The Land of Stories by Chris Colfer

When I first heard of this series I was watching a late night talk show where Chris Colfer from the TV series Glee was being interviewed.  The host made mention of the fact that he was an author of some amazing story books.  

The Land of Stories is a series of 5 novels - so far.  Where a brother and sister fall into a book and travel the land of fairy tales and nursery rhymes.  Anyone that loves a fairy tale will love this story.  There is villains, magic, potions, talking toads and more!  Coming in at just over 400 pages this is a novel for a child that loves a story.  One of my favourite books growing up was Alice in Wonderland and this series reminded me of that story telling.

Chris Colfer is 26 years old and his accomplishments are incredible.  I look forward to following his writing career.  He is a talented story teller.

Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult

Jodi Picoult has long been one of my favourite authors.  I've read quite a few of her books.  However, in recent years I haven't been keeping up with her newest titles.  When I read the description for Small Great Things I knew it would be a shocking read.

What I love most about Jodi Picoult's novels is that she takes issues and presents them so that readers walk away with an understanding of how both sides feel.  I knew Small Great Things would be that same writing style I love.  Each chapter is writing in a different characters point of view. 

In Small Great Things Ruth has enjoyed a 20 year career as a nurse delivering babies.  She is excellent at what she does; showing great compassion and understanding of her patients needs.  But one day that career comes tumbling down when she encounters Turk and Brit Bauer and their new baby Davis.  Ruth has just come on shift and is doing an examination of baby Davis when she is told that no African American's may touch baby Davis.  Ruth struggles with her emotions but continues on with her work.  A short time later after a series of emergencies, Ruth finds herself alone with Davis in distress.  Should she touch the baby even though she's been told by her superiors and the baby's parents she is not to touch that baby.

Small Great Things is shocking and uncomfortable.  I couldn't resist talking about this book with people throughout my day.  Their response was that situations like this don't happen anymore.  Then you watch the news and think it sure does happen still.

This is a fantastic page turner with a shocking ending.  Perfect for book club as well.

Leave Me by Gayle Forman

Maribeth Klein has it all.  Her dream job.  Her dream husband.  Twins, a boy and a girl - of course.  But she's also killing herself doing it all.  Literally.  Maribeth suffers a heart attack at 44 years of age.  It's really not a surprise she's unwell, as she's nearly run a marathon before she even gets home for dinner.  Anyone relate to that?  As she sits at home trying to heal life just seems to get more hectic and stressful until Maribeth cracks.  She packs her bags, scribbles a quick note to her husband and she's gone.

Leave Me is a story about a busy mom who takes a time out from life to heal.  Maribeth also uncovers more about who she is and her relationships as friend, mother and wife.  Leave Me is a great read that is at times funny and emotional.

I was very surprised to find out that Gayle Forman is also the author of If I Stay and Where She Went.  If I Stay was made into a movie in 2014.  Both books are on my to read pile and have been quite popular at my school with the Grade 7 and 8's.

Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate

The One and Only Ivan is one of my favourite reads of all time.  It is so beautifully written and has a great lesson too.  Fits perfectly with the grade four curriculum.  The new cover of Crenshaw captured my attention right away and the Applegate name drew me in.

This is not a book to judge by it's cover.  The cover suggests a light read about a boy and an imaginary cat.  Which is what the book is about but there is so much more.  Jackson is a young boy with a lot to deal with.  Jackson's dad has MS.  When things get too bad he's forced to leave his job and try and make ends meet but unfortunately the ends don't meet and the family ends up homeless.  Much more serious topics then the cover makes you imagine.  To deal with these issues Jackson creates Crenshaw.  A large and mischievous cat.  This was ok when he was little but now Jackson is years old and once again facing homelessness.  Crenshaw is back but isn't Jackson too old for an imaginary friend?

