Crenshaw

Title: Crenshaw

Rating: 5/5

Author: Katherine Applegate

Pages: 245

Genre: Children’s

Synopsis:

Jackson is all about the facts. There’s always a logical explanation for everything. He’s been told that he has an old soul, whatever that means, but of one thing he is absolutely sure—he’s much too old to have an imaginary friend.

Crenshaw is a cat, a rather large one at that, who loves doing cartwheels and handstands and taking bubble baths. He’s also Jackson’s imaginary friend. But why would an imaginary friend that has been gone for years suddenly show up now? Jackson doesn’t have time for that, especially not when his family has fallen on hard times and they might have to live in their minivan…again.

My Reaction:

You may remember that the last book I read by Katherine Applegate was The One and Only Ivan, a brilliant book that should be on your list of books to read before you die if it isn’t already. This book is another winner! If I absolutely had to choose a favorite between the two, I’d probably go with Ivan, but this was a sweet story that gave a little perspective of both the parent and the child in a situation where money is tight and homelessness is a very real possibility. I don’t think I’ve read another book quite like this one.

I enjoyed Crenshaw himself. I wish I would have come up with such a cool imaginary friend at some point in my life. Besides his coolness factor, the real thing that makes Crenshaw resonate with readers is that he represents that need for a friend and he fulfills that in a wise and unique way, being that he’s a cat and all. I was particularly touched by the idea that Crenshaw’s purpose was to fill that friend role as long as he was needed. Like Mary Poppins or Nanny McPhee, he would stay until his work was done. And then, he would be available should a need arise again. It causes me to reflect on the people in my life who have been a strength to me when I’ve needed it. Some are still there. Some are not just because we tend to lose connections as life goes on, but they are no less meaningful to me. Crenshaw may be imaginary, but he represents the very real advice, love, and comfort I’ve received from various sources throughout my life. Not only that, but he teaches the importance of being honest with yourself. Even Jackson finds that some facts are very hard to face.

Reader’s Guidance:

Nothing as far as I’m concerned.

Similar Books:

If you like this, I reckon anything by Kate DiCamillo will suit your fancy.

Next Book:

 I have a confession to make. First of all, I studied English in college (That's not the confession. I'm leading up to it.) As such an educated person, you would think that there would be some books I must have read. I must know and love all the classics, right? (FYI, I don't think it's necessary to love all classics... I think some are lame. Shh, don't tell anyone.) While I've had a fair dosing of the classics and other books that frequent the lists of must read books, some of them I've somehow managed to not read even after all this time. Heck, there are some books that pretty much every person in my generation had to read in elementary school but I didn't. What's up with that? (Here's looking at you Hatchet and/or Brian's Winter which I still have never read.) 

So here's the confession: I haven't read a single book by one of the Bronte sisters. 

For awhile now I've thought that was a crime and I need to fix that. I mean, I've actually been to their home, walked on the moors, maybe wandered through a graveyard, and yet, I haven't read a single word they wrote. It's time I change that.

Next up is Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. I was told that this was the one I absolutely had to read, so it seems like a good place to start. 

Raymie Nightingale

Title: Raymie Nightingale

Rating: 4/5

Author: Kate DiCamillo

Pages: 263

Genre: Children’s

Synopsis:

Raymie has a plan. All she has to do is win the Little Miss Central Florida Tire competition. If she does that, her picture will get in the paper, and if her picture gets in the paper her father will be so proud that he’ll come rushing back home to her instead of staying with the dental hygienist he ran off with. But before she can do that, she must learn how to twirl a baton.

At her lessons, she meets Louisiana and Beverly who have their own plans for the Little Miss Central Florida Tire competition. This could be much more complicated than Raymie thought.

My Reaction:

Kate DiCamillo has done it again! Seriously, I don’t need to write reviews for her books. Just go read them all. It was interesting to read this one in contrast to Flora and Ulysses: The illuminated Adventures since they both deal with similar family drama (divorce vs dad ran away with the dental hygienist), but both situations are dealt with differently and have a bit of a different outcome.

Something I enjoy about DiCamillo’s stories it that the characters are each uniquely themselves. You could describe them individually as if they were people you actually knew. The differences of these three girls don’t stop them from coming together and having adventures. In fact, it’s those very differences (and I suppose some found similarities) that get the adventure ball rolling in the first place.

It’s a simple yet thoughtful story that explores dreams, heartaches, and how things don’t always happen according to plan (which isn’t always a bad thing).

I thought Raymie’s thoughts were sometimes a little repetitive (which, let’s be honest, is probably how most of our minds work a good part of the time), but all in all, this was an enjoyable book and well worth the read.

Reader’s Guidance:

Nothing to fear as far as I’m concerned. There is an instance where someone passes away from natural causes, and a moment in a nursing home where a woman is crying out and it frightens the girls.

Similar Books:

I just discovered that there is a sequel book all about Louisiana! It's called Louisiana's Way Home, and it came out in October of last year. That one is probably worth a read also!

Next Book:

Next on our list is Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate. You may remember her as the author of The One and Only Ivan, which I absolutely loved! I'm hoping this book will be just as great!

