We are getting ready for our Fall Scholastic Book Fair so I tried to get caught up with some of the titles that will featured at the book fair this week!
Picture Books
How Big Could Your Pumpkin Grow? by Wendell Minor
4/5 stars
This is such a beautiful fall book! Wendell Minor is such an amazing illustrator and this book, with all of its fall colors, is simply gorgeous! I love the way Minor makes the pumpkins personality come to life in all of the different locations across the United States. Wonderful book to add to your fall collection!
Remy and Lulu by Kevin Hawkes
3/5 stars
The back of the book jacket says, "Style is all in how you look at it." I love that quote. That should sum up art - it's all in how (and I think who) looks at it. Cute story.
Loved the miniatures by Hannah E. Harrison.
Wordless Picture Books
Draw! by Raul Colon
4/5 stars
Fun, wordless picture book that shows a young boy imagining himself traveling to Africa and drawing the many animals he meets there. Fun to think about what the conversation would be between the boy and the animals.
Flora and the Penguin by Molly Idle
5/5 stars
I liked Flora and the Flamingo but I really love Flora and the Penguin. I felt there was more to the story in this one - Flora and the Flamingo had their friendship going, but this time, Flora and the Penguin have friendship, their ice skating, and the problem with the fish! I love the story on top of the ice and the story below the ice! And just like in FatF, the artwork and the picture flaps are so amazingly done, so amazingly placed. Molly Idle is the Queen of the wordless picture book!
Graphic Novels
Sisters by Raina Telgemeier
5/5 stars
So glad to read more Raina stories! I know kids will love this graphic novel but for me, she wrote my childhood. I loved seeing Strawberry Shortcake dolls, Wilson Phillips lyrics and feathered bangs!!
I enjoyed how this story went back and forth from Raina's teenage years and when she was a kid.
Early Chapter Books
Disaster Strikes: Earthquake Shock by Marlane Kennedy
3/5 stars
Great new series for fans of "I Survived". Present day fiction that shows a natural disaster. Kids in 2nd-4th grade will really enjoy this new series.
Middle Grade
Loot by Jude Watson
4/5 stars
I enjoyed it, but especially the ending. That's when the action was quick, fast and furious and there was no way I was going to bed until I finished it!
This is the second "heist" book I've read this year, the first being The Great Greene Heist. I think overall, I enjoyed TGGH better - I liked the middle school atmosphere, the kids working together to overcome a bully. Loot had more of a kids being bad, but not really feel, and more suspend your belief action. TGGH had that too, but I think with the kids in Loot traveling cross country, it seemed even harder to believe!
Currently Reading
Doll Bones by Holly Black
Loot was awesome! Lots of action. I also liked the Ohio connection in Doll Bones. It made me want to make a trip south to some pottery factories!
ReplyDeleteA great list this week. Enjoy Doll Bones. So creepy but there is much to this novel. Will be interested to see what you think. sisters is on my nightstand and I will likely read it over the next few days. I was so excited to attend an author event/signing with Raina this past week. My children and husband came along and we all loved it.
ReplyDeleteLoot was fabulous! I just lent it out to a sixth grader, and he's about halfway through it already!
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to reread Doll Bones this week as the students in my new YA book club chose it for our second meeting and we meet on Wed. Not sure I'll actually manage to do any rereading at all, but it is my intention. I just bought Draw--it's gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteMichele, I have been trying to read Remy and Lulu for the past three nights and my little mister keeps getting too cranky midway through. It seems you made it a step further than me! Perhaps, next week, I will be able to share about it. :)
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed Sisters as well. Reminded me of my own sibling relationships. I liked Doll Bones, but it was nothing like what I was expecting. It was more bittersweet that spooky and I am fine with that! Have a great week! ~Megan
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Want to get Draw-still haven't, but I'm sure it's wonderful, Michele. I've put Flora & the Penguin on my wish list & Loot as well. We have all the Raina books at school, but still haven't read Sisters. I've enjoyed every one. The one I really want to see is How Big Does Your Pumpkin grow? It sounds great! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI'm really looking forward to Flora and the Penguin. Anxiously awaiting for it to come in at my library.
ReplyDeleteDoll Bones thoroughly creeped me out! The part where they are camping just gave me nightmares! Enjoy! :-P
ReplyDeleteI look forward to reading Flora and the Penguin and Draw. They both look like brilliant wordless PBs.
Glad you enjoyed Sisters. I feel the same way about it telling my childhood. I can definitely connect.
Happy reading this week! :)
Yum! What a delicious collection of books - I want to read them ALL! So many new titles! Loved Flora but have not read the new Penguin book. Have seen Draw and have added it to my wordless list! Have not read Sisters but WANT to! Top of my list from your list is the Pumpkin book - it looks amazing! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI read Doll Bones last year and enjoyed it greatly. Can't wait to get my hands on Sisters. My 12 year old daughter would just devour it, I'm sure of it.
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