MrsK Books: Fall Into these Books... Before the Season Changes!

Wednesday, August 17, 2022

Fall Into these Books... Before the Season Changes!

Summertime is the perfect time...

For grand escapes... adventures... and memories!

Classics: Family Read Aloud

Kenneth Grahame

ISBN: 9780823428212

Publisher's Synopsis:

In this beloved classic, a kind, young boy befriends a poetry-loving dragon living in the Downs above his home. When the town-folk send for St. George to slay the dragon, the boy must come up with a clever plan to save his friend and convince the townsfolk to accept him.

Continuously in print since 1938, this story appeared as a chapter in Kenneth Grahame's Dream Days and was first published as a stand-alone book with black and white illustrations throughout by Ernest H. Shepard--revisiting a collaboration first made famous through The Wind in the Willows.

MrsK's Review:

What do you think of when you hear someone is reading a Classic? For many of us, we think of a treasured friend... one of our top 10 reads. For some, we remember starting one in school... unfortunately we felt it didn't hold our interest. For many, we might moan!

There are so many great classics that are a must "read aloud" for our family story time. This is one of them. Meet a boy, his sister Charlotte, on a winter's morning tracking little prints... of a young dragon perhaps?

Meet their neighbor, a gentle man they call the "circus-man," whose garden they just happen to be where their "dragon" quest leads them. As the "circus-man" walks them home, Charlotte requests a story.

"Long ago - might have been hundreds of years ago - in a cottage

half-way between this village and yonder shoulder..."

To be continued... in your home or backyard... a journey to be remembered...

MrsK

Meet the Author:

Mr. Toad, Ratty, Mr. Badger, and Mole are among the many creatures and characters who inhabit Grahame's version of Victorian era England. He weaves their riverbank life and many adventures in magical yet universally appealing style. Grahame was well-esteemed during his career with the Bank of England, which had started in 1879 and culminated in his being appointed Secretary at the age of thirty-nine. During these almost twenty years he also grew to be a respected writer, producing numerous essays, articles, and short stories for various publications. The Wind in the Willows was popular when first released, praised by American President Theodore Roosevelt, and established Grahame's career as a children's author. The year 1930 saw its first successful adaptation for the stage as Toad of Toad Hall, by A. A. Milne, and, that same year, it was re-published with lavish illustrations by E.H. Shepherd. This cemented its reputation as a classic among children's literature--almost a century later it remains in print and is popular among readers of all ages.

Grades 2-3

Marianne Malone

ISBN: 9780375867903

Publisher's Synopsis:

Ruthie and Jack thought that their adventures in the Thorne Rooms were over . . . until miniatures from the rooms start to disappear. Is it the work of the art thief who's on the loose in Chicago? Or has someone else discovered the secret of the Thorne Rooms' magic? Ruthie and Jack's quest to stop the thief takes them from modern day Chicago to 1937 Paris to antebellum South Carolina. But as more items disappear, including the key that allows them to shrink and access the past worlds, what was once just an adventure becomes a life and death race against the clock. Can Ruthie and Jack catch the thief and help the friends they meet on the way before the magic—and the rooms—are destroyed forever? Fans of magic, mystery, and adventure will love this rollicking sequel to Marianne Malone's The Sixty-Eight Rooms.

MrsK's Review:

Ruthie awakens in a room that isn't her own. Panicked, she continues to look for a way out. When she realizes that she had been at the gallery opening the night before. No one would believe how Jack and Ruthie had found a sixteenth century key. Or that the key helped them shrink and explore the 68 Thorne Rooms at the Art Institute.

Of course who could have a key to 68 miniature rooms and not return for more explorations? While Jack is recovering, Ruthie begins art classes at the Art Institute. What she quickly discovers is that some of the rooms no longer have the "magic" of the surrounding areas coming to life. In the new, she learns that there are art dealers who are alarmed by a surge in art thefts.

Will Ruthie and a recovering Jack be able to find out what is happening in the 68 rooms? Is there a connection with the art thefts? Where did Jack put the key?

If you like mysteries, or better yet... if you like the worlds of miniatures... begin this series,

I'll be reading the third book in this series... 68 wonderous adventures...

Mrs.K

MrsK's Review

Book 3 Book 4

Meet the Author:

I was born and raised in the Chicago area. I was not a nose-in-the-book sort of kid, like many authors. Rather, I could be found climbing trees or building forts, or making something with my hands. It wasn’t that I didn’t enjoy reading, it’s just that it was hard to squeeze it in with all the other things I wanted to do in a day. My mother was an artist – lucky me! – who taught me all kinds of wonderful ways to make art and to live a creative life.

