Image: Penguin Random House
Today was the first day back from break for TMS students. I dropped my laptop, swipe card and keys off early this morning and went to yoga! Now that I'm retired, I hope to have the time and energy to do what I love best! Talking/ blogging about books for young people! Honestly, my job evolved from librarian to LA teacher as my flexible schedule gave way to a packed schedule, leaving little time for my super-power, Reader's Advisory and little energy after grading, to keep up with my reading.
I will start today with #tbt, which features Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan. Twelve-year-old Willow Chase is rather matter-of-fact about the fact that she doesn't fit in, like anywhere, except in her adoptive home with her "oh so white" adoptive parents. She's a genius with rather specific interests. This is a rather sad, but uplifting story told from multiple perspectives. Willow's first-person narration shifts to third person narration from those around her whose lives she unknowingly transforms.
Counting by 7s was published in 2013 and was named to both School Library Journal and Booklist "Best Books List." in 2015 it received The Hans Christian Andersen Award for Best Novel for Children 12+. The book has been a TMS favorite consistently over the years. Happy reading!
Counting by 7s was published in 2013 and was named to both School Library Journal and Booklist "Best Books List." in 2015 it received The Hans Christian Andersen Award for Best Novel for Children 12+. The book has been a TMS favorite consistently over the years. Happy reading!
I have enjoyed your posts for years and followed the journey of your illness with concern and compassion. It is difficult enough when your mind and body let you down without the addition of secondary wounding when the medical field seems unable to diagnose and/or offer solutions. I have greatly admired your courage and tenacity. Teaching can be such a stressful, demanding, and difficult profession. You certainly appear to have given your all and have now come to a point of acceptance, surrendering to what is.
ReplyDeleteI have learned that doors close but often windows open and while I grieve losses I am grateful to have discovered joyful purpose as part of a Therapy Dog team with my 10 year old golden retriever. She and I do Read to a Dog in two public libraries and two elementary schools each week and also facilitate a stress relief group on the University of Arizona Tucson campus for students missing their pets at home. Two old ladies caring for each other and making the best of the time we have left to be productive.
Congratulations on your retirement. I hope along with talking about wonderful books you will continue to update us on your personal journey. I remember really enjoying COUNTING BY SEVENS. Hard to believe it was published so many years ago.
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment, Judy! I love that you and your goldie visit libraries. I've always wanted to do that, but all my labs and my one shepherd lacked the temperament. When I mentioned that 25 years ago to the trainer who worked miracles with my first two labs, he said, "Not these dogs. Not even on valium."
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