Amazon’s description of a Season of Flowers by Michael Garland starts off with the listing of the different flowers (Snowdrops and crocuses yield to tulips…) brings out the song “A few of my favorite things” loudly in my minds ear. The book itself brings out the inner artist eye. As well as the inner poet. And while this book many not become one of my favorite things, it is well up there in the “I like this a lot” category. From Spring to Summer to […]
For Every One
For Every One by Jason Reynolds is my first attempt at this young adult author. I have not read his novels, which are getting much praise and press, but I found this one and thought “Why not?” Unfortunately, I was surprised at the content as it did not fit what I expected. Fortunately, I was surprised at the content because it gave me something else. This book is not poems as I first thought. But one long poem. But then again, it is not a […]
“love takes you / where you need to go”
They say you can’t judge a book by its cover, but that’s how I pick a lot of poetry out at the library. I browse the stacks and just look for what stands out to me on any given day. Since the library is free, there’s nothing to lose by taking a chance! The cover of Jim Moore’s Invisible Strings evokes a melancholy and thoughtfulness that I was in the mood for last week. The back of the book mentioned “death”, and I knew I was […]
A Girl Named Mister
Nikki Grimes is a great prose-poet for young adults. Unfortunately, A Girl named Mister, did not make me think “This is my favorite book!” Had I read it when it first came out, maybe I would have enjoyed it more. I feel others have done the theme better (fourteen-year-old girl falls in love, has sex, gets pregnant). The ending is slightly unique with the reader thinking Mister will give her baby up, yet, due to conflicting emotions, will she? The fact (spoiler) the mother of […]
A Different Pond
One word: WOW. That is all. Need more? This book has gotten a lot of press. I was afraid it would be preachy or sappy. It is not. Yes, there is emotion. But it is not forcing you to feel a particular emotion. The author just wants to tell a story. While based on his own experiences, it is fiction. The afterwards from the author and illustrator (more on her later) elaborate on the historical context. I know some of it, but as I was […]
Three Brave and Smart Kids
In rhyming text, you see thee different second graders and how their curiosity changes the world around them. The reason you know they are in the same class is the hints of the teacher and other markers of the illustrator. The other fun part of each book is you can tell the era by the clothing the adults are wearing. And watch how things crossover in each of the three books. In Rosie, she is shy and does not want to speak out. Why? Because […]
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 157
- 158
- 159
- 160
- 161
- …
- 168
- Next Page »