October 2008

Since the economies of the world are headed for the toilet, I thought this would be a fun read. Actually, the photos are fabulous, the information is quite interesting and the premise is one of the most entertaining I have come across in some time. Who knew that bathroom architecture was such a window into the cultures of the world? Ideal “bathroom” reading. 

If you have not yet read anything by Fay Weldon, treat yourself to an afternoon with this paperback. With Weldon you are always assured a fast-paced and wickedly funny story, and this one chronicles the misadventures of poor Grace Salt. Her husband leaves her for another woman whom Grace tries to run over, earning her a three-year jail sentence. A good book for putting a smile on your face, which everyone could probably use about now.

This is Conescu’s first novel, and I can hardly wait to read his next. The book reads like a cross between a Charlie Kaufman screenplay (e.g. Adaptation), Terry Gilliam film and Kurt Vonnegut’s Breakfast of Champions, all rolled into one. Can an author’s main character out-write the author himself? Read the book and find out.

. I was appalled when I learned in college of the Japanese internment camps. It bothered me to hear about that dark mark on America’s history, and it bothered me even more that I had not heard about it until college. Mochizuki also wrote the wonderful Baseball Saved Us, and I appreciate how he contextualizes the Japanese-American experience into relatable characters for students. This profile of four teens follows four Japanese-American boys in 1972, but they could be four teenagers from anywhere in America.

This one does not come out until next month, so pre-order it now. A great book to use with teens when trying to show them how to express themselves through journal-writing. Karis Reed is grounded indefinitely, and her battles with her mother force her to re-examine her life (the teens I read this book aloud to said they could readily identify with how Karis defied her parents). Through it all, Karis discovers faith through her trials. Nice to read an uplifting book for teens for a change. 

Teen horror novels rank about as high on my wish list as enduring political ads on television, so I was thrilled to read this funny spoof by Fleischman, a Newbery winner (just so you know he is a credible writer). I have found this to be an excellent book for reluctant teenage boy readers, as it is a quick read that makes them laugh and often inspires them to write their own parodies.

Warning: this book is written in a foreign language, British. I was concerned that American teens might not care for a book about a British teen, but once they get past the British slang they get a real kick out of Rennison’s teen version of Bridget Jones. A good writer, and if girls like this one, there are several more to choose from.

Part of the Fact
Finders series, my students get a kick out of the information about the Internet, cell phones and
Wikis. Heck, I learned a lot reading this book. Since most of the text students face on
standardized tests is nonfiction, I try to expose students to as much interesting nonfiction as
possible. This book is especially popular with boys.

This is part of a wonderful series of Bats books by Lies, and his illustrations and rhymes are always a crowd pleaser with kindergarteners.
In this episode it takes a librarian’s read alouds to settle the bats down, and the illustrations, as always, are fantastic. Just in time for Halloween.

Written for children with terrific illustrations by Lynne Avril, I think a lot of adults should check out this book to better understand
our election process.