She also took me to the Art Institute of Chicago frequently, which is where I fell in love with the Thorne Miniature Rooms. Many years later, after I’d studied art in college, began raising my family, co-founded a middle school for girls, and became an art teacher, the Rooms still captured my imagination. In fact, they turned me into a writer when I could no longer ignore the stories they planted in my head.

I wanted to create the kinds of books I would have loved when I was young, the kind of books that would have made me stop what I was doing, the kind of books I couldn’t put down. I had to work hard to learn how to turn these stories that lived in my head into books that young readers would enjoy. But that was half the fun of it – learning a new way to be creative!

4th-7th Grade:

Lynda Mullaly Hunt

ISBN: 9780142426425

Publisher's Synopsis:

“Everybody is smart in different ways.

But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its life believing it is stupid.”

Ally has been smart enough to fool a lot of smart people. Every time she lands in a new school, she is able to hide her inability to read by creating clever yet disruptive distractions. She is afraid to ask for help; after all, how can you cure dumb? However, her newest teacher Mr. Daniels sees the bright, creative kid underneath the trouble maker. With his help, Ally learns not to be so hard on herself and that dyslexia is nothing to be ashamed of. As her confidence grows, Ally feels free to be herself and the world starts opening up with possibilities. She discovers that there’s a lot more to her—and to everyone—than a label, and that great minds don’t always think alike.

"It's always there.

Like the ground underneath my feet."

"I wish I had my Sketchbook of Impossible Things."

MrsK's Review:

Ally has a secret. Even though there are those who assume she can't act normal. Those whom will create suffocating pain that causes her to bolt out of the classroom. As well as, those that will prove to be a friends within the socially destructive hallways of her seventh school in seven years.

Albert might be a bit large, a bit clumsy, and not the best at social interactions. Yet, when all is said and done, he is a forever friend and extremely brilliant. When Ally is encouraged to run for the classroom representative, it's Albert who will create a poster for her speech!

Keisha likes to bake... and write. Keisha will be one of the rarity, she invites Ally to site at the lunch table. She will be honest about what she thinks, especially when it proves that someone is honest and trustworthy.

Travis is Ally's older brother. He is a fixer, an engine expert, and her stability since their dad has been deployed. Travis has a secret. When he notices Ally's determination to learn, he begins to question how she's doing in her classes.

Mr. Daniels is the new teacher. In Ally's mind, most teachers don't like students to be different... and yet Mr. Daniels celebrates their differences. Mr. Daniels will be the one to discover Ally's secret. Will he be able to help Ally? Will Ally be willing to trust Mr. Daniels encouragements and suggestions?

Will anyone give her the answer by the time you reach the end of the book?

MrsK

"I think of Grandpa and Dad, who always asked us

if we were having a silver dollar or a wooden nickel day."

Meet the Author:

What strange times these are, huh? I have been thinking of you all, knowing that whether you are distance teaching from home or in your school building, these times are full of unique challenges. There are plans that seem to change daily. There is uncertainty. There are times when you, as teachers on the front lines, do not feel seen and supported.

8th-High School

John Green

ISBN: 9780525555360

Publisher's Synopsis:

It all begins with a fugitive billionaire and the promise of a cash reward. Turtles All the Way Down is about lifelong friendship, the intimacy of an unexpected reunion, Star Wars fan fiction, and tuatara. But at its heart is Aza Holmes, a young woman navigating daily existence within the ever-tightening spiral of her own thoughts.

"Anybody can look at you.

It's quite rare to find someone who sees the same world you see."

MrsK's Review:

Aza, also known as Holmesy, never thought that she would be investigating a missing person, let alone a billionaire. Nor did she think that a childhood friend would be the one that came back into her life and helped her to recognize her strengths beyond her fears.

Daisy is Aza's "fearless friend." Someone who gets her, all of her unique challenges, and most of her valued perspectives. Until they go to the missing billionaire's home to check on an old trail camera. Will their friendship survive the unforeseen financial gift that was given to them as a way to not disclose their discovery?

Davis hasn't seen Aza in years. Just when he has learned that his dad is on the run, Aza and her friend end up on the property of his home. It's great seeing Aza again, especially now that he has guardianship of his younger brother, Noah. Sometimes even the rich are put to the test of life beyond their control. Will Davis discover a lasting friendship with Aza or will she be one of the many who are only interested in what might be a trust fund?

When another reader leads you to a new discovery... sometimes you accept the journey just because of who they are. When that journey takes you beyond yourself into the challenges of anxious fears, you realize that many live in fear... yet, are extremely bright and compassionate towards the needs of others. Aza, Davis, and Daisy have lives that are unique unto them... are you willing to discover a connection we all have... a consistent need for friendship, understanding, and the willingness to accept those who cross your path?

