Book Recommendations
Summer Reading — Time for Recommendations
It’s time to wind down the blog for the summer here at By Word of Beth. How are you planning to spend your summer? While I’ll still be editing (if you’re looking for a freelance editor, check my services out at Flubs2Fixes), and I’ll still be writing, I’ll be taking things a bit easier than…
Read MoreThe Restoration of Otto Laird by Nigel Packer — Book Recommendation
Title: The Restoration of Otto Laird Author: Nigel Packer Publisher: London: Sphere, 2014. Genre: Adult fiction Theme: self-renewal, aging Opening Sentences: It was not uncommon, these days, for Anika Laird to return from one of her morning trips to town to find her husband standing naked in the kitchen window. The first time it happened…
Read MoreApril Fool Phyllis! — reprise over at Susanna Hill’s
No foolin’! To celebrate the fact that Perfect Picture Book Friday is on April Fool’s Day, there’s a reprise of my post about Susanna Leonard Hill’s delightful APRIL FOOL, PHYLLIS! over on Susanna’s blog. (For those not in the know, Susanna is the originator and host of Perfect Picture Book Friday.) Thanks, Susanna! You are…
Read MoreI Lived on Butterfly Hill by Marjorie Agosin — Book Recommendation
Title: I Lived on Butterfly Hill Author: Marjorie Agosín Publisher: New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2014. Genre: Historical fiction Audience Age: 11 to 15 years Themes, topics: Home, exile, Chile, refugees Opening Sentences: The blue cloud finally opens—just when the bell rings to let the Juana Ross School out for the weekend. I’d…
Read MoreHeading into the New Year — and a book: Inventing the Rest of Our Lives by Suzanne Braun Levine
Near the end of 2016, I will turn 60. Although many people dread such a number, I am (oddly, perhaps) looking forward to it. Although my 50s brought great grief, they also brought great joy, learning, expansion of horizons, experiences beyond my hopes and dreams, and tremendous opportunities. I look forward to my 60s, wondering,…
Read MoreWords of Remembrance as November 11th Approaches
Many countries observe November 11th as a day of remembrance, honoring those who have served and sacrificed in wartime. In Canada, we call this day Remembrance Day. In the United States, it is Veterans Day. It is important that those people’s stories not be forgotten. There are other stories, as well — stories of families…
Read MoreGeorge by Alex Gino — #WeNeedDiverseBooks
Title: George Author: Alex Gino Publisher: New York: Scholastic, 2015 Genre: Middle Grade fiction Audience Age: 9 to 12 years Themes/topics: Transgender middle schoolers, being true to who you are, bullying Opening Sentences: George pulled a silver house key out of the smallest pocket of a large red backpack. Mom had sewn the key in…
Read MoreInternational Dot Day is Nearly Here! September 15th-ish, 2015!
“Make your mark and see where it takes you.” With those encouraging, creativity-freeing words, Peter H. Reynolds gives us all a gentle challenge to unleash our own creativity and see where it takes us. If you have read Peter’s wonderful picture book The Dot, you will know that a little gentle encouragement from her teacher…
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