Is that book overdue?

Because of Mr. Terupt - Rob Buyea

Title: Because of Mr. Terupt

Author: Rob Buyea

Website: http://www.robbuyea.com/because_of_mr_terupt

Summary:
It’s the start of fifth grade for seven kids at Snow Hill School.

There’s Jessica, the new girl, smart and perceptive, who’s having a hard time fitting in;
Alexia, a bully, your friend one second, your enemy the next;
Peter, class prankster and troublemaker;
Luke, the brain;
Danielle, who never stands up for herself;
shy Anna, whose home situation makes her an outcast; and
Jeffrey, who hates school.

Only Mr. Terupt, their new and energetic teacher, seems to know how to deal with them all. He makes the classroom a fun place, even if he doesn’t let them get away with much . . . until the snowy winter day when an accident changes everything—and everyone.

My take: This is one book that should be read by all elementary school teachers and students, who not like school or feel they are all alone. A wonderful first novel by Rob Buyea includes chapter after chapter of review of the school years as seen through the eyes of different students. Each person can identify a part of themselves in each of the seven unique points of view. I won't spoil as of this book for you but can highly recommend it to you. Truly one of my favorite reads in a long time.

The Watsons Go To Birmingham

Title: The Watsons Go To Birmingham

Author: Christopher Paul Curtis

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

Summary: The year is 1963, and self-important Byron Watson is the bane of his younger brother Kenny's existence. Constantly in trouble for one thing or another, from straightening his hair into a "conk" to lighting fires to freezing his lips to the mirror of the new family car, Byron finally pushes his family too far. Before this "official juvenile delinquent" can cut school or steal change one more time, Momma and Dad finally make good on their threat to send him to the deep south to spend the summer with his tiny, strict grandmother. Soon the whole family is packed up, ready to make the drive from Flint, Michigan, straight into one of the most chilling moments in America's history: the burning of the Sixteenth Avenue Baptist Church with four little girls inside.

My take: A really nice book from an author that I hadn't heard about previously, (It pays to take a trip up and down the shelves looking for new books.)
The Watsons trip is taken to help Byron and provides quite an unforeseen adventure for the whole family. Grandma will do her best to straighten Byron despite his resistance. The give and take between the boys and the car trip down are a wonderful read.