Love Anthony by Lisa Genova

I am a huge fan of Lisa Genova.  I love a book that makes me see life in someone else's point of view and Lisa Genova never disappoints.  In Love Anthony we get the perspective of a mother of a child with autism but we also get the perspective of the Anthony who is living with autism.  No one knows for certain what Anthony might be thinking and feeling since he is non-verbal but if anyone is going to have some insight it's likely that it would be Genova.  Lisa Genova is a neuroscientist so it's believable that she might have a good idea what she's talking about here.  

Olivia is Anthony's mom.  Anthony has passed away and Olivia is trying to make sense of why Anthony was the way he was and why he died so young.  She's tried talking to God but the answers just aren't coming.  She's trying to move on with life but that's tough too.  Her new neighbour Beth is also going through her own life crisis and looking for answers.  She doesn't have answers for her own problems either but she's found a renewed energy to write a novel which brings some healing in unexpected ways.

Lisa Genova's earlier novel Still Alice is set to be released as a movie in Canada January 23, 2015.  This is the story of a professor who begins to experience symptoms of alzheimers.  I loved this book and can't wait for the movie.  Left Neglected is another of Genova's novels that I loved.  Three great novels.  I will be eagerly watching for her next book.

The Woman Who Stole My Life by Marian Keyes

I mostly read Canadian authors.  Not just because I’m proudly Canadian but because I truly love Canadian literature.  However, I do have a soft spot for a group of Irish authors as well.  Marian Keyes is an Irish author that’s established herself as a popular fiction writer worldwide.  I would compare her writing style to Sophie Kinsella.  Marian Keyes novels are often quite funny in a similar fashion to the Shopaholic series, although they often have a darker side as well.

Stella Sweeney is the main character of The Woman Who Stole My Life.  She’s a mid-30’s woman dealing with life, family and work.  Suddenly life is halted when she awakes in a hospital unable to move a muscle or speak.  Her lovely husband, children and parents come visit her twice a day and attempt to keep up a one sided conversation.  When the handsome Neurologist appears at her bedside and develops a method for her to communicate through blinking, Stella’s feeling more than just grateful.  Even though hospital life is extremely difficult for Stella she blinks out words of inspiration to others while she lies in pain.  These words of wisdom and her handsome Neurologist might just be the key to true happiness when her muscles get moving again.

The Woman Who Stole My Life goes back and forth from past to present and at first it can be a bit difficult to follow the timeline but it all comes together quite nicely in the end.  With 530 pages this book is no light read but Keyes keeps you guessing on how things will turn out for Stella.  At no point does it feel like the book is dragging on and I felt surprised that I had reached the end so quickly.  Keyes fans won’t be disappointed and new readers will be looking for more.

Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea

I had never even heard of Because of Mr. Terupt when my son came home from school and told me that his grade 4/5 teacher was reading it out loud.  He loved it and wanted us to also read it together at home in the night at the same time she was reading it.  So of course, I went along with his plan!

It is amazing!!  I loved it!  The book is about a grade 5 class that gets a brand new teacher, Mr. Terupt.  The book focuses on 7 students in the class which each chapter written from a different student's perspective (which I believe is part of grade 4/5 curriculum!).  Mr. Terupt has so many fun ways of teaching that gets his class (and readers!) so excited and having fun while learning.  A great example is his lesson on dollar words - Google it!  

The students have to deal with many life issues in the class in the same way a regular class might have students dealing with issues such as weight, divorce, death, etc.

I would highly recommend this as a read aloud for any grade 4/5 classes.  My son loved it and so did I!  There is a sequel to the book Mr. Terupt Falls Again.  From the reviews I've read this book is good but not suitable as a read aloud and is best read by a mature grade 6/7.

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

I absolutely love the story of The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate.  I've just finished reading it for the second time.  The story is about a silver back named Ivan.  Ivan lives in a cage at the mall where he is a main attraction.  He spends his days watching tv and painting.  Mack, the owner of the mall, sells his paintings in the gift shop.  Ivan can barely remember life before the mall became his domain until a baby elephant, Ruby, is brought to live at the mall.  Ivan doesn't want to see Ruby live her entire life in a cage in the mall.  But what can a might silver back stuck in a cage do to save an elephant?

The One and Only Ivan is based on a true story of a gorilla named Ivan living in Atlanta.  There is also a picture book that outlines his life.

For grade 4 teachers this book is a perfect connection to studies on habitats.

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. 

The Book with no Pictures by B. J. Novak

This week I've been reading The Book With No Pictures to all my primary classes.  They love it!!  Today I even read with a grade 5 class and they begged me to read it again.  I'm sure anyone walking by the library would have wondered what we were up to because they kids were so loud!

