Books, Books, Books

The most powerful catalyst in my reading is listening to people talk about the books they love, it makes me want to sip, slurp, and savor stories. We had a lady come to our school and do an inservice on books and it made me want to read, re-read and share the good books in my life. Many people have asked over the years for a list of the books I love and this is it...I will probably remember one in the middle of the night and add to it. I have also categorized it in a way that make sense to me so don't judge me on my genres :). Oh... and to conserve space and my fingers I am only listing the first in a series even though you should go on to read all of them.

Realistic Fiction:

Diary of a Wimpy Kid- J. Kinney: A graphic novel which is written in first person by a middle school boy who is chronicling the big (and not so big) events in his life. Hilarious! A book that will keep you laughing and turning the pages to the very end.

Freak the Mighty- R. Philbrick: Max and Freak are an odd couple whose friendship sees them through some hard times. Get out the Kleenex because there is a Max in all of our lives and his joys and sorrows make an impression on every reader.

Frindle- A. Clements: A great book for kids who are precocious. A boy changes the English language by creating a new word. An awesome book about the etiology of language and how it changes over time.

Holes- L. Sachar: A crummy setting and situation are changed by a stroke of dumb luck. You will fall in love with the characters and be engaged by the flashbacks.

Ida B:..and Her Plans to Maximize Fun, Avoid Disasters, and (Possibly) Save the World- K. Hannigan: The girl in this book is feisty, fun and has a fantastic voice. She copes with changes in her life and tries to deal with them in her own way. After you read this you will start writing a children's book of your own because the language is amazing.

Maniac Magee- J. Spinelli: Maniac doesn't have a home, an address, or a reason to stop running until he meets some unforgettable characters and remembers what it's like to have a family and friends. This book makes me want to be a better writer.

Stargirl- J. Spinelli: A boy tells the story of his high school life and the people who drift in and out of it. The main character is his friend/girl friend who lives life her own way. Bad things happen when he wants her to change more than he wants her to be happy. The sequel is a little disheartening.

The Thief Lord- C. Funke: A group of orphans and runaways are lead into a life of crime by a disguised leader. The protagonist has his beliefs challenged by experiences, discoveries, and being the caretaker for his brother. A lengthy book but well worth it.

Historical Fiction:

Al Capone Does My Shirts- G. Choldenko: A novel set in the 30's and about a boy and his family who live on Alcatraz island. The subplot about his interactions with the warden's daughter are a sunny spot this powerful book about growing up. It has a great plot and fascinating characters who are endearing, frustrating, and delightful.

Esperanza Rising- P. Munoz: Set in the 1930's a girl finds her self, her courage, and her hope in a desperate time and situation. A very interesting story of field workers and their trials.

Milkweed- J. Spinelli: A story about a orphan who grows up in during the Holocaust and finds refuge and friends in a Jewish ghetto, even though he is not a Jew. A different perspective on the Holocaust story told by a little boy who doesn't understand why his friends live behind the fences and why things are changing.

Number the Stars- L. Lowry: A story about a girl growing up during the Nazi invasion of Denmark and how she overcomes her fears to be the hero her family and best friend need.

Petey- B. Mikaelsen: A unique look from a severely disabled boy who is institutionalized in the 1920's and his growing up. This story is heart breaking, uplifting, and life changing.

The Teacher's Funeral, A Comedy in Three Parts- R. Peck: This book has a dry outlook on growing up in the early 1900's. The boys are smart, playful, a little obnoxious and exactly how boys should be.

True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle- Avi: Written in first person by a girl who shuns convention on her voyage across the Atlantic in 1802. This book challenges stereotypes of girls in the 1800's and their roles in society. WARNING: This is a slow starting book so push through the first few chapters to the murder and betrayal parts and there is one with a stupid cover so get the one that doesn't have the lame dame looking girl on the front...believe me- EVERYONE judges a book by it's cover.

Biography/Autobiography:

Harris and Me-G. Paulsen: This could be my favorite book of all time....really! It combines the hard topics of foster families and the sheer joy of 11 year old boys on a farm. You will laugh until you cry and then cry some more because the story is so good and powerful. It is written in what I like to call "stream of consciousness" style which is entirely entertaining. A good read is Popcorn Days and Buttermilk Nights, same setting, author, and concept but fictional characters.

