Eat, Read, and Be Mommy

I clearly missed Wednesday–can you tell I’ve been aiming for Monday, Wednesday, and Friday posts?–but I did have a good reason. After collecting money and taking it to the bank for PTA Wednesday morning I had to book it to make it to my ‘diagnostic mammogram’ on time. That (and the ultrasound) took less time than they said it would, which was good (although I have to say, it’s completely bizarre to get an ultrasound on your breast). Even better was the ‘everything looks good’ outcome; apparently my dense breast tissue, about which I’ve now gotten multiple medical letters, just messed with the imaging.

Britt and I had planned to go out to lunch afterward–I think you deserve a nice lunch after a mammogram morning–and she ended up taking me out for my birthday to a Nepali place, which was fantastic. By the time I got home it was time to pick up kids, exercise, feed kids, etc., which took me past my ‘express myself coherently in writing’ deadline for school days. It happens, right? Today, however, I get to review Muckrakers: How Ida Tarbell, Upton Sinclair, and Lincoln Steffens Helped Expose Scandal, Inspire Reform, and Invent Investigative Journalism. (Which is a mouthful of a title by anyone’s definition, right?) I started reading it aloud to my 14-year-old, but she decided to bail, so I finished it by myself. (I can’t really blame her, to be honest–I still remember enough US history from high school to provide a level of context she didn’t have.) It was an interesting read with plenty of photographs and quotes from the period and the players; it felt brief to me, but then, it’s intended for middle graders, so that’s not shocking. Ultimately, it’s one that you should read if the title (which is a decently thorough summary of the premise) interests you or if you’re looking for research materials on relevant topics; if not, well–it’s up to you.

In other news, the kids and I spent a decent chunk of the morning cleaning out and organizing the shelves in the kitchen that hold coloring books and implements, school supplies, etc., and we have donations for my youngest’s teacher as well as some coloring books for my sister to offer to her grandkids. (Not to mention more space–wahoo!) It was satisfying!

Trying to read a book during the first few weeks of school gets difficult–so many distractions! Last night, however, I managed to finish Nat for Nothing, the fourth book in Maria Scrivan’s ‘Nat’ series. It deals with typical middle school struggles–finding your thing, figuring out complicated friendship loyalties–in a solid way, and Scrivan’s art is perfect for them. I did feel like Nat’s initial attitude toward Luca was overly harsh, but given the circumstances of their first meeting, it was probably not unrealistic; otherwise, I thought the story unfolded nicely. This is a good fit for graphic novel lovers–especially artists and girls–from mid-elementary to the beginning of high school.

In other news, the PTA binder and checkbook register for this school year are officially–mostly–up to date, which feels like an achievement. Oh, the paperwork!

My indefatigable PTA president forwarded to me a second reminder that our insurance expires on September 1st; I read it today and ended up paying it with an ‘online check’, just like last year, to be sure it was taken care of on time. Last year I had no idea what I was doing when insurance came due; this year I just got caught up with other things and the time got away from me. Unfortunately, in between last year and this year I learned at PTA treasurer training that we’re not supposed to pay for things online like that; in this case, however, I decided avoiding a lapse of coverage mattered more, and the ends would just have to justify the means. At least it’s DONE.

I don’t even feel all that guilty about it.

I would have taken far longer to get around to reading Lauren Baratz-Logsted’s I Love You, Michael Collins if Britt hadn’t picked it for book club, and that would have been a tragedy, because I really did love this book. I was solidly in Mamie’s corner long before page ten, and her family members’ more frustrating qualities were nicely balanced out by Buster’s fantastic-ness. (Yes, I know it’s not a word. I’m tired and I don’t care.) As Apollo 11’s launch approaches, Mamie’s letters to Michael Collins paint a vivid picture of life in the summer of ’69 (I had to throw that in because my 8-year-old LOVES that song), with its cultural shifts and historic moon landing; they also give the reader a poignant glimpse into Mamie’s everyday life. Baratz-Logsted balances the ups and downs of being a sister deftly, and (unlike in Entrada Kelly’s We Dream of Space) Mamie’s parents are sympathetically human. This is a good book for those wanting brave girl characters, realistic family struggles that resolve hopefully, books about the space race, cats, good friends…basically, it’s just a good book.

