Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

The Wilhelm Gustloff was pregnant with lost souls conceived of war. They would crowd into her belly and she would give birth to their freedom. But did anyone realize? The ship was christened for a man, Wilhelm Gustloff... He had been the leader of the Nazi Party in Switzerland. 

He was murdered. The ship was born of death. 

It's January 1945 and Germany is facing a swift Soviet advance. Desperate refugees flock to the coast to board ships that will lead them to safety. This is the story of four refugees whose circumstances bring them together as they seek shelter and freedom aboard the Wilhelm Gustloff.

In Salt to the Sea, Ruta Sepetys does just as she did in Between Shades of Gray -- brought to light a moment in history that no one ever knew about. In this case, it's the biggest disaster in maritime history. Told in short chapters via four characters' alternating points-of-view, this book will leave you staying up late into the night to finish as you say to yourself, "Just one more chapter." And, as an added bonus, Sepetys managed to connect this story to Between Shades of Gray so that is an exciting moment in the story when the reader comes upon that realization.

I have had the pleasure of hearing Ruta Sepetys talk many times and hearing her talk about her research process is always nothing short of inspiring. It was no different for Salt to the Sea. This week she visited Literati Bookstore in Ann Arbor and to a full house, she had the audience rapt listening to her tell the stories of survivors, family members, and of divers who have gone down and experienced the Gustloff first hand. But even more inspiring than her research process was what she said about why she writes about forgotten history. It's actually in the author's note in the back of the book:

History divided us, but through reading we can be united in story, study, and remembrance. 

I hope Sepetys keeps researching, studying, and uniting us all through story for years to come.

Hear Sepetys talk about Salt to the Sea:


Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys
Published: February 2, 2016
Publisher: Philomel
Pages: 400
Genre: Historical Fiction
Audience: Young Adult
Disclosure: Advance reader copy acquired at the NCTE convention in November

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It's Monday! What are you reading? 2-8-16

It's Monday! What are you reading? Is a wonderful community of readers, teachers, and librarians. Hosted by Jen over at Teach Mentor Texts along with Kellee and Ricki at Unleashing Readers, participants share their reading adventures from the past week along with their reading plans for the week ahead.


I finished reading: 

Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillo  
I have a feeling this will be one of those books that will grow in fondness the more that time passes, but as of right now, I'm feeling kind of "meh" about it. I liked the characters of Raymie, Beverly, and Louisiana, but something in the story felt lacking to me. 


Picture books I enjoyed last week:

Mo's Mustache by Ben Clanton
Mo learns that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. 


How to Hide a Lion by Helen Stephens
The story and illustrations made this book feel like a book that was published 50 years ago instead of 4 years ago. The retro feel was both joyful and hip. 


The Poem that Will Not End by Joan Bransfield Graham, illustrated by Krysten Brooker
A wonderful book that not only explores all kinds of poetic forms, but also tells a story. I'm adding this to my classroom library wishlist! 


Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Yuyi Morales
An important story, beautifully told and illustrated
  

Currently reading:

Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys


Currently (still) reading with my ears:

Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things by Jenny Lawson  

It's Monday! What are you reading? 2-1-16

It's Monday! What are you reading? Is a wonderful community of readers, teachers, and librarians. Hosted by Jen over at Teach Mentor Texts along with Kellee and Ricki at Unleashing Readers, participants share their reading adventures from the past week along with their reading plans for the week ahead.

I skipped out on posting last week because, oh boy, was it a crazy week! We had six showings on our house, all of which gave not very much notice, so we had to figure out what the heck to do with the dogs in a short amount of time. But it was all worth it because it resulted in THREE offers, one of them was sight unseen! So it looks like this moving to Ann Arbor thing is really going to happen.

So this post will be based on what I've read over the past two weeks.

On my teaching blog, I reviewed:

Write What Matters: For Yourself, For Others by Tom Romano


I finished reading with my ears:

Connect the Stars by Marisa de los Santos and David Teague
This is one of those books that didn't receive much buzz, but it is a delightful middle grade novel that is accessible to all kinds of readers.


Picture books I enjoyed:
 
Rain! by Linda Ashman, illustrated by Christian Robinson
A story to show how other people's attitudes can affect others. A perfectly delightful heartprint book.


I Am Yoga by Susan Verde, illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds 
A book that is so beautiful and calming, I'm considering buying it for myself and reading it when my anxiety is getting the better of me.  

 
My Cold Plum Lemon Pie Bluesy Mood by Tameka Fryer Brown, illustrated by Shane W. Evans
A great book to pair with The Crossover, as it has a similar kind of hip hop vibe and groove to it.  


Currently reading:

Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillo  


Currently reading with my ears:

Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things by Jenny Lawson 

It's Monday! What are you reading? 1-18-16

It's Monday! What are you reading? Is a wonderful community of readers, teachers, and librarians. Hosted by Jen over at Teach Mentor Texts along with Kellee and Ricki at Unleashing Readers, participants share their reading adventures from the past week along with their reading plans for the week ahead.


I thought with finally finishing grad school I would have more time for leisure reading. Except I forgot the part about buying a new house and trying to sell our current condo. So yeah. reading continues to remain on the backburner. I did manage to read a few picture books last week though. These are the ones I enjoyed the most:

Mixed Me! by Taye Diggs, illustrated by Shane W. Evans
I loved the illustrations and liked the text for the most part. It lacked cohesion and flow in a few places, but overall I really liked this book.


Little Tree by Loren Long
A beautiful, simple story about knowing when it's time to let go so you can grow.  


Mother Bruce by Ryan T. Higgins 
Hilarious! A definite must-read to students! 


Currently (still) reading:

Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys
I have a confession to make: I've only read like 2 pages of this book so far. I need to get serious about reading it, especially because Sepetys is coming to Michigan in February!