Crenshaw is a beautiful story with some fun, but a very sensitive and serious story as well.  Not quite what you would expect from the cover.  Strange that I read two books with children affected by MS in a row.  That was totally random.  This was a book that I was recommending to some of my stronger grade 3 readers but now that I know the mature theme I would place it more with grade 5.

The Meaning of Maggie by Megan Jean Sovern

Maggie is a very self absorbed 11 year old girl.  She loves school.  She plans to be president - she's already campaigning.  Maggie loves food, especially candy.  She also loves her super cool dad and her stay at home mom.  She tolerates her two older sisters.

When Maggie's stay at home mom suddenly goes back to work and her super cool dad quits his job to stay home, Maggie is determined to figure out what's going on.  She knows Dad's legs have been falling asleep a lot but what does that mean?  Is it a big deal?  Why is the letter M always missing from the encyclopedia set at home?

Maggie sets out to do her science fair project on curing her dad.  She's won the science fair the last few years.  She's confident this year will be a winner too - at home and school.  But she has to figure out what everyone in her family knows and is protecting her from.

I loved the way Maggie grew in this story.  I also loved the way her family tried to protect her and then realized she wasn't a baby anymore and needed the truth.  

Weerdest Day Ever by Richard Scrimger

The Seven Series is where my blog began.  It was also my first published book review in my local newspaper.  I LOVE this series!  I have driven dark snowy roads to see the seven authors on stage-if the seven appear near you - definitely go and bring the kids.  I've tracked them down at book festivals for autographs - they are all friendly!  I also sport a Seven shirt down the school halls.  I keep the series front and centre at my library for everyone to gravitate too and easy to point and recommend.  I've also convinced a few non-reading adult men to give the series a try.  For the back story of this series check out my first blog post here.

In the first series Richard Scrimger introduced us to Bunny through Ink Me.  Bunny's beloved grandfather has just passed away and left a series of tasks for all his grandsons.  Bunny is going to get the tattoo that his grandfather never did.

In the second book the seven cousins have met at their grandfather's cottage to discuss all their adventures while completing the tasks.  While they are there though they discover some secrets about their grandfather that lead the cousins off on another set of adventures.  Read more about this book on my  The Wolf and Me blog post here.

In the Weerdest Day Ever, Bunny is older and for a school assignment he writes the story of a weekend camping trip with his grandfather.  Bunny's grandfather has promised a big surprise for the weekend.  It doesn't take Bunny long to find out that there is a war planned between Canada and the United States and it's taking place at the campsite this weekend!  Everyone seems so excited about it but Bunny finds it scary.  Bunny makes some new friends and enemies while they wait for the big battle to begin.

While maintaining the innocence of Bunny, I am happy to say that his spelling has improved with age.  I look forward to reading the other cousins stories of experiences they had with their grandfather.

The most series are prequels and will be published by Orca Book Publishers in September 2016.

Sight Unseen by David Carroll

 In 2014 I discovered David Carroll while doing the Forest of Reading program at my school.  His first novel, Ultra, was a Silver Birch nominee and I read it aloud with my grade 5 class.  I also reviewed it here on my blog.  The students loved the book and it was one of those stories that got requests for me to come and read to them at lunch hour.  You know you've grabbed their attention when instead of socializing they want to hear more!

I was very excited to see David Carroll has published a second book, Sight Unseen.  This is the story of a boy named Finn that is slowly losing his eye sight.  Slowly he is being forced to give up doing the things he loves.  Biking being his most missed activity.  He's also losing his friends and independence.  While camping with his family and new friend Cheese, Finn discovers there may be a way to keep his eyesight but at the expense of other sacrifices.  Tough decision!

Hopefully this fall David Carroll will be back on the Silver Birch nominee list with Sight Unseen.  I think it will make another great read aloud for one of my classes.

Fragile Bones: Harrison & Anna by Lorna Schultz Nicholson

  Harrison is a 15 year old boy diagnosed with high functioning autism.  He can travel through his high school days with few incidents but he has his triggers and if those triggers start piling up they can lead to a melt down.  Harrison uses many coping tactics to avoid melt downs especially now that he's in high school but sometimes life just overwhelms him.  Other times bullies bring him down.

