Afternoon of the Elves

Afternoon of the Elves

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by: Kate DiCamillo

This is the story of a precious china rabbit. Edward Tulane was so loved by his owner, a girl named Abilene. Abilene took Edward everywhere that she went, until his life was changed forever.  This beautiful china rabbit is quite full of himself in the beginning of the story, until he goes overboard on a cruise ship.  At the bottom of the ocean Edward is convinced that he will never get out of the water and live again.  He is fished out by a nice old fisherman, however his life will never be the same.  Is that a good thing?  Read this amazing book about life's journey by Kate Di Camillo.  I know I could not put it down!

XXXOOO,
Reading Girl

SLOB by: Ellen Potter

Owen Birmbaum is twelve years old and the fattest kid in school. It’s not mean – it’s statistics. He hasn’t always been this way – only for the last two years. Another thing you can say about Owen is he is an easy target for bullies – even his gym teacher has targeted him as a source of personal entertainment and new feats of humiliation are orchestrated with each and every class.  Owen and his sister have been through so much, but this story has much more to tell.  I found myself laughing OUT LOUD at the predicaments in this story.

This is a great read.  Be sure to find out what SLOB really means.

Some great discussion points are:

1.  What is KARMA?

2.  What kind of group is GWAB.  Why are groups important to school age children?

3.  Are the characters friends or frenemies?

You will love this book.
XXXOOO,

Reading Girl

When You Reach Me by: Rebecca Stead

One of Rebecca Stead's favorite books gowing up was A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleine L'Engle.  She uses this book as an inspiration to develop the storyline in her book:  When You Reach Me.

The main Character is a girl named Miranda.  Her best friend is a guy named Sal and, Their lives are about to get a little chaotic.

Things start to unravel when Sal gets punched by a new kid for what seems like no reason, he then shuts Miranda out of his life.

The apartment key that Miranda’s mom keeps hidden for emergencies is stolen. And then Miranda finds a mysterious note scrawled on a tiny slip of paper:

I am coming to save your friend’s life, and my own.

I must ask two favors. First, you must write me a letter.

The notes keep coming, and Miranda slowly realizes that someone knows everything about her, including things that haven’t happened yet. Each message brings her closer to believing that only she can prevent a tragic death. Until the final note makes her think she’s too late! 

If you believe in "time travel" then you will love this book!  Be sure to look at the CLUES on the front cover.

This book is the Newberry Award Winner for 2010.

Both authors won the Newberry Award.  How cool is that?

XXXOOO,
Reading Girl

Stuck On Earth by: David Klass

I love the perspective in this book.  The Alien's description of life on Earth is delicious!  Here is how this story goes, without telling you too much: 

Before being vaporized by a Death Ray, the humans (aka “the laughingstock of the universe”) get a last chance to prove their worth when the snail of an alien Ketchvar III arrives for his evaluation. Ketchvar  decides to inhabit the brain of 14-year-old Tom, a bullied kid living in the suburbs New Jersey. This gives Ketchvar the opportunity to determine if the human race is still human enough to get to live.  This engaging and thought provoking story is delightful.  It even has an environmental warning wrapped into the text.

Boy readers in my book club liked the descriptions that Ketchvar used to help his team understand "life on Earth".  Girl readers in my book club enjoyed the overall message from this book.

Too funny!

XXXOOO,
Reading Girl