Who Let the Gods Out? by Maz Evans

Disclaimer:  I am more than a little obsessed with Chicken House Books.  I may have been known to go to bookstores and look for any book with the Chicken House logo on it to purchase. After all, the company was started by the man who gave J.K, Rowling her break--Barry Cunningham.

Recommended for anyone who enjoys traditional literature, fantasy, mythology, and/or Rick Riordan

From Beetle Boy to The Girl of Ink and Stars, there are some amazing works coming from this publisher.  Who Let the Gods Out? by Maz Evans definitely is no exception.  From reading the blurb, I knew this was going to be a humorous book, but I didn't expect it to also be a touching book about family and friendship.

Elliot Hooper is trying his best to hold down his school work, his family farm, and his mom who is struggling with reality.  When Virgo, a 1,964 year old immortal girl, lands at Elliot's family farm to complete a simple mission that quickly becomes not so simple, the adventure begins.  With a group of ragtag Gods, Elliot learns that he is braver, stronger, more capable, and more important than he ever imagined.

With the lines between specific genres becoming more and more blurred, this book is a wonderful example of traditional literature mixed with fantasy.

Oh, one more thing:  best and worst cliffhanger EVER!  Best because it truly left me hanging and worst because it truly left me hanging.  I guess I should be thankful that the sequel will be released on August 3, 2017.  I must pre-order now!

Short by Holly Goldberg Sloan

Memorable Quotes: 

"...the idea that there was a person and in the beginning this person had an idea and this person wrote it down, and that led to this day..."

"...two things happening in any situation:  What we see, and what we don't see.  But what we don't see we can feel--if we are paying attention."

"Mrs. Chang says that you are judged often in life before you're ready.  She's not talking about spelling tests, but I understand."

"He sees a different me than other people.'
"I grew this summer.  Not on the outside, but on the inside.  And that's the only place where growing really matters."

Recommended for students who enjoy realistic fiction, who do not always feel that they "fit in", and/or feel that they are different from their peers

First of all, can I just say how much I want Julia, the main character of Short by Holly Goldberg Sloan, to be a student in my fourth grade classroom?  I have fallen in love with this character and didn't want the story to end.  I want to know what happens not only in the immediate future but throughout her life.

Julia is a little person who is forced to audition for a local production of "The Wizard of Oz" because her younger brother wants to do so.  Not only does Julia get a role in the play, she also begins to figure out her role in life.  

In a world where tolerance is no longer enough, where our differences must be celebrated, Short gives us insight into Julia's world.  Her hopes, her fears, her goals, her dreams belong to all of us. 

With only four days remaining in this school year, I can not wait to share this with my students next year.

The Inquisitor's Tale: Written by Adam Gidvitz and Illuminated by Hatem Aly

Memorable Quotes:  

Distinguishing the voice of God and the voices of those around us is no easy task.

What difference was there between them, except the language in which he prayed?

It's too much...Life is.  How you can have such pain and such...such triumph...all mixed together.
What you would hate to have done to you--do not do to other people.

You are like pomegranates split open.  Even the emptiest among you are as full of good as a pomegranate is of seed.

Recommended for students who enjoy reading fantasy, history and/or are interested in medieval stories, human stories

The Inquisitor's Tale Or, The Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog by Adam Gidwitz is the story of  Jeanne, a peasant girl who has visions, William, a monk who has incredible physical strength, and Jacob, who can heal the sick.  Even though the three of them are outcasts (for one reason or another) from their own people, they find kindred spirits in each other.  Together, they can conquer anything--or can they?

Adam Gidwitz has presented this story in such an interesting and unique way.  The story of  the children and their Holy Dog is told through alternating voices in an inn one night as each narrator picks up where the last one ends. Added to the original manner in which the story is told are the beautiful illuminations of Hatem Aly.  Mr. Gidwitz and Mr. Ally are truly a dream team and should be incredibly proud of what they have created here.

While this story was entertaining and quite lovely, the more I read, the more I realized just how much this story relates to our world today.  It is an allegory to our times of discrimination and hate that are still very much a part of current society.

From the explanation of the illumation process to the detailed bibliography, this book is a masterpiece in every sense of the word.  I am sure this book will show up on several award lists--and deservedly so.

