The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin

The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin

Suzanne is a middle-school student rife with the typical trouble that a young girl faces when the unthinkable happens. As a young girl, a lot seems unthinkable, but this particular event is truly a life-changer for Suzanne. The very foundation of her world is shaken. The story that follows the tragedy tracks the aftermath of a broken friendship, and a broken heart. While the story is of Franny and Suzanne's friendship, there are many other characters which add so much depth to the book. There are a *few* adult themes in this book, so if you are cautious as a parent with that sort of thing, I would encourage you to preview this book for yourself before letting your young reader grab a copy. This book offers not only a peek into middle school life and troubles, but also a fascinating glimpse into facts about jellyfish. I blew through this book in a single day, and thought it was really well done. 

Synopsis

"This stunning debut novel about grief and wonder was an instant New York Times bestseller and captured widespread critical acclaim, including selection as a 2015 National Book Award finalist!

After her best friend dies in a drowning accident, Suzy is convinced that the true cause of the tragedy must have been a rare jellyfish sting-things don't just happen for no reason. Retreating into a silent world of imagination, she crafts a plan to prove her theory--even if it means traveling the globe, alone. Suzy's achingly heartfelt journey explores life, death, the astonishing wonder of the universe...and the potential for love and hope right next door."

Happy Reading, young (or older) ones!

Saturday Kid Reads: Audiobook Edition

Saturday Kid Reads: Babe Ruth

Baseball's best slugger, Babe Ruth is the star of this audiobook, read by Nick Sullivan and written by author Matt Christopher. For those looking to satisfy the new non-fiction Common Core standards, this audiobook will satisfy this need. If your theme is teaching students to overcome obstacles, then listen to Babe's story. George Herman "Babe" Ruth helped his teams win more than ten pennants and seven world championships, but winning requires hard work, grit and perseverance. This audiobook is also available in print format to assist students who may need a printed companion to this book. If you are looking for a similar story of overcoming obstacles, check out this inspirational story out of Apricot Farms. It's Chris's story and it is so amazing!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9S3n_tILKo  

Treasure Island by Jennifer Adams

It's BabyLit book time again! I adore these little books, and if you have a baby, toddler, or young reader, these books are perfect to fit in their tiny little hands! Treasure Island, a Little Master Louis Stevenson book, is a shapes primer. Long John Silver's eye patch is an oval, and the pirate flags are rectangles, and the crosses show the pirates where the treasure may be located! It is simply wonderful to incorporate classic literature in to a board book with a purpose.

Ahoy, me hearties! Join Jim Hawkins as he sails the open seas searching for treasure and learning shapes along the way in Treasure Island: A BabyLit Shapes Primer. Spy the OVAL of Long John Silver’s eye patch, the TRIANGLES in the sails of The Hispaniola, and the CROSS that marks the spot of lots o’treasure! But watch your back because dead men tell no tales.

JENNIFER ADAMS is the author of a dozen books including Remarkably Jane: Notable Quotations on Jane Austen and the popular Y is for Yorick: A Slightly Irreverent ABC Book for Grown-Ups. Jennifer works as a writer and editor in Salt Lake City, Utah.

ALISON OLIVER runs Sugar design studio. Alison's design portfolio includes everything from logos to packaging and product design for clients such as Chronicle Books, Citibabes, and Aerie, as well as Gibbs Smith. She lives in New York.
Source

BabyLit is a fashionable way to introduce your child to the world of classic literature. For more information, or for ordering, visit http://babylit.com.

Happy Reading!

Emma by Jennifer Adams

It's BabyLit book time again! I adore these little books, and if you have a baby, toddler, or young reader, these books are perfect to fit in their tiny little hands! Emma, a Little Miss Austen book, is an emotions primer. Young children can have a very difficult time expressing their emotions, but paired with the picture of the character's expressions, children can see what "excited" looks like. Each emotion in the book has a character from Emma portrayed. It is simply adorable!

This book would also pair well with another BabyLit classic from the Little Miss Austen line, a little book you may have heard about called Pride and Prejudice.

BabyLit is a fashionable was to introduce your child to the world of classic literature. Both books are available for purchase on http://babylit.com, or other book retailers. 

Happy Reading!

Sunny Side Up with Jennifer L. Holm & Matthew Holm

If you enjoyed these graphic novels...

Then you will love...

