Moonbird by Philip Hoose

Moonbird.  A Year on the Wind with the Great Survivor B95 by Philip Hoose

The Moonbird, also known as B95 for the bracelet it wears around his foot, is a Rufa Red Knot shorebird.  It is called the Moonbird because scientists have estimated that B95 has flown the distance to the moon and back, an estimated 325, 000 miles in his long life.  The Rufa Red Knot is a shorebird that flies a distance of approximately 18, 000 miles per year round trip, from the southern most tip of South America to the Canadian Arctic to breed, and then back to Tierra Del Fuego.

The Rufa Red Knot species of shorebird is amazing.  They can fly for 4000-5000 miles without stopping for rest, food or water. They spend a week or two fattening up and refueling stopping about 3 times on their 9000 mile trip one way.  Their bodies are amazing and can grow a gizzard when they need it, they re-grow their feathers twice a year.

This amazing bird has been studied for about 20 years and in that time around 80 percent of the population has disappeared.  The reasons they shorebirds are dying is because the food sources on the migratory route have been declining due to human influence.  In Delaware Bay the shorebirds feed on horseshoe crab eggs but people are killing the horseshoe crabs and the birds die of starvation and can't get enough fuel to make it to the Canadian Arctic.

B95 is the one of the world's most famous birds because it is one of the oldest surviving Rufa Red Knots. This is the first time I have learned of this amazing bird because I read this amazing book by Philip Hoose.  I am now a fan and have searched to see if B95 was spotted this spring in Delaware Bay, NJ and he was!  He was seen in May of 2013.

Hoose tells the story of the Rufa Red Knots and B95 in eight chapters full of maps, pictures, and graphs.  I learned so much from this little book.  Hoose teaches the reader about each stopover place in the migratory route and it's food source and why it is important to the Red Knots.  At the end of each chapter Hoose profiles an important person/scientist/activist involved in the quest to protect this bird from extinction.  The Last chapter contains groups and ways to get involved to save the shorebirds from extinction.

Moonbird is a perfect book for bird lovers but teachers, parents, teenagers and kids would also love it.  It is informative, action-oriented and discussible.  OK, time to get out my bird book and my binoculars and look at the birds.

The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis

The Magician's Nephew.  The Chronicles of Narnia.  Book #1 by C.S. Lewis

Digory and Polly are neighbors and live side by side in a row house. They met when Digory and his mother moved in with his aunt and uncle.  Digory's mother is very ill and needs to be cared for.  Polly and Digory become fast friends.  One day, they decided to have an adventure when they climbed into the attic and followed the rafters to the next row house.  What they found surprised them as they opened the door into the forbidden study of Uncle Andrew, the magician.

Uncle Andrew is devious and gives Polly a ring. When she puts it on her finger she disappears before their eyes.  Digory is appalled and must save her so he puts on a ring and follows her to another world to try and bring her back.

This is the first book I have read in the Chronicles of Narnia series.  I wish I would have read it as a child but I was never introduced to it.  I have seen the three movies on the series and loved them and have always wanted to give this series a try and I am so glad I did.  The Magician's Nephew explains the creation of Narnia and it is comparable to the Christian creation story.  It is a quick read and one I am glad I undertook.

The Magician's Nephew is adventure filled and is even at times comical.  It explained so much about the world of Narnia that I knew so little about.  The biggest thing the reader learns is how the witch gets into Narnia as well as the lamp post.  Narnia is a magical place.

The Magician's Nephew was the sixth book published in the Chronicles of Narnia series but it is currently labeled as the first book in the series.  I wonder why the publisher want readers to read them in this way.  Maybe I should have started with a different book?  What book did you read first?

The next movie in the Chronicle of Narnia series will be The Magician's Nephew.  I can't wait!

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

A satisfying conclusion to The Hunger Games Trilogy, Mockingjay takes the reader on a tour of duty in the war between the Thirteen districts and the Capitol.  Katniss becomes the face of the Revolution as she tries to reconcile the evils of war on the people she loves.  Katniss inevitably becomes a pawn in a lethal battle of wills between two giant forces and her personal consequences are devastating. 

