Front Desk by Kelly Yang

Front Desk 
by Kelly Yang
Published May, 2018
Scholastic
286 Pages
Fiction
Hardcover

Goodreads Summary
Front Desk tells the story of 10-year-old Mia Tang. Every day, Mia manages the front desk of the Calivista Motel while her parents clean the rooms. She’s proud of her job. She loves the guests and treats them like family. When one of the guests gets into trouble with the police, it shakes Mia to her core. Her parents, meanwhile, hide immigrants in the empty rooms at night. If the mean motel owner Mr. Yao finds out, they’ll be doomed!
Based on the author's life, the story follows Mia — the daughter of first generation Chinese immigrants.

My Thoughts

Oh my goodness, I loved this book so much. Yang creates characters that you care about and root for.  I love how Mia finds the power of writing and how her words can change people's lives. I truly felt for Mia, her family and all of the immigrants. Their stories were very real and it was heart-wrenching to read about the injustices they faced. The author's note reveals that many of the events were based on Yang's childhood in California. Mr. Yao, the hotel owner, is someone readers will love to hate. He is just awful and I shudder to think that he is based on a real person. Yang presents prejudice and bigotry in a way that young readers will understand. 
I read Front Desk rather quickly because I just had to find out what was going to happen to Mia, her family and the other characters. It would make a great read aloud and offers many opportunities for deep and important discussions. 

I would highly recommend it for grades 4-6. 

Check out the book trailer.

See what others have to say about this book:

Kirkus-Starred review

Watch. Connect. Read.

Publishers Weekly

Lions and Liars by Kate Beasley and Dan Santat

Lions and Liars 
by Kate Beasley 
Illustrated by Dan Santat
Published June, 2018
Farrar Straus Giroux

Fiction

304 Pages

Advanced Reader's Copy provided by publisher

Goodreads Summary

Frederick Frederickson has a food-chain theory about life. There are lions, like the school bully. Gazelles, like the bullied kids. There are meerkats, and the fleas that live on the butts of meerkats. Frederick's a flea.
Fifth grade is off to a terrible start when Frederick is sent to a disciplinary camp for troublesome boys. His fellow troop mates—Nosebleed, Specs, The Professor, and little-yet-lethal Ant Bite—are terrifying. But in between trust-building exercises and midnight escape attempts, a tenuous friendship grows between them. Which is lucky, because a Category 5 hurricane is coming and everyone will have to work together—lions and fleas alike—to survive!

My Thoughts

Frederick Frederickson is WAY down on the social food chain of 5th grade. Even his so-called friends are pretty quick to tell him how much of a loser he is.  He feels like if he could just win something, then he would finally be popular. Through a series of events, he ends up going down a river alone on a boat with no motor and washes ashore at a disciplinary camp for boys.  He is mistaken for another boy, Dash, who is infamous within the circle of boys for being reckless and dangerous. With this new identity comes instant respect and a good amount of fear from most of the campers who bend over backward to impress him or just give him anything he wants. He begins to enjoy this newfound power and popularity and doesn't want to go back to his old life. When his calm, law-abiding personality begins to shine through, some of the boys begin to doubt the validity of Dash's reputation and start to challenge him more verbally and physically. 
Just when Frederick is ready to call his parents to come get him, a powerful hurricane hits. This experience is a turning point in the story as he, and one of his friends, face the dangerous storm together. 

While I read the ARC, which did not have all of Dan Santat's illustrations, it did have a few which were excellent. This sprinkling of illustration will help middle grade readers understand the story and, let's face it, many middle graders still want to look at pictures in a book. 
I would definitely add this one to your grade 3-5 library. I can think of many of my former 4th graders that would love it.  

See what others have to say about this book:

Publishers Weekly

Kirkus

Wonderland by Barbara O'Connor

Wonderland 
by Barbara O'Connor 
Expected publication: August 28th 2018 

by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)

288 pages

Realistic Fiction

Goodreads Summary

From Barbara O'Connor, the beloved author of Wish, comes a big-hearted story about the meaning of friendship, the challenges of growing up, and one lovable runaway dog.
Mavis Jeeter is fearless and bold, but she has never lived in one place long enough to have a real best friend. Her flighty mother has uprooted them again to another new home and taken a job as a housekeeper for the Tully family. Mavis wants this home to be permanent--which means finding herself a best friend.
Rose Tully is a worrier who feels like she doesn't quite fit in with the other girls in her neighborhood. Her closest friend is Mr. Duffy, but he hasn't been himself since his dog died. Rose may have to break a few of her mother's many rules to help Mr. Duffy--and find someone who really understands her.
Henry has run away from home, but he craves kindness and comfort--and doesn't know where to look for them.
When Mavis and Rose hatch a scheme to find Mr. Duffy a new dog, their lives and Henry's intersect--and they all come to find friendship in places they never expected.

