The Underneath - Kathi Appelt

Title: The Underneath

Author: Kathi Appelt

Website: http://www.kathiappelt.com/

Summary: A calico cat, about the have kittens, hears the lonely howl of a chained-up hound deep in the backwaters of the bayou. She dares to find him in the forest, and the hound dares to befriend this cat, this feline, this creature he is supposed to hate. They are an unlikely pair, about to become and unlikely family. Ranger urges the cat to hide underneath the porch, to raise her kittens there because Gar-Face, the man living inside the house, will surely use them as alligator bait should he find them. But they are safe, in the Underneath... as long as they stay in the underneath.

My Take: This book took me a little while to get into but once I did, it was worth. There were a lot of details and Kathi Appelt, takes her time, allowing you to get all the characters and learn all about them. There are tragedies all around but the spirit of this cat and dog, working together as a family, are worth reading. Appelt weaves a bit of fantasy into this book, something I don't usually like too much, but it works. The animals, trees, and river all have their own characteristics and it's made real to the reader.
One kitten's moment of curiosity changes each of their lives forever, but... oh, you'll just have to read it to find out.

Seedfolks - Paul Fleischman

Title: Seedfolks

Author: Paul Fleischman

Website: http://www.paulfleischman.net/works.htm

Summary: A 1997 children's book about the impromptu creation of a community garden in an inner-city Cleveland. As it comes alive, it breathes new life into an erstwhile sterile neighborhood. This book is not told from the perspective of a single character, but in a series of vignettes written from a first-person perspective of a very diverse group of characters. Some of the characters are young, some are old; some are new to America, some were born there. They all have their own reasons for coming to the garden and the significance it takes on for each of them is very different. They represent a variety of colors and cultures but come together to form a real community.

My Take: A good book for young and older adults, showing how tough it can be to become a real community but also showing that people really want it, just aren't always sure how to get it.
It points out that even in the myriad of differences of people, we all want the same thing: to be known and acknowledged. It really can only take something as simple as a community garden to accomplish this feat.

overdue book...

Word After Word After Word – Patricia Maclachlan

Title: Word After Word After Word

Author: Patricia MacLachlan

Website: http://authors.simonandschuster.com/Patricia-MacLachlan/38022587

Summary: In Word After Word After Word, Newbery Medal winner Patricia MacLachlan weaves a gentle, funny story about five friends, their camaraderie and the words that ultimately stir each of them. Ms. Mirabel’s encouragement is a timeless—and well-stated—lesson in creative writing.
Even when kids feel they have nothing to say, there is a way to find their voice. Just write . . . and, as Ms. Mirabel says, “the words will whisper in your ear.” This short, easy-to-read book for middle grades is a perfect complement to a creative writing or literature class—and it offers inspiration on the writing process for both teachers and students.  

My Take: A reluctant group of fourth grade students are lucky enough to have a famous writer, Ms. Mirabel, to teach them about writing for six weeks. Reluctant at first, fearing they have nothing to say, the children find themselves increasingly not only looking forward to class, but finding out they really do have something to say. A short, but delightly read, once again, from Ms. MacLachlan.

Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis

Title: Bud, Not Buddy

Author: Christopher Paul Curtis

Website: http://www.randomhouse.com/features/christopherpaulcurtis/

Summary: Bud, Not Buddy is the story of the young orphan Bud, (not Buddy), as he travels across the state of Michigan in search of his real father. He does not know his father's name and only has a few clues, that he carries around in his beloved suitcase, given to him by his mother left him before she passed. Bud is doing this searching at an especially hard time, in 1936, right in the middle of the Great Depression. His journey takes him through many issues and places that were fairly common during this era. He stumbles upon the Flint version of a Hooverville, or shanty town, that had been set up due the economic hardships of the depression. He also meets a Union organizer who is deemed dangerous by the Flint police department, who turns out to be not as dangerous as Bud originally thinks. And he does all this while he's "out on the lam" from the orphanage.

Despite all the obstacles that are placed in Bud's way, he retains a very positive attitude and is very polite to everyone he encounters. Christopher Curtis has done a very good job of creating a character that is able to deal with serious issues lightheartedly. Bud seems to have an optimism that cannot be dimmed by anything. This is a very effective tactic seeing as his audience will more than likely be children. This being said the writing is at times simplistic, one has to remember the audience, and at other times extremely descriptive and imaginative. Through Bud, Curtis describes certain situations and events with the creativity that can only be from a child's point of view. The story, although intended for younger readers, leaves readers with a sense of contentment as to the summation of the plot and with a feeling of hope as to the future of Bud, not Buddy.

My Take: Grab a chair and start reading this book. The tale of a young boy, whose mother has died, placed in a orphanage. His trials and tribulations and finally his triumph. Christopher Paul Curtis is just one of the best children's authors ever, pulling you into the book right away. He keeps your interest and makes you care about his characters. Some of the characters in this book are based on family members, which makes it all the sweeter. This is one book you should not forget to read.

Beryl: A Pig's Tale – Jane Simmons

Title: Beryl: A Pig's Tale

Author: Jane Simmons

Website: www.iblist.com/author7888.htm

Summary: Tired of being mistreated and cooped up, Beryl the piglet escapes her farm and meets a group of wild pigs, whose settlement splits up over the decision of whether to let her stay, and with her new "family" she sets out to find a new home.

My Take: Loved this book. Striking out on her own, Beryl learns a lot about herself and others in her world. Her family and friends not only won't support and care for her, they're not very nice. Beryl heads out into the world in search for home and find herself.

Slob – Ellen Potter

Title: Slob

Author: Ellen Potter

Website: http://www.ellenpotter.com/

Summary: Twelve-year-old Owen Birnbaum is the fattest kid in school. But he’s also a genius who invents cool contraptions— like a TV that shows the past. Something happened two years ago that he needs to see. But genius or not, there is much Owen can’t outthink. Like his gym coach, who’s on a mission to humiliate him. Or the way his Oreos keep disappearing from his lunch. He’s sure that if he can only get the TV to work, things will start to make sense. But it will take a revelation for Owen, not science, to see the answer’s not in the past, but the present. That no matter how large he is on the outside, he doesn’t have to feel small on the inside.With her trademark humor, Ellen Potter has created a larger-than-life character and story whose weight is immense when measured in heart.

My take: It took me two times to read this book as the first time I wasn't sure I would like it. But boy, I'm glad I went back and read it again. It tells the agony of growing up overweight and how Owen works at it. He becomes friends with unique people and it all comes together in the end. I loved the inventions he came up with and for a while, was a little peturbed about how some of these worked. But (I won't spoil it) I was really surprised how it turned out in the end. This is a good book for kids from 9-14 and those who have trouble fitting in. What kid does NOT have problems fitting in with their friends? Enjoy this book.