Mockingjay is full of surprises, twists and turns that leave the reader shocked and surprised.  I think this is what I like best about The Hunger Games Trilogy is that the storyline of each book leads me on a nail biting adventure I wasn't expecting.  I loved the ending of Mockgingjay and that the author kept the reader guessing until the very end.  There is no way you could predict the ending. 

This is the only trilogy I read in 2011.  I read frantically the last week of the year to complete Mockingjay before 2011 ran out.  If you haven't started this series yet, I would say it is time to jump on the bandwagon. 

Another thing I love about The Hunger Games Trilogy is that is a multi-generational series of books that appeal to a wide variety of people.  My mom and my son have read all three books as well as countless nieces, nephews, teaching colleagues and my book club.  Now the movie versions are beginning in March of 2012 and I will be lined up to see them with my son on opening night.  Forget Twilight, these books are Hot, burning hot, like Katniss, The Girl on Fire!

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

A visual masterpiece, The Invention of Hugo Cabret is sure to delight readers of all ages.  Hugo Cabret is an orphan who lives in the train station in Paris and keeps all the clocks running.  Hugo is an inventor, a creative thinker and a thief who needs to steal to eat and create.   He is on a mission to restore a automaton (mechanical man) that his dad found in hopes that his secret wish will come true.  Along the way he meets a old man who runs a toy booth and his granddaughter, Iabelle, who becomes his only friend.   What begins for Hugo as a secret desire becomes a mystery waiting to be solved and he and Isabelle set off on a quest.

The book is a visual tour de force and will have you turning the pages at a fast pace as you read the text and absorb the 284 original drawings and images.  The Invention of Hugo Cabret is not a typical book as it is like a cinematic film on paper.  The storyline contains some cinematic history and includes visuals from early French films.  The book will leave you with the impressions of a graphic novel combined with a children's picture book.  The text is enjoyable to read in combination with the artwork and the result is a timeless, innovative piece of literature that will leave a lasting impression on the reader.

While I was reading The Invention of Hugo Cabret, my 11 year daughter was peering over my shoulder.  When I set the book down, I came back and noticed she had started reading it in tandem with me and for a few days we had two bookmarks in the book and had to fight over who was reading it first.  Now my 13 year old son is in the midst of reading it and our plan is to see the movie version of the book this weekend.   The film version is called Hugo and is directed by Martin Scorsese.

  The Invention of Hugo Cabret is a book for families to read, cherish and treasure.  You must leave a special place for it on your bookshelf and re-visit the reading experience again and again.

The Conference of the Birds by Peter Sis

The Conference of the Birds by Peter Sis

Peter Sis is an acclaimed and award winning children's book author and illustrator.  The Conference of the Birds is Peter Sis's first book for adults.  Sis has adapted the 12th century epic poem written by Farid Ud-Din Attar from Persia and given it meaning for modern readers.  Attar's original poem was published in A.D. 1177.

This is the first time I have ever read or heard of the Persian epic poem, The Conference of the Birds.  This version of the poem is a visual masterpiece.  The words are sparse but the artwork speaks volumes.   The story begins when Attar dreams he is a hoopoe bird and calls a gathering of all the birds in the world.  At the bird conference he tells them to look at all the troubles in the world and proposes a solution.  The birds must go to find the true king, Simorgh, who has all the answers but he lives far away on the mountain of Kaf.  The journey is perilous and beautiful as the birds struggle and strive to finish their story of flight.  They travel through seven valleys:  quest, love, understanding, detachment, unity, amazement, and death.  The story of the journey of the birds mimics the human journey of life. For those that choose to read this book, it will deepen your understanding of the human mysteries, the joys and sorrows, and the lessons life has to offer.

The Conference of the Birds is a book that is timeless, a beautiful work of literary art.  It is the type of book that collectors will want to keep on their shelf or coffee table and share with future generations.  I plan to keep my copy in a special place and reread it from time to time.  The illustrations are so beautiful and the images of birds compiled with the love of flight and feathers is so gratifying to me.  Of course I am a huge fan of Peter Sis and his work,  his children books are some of my favorites. 

Quote by Hoopoe bird:  When you feel empty, you have to open up your heart and let the wind sweep through it.