I start off by apologizing for picking such a boring book.  Some of the kids buy into this but most of them don't believe me because I always read the best books.  I start reading and I hear some mumblings.  Well as the rules of reading state, the person reading the book must read every word, no matter what.  BLORK!!!  Totally ridiculous!!  This books gets the grown up readers to say silly words and the kids are laughing hysterically.  So much fun.  So simple.  It's a must read.  Now all the kids at school are dying to take it home and trick their parents with it.

Got the kids loving books.  Got them all worked up shouting and laughing.  Sent them back to their teachers.  Love my job!  Love this book!

Adult Onset by Ann-Marie MacDonald

Adult Onset is a beautifully worded story of relationships.  Adult Onset tells the story of Mary-Rose MacKinnon and all the roles that she plays in the span of a week.  Mary-Rose is a mother, a spouse, a sibling, a daughter, a friend and an acquaintance.  Mary-Rose is a constant worrier and thinks often about her relationships past and present.  One of her most complicated relationships is the one she has with her mother.  Mary-Rose is a successful young adult author and she really should spend more time working on the final novel of her best selling trilogy but there are so many distractions and she’s not sure she’s got a third one in her.  She spends a great deal of her time alone with her two young children.  Life with a two year old can certainly be complicated at times and something as simple as going out for a short walk in the neighbourhood can quickly turn into such a mess.  Mary-Rose hasn't been feeling well lately either, and although she knows better, she can’t resist the temptation of looking up her symptoms on Google and self diagnosing.

Reading Adult Onset feels like having coffee with a good friend that’s having a bad week.  You listen to how they’re coping; perhaps you can relate to certain aspects of the week.  If you’re a great friend you’ll know when they need their space and when to show up at the door unannounced and take over.

Ann-Marie MacDonald is an extremely talented Canadian writer.  Her previous novels Fall on Your Knees and The Way the Crow Flies have won numerous awards.

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

A Man Called Ove is about the ultimate grumpy old man.  He's had a hard life.  He lost his mother and father at a young age.  He's really worked hard to make it in the world.  Once his wife dies though he loses his will to live and is determined to join her in heaven soon.  But there are so many neighbours that need him to do things for them that he can hardly find the time.

A Man Called Ove also makes you think about the people around you.  First, that you don't know what anyone is struggling with and a little kindness can go a long way.  Second, how lonely some seniors can be.  We should all take the time to spend some time with the elderly in our community.  The days can be long and lonely for them.  Give them a purpose and make them feel loved and needed.

Fredrik Backman lives in Sweden and this is his first novel.

The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro

The Remains of the Day is one of those books that I wanted to read but it just never got to the top of my list.  Thank you to Random House Canada it worked its way to the top when they mailed me a copy of the latest edition.  The Remains of the Day was originally published in 1989 and previously won the Man Booker Prize.  Random House Canada is encouraging everyone to re-read the novel but for many it is a first time read.  

The story takes place in 1956 as Stevens, the butler of Darlington Hall, sets out on a road trip. Stevens and is about a butler who takes great pride in his job.  In fact, his commitment to hard work is so strong he won't allow friends, family or love to interfere with his performance on the job.  

As I eagerly anticipate the release of The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion's  I can't help but compare the two main characters; both are so awkward in social settings.  Does anyone else see the resemblance?

Random House Canada is twitting about the re-read using #RemainsReRead if you wish to follow along.  There will be online discussions as well as everyone works through this award winning classic.  Enjoy!

Bad Magic by Pseudonymous Bosch

Years ago my oldest son read The Secret Series by Pseudonymous Bosch.  He loved them.  At the time they were quite thick books for a little guy to be reading.  I remember challenging him to read one of the books over Christmas break and if he did buying him the next in the series.  He really enjoyed the series.

I never did get around to reading The Secret Series myself but in June I bought the first book in the series for my school library.  So when I saw that there was a new series coming out I thought I would jump on it and read the first one.  I am making the assumption here that Bad Magic is a new series and not just a one off.  It ended in a manor that would imply there is more to come.

I enjoyed the book.  In the middle I wasn't sure which direction the book was going to go in.  The end was definitely a surprise.  As you might expect the book is about magic.  There's a good Shakespeare lesson buried in Bad Magic.  I liked that it was just a fun book with a mystery to solve.  I think kids that like Lemony Snicket would enjoy it although it didn't really have the humour that Snicket has.

Bad Magic is being published on September 16, 2014 by Little Brown Books for Young Readers.

