Read With Me...Jackie W.

2012-01-19T19:06:00.000-08:00

A Monster Calls is one of the most powerful and intensely human books I have ever read. Grief, anger, nightmare...whatever you want to call this monster comes to Conor O'Malley. But, it only wants one thing...for Conor to speak the truth. And, it has come to him in his time of need, his time of need to heal. Conor's mother, so very young, is dying of cancer. Conor is silent, bullied, brave, yet he must get beyond all of that to move on and to let his mom go. His Grandma, his father, and even his mother try to comfort and shield him, but each in their own way. At 12:07 each night the monster comes...telling him stories that make no sense, just as the cancer that is taking his mom makes no sense. The monster seems cruel and unwieldling, yet it allows Conor to find his way to cope with the incredibly-intense raw emotion that will follow his loss. Where is the rating for ten stars? This book deserves it. This book will haunt me for a long time...its story will stay in my being. The illustrations are masterful, yes they are creepy, but they lend another layer to an already profound emotion. Your whole being will ache for not only Conor's loss, but human loss, pervasive sadness, and for the compassionate monster called grief.

A Mountainous Adventure

2011-07-26T08:26:00.000-07:00

The Rise and Fall of Mount Majestic
by Jennifer Trafton

Persimmony Smudge, a plucky young girl, head-strong though she is, leads her friends, Worvil the worrier, and Guafnoggle, the Rumblebump on an adventure to warn the inhabitants of Mount Majestic (especially clueless King Lucas, the Lofty) that their mountain isn't really a mountain at all, but a giant sleeping peacefully, who must not, under any circumstances, be woken. Waking the giant would surely mean the end of their peaceful little island and all that they know and love. Persimmony, upon hearing the Leafeaters talk of this hidden secret, knows what she must do, and she sets out to do it. She must warn the king!

The Rise and Fall of Mount Majestic is full of mumble, jumble mixed-up words, punctuation, and ideas, an array of delightfully odd, yet endearing characters, and an adventure to make all of us sit up and take notice.

Dangerous Babysitting

2011-06-03T10:55:00.000-07:00

Talk about sit-on-the-edge-of-your-seat, heart-pumping action in this offering from Peg Kehret...Stolen Children is the harrowing story of 14-year-old Amy Nordlund's first babysitting job. After completing her babysitting course and getting high recommendations from her instructor, Amy is introduced to Mr. and Mrs. Edgerton and their 3 year-old daughter, Kendra. The Edgertons are well off and live in a beautiful house with all the perks that go along with wealth. They do, however, clearly love and dote on their sweet natured little girl.

When Kendra's nanny takes an unexpected vacation, Mrs. Edgerton is in need of a babysitter who can care for the girl while she visits her ailing mother in the hospital. Amy is more than willing and ready to make some money. While Kendra is down for a nap, Amy doses by the pool and wakes up in the midst of Kendra's kidnapping. Two men, Smokey and Hugh have planned this with the help of the Edgerton's nanny, Darielle. Amy is caught in the middle and is kidnapped as well.

Smokey and Hugh's plan is to videotape little Kendra and ask for a ransom. What they don't realize, though, is that Amy has enough wherewithal and cool-headedness, not to mention intelligence, to plant clues in the video recordings. Her calm actions and timely tips to the police aid in their rescue.

Although I knew this one would turn out alright in the end (after all, it is a kids' book), my eyes couldn't read the words fast enough...I was on the edge of my seat through the whole ordeal.

High School Bullies

2011-04-19T07:58:00.000-07:00

Leverage by Joshua Cohen
When a feud over weight training room privileges escalates between the gymnastics team and the football at the high school, a question of morality, ethics, and doing the right thing becomes all encompassing for members of these teams. Danny, a promising gymnast and Kurt, a gifted football player who has seen way too much in his young life, create a bond that gives them the strength to stand up to murderous, lying bullies.

Danny and his teammate, Bruce are witness to a brutal attack on one of their teammates at the hands of mentally-disturbed football stars. They are frightened and are coerced into keeping silent, even though it has a devastating outcome. Kurt, who walks in on the attack, vows to somehow, someway make these bullies pay, even though his past may come back to haunt him.

Danny and Kurt, together with feisty, goth-girl Tina, leave no doubts behind when they expose Tom, Scott, and Mike (the football heroes) and their heinous crime. A chilling look at the power bullies have over those they taunt and how adults can sometimes look the other way. Be warned...there are some brutal, vicious scenes in this book that are probably, in all reality, happening at every high school in this country. Leverage is a book that you won't be able to put down and one that does not skirt around a frightening issue in our schools today

A Paulsen Pick

2011-03-21T05:09:00.000-07:00

While the American Patriots are waging war against the tyranny of Britain near the coast of America, young Samuel and his parents are living a peaceful life in rural Pennsylvania. That is until an attack by British soldiers and Iroquois leave many of their neighbors dead, and Ma and Pa taken prisoners. Samuel was out in the woods hunting for food when he hears the commotion. He is too late to save anyone, but knows his parents are alive and traveled along on foot with the British. He tracks their path, as only a well-seasoned Woods Runner can do, yet meets danger head on when tracking. He sees a good, peaceful family meet their death at the hands of Hessians with bayonets... as their young daughter, Annie looks on horrified. Samuel takes Annie under his wing and they continue to follow the path left behind in hopes of finally finding Samuel's parents.

He meets Abner along the road, who at first appearance seems to be a traveling salesman of odds and ends. Yet, as time goes on and after Samuel told Abner his unfortunate tale, Samuel realizes that Abner is much more than a ordinary traveler, he is carrying vital information back and forth to Patriots, trying to thwart British advances. Abner agrees to help Samuel find his parents in New York, which they do, but his parents are not what they once were. They are defeated, broken, in poor health, and are treated as slaves. Samuel becomes a leader, with the help of Abner and his friend Matthew, and leads a family once torn-apart to safe territory.

A glimpse into the brutal realities of war and the toll it takes on young men and families. Although the cause was important, the means to achieve it were devastating. War, by definition, is horrific...this American Revolution, too, paid a steep price for the independence we take for granted today.

A great action-filled, historical book for read-aloud...Paulsen pauses at the end of each chapter to fill the reader in with facts concerning certain aspects of the life, war, and people of the American Revolution.

My Top Ten Reads: 2010

2010-12-25T09:45:00.000-08:00

Here are my top ten book for 2010. I've read a lot of good ones...it was tough to choose just ten! They are not in any particular order, except that they are in order in which I read them.

The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey (YA)
Kenny & the Dragon by Tony DiTerlizzi
The Night Fairy by Laura Amy Schlitz
South by Patrick McDonnell (Primary)
Fablehaven by Brandon Mull
Chasing Lincoln's Killer by James L. Swanson
The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds (Primary)
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
A Season of Gifts by Richard Peck
One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia

Oh! and of course my #1 Adult book was The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larsson.
I hope you had a year full of enjoyable reading...but, if you'll excuse me, I have to get started on my reading for 2011. Happy New Year!

Differences...or Similarities?

2010-12-17T04:53:00.000-08:00

Faith, Hope, and Ivy June is a heart-tugging, sentimental story of two unlikely friends, Catherine from Lexington, Kentucky and Ivy June, a couple of hours away in Thunder Creek, Kentucky. The girls are the first participants in the student exchange program between their two schools...the purpose of which is to become familiar with another way of life and decide how different or similar it is. Ivy June initially travels to Lexington and is not fully prepared for the big house, indoor bathrooms, computers in every room, or the little luxuries in life. But, she sees the girls have a few things in common, too...like crushes on boys, love of family, and annoying little siblings.

When it is Catherine's turn to visit Thunder Creek, similarities and differences take on a whole new meaning...especially when tragedy strikes both families in different ways. But first, Catherine experiences what a rural community is really like with no phone, outhouses, and worrying about miners trying to make a living doing dangerous work. The girls become a life-line of sorts for each other and learn to support one another as only good friends can and do.

When the visit is over, a sense of familial camaraderie wraps around the girls and the reader knows that the girls share a bond that will not be broken soon. Empathy and compassion, along with wishes and a touch of envy envelope their friendship...one which last for years to come.

Used for Mother-Daughter Book Club at BPL-February,2011.

Mockingjay...Need I Say More?

2010-08-26T18:48:00.000-07:00

How could this book possibly be better than the previous two? Oh my! It does, without a doubt, live up to the hype and expectations. What excitement, danger, and suspense! Suzanne Collins has outdone herself. If you haven't read this book or the first two, get yourself on over to the library and check them out...or if you have to, buy them! You will want to reread them!

Here's a little recap (without giving too much away):

Peeta's mind has been 'hi-jacked'

Gale is training for combat after the annihilation of District 12

Katniss is trying to sort it all out and wondering how she ended up in the hospital after her second round of The Hunger Games

The rebellion starts with Katniss pegged for its symbol...she is The Mockingjay. She bands together with some old friends, Finnick, Haymitch, and Johanna, just to name a few. Their goal: to wipe out the Capitol and the Peacekeepers.

They embark on a mission towards their dangerous goal with only a few weapons and little manpower, but what is lacking in arms and troops is made up with determination, grit, and the thirst for revenge.

Be warned!: You will read until your eyeballs hurt, sitting on the edge of seat, willing each page to move towards the conclusion. This book is not for the faint of heart, it is gruesome at times, which makes it even more chilling.

Oh, and the ending? Let me put it this way: I couldn't have been more shocked, or more satisfied.

Happy Reading! Until next time...

Mondays with the LUNCH BUNCH

2010-06-22T09:08:00.000-07:00

This summer, 2010, The Lunch Bunch is meeting on Mondays at Berwyn Public Library. The kids bring their lunches while I read a wonderfully exciting book called Leepike Ridge by N.D. Wilson. For those of you who cannot join us, here is a brief blurb about the book:

Tom Hammond, 11, and his mother, Elizabeth live near Leepike Ridge, a steep mountainous area surrounded by water where a supposed treasure is buried somewhere underneath. This buried treasure is a tale of lore and mystery. Tom and his mom are on their own, since Tom's dad died in a tragic accident. One night, when Tom can't sleep, he drifts off on a Styrofoam packing material and is dragged underneath this mysterious mountain. What he finds there surprises and scares him. A weak, scrawny man named Reg is living in these caves underneath the ridge. He tells Tom his story of desperately trying to find this treasure and being stuck there for three years. Little do Tom and Reg realize at first that both of their stories are intertwined. Eventually, they draw strength from one another and try to claw their way out of this maze of caves.

An adventure story which will leave readers on the edge of their seats. As Tom and Reg are desperate to find the way out, they do indeed find a treasure, but not at all what they expected it to be. And, in the meantime a band of murderous thugs are threatening Elizabeth Hammond and her curmudgeonly, old neighbor, Nestor. They are sniffing around trying to get at the treasure that they feel certain is underneath the ridge. The ending will shock and delight you.

I am both proud and pleased of my group of Lunch Bunch participants. They are listening, synthesizing, and forming predictions with each session. What a great group of kids! With every start of the session, we all recap what has happened previously in the story...and then we move onto the next installment which I read aloud while they enjoy their lunch. Not only are they hearing a terrific story, but they are sharpening their listening skills each week. I can't think of a more satisfying way to spend my lunch time at the library!

A New Newbery Winner!

2010-01-20T11:14:00.000-08:00

Miranda and her mom live in New York City, neither poor nor rich, and with a few true friends. Miranda's mom's fondest wish is to be a contestant on The $20,000 Pyramid. As Miranda and Richard, mom's boyfriend, help her prepare for the possibility of being chosen for the show, Miranda receives four very cryptic, worrisome notes that seem to tell specific events that will happen in the future. They are confusing, troubling, yet peak Miranda's curiosity. She is instructed not to tell anyone about them. When her best friend, Sal is attacked on the street, and becomes distant from her, she senses an odd and foreboding cloud hanging over her life. She desperately tries to piece clues from the notes with the turn of events after the attack. Slowly, methodically Miranda sees the connection and scurries to save more lives than one.

A terrific book incorporating Miranda's love of A Wrinkle in Time and its theory of time travel in her present day existence. Are all her friends who they really seem to be? Will she be able to complete the task asked of her before the steps will spiral out of control? When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead is a time-travel puzzle mystery that kids will love!

There couldn't be a more kid-friendly, intricate plot...a sure winner for the 2010 Newbery Award. Rebecca Stead has fashioned a terrific science-fiction puzzle book that tickles the imagination and keeps a reader reading with bated anticipation until the very last page.

Punishment follows Crime

2010-01-11T08:54:00.000-08:00

I have to say I really liked this book, even though the premise was a little convoluted and contrived. But, its realism with regards to the voice of the teenager was true and will speak to young adult readers.