My Thoughts

I am so happy this story brought Mavis and Rose together. Mavis is as bold as Rose is timid. She is loud, she interrupts, she says the wrong things at the wrong time and I love her! It is so fun to watch Mavis rub off on Rose who is afraid to break any rules because of her strict mother. 

I also enjoyed the relationship the two girls had with Mr. Duffy, the gate keeper of the private community. Mavis is relentless in her pursuit to help Mr. Duffy feel happy again after the death of his Beloved dog, Queenie. Through constant badgering, she tries to convince him that getting another dog will cheer him up. He is not easily swayed even after they find Henry, a stray dog, living in the nearby woods. 
Will Henry stay with Mr. Duffy?
Is Rose the best friend Mavis has been wishing for? 
Will Rose ever stand up to her overbearing mother?

The story takes the reader on twists and turns in the story until it all comes together in just the right way. I would recommend it for grades 4-5 as an independent read. It would also make a fabulous read aloud for grades 3-5. 

See what others have to say about this book:
Kirkus
Publishers Weekly

Snail Mail by Samantha Berger and Julia Patton

Snail Mail 
by Samantha Berger 
Illustrated by Julia Patton
Published May, 2018
Running Press Kids
32 pages
Fiction
Hardcover
Review copy provided by publisher

Goodreads Summary
A long, long time ago, before email and texting, the mail was delivered in a much slower way-it was called Snail Mail (because some thought it was delivered by a snail). Although it took much longer, everyone agreed that letters were a little more special when they were delivered by Snail Mail. They might be handwritten. They might include a drawing. They might even contain a surprise inside! One such letter was sent by a Girl to the Boy she loved, and it was up to four special snails to deliver her card across the country. The snails trek across the country-through desert heat and dangerous blizzards, across mountains and plains, through cities and forests-and along the way, they find that taking time to slow down and look around makes the journey all the more beautiful.

Snail Mail's playful and educational story encourages kids to have slow living, and to approach life with determination and wonder. Julia Patton's rich illustrations showcase America's diverse terrain and national monuments from coast to coast. Kids and parents alike will delight in this celebration of America's beauty and the power of a simple handwritten letter.

My Thoughts

This fun book takes a silly look at "snail mail". These dedicated snails know that some things are just better send through snail mail and will stop at nothing to deliver their precious packages. They recite the Snail Mail promise, "Neither rain, nor snow, nor heat, nor hail will stop a snail from bringing the mail.". The 4 snails in the book work together to slowly navigate deserts, canyons, maintains and forests. I like how they stop to notice important and interesting sights along the way. This serves as a reminder to kids and adults that sometimes we may miss important things it we are always rushing. 
The illustrations are great! Each snail is unique and has their own personality. Julia Patton pays careful attention to detail and each page offers something new for the reader to discover. 

Image from http://www.samanthaberger.com/books_snail_mail.html

It may be hard for many kids to realize that, not too long ago, to send someone an item, card or letter people had to send things through the postal service or what is commonly referred to as "snail mail".  After reading this book it will be almost impossible NOT to send a handwritten letter to someone special. 

I would recommend it for grades PreK-2. 

See what others have to say about this book:

Kirkus-Starred review

Publishers Weekly

Kate Reviews Books

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? July 23, 2018

Please visit the amazing blogs: Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers who host this terrific meme each week.

Here is my reading from the past two weeks. Click on the book covers to learn more about the books. 

Finished

Read

Great new middle grade. Excellent for grades 4-5!

Sweet story of a special friendship. Grades 4-6. 

I have been getting many of my picture book ideas from my friend Michele Knott's blog Mrs. Knott's Book Nook. You should definitely go visit. 

A fun new interactive book for little ones. Ages 3-6.

Very sweet. Grades K-2

5 stars for this wonderful picture book. The grandmother is amazing! Ages 3-7

Another great story of acceptance. Ages 3-7

Currently Reading

And loving it!

Listening

Recent posts:

Countdown 2979 Days to the Moon

Review and Giveaway of All is Assuredly Well

How to Trick the Toothfairy

Countdown 2979 Days to the Moon by Suzanne Slade and Thomas Gonzalez

Countdown 2979 Days to the Moon 
by Suzanne Slade and Thomas Gonzalez
Expected Publication Sept. 1, 2018
Peachtree Publishers
144 pages
Nonfiction
Review copy provided by publisher

Goodreads Summary
Free verse and illustrations tell the true story of the American effort to land the first man on the Moon.
In 1961, President John F. Kennedy announced that the United States would try to land a man on the Moon within ten years. During the two thousand, nine hundred and seventy-nine days that followed his speech, eighteen astronauts climbed into spaceships; three of them died before even leaving the ground. Eight rockets soared into space. And four hundred thousand people--engineers, technicians, scientists, mathematicians, and machinists--joined Project Apollo in hopes of making the dream a reality.