I was, in fact, so impressed by it that I spent at least 10 minutes yesterday reading summaries and reviews of Baratz-Logsted’s other books, wanting to find another one I’d like as well. Unfortunately, most of them seem to be adult fiction (or YA romantic fiction), and there were enough negative reviews that I’m excited about almost none of them. Write more middle grade fiction and I’ll read it, Ms. Baratz-Logsted! (And based on the Goodreads reviews of your other works vs. Michael Collins, I’m not the only one.)

Hmm. This ending wants more, but I’ve got to help out at the school for a while and I’m too tired to make it better. (I’ll take suggestions if you’ve got them.) Signing off!

It’s been a while, I know. But I made this Tuscan White Bean Salad for dinner the other day, and while none of my children were nuts for it (there were a lot of thumbs middles), I was totally a fan. I was probably short on both herbs–I got lazy with the basil and stingy with what was left on my parsley plants–and I doubled the tomatoes, because hey! it’s fresh tomato season! (And while my own plants aren’t producing a whole lot right now, my neighbors have the greenest of green thumbs and more tomatoes than they can eat.) I’d double the tomatoes every time, but it’d be nice to have the full complement of herbs…

Anyway. It was tangy and lovely and–I forgot. I zested the lemon and threw in the zest, too, because almost everything’s better with lemon zest, right? So–it was tangy and lovely and filling, and if you enjoy all of the ingredients, you should absolutely make this one while you (or your productive neighbors) have all of the requisite garden ingredients. Let me know what you think!

Can you tell I’m really trying here?

So. I finished listening to Kevin Henkes’ Billy Miller Makes a Wish a few weeks or so ago, and I meant to review it before now so that my youngest can read it while its predecessor is still relatively fresh in her mind. I confess, I don’t love Kevin Henkes’ chapter books as much as I love his picture books–although to be fair, I really, REALLY love quite a lot of his picture books–but the ‘Billy Miller’ books have a very genuine elementary-school-boy feel. In this sequel, Billy’s relationship with his younger sister is still varied and sometimes frustrating; he’s also feeling uncertain because of a neighborhood incident and his papa’s departure for art camp. The small vicissitudes of a child’s life mingle with the sorts of bigger events that loom especially large when we’re young, blending into a solid vignette of a family living, well, –life.

Bottom line? Worth offering to all elementary schoolers, but especially to boys. I think there’s now a book out about the little sister, though…

8YO: “Momma, did you pick this to read with me because the girl in it is a lot like me?”

Me: “Well, that MAY have been a factor…”

Definitely a factor, in fact. Alma Fullerton has some very nice picture books and one fantastic verse novel brought to my attention by my 2nd girlie; The Journal of Anxious Izzy Parker is her newest book, and it’s an excellent one if you have an elementary schooler struggling with anxiety. It IS short–79 pages with more than one full page illustration–but watching Izzy learn to cope with and grow because of her anxiety is a beautiful thing. I’d actually recommend this one to elementary schoolers in general, because even if they don’t see themselves in Izzy, it’s just as helpful for them to see themselves in her classmates. Its length and illustrations make it accessible for reluctant readers, and yet there’s enough emotional depth that all ages and abilities can appreciate it. In short? A perfect read to start off the new school year!*

*In our case, somewhat more literally perfect as well. I finished reading it to my new 3rd grader (who’s completely capable of reading it by herself if I hadn’t chosen it for a read-aloud) yesterday morning at the breakfast table, because getting her to eat enough that she won’t be hangry is still a monumental chore.

