Share A Story-Shape a Future: A Blog Tour for Literacy

Don't miss this exciting event coming up! Head over the The Book Chook to read more about all of the events that will take place during March 9-14 in Kidlitosphere. Click on The Book Chook link above to see who is going to host each day and what the content will be.

Audio-The Graveyard Book

I won't say too much about The Graveyard Book as a book, but more about it as an audio. Obviously, it won the Newbery so it must have some literary merit and appeal. But, I have to say that the audio was stunning. After the first scene (where I had to rewind it to see if I'd really heard it correctly) I was a bit baffled at the entire premise of the book. However, Neil Gaiman's own reading as well as the eerie music made this a great audiobook. I believe it was an honorable mention in the Odyssey Awards this year. Once I got past the "baby-being-raised-by-ghosts" part and started to understand that this was a novel about growing up, its genius rang true! It is simply a beautiful book about growing up. (period) I did look at a copy of the book in our school library and saw that it was somewhat illustrated, however, I think the incredible audio made up for the pictures in the "ear version". I won't say any more because so many have already reviewed this book. I highly recommend the audio version!

Beacuse I Am Furniture

I have a confession that won't surprise too many people since I'm an English teacher. I LOVE poetry. And, I ADORE novels told in poetry. I devoured (love that word-eating books imagery) Because I Am Furniture and it was more exciting than the Academy Awards! :)
Anke is in high school and at home her father abuses everyone but her. Her sister, brother and mother all suffer at the hands of what her friends term her "handsome" father. Anke just wants to be noticed for anything. She feels she has escaped her father's abuse because she's not worth abusing. This is a disturbing part of the novel, but it works in Anke's voice. Volleyball turns out to be Anke's outlet, and a good one at that (smacking the ball over the net, etc.). As Anke grows both physically and emotionally, she learns to find her voice and speak up against the wrongs she has witnessed for so much of her life. Even if this finally does gain the ire of her father, Anke knows she's done what an adult would do.

I felt like I was left wanting more of this book and I'd really love to see a sequel. I would characterize this as a sort of Sonya Sones meets Speak novel. The character of Anke is beautifully portrayed as she grows into her new body and emotions. I'm giving this to kids immediately.