Short, wonderfully illustrated, and interesting to dog lovers as well as budding history buffs, Stubby is a great story as well as an inspiration to fShort, wonderfully illustrated, and interesting to dog lovers as well as budding history buffs, Stubby is a great story as well as an inspiration to further reading about World War I. I begin by briefly setting the scene for the time period, as many of my students are more familiar with WWII, but have little knowledge of WWI. I explain that, at the time, the War was not known as WWI, but as "The Great War" or "The War to End All Wars," and why.
Stubby is seriously charming my 3rd-5th grade students. After sharing the slide show summaries of this year's VSBA nominees, I had so many students wanting to be on hold for this one that I decided to go ahead and share it as a read aloud and paired with another nominee, "Winnie, the True Story of the Bear Who Inspired Winnie-the-Pooh."...more
I haven't had this much of a chill bump factor since reading Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs. So much of this tale touched my heart that I know I wI haven't had this much of a chill bump factor since reading Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs. So much of this tale touched my heart that I know I will be rereading it. It's a bit ghost story, a bit mystery, a bit realistic fiction, a bit supernatural and a whole lot of heart....more
I am torn about this book. The photos are wonderful. The diversity of creatures that lay eggs is wonderful. My sticking point lies in the phrase "InsiI am torn about this book. The photos are wonderful. The diversity of creatures that lay eggs is wonderful. My sticking point lies in the phrase "Inside the egg, a baby floats...growing in size while eating the yolk." Technically, the embryo absorbs the nutrients, and to say it eats the yolk seems wrong. Admittedly, for the young reader, we would have to explain what "absorb" means, but later in the book, the worx "cantaloupe" is used, and I'm sure that word is not an easy one for our littles. Nitpicky? Yes. That said, once I try the book with so.e glasses, I may well change my rating dependi,g on how the story goes over....more
I first learned of this book through its VSBA nomination and the book blurb led me to recommend it to students who liked the Percy Jackson books and tI first learned of this book through its VSBA nomination and the book blurb led me to recommend it to students who liked the Percy Jackson books and the Harry Potter books. Having now read the book, and finding myself anxious to learn what's next, I stand by that recommendation, even though I still cringe when someone touts any book as "the next Harry Potter." Are there parallels? Definitely. Are there parallels between HP and other stories that came before? Probably (Thinking Platform 17 and The Dark is Rising.) With books that make a strong impact, it is hard not to draw comparisons, just as I suspect we carry a bit if everything we have ever read inside ourselves helping us to make sense of the world. At any rate, it took me a few chapters to get pulled in to this story for a couple reasons. First, the parallels to Harry Potter did keep coming to mind, but there is enough to Callum's story to make those less an issue for me as I hot further into the tale. Second, and perhaps more an issue for me was Callum's nickname. While I understand that "Call" is short for "Callum," reading would be a lot easier if the nickname had been spelled "Cal" because every time I saw "Call," my brain had to sort out that it was a name, and not a form of "to call" (rhyme with "crawl"). It annoyed me every time it happened, which was often, and that pulled me straight out of the story. I am easily distracted, I know.
Altogether, complaints aside, I look forward to seeing how everything plays out....more
Kate Ardleigh is settling in to her new circumstance, continuing the good works begun by her Aunt and the writing of her Penny Dreadfuls whilst scandaKate Ardleigh is settling in to her new circumstance, continuing the good works begun by her Aunt and the writing of her Penny Dreadfuls whilst scandalizing the more staid members if her new village with her independent ways. The death of a local constable who leaves behind a wife and young daughter (who is perhaps more independent minded than Kate!) lease Kate and her newfound fried, Miss Bea Potter, into a mystery, the solution of which could make a life or death difference to the slain constable's family.
