North Woods Girl (Aimee Bissonette)

 

I started off the discussion prior to this book with "What are Grandmas like?" Ha! That got some interesting answers. 

Cranky

Strict

And then one person said, "Well, mine is usually pretty kind."

I asked if they were usually sporty...that got a big No! 

They didn't say that mostly they were soft or round....which I kind of expected. 

Apparently there is a good variety of grandmas out there! 

Luckily, when we were finished, one of the comments was, "Well, that wasn't what I expected." This led perfectly into a Notice and Note contrasts and contradictions discussion.





Goodreads says:

“When Grandma tucks her pants into her oversized boots and grabs her walking stick, I run to catch up,” reports a young girl charmed by her visits to Grandma’s north woods home. Their walks take them through the seasons, to a pond with a downed tree just right for sitting, to a garden lush with tomatoes ready for canning, through a snowy nighttime woods where the only sounds are the squeak of boots on snow and the hooting of a distant owl. Whatever the month, there are plenty of woodland critters to observe: squirrels or rabbits or deer, geese or goldeneyes or mergansers. The forest of North Woods Girl is an active, populated place, brought to life by Claudia McGehee’s colorful scratchboard artistry. Time with Grandma teaches about quiet observation, generous sharing of resources, the beauty of the forest and pond at any hour. Grandma is the quintessential north woods girl, breathing deep the piney scents, relishing the chirping activity of her animal neighbors. Small wonder that her admiring granddaughter is inspired to follow in her footsteps. With a tale as understated as Grandma herself, Aimée Bissonette shares a message of appreciating the treasures of our natural surroundings.

Aimée Bissonette is a writer, teacher, and lawyer living in the Twin Cities. This is her first children’s book. Writer-illustrator Claudia McGehee lives in Iowa City. Her previous works include A Tallgrass Prairie Alphabet and A Woodland Counting Book. 

Fly, Eagle, Fly! (Christopher Gregorowski)

This story felt like a First Nations' legend, but it is an African tale. It's a great story about realizing your potential and not settling.

Goodreads says:

After a stormy night, a farmer searching for his lost calf finds a baby eagle that has been blown out of its nest. He takes it home and raises it with his chickens. But when his friend comes to visit one day, he tells the farmer that an eagle should be flying high in the sky, not scrabbling on the ground for grain. How the farmer's friend proves that the bird is an eagle and destined to fly to the sun, is humorously retold by Christopher Gregorowski. Niki Daly's bright water colour illustrations breath life into this powerful and uplifting tale.

The Stone Child (David Roberson)

 

I'm not one to often read a whole series, so I'm pretty proud of myself for getting to this one, the third book in the series. I would do it again too. I love the magic. I love the soul searching. I love the resolution in this book. I think this book is a great resource for understanding more about First Nation's culture and ways. It's beautiful. 

Goodreads says:

It's a race against time to save Eli, in this third book in the award-winning, Narnia-inspired Indigenous middle-grade fantasy series.

After discovering a near-lifeless Eli at the base of the Great Tree, Morgan knows she doesn't have much time to save him. And it will mean asking for help -- from friends old and new. Racing against the clock, and with Arik and Emily at her side, Morgan sets off to follow the trail away from the Great Tree to find Eli's soul before it's too late. As they journey deep into the northern woods, a place they've been warned never to enter, they face new challenges and life-threatening attacks from strange and horrifying creatures. But a surprise ally comes to their aid, and Morgan finds the strength to focus on what's most important: saving her brother's life.

A Mouse Called Miika (Matt Haig)

 

In the Christmas series, this one is my second favorite! This book is listed as 1.5 in the series. You really can't read it without reading A Boy Called Christmas....but this one is not to be missed. I read it aloud to my class. Whenever someone was away, there was no getting away with just moving on. They always had to have a discussion about what they missed. It was a great way to review and summarize. 

Great words of wisdom:

The Truth Pixie: Happiness has nothing to do with good things or bad things. (p. 129)

Miika: All you need to be brave is love. His older sister had been wrong all that time ago. You couldn't live life just looking after yourself. You had to live with yourself too. And he wanted to live not as who he had become. But as who he could be. 

