Can't believe that I just finished the fourth week of the Book-A-Day Challenge hosted by Donalyn Miller (The Book Whisperer). I did get in 8 books this week including a Manga book which was a new genre for me. I was aiming for a few more books but I had a couple of days where I was doing some vacation/touristy things with my sister and didn't get in any reading.Book-A-Day Week 4 Reads:
Picture Books:
Every Cowgirl Needs a Horse by Rebecca Janni Nellie Sue wants a horse. She will do just about anything to show her parents that she can be responsible for a horse. On her birthday, Nellie Sue gets a surprise gift from her parents. A fun story, with great language, imagination, and illustrations.
Birdie's Big Girl Shoes by Sujean Rim The illustrations really won me over on this one. This is a book for every girl who has either wanted to play dress up with her mother's heels or who has played dress up or who has tried to do anything in heels will get a kick out of this book. Birdie learns that heels aren't all they seem.
Graphic Novels:
Amulet Book 2: The StoneKeeper's Curse by Kazu Kibuishi Though the first book in this series had some rough spots technically (awkward transitions, and areas that were unclear), I was interested in seeing if book 2 was better developed. I am glad to say it is. Emily (The StoneKeeper) and her brother Navin continue on their journey to learn how to control the amulet (and not let it control them), to fight the Elf King, and to save their mother. Note: This is a Middle Grade level graphic novel.
Manga:
Black Bird, Vol. 1 - Kanoko Sakurakoji - This was my first time reading Manga and it required that I get use to the back to front, right to left format. Misao is a 16 year old girl who can see spirits. These are demon spirits who she discovers wants to eat her (guess her blood is powerful but also smells good). She is courted by Kyo (a tengu demon and head of his clan) and another demon (also head of his clan). Classic love triangle and feels like a Japanese twist on the Twilight story. Interesting. I will probably give volume 2 a shot but not sure if I want to read every one in the series at this point. Note: This is definitely a YA Manga series.
Middle Grade:
Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper Melody is an 11 year old girl with severe Cerebral Palsy. She is unable to speak or to let anyone know what she is thinking. And Melody has a lot of thoughts. This is a remarkable story about perceptions and attitudes towards children and people with disabilities. Every teacher should read it. I think it ill be a contender for an ALA/Schneider Family Award in 2011 (MG book with a character with a disability).
A Place For Delta by Melissa Walker Joseph spends the summer in Alaska with his Aunt Kate helping to care for a polar bear cub and trying to find out who killed Delta's (polar bear) mother. An interesting story of friendship, mystery, and the care of the environment. Read my review here.
YA:
Spirits that Walk In Shadows by Nina Kiriki Hoffman Jaimie has grown up in a family using magic. Kim is from a world without magic. Jaimie and Kim end up as roommates in college. Turns out that Kim's struggle with depression may not be purely psychological. An interesting twist on the typical world of magic, and paranormal beings.
Top Secret Manuscript - I also read an author friend's second book in her paranormal romance series. The book will be out next year and it will be great. But I can't say anything more than that.
Adult:
First Rule by Robert Crais Joe Pike is back and this time it is personal. A former member of his team has been killed along with his family. Was he killed because he was "dirty" or did the killer have the wrong home? I love Robert Crais books and this one was no exception.
In progress:
A Framework for Understanding Poverty by Ruby Payne Several teachers on my staff and I are reading a couple of chapters of this each week and discussing it. Very powerful and practical.
So how are you doing on your summer reading challenge? Read any good books lately? Post a comment about what you are reading.
-Aly
