Fourth Grade Journey

A Fourth Grade Teacher's Journey Through the World of Books

Friday, March 22, 2024

Where the Forest Meets the Stars by Glendy Vanderah

How I Came Across It... Honestly, I can't recall the exact circumstances that led me to discover this title. What I do remember is purchasing two books by the author for my spring break vacation in 2024. I began reading this one yesterday and found myself finishing it early this afternoon. Once I started, I simply couldn't put it down. What It's About - Five Things You Need to Know... *Enter Jo Teale, who seeks peace in the forest to cope with the loss of her mother, her battle with cancer, and to dive deep into her graduate school studies.

*Meet Gabriel Nash, who, like Jo, retreats to the forest to confront his anxiety, depression, and family struggles. *Lastly, encounter Ursa, a nine-year-old girl who unexpectedly appears in the forest and refuses to leave. *Ursa claims she comes from another planet and insists on witnessing five "miracles" before returning. *Together, Jo, Gabe, and Ursa navigate their new and fresh relationships, unravel Ursa's mysterious origins, and potentially forge a new family unit. What I Thought of It - Five Observations/Reflections: *This book proved to be the ideal vacation read. *It's a gripping narrative with well-developed characters, compelling me to keep turning the pages until the very end. *Ursa's unique nature had me continually pondering her backstory and eagerly awaiting revelations. *The tender evolution of Jo and Gabe's relationship was both touching and sincere. *As I reached the conclusion, I found myself tearing up, sad to be leaving the world of Ursa, Jo, and Gabe. Who Should Read It... *I wholeheartedly recommend this adult-oriented novel to all my fellow readers, both in person and across social media platforms. It's sure to captivate most adult audiences with its rich storytelling and engaging characters. If you're planning a spring break or summer vacation, be sure to pack this book for a truly enjoyable read. Happy reading! Rating... 5 out of 5 stars





The Connellys of County Down by Tracey Lange

How I Came Across It... It felt meant to be encountering this novel. Initially introduced to the title through social media, a trusted book enthusiast I follow gave it five stars. The very next day, fate seemed to smile upon me as I stumbled upon an ARC left in the teacher's lounge, which I promptly claimed for my spring break reading in 2024.

What It Is About - FIVE Things You Need to Know...
*In their youth, the Connelly siblings were the protagonists of a cherished "fairy tale" told by their late mother, with them as the central characters. *With their mother's passing and all three siblings leading separate adult lives, the roles assigned to them in childhood are now tested in reality.

*Tara's recent release from prison marks a fresh start, reintegrating into the lives of her siblings. *Geraldine, juggling responsibilities both professionally and domestically, finds Tara's return threatens to disrupt the delicate balance she's worked hard to maintain. *Eddie, the peacemaker, bears the weight of ensuring everyone's happiness, a burden that may prove overwhelming for one individual.

What I Thought Of It - Five Observations/Reflections...
*Initially, the book didn't captivate me immediately upon picking it up.

*However, upon revisiting it during my vacation in Mexico, I found myself thoroughly engaged upon a second reading. *I became engrossed in the characters of Tara, Eddie, and Geraldine, fascinated by how their childhood roles manifested in their adult lives. *While some elements of the story may stretch believability, I found myself willingly suspending disbelief to immerse in the narrative and its characters. *The author adeptly portrayed the complexities of the main characters, flaws and all, offering a nuanced exploration of their identities.

Who Should Read It...
This marks the author's second novel after "We Are the Brennans," which I haven't read. Nevertheless, I believe this story will resonate with adult readers who appreciate narratives centered on family dynamics, sibling relationships, personal struggles, and self-discovery. Happy reading!


Rating...
4 STARS out of 5 Stars






Tuesday, March 19, 2024

True Colors by Abby Cooper

How I Heard About It:
*I'm fortunate to not only know Abby Cooper, but have had her to my classroom on several occasions to chat with my readers about her previous stories.  Her newest and fourth novel will be released on May 7, 2024.  I downloaded an E-Galley via NetGalley so I could get a sneak peak at the upcoming novel.  


