I want to include two books for the Picture Book of the Month this time.
They are by the same author and illustrator, Hiawyn Oram and Satoshi
Kitamura, and even have a similar character. The books are both based on
a boy’s imagination in dealing with negative feelings. In the Attic is the solution to boredom. Angry Arthur is about coping with anger. The imagination and illustrations are fabulous. A little like a Japanese version of David Wiesner.

Current Pick and List of Previous

One of the best books in The Wheel of Time series, if only because so much is happening. Still a period of build up to the end. Many loose ends to tie together. The next book was intended to be the last, though now lengthened to three. Incredible. Has got to be my favorite series. The very best of fantasy. Am considering buying the books now, so that I can go back and read leisurely. The library doesn’t give enough time for 800 page books!

Ultra-Condensed

Series

Well, I’ve got two Newberys in a row here for Book of the Month. I picked up this month’s book, because I loved the title and cover. You can’t judge a book by its cover – but it sure helps! Reading the book was a great pleasure, resembling the experience of reading Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy. The feel of the stories is similar. A mix of historical fiction and a way of looking at the world.

One of the books was the Newbery Award for 2010 and the other an Honor book. If it had been up to me, they would have been switched, but both are excellent in their own ways.

REVIEW

Current Pick and List of Previous

There’s a newish book out by Andrew Clements, fans will be happy to see. Extra credit is not a new idea in his school stories, but this deals with pen pals, adding to the list of projects and writing adventures Clements has addressed. It’s also a foray into geography with some cool ideas from the students involved.

REVIEW

I wanted to pass on this article from the Huffington Post, because my local library was threatened by cuts this summer as well. I do not know how it all turned out. They were supposed to have a final vote in June. There was a hearing in which the council was suggesting a huge cut, over $100,000. Apparently, they could go with this huge cut or a smaller one similar to last year which was about $30,000. The library would not be closed, but jobs would be lost and possibly hours cut, not that there are that many jobs to cut.  But also, the city has a sum larger than the city’s yearly budget frozen for rebuilding its civic center. They are not using it because of the recession, but it’s frozen because it was approved.

I don’t live in the city, but the library is a regional library. My family depends on it as an educational resource. It is a big reason why we visit Bangor specifically rather than another city. A big reason why we decided to stay in Maine when my husband’s job moved out of New England. I hope that the cities will remember that the libraries bring people in, and while we do not spend money at the library, we do at local businesses. Business that will be taken elsewhere if we must find another library.

How often do you read a book published before you were born? This is one for me. It’s a cool experience, especially when the book doesn’t feel dated and weird. I hadn’t heard of this book before I was looking through Newbery books for my kids. For historical fiction and art fans, it’s a good choice.

REVIEW

This month’s selection is a book of haiku with awesome illustrations.  I love the spirit of the book.  Besides poetry, it’s a creative, beginner naturalist/birdwatcher celebration.

REVIEW

Current Pick and List of Previous

Yet another selection in which I had a book I wanted to use, but it was bumped out by another. I thought about posting two books, because I really wanted to pick them both. Instead, I picked the more upbeat book. Maybe I’ll keep the other until next month.

This month’s pick has already gained much attention in the past year. I just read the Newbery Award book for the year. I sometimes avoid these books. They tend to be on the depressing side. I find that I normally like the Honor books better. Curiously, two of the children’s librarians in Bangor told me it seems to them that there has to be a death in the book for it to be picked. Odd, and sad if it’s true. Rebecca Stead’s When You Reach Me is a fairly lighthearted story, though. Yes, there’s a death, but it’s at the end and balanced by something positive.

I wouldn’t say that it would be in a must read list for me, but it is a light and enjoyable read. A good book for children who have already read extensively and are looking for something fresh. It has unexpected depth.

REVIEW

Current Pick and List of Previous

Don’t judge this book by its cover. It looks rather babyish. While it is easy to understand and doesn’t harp on traditional concepts of poetry like rhythm and line structure or deep meaning, it does get a range of ages started in writing poetry for FUN. It also encourages reading poetry at your own speed. So, it’s a beginner’s book, but one that appeals to the reader on an emotional level. Just what a beginner needs to get started writing.

REVIEW

Don’t you just love learning something new? I didn’t already know about Jane Jacobs. I now want to read her books. Though unknown to me before, I suspect her legacy was passed down to me through my college Art and Architecture class. Since college, my husband and I have done a bit of walking around city areas, admiring unique spots, whether they are from views, structures or human life. Though I have to admit less walking with the kids. Some, but less. I was particularly struck by the areas she saved from demolition. Less surprised by the fact that she prevailed, because her perspective totally made sense.