Book Rec

[Catrin]

Just started reading "Dreaming the Eagle" by Manda Scott. I think this will be a good book. It is the first volume in a trilogy based on the life of Boudica. It will be interesting to see if this is more fantasy or historic fiction, but I think it will be enjoyable either way.

Summary from Goodreads:

Boudica means Bringer of Victory (from the early Celtic word “boudeg”). She is the last defender of the Celtic culture in Britain; the only woman openly to lead her warriors into battle and to stand successfully against the might of Imperial Rome -- and triumph.

[Veronica]

I'm currently reading Annals of the Former World. The author followed different geologists around for about 20 years. Fascinating if you're into geology. It's not like a textbook - more like a memoir.

I finished Desert Solitaire earlier this week. I've also read two collections of short stories. One just called Stories and edited by Neil Gaiman. The other Songs of Love and Death edited by George R.R.Martin. Both were quite good.

I've read "countless" kid novels this summer too.

Veronica

[Jo-n-NY]

I've read "countless" kid novels this summer too.

Veronica

I know you are a teacher, but I really like that idea. I am sure there are some good kids novels that adults would enjoy also.

[Veronica]

For "kid" stuff, I've read a lot of Wendy Mass this summer. She's an author I somehow missed for a long time.

Gennifer Choldenko is another good author. She wrote Al Capone Does My Shirts. A great book set on Alcatraz when it was still a prison. The main character is dealing with issues brought on by having a mentally impaired older sister. One of my students gave me another book of hers - No Passengers Beyond This Point. It's about 3 siblings who need to work together to survive. There's a bit more to it than that.

Ingrid Law's Savvy and follow up Scumble are very good.

Veronica

[Veronica]

Oh, I forgot, this year's Newberry Winner is really funny. It's Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos.

My students thought it was hysterical, but I had to make them promise to never say "Cheezus Crust" at school.

Kathi Applet - not sure of the spelling - wrote The Underneath - somewhat disturbing, but compelling. Too disturbing to do as a read aloud and I read The Graveyard Book as a read loud. The Underneath is a very intricate story, really sort of 3 stories that come together. She also wrote Keeper which my students loved.

The Graveyard Book is by Neil Gaiman - creepy, but not as disturbing. It starts off with the main character's family being murdered.

I'm always on the hunt for potential new read alouds. Plus it's kind of fun to leave a book on a kid's desk with a note saying they might like it.


Veronica

[indysteel]

For "kid" stuff, I've read a lot of Wendy Mass this summer. She's an author I somehow missed for a long time.

Gennifer Choldenko is another good author. She wrote Al Capone Does My Shirts. A great book set on Alcatraz when it was still a prison. The main character is dealing with issues brought on by having a mentally impaired older sister. One of my students gave me another book of hers - No Passengers Beyond This Point. It's about 3 siblings who need to work together to survive. There's a bit more to it than that.

Ingrid Law's Savvy and follow up Scumble are very good.

Veronica

I got an Amazon email yesterday--based on my past purchases I guess-- alerting me to Rebecca Stead's new book. It's called Liar & Spy. Have you read it yet? I liked her When You Reach Me, which you recommended to me a while ago.

[Veronica]

Nope, haven't read that one yet. I'll have to add it to my list.

Veronica