Flora & Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo

I read Flora & Ulysses out loud to my son (starting grade 4) as our bedtime book.  This book had both of us eager to make sure story time happened every night.  We both equally enjoyed Flora & Ulysses.

The story is about a little girl named Flora.  She unexpectedly becomes friends with a squirrel that has some unique capabilities.  Great silliness and adventures begin.  It was a great story that we both enjoyed.  I think I might tackle it as a read aloud to a grade 4 class.  My only hesitation is that there are many big words that the kids probably won't know the meaning of.  But I think they are mostly used in a manner that the kids understand the meaning even if they aren't familiar with the word.  My son didn't interrupt to ask what words meant and I know he doesn't know many of these words.  I think he would have struggled to read the book on his own though.

The only other part I found slightly weird is that Flora's mother is a smoker.  It seemed unnecessary to the story.  Also, at one point it seemed that the smoking was almost romanticized when it is described how Flora's mother was blowing perfect O's.  It just seemed an odd addition to the book.

When I asked my son what he thought we should read next he told me he wanted to read book two next.  He was shocked when I told him there wasn't a next book.  It's up to you to create the next parts in your dreams.

The Brilliant World of Tom Gates by L. Pichon

The Brilliant World of Tom Gates by L. Pichon is wildly popular at my school.  I have the first four books in this series at my school library and they are always on hold.  I can see why the kids enjoy it.  The pages are short and funny with great little doodles all over the place that really add to the story.

Currently L. Pichon has 7 Tom Gates books as well as a handful of picture books available.  I will definitely be adding the rest of the Tom Gates books to my library collection.  These books are so popular with the grade 4 and 5 girls and boys.  I love when they all get excited and chatting about the same books.  This is a great series because it doesn't take them long to read it so it's normally changing hands every week which keeps the interest going.

The Geography of You and Me by Jennifer E. Smith

The Geography of You and Me is a wonderful love story.  It's the story of two teenagers living in the same New York City apartment building.  Owen, the son of the building manager, lives in the basement apartment.  Lucy lives on the 25th floor in a spacious, beautiful unit.  Fate brings the two together in the elevator and luck gets them stuck in it.  Within a few short minutes a bond is formed but neither is certain what those feelings mean and what they other is making of them.  Both Lucy and Owen's lives are in an upheaval and they have to figure out their feelings from where ever they may be living at the time.

Recently I finished a book where I found I disliked just based on the fact that the title didn't reflect what the book was about.  The title misled me and I went into with a misconception of what this book was going to be about.  This is certainly not the case with The Geography of You and Me; it's a perfect title.  

The story is a perfect love story for those grade 7 and 8 girls that want to read romance.  There is no foul language and nothing leading or inappropriate.  I loved it and will certainly be adding The Geography of You and Me to my library shopping list for the fall.

I Need a New Butt by Dawn McMillan

One of the most popular books in my school library is a book about poop.  It's wildly popular with the grade 2's - girls and boys.  I take small comfort in the fact that the book is non-fiction and I suppose they are learning something.  I'm also known to say 'I don't care what you read, just read!'  But there are still some days that I've been known to hide the poop book just before the grade 2 class comes in.

If grade 2's like poop.  Kindergartens and grade 1's like butts and farts.  Especially the little boys.  I Need a New Butt by Dawn McMillan is a funny story about a little boy that thinks there is something wrong with his butt because it has a crack in it.  It was that last fart he had that did it.  Now he's on the hunt for a new butt.  I like the arty-farty butt best!

Speaking of art, Ross Kinnaird has done a great job on the illustrations.  They add to the humour of the book and each one just feels a perfect fit to the text.  

I Need a New Butt by Dawn McMillan is being published by Dover Publications and will be released September 17th, 2014.

Wave by Eric Walters

Wave by Eric Walters is fantastic!  It's a fictional story based on the real life events of the tsunami in Thailand at Christmas in 2004.  The story of the Beth Brooks and her family although fiction, seems so real.  While I was reading I kept thinking to myself that this really happened.  I then had to dig up more facts on the true devastation of the tsunami.  More than 200,000 people died.  That is so hard to comprehend.

Every year my grade 8 teacher asks for recommendations for literacy circles that he does with his class.  This year I am going to recommend Wave by Eric Walters.  

The Wolf and Me by Richard Scrimger

Things don't come easy for Bunny O'Toole.  He has a hard time understanding things that people say and  he takes everything quite literally.  He tries so hard though and he has a good heart.  But the bad guys are always attracted to him and trouble is like a magnet to poor Bunny.  

In The Wolf and Me, Bunny is out on parole for Christmas vacation.  Him and his brother Spencer decide to go skating.  Sounds innocent enough.  His brother turns his back for a minute and Bunny is kidnapped.  This sets off quite the chain of events.  All Bunny wants to do is get back to the safety of his jail.  

