What is it about Leigh Botts?

Leigh Botts in Beverly Cleary's Dear Mr. Henshaw gets to me every time I read that book. He is just so real that I want to give him a big hug and tell him that everything will be okay--even though his parents are divorced and his dad, a long distance trucker, travels all the time, even though his dad took Leigh's dog Bandit along for the ride, even though he has no friends, and even though every time he has something delicious to eat, his lunch is stolen at school. How does the author create such a vivid character in a Newbery award-winning novel that is simply a series of letters and journal entries? Read it to find out! And while you're at it, don't forget to check out the Ramona Quimby series or Runaway Ralph, a motorcycle driving rodent.

Debut Novel-The Year the Swallows Came Early

Can you imagine walking down the street with your dad and seeing him arrested right in front of you? That's what happens to Eleanor "Groovy" Robinson, the protagonist of this novel. We follow the action as her perfect life in a "perfect stucco house, just off the sparkly Pacific" crashes around her. When she learns why her father is in jail, she faces new disappointments and challenges. Can she learn to forgive him for what he's done? Will they ever be a family again? Read The Year the Swallows Came Early to find out!

This is a "debut" novel (first novel) for Kathryn Fitzmaurice. I look forward to reading more from her because she uses unusual imagery and beautiful language. Here's an example from the first page:

"...our house was like one of those See's candies with beautiful swirled chocolate on the outside, but sometimes hiding coconut flakes on the inside, all gritty and hard, like undercooked white rice."

When you read it, please comment here or review it in Destiny Quest. Happy Reading!

Glog on Spinelli

Why I Dislike AR

If there were a Bill of Rights For Readers, it would definitely include the right to choose one's own reading material. No one likes assigned reading, especially being assigned a book by reading level or genre.

When I was ten years old, I decided to read Jane Eyre. It took two weeks of summer vacation for me to plow through the formal language, but the chill house in the English countryside, the haunting shrieks in the night, the orphaned girl in love with the mysterious brooding Mr. Rochester, all gripped my imagination, and I couldn't let it go. That book was definitely not on my reading level, but I'm grateful the adults in my life encouraged my literary explorations rather than confining them.

Now a avid adult reader, I remember being attracted to different genres at different ages. In third grade I read biographies and historical fiction. In fourth and fifth grade I devoured mysteries, especially gothic tales like The Secret Garden and Jane Eyre. In sixth grade, adventures and fantasy were my passion. My parents and teachers never held me back or insisted I read certain books from certain genres. In time I explored many kinds of books on my own.

With free voluntary reading, I believe all children will eventually develop strong reading skills. That's why I'm proud the Collins Library has books to satisfy every student's taste.

Favorite Books

Found by Margaret Haddix crosses many genres. The story begins as an action adventure/mystery and morphs midway into science fiction. A brother/sister duo and their best friend are the main characters. Since this is the first in a new series and the story is so exciting, I'm already anxious to read the next one. Maybe Margaret Haddix will give us a few hints about the plot when she visits Collins in February.