Book Notes

 I finally had a chance to read Bread and Roses, Too by Katherine Paterson. (Read the review by Mrs. Thackeray in the comments section under the Hattie Big Sky post). And I loved it, first off. Unfortunately it became one of those books that sat around on my table for too long before I picked it up and started reading. The longer it was there, the less I wanted to read it. Most of it had to do with the cover.

I can’t help it; I know you’re not supposed to, but I judge books by their cover and their title. Who doesn’t? It’s human nature. But how do we get to enjoy books, and get others to enjoy books that are beautifully written, and suffer only from a poor design and unappealing title? The only way I can think of is through someone whose opinion you trust.

So often I have had the most glowing review of a book that just sounds weird (think talking dogs) but I have had good experiences with the person relaying the story so I give it a try and most of the time I enjoy it. (I did enjoy the talking dog book, by the way). Not always. No matter how similar we are to some people, they will always have some little reading quirk. A taste for vampire books, or a fondness for romance that just doesn’t work for you.

So what is the point? Don’t judge a book by its cover? Go right ahead:we do it anyway. But, read the first 5 pages before giving up on it. There might just be something fantastic in there that you never would have known about without taking the plunge and reading a little.

We finally got some snow the other day. A decent foot. After spending about four hours on Saturday shoveling, we got to go cross country skiing on Sunday. We went to our favorite rail trail where no one had spent any time removing snow from the parking lot. Since you are not allowed to park on the street, we did what any reasonable person would do. We drove into the parking lot. Other people had clearly been there before us, there being tire tracks. But apparently they all have much heftier vehicles than I do. We got stuck in the snow. And no amount of spinning the tires or spinning the tires while rocking the vehicle helped. There was no one around to help us so we had to figure out what to do ourselves.

Then, I remembered my favorite sleuth getting out of a similar muddy situation. Nancy once got stuck in the mud. Being in a constant state of preparation for any disaster she was far better equipped always carrying burlap sacks in her trunk. Too bad we don’t have any burlap sacks, I thought. They provide just enough traction to get the tires up and out of the slick crater they’ve embedded themselves in. I looked down. I have floor mats. “Hey, let’s use the floor mats!” I shouted. “It worked for Nancy Drew.” I got one of those sideways, this is no time to talk about literature looks. But, I was firm. The car mats came out, secured under each front tire, and presto! Freedom.

What a wonderful feeling that is. I don’t ever want to hear anyone tell me that Nancy Drew is not a well-written series. Or that they don’t want their kids to read formula fiction, which is a fancy way of saying that the books are all the same, they just change the bad guy and the item to be solved. I don’t want to hear any of it. I could still be stuck out there fending off wild animals or something if I hadn’t read every single Nancy Drew between the ages of 10 and 12. I also might not know the words “predicament” or “titian.” Highly useful vocabulary.

I think I might just go home, open up my box of Nancy Drews and pull out The Moonstone Castle Mystery or The Mystery at Lilac Inn. They’re all so different it will be hard to decide.

I am currently re-reading Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince in anticipation of the 7th and final book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, coming out this summer. That raises the question, which Harry Potter book do I like the best?

The first was okay. The second I didn’t care for. The third was pretty good. The fourth was okay, the ending was fantastic. You know, right at the end of the Tri-Wizard Tournament when he is transported to the cemetary. The 5th was also good. I’m still in shock over Sirius. I have trouble believing that’s real. Then the 6th. Also pretty good. Also still in shock at the end. That raises the next question: Who will die in the final book?

This is a toughy. I am old-fashioned. I want the bad guys to get their comeuppance. I want the good guys to sail off into the sunset. I have my fears that J.K. Rowling will not let this happen. She’s let so many die that I really grew to like. I understand that this is an epic battle, not everyone can make it. But Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, McGonagall, Hagrid and Mr. And Mrs. Weasley have to make it through. Otherwise we will be left feeling that there is no hope.

What do you think? Who will die? Who will live? Which book is your favorite?

This is the story about Poppy, a field mouse, who is trying to find a new place for her family to live where they have plenty of food and room to grow. The difficulty is Mr. Ocax, the owl who rules the forest. He refuses to grant the mice permission to move to the other side of the forest because Poppy angered him one night. Poppy is convinced that there is more going on with Mr. Ocax. She senses he’s afraid and sets out to discover the real reason why Mr. Ocax is so set against their leaving. And there-in is the adventure.

The drawings are amazing, and my favorite part of the book. I think the story itself would be fine, it’s the characters that bother me. I feel bad for Mr. Ocax. He wasn’t evil enough to deserve what he got. And I didn’t like Poppy, or her family, enough to root for them like I should.

But, if you like animal fantasy stories, especially with an adventure, try it. You’ll probably love it. Check out the sequel Poppy and Rye.

Here is the winner of the 2007 Newbery Award. The Newbery Medal is awarded annually to a children’s book judged to be the best written of the year.

