The Book Search

I read two books this week that both had to do with postwar trauma.  One is historical fiction and one is present day and they were both terrific! The first one is called "A Galaxy of Sea Stars" by Jeanne Zulik Ferruolo.  Jeanne wrote a terrific book last year called "Ruby in the Sky" that I really enjoyed, so I was delighted to see she had a new book out.  This one is just as good, and maybe even better!  In "A Galaxy of Sea Stars", Izzy, the main character is starting middle school.  She's nervous like most kids are but she's got a lot on her plate.  Her mom has gone to stay and work with her sisters in their family restaurant, and although it seemed like she would be gone just a short time, it's turning out to be longer than Izzy figured it would be.  Part of why her mom left, is that her dad is different now.  Her dad served in the army in Afghanistan and came back different.  He's had to take a different job, they've had to move ...

We just finished up our first book fair with Follett and I'm really happy we did it.  The set up and break down were super easy, the cash register was easy and the teachers, parents, and kids commented on the quality of the book choices.  So, in my way of thinking, it was a big win! I've also gotten to read some terrific new realistic fiction.  The first one is called "Ruby in the Sky" by Jeanne Zulik Ferruolo.  It's about Ruby who is 12.  She and her mom have just moved back to the small town in New Hampshire where her mother grew up.  They are looking for their next forever home.  They've been moving a lot since they lost Ruby's dad (and the explanation for that comes pretty late in the book, so I don't want to spoil it for you!).  They moved back to this small town to be close to family, a cousin, who has offered to help.  Ruby and her mom have been living in Florida, and so New Hampshire in the winter time is a pretty big change.  ...