My Thoughts

I will admit that I normally shy away from nonfiction that is longer than a picture book. It is just not a genre I am drawn to.  I received this book from Peachtree in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was immediately drawn in to the story. The story itself was compelling. I was familiar with Apollo 11 and the first Moon landing of course, but I had no idea about the first 10 Apollo missions and all that went into the US's quest to put the first person on the moon. Before I knew it, I had finished it in one sitting. 

I found the free verse format very appealing and will make the book accessible to a wide-range of readers. The book itself is a bit larger (10"X10") with a mixture of beautiful illustrations and original photographs. 

I would recommend this book for grades 4-7. It would be fun to read it aloud to students a little each day as they see how the events unfold. 

Check out the book trailer!

See what others have to say about this book:

Kid Lit Frenzy
Kirkus

Review and Giveaway of All is Assuredly Well by Professor Gore and Maestro Wilson

All is Assuredly Well 
by Professor Gore and Maestro Wilson
Illustrated by Angela F.M Trotter
Published June, 2018
Camille Lancaster Literary Children's Books
Softcover
Review copy provided by publisher

Received a starred review from Kirkus

Summary from Publisher
King Phillip the Good and his husband, The Most Excellent Don Carlos Emiliano Felipe de Compañero y Campañero, live sedate, uneventful lives until King Phillip dreams of having a baby girl. Structured around The Hero's Journey, King Phillip must follow his mentor, the Blue Star, and encounter allies (a newt and a bluejay) and overcome gatekeepers (a biting fish and a bear) as he completes a series of tasks to prove himself worthy of becoming a father. Once proven, the Blue Star presents him with a baby girl in the middle of a fairy circle of a thousand different flowers in a thousand brilliant hues. He returns home to present Baby Milliflora to his husband, and the loving husbands joyfully become loving fathers.

My Thoughts
This story definitely has a mystical fairy tale feel to it.  The fact that it is two husbands, and not the "typical" fairy tale scenario, really has not bearing on the story. It is the story of a loving couple who wishes for a baby and is willing go to great lengths to get a little baby girl. After nearly two years of wishing, the blue star finally fulfills their wish. The authors include rich vocabulary of the period throughout the story.

The font is set in a medieval type fitting for the story. Repetition lends a bit of predictability. The text is set in a text box and surrounded by detailed, colorful illustrations. It is a bit busy for my taste, but is reminiscent of Jan Brett's intricate Illustrations.  

I would recommend this book most for ages 4-7. 
All is Assuredly Well is available at Amazon.com.

To win a copy of All is Assuredly Well, please leave a comment on this post by August 12:00 midnight on August 22, 2018.  One winner will be selected at random. Book will be mailed from me to one winner in the US. 

About the author, Professor Gore
Professor Gore's proudest hours were spent in Federal Court testifying as an expert witness and plaintiff against the city she loved. The city commission had passed an amendment that banned Heather Has Two Mommies and Daddy's Roommate from the children's section of the public library. A storyteller, Professor Gore is delighted to contribute to the canon she once defended.

About the Author, Maestro Wilson
Co-author Maestro Phillip Wilson is a retired band director, music teacher, composer, and arranger. A poet at heart, his love for word play and ear for rhythm and meter lend themselves well to the lyrical art of storytelling.

About the Illustrator, Angie F. M. Trotter
Artist Angie F. M. Trotter holds a BA in Religion and Fine Art. Her pen and ink illustrations are an amalgamation of icons, illuminated manuscripts, stained glass window design, and her spiritual life. Her work has been compared to the masters of the Golden Age of British book illustration.

You can find more about All is Assuredly Well and the authors and the illustrator online:
www.AllisAssuredlyWell.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/All-is-Assuredly-Well-355497344947289/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AssuredlyWell

- Blog Tour Dates (in Chronological Order)

July 2nd @ The Muffin
Grab a morning treat over at Women on Writing's blog The Muffin and read our interview author Professor M.C. Gore and enter to win a copy of the book All is Assuredly Well.
http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/

July 3rd @ Mari's #JournalingPower Blog
Author Professor M.C. Gore will be a guest writer over at Mari's #JournalingPower blog where she talks about writing the hero's journey.
https://www.createwritenow.com/journal-writing-blog

July 5th @ Mommy Daze: Say What??
Come by Ashley's blog Mommy Daze: Say What?? where she shares her thoughts on Professor Gore and Maestro Wilson's book All isAssuredly Well.
http://adayinthelifeofmom.com/

July 6th @ Coffee With Lacey
Get your coffee over at Lacey's blog Coffee With Lacey where she shares her thoughts on the book All is Assuredly Well.
http://www.coffeewithlacey.wordpress.com/

