Started out better, but limped to the finish line. I liked the gentrification and (true) history about how power is seized over and over again, but wiStarted out better, but limped to the finish line. I liked the gentrification and (true) history about how power is seized over and over again, but wish that the plot had made more logical sense towards the end....more
So good. Nice intro to ableism unit we will begin soon. I can see kids identifying visible and invisible ways that the kids describe themselves in theSo good. Nice intro to ableism unit we will begin soon. I can see kids identifying visible and invisible ways that the kids describe themselves in the book. Normalizes differences and encourages discussion....more
All three of my sons had speech issues; each one was different. One suffered with word retrieval, the other with delay, and the final with stuttering.All three of my sons had speech issues; each one was different. One suffered with word retrieval, the other with delay, and the final with stuttering. It was so bad, in fact, that he postured. To say it broke my heart was an understatement. Thankfully, he received excellent early intervention, and was ultimately exited from speech in his later elementary school years, but it does rear its head when he is overly tired or anxious. All that to say that we haven’t had books that talk about issues like stuttering-until now. I’m so thankful kids can see themselves in books, and others can grow empathy if they have no personal connection. More of this, please and thank you. ...more
This was the weirdest, most eclectic groupings of short stories. I’m not sure how I found the title. Someone must have recommended it to me in the virThis was the weirdest, most eclectic groupings of short stories. I’m not sure how I found the title. Someone must have recommended it to me in the virtual world because it wouldn’t have been on my radar otherwise. ...more
Sweet story about a loving family with secrets and imperfections and foibles but who ultimately love being around each other, especially at their yearSweet story about a loving family with secrets and imperfections and foibles but who ultimately love being around each other, especially at their yearly jaunt to their rented home on the beach in the northeast. It was quirky, and poignant, and just the right book for me right now....more
While technically a poetic narrative, I wouldn’t consider it so. This was a heavy book, and as one of twenty that was selected as a Texas Bluebonnet lWhile technically a poetic narrative, I wouldn’t consider it so. This was a heavy book, and as one of twenty that was selected as a Texas Bluebonnet listed title for this year, I wonder about its content for those on the younger side of the 3-6 grade level for which it was selected. With that said, this is an unflinching look at addiction and how it hurts the kids of parent addicts. I liked Laura’s friendships and the kid-friendly explanation of sickle cell anemia, support dog information, multiculturalism and growing an understanding of the foster care system with our kids because ultimately it develops their hearts into more empathetic humans…and the world needs more of those. ...more
This is supposed to be MG, but I’m not quite sure if you ask me. Sure, the main character is 12, but beyond that, I don’t see how A) there’s much of aThis is supposed to be MG, but I’m not quite sure if you ask me. Sure, the main character is 12, but beyond that, I don’t see how A) there’s much of a market for middle grade readers and B) who might be the intended audience if not MG readers. Here’s the thing. This is a niche book. A typewriter who can communicate, a word nerd loner, a missing mom separately might be compelling reading for a middle grade reader, but all three make it seem impossible for kids to identify with, let alone root for, the book/character/genre.
At least that’s what I was thinking all the way through. It’s definitely a unique story. I’m not sure who might love it in the MG crowd....more
I listened to the author read this one, and like many reviewers, agree he comes off as a bit of a self-obsessed blow hard. With that said, there were I listened to the author read this one, and like many reviewers, agree he comes off as a bit of a self-obsessed blow hard. With that said, there were some nuggets I took away from it such as feeling affirmed by feeling invisible now that I’m in my mid-50s and have let the grey overtake my color. Our society, while slowly shifting, still places more value on youth; but as is repeated throughout this skinny book, by the time you’re my age, we have a lot of wisdom to impart. Finding outlets to share tidbits of what you’ve gathered, spending time on hobbies you once enjoyed back in the day, and viewing your life like a book and you’re the hero venturing through the journey are also nuggets I liked. I chose to overlook the seemingly out-of-touch parts like his humble brag of walking 20,000 steps during COVID on one of three of his out-of-reach properties (for most people, including me) because like this newest stage of life that I find myself in, the good outweighs the bad....more
Interesting research-based book that have direct implications to the students in my class, the man children in my life, and the colleagues in my schooInteresting research-based book that have direct implications to the students in my class, the man children in my life, and the colleagues in my school. ...more
The audio version of this skinny little story with big ideas is fantastic. Having spent summers in Greystones, Ireland as a kid, I could envision a clThe audio version of this skinny little story with big ideas is fantastic. Having spent summers in Greystones, Ireland as a kid, I could envision a cloistered town like this one that hides its secrets in plain view. After all, the church has been a vault of secrets for centuries. This is the story of rewriting one’s story no matter how bad the first few chapters unfold. ...more
The beginning (love begins with you) and ending (how to recognize and let go of love and also extending love to the greater world) portions of this boThe beginning (love begins with you) and ending (how to recognize and let go of love and also extending love to the greater world) portions of this book applied more to my season of life, but overall a helpful book....more
The right book at the right time magic. I gobbled this memoir down in one weekend, listening to the author (audio version) tell her story about recreaThe right book at the right time magic. I gobbled this memoir down in one weekend, listening to the author (audio version) tell her story about recreating a new life after her old one no longer fit her, and I saw myself. That’s the beauty of writing our stories: we don’t feel as alone after walking with someone along their journey. Alternating poetry and brief essays, I want you to revisit this one again and again. Tears and head nods, thoughts about how I’d tell my own fractured life story still ring in the (good) bones of my body where secrets lie dormant. Highly recommend....more
I almost abandoned this numerous times, but didn’t because of the author and the book buzz. I’m not sorry I persisted, but I’m also glad it’s over. ThI almost abandoned this numerous times, but didn’t because of the author and the book buzz. I’m not sorry I persisted, but I’m also glad it’s over. There’s an analogy to my marriage that I won’t stoop to, but you get the gist. I liked the ending, but getting to that ending was a wordy, too-many-side stories, meandering that left me relieved to be done.
Lesson learned here? I should do as I tell my students to do : Don’t be afraid to abandon books. There are too many good stories waiting for you to relish. This one was not one of them....more
This is a story of the sins of the father, or in this case, the mother…Generational trauma is no joke. It boomerangs back in surprising and often disaThis is a story of the sins of the father, or in this case, the mother…Generational trauma is no joke. It boomerangs back in surprising and often disastrous ways, but if you had the chance to heal them, to make amends with what brought you to your knees, would you? A character rich story of Native Americans set in both Maine and Canada, some of the lines on this hard to out down book are divine. ...more
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