That silver sticker on the front means it's a pretty good book. Okay, the silver sticker on the front means its one of the best books published last year. Kind of a big deal when you think about the ridiculous number of books published each and every year. That silver sticker means it's a Newbery Honor book, aka a runner-up to the most distinguished book published last year in America. The Inquisitor's Tale: Or, The Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog by Adam Gidwitz won the Newbery Honor book this year. I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. I liked this book. I liked the setting and that I learned so much about the middle ages. I really liked the author's note at the end that included the inspiration for the characters and events; it was incredibly detailed and in depth. I laughed out loud when I learned the farting dragon was a historical story Gidwitz came across; while reading the story I really thought the author put it in there just to attrack the boys. I really did like this story and it's similarity to the Canterbury Tales, but that it was so creative and complex. There were only a few things I didn't like about the book; hence the high rating it deserved. I didn't love that the book was slower in pace. It wasn't a slow story or have any slow parts, but it did feel like a slow and methodical pace that wound it's way through. I do think Gidwitz did a great job writing this book, and is well deserving of the Newbery Honor. Overall, it is well written, a good story, funny, a tad random, and have enjoyable illustrations. However, I think children would struggle to read this book or the book may struggle to keep the child's interest. Personally, I'm not sure I would've read this book had it not won an award. Though, I'm glad I did read it, and I'm glad I listened to part of the audiobook. The audiobook version is well done with several different voices for the many characters and other characters involved. I may have not picked up this book to read, but School Library Journal states in their review that this book is a must read. "What is a miracle? Is a miracle what happens when, faced with murderous bandits, a teenage monk rips a leg off his donkey, beats them to death with it, then restores the donkey's leg? Or is it a miracle when a cranky innkeeper is so moved by a little girl's friendliness that he risks his life to help her and her companions flee a posse of armed knights? Maybe the real miracle happens when readers attracted to the action and violence a particular author is known for find themselves strongly invested in the moral questions that plague bandit-killing monk and friendly peasant girl alike—along with every other character they encounter, from a young minstrel/pickpocket to Louis IX. Gidwitz's tale of medieval France successfully combines the epic with the personal, aiming for that heart-stopping moment when characters readers have come to care about find themselves on a collision course with one of the great wood chippers of history—the Inquisition, agents of which are in hot pursuit of three underdog characters (and one actual dog) from the very start. It is left to the titular Inquisitor to discover the truth behind the legends that quickly rise to surround these kids. He nudges it from each of the travelers at a roadside inn, the narrative tension rising as each facet is revealed. VERDICT This book appeals to the heart, to the mind, and to any reader's appetite for action: read it for the thrilling escapes, the fart jokes, the stinky cheese, and the palace intrigue. Read it for the Talmudic wisdom, commonsense philosophies, and moments of doubt. Read it for the palaces and monasteries and the unbelievable descriptions of food. But read it." So, what do you say, are you a medieval fan? Will you pick up this book to give it a read? I do think this could make an interesting book club book, or a great Battle of the Books book. Happy Medieval Award Winning Middle Grade Fiction reading! The Inquisitor's Tale: Or The Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog by Adam Gidwitz Rating: 4/5 stars Best For: 10- 14 year olds, 5th to 9th grade Worth a Check Out: Yes! Buy It or Not: Probably not, unless you love the middle ages Read Aloud: It's a slow pace, but possibly in a 6th of 7th grade class or with a parent Lesson Ideas: Middle Ages, France, Inquisitors
