Blackbox by Julie Schumacher

Blackbox
by Julie Schumacher



Elena and her sister Dora have always been close.
So when Dora is hospitalized for depression, Elena is shocked she didn't see the signs.  She is positive Dora will snap out of it quickly and life will go back to normal.

But there is nothing normal about her life after this moment.
Suddenly she finds herself seeing a therapist, her parents don't want to listen to her and she is talking to the neighborhood bad boy, Jimmy.  To make matters worse, even when her sister comes home, she still isn't right...

Jimmy insists she tells her parents what her sister is doing, or not doing - but Elena is positive she can be the one to save her.  But can she?


Even though this book is a few years old, it's message is timely for any family that may have someone suffering depression.  The relationship between the sisters was realistic, teasing, compassion and using childhood games to try to bring them back together. The parents are so focused on Dora that often Elena gets disregarded, unintentionally.  Jimmy is a good addition of character to the plot.  Though I found his bad-boy image rather amusing, he brought an authentic voice to the story.

Depression, no matter the age, can be serious. This story reminds the reader how important communication, openness and understanding are to those involved.  I would recommend this realistic fiction book to middle grades and up.  The characters are in high school.

Swagger

Swagger by Carl Deuker

Jonas was happy with his life.
He lived in California with his mom and dad.
He was the star of their basketball team.
There was even talk of a scholarship.

But then Jonas and his family move to Seattle for a job and Jonas has to start all over again.  He will be starting a new school his Senior year.  He has to try out for the team.  And he has to make new friends.  Luckily, he becomes friends with his neighbor Levi.  Levi also plays basketball, but his grades aren't that great...the guys on the team call him Double-D, short for Dumb-Dumb.  Mr. Hartwell, the assistant coach, begins tutoring him.  Unknown to anyone else, this is when trouble begins for Levi.  With no one to confide in, he begins acting more aggressive and angy on and off the court. 

Can Jonas figure out what is going on with his friend and play ball well enough to get his scholarship?


____________________________________________________

I picked up this book because I am a fan of Carl Deuker.  His book, Runner, is a staple in my booktalks.  I was easily engaged in Swagger from the beginning.  Jonas had a strong voice and the reader understood that Hartwell wasn't to be trusted from the first time Jonas and Levi met him.  Geared towards basketball and boys, I am sure that anyone that enjoys basketball will plunge into the story. 

That said, I was slightly disappointed in the development of Levi.  You discover by the end of the story that his character and events have a major influence on Jonas's life.  Maybe the topic of abuse in the story could have been fleshed out more, without being explicit. Jonas has to make a decision regarding Levi, friendship and the "right" thing to do, but I felt as if I was reading more about play by play action on the court.  Maybe that's a strength though in the story...what a high school basketball player would be concerned about primarily, is basketball...then their friend.

I genuinely liked the book though.  I easily could recommend it to middle grades and up.  Parties, drinking and sexual abuse are implied.  

My Mother The Cheerleader

My Mother The Cheerleader by Robert Sharenow  has been on my reading radar for years.  Published in 2007, this historical novel should be read and discussed.

Louise Collins is a typical teenage girl who doesn't believe anything exciting could happen in her quiet neighborhood, Ninth Ward, in New Orleans.  She lives with her mom in the boardinghouse, Rooms on Desire.  Most days are the same, taking care of Mr. Landroux, who has "spells" of forgetfulness with their housekeeper, Charlotte.  She reads her favorite novels over and over to escape.  Soon enough, Louise gets more excitement than she expected.

It is 1960 and her school is desegregating.  Ruby Bridges, an African American 1st grader, has been allowed to come to her all-white school.  Angry parents pull their children out of school, which is why Louise is allowed to work at her boardinghouse most days.  Her mom is one of The Cheerleaders who heckle Ruby Bridges  

For the first time they get a patron unlike any others who have stayed at Rooms on Desire.  Morgan Miller reads, writes and listens to Louise with respect.  Originally from New Orleans, Morgan now lives in New York City and has come to visit his estranged brother. 

One afternoon Morgan decides to be a bystander, watching Ruby try to get into school.
Local people are not happy that he is there and decide to take revenge.
Louise knows what she has to do.
And her mother, eventually finds her own courage.



