BOTM for April are Wish and The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe

[SaraKat]

I don't know about the situation that you are in, but all of my libraries are closed and will be for another month. If it isn't online, I won't be able to get it! And I don't want everyone to have to buy a copy of their books. The two top books were pretty close, so I am making these two books our books of the month for April. Since The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is older and more common, it might be an easier book to get a copy of this month. Wish is available on ebook at my library, so I'll probably read both. Please share your thoughts on EITHER of the books that you choose to read. Happy reading! And stay healthy.

[Rebecca]

I had just happened to spot and download Wish on my phone (audiobook), when I saw the poll! I've just finished, and enjoyed it a lot.

[Carlin]

I didn't really like Wish, unfortunately. A lazy copy/paste of my review:

This is your pretty (stereo)typical 'white boy and his dog' middle grade novel, changed only minimally to insert a girl in his place instead. Predictable and formulaic, but pleasant enough writing, it reads not unlike a Kate Dicamillo novel. The characters are completely one-dimensional and eat and speak in terribly clichéd "Southern" ways , but I'm mostly disappointed by the portrayal of the depressed mother being completely self-centered and uninterested in her children, regardless of her mental state. It's really not a stigma of mental illness that I think should be perpetuated to young people :/. Lastly, it's worth mentioning that this book has a pretty heavy Christian influence. A large portion of the plot takes place in either Sunday school or Vacation Bible School, which I don't mind, but I do mind the repeated sentiment that "the kind of family that says blessing together" is the optimal kind of family that someone should be in.

[Manybooks]

I have The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe on my Kindle, but not Wish.

[Sandy]

I just finished Wish and really enjoyed it. Though it is a bit idealized and stereotypical, I think it would be a good book for kids to learn empathy for others whose home life might not be ideal. I have had students who lived with aunts or grandparents because parents were unable/unwilling to take care of their own children and this book might help their classmates understand the hurt/anger they feel.

[Rebecca]

It's funny--I enjoyed listening to the book, but when I went to write my review and started actually thinking about it--well, what I wrote pretty much agrees with what Carlin says. A lot of one-dimensional characters and stereotypes. Then I had to try to figure out why I enjoyed it, and decided it probably was because it let me be lazy :)

[Justine]

I enjoyed this book. It's an easy read. I would say it's for the younger end of middle-grade because the conflicts are mild and the characters straightforwards. Howard is so perfect some might find him irritating.

It fits perfectly into our theme of the month as Howard's family are regular church goers. Going to Sunday school is part and parcel of their lives.

Having been on courses about child-protection and safe-guarding, I would say Charlie's background story is very typical of the real life examples we were given. This is a book to recommend if you want to introduce or talk about foster care.

[SaraKat]

I agree with several statements already posted about Wish. I enjoyed reading it as it was quick and interesting, but I wouldn't say it was exceptional. There seemed to be lots of stereotypical descriptions of families.

Country, Religious Families = Perfect
City Folk = Not

Howard's family was just too good. He acted like a 50 year old instead of a middle grader. I was so relieved when Howard's brothers finally got in trouble for breaking a lamp. Yes! They did something naughty! That family isn't perfect! :)

Charlie's mom was the villain and no one ever mentioned mental help for her or mental illness at all, which left her very one-dimensional.

I thought the clueless way Bertha tried to be nice to Charlie was funny. And I cringed with Charlie when she proffered the lunch box of rainbows. :) I can't imagine anyone being quite that clueless, though.

I liked the parallels between Charlie and Wishbone. They both got taken to a home against their will, but when given the opportunity to get away, they both decided that staying was their best bet. I liked that.

I learned a lot of new ways to make a wish!

And seriously, no mention of a check up or vaccinations for the stray dog? That was disappointing.