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So is this the April pick?

I'm really looking forward to reading Lauren Wolk's sequel to Wolf Hollow. My Own Lightning will be released in early May.

Travis wrote: "I'm really looking forward to reading Lauren Wolk's sequel to Wolf Hollow. My Own Lightning will be released in early May."
Me too!

Rachel wrote: "Don’t know how you all feel about graphic novels but Dan Santat’s the Aquanaut seems like a strong contender.
Kelly Yang (always a treat) has a pandemic book, “New From Here�� which looks spectacul..."

I've heard great things about it! And his memoir will be coming soon too... maybe not til next year though?

I Rise by Marie Arnold is easily one of my top three of the year. BLM related, but so much more. An absolute must read.

Richie wrote: "I Rise by Marie Arnold is easily one of my top three of the year. BLM related, but so much more. An absolute must read."

It looks like a wonderful read!

Unequal by Michael Eric Dyson and Marc Favreau was released this week and contains great writing, great history, and great storytelling. I've already ordered a couple of copies as birthday presents, and emailed the current principal of my high school back east, offering to buy a copy for their library.

Richie wrote: "Unequal by Michael Eric Dyson and Marc Favreau was released this week and contains great writing, great history, and great storytelling. I've already ordered a couple of copies as birthday presents..."

That's wonderful! I am so glad you mentioned this book! Everyone should become familiar with Michael Eric Dyson. He is amazing!

Laura wrote: "Richie wrote: "Unequal by Michael Eric Dyson and Marc Favreau was released this week and contains great writing, great history, and great storytelling. I've already ordered a couple of copies as bi..."

My review is now live:

The Great and Mighty Benjamin Teller was released on May 24.

The link:

The Great and Mighty Benjamin Teller

Is there a poll for June? Thanks.

I just had the chance to read Pamela Turner's How to Build a Human in Seven Evolutionary Steps (a crossover middle grade-YA book) and absolutely loved it. I was skeptical since non-fiction science is not usually my thing, but Turner made it so accessible and downright entertaining that I finished it within a day. She imbued a wonderful sense of humor throughout, especially by inserting aptly-timed footnotes such as this early one: Text: "Three kinds of saber-toothed cats evolved: one the size of a leopard, one the size of a lion, and one so big that our ancient ancestor - if inclined - could've walked up on its two legs and looked the giant cat in the eye." Footnote: "An inclination unlikely to be passed to the next generation, if you know what what I mean." (p.8) I highly recommend giving this a read!

Beth wrote: "I just had the chance to read Pamela Turner's How to Build a Human in Seven Evolutionary Steps (a crossover middle grade-YA book) and absolutely loved it. I was skeptical since non-fiction science ..."

I have heard wonderful things about this book! I will try and read it soon. A few titles ahead of it :)

I agree with Beth about Pamela Turner's How to Build a Human. It is an excellent example of what nonfiction should be. The tone of the text is light as if the author is speaking directly to the reader and conveying her deep interest and excitement about the topic.

If you are looking for another short read this month- I thought that Marshmallow Clouds: Two Poets at Play among Figures of Speech by Ted Kooser, Connie Wanek, Richard Jones Illustrator was quite distinguished. I am not a poetry expert- hardest genre for me. It was unique, illustrations were fantastic, but the poems stand on their own. Those of you that read poetry a lot, I would love your opinion and hope this could be on the poll next month.

It looks like Make Your Own Lightning the book for July. This book is very different from Wolf Hollow, but in my opinion to really appreciate the themes in this one- read Wolf Hollow first. I don’t really consider these books major historical fiction. It is more a story set in a time period and the history going on is not a major part of the plot. Just a heads up if you were wanting to dig into WW II history.

Wolk's writing can be beautiful and Annabelle is an appealing character in a well-depicted setting but rather like The Ogress and the Orphans, I can't help feeling that this is another book that adults write for other adults imagining children will like it. Things do "happen" to Annabelle who often seems to be figuring out the world on her own much of the time. The abused dog storyline is gripping because, DOGS. It's rather like watching a very long film with very earnest acting but no real feeling of emotion, let alone entertainment. I admire Wolk for never playing to the cheap seats with her writing but Annabelle not living with such serious intent every moment might make her a bit more believable and the reading a little more lively.

Reading Kidlitter's comments above on Make Your Own Lightening, and knowing that to thoroughly understand it, we should read Wolf Hollow first, I'm not eager to select it, particularly if it's not geared for children. After saying that, I did love The Ogress and the Orphans because it was so different from the other books we've been reading recently, and it was beautifully written. Perhaps we could pick another book from the list, which is not so heavy.

I saw that this title won the poll even though it has not been officially posted yet- I just wanted people to have a heads up if they had not read Wolf Hollow yet. I have to get most of my books through the library, so if anyone else is in that spot- I wanted to give them time to read both books if they wanted to do so. This was not meant to start a discussion the book. It won the poll according to what I can see, so the winner is what we read. That poem book on the poll is short and fun if you want an extra book to read this month.

