Blues Bones Written by Rick Starkey Ages: 8 - 12 Grade Level: 3 – 7 I’d forgotten that I’d reviewed Rick’s book back on 10/27/17. Click on the November link on the right to read my original post. I still love this book! It’s a great story with a hook perfect for middle grade boys. Rodney freezes when he plays in front of the school for the first time. Somehow he must conquer his fear with the help of a famous guitarist, a few bones, and a little voodoo. I know— I want to read it again! E.S.P. Easy Sensory Perception Written by Rick and Betty Starkey I haven’t read this book, but I pulled up Amazon’s info. Here’s how ESP works: The magician shows five ESP test cards. The cards are then handed to the spectator face down. The spectator thinks of one of the symbols found on the key card and transfers the thought to the cards by rearranging them while the magician's back is turned. The cards are dealt face down by the spectator. The magician takes the cards and spreads them face up then detects the thought of card. The test is then repeated and the magician detects the thought of card again. This time the cards remain face down; the magician never touches the cards! The magician then explains everyone has some powers of ESP and lets the spectator try a beginner’s modified version of the test and the spectator finds the selected card. ESP includes a link so you can print your own free test cards !
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Ordinary, Extraordinary Jane Austen Written by Deborah Hopkinson Illustrations by Qin Leng Ages: 4 - 8 Grade Level: PS – 3 I’ve loved Jane Austen since I was 16. That’s when my father, a principal, introduced me to PRIDE AND PREJUDICE. Half the titles on my kindle today are versions of P & P. When I saw this book at the library— I had to read it! This is not an ordinary biography. Its hook shows how Jane was ordinary, and becomes extraordinary. What a clever approach to a biography! Jane was shy. Who wouldn’t be with 6 brothers and a sister? Her dad was a minister so she probably learned discipline. She played games with her siblings, read books on her own, but she became extraordinary. How? I think it was all that reading! It leads to things, like staging plays, then writing your own. Jane even wrote comments inside her father’s books. He didn’t get mad— he gave her 3 notebooks and a mahogany writing desk. Jane’s words followed her everywhere, and by age 21, she’d written 3 novels. Her father took one to a publisher. He said no thanks, but Jane persisted. After 16 years of writing, editing, and rewriting, Jane published her first novel. She was extraordinary! I’m glad I read this book. I didn’t realize how long it took Jane to be published. I’ve only worked for 10 years…so she gives me hope. What if I could do something extraordinary, like Jane? Snow & Rose Written and Illustrated by Emily Winfield Martin Ages: 8 - 12 Grade Level: 3 – 7 Can you imagine…your father disappears, your mother goes into a deep depression, and you’re thrown out of your house? I thought that was the hook, but Emily’s version is much better…. “Snow and Rose didn’t know they were living in a fairy tale. People never do.” What a great line! Maybe I can use it someday! In this retelling of SNOW WHITE AND ROSE RED by the Brothers Grimm, 2 little girls must adjust to a new life, and it’s nothing like Disney’s Snow White. I kept looking for the 7 dwarfs. I never found them, but I found gorgeous pictures in every single chapter. Check out the illustrations, but don’t forget to read the story! |
AuthorWhenever I read or write, I find a comfy chair with a great view. I get my favorite drink, stretch out, and let the words take me away. Categories |