Miika: I'm sorry about all this. I didn't mean to steal the cheese.' He saw the Truth Pixie's doubting eyes. "Well, I did actually. I did mean to steal it. And it was really tasty cheese. And there was enough to live on forever. But I realized that some things are more important than cheese...even excellent cheese." (p. 166)

Miika: 'A me kind of mouse," Miika said. "That is the kind of mouse I am. And I don't need you to like me any more, Bridget the Brave. You can think whatever you want. And to be honest, I didn't like the feeling of being a thief. Even a cheese thief. Yes, Urga-burga is delicious. But no cheese tastes as good as being kind feels. And that's what I want to be. I want to be a kind creature. And sometimes the very bravest thing is to be who you want to be." (p. 173)

"Well, yes," said Nikolas, who was sitting cross-legged on the floor, with his red hat in his hands and his head touching the ceiling. "That's true. You were a cheese thief. But you did the right thing in the end. And it's how things end that matters." Nikolas had tears in his eyes. "And there's nothing more important in the whole world than a good friend." (p. 176)

Truth Pixie: "....the truth is, not everyone will like us. Not everyone we meet will always want the best for us. And not everyone will know our truth. If people want to hate us, it's easier to let them. You see, it is better to be disliked for bei9ng who you are than to be liked for who you are not. Being who you are not is exhausting." (pp. 183-184)

"Be you," the Truth Pixie continued. "Be the full you. Don't try to make yourself small to match someone else. And, sure, fitting in is fine. But it's not as great as standing out. Standing out is..." she searched for the word, "...outstanding!" (p. 184)

Goodreads says:

From the world of A Boy Called Christmas, now a major motion picture, comes the epic adventure of a tiny hero

This is a tale of mice and magic.

It is also a tale of great love (of cheese) and great danger. And of learning the lesson that what matters most--when it comes to cheese and life--is not how strongly you smell but how strong you are on the inside.

The Girl Who Saved Christmas (Matt Haig)

 

This is a book adults AND kids will love. There are lots of 'words of the wiser' sign posts to keep you feeling good. Characters continue from A Boy Called Christmas. Charles Dickens makes an appearance. There are hopeless situations where hope is not lost....and that's where the magic of Christmas comes from. 

I'd definitely read A Boy Called Christmas first, but this is a great follow up. There are lots of great twists and surprising turns that will keep everyone entertained. I wouldn't be surprised if this one was made into a movie as well.

"Life is like a chimney - you sometimes have to get through the dark before you see the light" (p. 53)

Goodreads says:

JOURNEY TO THE EDGE OF MAGIC

If magic has a beginning, can it also have an end?

When Amelia wants a wish to come true she knows just the man to ask - Father Christmas.

But the magic she wants to believe in is starting to fade, and Father Christmas has more than impossible wishes to worry about. Upset elves, reindeers dropping out of the sky, angry trolls and the chance that Christmas might be cancelled.

But Amelia isn't just any ordinary girl. And - as Father Christmas is going to find out - if Christmas is going to be saved, he might not be able to do it alone . . .

Once Upon A Wardrobe

 

I have really loved this book. As Megs, a caracter who leans more towards math and science, discovers the power of story, I was finding myself giving resounding sounds of agreement at the beauty and magic of story. It is a testament of the importance of imagination and the importance of reading.

Through a series of interviews with CS Lewis and his brother, Warnie, Meg discovers how CS Lewis came up with the story of Narnia. I listened to the audio book and read the physical copy sometimes and my ability to keep track of all the various parts of his life were quite muddled and so I don't have anything to record about that. It's a shame. Patti Callihan came up with him very probable connections between his story and his life. 

Goodreads says:

From Patti Callahan, the bestselling author of Becoming Mrs. Lewis, comes another enchanting story that pulls back the curtain on the early life of C. S. Lewis.

“Where did Narnia come from?”

The answer will change everything.

Megs Devonshire is brilliant with numbers and equations, on a scholarship at Oxford, and dreams of solving the greatest mysteries of physics.

She prefers the dependability of facts—except for one: the younger brother she loves with all her heart doesn’t have long to live. When George becomes captivated by a copy of a brand-new book called The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and begs her to find out where Narnia came from, there’s no way she can refuse.

