Book Review: Ghost by Jason Reynolds

Title: Ghost
Author: Jason Reynolds
Copy Obtained: Bought

About the Book From Goodreads
Running. That's all that Ghost (real name Castle Cranshaw) has ever known. But never for a track team. Nope, his game has always been ball. But when Ghost impulsively challenges an elite sprinter to a race -- and wins -- the Olympic medalist track coach sees he has something: crazy natural talent. Thing is, Ghost has something else: a lot of anger, and a past that he is trying to outrun. Can Ghost harness his raw talent for speed and meld with the team, or will his past finally catch up to him?

Short Version: A quick read that had a lot going on! I want to know more and want to read the rest of the books! 

Long Version: First of all I'm so happy to have a series that includes track! I know a lot of kids that are runners, and it's not easy to find books that including track! But the best part - if they read it because it has track/running in it - they'll also get a great story.  About that story - I really liked Ghost (the character).  Did I want to shake him?  Yes.  Did he frustrate me? Several times! Was I proud of him? 100%!!! I so felt for Ghost and all that he's been through.  I can't even begin to say I know what he's going through because I've never been through anything even remotely close.  I do know that his life was shaken to the core and that I can relate to.  As a teacher, I completely bought into him.  I've had kids hurting that much and acting out that much.  They worried me because I didn't know how they would turn out - if they'd find some way to turn around.  I felt that a lot for Ghost.  And honestly - I don't know 100% if he will yet! I want to see more of him in the rest of the series.  I know they focus on the other runners, but I'm sure I'll see a little more about how he's doing. 

I need to comment on Ghost's family.  They were fantastic.  I loved how strong and loving his mom was.  And I loved how he had other family members there supporting him as well.  You don't always see that in books.  So many times we see absentee parents.  That wasn't the case here.  

I truly can't wait to read the next books.  Reynolds does a wonderful job of creating characters that make me care about them.  

Best stick-with-you image: When he runs out of school after the students start laughing at him.  So painfully realistic.  
Best for readers who: Like running and for readers who feel lost, angry or frustrated.  This can help them see there is a place for them.  

Library Thoughts: For sure! So many kids can relate to Ghost! 

Book Review: Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds

Title: Long Way Down
Author: Jason Reynolds
Copy Obtained: Purchased

Book Summary from Goodreads
A cannon. A strap.
A piece. A biscuit.
A burner. A heater.
A chopper. A gat.
A hammer
A tool
for RULE

Or, you can call it a gun. That’s what fifteen-year-old Will has shoved in the back waistband of his jeans. See, his brother Shawn was just murdered. And Will knows the rules. No crying. No snitching. Revenge. That’s where Will’s now heading, with that gun shoved in the back waistband of his jeans, the gun that was his brother’s gun. He gets on the elevator, seventh floor, stoked. He knows who he’s after. Or does he? 

As the elevator stops on the sixth floor, on comes Buck. Buck, Will finds out, is who gave Shawn the gun before Will took the gun. Buck tells Will to check that the gun is even loaded. And that’s when Will sees that one bullet is missing. And the only one who could have fired Shawn’s gun was Shawn. Huh. Will didn’t know that Shawn had ever actually used his gun. Bigger huh. BUCK IS DEAD. But Buck’s in the elevator?

Just as Will’s trying to think this through, the door to the next floor opens. A teenage girl gets on, waves away the smoke from Dead Buck’s cigarette. Will doesn’t know her, but she knew him. Knew. When they were eight. And stray bullets had cut through the playground, and Will had tried to cover her, but she was hit anyway, and so what she wants to know, on that fifth-floor elevator stop, is, what if Will, Will with the gun shoved in the back waistband of his jeans, MISSES.

And so it goes, the whole long way down, as the elevator stops on each floor, and at each stop someone connected to his brother gets on to give Will a piece to a bigger story than the one he thinks he knows. A story that might never know an END…if WILL gets off that elevator. 

Short Version: Who knew so much could happen in one elevator ride down??

Long Version: I honestly need to reread this because I loved it but I know I missed a ton! The language is so rich that it deserved a 2nd and even 3rd reading.  Again I'm impressed by a novel in verse's ability to capture so much in a limited amount of words.  The hurt Will fills is so palatable.  I want to just hug him and tell him it will be ok, but the honest truth is - I don't know if it will be for him.  He has faced so much death in his life as you learn in that elevator.  There is nothing to say he won't face more and more.  