This year Harrison has joined the 'Best Buddies' club and he's got a new friend named Anna.  Through this new friendship Harrison pushes himself to try new things and he's thrilled to have a new friend.  Anna learns how to be a good friend to someone living with autism.

Fragile Bones is the first book of a series called One 2 One that explores students at Sir Winston Churchill Secondary school.

Fallout by Todd Strasser

It's the summer of 1962 and the threat of war is looming.  Scott is in grade 6.  Old enough to know that things are serious but young enough that his parents don't share the extent of it with him.  Fallout is told by Scott's point of view with the time frame flipping from before the bomb and after the bomb.

Scott's dad has built a bomb shelter for their home.  His mother and all the neighbours think he's crazy.  There won't be a bomb.  Readers quickly discover that there has been a bomb though.  Scott's dad isn't so crazy anymore!  All the neighbours rush to fit into a shelter that has been built for a family of four.  Soon the shelter door is shut and now ten neighbours must survive two weeks with only enough supplies for four people.

Before the bomb is built Scott has normal young boy worries such as getting in trouble for dumb ideas that his best friend Ronnie ropes him into.  Ronnie's next big plan is that before Scott is killed by a bomb he needs to see a woman's breasts.

I really enjoyed Fallout.  Perfect for grade 6-8.  However, not a great read allowed due to Ronnie's obsession with breasts.  There is also some under age drinking.  No bad language though.

The Invoice by Jonas Karlsson

How happy are you with your life?  Do you think you are more or less happy then your friends and neighbours?  What makes one person happier than another?  Is it money?  Family?  Travel?  Love?

The main character (no name given) has received an invoice for an obscene amount of money.  He's been told it is time to pay up for all the wonderful experiences he's had in life so far.  But how has this company come up with this number?  How have they rated his level of happiness?  Is he happy?  What's the worst things that have happened to him?

This was a quick read.  Interesting how he reflects and evaluates his life.  This would make a good book club discussion.  The Invoice will be published in Canada on July 12th, 2016.

Insidious by Catherine Coulter

I enjoy a good murder mystery now and then but it can't be too gruesome and gory and it can't have kids.  That can be tough to find.  I was a bit sceptical when I received a copy of Insidious but all was good.

Insidious was a good clean murder mystery.  A real page turner without a ton of blood and guts and harming small children.  There is a serial killer though and someone is trying to kill an 87 year old grandmotherly business tycoon.  At first it seemed like so many characters to keep straight and try and figure out how they all fit together but it all came together quickly.

Someone has been trying to poison Venus the 87 year old grandmother.  But who?  And why?  Surely, she can't have that much longer to rule the business empire.  Can't they just wait to die naturally?  And which one of her children or grandchildren is so anxious to see her gone?  They are all quick to point fingers.

In Hollywood it's a pretty competitive world.  Everyone is trying to be a star.  After the third murdered starlett the FBI realize they have a serial killer on their hands but how many more up and coming stars need to be brutally murdered before they catch the killer?

The Good Sister by Chelsea Bolan

The Amador family takes great pride in their family name and family business - the bar that all the tourists flaunt to.  They are a family that is respected in their community.  Raul Amador is the proud leader of his family.  Nothing will tarnish their family name.

When rumours begin to circulate that his youngest daughter Gabriela has been up to no good with a local man, Raul can take no chances and must protect his family image.  He acts quickly to cleanse his home and name of any shame not stopping to think twice or listen.

With Gabriela no longer a name that is allowed to be spoken in the presence of her father, Lucy must remain the good sister.  Although her name may not be spoken, Lucy can't drive away her thoughts of her sister.  Where is she?  Is she safe?  Is she alive?

