Wednesdays Worthwhile Reads- Gift Edition

Wednesday's Worthwhile Reads is a weekly feature here where I spotlight books that have been old favourites. For the next few weeks leading up to Christmas I thought it would be a great idea to list a couple of older titles each week that would make great gifts!

Rules for participation are simple. Books must have a publishing date before 2009, include a cover image with your recommendation, a summary and your thoughts on the book and link below.

Preschool

Santa Duck by David Milgram
Published by Putnam in 2008
32 pages.
Summary from Goodreads
Nicholas Duck loves Christmas as much as the next animal, and he is happy to try on the new Santa hat that's mysteriously delivered to his house. But when his friends see him and immediately launch into their Christmas lists, he doesn't know what to do . . . until he runs into Santa himself.
This one is a must read at my holiday story times. The children and their parents laugh as the Nicholas Duck's friends give him their outrageous Christmas lists. I never get tired of reading it out loud.
For ages 9-12

The Dark Is Rising by Susan Cooper
Published by Simon Pulse in 1973
272 pages

Summary from GoodReads
On his 11th birthday, Will Stanton learns that he is the last born of the Old Ones. At once, he is plunged into a quest for the six magical Signs that will one day aid in the final battle between the Dark and Light.

The story has something for everyone, and although its "magic" based it has an old magic feel to it. I actually didn't read it until my child lit class in University and we delved a lot deeper into it than a 9 year old would, but I loved it. Will is an endearing character and of course like many heroes discovers that he is the key to saving the world. I also liked that the book took place around Christmas and that the snow held special powers.

Worthwhile Reads-Picture Book Edition

Worthwhile Reads - Picture Book Edition

Worthwhile Reads is a weekly feature here at Lost in the Library, where we highlight books that we have loved in our past. Sometimes we can get so caught up in the new releases that we can forget to talk about the ones we've loved before.
If you'd like to particpate you can link below.
Rules are simple- Books featured should be published before 2009. Please post a cover image, summary and your thoughts on the book (you don't need to write a full review)

My selection this week is one of my absolute favourites for story time at the library-

There's an Alligator Under My Bed by Mercer Mayer
Published by Dial in 1987
32 Pages

Summary from Amazon
"tale of a little boy who is sure that there is an alligator under his bed. Getting no sympathy from his parents who ``never saw it,'' he forms a plan of attack. He leaves a trail of food from his bed through the house to the garage door. He then follows behind as the alligator gobbles up the goodies, fresh vegetables, fruit, and even ``the last piece of pie,'' making its way to the garage. The boy then locks the door. The last page shows the note he leaves for his father, telling him that there's an alligator in the garage and to wake him up ``if you need help.'

I love the text in this book. The language is rich and the illustrations are bold and  gorgeous! I never tire of reading it and the children who attend my programs know its one of my favourites.

When the parents of the little boy don't believe the alligator story, he takes matters into his own hands. He overcomes his fear. It's a great message. Worth reading and sharing.

Do you have a picture book from your childhood or even now that brings those warm fuzzy memories, or one that you just love to read aloud to your kids?

Wednesdays Worthwhile Reads

I need to get more on the ball with this....again I'm posting late.
Worthwhile reads is a weekly feature here, that showcases some past favourites. Sometimes we get so caught up in new releases that we forget to talk about the books that we've loved in the past.

To participate, please link to your post below. Rules are simple: The book must be published before 2009. Please include a cover image, summary and your thoughts on the book (doesn't need to be a full review)

My Selection this week was inspired by Top Ten Tuesday at The Broke and the Bookish "Top Ten Books that Made you Cry"


The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne
Published in 2006 by David Fickling Books
224 pages

Summary from GoodReads
Berlin 1942

When Bruno returns home from school one day, he discovers that his belongings are being packed in crates. His father has received a promotion and the family must move from their home to a new house far far away, where there is no one to play with and nothing to do. A tall fence running alongside stretches as far as the eye can see and cuts him off from the strange people he can see in the distance.

But Bruno longs to be an explorer and decides that there must be more to this desolate new place than meets the eye. While exploring his new environment, he meets another boy whose life and circumstances are very different to his own, and their meeting results in a friendship that has devastating consequences.
 
  This was a powerful book. Looking at the summary you'd be able to tell that it's a book about world war two-in particular its about the Holocaust. The Holocaust is an intense subject matter in any type of book but written in the perspective of a nine year old completely oblivious to the atrocities going on around him it is unforgettable. I was -for lack of a better word "gobsmacked" when I finished and the ending haunted me for weeks. I was really shocked when they made it into a movie and I have to say that if you can -read the book first.  It's not a feel-good book, but it is a book that I think everyone should read.

Wednesdays Worthwhile Reads.

I'm much later in posting this than I had hoped, but the day just got away from me. Worthwhile reads is a weekly feature here that showcases some past favourites. Sometimes we get so caught up in new releases that we forget to talk about the books that we've loved in the past.

To participate, please link to your post below. Rules are simple: The book must be published before 2009. Please include a cover image, summary and your thoughts on the book (doesn't need to be a full review)

This weeks selection:

Jackal in the Garden by Deborah Ellis
Published in 2007 by Watson-Guptil Publications
176 Pages

Summary from Goodreads:

Little is known about the fifteenth-century Persian painter Bizhad--we only know that he worked in what is now Afghanistan and Iran. Jackal in the Garden imagines him as a gifted dreamer contrasted by a strong female protagonist. Anubus, a girl born disfigured in the harem of her vicious father. She must fight for survival-and her struggle leads her to an artists colony. Bizhad is the leader, and they find common ground yet their different attitudes offer a sharp commentary on life, survival and art that will resonate with young adult readers trying to find their place in the world.

