Fairday's Riddle: Underground Squiggles...

Hello, Riddlers! Can you guess our theme this week? They rise up after a good rain storm. ~ F

So delicious, dirt in me; minerals, particles, everything wee. I tube around, squirm under feet, my body is long, slimy, and neat. Sometimes divided by powers that be, no big deal- each part is still me. I mix it up underground; my kind makes very little sound. Out of sight; we're easily forgotten. But remember, we eat things that are rotten. 

What am I referring to? Stop by this weekend for the answer!

I gave you a clue!

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday # MMGM Book Review: Many Points of Me by Caroline Gertler

 

Eleven-year-old Georgia Rosenbloom has been best friends with Theo since they were newborns. They even live in the same apartment building, and their moms are best friends too. Theo didn’t know his dad, and Georgia’s dad was like a father to him. Being a famous artist, her dad even taught Georgia and Theo art lessons and helped them with techniques. But her dad passed away a year ago, and things have been different since then. Georgia doesn’t feel as inspired by her art and can't seem to create anything she's happy with. She feels a part of her is missing. It doesn’t help that her mother has had to sell off some of her fathers artwork and share it with other people when Georgia just wants to keep it all for themselves. The MET is doing a big exhibit on her father and wants to learn more about his inspiration for his famous asterism series (points of stars). Theo was the one who had given her dad the idea for the series, and he even has a sketch of her father's- something Georgia doesn't have. She can't help feeling jealous. Georgia even starts a friendship with a new girl at school and tries to leave Theo out. When she stumbles upon a sketch her dad made of her, she notices points on the back. Was his last asterism really supposed to be of her? Georgia will stop at nothing to try to solve this mystery, even if she has to do it by herself. Will Georgia and Theo ever get their friendship back? Can Georgia come to terms with her father passing and get her own inspiration back? Is it possible to determine what her father's final painting in the series would have been? You will have to go on this emotional roller coaster with Georgia and find out!

I heard about Many Points of Me by Caroline Gertler on a blog (I am sorry I can't remember which one) and I added it to my list of books to read. I’m so glad I read it! Georgia is a character who took that my heart and I felt for her with everything she was going through. I was distraught at the struggles going on with her and Theo. I don't like when friends fight, but I know it is happens. I really like that there is an art mystery in the book, as Georgia tried to solve what would have been her father's final piece in his masterpiece series. This book made me think about all of the things that make us who we are and how we reflect ourselves in our art. The author did a great job helping me understand Georgia and her heartbreak. I recommend this book to people in fourth grade and up who like art, mysteries, and books about friendship. If you are like me, you may need a couple tissues handy. I look forward to reading more books by this author in the future.

Has anyone else read Many Points of Me by Caroline Gertler? We’d love to hear your thoughts! 

Happy reading!

~L

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

Answer to Fairday's Riddle: Art, and More Art...

 

Excellent guessing, Riddlers! We'll be dipping our imaginations into a world of art. Tune in Monday to find out how the answer ties into the story. See you all around the book block. ~ F

Creation for creations sake; could be anything, give or take. Mediums galore, colors bright; working day, crafting night. Ideas pour onto page; music, silence, wind and sage. At the end, it is done; you will see a new one. Visions built by protein blocks line up like walls of rocks. Living lines are never meh. Without this, our world is eh.

What am I referring to? Answer: Art!

Jungle Jewels is the next stop on RainbowRide!

Two worlds left to create...

Blue

Violet

Colors In MIND

Fairday's Riddle: Spinning Visions~@

Hello, Riddlers! Can you guess our theme? I live for this. :) ~ F

Creation for creations sake; could be anything, give or take. Mediums galore, colors bright; working day, crafting night. Ideas pour onto page; music, silence, wind and sage. At the end, it is done; you will see a new one. Visions built by protein blocks line up like walls of rocks. Living lines are never meh. Without this, our world is eh.

What am I referring to? Stop by at the end of the week for the answer.

I gave you a clue! 

Margo's Musings: Why Would Crocs Eat Rocks?

Our family has been so excited to be able to visit our local library in person again. There is something magical about walking among all the books and seeing shiny covers beckoning you over.  The only hard part was narrowing down which books we would bring home with us this week. We've been reading a ton of great stories, but my little sister, Margo, has a favorite. The best part is, she likes to reread it together- but we don't need to reread every page, since it is a book full of facts. 

Eat Your Rocks, Croc! is written by Jess Keating and illustrated by Pete Oswald. It's a fascinating picture book filled with unique facts about animals from all over the world.  We are introduced to Dr. Sugar Glider on the opening pages, and we travel to different countries with them as they help animals solve some puzzling problems. Each page has a question for the doctor and then their explanation of the wild and weird. Did you know that crocodiles actually eat rocks? I had no idea before I read this book, but now I know why they eat them, and that they aren't the only animal that does! I love rocks, but I am glad I don't have to gobble them up to aid with my digestion.

The facts and the illustrations really work together in this book. I think the information could have been a little advanced for Margo, but the clever illustrations help make the facts easier to understand. Plus, my sister loves how bright and vibrant the pictures are throughout the book. There are lots of details and humor involved in the illustrations, which helps me to remember the information, and they make my sister laugh out loud. She can't get over a fish wearing a bib and having a fork and knife. I have to admit, the words and the pictures make the book fun and informative. The sidebars on the sides of each page add extra facts and scientific terms, which I really soaked up. 

I love learning new things and would recommend this book to people of all ages who enjoy discovering that the world around them is filled with animals that have unique capabilities and qualities. Plus, you will be able to amaze your friends and family with the cool facts you learned. I definitely plan to read more books by this author. 

Has anyone else read Eat Your Rocks, Croc? Or have you read another book written by Jess Keating or illustrated by Pete Oswald? We'd love to hear your thoughts. 

Happy Reading!
~F

Answer to Fairday's Riddle: Rock It Out!

Excellent guessing, Riddlers! This one was tricky, like a slippery rock. Tune in next week to find out how the answer ties into the story. See you all around the book block. ~ F

Like Ludo said, they're friends; piling up or digging trends. They've a face that seldom moves and lines that tell about their grooves. They like to sit very still or be tossed around by forceful will. Stoic through their stony day; they show no fear in any way.

What am I referring to? Answer: Rocks! 

Fairday's Riddle: And Roll!

Hello, Riddlers! Can you guess our theme? I adore them- of all sorts. :) ~ F

Like Ludo said, they're friends; piling up or digging trends. They've a face that seldom moves and lines that tell about their grooves. They like to sit very still or be tossed around by forceful will. Stoic through their stony day; they show no fear in any way.

What am I referring to? Stop by at the end of the week for the answer.

I gave you a clue!