Stop Walking on Eggshells (Paul T Mason)

 

This is a great book to help understand people inexplicable people. When I have interactions with narcissistic people or people who in general have really terrible interpersonal skills, I find myself wanting to figure out why they do some of the illogical things they do. This book really has helped me understand that there are just some things I cannot fix and that I just shouldn't worry about.  It is also a great resource for helping know when to step back and draw up sound boundary lines.

Goodreads says:Stop Walking on Eggshells: Coping When Someone You Care About Has Borderline Personality Disorder is a self-help guide that helps the family members and friends of individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD) understand this self-destructive disorder and learn what they can do to cope with it and take care of themselves. It is designed to help them understand how the disorder affects their loved ones and recognize what they can do to get off the emotional roller coasters and take care of themselves.

The Probability of Everything (Sarah Everett)

 

This could be the best book I've  read all year. In the first 200 pages it was okay and then there was a twist that changed everything. I had 100 pages to go until book club tonight and I thought I'd get up early and finish the rest of the book. I didn't quite finish before school started so I had to steal time here and there. I finished it during DEAR time while everyone was reading and when DEAR was over I said to my class, "Can we just sit still and be sad for a moment?" Of course they wanted to know why....and it wasn't something I could even explain. I think the fact that there is so much math involved in the storyline caused me to suspend any idea that it was nothing but realistic fiction....only to realize I had been totally fooled! 

I just loved this book. It is one I'd read again. It would be interesting to read it a second time to see what subtle hints were given that I totally missed. It isn't one I'd read aloud to my students though. There are some tough topics. However, it would be great for middle and high school, for sure.

Everyone in book club loved it too. 

It made me wonder what I would put in a time capsule to represent myself. This is going to take some thought! 

The author is from Edmonton too! Pam H sent the author a message saying, "This would make an AMAZING one act play! Let's collaborate!"

Favorite quotes:

p. 254 As you grow up, you're going to hear a lot of opinions about the right way to be Black. A lot of people will tell you to turn the other cheek or stay in our lane or just be quiet, stay in the neighborhood where everyone looks like you. But you deserve a world where the way you're treated is based on your character and not your  skin color. And you're allowed to fight for that world; you're allowed to make waves.

...if I'm being honest with you, Grit, I'm tired. I'm tired of the way we've been treated in Pineview. I'm tired of the odd looks and the suspicion and the disrespect. I'm even more tired of turning on the news and seeing the way Black people are treated everywhere. I'm tired of making a political statement just by existing, just by being black. And I think that's okay. Tired is okay. I don't have to Make A Statement every minute of every day. I can love myself and love my family and be a human and that's enough. 

p. 293 I nod, because I will do anything for him. Becaause he is my favorite person in the universe. Because if fathers  can be friends, he is mine, and even if they can't, he is mind.

p. 294 on losing someone through death:

....I'll always be one of you, but I can't be here the way I want to be. Remember what I s aid that day when we looked at the stars? People get closer or farther away, so you have to be strong and wonderful and wise and silly and everything you are without me. You have to be that Statgirl. That's what will make me happiest of all.

I wiped my nose on the sleeve of my dress.

p. 305 Now, Mom says something I don't expect. "I'm more than just sad. I'm determined. I'm resilient. I'm angry too. Angry as heck that someone would hurt your afther for such a stupid reason or for absolutely no reason at all. Because he never thought we belonged there, so of course we were in his house. I'm angry that whatever happens to the man who did this will not be nearly as bad as what has happened to us. I'm not going to tell yo uthat it will get any less painful or any less hard, but we will get through it.

p. 307....she whispers, "You don't have to be strong, baby. We'll do it weak. We'll limp and hurt and take everything one day at a time....

Setting
Neighborhood called Pineview - the "nice" part of Elderton (p. 7)

Characters

Mom (Bim)

Dad (Jar p. 131)

Lo (little sister)

Baby Z (baby due in  months)

Jeremiah Woods (Dad's BFF)

Mrs. Sorensen (neighbor who always just walks right in p. 14)

Kemi (cousin)

Dia (Chinese American friend)

Grandma (speaks Yoruba....Nigerian language)

Aunt Miriam - a feelings doctor (psychologist?)

