The Tale of Despereaux

A friend and fellow book-grouper has been talking up this book for a number of months. She isn't the only fan. Her grandchildren also delight in the pages story. Apparently the Newbury Award people also thought it had some merit. The author, Kate DiCamillo also crafted Because of Winn Dixie. 

As I was looking for the book I also found it listed as The Tale of Despereaux being the story of a mouse, a princess, some soup, and a spool of thread. As I read more of this I thought..."really, a story about a mouse." Then, I remembered, some of my favorite books are about ferrets.

An other adventure begins...with The Tale of Despereaux

The Graveyard Book

by Neil Gaiman

I was warned to get past the first four pages before giving up. It did have a rather dark beginning. In my taste, too dark for young-adolescent readers.
Bod, Nobody Owens a young man raised by...ghost, and other haunts in a graveyard. The little subtle sociological references were interesting. Such as a little detail about appropriately addressing someone, depending on the  time period they were from. Illustrating maturity by who Bod interacted with.

I ended the book with a deeper understanding that my taste is not for Fantasy. Yet, I can see how it won a Newbery Award.

Up a Road Slowly by Irene Hunt

It was hard for me to get into the book. It was an easy read. I liked the first person style. It reminds me to consider the emotions of feelings of another before reacting to their behavior.

I liked the aunt right off. I did no like the response when Chris and another boy held Julie down for Danny to kiss her. Boys being boys, and "it's a man's world." As if women / girls have no rights. My current job may also play a bias into the situation. If I remember right Aunt Cordelia did apologize for her initial reaction.

My favorite part...was when Julie commented that anyone who didn't like Jane Austin was immature.

Over all, I liked the book. It is a reminder that not only life shapes us, but our choices, and how we feel about ourselves.

Who Moved My Cheese?

by Dr. Spencer Johnson

My copy of the book is red with blue binding. It includes a $.99 sticker from a used book store. I was out shopping a number of years ago with a friend. He bought it, because everyone needs to read it. So, he gave it to mee.

It is an easy read. I am thinking I might read it to my students this week. I have shared it with people at work before. I might do it again.

The story is a metaphor about change. In this economy, it is a good read for anyone. I once heard someone say more people fulfill their dreams in a down economy. If they have already lost everything they thought they needed it is easier to risk it all.

http://www.whomovedmycheese.com/