Strange Indeed

Dwight really is very weird and clueless when it comes to himself. I mean who would make an origami Yoda finger puppet in the first place? Dwight did. And who would have his fellow students ask questions to said Origami Yoda who, I might add, is situated on his finger? Dwight did. And who would answer these said questions using Yoda language? Yes ... Origami Yoda! And yet who did have significant and perceptive answers to these questions that did in fact change lives? Mmmmmm......

"The Strange Case of Origami Yoda" by Tom Angleberger is an entertaining and funny story, chapters of Dwight's classmates experiences with Origami Yoda woven together by Tommy who is determined to figure out if this is just a piece of paper like some believe or really an Origami Yoda.

You decide.

My students turned me on to this one.... well done.

Spirit Bear Returns

"Touching Spirit Bear" by Ben Mikaelsen is a book I always know my Grade 7 students will love.

The first time I read it aloud they literally came running to the Library to hear the next installment about Cole Matthews and his exile to an island off Alaska for his part in a brutal act of bullying. His near death experience caused by the Spirit Bear, his own stubbornness and stupidity and his subsequent redemption touched them deeply but it was even more profound as life imitated art and the news stories of the day told of a circle justice trial taking place in our city as we were reading about it in the book. Powerful.

And now I have just finished "Ghost of Spirit Bear", the sequel, which follows Cole and Peter as they attempt to pick up their lives at their old high school. While they both have changed Cole also knows how difficult it is to control his temper in his old environment where violence and gangs taunt him constantly. From survival in a remote environment in the first book to urban survival this story is brilliant in showing how high schools can be a place of fear for many and how Cole realizes it is not enough to have changed himself. He has to change his world.

Another gripping and moving story. Read it.

Malice

I have just started "Malice" by Chris Wooding and am not sure if I can continue. I never have liked spooky books and I think this is going to be very!

A very mysterious comic book seems to have the ability to drag readers into its pages. And I am not sure if they can get out.....

Keep you informed....

What Happened on Fox Street?

Did you like "Waiting for Normal", "The Higher Power of Lucky" or "Because of Winn Dixie"?
If you did then here is another you will love.

"What Happened on Fox Street" by Tricia Springstubb is a story that is about 11 year old Mo Wren, a young girl who has lived on Fox Street surrounded by the same group of neighbours her whole life. It is a wonderful dead-end street where she and her younger sister, who is referred to as The Wild Child, have felt secure and cared for, especially after the death of their mother. But this summer things are changing. Mo' s best friend has come to visit her grandmother who lives across the street and something is missing in their relationship. But even more, Mo's dad is thinking about selling their house and moving away. Mo's worries and her way of dealing with them are beautifully chronicled. And yes, there is a fox.

Dear George Clooney...

Can George get any more famous? Well after reading this book if you didn't already have a crush on him, you will now.

Susin Nielsen is the author of "Word Nerd" and now "Dear George Clooney - Please Marry my Mom". Both are funny laugh out-loud type of books. I did take a bit of a gulp with some of the happenings and how extreme they were. I mean who really would allow their two year old half- sisters to eat cat poop just because you are mad at your dad?

But seriously Violet's dad left their mom and headed to Los Angeles to marry a young and blonde actress. Now they have these adorable twins and that makes Violet and her younger sister Rosie, living with their mother in a delapitated house near Main Street in Vancouver, feel left out and neglected. Violet acts out because of it all and it doesn't help that her mother is now dating a new man with the name Dudley Weiner. I think that about says it all!

But George does save the day... it is George isn't it?

What are you reading today?

Halt's Peril

I was very excited to see one of my favourite series had a new title! "Halt's Peril" by John Flanagan is #9 of the Ranger's Apprentice series and I devoured it in a day.

This is a continuation of "The Kings of Clonmel" where we have discovered that Halt is... well you have to read to find out just what, but in this adventure Will, Halt and Horace are still on the trail of the Outsiders, religious fakes who con villagers out of any gold they might have by offering protection. They have crossed the sea to Picta and head to Araluen to stop them. Will, Halt and Horace have just about caught up when the expected happens. Yes, the expected. They know the Genovesan assassins will attempt an ambush and even though they were prepared you cannot prepare for everything. One of our trio is seriously hurt with a poisoned arrow. Can he be saved?

The pace of this book is a little slower. But because of an impending death it is the relationships between the three that are intense and gripping.

What are you reading today?

Dragon Story

This charming story called "Thomas and the Dragon Queen" by Shutta Crum is really a delightful story about how one "small" boy, because of his courage and determination and stubbornness too, ends up saving the day.

Thomas is small, I mean he is very short for his age and consequently the brunt of jokes and teasing. But when Thomas leaves all his brothers and sisters and parents and goes off to the castle to become a page to Sir Gerald he proves himself to be thoughtful and brave and always strives to be the best he can be and not let others bring him down. When the princess has been taken by the Dragon Queen it is Thomas, now Sir Thomas, who goes on this quest to save her. He faces trials and triumphs but it is what is in his heart that saves the day.

A great read-aloud. I think boys and girls in Grades 2,3 and 4 will really like this. I know I did.

What are you reading today?

Chains

Historical Fiction is a way of telling a good story at a different time in history. Events are real, some people are real and our characters lives are intertwined amongst them. "Chains" By Laurie Halse Anderson is one of the choices for this years YRCA for Grades 7 - 9. The story takes place in 1776 in New York City where Great Britain and America are at war.

But the story really revolves around Isabel, a young black slave who, with her younger handicapped sister, is sold to an family Loyal to Great Britain after being promised her freedom by her previous owner. Their life is now at the mercy of the cruel Mrs. Lockton. Another slave whom Isabel meets, Curzon, tells her that if she helps the Patriots by spying on the Loyalists they will help her in becoming free. After her younger sister is sold Isabel is caught up in a moral dilemna. Who will help her? What should she do? What she discovers is that both sides hands are tied by their laws and Isabel has to help herself.

An amazing story of one girl's strength and determination.

What are you reading today?