Ah, August—the last month of summer. The weather is still amazing with its warm days and blue skies, essential ingredients for reading in the backyard hammock. I made good use of blogger suggestions and kept my library busy with hold requests. Unfortunately, the library has returned to only providing curbside service which means I no longer can browse the shelves and can request an unsatisfying six books at a time. *Sigh*
Some incredibly fun reads in August:
Frindle by Andrew Clements ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
As a Word Nerd, I cheered how a boy created a new word as a prank only to have amazing consequences. A new favorite. Goodreads
How Penguins Saved Veronica by Hazel Prior ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Having just watched March of the Penguins this was a natural to read. If you like cranky oldster novels, this is recommended. Goodreads
When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit by Judith Kerr ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Semi-autobiographical, this is an engaging account of a Jewish girl and her family become refugees as they try to escape Hitler’s persecution. Goodreads
Coffee with Shakespeare by Stanley Wells ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
As a Bardinator I am always up for another book providing more insights about Shakespeare. Stanley Wells create a mock interview and it is fun and informative. Goodreads
Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
A favorite read and reread. Bradbury supplies a truly spellbinding reminiscent semi-autobiographical tale of a summer before life became so dependent on technology. Goodreads
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
I missed this one as a kid. Glad I caught up to it finally. Precocious children running away to a museum. Perfect. Goodreads
Dragonwyck by Ana Seton ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
In the midst of my kid reads I found a classic adult gothic to read, much like those of Daphne Du Maurier. Goodreads
Onion John by Joseph Krumgold ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
I thought I had read this as kid. As an adult I appreciate how it is a coming of age for young readers and as an adult I see it as a parent parable. Goodreads
The View from Saturday by E.L. Koningsburg ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Another unique story from Konigsburg. This one is about friendship and accepting differences and learning how to cope with difficulties. Goodreads
Call It Courage by Armstrong Sperry ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️
Published in 1940, it’s a fine classic adventure and its message about overcoming tough situations is quite appropriate for our current times Goodreads
Carry On, Mr Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️
Another fine children’s classic, this is a biographical novel based on Nate Bowditch whose contributions to maritime navigation are still respected today. Goodreads
The Summer of the Swans by Betsy Bears ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️
The message of the book seems to be “Don’t sweat the small stuff” and how it’s caring for people is what really matters. Another timely story for today’s world. Goodreads
Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyeau ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️
Surprised this isn’t a Newberry winner. For those who appreciated Wonder, this is another important book about how kindness makes a difference. Goodreads
I’d Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmasof the Reading Life by Anne Bogel⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️
As a bonafide Book Booster I could not resist Bogel’s book of essays on being a Reader. Quite relatable. Goodreads
Yes, there were quite a few kid selections this month. I am trying to read all the Newbery winners, many I have read, but I have missed a few over the years. It’s never too late to enjoy a well-written kids’ book!
An update in statistics:
Hit my Goodreads goal of 101 books
I have read most of the Newberry winners
Read 55 books this summer (a number of them were children’s books, I grant that fact)
WONDERFUL UPDATE:
The library is opening its doors once again on September first!
Throughout the summer I appreciated the library’s curbside and inter-library loan service. I’m not sure what I would have done without the availability of books to checkout.
I had to laugh when I got to Carry On, Mr. Bowditch. My husband had read this as a child, so we read a chapter a night to our son. After awhile, the joke became “Who’s going to die tonight?” I haven’t read any of the others on your list. I’ve been reading lots of MGs over the past few months, ones with a very specific voice and some written in verse, in preparation for writing one. Cheers to MG!
Pam Webb 
Dandelion Wine is one of my all time favorites!
Kindred readers once again😊
What a fine collection, Pam. I want to read all of them!
Good plan!
Lovely! 🙂 I adore classic children’s literature. I haven’t read all of these! ❤ Love Dandelion Wine.
It is the quintessential summer read.😊
I had to laugh when I got to Carry On, Mr. Bowditch. My husband had read this as a child, so we read a chapter a night to our son. After awhile, the joke became “Who’s going to die tonight?” I haven’t read any of the others on your list. I’ve been reading lots of MGs over the past few months, ones with a very specific voice and some written in verse, in preparation for writing one. Cheers to MG!
MG is fun! Memorable characters, creative plots and best of all no sex or profanity surprises.