Ty - Kemi's twin who died (p. 55)

Lois! (waitress at Patricia's diner) p. 90

Uncle Jere - surgeon

Uncle Steve

Jen - oldest cousin

Goodreads says:

A heart-wrenching middle grade debut about Kemi, an aspiring scientist who loves statistics and facts, as she navigates grief and loss at a moment when life as she knows it changes forever.

Eleven-year-old Kemi Carter loves scientific facts, specifically probability. It's how she understands the world and her place in it. Kemi knows her odds of being born were 1 in 5 .5 trillion, and that the odds of her having the best family ever were even lower. Yet somehow, Kemi lucked out.

But everything Kemi thought she knew changes when she sees an asteroid hover in the sky, casting a purple haze over her world. Amplus-68 has an 84. 7% chance of colliding with earth in four days, and with that collision, Kemi’s life as she knows it will end.

But over the course of the four days, even facts don’t feel true to Kemi anymore. The new town she moved to that was supposed to be “better for her family” isn’t very welcoming. And Amplus-68 is taking over her life, but others are still going to school and eating at their favorite diner like nothing has changed. Is Kemi the only one who feels like the world is ending?

With the days numbered, Kemi decides to put together a time capsule that will capture her family’s truth: how creative her mother is, how inquisitive her little sister can be, and how much Kemi's whole world revolves around her father. But no time capsule can change the truth behind all of it, that Kemi must face the most inevitable and hardest part of life: saying goodbye.

Built To Last (Minh Le and Dan Santat)

 

Quick read. Amazing illustrations. Profound story. Totally the brilliance I'd expect from Minh Le and Dan Santat.

Goodreads says:

Meet two friends who think they're building imaginative worlds with blocks but come to realize they've been building something far greater--a sturdy, solid friendship--in this picturebook by award-winning creators.

Two kids build entire worlds out of blocks, cardboard, and imagination. From boats attacked by a sea creature to a castle crumbling into the ocean. And they don’t mind when these creations break apart and CRASH to the floor. In fact, they think it’s pretty funny! Every time, a creation falls apart, they pick up the pieces and keep building bigger and better.

But when their latest masterpiece tumbles down in spectacular fashion, the boys aren’t laughing anymore. Have these two friends reached their breaking point?

Playful text by wordsmith Minh Le and dazzling illustrations by artisan Dan Santat showcase their close collaboration in their latest picturebook. As merry as it is moving, here is a story that recognizes the friendships in life that are truly built to last.

Here Be Dragons (Susannah Lloyd)

 

I think I will love reading this book aloud to my class. It kind of reminds me of Sam and Dave Dig a HoleSam and Dave Dig a Hole. Foolishness which doesn't fool the kids is always a hit. 

Goodreads says:

Children will love this funny, witty and hugely enjoyable book about a very silly knight who goes in search of a dragon!

This book is about a knight on a mission: to find and slay a dragon. The other knights have told him that there's no such thing as dragons, but he doesn't care. For he has a map, and the map says: 

"HERE BE DRAGONS."

He travels right to the spot marked ‘X’, past treasure, suspicious bones and many signs telling him to turn back. He wanders up and down a huge, spiky hill (the dragon's back) shouts into a burrow (the dragon's nose) and eventually walks into a cave (the dragon's mouth)… Will the hapless knight see the dragon before it's too late?! 

Young readers will love spotting the dragon in the background in this laugh-out-loud story from the author of This Book Can Read Your Mind. 

Beautiful and comedic illustrations with hidden clues hinting at the dragon's whereabouts accompany funny and lively text which young readers and their parents alike will love to read aloud!

The Tree of Life (Elisa Boxer)

 

My students are fascinated with war and how terrible things happen. This is a great way to talk about that topic with a beautiful aspect. People are amazing.

Goodreads says:

Hope triumphs over fear in this poignant and impactful true story of the Holocaust—a delicate introduction to World War Two history for older picture book readers.

