The Janitor's Boy
Andrew Clements
Mark Elliott (Illustrator)
Atheneum Books for Young Readers
A Division of Simon and Schuster
ISBN 9780689835858
ASIN B0070Z7TNO
I am very thankful that I discovered Andrew Clement's books this year. They are great for reading with my children. The stories are so entertaining that I really enjoy then. And each of them that I have read so far have amazing lessons. The message in this book is deeper than some of the others that I have read by Clements.
Jack Rankins hates that his dad is the janitor at his school. SO he has a plan, a plan to make a horrendous mess for his father to need to clean up. But his plan for the prefect crime did not take into account the detective skills of Mr. Ackerby. Soon Jack has 3 weeks of punishment cleaning first his original target, and then what ever the head custodian wants him to clean. Jack reports to his father for duty.
But being in school after hours has some interesting benefits. Jack finds a key cabinet, discovers some secrets and learns a lot. He learns about who he really is, he learns about who his father is and some of the stuff he has been through. And he grows a lot.
One of the best things about Clement's books is that they teach incredible lessons but in in a big showy way. The lessons are subtle, and the stories very realistic. These down to earth books a great for the whole family, currently in our house from ages 5-45 all enjoy these reads. This is one of the best in-between book I have ever read. It is not early readers and it is not yet young adult. This is an excellent book and I highly recommend it.
Books by Andrew Clements:
Bird Adalbert
Noah and the Ark and the Animals
Santa's Secret Helper
Temple Cat
Mother Earth's Counting Book
Billy and the Bad Teacher
Who Owns the Cow
Bright Christmas: An Angel Remembers
Frindle
(Adapter)Philipp's Birthday Book
Riff's BeBop Book
Real Monsters Go for the Mold
Things That Go EEK on Halloween
Real Monsters Stage Fright
Music Time, Any Time
Double Trouble in Walla Walla
Workshop
Gromble's Haunted Halloween
Hey Dad, Could I Borrow Your Hammer
The Landry News
Look Who's in the Thanksgiving Play
The Mouse Family
The Janitor's Boy
Circus Family Dog
The Christmas Kitten
The School Story
Things Not Seen
The Jacket
A Week in the Woods
Slippers at Home
Naptime for Slippers
The Report Card
The Last Holiday Concert
Slippers at School
Slippers Loves to Run
A Million Is a Lot of Dots
Lunch Money
Things Hoped For
Room One: A Mystery or Two
No Talking
Things That Are
Lost and Found
Extra Credit
Troublemaker
About Average
The Map Trap
The Friendship War
The Losers Club
...
Pets to the Rescue Series
Ringo Saves the Day!
Brave Norman
Tara and Tiree, Fearless Friends
Delores and the Big Fire
Jake Drake Series
Jake Drake Know-It-All
Jake Drake, Bully Buster
Jake Drake, Teacher's Pet
Jake Drake, Class Clown
Benjamin Pratt and the Keepers of the School Series
We the Children
Fear Itself
The Whites of Their Eyes
In Harm's Way
We Hold These Truths
Reading program Books
Karen's Island
Three Wishes for Buster
Bill Picket: An American Original, Texas Style
Hurricane Andrew
Ham and Eggs for Jack
Life in the Desert
Desert Treasure
Inventors: Making Things Better, Steck-Vaughn
Milo's Great Invention
How God Hauled Me Kicking and Screaming Into the Catholic Church
Kevin Lowry
Our Sunday Visitor
ISBN 9781612788401
ASIN B01FIEBG50
This is the second book I have read by Kevin Lowry and I have read his contributions in other volumes also. And I must say the greatest strengths of his writings are threefold. First is his honesty and his transparency. Second is his engaging and entertaining writing style. And Third is his vulnerability is sharing his stories as they are faults and all. Over the last few years I have read a number of stories of how people have found the Catholic church or found their way back home. From the three volumes in the Surprised By Truth series edited by Patrick Madrid to Lorene Hanley Dunquin's Recovering Faith. But there is something very powerful in the whole story like Kevin Presents in this volume as opposed to shorter snapshots, even though I enjoy those also.