Micheal (the narrator), Bones, Mixer, and Tommy are a group unto themselves in high school. Mr. Haberman, their English teacher, challenges them with Crime and Punishment by Dostoevsky even though it is a remedial class. He brings a barrel filled with a questionable substance (is it a body?) into class as a means to illicit a reaction from the group. He wants them to realize that there is a perceived notion about words, thoughts, and suppositions when the tangent evidence is not really in front of you. Your imagination may suggest reasons for a simple act that is totally false, but is evidently possible. When Tommy goes missing, they seemingly piece two and two together and convince themselves that Haberman had something to do with Tommy's disappearance. What results is violence, horror, and then shock when the truth finally reveals itself.

Even though a great injustice was brought upon an innocent individual, that individual rises up to the top and encourages one perpetrator to acknowledge his talent and be true to himself. Whether he will hear those words, is another question altogether. Gentlemen would be a great book for young adult discussion groups as peer pressure, violence, sexuality issues, and literature all meld into one thought-provoking story.

My Top Ten (maybe more) Books for 2009!

2009-12-18T14:29:00.000-08:00

Traditionally, I look back over my reading year and try to decide which books made it into my top ten. Of course, I never get a chance to read all the books I want to, so the list may be missing a few that would have been winners. With that said, here are some books I loved... they made me happy, furious, crazy, cry, laugh, and/or dream.

My Top Ten (I can't count :-) Books for 2009:

The Hunger Games and Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George
The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan
Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson
North of Beautiful by Justina Headley Chen
Someone Named Eva by Joan M. Wolf
Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life by Wendy Mass
Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George
Shiver by Maggie Stievater
Shark Girl by Kelly Bingham

Honorable Mentions:

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Waiting for Normal by Leslie Connor
Here, There Be Dragons by James Owens
Willow by Julia Hoban
Hidden Voices: The Orphans Musicians of Venice by Pat Lowery Collins
Before I Die by Jenny Downham
Found and Sent by Margaret Peterson Haddix

I have to give a special shout-out to my favorite adult book of 2009:

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Finally, I have to give some recognition to my favorite 're-read' of 2009. I've been listening to The Harry Potter series on audio-book this year as I make my commute to and from work. The work of Jim Dale and J.K. Rowling is extraordinary. You shouldn't miss the opportunity to listen to the talents of Dale as you reacquaint yourself with Harry.

Maybe we had some favorites in common, maybe not...but, I'd love to hear which ones got away from me. There is always time in year 2010 to read those I missed. What books are your favorites?

Dancing at the Ball

2009-11-24T13:07:00.000-08:00

Twelve princesses, all daughters of King Gregor and Queen Maude, disappear each night and return by dawn, weary and spent. Their dancing shoes are worn through and through. No one can guess where they go each night, and the princesses never divulge their secret. Galen, a soldier turned under-gardener, feels sure he can solve the mystery and help the princesses. Along the way, he's received clandestine help from an old crone and a wise gardener. With permission from King Gregor, Galen finds a way to follow the princesses, when no other has been able to before. He pieces together the clues...now he must find a way to break the curse that binds the princesses to endless dancing, marriage to dark-underworld princes, and a life apart from their beloved father. This re-telling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses by Jessica Day George is enchanting and flows seemlessly through each chapter, with just the right amount of hints to unravel the mystery to keep the reader engrossed in the tale through the end of the story. A magical love-story that everyday princesses will find captivating and exhilarating. A treasure for those that enjoy re-tellings of fairy tales.

An Unforgettable Smile

2009-05-05T09:15:00.000-07:00

A beautifully crafted book about Mona Elisabetta and her relationship with Giuliano de Medici, Leonardo da Vinci, and the tumultuous times during the fall of the Medicis and the rise of Girolamo Savonarola. Betta is a dutiful daughter, expecting her 13th birthday party to result in a betrothal. However, while planning the party, her mother unexpectedly dies, leaving her and her father stricken with grief. Her papa quickly finds another wife, which is customary in these times, but Betta is inconsolable. When she meets Giuliano de Medici, her heart is swept away and he feels the same. Guiliano gives her the pet name Mona Lisa and she savors the time spent with him. But the cruelty of the times and the relentless upward rise of power of Savonarola makes their love story impossible. Betta marries a widower to please her father, but carries a torch within her heart for her first true love. When Savonarola is ousted from power many years later, Betta has a houseful of children. When Leonardo is commissioned to paint Betta...she meets the one who desires the portrait: her own beloved Giuliano. Although their love can never be realized, the portrait captures what Giuliano loves most about his Mona Lisa, her smile. The Smile by Donna Jo Napoli is carefully researched and brings to life a time period which gave birth to some of the world's most gifted and talented artists.

Magical Blue Slippers

2009-03-12T10:52:00.000-07:00

Creelisel Carlbrun in no damsel in distress, thank you very much! Her aunt thinks tossing Creel to the dragons will catch the eye of some prince and make the family wealthy. Instead, Creel befriends the dragons, makes a pact, and comes away with a delightful pair of unique blue slippers. Creel remains with her dragon friend, Shardas while she is working on a display of her most beautiful, colorful, and intricate embroidery to use as a showcase for her fine stitchery. She hopes to dazzle a clothier in the King's Seat to find work as a seamstress and make her fortune. When the day comes and she must leave Shardas, it is a bittersweet parting. She is leaving a friend, but making her way in the world. Shardas tells her he will always hear her call for him, but neglects to tell her that it is through the very special blue shoes that her calls will reach him. When her beautiful blue shoes are stolen by a wicked, cruel princess, the King's Seat is in a perilous predicament. What follows is an ever-increasingly cryptic series of events that are foreboding and fraught with danger for the kingdom of Feravel. Creel teams up with a prince, a mute bodyguard, and of course, her beloved dragons to attempt to defeat this calculating royal and restore her homeland to peace once again.

Many students at Prairieview know that the fantasy genre is my most-favored one. This book, however, is a magical, lyrical tale that most everyone will love. If you admire strong female characters within a fairy-tale-like story, then Dragon Slippers is the book for you. I loved Creel's no-nonsense view of danger and her willingness to put herself in peril to save the ones she loves the most. Dragon Slippers is a 2010 nominee for the Rebecca Caudill Award. This book written by a favorite author of mine, Jessica Day George, is a treasure. I hope you find the chance to pick it up...especially if you like magical blue slippers!

Happy Reading!

