Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Read-Aloud Fun: Gram's Pick of The Month


Sorry for the day late MMGM post. I've been very busy welcoming my newest grandchild to the world(No.7). The book for the day is perfect because it would be a great choice for a read-aloud. Sometimes in the push to get our kids to read we forget how important it is for them to hear language from literature above their reading level. 

About The Book: A modern-day fairy tale set in a mysterious museum that is perfect for readers of Roald Dahl and Blue Balliett.

Unlikely heroine Ophelia Jane Worthington-Whittard doesn't believe in anything that can't be proven by science. She and her sister Alice are still grieving for their dead mother when their father takes a job in a strange museum in a city where it always snows. On her very first day in the museum Ophelia discovers a boy locked away in a long forgotten room. He is a prisoner of Her Majesty the Snow Queen. And he has been waiting for Ophelia's help.

As Ophelia embarks on an incredible journey to rescue the boy everything that she believes will be tested. Along the way she learns more and more about the boy's own remarkable journey to reach her and save the world.

A story within a story, this a modern day fairytale is about the power of friendship, courage and love, and never ever giving up.

First Line: Ophelia did not consider herself brave.

What Others Are Saying: "It is a satisfying story, although the writing is a bit uneven, a mix of very fine, lyrical, imaginative passages and flatter, less inspired scenes." —The New York Times

"A well-wrought, poignant and original reworking of Andersen’s The Snow Queen." —Kirkus Reviews

Bloggers Weigh In:

What I Thought: Ophelia is a wonderfully quirky character that you will love. She has a logical mind that is enhanced by the special science school she's attending. This creates conflict because of the strange things she discovers in the museum. Ophelia is also dealing with the loss of her mother and I appreciate the honesty in which Foxlee portrays Ophelia's struggle to come to terms with it. This is one of my favorites so far this year and I would love to read it aloud to my grandchildren. This story has many of the things I love in a story. A mystery, an evil queen, a quest to save the world, dangerous creatures and of course the wonderful boy, who tells Ophelia his story. I'm a big fan of a story in a story and this definitely fits the bill. And that's why it's my Grams pick of the month.

About The Author: Karen Foxlee
*Book Corner Interview- if you only have time to check out one this should be the one, awesome QA.

Who: Karen Foxlee is an Australian writer. She is the author of two young adult novels: "The Anatomy of Wings" and "The Midnight Dress". Her first middle grade novel "Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy" is to be published in January, 2014. She lives and writes in Queensland, Australia. —Amazon Author Page

What books do you recommend as read aloud choices?

2 comments:

  1. I have this to read now and I'm glad to hear you liked it. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

    ReplyDelete
  2. A new grandbaby! What a blessing. Congratulations. I wasn't aware of this book, but I think my granddaughter would love it. Thanks for picking my name for Fairylicious! I'm very excited. Thanks also for telling me about Ophelia.

    ReplyDelete

I would love to hear from you!

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