During World War Two, in the concentration camp Terezin, a group of Jewish children and their devoted teacher planted and nurtured a smuggled-in sapling. Over time fewer and fewer children were left to care for the little tree, but those who remained kept lovingly sharing their water with it. When the war finally ended and the prisoners were freed, the sapling had grown into a strong five-foot-tall maple.

Nearly eighty years later the tree’s 600 descendants around the world are thriving . . . including one that was planted at New York City’s Museum of Jewish Heritage in 2021. Students will continue to care for it for generations to come, and the world will remember the brave teacher and children who never gave up nurturing a brighter future.

Stickler Loves The World (Lane Smith)

 

Happiness comes from noticing all the beauty around us. Stickler has that figured out! 


Goodreads says:

From award-winning author/illustrator Lane Smith comes Stickler, a woodland creature who reminds us to appreciate the everyday wonders we often ignore. In a picture book that’s both silly and sweet, readers will find Stickler’s enthusiasm irresistible and see the world anew.

And just think of the wonders we must pass every day without even noticing!

Stickler, an original character covered in sticks and with multiple ever-changing eyes, loves its little world. With best friend Crow, it shares the wonders of all the amazing things the world has to offer. Stickler is astonished by the ordinary, such as the sun and the stars, as well as fascinated by those things in nature that are often overlooked, such as swirling seed pods falling from the sky. The two pals wander about the world, stopping to appreciate the many marvels along the way, especially its beloved sticks, each one unique.

Stickler Loves the World encourages awareness and mindfulness with a joyous and lighthearted touch. The award-winning illustrator of bestsellers including Penguin Problems and Giraffe Problems brings imagination and humor to a story that features a delightful and original character.

Where the Forest Meets the Stars (Glendy Vanderah)

 

This story had a few intense moments....but over all I did not find myself being pulled through the story. I saw a few Booktoks and videos on YouTube where people ravedabout it. I didn't have the same experience. The alien aspect was weird and everything just wrapped up a little too nicely. Lots of people in book club said it was an easy read that they read in a day....but I didn't find that. It wasn't grabbing me so I didn't find myself reading for long periods of time. It was just okay, if you ask me. Some of the characters were not very believable either - Gabe and his mental illness....not really addressed. His mean sister. Why was she such a grump anyway? Some other characters were just under-developed and appeared now and then in the story. 

Spoiler: the story was more believable (ie 9 year olds reading and understanding Shakespeare overnight) when she was an alien. 

Goodreads says:

In this gorgeously stunning debut, a mysterious child teaches two strangers how to love and trust again.

After the loss of her mother and her own battle with breast cancer, Joanna Teale returns to her graduate research on nesting birds in rural Illinois, determined to prove that her recent hardships have not broken her. She throws herself into her work from dusk to dawn, until her solitary routine is disrupted by the appearance of a mysterious child who shows up at her cabin barefoot and covered in bruises.

The girl calls herself Ursa, and she claims to have been sent from the stars to witness five miracles. With concerns about the child’s home situation, Jo reluctantly agrees to let her stay―just until she learns more about Ursa’s past.

Jo enlists the help of her reclusive neighbor, Gabriel Nash, to solve the mystery of the charming child. But the more time they spend together, the more questions they have. How does a young girl not only read but understand Shakespeare? Why do good things keep happening in her presence? And why aren’t Jo and Gabe checking the missing children’s website anymore?

Though the three have formed an incredible bond, they know difficult choices must be made. As the summer nears an end and Ursa gets closer to her fifth miracle, her dangerous past closes in. When it finally catches up to them, all of their painful secrets will be forced into the open, and their fates will be left to the stars.

In My Heart (Jo Witek)

 

I predict that after I read this book to my class they will want to make a picture book with cut out hearts like this one. 

A good jumping point for talking about feelings.

Goodreads says:

Sometimes my heart feels like a big yellow star, shiny and bright.
I smile from ear to ear and twirl around so fast,
I feel as if I could take off into the sky.
This is when my heart is happy.

Happiness, sadness, bravery, anger, shyness . . . our hearts can feel so many feelings! Some make us feel as light as a balloon, others as heavy as an elephant. In My Heart explores a full range of emotions, describing how they feel physically, inside. With language that is lyrical but also direct, toddlers will be empowered by this new vocabulary and able to practice articulating and identifying their own emotions. With whimsical illustrations and an irresistible die-cut heart that extends through each spread, this unique feelings book is gorgeously packaged.

