The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart

I picked this book up and it's one in a series.  Sometimes you have to read the first book to get to know what is going on and sometimes you don't.  Halfway through the book I am thinking that maybe I really needed to read the first book to comprehend this book deeper....but with that said I still am able to follow the storyline.

I am surprised that this book is at the reading level it is.....it is marked "J" for junior but the vocabulary and the plot line is way more advanced.  However, a lot of the vocab, you can figure out from context clues.  I found myself using the VCR strategy all the time with words in this book.

I think if you like the Lemony Snicket books or adventure books you would like this book.  It is a LONG book and I have found myself at times wondering when I will be through....but then something exciting happens to get me into it again.

I am loving books by Kathryn Erskine- Quaking

So, after reading Mockingbird, I researched what other books the author writes.  That is usually one sure way I find another good read.  I discovered several book titles and went right away to the library to check out Quaking.

This book didn't disappoint.  Quaking takes place in a small Pennslyvania town where the main character "Matt" is sent to live with distant cousins.  "Matt" is a girl but hates her name Matilda so she wants people to call her "matt".  The book reveals the struggles she has had in the past.  Her distant cousins are Quakers and believe in peace.  The setting takes place during present times and the main conflict in the book is between the community who supports military action in the Middle East and those people who are against war.  The stance the Quakers and other religious groups takes put "Matt" in the middle and throws her into events that will eventually help her find out who she really is.

In the resolution, I didn't want the book to end, I liked the ending but many things were left hanging...and that really annoys me.

Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine

A very powerful read.  I actually couldn't put it down to stop and capture my inner voice.  This book takes you into the heart and mind of a young girl who has asperger's syndrome.  She lives with her father who is dealing with the death of his son while still mourning the loss of his wife.  Caitlin, the main character was very close to her brother, Devon, and with his death she struggles even more than she has.  Through her voice she helps to bring "closure" to her family and the community.
Another powerful aspect of the book I found was the references to the classic "To Kill a Mockingbird".  While you don't to have read the classic the depth of the themes and connections go so deep that one that hasn't read the classic will not truly understand the author's meaning.  This book is a definate read, very powerful and I am wondering if it would make a good read aloud in crew to teach about empathy?

My first summer read

I just finished my first summer read.  Cracker!  It was a fabulous book that had me sharing every emotion.  I cried, laughed, got angry, and cried some more.  Cracker, is a very smart German Shepard who his young owner adores.  They live in the city and the family can no longer provide for Cracker.  The setting of the book is during the Vietnam War.  Rick a young man decides he wants to enlist and Cracker's family donates Cracker to become a dog that will help in the war, by sniffing out bombs, alerting troops to booby traps, etc.  Rick and Cracker become partners, but really so much more.  If you like books about dogs, adventure, and are interesting in this time era.  This book is for you.  I always worry that when I finish such a good read like this if I will find another this summer just as good.  Guess I won't know until I read another.
:)
Mrs. G

A Bad Feeling

I am getting a bad feeling about what is going to happen to Katsa.  The author is giving me clues that she shouldn't trust the woman they are giving her as a maid.  I am going to read on with this purpose in my mind. Okay...it really bothers me when I lose my place and with all the names in this book I am getting super confused...maybe I need to make a bookmark for myself- I have had to do that before, because the names are killing me.

11-23 A Love Triangle

okay...so Katsa was just asked to marry Giddon (a King) who thinks that if they get married it will protect her from her Uncle.  I know Katsa is going to say no and I predict that she is just saying that she will not get married to save his feelings.  Now, on the other hand if Po had asked for her hand in marriage then she I bet Katsa would think twice. Something tells me that this author is planning a twist and that keeps nagging me.

OH BOY!!!  Po has the power of being a mind-reader...now he probably already know that she may have some romantic feelings for him and she won't be able to hide that....when I titled this Love Triangle...I think I was on to something for sure.

Whoa, I think Katsa is being way to hard on Po.  In a way his "grace" is very much the same as her "grace".  She shouldn't be so hard on him.

This term makes me laugh.  "Great hills." It is almost like the common saying "Goodness Gracious" but it seems strange.

I wonder if he can read minds from far away or the person has to be in his presence?  I am thinking that the person would need to be near him for him to do this or it would be almost be impossible for him to process the world's thoughts.

A Prediction 11-18

"No one has ever gotten close enough to her for it to matter."  I am predicting that this guy, who I still can't figure out his name is not only going to help Katsa become a better fighter but she will fall in love with him?  I infer this because my head is telling me that this and the book keeps dropping clues.