Wolf Hollow gets 4 Stars {newbery honor, middle grade fiction, historical fiction}

Newbery Honor Award
Kindness
Compassion
Helping Others
Bullying
1940's Pennsylvania
WWI and the after affects. 

These are just a few of the tags you could give Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk.  This book is incredibly well written with a beautifully story with depth and a wonderful coming of age story.

Annabelle is a 12 year old girl in rural Pennsylvania.  She lives with her two younger brothers, parents, aunt, and grandma and grandparents on a farm.  There are forests, rolling hills, and a lot of history.  The telephone was just coming about, WWII had begun, and the people were still feeling the effects of the last world war.

Wolk did a fantastic job writing this story, and she is well deserving of the Newbery Honor.  The character development for the main characters was well done.  The story had depth with history, and the reader is able to gain a new perspective about that time period in rural America.

Wolf Hollow gets 4 out of 5 stars.  It truly is a beautiful story, and I highly recommended it for 5th grade and up.  I loved the way Annabelle grew and was able to stand up to Betty the bully.  I loved how kind and compassionate Annabelle was to Toby but also Mr. Ansel.  I loved how Annabelle felt sorry for Betty and felt like she was partly responsible, even though she wasn't.  I liked the relationship Annabelle had with her parents.  The story, in all of it's "not a happy ending" or "perfect family" portrayal felt real yet entertaining and relatable.

The setting and description of Wolf Hollow was just enough for the reader to picture it in his/her head, but it didn't overwhelm the reader with details.  The story felt homey and comfortable, but it wasn't predictable either.  I really enjoyed so many aspects of Wolf Hollow; it's a fabulous story.

With all of my praises for this book you may be curious why Wolf Hollow lost a star in my book review rating.  The story is a touch slow to get going; this was actually my 3rd time picking it up before I was able to finish it.  I also felt the transformation of Henry, Annabelle's younger brother, to be far to quick and abrupt.  He acted childish the entire story, but suddenly at the end he was mature.  I would've loved to have seen a slower more realistic development for this minor character.   Now you may be thinking people grow up in tough situations, but Henry's transformation seemed forgotten until the end.  My last reason for a less than perfect rating is the fact that few students will pick this book up to read.  This may have to be a Battle of the Books selection, or a teacher/parent will need to read it aloud with students to get them to read it.  I guess in general, this book doesn't grab a reader, even though there is a lot of value and literary merit for it.   

I do love that the way Creech wrote a Walk Two Moons seemed similar to Wolk's writing style in Wolf Hollow.  Also, the storyline of Wolf Hollow seemed similar to To Kill a Mockingbird.  Basically, Wolf Hollow is in good company, and it is a great book you should definitely check out.    

Happy Award Winning Well Written Historical reading! 


Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk
Rating: 4/5 stars
Best For: 10 - 13 year olds, 4th through 8th grade.
Worth a Check Out: Yes.
Buy It or Not: In should definitely be in school collections, but probably not personal collections. 
Read Aloud: Yes, a great historical read aloud for 5th grade and up.  
Lesson Ideas: History, 1940s, WWI, Veterans, Rural Pennsylvania, Farming, Bullying, Kindness, Photography, No judgement.  

Ben Says Goodbye gets 3.5 Stars {picture book}

Ben Says Goodbye by Sarah Ellis is a relatable book for many kids, and b/c kids go through this same situation this book has value.  Kids will be able to read this book, and see how Ben and his family handle the situation of Ben's friend moving.  Using books to help and for therapy of sort is called bibliotherapy.  

Bibliotherapy can be powerful for little things, like not wanting to eat your green veggies (Pinkalicious), to big things, like losing a loved one.  There are many books about many topics that are for more than just the fun of reading.  These stories often pull double duty, entertain and support/teach/educate; however, a well written story often does.    

Ben Says Goodbye gets 3.5 out of 5 stars in my book review.  I really like the relatability of this story for kids.  I have seen my daughter sad when her friend and our neighbor moved.  I feel the page portrayed below is quite accurate depiction of the situation through a child's eyes.  "Box after box" loaded into the truck and then when a new truck comes "Box after box" unloaded.   I also really like the ending; I'm a sucker for happy endings.  This sweet ending makes me happy.   

However, there were a few things I didn't love.  I didn't love the table/cave part of the book.  Personally, I don't think it added anything to the story, but rather took away from it.  I understand what the author was trying to portray (a child dealing with it his way on his terms), but I just think it ended up looking random and slightly weird.  To be honest, the text, aka how well written it was, wasn't bad (there were some strong points) but it wasn't great either.

All in all, Ben Says Goodbye isn't an amazing book, but public and school libraries would benefit having it in their collections.  This book definitely has value, but I wouldn't buy it for my personal library.  

