Kellee – Page 135 – Unleashing Readers

Daring Dreamers Club: Milla Takes Charge by Erin Soderberg

July 27, 2018 by Kellee

Daring Dreamers Club #1: Milla Takes Charge
Author: Erin Soderberg
Illustrator: Anoosha Syed
Published June 5th, 2018 by Random House

Summary: When you follow your dreams, the possibilities are endless!

Milla loves nothing more than imagining grand adventures in the great wide somewhere, just like Belle. She dreams of traveling the world and writing about her incredible discoveries. Unfortunately, there is nothing pretend about the fifth-grade overnight and Milla’s fear that her moms won’t let her go.

Enter Piper, Mariana, Zahra, and Ruby. Together with Milla, they form the Daring Dreamers Club and become best friends. But can they help Milla believe she’s ready for this real grand adventure?

Diverse, talented, and smart–these five girls found each other because they all had one thing in common: big dreams. Touching on everyday dramas and the ups and downs of friendship, this series will enchant all readers who are princesses at heart.

About the Creators:

ERIN SODERBERG lives in Minneapolis, MN, with her husband, three adventure-loving kids, and a mischievous Goldendoodle named Wally. Before becoming an author, she was a children’s book editor and a cookie inventor and worked for Nickelodeon. She has written many books for young readers, including the Quirks and Puppy Pirates series. Visit her online at erinsoderberg.com.

ANOOSHA SYED is a Pakistani illustrator & character designer for animation. She received her BFA in illustration at Ceruleum: Ecole d’arts Visuels in Switzerland, and now lives in Canada. Visit her online at anooshasyed.com.

Praise:

“Though core issues of identity, independence, and teamwork ground the novel, Disney Princess devotees will likely be the most charmed. —Publishers Weekly

“I cannot wait to “hear” the stories of all the other girls! Brava Erin SD for kicking off a new series for the younger MG set! Positive messages for kids! —Goodreads Praise

“Young readers will be able to relate to the story, there is a positive message, and the characters provide a model of friendship, showing how friends work together and support on another. Loved meeting these girls!” —Goodreads Praise

Review: I know that at first this book may seem like a book that only Disney or Princess lovers would like, but it is so much more than that! So please do not judge this book by that idea! Instead you will find a story about girls who find a deep friendship within each other after being placed in a group at school together. With the guidance of an amazing educator, they look deep within themselves and join as a group while still celebrating their individuality.

Now, as someone who DOES love Disney and Disney princesses, I loved the angle that this book took! After the first assignment by their group teacher, the girls are asked to write about a princess who they connect with. Milla and her friends are using the strengths of the princesses as inspiration to build their own strengths. For example, Milla feels like her life is very sheltered, and she loves to write, so she finds inspiration in Belle. Ruby, who is athletic and prides herself in her strength, first struggles to connect with a princess but then she realizes that Mulan is a person that is very much who she would like to be. And each girl does her own reflection (written in her own words in a journal format).

This first book focuses on Milla, but we get to know all the girls through the inclusion of the journals and from Milla’s point of view. I assume that future books will also be in different points of view to allow readers to get to know more in depth each of the characters. I look forward to future books to see where Piper, Milla, Mariana, Ruby, Zahra and Ms. Bancroft go next!

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: I love Ms. Bancroft! And I think that how she had the girls introduce themselves and her first assignment that she gave the Daring Dreamers Club would be wonderful activities in a classroom:

“I’d love for each of you to introduce yourself and share one of your big dreams.”
“I want each of you to think of a princess you connect with or feel inspired by and explain why. Dig deep and really think about your answer.”

Since each of the girls’ answers are shared in the book, they would be a great thing to share as well.

In addition, this book is going to be LOVED by realistic fiction fans! I cannot wait to share it with my students.

Discussion Questions:

Which of the five main characters do you connect with the most?
If you had to choose a princess you connect with, who would you choose?
Do you think Milla went about getting her moms to trust her correctly?
How does Ms. Bancroft inspire the girls? How is she different than the last music teacher?
What is one of your big dreams?

