Reading

During my recent visit to the Little Shop of Stories, I picked up several books for the boys (and me). We’re reading The Penderwicks on Gardam Street by Jeanne Birdsall, and it is just as much fun as The Penderwicks was last summer. It’s working for all three boys. After I started reading it in the car on a recent trip, my 13-year-old took it and read ahead. The 9- and 11-year-olds beg for a read. Yesterday, I had to read in the morning during my 9-year-old’s bath because he was heading off to camp and would miss the evening read. They love the references to Jeffrey, Cagney, and Churchie, who were main characters last summer, but play minor roles in this book.

I also picked up Little Brother by Cory Doctorow, which was a BIG winner with my 13-year-old computer techie. Interestingly, it has been just as BIG a hit (or BIGGER) with his father, a slightly taller computer techie. I’ll probably be next in line.

I’ve also been reading up a storm to get ready for a conference with Carolyn Yoder, editor of the Calkins Creek imprint at Boyds Mills Press and editor of world culture and history topics at Highlights for Children. On BMP list, I’ve read Jeannette Rankin: Political Pioneer by Gretchen Woelfle, By the Sword by Selene Castrovilla, John Adams: the Writer by Carolyn Yoder, and Blue by Joyce Moyer Hostetter.