Nichols and Sense a Blog from Dr. Dawn Nichols Convent of the Visitation School
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Nichols and Sense A Blog from Dr. Dawn Nichols Convent of the Visitation School www.visitation.net/blog Book Ideas for Christmas (or Any Time) Last year, I asked my colleagues to share book recommendations with the broader Visitation community in the hopes that you could give books as gifts or simply find a good read for yourself. The resulting list ended up being very popular, so we have decided to once again share our recommendations. Following is a list of my colleagues’ book choices, broken into various categories, in their own words. Children and Young Adults: All of a Kind Family by Sydney Taylor: When I was a child, I read this series of books over and over and over again. How I loved the story of a Jewish family – two parents and five girls – living in the lower East Side of Manhattan in the early 1900s. Taylor made the family come to life through her writing about their relationships, daily lives, holidays, and the struggles they faced trying to make ends meet. The second book in the series – More All of a Kind Family – is still one of my favorite books of all time. Highly recommended for girls age 7-11. Elizabeth Arnstein Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery: This wonderful story about a feisty, talkative, redheaded orphan girl who comes to live with an elderly brother and sister at a farm on Canada’s Prince Edward Island was first published in 1908, and more than 50 million copies have been sold since. The previously lonely and much-neglected Anne, who had in the past created imaginary companions, blossoms in the warmth and love provided by Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert, and they in turn are warmed by her affection, talkativeness and imagination. Anne of Green Gables, a wonderful PBS miniseries released in 1986, is beautiful and brings the book to life. The cast is perfect, and much of the movie’s dialogue is taken straight from the printed page. The book is probably best for middle-schoolers and young teens, but those who love it are likely to read it over and over again! Harriet Spira The Book Thief, written by Markus Zusak, is set in 1939 Nazi Germany. It is the story of a young girl, her foster parents and the Jewish man hidden in their basement. Through learning to read, Liesel Meminger forms relationships with her foster father, her neighbors and the Jewish refugee. Though the subject matter was very difficult and intense, I enjoyed the book. Joelaine Flood Monson ‘82 The Circus Ship by Chris Van Dusen: Probably my favorite children’s book, The Circus Ship is a great tale of circus animals in a shipwreck that swim to a nearby island. They assimilate with the islanders, and when the arrogant circus master comes back to retrieve them, the island folk use creativity to foil his plans. The illustrations are great, and my favorite page is all of the circus animals hiding in creative ways. My kids love finding the animals over and over. It is a great pick and not one you’ll find in every bookstore, so it’s a safe bet for the book-loving family with tons of books. I highly recommend it. Sarah Deeb Patterson ‘97 Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen: This book is a perennial favorite among tweens. Flipped is about two young neighbors, Bryce and Juliana, who have opposite feelings about one another: Juliana thinks Bryce is wonderful, and Bryce thinks Juliana is a pest. The book is told in alternating chapters, with Bryce’s voice in one chapter and Juliana’s in the next. Throughout the book, the readers see how the narrators’ opinions about one another evolve and “flip” during the course of their six-year relationship. I especially loved Juliana’s character; she is a very strong, smart, interesting young heroine. Elizabeth Arnstein Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site by Sherri Duskey Rinker (author) and Tom Lichtenheld (illustrator): Find out what all of the big trucks at the construction site do all day, and then tuck them in and say goodnight. Steam Train, Dream Train is also a great book by the same authors/illustrator duo. Perfect for toddlers. Liv Anda Asplund Author John Feinstein, a former political and sports reporter for the Washington Post, Sports Illustrated and National Sports Daily, has written a series of sports mysteries involving characters Susan Carol Anderson and Stevie Thomas. The books in the series are Last Shot: A Final Four Mystery, Vanishing Act: Mystery at the US Open, Cover-Up: Mystery at the Super Bowl, Change-Up: Mystery at the World Series, The Rivalry: Mystery at the Army-Navy Game, and