MrsK Books: 10/01/2022

Thursday, October 27, 2022

MrsK's Fall Picks K-YA for 2022

When autumn arrives... it's a wonderous season for cozy reading nooks, great Holiday reads, and wonderfully delicious goodness... enjoy your discovery of these titles...

Fall for these Reading Adventures...

Cozy Fall Read-Aloud: Family nights within a story...

Cole, Henry

ISBN: 9780062658128

Publisher's Synopsis:

In this sequel to A Nest for Celeste, Celeste is hundreds of miles from home following an unexpected journey aboard a Mississippi steamboat. After mishaps and disasters, she finds herself on the frontier in southern Indiana. It's 1822, and Celeste meets a tall, lanky boy wielding an ax: a young Abraham Lincoln.

The journey reveals the harsh realities of frontier life for the Lincoln family. But with the help of Celeste’s new woodland animal friends and some creativity, she may just prove that even the littlest creatures can make a big difference. And it’s in losing her way that Celeste finds herself in a place she never expected—home, finally.

“A stand-alone sequel to A Nest for Celeste (2010), this chapter book has everything that made its predecessor so enjoyable: an inviting format, good storytelling, and at least one large, beautifully drawn shaded pencil illustration on each double-page spread. An inviting entry into historical fiction.” –Booklist

MrsK's Review:

When Celeste becomes separated during her evening excursion, she finds herself traveling away from the safety of her home. As the wagon of cotton completes it's journey, Celeste realizes that she must get off of the wagon in order for her friends to find her. While she scurries away from the busy loading platform... and all of those feet and cats, she locates an apple crate in which she could hide. With high hopes, Celeste is awaiting her friends rescue.

Unfortunately, that apple crate is loaded on a Mississippi steamboat. With an amazing stroke of luck, she encounters a gentle-souled dog who isn't interested in eating a mouse. Rosebud watches over Celeste as the steamboat begins sinking. Getting to shore is paramount for Celeste.

Once on shore, Celeste finds a new home in a tree. It wasn't as nice as her room at home, yet it was dry and secure. Or so she thinks. Celeste will meet new forest friends and one young boy with an axe.

This beautifully crafted journey of forest critters and a young boy, who is destined to be America's President, will provide delightful "storytime" memories again and again!

MrsK

Meet the Author/Illustrator:

Henry Cole was a celebrated science teacher for many years before turning his talents to children's books. He has worked on nearly one hundred and fifty books for children, including Nesting, Unspoken, Big Bug, A Nest for Celeste, Jack's Garden, and On Meadowview Street. Henry loves being outside where he can sketch and write.

Snuggling into an adventure: Grades 3-5

Dusti Bowling

ISBN: 9781454932994

Publisher's Synopsis:

Aven Green loves to tell people that she lost her arms in an alligator wrestling match, or a wildfire in Tanzania, but the truth is she was born without them. And when her parents take a job running Stagecoach Pass, a rundown western theme park in Arizona, Aven moves with them across the country knowing that she’ll have to answer the question over and over again.

Her new life takes an unexpected turn when she bonds with Connor, a classmate who also feels isolated because of his own disability, and they discover a room at Stagecoach Pass that holds bigger secrets than Aven ever could have imagined. It’s hard to solve a mystery, help a friend, and face your worst fears. But Aven’s about to discover she can do it all . . . even without arms.

MrsK's Review:

Aven has "grit!" She meets her struggles with humor, compassion, and with the most delightful determination toward any and all situations. Yes, she was born without arms... yet she does not allow others to sway her abilities... even if it is in her art of storytelling.

Have you ever considered the way others see you? What would you do and/or feel if little kids looked at you and ran away screaming? Where would you eat at school if you had to eat with your feet? How would you deal with boots during the winter? Every day Aven has grown up without the feelings of a "can't-do" attitude. She knows how to combine her critical thinking skills with all life skills that come her way. Plus she knows the truth behind being a "real-time" friend!

Her family has moved to Stagecoach Pass and Aven will now be enrolled in a new middle school. Needing to make new friends will be difficult, and yet, Aven is ready for the challenge. Would you be?

Aven's story will take "room" within your heart, as well as give your inner spirit the delight to soar with joy. Be the reader that discovers a "must read to share" novel...

MrsK

Meet the Author:

DUSTI BOWLING grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona, where, as her family will tell you, she always had her nose in a book. She released her first middle grade novel in 2017 and hasn't stopped writing since.

Dusti's books have won the Reading the West Award, the Sakura Medal, a Golden Kite Honor, the William Allen White Children's Book Award, and have been nominated for a Cybil and over thirty state awards. Her books are Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selections and have been named best books of the year by the Chicago Public Library, Kirkus, Bank Street College of Education, A Mighty Girl, Shelf Awareness, and many more.

Dusti currently lives in New River, Arizona with her husband, three daughters, a dozen tarantulas, a gopher snake named Burrito, a king snake name Death Noodle, and a cockatiel named Gandalf the Grey.

Falling for a must read: MS-YA

Gary D Schmidt

ISBN: 9780544022805

Publisher Synopsis:

Okay For Now, his latest novel, explores another seemingly improbable alliance, this one between new outsider in town Doug Swieteck and Lil Spicer, the savvy spitfire daughter of his deli owner boss. With her challenging assistance, Doug discovers new sides of himself. Along the way, he also readjusts his relationship with his abusive father, his school peers, and his older brother, a newly returned war victim of Vietnam.

"The only lousy thing in the room was a very

MrsK's Review:

In 1968, Doug's family moved to New York, do you know how rough it is to be uprooted as a middle schooler? Add in the fact that things were tough between him and his dad. His oldest brother was somewhere in Viet Nam, and his other brother was a jerk. No days were good days!

Do you remember your first steps into a public library? If not, that's ok... for now. For Doug, his first steps will lead him into a place of refuge, incredible discoveries, and hope in making something wrong... right. It all begins when Doug goes up the library stairs into a room with a huge book, a very old... huge book.

How this "huge" book of birds becomes Doug's "crossroad" for change will affect his actions, his heart towards the weight of his father's wrath, his feelings towards accepting new friends, as well as his determination in helping his older brother who returns home from the war.

This is a story of redemption. One that is sparked by an ornithologist's art collection, a chance meeting during his father's work picnic, the power of friendships, as well as a life changing quiz about the New York Yankees.

A true treasure for your bookshelf, any classroom shelves, and a must for school libraries,

Enjoy meeting Doug...

MrsK

Meet the Author:

Gary D. Schmidt is an American children's writer of nonfiction books and young adult novels, including two Newbery Honor books. He lives on a farm in Alto, Michigan, with his wife and six children, where he splits wood, plants gardens, writes, feeds the wild cats that drop by and wishes that sometimes the sea breeze came that far inland. He is a Professor of English at Calvin College.

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)