Brave Like That by Lindsey Stoddard

Cyrus, as a tiny newborn baby, is found on the doorstep of the town fire station. One of the town heroes works as a firefighter. He is a tough no nonsense guy, but Brooks Olson is the only one who can comfort the crying baby. It seems he is destined to become a dad to young Cyrus. 

"(He) said he wasn't one for holding babies and he'd pass. He held up his thick, calloused hands, shook his head and pursed his lips to say no thanks. But they handed me to him anyway ... and somewhere on his navy-blue firehouse T-shirt I found a place to be quiet and I slept there the whole ride as they tore through intersections all the way to the hospital."

The fire station staff become an extended family for Cyrus. And he also gains an adopted grandmother. She is one of the most important people in his life but sadly she has had a stroke and can no longer communicate with words. Somehow though, Cyrus can interpret her 'na na na's'

Dad was a football star in his youth and so the expectation is that Cyrus will love to play and of course make the A Team. But Cyrus is secretly afraid of this game. He also has another secret. Reading is a huge struggle. Cyrus has become very good at faking - making it look like he really needs to go to the bathroom as a way to avoid complex tasks in class and also now to avoid the football team tryouts.

"I can sound out almost any word, even really long ones, and read perfectly for a hundred chapters, but when I have to string them together and tell you what I read, that's when my brain goes blank and I can't remember any of the words or how they fit together."

One special day each year that is celebrated at the fire station is the day Cyrus arrived on their doorstep. This has become his official birthday. On evening of his eleventh birthday a stay pup whimpers at the door.

"When we hear him whimper and whine at the firehouse front door, all the guys stop what they are doing. ... And I know what they're all thinking because I know the guys. They're thinking about August twenty-seventh eleven years ago. When I showed up at the firehouse doorstep as a screaming, crying baby."

Cyrus falls deeply in love with Parker, but dad says no. 

"Parker yawns and whimpers and I hug him closer. My fingers fit the groves of his ribs the same way my dad taught me to slide my fingers between the laces of a football. But my fingers feel more right where they belong holding Parker than they do around the leather of a ball."

Cyrus has so many burdens. He needs to tell his dad he does not want to play football. He needs to confess that reading his hard. He is worried his dad will be disappointed that he is not brave and that he does not want to be a fire fighter and now he needs to find a way to be with Parker but dad has dropped him at the animal shelter. 

"I smile, and I don't say that no one actually knows what's in my blood, ... And I don't say that I didn't wish to be a fireman. I wished for Parker ... and that Dad would soften the creases in his forehead and give up his no-pet-no-way policy."

At age eleven Cyrus is now at a new school with a new set of teachers including a fabulous English teacher who, like Colby Sharp, reads a terrific picture book to his class every day.  

"You think you're all too old for picture books, but let me tell you something. You're not. No one is."

Read more here

  

Each Kindness

Cyrus is also given the classic book Wonder as a gift for his birthday but he knows he won't be able to read it. Because of Winn Dixie is also mentioned as a book his teacher read in Grade Four. The class read Oliver Button is not a Sissy and this could feel quite didactic because the new kid in the class Eduardo is very similar to Oliver Button but Lindsey Stoddard treats this with such a light touch it never feels like she is trying to teach her readers a lesson.

Publisher blurb: Cyrus Olson’s dad is a hero—Northfield’s former football star and now one of their finest firefighters. Everyone expects Cyrus to follow in his dad’s record-breaking footsteps, and he wishes they were right—except he’s never been brave like that. But this year, with the help of a stray dog, a few new friends, a little bit of rhythm, and a lot of nerve, he may just discover that actually…he is.

Yesterday I had a list of chores to complete but reading this book was one of those wonderful experience where everything else must be put aside so you can just sit and read and read. Such a rich and engrossing reading experience. I was so desperate to help Cyrus and so relieved by that all important happy ending. I especially loved all the minor characters - the English teacher Mr Hewitt; the new kid Eduardo and his twin brother; Sam the new firefighter; and the girls of 7H who volunteer at the dog rescue centre. 

I know nothing about American Football but that is not important. Listen to this video with Colby Sharp:

"A lot of kids need to know they are not alone ... " Colby Sharp

Other reviews - School Library Journal; Madison's Library; Kirkus; and Reading Middle Grade.

The title of this book forms a repeated refrain:

"I don't tell him that I'm not brave like that. Brave like sliding-down-a-pole-and-landing-on-my-feet brave."

"And I'm not brave like that. Brave like break-my-bones-for-the-love-of-the-game kind of brave."

