Hold Tight (Harlan Coben)

This was a book club pick for me. It took me a little while to get into it. I was fascinated by the premise of parents concerned about their teenager and monitoring his on-line activity - but I was also a little afraid to get too into it and find out what was going on. I think partially, I know I don't monitor my teenager's online activity very well and I was afraid to read about awful stuff happening and having to wonder if that could happen to my kid. Once I got into the story though, it was hard to put down. It was definitely a page turner.

I had trouble keeping all the characters straight. There are A LOT of characters in this book. I should have written them all down. Instead I kept them in this loose net in my mind, with some slipping through.

It made for a great discussion at book club. There were so many difficult and controversial topics: perfectionism, teenage suicide, teenage privacy versus monitoring, family secrets, etc.

I should probably read it again and see if I see hints dropped here and there that I didn't see the first time around.


Goodreads says:

Harlan Coben delivers a #1 New York Times bestseller that asks how well parents really know their children—and puts them on a technological roller coaster of their worst fears.

“We’re losing him.” With those words, Mike and Tia Baye decide to spy on their sixteen-year-old son Adam, who has become increasingly moody and withdrawn since the suicide of his best friend. The software they install on his computer shows them every Web site visited, every e-mail sent or received, every instant message. And each keystroke draws them deeper and deeper into a maze of mayhem and violence that could destroy them all... 

The Wild Robot Escapes (Peter Brown)

Who would think a J fiction book could pull such emotions out and be so entertaining! This book is a beauty. After I finished The Wild Robot, I went to the library that day and got the second book. I had to find out what happened to Roz. I think there could even be a third book. I hope there will be! In this book, Roz meets her maker (like her real maker...the person who made her) and they are very different from each other. Roz is soft hearted and loves her child (a goose), but her maker has spent her entire life alone. I loved how Roz got to know her and didn't judge her.

The author's story of writing the book is a thrill to read as well.

March 2, 2020:

I read The Wild Robot to my class this year and really didn't intend on reading book two. I thought I'd inspire them to go off and find the book themselves - but no. There was no talking them out of it. We HAD to read The Wild Robot Escapes together. 

This really is an amazing book and reading it aloud brought all sorts of new emotions (who cries in a robot book?! Me!) and they loved it. This book would make a GREAT movie and we sure would LOVE to read a book three. 

Roz on how she survived: p. 240 "Although I could speak to the animals, they still do not trust me," said Roz. "So I tried to win them over with kindness. Animals ran frm me and laughed at me and attacked me, and I always responded with kindness. It was a good strategy. But the real key to my survival came in the form of a gosling. When I adopted Brightbull everything changed. I was finally accepted by the animals. I was surrounded by friends and families. I was home."

p. 241: "Every problem has a peaceful solution. Violence is unnecessary."

p. 242: While talking to Dr Molovo, Roz discusses her purpose:
..."I have to imagine everything that could possibly go wrong. But all my decisions are guided by a single question: What is the robot's purpose?"
Quietly, Roz asked her Designer, "What is my purpose?"
"I'm sorry to disappoint you, Roz, but you don't have some grand purpose. Like all the other ROZZUM robots, you were designed to work for robots. That's it."
The robot thought for a moment, then she said, "I once suggested to a group of wild animals that my purpose might simply be to help others."
The Designer thought for a moment. Then she said, "When you put it that way, your purpose does sound rather grand, doesn't it?"

Reread October 2023

p. 243 The robot thought for a moment. Then she said, "I once suggested to a group of wild animals that my purpose might simply be to help others."

If only everyone realized that that is perhaps everyone's purpose! 

Goodreads says:

Shipwrecked on a remote, wild island, Robot Roz learned from the unwelcoming animal inhabitants and adapted to her surroundings--but can she survive the challenges of the civilized world and find her way home to Brightbill and the island?

The Wild Robot (Peter Brown)

Wow! I couldn't stop reading when I started The Wild Robot. It's a beautiful and compelling story. I have book two on audio book waiting for me from the public library so I plan to jump into it right away. I have to know what happens to Roz.

I think it would make a great One School One Book selection. It is a simple story for young kids and has enough complex issues for discussion.

Peter Brown is the author of many picture books that we have read and loved:
Creepy Carrots!
Children Make Terrible Pets
Mr. Tiger Goes Wild
My Teacher is a Monster (No I'm Not!)

February 3, 2021: Read this aloud to my class. They were totally captivated by the story. I was a little worried that the violence at the end of the story when the Ricoh robots come to take Roz back would be too much - but they actually seemed to totally love it. This story really kept them on the edge of their seat.

May 6, 2022: Read aloud was a huge success. Students want me to read book 2 but we are going to use it in our literature circle/in-class book clubs.

Notice and Note Signposts

Tough Question? Ah ha Moment? Contrast and Contradiction?
p. 118 It was the first ship either of them had ever laid eyes on. From that distance, it looked as though it were moving slowly, but it was actually racing through the waves. From the distance, it looked as though it were small, but it was actually one of the largest ships ever built. The robot and the gosling watched it drawl across the ocean until it finally disappeared to the south.
Where had the ship come from? Where was it going? Who was on board? Roz and Brightbill had many questions but no answers.

