Book Review Dear Mr. Henshaw

Cleary, B. (1983). Dear Mr. Henshaw. New York: William Morrow.

Leigh Botts the main character is kid living through the fall out of divorce. He now lives with his mother in a cramped how where they struggle a lot. Leigh is given an assignment at school writing letters to their favorite authors. The book is told through a series of letters between Leigh and Mr., Henshaw. It’s very interesting how Leigh writing develops through the novel. At first the letters are short and non-detailed oriented. Throughout the novel as a reader you get a deeper look into Leighs life and the lessons learned from divorce, loneliness and friendship. This is considered a classic book although I’m not sure how it holds up todays more current reads for this age group.

Grade Level: 3-5

Book Review The Watsons Go To Birmingham-1963

Curtis, C. P. (1995). The Watsons go to Birmingham--1963.  New York, NY: Delacorte.

This is a historical fiction novel set in the height of the civil rights movement of 1963. Kenny and his family Mom, Dad, little sister Joetta, and older brother Byron. Bryon is 13 and starting to get in typical teenage mischief. His parents decide its time to go down south and visit grandma in Birmingham, Alabama. So, the whole family sets off on a road trip to the south. This novel incorporates the horrific bombings and death of the 4 girls in the historical Sixteenth Baptist Church Bombing. This Newberry Award and Coretta Scott King Award winning book opens up the discussion of race and segregation.

Grade Level: 5-7

Book Review How They Coraked: The Awful Ends of the Awfully Famous

Bragg, G. O. (2011). How They Croaked: The Awful Ends of the Awfully Famous. New York, NY: Walker.

This was a fun, light-hearted look at how many famous people died, but also how they lived & what they accomplished. I enjoyed the fresh take approach of this nonfiction book. It has loads of gory and gruesome details about medical reasons that people such as King Tut, or George Washington died. There are lots of random facts as well.  There are moments as adult that I said “Eww, that’s gross.” So, I know kids would say “Wow that’s cool!”.

Grade Level 3-6

Book Review El DEeafo

Bell, C. (2014). El Deafo. New York, NY: Harry N. Abrams.

 El Deafo is a semi-autobiographical graphic novel by author Cece Bell. Cece becomes deaf at the age of four after contracting meningitis.  She gets a new hearing aid that is much stronger called "The Phonic Ear." This graphic novel was an entertaining read with a good message for children about empathy and friendship. I enjoyed that is was a graphic novel and the illustrations complemented the story.

Grade Level: 3-6

Book Review Crenshaw

Applegate, K. (2015). Crenshaw. New York: Feiwel and Friends.

Jackson and his family are going through difficult times financially. His parents are failed musicians and his dad has MS. There is little money for food and they may have to live in their minivan. Crenshaw is and imaginary cat that has come back into Jackson’s life to help him. The book offers a very realistic view of the intuition of children and how they perceive adult problems. It also touches on emotional and difficult topics such as homelessness, poverty, and sickness.

Grade Levels: 3-6

Welcome to Cofee at the Library

My name is Ashley Shelton and I am so excited to start this blog. This space will allow me to share book reviews, events, and technology. The most exciting thing about technology is ability to share and network. So, pour a nice hot cup of delicious coffee or tea, curl up in your favorite chair. Enjoy, coffee at the library!