There are also some wonderful music references in this book - you might want to make a play list if you read this book with your class or family. Grandma has a fabulous record collection. Ray Charles What'd I Say; Nina Simone Wild is the Wind; Somewhere over the rainbow; and Marvin Gaye What's Going on are four examples. And in a classroom, I would also make a list of the wise words of the new firefighter - a girl named Sam. 

Here are some companion books:

Talking to Alaska

One Dog and his Boy

Too small to Fail

When friendship followed me home

I enjoyed another book by Lindsey Stoddard:

Right as Rain

A Secret Shared by Patricia MacLachlan

"A lie is deep and dark

tangled in my words -

my head

my heart

until truth shines it away - 

Leaving joy"

I think I would like to be part of this family. Mum writes for a newspaper each day. She aspires to be a poet but does not seem to realise, until later, that her writing is actually a form of poetry nor does she expect her readers to love her work. Dad is an art teacher and an artist. Mum has Irish heritage - her name is Una and dad has Italian heritage - his name is Giovanni Rossi or Geo for short. Ben and Nora are twins and they have a little sister named Beatrix but she is called Birdy. This story also introduces us to a wonderful teacher named Miss Schyler - the children call her the beautiful name of Miss Skylark. There is also a funny and friendly crossing supervisor named Billy.

All families have secrets I guess. If you watch those television programs such as Who do you think you are? or Long lost Family you've seen many variations on the life journeys of some children and their parents. Often these programs use DNA testing to identify connections between people and one of those tests precipitates the events of this story - A Shared Secret. Mum is keen to know about her heritage and so she has a kit. What she doesn't know is that Birdy has also spit into a tube and both these samples have been sent for testing. 

Here are a few text quotes (I read this book at midnight last night after only buying it earlier that day. 

"She is curled up with her stuffed horse sleeping peacefully. Her hair looks like gold in the nightlight. I think of Ben's dark hair, and mine."

"Until the problem is solved ... does it matter? Birdy is the sister you love."

"It's Father who has tears now. And it's Father who will help us all understand the truth about Birdy."

The Kirkus reviewer gives lots of plot details but it is a negative review. The cover is by Kenard Pak. 

I was in one of our most splendid bookstores yesterday at an event featuring Gabriel Evans. Naturally my friend and I continued to browse the shelves after the event. That is when I spied a book by Patricia MacLachlan (1938-1922) that I had not seen before. I am a HUGE FAN of her work. 

I have read so many books by Patricia MacLachlan but there are still a few I do need to find:

Kirkus review

Kirkus Star review

Half a World Away by Cynthia Kadohata

"He was worried about this Dimash. He was way too skinny. What would become of these toddlers? There was no life if you didn't have a family. Jaden knew this because he didn't have a family, 

not really. That was why is life was worthless."

Jaden now lives in America. He was adopted from an orphanage in Romania. Jaden is confused and angry. He has no idea where he belongs and he cannot accept the love offered by his new 'parents'. He has done some dreadful things to their home and he treats their kindness with contempt. Penni and Steve are amazing - they have not given up on Jaden and now they have decided their family needs to adopt another child. Jaden was eight when he was adopted. This new child, from Kazakhstan, is a baby. Jaden worries this means the parents don't like him, that they will send him somewhere else. Then Jaden meets another toddler (Dimash) at the orphanage and he begins to form a bond with this tiny but sadly disabled boy. 

This book was published in 2014 so the print edition is out of print but the ebook is still easily available. 

This book is an interesting account of the processes of adoption and the desperate need to belong. It is also a book about communication or actually lack of communication. At times I found the tone of this story hard to cope with but I am glad I met Jaden. I understand and appreciate that in the end he still has a huge journey ahead of him. This is not a book with a sweet, unrealistic happy ending and so it is more suitable for older readers aged 11+.

I kept relating this story to a friend of mine who adopted her precious daughter from Bolivia. It would be good to hear her view of this book especially now that she is a young adult. I picked my copy up at a charity book sale because I previously really enjoyed two other books by Cynthia Kadohata - Kira-Kira and Wildflower. 

Click on these review quotes to read more about Half a World Away:

Jaden's candor about his past and his inability to adjust to life with his adoptive family makes him, if not exactly likable, an intriguing character whom readers will want to get to know better, and his emotional growth is believable and moving. Commonsense Media

Kadohata excels at turning complicated realities into compelling middle-grade fiction, but this is difficult narrative terrain. Children traumatized by abandonment, abuse and neglect; well-intentioned but naïve affluent parents adopting children in impoverished countries where corruption is rife: These subjects challenge adult comprehension. Kirkus

The point of view of an adopted child is not new, but one this troubled and angry in a children’s novel is a powerful new voice.  As a character Jaden is a study in complexity and contradictions.  His emotions are constantly high, but he mainly feels rage. ... Waking Brain Cells

You might like to listen to an interview (56 minutes) with Cynthia. 