In this volume we have a story that spans many years, almost a decade. From a young 16 year old heading off to college to a man married with 2 children entering the Catholic Church. Kevin states in the introduction: "To undergo conversion is to become different, or perhaps it is more accurate to say that it is to be made different. It is the start of the process of becoming a saint, for that is the ultimate point of conversion and God's goal for each one of us." He goes on later to declare "I've grasped that I was not a failure but a human being. I have also grasped that the process of conversion - even for cradle Catholics - necessarily involves turning our hearts again and again toward Christ. It involves growing in our understanding and practice of the faith." And his book will inspire, challenge and at times even cause us to laugh. This book will help with our own turning, turning back, refocusing back on Christ. And if we are open to learning from Kevin's example it can help us grow.
The sections in this book are:
Foreword - Dr. Scott Hahn
Introduction - Transformed: Lessons of a Grateful Convert
Part I: Sprinting to the Starting Gate - or How God Hauled Me Kicking and Screaming into the Catholic Church Despite My Best Efforts to Avoid It
Chapter 1: Happy Easter! Now What?
Chapter 2: An Event and a Process
Chapter 3: A Fish Out of Water
Chapter 4: Soused in Steubenville
Chapter 5: Fast Forward
Chapter 6: The Beautiful American
Chapter 7: Spiritual Nomads
Part II: Turning Stumbling Blocks Into Stepping-Stones - or How All Those Weird Things About Catholicism Turn Out to Make Sense and Actually Bring You Closer to God
Chapter 8: First Stumbling Block: The Eucharist
Chapter 9: Second Stumbling Block: Confession
Chapter 10: Third Stumbling Block: The Mystical Body of Christ
Chapter 11: Fourth Stumbling Block: Mary
Chapter 12: Fifth Stumbling Block: Faith vs. Works
Chapter 13: Sixth Stumbling Block: Authority
Chapter 14: Seventh Stumbling Block: The Church's Imperfections
Chapter 15: The Worst Stumbling Block of All: Me
Kevin writes in such an engaging way that I could hardly put the book down.
"I need the Sacrament of Reconciliation as much as anyone and more than most. So instead, I force myself to look inward and marvel at my own intransigence - how my conversion seems to be put on hold far more often than it should be." And each of us must face those same questions, week by week, year by year. We need to learn to turn again and again back to God, to fix our focus on Christ and to follow the Holy Spirit's leading.
This book is an excellent read. For those firmly established in their Catholic faith it will serve as a reminder or a book to share with those on the path. For those who are on the path, Kevin is an excellent example and someone whom you can walk beside. I honestly believe that anyone who reads this book will be challenged to live a deeper and more authentic faith! It is a wonderful inspiring read so give it a try.
Books by Kevin Lowry:
Faith at Work: Finding Purpose Beyond the Paycheck
How God Hauled Me Kicking and Screaming Into the Catholic Church
Liberation
I Am Margaret Book 3
Corinna Turner
UnSeen Books an Imprint of
Zephyr Publishing, UK
Chesterton Press, US Edition
eISBN 9781910806111
ISBN 9781903858080
ASIN B0163DAICW
I find that book series typically fall into a few categories, either they start great and tapper off (The Hunger Games), or sometimes they build slowly (Duncton Chronicles), but few series keep up the intensity and the enjoyment (I Am Margaret or I Hunt Killers). This series in many ways keeps getting better and better. I was impressed with Turner's debut I Am Margaret. And I am even more impressed with this third instalment in the quadrilogy or tetralogy depending on your preference. This was an incredible read that I could hardly put down.
To recap: at the end of book 1, I Am Margaret, Bane has freed Margo and Jon and the other ReAssigness from the EuroGov facility. Now they are all on the run. At the end of book two, The Three Most Wanted, the Vatican state has had to evacuate. Margo, Bane, Jon and many other are in hiding but with plans. At that leads us directly to this story.
Bane has a plan, a plan to liberate others who are waiting to be reassigned. Pope Cornelius will only ok the plan because they are committed to using non-lethal. And with some information from a surprising benefactor, and then things begin going very well for the underground. But all good things do come to an end, as the saying goes. Some of our team are lost or captured, some are getting married and soon all are in big trouble again surrounded on all sides by the military of the Eurobloc.
This is another amazing story in an amazing series! The writing is wonderful, incredible suspense. It has excellent characters and great world building. If you have read the other books in the series you will love this and if not give this wonderful series a try.
