Yesterday I briefly shared my update of our Fall Reading Passport Challenge. I am excited that I am finding time to read again, period. The past month and a half have been hectic, to say the least, with training for a new library position and clearing out my in-law's home of almost 50 years. So now that's completed, I am content to read away (although I know other things will always replace the projects completed).

So a quick summary of the books read thus far.

GENRES

Least Favourite/Not Often Read 

For me, that would be adaptations of fairytales, folktales and legends. I had heard a great deal of buzz of Soman Chainani Beasts and Beauty: Dangerous Tales and was able to borrow an audiobook from my library narrated by Polly Lee. 

There were some creative twists on many "familiar" fairytales reflecting themes/issues in today's world. I would use these short story adaptations in grades seven and eight. I found the first few stories geared more to a YA audience and the latter tales more for middle grade. The writing itself stands out following the model of the Original Grimm fairytales and is dark and foreboding depending on the stories. It would be crucial to know your audience, with some of the stories possibly acting as triggers.

Back In Time/Back to the Future

I am going to go back in time with The Great Bear by David Alex Robertson. In the second book of The Misewa Saga, Morgan and Eli take advantage of the time difference between their world (hours) and that of Askí(weeks). Both need respite with Eli being bullied at school to the point where he cuts off his braid and Morgan's inner conflict of contacting her birth mother after her foster parents give her mother's phone number. So each evening, while their foster parents sleep, they use the portal to visit Askí. When Eli's sketchbook is taken away at school by bullies, the only picture left is one of Ochek when he was young. The two decide to use this sketch to travel back in history and discover that they are needed to help fight The Great Bear, who is tormenting the villages in Misewa. As with the first book (The Barren Grounds), it is rich with Indigenous teachings.

SETTINGS

Big City

Agatha Oddly Series by Lean Jones and narrated by Aspen Reiss. This entire series was an enjoyable listen, perhaps because I am a sucker for an accent, but I enjoyed this series set in London. Agatha Oddlow (named after famed author Agatha Christie by her mother) is a thirteen-year-old girl addicted to crime novels and wishes nothing more than to become a detective. In each book, there is a significant crime Agatha gets wrapped in and attempts to solve, including her mother's mysterious death.

Rural

Paradise on Fire by Jewell Parker Rhodes. Addy lives in the Bronx with her Nigerian grandmother after tragically losing her parents in a house fire. Addy, still traumatized by the event, always has to have an escape plan and spends time creating various maps everywhere she goes to feel safe. Her grandmother wants more for Addy and sends her to a wilderness camp in southern California. Here grandmother hopes she will live up to her name Adaugo, meaning daughter of an eagle and appreciate the wilderness and the many gifts it offers. Addy does become deeply attached to the campsite until her worst fears become real as she and the other campers from the Bronx become separated from their leaders in the dangerous wildfires.

Water/Island

The Monster Missions by Laura Martin, narrated by Shaina Summerville. The Monster Missions was such a phenomenal read and took me by surprise. Set in the future, all the continents are now under the rising oceanic waters, and people live on ships and survive by scavenging and salvaging what they can from the cities submerged underwater. Young middle-graders Berkely and Garth work as salvagers on the Atlas. When a tinkering invention from Berkely disturbs a mysterious sea creature, the captain quickly and quietly disposes of the two by getting them off the ship before they can share the events with the rest of the ship's crew. Now abruptly aboard the Britannica, a research submarine, the two discover giant sea creatures exist and prey upon the various ships at sea unbeknownst to the general population. Adapting to researching and protecting the floating ship homes is more difficult for Garth than Berkley, who misses salvaging. Things take a turn for the worse when pirates take over the sub, and the Atlas is in danger of attack from one of the sea creatures. Now Berkley and Garth, along with other crew members their age, must create a plan to save the Britannica and the Atlas.

Cultural Focus

Room to Dream by Kelly Yang, narrated by Sunny Lu. In the third of the series, Kelly Yang takes Mia and her family back and close friend Hank to China to visit family.  Room to Dream is a solid third book, where Mia learns about shopping local and the tactics of big business while dreaming of taking her writing to the next level. The Front Desk books are one of those rare series where each book can stand alone but together provide readers with a variety of current and important topics to discuss, reflect upon and share with others modelling how young people can make a difference

ACTIVITIES

Activity to Do

One of the things I love to do at home is to spend time in nature. I walk daily with my dog Kaizer, and this photo is one of the green spaces that we have nearby that we enjoy. I like to explore those types of spaces when I am travelling. I would love to hear about green spaces near you. Who knows when I may be in your area.

Travel Tip

Bring a travel extension cord and leave it in your preferred travel bag. There are times when an extra plug-in or an additional USB outlet would have made life so much easier. Having an extension cord is now something we include in our travels. I hope it helps you out in the future. 

Anticipated Trip

Like most of you, we had a COVID trip cancelled. We were supposed to spend our 2020 Christmas holidays in Hawaii with our two adult kids and their partners. So yes, that's the trip we are hoping we can do. Hoping we will be able to juggle jobs, elderly parents and a new dog to plan to go in 2022.

Like Kathie, I am planning another suitcase to include different themes for an additional bag. Topics that I have already started reading or looking to read include

  • Series
  • No questions asked author books
  • Non-fiction 
  • Survival

In addition, some activities to include so we are not just about the books are

  • preplanning rituals or tips
  • must try cuisine
  • photography tip
  • travel buddies - family? friends? 
  • bookstore/library on your wish list

I am looking forward to seeing how you are all doing on your trips in the comments OR your preferred social media. Please tag @kathiemacissac and me (@lhnatiuk), so we can follow you on your reading adventures. Safe travels. 😉

 This free site is ad-supported. Learn more
​