The Wolf and Me is written as though Bunny himself is writing the story.  Bunny's not a great speller but he's working on it.  It can be a bit tough to read at first but if you give it a chance and stick with it you will quickly catch on to reading through the spelling errors and be caught up in all Bunny's misadventures.

Readers may remember Bunny from reading Ink Me by Richard Scrimger.  The Wolf and Me is part of the Seven Sequels.  I love Seven the series and was so excited to get an advance reader copy of The Wolf and Me.  This will definitely be on my fall shopping list for my school library.  If I can get the kids to read one, they'll read them all.

One Plus One by Jojo Moyes

In One Plus One nothing comes easy for Jess Thomas.  She works really hard at two different jobs but she still can't stay on top of all her bills, never mind get ahead.  Her husband has moved back home with his mother because he’s depressed.  She’s claimed responsibility for a teenage boy, Nicky, that she loves like her own son.  Nicky’s a little bit quirky and the neighbourhood kids take every opportunity to pick on him.  Jess also has a daughter, Tanzi, that is bordering on the genius scale. 

Jess sees an opportunity to get ahead when Tanzi is invited to compete in a math competition with a cash prize.  Jess, Nicky, Tanzi and their dog Norman pack up the car for a road trip to race to get to the competition on time.  They don’t get very far when trouble ensues.  Thankfully their knight in shining armour arrives to the rescue.  Unfortunately, Mr. Nicholls, their knight, has troubles of his own. 

If you haven't yet read anything by Jojo Moyes I would recommend reading One Plus One first to set the bar for your expectations and then Me Before You.  One Plus One is a great book but Me Before You is just a bit better in my opinion.  Jojo Moyes is one of my new favourite authors that I will continue to look for new books from.

The Angry Little Puffin by Timothy Young

The Angry Little Puffin book is a cute story about a puffin that lives in the zoo.  He's pretty angry because everyone mistakes him for a penguin and he is NOT a penguin!  This short picture book is a great way to teach a young child about a new animal.  It can also be the beginning of a conversation on what other animals look alike and are often mistaken for something else such as moose and deer.  I think this would be a great book for a JK to 2 class.

Abroad by Katie Crouch

Abroad was a truly twisted book.  The story is about Tabitha, known by her friends as Taz.  She is on a year abroad studying at a University in Italy.  She arrives in Italy alone and eager for new friendships and experiences.  Both friends and experiences quickly come her way but neither exactly what she had in mind.  Everyone has secrets.  Everyone is telling lies.  Taz experiments with alcohol and drugs and sometimes doesn't remember the experiences that she's had.

I know this book has been compared to the real life events of the Amanda Knox story.  I haven't followed the reports in the news to make comparisons myself.  

I would expect that Abroad might make quite an interesting movie.  Abroad could serve as a good warning to any young students travelling abroad.

I received a free copy of this book from Goodreads.  

Skink on the Brink by Lisa Dalrymple

Skink on the Brink tells the story of a little lizard that is on the brink of extinction.  The book is full of interesting facts about the Skink such as habitat, life-cycle and more.

Skink on the Brink is illustrated by Suzanne Del Rizzo.  The pictures in this book are absolutely amazing!  They are stunning.  

The cover says the book is 'A Tell-Me-More! Storybook'.  The books are published in Ontario, Canada in 2013 which means lots of up to date Canadian content - something I look for when purchasing library books.  If I remember correctly, grade 4 has a unit on extinct animals in the curriculum.  This would be a great book for that unit.

I read this book with my son who is starting grade 4 in the fall and he really enjoyed it.  I will definitely look for more books in this series and be adding this series to my fall shopping list.

Sleeper by Eric Walters

In October 2014, seven of the best Canadian children authors will release seven sequels to their popular Seven series published in 2012.  I can't say enough about how much I love this series.  I was very fortunate to receive an ARC of Sleeper by Eric Walters from Orca Book Publishers.

Sleeper begins with some of the cousins meeting at their deceased grandfather's cottage.  Within the first few pages a mystery is uncovered and the action begins.  With a puzzle to solve, the cousins don't even have time to get settled at the cottage, before they each grab a pile of the hidden cash they've discovered and jet off to locations all around the world.  In Sleeper, DJ, now known as David, heads off to England to visit his friend, Doris, from his Mount Kilimanjaro climb.  While he is there, he also hopes to figure out the truth about who is grandfather really was.

Sleeper will be the answer to all 'Which book should I read next?' questions this upcoming school year.  It has something for everyone - strong male character, strong female character, mystery, spies, action, travel, fast cars, good role models, history and, yes, even a touch of a love story.  Everyone should read Sleeper and when you read one, you'll be sure to read them all!

