February 2015

6.
Title: [We Have Always Lived in the Castle]
Author: Shirley Jackson
Genre: Fiction
Medium: Paperback
Acquisition: Work Text
Date Completed: February 10, 2015
Rating: *****

My favorite of Jackson's fiction, We Have Always Lived in the Castle is fascinating for its endgame: leading readers through the process of local-legend-building, from the perspective of the legends. It is fascinating to see the different in perspective, and to consider the story from a broader history.  During class discussions we discussed the complication of another untrustworthy narrator, where our sympathies lie - and why it's complicated - and attempted to armchair-diagnose the Blackwood family.  Many students came to tell me how much they actually enjoyed the reading, so we can call this one a win.

7.

Title: [Who Could That Be at This Hour?]: All the Wrong Questions Book 1

Author: Lemony Snicket

Genre: YA

Medium: Hardback

Acquisition: Gifted to First Born, from us

Date Completed: February 13, 2015

Rating: ****

Like his picture books, what I found most appealing about Lemony Snicket's first All the Wrong Questions book were his vocabulary lessons, which are both ludicrous and well=integrated into the text (ludicrous as in unbelievable, but perfectly presented as part of the story).  Lemony Snicket the character is appealing, as are most of the children and the librarian.  This is a great take on a mystery for very young readers, as questions are constantly posed, and the conclusion answers most, but not all - providing both satisfaction and further enticement to read the series.  While m guys are still trying to figure out this whole "chapter book" thing, and wandered around their rooms during story time, they were always able to tell me what was going on in the story, and asked plenty of their own questions at the end of each chapter.  I certainly do not regret buying the first two at once.