So the Lord’s Prayer can be found here.

I was playing with it in church the other day as I am always trying to re-write Christian thought into a version which suits my rationalistic self.

Center of Life, kernel within all that breathes and has being, be valued.

Set things right that all may have enough.

Our forgiveness allows us to forgive.

Set a right path turned from evil.

For ours is the responsibility in this World for how Power is wielded in this Glorious Now and ever after.

So the Apostolic Creed can be found here.

I was playing with it in church the other day as I am always trying to re-write Christian thought into a version which suits my rationalistic self.

I am committed to creation care.

I am committed to being a Jesus-follower – Jesus, who was born to Mary the unwed mother, who suffered under tyrannical rule, who was crucified, died and was buried.  He was defeated.

On the third day, his message was enlivened by his friends who remembered him and shared his story of hope and promise with others.

I am committed to this hope, to the community called church, to the people within and without, to forgiveness of wrong-doing, to life-giving work and to sharing stories with the power to sustain.

I have recorded this interpretation here so that I can remember it and so that I can throw away the piece of paper it is written on.

This funny and engaging realistic fiction novel will entertain your teen readers.  Violet’s parents have recently divorced and her mother is struggling to make ends meet and raise her daughters alone.  Violet is angry and hugely protective of her mother and sister.  Her strong friendship with Phoebe, her best friend since forever and her budding romance with Jean-Paul help her through when things get rough.  Well worth the laughs, great for your realistic and humour fans.

No Safe Place by Deborah Ellis

Deborah Ellis hits another one out of the park in this novel for young people and adults alike.  This story follows the lives and struggles of three migrant teens as they cross the English Channel on their way to a new life in England.  Your adventure and realistic fiction fans will be delighted.

Tbe Worst Thing She Did by Alice Kuipers

It took me a bit to get past the diary style on this one.  It was the second book in the Willows from this year with a young distraught protagonist working out their issues in a diary they were required to keep by their therapist.  Perhaps if I’d read it first I wouldn’t have found the first bit to be contrived feeling, I’m not sure. The book and character grew on me over the course of the read.  The story’s climax and conclusion are satisfying and worth the extra effort of working through the first bit.  Good for those who like realistic fiction from a young woman’s point of view.

Home Truths by Jill MacLean

Home Truths is the story of a young bully and his life at home which stinks of course.  The main character, Brick, is someone you want to hate but can’t quite.  Almost diary-like in format, we follow the trials of Brick as he copes with his neglectful mother, abusive father and needy sister.  The subject matter is pretty nasty but the characters and amusing interludes lighted it up when need be.  Realistic fiction which might just appeal to the boys in your clientele.

Puppet by Eva Wiseman

Julie’s friend Esther dies and the village accuses the Jewish community of ‘blood libel’, that is, they believe Esther was used as a sacrifice.  A young Jewish boy, Morris, from the village says he witnessed the act but Julie can’t believe it.  Eva Wiseman tells the story through the eyes of Julie.  The event is factual a tragedy from Hungary 1882.  The story is told vibrantly and with compassion.  A great addition to the historical fiction section of any K-8 library.

A Hare in the Elephant’s Trunk by Jan L. Coates

Jacob Deng lives in Sudan and Sudan has just erupted in violence.  His life is forever changed as he is forced to flee his home on foot to Ethiopia.  Jan Coates tells Jacob’s story with wit and candor.  A Hare in the Elephant’s Trunk is the biographical account of the troubles in Sudan and their effect on one young boy. A well-told story and an important addition to the ongoing story of Canada and her immigrants.  A book for young people interested in real events and people.