I appreciated the information about Beatrix Potter that was so thoughtfully included at the end and find myself wanting to read her stories and learn a bit more about her life and art....more
Not what I was expecting, but better than I'd hoped based on the blurb. Kate is a force to be reckoned with and I have high hopes for her future endeaNot what I was expecting, but better than I'd hoped based on the blurb. Kate is a force to be reckoned with and I have high hopes for her future endeavors at Bishop's Keep....more
Parts of this retelling I thought wonderful--the relationship the sisters have, the humor as they find their way, Beauty's interactions with the castlParts of this retelling I thought wonderful--the relationship the sisters have, the humor as they find their way, Beauty's interactions with the castle and with the various creatures (loved Fourpaws!) and the rose cottage coming to life as the girls come to their owners lives. That said, there seemed an awful lot of choppiness to the story, and the Beast seemed quite 2 dimensional....more
I wanted to like this more, but found that it seemed to be missing--something. Perhaps I was wanting more depth to characters who have that potential,I wanted to like this more, but found that it seemed to be missing--something. Perhaps I was wanting more depth to characters who have that potential, but instead came off as rather flat. This story might appeal to some of my younger high level readers who are craving bigger words and more fantasy but aren't quite ready for more complex storylines....more
Thoroughly enjoyable romp into Victorian sensibilities with a view towards women's rights and the madness of intelligence undervalued and lights hiddeThoroughly enjoyable romp into Victorian sensibilities with a view towards women's rights and the madness of intelligence undervalued and lights hidden under a bushel. Lady Frances and Mallow are among my favorite Victorian sleuths....more
Well plotted with a likable cast of characters and a nicely balanced dive into a time period on the cusp of so much change--- societally, economically,Well plotted with a likable cast of characters and a nicely balanced dive into a time period on the cusp of so much change--- societally, economically, politically, and historically. I look forward to seeing what's next for Franny and June....more
Loved the illustrations in this hilarious story of unintended consequences. Particular fave was the "cry wolf" scene, with the cat dragging in the pooLoved the illustrations in this hilarious story of unintended consequences. Particular fave was the "cry wolf" scene, with the cat dragging in the poor hound dog (have just read Boy Who Cried Wolf with several classes). Also enjoyed the brief foray into different languages/dialects....more
Enjoyed sharing this with my 3rd and 4th grade students. Not sure how many understood what stuttering was, but I think they enjoyed the story nevertheEnjoyed sharing this with my 3rd and 4th grade students. Not sure how many understood what stuttering was, but I think they enjoyed the story nevertheless. Am hopeful the idea if thinking oneself broken because of something like made an impression. Had several asking me for info on jaguars, paired with brief look-up on info re jaguars on PebbleGo (3rd grade) and ARKive for 4th....more
Fast, fun and full of all the requisite Stephanie Plum disasters, dining and and car difficulties. Plus zombies. Maybe. I find that I don't really carFast, fun and full of all the requisite Stephanie Plum disasters, dining and and car difficulties. Plus zombies. Maybe. I find that I don't really care that the characters are more like caricatures--I think that's part of the fun....more
So far, I am just not enjoying this story a whole lot. The asides remind me a little of Lemony Snickett's asides, which I truly enjoyed, but while I eSo far, I am just not enjoying this story a whole lot. The asides remind me a little of Lemony Snickett's asides, which I truly enjoyed, but while I enjoy these, I am just not liking the characters much. I may have to put this one on the back burner.
Ok, read a little further, still don't like the characters, but skipped ahead to the questions section. Gave me pause for thought and incentive to read further....more
If you are looking for straight-up steampunk, you will probably be disappointed. If you are looking for paranormal romance (with vampires, werefolk, aIf you are looking for straight-up steampunk, you will probably be disappointed. If you are looking for paranormal romance (with vampires, werefolk, and a spunky smart heroine) in a steampunkesque setting, you will not be disappointed. Fun, steamy, and with characters I want to revisit, I look forward to book 2....more
I thought that I might have read this many years ago, but could not, for the life of me, remember any of it. If I had read it, it became so mixed withI thought that I might have read this many years ago, but could not, for the life of me, remember any of it. If I had read it, it became so mixed with others over the years that this felt like a first read. That said, I debated whether to start here, with the 2nd published of the series, the prequel, or with the first published but future set. Perhaps some of the things that puzzled me in this one, Aerin's visions and Luthe's role being two such puzzles, the feeling that I was missing something in the story, might have been less puzzling had I started with Book 1. Regardless, I enjoyed this tale of adventure and of finding one's path. I suspect that Aerin might well have inspired some of my favorites from Tamora Pierce....more
These stories make me want to revisit Biltmore House, then journey to the island to see these places in person. At times, I find it a struggle to undeThese stories make me want to revisit Biltmore House, then journey to the island to see these places in person. At times, I find it a struggle to understand some of the social ins and outs--of both the time and the different classes, but one thing that strikes me is how surprisingly similar some of the attitudes seem to be to those here in the mountains of East Tennessee. Does that mean it seems our attitudes sometimes seem a trifle Victorian? Hmmm. Something to ponder....more
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