The Matchmaker by Elin Hilderbrand

Dabney Kimball Beech works for the Nantucket Chamber of Commerce and she loves everything about the island.  The residents of Nantucket all think quite highly of Dabney too.  Dabney is responsible for matching 42 couples which gives her the well deserved title of matchmaker.  Sadly, as great a matchmaker as Dabney is, she let her own true love match slip away.  Clendenin Hughes was Dabney's true love match but he left the island to pursue a journalism career 27 years ago.  Although Dabney has moved on with her life Clen still holds a large piece of her heart.  

After years of silence between the two, the story begins with Clen emailing Dabney to let her know that he's decided to move back to Nantucket.  The moment Clen arrives back on the island Dabney begins to feel unwell and she is convinced it’s simply heartache.  To complicate matters, she is terrified of leaving the island and can’t get the courage to go to Boston for the medical tests to confirm her self diagnosis.  Her fear of leaving Nantucket is what cost her to lose Clen in the first place.  Between not feeling well and all the lies she is telling Dabney is having a hard time keeping it all together.  As Dabney begins to unravel she continues to keep matching friends and family with their true loves.

The Matchmaker by Elin Hilderbrand is a story filled with true love but a fair amount of heartache as well.  Like most, if not all, Elin Hildebrand novels, the setting for The Matchmaker is once again the beautiful island of Nantucket.  The setting descriptions will make you wish you were lying on a beach.  The Matchmaker is a perfect summer read.

Once Upon a Balloon - Bree Galbraith

Once Upon a Balloon is the story of two young brothers, Theo and Zeke.  Theo receives a balloon from his cousin.  His mom offers to tie it around his wrist.  Everyone warns him not to let go of the balloon.  Theo tries really hard but his fingers just won't listen and sadly, he lets go of the balloon.  But where did it go?  Theo asks.  His mom and dad give answers that seem very unlikely.  But his big brother Zeke knows everything so when Theo tells him the balloon went to Chicago that just has to be true.  But what happens to all the balloons in Chicago?  Big brother Zeke has answers to all Theo's questions, after all, he is the older brother and he does know everything.

I had so much fun reading this book to the kids at school.  I read it with kids from kindergarten to grade 5.  They all enjoyed it.  While I read I asked the kids where they thought the balloon went.  Had any of the children been to Chicago?  Did they see lots of balloons there?

I was very surprised when I read that Once Upon a Balloon is Bree Galbraith's first book.  However, I was not surprised to read that she is Canadian.  So many great authors come from Canada!  Can't wait to see what Galbraith writes next.

Monkey Business by Wallace Edwards

Now that we`re all done reading the Forest of Reading books at school I went looking for some other books from some of our favourite Blue Spruce authors.  I found Monkey Business by Wallace Edwards.  Edwards was the author of Uncle Wally`s Old Brown Shoe which the kids just loved.  They really enjoyed the illustrations.  So yesterday I pulled out Monkey Business and read it to a grade 2 and 3 class.  They loved it!  The book starts with a definition of an idiom which none of them really understood.  After one or two pages there was a lot of shouts of "I get it!!"   They enjoyed the pictures and especially finding the magic page.  This is a fantastic book for grades 2 to 5.  Monkey Business is a fun way to teach idioms.

How To Make a Planet by Scott Forbes

How to Make a Planet is full of interesting facts about the earth and how it was made.  The book is presented and in a fun and engaging way with lots of great illustrations.  How To Make a Planet uses many large scientific terms but does a pretty good job explaining them.  I think for the most part the majority of this will be over most kids heads but little boys tend to love non-fiction and facts and they will certainly learn a few new things from How to Make a Planet.  I`m sure this book would appeal to many young boys probably between the age of 8 and 11.

Spud The Couch Potato by Sean Jackson

Spud is the ultimate couch potato.  He sits and watches television all day long.  The book shows all the fun things he is missing out on like flying a kite and fishing.  One day the television breaks and Spud heads outside to give baseball a try and surprises himself by having a great time.  The message is loud and clear in Spud The Couch Potato; get outside and move.

The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen by Susin Nielsen

Henry K. Larsen is trying to rebuild his life in a new town where no one knows his name or about IT.  His brother recently committed a murder/suicide at his high school.  His new psychologist wants him to try writing a journal.  In the journal Henry deals with why IT happened.  

In the journal Henry reflects on many situations of bullying that he saw his brother suffer.  Also, in his new school he sees a kid that reminds him a lot of his brother and sees the bullying that this poor boy suffers as well.