I found this story deeply moving. Anubus is born with a disfigured face and her father instructs the servants to leave her in the desert to die, to be "eaten" by the jackals. The servants take pity on her and hide and raise her as their own in secret. When Anubus becomes a young adult they cast her out for fear of being discovered. As Anubus moves through the world, her strength and resilience in what she faces is inspiring. A story that reminds us of our potential, and the true meaning of love, friendship and sacrifice. Definitely worth reading.

Wednesday's Worthwhile Reads

Wednesdays Worthwhile Reads is a new feature that will showcase some of our past favourites.
To participate you can link below. Rules are simple:
Must be a book that was published before 2009
Include a cover image, summary and your thoughts on the book (doesn't need to be a full review)

My selection this week:


The Murder of Bindy Mackenzie by Jaclyn Moriarty
Published 2006 by Arthur A. Levine Books
489 pages

First of all, if you haven't read a book by Jaclyn Moriarty, you are missing out. Her books are hilarious, she writes wonderfully interesting characters...like Bindy.




Summary from Good Reads:
"Bindy Mackenzie believes herself to be the smartest, kindest girl at Ashbury High. Unfortunately, she is alone in that belief.
To prove her likability, Bindy decides to document her life in transcripts, essays and emails. What this reveals is a girls who's funny, passionate, hilariously self-righteous.....and in danger.
Someone wants to kill Bindy Mackenzie....and time is running out."


Bindy is a lovable character...and for the most part completely oblivious to how the rest of the world sees her. The story is written in emails, journal entries and laid out in a way that makes it a very quick read, and I laughed out loud through the entire thing. The "murder" portion of the storyline is a bit of a stretch, I can't say that it held too much suspense but I think that Bindy's character more than makes up for it. Definitely worth reading.

Wednesday's Worthwhile Reads

Wednesdays Worthwhile reads is a new feature that will showcase some of our past favourites.

Once a week I'll post one of my older favourites. To participate you can link below.

Rules for posting: Must be a book that was published before 2009

Please include cover image, summary and your thoughts on the book. (doesn't need to be a full review)

This weeks selection:

What World is Left by Monique Polak
Published by Orca Book Publishers 2008 208 pages

Summary from Good Reads

A pampered child used to having her own way, Anneke Van Raalte lives outside Amsterdam, where her father is a cartoonist for the Amsterdam newspaper. Anneke's life changes in 1942 when the Nazi's invade Holland ans she and her family are deported to a concentration camp in Czechoslovakia. Not only are the conditions appalling, but the camp is the site of an elaborate hoax: the Nazis are determined to convince the world that this camp is idyllic place. Because he is an artist, Anneke's father is compelled to help in the propaganda campaign, and Anneke finds herself torn between her loyalty to her family and her sense of what is right.

I was really fortunate to meet Monique Polak at a signing for this book. It was incredible to hear her speak about it, as it was inspired by her mother's experiences while imprisoned at the concentration camp during World War 2. She mentioned that the first time her mother shared her experiences with her was during the writing of this novel. Very moving.
The novel is beautifully written. The language is rich and the author does an amazing job of creating the haunting atmosphere of a Nazi concentration camp. The relationship between Anneke and her father is not an easy one, as Anneke is appalled at the appearance of her fathers cooperation with the Nazi's...little does she know what he was actually doing for her.
Definitely worth reading.

For some reason my Mr.Linky Link thing isn't working.....if you'd like to participate please link through the comments.
:)

Special thanks goes to the fabulous Danielle at Every Last Page for creating the meme button for me.

Wednesday's Worthwhile Reads

Wednesday's Worthwhile Reads is a new feature/weekly meme that showcases some of our past favourites. Sometimes, I get so excited and caught up in books that are new releases (or in some cases books that are to be released) that I miss great stories that have been out for a while.

Once a week I'll post one of my older favourites. To participate you'll be able to link below.

Rules for posting: Must be a book that was published before 2009.
Please include a cover image, summary and your thoughts on the book.(doesn't need to be a full review-just thoughts on why you liked it)

The Warrior Heir By Cinda Williams Chima

Published by Hyperion in 2006 426 pages

summary from goodreads

"Before he knew about the Roses, sixteen-year-old Jack lived an unremarkable life in the small Ohio town of Trinity. Only the medicine he has to take daily and the thick scar above his heart set him apart from the other high-schoolers. Then one day Jack skips his medicine. Suddenly, he is stronger, fiercer, and more confident than ever before. And it feels great - until he loses control of his own strength and nearly kills another player during soccer team tryouts. Soon, Jack learns the startling truth about himself: he is Weirlind - part of an underground society of magical people who live among us. At the head of this magical society sit the feuding houses of the Red Rose and the White Rose, whose power is determined by playing The Game - a magical tournament in which each house sponsors a warrior to fight to the death. The winning house rules the Weir. As if his bizarre magical heritage isn't enough, Jack finds out that he's not just another member of Weirlind - he's one of the last of the warriors - at a time when both houses are scouting for a player. Jack's performance on the soccer field has alerted the entire magical community to the fact that he's in Trinity. And until one of the houses is declared Jack's official sponsor, there are no limits to what they'll do to get Jack to fight for them."

I lov-ed this novel. The magic in it had this wonderful timeless feel and it's action packed story line has made it one of my favourites to recommend to reluctant teen readers. Definitely one to make time to read!