Flee Fly Flown by Janet Hepburn

Sometimes the right book falls in your hands at the right time.  For me, that was Flee, Fly, Flown by Janet Hepburn.  I first heard about Flee, Fly, Flown at the Waterloo Public Library's Waterloo Reads event that showcased the 2014 Forest of Reading Evergreen nominees.  It was then selected as my book club's read this month.  Now that I've finished, I have now gone on to submit a suggestion to Canada Reads that this is the book all of Canada should read because it's the book to break barriers.

Flee, Fly, Flown is the story of two elderly ladies in a nursing home that decide to go on vacation and take a break from the routine.  Lillian and Audrey can't remember how old they are, what they had for lunch or whether their spouses are still alive but they are determined to break out of the nursing home and have some fun.  The two head out from Ottawa and have their sights set on seeing the Rockie Mountains - no easy task for two elderly ladies with Alzheimers.

Canada Reads 2015 is focusing on books that break barriers and I think Flee, Fly, Flown would fit that perfectly.  First, it's Canadian and it takes the reader on a road trip across the western provinces.  But most importantly it gives a voice to the elderly.  Lillian and Audrey don't get to make choices any more, everything is decided for them and their days are quite repetitive.  They don't get to plan their days, decide what they want to eat, the daily activities they participate in and their kids have full control of their money.

Throughout the book I couldn't stop thinking of my own Grandma.  At 94 years of age, she has recently moved to a nursing home.  I think she is getting the best of care in her home and I believe it to be the best place for her.  But my Grandma is still of relatively good health and I'm sure her days are long and lonely.  I would be beside myself with worry if she escaped her home and went on a road trip, but part of me kind of wishes her and Audrey would hatch a plan over lunch and go have some fun.  Or maybe I can bring her a pizza, we can talk and give her some choices so she doesn't wind up feeling like a lonely, helpless prisoner.

Flee, Fly, Flown is Janet Hepurn's first novel.  Hepburn lives in Port Dover, Ontario.

Just a Bully by Mercer Mayer

This week is bully awareness week.  Earlier in the week I read a book about bullying to the grade 3 class but it was a bit of a dud.  So today I went searching for something different to read with my grade 1 class.  I grabbed Just a Bully thinking it would probably be perfect.  I had never read it before so it was all new to me as I read with the kids.  This book was terrible!  First problem, the boy won't tell his mom about the bully.  Then he plays sick to stay home and his mom knows he's faking but lets him stay home anyway.  Then he punches the bully and after a little scolding he gets on the bus to be greeted by a round of high fives from the other kids.  Terrible!  The hunt for a good bully awareness book continues.....

Press Here - Herve Tullet

Press Here by Herve Tullet only sits on the library shelf for about an hour at a time before someone grabs it up.  The kids love it.  The other day I watched a grade 8 student grab it and quietly enjoy the story again by herself.  It makes them smile no matter how old.  One day there was a technical glitch while we had about 100 kids waiting for a presentation.  I read this aloud to the group and surprisingly it worked.  The book is quite simple.  The book has kids pressing dots, shaking the book, clapping hands and more all to get a reaction on the next page.  It feels a bit magical.  As I said, it's quite a simple book but there's just something about it that brings a smile every time.

My grade 2 teacher has asked me to take a peak at Mix It Up also by Herve Tullet.  I haven't seen it yet but it seems it would be a good book to offer lessons on colours and art.

Inspire - Toronto International Book Fair

We just got back from two jam packed days at Toronto's Inspire book fair.  I'm exhausted!  I was fortunate enough to win tickets to the show from their booth at Toronto's Word on the Street festival back in September.  Word on the Street is amazing and so much fun but Inspire is a book festival on a whole other level.  First off Inspire was held indoors at the Metro Toronto Convention centre.  We walk in and my husband commented that he wished he'd brought slippers because much of the area was carpeted and decorated in a home and comfort but classy way.  All the areas were so inviting.  It looked awesome!  There were so many amazing authors in attendance.  There were a few highlights for my family.  First up I ran to the washroom and my son waited outside for me.  When I came out he said Margaret Atwood was in there and she said hi to him on the way in.  First off, I love that my 12 son knows who Margaret Atwood is and what she looks like.  While he was recounting the story out she came and she stopped by to speak with us for a moment before going on to do her presentation.  I had met Margaret Atwood a few years ago and I absolutely love her.  She is the absolute coolest 75 year old (happy birthday to her this Tuesday!).  Next up my oldest son getting an autograph and to shake hands with Chris Hadfield.  Another super cool Canadian!  There were so many rock star Canadian authors there - that's probably because Canada has so many great authors!  But the Inspire festival also had some huge American children's authors as well.  We didn't get to meet Jeff Kinney (Diary of a Wimpy Kid) but we snatched up an autographed copy of his latest book from Chapters.  We did get to meet Dav Pilkey!!  He gave an awesome talk to a group of young kids and we got an autograph and awesome photo.  He was in the Scholastic booth doing more autographs later on and he drew a hilarious evil toilet character from his books for display.  My son bravely asked if he could buy it and Dav generously personalized it for him and gave it to him (for free!).  That's going to look awesome on his bedroom wall.  We ended the day having a chat with Eric Walters - rock star!  It was a fantastic weekend and I hope such a success that this becomes an annual event.  Well done to everyone that had a hand in making it happen.  It was inspiring!!

Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch

Last week my school had the great pleasure of hosting Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch for a visit with our students in grades 4 to 8.  Many of the students had read Marsha's award winning novel Making Bombs for Hitler (don't let the title scare you off!).  I am currently reading Underground Soldier aloud with many of the classes. We were quite fortunate to benefit from two grants that assisted us in having Marsha spend the day with us.  One of those was a grant that Marsha had been given to help promote education on World War I internment.  The kids were fascinated and full of questions.  Of course, there was a handful of students who I didn't think were particularly engaged in her novels and I mentioned to Marsha that I was worried they would chat while she tried to talk.  Marsha promised me all would be fine.  Well those same kids I was worried about were the ones that gave up their recess to stay behind and talk to her further.  She really was that good.  Someone told me recently that they don't think kids are interested in reading about history but that is definitely not true.  Many of my students love reading historical fiction; especially realistic historical fiction.  If you ever get a chance to hear Marsha speak or perhaps bring her to your school I highly recommend her.  I heard so much fantastic feedback from students, teachers and parents during teacher interviews.  We're still talking about it.