Haunted by Barbara Haworth Attard

Haunted is a book I never would have read without it being on this list.  I don’t typically choose to read from the ’thriller’ genre.  Haunted is a spooky, suspense-filled mystery story.  Set in post World War One in a rural area of Ontario, a young girl is drawn into the mystery surrounding the disappearance of young girls in her region.  Definitely a read to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Thunder over Kandahar by Sharon McKay.  I was troubled when reading this book.  Just prior to reading it, I heard a discussion on CBC radio about the ‘exotic’ stance in western literature when portraying mid-Eastern cultures, particularly Afghanistan and Pakistan.  The speaker talked about how all portrayals of this area of the world seem to start with a woman in a veil.  Sure enough, on the first page, the issue is the veil and the woman on cover is wearing a burka.  I wondered about the bias of the author throughout the book.  Although there are strong attempts to portray the positive and life-giving aspects of the lives of people in Afghanistan, there is also a tendency to portray the Canadian and British forces as the ‘white knights’ of the region. Much as I hope the Canadian Forces in Afghanistan have brought peace and stability, I know the situation has been much more complex than simply the role of hero as it seemed to me here.  Still the book is well-written and could provide a starting point discussion on international interventions and cultural relativity.  If I were to use it in a classroom, I would want to have other books and resources to provide further depth and perspective to the discussions.

Shapeshifter by Holly Bennett.

Sive is a beautiful young woman with a magical and powerful voice.  She captures the attentions of an evil wizard and so begins her struggle for freedom, love and a home.  Holly Bennett writes the story behind the mythical story of Sive and Finn mac Cumhail.  A well-written and spell-binding novel with adventure, magic and love.  It would be worth offering to your Twilight fans when they are looking for something new.

Free as a bird by Gina McMurchy-Barber.

Ruby Jean Sharp has Down’s Syndrome.  She is sent to live at the age of eight in an institution in British Columbia.  The institution is brutal and de-humanizing yet Ruby survives and when finally given the opportunities to learn and care for herself, is allowed to leave.  An important story, well-told and accessible.  This book would make an interesting addition to discussions on Canadian policies during the 1930′s-1970′s.  A time period full of sweeping institutionalization of ‘undesirable’ parts of society from education institutions to health institutions to judicial institutions, this story serves as a reminder of what society can at its worst do to the people it does not understand.

Nadia is a recent immigrant from the Ukraine after the World War II.  She has haunting memories and terrible dreams.  Many of these things about her past lead her to believe she is not Ukrainian but somehow German and a Nazi.  The story leads us through her slow awakening to her past and her acclimatization to life in Canada.  A well-told story and a thought-provoking read.  Historical fiction suitable for boys and girls.  Themes:  coming to Canada, the horrors of war, family, friendship.  Suitable for grades 4-8.

The Odds get Even by Natale Ghent.  Boney, Itchy and Squeak work together to provide comfort from their homes and school life.  An old-fashioned school boy adventure filled with funny impossible situations.  Fun if you enjoy slapstick humour.  Suitable for grades 4-6.  Possible read aloud but I’d reach for a Gordon Korman first.

The Midnight Curse by F.M. Falcone.  Action, horror, adventure, the Midnight Curse is aimed at children wanting books packed with suspense and the unexpected.  Suitable for grades 4-6.

fatty legs by Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton.  This autobiographical story tells of the residential school experience for a strong and determined girl in Canada’s far north.  Honestly told, an important piece of Canadian history, told without hate.  An inspiring read.  The illustrations by Liz Amini-Holmes and photographs from Margaret add immeasurably to the experience of this book.  Suitable for grades 3 and up.  It would be good to share with a digital camera projecting the images as the book is fairly small for holding up.  Themes:  survival, family, the North, residential school.

After all, You’re Callie Boone by Winnie Mack.  Callie’s lost her best friend and is trying to make her way though the worst summer of her life with only her zany family and a new neighbour.  A story of family, friendship, perseverance told with humour.  I had to look twice at this one as it is a Willow nominee which means the author is Canadian and the book has a solidly American feel to it.  It is by a Canadian living in the USA so it’s a Canadian as Gordon Korman.  Still Korman usually manages to feel North American and this one is definitely  aimed at an American audience.  That said, I enjoyed the quirky characters and wanted to see how it would turn out.  Suitable for grades 4-7.