Contrast and Contradiction

What does it mean to be alive?
p. 125 "What do you mean, you're not alive?" squawked Brightbill.
"It's true," said Roz. "I am not an animal. I do not eat or breathe. I am not alive."
"You move and talk and think, Mama. You're definitely alive."

Roz and the animals versus the Recos

Chapters 70-75

Memory Moment
Chapter 63 The Journey: Brightbill tells Roz about his migration experiences. Lots of foreshadowing!

October 29, 2022: Read it as a read-aloud again. It was a hit once again. I decided I will not read the second book aloud and instead will encourage students to read it on their own. 
Interestingly, this year a lot of kids had a hard time with the pronouns for Roz. Even though she was a mother. Even though the book clearly talks about the character as a she, they often referred to Roz initially as he. This video made me think maybe children are starting to break the barriers of gender stereotypes?

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMFSsN8S7/ 

Goodreads says:

When robot Roz opens her eyes for the first time, she discovers that she is alone on a remote, wild island. Why is she there? Where did she come from? And, most important, how will she survive in her harsh surroundings? Roz's only hope is to learn from the island's hostile animal inhabitants. When she tries to care for an orphaned gosling, the other animals finally decide to help, and the island starts to feel like home. Until one day, the robot's mysterious past comes back to haunt her.... 

Bad Guys (Aaron Blabey)

When I read books like this I'm reminded why kids love graphic novels. This one is hilarious and clever.

I bought it because one student in my class gave me Two Dogs in a Trenchcoat to read. Since it was so great, I figured I should give him a recommendation to read. Looking forward to hearing his thoughts when summer is over! It reminded me of a great pop up book we got in our classroom this year called Inside the Villains. They are a misunderstood lot!

Goodreads says:

They sound like the Bad Guys, they look like the Bad Guys . . . and they even smell like the Bad Guys. But Mr Wolf, Mr Piranha, Mr Snake and Mr Shark are about to change all of that! Mr Wolf has a daring plan for the Bad Guys first good mission. The gang are going to break 200 dogs out of the Maximum Security City Dog Pound. Will Operation Dog Pound go smoothly? Will the Bad Guys become the Good Guys? And will Mr Snake please spit out Mr Piranha?

Don't Touch My Hair (Sharee Miller)

I picked up this book because both of my kids don't like it when people touch their hair.

A great conversation starter about personal boundaries. Often kids don't know how to respond appropriately when people do things they are uncomfortable with. Also, it's good for children to learn to ask permission.



Goodreads says:
An entertaining picture book that teaches the importance of asking for permission first as a young girl attempts to escape the curious hands that want to touch her hair.

It seems that wherever Aria goes, someone wants to touch her hair. In the street, strangers reach for her fluffy curls; and even under the sea, in the jungle, and in space, she’s chased by a mermaid, monkeys, and poked by aliens…until, finally, Aria has had enough!

Author-illustrator Sharee Miller takes the tradition of appreciation of black hair to a new, fresh, level as she doesn’t seek to convince or remind young readers that their curls are beautiful–she simply acknowledges black beauty while telling a fun, imaginative story.

The Important Thing About Margaret Wise Brown (Mac Barnett and Sarah Jacoby)

I was curious about this book. I've read a ton of Mac Barnett books and I wondered who Margaret Wise Brown was. Surprise! She is the author of iconic books like Goodnight Moon and Runaway Bunny. Apparently, she wrote over 100 books!

It did not seem important that
any one wrote these stories. They were true.
And it still does't seem important!
All this emphasis today on who writes what
seems silly to me as far as
children are concerned."

- Margaret Wise Brown

It tells you all sorts of interesting facts about the books she wrote and about her. Patience and Fortitude (the two lions in front of the New York Public Library (who also appear in Lost in the Library and The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil Frankweiler) You really get a god feel for the eccentric and amazing Margaret Wise Brown in this story. I loved it!

This would be a great book to read to start off our biography writing project!

Goodreads says:

A dazzling picture book biography of Margaret Wise Brown, the legendary author of Goodnight Moon, Runaway Bunny, and other children’s classics, that is as fearless and groundbreaking as the icon herself was—from award-winning, bestselling author Mac Barnett and rising star illustrator Sarah Jacoby

What is important about Margaret Wise Brown?

In 42 inspired pages, this biography by award-winning writer Mac Barnett vividly depicts one of the greatest children’s book creators who ever lived: Margaret Wise Brown, the author of Goodnight Moon, The Runaway Bunny, and The Little Fur Family. Illustrated with sumptuous art by rising star Sarah Jacoby, this is essential reading for book lovers of every age.

Two Dogs in a Trench Coat Start a Club by Accident (Julie Falatko)

One of my students gave me this book to read. He said, "This is really good. You have to read it."

I can see why he thought it was really good. It's silly and fun. Ever wondered what your dog is thinking? This book will give you insight into that! These dogs love their owners, meat, cheese and running in circles. Seems legit!

Goodreads says:

Sassy and Waldo love school! Everything smells like meat and dirty socks! And they love being able to help Stewart.

When Stewart has to stay late after school for a Junior Office Supply Enthusiasts meeting, Sassy and Waldo are left alone to raid the cafeteria's refrigerator. As Sassy and Waldo's after school antics escalate, hilarity ensues as the two dogs start a club...by accident.