Check It Out

You know a book is good when you have to sit in your car and listen to make sure the characters are okay before walking into the workplace.  This is what I have had to do with The Underneath by Kathi Appelt.  I am just about finished and this is probably a good thing because I don’t think my heart could take another couple of CD’s.    Today besides the heart pounding, I had tears in my eyes.

Appelt has braided three stories together in a story that will probably be read for many years.  It is on my book order both book and audio.  Anyone who has pets will fall in love with Ranger, Sabine, and Puck.  I believe readers will revile Gar-Face as one of the most evil characters I have recently encountered.  And the mystical qualities of an ancient story draws the reader into some great magic.

Appelt’s poetic voice is strong.  Her use of repetition and imagery move the story along like on the wings of a hummingbird.

I hate that the book is coming to an end.  It will be one that I re-read. I cannot wait to put it into the hands of my intermediate teachers to read.  It is no wonder it is an Newbery Honor Book.

Speaking of Newbery, The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman is beginning to circulate in fifth grade. The first reader returned the book with a big smile and asked, “Do you have any other books like this?”  Close behind him was a classmate ready to grab the book.  I get to pick up the audio version of the book this week (as soon as I finish The Underneath, which should be today).  I wonder if the audio version of Gaiman will be as intense as Appelt’s story.

What is on your nightstand?

Happy Reading.

MsMac