Mercedes and the Chocolate Pilot by Margot Theis Raven

Mercedes and the Chocolate Pilot.  A True Story of the Berlin Airlift and The Candy that Dropped from the Sky by Margot Theis Raven
Illustrated by Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen

This is a true story about a American pilot named Col. Gail S. Halvorson USAF and a little German girl named Mercedes Wild.

World War II has ended and the four allies, Russia, Great Britain, France and the United States all controlled parts of Berlin.  Russia controlled East Berlin, while the three remaining countries controlled the three sectors of West Berlin.  On June 24th, 1948 Stalin tried to take over control of all of Berlin, thereby creating a blockade of West Berlin by cutting off all routes to the city.  The Allies did not want to start World War three and so they created a sky bridge and  flew supplies day and night into West Berlin, known as The Berlin Airlift.

Mercedes is seven years old and lives in a bombed out section of West Berlin.  Airplanes continuously roared overhead and her chickens were so scared they wouldn't lay the eggs her family desperately needed.  The planes rained down supplies, like flour, clothing, coal and candy.  One day, Mercedes mother read a story in the newspaper of the American pilot, Lt. Gail Halvorson who parachuted candy to the children of Berlin. He earned the nickname The Chocolate Pilot and people from all over America donated handkerchiefs for parachutes and candy for the children of Berlin.  Mercedes decides to write him a letter.

Lt. Halvorson and the people of America who donated supplies to the Berlin Airlift brought hope to the people of Berlin.  Mercedes and the Chocolate Pilot is a beautiful work of art and a testament to the kindness and civility of people after World War II.  President Truman said on that fateful day on June 24th, 1948 "There is no discussion.  We stay in Berlin.  Period." The Berlin Airlift lasted from June 26, 1948 to September 30, 1949. 

I never knew this piece of history until I read this story and I am so glad I did.  Mercedes and the Chocolate Pilot was very moving and inspirational.  It is a true story about the kindness of others that we all hope will be extended to us in our time of need.  You need to buy some candy, read this book together with your family and enjoy this sweet and delicious story.  Children's books are not just for kids.

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Catching Fire caught me by surprise several times with the many twists and unexpected turns it takes, leading the reader on a continuous adventure.  The second book in The Hunger Games series starts out at a mild pace but quickly gains speed as Katniss and Peeta head out on their victory tour.  President Snow has told Katniss to calm the people in the districts but they see Katniss as an inspiration and the mockingjay has become their symbol of rebellion.  Katniss just wants to protect her family and do as she is told but things quickly spiral out of control and Katniss finds herself back in competition fighting for her life. 

My son and I read this book in tandem, each with our own copy, talking about it everyday.  My favorite memory reading Catching Fire is sitting on the patio swing with my son on a Sunday afternoon reading it quietly together.  Another fun memory is when he was reading it in the car and at a stoplight I was reading over his shoulder, when the book revealed a secret I hadn't yet read.  I love that this series by Collins reaches across generations and I can't wait to read the third book, Mockingjay, with my son. This book is not just for teenagers!

Katniss is one powerful young woman, capable of more than she gives herself credit for.  Peeta is a inspiring, selfless young man who is smart on his feet.  Suzanne Collins has created a unique cast of characters who instantly challenge you to search for their particular attributes and not judge them by their appearance.  Catching Fire has a lot to offer to its readers as it is packed full of adventure, suspense, tainted love, confusion, violence and survival.  It is Survivor reality show meets Ancient Roman Gladiators wrapped up in a novel that is sure to keep you reading late into the night.

Zlata's Diary by Zlata Filipovic

Zlata's Diary.  A Child's Life in Sarajevo by Zlata Filipovic

Zlata is a 10 year old girl when the war in Yugoslavia breaks out.  She starts her diary on the first day of 5th grade in 1991when war is just a topic on the news that is nowhere near her home.  In March, 1992, the ethnic conflict starts making headlines and Zlata records it from her child like perspective. 

In 1992, the city of Sarajevo is under siege and Zlata is stuck in the middle.  All of her friends escape to other safer locales and Zlata is left alone with her parents unable to escape for two years.  Her pets are out of food, there is no school, indefinitely, and she can't play outside because of snipers and the war is ruining Zlata's childhood. 