Despite her timidity about approaching the famous author, Megs soon finds herself taking tea with the Oxford don and his own brother, imploring them for answers. What she receives instead are more stories . . . stories of Jack Lewis’s life, which she takes home to George.

Why won’t Mr. Lewis just tell her plainly what George wants to know? The answer will reveal to Meg many truths that science and math cannot, and the gift she thought she was giving to her brother—the story behind Narnia—turns out to be his gift to her, instead: hope. 

Blips on a Screen (Kate Hannigan)

 

I don't know if this could really be considered a biography, but I did read it as part of our biography unit. My class especially enjoyed learning about how video games started. The fact that the person was someone who survived the second world war was also very interesting to my class. 

Goodreads says:

An engaging picture book biography based on the incredible true story of a Jewish refugee who pioneered home video games and launched a worldwide obsession.

Do you ever wonder how video gaming was invented? What came before your PlayStation or Xbox? This is the story of Ralph Baer, a refugee from Nazi Germany, who used his skills--and a lot of ingenuity and persistence--to make life a little more fun.

Television was new when Ralph returned from serving in World War II, but he didn't settle for watching TV. He knew it could be even more fun if you could play with it. He tinkered and tested, got help and rejected, but with perseverance and skill, he made his vision come true! This is the inspiring story of a fearless inventor who made TV video games a reality.

What James Said (Liz Rosenberg)

 

My class really connected with this story. They totally understood this kind of misunderstanding happening. 

Goodreads says:

A funny, heartfelt, perfectly pitched story about misunderstandings and the importance of true friendship.

When a little girl thinks that her best friend James has been saying bad things about her behind her back, she takes action in the form of the silent treatment. As they go about their day and James tries harder and harder to get her to talk to him, they both realize that true friendship surpasses any rumor... or misunderstanding.

A classic childhood situation is brought to life with humor and poignancy with energetic illustrations by Matt Myers and a simple, telling text by Liz Rosenberg.

The Donkey Egg (Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel)

Fox thinks he can trick Bear, but in the end, Fox is hoodwinked. Bear does in fact make something amazing happen with this huge Donkey egg he sits on and waits to hatch. 
 

Goodreads says:

Featuring Bear and Hare from their Caldecott-Honor winning Tops & Bottoms, the Stevens sisters celebrate perseverance and teamwork in this laugh-out-loud story of triumph over trickery.

Bear would rather sleep all day than work on his farm, and Fox knows just the kind of help he needs—a donkey! When Fox tricks Bear into buying a donkey egg, Bear can't wait for it to hatch so he can meet his new friend. But donkeys don't come from eggs! And when the "egg" finally opens, Bear gets a fruity surprise. Luckily, Bear doesn't have to face disappointment alone . . . Hare is there to help!

I Color Myself Different (Colin Kaepernick)

 

I do a pretty good job of staying away from controversial topics in books and don't usually read them in my classroom. I put off reading this one because I thought it would be controversial. It isn't though. It was nice to learn a little more about Colin Kaepernick.

Goodreads says:

An inspiring story of identity and self-esteem from celebrated athlete and activist Colin Kaepernick.



When Colin Kaepernick was five years old, he was given a simple school assignment: draw a picture of yourself and your family. What young Colin does next with his brown crayon changes his whole world and worldview, providing a valuable lesson on embracing and celebrating his Black identity through the power of radical self-love and knowing your inherent worth.



I Color Myself Different is a joyful ode to Black and Brown lives based on real events in young Colin's life that is perfect for every reader's bookshelf. It's a story of self-discovery, staying true to one's self, and advocating for change... even when you're very little!

Just Like Jessie Owens (Gordon James)

 

My students really loved this story. They're quite interested in World War II stories and racism is something that shocks them. This is a great story.

Goodreads says:

Civil rights icon, Ambassador Andrew Young and his daughter, Paula Young Shelton, deliver a powerful oral history about a special day in Andrew’s childhood that changed him forever. This story of race relations in the 1930s South is illustrated by bestselling Caldecott Honor winner Gordon C. James.

