Judging by the number of "gaps" on the shelves after the teachers had left, we figured that the reviews were pretty effective selling tools! Over the next few weeks, I'll post some of these reviews under the title "Quick picks for summer" - so keep a lookout if you need suggestions for something to read over the holidays.
Black Swan Green by David Mitchell
13 year old Jason Taylor, an inveterate stutterer and wannabe poet, believes he lives in the dullest village in England. Set against a background of the Falklands War and with his family's eventual disintegration, things hot up for young Jason when he starts to be bullied at school. David Mitchell captures the essence of the early 1980s and Jason's transition from childhood to adolescence is captured perfectly in this wry coming of age tale.
Highly recommended for junior secondary and up.
Smile by Geraldine McCaughrean
Humorous short chapters relate a plane survivor's meeting with a desert tribe (could be somewhere in Africa). His use of a Polaroid camera helps this bonding and also his ultimate rescue. Useful for reluctant readers from years 4-7 and a good book to read aloud.
Born to Run/ Best Mate by Michael Morpugo
Great book for dog lovers! Follow Best Mate's (as he is christened) journey of joy and heartbreak as he moves from owner to owner.
Suitable for primary and intermediate students.
3 comments:
I must admit your title "Quick picks for summer" caught my eye because here in the United States, we are approaching winter and snow is around in many places. Then the fact that you mention summer reading and refer to the holidays just gave me food for thought. It would seem so strange to have Christmas and New Year's in summer. Here we are accustomed to cold weather, ice, snow, etc., and that becomes a huge part of Christmas. Drinking hot chocolate, playing in the snow, etc... I am wondering if thinking of Christmas in winter-time sounds just as strange to you all as thinking of Christmas in summer sounds to me. What summertime traditions have you all incorporated into Christmas and New Years? I would be interested in hearing from anyone and everyone on this. Looking forward to your comments!
-Talking Books Librarian (in U.S.)
http://talkingbookslibrarian.blogspot.com
Here in NZ, the thought of winter Christmas isn't so strange. We like singing "Jingle Bells", and "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" etc. But we also love a Christmas Barbeque on the beach, lots of salads and fresh summer fruit, camping, swimming, long warm evenings and summer fun. The Christmas holidays are our summer holidays and schools are closed until February. Keep warm!
A kiwi jingle bells is the best New Zealand book I have ever read it is very interesting and here in New Zealand that is what it is like in Summer for Christmas it ROCKS!!!!
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