What Joa is Reading & Other Stuff

Book reviews...from picture books to adult books, as well as books-to-movie info, and other stuff I think is interesting. Note: Not all books reviewed or recommended are appropriate for all ages.
SEPTEMBER 19, 2009
New Disney movie based on E.D. Baker's books

Just FYI...there is a new Disney movie coming out in November, The Princess and the Frog, and it is based on one of E.D. Baker's books series about the Frog Princess. You can check the first book, The Frog Princess, and other titles in the series at the library.

Lots of movie tie-in books will also be coming soon, like the Disney Read-Aloud storybook for the movie, a junior novelization, and a DK Essential Guide the Princess and the Frog.

Add a comment  (0 comments) posted by joa

Categories: Movie Tie-insFYIFantasy

----------------------------------------------------------------------

SEPTEMBER 14, 2009
Two new Halloween-y recommendations

I've just been reading through some of our newer Halloween-themed books. Two of my favorites are Miss Smith and the Haunted Library by Michael Garland and Minerva Louise on Halloween by Janet Stoakes.

Miss Smith is an elementary teacher with spiky red hair, who has an Incredible Storybook where reading aloud brings characters out of the book. In this newest book, she takes children to a field trip to meet a spooky librarian, Virginia Creeper, who reads creatures like the Headless Horseman and the giant from Jack and the Beanstalk out of the books for a holiday party. There are two other fun books about Miss Smith and her Incredible Storybook, as well.

The second choice features one of my favorite children's book characters, Minerva Louise, a charming and loveable--if a bit confused--chicken. Like an Amelia Bedelia for the preschool crowd, Minerva Louise perceives the world in her own misguided way. There are several other Minerva Louise books, with a Christmas holiday title on order.

Look for the orange Halloween sticker on the spine of books on the picture book shelves for an easy way to find books about this holiday.

Add a comment  (0 comments) posted by joa

Categories: Picture BooksJoa Recommends

----------------------------------------------------------------------

SEPTEMBER 11, 2009
How I Read

It occurred to me when I was posting my last book review, that I write almost exclusively about fiction, which is funny because I read almost equal amounts of fiction and non-fiction. I am very different in how I read each type, however.

I only read fiction before I go to bed. For example, last night before I went to bed I read Frindle (a speedy read by Andrew Clements that I have meant to read for awhile), then I read a couple chapters of an eerie fantasy I am about halfway through called The Prophecy of the Sisters.

During the day, I read a lot of non-fiction and am often reading from several different books over the same time period. During breakfast, I read from a book about options for volunteer vacations, and during lunch, I almost always read book reviews from School Library Journal or VOYA. Write now, I'm also reading a book called A Pace for Grace, a book about planning for retirement (a long ways off!), and a book about Baby Sign Language. I like to switch off and on to mix-it-up in my non-fiction reading.

How about you? What is your reading style? 

Add a comment  (0 comments) posted by joa

Category: Being a Reader

----------------------------------------------------------------------

SEPTEMBER 11, 2009
Books by Jacqueline Woodson

I recently Behind You, by Jacqueline Woodson. I guess it is a sequel to If You Come Softly....but I didn't even know that until after I read it.

Woodson is such a poetic writer. I have loved every book I have read by her (including Newbery winner Feathers, Miracle's Boys, I Hadn't Meant to Tell You This, and her picture books, Show Way and Coming On Home Soon). She has many more published books, as well. 

Behind You takes place after Jeremiah (who goes by Miah), was shot and killed by a police officer. Each chapter is a different voice those who love him: his girlfriend, Ellie, his mom Nelia, his father, his best friend, his basketball teammate, and even his grandmother, who he has joined in the afterlife.

This is a very short, but very moving, read, highly recommended to kids, teens, and adult. It is a book about death that says a lot about life.

Add a comment  (0 comments) posted by joa

Categories: Joa RecommendsRealistic Reads

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Subscribe via RSS
Search