After challenging myself on August 4th to read a book a day until I finish the pile of kids books I have selected along with some books of short stories I need to finish, I have read six and a half books, and anticipate finishing the 1/2 today. This means I am a bit ahead of the pace! Yay me!
I have read:
I'll Pass for Your Comrade by Anita Silvey, which I mentioned in the original book challenge post. I really liked this, but it left me wanted to know more about each woman Silvey mentions. Right now I have no time for further research, but someday....
Next was Everything on a Waffle, by Polly Horvath, a Newbery Honor Book from 2002. This one takes place in a quaint town in British Columbia with some stock characters like the gruff uncle, the quirky diner lady, and a sort-of orphan. But when the plot veers away from the expected, the characters do as well, which is I suppose why this was considered for a Newbery.
After that I read the companion books Just as Long as We're Together and Here's to You Rachel Robinson by Judy Blume. I enjoyed both and they moved well covering just brief periods in the lives of 7th graders Stephanie, Rachel, and Alice. These were not as delightful as Tales of a 4th Grade Nothing, nor as controversial as Are You There God it's Me Margaret, but were nonetheless good showings by Blume.
The final book I have read so far in its entirety is Romeo Blue by Phoebe Stone, the sequel to The Romeo and Juliet Code, a book I LOVED! Ironically I stated in my review that I would prefer their not to be a sequel, but there is and I read it and love it too! Just goes to show how much I know. I love Stone's phrasing, it is almost poetic, and since I dislike verse novels, I am surprised I like her style. Because the book takes place during World War II, it is not primarily a happy story, but the way the characters go on with life, managing to find joy amid the awfulness is a real portrayal of life at this time. It is historical fiction, without feeling like historical fiction. I love historical fiction, but my students avoid it, but this is a book that might trick them.
The book I am half done with is Diana Wynne Jones's The Ogre Downstairs. It is really about step-families and not surprisingly, a magical chemical set. So far I am enjoying it. I find Jones's books fabulously inventive. Other people may follow in her footsteps, but she is fresh and unique every time. Not sure what I will move to after this one, it will depend on my mood later this afternoon when I finish.