When You Need Wings (Lita Judge)

 

This could be a good starting point for talking about looking inside yourself for strength when you feel anxious. 

Goodreads says:

On a day when you feel
like no one is listening,
and you wish you could just disappear,
shut your eyes and listen.
Do you hear it?
That isn't your heart.
That is the sound of your very own wings
beating within.

Lita Judge takes readers on an exploration of a child's imagination, weaving in a gentle suggestion of how to explore that bountiful inner world, and let it help them shine with courage in the real one.

Marsha is Magnetic (Beth Ferry)

 

Fun way to introduce scientific method! 
Marsha's mom is getting ready for a party. Marsha, who seems to be a little bit like Amelia Bedelia who takes things very literally, has her own way of getting ready and it involves science!

Goodreads says:

It turns out that the best way to draw others to you is by being yourself. 

Marsha is a scientist who has never met a problem she couldn't solve. But when it comes to making friends to invite to her birthday party, she is stumped.

Luckily, Marsha knows the solution to being stumped: the scientific method.

With creativity, determination, and humor, Marsha sets out to attract as many friends as she can—what could possibly go wrong?

How To Be A Positive Leader (Jane E Dutton Gretchen M Spreitzer)

 

There are actually many many authors of this book:

Oana Branzei
Kim Cameron
Jane E Dutton
Karen Golden-Biddle
Adam M Grant
Erika Hayes James
Shirli Kopelman
Ramaswami Mahalingam
David M Mayer
Christine Porath
Robert E Quinn
Gretchen Preitzer
Laura Morgan Roberts
Scott Soneshein
Anjan V Thakor
Lynn Perry Wooten
Amy Wrzesniewski

They authors are  all PhDs and leaders in business and leadership research.  The forward is by Shawn Anchor, who is well known for writing The Happiness Advantage and Before Happiness

They're all really great and wise people!! I can see that this could be a group book study to do over a year and work on implementing many of their suggestions. I can see how the organization I work for has many of these things in place. There are things I could do though to make my work life better. I decided first to focus on high quality connections. I'm tracking my efforts each day in May.

Table of Contents:

1. Foster Positive Relationships

    1. Build High-Quality Connections
    2. Outsource Inspiration
    3. Negotiate Mindfully

II. Unlock Resources From Within
    4. Enable Thriving at Work
    5. Cultivate Positive Identifies
    6. Engage in Job Crafting

III. Tap Into The Good

    7. Activate Virtuousness
    8. Lead an Ethical Organization
    9. Imbue the Organization with a Higher Purpose

IV. Create Resourceful Change

    10. Cultivate Hope: Found, Not Lost
    11. Create Micro-moves for Organizational Changes
    12. Treat Employees as Resources, Not Resisters
    13. Create Opportunity From Crisis

Goodreads says:

Positive leaders are able to dramatically expand their people’s—and their own—capacity for excellence. And they accomplish this without enormous expenditures or huge heroic gestures. Here leading scholars—including Adam Grant, author of the bestselling Give and Take ; positive organizational scholarship movement cofounders Kim Cameron and Robert Quinn; and thirteen more—describe how this is being done at companies such as Wells Fargo, Ford, Kelly Services, Burt’s Bees, Connecticut’s Griffin Hospital, the Michigan-based Zingerman’s Community of Businesses, and many others. They show that, like the butterfly in Brazil whose flapping wings create a typhoon in Texas, you can create profound positive change in your organization through simple actions and attitude shifts.

Pig On The Titanic (Gary Crew)

 

I feel like the title of this is kind of click bait. It wasn't a real pig. Someone had a good luck pig that made music. It is a true story...and it's a cute story, especially for Titanic aficionados! 

Goodreads says:

 A pig on a passenger liner?