Lucy travels across Mexico to find her beloved sister.  Her travels take her through a side of Mexico that is hidden away from the many tourists that visit every day.  The author, Chelsea Bolan, describes a Mexico filled with history and beauty.  The Good Sister tells a story of tragedy and loss but throughout the story the sisters each encounter so many kind and giving strangers as well.  The Good Sister will transport readers to Mexico with every page.

After You by Jojo Moyes

Me Before You is one of the best books I've ever read.  I LOVE that book!  With the movie in theatres right now it has received a lot of attention.  I've seen a lot of people I know quickly trying to read the book before the movie.  I haven't seen the movie yet.  I will soon.  But while everyone is rushing to read the amazing Me Before You that I've know to be amazing for years, I've moved on to the sequel.

I think many people are unaware that there is a sequel.  Spread the word!  A sequel has big shoes to fill to one of my favourite books ever.   After You is not quite the heart wrenching love story that Me Before You is, but it is actually a very good sequel.  There were a few rapid page turning moments.  No kleenex required.  You can read it in public and not fear embarrassment.  But definitely read the sequel.  Definitely read the first book before you see the movie.  

Light Between Oceans Read Along

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I received an email today inviting me to join a read along for The Light Between Oceans.  This book has been on my to read list for a while now.  The publisher tells me that there is a movie coming out soon.  I definitely need to finish the book before the movie!  I also love the idea of a read along.  There is a schedule on Goodreads that seems quite manageable.  Then there will be online discussions over the weeks.  Sounds like fun.

Here's a link to the Goodreads group.  Consider joining and following along.  You have a few weeks to grab a copy of the book and they are even giving away a few copies.

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/18140314-read-a-long-schedule

Shooter by Caroline Pignat

Caroline Pignat is a Canadian author that attracts quite a few readers in my school library.  One of the most popular being Egghead.  I haven't had a chance to read any of her books up until now when I received an ARC of Shooter.

Shooter begins with a school being placed in lock down and students running for cover.  After many classrooms being locked a group of students find themselves hiding out in the boys bathroom.  These five students all think they've got the others pegged on who they but after an hour in lock down together they quickly realise that maybe their perceptions are all based on image and rumours.

The back cover of Shooter recommends the book for ages 12 and up.  Unless it shows up as a Red Maple nominee in the Forest of Reading next year, I don't think it is something I will add in my school library.  I think it is an excellent story but a bit too mature for the majority of my readers.  

Book Clubs

Last night I had book club.  I look forward to it every month.  It's a nice night out having dinner with the girls.  We are quite a small club - just three of us.  But it works.  We always manage to find a date that works for the three of us.  We are all busy with kids and work.  I think if we had more than three we would struggle to find a time that works for everyone.  Often people laugh when I say it's a book club of three but it works.

In reality we spend very little of the night discussing the book but the books are what bond us together.  This month we were discussing The Nest by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney.  This book has been getting so much publicity lately.  People calling it gripping and a page turner.  We didn't feel it.  For once we all agreed.  It was a good book.  For once, we all finished it in time!  We didn't love the main characters.  We thought the characters could have been more developed.  We did like a few of the secondary characters.  It was a good book, we just felt it was not quite as amazing as some of the reviews have been raving.

We take turns picking the restaurant and the book.  It typically is a bit of a discussion but one person gets final word.  Last night the book clubber choosing the next book wanted to read a classic book now.  The other two immediately shot her down and said we want modern fiction.  Overruled!  This month we will be reading Dumplin by Julie Murphy.

Are you in a book club?  What was your latest read?  What are you reading now?  Tell me about your book club.

Britt-Marie Was Here by Fredrik Backman

Britt-Marie is quite content taking care of others and making her home shine.  She is a slightly older lady that is quite set in her ways.  But when she finds out her husband has done her wrong she won't stand around and put up with it.   Although he is in the hospital with some heart trouble and it doesn't feel right to leave some one when they are down and out; that is just what Britt-Marie does.

