July 2014

This Independence Day, between BBQs and fireworks, take a moment to check out this book and remind yourself how lucky we are to live in a democracy protected by our fighting men and women in uniform. This beautifully told account of soldiers returning home from their service will stir your soul.

Chast is one of my favorite New Yorker cartoonists, and this magnificent graphic novel memoir is both hilarious and heartbreaking, as Chast deals with the issue of aging parents. I highly recommend you check out this and anything else Chast has written. So talented.

For the record, retired pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson is one of my idols. His own story (Gifted Hands) is one I have shared with tens of thousands of people, and I will read and trumpet everything he ever writes.

Roland Smith is always dependable, and this entry in his I, Q series with Michael P. Spradlin is a great read, as Angela, Q and company battle international terrorists. Satisfying page-turner.

When I grow up I want to write like Will Allen. In an era when most books for teens deal with suicide, pills and plenty of other depressing topics, it is refreshing to read something that is funny and enjoyable (and I’m not the only one who thinks this, as Allen won the National Book Award). I recommend this for everyone and wish there were a lot more books like it!

Through a series of letters home, 15-year-old “Voss” talks about how he was successfully smuggled out of Slobovia in a crate of black market cheese puffs and his hilarious ensuing adventures, in this remarkably sharp satire for teens.

Fun for middle school boys, this collection of 35 short stories wins major points simply by limiting entries to 2-6 pages. Quirky and creepy stories that are sure to spark lively conversations.

One of the biggest mistakes I see schools make is labeling young children poor readers. The majority of the time, poor readers are considered poor students. Big mistake, as a lot of poor readers are excellent mathematicians. Long’s series of math-oriented Wing Wing books are lighthearted and witty, and they consistently pull in a lot of reluctant readers.

Not that Klassen needs my publicity – but I just had to include this book, as my kids delight in this goofy fish tale that ranks up there with two of my other warped favorites, Ugly Fish and Tadpole’s Promise.

Since I recommended one Caldecott winner this month, I figured I could get away with another. Becker’s illustrations are simply stunning! This book is the inspiration for artful storytelling that you will never find in mandated school reading programs. Truly beautiful work.