Have You Ever Felt Like You Just Didn't Belong?

I recently finished The Moorchild, by Eloise Jarvis McGraw, an honor award winner from 1997. For anyone interested in 'fair folk,' Scottish folklore, and an interesting commentary about who 'fits in' where, give this one a go. As I'm reading these Newberry books, I'm learning that a big part of what makes a Newberry a Newberry is a timeless story with several levels of meaning, that could hold meaning for an adult just as well as a child. A literary onion, if you will.

On the downside, this was kind of a chore to get through to the end for some unknown reason. I guess a great thing about the library is the deadline. And I'm nothing if not sensitive to a deadline. Ithink if I didn't 'have to' finish it, it would still be sitting on my nightstand. And my nightstand is a pretty busy place right now.

I'm taking a temporary Newberry detour for my next few books. Those pesky libraries and their deadlines! I've had these books on request from the library for so long, I totally forgot about them. But don't worry, I'll be back! Think Penguins and Pigs and Princesses, oh my!

Why Bri and Adam Should Sleep With Their Camera Under Their Pillow

Random Monday afternoon, not much to do but play with Bri's camera!

This little one definitely has the Hallstrom eyes, but her mother's Type-A tendencies. Remember how there is absolutely no middle ground with this little girl? Euphoric happiness or the depths of despair. Take your pick.

This tween of mine (yikes!) has discovered iPods, biking with friends, and e-mailing. Lucky for me, she hasn't discovered boys yet. I'm really not ready for that yet.

Apparently, Guy's pics were so great, the computer was jealous and won't let me post them. But trust me on this one, my Guy can take a picture.

I'm frantically trying to get prepared for the summer months. So far I've got zoo trips, movie madnes, lots of reading and (gasp!) music practicing, rec classes, swimming lessons, museum trips, art projects, maybe teaching the girls to sew (meaning I'd have to learn first myself) . . . I figure that should last us until about June 15th. Ahh, summer!

Those Lucky Storks . . . and two Guest Interviews!

I just finished The Wheel On The School, by Meindert DeJong, this afternoon. This book was the Newberry Award winner from 1955. I was a tad worried about the 1955 issue, but found the story to be sweet, charming, and engaging. I felt I was reading one of those Russian nesting dolls. Stories weaved into stories, and those stories had stories to tell. Plus, I have a new, sudden urge to make myself wooden shoes and a weird pointy hat.

What I learned: This would be a great story to read if your children are studying European History. It would lead into a great discussion of what life was like in Holland at this time, and what Storks meant to their society. In fact, we may just have to do that here at home. Ooh! A summer acivity in the making. My children won't know what hit them.

Now, on to new and better things: a Guest Interview with Bug, quizzing her about the book she just finished: Mr. Popper's Penguins, by Richard and Florence Atwater, a Newberry Honor book from 1939.

Me: So, Bug, did you like this book?

Bug: It was good.

Me: Fascinating. What made it good?

Bug: He took care of 12 penguins and went all over the country to perform.

Me. I see. Would you like your friends to read this book?

Bug: Yes.

Me: Care to elaborate?

Bug: In the end, he goes to the North Pole for two years.

Me: Sounds like a great place for an ice cream cone. Well, thank you, Bug. You've been great to have here on my blog. Now go to bed!

Bonus: Guest interview with Belle, who just finished Mercy Watson to the Rescue, by Kate DiCamillo, Newberry Author extraordinare. This is an easy-reading book, but with all the wit and fun of a DiCamillo book.

Me: Belle, you just read Mercy Watson's first adventure to me. A perfect book for a 1st grader getting into reading indepently. What did you think?

Belle: It was really, really, good.

Me: Sounds wonderful. What was your favorite part?

Belle: I think it would be the part where Eugenia was chasing Mercy.

Me: My stars! Belle, this is the first book in a series. Are you going to bug me until I buy you the rest of the books?

Belle: Yes.

Me: Well, talk to Grandma. She's the one with the Barnes and Noble card. Now, off to bed with you!

We're having a great time with our evening reading. Both Mr. Popper's Penguins and Mercy Watson were bestowed on our family by my mother, a former elementary school teacher and librarian, who has a little known talent: she has absolutely 100% fail-proof taste in books, especially kidlit. Don't believe me, ask for a recommendation. You won't be disappointed.

Next up: Mr. Popper's Penguins (you didn't think I was going to let Bug have all the fun, did you?), The Moorchild, by Eloise McGraw, and The Baseball Box Prophecy, by Bruce Newbold (Brett's Mom handed me this one, and I can't resist). I think I may need to wish for a back injury, a massive bout with insomnia, or something of the like. Then again, maybe the pile of books on my nightstand will topple over and kill me in my sleep. ;)

Happy Reading, Everyone!

P.S., if you'd like to see some incredibly cute and well-bred children, take a peek over here.

Can You Scrumb Your Savvy?