An Ethnic Sandwich

2009-03-02T15:00:00.000-08:00

Joseph Calderaro is searching for his identity...a task made even tougher since he is Korean by birth, but Italian by adoption. Vinny and Maria adopted Joseph (Duk-kee) when he was but three days old. He's grown up loving calamari, pasta and tomato sauce, and his extended Italian family. But, when his social studies teacher assigns a 1500 word essay about his heritage, Joseph is left confused and bewildered, not to mention frustrated at the lack of information about his birth parents. He enlists his friend, Nash, to search online for a Korean connection and when a match seems imminent, he places all his hope and trust in a faraway stranger. Disappointment follows, yet who is there to pick up the pieces? A loving, committed, and patient man he calls dad...Vinny Calderaro.

Kimchi & Calamari, a Rebecca Caudill nominee for 2010, is both funny and poignant. Joseph is struggling to find his identity when all along he is connected to his adoptive family with ties that are more loving than life itself, stronger than blood, and more absolute than truth. Joseph calls himself an 'ethnic sandwich'...a slice of Joseph sandwiched between kimchi and calamari. A heart-warming, touching story is awaiting the reader of this book about the bonds of love.

Happy Reading!

A Collection of Words

2009-02-18T15:30:00.000-08:00

The Monarch Nominees for 2010 have recently been announced. What a wonderful assortment of picture books and early readers are on the list! I had a difficult time deciding which one to talk about on my blog. But, the brightly colored, swirling-twirling, magical illustrations of Max's Words by Kate Banks captured my attention, as I am sure they will capture yours.

Once there were three brothers: Benjamin, Karl and Max. Benjamin collected stamps, Karl collected coins, but Max couldn't come up with anything to collect...until he brainstormed and came up with the idea to collect words...flippy-floppy words, roly-poly words, and jolly-jumpy words. Words of every color and action, big words, little words, and words that made him feel good. Soon, Max knew he collected enough words to write a story...and so, he did. Bright, imaginative illustrations in which Max's 'words' become their meanings...a true delight and a world of words to look at on every page.

By no means is this book the only delight on the list. There are books by our favorite authors and some by newcomers. The list is worth checking out; I encourage all young (and old!) readers to pick up these tempting books. Here's the link to the nominees for 2010:

http://www.islma.org/pdf/Monarch_2010MasterList.pdf

Enjoy!
Happy Reading!

Gracehope: A Dark, Icy World

2009-02-13T20:14:00.000-08:00

A Rebecca Caudill nominee for 2010, First Light by Rebecca Stead, is the convincing science fiction venture of Peter and Thea, told in alternating chapters. These two young adults are from drastically different worlds. Much to their surprise, however, Peter and Thea have more in common than could ever been imagined, as their lives are inevitably intertwined. Dr. Gregory Solemn, his wife Rory and son Peter are spending six weeks in Greenland studying the effects of global warming on Earth. Peter's mother suffers from debilitating headaches at times and she drifts off into a numbness that Peter cannot understand. But as Peter turns 12, he begins to have similar headaches and wonders what all of it really means. One day, as Peter is out exploring Greenland's vast frozen land, he unexpectedly hears a unnerving moaning... and stumbles upon Thea, a girl about his age and her dog, Gru. Her cousin, Matthias is trapped in the ice and she needs Peter's assistance to pull him out. They are successful and she begs Peter to help get him back to her village. Little does Peter know that she will bring him deep underneath the ice to a mysterious and unknown settlement where people do not interact with "the wider world". Peter returns to his parents and does not mention this strange and bewildering experience. Then, a few days later he suffers a massive headache and faints near the entrance to Gracehope, Thea's home. Peter's dog Sasha, moans as Gru did and Rory finds her son near the entrance to this underground world...How are these seemingly unrelated and disconnected parallel worlds fused? Peter is shocked by the realization that he really doesn't know much about his mother's birth or extended family at all, but soon he is enlightened and all the puzzle pieces connect to tell the shocking story.

Thea's ancestors were driven to a world thought to be unlivable in an attempt to preserve a bloodline known for its intelligence and uncanny instincts. Gracehope, meant only to be a temporary shelter, somehow became a hidden fortress apart from a seemingly dangerous civilization. Peter's mysterious adventure under Greenland's frozen wasteland is laden with danger, urgency, and complexity. An engaging addition to the list of Rebecca Caudill nominees - 2010.
Happy Reading!

For Baseball Fans...Or Not

2009-02-06T05:18:00.000-08:00

We Are the Ship by Kadir Nelson reminds us that we, as baseball fans, owe a debt of gratitude to those immensely talented men of the Negro Baseball League who played the game with dignity, affection, and devotion. Where would our beloved game be today if we did not enjoy the talents of Jackie Robinson, Hank Aaron, Ernie Banks, Derrek Lee, or C.C. Sabathia? These dedicated men of the Negro Baseball League who put up with bumpy bus rides, segregation, playing three-games-a-day, and jeers and insults from white fans, are a testament today of the work ethic that makes doing any job you love worth doing. I, as one overly enthusiastic baseball fan, am in awe of these men who went about their business because of the love of the game, knowing full well that it wasn't about the money, or the fame, or the perks...it was about camaraderie, the intricacies of the game, and the passion of playing and giving it your all. Kadir Nelson writes with a chatty, folksy tone and it seems as if he is sitting down next to you on the bleachers on a sun-filled summer day, eating a hot dog, and watching your favorite game. He tells the reader the unvarnished truth, with no regrets, or apologies, or sugar-coating. He simply wants you to know what came before the multi-million dollar salaries, the luxuries of the clubhouse, and the mind-numbing figures of product endorsements. As bad as some of it was, it wasn't all bad; they were playing the game they loved. As Nelson writes, "We look back and wonder, 'How did we do all of that?' It's simple. We loved the game so much, we just looked past everything else. We were ballplayers. There was nothing we would have rather spent our time doing."

If you are a baseball fan, We Are the Ship is a must-read. If you are a card-carrying member of the human race, this book should be required reading. If you are an aficionado of American History, this is a story that fills in some of the blanks about our country. If you appreciate a job well-done, devotion to a passion, or inspiring stories passed down through generations, this beautifully crafted book full of intricate, life-like illustrations must not be passed up. This is a book for kids of every age, especially 'kids' who love the game. Don't miss it.

And, if this doesn't convince you to read this fabulous book, then you should know that it was awarded the Coretta Scott King Author Award for 2009. In addition, We Are the Ship is a 2009 Coretta Scott King illustrator honor book. I highly recommend it!

