Monday Reading

              Visit Jen at Teach MentorTexts and Kellee and Ricki at UnleashingReaders to discover books you'll love!        tweet #IMWAYR

      I took a break last week but didn't stop reading!  Here are a few books I would recommend!

          There's something so good in this sweet story about a young boy learning about life with those around him who help in loving ways, his mother and his teacher especially, and toward the end, one classmate. Change for this boy called Bat is hard, yet managed in the most subtle of ways by Elana Arnold. His mother is a veterinarian who has brought home an abandoned baby skunk that needs care until time to be released in the wild. Bat falls in love, and cannot figure out why he isn't going to be able to keep it forever. Slowly, we recognize that this is a singular young boy who's a little quirky about his likes and dislikes, but his changes along with others' acceptance along the way make it a wonderful read.

This arrives May 2nd, and it was exciting to read Elizabeth Wein's new, and wonderful, historical fiction book. I've shared Code Name Verity, Rose Under Fire, and Black Dove, White Raven to many others. This is a prequel to "the" Julia Beaufort-Stuart's story in Code Name Verity. When I first realized it, this coming-of-age story became a bit sad because I know what her future holds. This time, coming home for summer break and to finish packing up the family's mansion that has been given over to a boys' school, Julie wakes up in the hospital, wondering what in the world this summer will bring. It's certainly not going to be what was expected. And things become even more mixed up as the days move on in this pre-war story. Readers will be fascinated to learn of the social conflicts between Scottish Travellers and the landed gentry and the Scottish River pearls which form the real mystery confounded (like always?) by stereotyping and greed. The pleasure of knowing more about Julie's life was so satisfying, and to learn her growing up thoughts and courage to act was no surprise. Each character, like those in other's of Wein's stories, also show many layers, some very surprising. I loved every bit, and am sorry to see it end. Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy!

           Imagining where a river goes is what this young girl does as she gazes out her window. From the river to the sea, the girl wanders along in a tiny silver boat through farmlands, jungles, and by night to the sea. It's a magical story, but also might be a wonderful introduction to the geography surrounding rivers and their tributaries. The illustrations show the river flowing through as an imaginary line, a clever and beautiful way to show the varied parts of its journey.

          Finally, I have a copy of this loving book, one for every age. In simple and quite effective black and white drawings, Elisha Cooper tells of a cat enjoying life, and then, surprise! Another cat joins the household. The 'big cat' teaches the 'little cat' how things go eating and sleeping and playing. After a few years, both are 'big cats'. And so life goes until one must leave and not return. It's a sweet remembrance of life's journey, changes, and renewal, too. If you have had a loss recently, this is a book to read that will share and give voice to your feelings. I loved it!

             With poetic lines, Jennifer Ward takes the reader along to tell what some animals wear, and Jing Jing Tsong used bold collage illustrators that help us see those animals. It's a beautiful book and a nice introduction to animal adaptation for survival. There are short paragraphs of additional information of all eighteen animals, including humans! 

              Found at a library sale, this gathering of poems forms a story of a Canadian prairie childhood is told by a well-known Métis (a person of mixed American Indian and Euro-American ancestry in primarily Western Canada) writer/teacher/lecturer. The poems with a nostalgic refrain take readers through a year of season's including hard work and play. Illustrations by Peter Shostak, an award-winning Canadian artist beautifully show the allure of the huge expanses one sees in the prairie.

           A debut novel, translated from French, one that will be wonderful to have on hand to brighten a hard day for anyone. In poetic lines, a man flies through crowds and a rainstorm, grumping at the weather and the crowds that seem to be making him late. He notices nothing but the dark day until a gust of wind takes his umbrella to the feet of a boy admiring the treats of a patisserie. The dark illustrations lighten, color emerges, and through sharing, joy happens. 

            I'm in the midst of finishing a few books and just started Red Scarf Girl by Ji-li Jiang, one I know I missed several years ago. So far it's fascinating!

 Happy Reading!