My brand-new (as of yesterday!) 14-year-old grabbed Just Roll With It off the library shelf one day when she actually had space on her card; instead of returning it when she finished with it, I slipped it onto my shelf, where (like most books) it’s been for far too long. No more! On my kids’ first day back in school I did enough of my scripture study during the day that I actually had enough reading time before bed to finish it; now I get to pass it on to whomever else wants to devour–umm, read–it before it heads back for good. (My one girlie will most certainly REread it–possibly more than once–and my youngest will dive in as well, because graphic novels.) The best thing is? I’m happy to have them read (or reread) it, because any story of a kid struggling out of a mental health quagmire enough to get the help he or she needs is exactly the kind of story I need my kids to experience.

Maggie is starting middle school and worried about making friends, about living up to her sisters’ accomplishments, about–just about anything; she uses her D20 die to help her make all kinds of decisions, even if her roll means she can’t do something she might actually want to do. Her family is (understandably) worried about her, but she’s initially resistant, because doesn’t therapy mean something’s wrong with you? (Spoiler alert–Nope. But as far as our society has come even in the last 20 years, we still have a ways to go in regards to mental health awareness and destigmatization.) Through a supportive friend (and loving family), however, she manages to both face a few of her fears AND recognize how limiting some of her others can be. Maggie’s story is perfect for tweens and teens trying to figure out their world–as well as the people who love them.

Bottom line? Don’t miss this one.

My almost-14-year-old (her birthday’s tomorrow!) and I felt the same way about Meg Medina’s ‘Merci Suarez’ trilogy (please imagine an accent over the “a”). We’ve read all three aloud in a relatively short span of time, and all three have been fantastic. They feel real, and relatable, and they show middle school in all its messiness, not to mention life in all its pain and delight. Merci Suarez Plays It Cool is the third and final book–unless Medina changes her mind sometime in the future–and in it we see Lolo deteriorate, Merci face more friend challenges, and the twins’ father reappear at Las Casitas. (We also see Merci and Wilson’s maybe-relationship continue.) This is a series of well-drawn characters and a lot of heart. If you haven’t read it, well–what are you waiting for?

That’s the plan, anyway. The kiddos are back to school and I have an incredible backlog of things to blog about, so that’s where I’m starting my home-by-myself portion of the morning. (In case you’re wondering what I’ve been doing for the last month or so, by the way, it’s been a combination of plenty of actual things plus the difficulty of concentrating when all the kids are home and it’s the end of their summer.) Yesterday being insane–appointment for my oldest, followed by ordering and picking up lunch, followed by dropping her off with food and taking mine in the car to get a tire and my windshield fixed, followed by a trip to the pharmacy and PetSmart, followed by my very first ever vet visit, followed by back-to-school night (which goes much, much longer when you’re the PTA treasurer), followed by helping kids get their night-before-the-first-day stuff ready, followed by my walk, followed by the rest of my scripture study–I’m also completely enjoying just sitting here. Except of course, there are book reviews to do!

Just for kicks and giggles, I’ll start with Beyond the Laughing Sky, by Michelle Cuevas. Michelle Cuevas, as an author, is BIZARRE–she wrote Confessions of an Imaginary Friend and The Care and Feeding of a Pet Black Hole–but skilled; her writing is beautiful and near-perfectly poignant. In Laughing Sky we meet Nashville, who was hatched from an egg with a boy’s body, a beak, and feathers instead of hair. His typically human family–parents and a younger sister–love him to distraction, but he’s obviously not really accepted by the residents of Goosepimple (the nearby village). He’d rather be able to fly than fit in, but neither seems a possibility–until he starts asking himself the right questions. His journey is bittersweet but oddly beautiful, and my youngest clearly found his story to be a compelling read-aloud. I found it to be rather Kate DiCamillo-ish in its rather weird, lovely, and existential vibe. You’ll have to tell me what you think!