Oogy: The Dog Only a Family Could Love by Larry Levin

When Oogy was four months young, he was used as bait for a fight dog.  The outcome of that horrid event is evident on the cover of this book...a good portion of Oogy's face was ripped off including his left ear.  By a miracle, Oogy was found by police and taken to the Ardmore Animal Hospital where in a number of events, equally as miraculous, he ended up with the Levin family.

One would think that Oogy would be a damaged dog with lots of anger and resentment towards humans.  Just the opposite!  Oogy has nothing but love and adoration of not only his family, but every person he encounters.

Levin shares story after story of not how his family provided refuge for Oogy, but how Oogy provides so much love for his family.

What I Thought:
When I saw this book on the new shelf at my library, I couldn't bear to pass it up.  Oogy's sweet face was so intriguing and within the first pages I was entranced by his spirit.

This is a story of survival, acceptance, inspiration and unconditional love.   It will make you angry to hear about what Oogy was put through at such a young age.  You'll laugh at his antics.  You'll fall in love with his spirit, and with the Levin family! 

This is a dog I'd love to meet!

Dog lover or no...you'll love this book! 

Recommended.

Want to see more?  Check it out on Amazon: Oogy: The Dog Only a Family Could Love by Larry Levin.

Reviewed from a library copy.

84, Charing Cross Road by Helen Hanff

This is the story of an American writer living in New York and a used bookstore in England.   What started out as business transaction as Helen Hanff was looking for antique books in good condition blossomed over twenty years into a fantastic friendship.

What I Thought:
First, the story behind how I came to read this book.  While having a blast at the Southern Festival of Books with my dad, he ran into an old friend and they started chatting.  He is an avid book lover and enjoys sharing his passion with others, including mailing boxes of books to various small libraries across the country who most likely have very limited budgets.  When he found out I was a librarian, he insisted that I must read this book.  Not only insist...he mailed me a copy along with a sealed envelope  instructions that I couldn't open until I finished the book.  The envelope contained a very nice letter and a recording of a Helen Hanff NPR tribute in 1997.   Many thanks to my new book friend for this wonderful book!

So, the book.  Honestly...this is a book that probably would have never picked up on my own.  Which would have been a shame, because it is a wonderful memoir!  The book is letters that are written between Helen and her friends regarding the bookstore.   It's fun to see the formality of the first letters, then as the years go by the mood lightens and the correspondence grows to more friends of whom she has never met!

If you've never read this book, it's a quick read that is simply delightful!  I encourage you to pick it up and give it a read.

Very highly recommended.

Want to see more? Check it out on Amazon: 84, Charing Cross Road by Helen Hanff.

Reviewed from a personal copy.

Sh*t My Dad Says by Justin Halpern

In this memoir, Justin looks back on many of the conversations he and his dad have shared over the years. 

What I Thought: 
HILARIOUS!

My husband follows Justin's twitter feed and has literally laughed until tears ran down his face.  When this book arrived at the library last week, I couldn't wait to bring it home so we could read it.  My sweet hubby let me read it first!  He got so tired of me trying to read some of the funny quotes to him aloud (I was laughing so hard that I couldn't get the whole phrase out in one breath) that he kindly requested that I not share...he just would read it himself.  :)

It's obvious by the title that this is not a kids book!  If you're easily offended by language this is NOT the book for you.  But if you're looking for a book that will make you laugh, this is it.  Justin's dad definitely shares what he thinks, and doesn't sugarcoat those thoughts with anything.  But through all the crazy conversations and quotes, it is very obvious that Mr. Halpern loves his family and only wants to see his children grow up to be great human beings.

As briefly mentioned, this book came from a twitter feed that is wildly popular...and in the fall CBS will have a show by the same name featuring William Shatner.   I'm interested to see how it turns out!  (And quite interested to see how they tone down the language.)

Recommended.

Want to see more?  Check it out on Amazon: Sh*t My Dad Says by Justin Halpern.

Reviewed from a library copy.

Julie and Julia: My Year of Cooking Dangerously by Julie Powell

One of Julie Powell's greatest childhood memories is her mom making Julia Child's Beef Bourguignon for a dinner party. She also loved flipping through her mother's copy of Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking.

Now, Julie is quickly approaching the dreaded 3-0, her dream of becoming an actor didn't work out and she eventually accepted the invitation to turn a temp job into a full time job--as a secretary, she has a "syndrome" that makes it difficult for her to have a child, and her and her husband moved into a small apartment. But she loves to cook!

Eric, Julie's husband suggests that Julie take on a challenge and Julie decides to work through the Master the Art of French Cooking in one year, recording every success, failure, and disaster with a blog.

Along the way, Julie shares snippets taken from Julia's life.

As she works through her hefty tasks, Julie shares her life, her cooking experiences, and how Julia Child--in one form or another--changed her life.

What I Thought:
What an interesting book! I will be honest, it wasn't quite what I was expecting, but I had seen the movie before reading the book which usually is not a smart thing to do!

The movie and the book do differ quite a bit, but I think that is a great thing.

The book gets into a lot of background of why Julie took on this project, her family's feelings about her endeavor, emotional breakdowns and stories about many of the dishes both the ones to eat and the ones to clean! There are several snippets of Julia's life, mostly ones of her years before she found her cooking.

This book was kind of hard for me to get through, as I said I ruined it by seeing the movie first. (I so know better than to do that!) However, I think that it was an interesting read and I feel inspired to cook! (Maybe even try a Julia Child recipe!)

Recommended, especially for foodies!

Want to see more? Check it out on Amazon: Julie and Julia: My Year of Cooking Dangerously by Julie Powell

Reviewed from a library copy.

Front of the Class by Brad Cohen

Brad Cohen was diagnosed with Tourette's Syndrome as a child, but dealt with the effects of the disorder long before that. Tourette's was not a well known diagnosis and Brad was confronted with teasing and other issues all throughout his childhood. He was in constant trouble at school because he could not stop or help the twitching and vocal outbursts that happened on a regular basis.

When Brad was finally diagnosed, he took hold of his situation and begin to stand up for his rights and educate others about Tourette's Syndrome. He worked tirelessly to inform his classmates and teachers and to fight for his right for an education just the same of his peers.

Brad never gave up, and soon found himself a college graduate and hunting for a teaching job. While this journey proved difficult, he eventually found a job and the rest is history.

What I Thought:
This is simply an inspiring book about a man who overcame great obstacles to receive great reward. It's a book about not giving up and dealing with the cards you are dealt.

A wonderful book, one we all should read.

Recommended.

Want to see more? Check it out on Amazon: Front of the Class: How Tourette Syndrome Made Me the Teacher I Never Had by Brad Cohen and Lisa Wysocky.

Sing a Song of Tuna Fish: A Memoir of My Fifth Grade Year by Esme Raji Coddell

This book documents Esme Codell's fifth grade year, which was probably very different than the fifth grade experience of a lot of people! Esme grew up in Chicago in the 70's which provided a backdrop for a lot of interesting characters and stories.

What I Thought:
I am a fan of Esme Raji Codell! Ever since I head her book, Educating Esme, which is the diary of her first year teaching. (It was a requirement of my teacher certification program, and should be required teachers of teachers-in-training everywhere!) She's also written several other books for kids, all of them are really great.

I enjoyed this book because it gives a peak into Esme's life and the interesting childhood that she experienced. I found especially intriguing was the school her parents sent her to---where the kids chose what they wished to do each day. They could sign up for math or reading if they felt like it. Esme mentions that she spent many days writing screenplays and recruiting classmates to act them out! Sounds great fun, but when Esme transfers to a "normal" school she finds that she is sorely lacking in her math skills because she did not sign up for math lessons in her old school.

Overall, I think this is a great book that provides an interesting glimpse into a different way of living for a lot of people. This would be a great story to read to any fifth grader and compare/contrast the times, their lives, and experiences.

This book would also be a great way to encourage kids to start their own memoirs, so they can prevent getting "grown-up amnesia" -- where we forget our childhood as we grow to adulthood.

Recommended.

Want to see more? Check it out on Amazon: Sing a Song of Tuna Fish: A Memoir of My Fifth Grade Year by Esme Raji Coddell.

Mao and Me by Chen Jiang Hong

This is the story of a young boy growing up in the midst of the Cultural Revolution in China, 1960's.

What I Thought:
Interesting book. I do not know much about the Cultural Revolution and the history of China in general, but this book was informative and gave an interesting viewpoint of what it was like to grow up in a communist society.

The illustrations are drawn in comic style blocks, which gives the story movement. The drawings themselves are amazing, filled with so much detail that shows the realities of how the little boy grew up. Each page has a short section of text, but make sure that you spend the time following the story through the illustrations.

A superb book to share when studying China, the Cultural Revolution, and Mao.

Highly Recommended.

Want to see more? Check it out on Amazon: Mao and Me by Chen Jiang Hong.

Take the Lead, George Washington by Judith St. George, illustrated by Daniel Powers

This book includes stories and adventures of George Washington's childhood from a very young boy living in on Pope's Creek in Virginia, to the ripe age of sixteen at the conclusion of a surveying trip. We learn about the death of his mother, remarriage of his father, new siblings, how he idolized older brothers, his hopes, his dreams, and adventures all along the way.

What I Thought:
This is a great story about George Washington's childhood that gives readers a sense of his character and life before he became a war hero and our country's first president.

While this is a rather long picture book, the text is split up into chapters and would be a very appropriate book to include in lessons on George Washington. St. George includes a biography and bibliography. The illustrations are bright and cheerful and while the people are a bit caricature-ish, they are inviting and fun to look at.

Want to see more? Check it out on Amazon: Take the Lead, George Washington by Judith St. George, illustrated by Daniel Powers.

Coretta Scott by Ntozake Shange, paintings by Kadir Nelson

Coretta Scott and her siblings walked five miles to school while a bus with white children blew by. As she grew and matured, she dreamed of freedom. She met Martin Luther King, Jr. and married. Together, they both worked and toiled for the rights of African Americans, but doing so in a peaceful manner reminiscent of Gandhi's teachings.

From organizing a bus boycott to a March on Washington with a quarter million people, Coretta Scott certainly left her mark, and did while singing.

What I Thought:
This book should be an award winner about this time next year. The poem is simply stunning and certainly a tribute to Coretta Scott's life.

But the paintings are simply stunning. Kadir Nelson did a magnificent job bringing Coretta Scott to life. I encourage you to find a copy of this book and simply study it, both the words and the artwork. (The cover itself is breathtaking.) You certainly will not be disappointed.

The book also includes an author's note about the life of Coretta Scott King and her tireless work for civil rights.

Want to see more? Check it out on Amazon: Coretta Scott by Ntozake Shange, illustrated by Kadir Nelson.

Dewey: The Small Town Library Cat Who Touched the World by Vicki Myron with Bret Witter

In January 1988 a small defenseless kitten was dropped in the bookdrop at the Spencer Public Library in Spencer, Iowa. Outside, it was bitterly cold, and while one may think that this act was inhumane, it saved the life of this small kitten.

This kitten was later named "Dewey Readmore Books" and lived at the Spencer Public Library. This book chronicles his life as a library cat and how he changed the lives of many people and had a hand in revitalizing a small farming town, in his own little way.

What I Thought:
This isn't a book I typically read, but as this book came in and out of the library and I stared into the face of this adorable cat I just couldn't resist. Plus, I love to read books about other libraries.

I found this memoir to be a delightful read. It was heartwarming to see how Dewey changed the face of that library and made a personal connection with just about every patron that entered the doors. He had a sense to see those who were sad and spent extra time with that person to brighten their day. He was just plain amazing!

It was especially touching to read about how the author made a special connection with Dewey (and vice versa) as she went through life's ups and downs.

If you are an animal fan (especially cats) or a library fan...this is a book for you.

What to see more? Check it out on Amazon: Dewey: The Small Town Library Cat Who Touched the World by Vicki Myron with Bret Witter.

I also recently learned that this book is set to be a movie. According to the January/February edition of American Libraries, the American Library Association's bi-monthly publication, New line Cinema has purchased the film rights and it is rumored that Meryl Streep will be playing Vicki Myron's role. Very cool!

Knucklehead: Tall Tales & Mostly True Stories About Growing Up Scieszka by Jon Scieszka

Scieszka recounts parts of childhood in this memoir. In each short chapter a story is revealed, such as games he and his five brothers made up and played and antics he pulled while in Catholic school. He also describes what life is like with so many brothers, like hand me downs, sharing a room, and babysitting younger siblings.

What I Thought:
I laughed out loud in this book. It is a wonderful book that kids will eat up. Adults will love it too as they look back on their own childhood with fondness.

This is a book that should not be missed...it's just golden. I promise you won't be disappointed!

Want to see more? Check it out on Amazon: Knucklehead: Tall Tales & Mostly True Stories About Growing Up Scieszka by Jon Scieszka.

Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Bryan Collier

David and his mother are watching TV when he asks his mother who the man being shown is. It was Barack Obama, thus leading into the mother telling her son all about him.

As readers listen in on this conversation, they will learn about Obama's childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. We learn about his sadness felt when learning about his absent father, his want to help those left fortunate, and the hope that pushes him forward, day by day.

What I Thought:
This is a wonderful biography of Barack Obama for children. Grimes used Obama's book Dreams from My Father as her main resource. I think format that she uses to tell the story is excellent, it is a story within a story and this makes the story easier for children to grasp.

The illustrations are excellent, Bryan Collier uses a lot of collages within the illustrations.

The author and illustrator both include notes that give additional insight into the book.

While this book was published before Obama was elected to be president, it is a wonderful book that teaches children all about the man was sworn into office today, inauguration day.

Want to see more? Check it out on Amazon: Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope by Nikki Grimes.

Marley & Me by John Grogan (and the other Marley books too!)

In this memoir, John Grogan shares numerous stories about his beloved dog Marley, an exuberant yellow lab. Readers will travel along with the Grogan family as the ponder the decision of obtaining a puppy, the early days and the innocence of puppy love, and throughout Marley's long and often frustrating life.

Marley was a special dog, with the heart of gold and the innocence of an angel he managed to terrorize many by his pure size and harmless mischief. Marley provides a ray of light when times are hard, and Grogan demonstrates this fact over and over again.

What I Thought:
I read this book in preparation to see the film version of this novel. This book is simply a wonderful, heartwarming, feel good memoir about a family and their beloved dog. I laughed out loud, probably provoking stares of fellow diners at McAlisters as I chuckled at Marley's latest antic. Tears flowed down my face as Grogan describes Marley's last days and the hardships he faced as an elderly dog.

Simply put, it is a not-to-be-missed gem.

Want to see more? Check it out on Amazon: Marley & Me by John Grogan.

Marley's story is unique, as Grogan rewrote the story with an edition for every member of the family. Marley & Me was written for adults as he includes many hardships his family faced such as fertility issues, neighborhood happenings (such as a murder in the neighborhood), and other topics that more clearly show Marley's character and devotion to his masters', but may not be so appropriate for kids.

Check out Grogan's novel Marley: A Dog Like No Other for a wonderful version of Marley's story that is kid friendly and includes the same stories of Marley's antics.


(I read this story earlier this year and it is a wonderful book as well. I laughed, I cried...it's just superb and a story that is well suited as a family read aloud.)

For the youngest children, Grogan teamed up with illustrator Richard Cowdrey and released Bad Dog, Marley!, a picture book of some of Marley's antics.


(I've read this book as well and it is a super book for children who love animal stories, or who have a rambunctious dog of their own at their house.)

And finally, if you can't get enough of Marley, check out my review of his Christmas story here.