Are your kids getting bored with their Game Boys, Computers, I-Pods? (We wish.) How about you? Tired of the same old reruns on TV? Well, I have the answer for you. Cruise on down to the Kemp Library, or the library in your town, and check out a good book or two. Then grab a cool soda or glass of iced tea, prop up your feet in the lounge chair, and in the cool of your house read.
Or perhaps you're planning a visit to the beach. Well, pack up a few paperbacks, lather on the sunscreen, stretch out on the sand, and let the ocean breeze brush against your face while you get lost in a mystery, romance, or adventure story.
I've been reading some great books the past few weeks, everything from picture books to books for grown ups. If you're having trouble deciding what to read, let me recommend a few.
For adults:
If you're into literary works try
The Road, Pulitzer Prize Winner by Cormac McCarthy .
To me, it was depressing, but also led to some interesting thoughts. Is this the future of our world? I certainly hope not.
Dean Koontz is one of my favorite authors. His Odd Thomas series is suspenseful, tender, and oh so good. I just finished
Odd Hours, the fourth book in the series. A fifth is out that I haven't read yet.
Also, try Jodi Picoult and Mary Higgins Clark.
For teens:
I loved
The Adoration of Jenna Fox, by Mary E. Pearson. From the book jacket: "In this fascinating novel, acclaimed author Mary E. Pearson presents an unforgettable look at one human life and a glimpse into a possible future that may be closer than we think." Fox studios has also optioned a movie from the book.
A nice book in verse is
I Heart You, You Haunt Me, Lisa Schroeder.
The House of the Scorpion, Nancy Farmer, is a great story about cloning.
And for vampire and werewolf lovers, try Stephanie Meyer's Twilight series.
Twilight, New Moon, and
Eclipse. I've ordered the fourth book,
Breaking Dawn, due out in August. And I never cared for vampires before I read these books. Now, I can't wait for the next one.
Elementary Readers:
Lois Lowry's Newbery Award Winners,
The Giver and
Number the Stars are awesome. In fact, at the library or book store, look for Newbery Winners and Honor books. You can't go wrong with these books.
Another honor book I enjoyed is Gail Carson Levine's
Ella Enchanted. I still have several to read, if only I had more time.
Picture books:
Do your kids like dogs? If so, try
Crash, by Mayra Calvani. Here's a review I did of the book in June:
A boy.
A dog.
A winning combination.
Mayra Calvani's latest picture book,
Crash, is the delightful story of a boy named Marcelo, whose mom and dad give him a golden retriever puppy for his fifth birthday. Marcelo says "this is the happiest day" of his life. The puppy loves Marcelo as much as Marcelo loves the puppy.
Marcelo bathes his puppy, brushes his puppy, and feeds his puppy. They play and go for walks. Marcelo teaches his puppy to obey him. They are best friends. But the puppy needs a name. And not just any name, but the perfect name for this special puppy. Marcelo thinks and thinks. Mom and Dad make suggestions. But none of the names are right. Then one day, when Marcelo and the puppy are playing, Marcelo discovers the name that fits the puppy perfectly.
Oh, no. I'm not saying. You have to read the book to see what it is.
Crash will capture the attention of young puppy lovers who will read the story of Marcelo and his special puppy over and over, or have their parents read it to them. Watch out, Mom and Dad, because your child will be asking for a puppy just like Marcelo's. The accompanying artwork adds to the story with priceless expressions on the characters' faces, setting the mood and tone of the story. Give this book to all your little readers and pick up a copy for yourself. You'll be glad you did.
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Reading level: Ages 9-12 (In my opinion, it's more for ages 4-8)
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Paperback: 24 pages
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Publisher: Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc (March 25, 2008)
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Language: English
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ISBN-10: 1933090545
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ISBN-13: 978-1933090542
I've attached the cover above.
Also, Mo Willems's picture books are priceless. Read his
Knuffle Bunny or
Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus and his other pigeon stories, especially if you want a good laugh.
These are just a few recommendations. Bookstores and libraries have thousands to choose from. Oh, did I forget? May I mention my two books?
Listen to the Ghost and
Secrets I Have Kept. Both can be found at the Kemp or at the Iowa Park library.
Listen is also at Hastings.
Happy Reading. Stay cool.