Flagged Passages: “Milla loved reading and writing just about anything, but there was nothing she enjoyed more than creating adventures for herself. In Milla’s stories, she was always a brave hero without fears or worries of any kind. One of the things Milla most loved about writing was that she was totally in charge and got to make all the decisions about what would happen on her adventures. The only limitation was her imagination, and her imagination was vast.” (p. 6)

Read This If You Love: Baby-Sitters Club by Ann M. Martin, Harbor Me by Jacqueline Woodson, Be Prepared by Vera Brosgol, Whatever After by Sarah Mlynowski

Recommended For:

Disney’s Dream Big, Princess–Be a Champion Campaign:

**Thank you to Sydney at Penguin Random House for providing a copy for review!**

The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson

July 25, 2018 by Kellee

The Day You Begin
Author: Jacqueline Woodson
Illustrator: Rafael López
Publication Date: August 28th, 2018 by Nancy Paulsen Books

Summary: National Book Award winner Jacqueline Woodson and two-time Pura Belpre Illustrator Award winner Rafael López have teamed up to create a poignant, yet heartening book about finding courage to connect, even when you feel scared and alone.

There will be times when you walk into a room
and no one there is quite like you.

There are many reasons to feel different. Maybe it’s how you look or talk, or where you’re from; maybe it’s what you eat, or something just as random. It’s not easy to take those first steps into a place where nobody really knows you yet, but somehow you do it.

Jacqueline Woodson’s lyrical text and Rafael López’s dazzling art reminds us that we all feel like outsiders sometimes-and how brave it is that we go forth anyway. And that sometimes, when we reach out and begin to share our stories, others will be happy to meet us halfway.

Kellee’s Review: A beautiful book about the power of differences while also acknowledging the challenges that feeling as if you don’t fit in cause. I loved that the story was not exactly narrative but instead of a snapshot into multiple kids’ lives to help show different examples of differences. We are all unique and that is what makes this book and our world beautiful!

Woodson’s lyrical language with Lopez’s collage and colorful illustration makes this book a piece of art that is going to bridge gaps, help students think about others, give readers a mirror and a window, and build empathy in all that read it.

Ricki’s Review: A great many kids and adults will find solace in the text. The writing and illustrations are stunning. Every once in a while, a book comes around like this one. It is simply magical. I don’t often purchase bound copies of my F&Gs, but I knew I needed to pre-order this one after I read it. It is a great book for teachers to read on the first day. The emotional impact is powerful. Everyone has felt excluded at some time or another, and this book digs deeply into that emotion and pushes readers to analyze that feeling and push through it to find strength and resolve. I am having a difficult time conveying the power of this book. I promise you will love it.

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: Building classroom community around kindness and empathy is essential in building a safe, trusting environment for our students, and this text will be a perfect addition to any text set you have that focuses on these topics. In addition to these social-emotional impacts, the text allows for talks of theme, mood, and author’s intent.

Discussion Questions:

What is one way that you feel very different than most people around you? How could people support you? How could you support others who feel different?
What examples of people’s differences did Woodson highlight in the story?
What was the mood for the first large portion of the text?
What is the theme of the book?
Why do you think the author felt compelled to write this book?
Why are differences important in our community? Nation? Classroom?

Flagged Passages:

Read This If You Love: Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson, I Walk With Vanessa by Kerascoët, Normal Norman by Tara Lazar, Adrian Simcox Does Not Have a Horse by Marcy Campbell, What Can a Citizen Do? by Dave Eggers, Pink is for Boys by Rob Pearlman, Come with Me by Holly McGhee, We’re All Wonders by R.J. Palacio

Recommended For:

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Student Voices: Book Wishes by Ten of Kellee’s 2017-18 Middle School Students

July 24, 2018 by Kellee

Edwin C.’s Book Wish (7th grade)

I’ve never seen a book with a motive or change like this: I want it to be your typical protagonist and they have to stop someone. The author makes the protagonist look all nice and like they are the one doing the right thing then suddenly the protagonist shares their true intentions and they show they are actually the antagonist. And the antagonist is actually the protagonist. I think this would make a very interesting story, and the big plot twist would drag someone into the book.

