Mrs. D’s Reads

Summer has flown by, and I have read a lot of great books. However, I wanted to share links to the bibliographies of the Children’s Literature class I teach at Whitworth College most summers with Peggy Johnsen. We look at the newest literature, and try not to include anything published more than a year earlier than the class (although sometimes we can’t resist). There are also previous years’bibliographies posted on Peggy’s site, as well as some visual organizers for thinking and writing.

http://www.whitworth.edu/Academic/Department/Education/Faculty/JohnsenPeggy/Index.htm”>Peggy’s page

here’s the URL if the link doesn’t work:

http://www.whitworth.edu/Academic/Department/Education/Faculty/JohnsenPeggy/Index.htm

I also wanted to mention a couple books that are not for kids, but that some of you adults might enjoy:

The Zero by Jess Walter

This is a funny, dark, satirical look at both individual and governmental responses to the 9/11 tragedy. Like most of Walter’s stuff, he manages to examine the larger context of his stories with clarity and wit, while still telling a moving and compelling story about an individual in that context. The structure seems odd at first, but it reflects the experience the main character is having of the world. My recommendation is sit down and read the first 30-40 pages in one sitting, and you’ll be hooked. I should mention that Jess and I are friends, but I would recommend this book regardless of that.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Grades 7-adult

This is one of my favorite reads of the last year, and I have asked my eleven year-old daughter if it can be one of the books we read aloud together this fall. The story is set in Germany during WWII, and the book thief is a thirteen year old girl who is trying to survive the war. The story is narrated by Death, who is, of course, very busy during wartime, but who becomes fascinated by the strength and resilience of this girl. It is an intense and compelling story, and a unique tale of WWII.