In an effort to organize my time more efficiently, I decided to make this post both one for our Looking for Newbery series as well as for IMWAYR meme.FIRST BOOK:
So many people were talking about Splendors and Glooms by the masterful Laura Amy Schlitz, I just had to read it.
As an adult, I absolutely loved this book - the magic, the darkness, the
plot, how different characters are highlighted, the cliffhangers, the
story plots that are so intricately woven together. All amazing! That
being said, I'm not sure how I would use this book with my 5th grade
students, but I know that is not a criteria for why a book is awarded a Newbery medal. Schlitz is a master storyteller, and Splendors and Glooms is a masterful story. I would not be at all surprised if this book wins some Newbery love on January 28.
NEXT:
After reading Bill's Looking for Newbery post about The Summer of the Gypsy Moths, I knew I needed to reread it this weekend because for some reason I hadn't purchased it the first time. Here's what I thought in both my first read and my reread:
I loved it! The author is Sara Pennypacker, of Clementine fame. I really enjoyed this read, and since I sometimes judge a book's success by how many tissues I use while crying at happy or sad parts (even when they're predictable), I can tell you this book had a 5-tissue ending. :)
I will definitely be remedying that not-buying-this-book immediately!
FINALLY:
I also read Twelve Kinds of Ice and Almost Home this weekend. Both books will be getting their own posts soon, but for now let me just say about both... BEAUTIFUL!!!!
Head on over to Teach Mentor Texts to see what everyone else is reading right now as well. So many books, so little time! What a delicious problem to have!
