The Crimes of Grindelwald by J.K. Rowling

I'm a Potterhead.

Duh.  As if you didn't know that already.

That being said, I was uber-disappointed in Fantastic Beasts, so I had some hesitation about reading this.  Written as a screenplay, much like Cursed Child, this is the basis of the latest movie, starring Johnny Depp (on a side note, HP is a Universal/Warner thing; could that be why Depp was fired from the Pirates franchise, a Disney endeavor?).

If you've followed me for a while, you know I have to read the book before I see the movie.

The reality is I don't really need to review this for plot.  It's a prequel; we know what happens to Grindelwald and Dumbledore.  There are some pretty significant plot twists I did not expect, but I don't want to spoil them, although anyone who really knows HP has an idea.  I especially liked Nagini.  ;)

Note the WHHS LMC does not have this book; this is a personal copy.  If there is enough interest, perhaps we can get it.

Oh, and after meeting with my bosses, my reviews are going to appear in video form.  More details to come.

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All opinions expressed on this blog are solely those of Mrs. W.

The Best Cook in the World by Rick Bragg

A lot of people think their Mommas are the best cooks in the world.  Mine was not.  She could burn water.  But my Nana, my non-biological great-grandmother (she ran the boarding house my grandfather lived in on Noble Street), was an amazing cook.  I was pretty sure she was the cook in the last cookbook memoir I reviewed here.

This Momma, however, is from the South.  Way South.

Baked possum anyone?  With sweet potatoes?

I've read Rick Bragg's column in one of my fave magazines, Garden & Gun.  I also loved said previous cookbook memoir (Bruculinu America).  I also secretly want to retire to south Virginia, near Tennessee.  I had no idea what I was in for in reading this.

I laughed a lot.  I cried a few times.  And I most definitely felt the need to puke once (you have to CARE FOR the possum for a week before cooking it!).

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Ban This Book by Alan Gratz

This was sent to me by Carrigan Reading teacher (and my Co-Color Guard Advisor) Mr. Adams.  HE was right that I'd like it. 

When I was a classroom teacher, The Bluest Eye in our curriculum was challenged by a parent.  It is a gut-wrenching experience to have your materials challenged before the Board of Education.  I've not had a book challenged as a Librarian, but I do make it a point to showcase how many books we have that have been challenged or banned during Banned Books Week. 

Our main character in this story finds her favorite book has been challenged and removed from her school library.  Amy Anne can't comprehend this and starts a secret library from the school lockers to trade in banned books.  Ultimately she and her classmates mount a quest to get all their banned books back into the school library by facing off with the Board of Education.   

This is a super-quick read (it's lower reading level) and really awesome to a school librarian.

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All opinions expressed on this blog are solely those of Mrs. W.

Loving Amy by Janis Winehouse

I went out to dinner for my birthday last night and completely blanked on writing this review.  So today is a two-for again!

Amy Winehouse was a gifted singer and musician, but her life was cut short by addiction.  A member of the infamous 27 year old club, Amy died as a result of alcohol.  This memoir reads like a biography but with the emotion of a mother's loss.

Fame isn't easy on relatives.  Tabloids make sure of that.  Amy was easy prey for supermarket rags: her attire, hair, makeup, and public intoxication frequently appeared on their covers.  Her death was public news within 30 minutes of her body being found.  For her siblings and parents, this meant every inch of their lives scrutinized.  How did a young woman with so much potential, from a good family, end up an addict?  Weren't they there for her?  Didn't they try to get her help?  Yes.  But that's never told in the media. 

I absolutely love Amy's music.  You might actually hear me humming "Rehab" every once in a while.  But music wasn't enough to save her. 

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Get More Out of G Suite by Hywel Stayte

I'm a total Google nerd.  When I saw this, I immediately put it on our wish list.  I am so proud of all the teachers at WHHS who have embraced Google and GSuite for Education.  I am hoping to convince some of our holdouts to get on board!

So, I'm a little disappointed.  I was looking to get more, but I knew everything this book had to offer.  This is definitely a how-to manual for beginners, not for someone like me who is Google Certified.

One other thing--it's in British English!  "Organisation" and "maximise" drove me bonkers!

This will be in our Professional section!

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All opinions expressed on this blog are solely those of Mrs. W.

Speaking American by Josh Katz

Did you take one of those online quizzes that tried to guess where you are from based on what you call certain things/places/activities?

If yes, you likely contributed to this book!

Do you call it a firefly or a lightning bug?

Tag sale, yard sale, or garage sale?

Tractor-trailer, semi, big-rig, or 18-wheeler?

I am 100% New England (Boston and Brooklyn thank you!), but a few of my answers had me in Appalachia and the Southeast.  I wonder if this is a result of listening to country music?

Anyway, a quick read that led to a fun conversation while I was making dinner.

Caramel or carmel?

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All opinions expressed on this blog are solely those of Mrs. W.

For Every One by Jason Reynolds

First things first.

I'm sorry. 

I've been neglecting reading for pleasure in favor of my professional pursuits (my ALA Interdivisional Committee is about to publish a crosswalk between the AASL Standards and the Teaching Tolerance Social Justice Standards, for example) and Band/Color Guard duties (that was an amazing Holiday show though, right?!?!).  So, I'm taking a month for me and my books.

Welcome to #bookadayJanuary (yes, I know I am a day behind; stay tuned).

This is the second Jason Reynolds book that has moved me to shaking tears in less than a year (see my review of Long Way Down).

Written as Long Way Down is, in a stream of thought poem, I broke out in tears about half-way through and finished shaking and ugly crying.  I feel like Reynolds wrote this for me.  For everybody who hasn't got it all figured out.  Who is dreaming and won't give up, even though they've thought about throwing in the towel multiple times. 

As soon as I finish this review, I am walking upstairs and handing this to my son.

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All opinions expressed on this blog are solely those of Mrs. W.