The unique aspect of this book is that it is written by a child in the middle of a war.  It is an true and honest perspective from a young girl who is unsure why these people can't get along and why would they want to hurt her friends and family.  She talks a lot about birthday parties because it was a reason to be happy and celebrate when so much of their time was meant for survival.

Zlata's Diary contains some of her artwork, pictures of her family and of Sarajevo.  It details how her diary named Mimmy came to be published and how she was able to exit her country to safety.

Yugoslavia no longer exists today and has been broken into much smaller ethnic countries.  I had a pen pal from Yugoslavia in the late 1980's and we wrote up to the year of 1992.  When the war started I never got another letter from her again.  I tried looking for her on the internet after the war ended and it appears my pen pal friend disappeared from this world.  I hope where ever she is, she is happy.

Zlata's Diary made me realize how fragile our perfect world is and that one day, war could be in our homeland.  Then I think about all the countries at war today, places like Libya and Yemen and I wonder how their children are doing.  Zlata's Diary is as relevant today as it was when it was written in 1992.  God bless the children.

Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire

Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling

I just finished reading the fourth installment of Harry Potter's battles with Voldemort and his adventures at Hogwarts aloud to my children.  We started this book in late October and finished 9 months later in June.  I have to say this is the longest book I have ever read aloud.

Out out all the Potter books, the Goblet of Fire is my favorite so far.  I was unable to figure out the plot as I had done in previous books and so this book was a welcome surprise. 

Reading aloud Potter books and other fun young adult novels to your kids is a great way to spend quality time together.  I give my characters different voices and my kids love it!!  I read Hagrid's character with a southern accent.  I don't have a English accent that is very good so I totally improvise and it is entertaining and my confidence as a reader has soared. 

Our family tradition is to read the book first and then see the movie.  My kids both have dyslexia and if I didn't read aloud some long books, like Harry Potter, they would never read them, ever!  So I read, they listen and we all watch the films as a family and have done so for the past four years.  I am so glad we are sharing this Harry Potter adventure together as they grow up and I hope they will remember it always.

Next up, Harry Potter #5.  We will start in October again and since it is one of longest books in the series we will probably finish in July. 

Until then, I will see you at Hogwarts by the whomping willow.  Don't forget your scarf and a warm glass of butterbeer.

godless

godless by Pete Hautman

In the beginning god creates water and water is the substance that sustains all life.

On the first day, Jason Bock gets clocked and lands flat on his back staring up The Water Tower also known as The Ten Legged One.   Jason has an epiphany and invents a new religion called The Chutengodians based on the most important element on earth.  Water.

On the second day, Jason recruits followers and begins to customize his new religion.  He creates a list of commandments which include honoring the sabbath every Tuesday.

On the third day, Jason must figure out a way to climb the tower, to worship and be close to his god.  Except not everyone can climb the tower, some of his followers are afraid.

On the fourth day, the new religion begins to take a life form all its own.  Everything is spiraling out of Jason's control.

On the fifth day, Jason is grounded for the whole summer and his assignment is to read a lot of religious texts his father picked out.  Brainwashing??

On the sixth day, Jason is in fear of losing his followers and his religion.  Will water baptize him in hope or drown him in fear?

On the seventh day, well, I am not going to tell you what happens on the seventh day as you must read the book to experience the religious phenomenon.

Last Day to Enter - Author of the Month Contest

Last Day to Enter - Author of the Month Contest

The author of Elvis and Olive, Stephanie Watson, is giving away 5 personalized copies to 5 winners.  To enter please click on the link below:  The last day to enter is today until midnight, central time.  This contest is open internationally.  Good Luck!

Elvis and Olive Contest

You can check out my review of the book here:

Elvis and Olive Book Review

You can read an interview with the author Stephanie Watson here:

Stephanie Watson author interview


Stephanie's second book is called Elvis and Olive Super Detectives.  She is currently working on a proposal for her third novel.  The excerpt below is from Good Reads.


