Unfortunately, my major gift receiving opportunities (my birthday and graduation) have just passed. Otherwise, I would have thrown out my list and just asked people for these books. Random House is reissuing their Looking Glass Library series... and I want to own every single book! Here's the article from the School Library Journal website where they talk about the series.
Why you may ask do I want to own the books? Well for starters, they're all hardbound, library quality books. Which means they are meant to stand up to lots of loving. Plus, I believe that children care less about when a book was actually published as long as the cover looks cool and it's written in accessible language. If these books are still around and being read today, then they're worth investing in. On top of all that, I'm a sucker for a coordinating set of books (that's a topic for another day though).
I also love the fact that a modern author who kids are already familiar with introduces each book. The authors have really tried to write appealing introductions meant to sound like a recommendation from a trusted friend (according to School Library Journal).
Overall, if you like older books and want to have a well-trusted set of books in your home, this set may be for you. Since it was published before, and Random House is just republishing the series so they can update the covers and provide new introductions to each book, I'd definitely trust these books to be ones you want to own.
P.S. If you're interested in getting periodic newsletters via e-mail from School Library Journal, Library Journal, or Publisher's Weekly, go here. I subscribe to 6 or 7 different newsletters, and although I get some about webinars or panels, the majority of them are really great! They have links to interesting articles, books and authors that are selling really well, and lots of advice from librarians on encouraging reluctant readers.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Stalky & Co by Rudyard Kipling
This book has single-handedly been the reason I haven't been reading books a lot lately. It's not that this is a bad book... it's just that Rudyard Kipling is just really, really hard for me to get through for some reason. I think it's because he moves so slowly compared to modern authors.
That being said, once I got into the book I liked it. It wasn't the greatest book ever, but there's definitely a reason people are still reading Kipling. I think the best part about the book is that it's very episodic. So I could read a chapter, go read another book, and then come back to this book without feeling completely lost. As a result, this book would be a good book to keep in your car or purse for long lines, waiting to pick someone up, or the doctor's office waiting room. Actually, any of Kipling's works would be good books for that.
Next up... Mary Poppins Comes Back. I really really had some problems with Mary Poppins, but I'm giving the sequel a chance in hopes that my major issues with the book will be resolved.
After that, I'll be reading a couple of the big time management books that everyone talks about. I've started researching the planner possibilities for next year (next year starting in July or August), but before I can commit to anything I need to figure out what my time management style is and I figure reading a couple productivity books will help. Plus, I need a break from Kipling and children's lit.
That being said, once I got into the book I liked it. It wasn't the greatest book ever, but there's definitely a reason people are still reading Kipling. I think the best part about the book is that it's very episodic. So I could read a chapter, go read another book, and then come back to this book without feeling completely lost. As a result, this book would be a good book to keep in your car or purse for long lines, waiting to pick someone up, or the doctor's office waiting room. Actually, any of Kipling's works would be good books for that.
Next up... Mary Poppins Comes Back. I really really had some problems with Mary Poppins, but I'm giving the sequel a chance in hopes that my major issues with the book will be resolved.
After that, I'll be reading a couple of the big time management books that everyone talks about. I've started researching the planner possibilities for next year (next year starting in July or August), but before I can commit to anything I need to figure out what my time management style is and I figure reading a couple productivity books will help. Plus, I need a break from Kipling and children's lit.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
How I Saved My Father's Life by Ann Hood
I'm a day early!! I officially feel awesome about myself.
Anyways... I really enjoyed this book! It follows Madeline, a 12 year old girl, who believes she has saved her father from an avalanche only to have her parents divorce and her father marry Ava Pomme, a sophisticated New Yorker. The story mostly follows her during the first year of her parents' divorce as she comes to terms with what happened.
I really like this story because it deals with a theme every person can relate to even if their parents are not divorced. Madeline has to come to terms with her father, who she thought was perfect, actually left his family for his new wife. At first, she believes it's all her mother's fault for being so ordinary, but as she spends more time with her father and his new wife, pieces start to fall into place. The story doesn't end with her having all the answers, but instead with her realizing that even though her father did something horrible, he's still her father and will be a big part of her life.
As someone who luckily didn't have to go through my parents' divorcing, I can't speak to how accurately this book portrays those feelings. As an adult who has had to come to terms with the fact that my parents are imperfect people though, I loved how the book presented that realization. Madeline was allowed to hate each of her parents for different reasons but decide at the end that she loved them both. That's an important realization for teenagers to make... unfortunately too many people get disillusioned with their parents (or other people) and never get past realizing that they are real people.
This book could be the perfect springboard for a discussion between either a parent and their child or an older sibling and younger sibling about how adults aren't perfect, but you have to accept their imperfections and love them anyways. (P.S. I own this book, but probably won't ever read it again, so if you want the book it's yours!)
Anyways... I really enjoyed this book! It follows Madeline, a 12 year old girl, who believes she has saved her father from an avalanche only to have her parents divorce and her father marry Ava Pomme, a sophisticated New Yorker. The story mostly follows her during the first year of her parents' divorce as she comes to terms with what happened.
I really like this story because it deals with a theme every person can relate to even if their parents are not divorced. Madeline has to come to terms with her father, who she thought was perfect, actually left his family for his new wife. At first, she believes it's all her mother's fault for being so ordinary, but as she spends more time with her father and his new wife, pieces start to fall into place. The story doesn't end with her having all the answers, but instead with her realizing that even though her father did something horrible, he's still her father and will be a big part of her life.
As someone who luckily didn't have to go through my parents' divorcing, I can't speak to how accurately this book portrays those feelings. As an adult who has had to come to terms with the fact that my parents are imperfect people though, I loved how the book presented that realization. Madeline was allowed to hate each of her parents for different reasons but decide at the end that she loved them both. That's an important realization for teenagers to make... unfortunately too many people get disillusioned with their parents (or other people) and never get past realizing that they are real people.
This book could be the perfect springboard for a discussion between either a parent and their child or an older sibling and younger sibling about how adults aren't perfect, but you have to accept their imperfections and love them anyways. (P.S. I own this book, but probably won't ever read it again, so if you want the book it's yours!)
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