Monday, February 17, 2025

Monday Reading - Lots to Share

  

    Visit Kellee and Ricki at UnleashingReaders and Jen at Teach Mentor Texts to see what they and others have been reading! Your TBR lists will grow!    


     It's a lovely story set in World War II, as Hitler conquers France and eyes Great Britain, finally, sadly, begins The Battle of Britain. But the story really begins when Emma Taylor's father saves her from the fire in their beloved bookshop. Sadly, he does not survive and Emma is left without family, an orphan in need. The bulk of the story finds Emma later, now widowed as well, with a young daughter, Olivia, and desperate to find work. There are 
legal restrictions prohibiting widows with children from most employment opportunities, she’s left with only one option: persuading the manageress at Boots’ Booklover’s Library to take a chance on her. 
     The rest of the story, filled with wartime worries, sending Olivia to the country which does work, doesn't work, and on. The tension continues as readers also hear about Emma's co-workers, and her neighbors in the apartment where she and Olivia live. There is frightening loss, frightening hours in bomb shelters, but also there is loving kindness in their midst. I began to care for all the characters, hoping they would make it, wondering why some are unkind, knowing that Madelin Martin will deepen the story as we readers learn about these lives. It's so complicated. I enjoyed the book, often asking myself, "What would I do?" 
       Knowing some of the history of Lending Libraries and reading about Martin's research in her Author's Note was fascinating, too. And, I loved reading about books discussed, both personally and at the lending library, titles readers will recognize here in the 21st Century, titles still read and loved! 
 


         In various places in our world, we see or read of another calling for people to do one thing to help. It may be for one person, for a neighbor, or a neighborhood. It might even be something considered small, offering a smile to someone or picking up something that has fallen in a grocery. Collectively, the acts make a difference! In this book, a young girl is inspired to make change. The text says, "Imagine the world you want to live in. If it’s not the world you see, will you create it?
         Ruth Spiro's story explores the idea of the Jewish philosophy Tikkun olam or "repair the world". With Victoria Tentler-Krylov's amazing and breathtaking illustrations, readers watch the girl walking to school, then seeing her small spark growing as she realizes she wants to make a change in her world. Connecting to others, they begin. 



       Every time I share another book by Allen Say, I advise to never, never miss a book by him! This time an old man starts out on a walk, looking for a paper airplane, but whenever he sees another person to ask if they've seen one, he realizes something is changing, himself! He becomes younger as his walk continues. It feels like a special story of memory, but Allen Say gives us more in his poignant paintings, page after page, one at a time, the man tells us what he's seeing, from his past! It's an amazing book! 


Thanks to Walker Books/Candlewick Press
for my copy!

       A little rhyme at the beginning as Big Nutbrown Hare and Little Nutbrown Hair go out into their world together, to see what they could see, and they did see a few things, including a big surprise at the end. Sam McBratney and Anita Jeram again bring a book for little ones to add to their collection for young readers. It's another sweet read for those who've loved "Guess How Much I Love you, and others by this author and illustrator. 

Thanks to Candlewick Press 
for my copy!
         Readers will love this new lullaby book by Jyoti Rajan Gopal that shows a family singing to a baby about to go to sleep. Gorgeous illustrations by Nabi H. Ali show not only family members surrounding the baby but deities from Hindu beliefs arrive as guardians. From the front flap: "There is Ganasha, remover of obstacles, to joyful Krishna, prince of music, and powerful Durga, goddess of strength and protection." It's a special book showing the happiest family time. 


       I would love to read this to a group, to see if they would soon understand what was happening! Robert Macfarlane and Johnny Flynn use brief words of poetry to start the story, taking a man and a boy into a forest for a walk. They explore, notice birds singing, come across a group of musicians, one with an accordion, are caught in a rainstorm, and more! Emily Sutton's illustrations fill the pages, colors abound in this gorgeous place. All of a sudden, it'll be delightful for readers to notice, the boy is changing, growing up! That's all you need to know, except find this book and enjoy every page!



         Henning Mankell's book are compelling, keep one reading, if you can stand the horrifying details of heinous murders, and the idea that there is no way to connect to the murderer. Kurt Wallender's life goes awry this time with a diagnosis of pre-diabetes, leaving readers to worry if he might collapse. Then who would lead? I'm sorry that I haven't discovered Mankell's books until now! 



Now Reading: The Boy Lost in the Maze, Joseph Coelho



Thursday, February 13, 2025

Poetry Friday - Love Is In The Air

              Welcome! It's Poetry Friday, and I am happy to host you all this Friday, February 14th. Valentine's Day! However you celebrate, or not, I hope you hold some love for someone or something! 


