Category: Books

Bella at Midnight

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~Bella at Midnight (2006) by Diane Stanley

I remember exactly where I was when I first read this, which I think is always a good sign of a great book.  I must have read it (unknowingly) soon after it was published.  I read the whole book on Christmas eve, unable to stop myself.

This is a wonderfully satisfying retelling of the Cinderella story.  Each chapter is told from a different character’s viewpoint, unravelling the story of Bella, of two warring lands, of a friendly prince in need of rescue, and of a worthy knight who is prophesied to put an end to war.

This fairy tale has everything a reader could ask for—romance, adventure, evil stepfamily (although now we learn why), royal dances, glass slippers, heroes, and a little bit of magic.  I’ve read this book too many times to count, and I get sucked in every single time.  One of my absolute favorites.

~Bella at Midnight (2006)

 

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The Unfinished Angel

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The Unfinished Angel (2009) by Sharon Creech

An angel lives in a tower of a small Swiss village.  The angel is not what we might think of as an ordinary angel, but instead is almost human in her (or his?) uncertainties, frustrations, and curiosities.

This book is told from the angel’s point of view in broken English.  For such a small, simple village, there are, like anywhere else, all the noises and squabblings and tragedies and miracles of daily life.

A wonderful, quick read by one of my new favorite authors, Sharon Creech.  The last lines of this book ring through my head and give me peace.

The Unfinished Angel (2009)

Quotes:
“An angel does not need a bed, but sometimes I think the bed needs an angel.”  ~from My Tower

“Listen.  You hear any ticking?  No.  You hear just the world being the world.  You see any clocks in the sky?  You see calendars on the trees?”  ~from What is Time?

“Behold the sky, pinking with morning.  Behold the soft white moon going to sleep now.  Behold the blue mountains, so tall, all around us, with the white snow far up on the tops.  Behold the green trees and the yellowy stone houses and the rock paths terracing up the mountainsides.  Take a big bulp (sic) of air.  Ahhh.”   ~from Paradise

“Sometimes a people needs an angel and sometimes an angel needs a people.”  ~from What the Angel Knows

“Sometimes old peoples need young peoples and young peoples need old peoples.”   ~from What the Angel Knows

An Awesome Book of Thanks

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An Awesome Book of Thanks (2010) by Dallas Clayton

This self-published book has delightful rhymes, fun and unique illustrations, and a positive message.  An Awesome Book of Thanks points out all the things we can be grateful for in life, from the “ocean deep” to the “desert dry,” but also for goofy things like “alligator acrobats.”  One page shows us in pictures all the little things we may forget to be grateful for—mailboxes, hangers, fire hydrants, lamps, etc.  The author also reminds us that even “bad things” can turn out to be good.  This book is engaging, simple, and silly with a positive message.  We love reading this book and remembering to say “Thank You” for all that we’ve got.
(This could be a good book for Thanksgiving.)

Room on the Broom

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Room on the Broom (2001)
written by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler

A friendly witch and her cat fly happily on her broomstick, until things start dropping.  With each item dropped, they pick up a new friend to join them…until the broom can’t handle the extra passengers.

This book is told in such a delightful, rhythmical rhyme.  It has some repetition to keep it accessible for little ones, but also enough “story” to keep it interesting and fun for everyone.  I love that the book doesn’t shy away from words like, “clambered” and “bounded.” I love that the witch is kind and fun and that her friends stick together to help her.  The pictures in this book are vibrant and fit the story perfectly.  It’s so wonderful to add another Halloween picture book to our “must read annually” list.
Room on the Broom (2001)

Update: We finally watched the little animated short of this book.  While I’m normally opposed to “film” versions of books I love, this one was truly darling and followed the book exactly.  I highly recommend it.

 

 

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Halloween Books list

TED Talk by author Grace Lin

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I finally watched Grace Lin’s TED Talk, The Windows and Mirrors of Your Child’s Bookshelf, and I love it!  Wonderfully done, brought tears to my eyes, and definitely got me reflecting on the books we have on our shelves.  I’ve always put great thought into which books we own and which books we read from the library.  This was a fabulous talk that I highly recommend, especially to parents, teachers, and librarians.  (Now my secret wish to be Grace’s best friend is even stronger.  I love her so much. =)

 

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Do Boys Only Get to Read Half the Books?