Feathers- 2008 Newbery Honor

“Hope is the thing with feathers/that perches in the soul/…” 
Emily Dickinson

This is Frannie’s story of hope and faith at a time in her life when she worries about her mother’s pregnancy after losing three babies.  Frannie also worries about her good-looking deaf brother and the hearing girls who reject him.
Frannie is not pretty or smart, but she is good person who struggles with her faith and wonders about the new boy nicknamed “Jesus Boy.”  Trevor, the class bully gave this nickname to the new white boy at their all black middle school.  The new boy looks and acts like Jesus with his long hair, pale skin, and quiet calmness.  The tension builds between Jesus Boy and Trevor to an ending that is just right, but not perfect for all of the characters.  Click here for a sound clip and movie.
This 2008 Newbery Honor winner was a quick read at just over 100 pages and I highly recommend it for a mature fifth grade reader.

Ten Ways to Make My Sister Disappear Part II

      I just finished the book this morning.  I was a little late to work, but I had to keep reading.  At the end there are some major developments.  There is a kiss or two or three, fights with friends, a 911 call, and more.  Not all ended perfectly, but just enough that I wasn’t disappointed.  Girls, you have to check this one out.  Not a Newbery novel, but a very good, fast read for grades 4-5. 

No Talking!

  This new book by Andrew Clements was published in June of 2007, but has just arrived at Pashley Library.  This book is perfect for a fifth grade boy or girl.  The main characters are fifth graders who just can’t stop talking.  Well, that is until the boys challenge the girls to a no talking contest.  The teachers are baffled and the principal, who loves his red bullhorn, is very frustrated.  What is going on?!? 
Head on down to the library to check it out!

The Thing About Georgie

  I just finished reading this new novel by Lisa Graff.  I really liked it.  The main character is Georgie, and he leads a pretty normal life with his friends and family, well, except for Jeanie the Meanie.  She is just not nice!  I mean, who does she think she is calling Georgie names like “shrimpazoid.”  This wouldn’t be such a big deal, but you see, Georgie is a dwarf.  He’s pretty tough though and shrugs off her name calling.  But when he gets in a fight with his best friend, his parents tell him their “great news,” and Jeanie the Meanie becomes his history report partner, well… how many troubles can one boy handle!?!  Head on down to the library to check out this new book.  It’s perfect for girls and boys ages 9-13.

Guardians of Ga’Hoole

  Book number 13 is here!   The Band is banished from the Tree by Striga, the blue dragon owl from the Middle Kingdom.  They take refuge in the forest and use secret messages to devise a plan.  Will it work?  Stop by the library to check it out! 

Bone #7 is Here!

 Stop by the library to reserve your copy today!  We have a waiting list of about 7 people for two copies.  When the computer beeps with your name as the next person in line, we check it out and deliver the book right to you in your classroom! 

Newbery Winners

 The American Library Assocation has just announced the winners of the Newbery Award.  I have heard that Christopher Paul Curtis’s book is really funny and to be one of his best ever.  Has anyone out there read it yet?  Actually, the honor titles appeal to me more than the winner.  I have put in my request at the public library and will share the winner with a few classes.  If the kids and I like it, then I’ll put it on my order sheet.  Stay tuned for the Caldecott winners tomorrow.  Time to go read the Bailey School Kids to my son, Jake!

Newbery winner:  Good Masters, Sweet Ladies. by Laura Amy Schlitz

Newbery honor:
Elijah of Buxton. by Christopher Paul Curtis
The Wednesday Wars. by Gary D. Schmidt
Feathers. by Jacqueline Woodson

Coming Soon!

Breathe: Part III

I finished the book last night.  The Colts game was great and I wasn’t worried about the final score. 
The book rated 3 1/2 /5 stars for me.  In an earlier post I said the characters were not trapped as in Coraline.  Well,  I was wrong!  Yikes! The ending answered all my questions even though everyone doesn’t meets a perfect ending.   If you like ghost stories or a grade four and up chiller, put this on your list.   

Happy Reading,
Mrs. Neddo

Mock Caldecott

In January after careful consideration of the illustrations of thousands of picture books, the American Library Association will announce the winners of the Caldecott Award for 2008.   Here at Pashley we have our own Caldecott judges entering voting booths to mark their ballots with sparkly silver and gold markers.  As they visit the library each week our second graders evaluate the illustrations in a picture book on their Mock Caldecott ballot.  We discuss how the pictures help tell the story or how the illustrator might have used a different art technique.  Lastly, we check the copyright date.  Only books made in 2007 can be eligible for the ballot.    A picture slideshow below shows our voters in action. [bubbleshare 280828.caeefb959c5]