This graphic novel was fantastic! From a teacher, parent, and avid reader stand point, this book hits the target on all three groups. I knew I was going to love this book from the outset. First, when sSunny tries the Dorothy Hamill hair cut, and then when Sunny's grandfather has an ashtray full of cigarette butts in his car. Children growing up in modern times will most likely not understand the struggle of being in a smoker's car, but I think most kids understand the struggle of having to stay with a grandparent, and being surrounded by a bunch of old people. No child wants to spend the summer without kids their own age. When Sunny is sent to stay with her grandfather in Florida for the summer, she imagines Disney World, and all kinds of other exciting adventures.

She thinks her summer is doomed, when along comes Buzz-a boy obsessed with comic books and who agrees to adventures with Sunny. Alligators who eat golf balls, runaway cats, and neighbors who disappear; it is all part of the Sunny and Buzz adventure duo! The larger, more looming question is why is Sunny staying in Florida? Why was she sent to live with Grandpa in the first place?  It is only a matter of time before Sunny finds out the family secret. This book is written by the same authors from the Babymouse graphic novel series, which my daughter devoured and loved! I really enjoyed this book, and would highly recommend it to teachers and parents.

Happy reading!

Saturday Kid Reads featuring Goodbye Stranger by Rebecca Stead

Incredible novelist, and award-winner Rebecca Stead has returned with a new novel called Goodbye Stranger. This novel is geared toward an older audience (upper-grade/middle school), and the three girls in the novel share one rule-no fighting! But when you are in 7th grade, how long can a "no fighting" rule possibly last? When everything about your world seems to be evolving, you have to examine what love and friendship truly means.

Goodbye Stranger by Rebecca Stead

Synopsis
This brilliant novel by Newbery Medal winner Rebecca Stead explores multiple perspectives on the bonds and limits of friendship.
Bridge is an accident survivor who’s wondering why she’s still alive. Emily has new curves and an almost-boyfriend who wants a certain kind of picture. Tabitha sees through everybody’s games—or so she tells the world. The three girls are best friends with one rule: No fighting. Can it get them through seventh grade? 
This year everything is different for Sherm Russo as he gets to know Bridge Barsamian. What does it mean to fall for a girl—as a friend? 
On Valentine’s Day, an unnamed high school girl struggles with a betrayal. How long can she hide in plain sight?
Each memorable character navigates the challenges of love and change in this captivating novel.

Happy Reading!

Cold War on Maplewood Street by Gail Rosengren

Cold War on Maplewood Street by Gail Rosengren

This book is about the Cold War, and a time in history that was strained and terribly frightening for many American families. Joanna's brother, Sam, is on a Navy ship headed straight for Cuba while it is in the throes of a missile crisis. Making friends with the Soviets was a way of protecting their land, the unfortunate weapon of choice one that could annihilate and level entire masses of people and land. Missiles being sent by the Soviet Union threaten to wreak nuclear havoc upon the people of the US, and Cuba, should the United States retaliate with nuclear weapons themselves. Joanna cannot bear the thought of her brother Sam being in the middle of that chaos. Fans of historical fiction will enjoy reading this book as the timeline unfolds like the pages of a history book. In addition, this book is aptly timed to inform children about what it means to be living in a time when nuclear threats are an every day occurrence, and when nuclear talks are essential to keeping these kinds of threats from approaching our shores. Joanna ultimately learns that sometimes, you have to break promises and leave the people you love behind. A hopeful story about living in a world of uncertainty. 

Synopsis
Cold War anxieties play out in a sensitively told story set during the Cuban missile crisis in the 1960s, perfect for fans of Gary Schmidt and Kristin Levine. 
Joanna can’t get over how her brother broke his promise to never leave like their dad did. Sam is thousands of miles away on a navy ship, and no matter how often he sends letters, Joanna refuses to write back. When she makes a promise, she keeps it.
But then President Kennedy comes on TV with frightening news about Soviet missiles in Cuba—and that’s where Sam’s heading. Suddenly Joanna’s worries about being home alone, building up the courage to talk to a cute boy, and not being allowed to go to the first boy-girl party in her grade don’t seem so important. Maybe sometimes there are good reasons to break a promise.
The tense timeline of the Cuban missile crisis unfolds alongside a powerful, and ultimately hopeful, story about what it means to grow up in a world full of uncertainty.

Happy reading! 

Saturday Kid Reads featuring Baby Lit by Jennifer Adams

Like Saturday morning cartoons, but much better because it involves books! Yes! This week I want to share with you some adorable board books, written by Jennifer Adams. These board books are from the BabyLit Book series, and they are sure to delight the adult, as well as the young reader.  I have three books to share with you, and I know you'll want to share these with your adorable little ones!