All Rise for the Honorable Perry T. Cook by Leslie Connor

Recommended for anyone whose family may not be typical and for anyone who enjoys reading about family, hope, and truth

I do not even know where to start with this one.  Perry T. Cook has spent his entire eleven years living in a correctional facility due to his mother being a resident there.  When a mean well attorney gets word of Perry's situation, he removes Perry from the facility in order for Perry to have a "normal" life.  What he doesn't understand is that normal is not the same for everyone.  As Perry tries to return to his mother and extended family of residents in the facility, he begins to unlock secrets to his mother's incarceration.

This book is very moving and sends an important message about second chances, forgiveness, and things not always being what they seem.  What a beautiful story you tell here, Leslie Connor.

Gertie's Leap to Greatness by Kate Beasley

Recommended for students who are ready to step it up with their reading, but can still benefit from some illustrations and for students who enjoyed reading Ramona Quimby books when they were younger

I have to be honest about something--I had a difficult time beginning this book for my own personal reason:  I am terrified of frogs!  When the book opened with the sentence, "The bullfrog was only half dead, which was perfect.", I wasn't sure I could stomach it, but I am so, so happy that I stuck with it.

"Gertie Reece Foy is 100% Not-from-Concentrate AWESOME." and she attempts to show it in every way possible.  When she finds out that her mother (who is estranged from Gertie and her father) plans to remarry and move from the town where they all live, Gertie sets out on a mission to prove just how amazing she is.  The adventure that ensues is hilarious, emotional, and deeply touching.

Kate Beasley's new novel is one to be read and remembered.  It takes a lighthearted approach to real life problems that many of our students face.  As an author, she has a bright future ahead of her.

Ghost by Jason Reynolds

Recommended for students who have ever felt as if they didn't fit in for whatever reason:  lack of money, being different, family problems

As a fourth grade teacher, I have many male students who live for sports and anything related to athletics.  This book will be perfect for them.  It sends the message of doing what's right and working hard to overcome the hand that life has dealt you.

Ghost is a runner, but he has never participated in any type of organized sport.  When he shows off at a track team (of which he is not a member) practice one day, his talents are recognized by the coach. While Ghost is a talented runner, he has a lot to learn about the people and the world.  Through the support of many people, he learns to navigate his feelings and control his temper.

While I plan to recommend this book to several students, I have one student in mind who must read this book.  Ghost describes how his insides turn red whenever he loses his temper.  Last year, I had a student who often talked about the "big" coming out.  He and I worked quite diligently on learning to control his "big" and to be able to verbalize those feelings rather than act upon them.  This book is a perfect mirror for this student and for MANY other students who don't always find themselves in what they are reading.

Thank you, Jason Reynolds, for holding up a very important mirror with this book.  I can't wait to see what the rest of your Track series has in store for us.

The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill

                                             

Recommended for middle grade students who enjoy reading fantasy, fairy tales, and adventure

Quotable Quotes:
"She must understand the laws of cause and effect and unintended consequences.  She must learn compassion and curiosity and awe."
"...there is no limit to what the heart can carry."
"That answer is too easy, my friend.  Look deeper."
" 'My love isn't divided,' she said, 'it's multiplied.' "

The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill is a wonderfully touching and unique read.  I was captivated from page one; however, the last fourth of the book took me to a whole different level as it mesmerized me in every way.  The theme of good vs. evil transcends the pages of this book.

The People of the Protectorate leave a sacrificial newborn for the witch who lives in the forest each year.  Little do they know that the witch is actually deeply kind and delivers the babies to families in another town.  One year, the witch makes a mistake with the baby on her way to deliver it and decides that she must raise her as her own.  The story that ensues is full of magic, love, adventure, acceptance, and truth.

I have many, many students in mind to read this book next.  When I had the cover in my "I'm currently reading..." display, my students were pleading with me to finish it because they were so drawn in by the cover.

I have never read any of Kelly Barnhill's books before, but I have now added her other books, The Witch's Boy, The Mostly True Story of Jack, and Iron Hearted Violet to my TBR stack.  If these other titles are anything like The Girl Who Drank the Moon, then I absolutely cannot wait to see what else this author has in store.