Impossible!
No! No! It's me ...
Maxixe, the music box pig! Everyone knows the story of the night the great ship Titanic sank. But few know the story of Maxixe, one of the unsung heroes of that night, and how this small musical pig soothed the fears of a lifeboat full of children. Based on true events, this dramatic story by author Gary Crew is told through the charming and compassionate voice of Maxixe, and is brought to life by the stunning artwork of illustrator Bruce Whatley.

Peaceful Me (Sandra V Feder)

 

Good story for introducing medication and seeking personal peace.

Goodreads says; 

A young child tells us about the different times when he feels peaceful, as well as how he copes when he needs to find a peaceful state again.

Acclaimed picture-book creators Sandra V. Feder and Rahele Jomepour Bell have teamed up once again to create a thoughtful and beautifully illustrated exploration of peacefulness.

“I like feeling peaceful,” the young narrator tells us, then describes the times when he is filled with this emotion. When he is playing with a friend, he feels “free peaceful”; when he is having family dinner, “yummy peaceful”; when he is outside gazing up at the sky, “fluffy clouds peaceful". But, of course, he doesn’t always feel peaceful, and we hear about his strategies for coping during those times, such as taking deep breaths, imagining his favorite things, and finding a quiet refuge or a hug.

Peaceful Me is the perfect companion to Angry Me ― together, they encourage readers to let anger come and go, while inviting peace to come and stay.

Anita and the Dragons (Hannah Carmona)

 

The dragons in this story are the planes that fly overhead. The main character imagines herself as a princess. In time, it's time to board one of those dragons and immigrate to a new country. She is brave.

Goodreads says:

A beautifully tender story touching on the range of emotions immigrants may feel when leaving their home countries – excitement and sorrow, fear and courage. Anita watches the dragons high above her as she hops from one cement roof to another in her village in the Dominican Republic. But being the valiant princesa she is, she never lets them scare her. Will she be brave enough to enter the belly of the beast and take flight to new adventures? A Barnes & Noble Bookseller Favorite. A BookTrust Book of the Month. A Love Reading For Schools Book of the Month.

“A gorgeous story about the love of one’s homeland and the courage it takes to emigrate”― Kirkus Reviews , STARRED “Anita's courage as she flies off with the dragons to a new land will linger long after the final page”― Girls Read The World “What a punch this book packs. Hannah Carmona’s lyrical narrative is paired with THE dreamiest artwork by Anna Cunha – I’m obsessed with the color palette, and the gentle simplicity of her spreads is calming, yet full of energy”― The Little Literary Society

Caveboy Crush (Beth Ferry)

 This could be a fun read on Valentine's Day....maybe. Mostly I avoid love stories. LOL 

Goodreads says;

Neander is a young caveboy. He spends his days doodling on cave walls, chasing mammoth butterflies, and playing with his pet rock, Rock. But one day, he meets Neanne—and he’s CRUSHED! She’s short, she’s hairy, she’s perfect! Neander does everything he can think of to get Neanne’s attention. He picks a bouquet for her from the Field of the Bees. He fetches a conch shell for her from the Waves of Salt. As Neander’s gestures get grander and grander, Neanne remains unimpressed. But then Neander hatches the grandest gesture of all, and it’s Neanne’s turn to do some crushing. From Beth Ferry and Joseph Kuefler comes this sweet celebration of first love—perfect for Valentine’s Day and read-alouds all year long.
 

Pirate Stew (Neil Gaiman)

 

I think it takes some practice to read this well. I kept trying to get into a rhythm but I kind of limped along. 

The story is hilarious and the kids totally got the terror of seeing the parents eat the left over stew at the end. Beware if you ever have a pirate babysit! 

Goodreads says:

Long John has a whole crew of wild pirates in tow, and - for two intrepid children - he's about to transform a perfectly ordinary evening into a riotous adventure beneath a pirate moon. It's time to make some PIRATE STEW.

Marvellously silly and gloriously entertaining, this tale of pirates, flying ships, donut feasts and some rather magical stew is perfect for all pirates, both young and old. With a deliciously rhyming text from master storyteller Neil Gaiman, and spellbinding illustrations by the supremely talented Chris Riddell, three-times-winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal, this is the picture book of the year! Joyful, quirky and action-packed, it makes a spectacular and magical gift.