This book tells the story of Lucky Trimble and her guardian Brigette as they make a life together in Hard Pan, California among a cast of unusual characters. Lucky’s best friend likes to tie knots. Really elaborate knots, but all the same, what is the point of this? It doesn’t further my understanding of the character, it doesn’t even develop him in my mind. There is another adult character who has fashioned his house out of the abandoned water tower. Weird? Yes. It makes me wonder what is in the water out there in Hard Pan.

The ending of the story is very sweet. However, the rest of it is just okay. Good thing it was a brief book. I felt like it has been done before (it has). And better (it has). The book ends up reading like just another orphan story with weird characters and a weak plot.

I wish I was wrong. I would love for someone to come to me and point out something lovely and fresh about this book that I missed. Help me out here. Read it, and clue me in.

I just finished this fine piece of young adult historical fiction. Ms. Larson first became interested in the story after finding out that her Great-Grandmother had homesteaded a claim by herself. She began researching and soon developed a fictional story based on her findings.

It’s an interesting take, set in 1918 with the first World War in full swing and the influenza epidemic headed that way. Hattie Brooks and her cat, Mr. Whiskers, head out to Montana to prove up a claim of 320 acres that she inherited. We learn the hardships right along with her, which makes the story all the more accessible.

 What struck me most was how little we’ve changed as people. During the first World War there was such anti-German sentiment that they changed the name “sauerkraut” to “liberty cabbage.” Freedom fries, anyone?

The writing is solid, the characters real. While it doesn’t pack the punch of A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly, readers who liked that book will find much to admire here. Reading this book is not a bad way to spend a few evenings.

What kind of librarian would I be if one of my first posts wasn’t about my favorite books? All children’s titles, of course. Most of these were read so many times that I wore out my paperback copy.

I still have all of those worn-out paperbacks. They have a place of honor next to the clean, hardcover copy.

My all time favorite is The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare. I love this book. I loved it the first time I read it and it has yet to be surpassed. Everytime I pick it up, there they are, just the same as they have always been. Kit, Nat, Mercy and Judith and the witch, Hannah Tupper.

This book’s setting is what first drew me to it. 1685 Wethersfield, Connecticut. Katherine Tyler, Kit, is going to live with her mother’s sister after losing her last family member. Having grown-up in Barbados, she is unprepared for the Puritan way of life. She feels out of place until she befriends the widow Tupper, a Quaker, whose religion makes her as much of an outcast as Kit. A great read, romance, historical fiction, friendship all together. My absolute favorite.

Next on the list is Understood Betsy by Dorothy Canfield Fisher. I first read it in the 4th grade. I had trouble with the first chapter, it spends a lot of time setting up the story, but by the time you get to chapter 2 away you go. Vermont in the early 1900’s, Elizabeth is sent to live with her Putney relatives. I love them all. Sweet Aunt Abigail, Uncle Henry, and cousin Ann, whose sharp eyes and manners can only just mask her good heart. It’s a great family, a great story with real people. I could talk about this book all day, so just read it and then come in and talk with me about it.

Ramona books by Beverly Cleary. Was there ever a more perfect character than Ramona? Everything about her is wonderful. I love that her family is middle class. Money is always an issue, but even without ipods, xbox, and their own website, they have a great life and a great family. Ramona and Her Father is still one of my favorites. So is Ramona the Brave, and while we’re at it, Ramona Quimby Age 8.

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. This is a wonderful book to read in March. We’re right at the same stage as the garden when she first arrived. It’s cold and windy, but by the time you can learn to skip rope up to a hundred, little wick things will be pokin’ out t’ earth. That’s my Yorkshire attempt. Who hasn’t wanted to be like Dicken, or live in a house with so many rooms that you can spend a rainy day wandering around exploring them? Fantastic classic.

I know I am leaving something out. That’s the problem of doing this at work instead of at home. However, with the power of blog, I can go home, check my precious shelves and fill in the ones I missed. I know there are people out there who had favorites, let’s hear about them!

Bras and Broomsticks by Sarah Mlynowski

Don’t be thrown off by the title of the book. There is more here than there might originally seem. Rachel in her Freshman Year of High School discovers that her younger sister is a real spell-casting witch. Apparently it runs in the family, but this trait skipped Rachel. However, she has a few ideas as to how her sister’s new-found talent can benefit her. She could skyrocket to the popular crowd, get the most handsome boy to fall in love with her and prevent her Dad from marrying the evil STB (step-mother-to-be).

However, every magic spell has its consequences as Rachel and her sister find out. Is love real if magic is involved? Is being popular worth it? Is STB actually the right person for their Dad? Find out by reading the first in a new series for teens.

It’s too bad that the schools only had a delay today. Today is the perfect day for staying at home and reading with a cup of tea or hot chocolate. There is nothing quite like rainy, icy weather to set the mood for reading.

I am re-reading Inkheart currently, but also have The Higher Power of Lucky tucked in my bag to read this weekend. That is the title which won the Newbery this year. I’ll let my readers know what I think.