Happy Reading!

Newbery Award Winner - 2009

2009-01-29T17:02:00.000-08:00

This past Monday, January 26, 2009, as the Newbery Award winners were announced, I was pleased to see the renowned storyteller, Neil Gaiman, honored as his book, The Graveyard Book was selected as the winner for 2009. In addition, I was pleasantly surprised to find it on my bookshelf at home, for I knew I wanted to start reading it as soon as possible. I was not disappointed and quickly realized why this unearthly tale of unconditional love was given top honors in this prestigious category for children's literature.

A master storyteller, Neil Gaiman, takes us through the mists and whispers of the eerie graveyard Nobody Owens calls home. Bod was just a toddler when his family was brutally murdered by the man Jack. Thus, he came to live with his ghostly family Mr. and Mrs. Owens and all the delightfully macabre residents of the graveyard. It takes the graveyard to raise Bod, as the tale goes. His guardian, Silas, teaches him, cares for him, and provides him with his human needs. Bod will be protected from any harm as long as he stays within the rusted and decrepit iron walls of this unearthly home, for as Silas and the others know, the man Jack has unfinished business to attend to. The man Jack, a jack-of-all-trades, has to redeem himself and prove to his fellow Jacks that he can destroy the boy who lives on the edge between this world and the next. This Newbery Award winner for 2009, The Graveyard Book is both delightfully quirky and melodiously narrated as only Gaiman can do. The story of Bod is filled with trepidation, loneliness, compassion, familial love, and luminosity, not to mention other-worldly shenanigans. Bod's story will live with the reader until the Lady on the great gray stallion meets him or her at those same rusted, decrepit gates of the graveyard.

Here is a recap of the books honored for best in children's literature - 2009:

Newbery Winner and Honor Books: 2009

Newbery Medal:

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Newbery Honor Books:

The Underneath by Kathi Appelt

The Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba's Struggle for Freedom by Margarita Engle

Savvy by Ingrid Law

After Tupac and D Foster by Jacqueline Woodson

Happy Reading!

The Boy Who Speaks Cat Language

2009-01-21T19:03:00.000-08:00

Charlie Ashanti's parents are brilliant scientists and they are on the brink of finding a cure for asthma. The world should be rejoicing, but the people who profit from selling asthma medications are not too thrilled. That may be the reason they've kidnapped his parents and Charlie finds himself in deep danger. Charlie has a special gift, though, he speaks Cat. And, through this special ability, he is able to enlist the aid of cats everywhere to send secret messages to his parents and communicate with them about his attempts to find and rescue them. Along the way, Charlie finds himself aboard a huge liner traveling the seas with a circus that travels from town to town. He is in cahoots with the proud and restless, yet very cruelly trapped, lions. Together they formulate a plan that will help Charlie find his parents and in so doing, help the lions return to their homeland of Africa. They plan to hop a train and travel from Paris, to Venice, and eventually onward to Africa. Evil villains are on their trail, though, and if it weren't for the understanding, kindness, and aid of King Boris (who is traveling on the very same train), Charlie and his pride of lions would be left out in a blizzard without a prayer of finding their way home. The Lionboy saga continues in the second book, Lionboy:The Chase.

This is a nail-biting mysterious adventure that doesn't take itself too seriously. Although Charlie is in danger much of the time, there are numerous light-hearted moments to keep the reader amused. Charlie has a terrific, dry sense of humor. If you have a love of cats, big or little, you will find their tender-hearted side warming your heart, while their sense of pride and loyalty are awe-inspiring.
Happy Reading!

Words Come Alive

2009-01-15T16:54:00.000-08:00

How wonderful...how magical...how enchanting it would be to read a story and have its characters come to life. Ahh, but would it? Mortimer (Mo) Folchart, Book Doctor by trade, does just that very thing. With his enchanting, engaging voice he tastes the words, having them roll off his tongue in a lyrical, mesmerizing way. One eventful day, while reading Inkheart aloud to his daughter, Meggie, odd and and dangerous characters came to life from the pages of the book. But, the true tragedy was that Teresa, Meggie's mother, was swapped for these despicable villains and drawn into the book. Mo vows never to read aloud again, while searching in vain for a way to right this wrong. Capricorn, the horrid and powerful master of his village, has emerged from the book with all of his dreadful powers intact. He is a menace to all he meets and rules with an iron fist. No one escapes his vengeful wrath. He voraciously gathers up all remaining copies of the book he has appeared from in order to prevent his returning to the pages of Inkheart. Mo is determined to find a way to reverse this error and enlists the help of feisty, book-loving Aunt Elinor and a fire-eating magician, Dustfinger as well as his daughter Meggie who just happens to have a magical power all her own.

Dangers, colorful characters, and imaginative dialog truly do come to life with each turn of the pages of Inkheart. You, the reader, cannot help but wonder what will become of these lost souls who wander back and forth between the world they belong to and a world of fantasy and fiction. A must-read before seeing the soon-to-be released movie!
Happy Reading!

Favorite Books of 2008

2009-01-09T15:10:00.000-08:00

I just finished reading Miss Hagensee's blog, in which she listed her favorite books of 2008 along with Mrs. Wilson's favorite books. I started to think about all the great books I read this past year. So, I decided to try to pick my top ten, too! Since I've read nearly 300 books this past year, it was not an easy task, but it was an enjoyable one. Here are my top ten favorite books (with a few honorable mentions thrown in for good measure).

Top Ten Favorites of 2008:

#1: The True Meaning of Smek Day by Adam Rex

#2: The Sorcerer of the North (#5 in The Ranger's Apprentice series) by John Flanagan

#3: Battle of the Labyrinth (#4 in Percy Jackson & The Olympians series) by Rick Riordan

#4: The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart

#5: Tunnels by Roderick Gordon

#6: Deep and Dark and Dangerous by Mary Downing Hahn

#7: Found by Margaret Peterson Haddix

#8: The Crossroads by Chris Grabenstein

#9: The Maze of Bones (#1 in The 39 Clues series) by Rick Riordan

#10: White Sands, Red Menace (sequel to The Green Glass Sea) by Ellen Klages

Honorable Mentions:

The Boy Who Dared by Susan Bartoletti Campbell
A Drowned Maiden's Hair by Laura Amy Schlitz
Corydon and the Island of Monsters by Tobias Druitt
Gilda Joyce and the Ladies of the Lake by Jennifer Allison
Code Orange by Caroline B. Cooney

I would love to hear about all of YOUR favorite books. I am always looking for suggestions and recommendations. Stop by my desk at Prairieview IMC anytime to help me add to my pile of "to-read" books for 2009!