What It Is About - FIVE Things You Need to Know:
*The reader is taken on a magical realism journey to the town of Serenity, Minnesota.  Both Abby and I live in Minnesota.

*In order to live in Serenity, residents must sign a "document" stating they will remain friendly, kind, and always display positive emotions.

*Mackenzie, the main character, has a raw gift in which her emotions show up as particular hazes of color surrounding her aura.

*Life is going well for Mackenzie, and those around her, until a film maker gets permission to enter Serenity to feature a story on not only the town, but those that live there.

*As time passes, MacKenzie finds herself having a harder and harder time containing her emotions and abiding by the rules of Serenity.


What I Thought Of It - Five Observations/Reflections:
*I have come to know and love Abby's signature style.  Her fourth novel does not disappoint.  

*As a reader, it was fun to read about the fictional town set in Minnesota.  I also enjoyed the character names because several of them were based on people both Abby and I know.

*There just might also be a teacher mentioned in the story who goes by "Mr. Andrus".

*One of the many strong aspects of Abby's stories are the life-lessons she explores throughout the pages.  I love a good middle-grade novel that also teaches a lesson.  

*I found myself asking questions as I read the story and after I finished.  Abby Cooper has given the reader a lot to think about with this magical realism tale.


Who Should Read It:
*I so appreciate that Abby has written, and is writing, stories that are accessible to many readers.  Her content is appropriate for younger readers while the characters and lessons reaches the upper elementary and middle-school reader.  I look forward to sharing the book with my fourth grader readers during the 2024/2025 school year.  Happy Reading!  


Rating:
  4 STARS out of 5 Stars



Ferris by Kate DiCamillo

How I Heard About It
*You would have to be living under a rock to not know when Kate DiCamillo has written and published a new novel.  I had this book pre-ordered so I would receive it on publication day of March 5, 2024.  When the package arrived it was an electric toothbrush.  What?  Fast forward to March 8th in Tucson, Arizona where I happened to be staying at the same hotel as Kate for the Tucson Festival of Books.  I had the chance to share my "Ferris" mail story and Kate got a chuckle out of it.  I almost bought a copy of the novel while at the festival, but knew my replacement copy was waiting for me at home.  




What It Is About - FIVE Things You Need to Know:

*Ferris is a young girl who ends up with quite the "perm".

*Her younger sister is Pinky and ends up in jail for attempting to rob the local bank.

*Ferris' uncle ends up living in their basement to create a painting of the "WORLD".

*There is a chandelier above the family dining table that has never been lit.

*Charisse, Ferris' grandmother, lives in Ferris' house and has shared with Ferris a ghost has appeared in her room with a most special request.


What I Thought Of It - Five Observations/Reflections:
*I absolutely adored this story!

*Kate did not waste a single word and all the words she put to the page were perfect.  

*As I was reading, I often found I had tears in my eyes and wasn't sure where they had come from.  

*Being a huge fan of Kate, I have come to know and love her characters, but Ferris will now have a special place in my heart.  

*The cast of characters were strong, unique, and quite special.  It is hard to pick just one favorite, but for me it just might be Ferris' teacher.


Who Should Read It:
*EVERYONE!  This is a story for young, in-between, and older readers.  I can't wait to share the novel with my fourth grade class this spring.  This book is sure to become another Kate DiCamillo classic.  Happy Reading!


Rating:
  5+ STARS out of 5 Stars







The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters

How I Heard About It
*If you follow the blog, you know I've been a member of the BBC (Boy's Book Club) since the year 2000.  This book club consisted of a small group of male teachers in our building.  We have ranged anywhere from six to two members.  As we have gotten smaller, it was time to "open" up our book club and create an all-staff group of readers.  I sent out the invite at the start of 2024 and about twenty-two readers joined me in reading Lonesome Dove.  For our second book club selection, we chose The Berry Pickers.  This is a debut novel and has received much praise from a variety of different sources and readers.



