When I bought Is It Hanukkah Yet? this past December, I didn鈥檛 realize Chris Barash had written a whole series of Jewish holiday picture books. Each oWhen I bought Is It Hanukkah Yet? this past December, I didn鈥檛 realize Chris Barash had written a whole series of Jewish holiday picture books. Each of the traditions she highlights (Hanukkah, Passover, Purim, and Sukkot) coincide with a season of the year, which places Is It Passover Yet? in late-spring...er, summer?
Despite the fudging of the season, the gentle story and soft-edged illustrations are a good introduction to Passover, when the story of Exodus--Moses, plagues, the Jews freed from slavery in Ancient Egypt and getting their own law--is celebrated. Kids can try to identify the elements of the seder, the four cups, the unleavened bread, etc.
Overall, it鈥檚 a good jumping off point for further discussion, as part of Passover is handing down the Jewish tradition to the next generation.
Merged review:
When I bought Is It Hanukkah Yet? this past December, I didn鈥檛 realize Chris Barash had written a whole series of Jewish holiday picture books. Each of the traditions she highlights (Hanukkah, Passover, Purim, and Sukkot) coincide with a season of the year, which places Is It Passover Yet? in late-spring...er, summer?
Despite the fudging of the season, the gentle story and soft-edged illustrations are a good introduction to Passover, when the story of Exodus--Moses, plagues, the Jews freed from slavery in Ancient Egypt and getting their own law--is celebrated. Kids can try to identify the elements of the seder, the four cups, the unleavened bread, etc.
Overall, it鈥檚 a good jumping off point for further discussion, as part of Passover is handing down the Jewish tradition to the next generation....more
Israeli-born author, Daniella Carmi, produces a middle-grade story about a Palestinian boy, Samir, faSamir and Yonatan left something in translation.
Israeli-born author, Daniella Carmi, produces a middle-grade story about a Palestinian boy, Samir, facing who he sees as the enemy--the Jews--while in an Israeli hospital on the West Bank. From that blurb, it sounds like a live wire of conflict and interest, but it falls flat on delivery.
The narrative mainly takes place in a hospital ward occupied by Samir and four Jewish children. This grows tedious with the daily activities of each kid. I wish the setting had been fleshed out more, especially the time. Was this during the Intifada? The Yugoslavian civil war is mentioned and Samir鈥檚 brother is fighting in Kuwait, but unless you know those 鈥渟ign posts,鈥� as I doubt many American middle schoolers do, you鈥檇 be lost.
I think much of these issues come down to the cultural divide, more than a translation issue. While the author didn鈥檛 come out for a particular side, she also didn鈥檛 drive home the message of peace. Saying 鈥渆veryone is made of the same stuff鈥� is sort of a cop-out when Samir is still blaming the Jews for his brother鈥檚 death. The resolution is too simple.
With all that said, I was pleased that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was shown from the latter perspective. I just wish that the narrative had gone further to show both sides outside the hospital walls.
Merged review:
Samir and Yonatan left something in translation.
Israeli-born author, Daniella Carmi, produces a middle-grade story about a Palestinian boy, Samir, facing who he sees as the enemy--the Jews--while in an Israeli hospital on the West Bank. From that blurb, it sounds like a live wire of conflict and interest, but it falls flat on delivery.
The narrative mainly takes place in a hospital ward occupied by Samir and four Jewish children. This grows tedious with the daily activities of each kid. I wish the setting had been fleshed out more, especially the time. Was this during the Intifada? The Yugoslavian civil war is mentioned and Samir鈥檚 brother is fighting in Kuwait, but unless you know those 鈥渟ign posts,鈥� as I doubt many American middle schoolers do, you鈥檇 be lost.
I think much of these issues come down to the cultural divide, more than a translation issue. While the author didn鈥檛 come out for a particular side, she also didn鈥檛 drive home the message of peace. Saying 鈥渆veryone is made of the same stuff鈥� is sort of a cop-out when Samir is still blaming the Jews for his brother鈥檚 death. The resolution is too simple.
With all that said, I was pleased that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was shown from the latter perspective. I just wish that the narrative had gone further to show both sides outside the hospital walls....more
Since 2011, I've met my 欧宝娱乐 Reading Challenge - until this past year. Can't say I'm shocked.
In both 2020 and 2021 (and maybe before that?), I ofSince 2011, I've met my 欧宝娱乐 Reading Challenge - until this past year. Can't say I'm shocked.
In both 2020 and 2021 (and maybe before that?), I often made myself read just to keep up with the challenge. Then I stopped wanting to write reviews, which was previously my favorite part of finishing a book. When an activity that's supposed to be fun turns into a chore, it's time to re-evaluate.
The pandemic is teaching me that my perfectionist streak is untenable (better late than never) and it steals a lot of joy from my life.