Ortega by Maureen Fergus.  I didn’t want to like this book. I disliked the premise and it took a couple of chapters for me to get over it but the book is well-written and completely engaging.  Part adventure, part science fiction, part realistic fiction (if you can get over a talking ape) and definitely told with humour.  Well worth reading or suggesting as a read.  Suitable for grades 4-8.

Tumbleweed Skies by Valerie Sherrard.  Historical fiction set in the 50′s in Saskatchewan.  An engaging and evocative read.  I loved the characters – their rich histories, their disappointments, their relationships with each other.  I enjoyed the plot development – the growing understanding between the characters, the falling out with the friend, the release of the wild bird.  The only part which didn’t quite sit right was the strange accent of the grandmother, uncle and father.  Do people in Saskatchewan have a mid-west US accent?  Not that I have found but maybe in the 50′s.  My understanding of Saskatchewan in the 50′s would be Mennonites, Ukrainians, Germans, and British.  None of them have this kind of accent but hey I’ll check with my dad, he was here then and still is. Not a big deal just a little odd.  In re-reading I wonder if the accent is written there or something I’m just hearing in my head but it’s the use of the work ‘kin’ which makes me wonder.  Suitable for grades 3-5.  Themes: family, death, independence.

The Gargoyle in my Yard by Philippa Dowding.  This is a funny and interesting little book.  An enjoyable flight of fancy.  Kathryn Newberry has had a gargoyle move into her backyard and he’s causing piles of trouble.  Themes: humour, fantasy, solving problems.  Looks like a good read aloud for Grades 3-5.

More to come as I finish reading them…

I have begun to read the offerings for the Willow Awards 2011.   I will keep a record of them here.  Each entry will be a short summary and some ideas on curricular overlap or themes or ages for which it would be an appropriate read aloud or book for study.  This entry will highlight the Shining Willows.

Fred and Pete at the Beach by Cynthia Nugent

Fred and Pete are a pair of dogs.  Their owner leaves for the beach without them and they decide to head there on their own.  A sweet picture book written with humour and illustrated with mixed media.  Adventure, friendship, finding your way.  Suitable for K-5 read aloud and higher as a teaching tool for picture book writing.

Little Humingbird  by Michael Yhgulanaas  The Little Hummingbird book contains three genres a story, an inspirational message and non-fiction on hummingbirds.  The message is from Wangari Maathai on little things making a big difference in the world.  The tale is an old folktale illustrated with beautiful Haida tradition drawings.  This book could be used for all ages and in a variety of subject areas.  Marvelous.

The King’s Taster by Kenneth Oppel  A terrific book by a terrific author.  Richly illustrated.  Well worth spending time with and reading aloud to groups.  Book could be used to teaching word choice, illustration to text match and for looking at humour.  I appreciated the use of a visible minority in the illustrations.

In Front of My House by Marianne Dubuc.  A book which uses repeated subordinate clauses to tie together disparate elements into a single thread.  It isn’t my favourite.  Good for teaching use of ‘in the, under the, over the, behind the…’ in student writing.  If you want to encourage writing based on a brainstormed list of events, this book is for you.

Giraffe and Bird by Rebecca Bender.  Giraffe and Bird is an enjoyable humourous read about the nature of living or working together.  The illustrations are delightful and the graphic text appealing.  Great for read alouds K-4.

The Imaginary Garden by Andrew Larson.  A small girl and her grandfather pain a garden for his balcony.  Excellent illustrations which would work well for use in a visual arts class for teaching drawing technique.  In addition, a heart-warming story.  Excellent book for opening the discussion on aging, the relationships between children and grandparents and the purpose of art in our lives.

Willow’s Whispers by Lana Button.  Willow has trouble speaking loudly enough to be heard by her friends, classmates and teacher.  All kinds of trouble occurs for her as she learns to speak up for herself.  This story is a bit didactic but the illustrations are lovely dynamic line drawings.  Useful book for teaching about communication and voice strength, not one I’d choose for a read aloud otherwise.  Good book for students with selective mutism.