Amazon had the following book description to give you an idea of the storyline. 

"When Ben’s best friend Peter moves away, Ben decides that he will move, too―into a “cave” under the kitchen table. Caveman Ben doesn’t need any friends except his tame (stuffed) lion. He hunts for his food (thoughtfully left on a plate by Mom and Dad) and communicates in grunts. And in the safety of his cave he can imagine a world where friends control their own destinies and distance is no obstacle.

Award-winning author-illustrator team Sarah Ellis and Kim La Fave have produced yet another book in which they gently guide Ben through an experience that is both familiar and daunting to preschoolers everywhere. Ellis’ text deftly taps into the thoughts and feelings of a young child, while La Fave’s endearing art captures both the depths of Ben’s dismay and the warmth of the family members who support him through his crisis. Young readers and listeners will celebrate with Ben as, having been given the space to work through his difficult feelings, he emerges from his cave ready to rejoin his family and look forward to new friendships."

Do you have a kid sad b/c of change, a friend moving, or the loss of a friendship?  This would be a great book to read with them and then talk with them about if their feelings could be similar to Ben. 

Happy Picture Book Reading on Loss, Change, and Moving! 

I received this book from Myrick Marketing in exchange for my review and honest opinion.  All of my thoughts, opinions, and words are my own. 

A Book List for the First Time in School Jitters- For Kids Starting School

My two oldest kids started preschool this week.  As I was dropping them off at preschool there was a little girl screaming and crying for her mother.  She wasn't super excited to be going to preschool apparently.

However, my kiddos just walked right in with no hesitation; they didn't even turn around to wave goodbye.  Ouch!  I guess I should be glad that they were ready for this, and I was mostly ready (a little sad of course).  It probably helps that my 3 year old gets to go with his big 4 year old sister, but still they were both pumped.  School was going to be great!  

They were excited for school, and I love that they were.  However, not all kids are excited for school.  Some parents have the "worriers" that worry about anything and everything from friends to forgetting to wear pants.  Other kids just aren't sure what to expect so they are a bit apprehensive.  There are also a few kids that are super sad to leave their parents or siblings. Basically there are a lot of reasons a child wouldn't be super excited and willing to start school.

I have found reading books about going to school really helps my kids and a lot of other kids.  It is a type of bibliotherapy; just another reason books are so fantastic.

If you have a child starting school soon, or your child is still nervous about starting Preschool or Kindergarten check out some of these books.  These are the BEST books in my opinion for starting school.  However, almost every book character series out there has at least one book on "going to school" so  you can grab a favorite character book as well.  

A Book List for the First Time in School Jitters

Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes

For the worry wart in your life, this book will help them have a bit more confidence going into school.  Wemberly is worried about school and every aspect, but as soon as she gets there she realizes there was no need to worry.  

Best for Kindergarten to 2^nd grade.

Froggy Goes to School by Jonathan London

A classic old school picture book character that boys and girls alike can enjoy.  The story is okay, but my favorite part is the bad dream he has about missing the bus and then going to school in his underwear.  I also like his mention of the one word he knows to read, his name. 

Best for toddlers to Kindergarten.

How Do Dinosaurs Go to School? by Jane Yolen

There are a lot of How Do Dinosaur books out there about all sorts of subjects.  If you’re kids are like mine and enjoy watching Dinosaur Train and reading Yolen’s dinosaur books then this school one should definitely be read.  It talks more of behavior during school, which is helpful for some kids.

Best for preschool to Kindergarten.

The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn

Chester Raccoon is scared to start Kindergarten and his mom teaches him how to always have her love with him.  It’s a long and wordy book you can read with your nervous or apprehensive child.

Best for kids in 1^st or 2^nd grade or a parent or teacher read aloud.

Chu’s First Day of School by Neil Gaiman

Another great book for the worried, apprehensive, or nervous child about starting school.  Chu is a lovable Panda, but he still worries about school and other kids liking him b/c of his sneeze.  This book, by a seasoned author has adorable pictures a good story line you and your kids will enjoy and laugh at. 

Best for kids Preschool to 1^st grade.

I Am Too Absolutely Small for School by Lauren Child

Lola and Charlie are characters children, boys and girls alike, love to read about, and there are plenty of books to read about them.  The pictures are cartoonish and fun, and the story is engaging with the message clearly getting across.  the message Child is trying to get across definitely does.  Lola is nervous to start school and stubbornly declares she is not big enough even though her parents think she is.  Charlie is a nice big brother trying to calm her concerns.  The young toddlers will enjoy this book.  

Best for preschool to 1^st grade.

Splat the Cat by Rob Scotton

Splat is a fun loving cat that kids are sure to love.  Splat is worried for the first day of school.  He brings Seymour, his pet mouse, for some extra comfort.  Having a mouse at cat school is problematic, and an adventure ensues.  It’s a fun read and series, with a fun character your child is sure to love.  

