Summer reading
a post from Bea...
It might seem like all I do is go on walks and look for cool animals, but actually I read every day. I read a lot every day. I fit in reading by not reading just at certain times, but reading when it’s hot outside, when I’m tired in the afternoon, or sometimes in the middle of the night with my book light.
Here’s my reading routine. I go upstairs, jump in my beanbag (and I literally mean jump!), and then pick up a book and start reading. I would guess that I’ve read 50 books this summer. These are some of my recent favorites:
Witches of Brooklyn by Sophie Escabasse: This book is a graphic novel, with wonderful pictures. It’s about a girl named Effie whose mother has died, so she goes to live with her aunts in Brooklyn. She discovers that her aunts aren’t what she thinks they are—they’re witches. It doesn’t take her very long to adjust to the magical life. The next book is called What the Hex and I am going to be first in line to get it.
Merci Suárez Changes Gears by Meg Medina is about a sixth grader who lives with her grandparents, brother, parents, aunt, and cousins in three houses in Florida. She goes to a school where she doesn’t have many friends. There’s one mean girl named Edna who seems to be jealous of her. But why? And at home, something seems to be going on with her beloved grandmother, Lolo. In the Suárez family, the rule is no secrets—but they do have one. This book is funny and sweet, and I like reading about her big family.
The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart: One day in the newspaper there is an ad that says, “Are you a special child looking for special opportunities?” The ad says to meet for a series of tests. Only four children will succeed. I think it’s a really good book because it’s about four children who are very different and unique in their own way. It’s about each of them coming together, despite their differences, to form a very special friendship.
Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park: I’m reading this book with my Mom. It’s about a Chinese-American girl named Hanna, 14 years old, traveling to a prairie town in Dakota territory called LaForge. Her mother, a dressmaker, died, and she wants to be a dressmaker in her father’s shop. Her father doesn’t want her to be a dressmaker, because the town is full of white people who don’t want her to be there. She’s trying to find a way to make friends and hold on to who she is. Will she be able to?
Tales of Ancient Egypt by Roger Lancelyn Green is a wonderful book about long ago in ancient Egypt. It’s full of Egyptian myths and stories—not just about the gods, but about humans too. The story adds little extra details that I didn’t know, even though I’d read some of these myths before. I like it because I get to learn new versions of the myths. My copy has beautiful illustrations, a fine texture to the paper, and a special slipcase. Warning: keep away from all younger siblings.
The Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan is about a boy named Percy. He’s twelve years old. Every school, he goes to, he always gets kicked out. Then he finds out who he is: a demigod, half-god, half-mortal. He goes on a series of quests to find a stolen thunderbolt, to defeat Cronos, and to get the golden fleece. I didn’t think I would like this book because it’s based on Greek myths and I was convinced that it wouldn’t actually represent the myths (after seeing some of the Disney movie Hercules I was worried—if you like Greek myths, you know that this movie is very inaccurate). I like Percy Jackson because it’s funny, and it also does a good job with the myths.
The Heroes of Olympus series, also by Rick Riordan, is about the seven demigods of the prophecy—four Greeks and three Romans. Here is the prophecy: seven demigods shall answer the call, to storm or fire the world must fall, an oath to keep with a final breath, and foes bear arms at the doors of death. Here’s another prophecy: Wisdom’s daughter walks alone, the mark of Athena burns through Rome. Twins snuff out the angel’s breath, who holds the key to the endless death. The giant’s bane stands gold and pale, one with pain from a woven jail. I’m not going to interpret those because that would be giving too much away. If you want to find out what it means, read the books!
What are your favorite books this from this summer? Where and when do you like to read?
Wow! That's a lot of reading, Bea. Thanks for sharing these titles; I will keep them in mind for when my grandson, Miles, is a little older. I love to read, too! My favorite books I've read this summer are Hamnet, How the One Armed Sister Sweeps Her House, Deacon King Kong, The Man Who Lived Under Ground, and Everything I Never Told You. My favorite books I've read with Miles (this summer) are Finding Winnie, The Last Stop on Market Street, Sylvester and the Magic Pebble, The Kissing Hand, Dragons Love Tacos, and Secret Pizza Party. My love all of you.
i have been staring at my phone waiting for FTT all morning ( always worth waiting for!) anyway i am blown away! as a kid i hated book reports but your reading list and”reports “ make me want to read every book on your list i just reread “ the Soul of an Octopus “ after your delightful post about octopuses! bravo!!!!