        These thoughts began as I watched the Grammys this year. Aside from a few artists, I knew practically no one, and realized I have not kept up. My granddaughters tell me about songs now and then and the artists they love. I even listen to them, but I don't remember. I realize that I am so, so behind! I sat with them to watch the Super Bowl halftime show with Kendrick Lamar, and I did know about all the politics about him and Drake, and I enjoyed watching the dancers and what I perceived to be a message (maybe?), but still, I am behind!
       My husband was a crazy music buff. He directed musicals in college and eventually was the manager of a rock radio station in Kansas City, Missouri before we moved to Colorado. Because of him, I knew all the big stars and their songs, too; and all the years since, he's kept me informed because even in Colorado he kept up. We saw a few concerts with wonderful stars here, too. 

        Here's a gift he gave me one Valentine's Day, a very old song! If you'd like, you can listen to it HERE on YouTube! I imagine Linda Mitchell will love it, too!


      So I decided that since Love is in the Air today, I would write a poem from my playlist, songs I loved years ago, and still do. What titles would you use for your own playlist poem?  FYI - the title is a song by Billie Eilish, a recent title! (Trying to catch up!)

                 Everything I Wanted

 

I left My Heart In San Francisco, however,

When a certain someone said he would Love Me Tender

I had to love him back because I could Imagine

How he would Stand By Me, giving Respect that wasn’t

only Blowin’ In The Wind


Some days, there were Sounds of Silence for me, 

Brown Eyed Girl, also Fire and Rain

yet we usually shouted Hallelujah to each other– You’ve Got A Friend

         When we were Leaving On A Jet Plane

Somewhere Over The Rainbow, we caught a Rocky Mountain High,

where lots of Baby Love happened.

Of course, that was Yesterday, and now 

I Try to Remember!


Linda Baie © 

FYI - I will be training a new volunteer Saturday morning so won't be able to read and respond to everyone, but I'll get to you later! 

Happy Valentine's Day!

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Thursday, February 6, 2025

Poetry Friday - Love is in the Air!

         It's Poetry Friday, and Carol Varsalona is hosting HERE at Beyond Literacy Link. Earlier in the month, Carol gave us a challenge. When we read all these HeartNotes, I think we'll feel as if we're receiving hug after hug after hug! Thank you for hosting, Carol!

      ðŸ’–  I'm hosting next week on Valentine's Day, hoping you might enjoy sharing a favorite love poem, really anything about love in your life.

 


HeartNotes


Here's what Carol wrote:

"I invite all to create a love note, valentine, poem, digital artwork, etc.

 I will create a padlet, titled HeartNotes for interested writers. Join me as I honor Valentine's Day, a love-note to the rest of the year. 

(Jo Lightfoot)"

 

       And here's mine! In September, my husband will have been gone for twelve years. He is always in my heart. I'm going to share something silly, but for those who have said goodbye to loved ones, I imagine you will have a story like this, too. I miss him on birthdays, in Christmas traditions, and in other little things in countless ways. He always, always unloaded the dishwasher! Te he, a minor habit in our lives, but whenever I now unload it, I miss him, and I remember other things he did, for me, for us! 


Love does not stop blooming,

sprinkled with tender care.

Even on the daylong days,

Now, without you there.

                           Linda Baie © 


        More love came in my mailbox these recent days – beautiful postcards from Margaret Simon, Molly Hogan, Mary Lee Hahn, Mona Voelkel, Joyce Uglow, Jone Rush Macculloch, Robyn Hood Black, Gail Aldous, Tabatha Yeatts Lonske, and Tricia Stohr-Hunt. Thank you! 

          


            




Monday, February 3, 2025

Monday Reading - Something for Everyone!

 

    Visit Kellee and Ricki at UnleashingReaders and Jen at Teach Mentor Texts to see what they and others have been reading! Your TBR lists will grow!    


        Congratulations are in order because last Monday, at the ALA awards, this book won the 
Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature. I imagine many readers want to tell all about a book that they loved, like me for this new, winning, graphic story. Yet, then again, I don't wish to give very much of it away! It's wonderful, filled to the brim with anger, tears and smiles. That's no surprise given that it's a coming-of-age story of almost 15-year-old Almudena, who's about to spend her summer with Xavier, the father she's never met. Her mother has the chance to star (and tour) in an international dance show, so Almudena is definitely stuck in an awkward, bound-to-fail situation. What's even worse. She knows very little Spanish, and her dad, only a bit of English. There are many grumpy looks from Almudena and other young ones she meets. There's a jealous girlfriend of Xavier and other young people who manage to name Almudena 'off-brand' because of her mixed heritage. Does she belong anywhere? Yet, as the story slides to the end, people begin to thaw on both sides and form a group we readers would also be happy to become a part of. When readers see how these characters navigate with who and what they don't understand, they may also learn and grow. Mar Julia's way of showing the ups and downs of emotions in her illustrations captures Samuel Teer's story with so much heart. I enjoyed reading his acknowledgments, too. 