Happy Reading!

Griffin Bing: The Man With A Plan

2008-12-31T12:05:00.000-08:00

When Griffin Bing unexpectedly finds an old Babe Ruth baseball card in the about-to-be demolished Rockford Mansion, his first instinct is to determine its worth. That brings him to Palomino's Emporium of Collectibles and Memorabilia. After Griffin and his friend, Ben make a deal for the card and sell it to S. Wendell (sounds deceptively like swindle, eh?) Palomino for a cool $120, they are disappointed it wasn't worth more. That's when the reality of the situation comes out and Griffin and Ben find out that the card is extremely rare and worth somewhere near one million dollars! They've been had, they've been cheated...they've been swindled! Griffin revs up into action and lives up to his moniker, Griffin Bing: The Man with a Plan. Griffin gathers just the perfect group of classmates to help him with his baseball card heist to get back what he believes is rightfully his. A rock-climber, a computer genius, a bully, an actor and an animal-rights activist are all part of his entourage. Will he succeed in getting past Palomino's guard dogs, high-tech security system and the nosiest neighbor on the planet? You'll just have to read all about it in Swindle by Gordon Korman. A fast-paced, nail-biting, suspenseful adventure full of imaginative escapades and an elaborate plan-of-action that is sure to please readers who enjoy stories which satisfying results.

Thanks to Miss Trefonas's Class for recommending this book to me...Great book!

Happy Reading!

Beware of the Pond Creatures!

2008-12-24T10:06:00.000-08:00

Oliver loves TV, doesn't have a friend in the world, and is being dragged by his mother to the new country home she bought after divorce splits his parents. Oliver's sister, Rachel, is beside herself with self-pity and has no time or patience for Oliver. While attempting to install a TV antenna on the rickety roof (in order to watch his beloved television shows), he falls through and lands on a mysterious, golden-hued gemstone. At first, little does he know it, but this enchanting jewel holds powers that will transform him into other creatures, just by wishing it to be so. And so it goes: Oliver becomes friends with Mooch, a shy salamander and Antoine, a wise-cracking crow, among other creatures who live in the backyard pond, as they all flip back and forth between the different life forms. As fun as it is in the beginning, Oliver, Mooch and Antoine begin to see an evil plot being hatched by 'The General', Antoine's power-hungry uncle. While this transforming odyssey becomes more and more useful to the friends, The General reacts with more blood-thirsty tactics than ever before. The General aligns with other evildoers and causes havoc all around the small town. Oliver, however, finds a way to thwart his devious plans with the help of his new found friends. A very imaginative tale of friendship and community, which reminds us that all creatures can live in harmony, if only we learn to respect each other's place in the grand scheme of nature's plan.
Thanks to Tyler A. for recommending this book to me!
Happy Reading!

Has Time Run Out?

2008-12-15T14:11:00.000-08:00

An old favorite and a Rebecca Caudill nominee in 1998, Running Out of Time by Margaret Peterson Haddix, remains a chilling reminder of the havoc that can be caused by devious scientific experiments. It's 1840 and Jessie Keyser lives in Clifton, Indiana, a small rural community. When the children of Clifton start to contract diphtheria, panic ensues and Jessie's mother, a local midwife turned healer, is frantic to find a way to cure the children. Jessie's mother arranges for the two of them to meet at a secluded spot. There she tells Jessie an unfathomable secret, a secret known to the adults of Clifton since 1980, when they agreed to be part this experiment. Thus begins the unraveling of a devious and dangerous mystery. Clifton is an scientific experiment gone awry with prying 'tourists' watching and chronicling the town's daily life, hopes, and fears via one-way mirrors. Jessie's mom tells her she must escape Clifton and save the children who are dying from this disease which can be easily cured with modern medicine. Jessie knows nothing about cars, phones, buses, money, or blue jeans. Once outside Clifton, she is amazed and confused at the simple things we take for granted. She escapes harm and treachery and uses her wherewithal to alert the proper authorities. As her plan comes to fruition, she collapses with the symptoms of the dreaded disease. The outcome hangs in the balance as Jessie desperately tries to convince authorities of her town's peril before she succumbs to diphtheria.

You'll be amazed by Jessie's courage in the face of danger and confusion. Her determination to save the children of Clifton is unshakable, yet filled with trepidation. Who among us would be as brave as Jessie? This science fiction thriller allows us to examine our own commitment to a worthwhile character.
Happy Reading!

Meet Colorful Tia Lola !

2008-12-03T15:30:00.001-08:00

Have you ever heard the expression - "Home is where the heart is"? In the novel, How Tia Lola Came to (Visit) Stay by Julia Alvarez, this expression's meaning becomes crystal clear. Linda Guzman and her two children, Juanita and Miguel move to Vermont from New York after divorce separates the family. Tia Lola travels to Vermont from The Domincan Republc to visit the Guzman family and help in the transition. Lola seems to have a magic touch around the townspeople in this small New England village. But, initially, Miguel is quite embarrassed with Tia Lola's flamboyant ways, her struggles with speaking English and her brightly colored clothes and makeup. However, when her loving ways, filled with compassion and caring, start to change Miguel's mind, he finds that his fondest wish is for Tia Lola to extend her visit into something more permanent. Miguel worries that she will want to return to the Dominican Republic and leave Miguel, Juanita and Linda without the glue she so lovingly provides. When he confronts Lola with his worries, she says, "Home is wherever you are with the people you love. And that is always the best place to be!" How Tia Lola Came to (Visit) Stay is spiced with Lola’s colorful Spanish expressions and stocked full with a healthy dose of wise, thoughtful stories thrown in for good measure. You will enjoy this heartfelt story of familial love.
Happy Reading!

A Girl Called Violet, A Friend Named Marigold & A Big Yellow Chair

2008-11-20T18:53:00.000-08:00

Violet Odelia Bing is one persnickety, opinionated, and stubborn 7-year-old (almost 8 year-old) girl. She doesn't want to do anything, go anywhere, no way, no how. When her parents tell her they are all going on a family vacation, Violet says, "NO, I don't have the time". Well, then!... She must stay with Great Aunt Astrid at the Grand House. While there, slowly but surely, her attitude is adjusted by Great Aunt Astrid's loving nudges, a boisterous new friend by the name of Marigold Greene Gold and a lovable pooch who all show her that the very best adventures are waiting right outside her bedroom window. Violet Bing and The Grand House is a petite, comforting story with a grand message: Life is what you make it, get out there and find your magnificent, awe-inspiring adventure...and be sure to take your very best friends along (pooches, included) as you delight in all the wonders this world has to offer.
Happy Reading!