If she's going to be out on her own, she is going to need a job.  With no work experience Britt-Marie's job prospects are very limited.  She quickly finds herself in a worn down town outside the big city running a recreation centre.  Britt-Marie soon finds herself in the midst of the town's core - the soccer pitch; or lack of it.

I thought this story was going to be quite predictable but it actually wasn't.  Even mid-through when I changed my ending prediction I was still wrong.  A great group of characters.  Britt-Marie Was Here certainly leaves her mark.

Check out A Man Called Ove also by Fredrik Backman.

The Girls in the Garden by Lisa Jewell

Claire Wild has just returned from a neighbourhood party with her daughter.  She has had way too much to drink.  Pip heads out to the garden to find her older sister but when she's found Grace is unconscious.  

Claire Wild and her two daughters, Grace and Pip, have just moved to a new home.  Claire's husband has experienced some severe mental health issues and the girls have been forced to find somewhere new to live in London, England.  The find themselves in this neighbourhood where the buildings and homes join together and the inside forms this cool 3 acre communal park.  Claire is trying to lay low and regroup but it's hard to avoid her super friendly neighbours and they all quickly become friends.

We know from the first chapter that somewhere along the lines everyone in the neighbourhood is certainly not friendly because someone has harmed Grace.  But who?

I really loved the idea of this neighbourhood.  It sounded like such a cool place to live.  As the story progressed none of the characters were very likeable.  They all had secrets.  Everyone was in everyone else's business.

The Girls in the Garden was a great fast read with a good mystery.  It wasn't until the last page that you figure out who harmed Grace.

The Altogether Unexpected Disappearance of Atticus Craftsman by Mamen Sanchez

The Altogether Unexpected Disappearance of Atticus Craftsman is a mystery, a love story, a story of strong friendships and also quite funny as well.  Atticus Craftsman is the son of a wealthy tycoon in the literary business.  His father had established small literary newspapers across Europe.  All were very successful expect the Spain office.  Atticus is sent to Spain with the task of firing the five employees and closing up the office.  His father sends him off with a warning - they're all women.

The women of the office are a tight group of friends.  They help each other out when in need and celebrate each others successes and cry together when life isn't going as planned for one of the group.  When they receive word that the office is too be closed they quickly make a plan to stall for time.  And the mystery begins.

All of the characters in the book were very like-able.  There were many characters in the book and I was worried it was going to get confusing but they were each well defined and distinct.  I enjoyed reading a book set in Spain.  I can't think of anything else I've read set in Spain.  It was a nice change.

The Altogether Unexpected Disappearance of Atticus Craftsman  will be on sale August 9th, 2016. 

The Imaginary by A. F. Harrold

I definitely judged this book by it's cover.  The cover of this book is beautiful.  There are a few pictures throughout The Imaginary and they are all very well done.  I loved it.

The Imaginary would make a good read aloud for a younger grade.  The Imaginary is the story of a young girl with an imaginary friend.  Of course, she's the only one who can see him.  Until....others can see him too.  And she can see other imaginaries too.  Danger is lurking for the imaginaries.  A fun story for those with a great imagination.

Echo by Pam Munoz Ryan

Echo is a beautifully written story about a harmonica.  Although the harmonica isn't magical it has a huge impact on the lives of it's various owners.  The harmonica makes it's way to three different owners throughout the story.  The three children that possess the harmonica are each experiencing some difficult times in their lives.  They each have a great appreciation for music.  They are also very appreciative for small gifts.

Echo is a beautifully written children's novel that could easily be enjoyed by many adults as well.  It's quite long - over 500 pages.  Definitely a book for an avid reader.  Last year my school had a visit by Marsha Skrypuch.  Her books are still requested quite frequently.  I think this would be a good suggestion for her fans.

Kay's Lucky Coin Variety by Ann Y. K. Choi

Kay's Lucky Coin Variety is a coming of age story of young Mary stuck between two cultures.  Mary was born in Korea.  She can remember the day her family left for a better life in Canada.  A variety store in Toronto becomes their life.  Mary, her parents and brother, Josh must take their turn working shifts manning the store.  Is this the better life her parents dreamed of?  Selling cigarettes and newspapers and living in fear of being robbed and losing that days earnings or worse.

