You Never Know What You Will Find

When I go online, I am usually looking for something specific. However, it’s easy for me to follow the thread of an idea, jumping from one website to another until I can’t remember what I was looking for in the first place.  It usually doesn’t matter because inevitably I will end up discovering a gem.

This is certainly true of the Nerdy Book Club blog. I don’t know how I stumbled on it but I am so glad I did.  Created by Donalyn Miller, Cindy Minnich and Colby Sharp (do you think that is his real name or did his parents like cheese?) and aided by 60+ booklovers from around the country, I enjoy the posts and always learn something new.

A contribution by Katherine Sokolowski caught my eye: Top Ten Books to Share. Ms. Sokolowski has been teaching for 14 years and reads out loud a lot during the school year to her 5^th grade students.  Since I will be embarking soon on my new adventure as a Reading Seed coach, I thought that her suggestions might prove helpful.  I went to the Pima County Public Library website, searched out some of the titles and reserved them a week ago. They were delivered to the Geasa-Marana Branch Library, where I picked them up today.

I read Babymouse, Queen of the World over lunch. The first in a series created by brother-sister team Jennifer and Matthew Holm, the story follows the main character as she learns a lesson about true friendship. The cartoon format, utilizing clear, simple illustrations, the color pink and a heart motif, along with the book’s size and cover flaps, makes it stand out on the shelf. I can easily imagine a room full of children eagerly waiting to see what happens on the next page.  The latest in the series is Babymouse for President – the perfect book to read in October leading up to the election!

I then turned my attention to What You Know First by Patricia McLachlan. I am familiar with the author, having read Sarah, Plain and Tall, a Newberry Award winner, many years ago.  Here is what Ms. Sokolowski said in her review of the book:

This is my first read aloud of the year on the first day of school. It is also my last read aloud on the last day of school. I like the idea of talking about what we bring to the class on that first day and then talking about what we know that we are taking with us on the last day. It never fails to make me cry. I think it is the simplistic-ness of the text. I believe it is one of the most beautiful books ever written and I want my students to see the beauty of books to start and end the year with me.

I cried too. It IS beautiful – the engravings by Barry Moser are amazing! I could see reading this book, then asking the young students I am coaching “tell me what you remember first” and learning a lot about them from that conversation. The problem? I’m not sure I can get through it without bawling. Maybe if I practice….a lot….

Book Review: Till Death Do Us Bark

When I was young, I would read anything and everything. Now, with limited free time and a desire to fill my head and heart with as much peace and laughter as possible, I am much more selective about the books I buy or check out of the library. This is the reason that you will usually find me in the children’s or teen sections browsing through titles.

On a recent trip to the Geasa-Marana Branch Library, I pulled a book off the shelf whose title caught my eye: Till Death Do Us Bark (anyone who knows me will not be surprised by this).

I didn’t realize until I got home that it was Book Three in the 43 Old Cemetery Road series by Kate Klise.  It didn’t matter, however, since each book can stand on its own. A quick introduction to the characters was provided in the first couple of pages and then I was off and running.

43 Old Cemetery Road is the address of the Spence Mansion located in the town of Ghastly, Illinois. The author has a great deal of fun with puns and other word tricks designed to test your sense of humor and make sure you are paying attention. For example: our hero's name is Seymour Hope; one of the attorneys in town is Brad Pitbuhl; M. Balm is the librarian; the editor of the Ghastly Times is Cliff Hanger; the Bank of Ghastly, run by Fay Tality, is located on Scary Street. You get the idea.

The story is told through a series of letters and newspaper articles. Noah Breth, the richest man in town, passes away and makes his children, Kannine and Kitty, read a series of limericks that provide clues about their inheritance. Valuable lessons are learned along the way punctuated by wonderful illustrations by Sarah Klise.

The Klise sisters have collaborated on a number of books for children and won numerous awards – and many loyal readers – as a result. You can learn more about them by visiting their website at http://www.kateandsarahklise.com/ Make sure you check out Kate’s Top Ten Tips for Becoming a Bestselling Author and Sarah’s Top Seven Drawing and Writing Tips.

Why the word bark in the title? An Afghan hound named Secret plays a key role – and that’s all I can say without spoiling the surprise ending. Next time I am in the library I am going to look for Book One: Dying to Meet You and Book Two: Over My Dead Body.  I am now a Klise Sisters fan.