As we "crossover" from summer to back-to-school, I want to encourage you to put Crossover, a novel in verse by Kwame Alexander on your must-share list for the new school year-- particularly if you work with kids in 4th - 8th grade. It's such a fresh story with twin 12 year old boy protagonists who love playing basketball and are growing up-- and maybe apart-- as they cope with middle school, girls, and the expectations of their parents. The poems are full of energy and propel the story forward energetically. But I especially loved the picture of family life that comes across as each boy is trying to carve out his own identity, their dad (a former pro basketball player himself) is a hilarious character with a big story arc of his own, and their mom is the school's vice principal-- more savvy than they give her credit for. The family dynamics are lively and authentic and the picture of life at school rings true too. I'm calling it part Love That Dog meets The Watsons Go to Birmingham meets Slam. Here are just a few nuggets from the Readers' Guide I developed for the book and you'll find the whole guide here. 1. As students read or listen to this verse novel, encourage them to visualize each of the main characters and talk about what they look like and how they talk and act. Work together to draw character sketches or find magazine or web-based images that look like these characters: Jordan (JB) Bell Josh (“Filthy McNasty”) Bell Dad: Chuck Bell (“Da Man”), a former professional basketball player Mom: Dr. Crystal Stanley-Bell, the assistant principal at the boys’ school (Reggie Lewis Junior High) Talk about how the twins are alike and how they are different. For example, Jordan (JB) and Josh (“Filthy McNasty”) are identical twins, but JB shaves his head bald and plays shooting guard and Josh has shoulder length dreadlocks (at first) and plays forward. It is usually Josh’s point of view we see as the story unfolds. 5. Several of the poems in this novel lend themselves to readers theater performance, so that students can get a sense of the characters’ voices. The following poems offer text in two parts: plain text and italicized text for two volunteers or two groups to read aloud in turn. “Conversation” pp.17-19 “The game is tied” p. 36 “Mom doesn’t like us eating out” pp. 41-42 “The inside of Mom and Dad’s bedroom closet” pp. 44-47 “Dad Takes Us to Krispy Kreme and Tells Us His Favorite Story (Again)” pp. 63-65 “Mom calls me into the kitchen” pp. 96-98 “Phone Conversation (I Sub for JB)” pp. 106-109 “Suspension” pp. 138-141 “I run into Dad’s room” pp. 165-167 “School’s Out” pp. 188-189 “Santa Claus Stops By” pp. 207-209 “Questions” pp. 210-211 7. The author also introduces crucial vocabulary terms through twelve key poems presented at critical intervals throughout the book. “cross-o-ver” p. 29 “ca-lam-i-ty” p. 38-39 “pa-tel-la ten-di-ni-tis” pp. 48-49 “pul-chri-tu-di-nous” p. 55 “hy-per-ten-sion” p. 76 “i-ron-ic” p. 104 “tip-ping point” pp. 118-119 “chur-lish” pp. 142-143 “pro-fuse-ly” p. 154 “es-tranged” p. 187 “my-o-car-di-al in-farc-tion” p. 201-202 “star-less” p. 229 Talk with students about how the poet uses the usual dictionary format in presenting the vocabulary term: the word is shown in syllables, with a pronunciation guide, the part of speech is indicated, and the poem provides a kind of definition along with examples of the meaning of the word (using the phrase “as in:”). Working together, look up some of these words in a dictionary (or online) and compare your findings with the vocabulary poem. Challenge students to write their own “vocabulary” poems for a new word they encounter in the book using Alexander’s “formula.” Plus, the Readers Guide pinpoints: poems in rap, incorporates the power of nicknames, connects with YouTube videos of sports and music figures in the book, looks at the role of rules in the novel, showcases various forms and types of poetry that are included, and examines the "crossover" themes. Check it out here. There is also an audiobook version of this novel in verse available. It's narrated by Corey Allen and produced by Recorded Books. Here's one more way to get kids into the book-- by listening to a pro read it aloud! It's available on CD or as a download here. Now head on over to Irene's place, Live Your Poem, for more Poetry Friday nuggets!
It’s a snowy day here in Colorado. My girls are home from school, an early gift for us all. And we have books stacked everywhere...
Teach kids about the solar system with these fun books about space for kids! #space #solarsystem
Give me alll the poetry books!
Children’s poetry books are a rich way for kids to enjoy limericks, poetic stanzas, tongue twisters, and rhymes. Through poetry, they learn the joy of play on words, puns, and metaphors all while using their imaginations. This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure statement for more information. 20 Favorite Children’s Poetry Books and Poetry […]
In this interview, artist Barry Moser discusses racism, religion, and working amidst mystery.
