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.

The Dogs by Allan Stratton

Cameron and his mom have been on the run.  Moving houses, cities, new schools, unlisted phone numbers.  Just as things settle, Cameron's mom has a feeling that his dad has found them and they are on the move again.  It's been so long since Cameron has seen his dad he can't remember if his memories are real or just stories his mom has told him.

Cameron moves into an old farm house and starts hearing stories about the place.  Soon he's talking to ghosts and digging up old murder stories.  Is Cameron losing his mind or is he on to something?  Most importantly, is Cameron just like his dad?

The Dogs by Allan Stratton is a Red Maple nominee in the 2016 Forest of Reading.

The Truth Commission by Susan Juby

Every year I like to read one or two Red Maple books to my grade 7 and 8 classes.  This year I've really struggled to pick one of the ten that I could read out loud to a class.  The nominees this year seem to be a bit more mature than other years.  I thought I would pre-read The Truth Commission to see if it might be a good read aloud.  Definitely not!

The Truth Commission is about three friends that attend a special art high school.  Normandy Pale is writing a story for a school assignment and The Truth Commission is that story.  Norm has two best friends Neil and Dusk.  The trio decide to seek out the truth among their fellow students.  Eventually the truths begin to unravel within the group.  Norm has some major family issues that no one talks about, including her parents.  When Norm's sister moves back home from college though it may just be too much to handle.

I found The Truth Commission to be very mature for a grade 7 and 8 level.  I thought some of the truths were way too mature.  One guideline that I try to use when picking books for that level is making sure that the characters are at the most 14 years old.  Norm and friends are 17 years old.  Because this book is a Red Maple book I will purchase it for my school library but I will probably let borrowers know that it's pretty mature before they start reading.

Bug in a Vacuum by Melanie Watt

Melanie Watt has become a must-have author in Canadian children library collections.  Her Scaredy Squirrel series and Chester series are hilarious and so fun to read.  The illustrations are excellent.

Her new picture book Bug in a Vacuum is just like the title says - about a fly that gets sucked up in a vacuum.  The fly goes through a wave of emotions when dealing with his situation; denial, bargaining, anger, despair and eventually acceptance.

Bug in a Vacuum is not quite as funny as the other two series although I'm certain children will find some humour in the story.  I think teachers will gravitate to the story to teach a lesson on emotions and coping with situations.  This book will definitely be added to my school library this fall.  I suspect this will be on the Forest of Reading nominee list this year or next.

The Man with the Violin by Kathy Stinson

I absolutely loved The Man with the Violin.  I did everything I could to drum up votes for this book in my school for the Forest of Reading.  Sadly, it only received a few.  How can you compete with The Day My Mom Came to Kindergarten.

The Man with the Violin by Kathy Stinson is based on a true story.  Joshua Bell an extremely talented and established violinist performed in a Washington, DC. subway station to see how many people would stop and watch him perform.  He had one of the most expensive violins in the world.  Joshua Bell gave an outstanding performance (you can watch it on YouTube).  Only 7 people stopped over 43 minutes.  He said that often times children wanted to stop but parents were too rushed.

I played a video of Joshua Bell performing Ava Maria for a class of grade 1/2's and they were mesmerized.  I hoped that they would listen to a minute or two.  They listened for the whole 4 minutes.  I saw a young boy get up to dance and my first reaction was that he was being silly.  He wasn't.  He was moved.  A little girl told me it sounded like a sad love song.  I was so impressed with their reactions.

So although this wasn't the Blue Spruce winner at my school I know that the book really struck a chord with them.  There were just too many choices.

Young Frank Architect by Frank Viva

This week I was very excited to kick off our Blue Spruce 2015 reading with the primary classes.  I was happy to see how excited the kids were too.  First up I chose to read Young Frank Architect by Frank Viva.  This is the story of young Frank and his grandfather old Frank who are both architects.  The story is about young Frank who is an architect but wants to build chairs and cities that his grandfather thinks aren't quite right.  After a visit to the Museum of Modern Art old Frank realizes that he was wrong and that things are changing in the architect world.  The two then spend the day building all kinds of different things.

The kids thought this book was mostly good.  I suspect it won't get too many votes after all 10 books are read but it was an enjoyable read.  I think in grade 3 or 4 it is in the curriculum to teach about structures and this book would be a good introduction.