Alejandro S.’s Book Wishes (8th grade)

One of my book wishes is for there to be more teenager reincarnation into a fantasy world where they are strong and smart enough to survive.
Another one of my book wishes is for there to be books where a person is transported inside a game and the game turns into real life.
- Kellee’s note: Heir Apparent by Vivian Vande Velde would fit this wish!
I wish there were books about surviving in a fantasy world as the main character has to purge the demon king and has to keep his power a secret to stay safe.
I wish there was a book about a main character who starts out weak in a fantasy world then unlocks a secret power which allows them to grow stronger at a faster pace and they have to save the world from chaos.
I wish there was a book with a main character who is a dragon who has to deal with monsters and humans.

Lucas D.’s Book Wishes (8th grade)

I wish there were more books about a kid who has it rough and only basketball helps him ignore it.
- Kellee’s note: Slam by Walter Dean Myers would fit this wish!
I wish a book existed about a kid who rules the school but a simple mistake ruins his whole career in basketball.
A wish for me is for there to be about a book where there’s two kids left on Earth, and there are clues on how to live.
Another wish is for a book about a man who is hard working and dedicated to going to the NBA but ends up playing in the G-league, so he’s now nonstop training to make his dream come true.
I wish there was a book about a struggling kid who has nothing to live for and no one to help him in life or school, but when he picks up a basketball, everything changes.

Christian U.’s Book Wishes (8th grade)

I would like a book like Rescued by Eliot Schrefer but from the ape’s point of view. Many books are from the primate’s owner’s POV, and it would be interesting if one would accurately describe the behavior of an ape in real world situations.
I would like a book about a chair that holds secrets from WWII that could potentially stop WWIII from happening.
I would like a book about the life of an abused child because it can show how hard one’s life can get and the hardships they face and how they overcome it.
- Kellee’s note: A Child Called It by Dave Pelzer would fit this wish!
I would like a book about the hardships Black Americans face today. This information can help show readers what it is like and potentially stop racism, discrimination, and other hardships.
- Kellee’s note: The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, Dear Martin by Nic Stone, Tyler Johnson was Here by Jay Coles, and more would fit this wish!
I would like a book about an utopian community that seems perfect but the main character is facing many hardships. Readers would relate to hardships when everything seems perfect.

Lizzie S.’s Book Wishes (6th grade)

I wish there were more books about:
- Middle schoolers discovering their sexuality.
- Camp life.
- Sexual assault survivors.
- Funny things little kids say.
- The struggle of being a woman.
- Dying coral reef.
- Deforestation.
- Women becoming themselves.
- Endangered species.
- Characters who are enemies and the narratives alternate.

Sarah H.’s Book Wishes (8th grade)

I want more books that talk about LBGTQ+ in middle school because middle school is already hard and questioning your sexuality doesn’t make it easier. Reading about people/characters in the same situation help push you in the right path. More books like that will help kids/students feel less alone and find people who are facing the same problems or thinking the same questions they are.

Estela R.’s and Ashley F.’s Book Wishes (8th grade)

