Summerhouse Time - a beautiful summer read!

Our summer days are literally filled with swimming, soccer, kayaking and shooting hoops. So when I was lucky enough to escape to our bookstore (for the whole day), I sat and read Summerhouse Time in its entirety. Peg had recommended this gem to me awhile ago and am I glad she did! I have read and enjoyed other books by Eileen Spinelli and her husband Jerry Spinelli (of Stargirl fame) so I should not be surprised at how much I loved this story. At times, I felt like she was writing about my own family. A beautiful summer read that will appeal to girls aged 9-12.

Summerhouse Time

Written by Eileen Spinelli

Illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff

Recommended for ages 9-12.

Random House $6.99

Lately I have become a huge fan of free verse. Is it because I love the quick nature of the story being told? Is it because my reading time seems to be reduced lately? Or is it, as my husband would suggest, my disdain for great detail? Whatever the reason, free verse (a form of poetry that does not rhyme or have a regular meter) appeals to me.

Through free verse, Summerhouse Time tells the beautiful story of Sophie and her extended family as they live together in peace (for the most part) for the month of August at their rented pink cottage on the ocean. In her opinion, the month spent together is even better than Christmas!

This year, things are a little different. Sophie’s cousin Colleen, now fourteen, is mad at the world and is not enjoying her days at the cottage. Sophie is heartbroken as she looks up to Colleen and is taking this change personally. Instead of bunking in with her older cousin, Sophie is now sharing a room with Tammy, her 5-year-old cousin. The shoe is on the other foot for this 11 year-old!

Despite Aunt Liz losing her job and Sophie’s Dad suffering a panic attack, the rituals remain somewhat in tact. With the help of Baby James, Colleen eventually comes out of her funk and joins the family in their fun, albeit in a teenage sort of way.

Throughout the month, Sophie encourages 12 year-old Cooper to dip his feet in the ocean overcoming his thalassophobia. Between Grandmom’s mint tea and Grandpop’s opera singing, it seems that no problem is insurmountable. That is until, Sophie’s cat, Orange, slips out the cottage door and goes missing for days. Will she ever see her precious pet again?

As Sophie’s mom reminds her “life is never perfect “. There are great lessons to be learned in this simple yet engaging story that combines family and summer. What could be better?

Rush is a real rush!

I have had a copy of Rush by Jonathan Friesen on my bedside for months now. I have now completed it and reviewed it for our local weekly paper. It was a fast, action-packed read that had me inside Jake King's mind and made me grateful for my slower-paced life in Southern New Brunswick. here it is...

Rush

Written by Jonathan Friesen

Recommended for young adults.

Penguin Books $12.50

Jake King is a self-proclaimed adrenaline junkie! Nothing clears his confused mind like riding his bike down the side of a mountain or climbing a rock wall without any harnesses. Nothing that is except being in the company of his best friend /secret crush Salome Lee. Salome and Jake have grown up as next-door neighbors and been friends since they were young children. Although neither one admits it, there is more to their relationship than just friends!

Jake’s home life has a lot to be desired. His Mom left years ago. His Dad is the not-so-popular owner of the mill where the majority of the townspeople work. He is also a veteran firefighter. Scottie, Jake’s older brother, has just left town mysteriously. His career as a firefighter was short-lived. Does he know something about the secret world of The Immortals?

When Jake finally gets expelled from high school, his father pulls some strings to get him a much sought-after spot on the hotshot crew of firefighters who rappel into wildfires. This is the perfect job for a lost soul like Jake. Or is it? Will he have to risk his life (and even Salome’s) to prove his worth to the man they call Mox?

This is the fastest-paced book I have ever read. As with Jerk, California, you feel as though you are inside the racing mind of the main character. We are never told that Jake has a specific diagnosis however from his actions it is apparent that there are ADHD tendencies. This makes for a choppy read yet an interesting story about a world of fighting wildfires in California with a little romance thrown in for good measure.

Jonathan Friesen is also the author of Jerk, California and The Last Martin.