What It Is About - FIVE Things You Need to Know:
*The story begins in the summer of 1962 when a Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq family travels south to Maine for the "picking season".

*While there, four-year-old Ruthie goes missing and the indigenous family receives no help from the local authorities in Maine.

*Much to their discomfort, frustration, and grief, they return to Nova Scotia with the hope Ruthie will be located. 

*Ruthie's older brother Joe blames himself for the disappearance which effects his moving forward and all of his relationships.  

*The family moves forward best they can amidst other tragedies, loss, and pain; with the hope of Ruthie's return always in the back of their minds and hearts.


What I Thought Of It - Five Observations/Reflections:
*After creating the new book club and mixed responses to our first all-read, I was nervous going into the second book club selection.  There was no need for the nerves.

*As I mentioned, this is a debut author and she knocked it out of the park with the story.  I was hooked from start to finish.

*The story is told from two perspectives and I enjoyed the format.  I did find myself drawn to one of the character's experiences over the other, but it didn't detract from the overall experience.

*There were many emotional passages throughout the novel and I found myself with tears in my eyes.  To me that is a sign of STRONG writing.

*The writing was beautiful which created a space to slow down and enjoy the words.  The plot was well crafted which had me wanting to read faster to reveal the conclusion.  Put those two elements together and you have a tremendous novel to enjoy!  


Who Should Read It:
*I have been recommending the book to anyone I talk to about what we are and should be reading.  The book club readers that I have had discussions with all agree this was a sold story with an emotional punch.  I look forward to our book club gathering at the beginning of April.  Happy Reading!


Rating:
  5 STARS out of 5 Stars








Monday, March 18, 2024

An Inside Look #268 (Author INTERVIEW)

   

An Inside Look with John Schu

(Author of Louder Than Hunger)


*Season #ONE (June of 2016 to March of 2017)

*Season #TWO (Summer of 2017)

*Season #THREE (School Year 2017/2018)

*
Season #FOUR
 (Summer/fall of 2018)

*Season #FIVE (School Year 2018/2019)

*Season #SIX (Summer 2019) 

*Season #SEVEN (Fall 2019) 

*Season #EIGHT (Winter/Spring 2020)

*Season #NINE (Fall 2020)

*Season #TEN (Winter/Spring 2021)

*Season #ELEVEN (Fall 2021)

*Season #TWELVE (Winter/Spring 2022)

*Season #THIRTEEN (Summer 2022)

*Season #FOURTEEN (Fall 2022)

*Season #FIFTEEN (Winter/Spring 2023)

*Season #SIXTEEN (Fall 2023)



*I'm excited to present season #SEVENTEEN with brand new interviews/authors.  

*It has been such an honor to connect with authors and "chat" about their novel, characters, and thoughts about the story.

*This is the SEVENTH interview in which I'm calling Season #SEVENTEEN 

*Thank you to John for being the Two Hundred Sixty-Eighth author I've had the pleasure of interviewing.  I truly appreciate it.  



Louder Than Hunger

by John Schu
(March 19, 2024)


How did you come to know Jake? John Schu: Hi, Patrick! Thank you for reading and sharing Louder Than Hunger. I’m grateful for your support! I know Jake very well. His story is based on my own experiences with anorexia nervosa, depression, anxiety, and obsessive compulsive disorder. You could say that I’ve known Jake for my entire life. What do you think is his most admirable quality? John Schu: I think Jake’s most admirable quality is that he feels a lot. He has a compassionate heart. Also, he loves musical theatre and poetry and reading. What do you think Jake can offer to other children that are experiencing similar situations to what he went through?

