It’s time to dive into some great fiction!
I have recently been working on the fiction section and wanted to share some great reads with you.
I was excited to see how deep our collection is.
Here are some books you may want to take a look at:
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See reviews below
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My Name is Mina by David Almond
F ALM
This is a prequel to Skelig told from the perspective of Michael’s neighbour Mina. This story is told through Mina’s journal. Here is SLJ’s review from our Novelist K-8.
School Library Journal:
Gr 6 – 8 — Mina fills her new journal with thoughts, dreams, and stories. She has left St. Bede's Middle School to be homeschooled by her mum. The reasons for this are slowly revealed. Mina writes about her home life (happy with her mum, but they both miss her late father). About her time at St. Bede's (unhappy since some of her teachers did not appreciate her extreme sense of whimsy). About a new family moving in up the street (with a young boy who turns out to be Michael from Skellig ). About nature (particularly the blackbirds nesting in her tree). And about the time she attended an alternative school (that did not last long). The layout is great fun. Since this is a journal, the main font looks like handwriting. When Mina writes a poem or focuses on a particular word, the "handwriting" gets thicker and darker, as though written with a felt-tip marker. When Mina wants to distance herself from the action, she drops into the third person and writes a story in a more formal typeface. Boxes scattered throughout the text include "Extraordinary Activity" suggestions: writing a particular kind of poem, watching the stars, or flying while you dream. Almond portrays Mina as a girl with a great love of words and learning, and he plays joyfully with language. This might make for tricky going for some readers, but it is truly a wonderful book.—Geri Diorio, Ridgefield Library, CT --Geri Diorio (Reviewed November 1, 2011) (School Library Journal, vol 57, issue 11, p111)
Harvey by Herve Coubchard and Janice Nadeau
F BOU
Harvey is a book I have seen on starred reviews but have not yet read. It looks almost like a large picture book (similar in look to The Inventions of Hugo Cabret). The content however is quite different. This book will take you on an emotional ride. Harvey is a young boy who loses his father. Through the grieving process he begins to feel invisible. Some pages having no text where the story is told through pictures. It is told somewhat like a graphic novel in that pictures are used to move the story forward. It is recommended for 9-12 year olds.
Kirkus Review’s look at Harvey
Kirkus:
A sparse, evocative look at a father's death. Young Harvey lives in a simple time in which friends race toothpicks down gushing gutters, anxiously running alongside to see whose wins. On one of these idyllic spring days, Harvey comes home to find that his father has suffered a fatal heart attack. In the wake of the death and subsequent memorial service, he feels himself slipping away, into what he calls "invisibility." The narrative gently fades out, as does Harvey's presence. Harvey's child's-eye perspective is flawlessly conveyed in both naïve-looking drawings, artfully composed, and direct, present-tense narration alert to detail and rendered in blocky hand printing. His grief and confusion is painfully clear in the smudged, muted colors and heavy use of white space. Eschewing boxy panels, this lyrical elegy glides along seamlessly, languishing over each space. The original, French edition won Canada's Governor General's Awards for both text and illustration. Pensive, with hushed, desolate notes, this is best suited for thoughtful readers,
emotionally intelligent and aesthetically resonant. (Christine Walde Quill & Quire 2010-12-01)
...an imaginative work of psychological insight, uncommon beauty, humour and poignancy. (Susan Perren Globe and Mail 2010-10-02)Popular series
Some popular series to keep in mind
Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer – Follow the adventure and hijinks of 12-year old Artemis Fowl as he tries to regain the family’s reputation as the top crime-family in the land. This fast paced, adventure is full of fun, adventure and a lot of imagination.
Miraculous journey of Edward Tulane by Kate Di Camillo: This story (Gr.3-6 range) tells the tale of Edward, a china rabbit who is beloved by Abilene, a young girl. Edward is lost at sea and learns that not all people love him like Abilene. The story takes us through Edward’s journey of meeting people who are not at all like Abilene. As he realizes not all hearts are as kind as his friend’s, he also realizes that its sometimes the people that are harshest that need the most love. Edward Tulane is written by the same author as Because of Winn- Dixie. Both are great reads.
Other great series…. Rangers Apprentice & Spiderwick
Tween reads for our Gr. 6/7 students
Maze runner series, Oliver Nocturne , Secret of the Trolls, Beautiful Creatures
