(click on title to listen to episode)
Winter isn’t coming, it’s
already here! This year has been especially brutal for most of the United
States, and since I love nothing more than getting cozy on the couch with a
good book when the temperature drops and the wind starts to blow, I thought it
only made sense to dedicate an episode to books set during the winter.
Welcome to episode three
of the second season of Happy Reading, a podcast that spotlights and celebrates
middle grade titles that all share a common theme. I’m Sarah Threlkeld, a
current elementary school librarian, former 6th grade reading teacher, and
someone who loves watching the snow pile up outside her window, but isn’t a fan
of actually being in it. It has snowed twice in the Seattle area so far this
winter and, while I wouldn’t mind a day or two off from school, I am definitely
ready for some sunshine and blue skies.
Brian’s Winter by Gary Paulsen
I finally got around to
reading Gary Paulsen’s masterpiece Hatchet a few years into my gig as a
middle school teacher and, boy howdy, did it blow my mind! I’ve been meaning to
read the follow up, Brian’s Winter, for years and thanks to this episode
I finally devoured the adventure book in just a few sittings. In Hatchet
the main character survives a summer in the Canadian wilderness and is rescued
in the end (sorry for any spoilers). After that book was published Gary Paulsen
received a bazillion letters from readers who wondered what would have happened
to Brian if he hadn’t been rescued. Would he survive a brutal Canadian winter
with no more than his wits and his trusty hatchet? If you’re curious to know
the answer you’ll have to pick up a copy of Brian’s Winter. Here’s an
excerpt where the reality of Brian’s situation comes hurtling at him
full-force.
excerpt - pages 70-72
The Seventh Wish by Kate Messner
I always love it when a
book teaches me about a topic that is completely foreign to me. Kate Messner’s The
Seventh Wish was a double whammy - I learned all about ice fishing and
Irish dancing. As if that wasn’t cool enough, the book also brilliantly
explores magical realism, long-term friendship, and the effects of addiction on
families and communities. This is the kind of book that stays with you long
after the last sentence. Here’s an excerpt where Charlie, the main character,
is ice fishing with some neighbors and catches more than she expected.
excerpt - pages 20-23
Shadow on the Mountain by Margi Preus
I am always in awe of
everyday people who risk their lives to protect their family, community or
country. It’s even more impressive when one of those people is a teenager. Shadow
on the Mountain by Margi Preus recounts a 14-year old Norwegian boy’s
evolution from a carefree soccer-playing teenager to a daring spy who worked
for Norway’s resistance movement during World War II. Over the course of five
years Espen, who is based on a real person named Erling Storrusten, sacrifices
friendships, his family’s safety, and his own life to weaken the Nazi’s hold on
his beloved country. His story comes to a thrilling climax as Espen dares to
escape his homeland through snowy mountains on a pair of skis. Here’s an
excerpt where Espen is both thrilled by and anxious about completing his first
delivery for the Resistance.
excerpt - pages 19-20
The Vanderbeekers of
141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser
New York City is one of
my favorite cities in the world, so when I come across a book that perfectly
captures the energy and attitude of the Big Apple, I get pretty dang excited.
Karina Yan Glaser’s debut novel The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street is one
of those books. As you might surmise from the title, the book centers around
the Vanderbeekers, an utterly charming family of seven that lives in a beloved
brownstone on 141st street. Life is moving along swimmingly, until the parents
break the news to their five children that their crotchety old landlord is
evicting them in a mere five days. Oh, and it’s Christmas. Most kids would be
devastated and, after shedding a few tears, start packing. Thanks goodness the
Vanderbeekers are not most kids. They rally together and come up with an
ingenious plan to win over the landlord. Will it work? You’ll have to read this
delightful realistic fiction novel to find out. Here are the first few pages to
give you a taste of The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street.
excerpt - pages 1-4
The Evil Wizard
Smallbone by Delia Sherman
The last book I’m
spotlighting wasn’t even on my radar when it was released, which is a shame
because it is absolutely fantastic. Every word in Delia Sherman’s The Evil
Wizard Smallbone is necessary and paints a riveting picture of life in a
bewitched seaside town in Maine. The book opens with Nick running away from his
abusive uncle and smackdab into a snow storm, which he is completely unprepared
for. He happens upon Evil Wizard Books and convinces the curmudgeonly owner to
let him stay for the night, having no idea that he’ll end up staying there for
months, cleaning the bookstore, tending to some farm animals and secretly
learning magic. Nick will also encounter a pack of angry bikers that morph into
werewolves and townspeople who are harboring a huge secret. Whether you love
fantasy or not, I bet you will find The Evil Wizard Smallbone to be
absolutely magical and you won’t be able to put it down. Here’s the scene where
Nick is caught in the snowstorm that drives him towards the evil wizard’s
bookshop.
excerpt - pages 5-10
Thank you so much for
listening to this episode of Happy Reading! I hope hearing about those
wonderful middle grade books didn’t leave you feeling too cold and that you
discovered at least one or two new titles for your TBR list. I’d love to hear
about your favorite wintertime books! You can find me on Twitter at
@WordNerd153 and at the podcast’s website at happyrdng.blogspot.com. Transcripts
of all the episodes are also on the website. If you enjoy this podcast, I would
adore you forever if you posted a review on iTunes. Thanks again for listening
and happy reading!
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