Books by Corinna Turner:
I Am Margaret Series:
0.0 The Underappreciated Virtues of Rusty Old Bicycles (A prequel)
0.5 Brothers (Prequel)
1.0 I Am Margaret
1.5 How Snakey Got His Name (Short Story)
2.0 The Three Most Wanted
3.0 Liberation
4.0 Bane's Eyes
5.0 Margo's (Attempted) Diary & Notebook
5.5 An Unexpected Guest
6.0 The Siege of Reginald Hill
6.5 Buttons (Short Story)
7.0 A Saint in the FamilyI Am Margaret The Play - Fiorella de Maria...
Yesterday and Tomorrow Series:
Someday
Tomorrow's Dead
...
unSPARKed Series:
One Day
A Story About Positive Attitude
Barb Chrysler
Philip McIvor (Illustrator)
Nanshe Publishing
ISBN 9780994804907
I have read this book with my children, twice both yesterday and today. It has a great message for all children, but especially for fan of soccer or football as the European's call it. Each page is illustrated with a child dressed like a famous soccer star, and with a motivational message about that play. These message instil positive attitudes and hope.
The stars profiled are:
Pele
Christiano Ronaldo
Lionel Messi
Abby Wambach
Mia Hamm
George Weah
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
David Beckham
Nico Calabria
Martha Vieira da Silva
Michelle Akers
David Alaba
Hope Solo
Philipp Lahm
Ronaldo Luis Nazario
Manuel Neuer
Arjen Robben
Alex Morgan
Zinedine Zidane
The illustrations by Philip McIvor are very well done. They are sort of in a caricature but of a child dressed as the soccer star. The realistic uniforms, and bright colors will be loved by children and fans alike.
At the end of the book is a brief biography on each of the players, many of which are inspirational in and of themselves.
This is one of those books I see my children coming back to again and again. We have already read it 4 times in under 2 days. My children absolutely love it. And to be honest the message is strong enough that even I appreciate the reminder's about how our attitude can help shape the future and also inspire others.
A great little read and I highly recommend it.
Arrival
Geoterra Book 3
A.J. Gillette
Hidden Lake Press
ASIN B01FA55RAM
This was the third book I have read by Alfred Gillette. And to be honest based on those he has in the pipe I am looking forward too many more. The Geoterra books have a fun rhythm to them. They are part Spider Robinson Callahan's Saloon, Part Harry Harrison Stainless Steel Rat. But they also pay homage to a lot of science fiction styles and sub genre's. There are a lot of hat tip's to different series of books and tv shows, that make these really fun reads.
This book has a bit of everything, and as such has something for everyone. You have a group of colonists from Earth hoping to start over with less technology and contact with other species. You have Vanian's - Vampires, You have Angel like beings, and giant whale like creatures who have been guiding and protecting the universe and are now about to move on and leave it in the hands of a new organization. And there are still pirates, a human who is really messing up the plans and goals of the other terran's. And when you add some guidance and visits from future versions of our many group and you have a really interesting adventure.
AJ's writing is a fun engaging style. I have really enjoyed discovering his books. And I really look forward to reading more in this series and some of the other books he has in the works. This was another great read so give the series a try!
The books are available on both Kindle and Kobo.
Books by A.J. Gillette:
Geoterra Series:
#1 Exodus
#2 Journey
#3 Arrival
#4 Chaos
#5
#6 Order
#7 Geoterra
#8 NewTerra
#9
Other books by A.J. Gillette:
Evolution
Being Yeti
No Talking
Andrew Clements
Mark Elliott (Illustrator)
Atheneum Books for Young Readers
A Division of Simon and Schuster
ISBN 9781416909835
ASIN B0070Y3GLE
This is the third book I have read by Andrew Clements in as many weeks. I am finding that the more I read of his the more I like it. He does an excellent job of capturing the school environments, children and student teacher interactions. To be honest I wish I had encountered his writings earlier for I know I would have read many more of them, and I just might yet. When I am reading books for younger readers I have a few questions that take a book from good to great in my opinion, those questions are:
1. Could I see reading this book again?
2. Would I want to read this book with my kids?
3. Would I want my children reading this book?
4. Could I see myself sharing this book with other parents and educators?
5. Is the story good enough to entertain children and adults who read to or with them?
This book gets a resounding yes to all 5 questions.
