Questions and Suggestions

[QNPoohBear]

I've read both of those. Behind the Attic Wall is OK but not a classic. I don't know or remember Magic Elizabeth. I'd like to put in a plug for one of my favorite children's classics: Five Little Peppers and How They Grew

[Manybooks]

Five Little Peppers and How They Grew would be an interesting group read as I did not enjoy the book all that much when I read it as an adult and wonder if rereading would change my mind.

I would like to personally make a plug for this German children's classic, The Flying Classroom, the new 2015 translation by Anthea Bell.

[Rosemarie]

I read Five Little Peppers a couple of years ago and found the children just a little too perfect, but the book was entertaining in a calm sort of way.

[Katie Ruth, The Lady with Megan-Follows-as-Anne-of-Green-Gables Hair]

I remember reading Five Little Peppers as a young reader, and losing interest, but I would definitely like to return to it as an adult reader.

Remember that if enough people are interested, you can always propose to lead a read-along and discussion. Just make sure to review the guidelines that Wendy listed.

Since we have enough interest in Behind the Attic Wall, I'm going to create a read along discussion space for us and aim for the Friday of the week after Thanksgiving, December 2nd. If that is too soon, and you would like to push it back, let me know!

Any suggestions for holiday MG books? I also have this one which I love to read during the holidays, Christmas with Anne and Other Holiday Stories! Not as stellar as the other Anne books, of course, but enjoyably stories all the same...

[Manybooks]

Katie wrote: "I remember reading Five Little Peppers as a young reader, and losing interest, but I would definitely like to return to it as an adult reader.

Remember that if enough people are interested, you c..."

Yes, for the AOGG Christmas stories! I reread them every year at Christmas anyhow.

[Rosemarie]

I have always liked holiday stories and legends. I got a used copy of Selma Lagerlof's Christmas Legends in German at one of our university's used book sales. She wrote The Wonderful Adventures Of Nils; And, The Further Adventures Of Nils, which are a lot of fun, and many other books as well.
She won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1909, making her the first woman to do so.

[Manybooks]

Here is another classic Christmas story, a German one from Erich Kästner and I do know it is available in English translation, a relatively recent and very good one by Anthea Bell, The Flying Classroom (in German, Das fliegende Klassenzimmer). This is another book I reread every year at Christmas (but generally in German, not in English).

[Rosemarie]

This is not a Christmas story, but I really like The King of the Golden River by John Ruskin.

[Katie Ruth, The Lady with Megan-Follows-as-Anne-of-Green-Gables Hair]

Thank you for all your suggestions! I love Erich Kastner's work, and Anthea Bell is such a fantastic translator! Definitely interested in The Flying Classroom--have added it.

Rosemarie, I wasn't familiar with that one by John Ruskin!

[Rosemarie]

It is a wonderful tale,especially with illustrations.

[Manybooks]

Katie wrote: "Thank you for all your suggestions! I love Erich Kastner's work, and Anthea Bell is such a fantastic translator! Definitely interested in The Flying Classroom--have added it.

Rosemarie, I wasn't ..."

Then I will also suggest the new translation of Pünktchen und Anton, Dot and Anton (also by Anthea Bell) to you.

[Francie]

I read Five Little Peppers a few months ago and I should remember it well enough. I liked it, but I wasn't overly fond of the book, I found it to be a tad too saccharine at times. I'd be interested in both the AOGG Christmas stories and Das fliegende Klassenzimmer, as I have read neither of them before.

[QNPoohBear]

Five Little Peppers and How they Grew is the best of the series. I enjoyed it both as a kid and an adult. I have a Junior Illustrated Classics series my grandparents gave me. An obscure classic I liked but haven't read in years was . It's very silly. A big favorite I would recommend, if you can find it is, .

I collect antique children's books and one I found recently and really liked was . I also liked

[Manybooks]

QNPoohBear wrote: "Five Little Peppers and How they Grew is the best of the series. I enjoyed it both as a kid and an adult. I have a Junior Illustrated Classics series my grandparents gave me. An obscure classic I l..."

The Golden Name Day is sweet. Too bad that it and the sequels are both hard to find and often expensive.

[Rosemarie]

I just remembered that I enjoyed this book years ago, and am mentioning it before I forget about it again. It is a fantasy called The Forgotten Door by Alexander Key.

[QNPoohBear]

Manybooks wrote: "QNPoohBear wrote: "Five Little Peppers and How they Grew is the best of the series. I enjoyed it both as a kid and an adult. I have a Junior Illustrated Classics series my grandparents gave me. An ..."

There are still quite a few libraries that have at least The Golden Name Day. Some are university libraries though a public university should allow public borrowing.

[Manybooks]

QNPoohBear wrote: "Manybooks wrote: "QNPoohBear wrote: "Five Little Peppers and How they Grew is the best of the series. I enjoyed it both as a kid and an adult. I have a Junior Illustrated Classics series my grandpa..."

I have the first, but the sequels are both hard to find and expensive.