The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen is nominated for the Red Maple award in this years Forest of Reading program.  Susin Nielsen is a Canadian author that has also written the very popular Word Nerd  and Dear George Clooney, Please Marry My Mom. 

If It Rains Pancakes by Brian P. Cleary

In If It Rains Pancakes by Brian P. Cleary writes poems about anything and everything.  The poems are all very entertaining and silly.  The illustrations are perfectly suited to the poems.  Children will love the poems because they are fun but teachers will love them more when they're students are inspired to write their own.  If It Rains Pancakes explains the patterns of how to write a traditional Japanese haiku and lantern poem.  This book would be a fantastic addition to any school library or classroom!

The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin

The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry is a story for book lovers.  A. J. Fikry is a young widowed man that owns a book store in a small island in Massachusetts.  He is a crabby, bitter man with little joy remaining in his life.  A. J. is slowly drinking his life away.  One day a baby is left in his book store with a note saying that the mother's last wish is for her young Maya to grow up to be a reader and to be raised by people who love books.  Maya quickly gives A. J. a new reason to live and soon he is welcoming other people into his life as well. 

The story has many twists and unexpected turns.  The characters are all very loveable; with the exception of one or two.  What will really endear avid readers to The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry is the many quotes and discussions of various books and authors.  Each chapter begins with a book review by A. J.  The reviews are written as a letter to his daughter and often reflect, not so much as what the book was about, but what the books meant to him and what Maya might learn from reading them herself.

Visitors to the Island Book Store come to connect.  They come because they are lonely.  They come to escape and they come to feel.  Author Neil Gaiman writes “A town isn't a town without a book store. It may call itself a town, but unless it's got a book store it knows it's not fooling a soul.”  This is so true for the residents and visitors of Alice Island.

The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry is written by Gabrielle Zevin.  She has published seven novels for adults and young adults.

Julia, Child by Kyo Maclear

Julia, Child is the story of two best friends that love to cook and love being kids and having fun.  One day the friends decide to create a recipe to help the grown-ups become young again.  The idea of turning all the grown-ups young is quite funny and I think young readers would have fun envisioning the adults in their lives as young.  

Julia, Child wasn't what I first expected it to be, but once I dismissed my expectations I quite enjoyed it.  This book is not about Julia Child but it does have some of her spirit.  Julia Child had wonderful friendships, she loved French food, she loved to cook and she wasn't afraid to learn and try new things; the story Julia, Child has all these things.

Both my children love to cook so I could picture reading this with them and then talking about what ingredients we might combine to make someone young.  Then we could head to the kitchen to make a batch of cookies or try something new and different just like Julia would do.

Kyo Maclear is a Canadian author.  Julia, Child will be published in July 2014 by Tundra Books.

Kung Pow Chicken Bok! Bok! Boom! by Cyndi Marko

Kung Pow Chicken is a new series of books that is sure to be a big hit with young boys.  The books are funny and filled with action.  The Kung Pow Chicken books have short chapters with hilarious pictures that will keep boys flipping fast.

Gordon and Benny were just normal chickens with normal lives until they fell in toxic sludge and got super powers.  They try to keep their super powers hidden which isn't always easy.  In Bok! Bok! Boom! Gordon and Benny attend a night at the opera when suddenly Gordon's tail feathers start to shake.  That's a sure sign something is about to happen!

Cyndi Marko is a Canadian author.

If You Happen to Have a Dinosaur by Linda Bailey

If You Happen to Have a Dinosaur how lucky are you!  I overheard the kindergarten teacher say the other day how her students just can't get enough dinosaur books.  Kids love dinosaurs!  This book is fantastic!  Linda Bailey is already a much loved Canadian author at my library.  Everyone loves The Farm Team and the Stanley books.  I know kids will love reading Linda Bailey's fun ideas on how to put a dinosaur to work.  They will love the illustrations as well.  

But what happens if you don't have a dinosaur???

Nine Words Max by Dan Bar-el

Nine Words Max by Dan Bar-el reads like a fairy tale.  Max is a prince that is full of facts that he likes to talk on and on and on about.  He bores his brothers so much with his boring rambling that one day the brothers ask the wizard to limit Max's talking to only nine words.  The brothers soon realize how important their brothers knowledge is when they Queen comes to visit.

This would be a great book for kids in grade 3 or 4.  I think it would be a real hit with some of the young boys that are obsessed with facts.

Dan Bar-el is a Canadian author.  I think this would make a great choice for the Silver Birch Express category next year!