As a boy, Andrew Young learned a vital lesson from his parents when a local chapter of the Nazi party instigated racial unrest in their hometown of New Orleans in the 1930s. While Hitler's teachings promoted White supremacy, Andrew's father, told him that when dealing with the sickness of racism, "Don't get mad, get smart." To drive home this idea, Andrew Young Senior took his family to the local movie house to see a newsreel of track star Jesse Owens racing toward Olympic gold, showing the world that the best way to promote equality is to focus on the finish line. The teaching of his parents, and Jesse Owens' example, would be the guiding principles that shaped Andrew's beliefs in nonviolence and built his foundation as a civil rights leader and advisor to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The story is vividly recalled by Paula Young Shelton, Andrew's daughter.

Brave As A Mouse (Nicolo Carozzi)

 

Love this story with a surprising twist. The mouse outsmarts the cats!

Goodreads says:

The friendship of a goldfish and a mouse is in jeopardy when three not-so-friendly felines want to play too.

A goldfish and a mouse become fast friends as they play in and around the goldfish's bowl.

But when three cats crash the party and terrify the poor goldfish, the brave little mouse gets an idea. She leads the three black cats on a wild and epic chase up and down and over and around until they find themselves surrounded by absolutely irresistible food in the pantry. The cats gorge themselves so much that they fall into a deep sleep, but the mouse knows they won't sleep forever. So the brave little mouse gets another idea to keep the goldfish out of harm's way for good!

Daily Rituals: Women At Work (Mason Curry)

 

I came at this book looking for the secrets of success in life. 

I didn't find them. Every single woman had a different style, different rules and different avenues to success. It was interesting though!

Goodreads says:

More of Mason Currey's irresistible Daily Rituals, this time exploring the daily obstacles and rituals of women who are artists--painters, composers, sculptors, scientists, filmmakers, and performers. We see how these brilliant minds get to work, the choices they have to make: rebuffing convention, stealing (or secreting away) time from the pull of husbands, wives, children, obligations, in order to create their creations.


From those who are the masters of their craft (Eudora Welty, Lynn Fontanne, Penelope Fitzgerald, Marie Curie) to those who were recognized in a burst of acclaim (Lorraine Hansberry, Zadie Smith) . . . from Clara Schumann and Shirley Jackson, carving out small amounts of time from family life, to Isadora Duncan and Agnes Martin, rejecting the demands of domesticity, Currey shows us the large and small (and abiding) choices these women made--and continue to make--for their art: Isak Dinesen, "I promised the Devil my soul, and in return he promised me that everything I was going to experience would be turned into tales," Dinesen subsisting on oysters and Champagne but also amphetamines, which gave her the overdrive she required . . . And the rituals (daily and otherwise) that guide these artists: Isabel Allende starting a new book only on January 8th . . . Hilary Mantel taking a shower to combat writers' block ("I am the cleanest person I know") . . . Tallulah Bankhead coping with her three phobias (hating to go to bed, hating to get up, and hating to be alone), which, could she "mute them," would make her life "as slick as a sonnet, but as dull as ditch water" . . . Lillian Hellman chain-smoking three packs of cigarettes and drinking twenty cups of coffee a day--and, after milking the cow and cleaning the barn, writing out of "elation, depression, hope" ("That is the exact order. Hope sets in toward nightfall. That's when you tell yourself that you're going to be better the next time, so help you God.") . . . Diane Arbus, doing what "gnaws at" her . . . Colette, locked in her writing room by her first husband, Henry Gauthier-Villars (nom de plume: Willy) and not being "let out" until completing her daily quota (she wrote five pages a day and threw away the fifth). Colette later said, "A prison is one of the best workshops" . . . Jessye Norman disdaining routines or rituals of any kind, seeing them as "a crutch" . . . and Octavia Butler writing every day no matter what ("screw inspiration").
Germaine de Staël . . . Elizabeth Barrett Browning . . . George Eliot . . . Edith Wharton . . . Virginia Woolf . . . Edna Ferber . . . Doris Lessing . . . Pina Bausch . . . Frida Kahlo . . . Marguerite Duras . . . Helen Frankenthaler . . . Patti Smith, and 131 more--on their daily routines, superstitions, fears, eating (and drinking) habits, and other finely (and not so finely) calibrated rituals that help summon up willpower and self-discipline, keeping themselves afloat with optimism and fight, as they create (and avoid creating) their creations.