Don Quixote 

A Spanish Language Primer

There was a man (el hombre) named Don Quixote. He was the man of La Mancha. He would say "Yo soy el hombre de La Mancha." He carried his armor (la armadura) and had a horse (el caballo). Horses neigh (relincho) and the lady (la dama) was a very important part of the story as well. This adorable take on classic literature will have your babies learning espanol and the premise for Don Quixote! This is one of the books (los libros) that you will want to leave on the shelf to read to your baby every night!

The Secret Garden 

A Flowers Primer

This flower primer illustrated the flowers that were part of the original children's novel The Secret Garden. In this BabyLit version, an illustration of the flower is combined with a quote from the book. If you are unfamiliar with the original book which was published entirely in 1911, there is a secret, untended garden that holds beauty, and tranquility from a life that can often be troubling.  The children learn to appreciate nature and their kinship through this mysterious garden. A classic children's book.

Doodle Lit

Drawing on the Classics

Break out the colored pencils, markers and crayons for the classic lit version of a coloring book! In this book you will find Kids can follow the entertaining prompts provided and put pencils to work doodling such things as:

• Mr. Darcy’s dog (kids doodle what they think his dog looks like)

• Bob Cratchit’s Christmas tree

• Tattoos on Queequeg’s arms

• Anna Karenina’s hairdo

• Dress designs for Elinor and Marianne

Sprinkled throughout are also designs with perforated edges, perfect for popping out and crafting! Illustrated in the same colorful and playful style as the acclaimed BabyLit board book series.

This one is my personal favorite! 

Don't forget to visit my Instagram (@lilmommareader) for your chance to win a copy of this set of three books! 

Happy Reading!

Saturday Kid Reads

My Pet Book by Bob Staake

Review

I think you must agree with me when I say that books make the best pets! Books do not bark, meow, or make a mess. Books are loyal companions that you can tote along everywhere with you. They won't disturb your seatmate on the subway, they definitely don't need to be fed. In this book, a creative little boy finds a very unusual pet-a book. When the book goes missing, the journey to find it will have readers wishing for a happy ending.

Fun Reading Questions

What do you think is the best pet? Why?

What would you do if you saw someone with a pet book?

What was your favorite part of the story?  

About the Author

A graduate of the University of Southern California, Bob Staake is an illustrator and author who has written several books to delight young readers. Mr. Staake has also illustrated for several famous publications including the New Yorker, TIME, and Vanity Fair. Mr. Staake lives in Chatham, Massachusetts. 

Product Details

Publisher: Random House Children's Books

Publication date: 7/8/2014

Pages: 40

Age range: 3 - 7 Years

Lexile: 560L

Saturday Kid Reads

Fox's Garden by Princess Camcam 

Oh, how I love wordless picture books. Wordless picture books are where you experience the richness of conversation with your child. Having nothing but the illustrations to guide you in conversation-wordless picture books are a gift to parents and their children. This book was awarded the American Library Association's Notable Children's Book award for 2015! If you have never experienced a wordless picture book, you must start with this one!

Here is a synopsis of what the story will tell:

"One snowy night, a fox loses its way, entering a village. Chased away by the grown ups, Fox takes shelter in a greenhouse. A little boy sees this from his window. Without hesitating, he brings a basket of food to the greenhouse, where he leaves it for the fox. His gift is noticed and the night becomes a garden of new life, nourished by compassion and kindness.

Princesse Camcam's cut-paper illustrations, along with the beautiful lighting of the sets she creates, make the experience of looking at these illustrations both touching and transcendent. Their beauty and essential simplicity reflect the beauty of the story. The reader is left charmed by the fox and the child and thoughtful about the emotional lives of both humans and other creatures."

If you have fallen in love, like I have, here are some other popular titles in the "Wordless Picture Book" category:

Flotsam by David Wiesner

Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney

 

Journey by Aaron Becker

Happy Reading! 

If You Read This...Then Read This! Saturday Kid Reads Edition

If you're like me, you find it incredibly difficult to follow up a great read with another equally appealing and enticing book. The disappointment that comes from successive books that just don't hit the mark can leave you feeling hopeless. I never shop at Target without walking past the book section to see what new friends have arrived. And by friends, I mean books. One of the best ways for books to sell is to see a book that you loved with an arrow pointing to your next read. If you loved this, then you are certain to love this book! I am pulling together some of my "If you loved this, then you'll love that" suggestions for you. Just like the Target book section, but without the cool pop-up sign.
If you read this....                                               Then Read This!
                             

                             

                              

                               

For the Teen/YA Audience
                            

Happy Saturday, Happy Reading.