What this book showed me the most though was a world I know nothing about.  Will's world is not a world I live in.  The thoughts and reactions he has are not ones I would have.  I needed to see and experience his world.  I needed to see a reality beyond my own.  Without seeing it, I can't truly understand boys like Will.  I feel now like I have a better understanding of why he felt like he did and why he reacted like he did.  I don't claim to know how he feels, but I do get it better.  That alone was good to take away from reading this book. 

Best stick-with-you image: The playground when he was eight.  Wow. 

Best for readers who: Feel like the world doesn't always understand them.  


Library Thoughts: Yes!  10000 times yes.  It's an important book as both a mirror and window for my students.  For most of my students it will be a window - a window they need to look through.  

Daring Dreamers Club #1: Milla Takes Charge by Erin Soderberg

Title: Milla Takes Charge, Daring Dreamers Club #1
Author: Erin Soderberg
Copy Obtained: From publisher for an honest review

Milla loves nothing more than imagining grand adventures in the great wide somewhere, just like Belle. She dreams of traveling the world and writing about her incredible discoveries. Unfortunately, there is nothing pretend about the fifth-grade overnight and Milla's fear that her moms won't let her go.

Enter Piper, Mariana, Zahra, and Ruby. Together with Milla, they form the Daring Dreamers Club and become best friends. But can they help Milla believe she's ready for this real grand adventure?

Diverse, talented, and smart--these five girls found each other because they all had one thing in common: big dreams. 

When I was offered this book for review I jumped at the chance.  I'm always looking for new series to add to the library or suggest to my readers.  And I loved the idea that this one contained an array of diverse characters that are pursuing their dreams.

What I like about this book is that if the reader doesn't relate to Milla the main character, there are several other characters they could connect with.  I love that! I'm wondering in future books if the narrator will shift to some of the other girls.  I also love that it shows girls supporting one another in their dreams.  It's such a great example of how we can do that in our own lives.  I've seen examples of that in other books but usually only between two friends, so it was nice to see a whole group supporting and helping each other.  

I really liked Milla.  She is so kind and thoughtful, but not to the point of being annoying.  I think the girls reading this will really like her too.  They'll wish they had a friend like her.  I also loved how her moms were shown in the story.  It was so matter-of-fact, and that was great.  I think kids now see it that way too a lot of times so they wouldn't need a big deal made of it.  

As for the story itself - nicely done.  As an adult, it was kind of simplified, but for the age group it's geared toward it was fine.  They'll relate and definitely be pulled in.  And in the end I think they'll want to learn more about the girls in the Daring Dreamers Club.

Final thought:  Great start to a new series for the tween set.
Library Thoughts: For an elementary with 3-5th graders for sure.  It's probably best for grades 3 and 4.  

Book Spotlight: FLYING LESSONS and Other Stories. #wndbflyinglessons

I'm very excited today to spotlight a new book that released just yesterday.  

That book is Flying Lessons & Other Stories.  

About Flying Lessons

It is a middle grade anthology published in partnership with We Need Diverse Books! Edited by WNDB cofounder and president Ellen Oh, this powerful collection features ten unique stories from a group of award-winning and New York Times bestselling diverse children’s authors. The distinguished list includes:

KWAME ALEXANDER

SOMAN CHAINANI

MATT DE LA PEÑA

TIM FEDERLE

GRACE LIN

MEG MEDINA

KELLY J. BAPTIST

WALTER DEAN MYERS

TIM TINGLE

JACQUELINE WOODSON

These vibrant stories highlight the unique experiences of minority voices with authenticity and astute insight. Covering everything from basketball dreams and family fiascoes to first crushes and new neighborhoods, this bold anthology celebrates the uniqueness and universality in every single one of us through stories that will resonate across all audiences.

This anthology looks absolutely fantastic.  In my new position as a media specialist I'm seeing more and more why we need books with diversity.  This is definitely on the top of my list of must-reads for 2017.  

To find out more check out the website:

flyinglessonsanthology.com

Diversity Website: Read Proud. LIsten Proud.

A long while back I received an email from Random House and The Listening Library about a new website that was being launched.  I should've shared it right then and there, but it got pushed to the back burner, and I'm not happy about that!

The website is titled: Read Proud. Listen Proud

I'm going to let Random House and Listening Library explain what the website is all about!

