A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

How I Came Across It... *I first read the novel back in 2015 and was blown away by the story. My school book club was looking for a summer novel to take us through the weeks we would be away from the building. This title came up and we went with it. I created a reading schedule and we check in via email every week and a half. Being that it was so long since I first read, this second reading was almost like reading it for the first time. What It's About - Five Things You Need to Know... *The novel centers around four college friends: Jude, Willem, Malcolm, and JB. They are each quite different from each other, but have a special bond.

*As you can further into the novel, the story begins to focus on Jude and his upbringing.

*Jude is very secretive about his past and refuses to share with his three best friends.

*The four friends grow up, take on different professions, and navigate the difficulties of their lives.

*Jude struggles with his past and has great difficulties getting past the trauma.

What I Thought of It - Five Observations/Reflections... *As I mentioned, this felt like the first time I read the book.  I had forgotten so much of the plot.

*The beginning of the story is a bit slow, but once you get going, it becomes quite compelling, engaging, and emotional.

*The writer did such a tremendous job of creating characters that really came to life and I find myself thinking about them, especially Jude.  

*This is one of the gut-wrenching stories I have ever experienced.  So many difficult and painful situations that are presented throughout the novel.

*The conclusion is heart-breaking and took from time to get beyond.  

Who Should Read It... *This is a long novel, with a slow and detailed beginning, but I think most adult readers will find it an incredible read. The reader does have to be comfortable with difficult situations and events and be aware of the sensitive and triggering situations that are written about. Happy Reading!

Rating...

5 out of 5 stars

Deep Water by Jamie Sumner

How I Came Across It... *This middle-grade novel has been highly recommended by several of my reading friends, both online and in person. I have enjoyed the other Jamie Sumner stories so I was looking forward to sitting down and "diving" into Deep Water. What It's About - Five Things You Need to Know... *Tully has one goal in mind. To swim across a lake for six hours.

*She wanted to complete this swim with her mother, but she has left Tully and her father and they aren't sure where she is.

*With the help of her best friend, Arch, the two set off early one morning, hit the lake, and began the marathon swim.

*While Tully is making her way across the early morning water, she recalls events in her life with her mother present and absent.

*With many elements against, Tully, she is determined to prove to herself and her mother that she can accomplish this feat.

What I Thought of It - Five Observations/Reflections... *An absolute beautiful story told verse. 

*Once I started the story, I literally could not stop and read the entire novel in one sitting.

*The writing was incredible and thought-provoking.

*As I read, I kept thinking I wanted a best friend like Arch.  He is one of a kind.  

*This story had it all and I know will be enjoyed by young readers.
Who Should Read It...

*I know readers in grades three, four, five, and six will find this an appealing and interesting story. The book could also be used in all middle-school classrooms. I know I will be using the story either as a class read aloud or a book club selection. Happy Reading! Rating...

5 out of 5 stars

A Strange Thing Happened in Cherry Hall by Jasmine Warga

How I Came Across It... *A member of my #bookexpedition book sharing group sent me the ARC of Jasmine Warga's upcoming middle-grade novel. The mystery will be released on September 10, 2024. What It's About - Five Things You Need to Know... *A painting gets stolen from the art gallery in which Rami's mother works.

*While at the museum, Rami sees the girl from the painting, but she isn't in the painting.

*A turtle named Agatha knows who stole the painting.

*A new friend of Rami's joins forces with him to solve the mystery of the missing painting.

*As they search for clues, Rami's past and present move closer and closer together. What I Thought of It - Five Observations/Reflections... *I was excited to receive the ARC in the mail as I'm a huge fan of Jasmine's and have enjoyed all of her previous novels.

*From page one, I knew I was in for a special story and it sure was.

*I loved the plot and how different it was from Warga's other novels.  

*Not only was this a strong mystery, but also a unique, special, and magical story.  

*Rami and all of the supporting characters were interesting, incredible, heart-felt.


Who Should Read It... *I know I will be sharing this story with my upcoming fourth-grade class. The book is perfect for fourth grade readers. The novel could also be used in third grade along with fifth graders. I know it will be received well by all children because it is such a great story. Happy Reading!

Rating...

5 out of 5 stars

The Frindle Files by Andrew Clements

How I Came Across It... *Random House Children's Books sent me an ARC of Andrew Clements last work of fiction. The sequel to the beloved Frindle will be released in August 2024. I was excited to revisit this classic that I use to share with my students "back in the day". What It's About - Five Things You Need to Know... *The story picks up years later where Frindle left off.

*Josh is the main character and just may or may not be in the class of the kid who invented the "Frindle" who is now a classroom teacher.

*Josh's teacher is anti-tech while Josh finds value in the world of tech. This difference of opinion may or may hot lead to some conflicts.

*As much as Josh's teacher wants to keep his past a secret, Josh and his friends are more than interested in finding out the truth.

*The story is full of life- lessons both in and out of the classroom. What I Thought of It - Five Observations/Reflections... *It has been quite some time since I have read a Clements novel.  When I started this story, I was reminded how much I enjoy his stories.

