It's Monday - New and Old

          

        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!   

        

      I didn't realize this was really a long 'chapter book', and have been struggling with finding time to read it plus two others. But I am a huge fan of Grace Lin's books and this feels like a project that connects with her earlier writing, research she's done for a long time, and her love for tales from her heritage. It's an encyclopedia of Chinese food with explanation of origins, various similar tales, language nuances that most of us possibly need to know if we aren't Chinese, and Grace Lin adds to its beauty with her glorious illustrations throughout. She does this all in seven chapters (Chopsticks, Tea, Appetizers, etc.), with an intro, a special recipe from her mother, endnotes, a bibliography, and an index. There is a timeline to link the stories and food with various dynasties and a map of China to connect with various areas. All the stories seem special and since I didn't grow up in a Chinese household, new to me. I loved hearing about chopsticks and the way Oolong tea got its name and so much more. There's a lot. You could choose a favorite Chinese food, then read the story of it and if you are teaching, you could read the parts about student favorites. It's an amazing creation by Grace Lin!

       Donated to the used bookstore where I work, a fun ABC book by Maurice Sendak. Nothing's funnier than his illustrations and this one adds to the humor with what, per the alphabet, the alligators are doing!

      It's a special donation to the used bookstore where I work, a book by Mildren Pitts Walter, one of the earliest African American writers I learned about and this is a book I remember reading to my classes when teaching. She is from Colorado and appears to still be living, is 102! This special book is also autographed! It's an interesting story that might not happen today but my own grandmother told of people who came through town, entertaining through some talent to earn a little money or a meal. This time a young boy named Ty was in the woods, hidden by tall grass and watching animals at a pond when a man came through, sat down and started eating bread, cheese, and an apple. He made an odd "step-th-hump" sound as he walked; he had a wooden peg for one of his legs! This mysterious man told Ty if he brought a tin pail, a washboard, two wooden spoons, and a comb, he'd meet everyone at sundown and become a "one-man band". The end of the story is rather magical when Ty's mystery man showed everyone a joyful evening. I'd love to see that "one-man band", too.

       Thanks to Myra and for my wonderful library who had this book! Wordless but shouting out in a war-torn world, written after the beginning of the Russian attack on Ukraine by Ukrainian Oleksandr Shatokhin. Not only is the hope shown vividly but perhaps this will offer hope to the latest war between Hamas and Israel. For children who need support everywhere! Brain Pickings also featured it here!

 

Adult Mystery

           All your favorites are there, a bit more introspective, more poignant, and as Osman offers every time, good and not-so-good surprises. New intriguing characters appear, too, thus I wonder if they'll return? I noted one part, alluding to the title: "New devils will always spring up, like daffodils in springtime. I enjoyed the mystery, the philosophy inherent to aging, or from those beginning to choose new adventures. It's a good "next" story from The Thursday Murder Club.

Now Reading: I am nearly finished withErin Bow's Simon Sort of Says, also finishing up  Barracoon by Zora Neale Hurston and Ibram X. Kendi, adapted for young readers.