Thundercake (Patricia Polacco)

 

This one was okay. Sadly, my students don't really understand the idea of gathering up the eggs, milking the cow, going to the shed where dry good are kept, etc. to prepare to bake a cake. They didn't really get too excited about this story.

Summary:
A loud clap of thunder booms, and rattles the windows of Grandma's old farmhouse. "This is Thunder Cake baking weather," calls Grandma, as she and her granddaughter hurry to gather the ingredients around the farm. A real Thunder Cake must reach the oven before the storm arrives.

The Freedom Song (Sally M Walker)

 

These stories are uncomfortable to me to read, especially when we have black children in our class. However, they're important stories. The children gasped when the box he was in fell. It's quite a story! 

Goodreads says:

An award-winning author and illustrator join forces in a stirring and emotional rich telling of Henry “Box” Brown’s famed escape from slavery—a feat he achieved by mailing himself to freedom.  This nonfiction picture book is an excellent choice to share during homeschooling, in particular for children ages 6 to 8. It’s a fun way to learn to read and as a supplement for activity books for children. Honoring Henry’s determination and courage, Sibert Medal–winning author Sally M. Walker weaves a lyrical, moving story of the human spirit. And in nuanced illustrations, Sean Qualls captures the moments of strength, despair, and gratitude that highlight the remarkable story of a man determined to be free.

Diary of a Worm (Doreen Cronin)

 

Today it was raining and there were HUGE rooms in our courtyard. I gave my students buckets and they went out and gathered up the worms who were trying to move to a new home to help them out. This book seemed like the perfect way to end the day.

Best line was when he tells his sister to quit looking in the mirror because her face looks just like her butt. LOL 


We also watched this video to learn some more about worms:

Goodreads says:

This is the diary . . . of a worm. Surprisingly, a worm not that different from you or me: He lives with his parents, plays with his friends, and even goes to school. But unlike you or me, he never has to take a bath, he gets to eat his homework, and because he doesn't have legs, he just can't do the hokey pokey -- no matter how hard he tries. Oh, and his head looks a lot like his rear end.

Doreen Cronin, the New York Times best-selling author of Click, Clack, Moo and Giggle, Giggle, Quack, teams up with illustrator Harry Bliss for this hysterical journal about the daily doings and the hidden world of a lovable underground dweller.

Russell The Sheep (Rob Scotton)

 

This is super cute! It is the same other that writes the hilarious Splat the Cat. There were some gut-busting laughs right from the first few pages with this one. I love the style of illustrations. Every page seemed to have something amusing to look at. My students thought Russell's body looks like a pillow - which makes sense.

I noticed my library has two more Russell the Sheep books. I'm in! 

Goodreads says:

There must be a way to get a sheep to sleep! All the sheep are falling asleep—except Russell. What's a sheep to do? Count stars… Count feet… Perfect for naptime or bedtime, this New York Times bestselling picture book is from Splat the Cat author-artist Rob Scotton. Your sheep will giggle, and you will agree with the New York Times Book Review : “A hilarious woolly insomniac. Adorably funny. A runaway hit.” And don't miss the other funny picture books about

Alex Did It

 

The little hares think they've found a good way to get out of trouble...until they run into a rabbit named Alex! My class gasped when he was introduced :) 

Goodreads says:
Three boisterous little hares come up with what they think is a clever way to make all kinds of mischief without getting into trouble with the other animals. They just blame their misdeeds on an imaginary hare named Alex. Then one day a new hare arrives in the forest-a hare named Alex! What are the three little hares going to do now?

Red Hat (Lita Judge)

 

Books like this make me want to make a better effort to gather up some ideas about how to teach with wordless books.

Goodreads says:

A series of exuberant read-aloud sound effects perfectly capture the whimsy and joy of a springtime frolic in this companion to Red Sled. In this almost wordless springtime picture book, an adorable crew of baby animals borrows a familiar-looking red hat (last seen on the head of Red Sled’s unsuspecting protagonist) and embarks on a joy-filled escapade—until all that is left is a long piece of red string! Their playful romp is gorgeously depicted in bold watercolor and complemented by humorous expressions and pitch-perfect sound effects. With a timeless tone and classic characters, Red Hat promises to be an instant favorite.

