Gage successfully completed the book-a-day challenge in September. Woohoo! I found it increasingly difficult to keep up here and on IG near the end, but we made it. I do plan on having Gage pick a few favorite books of the week and review them here on Fridays. I think we can both manage that.
Thank you all for reading and commenting. It has meant a lot to Gage 🙂
To save time and aggravation I’m posting our last Instagram posts with the book pics.
I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Gordon C. James, 32 pages, published 2020.
I adored this book. A love letter to African American boys about everything good they are and all of the great things they will become. It did not specifically name a race, but all of the gorgeous illustrations were of black boys. I read this story to Gage twice telling him that it was the way I felt about him and he felt that. A nice thing to pick up when your boy is having a bad day.
Gage’s thoughts…
What do you think sums up this book?
“I am not what they might call me, and I will not answer to any name that isn’t my own. I am what I say I am.” (a quote from the book)
Did you like this book?
I loved it.
I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912 by Lauren Tarsis, art by Haus Studio, 112 pages, pub. 2010.
Gage’s obsession with the Titanic and her sister ships continues. This one, while long, was a fast graphic novel read.
Gage’s thoughts…
Historical fiction means the events are true the people are not real.
George, his sister Phoebe, his aunt Daisy, Enzo, and the Scar-faced man were made up. Mr. Andrews and Captain Smith were real people.
My favorite character was Mr. Andrews because he made the Titanic.
The new thing I learned was that the Titanic had escape ladders.
I recommend this to people who like the Titanic.
Emmanuel’s Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah by Laurie Ann Thompson, illustrated by Sean Qualls, 40 pages, published 2015.
Emmanuel was born in Ghana, West Africa with only one good leg, but he didn’t let that stop him. Forced to support his mom and siblings at a young age, he did all he could until his mom passed. Then he decided to raise awareness for people with disabilities by biking across Ghana. This is an inspirational story about a man still living and fighting the good fight.
Somehow I have misplaced Gage’s notes on this. If I find them I’ll come back and ad them.
The Fog by Kyo Maclear, art by Kenard Pak, 42 pages, published 2017.
This book could go deeper of course, I believe it is a story about climate change?, but I think it’s a cute picture book for younger kids about the power of working together. We did tie this to our earlier book of Why We March.
Gage’s thoughts…
My favorite person is number 673 Red-Hooded spectacled female (juvenile). There was a bird who liked to go people watching. Fog comes and the bird can’t see people. The person sees the girl and they sent out boats asking Do you see the fog? They floated it out to sea and they waited for a reply but none arrived. They finally get replies and goes away.
Pass Go and Collect $200: The Real Story of How Monopoly Was Invented by Tanya Lee, art by Steven Salerno, 40 pages, published 2018.
Gage loves Monopoly. I did when I was a kid, too, although I have less patience for it now. He did like learning about the real story, although I don’t think he was all that terrible interested and zoned out. I liked the story more than he did 🙂 A woman makes the most popular game in the world and made men rich.
I asked him what new things he learned.
Gage’s answers…
Lizzie Magie made the first Monopoly game. The longest Monopoly game was 1,680 hours.
The man had the name Rich Uncle Pennybags until 1999.
The boat, thimble, and a wheelbarrow were the first pieces. Then they added a penguin, rubber ducky, and t.rex.
Stacy's Books 