        If you love complexity and learning about past historical events, this book by Henning Mankell is the one to find. Published in the early 90's, as Nelson Mandela was rising in popularity, predicted to become the 1st black president of South Africa. You may wonder how Mankell spectacular Detective Kurt Wallander fits into this. That's the intrigue! Wallander is struggling with depression and just returned to his apartment to find all his stereo equipment, and special albums are gone to some dirty thief. He goes to work to be confronted by a sobbing husband whose wife has gone missing. It seems like an ordinary case, but the connection to his wife, who is found dead eventually, broadens the case to a heinous plot to assassinate someone in South Africa, thought to be de Klerk, the current President. There are more, then even more, people to know (including Wallander's family), to love, and to hate. It's mind-blowing to see what happens to Wallander and his colleagues, the regular ones and new ones he must depend on to help. I raced through this one, and I'm now sad it's over. However, I will read more from this writer, sadly gone years ago.


Thanks to Candlewick Press for this copy!

         In a poem of love, Emma Dodd shows that love in beautiful illustrations , too, as a wee dolphin and its mother swim all kinds of ocean waves. She shows her young one that each day is a new beginning, ready to be brave. "When you follow your heart,/you cannot go wrong." The book will be a wonderful gift for a young child on special occasions. 


Thanks to Candlewick Press 
for my copy!

         This is a bit different from the books I've enjoyed from Patrick Ness, and the illustrations throughout the story by Tim Miller will surely make middle-grade readers love it. Those monitor lizards, Zeke, Daniel, and Alicia, are mostly ignored by the other animals, but this time, they've been chosen as hall monitors, a not-so-easy way to make friends, right? They must face not only a few bullies, but one that is worse, a supervillain pelican! I imagine readers will think they've found some comparisons from their own experiences, and perhaps some help! It's the first in a new series by Ness!
Thanks to Candlewick Press for
my copy! 

            For everyone, for Valentine's Day, for teachers who want a fantastic time of writing with students, Joseph Coelho and 21 artist friends create 21 double-page incredible pages, each with a tiny tale full of love and each artist's dream interpretation. There are suggestions for educators at the end for using the tiny tales for inspiration. It is a gorgeous book, and it would also be fun to read aloud with just one or two.

Now reading: The Booklover's Library – Madeline Martin



Thursday, January 30, 2025

Poetry Friday - Something New Discovered

   It's Poetry Friday, and Jan Godown Annino is hosting HERE at Bookseed Studio. She's sharing a poetic basket filled with music, book recommendations, and special calls for poetry! Thanks for hosting, Jan! 

  

            Many of you know that I volunteer at a unique used bookstore. It's a non-profit run entirely by volunteers. I am the volunteer coordinator, and I am in charge of donations with one other person. The store, with the exception of a few new books purchased for one "new" shelf, has three floors of all, used, books. Each week, donations come in, often so many with our small storage available that we must close the donations until the next Friday. On Thursday afternoons, my crew, some older retirees and several teens, go through the books and organize them in various ways for shelving. It's hard work, but also amazing and wonderful to see what arrives in the boxes, mostly gems, but some junk that sadly includes books falling apart and smelly! In all, though, we manage to have hundreds of books in our inventory through the kindness of many.

          I've taken the Poetry Sisters' challenge this end of January. Here's what Tanita wrote last month! 

           "The Poetry Sisters met on Sunday to map out our writing prompts for the year. We have a plan and a prompt for January. Would you like to try this month's challenge? We will be writing a tanku, a poem that begins with a tanka, followed by a haiku written in response. A tanku can be any length, but each verse should be written in response to the one before. You can find an example at Rattle: Poetry. Are you with us? Good! Please share your poem on January 31st in a post and/or on social media with the tag #PoetryPals. We look forward to reading your poems!"



  Don't Call It Work

 

I’m at the bookstore

sorting out book donations,

keep curious eyes

for ephemera discards.

Imagination ignites.

 

Maui Boarding pass.

thank you letter to Emma.

Groceries to buy;

only one makes me smile –

something special for Sam.


Piled in a basket,

the guesses only maybes

characters appear.

 

                     Linda Baie © 

 

        I've received more marvelous postcards, will thank everyone and share next week! The kindness shared keeps the dark away!