Margo's Musings: Say Cheese!

Last week when I visited the town library with my little sister, Margo, she was drawn in to the display with all the new books. I have to say there were lots of covers that had me intrigued! Although she enjoyed all the books we brought home, she did have a favorite.

The Worm Family Has It's Picture Taken by Jennifer Frank and David Ezra Stein is a book with adorable illustrations and a good message. The cover drew me in because the worms looked so sweet  and I wanted to know their story. Why were they getting their picture taken? It turns out that they're getting their first family photo done and Emma couldn't be more excited. She can't wait to see the picture hanging on the wall. But then, she starts looking at all the family photos her friends have, and she worries that since her family can't smile or fix their hair that their picture won't be as good. What are they supposed to do? Is it even worth getting a picture if they don't look fancy? 

Seeing the facial expressions on the different worms' faces really added to the story. The book will make readers think about how often we compare ourselves to others, and how often we think we need to act like or dress like our friends. I liked that Emma comes to some good conclusions as her family goes through the picture process. This is a great book to read with kids and talk about why we shouldn't compare all of our physical attributes to our friends. It also spotlights how important it is to be ourselves. 

This story has definitely become part of our house this past week. Margo is going around with her fake camera taking pictures of any insects she can find, and talking to them. Listening to her communicate with her subjects always makes me chuckle. She loves trying to boss them around! I recommend this book to kids ages five and up who like funny books and worms.

Has anyone else read The Worm Family Has It's Picture Taken? Or have you read another book by Jennifer Frank and David Ezra Stein? We'd love to hear your thoughts!

Happy Reading!
~F

Answer to Fairday's Riddle: Earthly Forces of Nature...

Excellent guessing, Riddlers. Next week we'll be watching the worms, so tune in to find out how the answer ties into the story. See you all around the book block. ~ 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? Answer: Worms!

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.