48 Hour Book Challenge - Wrapup (Karen)

What a fun weekend this has been! By participating in MotherReader's (thanks, Pam!!) 48 Hour Book Challenge, I created many opportunities for reading and activities surrounding the reading community since Friday afternoon. I didn't exactly follow the rules because we had a friend of my youngest daughter staying with us , so I read and participated in chunks of times over the last 3 days. I read 2 books Friday afternoon, met my fellow Central Ohio bloggers for breakfast and book shopping on Saturday morning, read 3 1/2 books on Saturday afternoon, and Sunday afternoon, when I was the only one in the house, I read 3 more books (finished the other 1/2 from Saturday, and ended the evening by beginning another one).

Final total: reading off and on for 3 days, I managed to read 8 1/2 books. I'm so pleased that I was able to set aside time to immerse myself in some new books, and some great conversations (both online and in person) with people who love books as much as I do!

I already shared about my Friday and Saturday reading, but I have to share about my last three books I read yesterday. They were probably my favorite.

I finished Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu. I don't want to ruin the plot, because this book doesn't even come out until this October, but I do have to say the themes within the story make it an incredibly important read. A couple of notes, however. The main character is at one point reading When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead. I loved how cleverly Ursu lets the reader know that without ever mentioning the actual title, and how well she connected the two story lines. Another part that truly stuck a chord with me is the following:

"Somewhere ahead there was a boy who had been her best friend. She had known so many versions of him, she carried all of them with her."

If that passage doesn't capture the essence of friendship, I'm not sure what does. I kept reading the section over and over, loving it more each time.

The next book I read was a picture book, A Nation's Hope: The Story of Boxing Legend Joe Louis by Matt de la Pena and illustrated by Kadir Nelson. Both the words and illustrations are amazing. I can't wait to pair this picture book with Bird in a Box, a historical fiction by Andrea Davis Pinkney. I'll need to post more about this book later, but let it suffice to say that this pair of books is definitely on the "short list" of books I've already to begun to think about sharing in read aloud with my class.

The final book I read was The Friendship Doll by Kirby Larson. I've read several other bloggers who thought the same thing, but this book is very reminiscent of Edward Tulane. The doll in this story answers a need for both young and old alike who come into her presence. Again, not wanting to ruin the story for anyone, I will say I loved the way Kirby Larson concluded the story. It gave me a real sense of closure in a story like this that jumps from setting to another.

Great reads, great weekend! Thanks again to Pam for hosting such a fun event!!

Testing the Ice

Testing the Ice : A True Story About Jackie Robinson is a beautiful story written by Jackie's daughter, Sharon Robinson. It is illustrated in Kadir Nelson's amazing way -- his illustrations of people seem to have light shining from their faces.

From reading the back flap, I found out that the words in this book are actually a story about her father that Sharon Robinson has told many times through the years. I'm just personally delighted that she has committed the story to a book format for all to enjoy.

The story of Jackie Robinson's emergence from the Negro Leagues to the all-white major leagues is the stuff of legends. Robinson briefly touches on that part of her dad's life in this story. However, the man she knew as "dad" was just a regular guy.

It was when their family moved to Connecticut, and made friends with their neighbors, Candy, Willie, and Christy that this story takes place. Jackie Robinson had decided to retire from major league baseball, and had far more time at home. The Robinson's new neighbors loved seeing Jackie's trophy room and hearing about Jackie's life in the Negro League and then how that changed when Branch Rickey brought him to the Brooklyn Dodgers.

At their new home in Connecticut, there was a lovely lake that the rest of the Robinson family loved to utilize as much as possible -- canoeing, fishing, swimming. But not Jackie. He had never learned to swim and was very fearful of the water.

So, when winter came, and Sharon was dying to go ice skating, she came to her dad to ask permission. What happens next is a beautiful metaphor for how Jackie Robinson is a true hero. He was willing to go where no one else had gone, even though he was frightened for his own safety.

