One of THOSE BOOKS......

Because of Mr Terupt by Rob Buyea is one of THOSE BOOKS.  I have yet to meet a reader that didn't like it, both young and old.  I often find myself waiting for the let down, as books people rave about often don't "do it" for me.  I'm relieved to say, for once, I am in agreement.  I not only enjoyed the story, but also found it inspirational.

It is a story told in seven voices at the start of fifth grade.  Each voice is a student with very different reasons to hate school.  There is the class bully, the prankster, the shy one, a new kid, the brain, the follower, and the sullen kid.  They all are in the class of Mr Terupt, who manages to inspire them and keep them in check.  As the school year progresses we learn the root of these students problems.  It takes a terrible accident to truly inspire these students to change their paths.  

As a teacher, I can only hope to connect with my students as well as Mr Terupt does.  And, I believe students can identify with one, or more of the characters in the story, as well as see the "other side" of those that they don't.  Our state has a Minnesota Youth Book Award And the students of my school voted for  this book to win.   Jury's still out on state results....

More to it than meets the eye

Looking at the title and cover of Cinderella Smith by Stephanie Barden, I was expecting a silly little read for third and fourth grade girls about a girl that can't keep track of her shoes.  I was pleasantly surprised, however, that there was more to it.

The title character, actually named Josephine-Kathryn, is called Cinderella because she manages to lose one shoe.....regularly.  As she enters third grade she faces a best friend that is suddenly not treating her so kindly.  Then, there's a new girl.  The new girl mistakenly believes that Cinderella has insight on evil step-sisters and approaches her to help determine if her soon-to-be step-sisters might be evil.  While a bit naive, they manage to approach very real fears of a blended family.  This book also takes on the sneaky ways in which young girls can bully, when Cinderella is competing with her former best friend over a coveted role in the upcoming dance recital.  And, of course, Cinderella has lost her brand-new tap shoe.

I appreciate Cinderella's optimism, and that there are friends who respond in a supportive way to help their friends through the troubles of growing up.