I would highly recommend this book to middle grades and up.  The reading itself is not difficult, but the content is high.  There is suggestion of sex, rape and violence. Strong language, but written according to the timeframe. 

The War Within These Walls by Aline Sax & Caryl Strzelecki

The War Within These Walls

It was September 1939 when the Germans invaded our country.  A month later, they marched into Warsaw and took up residence as if they would never leave.

The war seemed to be over.  But after the dust of the bombings had settled, a very different war began...a war against some of us. 


Misha and his family are being harrassed by the Nazi's.
Eventually all Jews are required to wear a white armband with a blue star on their right sleeve, they must declare all their belongings and non-Jews are not allowed to shop in Jewish stories.

Misha is sad and angry.
He witnesses his mother dying from starvation.
His father is a doctor.
His sister follows him.

Misha wants to do something...something to change his reality, to make it right again.




This fictional story will take you on a short journey through Nazi's and the Ghetto.  The illustrations interspersed throughout the book keep the reader engaged in this tragic history.  As I read this book, I felt like it was the first time I was learning about this subject.  I wanted to know what happens to Misha's family and would he be able to fight his way out of the Ghetto? 

-Excellent story.  Middle grades.

Too Nice by Marjorie White Pellegrino

If you or a child you know has ever been told they are "too nice," then this will be a book you might be interested in.

Too Nice by Marjorie White Pellegrino

Amy has a problem. 
She is too nice.
She doesn't want to make anyone upset and wants everyone to be her friend.  It's the beginning of 4th grade and she wants life to be simple.  But problems begin from the first page when she lets Micah have the ball she's playing with, when her friend, Kate, and her were supposed to be playing with the ball.

Problems begin to mount from there, from giving all her cookies away to giving up her seat on the bus.  She doesn't know what to do.

But her Grandpa does.

He helps Amy set healthy boundaries by teaching her how to set up a 'good fence' around her.  They act out different scenario's that Amy may encounter and practice saying the words until she feels comfortable.

She learns she can be nice, say what she wants to say and still have friends.


This book is geared towards lower grades, and would be very readable for 3-5th graders.  With colored pictures on almost every page, the reader is visually engaged in the story.  The reader has a clear understanding it isn't easy being too nice, even if other's may feel that way.  The grandpa is the ideal character to help Amy set up her healthy boundaries. Bravo!

Things to consider

    Could I Sit on a Cloud?
                                                     by Kay Barnham

The first page of both of these books answers the titles questions, leaving the reader to discover more answers to life's questions.  Each page is simple, bright and asking questions most of us probably asked our own parents, like "Why aren't birds electrocuted when they sit on wire?" Or "Can you tickle yourself?"


Can You Like Your Own Elbow?
by Paul Mason


Though these books are geared towards younger readers, I am sure a 4th or 5th grader would be interested in the questions and answers.  Sometimes learning needs to be simple and funny, and these books do a great job helping the reader have a good time.

Always My Grandpa by Linda Scacco

 

Always My Grandpa
by Linda Scacco

Every summer Daniel and his mom visit Daniel's Grandpa, who is great fisherman and storyteller that lives by the sea.

On the way to their visit, Mom reminds Daniel that Grandpa will probably be different this summer.  When Grandpa had begun to forget daily things, it was discovered by the doctor that he has the onset of Alzheimer's.  But when they first arrive to Grandpa's, he seems like his old self, telling tall fishing stories and playing with Daniel.

After some time, Daniel begins to see how Grandpa is different.  He left the stove on, which could have created a fire.  He forgot who Daniel and his mom were once.  He couldn't remember Daniel's friends name, even after being told numerous times.  All of this together was very upsetting to Daniel, but his mom handles it very well.

By the end of the story, Mom has decided that Grandpa is moving back home with them.  Though this may not happen so neatly in real life, it was a clean ending to the book.  The reader feels the love of the family.


Written for a younger school audience, 1st-4th grade, this would be a great story for any family dealing with grandparents or older loved ones diagnosed with dementia or alzheimer's, whether as a read-aloud or read-alone.  The soothing, watercolor sketch pictures offer an extra comfort to the story.

  

Big Bad Sheep

Big Bad Sheep

When a few sheep in the meadow overhear the Three Little Pigs yelling, "The Wolf is Dead! The Wolf is Dead!" two sheep friends, Karl and Locke, begin to wonder what The Big Bad Wolf was really like.

