Monday, December 9, 2019

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday #MMGM Book Review: Wishtree by Katherine Applegate

Years ago, when Red was still a very young tree, a girl tied a wish to her branches. The girl said this was the tradition where she came from. Since then the wishtree has seen many families come and go over her long life. Red knows she’s not supposed to interact with the people who come to sit and wish by her. The animals that live in and around the tree have a close relationship and watch out for one another. When a new family moves into a nearby house and someone carves the word “leave” into the wishtree, Red becomes concerned. Who would do such a thing? Why? What does it mean? It’s soon apparent that a little girl is looking for a friend, and the wishtree wants nothing more than that for the girl, especially considering there seems to be people who want the girl and her family to leave the neighborhood. After Red hears that she may be cut down because of the vandalism and the trouble her roots are causing, she thinks she may have no other choice. What will Red do? Will she intervene? What will happen if she breaks the rule? And is it even possible for a wishtree to help a little girl make a friend? You’ll have to read this book to find out.

Wishtree by Katherine Applegate drew me in because the cover looks so magical. I have read other books by this author and enjoyed them. Reading a book from a tree’s point of view was definitely interesting, and it really made me think. I always feel like I can talk to trees, so I’m not surprised that they can hear us and listen to our wishes. I liked the lessons in the story as there were many- some about friendship, some about how we treat our planet, and others about understanding people from different cultures and places. This is a fast book and one that won’t take more than a few hours to read. I recommended this book to kids and adults ages eight and up who enjoy a good story about friendship. 


Has anyone else read Wishtree? Or another book by Katherine Applegate? We’d love to hear your thoughts.

Happy reading!
~L

For other MMGM posts, please visit Greg Pattridge's blog.

Saturday, December 7, 2019

Answer to Fairday's Riddle: Tree Speak...

Excellent guessing, Riddlers. We'll be traipsing through talking trees next week. Tune in Monday for Lizzy's book review and find out how the answer ties into the story. See you all around the book block. ~ F

A canopy view from above; cooing song of brushy dove. Stick and move in subtle ways, branching out through sun and haze. Weeping willow, fir, oak, beech; who hears their secret silent speech? Shwooshing, pattering, tinkling words are carried on the wings of birds.

What am I referring to? Answer: Trees!




Make time to riddle and rhyme!
62 original riddles and illustrations

Monday, December 2, 2019

Fairday's Riddle: Deep Roots...

Hello, Riddlers! Can you guess our theme? These are a few of my favorite things. :) ~ F

A canopy view from above; cooing song of brushy dove. Stick and move in subtle ways, branching out through sun and haze. Weeping willow, fir, oak, beech; who hears their secret silent speech? Shwooshing, pattering, tinkling words are carried on the wings of birds.

What am I referring to? Stop by Friday for the answer. 

I gave you a clue!



Thursday, November 28, 2019

Cornucopia of Gratitude...

Peace, love, and abundance to all! 
We are grateful for our readers. 😊
Happy Thanksgiving!🍁

We'll be back next week with more stories and riddles to share.


Monday, November 18, 2019

Margo's Musings: Where Will You Go?


One of my favorite things do is to listen to authors and illustrators talk about their work. I know I always learn so much from them. Not long ago I heard Aaron Becker speak about creating the book Journey. His presentation captivated me. I thought the illustrations were beautiful and amazing. After the talk we got an autographed copy, which is very special. It’s also one of my little sister’s favorite books. Margo LOVES to tell the story and she changes it up all the time.


Journey by Aaron Becker is a wordless picture book that will take you on an adventure. It’s perfect for making up stories and noticing details in illustrations. You will fall in love with the pictures and dream up story lines of your own. In the book a young girl draws a magic door and enters a world where anything can become reality. With the use of her red marker she can create whatever she wants, but she isn't sure how it will all end. You'll have to read along and see where her imagination, and yours, will take you. (Click here to get a glimpse into the story). 


If you ever get the chance to hear Aaron Becker speak- I highly recommend it. His visual presentation will simply blow you away. We heard that Journey is actually the first in a trilogy of wordless picture books and we will be looking for the next two to add to our collection.


Has anyone else read Journey? Or have you read another book by Aaron Becker? We’d love to hear your thoughts!



Happy Reading!
~F

Friday, November 15, 2019

Answer to Fairday's Riddle: Head For the Unknown...

Excellent guessing, Riddlers. We're taking off on a journey. Tune in Monday to find out where we're going. See you all around the book block. ~ F

No words needed to embark on this; steal away, blow a kiss. Fly off, walk on through, this experience is new for you. Things you'll see, taste, and smell make the trip fun to tell. When traveling sets your frame of mind adventure isn't hard to find. 

What am I referring to? Answer: Journey




Make time to riddle and rhyme!
62 original riddles and illustrations

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Fairday's Riddle: Where Are You Going?

Hello, Riddlers! Can you guess our theme. I love taking them, but I also like to come home. ~ F

No words needed to embark on this; steal away, blow a kiss. Fly off, walk on through, this experience is new for you. Things you'll see, taste, and smell make the trip fun to tell. When traveling sets your frame of mind adventure isn't hard to find. 

What am I referring to? Stop by Friday for the answer.

I gave you a clue!