We seem to always be about a week behind when it comes to starting our new books for the month. Maybe…and I say this doubtfully..we will be lined up to start a new book at the first of the month.
Last month we dove into Charlotte’s Web and Farmer Boy. While I enjoy Farmer Boy, I was losing the boys interest so we did a switch. We are going to circle back around to Farmer Boy later in the year.
So for August……
Davis (3rd Grade)
Lemony Snicket: A Series of Unfortunate Events No. 1: A Bad Beginning or Orphans
Twelve-year-old Emily is on the move again. Her family is relocating to San Francisco, home of her literary idol: Garrison Griswold, creator of the online sensation Book Scavenger, a game where books are hidden all over the country and clues to find them are revealed through puzzles. But Emily soon learns that Griswold has been attacked and is in a coma, and no one knows anything about the epic new game he had been poised to launch. Then Emily and her new friend James discover an odd book, which they come to believe is from Griswold and leads to a valuable prize. But there are others on the hunt for this special book, and Emily and James must race to solve the puzzle Griswold left behind before his attackers come after them.
Luke (Kindergarten)
Read Aloud: Bad Kitty Gets A Bath
BAD KITTY IS BACK (AND BADDER THAN EVER!)
when she is forced to take a bath in this hysterical new illustrated how-to for young readers. The following are some items you will need for Kitty’s bath: one bathtub, plenty of water, dry towels, a suit of armor, a letter to your loved ones, clean underwear (because stressful situations can cause “accidents”), an ambulance in your driveway with the engine running, and, oh, yeah, you’ll also need Kitty…but good luck with that! Since its publication in 2005, BAD KITTY has captured the hearts of cat lovers and haters alike. This time Kitty is at her worst in this riotous how-to guide filled with bad smells, cautionary tales of horror, and hopefully by the end…some soap. The funniest of any of Kitty’s adventures, though don’t tell her that.
And to highlight a few new picture book reads for August…
Wait
As a boy and his mother move quickly through the city, they’re drawn to different things. The boy sees a dog, a butterfly, and a hungry duck while his mother rushes them toward the departing train. It’s push and pull, but in the end, they both find something to stop for.
Everybody has a favorite animal. Some like little white dogs or big black cats or hoppy brown bunnies best. Others prefer squishy snails or tall giraffes or sleek black panthers. With beautiful illustrations and charming personal stories, 14 children’s book artists share their favorite animals and why they love them.
The Pout-Pout Fish In The Big-Big Dark
Mr. Fish wants to help his friend Ms. Clam when she loses her pearl, but though he’s fast as a sailfish, as smart as dolphin, and as strong as a shark, Mr. Fish has a secret: he’s scared of the dark!
Very young children will swim along with Mr. Fish as he journeys deep into the ocean to new and mysterious places. They will discover, as Mr. Fish does, the power of friendship to light the way through the big-big dark.
Samantha (Me)
Serafina and the Black CloakWP Security
A mystery-thriller about a strange and intriguing girl who lives secretly in the basement of the grand Biltmore Estate in 1899. Published by Disney Hyperion, the book is written for both young readers and adults. It became a New York Times Bestseller in the first week of its launch and was selected as an Okra Pick for representing “the best in Southern Literature.” (SIBA)
Glory Days: Living Your Promised Land Life Now
The wilderness. Maybe you know it well.
The Israelites sure did. After all, they spent forty years wandering the desert. Victories were scarce. Progress was slow. They were free from Pharaoh but not free from fear. Saved but stuck.
Sounds a lot like midlife misery. Caught in a rut. Stalled out. Running on empty. Are you mired in the same?
We are always looking for great new books to read. Please feel free to leave a comment with book suggestions.