Currently (still) reading with my ears:

Connect the Stars by Marisa de los Santos and David Teague
I'm really enjoying this audiobook so far. I love the dual narrators. 

It's Monday! What are you reading? 1-11-16

It's Monday! What are you reading? Is a wonderful community of readers, teachers, and librarians. Hosted by Jen over at Teach Mentor Texts along with Kellee and Ricki at Unleashing Readers, participants share their reading adventures from the past week along with their reading plans for the week ahead.

Happy ALA Youth Media Awards day! Yesterday I wrote my predictions for winners.  I was also the guest poster on Nerdy Book Club yesterday: Top Ten Books That Colored My Whitewashed World.

Last week I finished reading:

Night on Fire by Ronald Kidd 
A solid, page-turning novel about the Civil Rights era and the Freedom Riders

I finished reading with my ears:

Juba! by Walter Dean Myers  
I just didn't connect with this one. I have a feeling I was missing some things by listening to the audio as opposed to reading the book, although the audiobook narrator was entertaining to listen to.


Picture books I read last week:
 
Water is Water by Miranda Paul, illustrated by Jason Chin
Nerdy Birdy by Aaron Reynolds, illustrated by Matt Davies
Meet the Dullards by Sara Pennpacker, illustrated by Daniel Salmieri


Currently reading:

Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys


Currently reading with my ears:

Connect the Stars by Marisa de los Santos and David Teague

2016 ALA Youth Media Award Predictions

Last year before the ALA Youth Media Awards, I wrote a "hopes and wishes" post. I was very invested in the outcome of last year's awards because it was the first time I would actually be in attendance for the announcement of the Newbery, Caldecott, Printz, et. al. This year my prediction list is smaller because finishing grad school prevented me from reading as much as I usually do and also because I am not as intense about the outcome as I was last year. Don't get me wrong, I am still going to be watching the live webcast and sharing my enthusiasm. I just am a little more chill about it this year.

So here is my list of predictions/wishes for 2016

Caldecott

Waiting by Kevin Henkes
Kevin Henkes is no stranger to the ALA Youth Media Awards, which is why I would normally not wish for Waiting to be the Caldecott medalist. I'm a fan of rooting for the underdog, what can I say? And let's be honest here, this book is not an underdog. It's been buzzed about since it first came out in September. However, there is something so special and endearing about this book without being saccharine and/or didactic. I would not be upset in the least to see this book win or get an honor.


Drum Dream Girl by Margarita Engle, illustrated by Rafael  Lopez
I have no doubt the Pura Belpre committee will give this book a nod, but I would love to see it get some Caldecott love. The vibrant, dreamlike illustrations pair beautifully with Margarita Engle's simple yet poetic verse. 


The Moon is Going to Addy's House by Ida Pearle
I am amazed at how much movement is conveyed in these cut-paper illustrations. And I especially love that the illustrations feel both retro and modern at the same time. 


Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena, illustrated by Christian Robinson
I kind of forgot about this book until I read that this was Betsy Bird's final prediction to take the medal. But then I went back and read my review and I agree with her whole-heartedly that this book's time has come.


Newbery
 
Echo by Pam Muñoz Ryan
I didn't read very much middle grade this year, so it's probably not best to hinge all my bets on one book, but I'm doing it anyway. This is my one and only prediction. Go big or go home. 


Printz

Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman
The Printz is so hard to predict. But if I were a betting woman, I'd say this book gets some love tomorrow.


Coretta Scott King

X: A Novel by Ilyasah Shabazz and Kekla Magoon
I'd love to see this get some Printz love too but I'm fairly certain the CSK committee will give it a nod.

It's Monday! What are you reading? 1-4-16

It's Monday! What are you reading? Is a wonderful community of readers, teachers, and librarians. Hosted by Jen over at Teach Mentor Texts along with Kellee and Ricki at Unleashing Readers, participants share their reading adventures from the past week along with their reading plans for the week ahead.

Happy New Year! I can't believe it's 2016 already. Time seems to indeed go faster the older you get.

Last week I posted my top 15 favorite books of 2015. I was also honored to be part of the Nerdy YA Award announcements last week when I wrote the review for The Boy in the Black Suit by Jason Reynolds. Also, on my teaching blog I wrote about my One Little Word for 2016 and my weekly post of curated links.


Last week I finished reading:
 
Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon
A compulsively page-turning book with some twists and turns I wasn't expecting. Thank you Nicola Yoon for helping me out of my reading rut!  


I finished reading with my ears:
 
A Step Toward Falling by Cammie McGovern 
I don't have much to say about this book. It was a good story and enjoyable to listen to, but I'm not sure I'll remember much about it in a few weeks. 


Picture books I enjoyed last week:


Counting Lions by Katie Cotton, illustrated by  Stephen Walton
It's hard to believe that the illustrations in this unconventional counting book are drawings and not photographs. Simply stunning.

Fire Engine No. 9 by Mike Austin
When I first read that Betsy Bird put this on her list of possible Caldecott predictions, at first I scoffed. But then I read it and realized she is right on the money. The illustrations are bright, bold, and timeless. It's a book that appeals to kids and adults alike. 

Dear Yeti by James Kwan
There has been a spate of picture books lately featuring yetis. I'm into it. :) 

One Today by Richard Blanco, illustrated by Dav Pilkey
Beautiful poem that was written and read for 2013 inauguration of President Obama's second term. Dav Pilkey's vibrant, hopeful, and dream-like illustrations pair beautifully with the text.

Waddle! Waddle! by James Proimos
I see this book being a Geisel contender. 


Currently reading:

Night on Fire by Ronald Kidd 


Currently reading with my ears:

Juba! by Walter Dean Myers