The Crossover

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Yes, this WILL get tween/teen boys to read poetry, but it has mass appeal. I loved it.

The Conference of the Birds - TLC Book Tour

The Conference of the Birds by Peter Sis

Publisher: The Penguin Press
Publication date: October 27, 2011
Hardcover: 160 pages
Price: $27.95
On the library stacks: Adult fiction
Peter Sis' website.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Based on a 12th century poem, this parable is beautiful in its simplicity and gorgeous in its illustrations.

This book takes us on a journey with a group of birds on their epic flight. The birds are trying to find their true king. But some realize that a journey like this will force them to give up some of their comforts and they resist. Some perish when they pass through the seven valleys of quest, love, understanding, detachment, unity, amazement and death. But in the end, those that have chosen to complete the journey and survived learn that the true king is each of them and all of them.

Reading this book is a pleasure. The colors are joyful, the texture of the pages is high quality, and the story resonates profoundly with our human experience. It's an uplifting read that I can easily recommend.

Peter Sis is a Caldecott Honor-winning children's author and illustrator. This is his first book for adults.

Check out these reviews: Bibliophiliac ~ Book Snob ~ Sarah Reads Too Much
Look for these reviews coming soon: Savvy Verse & Wit ~  Col Reads ~ Wordsmithonia ~ Hungry Like the Woolf ~ Melody & Words ~ Unabridged Chick ~ Seven Impossible Things ~ Alexandra Boiger ~ Abigail Halpin ~ Layers of Thought

Source: I received this book from the publisher as part of the TLC Book Tour.

Beowulf

Beowulf: A New Verse Translation by Unknown

AR Reading Level: 10.4
On the library stacks: Adult/YA Poetry

Beowulf is an ancient Anglo-Saxon poem set in Scandinavia. The hero, Beowulf, is a brave and gallant man who fights a monster named Grendel who has been threatening the king of the Danes. Once defeated, Grendel's mother comes back to wreak her revenge, and Beowulf is forced into her lair where he defeats her as well. Beowulf returned to his homeland and eventually becomes a king himself in Geatland. In his old age, he fights his last opponent--a dragon that has been terrorizing his people.

I actually enjoyed this! It was much more fast-paced readable than I was expecting. My incredible sister-in-law has translated this entire work herself and recommended this version for its more modern fluidity. Heaney's version has the original Old English printed on the facing page, which is interesting to see. I think it might be fun to read this with my kids someday, but I'm also looking forward to discussing this with my online book club. I sure there is much that was lost on me, but I'm glad that I can say I have finally read Beowulf.

Also reviewed by: Rebecca Reads ~ Your link here?
Source: Borrowed

Crossing Stones

Crossing Stones by Helen Frost

Awards: Kirkus Best Book of the Year; YALSA's Best Books for YA

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

From the publisher:

Maybe you won’t rock a cradle, Muriel.

Some women seem to prefer to rock the boat.

Eighteen-year-old Muriel Jorgensen lives on one side of Crabapple Creek. Her family’s closest friends, the Normans, live on the other. For as long as Muriel can remember, the families’ lives have been intertwined, connected by the crossing stones that span the water. But now that Frank Norman—who Muriel is just beginning to think might be more than a friend—has enlisted to fight in World War I and her brother, Ollie, has lied about his age to join him, the future is uncertain. As Muriel tends to things at home with the help of Frank’s sister, Emma, she becomes more and more fascinated by the women’s suffrage movement, but she is surrounded by people who advise her to keep her opinions to herself.

This is a beautifully structured historical fiction verse novel. I loved the voices of the different characters. I loved the imagery with the way the poems were printed on the page. (I recommend reading the Notes on Form at the end of the book before starting the book.) I loved the pure emotion. I felt so involved in the plot and I shed a few tears along the way. An absolutely captivating look at a time in history that I think is too often overlooked. Wholeheartedly recommended for ages 12 and up.

Also reviewed by: Becky's Book Reviews

Book 18 of 100 for the 100+ Reading Challenge
Book 10 of 50 for the New Author Challenge
Book 11 of 50 for the YA Reading Challenge
Book 8 of 10 for the Book Awards IV Challenge
Book 6 of 25 for the Support Your Local Library Challenge
Book 6 of 12 for the Historical Fiction Challenge
Book 15 of 25 for the MG Reading Challenge 

Source: Library

Letters to a Young Poet

Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke

Book 47 of 50 for the New Author Challenge
Book 9 of 10 for the Orbis Terrarum Challenge (Austria)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Last year when I finished the Orbis Terrarum Challenge, I was sent this book as a prize. I wish I knew which lovely blogger sent it to me, but THANK YOU to whomever it was. I really enjoyed it.

This book contains 10 letters written by Rilke to an aspiring poet. While Rilke doesn't really give the poetry much criticism, he encourages the young poet to extract more of the meaning of his existence, to dig deep, and to make his own destiny. This book is a slim volume, but it has some excellent points to ponder.

Some favorite quotes:

If your daily life seems poor, do not blame it; blame yourself, tell yourself that you are not poet enough to call forth its riches; for to the creator there is no poverty and no poor indifferent place.

Live awhile in these books, learn from them what seems to you worth learning, but above all love them. This love will be repaid you a thousand and a thousand times...

...be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves like locked rooms and like books that are written in a very foreign tongue. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer.

I'm a little humbled by the fact that Rilke was younger than I am when he wrote most of the letters. I'm not an artist or a poet and some of his prose was a little overly intellectual for me. But, I will definitely pick this one up again. It's a good little book to browse. Rilke's insights are stunning.

Also reviewed by:

• Shona's Book Shelves

Have I missed yours?

Source: Gift

Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!

Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!: Voices from a Medieval Village by Laura Amy Schlitz

rating: 4 of 5 stars

This 2008 Newbery Medal winner was a delight to read. The author, Laura Amy Schlitz, is a school librarian who wrote the pieces in the book for her fifth grade students to perform. Since she couldn't write 17 equal parts of importance, most of the book is made up of poetic monologues where each student represents a different person in a Medieval village. (I have to say though, my favorite parts were the dialogues performed by two characters.) The characters range in social class from the nobility right down to the beggars.

I think this book is so fabulous because it shows students how history can really come alive. This is a librarian who went the ultimate mile in allowing students to truly experience what they were learning in a way that is meaningful and unforgettable. In addition, Schlitz includes footnotes and background explanations which are both interesting and sometimes very humorous.

Do I think it will go flying off the shelves in your local library? Probably not. But if I were a teacher studying the Middle Ages, I would use it in my lesson plans for sure. If there is a student who had an interest in Medieval times or wanted to read something a little different, I would certainly recommend it. I'll definitely be handing it to my daughter in the next year or so.  I think it's appropriate from about fourth grade on up.

Also reviewed by:

• Maw Books
• 1morechapter
• The Hidden Side of a Leaf
• Deliciously Clean Reads
• Book Nut

What Love Is

What Love Is by Carol Lynn Pearson

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Throughout the ages, songs have been sung and books and poetry have been written about what love is. What makes this book unique is the poignancy in the words of the fable and the gorgeous illustrations. Very short (32 pages) and inspirational. Pick it up if you have a chance.

Thank you, mother-in-law, for giving this to me!