So my goal for 2022 is to find more joy - in everything, the things I have to do and the things I choose to do. If something isn't mandatory and/or I can't find the enjoyment in it, maybe it's not meant for me.
All that said, I'm taking a break from 欧宝娱乐. I'm going to follow my mood-reader whims and see where that leads for awhile. And then...who knows?
Stopped on page 71, literally in the middle of a sentence.
It sounded fun, a light romantic fantasy about, essentially, polar opposites attracting. GrStopped on page 71, literally in the middle of a sentence.
It sounded fun, a light romantic fantasy about, essentially, polar opposites attracting. Great, sign me up.
First, the writing was clunky and the female lead felt like a teenager, not a recent college grad. Also, she's supposed to be level-headed and dependable, if socially awkward, yet less than half an hour with the devil's son's and she's already lusting and isn't sure why? Ugh. The guy POV was stronger, in my opinion, but also we have seen this type of character (evil dude slacker riding daddy's coat tails suddenly wants to be taken seriously) so many times. Give us something interesting about him, and new.
On that point, I wish the "classically handsome" spawn of the devil wasn't blond and blue-eyed. Where is the diversity? Same with the female lead. There can be a non-binary character who uses they/them pronouns, but everybody has to be white?...more
My students experienced Red and Lulu as a read aloud from a Mystery Reader (a former librarian in our school district) prior to winter break. I had neMy students experienced Red and Lulu as a read aloud from a Mystery Reader (a former librarian in our school district) prior to winter break. I had never read it, either, so it was great to hear it first with them.
The story follows the POV of two cardinals who live in a tree that's eventually cut down and used for the Rockefeller Christmas tree in New York City. It's a very interesting way to take in the tradition. My students (4th graders) were very upset that the Cardinal's habitat was disrupted, and I agreed. They were only comforted when the birds found a new home in Central Park.
Animal activism aside, the artwork is fantastic, the narrative well-paced. I would read it to kiddos again next year....more
Such a fun romp. This was exactly what I needed right now (and anytime)--light, funny, sexy. Good banter between the love interests. Perky pace. ConstSuch a fun romp. This was exactly what I needed right now (and anytime)--light, funny, sexy. Good banter between the love interests. Perky pace. Constant conflict to keep things engaging. I consumed it in two days and I wish there had been more. Perfect rom-com....more
Do you ever get to the end of a picture book and not know what to think? That was me with Sidewalk Flowers.
I understand the message, the juxtapositionDo you ever get to the end of a picture book and not know what to think? That was me with Sidewalk Flowers.
I understand the message, the juxtaposition of the little girl appreciating what most people don't pay attention to while her father barely pays attention to her. I get the color symbolism, thanks to the marvelously talented Sydney Smith. But I started to approach the line with the dead bird (disease!) and the homeless man (stranger!). Most of all, I couldn't let go of the present-but-actually-absent father.
I know it's important that not all kid's books are "happy," but I guess this didn't hit right for me....more
I'm so upset - why haven't I read Hilma Wolitzer before now?? She's 91, people. 91!
But I digress. It worked out - being a newcomer, that is - that ToI'm so upset - why haven't I read Hilma Wolitzer before now?? She's 91, people. 91!
But I digress. It worked out - being a newcomer, that is - that Today a Woman Went Mad in the Supermarket: Stories is primarily a collection of Wolitzer's past works, which all center around the themes of womanhood, mothering, and family life. There is a new piece at the end that literally brought tears to my eyes - it was my first taste of "pandemic fiction" and boy, did it do it's job.
This is a masterclass in (short) storytelling. Period. Each work is clear and focused in its goal, evocative in its execution. Woltizer's female narrators could be our grandmothers and mothers and aunts and sisters and girlfriends and us, regardless of the decade. The restraint and desperation felt by woman in the '60's and '70's are not so far removed from the limitations woman experience in 2021. It all echoes.
My favorite stories: "Photographs," "The Sex Maniac," "The Great Escape" My least favorite stories: "Bodies," "Nights," "Trophies"
I struggled with stories that weren't about Howard and Paulie (though the husband in the title story was Howard, too, which confused me for awhile). Also, "Mother" was completely engaging, but one step away from Stephen King territory, so...
In all, I was impressed and inspired and just totally taken with this collection. It won't be my last from Wolitzer....more
I was looking for a light, quick Christmas romance. I got about 88 pages into this one and meh. It's very cookie-cutter and doesn't draw me in. I'm suI was looking for a light, quick Christmas romance. I got about 88 pages into this one and meh. It's very cookie-cutter and doesn't draw me in. I'm supposed to feel bad for the rich little kid? The rich guy who was engaged to a super model? Also wayyyy too much exposition. Make me work for the characters' back stories. Yeesh. ...more
One of the things I love about working with kids is discovering their talent. For some it's an academic subject, but for many, they excel at sports orOne of the things I love about working with kids is discovering their talent. For some it's an academic subject, but for many, they excel at sports or dance or art. When I find that "thing" about each of my students, I hype it up and that can make a huge difference in their confidence and even their mood at school. Now they are seen for what makes them special.