Stink and the World's Worst Super-Stinky Sneakers

Stink and the World’s Worst Super-Stinky Sneakers

Written by Megan McDonald

Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds

Recommended for ages 6-9

Candlewick Press $6

Our latest Mother-Son Book Club choice is a fun tale about a younger brother who discovers that his uncanny ability to sniff things out comes in handy in more ways than one. What starts out as a class field trip to the science museum for James ‘Stink’ Moody, younger brother of Judy, turns into a self-discovery exercise. The Gross-Me-Out exhibit was meant to be just that – a disgusting exhibit that makes second grade children squirm! In fact, what really happens is that Stink finds out he has an extremely keen sense of smell. He is drawn to the giant nose display, which in turn leads him to the “Everybody Stinks” exhibit where he has to match a body odor with the body part from which it came. No one else in the class is brave enough to attempt this! After successfully making all of the matches, it is time for the class to eat lunch. It is while they are eating that Stink’s teacher hands out flyers letting the children know about an upcoming stinky sneaker contest. Stink is sure that with his putrid pair of sneakers at home, he will win the contest hands-down!

A few weeks later, upon arrival at the contest, Stink and his friends are told that the contest may not happen as one of the judges has come down with a cold and is unable to participate. It is then that Stink is asked to throw his hyper-sensitive nose forward and become a judge. Despite his apprehension, Stink foregoes his chance to take home the Golden Clothespin Award and uses his unnatural ability to sniff out the worst and most rank pair of shoes in the contest. What a team-player!

Stink is Judy Moody’s younger brother and has his own series of adventures including Stink: The Incredible Shrinking Kid, Stink: The Guinea Pig Express and Stink: Solar System Superhero. The recently released movie, Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer is based on the Judy Moody series, also written by Megan McDonald.

It's graduation time...

Only One You

Written and Illustrated by Linda Kranz

Recommended for those moving on…

Rising Moon Books $16.95

It’s that time of year again…children of all ages moving on to different stages in their life. Although none of our children are graduating as such, our oldest son is moving on to middle school. Here he will thrive, make new friends and no doubt learn all kinds of interesting things. Our hope is that he (and of course, our other 3 children as well) will make the world a better place no matter what they decide to do.

In this adorable picture book, Mama and Papa decide that it is time to impart wisdom on their little Adri as he sets out in the sea of life. They remind him that “There’s only one you in this great big world. Make it a better place.” As he sets out on his journey, they tell him many simple truths including “Know when to speak; know when to listen.” and “If something gets in your way, move around it.” and one we all aspire to “set aside some quiet time to relax and reflect every day.” The lessons are simple but invaluable!

Each page shows the rockfish and his parents set against real photographs of the sea implying that there are experiences to be had no matter where your life takes you. The background of vibrant blues are a stunning contrast to the many brightly coloured fish of the sea. Kranz has written another book called Let’s Rock: Rock Painting for Kids which explains the use of rockfish as characters. Very unique indeed!

For those who have someone in their life graduating or moving on to a new stage, this sweet book will fit the bill when it comes to offering advice on life. It all comes down to the basics: Smile often. Slow down and notice details around you. Be kind.

Thanks for introducing us to this book, Heidi!

The Year Mrs. Montague Cried book launch Saturday, May 28

Last week I was honored to be asked to act as a bookseller for Sue White's recent book launch on the Kingston Peninsula in rural NB. Sue's book, The Year Mrs. Montague Cried, is a touching tale that tells the story of an elementary teacher who is grieving the loss of her 20 year old son who was killed tragically in a car accident. The story is from the perspective of 9 year old Taylor who makes journal entries during writing class each day. As Taylor watches her teacher attempt to re-enter the world of elementary school, she is dealing with her younger brother, Corey's horrific cancer diagnosis.

The journal entries are often silly as they would be coming from a 9 year old girl. Taylor loves Top 10 lists (who doesn't?). But just as many are silly, many more are serious and really make the reader (or in our case the listeners) stop and think about how Mrs. Montague or Taylor may be feeling.