In this book Dave and Lynsey end up in a battle, they are leading the 5th grade boys and girls in a challenge to speak the fewest words. The rules are: ""You can say only three words in a row. And only if a teacher or a grown-up talks to you first. Except you can talk to a kid first. Because you're sort of a teacher. And no talking at all outside of school-honor system." The challenge was set for 2 days, and almost immediately the teachers notice something is up. Some teachers figure out what is going on, there is resistance from some teachers and from the principal Mrs. Hiatt. It was also interesting watching how the children found ways to communicate without the words.
I found that this book really made me think about the words I use, how I use them. How often do I speak when I should stay silent? Do I remain silent when I should be speaking up? Reading this book has had an impact on me at work, with my friends and at home. As such it was an absolute excellent read. And I really cannot wait to read this with my children.
Almost every chapter has a wonderful sketch by Mark Elliott. They contribute to the story. I know my children, especially the younger one's love the pictures even as we push them more and more towards chapters books.
This was another excellent read. I cannot recommend this and the other books I have read by Andrew Clements enough. Give it a try and see if it is not great!
Books by Andrew Clements:
Bird Adalbert
Noah and the Ark and the Animals
Santa's Secret Helper
Temple Cat
Mother Earth's Counting Book
Billy and the Bad Teacher
Who Owns the Cow
Bright Christmas: An Angel Remembers
Frindle
(Adapter)Philipp's Birthday Book
Riff's BeBop Book
Real Monsters Go for the Mold
Things That Go EEK on Halloween
Real Monsters Stage Fright
Music Time, Any Time
Double Trouble in Walla Walla
Workshop
Gromble's Haunted Halloween
Hey Dad, Could I Borrow Your Hammer
The Landry News
Look Who's in the Thanksgiving Play
The Mouse Family
The Janitor's Boy
Circus Family Dog
The Christmas Kitten
The School Story
Things Not Seen
The Jacket
A Week in the Woods
Slippers at Home
Naptime for Slippers
The Report Card
The Last Holiday Concert
Slippers at School
Slippers Loves to Run
A Million Is a Lot of Dots
Lunch Money
Things Hoped For
Room One: A Mystery or Two
No Talking
Things That Are
Lost and Found
Extra Credit
Troublemaker
About Average
The Map Trap
The Friendship War
The Losers Club
...
Pets to the Rescue Series
Ringo Saves the Day!
Brave Norman
Tara and Tiree, Fearless Friends
Delores and the Big Fire
Jake Drake Series
Jake Drake Know-It-All
Jake Drake, Bully Buster
Jake Drake, Teacher's Pet
Jake Drake, Class Clown
Benjamin Pratt and the Keepers of the School Series
We the Children
Fear Itself
The Whites of Their Eyes
In Harm's Way
We Hold These Truths
Reading program Books
Karen's Island
Three Wishes for Buster
Bill Picket: An American Original, Texas Style
Hurricane Andrew
Ham and Eggs for Jack
Life in the Desert
Desert Treasure
Inventors: Making Things Better, Steck-Vaughn
Milo's Great Invention
Yeti Files: Meet the Bigfeet
The Yeti Files #1
Kevin Sherry
Samantha Smith
Scholastic
ISBN 9780545556170
ASIN B00MOJ8PAC
I have now read through this book twice with my son. And I must admit it grew on me. Often we let our children pick their own books, in part to keep them interested and in park just they joy they get in choosing what to buy and read next. It has been a long time since my son was as excited about a book, or series. He loved this books and keeps asking to have it read to and with him. I have read it twice, my wife has read it once and I think his aunt was conned into reading it also.
This book is less of a reading book than I would like, but it brings so much entertainment and engagement that I cannot but rave about it. Often we read electronically but this book is a great book to have the physical copy in hand. It has excellent illustrations, quick facts, and lots of short descriptions. But it does also have story. The story is that Brian a Canadian big foot was caught on film and has disappeared. But the clan is getting together for a family reunion and it will not be the same without Brian. So the Bigfeet go searching for Brian so they can have the whole family together. The story is told by Blizz a yeti and one of the cryptids a group of mythical animals and creatures who vowed not to be observed by the outside world. But unknown to the big feet their ultimate foe George Vanquist a self-proclaimed cryptozooligist is the one who caught Brian on film and he is on the prowl again.
This is a fun little book. As mentioned my son loved it. He really LOVES IT! It is a fun read, entertaining and engaging. We are looking forward to checking out other books in the series soon.
The Yeti Files:
Meet the Big Feet
Monsters on the Run
Attack of the Kraken