Here are some ideas for books that Estela and Ashley wish existed:
- Tabitha is just a normal 17 year old girl, except for the fact that she goes to Gloria Steinem School of the Arts, a Performing and Visual Arts School. During junior year she sees her dad die in a car crash, so she becomes a foster child of one of the most popular stars on Earth, Gavin DiCaprio, the son of Leonardo DiCaprio.
- Lilia is in her senior year at Jackson High School in Prescott, Arizona. In 8th grade, her best friend, Justin, moved to a boarding school in England. He suddenly comes back for senior year and although Lilia remembers him, he has no clue who she is. She plays it off like they never met before; however, at a party, she goes into his room with him, and she sees all these pictures of her and him when they were little.
- Every year teens from 13-18 go to a camp. They each get put into 4 different groups: cliste (smart), athletau (athletic), terreux (down to earth), and dirigeants (leaders). Bellamy and his sister, Maxwell, go to a camp where they have to take three official tests with their group to survive and not get illuminated (which means death).
- Lee was a “normal” 8th grader, but his life changes when he gets stuck in his favorite horror movie “Skin.” He meets the main character, Victoria, and they have to work together to kill Skin for Lee to be able to go home.
- Casey and Maisy are internet best friends. They have bonded for months over shows, movies, and more! They Facetime and text everyday until Casey gets into a coma, and Maisy has to figure out why she’s not texting anymore. Then she wants to somehow get to her.

Kim J.’s and Serine M.’s Book Wish

Here is an idea for a book that Kim and Serine wish existed:
- The story is based off of a kidnapping. The main character has to be kidnapped to save others. What if she fails? But the world needs to change, and she’s the only one that can do it.
  - Main character: Adelyn Wyer
  - Friends: Julie, Kalia, Angelica
  - Other characters: Calyn, Wybie, Mr. Smelly, Doodle, Pete
  - Parents: Alex Wyer, Melissa Cargener

Thank you to my wonderful students, Edwin, Alejandro, Lucas, Christian, Lizzie, Sarah, Estela, Ashley, Kim, and Serine, for all their wishes and ideas!

Special Announcement: 2018 Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award Finalists

June 17, 2019July 23, 2018 by Kellee

2018 Amelia Elizabeth Walden Book Award Finalists Announced

The Assembly on Literature for Adolescents (ALAN) of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) is pleased and proud to announce the finalists for the 2018 Amelia Elizabeth Walden Book Award for Young Adult Fiction. Established in 2008 to honor the wishes of young adult author Amelia Elizabeth Walden, the award allows for the sum of $5,000 to be presented annually to the author of a young adult title selected by the ALAN Amelia Elizabeth Walden Book Award Committee as demonstrating a positive approach to life, widespread teen appeal, and literary merit.

The 2018 Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award finalists are:

Dear Martin by Nic Stone
(Penguin Random House/ Crown Books for Young Readers)

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
(HarperCollins/ Balzar + Bray)

Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds
(Simon & Schuster/ Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books)

The Nowhere Girls by Amy Reed
(Simon & Schuster/ Simon Pulse)

An Uninterrupted View of the Sky by Melanie Crowder
(Penguin Random House/ Philomel Books)

The winner will be announced on Monday, July 30th. The winning title and finalists will be honored at the 2018 ALAN Workshop on Monday, November 19th in Houston, TX, and the authors will be invited to participate in a panel discussion.

The 2018 Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award Committee would like to thank: the Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award Foundation, the ALAN Executive Council, the ALAN Board of Directors, NCTE, and the many publishers who submitted titles for consideration.

The 2018 Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award Committee considered over 350 young adult titles throughout the process. The committee was comprised of eleven members representing the university, K-12 school, and library communities. They are:

Beth Scanlon, Committee Chair
Teacher
Cypress Creek High School, Orlando, FL

Lisa Scherff, Past Committee Chair
Teacher
South Ft. Myers High School, Ft. Myers, FL

Sheila Benson
Associate Professor, English Education
University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA

Robert Bittner
SSHRC Postdoctoral Research Fellow
University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC

Marie LeJeune
Professor, Literacy Education
Western Oregon University, Monmouth, OR

Lisa Morris-Wilkey
Librarian
Casa Grande Elementary School District, Casa Grande, AZ

Sarah Mulhern Gross
Teacher
High Technology High School, Lincroft, NJ

Kerry Neuberger
Teacher
Garner-Hayfield-Ventura High School, Garner, IA

Jennifer Paulsen
Teacher
Holmes Junior High, Cedar Falls, IA

Beth Shaum
Librarian
St. Frances Cabrini Catholic School, Allen Park, MI

Wendy Stephens
School Library Media Specialist
Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville AL

For more information on the award, please visit ALAN Online: The Official Site of the Assembly on Literature for Adolescents http://www.alan-ya.org/awards/walden-award/

Congratulations to the Walden Award committee and to the authors and publishers of the honored books!