Can Someone Vanish Into Thin Air?

2008-11-12T13:26:00.000-08:00

Ted's a thinker...his sister, Kat is a doer. Together they accomplish what the police detectives, their parents and the media cannot do: that is, follow the clues their cousin, Salim left behind, when he mysteriously vanishes into thin air aboard The London Eye, the world's tallest cantilevered observation wheel. By Ted's own admission, his brain is wired differently, as his condition is consistent with the effects of Autism/Asperger's syndrome. Kat is just a typical 14-year-old teen, who is exasperated with every adult comment. When Aunt Gloria, with Salim in tow, stops by for a visit on her way to New York to start a new job, they all decide to have a day full of adventure and ride The Eye. Salim is offered a free ticket, and he jumps at the chance and enters the glass and steel pod. This leaves Ted and Kat below to wait 30 minutes for his round-trip sight-seeing adventure to complete. When he does not exit the pod as expected, a frenzy ensues, police become involved and the worst scenario is played out in every one's minds. Where did Salim go? The family becomes a tangled bunch of nerves and emotions run raw. Ted, however, stays cool...all the while methodically placing the sequence of events into a logical timetable. When he thinks he has solved the mystery, no one will listen to him, but there isn't any time to waste in checking out his theory. Seconds count before disaster strikes, taking Salim with it.

If you love fast-paced mysteries, full of seemingly inconsistent clues that somehow miraculously arrive at a conclusion, then The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd is for you. Although some of the terminology is peculiar, this British author, nonetheless weaves a story which leaves the reader hooked at every turn of the page.
Happy Reading!

A Science Project Gone Awry

2008-11-06T15:10:00.000-08:00

The Pig and the Shrink by Pamela Todd is a story about accepting your friends and family for who they are, whether you agree with them or not. Tucker Harrison needed a science project idea fast. His plan was to study obesity in children, and his friend, Angelo Pighetti was the perfect test case. Angelo, aka Pig, was overweight and Tucker thought he would be much happier thinner and healthier. As the dieting experiment progressed, the desired outcome did not materialize, in fact, Angelo gained weight! Angelo was happy with himself and had no intention of changing. When the class bullies try to intimidate both Tucker and Angelo, they come together as friends to overcome them. In the end, Tucker realizes that being comfortable with one's self, respecting each other's viewpoints and standing up to bullies is worth more than a banquet full of mislaid plans.

This is a wonderful story that focuses on compassion, true-friendship, caring and acceptance of each other's faults and failings while being the best friend one can be... As Tucker states at the end, "I guess what I've learned from all this is that people have a right to decide for themselves who they are and what they want to be." No wiser words were ever spoken.
Happy Reading!

Mr. Benedict's Geniuses

2008-11-01T14:16:00.000-07:00

Genius and orphan, Reynard Muldoon spots a very curious newspaper advertisement one morning at his residence, Stonetown Orphanage. It stated, "Are you a gifted child looking for special opportunities?". Reynie wondered whether he was smart enough to sit for the test and asked his tutor and confidant, Miss Perumal, for advice. She encouraged him to accept the challenge. He arrived eager and ready to take the test. His confidence was shaken, however, when the exam which was one part Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and one part Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader? was mixed and blended with mazes, puzzles, and complicated disturbing formulas. Was there any doubt he would pass this challenge? Not a chance. So, Reynard along with three other children, Kate Wetherall, Sticky Washington, and Constance Contraire form an elite group out of hundreds of children vying for a spot on the team. Upon notification of their accomplishment, they were introduced to kind-hearted Mr. Benedict: a fellow genius, inventor and narcolepsy sufferer. He tells the children, if they so choose to accept, they are to be sent on a secret mission that may have dire consequences. However, this endeavour is needed to save the world from a cruel fate. They accept (of course) and The Mysterious Benedict Society is formed. They are sent to the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened or L.I.V.E., located on an isolated island. (You will get a sense of its true mission if you read the acronym backwards). On the island, the four friends meet Headmaster Curtain, who wants to control the world and be the one and only master of the global population. The Mysterious Benedict Society needs each of the four kids' unique talents and skills to overcome the fiendish and diabolical Mr. Curtain. Is it too little, too late?

If you like a page-turning adventure with a satisfying ending, and don't mind reading nearly 500 pages, then The Mysterious Benedict Society is the book for you! Happy Reading!

A Ghostly Sanctuary

2008-10-23T11:39:00.000-07:00

It is a sad day in the ghostly world, when all of the deliciously scummy, maggoty, worm-infested haunted castles are being overrun by...urban sprawl?! Humphrey, the Horrible, who really isn't too horrible, befriends a human boy, Rick Henderson. Rick learns about the terrible trouble infesting the ghostly world. Their favorite haunts are being turned into casinos, luxury hotels and (glup...) bed and breakfast inns, for goodness sake! Rick takes kindly to their woes and devises a plan to rescue his new other-world friends. Mabel and Hamish and their children George, Winnie and Humphrey need to find a new place to haunt, er...that is, live. Rick dreams up the idea of a ghost sanctuary, where all ghosts could dwell with no threat of being overrun by concrete, bulldozers and cleanliness. They are graciously given a new place to live by a wealthy politician, Lord Bullhaven. So, off they travel to Insleyfarne, a castle completely left to rot. The spirits are overjoyed! Along the way they are joined by Aunt Hortensia and her ghostly carriage, Sucking Susie and her vampire bat kiddies, the Mad Monk, a one-eyed, three-tailed dog named Shuk and many others who have lost their dwelling places to modern-day improvements. At first, all is well, but danger is once again lurking for these spirits inside and outside the walls of Insleyfarne. It's 'Rick Henderson to the Rescue' again! Their safe haven is once again just that: a protected shelter for every ghost, no matter how he lived his life on earth. A very bewitching, surprise ending awaits all who dare to read The Great Ghost Rescue by Eva Ibbotson. Happy Reading!