Oddrey by Dave Whamond

Oddrey is a young girl that's just like her name, odd.  She likes to do things a little bit different.  This is a fairly short story.  I read it to the classes as part of the Blue Spruce program.  The kids enjoyed it but I found I did a bit of explaining.  I'm not sure it was necessary for all the kids but I found a did a lot of explaining.  Such as explaining that her name is Oddrey but most people would spell Oddrey as Audrey.  I'm not sure the kids really understood it all.  However, they all enjoyed the pictures.

The Ever After of Ashwin Rao by Padma Viswanathan

In 1985 the lives of 268 Canadians were lost during the bombing of Air India flight 182.  The Ever After of Ashwin Rao by Padma Viswanathan is a story based on fictional characters telling how the surviving friends and relatives coped with this loss.  Ashwin Rao is an established Indian psychologist.  After nearly 20 years have passed, two suspects are finally on trial for their roles in the bombing.  Ashwin decides to visit Canada to meet with some of the families and study how they are coping with their grief.  He quickly becomes attached and entangled in one family’s lives and secrets.  But what Ashwin isn’t quick to reveal is that he also experienced great loss during the bombing.  While trying to help others deal with their emotions; he ends up knocking down some of the walls he has built around himself.  This is a timely read as the tragic mystery unravels of what has happened to the missing Malaysia flight 370 and the 239 passengers on board.  Padma Viswanathan is a Canadian writer and this is her second novel.  

If You Hold a Seed by Elly MacKay

If You Hold a Seed by Elly MacKay is a beautiful book.  The pictures are stunning.  There is a short YouTube video describing how she makes the pictures and it is amazing the time and detail that she puts into each page.  It is the story of a small boy that plants a seed and watches it grow into a large tree.  As I read this book at school this week the kids enjoyed looking out the window to search for buds on trees and sprouts of flowers.  If You Hold a Seed is a nominee for this year's Blue Spruce Award.

Mr. Zinger's Hat by Cary Fagan

This week I read Mr. Zinger's Hat with all my primary classes at school.  Reading this book this week was a really good tie in because last week we had Michael Wade as a guest speaker at the school.  He is the author of the And Then It Happened series.  His message to the students was that anyone can be a writer and Mr. Zinger's Hat proves it.  The story is about a lonely boy named Leo who is playing in the park.  He meets meet Mr. Zinger who says there is a story in his hat.  Together the two create a story.  The book had a mad libs feel to it; Mr. Zinger would start a sentence and Leo would finish it.  I really enjoyed the story and I think the kids did too.  I think it might have been a bit confusing for the kindergartens and perhaps a bit long for them.  I also think the grade 4's might enjoy this book as well.  Mr. Zinger's Hat is written by Cary Fagan.  It is nominated for the Blue Spruce award in the 2014 Forest of Reading.

Clara's Crazy Curls by Helen Poole

I enjoyed reading Clara's Crazy Curls by Helen Poole.  It was a fun and silly book that was great to read out loud.  The illustrations were very well done.  I have very curly hair and the kids often comment on it.  I think I could really have some fun reading this book and hiding a few objects in my curls like Clara does.  Clara tells her mother a lie in the story and later confesses when things get out of hand.  Her mother accepts her apology and helps her with the problem.  I would read this book to the kindergartens and possibly grade 1 class as well.

Uncle Wally's Old Brown Shoe by Wallace Edwards

Uncle Wally's Old Brown Shoe is a repetitive story that begins with an old brown shoe.  I read it to classes kindergarten to grade 3 this past week.  I don't think the story itself really grabbed the kids.  I thought they might read along with the repetitive parts but none of the classes did.  What they did love was the illustrations.  They were all quick to shout out or put their hands up to let me know what they saw.  Even the class on Friday was pointing out new things that classes earlier in the week hadn't pointed out.  The illustrations are really great.  We've talking a lot this week how everyone can be a writer.  This was a good tie in because I started each chat with 'How do you write a whole book on the subject of an old brown shoe?!?'  The kids really did like the book and a show of hands indicated that some would vote for Uncle Wally's Old Brown Shoe to win the Blue Spruce award in the Forest of Reading. 

All Our Names by Dinaw Mengestu

All Our Names was a beautifully written story.  Mengestu is clearly a very talented storyteller.  The story is filled with a large amount of violence as the beginning of a strong bonding friendship is formed between two men through an African revolution.  There is a parallel story also being told of one of the men and a relationship he becomes involved in with his social worker in Mid-West America.  A common thread among both stories is the names that the characters are given throughout.  Names was a prevalent theme throughout the novel.  I very seldom give such thought to the title of a novel but All Our Names is so fitting and beautiful.

