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December Read- A Monster Calls and Words in the Dust
By Kristen · 26 posts · 114 views
By Kristen · 26 posts · 114 views
last updated Jan 19, 2012 09:19AM
What Members Thought
OK to Good choice for Mock Newbery.
Absolutely beautiful insight into the emotional experiences of children. Once again, Henkes presents adults and children in a realistic narrative of their lives, this time centered around the birthday of Alice, who is turning 10. There is so much honesty and insight in this story about the natural self-centeredness of children, about development and developing self awareness, about the impact of parenting, and of how adults relate to children depending on rela ...more
Absolutely beautiful insight into the emotional experiences of children. Once again, Henkes presents adults and children in a realistic narrative of their lives, this time centered around the birthday of Alice, who is turning 10. There is so much honesty and insight in this story about the natural self-centeredness of children, about development and developing self awareness, about the impact of parenting, and of how adults relate to children depending on rela ...more
It's a tradition. Every year Alice and her parents visit Florida for a week in February, falling around the same time as Alice's birthday. Every year the same people are there and every year Alice hunts for the perfect junonia, a rare shell. This year, is going to be the best year, because it is Alice's tenth birthday, but, when they arrive, they find that some of the regulars will not be able to make it and some new people will be in their places. Even worse is that beloved "Aunt Kate" has brou
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First, let me start out by saying I love Kevin Henkes picture books. I had never read one of his longer works, so I looked forward to this one, the story of a young girl's yearly trip to the ocean with her family. Unfortunately, I was bored to tears. None of the lightness and humor that accomponies Henkes shorter works was in this one. It was very boring, and I would be hard-pressed to find a reader for this one in my library, as I think others would be, too. Perhaps there is a young girl who li
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I liked this little book a lot. Realistic. Alice is turning 10 on her annual trip to Florida. Wants to find a junonia shell.
Reading a second time during Covid-19 isolation .
A wonderful little book.
Reading a second time during Covid-19 isolation .
A wonderful little book.
This is the book you don't want to read when you are feeling a little depressed. It is a sweet, peaceful book about disappointment.
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This book is long on disappointment and has about as much action as watching paint dry but, Henkes does a remarkable job on exploring and explaining how children feel as well as adults and grandparents. Given the strengths and weaknesses of the book I now understand the mixed reviews. It isn't without benefit to a collection, but I would have to find the right child before I gave it as a gift.
I found the main character self-centered and spoiled. Without any action in the book to spur the develop ...more
I found the main character self-centered and spoiled. Without any action in the book to spur the develop ...more
A gentle book that gives voice to the world as seen by Alice, a 10 year old, at the beach with her family. Her search for the rare shell parallels her inner search for understanding the unfairnesses in her world of family and friend. Strong sense of place. Details, that only a child would care about, make this a magical story.
I think this book would make a wonderful summer read aloud for 3rd or 4th graders. The story involves Alice Rice, soon-to-be 10, as she makes her annual trek to a seaside cottage in Florida w/her parents. Filled with 10 year-old angst and uncertainty, Alice begins to examine life from outside her egocentric circle.
Read this one before I put it out for the kiddos. Cute story, but not spectacular.
A bit slow but another quiet read.
A lovely book.
I liked the story, but the ending seemed a little lacking. Great characters.
mock newbery blog- Great for 6th and under
Jun 18, 2011
Shanshad Whelan
marked it as to-read
Sep 11, 2011
Vicki
marked it as to-read
Nov 19, 2011
Regina
marked it as to-read
