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