Mustaches For Maddie

Hello, all! I hope you've had a wonderful week and have been able to squeeze in some reading! Here's the latest book review!

Title: Mustaches for Maddie

Rating: 4/5

Author: Chad Morris and Shelly Brown

Pages: 256

Genre: Children’s

Synopsis:

Maddie loves making people laugh, and she doesn’t know of any better way than to stick a fake mustache on her face. Mustaches make everything funnier! She hopes it will be enough to impress Cassie, the queen of the class, so she can hang out with her. Things seem to be working out. She gets to hang out in the cool group, and she’s going to get to play a part in the school play. The only thing not so great is that her arm and leg seem to be acting weird for no reason. That must just be a part of growing up, right?

When her arm and leg start to get worse, her mom insists on taking her to the doctor. It’s only then that Maddie realizes she has a much bigger thing to worry about than cool kids and school plays—Maddie has a brain tumor.

Based on a true story of one little girl given the strength to overcome the scariest moment of her life while at the same time learning the importance of compassion and it's all thanks to a ton of mustaches.

My Reaction:

My first thought when completing this book was, “Books like this need to exist.” The fact of the matter is that Maddie isn’t the only young girl who’s had to face a tumor, whether benign or cancerous. I appreciate that her parents wrote this book based on their experience because I know that there are others who can take strength from it.

The reason why I picked up the book in the first place is because in the past few years I’ve known quite a few people who have had to battle cancer. Three of those people were members of my own family. My brother had a brain tumor—that honestly, right there, is the reason why I wanted to read Maddie’s experience. It’s probably also the reason that I was very invested and on the edge of my seat the whole time. Spoiler: I knew Maddie was going to survive the ordeal. That still didn’t make it any less of a tear jerker when it came to the doctor visits and surgery prep. I may not be 12 years old like she is in the story (she was 9 in real life), but doctors and medical things freak me out. I’m extremely terrified of needles. So her whole experience with having to face some medical procedures on her own and being afraid was very relatable to me.

The other great thing about this book is that it’s not just about dealing with hard, scary things. It’s about compassion and recognizing that everyone has their own hard, scary things to deal with at some point or another. It also deals with bullying, something that, unfortunately, many children have to deal with.

I also enjoyed Maddie herself and getting a chance to remember what it was like to be that age. I kind of laughed to myself a few times as I thought, “Yep, that’s how it was. I totally walked around the track at recess and just talked.”

Reader’s Guidance:

Nothing of concern.

Similar Books:

Ida B by Katherine Hannigan -- This book almost immediately came to mind. Instead of a young girl being sick, it's her mother who becomes sick. Ida B has a very hard time dealing with the situation and the sacrifices her family must make. The reaction to the situation is different, but there's still something important to be gained here as we watch Ida B slowly come to terms with the situation. Like Maddie, Ida B's story deserves to be read.

Next Book:

Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillo. That's right. I discovered another one of her books I haven't read at the library. As she is still one of my all time favorites, I must read it!!!! 

Star Wars Sugar Cookies

Hello all my fellow book nerds! Today is a very special day for Star Wars lovers. It's May the fourth! As far as I am concerned, there's only one good way to celebrate such a glorious occasion! Baked goods!

The last treat I did for May the fourth was Chewbacca doughnuts, which really was as simple as buying some doughnuts and drawing on them with icing. It was a lovely treat. Since then, I have acquired Star Wars cookie cutters, and I love them! This is only my second time using them, and I decided to have a little fun buy making some green dough especially for Yoda.

If you would like to create your very own Star Wars sugar cookies, you can get the cookie cutters here and here. We opted not to frost them because we like them plain (and I have no faith in my level of cookie decorating skills), but the recipe I used also has a frosting recipe.

The recipe I used can be found here. I halved the recipe as it makes a ton of cookies, and I don't have enough mouths around to help me eat them. Here's what I did:

Star Wars Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

1 1/2 sticks of butter
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/2 cups of flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:

1. In the bowl of mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugar. Mix in eggs and vanilla until well-combined.

2. Combine the remaining ingredients in a separate bowl before mixing with the wet ingredients until combined.

3. Chill in the fridge for 2 hours.

4. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

5. Roll out your dough on a lightly floured surface and cut out your shapes.

6. Bake on an ungreased cookie sheet for 6-8 minutes. Watch closely! You don't want to overcook them! There will be a hint of golden brown on the bottom edges.

You can choose to frost them if you wish! Like I said, I opted not to. You can also use food coloring to your advantage like I did with Yoda this time around.

There you have it! It's pretty simple and straight forward! Nothing makes a sugar cookie better than it being in the shape of one of your favorite characters!

May the force be with you! And if you haven't already, you should pick up a Star Wars book! There's many to choose from. Even if you don't want to delve into Star Wars Legends or any of the more current novels, there are comics, cookbooks, a handbook on speaking Wookie--in short, there's something for everyone! I highly recommend Darth Vader and Son and all the other Darth Vader books by Jeffrey Brown!

How did you guys celebrate May the fourth? If you forgot to celebrate, you can come hang out with me and help me eat the rest of these cookies :)