I have failed in my mission to read all twenty of our Bluebonnet Award Nominees by the time the students return to school. I only have two left, but one is Echo by Pam Munoz Ryan, and with another 300 pages to go and back-to-school prep work still to do, I will have to allow myself more time to finish.
On a brighter note, I finished Circus Mirandus by Cassie Beasley, the book I glowingly reviewed in my last post. The ending was just as satisfying as the story; I love it when I can close a book, hold it in my hands for a moment and just enjoy the happiness that comes with a heartwarming conclusion. I won't say any more, except that you need to get your hands on a copy soon.
I also read Ratscalibur: Chronicles of the Low Realm by Josh Lieb.
If you look closely at the cover, you will see a rat holding up a spork. Ratscalibur... Excalibur... readers of Arthurian legend get the connection. Joey is an unhappy boy, dragged from his familiar home to the city due to his mother's job. A common theme, except that Joey gets bitten by a rat--and becomes a rat himself. What follows is a tale of knights with tails, cats and crows with claws, and a kingdom in need of a hero. Short chapters make this an easy read-aloud for a classroom teacher, or a good bedtime story to last over a week or two.
Our students return on Tuesday! I'm looking forward to hearing about their summer break and all the books they've read. What books will you be sharing with your friends, colleagues, and students this week?
Thank you for the Ratscalibur recap!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Kim! Have you read it yet?
DeleteI still have a week of vacation and am trying to relax as much as I can before the school year marathon begins. Have fun with your new students. Here is what I did and read last week. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteYou had a busy week! Thanks for your book recommendations!
DeleteHave a wonderful day, Tuesday, Chris! I enjoyed Circus Mirandus, too, a lovely story! Ratscalibur sounds like a lively tale, just right for some students. And no matter the time, enjoy Echo!
ReplyDeleteI am bound and determined to finish Echo before Thanksgiving, Linda. :-)
DeleteRatscalibur looks like a lot of fun, and I need to read Echo. Thanks, Chris!
ReplyDeleteIt is a fun book, and one to pair with other rodent-character books: https://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers-Books-Childrens-Mouse-Rodent/zgbs/books/2849
DeleteI also loved Circus Miradus. If you enjoy audiobooks, this is a fabulous way to do Echo while you are busy with other stuff. I think the integration of music makes it better than being actually read.
ReplyDeleteMy assistant read Echo with her ears...I have a really hard time with audiobooks, as I get easily distracted and lose my place frequently with them. With the lengthiness of Echo (and your point about the music), I might be willing to give an audiobook another try!
DeleteAwww, Ratscalibur looks like lots of fun, and quite sweet too.
ReplyDeleteIt is a sweet adventure story! Great read for the classroom.
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