Monday, December 7, 2009

Molly McGinty and Duane Homer Leech

Today I have one book for the girls and one book for the boys…BOTH books by Gary Paulsen!

First, the GIRLS...

“Today,

-Molly lost her Notebook.
-Her Notebook that Contained Everything She Needed to Live.
-Including her homework.
-Learned her wacky grandma Irene was coming to spend the day at school with her.
-Got a black eye.
-Was late to class.

And it’s only nine a.m. Could things get any worse? You bet!”

In Molly McGinty Has A Really Good Day, Molly is in seventh grade. She is super organized with a multi-pocketed three-ring binder that she carries everywhere. That binder is now lost, and Molly has to face a day at school without it. To make matters worse, her wacky grandma is coming to school with her in observance of Senior Citizen’s Day. Grandma Irene is one eccentric lady who takes charge in every situation.

Has anyone ever read a picture book called Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day? Gary Paulsen’s book about Molly reminds me of Alexander...nothing can go right! What a terrible day Molly has at Our Lady of Mercy Middle School.

This book is a fun read with even a touch of romance thrown in to boot. I enjoyed reading the quotes at the beginning of each chapter that came from Molly’s notebook. My favorite quote, however, was from Irene: “Misery is optional.”

Will Molly survive the day? Will Molly find her notebook? If Molly has such a bad day, why is the book titled Molly McGinty Has a Really Good Day? Will Molly learn anything along the way?


Now for the BOYS…

I found this book tucked in among all the other Paulsen titles at the Worch Library. Even though this book was published in 2006, it was the first time I had ever seen it. Wow.

The Amazing Life of Birds (The Twenty-Day Puberty Journal of Duane Homer Leech) is one boy’s look at puberty. Oh my! Duane is twelve years and one week old, and he is convinced that it (puberty) is going to destroy him.

Through a short journal, Duane shares his awkward experiences with puberty—from cowlicks to clumsiness to zits. Parts of his story will make you laugh out loud while others will make you cringe.

While writing about his own changes, Duane is also observing and writing about a newborn bird in a nest outside his window. Somehow as Duane sees the bird undergoing its own growth and independence, he makes a connection to his own predicament.

(Oh, by the way...I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the ending of this book! LOUD APPLAUSE for Gary Paulsen for the conclusion!)

Happy Reading!
Mrs. T :)

P.S. Reading is like breathing chocolate air!

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