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Synopsis: Twelve year old, Lonnie Collins Motion, and his sister Lili are placed into separate foster homes after their parents are killed in a fire. Lonnie tasks himself with being the "rememberer" and decides to write his sister letters to help them remember what happens while they are apart. The entire book is in letter format and each letter is written to Lili from Lonnie (aka Locomotion). The letters are bittersweet as Lonnie writes about the good times he and Lili had with their biological family as well as how much they both love their new foster families. The book addresses important issues such as loss, family, and peace through Lonnie's insightful reflections about the world around him.
My Thoughts: This is the second Jacqueline Woodson book I have read (the first being Feathers) and I've decided that I need to read more of her work. Peace, Locomotion was short but oh, so sweet and Woodson's writing is beautiful. I feel like she has the ability to get inside each of her characters and really bring them to life. While this is a great read for anyone (young or old), it would be especially appropriate for children who have experienced loss or are in foster care.
Recommended for Grades 4-7.
Image taken from http://www.jacquelinewoodson.com/mg.shtml.
I was first introduced to Katherine Hannigan when I was working as a teacher in Virginia. I was at a one day reading workshop where the presenters talked mostly about new books and how to use them to make reading more exciting (definitely my kind of workshop). One of the presenters talked about Katherine Hannigan's first book, Ida B., and compared the main character in it to the main character in Kate DiCamillo's book Because of Winn Dixie. I, of course, went to find the book that weekend and read it within a day. I have been buying my teacher friends copies of Ida B. since then. Hannigan was another author I had the privilege of meeting this summer at the ALA conference where I was able to score a signed copy of her new book True (... sort of).
Synopsis: Eleven year old Delly Pattison is nothing but trouble with a capital T. She gets in fights, ditches class, and enjoys spitting in inappropriate places. Delly starts to really believe that there is nothing good about her because she cannot stop getting in trouble. Just when she is about to be kicked out of school, Delly receives a surpresent (a present that is a surprise) in the form of a new student named Ferris Boyd. Ferris Boyd is a pale, skinny girl who doesn't talk, cannot be touched. and looks like a boy. Delly decides to befriend Ferris Boyd because she thinks Ferris will help her stay out of trouble. As the novel progresses, R.B. (Delly's younger brother) becomes a part of the chumbudions (the fiercely faithful friends) and not only does Ferris Boyd save Delly from all of her trouble-making but Delly saves Ferris Boyd from troubles that even the surrounding adults failed to recognize.
Hannigan's new novel is definitely something to Dellybrate (to celebrate in a Delly sort of way, often involving doughnuts, a trip to the river, and trouble).
**Words in bold print are from the Dellyictionary which is found in the back of the novel.
Recommended for Grades 4-6.
Note: This new book is even better than Ida. B. So run... don't walk to get your copy. Or just click here to order a copy from Amazon.
Jennifer Holm is a three time Newberry Award winner. She has received Newberry Honor Awards for Our Only May Amelia (2000), Penny from Heaven (2007), and Turtle in Paradise (2011). In collaboration with her brother, Matthew Holm, Jennifer is also the author of the ever so popular Babymouse graphic novels series.
Synopsis: Turtle in Paradise is set in Key West during the Depression. Eleven year old Turtle is sent to Key West to live with relatives she has never met when her mother gets a housekeeping job for a lady who does not like kids. Florida is like a new, strange land for Turtle and she has to adapt to many new things: heat, scorpions, mischievous boy cousins, and a crazy grandmother. As Turtle learns to adapt to this new place she begins to learn more about herself and her family roots.
Turtle in Paradise is a historical novel that allows readers to understand the time during the Depression within a specific area. Holm's research is obvious and adds depth to this gem of a novel.
Recommended for Grades 3-5.
Click here to purchase: Amazon
What's Next: Holm is currently working on a new graphic novel series entitled Squish. The trailer for this series is included below:
