In honor of Valentine's Day,
Rebecca Kiel, on Writing and Living, has created a blogfest that should shoot an arrow straight to the heart of the writer--and the reader--in us:
The Books We Love Blogfest. Thanks, Rebecca, for the opportunity to showcase favorite books, although there are so many books on a reader's list that it's hard to choose! But here are three top contenders...
Middle-Grade:
Missing May,
by Cynthia Rylant (
1993 Newbery Award Winner). Summer is an orphan, shifted around from family member to family member until elderly couple May and Ob choose to take her home. From there it is a story of unconditional love, loss, grief, and hope as healing begins. Oh, and beautiful whirligigs. Touching, tear-filled, beautifully written. A keeper of a story.
Picture Book:
Bear Snores On, by Karma Wilson. One of my favorites to read aloud to the little ones. Bear sleeps through the party in his very own lair, until a pepper flake in the stew causes him to WAKE UP. But when "Bear gnarls, and he snarls...roars and rumbles...jumps and stomps...growls and grumbles" it's because he's upset that he missed the party! Never fear, his friends come to the rescue and the party goes on...all through the night. I love the rhythm, the suspense, the surprises--all done so well in rhyme. This story sings.
YA:
Revolution,
by Jennifer Donnelly. This story has stayed with me at several levels--historical fiction, which I love. Setting in 18th-century Paris, and the French Revolution, which I found fascinating. The adept handling of the contemporary character's story with that of the historical--how the two stories are woven together. The intrigue, mystery, adventure. The beautiful writing.
These are only a few of the many books I have enjoyed. And, speaking of enjoying, check out the other participants in the
Books We Love Blogfest, and read about their favorites!
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Oh, and one more thing! I'm happy to announce the winners of my
100-Up Give-Away contest, having reached 100 followers. Drum-roll, please.....
Winner of The Cardturner, by Louis Sachar is...
Winner of Savvy, by Ingrid Law is...
Peggy Harkins.
Winner of The Tension of Opposites, by Kristina McBride is...
Congratulations, and thanks for participating! I'll be contacting you by e-mail to get your mailing addresses, and the books will soon be in the mail.
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