Phoebe Sounds It Out by Julie Zwillich

Phoebe thinks her mom made a mistake when she wrote her name on her backpack.  Phoebe obviously starts with the letter 'F' not a 'P'.  There is no 'O' sound in her name either.  At least Phoebe and her mom can agree on the 'B'.  But she's seen her friend Nicky spell his name and the ending sounds the same as Phoebe's so it seems her mom made another mistake.

Such a cute story about learning to sound out the letters and learning to write and spell.  It's so tricky!

The Secret Life of Squirrels - A Love Story by Nancy Rose

Have you ever had a chance to interact with an author?  Whether it be in person at a book signing/talk, a little back and forth on Twitter or maybe an email exchange?  I LOVE when I get to chat with an author about their work.  I have visited many book conventions and had some amazing interactions.  My youngest son was so fortunate to get a large drawing from Dav Pilkey of his signature toilet from Captain Underpants.  It's framed on his bedroom wall and he treasures it.  This week Veronica Roth was coming to our local Chapters.  I have no idea how the store pulled off getting such a big name - well done!!  I recommended to a few people that they should go and the feedback was amazing.  Their teenage children walked away in awe and inspired.

All this does relate to Nancy Rose and her The Secret Life of Squirrels series.  Nancy Rose is a talented author and photographer from Canada.  If you have a young person in your life - kids LOVE her books!!  Her books lead to great discussion on 'Do you think the squirrels are real?' and 'Do you think the squirrels can really talk?'  or 'Do you think the squirrels really sit at tables to eat?'  It's a great book for fiction vs. non-fiction talks.  Nancy Rose's latest book is The Secret Life of Squirrels - A Love Story.  I've been hiding this book from my students for a couple of weeks waiting for Valentine's Day.  As expected as soon as they saw the cover there were shouts of excitement.  Needless to say they were not disappointed with the latest Mr. Peanut's story.

When we were done one of her biggest fans asked if she might create a St. Patrick's Day story.  I thought this was highly unlikely.  St. Patrick's Day would be a bit tricky to write a whole story around.  But I took the time to message Nancy Rose the request anyway.  She very quickly responded with some personalized photos of Mr. Peanuts for my student.  I'm so excited to give them to her!!  This is exactly why I say don't hesitate to reach out to an author and tell them how much you enjoy their work.

Himself by Jess Kidd

This book had so much wrapped all into one book.  It was funny.  There was a murder mystery.  Himself has romance.  A child searching for answers to who his parents were.  There are ghosts.  It's so much all wrapped up into one.  I wasn't certain where it was going when I first began and the first few pages I wasn't sure it was a book for me.  But I'm so glad I stuck with it because it was definitely a book for me.  I really enjoyed Himself.  The quote on the cover indicates it's original and it certainly is.  Himself is a book that draws no comparisons.

Himself is available in Canada as of today - March 14, 2017.

Spurt by Chris Miles

Spurt by Chris Miles was a book written for a teenage boy that is eagerly waiting for puberty to arrive.  Spurt is definitely not written for a 40 year old woman who is the mother of a teenage boy waiting to grow like his friends.  After reading page one I knew this book belonged on a night stand down the hall from mine.

Spurt is the story of Jack Sprigley.  I grade 8 boy that is eagerly awaiting puberty to hit.  After avoiding his friends for two weeks at winter break he was really hoping that this might have been his chance to grow.  A quick glance down his pajama bottoms reveals nothing has grown.  Soon after a plan hatches to fake that puberty has hit.  His excuse for not seeing his friends over break - he spent the two weeks masturbating.

I wasn't able to obtain a copy of the cover but it's a young boy's chest with a single hair taped to his chest.  Spurt is a funny book about the pangs of being a young teenage boy.  I'm sure with the right audience it could be a hit but the target audience is not a 40 year old mom.

Spurt is published by Simon and Schuster and will be in stores (and libraries!) early February 2017.

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.