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It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 7/23/18

July 23, 2018 by Kellee

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? From Picture Books to YA!

It’s Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme started by Sheila at Book Journeys and now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. It is a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It’s also a great chance to see what others are reading right now…you just might discover the next “must-read” book!

Kellee and Jen, of Teach Mentor Texts, decided to give It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a kidlit focus. If you read and review books in children’s literature – picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels, anything in the world of kidlit – join us! We love this meme and think you will, too.

We encourage everyone who participates to support the blogging community by visiting at least three of the other book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.

Tuesday: Student Voices: Top Ten Author Lists by Two of Kellee’s 2017-18 Middle School Students

Wednesday: Joining Book By Book’s Big Book Summer Challenge

Thursday: Hedgehog Needs a Hug by Jen Betton

Friday: Running on the Roof of the World by Jess Butterworth

**Click on any picture/link to view the post**

Kellee

I am trying to get as much reading done as possible before school officially starts on August 6th because I know that the first month or so of school means very little reading, so I have read whenever I had a chance (and being on vacation really helped!).

Laurie Halse Anderson’s Vet Volunteer series is becoming a favorite! I love learning about the different animals and also getting to know each character.
The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora is my summer book club choice. The book club starts today and lasts through Thursday, and we will be doing a lot of reading and some fun activities as well as virtually visiting with the author on Thursday.
One of my promises to my students is that I would read more Rick Riordan books. I read and loved the Percy Jackson and Red Pyramid series, so Heroes of Olympus was next. First I had to reread The Lost Hero then I could move onto the ones I hadn’t read yet.
Amina’s Voice is a special middle grade novel about finding your voice in the midst of hate.

Amal Unbound reminded me so much of Sold, and I am so happy a middle grade story like this exists. Told in conjunction with other books that share stories stories that give windows into people that may be different than us, our world is going to be such a better place!
I’ll be reviewing Milla Takes Charge this week!
Ghost Boys is another book that I think will help change this world. We must honor the Ghost Boys out there and tell this story! I may just make this the first read aloud this year!
I am so excited to present with David Levithan at a roundtable on complexity at NCTE about his Newest Every Day novel, so I went back to reread the first book in preparation of the rest of the series. In this reread, I found myself even more fascinated by A’s story, and I cannot wait to read the rest of the series.

I plan on reading the whole Every Day series, so when I saw there was a prequel short e-book for Every Day, I knew I had to read it when I was done with Every Day. I look forward to book #2 and #3 and see where A’s story goes!
Joseph Bruchac is on my #mustreadin2018 list, and I was so happy to see that my library had this short story available in Hoopla! I love Bruchac’s story of finding strength and overcoming bullying.

Twig by Aura Parker: First, make sure to check out the end pages–so great! This story is about Heidi who no one notices at first, but with the help of a teacher she learns how to be seen. Interesting to be paired with community building and an insect unit.
Between the Lines: How Ernie Barnes Went from the Football Field to the Art Gallery by Sandra Neil Wallace: While in Washington D.C. visiting the Museum of American Art, I saw this book and picked it up right away because I love the artist and the author. The story did not disappoint! What a fascinating look at Ernie Barnes and how he made an impact on art.
Henri’s Scissors by Jeanette Winter:
We’re reviewing The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson this week. Make sure to stop by to learn more about this amazing book!