Jory John's talent is definitely writing picture books that explore universal feelings. The Smart Cookie is now second only to The Good Egg in this series. I read these books as a teacher with my students in mind, yes. But my younger self also finds acknowledgment. And I think that's pretty special....more
I don't usually read novels with "ripped from the headlines" plots because they typically try to find reason for the terrible acts committed. I don't I don't usually read novels with "ripped from the headlines" plots because they typically try to find reason for the terrible acts committed. I don't want to know what was going through the minds of the most despicable human beings when they hurt others in awful, unthinkable ways. I think that's why I never entertained reading Room. I knew what it was about and had no interest.
But then five days ago, something made me click borrow on the digital copy in Overdrive. I read 76 pages that first night. Which is a lot when I'm not in a reading mood.
I can't praise author Emma Donoghue enough for making 5-year-old Jack the narrator. It didn't come across as a gimmick to me. Jack allowed readers to explore something besides the captivity he and his Ma experience. It was almost a refugee story; a tale of immigration. Waking up one day and realizing the world as you've known it is corrupt, built from lies and darkness. It's a story of language and resilience and starting over, facing a world held just beyond reach all along.
Room is also an ode to motherly love. None of us deserve our mothers. They are superhuman and yet the realest people we will ever know in our lives. This was a harrowing read, but worth every word....more
The third installment of Helen Hoang's debut romance series definitely has the most heart. I don't think it was the book Hoang set out to write, eitheThe third installment of Helen Hoang's debut romance series definitely has the most heart. I don't think it was the book Hoang set out to write, either. Appears The Heart Principle became her way of working through her own grief and guilt from a similar experience. Does it start to feel like a therapy session? Yes. It is also engrossing? Yes. I read it over my Fall Break, which means I had four days to sink into Anna and Quan's world. I loved it, even if it veered from the first two books in style (POV) and overall tone. I was also disappointed that Anna and Stella didn't meet!
Another in the Sunny series! This one was light and easy for summer. It moved the overall story along with Sunny turning 13 and getting her first realAnother in the Sunny series! This one was light and easy for summer. It moved the overall story along with Sunny turning 13 and getting her first real job outside of babysitting...and getting a glimpse of some romance and it's confusing ways. I loved the humor throughout, like the sherbet. And Gramps returned!! He honestly deserves a spin-off. ...more
Last year, amidst a pandemic, a new elementary school opened in our district. It was built brick by brick in a big field. More than once during those Last year, amidst a pandemic, a new elementary school opened in our district. It was built brick by brick in a big field. More than once during those first hectic days of hybrid teaching and social distancing and masks falling off noses I thought what it must look like from the outside. I never considered what the school itself was feeling.
I love this gentle twist on starting a new school year. It celebrates the little things that make a building a place to learn. It would make a great read-aloud!...more
I am major teacher tired, but I want to leave a review while I still remember reading this, so enter the likes and didn't-like-as-much lists!
Likes: -YI am major teacher tired, but I want to leave a review while I still remember reading this, so enter the likes and didn't-like-as-much lists!
Likes: -YA tackling 9/11, hard to do and I thought Buxbaum handled it well. For years I've been teaching kids about 9/11 who weren't born when it happened. It's history and yet it's fresh in the social consciousness. -loved the Baby Hope picture aspect, perfectly fit with the likes of The Falling Man and The Dust Lady -the friend threesome of Jack, Abbi, and Noah - reminded me of Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (but not as dynamic) -the pacing, short chapters kept the story moving (even when the plot itself was slow) -the humor -the heart
Didn't-like-as-much: -the age of the MCs didn't work for me, especially with all the drinking, hookups, lusting, make-outs, etc. I get this isn't unusual in YA nowadays, but it's the main reason I struggle with YA. I still think of them as kids! Am I showing my age?? -Abbi and Noah were better as friends than bf/gf, in my opinion -the grandma sub-plot really didn't move anything forward or impact the overall story, why was it there at all? -the Jewishness of the characters was a throw-away, why was it there at all? -the dying teen trope (another similarity to Me and Earl and the Dying Girl just not handled as well) -the Parent Trap trope -I'll never remember the title
Overall, I liked it, but it didn't knock my socks off....more
Duck does not enjoy water or getting wet, ironically, yet he has a good heart. After Frog appears on his doorstep, Duck has to weather his fear to helDuck does not enjoy water or getting wet, ironically, yet he has a good heart. After Frog appears on his doorstep, Duck has to weather his fear to help his new friend find home.
This is a sweet story, if predictable. The illustrations are lovely. It would be a gentle read-aloud....more
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