(taken from their press release)

LISTENING LIBRARY AND PENGUIN YOUNG READERS ANNOUNCE “READ PROUD LISTEN PROUD”

Resource for educators, librarians and parents recommends LGBTQ-focused titles for teens, offers discussion guides, and more

NEW YORK, NY (June 25, 2015)—Listening Library and Penguin Books for Young Readers announced today the launch of their joint campaign to highlight recommended LGBTQ books for young adults: Read Proud Listen Proud. The online resource is designed to spark discussion in the classroom and at home and to encourage understanding through storytelling, celebrating everyone for who they are.

The conversation started by the We Need Diverse Books movement over the last year has demonstrated the need for inclusive literature for kids and teens. The teams at Listening Library and Penguin Young Readers worked together on Read Proud Listen Proudto provide educators and librarians who work with teens, as well as their families, reading and listening recommendations featuring LGBTQ characters, thought-provoking discussion guides, inspiring author interviews, and audio clips, all hosted at www.readproudlistenproud.com.

“Stories teach empathy and help people of all backgrounds to respect themselves and others,” said Cheryl Herman, Marketing Director, Listening Library. “Whether a book or audio is centered on LGBTQ-related issues or features a character who is a positive LGBTQ role model, that story helps to teach young readers and listeners how to be tolerant and loving towards others.”

The campaign kicks off at the American Library Association’s annual meeting, held this year in San Francisco, where the two publishers will be giving away thousands of pairs of rainbow sunglasses during the conference as well as at the San Francisco Pride Parade on June 28, the anniversary of the raid and riot at the Stonewall Inn in New York City that catalyzed the modern gay rights movement.

The history of the riot and the movement that followed is vividly brought to life in award-winning author Ann Bausum’s STONEWALL, one of the first nonfiction chronicles of the movement written for young adults and one of the key inspirations for Read Proud Listen Proud. The site includes interviews with Bausum and Tim Federle, narrator of the audio edition of STONEWALL and author of BETTER NATE THAN EVER; FIVE, SIX, SEVEN, NATE!, about its personal resonance to them and importance to young LGBTQ readers today.

As a teacher I sadly see this is one area that is still a struggle to bring into schools in terms of materials given to students to read.  And what frustrates me is that I know there are students who NEED these books because it reflects their lives.  
At least through my blog I can share with my readers a place they can go to find books that can reflect what they might be looking for and needing! 

KIKI & JACQUES Release Day Celebration +GIVEAWAY

Today I've very excited to be a part of the release day celebration for Kiki and Jacques!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Kiki and Jacques
Author: Susan ROss
Pages: 128
Reading Level: Middle Grade
Release Date: October 15^th, 2015
Publisher:  Holiday House

SYNOPSIS:

A local boy and a refugee girl from Somalia overcome cultural challenges in a small Maine town.

Twelve-year-old Jacques meets Kiki, a Somali girl with a mysterious scar. Jacques expects to be captain of the soccer team, by Kiki’s brother, Mohamed, becomes his new rival. Kiki is also a talented player and wishes her family would let her join the girls team. A dangerous older boy implicated Jacques in a blot to rob the Army Navy Store, but Mohamed is mistakenly arrested. The boys on the soccer team shun Mohamed, and Jacques must decide if he will step forward.

BOOK LINKS

Goodreads
Amazon

B&N

PRAISE

“Jacques and Kiki are intriguing chracters, strong and empathetic. Despite problems of culture, they find their way to friendship in a story that is beautifully crafted. A stunning debut novel.”
                         -Patricia Reilly Giff, Two-time Winner of the Newberry Honor (Lily’s Crossing                              and Pictures of Hollis Woods)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Susan Ross grew up in Lweiston-Auburn, Maine, and adored spending time at her family’s cottage on the maine coast. She attended Brown University and NYU School of Law.

After practicing law, Susan taught legal writing in Brooklyn and in Budapest, and creative writing to kids in Connecticut. She led “art smart” for many years in her three children’s elementary school classes and assited with weekly writing workshops at their international school in London. Susan loves hanging out in a classroom and teaching kids about writing and literature!

KiKi and Jacques was inspired by the large influx of New Mainers from Somalia to Susan’s hometown in Maine. It is her debut middle grade novel.

Currently Susan lived with her husband and teenaged daughter in Connecticut. She teaches writing at Westpoint Writers Workshop and is a trustee at the local library.

Find her at:

http://www.authorsusanross.com/
@SusanRossAuthor

GIVEAWAY

One Winner will get a $25.00 B&N Gift Card

Must be 13+ To Enter | Open To US Only

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