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star: I Know Exactly What You Are by Julia Kregenow, PhD: Written to the tune of the Twinkle, Twinkle nursery rhyme, this version builds so much astronomy knowledge along the way and is still so much fun to sing 🙂
“Fusing atoms in your core:
hydrogen, helium, carbon, and more.
With such power you shine far,
twinkle, twinkle, little star.”
I know my future astronaut is going to LOVE this book! A wonderful way of combining the familiar with the fascinating!
One Snowy Day by Diana Murray: A cute counting book that focuses on snow day activities. For my preschooler who is obsessed with seeing snow and always loves counting books, I am sure he is going to love this one!
Little Whale by Jo Weaver: I loved the combination of a feel-good message about family & mothers mixed with the nonfiction aspect of whale migration. Oh, and the illustrations are BEAUTIFUL!!!! (Make sure to notice the tone in the final spread!)
I Walk with Vanessa: A Story about a Simple Act of Kindness by Kerascoët: Ricki knew I was going to like this book so much that she read it to me over Google Hangouts, and within minutes of her doing so, I had ordered it. It is going to be paired with Each Kindness on my first day.

Hedgehog Needs a Hug by Jen Betton: Ricki also read this to me because I haven’t been able to get it yet, and it is so wonderful! A great story mixing acceptance and animal defenses.
Never Satisfied: The Story of the Stonecutter by Dave Horowitz: A fun retelling of a well-known traditional story about how we are all more important than we realize.
Chester Nez and the Unbreakable Code: A Navajo Code Talker’s Code by Joseph Bruchac: Navajo Code Talkers should be part of common knowledge. They are heroes. And this picture book biography of Chester Nez is a wonderful introduction or enrichment of this knowledge.

Ricki

I reread #NotYourPrincess: Voices of Native American Women (Edited by Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Beth Leatherdale). This collection really speaks to me, and I’ve decided to use pieces of it in my class next semester.

I also read Never Satisfied: The Story of the Stonecutter by Dave Horowitz. I laughed when I saw that Kellee read it. This happens to us quite often. I agree that it was a fun retelling.

As Kellee shared above, we had a bit of a love-fest. We read books to each other over Google Hangouts. I said, “Do you have Dreamers? I really want to read that book.” Conveniently, she did! It was everything I’d hoped for and more. 🙂

Kellee said, “Have you read What Can a Citizen Do?” I said no. She said, “I am reading it to you aloud. Hang on.” This is a great book. I don’t think there is too young of an age to teach citizenship, and this book is a wonderful resource for teachers. It’s very teachable.

Kellee

I am currently listening to What Girls Are Made Of by Elana K. Arnold. I am more than half way through, and wow–this is like Forever for a new generation.
I am also currently reading The Son of Neptune. For some reason Heroes of Olympus, even though it is a great adventure, just goes slower for me than the Olympian series.
Trent and I are reading Peter and Ernest: A Tale of Two Sloths by Graham Annable together. I love that he is just laughing and laughing at this book.

I also have this awesome pile of graphic novels waiting for me!

Ricki

My son and I are on a quest to read every book available by Sara Varon. We’ve read Odd Duck, Robot Dreams, and New Shoes. If you haven’t checked out these graphic novels, they are absolutely fantastic. We reserved this one in the library and made a special trip to pick it up.

I am still reading There There by Tommy Orange. The book is very heavy, so I have been taking it a piece at a time.

Tuesday: Student Voices: Book Wishes by Ten of Kellee’s 2017-18 Middle School Students

Wednesday: The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson

Thursday: Our Solar System by Arthur John L’Hommedieu

Friday: Daring Dreamers Club #1: Milla Takes Charge by Erin Soderberg

Link up below and go check out what everyone else is reading. Please support other bloggers by viewing and commenting on at least 3 other blogs. If you tweet about your Monday post, tag the tweet with #IMWAYR!

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Running on the Roof of the World by Jess Butterworth

July 20, 2018 by Kellee

Running on the Roof of the World
Author: Jess Butterworth
Published May 1st, 2018 by Algonquin Young Readers

Summary: A story of adventure, survival, courage, and hope, set in the vivid Himalayan landscape of Tibet and India.