John Schu: I hope Jake’s story provides hope for all readers. I hope his story shows readers experiencing similar situations that there is a way to the other side of anorexia. That we can talk back to the negative voice in our heads. That life can be easier, better, and more fun. That we deserve to take up space. Do you and Jake share any similarities? John Schu: Yes, Jake and I both love musical theatre, libraries, books, Ani DiFranco, Tina Turner, Tracy Chapman, Home Alone, Lois Lowry’s The Giver, poetry, and possibilities. What was the hardest scene to write about him? John Schu: So many scenes were hard to write. I said, “Sorry, Jake, I know this is going to hurt your heart. You’re going to fail one more time,” multiple times as I wrote and revised Louder Than Hunger


Spoiler alert: I think the hardest scene to write was when Jake’s grandma dies. When my grandma dies. His grandma was his best friend. She meant the world to him. Who do you think was his biggest supporter and why? John Schu: Jake has a hard time letting people in. He resists treatment for a long time. For a lot of the book, he dislikes everyone at Whispering Pines, the residential treatment center where he spends almost a year. He eventually realizes they care about him. They support him. What do you think Jake is doing at the present time? John Schu: I love this question. Jake’s writing poetry. He’s visiting schools. He’s sharing his heart through story with anyone who will listen to him. He’s seeing A LOT of musicals on Broadway! He’s happy and healthy! 



SEASON #ONE (2016-2017)

























SEASON #FOUR (Summer 2018)






















SEASON #FIVE (2018/2019)













SEASON #SIX (Summer 2019)







SEASON #SEVEN (Fall 2019)




















SEASON #EIGHT (Winter/Spring 2020)

Interview #121 with Melissa Savage (Author of Nessie Quest)

Interview #122 with Tamara Bundy (Author of Pixie Pushes On)

Interview #123 with Lindsay Lackey (Author of All the Impossible Things)

Interview #124 with Tae Keller (Author of When You Trap a Tiger)

Interview #125 with Jamie Sumner (Author of Roll With It)

Interview #126 with Hena Khan (Author of More to the Story)

Interview #127 with Phil Bildner (Author of A High-Five for Glenn Burke)

Interview #128 with Leslie Connor (Author of A Home for Goddesses and Dogs)

Interview#129 with Gillian McDunn (Author of Queen Bee and Me)

Interview #130 with Jody J. Little (Author of Worse Than Weird)

Interview #131 with Jenn Bishop (Author of Things You Can't Say)

Interview #132 with Kaela Noel (Author of Coo)

Interview #133 with Rebecca Stead (Author of The List of Things That Will Not Change)

Interview #134 with Gae Polisner (Author of Jack Kerouac is Dead to Me)

Interview #135 with Emily Blejwas (Author of Like Nothing Amazing Ever Happened)

Interview #136 with Joy McCullough (Author of A Field Guide to Getting Lost)

Interview #137 with Kim Baker (Author of the Water Bears)

Interview #138 with Erin Entrada Kelly (Author of We Dream of Space)

Interview #139 with Jess Redman (Author of Quintessence)

Interview #140 with Melanie Conklin (Author of Every Missing Piece)

Interview #141 with Lindsey Stoddard (Author of Brave Like That)




SEASON #NINE (Fall 2020)














SEASON #TEN (Winter/Spring 2021)

Interview #158 with Rebecca Ansari (Author of The In-Between)

Interview #159 with John David Anderson (Author of One Last Shot) 

Interview #160 with Tracy Holczer (Author of Brave in the Woods)

Interview #161 with James Bird (Author of The Brave) 

Interview #162 with Marcella Pixley (Author of Trowbridge Road)

Interview #163 with Barbara O'Connor (Author of Halfway to Harmony)

Interview #164 with Alan Gratz (Author of Ground Zero) 

Interview #165 with Lisa Fipps (Author of Starfish)

Interview #166 with Ann Braden (Author of Flight of the Puffin)

Interview #167 with Kimberly Willis Holt (Author of The Ambassador of NoWhere Texas) 

Interview #168 with Elana K. Arnold (Author of The House That Wasn't There) 