MrsK

"The way he (nkogneato) talked about thoughts was the way I (Aza) experienced them...

not as a choice but as a destiny."

Meet the Author:

John Green's first novel, Looking for Alaska, won the 2006 Michael L. Printz Award presented by the American Library Association. His second novel, An Abundance of Katherines, was a 2007 Michael L. Printz Award Honor Book and a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. His next novel, Paper Towns, is a New York Times bestseller and won the Edgar Allen Poe Award for Best YA Mystery. In January 2012, his most recent novel, The Fault in Our Stars, was met with wide critical acclaim, unprecedented in Green's career. The praise included rave reviews in Time Magazine and The New York Times, on NPR, and from award-winning author Markus Zusak. The book also topped the New York Times Children's Paperback Bestseller list for several weeks. Green has also coauthored a book with David Levithan called Will Grayson, Will Grayson, published in 2010. The film rights for all his books, with the exception of Will Grayson Will Grayson, have been optioned to major Hollywood Studios.

No comments:

MrsK's Reading Bio

Reading is important! No questions asked, not even a blink of the eye from any student I grew up with. On the first day of the First grade, we were given our first books. Day two we all read aloud, round robin of course. Day three we were place in our first basal, now known as a lit circle group. Books were so important, publishers designed new curriculum so that every student was reading by the end of the first week. These early readers had images that looked like what we could see in the classroom, beyond the classroom, even on the big screen. Reading is important, throughout history every generation has believed that “Reading” opens up the world for endless possibilities.

I adore the 1950’s Dick and Jane books. Actually, most reading specialists and experienced (45+) educators believe that every student learned to read with Dick and Jane. Since these books are being re-issued, I have heard many parents, grandparents, and students claim that Dick and Jane stories of repetition does teach students to read.

Early influences from my mother influenced my desire to read. I would watch her read and we would go on “secret” excursions to the library. The library became my playground. I owned every book I could carry home, of course they needed to be taken back to their home after visiting with me for a week or two. My first book that I could pull off of the library shelf and read was, Father Bear Comes Home. I only saw my dad on Sundays for a few hours. I would pull this beginning reader off of the library shelf every week. Every week I would try to read the first chapter. Every week I got further in the story. My mom would let me check it out, only if I could read it myself (She didn’t like the illustrations therefore she didn’t want to take time to read it to me). One day, I pulled the book from the shelf and when mom came to get me from the children’s corner, I realized that I had read the whole story. I ran to the check out desk and the Librarian KERCHUNKED the checkout card. My mother, brother and neighbors read. My teachers read. We all read aloud all day long in school. The Priest read aloud every day at mass, even in Latin. Everybody in the Doctor’s office read. People on the bus read. Dad’s waiting in their cars as the Mom’s and children grocery shopped, read. In fact, once you could read and write, Sunset Magazine considered you a reader and sent you mail every day.

Reading is important; I’ve spent my life reading. I’ve traveled around the world and into space through books. My favorite genre is whichever book I have open at the time. Children’s Literature is my passion. Book clubbing is one of the best past times, especially if food is involved. In fact my friends of old are in a book club and we are about to embark on a beach trip to “read” and discuss our newest selection.

My “home-run” book story has helped every student find his or her own “home-run” reads. Every year, I have shared my, Father Bear Comes Home, and every year my students have brought in their “home-run” books. That’s the “diving board” into our Lit. Studies.

In “Growing Up Digital,” Tapscott’s insights into the new generations enthusiasm for the Net reminded me of my generation’s enthusiasm for reading, movies, TV, parties and our driving permits. The Net-Generation, as Tapscott describes, “are learning, playing, communicating, working, creating communities, and enforcing a social transformation.”
N-Geners are interactive “techies” who are always looking for a way to “work it” verses the TV Generation of “Baby Boomers” who started out looking for “how it works.” Reading development is tougher today, society moves too fast to invest their “non-working” free time into a book or even “home work.” Since I stepped into my own classroom, I have seen students being told to read, being forced to read, and threatened into reading. Homework is not any longer the vehicle for students to gain their future lifestyles or careers with. Yet, the Internet does create an enthusiasm for learning. Since I have been enrolled in these courses, I have used the computers in every subject. My students are using the newest technology in the classroom because I am giving them investigative sites to use as they learn from each other and books. I agree with Tapscott, in order to bridge the gap with this up and coming generation we must “live and learn with them.”

FTC Required Disclaimer: I receive these books from the publishers. I did not receive monetary compensation for these reviews. These reviews have been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)