I just finished Savvy, by Judith Law, last night. Can I just say I'm loving reading these books? There's so much less pressure reading a short kidlit for a few nights right before bed than an 800 page epic, requiring a dictionary and several e-mails back and forth to my more intelligent friends, asking for clarification!

Savvy was a Newberry honor book last year, and is a perfect fit for the pre-teen crowd. It has a fun story, but also has a lot to say about growing up, friends, and finding your place in the world. I tried reading it to the girls with my best midwestern drawl, but I'm afraid I left a little to be desired. I thought the character of Mibs was a great example to girls; someone who didn't have all the answers and wasn't perfect, but still knew right from wrong. Plus, there's nothing like a bunch of kids getting themselves in one crazy mess to make a story really interesting!

In conclusion ;), I feel totally comfortable recommending this book for you and your little ones. Or just you. Or just your little ones. You get the idea.

And just in case you were worried, I am working on a multitude of other projects. Summer's coming on fast (!), and I'm going to be ready! Plus (wait for it), I sewed yesterday! Yep, that's right. Don't get too excited, it was just a straight seam, but baby steps, right?! Plus, I'm a few closets closer to being able to die peacefully. Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere anytime soon. The chance that my mother will be the first person in my house in case of my untimely demise keeps me extremely healthy!

Next up on my nightstand, The Wheel on the School, by Meindert DeJong, Newberry Award winner from 1955. This could be interesting.

A Project! Because Apparently I Have Nothing Else Going On

I stumbled across a couple blogs this last week of people who set about to read all the Newbery Award books. The Newbery Awards have been given out every year since 1922. That's a lot of books to read, even in the kidlit division! So, I'm beginning the task of chipping away at that list. So far, I've finished the 2009 and 2008 winners.

The Graveyard Book, by N. Gaiman. This was very fun to read. A very unique story, extremely well written. Kind of dark in a Harry Potter/Twilight way (but then again, isn't everything these days?).

What I learned: When referring these books to children, don't just assume that if they won the award, they're totally appropriate for any age. Check for a YF or JF designation. YF is for Young Adult fiction. The Graveyard Book is definitely Young Adult fiction. JF is for Juvenille Fiction. Much better for the younger ones.

Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village, by L. Schlitz. Totally interesting, well written, containing new information to me from the medieval period. The play format was very cool, and I could see my daughter's 4th grade class reading and performing this book aloud. Absolutely safe for children of any age. I read this one in a couple of hours over about three nights.

What I learned: A Newberry book should be a book that is written very well, and one that children will enjoy reading. Although this book is written very well, there is no way 99% of the children of the world would pick this book up and read it for enjoyment. It would be like one of us saying, 'Gee, I think I'm going to pick up a copy of Grey's Anatomy and peruse it this weekend'. Sorry, not going to happen.

Right now I'm reading Savvy, by I. Law. This was an Newberry Honor book from 2009. I also just received from the library The Wheel on the School by M. De Jong, the 1955 award winner, and The Moorchild by E. McGraw, a 1997 honor book.

What I'm enjoying most about this list is I can just do a little before-bed reading and get through these pretty quickly, for the most part. I know I'll slow down at some point and actually read a book meant for an adult, but for now I'm having a great time.

If you'd like to read a few of these with me, check out this link. http://www.slcolibrary.org/rc/rcwr/pdf/booklists/booklistNewbery2010.pdf. This link is courtesy of my friend the librarian. Doesn't everyone need one of those? I think so. Again, check for the YF or JF designation when deciding to let little ones read these, or to read these to little ones.

Oh, and remember how I'm really offended if you're not a Goodreads friend with me? Yep. I am. And there's only one way to redeem yourself. You know what to do.

Merci Beaucoup!!!

I have such an amazing support group of family and friends. It's positively marvelous! As of this afternoon, our team has raised over $1,200 for the MS Walk 2010! That's so great for our first year doing this. Thank you all so much! Really, you are all wonderful. You support us in so many ways, and to have you contribute by walking and donating to this cause so close to us, is just fabulous.


There's still time to join us tomorrow or donate. Here's the link for the walk. http://walkutu.nationalmssociety.org/site/PageServer?pagename=WLK_UTU_homepage

From this page you can either sign-up to walk or donate to our team or an individual walker on our team. We're the Hallstrom Family Team. (Note to Self: think up a much cooler name for us for next year! ) For all you bikers, the Bike MS ride in Logan is coming up in June!


Again, thank you all so, so much!

Well, Have You Signed Up, Have Ya, Have Ya?!

We're getting close to the Salt Lake MS Walk date, Saturday, April 24th! I would love it if you would come walk with us. Or even better, donate to this great cause and walk with us!

We are so close to a real stop to this disease, I just know it. The MS Society helps fund research going on around the country, and provides services to people fighting MS and their families.

Let me know if you're interested in joining us, and I'll send you a link. And if you have signed up, you should have received an information packet by now. You have to bring the donation envelope (even if it's empty) and a waiver form with you to participate next Saturday.

Love to All!