Interview #169 with Erin Soderberg (Author of The Great Peach Experiment)

Interview #170 with Donna Gephart (Author of Abby, Tried, and True)

Interview #171 with M. Evan Wolkenstein (Author of Turtle Boy)

Interview #172 with Lindsey Stoddard (Author of Bea is for Blended)

Interview #173 with Jess Redman (Author of The Adventure is Now)

Interview #174 with David Levithan (Author of The Mysterious Disappearance of Aiden)

Interview #175 with Chris Grabenstein (Author of The Smartest Kid in the Universe)

Interview #176 with Ali Standish (Author of The Mending Summer)

Interview #177 with Holly Goldberg Sloan (Author of The Elephant in the Room)

Interview #178 with Jeff Zentner (Author of In the Wild Light)


SEASON #ELEVEN (Fall/Winter 2021)

Interview #179 with Katherine Applegate (Author of Willow) 

Interview #180 with Padma Venkatraman (Author of Born Behind Bars)

Interview #181 with R.J. Palacio (Author of Pony)

Interview #182 with Kyle Lukoff (Author of Too Bright to See)

Interview #183 with Barbara Dee (Author of Violets are Blue)

Interview #184 with Anne Ursu (Author of The Troubled Girls of Dragonmir Academy) 

Interview #185 with Margaret Finnegan (Author of We Could Be Heroes)

Interview #186 with Jasmine Warga (Author of Shape of Thunder)

Interview #187 with Joseph Bruchac (Author of Rez Dogs)

Interview #188 with Kathryn Erskine (Author of Lily's Promise)

Interview #189 with Elly Swartz (Author of Dear Student)

Interview #190 with Heather Clark (Author of Lemon Drop Falls)

Interview #191 with Veera Hiranandani (Author of How to Find What You're Not Looking For)

Interview #192 with Elizabeth Eulberg (Author of The Best Worst Summer)

Interview #193 with Cathy Carr (Author of 365 Days to Alaska)

Interview #194 with Carol Cujec and Peyton Goddard (Authors of REAL)

Interview #195 with Gillian McDunn (Author of These Lucky Stars)

Interview #196 with Alyssa Colman (Author of The Gilded Girl) 

Interview #197 with E.L. Chen (Author of The Comeback)

Interview #198 with J.M.M. Nuanez (Author of Birdie and Me) 


SEASON #TWELVE (Winter/Spring 2022)

Interview #199 with Jamie Sumner (Author of One Kid's Trash)

Interview #200 with Chad Lucas (Author of Thanks a Lot, Universe) 

Interview #201 with Jenn Bishop (Author of Where We Used to Roam)

Interview #202 with Rebecca Caprara (Author of Worst-Case Collin) 

Interview #203 with Leslie Connor (Author of Anybody Here Seen Frenchie?)

Interview #204 with Caroline Gertler (Author of Many Points of Me)

Interview #205 with Margaret Finnegan (Author of Susie B. Won't Back Down) 

Interview #206 with Shawn Peters (Author of The Unforgettable Logan Foster)

Interview #207 with Aisha Saeed (Author of Omar Rising)

Interview #208 with Adrianna Cuevas (Author of Cuba in my Pocket)

Interview #209 with Jennifer Swender (Author of Stuck)

Interview #210 with Brenda Woods (Author of When Winter Robeson Came)

Interview #211 with Danya Lorentz (Author of the Book Of a Feather)

Interview #212 with Saadia Faruqi (Author of Yusuf Azeem is Not a Hero)

Interview #213 with Ellen Hopkins (Author of What About Will) 


SEASON #THIRTEEN (Summer 2022)

Interview #214 with Nora Raleigh Baskin and Gae Polisner (Authors of What About the Octopus)

Interview #215 with Lauren Wolk (Author of My Own Lightning)

Interview #216 with Rebekah Lowell (Author of the Road to After)

Interview #217 with Gillian McDunn (Author of Honestly Elliott) 

