The Archived by Victoria Schwab
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Tiff recommended this so long ago; now that I finally read it, I wish I had read it sooner! It was so good; action-packed all taking place within an old hotel, The Coronado. Mackenzie has a grandfather with special powers and as she grows up, he passes on his knowledge so one day she can take his place as a Keeper, one who returns histories (dead people) who have slipped back to The Archive. There are Keepers, Librarians, and Crew, and Mac is such a tenacious, tough, yet sensitive character. It is the death of her little brother, Ben that sends and keeps Mac in an inconsolable state, while still returning the histories. I loved Wesley; he lives in her hotel as well with his little sister. There is so much to his character---you have to read the book. I also enjoyed Owen and Roland. There is a mystery taking place in The Archive and MacKenzie wants to solve it but she can't really tell anyone about it. As she helps her parents get ready to open their coffee shop (maybe this will help them move on without Ben) Mac has too much work to do with the names appearing on her list that she must return to The Archive. Something is not right within the walls of the hotel and MacKenzie's abilities as a Keeper are sorely tested as she lies her way to answers. Schwab's book was so visually appealing and loved where Keepers could touch others and read/feel their thoughts and their past. MacKenzie works hard to try to trust and with living with the noise that is the job of a keeper. One good thing about reading this so late after I got it, I only have to wait until January for Unbound #8!!!
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The Book Whisperer: Awakening the Inner Reader in Every Child by Donalyn Miller
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I have gotten so many great ideas from Donalyn's book which emphasizes letting students read what they want and they will read more. She has her tried and true methods, students' reviews and conversations and just a wonderful way of children reading lots of great books. BUT!!! She stresses you must be a reader too; modeling reading in the classroom and constantly sharing books with book talks and a large classroom library and visiting the school library. So if you love to read, keep on reading and sharing your love of new books and tried and true books with you students. Highly recommended!!!
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The Good Braider by Terry Farish
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Viola's harrowing journey with her family from the war torn country of Sudan to Portland, Maine. Before leaving Juba, Viola is raped by a soldier; her self worth and her bride price are stripped. Farish does a superb job painting the fear, anguish and despair of Viola and those in her community in fear for their lives while trying to flee a country gripped in civil war. Once Viola, her mother and little brother escape, Juba, they begin a long perilous journey to Khartoum. Once Viola arrives in Portland, Maine settling into a community of African immigrants, attending school and working a job there is the clash of the new American culture and preserving the Sudanese culture. This novel in verse achieves the beauty of Viola's new American world and harsh reminders of the brutal civil war, Viola's voice is strong, happy, conflicted, scared, and hopeful. I loved the braiding title, which symbolized Viola's African world of beauty and how once in the US, she does not braid anymore and will not have her own hair braided. It is through her friends and family from the Sudan as well as her American friends that Viola finds her place in her new world of Portland, Maine. This is a must read for young adults; they will learn about the genocide the Sudanese suffered through, they will appreciate the customs and community that are so important to Viola. What is even more important for teens is to see the world through Viola's eyes and the positive and negative impact of American culture on immigrant communities. Powerful, this book is beautiful!
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