Astronuts Mission One: The Plant Planet by Jon Scieszka with illustrations by Steven Weinberg

Publisher's Synopsis: “This laugh-out-loud, visually groundbreaking read launches a major new series by children's literature legend Jon Scieszka. Featuring full-color illustrations throughout, a spectacular gatefold, plus how-to-draw pages in the back, it's an outer space adventure that demonstrates a giant leap for bookmaking and a giant leap for any kid looking for their next go-to series. AstroWolf, LaserShark, SmartHawk, and StinkBug are animals that have been hybridized to find other planets for humans to live on once we've ruined Earth. So off they rocket to the Plant Planet! Will that planet support human life? Or do Plant Planet's inhabitants have a more sinister plan? AstroNuts Mission One is a can't-put-it-down page-turner for reluctant readers and fans ready to blast past Wimpy Kid.”

My Two Cents: I'm not sure that little old me has much to add to discussions of this great new title

May the 4th be with us all today

It is May the 4th! 

A holy day for us Star Wars geeks! 
#maythe4thbewithyou

Here's where you can find some fun: 

The Planet Thieves by Dan Krokos - book review

Publisher’s Blurb: “Two weeks ago, thirteen-year-old Mason Stark and seventeen of his fellow cadets from the Academy for Earth Space Command boarded the SS Egypt. The trip was supposed to be a short routine voyage to log their required spacetime for summer quarter. But routine goes out the airlock when they’re attacked by the Tremist, an alien race who have been at war with humanity for the last sixty years. With the captain and crew dead, injured, or taken prisoner, Mason and the cadets are all that’s left to warn the ESC. And soon they find out exactly why the Tremist chose this ship to attack: the Egypt is carrying a weapon that could change the war forever. Now Mason will have to lead the cadets in a daring assault to take back the ship, rescue the survivors, and recover the weapon. Before there isn’t a war left to fight.”

My thoughts:  At first I thought that there was nothing new here: tired sci-fi themes, typical kidlit absent parents, a bit of Star Trek, a sprinkle of Ender's Game. But then I remembered that the target audience does not include Trekkies nor Ender's Game readers (and the movie is still months away) so I was just showing my middle age years!

To top it off, this story is highly engaging. The pacing is exceptionally good, with cliffhanger chapter endings and high adventure around each turn. The characters are well-drawn (villains too) and by the end we are fully invested, waiting on a sequel. In other words, don't judge a book by your preconceived middle-aged notions - by chapter three I was hooked!

Great middle grade title that appeals to many readers, especially boys and reluctant readers lured in by the action pacing. 

Son by Lois Lowry - The conclusion to The Giver

If you read my 'about me' page or if you've even barely read a bit of this blog, you know that I adore Lois Lowry. I adore Anastasia. I adore Gooney Bird. I adore Annemarie. I adore Jonas and Gabriel. Lowry's writing, even when her tale wanders a bit (Messenger & Gossamer), is golden - tight and descriptive all at once.

So, even though I was one of those folks who absolutely hated to see the ambiguity of The Giver shattered when she wrote Gathering Blue and Messenger, I will be running to my local bookstore on October 2nd. And since they have redesigned the other three books in the quartet to match this fantastic cover, I guess I am going to have to donate my old copies and buy the set!

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead - review (sort of) post

Last summer, I got the bright idea that I was going to start these happy little book clubs all over the school where children could read for pleasure and talk about books. There wouldn't be worksheets; there wouldn't be projects; no mention of standardized test skills would leave our lips. With my principal's blessing and cute name (Book Dens), I went forth to conquer our school.

Lots of students signed up! Plenty of teachers jumped on board too! I got them all going and then, finally, I got my group. I didn't play favorites, I took the leftovers: Six boys, seventh grade, all labeled 'struggling readers.'

At our first meeting I touted their luck. They got the reading specialist, the one in charge, the one who held the key to all the books available. While the other groups were selecting from 3 or 4 titles, they would get to choose from the whole lot!

And they chose one of my favorites. "Trickery," my fellow den leaders called. It was my secret wish, my fingers crossed, eyes tightly shut hope. My boys picked When You Reach Me, the 2010 Newbery winner.

Isn't it amazing when you re-read a book you've loved and are reminded why you loved it? I read a lot of books. I wish I were a more tenacious writer and told about them all here. I should have written about When You Reach Me. Though the fancy gold seal and mandated library purchase now trail the glowing reviews, I should have told you that the last chapters will leave you breathless. You'll want to read it again. And maybe, if you're lucky like me, you'll get to read it again with those seeing it new. Magical!

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - Mini Book Review

In my typically late to the party fashion, I finally got around to reading The Hunger Games. All I can say is that right now author Suzanne Collins had better be holed up in her house writing frantically. Not since Pottermania have I so desperately hungered for a sequel. I was enthralled, totally possessed, by each passing page. What a way to begin my New Year in books!

I saw the stellar reviews across the book blogosphere and was excited when my copy arrived, but man, did it live up to the hype. Each new page held a teacher’s treasure trove of ideas. Themes, writing devices, elaborate plot structures, spot-on character investment... the list is innumerable. Science Fiction, Dystopia, Suspense, Reality TV & Romeo and Juliet all seem deficient when describing this action-packed novel.

Nation by Terry Pratchett - Book Review

I’ve read a quite a few Terry Pratchett novels and Good Omens, co-written with Neil Gaiman, is a personal favorite so I was excited to read Pratchett’s new novel, Nation. The story is standard Pratchett fare with humor and lofty ideals as common cohorts; yet, this one seems a bit heavier handed and I couldn’t help thinking Pratchett’s recent Alzheimer’s diagnosis was guiding his hand.

Nation is an alternate universe story of Mau, a young man on the cusp of manhood, and Daphne, a young girl stranded on Mau’s island. They meet after a giant tidal wave kills the members of shipwrecked Daphne’s English vessel and Mau’s island tribal-like nation. As a side note, the world is in a state of upheaval with many having succumbed to a plague. Gradually Daphne and Mau march toward maturity and form a new nation, but not without having first grappled with themes of religion, faith, cultural identity, prejudice and most core belief systems. The story itself is told in standard adventure style, but it hides a much deeper lining.

Nation is a valuable addition to the dystopia/utopia & alternate universe genres. The story of rebuilding a nation after devastating loss is easily comparable to current world events. This will prove valuable for educators who wish to use Nation as a jumping off point for current history, cultural or political discussions. And though Nation has been categorized young adult, I suspect many adults will take pleasure in it also.

I found Pratchett’s resistance to steer the romantic nuances in a different direction especially refreshing, leaving the idea that men and woman can form true friendships and lasting bonds without all the lovey-dovey folly associated with many young adult novels. I continually pictured Pratchett imagining a tsunami or plague overtaking the Western World and wiping out all the bad. If the ending chapter were to stand alone as a thesis on the soul of mankind, it’d form a very good nation, indeed.