Echo gets 4.5 Stars {Middle Grade Fiction} {Historical Fiction} {Newbery Honor}

I'm not sure if it is just me or if there is an influx of WWII books, but I have read A LOT of World War II historical fiction books in the past year.  I want to say I've read more WWII historical fictions this past year than the 10 previously, but that may not be completely accurate.  

I've told you before that I love historical fictions, and WWII historical fictions may be my favorite.  However, this past year I've read some truly AMAZING WWII historical fiction books. Nightingale, which I reviewed here, and The War That Saved My Life which will be reviewed on the blog tomorrow are my absolute two favorite books as of late. .

Echo by Pam Munoz Ryan wrote this long, almost 600 page, amazing WWII historical fiction novel for kids between 5th and 10th grade.

I give this book 4.5 out of 5 stars.  This book was oh so close to earning the coveted perfect score, but I had just a couple minor glitches with it.  Echo was just a bit confusing at first and hard to get into.  I was especially confused when the story switched points of view as well as settings; it was a challenge and also difficult to get back into.  My only other questionable aspect of the story is that it's geared towards 5th grade and up, but it is a really long book that only bookworms would finish or even pick up.  I think 7th grade is the youngest I'd go, but a bookworm in 5th grade I'd let him or her read it.     

Echo is an absolutely beautiful story.  The way Ryan weaves the story together using an object was original and a lot of fun to read.  It also kept me thinking about the story once finished; that's a sign of a great book.  Pam Munoz Ryan really is an amazing author; every story I've read of hers is well written, complex, beautiful, and leaves you feeling empowered.  It's no wonder Ryan won a Newbery Honor this year for this book, and to be honest I'm surprised Echo only won the runner-up aka Honor book for the Odyssey Award.

The Odyssey Award is an award given to the best audiobook for children or teens, and Echo won the Honor medal for it.  I absolutely loved the audiobook production of Echo that I checked out from the library.  This book is a very musical book, and the music lover will love this well written book.  However, I would suggest everyone listen to the audiobook b/c the music pieces that is referenced in the book is actually played in the audiobook using a harmonica.  It is AMAZING for the non-musical person.  The audiobook truly made the book for me.  I liked the written book, but I loved the audiobook of Echo.  

Now, if you have a music loving student get them this audiobook to enjoy.  The great thing about audiobooks is if you have a less than excited reader, aka reluctant reader, they can listen to this book as they read it.  This reading/teaching strategy is something you can do for every book.  The student will enjoy the story and still benefit from listening to it

Definitely go check Echo out!  

Amazon had the following book review from School Library Journal: 

"Long before enchantment was eclipsed by doubt," a young boy named Otto lost in the woods is rescued by three sisters imprisoned there by a witch's curse. In return, he promises to help break the curse by carrying their spirits out of the forest in a mouth harp and passing the instrument along when the time is right. The narrative shifts to the 20th century, when the same mouth harp (aka harmonica) becomes the tangible thread that connects the stories of three children: Friedrich, a disfigured outcast; Mike, an impoverished orphan; and Ivy, an itinerant farmer's child. Their personal struggles are set against some of the darkest eras in human history: Friedrich, the rise of Nazi Germany; Mike, the Great Depression; Ivy, World War II. The children are linked by musical talent and the hand of fate that brings Otto's harmonica into their lives. Each recognizes something unusual about the instrument, not only its sound but its power to fill them with courage and hope. Friedrich, Mike, and Ivy are brought together by music and destiny in an emotionally triumphant conclusion at New York's Carnegie Hall. Meticulous historical detail and masterful storytelling frame the larger history, while the story of Otto and the cursed sisters honor timeless and traditional folktales. Ryan has created three contemporary characters who, through faith and perseverance, write their own happy endings, inspiring readers to believe they can do the same."

Echo is a great book and a clean read, and it is an amazing audiobook!  Go find either version/copy at your library!

Happy Award Winning WWII Historical Fiction book reading and/or listening!

America the Beautiful gets 5 Stars

Before my librarian days I was an elementary school teacher.  I taught 5th grade in North Carolina, and I absolutely love that grade curriculum and age.  In 5th grade you learn about US history, and during that time this book came in handy for many different lessons.  We even collaborated with the art and music teachers for a project.  

