Flawed Dogs by Berkeley Breathed

I have enjoyed this author's work through his Bloom County and Opus comic strips, and now he brings that same irreverently satirical wit to, of all things, a novel.  There are layers here, both in story and in message, so it is a book that may need to be read more than once to get the whole picture.  In a nutshell, we have the world of the perfect purebred dog and the world of the flawed, abandoned mongrel colliding at the Westminster Dog Show in an act of revenge that turns into an act of heroism.  Dog lovers will treasure the message that all dogs exist to love and be loved, but beware!  The humor is sharp, the wit bites, and both dogs and owners will break wind. 

The Unfinished Angel by Sharon Creech

This deceptively small volume holds a deeply layered, intricate novel of sparse beauty.  The basic premise appears simple: an angel who lives in a tiny village high in the Swiss Alps is forced into action by Zola, a determined American girl who has moved into the village with her father.  A group of orphaned children need help, and Zola expects the angel to "do something".  What happens and how it is relayed to the reader make this book anything but simple.  The angel doesn't speak the words very well, so the reader is required to make sense of a lot of mistakes in word choice and pronunciation.  Multiple elderly characters suffering from grief, loneliness, and the beginnings of dementia add another layer of complex emotional content.  Add in language and cultural differences, and there is a lot for a reader to process in 164 pages.  I wouldn't recommend this novel for independent reading unless the student is quite advanced; however, I think it will make a great read aloud, especially since the voice of the angel is so expressively Italian and the characters are so clearly developed.  Overall, it is a great book for an adult to read with children.

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

A strange and wonder-full book.  If you haven't read A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle, you may feel a bit lost at the beginning of this tale, but don't worry; everyone who reads this book will be a bit lost at some point or another.  It seems, at first, to have too many weird and unconnected characters, to be disjointed and awkward, and for awhile, I thought that was a mirror of the feelings of main character.  As I read further, however, I realized that, while she is the connection between all these strange and quirky people, the real action of the story was occurring somewhere else.  The strange notes and little clues made it clear that, as in A Wrinkle in Time, someone else, from some other time, was the key.  In the end, when it all came together, I was filled with wonder at how this author made it all work.  While I wouldn't recommend this for someone who struggles with reading, this is a definite must for those who need something with more sophistication and deeper character development.  Now, I may have to go back and re-read A Wrinkle in Time!

Merlin's Dragon by T.A. Barron

I like T.A. Barron's books.  They show a depth of thought and an understanding of how all things are connected without being preachy.  Also, he knows how to tell a story without having to make a 12 volume set out of it.  One of his strengths is pacing, so I was somewhat disappointed to find so little actual story in Merlin's Dragon.  He introduces a very interesting, likable character -- Basil, the...well, no one is sure exactly what Basil is, but he is little, curious, and brave.  The book takes us along on Basil's journey of discovering who -- and what -- he is.  Along the way, he meets Merlin a couple of times, but readers have to wade through a lot of description before hitting any action.  Basil's frantic journey to save Merlin from a deadly foe makes for some good reading, but it is a long reading journey to get to that point.  Those who haven't read the Tree of Avalon or Lost Years of Merlin books may get lost and discouraged along the way.  I know the story will continue, but like most introductions, this one was a slow read.

14 Cows for America by Carmen Agra Deedy

This one brought tears to my eyes.  In simple, yet eloquent, prose, the author tells how Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah of the Masai brought news to his village of the September 11 attack on New York City.  He wished the elders' permission to give his one true possession, his cow, to America as a way to help them during their time of tragedy.  The response of his village, while seemingly insignificant in our technology-ruled lives, shines as an example of the great generosity and kindness of spirit that exists in the world.  This book serves as a reminder that we are not alone in our struggles, that it is not America vs the world, and that even the smallest of us can reach out a hand and offer to help.  Rather than dwelling on the destruction of that day, this book celebrates our connections.  An excellent read-aloud any time, but especially powerful on the anniversary of 9/11.

January's Sparrow by Patricia Polacco

Short enough for a one-day read-aloud, this beautifully illustrated book tells the story of a family of runaway slaves and the people who help them gain their freedom.  Having witnessed the brutal whipping of their friend, the Crosswhite family decides to risk everything and leave the plantation.  With the help of the Underground Railroad, they make it to safety, but the burden of their secret weighs heavily on them.  When they are eventually discovered, an entire town must take sides.  An excellent look at the effects of slavery on all of society, told with all the heartwarming eloquence we have come to expect of Ms. Polacco.  This is one worth sharing.

The War by Anais Vaugelade

This is a seemingly simple picture book with a big message.  It includes a long-standing war with a long-forgotten beginning, an accidental death, and a prince who does not want to fight.  How the prince solves his problem and manages to bring the two warring kingdoms together is the crux of the story.  This would be a great discussion starter and would be excellent paired with the classic The Butter Battle by Dr. Seuss.

Readicide by Kelly Gallagher

The subtitle pretty much says it all:  How Schools are Killing Reading and What You Can Do About It.  This is an unflinching look at some of the all-too-common practices that actually destroy motivation and interest in reading while professing to help the student.  The usual culprits of too much test prep and relying on multiple choice to show comprehension are included, but other, more insidious causes of the death of reading are identified.  For example, the author shows that basals and anthologies, which do not include full-length texts and novels, are actually keeping students from becoming adept readers.  Even if you don't agree with everything that is said, this book will at least get you thinking about current practices and will provide some ideas of how to change them.

Zach's Lie by Roland Smith

Think you have problems?  Try having a dad who gets involved with drug dealers and now you have to change your identity and move to some strange town while he sits in prison.  That's what Jack -- oops, Zach -- has to live with in this fast-paced story.  Add in some interesting characters -- a janitor who seems to know a lot about self defense, for example -- a little danger, lots of suspense, and just a touch of romance and you have a good read.  Try this one -- you might like it.

Ingo by Helen Dunmore

A few of my students have picked up this title and shown some real interest, so I gave it a shot.  While I am normally not into ocean fantasies, this tale of two siblings who are called by the sea was intriguing.  The story opens with a loving family, and a father who is too connected to the sea.  When he disappears, his two children refuse to believe he is dead.  After they both meet Mer people and spend hours with them underwater, their belief that their father is alive and with the Mer somewhere is heightened.  When one of the Mer sacred places is threatened by divers, the two children must choose between saving humans or siding with Mer people.  Their choice -- and the continued call of the sea -- lead to an ending that, while satisfying, leaves many openings for continuation.  It is, after all, the beginning of a trilogy.  I may just have to invest  in the other two books.

Welcome to "Read Like a Librarian"!

I started this year with a resolution to read more often, lamenting the fact that, as a librarian, my time gets taken up with so many other aspects of the job that I omit the one activity that led me to this profession -- my passion for reading and the written word.  After posting a few little reviews on my LMC page, I decided it was time to dedicate one blog to just those things that I am reading.  That way, I can keep the Meadowview LMC page more business-like while still providing some ideas for what to read.  Come join me on my journey to make good on the only New Year's resolution I have made in the past decade!