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