I found My Own Lightning to be quite beautiful. It is helpful to read Wolf Hollow first, but not necessary. It may not have a broad appeal to younger readers, but those who look for amazing writing and fine historical fiction, will really love it.

My Own Lightning seems to be the read for July. I am debating whether I will read it. The best thing about Wolf Hollow is the cover art. Seriously. It is gorgeous. Lauren Wolk said Wolf Hollow was written for adults. She was surprised when her agent suggested a younger audience. Wolf Hollow was depressing and there was animal abuse. I didn't find the ending hopeful, and nothing really happened to the bully that made her repent and become a better person. Hearing that the sequel involves another animal abuse storyline doesn't make me rush to start it. So many other really interesting and enjoyable reads available this summer.

just my observation-I interpreted the main antagonist in Wolf Hollow to be a sociopath, not a bully. The boy she pulled in is a main character in the sequel. The readers learns a lot about him and that is important to one of the themes. With the world the way it is- I totally get not wanting to get into an emotionally heavy plot. I found this one to be lighter and more hopeful than Wolf Hollow. The animal abuse is mainly about dog fighting. It also ends on a positive note and brings one of the themes full circle.

Laura wrote: "My Own Lightning seems to be the read for July. I am debating whether I will read it. The best thing about Wolf Hollow is the cover art. Seriously. It is gorgeous. Lauren Wolk said Wolf Hollow was ..."

I despised Wolf Hollow. I did read My Own Lightning and liked it a lot better (but didn't love it). The animal abuse is tough to read, so I say, if you're not totally invested in reading it, skip it. I didn't find it be Newbery worthy.

I am not going to be reading "My Own Lightning". I didn't enjoy "Wolf Hollow" and skimmed/read it so not interested in continuing it.

I would love to see In Honor of Broken Things by Paul Asampora on our next poll. Its dedication is: "for any kid who has ever felt broken." Even though it has a heavy theme- it is very readable and has humor too. It is under 200 pages.

Shella wrote: "I would love to see In Honor of Broken Things by Paul Asampora on our next poll. Its dedication is: "for any kid who has ever felt broken." Even though it has a heavy theme- it is very readable and..."

I’m really glad you liked this book!

Windy, this list is great! Would you mind sharing some of the sites you were looking at? I'm trying to compile a list of books to order for my Mock Newbery club. Windy wrote: "1/4 Operation Sisterhood Olugbemisola Rhuday Perkovich
1/4 Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me 'Round Kathleen J. Kirkwood
1/4 African Town (YA) Irene Latham
1/11 When Winter Robeson Came Brenda Wood
1..."

Windy wrote: "Here are some picture books:
1/4 The Year We Learned to Fly Jacqueline Woodson
1/4 Daddy Speaks Love Leah Henderson
1/11 Evicted: The Struggle for the Right to Vote Alice Faye Duncan
1/18 A History..."

I just finished, My Life Begins, by Patricia MacLachlan -this is geared more toward the younger side of Newbery- I smiled a lot when I read it- touching but not sad- would make a great read aloud- good model for theme.

Does anyone have a statistic about the age or grade level where this is a decline for the love of books? I thought I read between 4-5 or 5-6 grades? I can’t find it now- thought it was in Joy of Reading.

With all of these wonderful books I’m curious which ones you would all recommend for 4th and 5th grade read alouds. I haven’t been able to keep up this year and I’d love to start off the year with great recommendations to teachers to read to their class. Or maybe there is a page for that�� thanks!

Cara - here are a couple faves:
Some Kind of Courage by Dan Gemeinhart
Restart by Gordon Korman

Cara wrote: "With all of these wonderful books I’m curious which ones you would all recommend for 4th and 5th grade read alouds. I haven’t been able to keep up this year and I’d love to start off the year with ..."

The Ogress and the Orphans by Kelly Barnhill is my favorite 2022 read. I think your students would love it. J.R. Silver Writes Her World by Melissa Dassori would make another terrific read aloud. Happy New School Year!

I'm absolutely blown away by The Secret Battle of Evan Pao.

I just finished The Fort by Gordon Korman. It’s excellent.

Kathryn wrote: "I just finished The Fort by Gordon Korman. It’s excellent."

I read it to myself and then aloud to my 9 year old grandson. It was good enough that if you gave me another audience, I'd read it again.

Thank you!

The Secret Battle of Evan Pao is so well written and offers many points for discussion.

Josephine wrote: "The Secret Battle of Evan Pao is so well written and offers many points for discussion."

I hope more people will discover it.

I just finished A ROVER'S STORY. Notable, moving sci-fi for tweens.

I am in the middle of THREE STRIKE SUMMER by Skyler Schrempp, and am surprised to not see it on anyone's radar. So far, it it's one that should be part of the discussion.

I agree with Richie. Three Strike Summer is definitely Newbery worthy. I like the cover art personally. But it may not be exciting enough to draw many people in, currently. Quite unfortunate because it is an amazing title.

I read that one too. Thought it was a great book. I know Rover's Story is supposed to be good, but I just could not bring myself to read. I substituted this book instead. Thought the characters were well developed and really liked the story.