Viola Desmond won’t be budged by Jody Nyasha Warner and Richard Rudinicki.  Viola Desmond was a courageous woman in the struggle for race equality in Canada.  A worthwhile and inspiring story simply told.  Excellent read aloud for K-8.  Black Canadian history, race relations, human rights.

Clever Rachel by Debby Waldman.  Illustrated by Cindy Revell. The second in the series of folktales by this writing and illustrating team.  Debby Waldman does not fear using complex words and structures to tell these traditional tales.  The texts rhythm and complexity make it an enjoyable read aloud suited to students with enriched English language backgrounds.  It will be a struggle for students with less English language experience however the simple and engaging illustrations help with the telling.  An excellent addition to your folktale collection.

Timmerman was Here by Colleen Sydor.  A depression era story of a girl and a border in her family’s home.  Beautiful descriptive language, enjoyable lyric illustrations.  Covers themes of friendship, loyalty and self-worth. as well as community contribution and being the outcast.  A wonderful read aloud for K-6.

The story of Vel’ d’Hiv is not one which is well-known, at that is de Rosnay’s contention within the novel. I haven’t researched how well or often it has been told.  It is the story of the rounding up and subsequent dispersion and extermination of the Jewish community of Paris.  It was an appalling event and hearing it told hurts the empathetic reader.   Within the story the fictional character of Julia Jarmond is determined to learn about Vel’ d’Hiv and it’s impact on her family and the family home.  She comes across resistance within the French community to acknowledge the event and the complicity of the French authorities and populous.  I can relate to this experience of reluctance to face our societal culpability.  I remember clearly standing at the Manitoba Legislature during a First Nation’s demonstration in the Fall of 1990.  It was the first time I faced the fact that as a white person in Canada, I was a part of the treacherous events which disenfranchised and marginalized First Nations people within Canada.  I remember listening to the drums and wondering how it could be made right and how I could ever feel as if I deserved to be in Canada at all.  It is an important act to recognize and admit collective societal guilt.  Books, such as, Sarah’s Key help us to acknowledge the terrible within ourselves.  I am both Sarah and Edouard; both victim and perpetrator.

Sarah’s Key shines a light on issues and events which are difficult and painful allowing us to appreciate the human and the heroic within people.  I enjoyed Julia’s tenacity and her daughter, Zoe’s forthrightness.  de Rosnay’s characters are complete and real.  I felt as if I knew them as people and might meet them on the street.  I know only a few ‘real’ French people but they feel old European to me.  de Rosnay understands family politics and her portrayal of the family meltdown was altogether believable.

Again this is a book which was read for an adult book club but would be appropriate for a 9-12 school library.  It would be of interest for teachers of World War II history, as well as for themes of family, divorce, conflict, guilt, responsibility, and racism.

Nightline Review compared with Cutting for Stone

I thoroughly enjoyed Jamie Ford‘s Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. The characters felt believable and many were endearing. I particularly enjoyed Sheldon the sax player. He was comic relief as well as a warm and caring adult in Henry’s otherwise cool and abrasive adult-dominated world.

The time and place depicted in Hotel is similar to the one in The Jade Peony. I’d be hard pressed to choose a favourite between the two. The historical details and evocative descriptions in each are convincing.  As I read Jade Peony awhile back and don’t have a copy with me, direct comparisons and an intelligent, rather than impulsive, choice is not possible.

I was pulled along through Hotel by the love story of Keiko and Henry. As much as I love a happy ending, I was glad Ford stopped short of tying up all the loose ends. Although the long-lost love is found, we aren’t entirely sure about how they will move forward after such a long time. The one note which sang a little too sweetly for me, was the quick and complete acceptance of this other love by Henry’s son. Adult children are notoriously loyal to their birth parents. I’d like think an adult son would support his despondent and grieving father but don’t quite.

Although I read this novel for my adult book club. I think it would make a solid addition to a 9-12 school library and is of particular interest for teachers of World War II history and discussions on racism, politics and human rights.

NYTimesReview

Kirkus Review