     "What do you think he was like? Bad!"
     "Really bad?"
     "Of course." Karl knew what he was talking about. "That's the way wolves     are."

As the conversation continues Karl realizes that The Big Bad Wolf was paid and his job is now officially open.  Karl, the sheep, wants to be The Big Bad Wolf.  He will apply for the job.

Karl and Locke walk to the Job Center, interviewed by the office manager, an official dwarf.  After much convincing the dwarf hands over the wolf's clothing where Karl will be on probation for 2 days. 

And the story only gets more silly, tongue-in-cheek, and laugh out loud funny from there.  Keeping in line with traditional fairytales, there are a few moments of gruesome detail when Lockes's friend,Rene, has to deal with Locke's bullying and briefly gets eaten by the Big Bad Wolf. 


If you enjoy fractured fairy tales, this story will not disappoint.  The story reminded me of a different version of "A Tale Dark and Grimm" by Adam Gidwitz.  I have booktalked that book for 4-6th graders.  Like in that story, Big Bad Sheep is not afraid to make the reader squirm a little, drawing them into the story even further.  This book is much shorter at 64 pages and has black and white sketches throughout. Geared to 3-5th grades, I believe boys would especially appreciate this story. 

My Happy Life by Rose Lagercrantz

My Happy Life by Rose Lagercrantz

From the first page, I knew I was going to love this story.

"It was late, but Dani couldn't sleep.  Some people counted sheep, but not her!  Dani counted all the times she'd been happy."

And then you find the many ways Dani finds happiness, including beginning school.  It takes Dani a few days to make a friend, but when she meets Ella - they become fast friends, making Dani happy at school and home.

Sadly though Ella's family moves and suddenly Dani isn't nearly as happy as she had been.
Things upset her that didn't bother her in the past.  Dani must learn how to find her happy again.


This chapter book would appeal to grades 1-3.  Dani is a strong girl character that does the "right" thing most of the time and has a great outlook on life, but with a healthy dose of realism that life isn't always as happy as we want it to be.

Almost every page has playful black and white sketches that keep the reader engaged in the story.

Summer Reading Laughs

It's the middle of Summer Reading Club and if you are looking for children's books that will make you LOL, then look no further than Arnie the Doughnut and ATD Bowling Alley Bandit by Laurie Keller.

In the first Arnie the Doughnut book the reader discovers that Arnie doesn't quite understand what a doughnut's job is until Mr. Bing takes him home to eat.
In shock, Arnie asks Mr. Bing what he was doing.  As anyone who eats doughnuts knows...he was trying to eat him.  But Mr. Bing is just as shocked to find himself talking to Arnie.  This is a picture book with colorful pictures and thought-bubbles will keep the reader engaged and laughing. 

In the second ATD book, the reader has graduated to reading a chapter book.  You are re-introduced to how Arnie came to be in Mr. Bing's life, just in case you haven't been fortunate enough to peruse the first book.

By Chapter 2 you are placed in the heart of the story...a bowling alley.  Mr. Bing is on a bowling league called the Bingbats and Arnie loves bowling night.  With an adventure around every corner, the pages are filled with funny graphics both boys and girls will enjoy.  In Arnie's world, not only do doughnuts talk, but also bowling balls and pizza slices. 

There is a mystery element to the story...who is the Bowling Alley bandit?  You will have to read to find out.

Felt Flower Young Adult Program

Saturday, April 27 at 2pm

Young Adults in Grades 6-12

are welcome to sign up for this awesome program. 

 

Mother's Day is just weeks away - this is the perfect gift for the mom in your life.  Turn felt into lovely flowers, making a pin for your mom to wear proudly.

 

For the lotus loving momma

Tea cup flowers

Retro Read: Mr. Pudgins

Mr. Pudgins by Ruth Christoffer Carlsen

If you ever wished for your sink faucet to give you soda instead of water, that your reflection in the mirror would come to life or that you could fly away on balloons, then Mr. Pudgins is a fantastical story that will keep you reading.  This Retro-Read from 1951 has a similiarity to Mary Poppins, as Mr. Pudgins is the babysitter to three kids, John, Jand and Pete.  But there is a warmth to Mr. Pudgins and the family that isn't found in Mary Poppins. 