Mary begins each morning with a Korean soup prepared by her mother.  Then Mary heads to school where she struggles to fit in when there aren't any other Korean children around.  It's a struggle to maintain her Korean identity and adapt to her Canadian society.  It's a struggle for Mary to meet her parents expectations and dreams they have for her life.  She's in love with a white man but questions whether she could grow to love the Korean boy who whispers her birth name.
  
Kay's Lucky Coin Variety is the first novel for Toronto's Ann Y. K. Choi.  It will be on sale May 3rd, 2016.

Liberty Street by Dianne Warren

Years ago before I started my blog I read Cool Water by Dianne Warren.  It was the story of a cast of characters living in a small Canadian town and it took place over the course of one day.  Since that time I have been frequently looking out for something new by Dianne Warren.  I subscribe to many email newsletters to keep me up to date on the latest book releases so I was completely surprised to see this one in Chapters and that I didn't already know about it.

Once again, the setting is a small town in Canada.  The story is about Frances Mary Moon and her coming of age story.  She grows up often not meeting the expectations of her parents.  She makes a few mistakes given the town folks lots to gossip about.  She manages to push some of those mistakes behind her and move on in a new relationship but when she witnesses a tragedy many years later the truth comes slipping out surprising her and her long term boyfriend.

I love Dianne Warren's writing style.  I look forward to her next novel.

Will to Survive by Eric Walters

It's no secret that I love every Eric Walters book that I read.  He is very talented and if you ever get the chance to hear him speak - don't miss it!  The most viewed post on my blog is Sleeper by Eric Walters.  My very first published book review was of the Seven series that he was the mastermind behind.  I've also reviewed a few of his other books in between.

Today though is the final book in his Rule of Three trilogy.  First, you must read these books in order.  I don't want to say too much about this book in case you haven't read the first two yet.  Let me just say that I was satisfied with the ending.  I've read book one aloud to grade 7 and 8 classes and they've loved it!  You know you've hooked them when they ask you to read to them at lunch.  This series is fantastic for teenage boys but girls like it just as much.  Also, I've recommended it to a few adult men that haven't read a book and years and they all loved it.

I'm sorry to see it end.  I have eagerly awaited the last few February's for the most recent title.  I'm sure Eric Walters is currently working on something else for me to love.  I hope.  

Speechless by Valerie Sherrard

Jelly dreads the yearly speech competition at school but when this year's prize is revealed to be a gaming device he's extremely motivated.  Problem is that when Jelly has to talk in front of a group he's speechless.  Jelly's classmate Victoria wins every year.  Victoria's the school co-president.  She's every teacher's favourite.  How can Jelly compete with her?  What topic will win the votes from his classmates?

Speechless is a great read aloud.  It's funny and has many great discussion points.

Flood Girls by Richard Fifield

Rachel Flood is an alcoholic.  She's been faithfully attending her AA meetings and working through the steps.  She's on the right path.  But Rachel knows she's left a path behind her with a lot of emotional casualties and she can't let it go.  She needs to right her wrongs in her hometown of Quinn, Montana.  Rachel knows that no one, including her own mother, will be happy to see her back in Quinn but she needs to give it a try.  

Quinn's most spunky women all come together each summer to form the town's baseball team.  The hilarious characters of Flood Girls will have you checking NetFlix to re-watch '90's movie A League of Their Own.  Will Rachel receive the forgiveness she seeks?  Will she be driven to drink again?  Beneath all the rough and tough exteriors are the residents of Quinn hiding a big heart after all?

You'll laugh.  You'll cry.  You'll want to keep reading Flood Girls.

Simon & Schuster Canada are kicking off 2016 with a series of novels with kick-ass women characters.  Flood Girls has a few kick-ass women in it.  What other novels have you read with kick-ass women characters?