Reading Abounds

Title: Kindred Souls Author: Patricia MacLachlin Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 70437 Description: Ten-year-old Jake shares a special bond with his grandfather, but when he asks Jake to build him a sod house, Jake is not sure he wants to do it. Rubric Rating: Level 4 - Loved it! Why I Read it:  I needed a book to recommend for a good reader in Grade 2 Lori's Notes: Simple and elegant story of Jake and his grandfather Billy.  Billy is 88 and Jake thinks he will live forever.  Billy tells Jake they are "kindred souls."  While they walk around the farm where Billy was born he talks about his old sod house and tells Jake they will build one together.  When Billy gets bronchitis, Jake, his sister Lida, and brother Jesse work together to build Billy a new sod house.  Jake thinks this will make him better so he will stay, but perhaps that's not what Billy really needs.  This book is full of great quotes and ideas that are wonderful for classroom d...

Title: Stones in Water Author: Donna Jo Napoli Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 284760 Description: After being taken by German soldiers from a local movie theatre along with boys including his Jewish friend, Roberto is forced to work in Germany, escapes into the Ukrainian winter, before desperately trying to make his way back home. Rubric Rating: Level 3 - Laud It Why I Read It: I'm a fan of WWII fiction and stories from around the world. Lori's Notes: Roberto, along with several friends including his Jewish friend Samuele, is kidnapped from a movie theatre in Venice to work in hard labour camps in Germany.  Subjected to the horror of war, Roberto wants desperately to return home but knows he must also help protect Samuele (now called Enzo) who will be killed if discovered.  The first half of the story is really a story about friendship and keeping each other alive.  The second half of the story is Roberto's long trek to find his way home and his coming-of-age in t...