My Summer Reads

As many already know, I spend my summers in Bigfork, Montana chasing the sun around the cabin reading books. I used to tote boxes of books from Phoenix to Montana and back again. Usually the books I brought up to read were kids’ novels because I don’t like putting books on my classroom bookshelves without having read them first. Now with the magic of Kindle I no longer have to tote boxes of books. I just read on my phone or kindle. I really miss the smell and feel of the real books.

This year I finally retired (no, really, I did, I’m not kidding) so I didn’t have to spend my summer reading kids’ novels. Although, I kind of prefer kids’ novel because they are so well-written, they never bore me, and usually make me cry. If a book makes one cry, it’s a darn good book.

Below is a list of the books I read this summer. Yep, I read all these books in June and July.  I can honestly say I didn’t love all of them. As a matter of fact, I already forgot what some of them were about and I had to read the blurbs on them to jog my memory. I have put them in the order that I liked them.

   Crime/Mystery

The Silent Girls, by Eric Rickstad  - Frank Rath is a private detective with a painful past. In his attempt to help the local police solve a crime he comes across the ruthless killer of his sister.

Of course, there is a cliff hanger at the end of this book that makes one want to read The Name of Dead Girls.

The Woman in the Window by A. J. Finn - Anna Fox is an agoraphobic. Unable to leave her home she spends her time day drinking, popping pills and spying on her neighbors. She sees a crime committed and is unable to convince the police of the crime. There are many twists and turns in the book. Of course, the “bad guy” is never who one thinks it is.

A Killer's Mind by Mike Omer - Forensic phychologist, Zoe Bentley, is sent to investigate the murder of three women stragled, embalmed and posed as if still alive. Of course there is a handsome, witty man detective and a creepy stalker from her past.

The King Tides by James Swain - Ex Navy SEAL and PI, Jon Lancaster searches for a missing girl.

  Love

Matchmaking for Beginners by Maddie Dawson - Marnie McGraw meets matchmaker, Blix Holiday at Marinie’s  engagement party. Blix tells Marnie that her nephew is not the man for Marnie and she needs to RUN! This is a sweet romantic comedy. It’s a great weekend read.

The Strawberry Hearts Diner by Carol Brown - Jancy Wilson’s car catches on fire in the parking lot of the Strawberry Hearts diner in Picks, Texas. Stranded and with no cash, Jancy asks if the diner is hiring and of course they need a waitress.

Coal River by Ellen Marie Wiseman - Nineteen year old Emma Malloy has to return to Coal River, Pennsylvania to live with her aunt and uncle.  Emma sets out to right some wrongs going on in the local coal mine and falls in love with the boy from the wrong side of the tracks.

Now That You Mention It by Kristan Higgins -  Nora Stuart is a doctor in Boston and is hit by a truck. In the emergency room she hears her boyfriend hitting on someone while she is semi conscious.  She dumps the boyfriend and goes home to Scupper Island, Maine to recuperate.

  Kid’s Novels

3^rd grade and up

Some Kind of Courage by Dan Gemeinhart -  Just want to start by saying I love this author. He write great children’s books.  In this book Joseph Johnson has lost his family to sickness and accidents. Then the old man he is living with sells his faithful horse so Joseph sets out on a journey to find Sarah. After finishing this book read one of by favorite tear-jerkers of Dan Gemeinhart, The Honest Truth.

Wild Wings by Gill Lewis - Callum and Fiona find an osprey nest on Callum’s family farm in Scotland. Together they protect the nest. I learned a lot about ospreys and the migration of ospreys.

The Dog Under the Bed by D. J. Cowdall - A stray dog sneaks into a home and hides under a bed. This story is a little far fetched but kids will like it. It is told from the dog’s point of view.

5^th grade and up

The Runaway Children by Sandy Taylor  - Historical fiction book about English children being sent to the countryside to live with “foster” families to save them from the bombing of England during WWII. Thirteen year old, Nell and five year old, Olive are two sisters sent from the devastation.  After a bad circumstance, Nell and Olive runaway.  Olive is a delightful character that unwittingly speaks the truth.

My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrik Backman - Seven year old, Elsa’s best friend is her seventy year old, crazy grandmother. When her grandmother dies Elsa has to deliver letters of apology to the people her grandmother has offended in the past.