Best for toddlers to 2^nd grade.

Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten by Joseph Slate

This books is not only perfect for soon to be Kindergartners, but it is also an ABC concept book.  A fun read aloud for teachers and parents with great pictures kids will love to "read" themselves. 

Best for preschool and kindergartners. 

Reading the right books can help kids, and parents, have less worries, fears, and stress about the first day of school. 

Happy First Day in School and Happy First Time in School Jitters Bibliotherapy reading!

The Impossible Knife of Memory gets 4.5 Stars

I often requests books from the library.  It's great b/c they pull it aside and have it all ready for me.  Convenient.  However, I do think it is fun to walk the shelves, browse, and select books that way.  

I came across The Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson from a recent library shelf browse.  

I have read several of Anderson's books, Speak review can be found here, and I truly think she is a great author with a distinct voice and style.  Anderson is always able to keep the reader unsure exactly of what is going on and confused a bit, but not frustrated.  It seems to keep the reader invested and involved in the story.

Lately, I've been reading books about kids, of all ages, with some hard lives.  It makes me sad when these kids have to deal with adult things.  Dealing with hard things like divorce, PTSD from Vets, family member addictions, etc. really wears you down and makes it difficult to focus on high school/kid stuff like college, school, etc.  I've seen this in real life while teaching.  How can a kid focus and worry about homework or a test when they have to figure out what they are going to eat for dinner or how to avoid upset parents?  It's tough.  

I've seen kids dealing with hard things and read about hard things in books.  I do think kids going through hard things and reading a book like this one, or the one I posted last week, Lock and Key, can really help them.  A little bibliotherapy if you may.  Books like these books can show a reader that eventually there are positive outcomes even though it is not always pretty and definitely not easy. 

I gave The Impossible Knife of Memory 4.5 out of 5 stars.  It wasn't a perfect book, but it was a very good book.  I took off 1/2 a star b/c I do think the PTSD of Hayley's father, Andy, and his PTSD is not portrayed nearly as harsh as it should've been, and that his growth seemed a bit abrupt. However, I do like the deeper thought of the "knife of memory" found throughout, and I thought the character development which drives the story is great.

Hayley and her father, Andy, are tough.  Tough to crack, but tough to get inside their hearts as well.  Both of them have memories that cut through them like a knife, and at unexpected moments prick or stun them.  They both eventually learn that if you don't deal with the sharp and difficult memories it will just get worse.  They learn that we can't forget our past; it's who we are.  We have to learn to deal with our past and move forward  Both Hayley and Andy slowly do that throughout the story.

All in all, this story is great with a touch of romance, but it also has a lot of depth making it a great book for high school kids as well as adults. For example, at one point in the story (pg 357-358) Trish, who Hayley hated at first but that changes slowly and she becomes a great friend/guidance.  Hayley is found telling Trish, "I'm never getting in a pool again." as a result of traumatic experience as a child.  However, Trish wisely says, "I think you will as long as you have the right lifegaurd."  I think that principle can be applied at a deeper level.  We can't avoid the hard, but others can definitely help us overcome it.

There is some language, drug use, and underage drinking but it is all in context.  

Amazon had the following book review: 

"Hayley is the daughter of a veteran, and his PTSD colors every aspect of their lives. After serving his country, Andy is trying to rebuild some stability for himself and his daughter, but each day is a challenge for them both. Hayley lives with the constant threat of her father harming himself or others while also dealing with feelings of abandonment after essentially losing her parental figures. She copes through snark and skepticism but begins to let her guard down when her charming, easygoing classmate, Finn, gives her a much-needed taste of normal teenage life. A relationship with Finn opens the door to the possibility of trusting again, but it's not easy. Through Hayley's tenuous search for balance, Anderson explores the complicated nature of perception and memory, and how individuals manage to carry on after experiencing the worst. Readers will be thoroughly invested in this book's nuanced cast of characters and their struggles. Hayley's relatable first-person narration is interspersed with flashbacks of Andy's brutal war experiences, providing a visceral look at his inner demons. The endearing Finn and Hayley's bubbly best friend, Gracie, add levity to the narrative, even as they, too, grapple with their own problems. With powerful themes of loyalty and forgiveness, this tightly woven story is a forthright examination of the realities of war and its aftermath on soldiers and their families. One of Anderson's strongest and most relevant works to date."

The Impossible Knife of Memory is a great read.  You'll enjoy the depth in this story and the quirky and relatable characters.  I'm pretty sure high school (9th and up) girls especially, but boys as well, will enjoy this read and could really learn and grow from reading it.

Happy Reading! 

As always, any thoughts on the book?