[Katie Ruth, The Lady with Megan-Follows-as-Anne-of-Green-Gables Hair]

Hello Everyone!

Is there any interest in a Read-Along for:

Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfield
The Enchanted Castleby E. Nesbit
The Story of the Amulet by E. Nesbit
The Marvelous Land of Oz by L. Frank Baum

[Rosemarie]

I haven't read The Story of the Amulet for a long time. I would read it again.

[Peggy]

I've never read Ballet Shoes, but would love to.

Katie wrote: "Hello Everyone!

Is there any interest in a Read-Along for:

Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfield
The Enchanted Castleby E. Nesbit
The Story of the Amulet by E...."

[Dichotomy Girl]

As I'm currently about 25% through Ballet Shoes...yeah, LOL

[QNPoohBear]

Manybooks wrote: "I have the first, but the sequels are both hard to find and expensive. "

They're not if you live close enough to Margaret Sidney's hometown of Concord, Massachusetts to search out first editions. I saw some floating around the antique shops there in the last few years but I didn't buy them. I read the entire series through the library. Which reminds me I need to go leave a pencil on her grave.

I'd be interested in reading The Story of the Amulet. I don't think I've read that one but I have read the others on Katie's list.

[Manybooks]

QNPoohBear wrote: "Manybooks wrote: "I have the first, but the sequels are both hard to find and expensive. "

They're not if you live close enough to Margaret Sidney's hometown of Concord, Massachusetts to search ou..."

Unfortunately, I do not lived close by but I sure would love to visit Concord.

[Peggy]

If you don't mind reading a Kindle book, the entire 12-volume set is available for $1.99. I'd love to go to Concord too. :)

Manybooks wrote: "QNPoohBear wrote: "Manybooks wrote: "I have the first, but the sequels are both hard to find and expensive. "

They're not if you live close enough to Margaret Sidney's hometown of Concord, Massach..."

[Manybooks]

Peggy wrote: "If you don't mind reading a Kindle book, the entire 12-volume set is available for $1.99. I'd love to go to Concord too. :)

Manybooks wrote: "QNPoohBear wrote: "Manybooks wrote: "I have the first,..."

Thanks that looks both promising and cheap.

[QNPoohBear]

Concord is nice, but expensive. Margaret Sidney is overlooked in favor of Louisa May Alcott. LMA's books tend to vary in price from super expensive for a first edition of Little Women or other rare book to affordable ($20 range) while Sidney's books sell for much less. You can check with my favorite used/rare bookstore "The Barrow" http://barrowbookstore.weebly.com/ to see if they have any of the books. I don't think they did in December. I think I saw them at an antique shop.

I have an early 1900s illustrated copy of Five Little Peppers I got at the Barrow a few years ago. I passed on a first edition because I already had that one. I kind of regret it.

[Katie Ruth, The Lady with Megan-Follows-as-Anne-of-Green-Gables Hair]

Would anyone be interested in a July read along of A Traveller In Time?

[Indiana]

Sure! I have that book on my shelf but have not read it.

[Rosemarie]

I have read the book more than once and enjoyed it each time.

[Manybooks]

Katie wrote: "Would anyone be interested in a July read along of A Traveller In Time?"

I just read this a few month ago, but I am ALWAYS ready to reread that book. It is one of my absolute favourites, so count me in.

[Katie Ruth, The Lady with Megan-Follows-as-Anne-of-Green-Gables Hair]

Ok, wonderful! I'll see about getting a discussion up!

[Katie Ruth, The Lady with Megan-Follows-as-Anne-of-Green-Gables Hair]

If anyone has ideas for a September read along and would like to facilitate that discussion, post your ideas here!

[Manybooks]

Katie wrote: "If anyone has ideas for a September read along and would like to facilitate that discussion, post your ideas here!"

The Wool-Pack

or

Adam of the Road

[Katie Ruth, The Lady with Megan-Follows-as-Anne-of-Green-Gables Hair]

Anyone have any pressing Classic Middle Grade recommendations for February? It would be fun to start reading something together again! :)

[Rosemarie]

How about Pollyanna?

[Manybooks]

Rosemarie wrote: "How about Pollyanna?"

I would like to finally read that.

[Katie Ruth, The Lady with Megan-Follows-as-Anne-of-Green-Gables Hair]

I think Pollyanna is a lovely idea! Would one of you like to host the discussion in February?

[Heather]

Pollyanna sounds lovely!
*goes to Book Depository straight away to find beautiful copy to buy*

[Rosemarie]

I am too busy with granny duty to lead the discussion, but I am never too busy to read. 😉

[M.L.]

Is there a thread for authors?

I'm looking for reviewers for my debut MG and want to see if anyone is interested. Thanks!

[The Library of Claire Louise]

Have you guys read “A tree grows in Brooklyn?” I loved the book it was magic and one of my favorite books of all time.

[Joe]

Yes The Borrowers is totally amazing! There's a really charming adaptation that the bbc did in the early 90's with Ian Holm that's well worth a watch as well!