On the blog:
- A slice about The Complications of Dinner
- A slice about Writing Warm-up rituals
- A slice about Concussion Recovery
- A slice about where joy hides
- A slice about hair
- A slice about Middle School Kids
- A slice about what it takes to reset when I’m worn down
In reading:
The Worst Class Trip Ever didn’t work for me. In its favor, there is plenty of action and I do think the book would have some appeal for reluctant readers. But I struggled with the lack of character development and the ludicrous plot. Spoiler alert (but really, it doesn’t matter): Some kids from Miami on a class field trip to Washington D.C. foil a plot to assassinate the President by gliding in a kite over the White House fence and using a laser jammer to divert the White House missiles. Actually, I think I found that more plausible than the fact that one of their classmates is kidnapped by two men they believe are terrorists and they don’t bother telling any adults. Nope, they save him themselves through a convenient use of the Find My iPhone app. More troubling than the silly plot was that all too often, Barry’s attempts at humor and character development trade on cultural stereotypes. Not recommended.
Pickle: The (Formerly) Anonymous Prank Club of Fountain Point Middle School gets everything right that Worst Class Trip Ever gets wrong. The characters are well-rounded individuals, and they do grow and change over the course of the book. The writing is truly humorous, and there is a distinct voice. The plot is creative. There is also an impressive diversity in the characters, and Baker doesn’t need to exploit stereotypes in an attempt to add diversity. Sixth-grader Ben decides to form an invitation-only prank club with a few of his classmates—only they can’t, of course, announce that they’re a prank club. Ben comes up with the perfect alias: a club of Pickle Makers. He’s pretty sure no one except the initiated will want to join the club. After all, what middle school kid wants to make pickles? As it turns out, they have to make pickles as well as pull pranks, and their attempts at both are full of humor. Excellent read-aloud as well.
I loved the handful of poems in Winter Hours, a collection of Mary Oliver’s prose and poetry, but the prose wasn’t nearly as engaging to me. Her particular brand of wisdom distilled into the intensity of a poem really appeals to me, but over the course of a longer piece of prose, I had a hard time paying attention and appreciating her insights. Probably a book I just wasn’t in the right mood for at the time.
Winter Hours led me to Why I Wake Early, a strong collection of poems full of observations about the natural world that Oliver uses to illuminate the human condition. Oliver has an astonishing eye: she sees and notices what I think no one before has seen or noticed. What I most appreciate in her poems is the wonder and delight she greets the world with. Reading her poetry reminds me of all that is amazing and profound and mysterious in the world. There is a rich philosophy and spirituality here and something both comforting and challenging in these poems.
What’s ahead: my son and I are reading Al Capone Does My Shirts. It’s a reread for me and a first as a read-aloud, and it’s absolutely wonderful. I’m hoping to get to a big pile of picture books I’ve got checked out of the library. And I just started Lily King’s novel for grown-ups, Euphoria, which is so far excellent.
the dirigible plum 
19 responses to “It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #imwayr 3/14/16”
I really enjoyed Pickle too. Dave Barry I feel like has some funny moments, but his columnist background comes through and he can’t sustain a story. Also, I’ve really been enjoying reading all of your slicing this month!
I hadn’t really thought about Barry’s columnist background, but that makes sense. I feel a little bit bad for my regular readers with this inundation of slices this month! Glad you’re enjoying!
I love Mary Oliver’s poetry but haven’t read enough of her books. I need to remedy that.
It’s interesting because they’re really simply and easy poems in so many ways, but I find them surprisingly slippery and hard to hold onto. They definitely rewards rereading!
I love Mary Oliver’s poetry as well. Euphoria has been on my to-read list for a while now. It just sounds like such an interesting story. Thanks for the honest reviews of the middle grade books. I will be looking for Pickle. It sounds like one that my 4th graders would love. Have a great reading week!
Euphoria is off to a strong start, Andrea. Hoping I can stick with. Grown-up novels are always a bit iffy for me. I agree that your 4th graders would enjoy Pickle–and it makes a very nice read-aloud.
I really need to read Pickle. Every review has something positive to say about it. I think it would be good for the age level I work with, too.
I think it has wide appeal, Michele. Clever, fun, plenty of heart, and some thoughtful situations to engage in conversations about friendship, responsibility, and family as well.
I will be on the lookout for Pickle too, I’m always looking for titles to add to my school visit book talking arsenal. 🙂
I think Pickle is a title that sells itself! Who can resist a prank club called the League of Pickle Makers??
A friend has recently been sending me Mary Oliver poems. Your comments here are very intriguing. Oh to e able to share new ways of looking at the world, that is profound.
I have read many of her more famous poems and always loved them, but this is the first full volume I’ve tried. With poetry, I do prefer dipping in and out–a poem or two a day rather than trying to complete a whole volume quickly, so I am going to need to revisit Why I Wake Early at some point.
Pickle just went on my wish list for my kids (really me, but it sounds so selfless to say it’s a purchase for my kids ;o))
LOL, one reason I love purchasing for my office lending library–I get to read first!
I love the poetry! I don’t read nearly enough poetry, so I like to get ideas for books I might read to expand my knowledge! Thanks for sharing!
It’s one of my few reading goals for this year, Ricki: more poetry. The Oliver is easy yet enriching and thought-provoking–truly just the kind of poetry I like.
I’m glad you liked Pickle. I thought it was quite funny, and I loved the diversity of the kids.
I love Dave Barry, so I’ll have to check out this middle grade.
Happy reading this week 🙂
I loved the diversity too! No reason every book can’t have that! Hope you enjoy the Dave Barry. I think there’s a sequel in the works too!
Pickle is such a fun story. I really enjoy Mary Oliver’s work and would like to fit in more poetry reading. Thanks for the titles. I think I’ll go after Why I Wake Early.