Rush for the Gold: Mystery at the Olympics. The series begins by introducing readers to Susan Carol and Stevie, the winners of an essay contest. By winning this contest, the duo receives press passes to the Final Four, college basketball's crowning event. It is not long before they uncover a plot by one team to possibly lose on purpose. Susan Carol and Stevie investigate and get to the bottom of the mystery, uncovering twists and turns along the way. All the books in the series involve a famous and popular sporting event and some mystery swirling behind the scenes. Mystery lovers and sports lovers will enjoy these fast-paced novels. Having a girl and boy as main characters helps these books appeal to both girls and boys, and the fact that there are so many works in the series will keep readers reaching for the next book as soon as they finish one. These books are very entertaining for kids ages 10- 18. Even parents who read aloud to their kids are enthralled by the stories. Laura Culligan Dolan ‘86 Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle (author) and Jill McElmurry (illustrator): The little blue truck helps teach the big dump truck about being friendly and lending a helping hand. Little Blue Truck Leads the Way is another favorite work. Great for toddlers. Liv Anda Asplund The Mother-Daughter Book Club by Heather Vogel Frederick: Four girls sign up for a book club with their moms. In each book in the six-book series, the girls and their moms read a classic book (in book one it is Little Women), and then discuss the book with their moms. Along the way, the girls develop a closer bond with one another, but also learn how to resolve their differences. My daughters loved reading the books, learning about some of the classics they had not read yet, and becoming attached to the girls in the book. An ideal book for mother-daughter book clubs or just to read on your own. I highly recommend this series for girls in grades 4-8. Martha Conners Never Fall Down by Patricia McCormick: A novel based on the story of Arn, a child in Cambodia who is separated from his family when the Khmer Rouge marches into his hometown. He survives labor camps by learning to play an instrument and perseveres through incredible hardship. His ability to survive his situation is inspirational. Recommended for teens and young adults. Charlotte Cleveland Night Breeze by our own fifth grade teacher Stephen Wright is the story of Ian, who was found in a basket on the doorstep of an orphanage in the Philippines. In the basket with him were a book, some perfume called Night Breeze, and a note from his birth mother. Ian’s adoptive mother loves to show him the stars and tells him that stars are like a mother's love – always there even when you cannot see them, and that Ian is a part of two constellations: his birth mother’s and his adoptive mother’s. This book is absolutely beautiful; perfect for kids in grades K-3. Jeanne Doyle Officer Buckle and Gloria by Peggy Rathmann: Officer Buckle travels to schools to offer children tips on how to stay safe, but his presentations are very boring until Gloria the police dog comes along and brings the presentations to life with her goofy antics. When Officer Buckle realizes that Gloria is stealing the show, their beautiful friendship is tested, and mayhem and accidents break out throughout the town. This book always made my kids laugh. Perfect for kids in K-3. (Rathmann’s books Good Night, Gorilla and 10 Minutes Till Bedtime are equally darling.) Elizabeth Arnstein The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate: This Newbery Medal winner for 2012 is great for animal lovers of all ages, although the reading level starts around a third grade level. It is the story of Ivan, a gentle-hearted gorilla who lives in a roadside shopping mall "circus" with several other friends, both animal and human. Ivan's courage, passion, and loyalty will serve as a shining model for true friendship even when things get tough. The book can be best described as heartbreakingly wonderful; the story is brimming with compassion and teaches kindness towards animals in a lovely manner. I read this book to my second grade son as a bedtime read, and we were both completely entranced with each turn of the page. We both walked away from this book feeling like we shared an amazing journey. Michelle Schlehuber Sometimes I Like to Curl Up in a Ball by Vicki Churchill: A wonderful book to read to young ones ages 1-3, it is the tale of a playful wombat. With great illustrations of animals and rhythmic rhyming words, this book is enjoyable for both kids and adults. It is also one of the few books I didn’t mind reading over and over to my little ones.