A Child is a Child by Brigitte Weninger illustrated by Eve Tharlet

Tuesday Treasure

Two little frogs wait at the river for the return of their parents. Sadly the Mama and Daddy frog do not come back. The other animals gather and talk about how to help these babies. At first their suggestions seem hopeless. Little frogs cannot live in a bird nest or a hole. Luckily Mother Mouse is a practical and loving parent. To her "a child is a child. All children need a place to live and play, good food to eat and someone who loves them".

Mother Mouse sets about organising the other animals. She tells Hedgehog to collect some worms, Mole digs the babies a bedroom and Blackbird finds a bathtub. The baby mice are delighted to have two new friends to play with. 

"What did I tell you?' said Mama Mouse contently. 'We're all completely different, but ... A child is a child. It's just that simple."

Take a look at the cover of this book. The baby frog in Mama Mouse's arms is looking at her with such adoring eyes. Mama Mouse has a look of utter contentment on her face. The end papers are scrumptious too. A Child is a Child was first published in 2004 so it is sadly out of print but you may be lucky and find a copy in a school library. This book demonstrates the best features of a picture book - a warm story well told, beautiful illustrations, and excellent book design. Take a look at more art by French illustrator Eve Tharlet. Here are other books by Brigitte Weninger.

The message of love, acceptance, and community is simply communicated, making this a perfect title for adoptive or blended families. Kirkus

I would link the reading of this book with a discussion about The Rights of the Child. My friend from Kinderbookboard also suggests you could share this book with very young children as a way to talk about Refugee Day. Here is another book to share with A Child is a Child:

What is a Child?

One for the Murphys by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

"Carley Conners. Thirteen letters. How unlucky can one person be?"

"I freeze. I remember telling my mother his name spelled backwards was 'sinned' and she laughed at me. Back when she first bought him home and I had a sick feeling about him."

"I realise that the last four letters in 'Julie' are 'u lie'."

Carley's mum has a new partner and their dysfunctional life has now spiraled in to real danger. One night Dennis violently attacks Carley and her mum. Her mother is now in a coma in hospital and Carley is taken into foster care with the Murphy family. There's Mr Murphy (huge baseball fan and firefighter); Mrs Murphy (she has an important secret to share with Carley and she is able to show Carley how a real family and real mother should behave); Daniel (the oldest son); Adam (second son) and the youngest son Michael Eric. Michael Eric is the first one to reach through the hard shell Carley has put up around herself.  I will confess I fell in love with this wonderful little fellow and his cute double name.

Over the coming months Carley learns to navigate life in this warm family. Her hostility is deeply painful to observe but I knew Mrs Murphy's kindness would eventually help heal this broken girl and help her with the next steps in her life:

"And most of all, I think about Mrs Murphy - the way she gives everything, does everything, holds us all up. Meeting her makes me feel like God has started paying attention. The way she reached in, pulled me out, dusted me off, and said that I only need to be the great person that I am."

Not all books should be used for book studies. I think One for the Murphys is better placed in the hands of an individual reader aged 11+who enjoys very emotional stories and realistic fiction but I did find a teachers guide for this book if this interests you. I picked up One for the Murphys because I loved Shouting at the rain also by Lynda Mullaly Hunt. I am so happy that I had the beautiful emotional experience of reading One for the Murphys. You have probably guessed that I sobbed at the end.

You can hear Lynda talking about her book here at The Yarn.

I know there are many Mrs. Murphy's out there, foster parent or not, and this book is a gift for all of them. Touching and triumphant story about what defines family. Highly recommend! JenBigHeart

The author does a stunning job of showing internal hurts that make abused children fear and resist love … There are heart-rending and heart-warming moments in this fine book. Carley, with her tough survivor’s humor and quick wit, has an authenticity that engages a reader at once. Carley’s evolution from victim to creator of her future is both realistic and inspiring. The  Children’s Book Review

The first-person narration allows readers inside Carley’s head as she fights against both showing emotion and her growing pleasure in belonging to their world. There’s plenty of snappy dialogue as well. By the end of this poignant debut, readers will be applauding Carley’s strength … Kirkus Star review

I am drawn to books about foster kids.  I loved all of these:

Pictures of Hollis Woods

Wish

Waiting for Normal

Counting by 7s

When Friendship followed me Home

Small Mercies

The Book of Chance by Sue Whiting

Chance Callaghan and her mother Nadia have a happy relationship. Chance sees her mother working hard helping others especially newly arrived refugees.  As a surprise gift to her mother and with the help of a neighbour, Chance organises for a television make over show to visit their home to transform it . This is a beautiful idea but Chance has no idea that this process with turn her whole known world upside down.

