I finished 3 non-picture books this week. I’ve read 150 total books this year.
Tell Me Three Things by Julie Bauxbaum, 328 pages, 2016
I loved this book. Jessie has recently lost her mother and her father remarried and moved them across the country to LA. A new stepbrother and ultra rich private high schoolers is a lot to take, especially with no friends and mean girls targeting her.
Enter SN, who begins anonymously emailing her with encouragement and tips on how to navigate her new life. Suddenly it all becomes bearable. But who is he and why can’t they meet?
Such a rich story, full of the drama and insecurities of youth. I’m a little late to the party on this one, but happy to recommend it. Just make sure you make the waffles 🧇 .
Originally published in 1960 it’s the story of a cricket from Connecticut who accidentally finds himself in the Times Square subway station. He’s taken as a pet and makes friends with a mouse and a cat. Oh, and he becomes a famous musician and hundreds of people crowd around while he makes beautiful music.
Gage and I read the first half together and then finished independently (yes, I did! I needed to know what became of Chester Cricket). It was a sweet, silly, old-fashioned story about friendship and I’m glad to have read it. I’d say this is more geared to a 3rd grader. 134 pages (with some illustrations).
It’s an oldie but goodie. Did you read this as a kid?
We were lucky enough to get a few new board members for the Friends of the Solon Library, and one of them is the author of this book, Ron Hill . This is a few years old and a compilation of his editorial cartoons about public education in Ohio and more specifically our region. I’ve always enjoyed his cartoons in the paper and this a quick, fun read about the state of education.
This book just happened to come in with donations, but I know he has a new one out that I’ll have to check out soon.
Movies watched
On TV
We started the new series, The Lincoln Lawyer, on Netflix. We’re over halfway through.
What’s your favorite burnout solution?
Stacy's Books 
I can imagine homeschooling as a difficult endeavor, a real labor of love. Yes, I can see how you would absolutely need planning days to help you cope and function best. I love that mask Gage has on, so cute. Hope you get to kick back this summer and take it easy.
I never homeschooled, but I taught in public school for many years, and, believe me, there are lots of times when teachers burn out. I hope your decision to schedule in some planning time will help with your feelings of burnout.
The Cricket in Times Square is one of the books on the 1001 Children’s Book list that I read early on. It’s a charming story.