Sue and her husband experienced loss 12 years ago when their 20 year old son Zach was taken in a car accident. This book is dedicated to Zach. Although it is not autobiographical, there are many parts of the book that reflect the White's experience. As a teacher on the Peninsula for over 24 years, Sue and her family welcomed many friends and former students to the launch. It was truly a community event of which I was proud to be a part!

Although the topics in this book may be considered heavy, they are undoubtedly real! Daniel (10), Mac (9) and I look forward to reading this beautiful story each night. It is one I will definitely share with our girls as they get a little older. I highly recommend this as a read-aloud for family reading together.

We will be celebrating the launch of Sue's book at Benjamin's Books on Saturday, May 28 at 1pm. Everyone is welcome to join us.

Jeremiah Learns to Read - The Great Elementary Read

Jeremiah Learns to Read

Written by Jo Ellen Bogart

Illustrated by Rick and Laura Fernandez

Scholastic Canada $7.99

Recommended for ages 5-10

On the heels of The Big Rothesay Read, another celebration of literacy has launched: The Great Elementary Read. This year’s title is a family favourite of ours that tells the tale of old Jeremiah who has never been taught to read and the children that fill his days with wonder and encouragement.

Jeremiah is a white-haired gentleman who “knew how to grow beautiful tomatoes, long green cucumbers and juicy cobs of corn, but he didn’t know how to read.” He looks for advice on how to learn to read from his brother, Jackson, his wife, Juliana and even his old sheepdog. None of them can offer him the help he needs so he takes matters into his own hands and heads off to the one-room schoolhouse with the village children.

Mrs. Trumble welcomes him with open arms and begins to teach him sounds, letters and eventually how to write. As the days pass, Jeremiah spends his time teaching his classmates to “chirp like a chickadee and honk like a goose”. He even “taught Mrs. Trumble to make applesauce and to whistle through her teeth.”

Eventually Jeremiah is able to fulfill Juliana’s wish to have him read to her. One special night he chooses a book and reads a lovely selection of poetry to her. This in turn inspires her to learn to read. “Jeremiah smiled at Juliana. “First thing after breakfast, my love.” And Jeremiah turned off the light.”

This simple yet meaningful story reminds us that everyone has their own strengths. All of us have something to offer to the world!

In celebration of The Great Elementary Read, Jo Ellen Bogart will be visiting Benjamin’s Books on April 26 from 3-5. Everyone is welcome to join us.

We can't get enough of Junie B. Jones....

Here is my latest review for KV Style... Junie B. Jones and That Meanie Jim’s Birthday Written by Barbara Park Illustrated by Denise Brukus Random House $5.99 Recommended for ages 6 – 9 You know it’s a good sign when our four children are sitting around the dinner table listening raptly as I bring our old friend Junie B. to life with her unique vocabulary and foolish antics. Even Jamie was laughing out loud and claimed listening to the story was his “apple of the day”. Junie B. Jones is feeling left out when “that Jim” invites all of Room Nine to his birthday party except her. In true Junie B. fashion, she tries all different angles to get herself invited. She decides she will move away from her neighbourhood in an effort to avoid the planning for the festivities. When her mother insists that she go to school she preys on the weak and snatches Shy William’s invitation and claims it as her own. That decision lands her in the Principal’s office, a place she knows well. Grampa Frank Miller comes to the rescue with a request for Junie B.’s help in fixing his toilet. Coincidentally, he will be fixing it at the very time that the party is taking place. Fixing the toilet is one of Junie’s favourite things to do with Grampa so she is thrilled to oblige until she realizes she will be missing the party!Things turn around for Junie when Principal intercepts and insists that Jim give her the invitation that was meant for her. Hmmmm – this is good news. Or is it? As Junie finds out, going to a party means a bath and washing her hair and giving up time with Grampa Miller. Oh, the pressure! Junie B. learns a valuable lesson here: Be careful what you wish for! This is only one of many Junie B. stories and as long as your listeners know that Junie B. may be a little saucy and her actions may not always be the right, there are a lot of laughs to be had in reading them.