How Long Can Amanda and Leo's 11 Birthday Last?

Amanda and Leo were born on the same day. They were actually born at the very same hospital! After they shared an accidental first birthday party, the two celebrated all of their birthdays with each other until and became best friends. Amanda and Leo did everything together until their tenth birthday. Their party came with some drama, and Amanda vowed she was never speaking to Leo again after the way he embarrassed her. She hasn’t spoken to him for a whole year, and now that their birthday is here, she can’t help wonder who will show up at her party, and who will be at Leo’s. From the start, her 11th birthday is a bit of a disaster—she has a pop quiz she wasn’t prepared for, her gymnastics try out is terrible, and then her party is even worse. She doesn’t like the “costume” theme her mom planned, especially because her outfit is uncomfortable and her shoes pinch her feet giving her blisters. Plus, almost everyone is at Leo’s amazing party. Amanda can’t wait to go to bed and have her birthday be over and done. Only when she wakes up it’s her 11th birthday again. And each day it keeps happening- no matter what she does to change things. It isn’t long before Amanda and Leo realize they are the only ones reliving this day with “memories of what happened before”. Now they have to figure out how to get to Saturday, the day after their birthday. Can they figure out what to do? Is there any way to get things back on track? What would make for the best 11th birthday? You’ll have to read this realistic fantasy fiction book to find out.

I have read other books by Wendy Mass, but 11 Birthdays is my favorite book by her so far. Amanda and Leo seem like very realistic kids, and I enjoyed seeing the different ways their birthday played out. It gave me a lot to think about. What would I do if I could relive the same day over and over again? Would I do anything wild to see what would happen? Or would I try to do everything okay and by the rules so I would be able to deal with things the next day if it ever came? I like the stories of friendship and the different turns of events because it showed how all of our actions ripple out— even in ways we do not see. Change one thing about your day and there will be surprise impacts from that act all day (especially if you know how the day went originally). I would recommend this book to anyone in fourth grade and up who enjoy books about friendship and a little bit of magic. I noticed this is the first book in the Willow Falls series. I look forward to checking out the rest.

Has anyone else read 11 Birthdays? Or have you read another book by Wendy Mass? Would you like to relive a day over and over again? 

We’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading. 😀

~L

Answer to Fairday's Riddle: Play it Again...

Excellent guessing, Riddlers! This week we'll be repeating ourselves, so stay tuned. This week we'll be repeating ourselves. Tune in Monday to find out how the answer ties into the story. See you all around the book block. ~ F

Deja vu comes with this—a sticking point in a tiff. Circling back around again, the same as what it was once then. Hands will know what to do when you've played a game or two.  If Mario beats the guys, a level up is no surprise. 

What am I referring to? Answer: Repeat.

Fairday's Riddles: Volume I 

Make time to riddle and rhyme!

62 original riddles and illustrations

Fairday's Riddle: Do It Again?

Hello, Riddlers! Can you guess our theme this week? Sometimes it's good for practice, but often doing this can be frustrating. ~ F

Deja vu comes with this—a sticking point in a tiff. Circling back around again, the same as what it was once then. Hands will know what to do when you've played a game or two.  If Mario beats the guys, a level up is no surprise. 

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

I gave you a clue!

Margo's Musings: Are There Fish in the Fountain?

During the summer I am loving going to the Ashpot Library and picking out a stack of books to read with my little sister, Margo. Usually she is with me selecting whatever books catch her eye, so our pile is a group effort. I knew as soon as I saw the bright yellow cover on display that we would be adding the book to our collection. Sure enough- as soon as she saw it she started pointing and saying, “Lellow! Lellow”. It’s been her favorite color this month and she wants everything yellow. 

Goldfish on Vacation by Sally Lloyd-Jones is a fun story about three siblings who each have a goldfish. They live in a small apartment in New York City and summer vacation is coming. The kids aren’t going away, but a lot of their friends are leaving the city over the break. Right around that time, the vandalized and crumbling fountain near their apartment begins to be repaired by a man who is making it look beautiful. Not only that- but a sign goes up asking people to bring their goldfish to the fountain on a specific date so they can go on “vacation”.  How exciting! People flock to the fountain and the man helps them put their fish in the water.  Each day kids go to the fountain to visit their fish and this gives them the chance to play with other kids who are doing the same thing. At the end of the summer everyone will need to collect their fish when it is time to go back school.

The book has vibrant illustrations that will appeal to kids and adults. I found the idea of goldfish going on a vacation to be fascinating. I am not sure everyone would be okay with dropping off their fish and getting a different fish back. Since a lot of families go away during the summer, it is a good way for the fish to be fed and cared for. 

The Author’s Note at the end of the book explains that this book is the made up true story about a real fountain in New York City where goldfish went on vacation from 1992 to 2005. I can’t believe I never heard of this before! Next time we go to NYC I have to go visit the Hamilton Fountain to see it for myself. From what I have read about it- the fountain was quite a controversy when it was built.

Photo from SallyLloyd-jones.com

Has anyone else read Goldfish on Vacation? Or have you read another book by Sally Lloyd-Jones? Or have you visited Hamilton Fountain? We'd love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
~ F

We'll be on a blog break until August. 

Enjoy the summer days! 

Answer to Fairday's Riddle: Flowing Fountains

Excellent guessing, Riddlers! This week we'll meet by the fountain. Tune in Monday to find out how the answer ties into the story. See you all around the book block. ~ F

Sir Luckless found fortune by taking a dip. You may feel young if you have a sip. Drop in a penny, make a wish, poke around with bubble-eyed fish. Babbling drips of spritzing spray sparkle and flow in water play. Center pond or city street—nice spot for a meet and greet. 

What am I referring to? Answer: Fountain!

Fairday's Riddles: Volume I 

Make time to riddle and rhyme!

62 original riddles and illustrations

Fairday's Riddle: Falling Waters...

Hello, Riddlers! Can you guess our theme this week? I'll be impressed with anyone who gets the J.K. reference. ~ F

Sir Luckless found fortune by taking a dip. You may feel young if you have a sip. Drop in a penny, make a wish, poke around with bubble-eyed fish. Babbling drips of spritzing spray sparkle and flow in water play. Center pond or city street—nice spot for a meet and greet. 

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

I gave you a clue!