Holy crap--this book terrified me. Of course, living in Texas, the concept of a blizzard is pretty foreign.
A truly gripping narrative of one of the worst blizzards in history. Though I didn't completely understand all of the weather stuff (I had this issue in [b:Isaac's Storm|239186|Isaac's Storm A Man, a Time, and the Deadliest Hurricane in History|Erik Larson|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173024661s/239186.jpg|1605] too, so maybe it's just my brain), the stories of what the wind and the cold and the snow did to communities was stunning. Definitely a page turner and one of those books that puts the power of nature into perspective. The afterword was quite thought-provoking as well.

Highly recommended--though best not to read when a blizzard might be approaching.

It's a fabulous memoir, first published in 1912. It's an immigrant story, but I loved the way so much of the book is set in Russia and that not only is there the challenge of adjusting to America, but also quite a bit of religious questioning (Antin is Jewish). And it was far more entertaining than I imagined. This book had been languishing on my shelves for years, and I'm slightly kicking myself for not pulling it down sooner. Read it, if this sounds the slightest bit intriguing!

Another great read about the games children play--and how old they are and how they've changed over time. Lots of examples of the variations, as well as the meanings behind some of the games. Brought back a lot of memories. Also, they commented frequently on how some of these games and traditions are fading due to television and over scheduled children--and the book was published in 1978. An updated edition would be fascinating (though it doesn't appear that that has happened).

In some ways, not as satisfying as GGS but in other ways, just exactly right.
It's after the War and after the Bomb, and Dewey and Suze are now in a town that is on a map. There's new friends to be made, new adjustments to make, and new things to create.
While this book lacks the urgency of GGS, it's still very well done and powerful stuff. Hoping there will be one more book, because somehow I don't feel that their story is over.

Sloane is almost exactly the same age as me, so some essays really hit the mark. Oregon Trail! Weird bridesmaid situations! I think more than anything, it was these cultural touchstones that made me like the book.
She's witty, but not quite up to the level of those she's trying to mimic. However, it was a perfect audio book for a solo road trip and made the miles pass quickly.

Though not for the faint of heart (the size alone is enough to scare plenty of people off), this is one heck of a biography.
I admit it: I've been reading books by and about Montgomery since elementary school. I am a Big Fan. So, when I picked this book up, I was expecting a well-written, thorough biography, but I wasn't really expecting to learn anything new. Oops. I have new respect for LMM's grandmother, more sympathy for Ewan, can never look at my Page editions of her books the same way again, and am seriouscly scared by her son, Chester. Even more powerfully, though I've "known" her story for years, the bio is a page turner. Rubio sets the scenes beautifully and provides the kind of context that few biographies do. It's more than just a life story, it's social history.
A few minor quibbles--there were times where I felt like Rubio was trying too hard to prove a point (listing every letter that relates to a certain thing), and there were a few weird typos/editing issues.
Highly recommend for Montgomery fans or anyone interested in women writers.

Almost gave up around page 35 until I saw it had won the Newbery. Now I feel like I have to finish it.
Some of my issues with this book might be my own personal bias--in general, I can't handle dialect. The meanness of the Boyers and the Slaters really bothered me. I do not expect all children's books to be sweetness and light (and want kids to be challenged), but I don't think I would share this book with a child.
And of course, the whole time, I was slightly creeped out because the illustrations look so much like Betsy-Tacy and it's definitely not a BT book!
Glad to know a bit more about Lois Lenski's career, but I probably won't seek out her other novels.

This might be one of my favorite Persephones thus far.
Whimsical, witty and warm, I loved this fantasy of a woman that writes a book, never suspecting that her small town would figure out she was writing about her small town.
There are many, many reactions (including a move to tar and feather the author), but I think my favorite parts were those folks that did exactly what she had plotted out for them.
Would love more Miss Buncle, but I suspect that I will have to wait until Persphone chooses to publish the rest of them.

Have I ever mentioned how hard it is to find good Texas historical fiction that is not about a)The Alamo and/or Texas Revolution or b)pioneers? No? Well, it's really, really, really hard, especially when you want to find a great book for kids.
So, when I first heard about Calpurnia, I was very, very intrigued. But I was also worried. Will it fall into the many, many pitfalls of historical fiction? Will it be Texas-y without being stereotypical? Will it be a good book?

I am in complete love with Calpurnia. In some ways, it's a typical coming-of-age tale. And it's also almost a typical "women's opportunities were different in the past" tale. Calpurnia begins to learn how to be a naturalist, even as her mother is trying to make sure she learns all those important womanly skills--sewing, cooking, knitting.
But, the central Texas landscape rang true (though I am tempted to check and see if it really snowed on January 1, 1900). I loved her grandfather--his gruffness, his stories, and his ability to reach out to Calpurnia even though he never quite saw how radically he was changing her world. I loved that a love of science was such a big part of the book. Calpurnia's struggle with what she wants to do and be with what everyone else expects her to do and be was handled with grace and style. And it's a book that will make you giggle.
Best of all, I was left wanting to know more. There's no postscript declaring that Calpurnia became a scientist. There's no change in how her parents view her future. There's no author's note at the back explaining things about women's opportunities or life in Texas. It just ends--with Calpurnia still struggling. Exactly like so many other smart women born during that era.
This is the first book that we'll be discussing at the museum's book club this year. And it's one I will be recommending to all of my junior historians, as well as teachers. And hopefully, it will soon be in our museum store. As I said above, I'm in love with Calpurnia Tate. And can't wait to see what Kelly writes next.