Tash lives in Tibet, where as a practicing Buddhist she must follow many rules to avoid the wrath of the occupying Chinese soldiers. Life remains peaceful as long as Tash, her family, and their community hide their religion and don’t mention its leader, the Dalai Lama.

The quiet is ruptured when a man publicly sets himself on fire to protest the occupation. In the crackdown that follows, soldiers break into Tash’s house and seize her parents. Tash barely escapes, and soon she and her best friend, Sam, along with two borrowed yaks, flee across the mountains, where they face blizzards, hunger, a treacherous landscape, and the constant threat of capture. It’s a long, dangerous trip to the Indian border and safety—and not all will make it there.

This action-packed novel tells a story of courage, hope, and the powerful will to survive, even in the most desperate circumstances.

About the Author [from her website]: As a child I wanted to be many things, including a vet and even David Attenborough, but throughout all of those ideas, I always wanted to write. So I studied creative writing as a BA(hons) at Bath Spa University, where I won the Writing for Young People Prize in 2011. I then completed a Master’s in Writing for Young People, also at Bath Spa University, and graduated in 2015.

My first two novels, RUNNING ON THE ROOF OF THE WORLD and WHEN THE MOUNTAINS ROARED are set in the Himalayas. My family on my Dad’s side has lived in India for seven generations and I spent much of my childhood in India too. My father was a trek leader and we lived on a remote foothill above Dharamsala, where the Dalai Lama and a Tibetan community in exile is settled. My mother’s family lived in London, where I was born. She was off on her own adventure, travelling in India, when she met my dad. Growing up, I would always write about the Himalayas when I was in the UK and missing the mountains or my dad and grandparents who still lived there.

Although RUNNING ON THE ROOF OF THE WORLD is fiction, it is inspired by a journey that tens of thousands of Tibetans have braved. I wanted to write a story that is relevant to today and grounded in events, places and communities I care about deeply.

Now I live between Louisiana in the US and Frome in the UK, and you’ll often find me back in the Himalayas too.

Review: We all have knowledge gaps. I try to learn as much as I can about the world and others unlike me, and this story took me to Tibet and showed me a struggle happening that I was unaware of. While reading and since reading, I have spent hours reading about the history and current affairs of Tibet.

But other than smacking me in the face with this truth and taking place in a setting and from a point of view that is not often shared in middle grade and young adult novels, it also is a page-turning survival adventure. Tash and Sam must face a trek that hundreds of thousands have done, but they are doing it alone with only help from a few yaks and maybe some unexpected allies.

I included the author’s biography in her own words above because I think it is important to see that although this book may not be an own voices per se, it is written by someone who lived in the area and cares deeply about the people who live near the Himalayas.

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: I would love to see this book and others from countries in other continents as part of a lit circle or in-class book club within middle school or high school classrooms to allow kids to see the world outside of their small area. Some other texts could be: Tiger Boy by Mitali Perkins, Rickshaw Girl by Mitali Perkins, Refugee by Alan Gratz, Diamond Boys by Michael Williams, Now is the Time for Running by Michael Williams, Golden Boy by Tara Sullivan, Serafina’s Promise by Ann E. Burg, Endangered by Eliot Schrefer, Son of a Gun by Anne de Graaf, Long Walk to Walter by Linda Sue Park, The Glass Collector by Anna Perera, Sold by Patricia McCormick, The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis, Homeless Bird by Gloria Whelan, La Linea by Ann Jaramillo, and I am sure there are more that I just don’t know. In addition to the novels, students could read news articles about the current events that connect with what they read in their fiction novels.

Discussion Questions:

Why do Tash and Sam have to leave Tibet?
What are Tash’s parents doing that is so dangerous?
What is the geography like between Tibet and India?
What religion is Tash and Sam if they are going to see the Dalai Lama?
How do the yaks impact the success or failure of Tash and Sam’s journey?
What did the message in the letter end up meaning?