Before my teacher days I was a park ranger in the Garden of the Gods.  I mostly grew up in Colorado Springs, and the Garden of Gods and Pikes Peak has a special place in my heart.  I hiked around Garden of the Gods as well as up Pikes Peak several times.

While I was a park ranger, wearing the polyester shirt and khaki shorts like all park rangers fashionably do, we taught visitors during tours about how Katharine Lee Bates was inspired to write the song, "America the Beautiful" from the summit of Pikes Peak.  That little fact makes all Colorado Springs residents quite proud.  

In the song the line, "Purple mountains majesties" is said to have been inspired by Pikes Peak.  That mountain often looks quite majestic and purple in the morning light.  It's stunning and worth a visit to Colorado Springs to see.   

Chris Gall, a great-great grand nephew of Katharine Lee Bates, illustrated this beautiful picture of the Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak, and all of the pictures in the book.  He took the song America the Beautiful and drew pictures for each line with significance to that particular line in the song.  

Gall has pictures of the Statue of Liberty, heroes raising the flag at Ground Zero, the Tuskegee Airmen, and so much more.  

All of the pictures have the same style and fit the line quite well.  In the back of the book where the music and lyrics to the song appear there is also a page with information about each picture and why he chose it for that line.  

I gave America the Beautiful illustrated by Chris Gall 5 out of 5 stars b/c it is simple with the beautiful pictures and lyrics on each page, and it has the information on each picture and music in the back.  This book earned all of the stars for its beauty and simplicity, being great for the young and old, and it is perfect for teachers (music or classroom teachers) to use in lessons.  The information found after the text is perfect for older kids and adults to get a little more out of the book, but the simplicity of just the song lyrics and pictures on each page is perfect for younger readers.

America the Beautiful can be enjoyed by preschoolers up to adults.  It's a fabulous book of a beautiful patriotic song.

This book has value in the home as well as value in the classroom.  I use this book with my toddlers to enjoy the beautiful pictures and patriotic song especially at this time of year, aka 4th of July.  I used this book in the classroom to discuss the history of the song and the pictures in Social Studies as well as lead into a writing assignment.

Amazon had the following book review:

"The song "America the Beautiful" gets a striking treatment from illustrator Gall, who opens with an introduction to the words, which were written as a poem in 1893 by 24-year-old Bates. The words were set to several different pieces of music, until, finally, a tune, written many years earlier, became the accepted version. Just as those who hear the song feel inspired by the patriotic sentiments, children will be stirred by Gall's pictures. Using hand engraving on clay-covered board and enhancing elements such as color with a computer, he offers a series of pictures resembling woodcuts in form and WPA paintings in style. The images celebrate the history and beauty of the U.S. as they link to the lyrics. "God shed His grace on thee" is illustrated by a bird's-eye view of a snow-covered town with a church spire in a prominent position. The relatively obscure second verse offers opportunities for artwork featuring immigrants coming to America, and a picture of the Tuskegee Airmen accompanies a line about heroes. A key at the book's conclusion has postage-size reproductions of all the artwork along with brief descriptions. Gall is a distant relative of Katharine Bates; he does her work proud."

This book, America the Beautiful, is a beautiful book and especially perfect one to read at this time of year.  

Happy Fourth of July!  

Go pick up a great book to celebrate such a holiday; go pick up America the Beautiful. 

A Reminiscing Summer Read

For all of you high school students or for those that are a bit older :) this is a must read book.

Good Enough by Paula Yoo was a book that I quickly finished and enjoyed the light summer read. The writing style reminded me a bit of a Meg Cabot book; however, it had a plot that was entertaining and completely relatable as well. I would say that almost all have felt the same way as Patti.

Patti is a Korean American teenager that tries to be "good enough" for everyone else. She tries to make her parents happy by getting into an Ivy league school; at the same time her music tutor is encouraging her in another direction. Patti struggles with trying to make everyone else happy. She matures throughout the story and learns a lot about what makes her happy.

I have always struggled with wanting to make everyone happy with what I do. Though, I still struggle with it; I have improved, however, I am a bit older than a high school student. It has taken me a while. When I was in high school I wanted to make my parents happy, my high school and club soccer coaches happy, and make my church leaders happy. I am sure I am not the only one that struggled with this same dilemma.

Enjoy this read and reminisce about those high school days when you were still discovering what you really wanted out of life.