Shadow by Aris  Austin - This author’s mission in life is to save all the shelter dogs of the world. He uses his creative ability to “speak” for the shelter dogs and tell their side of the story.  In this book, Shadow is returned to the shelter by the owner that has had him as a puppy because he is too old. Shadow describes his heartbreak and anticipation waiting for his owner to come back and get him.  Shadow has an adoption deadline, if he isn’t adopted by a certain time he will be put down. Needless to say this is a tear-jearker.

Finding Gobi: A Little Dog With a Very Big Heart by Dion Leonard -  Dion Leonard is a ultramarathon runner that travels all over the world to run races. While in the Gobi desert in China a little dog appears from nowhere and joins Dion on his race. Gobi’s undying affection changes Dion’s heart. This is a true story of Dion’s struggle to bring Gobi home with him.

There is a young reader’s edition and a picture book of this story.

Middle School and up

The Boy Under the Table Nicole Trope - Tina works the streets and makes a decision to go home with a customer.  At the home of the customer, she finds a young boy confined under the kitchen table. Tina makes it her mission to save the boy and help him get home.

Half a Heart by Karen McQuestion - Logan Weber is cruelly abused by his father. Logan realizes if he doesn’t leave, he’ll die. Nine year old, Logan runs and stows away in a moving truck. This is a story of survival.
Don't Forget Steven by P. D. Workman - Steven is abused daily by three men he lives with.  During a drunken ruckus, one of his abusers is killed and Steven is charged with a murder he didn’t commit.

Posted by David Anderson - Students are no longer allowed to bring their phones to school. They use post-it notes to “text” each other.

   Overcoming Obstacles

The 100% Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni – Sam Hill is born with red eyes. He spends his childhood being bullied for the color of his eyes. As an adult he encounters his worst childhood bully again and has to stand up to him.

If the Creek Don't Rise by Leah Weiss - Sadie Blue is an abused wife in remote Appalachia where there is nowhere to run. This story told from different character’s point of view. Stick with this book because it has a great ending.

Walk to Beautifu: The Power of Love and a Homeless kid Who Found the Wayl by Jimmy Wayne – This is a true story of country singer Jimmy Wayne who spent most of his life homeless and alone. This is the story of his struggle to survive and his campaign to build awareness for foster care. He walks from Nashville to Phoenix for his Meet Me halfway Campaign.

Three Little Words by Ashley Rhodes-Courter – This is another true story of  Ashley Rhodes-Courter’s life in and out of foster homes and her struggle to find a family.

Digging In by Loretta Nyhan - Paige can’t get over the death of her husband. She finds solace and answers to life’s questions in digging in a garden she decides to create in her backyard.

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman – Eleanor is an inappropriate loner that finds love and companionship in a strange way. Reese Wither spoon bought the rights to this book and it will be a motion picture soon.

A Marriage in Dog Years: A Memoir by Nancy Balbirer – Nancy’s eleven year old beagle becomes deathly ill. In this story Nancy tries to save her dog and her marriage.

  Catherine Ryan Hyde

Catherine Ryan Hyde is one of my favorite authors. My students love her books and so do I. I have read just about every book she has written.  The three books below that I read this summer could be read by middle school students.

Heaven Adjacent  - Roseanna is a high-powered lawyer in Manhattan. When her best friend and law partner unexpectedly dies, Rosanna leaves everything behind, drives to the Adirondacks and buys the farm near where she ran out of gas. She finds a squatter on the farm and allows she and her daughter to stay which leads to allow other lost ones to live on the property.

  
Ask Him Why – Ruth’s brother Joseph returns from Iraq three months after he leaves. Joseph’s decision to flee Iraq has huge implications on Joseph and his family. His decision also affects his siblings in ways one wouldn’t think possible.

The Wake Up – Suddenly cattle rancher, Aiden Delacorte, becomes attune to the animals around him. He can feel their fear and pain. Aiden’s “wake up” affects his relationships, livelihood, and position in the community.

Paco's Perspective

I spent my summer vacation trying to breathe. Dr. Clark helped me get my twirl back.

The Flip Side

I spent my summer chasing squirrels, deer and believe it or not I even chased a bear away. That's why they no longer call me Pot Roast, instead, they call me The Rock! Move over Dwayne!