#10 What to Read
you're going to love these
Hello friends,
March and April were filled with some terrific middle grade reads, one adult fiction book (Ally Condie’s first!), and an astoundingly good, pulitzer-prize winning novel via audiobook.
The nice thing about middle grade books (target age is 8-12) is that not only are they great literature, but fast reads.
Drumroll…
HELLO UNIVERSE by Erin Entrada Kelly (Newbery Award) Virgil, Valencia, and Kaori are all in need of finding their inner hero “bayani” (hero), which happens through a harrowing adventure and only when they work together. Hopeful, fast-paced, an everyone-should-read-middle-grade-book! (and totally got me on an Erin kick).
WE DREAM OF SPACE by Erin Entrada Kelly (Newbery Honor Book) It’s January 1986 and three siblings are struggling. They’re also getting ready to watch the space shuttle Challenger launch on live tv during school.
In 1986 I was in fifth grade sitting in Mrs. McChesney’s class in Omaha Nebraska.
The mission was broadcast live, but relatively few people watched the launch. Most adults were at work and there was no social media.
But there was a notable exception: America school children. 73 seconds after lift out, when we were literally cheering, the shuttle exploded. How in the world would Erin pull this story off? She did it so well 💫 I loved this book!
FEATHERS by Jacqueline Woodson (Newbery Nominee): "Hope is the thing with feathers," starts the poem Frannie is reading in school…also fast paced and hopeful.
KEEPING PACE by Laurie Morrison. A coming-of-age story about two former best friends who have become aggressively competitive. So when summer comes around and there's a half-marathon to train for, the race is on! Morrison (also a middle-school teacher) writes with a voice that is true and real.
ISABEL IN BLOOM by Mae Respicio: Told in verse (amazing), Isabel is a Filipina-American girl coming to the United States after being separated from her mother for five years after her mother left to work as a nanny five years ago (a common scenario). New everything, it is a joy to watch Isabel bloom.
THE LOST LIBRARY by Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass: A slim and charming mystery told by a ghost librarian, an aging and beautiful cat, and a young boy named Evan. This reads like a love letter to books, libraries, and second chances.
Adult Fiction:
THE UNWEDDING by Ally Condie: A murder mystery at a beautiful resort meets a woman wading through the thick of grief after a divorce. This is Ally Condie's first adult novel and I hope she keeps them coming. Out June 2024!
DEMON COPPERHEAD by Barbara Kingsolver (Pulitzer Prize): "Anyone will tell you the born of this world are marked from the get-out, win or lose." Incredible writing and social commentary told as a coming-of-age story within the foster care system and mountains of southern Appalachia. This was an audiobook listen (21 hours!) by an incredible narrator Charlie Thurston, who totally nailed the voice of Demon who will be forever southern-cursing in my head (be prepared for a lot of language that is very true to character). Your heart will break for Demon, a kid with extraordinary heart and talent, who consistently gets the short end of the stick in life.
David Copperfield was Kingsolver’s inspiration for this story, for all the lost boys who can’t imagine leaving their home behind, no matter how “cursed” it may be. I attempted to listen to David Copperfield (33 hours!), but wasn’t feeling it. Perhaps someday.
Have you read any of these? Thoughts? What are you reading now?
Amy
Launching:
The McNifficents launches in paperback on August 6th. Get it while it’s hot 😊 (and only $8.99!). Save your receipt, fun swag coming…
School Visits:
Would you like a school visit this spring or fall? Be in touch! I’ll be visiting three New Hampshire schools this month, and am flying to Iowa in August to celebrate GUINEVERE! Meeting students is the best part of this job <3
The Other Stuff:
NOT Eating: Okay, y’all. You read it here. I’m no longer bringing Diet Coke, Goldfish or potato chips home from the grocery story. I’ve been refraining for two months and shockingly…feel less tired (& my pants fit better). Sigh. Why can’t I just Goldfish through life?
Listening: Mel Robinson and Dr. Mary Haver on menopause Don’t think you need to listen? YOU NEED TO LISTEN. You’re probably already in perimenopause…
Watched: Hunt for the Wilderpeople on Netflix. We all loved this!
Watching: Ripley on Netflix. An excellent psychological thriller (TY
)Finished: Latest manuscript (which you already knew! Still recovering from the sprint. Below is my daughter, Cope, giving me feedback. Isn’t she a doll? She says, “this is my favorite book of yours yet!” I cry.
Nice
Am going to try to get my middle schooler to read a few of these books, they sound amazing and I also watch the Challenger in school so am very curious about that one. And glad you are enjoying Ripley!! Isn't it lovely-and twisted and dark- but also just lovely to look at?