Ultra by David Carroll

Ultra by David Carroll is a nominee in this year's Forest of Reading Silver Birch fiction category.  I read this aloud to a grade 5 class.  Ultra is the story is of13 year old Quinn, who is running an ultra marathon.  As he runs he remembers things from his past, specifically about his dad.  There are many unknowns about Quinn's father and that is something we puzzled over until almost the very end.  There were many humorous parts of the story that had the students laughing out loud.  Specifically a chapter about playing urinal hockey which happened to be the chapter that all the mom's from parent council were in the room for - of all chapters!  The students really enjoyed the book and even asked me to read to them while they ate their lunch because they were eager to hear more.  I haven't read enough books in the Silver Birch fiction category to vote yet but I would be confident saying that Ultra will get some votes at my school.

This is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen

This is Not My Hat is a great story that really got the children laughing.  The story is about a small fish that steals a hat from a big fish while he is sleeping.  You need to pay attention to the pictures to pick up on what's going on.  I love watching the kids faces as they realise what is happening.  The book has a great ending too that has children using their imagination on what has just happened.  We had lots of discussion this week on what could possibly have happened.

Close to the Heel by Norah McClintock

Close to the Heel is the story of Rennie, a teenager who has recently lost his mother but discovered a long lost grandfather he didn't know he had.  When his grandfather dies he leaves behind a final request for each of his seven grandsons.  Rennie's is requested to take a journal to Iceland.  Rennie is ready for an adventure and to his escape his tough military father.  In Iceland he discovers he's a pretty tough guy as well.

This past Monday I attended an event at a high school in Guelph where I got to meet all 7 authors of the Seven series.  I was quite excited and brought my oldest son with me.  It was great to see how many young readers turned up on a cold Monday night to hear them speak.  The authors all spent a great deal of time speaking with everyone individually.  Many authographs were given.  It was a great night.  I loved seeing how excited the students were.

There will be a sequel to Close to the Heel published October 1st, 2014.

The Husband's Secret by Lian Moriarty

My book club read for this month was The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty.  Cecilia Fitzpatrick is an every day normal housewife.  Well maybe not every day, she's a bit of an overachieving do everything sort of Mom.  One day Cecilia stumbles upon a sealed letter addressed to her with instructions to only be opened in the event of her husband's death.  The letter is from her husband and she really can't imagine what it would possibly say.  She has faith in her husband and believes her marriage to be strong.  Yet, what could the letter contain?

The Husband's Secret took many twists and turns that I didn't see coming.  I quite enjoyed reading it and I look forward to discussing it with my book club to see what they thought.  There was one little thing that really bugged me about the story which I can't reveal without spoiling the story.  I want to see if my other book club members felt the same way.  So obviously a great book club choice because I believe it will spark a great discussion.

Without revealing any details of the ending I did find it slightly different that the author really detailed and finalized the story.  There wasn't much left to the imagination (other than imagining how I would personally handle the secret).  Maybe a better way to describe it is that the story felt complete.  There was nothing hanging.  Which isn't always the way I feel when I finish a book.

I always meant to get around to reading Liane Moriarty's other novel What Alice Forgot.  I will try and elevate that book a little higher on my to read list.  She is definitely an author I will look for more books from.

I Dare You Not to Yawn by Helene Boudreau

This week I read I Dare You Not to Yawn by Canadian Author Helene Boudreau.  This is an instruction manual for all kids on how to handle a yawn in front of their parents because we all know what happens if you yawn in front of your parents right?  There were quite a few yawns as I read this book.  Many were from me (I'm sick! It wasn't the book!).  Some were genuine and some were my dramatic readers flair.  I had a good time reading this with all classes.  This book received a unanimous happy face this week from all the students.  I don't know how these kids are possibly going to pick a favourite!

In the Tree House by Andrew Larsen

In the Tree House is written by Canadian author Andrew Larsen.  This book is one of the nominees for this year's Blue Spruce award in the Forest of Reading.  This is the story of a young boy with a new house.  He dreams of making a tree house and his dad and brother help make it happen.  The spend a long hot summer having fun in the tree house.  I'm pretty sure every kid in school this week wishes they had a tree house.  I know it left me dreaming of a hot summer night.  In the Tree House is very well written.  Beautiful pictures.  This book got a unanimous happy face rating.  I really don't know how the kids are going to vote with all these great choices!

Eddie and Dog by Alison Brown

Eddie and Dog by Alison Brown is a funny story of a boy and his dog.  Mom says the dog can't stay with them because they don't have room.  But the dog keeps coming back to Eddie.  My son and I really enjoyed the pictures in this book.  They really make the story funny.  I think it would be a good book to read with a young reader.  There are a few pages that would be perfect for them to try reading.