I Have Lived A Thousand Years- O. Bitton-Jackson: A heartbreaking book about the courage and resiliency of the human spirit. The author lives through the Holocaust as a teenager and loses her family, friends, and life but never her integrity.

Knots in My Yo-Yo String: The Autobiography of a Kid- J. Spinelli: This is best read after a few Spinelli books-it links the stories and the author. A great book to illustrate how authors write about what they love and know.

Fiction:

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory- R. Dahl: This book is as odd as the day is long and twice as delightful. If you have never read it-do yourself a favor and read it!

Charlotte's Web- E. B. White: A classic that is better as an adult (in my opinion). It is a slow starter so be ready to push past the first few chapters. If you've only watched the movie then spend a day or two with these characters and fall in love with them again...or for the first time.

The Giver- L. Lowry: A great book about a utopian society that has some dark secrets. A boy is given the memories of the city and finds a great life outside of this highly structured society. You must read Gathering Blue and The Messenger...it will blow your mind!

Gossamer- L. Lowry: A book that explores foster parenting, second chances, and anger through the perspective of dream makers. An interesting look at the problems that kids, adults, and families face.

The Ink Drinker- E. Sanvoisin: A little book with big figurative language. This book is great short read that is as suspenseful and it is well-written. The author has captured the essence of enjoying a book and wrapped it in a wonderfully engaging story.

Tale of Desperaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread- K. DiCamillo: Exactly what the title says. It is written in second person which adds some interest. The stories intertwine and the moral is that every action starts a chain of events. This is another book that makes me want to be a good writer.

Nod's Limb (Edgar and Ellen)- C. Ogden: Engaging for non-readers. Similar to the Lemony Snicket books except the children are throughly bad and nothing ever works out in their nefarious plans. The pet that they hate and torment is really good and foils them at every turn.

High Fiction:

Artemis Fowl- E. Colfer: A boy who is equal parts smart and self-serving tricks the fairy world into releasing it's secrets and gold. The greatest lessons in life are those that are learned through trial and err and Artemis learns a few along the way. A great series. An even better book on CD-the reader is AMAZING!

Eragon- C. Paolini: A boy and his dragon...need I say more. Similar to Tolkin and Lewis but wonderful and worthwhile all the same. The books are pretty heavy and need to be read with an alertness that isn't often found after 9:00.

The Edge Chronicles (Beyond the Deepwoods)- P. Stewart: Set in an alternate world with a very definite class system a boy realizes his dreams of being a sky pirate. The pen and ink illustrations make this book come alive. Clear your calendar and settle in for a good read.

Magick- A. Sage- A boy is the seventh son of a seventh son and this changes the destiny of his world. The the plot is complex, the characters multi-dimensionally, and the pace surprisingly fast.

Midnight for Charlie Bone- J. Nimmo: A boy with special powers fights against the dark powers to find his father and save his friends. The characters are engaging and memorable.

Poetry:

House on Mango Street- S. Cisneros: A refreshing free-verse poetry book about growing up in the barrios. The writing and words are playful and celebrate life. Not all poems are appropriate for students so pre-read :).

Where the Sidewalks Ends- S. Silverstein: A collection of wacky poems that will make you smile, laugh, and shake your head in wonder at the odd creations of verse.

Adventure/Mystery:

Among the Hidden- M. Haddix: In the future the government limits the number of children a family can have and the "hidden children" fight against the population control. Every book is by a different third child and tells a different part of the story. You will not put this down until you get to the end and then you will immediately go to the library and get the next one in the series.

Chasing Vermeer- B. Balliett: A odd pair of friends solve a mystery of a missing painting using observation, pentominoes and good old fashion sleuthing. The following two books are also very good.

City of Ember- J. Duprau: Set in the future it's the story of a city whose foundations are being shaken by the unknown. A few kids set out in search of answers in a suspenseful, fast paced story.

Hatchet-G. Paulsen: A boy, a hatchet, a airplane crash in the Canadian wilderness adds up to a very good book that combines courage, ingenuity and sheer luck.

The Sisters Grimm- M. Buckley: The two sisters are descents of the Brothers Grimm and solve mysteries for the Ever Afters (fairy tale folk). It's interesting to find who are the heros, who are the villians, and who are the clinically insane. A great fractured fairy tale spin.