At the beginning of the story Mother isn't very keen on Mr. P because after his first babysitting adventure, there is a scratch left on the stove and popcorn on the ceiling.  What Mother didn't know is that they needed to get a bear off the stove and make it disappear.

Each chapter is a wonderful adventure into childhood imagination.  Enjoyment for all age levels, younger grades would especially love.

The Chosen One

The Chosen One
by Carol Lynch Williams

Kyra is 13 years old and has grown up in an isolated community where The Prophet creates the laws, the God Squad acts as the police, books are burned and her father has 3 wives with more than 20 brothers and sisters.  Kyra in many ways is a typical teenager, questioning authority and crushing on a neighborhood boy, but in her community this behavior is not tolerated. 
Children are to be punished if they can't behave and though her immediate family does not follow the Prophets orders for discipline, others in the community do. 

You discover through the story that Kyra gets her personality honestly, with strong mothers who understand, but do not want to see her hurt.  And a father who loves her unconditionally, but adhere's to The Prophets orders.

Honestly, this book was difficult for me to read.  It was even more difficult to finish.  The writing was excellent and the story was emotional.  The characters and subject just were so true to life that it broke my heart to read.  But what a compliment for the author.  I would recommend this book to middle to high grades.  Sensitive topics.

Yummy Coffee Cup Cooking

Learn how to make your own yummy snacks in a mug that you get to decorate!

 

Saturday, March 16

3pm

Grades 6-12

Limited Space- Register today!

 

Countdown by Deborah Wiles

Franny is 11 years old and wants the impossible: peace.

Her best friend is mad at her, her big sister is busy in college and her little brother is perfect.  Her mom is overwhelmed and her dad is in the military.  It is 1962 and the United States is worried about the Cuban missile crisis.  Plus, her teacher has skipped over 3 times to read aloud...she is sure she is invisible.

With life happening all around her, Franny doesn't stand in the background, she leads a true adventure.


 This book was directly handed to me by a middle school patron who told me the week before how much she loved it.  She told me I NEEDED to read it.  They had read it for their school bookclub.  The next time she was at the library she got the book, walked over to me, asked if I had read it yet (sadly no), and told me to read it.

So, I did.
And I am glad I did read it.
Not only does it teach you the history of what was going on in 1962, it gives you the details of how it is to be a tween/teen growing up with a family during that time.  There was hardly TV, let alone electronics.  These kids did their chores and then went outside to play, finding adventure wherever it may lead them.  The concerns that Franny had with her friends are the same concerns that kids have now.  Will you get invited to a party?  Is your best friend still mad at you?  Does that boy know you are alive?  Plus the family dynamics speak to the time, yet current times too.  Sisters and brothers will always play a certain way in our lives and this book tells that story to the reader.

Thank you to the young reader who recommended this to me...and I highly recommend it to 6-8th grade. 

 

Movie Monday

     

 

Whacha doing this afternoon?

 

Drop in with your friends and family, watch a couple of movies for FREE plus munch on popcorn.

 

 

Goonies will play at 12pm.

 

Ferris Bueller will play at 2pm.

 

 

Mary Walker Wears the Pants

Mary Walker Wears the Pants
by Cheryl Harness



Mary Walker was born into a United States when women did not have the same rights as men.  Not only were woman not allowed to vote, but it was not accepted that they should be able to wear pants.  It was thought to be natural and proper that women only wear skirts.  It was also believe women should not be doctors or govern.  Mary disagreed.

In 1855 she became one of the first female physicians.

She believed in equal rights for women, men and opposed slavery.

She spent her life working towards that goal, going to war and doctoring the sick.  She didn't take sides when it came to taking care of the sick.  She would heal the Confederate soldiers also.  Unfortunately she was jailed by the Confederacy because they thought she was a spy.  Months later she was released in an equal exchange.

Mary Walker didn't live to see women vote, but she fought for equality and lived as a true individual.

 This book is a great reminder of the length women have come in the past 100 years.  It is hard to imagine not being able to vote, wear my favorite jeans or be told which profession I could or could not do.  Not only could this book inspire a young girl, but a young boy also to help both see the great strides both men and women have come. This would be a good biography for a 2nd-4th grader.  It read easily and the pictures carried the story well.   

Teen Reads

Today I get to go to the Middle School and share some
awesome books.

Take a look at the link and discover what Teen Read kids are learning about today.

Enjoy!