Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson is another book on the 2009 Rebecca Caudill Nominee list. This historical novel, set in 1918, is the story of Hattie Brooks and her determination to make it as a homesteader. Hattie grew up in Iowa raised by random relatives because of the early death of her parents. At 16, she receives a letter from an uncle in Montana who left Hattie all his land when he fell ill. She packs up and moves out West by herself.

This book was very interesting to read because you learn a lot of "tricks of the trade" of farming. You also gain a great appreciation for the folks that settled the West and today's farmers. By reading this book, you understand the hard life these people endure.

Definitely check this one out!

There are so many great books on the Rebecca Caudill list, I won't know which one to vote for! A Drowned Maiden's Hair: A Melodrama by Laura Amy Schlitz is truly a melodrama - with lots of twists and turns! The book is set in the early 20th century and focuses on the main character Maud - a girl who always is in trouble at the orphanage. When two sisters suddenly show up and adopt her, she is determined to be on her best behavior. She leaves a life of poverty and all of a sudden has luxuries like new clothes and good food. But, she has to keep a secret...

Check out this book to find out what the secret is!

I really liked this book because of the interesting story line and colorful characters. The author told such a good story that in points in the book, you were confused on your feelings about the characters. Are the heroes? Villians? What a great suspense novel!

Rules by Cynthia Lord is a Newberry Honor Book and on the list for the 2009 Rebecca Caudill Award. This book gets right to the heart of what makes us all special and unique. The book is told from the point of view of Catherine, a girl learning about life and friendship. This is definitely one of the best books that I have read in awhile.

Gossamer by Lois Lowry is one of the 2009 Rebecca Caudill Award Nominees. After reading the first chapter, I wasn't really sure I would like the book. I am so glad I decided to keep reading because it was a very charming and entertaining story. Gossamer is a fantasy story about the "creatures" that give you dreams at night. The humans in the story include a troubled boy and two women. I don't want to give any more of the story away but if you like fantasy stories, read Gossamer. Lois Lowry is a wonderful storyteller and this book can be enjoyed by children and adults alike.

I just finished Flush by Carl Hiaasen - you may know him as the author of Hoot. Flush was a funny, entertaining story that is similar to Hoot. I really liked the interesting characters and the hilarious story line. Definitely check this one out!

I just finished reading Geronimo by Joseph Bruchac. This well-researched, descriptive, and emotionally moving novel is based on the story of the removal and relocation of the Apache Indians. The story is told from the point of view of Geronimo's grandson and the whole book is not in chronological order. I really liked this book and I think that the author did a wonderful job making the reader realize what the Apache Indians went through. I definitely recommend it to anyone who likes historical fiction novels or reading about Native Americans.

Yesterday, I read Underground by Jean Ferris. The book is set in the 1830's during slavery and the main characters are slaves at the Mammoth Cave Hotel. The book is based on real characters - Stephen Bishop was a slave who could read and write who first explored and mapped out Mammoth Caves in Kentucky.


I liked the book for the most part but some of the dialog and parts of the plot just seemed out of place. I did like that it was a book about the pre-Civil War era in the United States that had a very unique plot.

Pale Male: Citizen Hawk of New York City by Janet Schulman is a picture book, and the true story, about Pale Male, a Red Tail Hawk living in New York. The illustrator, Meilo So, did a beautiful job with the illustrations! I really liked this book and would recommend it to anyone who likes hawks or learning about animals.

I first learned about the story of Pale Male when I was visiting New York City with my cousin in 2002. We were in Central Park when a tour guide told us the story of a Red Tailed Hawk that made its home in downtown New York. There had not been a Red-Tail that made its home in New York city for many years so many people were very excited when the hawk made its home here. But not everyone was happy to have the hawk living in New York...read the book to find out the whole story! I loved this book!!!





The picture below is the red-tailed hawk that visited my classroom in June 2008 from the Trailside Museum in River Forest. We got to see a red-tailed hawk up close and personal!

Here's an interesting 2009 Rebecca Caudill Nominee - Oh Rats! The Story of Rats and People by Albert Marrin. Did you know that a rat can colapse its skeleton to squeeze through a hole the size of a quarter? Its true! I learned a lot about rats (even stuff I didn't want to know!) in this book. My favorite chapter was about rats and their role in the plague. Check it out...and prepared to be grossed out!!!

I just finished Blood on the River: James Town 1607 by Elisa Carbone. This book is a 2009 Rebecca Caudill nominee. The story takes place in the new settlement of Jamestown and illustrates the hardships the new settlers faced. I loved the characters and how the story brought this time in history alive.

This is my first reading blog entry! I am excited to start a blog to share what books I have been reading. Hopefully, you will get some ideas of books you should check out of the library and read!

"I've traveled the world twice over, Met the famous; saints and sinners, Poets and artists, kings and queens, Old stars and hopeful beginners, I've been where no-one's been before, Learned secrets from writers and cooks All with one library ticket To the wonderful world of books."
~ Anonymous ~