One Little Bag: An Amazing Journey (Henry Cole)

 

Great way to introduce a recycling unit!

Goodreads says:

A wordless book that starts from a tall tree growing in the forest -
to the checkout counter at the grocery store -
one brown bag finds its way into the hands of a young boy on the eve of his first day of school.

And so begins the journey of one brown bag that is used
and re-used
and re-used again.

In a three-generation family, the bag is transporter of objects and keeper of memories. And when Grandfather comes to the end of his life, the family finds a meaningful new way for the battered, but much-loved brown bag to continue its journey in the circle of life.

Crow Boy (Taro Yashima)

 

An oldie, but a good book! My students were a little taken back by the illustrations. They thought they were weird....but we ended up having a good discussion about the style and why the illustrator chose to illustrate it the way they did. 

Goodreads says:

"A shy mountain boy in Japan leaves his home at dawn and returns at sunset to go to the village school. Pictures and text of moving and harmonious simplicity". - Saturday Review.

Miss Smith's Incredible Storybook (Michael Garland)

 

Love this story!! Nothing like having stories come to life and having the characters come right out of the book! 

Goodreads says:

When Zack meets his second-grade teacher, Miss Smith, he can tell right away that her class will be different. However, he has no idea just how different it will be.

Zack can't wait for Mrs. Smith to read out loud again from her incredible book. The first story fills the classroom with dueling pirates and the sound of their clashing swords. The second story transports Zack's class to the shady forest of the Big Bad Wolf. At the end of each spellbinding tale the characters slip quietly back into the book. But one day Mrs. Smith is late for school, and the principal takes charge. When he runs away in terror from a fire-breathing dragon, Zack and his classmates set free the rest of the story-book characters and have a morning of high-spirited fun... until they notice that the pirates have hoisted their Jolly Roger on the roof of the school.

Hotel On the Corner of Bitter and Sweet (Jamie Ford)

 

Although I felt like this book certainly wasn't a great work of literature, I really loved the story. I'm shocked at the things we have done in our past to people because of racism. People in Japanese internment camps were amazingly generous with their response to these camps during World War II. 

This was a book club book and we had a great discussion on it.

In this story a Chinese boy named Henry falls in love with a Japanese girl. 

Favorite quotes:
All Henry could do was sigh and nod. He knew that the concept all too well. Painfully well. Obedience as a sign of loyalty as an expression of honor, even as an act of love, was a well-worn theme in his household. Especially between him and his father. but that wasn't the case now, was it? Did I cause my father's stroke? Was it brought on by my disobedience? As much as Henry reasoned otherwise, he ahd a hard time convincing himself the answer was no. His guilt remained.

p. 233 "How long will you wait ofr me, Henry?"
"As long as it takes, I don't care what my father says."
"What if I'm an old woman?" Keiko said, laughing. "What if I'm in here until I'm old and my ahir is gray - "
"Then I'll bring you a cane."
"You'd wait for me?"
Henry smiled, nodded, and took Keiko's hand. He didn't even look, their two hands just seemed to fall together. They spend the better part of the day beneath that cloudy sky. Henry looked up expecting rain, but the wind, which kept them a little chilly, blew the clouds south of the camp.  There would be no more rain.

...spoiler alert....he did! 

Goodreads says:

In 1986, Henry Lee joins a crowd outside the Panama Hotel, once the gateway to Seattle's Japantown. It has been boarded up for decades, but now the new owner has discovered the belongings of Japanese families who were sent to internment camps during World War II. As the owner displays and unfurls a Japanese parasol, Henry, a Chinese American, remembers a young Japanese American girl from his childhood in the 1940s—Keiko Okabe, with whom he forged a bond of friendship and innocent love that transcended the prejudices of their Old World ancestors. After Keiko and her family were evacuated to the internment camps, she and Henry could only hope that their promise to each other would be kept. Now, forty years later, Henry explores the hotel's basement for the Okabe family's belongings and for a long-lost object whose value he cannot even begin to measure. His search will take him on a journey to revisit the sacrifices he has made for family, for love, for country.