My Monday posts are generally just a highlight of what I've been reading during the week so if you'd like to see all that I've been reading, follow my Goodreads page.
Books I reviewed last week:
Please, Mr. Panda by Steve Anthony
Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena, illustrated by Christian Robinson
The Turtle of Oman by Naomi Shihab Nye
I finished reading:
The Crossover by Kwame Alexander
The rhythm, pacing, and heart of this novel in verse makes it probably the best I've ever read of this format. It's one of those books I am kicking myself for not having read sooner. Would be a good book for a a middle school class read aloud.
Favorite picture books from last week:
The Little Chapel That Stood by A.B. Curtiss, illustrated by Mirto Golino
Review of this one is forthcoming. This beautiful, moving poem is a tribute to unwavering strength, faith and the search for a symbol of hope in a time of such tragedy.
The Gashlycrumb Tinies by Edward Gorey
Morbid, disturbing, subversive, and... delightful? I can't even pin down an audience for this book. It is incredibly strange and disturbingly endearing (there's an oxymoron for you). Despite the fact that it's an ABC book about how young children perished, it has a pleasant and lilting rhyme scheme. I kind of compare it to the song "Pumped Up Kicks" by Foster the People -- its incredibly disturbing lyrics were first overlooked by its toe-tapping beat and upbeat melody. The Gashlycrumb Tinies kind of has the opposite effect: at first you are horrified by the fact that this is a book about the demise of young children, but then the musical rhyme scheme takes over your good sense.
Currently reading:
Demon Derby by Carrie Harris
Currently reading with my ears:
In a Handful of Dust by Mindy McGinnis
I really want to read The Little Chapel That Stood. It looks really powerful. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks for The Little Chapel That Stood. I love all things Edward Gorey, & probably my middle school students would love that one, maybe not younger kids! Glad you loved Crossover. I thought it was wonderful, too. Have a good week, Beth!
ReplyDeleteI've got a personal copy of The Gashlycrumb Tinies. I love it, but you are right, it isn't easy to figure out who it is for.
ReplyDeleteI have In a Handful of Dust at home, just waiting for me to pick it up! My personal TBR pile has been neglected while I read for the Cybils. I just finished the last book so I am excited to pick something from all my piles at home! Have a great week.
ReplyDelete~Megan
http://wp.me/pzUn5-2eP
The Crossover - one of my students borrowed this and you have just reminded me that I need to get it back, Beth. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteJumped over to read your Turtle of Oman review. I appreciate your point about the nicety of reading a "quiet" Middle East book, too.
ReplyDeleteIt seems that everyone who reads The Crossover loves it. I really need to get to it. Thank you for sharing these books with us!
ReplyDeleteI just got Last Stop on Market Street from the library. I'm looking forward to starting that one. Have a great reading week!
ReplyDeleteGashlycrumb Tinies has been on my TBR for ages. I need to get to it. The Crossover was one of my favorites from last year. The Turtle of Oman was a book that made me pause and slow down. I liked the peace of it. I'm looking forward to Last Stop on Market Street.
ReplyDeleteI have The Crossover on hold at the library and heard that it is just in. I just read your review of The Turtle of Oman - definitely a quiet read.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about Edward Gorey - I've been a fan for quite awhile now. While we were in the US a month ago, I made sure that I purchased all of his Amphigorey volumes. :)
ReplyDeleteYour review of the Edward Gorey has me very curious! I'm honestly not sure I've ever read any Gorey--should probably remedy that. I have got to get to The Crossover--I am fully expecting to love it.
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