It's Monday! Here's What I'm Reading.

Hooray for Monday!  Here's what I'm up to today:

 Titanic: Voices from the Disaster by Deborah Hopkinson
 
A disaster which has fascinated us for 100 years continues to do so. In fact, I set my alarm to wake myself up extra early this morning so that I could finish it! While we tend to think of this as well-known event, younger readers may not have had much exposure. This book geared for readers 8 - 13 years old was particularly well done.  Hopkinson uses eye-witness accounts, photographs, maps, letters, telegraph transmissions and quotes from survivors to tell the tale from the point-of-view of the passengers making this a particularly gripping account.

I lamented to a co-worker that whenever I read stories about real-life disasters, I'm always on the edge of my seat hoping that *this time* it will end differently.  This has never been more true than when I read this genuinely affecting version of the tale. 

I got the pleasure of running my Library's Toddler Time this morning and shared a few of my favorites for a Monday morning. 

My fast approaching lunch break means I get to start Fenway Fever by John H. Ritter (in honor of my annual Birthday trip to Fenway next weekend).  I'll let you know what I think...of the book and my trip to Fenway  ;)

Now tell me, what are YOU reading? 

Check out the book trailer for Spaceheadz by Jon Scieszka

This title is taking off at my library. It is especially popular with those already familiar with Scieszka's brand of humor.

How to Get Rich on a Texas Cattle Drive by Tod Olsen

An interesting blend of fact and fiction makes this account of life on a Texas cattle drive a must-read. An excellent list of further reading and online resources accompanies the Encyclopedia of the Texas Cattle Drive "in which unusual words and historical figures are defined and described...." Beautifully illustrated with a mix of historically authentic lithographs and "Little John Larken's" drawings. The humor and lively telling of Larken's adventures make this book a colorful and interesting introduction to the period. Suggested for grades 3-6.