Natalie and Annie decide to put their detective skills to use as they open the E & O Detective Agency to solve neighborhood mysteries. Together they stumble across an incredibly intriguing one when Mrs. Warsaw, their elderly neighbor with memory problems, begins spreading news about a woman named Zina Zeolite hiding in her bedroom closet. Mrs. Warsaw often speaks of seeing strange things so Natalie doesn't believe her. But Annie insists that they take the case. As the detectives start investigating, Natalie and Annie discover that Zina Zeolite is the name of the world's first female comic book superhero. But could Zina Zeolite also be a real person? And what does a superhero have to do with the ailing Mrs. Warsaw?

The girls must band together to help Natalie win her school election, solve this mystery, and stay friends.

I hope you have enjoyed meeting new author, Stephanie Watson, and learning about two great new books on the market.  Please support Stephanie and read her books.  You can also check out her website at www.stephanie-watson.com

Elvis and Olive

Elvis and Olive by Stephanie Watson

Natalie is a smart, conservative girl who always does what is right.  Annie is a energetic mixture of truth and fiction.  Annie has just moved into a house across the street and Natalie isn't sure how to handle this strange girl and her crazy ideas.  It seems highly unlikely the girls will become friends until Annie concocts a wild plan to become neighborhood spies.  Elvis and Olive are secret code names for two girls who are destined to become the best of friends in their search for adventure.

This book is a little like Pippi Longstocking meets Nancy Drew. Every 10 year old girl (including my daughter) is going to love the creative characters, the bike rides around the block, pink cowboy boots,  the secret meeting place under the porch, the creepy bug killing boy and his really cute brother.

Stephanie Watson has written a strong book series for girls.  There are currently two books in the series and I hope she continues, Elvis and Olive's adventures.  This book made me feel nostalgic for my younger years when I was carefree and running wild in the streets with my best girl friends.  Every night we played "kick the can" after supper and made up dances on the porch.  What did you do with your best friend from your younger years?

How to Break a Dragon's Heart

How to Break a Dragon's Heart by Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III.  Translated from Old Norse by Cressida Cowell

This is the eighth book in the Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III series.

  Our adventure with Hiccup all began when I found a little book called How To Train Your Dragon and read it aloud to my son when he was around 6 or 7.  Since then we have become addicted to Hiccup and his crazy adventurous friends, Fishlegs and Camicazi. My favorite character is probably Toothless, a tiny little dragon who fits in Hiccup's shirt pocket and is a little stinker.    Toothless does the funniest things that make us laugh, like swallowing a magnet or pooping on Hiccup's father (Stoick the Vast's) bed.

I am not sure if this book has been released in the U.S. yet as Max and I can't wait long enough for it to arrive and always order the books from the United Kingdom as soon as they are available.  If you haven't heard of the Hiccup series than you are in for a rollicking adventure through the archipelago complete with man eating dragons and crazy fun characters.

How to Break a Dragon's Heart begins when Hiccup's friend Camacazi has disappeared and the Hooligan tribe were looking for her when they stumbled into Uglithug territory, dangerous ground for Vikings.   They landed on the haunted Beach of the Broken Heart where their boat sinks and they find a enormous throne.   Stoick the Vast exclaims "THUNDERING THIGHS AND GINGERY WHISKERS AND LITTLE TWIRLY BITS OF THE GREAT GOD THOR!"  pg 34 for now they would have to spend the night on the haunted island.  In the middle of the night, Ug the Uglithug shows up, and demands to know who is sending his lovely daughter Tantrum O'Ugerly love letters from the Hooligan Tribe.  Ug is threatening to kill every unmarried man in the tribe.

Oh what fun and unbelievable antics ensue as Hiccup tries to find Camacazi, save Fishlegs from being fed to enormous beast along with at least 10 other fiances, while being locked in a cage with a tiny little dragon who swallowed a mass of non-edibles.  It is hilarious and the pictures are brilliant.  Every boy I know under the age of 14 will love this book and the Hiccup series.

My son loves the Dragonese especially if done in a baby voice imitating the tiny dragon Toothless.  Here is an example of dragonese:
Toothless:  Me coglet ta cack-cack indi hovel,  Toothless, summa, yarra ista?
Hiccup's translation:  Toothless, I know you've done a poo in this room, now where is it?

Dear Cressida Cowell,  We want to know, can you write any faster?