Chance has been told her dad died in house fire. Chance has been told she was born straight after the funeral.  But is this true? Why are there papers hidden in the house? Who is Nadia Callaghan and what is she hiding?

This book will be published in April. I highly recommend you add it to your shopping list now. This is a gripping story which will appeal to readers aged 11+. One warning - do not turn to the back of the book - just let the story unfold. The truth is sure to surprise you.

The Peacock Detectives by Carly Nugent

There is a lot going on in Cassie's life right now. On the surface two peacocks have escaped from the holiday flats across the road. Cassie knows she has terrific powers of observation and she has also had some success, in the past, as a peacock detective. Cassie enlists the help of her friend Jonas and they set off to look around their town even crossing the bridge to The Other Side of Town.

"I'm not allowed to go over the bridge by myself, because over the bridge is The Other Side of Town."

All of that would make for a simple detective or mystery story but The Peacock Detectives is so much more.

Just as we saw in The Elephant by Peter Carnavas something is wrong with Cassie's dad. He is sad, he spends a lot of time in his study and strangely he keeps buying small china ornaments which are stored in their boxes on every spare shelf in the house. Then to top all of this off mum says she is moving to a flat on The Other Side of Town, Cassie's sister Diana is now sleeping in a tent in the backyard and practicing Buddhism and Grandpa is very ill in hospital and Cassie is not allowed to see him.

Here are a set of Book Club questions. Text Publishing also have a set of teaching notes. Take minute to read the comments by Kids Book Review.   The Peacock Detectives is a 2019 CBCA Notable book (Younger Readers).

As simple as it seems by Sarah Weeks

There is nothing really simple about growing up, about exploring your identity, about friendships or about the way we sometimes misinterpret the motivations of others.

Verbena Ellen Cotter was born in New York but has spent her whole life with her mum and dad in a small town called Clydesdale.  Verbena knows the story of her birth - why she was born in New York and the fact that she was only four pounds and seven ounces.  She also knows her family history.  The story of her much loved and respected grandfather Colty who died on the same day she was born and also all about her Uncle Mike who was the family rebel.  Verbena thinks she knows everything but in reality there is a lot to discover.

"Lots of people are adopted.  I know it's not that big a deal.  My birth certificate said that Tom and Ellen Colter were my biological parents, and even though I don't look like either one of them, I had no reason to suspect it wasn't true."

My blogging friend Mr K gave this book four stars out of five and I absolutely agree with this.  Up until the last thirty pages I might have even said five out of five but in the end Sarah Weeks didn't quite allow Verbena to reach out to her mother or to see things from her parents point of view but perhaps this is an unrealistic expectation.  You can read a little of this book here.  Here is a detailed review with more of the plot.

I highly recommend As simple as it seems and after reading this you might like to look for Pictures of Hollis Woods by Patricia Reilly Giff, The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson, Everything on a waffle by Polly Horvath, Becoming Naomi Leon by Pam Munoz Ryan or Ida B by Katherine Hannigan.  Another terrific book by Sarah Weeks in our school library is Pie.

Regular Guy by Sarah Weeks

After reading Mr K’s blog (see sidebar) I decided to make some library purchases based on his recommendations. Regular Guy by Sarah Weeks is the first of many titles I have found this way. This is a terrific story – quick to read, good fun and filled with great characters.

Guy, our hero, is convinced he does not belong to his family. They are so different to Guy. His mum likes to Tye dye is underwear and make decoupage from his football cards. His dad is even worse. He like to perform a trick in restaurants where he sucks an oyster up his nose and …

Guy and his really good friend Buzz hatch an ingenious plan. They discover Bob-o an odd ball boy in their class, was born on the same day, in the same hospital as Guy. Buzz and Guy decide the adults need convincing that there has been a horrible mix up. Guy moves in with Mr and Mrs Smith for a most surprising weekend.

Children in middle Primary grades will really enjoy this short and funny story. You will also enjoy 35 Kilos of Hope by Anna Galvada which has the same feel and voice.