July 7th @ Cassandra's Journey
Stop by Cassandra's blog where she interviews author Professor Gore about her book All is Assuredly Well.
http://cassandraulrich.blogspot.com/

July 8th @ Madeline Sharples Blog
Author Professor Gore is a guest writer over at Madeline Sharples blog where she shares her thoughts on alchemical literature and how it affects her thinking as a writer.
http://madelinesharples.com/

July 9th @ Bri's Book Nook
Stop by Briennai's blog Bri's Book Nook where reviews Professor Gore and Maestro Wilson's book All is Assuredly Well.
https://brisbooknook.wordpress.com/

July 10th @ Break Even Books
Come by Erik McManus' blog Break Even Books to find out what he had to say about the book All is Assuredly Well.
https://breakevenbooks.com/

July 10th @ Georgia Ball's Author Blog
Come by Georgia's blog where she features a blog post written by Professor Gore about how the author found her illustrator and who she is. http://georgiaballauthor.com/category/book-review/

July 12th @ Mommy Daze: Say What??
Professor M.C. Gore will be a guest writer over at Ashley's blog Mommy Daze: Say What?? where the author describes her experience on the witness stand as an expert witness when the city of Wichita Falls, Texas banned Heather Has Two Mommies and Daddy's Roommate. http://adayinthelifeofmom.com/

July 12th @ George Ball's Author Blog
Come by George Ball's blog where she shares her thoughts about Professor Gore & Maestro Wilson's book All is Assuredly Well.
http://georgiaballauthor.com/category/book-review/

July 14th @ A Storybook World
Professor Gore is a guest writer over at Dierdra's blog A Storybook World and she'll be writing about how her local writers’ club convinced her to self-publish, and why/how she started her own micro-publishing company (including how a MAJOR publishing company editor she pitched to told her that she would buy the manuscript, but not the illustrations because she had a “completely different vision” for the book). http://www.astorybookworld.com/

July 15th @ The Late Bloomers Blog
Come by Gigi's blog The Late Bloomers blog where she shares her thoughts on Professsor Gore and Maestro Wilson's book All is Assuredly Well. http://thelatebloomersbookblog.blogspot.com/

July 16th @ Auden Johnson's Blog
Stop by Auden Johnson blog to read Professor Gore's guest post on her supernatural experience involving her Advanced Graduate Statistics professor and how that relates to this book.
https://www.audenjohnson.com/

July 17th @ Coffee With Lacey
Come by Lacey's blog and read her interview with Professor Gore, one of the authors for All is Assuredly Well as well as with the illustrator of the series, Angie F. M. Trotter.
http://www.coffeewithlacey.wordpress.com/

July 19th @ The Writing Dreamer
Come by Jessica's blog where Professor Gore will be a guest writer and will be talking about how a workshop on screenwriting made her a better story writer. 

http://wolfdreamer25-myjourney.blogspot.com

July 22nd @ Just a Place to Drop My Thoughts
Stephanie will be reviewing Professor Gore & Maestro Wilson's book All is Assuredly Well. Come by and see what she thought about this impactful book!
https://stephaniemathis.blogspot.com/

July 23rd @ Cassandra's Writing World
Check out Cassandra's blog to find out her thoughts on Professor Gore & Maestro Wilson's book All is Assuredly Well. Professor Gore will also be discussing her thoughts on why attending conferences and workshops are worth the money (and how to make the best use of your time at one).
http://cassandra-mywritingworld.blogspot.com/?m=0

July 24th @ Author Anthony Avina Blog
Come by Anthony Avina's blog where he shares his thoughts on Professor Gore & Maestro Wilson's book All is Assuredly Well.
https://authoranthonyavinablog.com/

July 26th @ Author Anthony Avina Blog
Check out Anthony Avina's blog where he will be sharing Professor Gore's guest post on why she
selected Maestro Wilson as her co-author and how they worked together.
https://authoranthonyavinablog.com/

July 27th @ The Faerie Review
Come by Lily Shadowlyn's blog The Faerie Review where she reviews the book All is Assuredly Well.
www.thefaeriereview.com

July 28th @ The Faerie Review
Make sure to catch Lily's interview with author Professor Gore, one of the co-authors of All is Assuredly Well. 

www.thefaeriereview.com

July 30th @ Books and Motivation
Come by Prakash Vir Sharma blog and read his interview with author Professor Gore.
www.booksandmotivation.wordpress.com

July 30th @ The Faerie Review
Come by Lily's blog where author Professor Gore writes about fighting academic freedom after a student complained about Professor Gore's class material about LGBQT class material.
www.thefaeriereview.com

To win a copy of All is Assuredly Well, please leave a comment on this post by 12:00 midnight on August 22, 2018.  One winner will be selected at random. Book will be mailed from me to one winner in the US.