Interview #218 with Dan Gemeinhart (Author of The Midnight Children)

Interview #219 with Melanie Conklin (Author of A Perfect Mistake) 

Interview #220 with Kyle Lukoff (Author of Different Kinds of Fruit)

Interview #221 with Tracy Edward Wymer (Author of The Great and Mighty Benjamin Teller)

Interview #222 with Louise Hawes (Author of Big Rig)

Interview #223 with Paul Acampora (Author of In Honor of Broken Things)

Interview #224 with Shannon Doleski (Author of Gabe in the After)

Interview #225 with Jennifer Ziegler (Author of Worser)

Interview #226 with Natalie Lloyd (Author of Hummingbird)


SEASON #FOURTEEN (Fall 2022)

Interview #227 with Celia C. Perez (Author of Tumble

Interview #228 with Greg Howard (Author of The Visitors)

Interview #229 with Rob Buyea (Author of The Daredevils)

Interview #230 with Sashi Kaufman (Author of Sardines)

Interview #231 with Lindsey Stoddard (Author of The Real Deal)

Interview #232 with Margaret Finnegan (Author of New Kids and Underdogs)

Interterview #233 with Amanda Rawson Hill (Author of The Hope of Elephants)

Interview #234 with Jasmine Warga (Author of A Rover's Story)


SEASON #FIFTEEN (Winter/Spring 2023)

Interview #235 with Varsha Bajaj (Author of Thirst)

Interview #236 with Torrey Maldonado (Author of Hands)

Interview #237 with C.C. Harrington (Author of Wildoak)

Interview #238 with Margi Preus (Author of Windswept)

Interview #239 with Dayna Lorentz (Author of Wayward Creatures)

Interview #240 with Katrina Nannestad (Author of We are Wolves)

Interview #241 with Anika Fajardo (Author of Meet Me Halfway)

Interview #242 with Chrystal D. Giles (Author of Not an Easy Win)

Interview #243 with Gregory Maquire (Author of Cress, Watercress)

Interview #244 with Will Taylor (Author of The Language of Seabirds)

Interview #245 with Gillian McDunn (Author of When Sea Becomes Sky)

Interview #246 with Ann Braden (Author of Opinions and Opossums)

Interview #247 with Jarrett Lerner (Author of A Work in Progress)

Interview #248 with John David Anderson (Author of The Greatest Kid in the Universe)

Interview #249 with Aubrey Hartman (Author of The Lion and Lark-Hayes Manor)

 

Interview #250 with Sally J. Pla (Author of The Fire, The Water, and Maudie McGinn)

Interview #251 with Chris Baron (Author of The Gray)

Interview #252 with Dusti Bowling (Author of DUST)


SEASON #SIXTEEN (Fall 2023)

Interview #253 with Sarah Everett (Author of The Probability of Everything)

Interview #254 with Andrea Beatriz Arango (Author of Something Like Home)

Interview #255 with H.M. Bouwman (Author of Gossamer Summer)

Interview #256 with Kaija Langley (Author of The Order of Things) 

Interview #257 with Elaine Vickers (Author of Half Moon Summer)

Interview #258 with John Gaspard (Author of The Curious Mysteries of Eli Marks)

Interview #259 with Dana Kramaroff (Author of The Do More Club)

Interview #260 with Jessica Vitalis (Author of Coyote Queen)

Interview #261 with Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko (Authors of Dog Town)


SEASON #SEVENTEEN (Winter/Spring 2024)

Interview #262 with Chad Morris and Shelly Brown (Authors of The Wild Journey of Juniper Berry) 

Interview #263 with Anne Ursu (Author of Not Quite a Ghost)

Interview #264 with Erin Soderberg Downing (Author of Just Keep Walking)

Interview #265 With Kate Albus (Author of Nothing Else But Miracles)

Interview #266 with Robin Gow (Author of Dear Mothman)

Interview #267 with Toni Buzzeo (Author of Light Comes to Shadow Mountain)