Amit wants a puppy. He wants a puppy. He wants a puppy. He wants a puppy. But his parents refuse.For me, that was the hook. And thanks to my book clubs and the number of conversations we've had about wanting pets but not being allowed to get them, I know that this is practically universal.Puppy Trouble goes further, though, because a puppy does come into Amit's life. Unfortunately for him, however, everything isn't as exciting as he imagined it would be.A fun book that made me laugh at all the right moments, Puppy Trouble is another Hook Book that brings illustrations and text together perfectly. I love how this short story takes us through so many highs and lows - hope, disappointment, resentment ... It's a happy addition to a delightful set of books for young readers!TitlePuppy TroubleAuthorIllustratorBijal VachharajaniRajiv EipeTagsChapter Book, Hook Book, Animal … [Read more...]
Red, White and Whole
Red, White and Whole has been on my wishlist for ever so long. I kept dithering. Would I enjoy the book? Would I not? I honestly wasn't sure I wanted to read yet another immigration story. Yes, a sense of identity is important. Yes, many of us struggle with it; I know I do too. But the whole idea of being caught between two worlds is one I've read about a little too much.Even so, I kept coming across people talking about this book, so I picked it up. I was prepared not to love it, even more so because I was surprised into liking In the Beautiful Country by Jane Kuo.And yes, there were moments that I didn't like--not because they were not well written, but because they seemed to be about the same things we've read before. Yet, as I turned the pages, I got sucked into the story. Even with the overarching themes that I didn't want to read about, I found myself drawn into Reha's … [Read more...]
Starfish
On nearly any list of "must-read" verse novels for middle-graders, I come across Starfish. I finally read it, and I completely understand why it's on so many lists. There are so many things -- some small, some big -- that make this book special.Twelve-year-old Ellie has Fat Girl Rules to protect herself. She must never draw attention to the way her body jiggles. She should try to be invisible, never make waves. She even holds a pillow in front of herself without even realising it to hide her body as best she can.She knows, however, that her problem is not her being fat. Rather, it is how other people make her feel because she is fat. And the other people, unfortunately, start with her family. Specifically her mother who uses fridge magnets to draw Ellie's attention to articles about losing weight. And her brother, who loses no opportunity to mock her or look at her with … [Read more...]
Ottoline at Sea
As far as possible, I try to source books from independent bookstores for my book clubs. And so, when Eureka Books informed me that Ottoline Goes to School was out of stock with the publisher, I decided to read Ottoline at Sea with the June edition of my book club instead! It feels like a win-win for me because I'm reading one Ottoline book with my May batch and another with my June batch!Ottoline at Sea is another delightful book featuring the intrepid Ottoline and her friend Mr Munroe. Just like the others in the series, it is a perfect mixture of serious and hilarious because of the seriousness with which it addresses impossibility. I know that humour of this kind is not every child's cup of tea, but the illustrations are sure to delight them all, even those who aren't drawn into the story! Collections Just like when we read Ottoline and the … [Read more...]
Where the Heart Should Be
I love historical fiction, and I love novels in verse. And I love Sarah Crossan's books. When all three come together, the chances of my not liking the book are very low! I've read two books (that I remember) about the potato famine in Ireland - Esty's Gold and Twist of Gold. They were both powerful stories, just like Where the Heart Should Be.When people are torn apart, when families die, when the divide between the rich and the poor continues to grow, what is morality? What must we do when the law is on the side of the mighty instead of on the side of the right? And worst of all, where do our loyalties lie when we fall in love?Nell is educated. She loves poetry and can quote it, both in Irish and in English. In fact, she always has a book of poems with her. Even so, she can be nothing better than a scullery maid in the Big House, the house that Lord Wicken rules with an iron … [Read more...]
In the Beautiful Country
Verse novels are beautiful. I love how sparse and hard-hitting they are, and I've been reading them all the more because I've been writing verse too. Uncontrollable came out last year, and Fishbowl will be out later this year. But I read In the Beautiful Country by Jane Kuo because it's on the required reading list for a workshop that I'm excited to attend later this year. I'm honoured to have received a Highlights Foundation scholarship for an online workshop of my choice, and I've chosen one on revising my verse novel. In the Beautiful Country is the first book I've read for the workshop!The United States of America is the beautiful country. At least, that's what it is called in Taiwan, which is where Anna, aka Ai Shi, is from. But is it a beautiful country when she cannot understand what her schoolmates are saying? Is it a beautiful country when she is teased and bullied for … [Read more...]
The Golden Eagle
Krishna Bala Shenoi's artwork is stunning. From the black-headed stork to the green pigeon, the pelican to the doves - the illustrations leap off the pages making The Golden Eagle a visual treat.But of course, I choose books based on the story, not just the pictures, and The Golden Eagle is a pacy, exciting read.The white-headed squirrel Shikar has questions. Who were his parents? How did he make friends with the birds? Why did Kabul the bulbul become a mother-figure to him, and why are Lovey and Dovey like his aunt and uncle? The two doves, Lovey and Dovey, set out to tell him his story. It's a long story, full of twists and turns, a story about Regal the golden eagle.I loved The Golden Eagle. Suspense, drama and beautiful characters make it a pacy read, sucking us into a book that full of politics, intrigue and betrayal. Suspense … [Read more...]
A Giant Leap
I read and reviewed A Giant Leap three years ago. Since then, I've been thinking about introducing it to my book club, but it's shorter than the books I usually select, making me wonder whether it would be too simple a read. Yet, so much draws me to the book, from the childlike perspective to the exploration of a landmark event, that I decided we would read together. Here's what we'll do with it! Gravity I know that gravity as a concept is one that children study much later, but a lot of them have visited upside-down "museums". What do they think will be most difficult to do in a place without gravity? What do they think will be most fun? Moon Stories There are so many more stories about the moon! Who is the man on the moon? Is there a rabbit on the moon? Does a monster eat the moon every month?We'll explore a couple of stories, … [Read more...]
What Happened to Grandpa
Books spark discussion. As a book club facilitator, I know only too well how a story can lead to conversations about fear, wonder, belonging and so much more. And that is why it's delightful to see an increasing number of books touch upon themes that help with difficult conversations.Several years ago, I read Where's Grandma?, a poignant picture book (though aimed at older readers) about a child's relationship with a grandparent diagnosed with Alzheimer's. With my book club three years ago, I read Flying with Grandpa, another book that explores a similar relationship. The conversation that followed was lovely!And now, I just finished reading What Happened to Grandpa, which I loved.Big themes in deceptively simple books always make for gorgeous reads, and this picture book by Nandini Nayar fits the bill perfectly. As a creative writing educator, I also often look at books … [Read more...]
How to Win an Election: A Most Unreliable Guide
It's voting season, the best time to read How to Win an Election: A Most Unreliable Guide! I would argue, however, that any time is a good time to read the book because it's hilarious, light, and fun.When Sachin is disqualified from standing for the middle school elections, he does the next best thing. He becomes the campaign manager for his best friend Mini. He comes up with the best ideas. Taco Tuesday! A new snazzy name for Mini--eM! A rap song!Unfortunately, someone is out to sabotage their campaign. A lizard--whose species Sachin recognises--soils a competitor's nomination papers. A rap song maligning another candidate is written on the bathroom mirror. Everything is carefully chosen to frame Mini and Sachin, right up to the time that Mini is disqualified too.The duo must clear their names, and they engage in undercover spying, a little bit of lying, and a chase to … [Read more...]