A Pirate's Life for Jack Plank

2008-10-16T06:23:00.000-07:00

Oh! Poor ole Jack Plank...he wanted so much to stay aboard The Avarice with his plundering, salty pirate buddies. But, alas, he did not have what it takes, and so, with a heavy heart he left the sea to live his life on land. He stumbled onto the town of Saltwash on the coast of the Caribbean Sea. There he meets boardinghouse proprietor, Mrs. DelFresno and her daughter, Nina. Jack rents a room from them and, bless her heart, Nina sets out to help ole Jack find employment in this lovely town. Here's how it goes: Every time Nina suggests a job, Jack finds a compelling reason to reject her thoughtful proposals. So, he will not be a:

A Farmer

A Baker

A Fortune-Teller

A Fisherman

A Barber

A Goldsmith

An Actor nor

A Musician

But, just as aboard The Avarice, Jack is loved by one and all...and stumbles upon the one profession that is perfect for him and all his new friends. In the end, Jack settles into his new career and has the best life he could have ever hoped or wished for. I'm certain you will see the mischievous twinkle in ole Jack's eye when you read Jack Plank Tells Tales by Natalie Babbitt. Happy Reading!

A Couple of Monarch Nominees 2009

2008-10-09T06:52:00.000-07:00

There are some terrific Monarch nominees for 2009! I've been reading them with as much gusto as the Rebecca Caudill nominees. Here are a couple of my latest picks for you to sample:

Stink: The Incredible Shrinking Kid by Megan McDonald:

James Moody, also known as 'Stink' and brother to Judy, takes the reader on some hilarious happenings. His shenanigans run the gamut from pure joy to gruesome. Stink moans and laments that he is not getting any taller and fears he will be stuck at three feet eight inches for the rest of his life. But, when his teacher, Mrs. Dempster allows him to take the class pet home for the weekend, he stands just a little bit taller with pride. Then, catastrophe strikes involving a garbage disposal...yikes! not a pretty sight. So, to lift his spirits, Stink decides to write an essay about his favorite president (also the shortest president) James Madison. He writes a letter to the governor. He campaigns for James Madison to have a 'president's day' all his own, to be recognized on a state quarter, or at the very least have a song written about him. In the end, his family rallies around him (even his sometimes nasty sister, Judy) to lift him up (no pun intended) and sing his praises.

Henry and the Buccaneer Bunnies by Carolyn Crimi:

Henry is sailing the seas on board The Salty Carrot, with his dad, Barnacle Black Ear and all his pirate buddies. Henry has no intention of doing all those nasty pirate things, since all he wants to do all day is read, read, read (Henry is my kind of bunny). He loves The Old Hare and the Sea, and Rabbitson Crusoe. His dad is furious with his book-loving ways...until one day when Henry predicts a storm-a-brewing. Disaster strikes! They are shipwrecked on a deserted island. But, Henry saves the day with all the knowledge and information he has accumulated through his love of reading and books. Henry builds a hut, cooks up a delicious seaweed stew, and outfits the buccaneers in fancy duds. He's a hero! And, it is all because of books! Barnacle Black Ear declares, "Buccaneer Bunnies will always need books!" Ah...music to Henry's ears.

Happy Reading!

A Big House Full of Secrets

2008-10-02T15:15:00.001-07:00

Wow! What would you do if your parents were sent to prison for a crime they didn't commit? And, what if you were sent off to live with your parents' accusers? That is precisely what happens to Ivy and Ray Fitts in this light-hearted mystery novel called The Big House. Their parents, Carol and Dan, were charged with embezzlement and sent to prison for 25 years! But, Ivy and Ray are not your ordinary, run-of-the-mill kids, oh no...they are savvy and resourceful! They begin to suspect some funny business surrounding their caregivers, Marietta and Lionel Noland, who live in a big house. So, what does Ivy do? She enlists the help of her little brother in collecting the necessary evidence they need to spring their parents from their big house, a.k.a prison. With luck, they amass seemingly inconsistent clues which bring crabby, crotchety Marietta to justice. You will be tickled by the pranks they pull, the prickly predicaments they get into and the procession of quirky characters they meet.

When I first picked up this intriguing book, I was curious about the comical cover. Now, I know you can just hear me saying, "never judge a book by its cover!" But, how can you help but be attracted by such a colorful, silly cover. Wonder of wonders, the story does not disappoint the reader...it is a captivating mystery with a justifiably jovial ending! Check it out and tell me your impression of The Big House by Carolyn Coman. Happy Reading!

Riders Wanted!

2008-09-25T16:50:00.000-07:00

If you're looking for thrilling adventure in a book, then look no further than Black Storm Comin' by Diane Lee Wilson, a Rebecca Caudill nominee for 2009. The young boys who tackled the rough and dangerous job as Pony Express riders during the 19th century were fearless beyond their years, as evidenced by this wanted sign:

"WANTED: Young, skinny, wiry fellows not over eighteen.

Must be expert riders. Willing to risk death daily. Orphans preferred."

Black Storm Comin' is an insightful look at a period in our history, that although short-lived, was as important to this country as any. In this fictionalized account of a Pony Express rider, twelve-year-old Colton Wescott faces dangers, both human and environmental, in his race to deliver the mail from Carson City to Sacramento. Born of a black mother and white father, Colton resembles his father enough to 'pass for white' and secures a spot on The Pony Express team even at his tender age. His father up and ran off after he accidentally shot Colton in the leg, and Colton grows up in a hurry when his mother becomes sick after her youngest baby dies. Colton does what he feels he has to do...earn money and support the family as best he can. His story takes the reader on a breathless journey filled with danger, treachery, and bravery. Colton's Pony Express adventures through the western part of this young country are indicative of the hard working, loyal and determined young men who delivered the mail through storms, snow, sleet and danger. He is true to his word and is hailed as a hero, as he contributes a small part to the freeing of slaves, just before the election of Abraham Lincoln.

I don't think you will be disappointed as you, too, will feel the wind in your face, impending danger at your back and the urgency of the pony express slogan, " the mail must go through". History really does come alive as the story of The Pony Express is authentically captured in this page-turning novel. Happy Reading!

I Love to Read!

2008-09-19T14:17:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my new blog: Read with Me...Mrs. Warkentien! If you've had the chance to stop at my desk at Prairieview IMC, you already know that I love to read books, talk about books and recommend books to students. In my blog, I will introduce you to books, old and new, in the hopes that you will read along with me. Please feel free to stop at my desk and talk to me about your latest read. Let's make reading a habit! Happy Reading!