What HAVE I been reading lately?

I've been meaning to blog earlier, but each time, something else called for my attention. A book begging to be read. An email needing to be sent. A project that needed work.

At any rate, I have placed myself in the writing chair to write (blog). I hope my sharing here is helpful to someone.

Some wonderful books have come into my hands recently. My notes here:

Long, L. (2014). Otis and the scarecrow. New York: Philomel.

I adore the Otis character, and though my heart is soft, I have an even softer spot in it for this sweet tractor. Otis epitomizes kindness. But he is also a tough tractor-- working so hard on the farm each day. His was the first stuffed plush book character I bought for my library!

The story really made me wonder, too. Topic: sharing kindness with someone who is guaranteed never to return it. Reading this book will cause you to consider the idea for yourself. Isn't that what good books do? Yes.

The artwork is rich, rich with fall orange, delectable red, and earthy browns painted in a way that makes you gasp and stare.  But why should we wonder about it? It is Loren Long after all. This is his kind, kind gift to us!

Castillo, L. (2014). Nana in the city. New York: Clarion.

Lauren Castillo is a name I remember. She gave us The Troublemaker, a playful picture book about a playful raccoon, and the subject of many tweets coming from me. This book is about a grandson who visits his grandmother in the city, and wonders how she can live there  -- with its hectic pace and curiosities. But Nana helps him see things in a different way, and the story's turn to its destination is well crafted and smart. It is not predictable, and you will want to wear a red cape, too. 

Simultaneously, the artwork is a delight in itself.

Preus, M. (2014). West of the moon. New York: Abrams.

I will freely admit here that I was "late" to reading this one. I think sometimes we might feel as if we can't express that -- our not having read something yet. But if we extend that grace to our young readers, should we also extend that to ourselves? And each other? I don't ever want to make someone feel badly for not having read something yet.  We each read what we need in our own time.

So this Norwegian folk tale mixed with fantasy mixed with coming-of-age was a quick weekend read. But it left lingering questions. Margi Preus did some clever plot and narrative work here, and the main character (Astri) is super dynamic. This story is about immigrant hardships, the connection between sisters, and the guilt one feels at all their mistakes. Extra notes: It covers some mature topics. AND the cover is a great topic for discussion, isn't it? Yes, I'm still thinking about this one. Clearly! Margi Preus works with language so easily and masterfully here. That needs to be said! 

Such reading have I done! But there is more reading to come. 

And in the midst of this, I attended the ALSC Institute. That will be the topic of my next post! 

I'm leaving the writing chair now. Off to learn. 

Review: RUMP: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin

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RUMP: THE  TRUE STORY OF RUMPELSTILTSKIN by Liesl Shurtliff

Published: 4/9/13
Published by: Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers

I am forever looking for good middle grade books.  And I know a few other #nerdybookclub friends who are always on the hunt for MG, too. So when a few of my friends were on Twitter last weekend tweeting about RUMP: THE TRUE STORY OF RUMPELSTILTSKIN, I knew I needed to read it for myself. I got a copy and immediately started reading. And, immediately, I was hooked. I read it in one day!  (An early summer #bookaday!)

The story grabbed me from the very beginning. Rump lives in The Village, by The Mountain, and in The Kingdom. His mother died right after he was born, and she did so before saying his entire name. So for the entirety of his very short life, he's been known to all as Rump, and he's teased about it often. Raised by his poor grandmother and under the oppressive rule of King Barf, Rump has lived a hard life. But he knows there's more to his mother's story, and when he discovers some magic, he sets out on a journey to learn more about his mother's past and his destiny and save himself from an inescapable dilemma.

Rump is the backstory to a fairy tale, and with interesting characters such as pixies, trolls, and gnomes, reading this story is one fantastic adventure! It is a page-turner, exciting and suspenseful, and even though you might know the fairy tale, this book will make you feel like you are hearing it all for the first time.

Have you read this book?