Here is what I will be reading (or have already read) this month:<\/p>\n
Uglies <\/em>by Scott Westerfeld, for last week’s teen book group.\u00c2\u00a0 (Loved it!\u00c2\u00a0 Tried to buy the sequels yesterday at the book store, but they were sold out.\u00c2\u00a0 This\u00c2\u00a0is the first time in MY life that I’ve actually wanted to buy <\/em>a science fiction book.)<\/p>\n Here Lies Arthur <\/em>by Philip Reeve.\u00c2\u00a0 Just purchased yesterday, and started it last night.\u00c2\u00a0 I love that Reeve dedicated the book to Geraldine McCaughrean, one of my favorite authors.\u00c2\u00a0 (Reeve is another of my favorite authors.)\u00c2\u00a0 I’m toying with the idea of suggesting it for the teen book group, though historically they haven’t loved my suggestions…<\/p>\n More Fast Food My Way <\/em>by Jacques Pepin.\u00c2\u00a0 Jacques is one of my heroes, and I wanted to be sure to add this\u00c2\u00a0to our collection of his books.<\/p>\n A Dog’s Life: The Autobiography of a Stray <\/em>by Ann Martin, for next week’s\u00c2\u00a0fifth grade book group.\u00c2\u00a0 We had a great discussion of this book two years ago, so I was eager to bring the book back for another group of fifth graders.\u00c2\u00a0 Some worry that the book is too sad, especially for animal lovers, but I would argue that the happy, settled ending balances out any sadness – not to mention that life IS sad, and stray animals have it very, very tough.\u00c2\u00a0 How much should we protect our children from the sadness of the world?\u00c2\u00a0 Are we doing them any favors by hiding these things from them?\u00c2\u00a0 Or is it better to admit that, yes, there are sad parts, tough parts, in life, and then talk with children about what kind of positive difference each of us can make in the world?<\/p>\n The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey <\/em>by Trenton Lee Stewart, for this month’s sixth grade book group.\u00c2\u00a0 Loved the first book, and am looking forward to reading and discussing this second book.<\/p>\n The Everything Learning Italian Book <\/em>by Michael P. San Filippo, and a newly purchased Italian\/English dictionary.\u00c2\u00a0 Because, of course, I’m taking an Italian class!<\/p>\n And a stack of books that I purchased over the summer, with every intention of reading this summer.\u00c2\u00a0 Haven’t gotten to them yet, but…wait ’till the woodstove is cranking and the cats are purring.\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Here is what I will be reading (or have already read) this month: Uglies by Scott Westerfeld, for last week’s teen book group.\u00c2\u00a0 (Loved it!\u00c2\u00a0 Tried to buy the sequels yesterday at the book store, but they were sold out.\u00c2\u00a0 This\u00c2\u00a0is the first time in MY life that I’ve actually wanted to buy a science … Continue reading Books of the month<\/span>