Having Sharon Robinson tell a story like Testing the Ice about Jackie Robinson, the dad, makes him that much more of a hero in my eyes. It is not necessarily what you do in big public situations that make you a hero; it is what you do in your everyday life. Jackie Robinson most definitely has earned the title of "hero"!!

Looking for Newbery - Day 9

I was a busy beaver today, doing many, many errands, so I'm bringing a book back from our archives today since I didn't get an opportunity to read another Newbery possibility from the mock Newbery lists.

When We Are the Ship by Kadir Nelson came out, I read it, and fell in love with it, and wasn't shy about saying so. I'm not sure into what category We Are the Ship fits, but it is beautifully illustrated and beautifully written. We Are the Ship is truly a creative piece of art. And according to Fuse #8's mock Newbery roundup, it seems that four mock Newbery lists would agree with me!

Doreen Rappaport and Kadir Nelson Team Up for a New Lincoln Book

Ok, so I'm back from my first trip to Boston and after a full day of rest, I'm ready to get back to the blogging thing. All in all it was a good trip, 35 kids left with me and 35 came back...I'm pretty sure they were the same 35, so that's good.

During our visit to Cover to Cover to open the 48 Hour Book Challenge, I picked up a preview copy of a new book written by Doreen Rappaport and illustrated by Kadir Nelson. Actually, Karen found it, handed it to me and I never gave it back.

Abe's Honest Words: The Life of Abraham Lincoln is bound to get a lot of attention when it is released in October. This dynamic duo has produced a beautiful book that will be at the top of many award lists. It seems that Nelson is bound to win big this year and by teaming with Rappaport, he may win more than once!

Doreen Rappaport's poetic description of Abraham Lincoln are simple and elegant all at the same time. The language will reach readers of all ages, and the book will serve as a great introduction to, in my opinion, our greatest president. Rappaport mixes her text with quotes from Lincoln. Some of the quotes are familiar, The Gettysburg Address, Second Inaugural Address and The House Divided speeches, but she manages to put some in that are not familiar and really speak to the character of this great man.

"The things I want to know are in books; my best friend is the man who'll git me a book I ain't read."

Doreen Rappaport has captured Lincoln in a clear, concise, voice that will touch anyone who reads this book.

What more can be said about Kadir Nelson's artwork? He manages to capture so much emotion and personality in his paintings, that the reader becomes part of them. The detail in this book, as in all of his books, is amazing. My favorite is painted from behind Lincoln as he addresses a crowd during an election. No two people in the crowd have the same expression. Some are thoughtful, others hopeful, some skeptical, but all are totally focused on the speaker, Abraham Lincoln. The artwork is breath taking.

I have long been a fan of Lincoln, even a collector of memorabilia as a kid. This book will become part of my collection at home and at school. Rappaport and Nelson have captured Lincoln in a dramatic yet kid friendly way.

We Are the Ship Meets Sports Illustrated

I probably should save this for Nonfiction Monday, but I just had to share this now...
My husband's weekly Sports Illustrated magazine arrived at our house this past Thursday. I've got to admit, I love seeing who or what is on the cover each week, and then I especially used to love turning to the last page to read what Rick Reilly had to comment on for that week (sadly, he no longer writes for SI, but old habits are hard to break).

Anyway, as I glanced at the front cover, I saw a small inset box with a picture that was very familiar. It was titled Pride of the Game, and below the oh-so familiar picture, I saw Kadir Nelson's name. What??!! It's true! Sports Illustrated this week has jumped on the kidlit bandwagon, and Phil Taylor has written a wonderful article highlighting Nelson's book, We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball. He includes quotes from Kadir Nelson, and emphasizes the importance of Negro league baseball history in his article. Taylor's review of the book, and his description of Nelson's powerful pictures are well worth the read (especially if you're snowed in and have nothing else to do, as we are here).

In the article, SI also included many of the fabulous pictures found in Nelson's book.

Take a peek! It's worth it!