Full of Beans: by Jennifer L. Holm

Full of Beans by Jennifer L. Holm

(author of Newbury Award Winner Turtle in Paradise)

What's it About?

Beans Curry is forced to become the man of the house when his father leaves Key West to look for work in New Jersey. As Beans and his gang of friends navigate the struggles of the Great Depression they learn to do what has to be done to survive and keep their homes, even when those things make them question everything. When survival becomes keeping Key West their home can they come together and make it work?

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Full of Beans

Reaction:

Jennifer  L. Holm dives into the lives of children living in Key West during The Great Depression and brings characters alive in her story of survival, and change, without diminishing the historical content included. This story of a young boy navigating the world around him as his father leaves to find work captures the reader's attention with vivid descriptions and details that most young readers can relate to. 

Full of Beans provides a great introduction to the struggle of people during The Great Depression and the sense of community that banded people together as they did what they could to get by day by day. Great for fans of historical fiction or to pique their interest in the genre, it provides an easy-to-read story and authentic historical accounts but avoids the feel of reading about history that could be dry for some young readers.

As a classroom read or just a casual book read for enjoyment Jennifer Holm captures the audience and provides an interesting story. Her account of Beans Curry, his family, and his community gives a great interpretation of life in Key West during The Great Depression. The Author's Note included in the book connects the reader to the New Deal and the factual connections of the time to events in the book allowing even young readers to begin to understand. 

310 words

For more books by Jennifer L. Holm click here.

You may also want to check out Turtle in Paradise about Beans Curry's cousin Turtle and her story in Key West.

The Wild Robot: by Peter Brown

 

The Wild Robot by Peter Brown

What's it About?

When a cargo ship carrying robots crashes into an island and leaves all of its robot cargo except for one destroyed, the lone survivor must figure out how to survive? Roz comes alive on an island full of wild animals and with a great amount of knowledge and understanding creates a connection to the world around her. The unlikely relationship between nature and technology develops into a story of friendship and love but is that enough to survive on a deserted island?

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The Wild Robot

Reaction:

Peter Brown does an incredible job with The Wild Robot. I had an admitted reluctance to start this book as I generally do not settle into fantasy fiction all that easily. This one surpassed my expectation on so many levels and is highly recommended as an introduction to fantasy fiction for young readers. 

Brown brings the characters in The Wild Robot alive magically and easily captures the audience with their human qualities. The story becomes tangible as Roz's story of survival transitions to a story of community and connection and love and back to the story of survival. The ideas of acceptance and understanding the importance of compassion for our neighbor does not go unnoticed in this book by Peter Brown.

The Wild Robot captured my imagination and kept me coming back for more. I couldn't wait to get back to it and see what was going to happen next. Each chapter brought me deeper and deeper into the life that Roz created and sustained on the deserted island that became her home.  

This fantasy fiction has the potential to reach readers of various age ranges, keeping everyone entertained and invested. As part of a series, this first book is sure to keep readers looking for the next book and wanting to continue their journey with Roz and her "family". 

313 words

For more information on Peter Brown click here

For more books by Peter Brown including others from the series click here