Flagged Passages: “Chapter 17: Journey

Eve steps into a ditch and I slide forward, slamming into the hump above her shoulders.

‘Sorry, Eve,’ I mutter, shuffling back to find my balance.

Being a yak rider should run in my blood but my leg muscles ache from clinging on so tightly.

We approach the thick wire fence that surrounds the village. Two rocks stand to our right like giant guards.

Please let it be clear.

Sam dismounts. He moves slowly toward them, crushing the gravel under his boots.

‘There’s no one here!’ he shouts.

‘Is the fence still broken?’ I ask.

He nods and disappears between rocks with Bones.

I follow him. The rusty fence has bowed to the ground where the boulder fell and flattened it. The space between the rocks is just big enough to squeeze Eve through, though I have to tug at her harness to get her to move. As I step over the fence, my heart jumps.

We’re escaping.”

Read This If You Love: Books about climing mountains like Peak and The Edge by Roland Smith, survival books like Orphan Island by Laurel Snyder, or books that expand your reading borders like the books listed above

Recommended For:

**Thank you to Brooke at Algonquin for providing a copy for review!**

Joining Book By Book’s 2018 Big Book Summer Reading Challenge

July 18, 2018 by Kellee

The 2018 Big Book Summer Reading Challenge is on, and there is still plenty of time to join! It’s easy-going, like summer – you only need to read one book with 400 or more pages sometime between now and the end of summer (early September) to participate (though of course, you can read more Big Books, if you want to). It’s great motivation to tackle some of the bigger books on your shelves or TBR that usually get overlooked. Check out the details at the link and join the fun!

Kellee

I’ve already read one of my Big Books this summer!!!!

Anger is a Gift
Author: Mark Oshiro
Published May 22, 2018 by Tor Teen
463 pages

Summary: A story of resilience and loss, love and family, Mark Oshiro’s Anger is a Gift testifies to the vulnerability and strength of a community living within a system of oppression.

Six years ago, Moss Jefferies’ father was murdered by an Oakland police officer. Along with losing a parent, the media’s vilification of his father and lack of accountability has left Moss with near crippling panic attacks.

Now, in his sophomore year of high school, Moss and his fellow classmates find themselves increasingly treated like criminals by their own school. New rules. Random locker searches. Constant intimidation and Oakland Police Department stationed in their halls. Despite their youth, the students decide to organize and push back against the administration.

When tensions hit a fever pitch and tragedy strikes, Moss must face a difficult choice: give in to fear and hate or realize that anger can actually be a gift.

My Review: Mark Oshiro did something that I think is super hard to tackle: told a story that many may label an “issues” book but does it without making it seem didactical or preachy. The author just told us a story that is based in reality. Are there parts that hit on social issues from our society? Yes! Because that is real. It is truth. This is a story that is going to hit some people very hard because the truth is hard. It is hard to face if you are not part of this reality. It is hard to face if you are a cause of this reality. It is hard to face if you are living this reality. This Big Book packs a big punch!

I still plan on reading some Rick Riordan books which are definitely Big Books! I’ve promised my students I would read some Heroes of Olympus, so hopefully I can fill that promise!

Ricki

Children of Blood and Bone
Author: Tomi Adeyemi
Published March 6, 2018 by Holt
525 pages

I started listening to this book on Audible this month, and I am loving it! I am currently three hours from the end (the entire book is sixteen hours). It’s well-worth the hype. If you haven’t read it yet, you should!

Anger is a Gift
Author: Mark Oshiro
Published May 22, 2018 by Tor Teen
463 pages

Upon Kellee’s recommendation, I started this book last week on my Kindle. It’s very, very good.

Goodbye Days
Author: Jeff Zentner
Published March 7, 2017 by Crown
405 pages

I started this book last year, but I wasn’t in a good place for it. I am going to restart and finish it by the end of the summer, for sure!

I hope you will join us and Sue in the 2018 Summer Big Book Challenge!

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