*The plot was completely engaging and strong while combining the original story and a new companion adventure.  

*The way Clements moved the Frindle story ahead by years worked perfectly and created a fun and entertaining read.

*I loved reading about the classroom and the focus on the importance of writing.  

*This was a top-notch sequel that both young and "older" readers will enjoy.  What a treat to read!
Who Should Read It... *After finishing the book, I knew what my first two class read alouds will be for the 2024-2025 school. I know my fourth graders will love the story of Frindle and "Frindy". A perfect story for readers in grades three, four, five along with middle-school students. Happy Reading!

Rating...

5 out of 5 stars

All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker

How I Came Across It... *I read We Begin at the End and so enjoyed that story. I saw that Chris Whitaker was coming out with a new novel. Then I saw Jenna Bush Hager announce this novel as her July book club selection. She stated it was her favorite book club selection up until this point. I ordered the novel and brought the mega-book (608 pages) on my vacation to the Minnesota North Shore. What It's About - Five Things You Need to Know... *Saint and Patch have a special and unique friendship that began when they were children.

*When young girls begin to go missing in their small town, both children know something is wrong and "feel" they can do something to help.

*After Patch goes missing himself, Saint isn't quite sure how to deal with his absence, but does everything in her power to find him and bring him home.

*While Patch is held captive, he gets to know another young person who goes by the name of Grace.

*Patch returns to Saint, but Grace remains missing with Patch spending the next many years trying to locate her and bring the mystery to an end. What I Thought of It - Five Observations/Reflections... *I love when I begin a novel and know I'm in for a special reading experience.

*This story was like no other I have read and I enjoyed every aspect of it.

*The cast of characters were stellar, interesting, and engaging.  I certainly grew to love many of them and know I'll be thinking of them for quite some time.

*There were so many positives within the story; strong plot, tremendous character development, and a mystery that was unique and held my interest for all 600 pages.

*The story had all the "feels" and I often found myself laughing and also had tears in my eyes.  As much as I raced toward the conclusion, I didn't want the story to end.
Who Should Read It... *EVERYONE! I can't imagine any adult reader not enjoying this work of fiction. So darn good. Happy Reading!!!

Rating...

5 out of 5 stars

The Color of Sound by Emily Barth Isler

How I Came Across It... *An online reading friend recommended this middle-grade novel to me, so I gave it a try. I knew nothing of the story so I went in with no preconceived notions. That to me can be one of the best things about reading a new book. What It's About - Five Things You Need to Know... *Rose is twelve years old and a violin prodigy.

*This summer she has decided she is NOT going to play the violin and/or practice.

*This decision upsets her mother greatly and she doesn't understand why Rose is putting the instrument to the side.

*Rose and her mother take a summer trip to spend time with her grandparents.

*While visiting her grandma and grandpa, Rose gets to know some new freinds; some of which are from the present and one that may have come from the "past". What I Thought of It - Five Observations/Reflections... *I started the novel and abandoned after about fifty pages or so.

*My friend suggested I go back to the story and continue reading; so I did.

*I liked the plot better with the revisit, but overall I wasn't completely engaged and/or interested.

*The plot aspect of the character from the past was interesting and I enjoyed those sections of the story.

*I also appreciated the relationships Rose formed while visiting her grandparents.
Who Should Read It... *I'm thinking if you know of a young reader who appreciates music and/or plays an instrument, they would be an ideal audience for the story. I think it is geared towards readers in grades five through eight. Happy Reading!

Rating...

3 out of 5 stars

The Wrong Way Home by Kate O'Shaughnessy

How I Came Across It... *After reading The Lonely Heart of Maybelle Lane and Lasagna Means I Love You, I was excited to read this author's third novel. The novel was released on April 2, 2024. What It's About - Five Things You Need to Know... *The only life Fern really remembers is living at the Ranch.

*The Ranch is run and "ruled" by Dr. Ben.

*During the middle of the night, Fern's mother wakes her and tells her they are leaving the Ranch.

*After driving through the night, Fern and her mother end up in small ocean side town.

*Fern is upset about leaving the only place she has even known, but now must adjust to a new normal while trying to figure out why they left their "home". What I Thought of It - Five Observations/Reflections... *One aspect of Kate O'Shaughnessy's novels that I appreciate is how different each story is from the one before it.

*This plot grabbed my attention and I was quite curious about what the Ranch was and why Fern and her mother were there.

*The transition between life on the Ranch and life in the "regular" world was described with heart, grace, and truth.

*The development of characters once Fern and her mother settled in the new town was quite a strength of the overall story.  I enjoyed reading about them and getting to know them.

*The "climax" of the plot was quite exciting and provided for several turn the page moments.
Who Should Read It... *I would think the best audience for the story would be readers in grades five and above. I especially think the middle-school student would relate to Fern's adventure and conflicting feelings about her living conditions. If you have read O'Shaughnessy's earlier books, I'm sure you will enjoy this story as well. Happy Reading!

Rating...

4 out of 5 stars