14, 2006 20:36:04 GMT -5
Weedflower is an incredibly powerful & thought-provoking book. The plot is well-developed, the setting is so clearly written that you can almost taste the dust of the desert. I love this book! It is a book that I’ll re-read and one that I hope many preteens, teenagers, and adults will pick up as well.
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Post by Mary on Mar 6, 2006 18:05:23 GMT -5
I have not yet read this book, but it is a title that I cannot wait to read! Here is a brief description from Kadohata's website: "Weedflower is the story of the rewards and challenges of friendship across the racial divide, as well as the based-on-real-life story of how the meeting of Japanese Americans and Native Americans during WWII changed the futures of both. " This is another book that I think we'll want to add to our list for discussion.
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Post by Mary on Mar 11, 2006 14:26:52 GMT -5
I really enjoyed reading The Year of the Dog. I agree that the author does a very fine job of speaking in a child's voice of her experiences. Like Tess, I also enjoyed the stories scattered within the novel. It was also nice to read a book featuring an intact (and well-functioning) family. I agree that this book should be on our Mock Newbery list.
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Post by Mary on Mar 10, 2006 11:41:28 GMT -5
Thanks for the recommendation! I will move this book up on my pile of "to be read."
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Post by Mary on Mar 1, 2006 22:50:27 GMT -5
Francine Green is an 8th grader in an all-girls Catholic school at a time in American history when bomb shelters, blacklisting by the House Committee on Un-American Activities, and fear are all too commonplace. I have been a great fan of Karen Cushman's books for years. This book, set in a much different time period than her other titles, is right on target with the character of Francine Green and her concerns and worries. We should certainly consider placing this book on our Mock Newbery Reading list!
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