Today we're stuck inside because of cold weather.  If I had the book at home I would read it with my boys and hope to inspire a day of imagination and building.

My Name is Blessing by Eric Walters

It is a coincidence that I find myself reading three Eric Walters books in one week but really with the number of books that he has out it's not that surprising.  This week I read My Name is Blessing to the grade 3 to 7 classes.  The story is the true story about a little boy named Muthini, which means suffering.  His mother left him to be raised by his Grandmother.  His Grandmother loved him very much but for many reasons she was not able to provide for him.  She brought Muthini to an orphanage and asked if they had room for Muthini.  There is no room for suffering at the orphanage for suffering but there is room for a blessing.  It's such a beautiful story and told so well.  If you ever get a chance to hear Eric Walters speak you really should.  He's a wonderful story teller.

What really was amazing was seeing the response that the students had to the story.  The Forest of Reading is having a contest where students can write letters to Blessing.  Eric Walters will judge and select five letters to share with Blessing.  Blessing will then respond to the letters and Eric Walters will mail the winners autographed copies of his book.  The letters that the students at my school have written are so beautiful and touching.  I loved reading how the kids related to the story.

Fight for Power by Eric Walters

I have been very anxious for the sequel to Rule of Three to come out.  The wait is over and it was worth the wait but again I'm left wanting more.  Rule of Three begins with the main character, Adam, sitting in his high school when the power goes out.  All the kids reach for their cell phones and are puzzled when they don't work either.  Neither do most cars but Adam's got an old clunker of a car and it still works.  Seems nothing with any sort of computer automation works.  As the days going on Adam and his neighbours struggle to survive.  In Fight for Power the struggle for survival continues.  The book is fast paced and action packed.  I did find Fight for Power to be a bit more violent then Rule of Three.  I am reading Rule of Three as a read aloud to Grade 6, 7 and 8 classes but I don't think I will read Fight for Power out loud.  Although I don't think I need to either.  The kids are all hooked on it and I know there will be a wait list for kids to start reading it.  I've been asked if it's appropriate for grade 7 and 8 since I said it was more violent.  I think it is but I will warn kids before they take it.  My son is in grade 7 and he loved the first book.  There's no way I could stop him from reading the second.    The Forest of Reading is holding a contest for readers to place themselves in the story of the Rule of Three.  Eric Walters will pick the winner and the prize is to have their name in the third book!!  Such a cool prize.  I wish I wasn't too old to participate.  I know many adults that enjoyed the first book as well.  It would make a good pick for father and son book club.

And now the long wait begins for the third and final book in the series.

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.

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 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. 

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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!

The Secret of the Village Fool by Rebecca Upjohn

  The Secret of the Village Fool is written by Canadian author Rebecca Upjohn.  It is a nominee for this year's Forest of Reading Silver Birch Express category.  I read The Secret of the Village Fool yesterday to a grade 4/5 class.  They were all quite captivated by the story.  The story is about a 'village fool', Anton, who takes care of all the living things around him.  When war breaks out Anton hides a Jewish family because a life is a life and they are all worth saving.  When the story was over the kids were fascinated by the final few pages that revealed this was in fact a true story.  I was very happy to see that a few kids asked to borrow it and read again on their own.  This is quite possibly a winner in the Silver Birch Express category.

Willow Finds a Way - Lana Button

This week at school I read Willow Finds a Way by Lana Button to all the primary classes.  It is a nominee for the Blue Spruce award in the Forest of Reading program.  This is the story of a girl named Willow who is very shy and has a hard time finding her voice to speak up.  In Willow Finds a Way Kristabelle is having the best birthday party ever and everyone in class is invited.  But to stay on the invitation list everyone must do everything that Kristabelle says.  Kristabelle is very bossy and everyone is upset but eventually Willow finds a way to fix the problem.  In each of the classes that I read to we assigned a happy face, a neutral face or a sad face.  In every class the majority was a clear happy face.

The only little complaint I have about this book is that the cover looks very similar to Willow's Whisper.  When I brought it out to read a lot of the students insisted that they had already read the book and I had to convince them that I was pretty sure they hadn't, since that was the first time they'd seen it at school.  On the other hand, it was really positive that everyone remembered Willow from the Blue Spruce nominees last year.

It's a great book to have in a school library.  It deals with shyness, a bully, problem solving and more.