Donavan's Double Trouble

Donavan's Double Trouble - Monalisa Degross - We were first introduced to Donavan in 1998 with Donavan's Word Jar. I loved the first book and though it took awhile I was happy to see a second book. Donavan is dealing with two problems. The first is fifth grade math, and the second is coping with his favorite uncle in a wheelchair. Like many fifth graders Doanvan is having trouble with multiplying large numbers. His uncle Vic was in the war and lost his legs, now Donavan doesn't know how to act around this new uncle who can't play basketball or dance. His fears and doubts about his uncle's wheelchair come across as real. He admits what many would be afraid to say out loud. Donavan has a strong family support system, they listen to him and give suggestions. He still collects words in a jar and spends quality time with his grandmother. It was nice watching Donavan work through his troubles. Neither was an easy fix but he kept at it, and his family was there to help. Life doesn't stop for Donavan's troubles, his school is preparing for Hertiage Month. Every April the kids are encouraged to invite adults to speak. One year someone played bagpipes, and someone else acted out all the animals in the Chinese horoscope. Degross found a very creative way to add a little diversity to her book.

Time to share

Donavan sees Uncle Vic a wheelchair for first time

"But not one of them had said right out, "They cut off Vic Carter's legs." He would have remembered that. The thin bearded man sitting in the wheelchair, was not laughing, dancing, basketball playing Uncle Vic Carter. Not the uncle who got on the bus at the armory and announced loudly to his family, "I'll be back" The crowd around him had laughed and laughed. That Uncle Vic had been replaced with this almost Uncle Vic."

Donavan goes to math class

"Man oh man, it's lima bean time." Pooh shook his head. "Yup," Donavan agreed. Whenever one of them had to face something that they hated, they called it limabean time.

Degross has written another very enjoyable early chapter book. Many kids will be able to relate to one or both of Donavan's troubles. There is a great surprise at the end of the book with Uncle Vic.
check out Ms debs post http://msdebfiction.blogspot.com/2008/03/donavans-double-trouble.html

I love her, She's my favorite

Books are Beautiful- Another Unfortunate Skit

Jamie- Thanks for choosing Books are Beautiful. This is Jamie how can I help you today.
Customer- I want all the books you have on or about Madonna. I love her, she's my favorite
Jamie- Well the only book we have in right now is the one by her brother
Customer- No, I won't read anything that is anti Madonna. Her brother is just jealous she's the real talent in the family. Find me something else. I love Madonna, she's my favorite
Jamie ( planning her escape) That is the only book we have in right now about Madonna
Customer- Madonna is a singing icon and you only have one book. Shame on you. Well go ahead and order me something. I love Madonna, she's my favorite. Which Madonna do you like?
Jamie (will not engage the customer, pretends not to hear the question) Let me see what other Madonna books I can find for you.
Customer- I don't care, 80's 90's or now, I love Madonna, she's my favorite.
Jamie (this ends now) All the other Madonna books are out of print. Unfortunately we do not deal in out of print titles.
Customer- So where should I go?
Jamie (I really don't care) Try amazon

Otherworldlies Jennifer Anne Kogel

Otherworldlies by Jennifer Anne Kogler Vampire books are not really my thing so I came very close to not reading this book. This week I had a mini vacation from work, no funds to travel and a limited book selection , so I picked Otherworldlies up and was pleasantly surprised. I happily lost myself in the world Kogler created. Fern McAllister is nothing like her twin brother,Sam, or older brother, Eddie. Fern's quirks and peculiar sensitivity to the sun does not stop her family from loving her. Fern is a 12 yr old middle school outcast, going through changes she can't explain. What I loved about Otherworldlies is its not oblivious Fern's a vampire. Though the preferred term is otherworldly, a different species of human. Yes, Fern knows she's different, odd and strange but that doesn't automatically add up to vampire. Kogler takes her time building the story. The first part is about Fern and the relationships in the McAllister household. We learn a lot about the bond between twins. Otherworldlies comes at a perfect pace thanks to Kogler's patient writing style. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to more in this series. If you know a pre-teen or teen who hates vampire books Otherworldies may changed their mind.

Time to Share

Fern hears the voices

"That's what Fern called them the Voices probably because whenever she heard them, there were no bodies attached. That very morning she heard them again, louder than ever. She had been lying in bed, waiting for her alarm to ring. Her spine stiffened when she realized, that once again she was the topic of conversation."

Check out Bookmucher's review http://thebookmuncher.blogspot.com/2008/07/otherworldies-by-jennifer-anne-kogler.html

Ida B. Wells: Let The Truth Be Told Walter Dean Myers Bonnie Christensen

Ida B. Wells: Let the Truth Be Told - Myers, Walter Dean, Christensen, Bonnie- Myers and Christensen have collaborated to create a great biography about Ida B. Wells. Myers begins with Ida's birth in 1862 in Holly Springs, Mississippi. Picture book biographies come across as chopping to me when the author doesn't transition well through the different stages of life and tries to fit in too much information. Myers does not have this problem. He gives us a clear sense of Ida at every stage in her life. Christensen muted illustrations are a perfect fit. I love the detail to Ida B. Wells face. As Ida grows older the face changes are subtle, allowing us to see five year old Ida in 50 year old Ida.
A few things we learn about Ida B. Wells
Yellow fever killed for parents and brother
She sued the railroad for forcing her to sit in the smoking car
Organized one of the first economic boycotts
Spoke out against lynching
Created the first voting organization for black women in the state of Illinois
There is a timeline included in the back and behind that the words of Ida B. Wells. Before reading this all I knew about Ida B. Wells is she traveled the country to speak out against lynching. Now I have a better idea of who Ida B. Wells was and how much she contributed to this country.
Also reviewed at Black Threads in Kid Lit http://blackthreadsinkidslit.blogspot.com/2008/07/ida-b-wells-let-truth-be-told-by-walter.html
Ida B. Wells Let the truth be told -Comes out October 28

Tethered Amy Mackinnon

Toni is always on me to add more adult fiction into my reading diet. So I was eyeing the new Henning Mankell novel and came across Tethered by Amy Mackinnon First of all I love the cover, there is something about it that makes me want to know more. I loved Tethered, its a beautiful read. Clara Marsh is an undertaker who can help the police solve an old murder case. Will I start mentioning more adult novels, only the ones that move me completely. There is nothing like a good book cry.

Tethered reviews
http://www.bookbrowse.com/reviews/index.cfm?book_number=2162
http://www.curledup.com/amtether.htm