Wonderstruck

Wonderstruck by Brian Selznik

Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 608 pages
Publisher: Scholastic Press; 1 edition (September 13, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0545027896
ISBN-13: 978-0545027892

Summary from Goodreads

Set fifty years apart, two independent stories—Ben's told in words and Rose's in pictures—weave back and forth with mesmerizing symmetry. How they unfold and ultimately intertwine will surprise you, challenge you, and leave you breathless with wonder.

Ever since his mom died, Ben feels lost.
At home with her father, Rose feels alone.

He is searching for someone, but he is not sure who.
She is searching for something, but she is not sure what.

When Ben finds a mysterious clue hidden in his mom's room,
When a tempting opportunity presents itself to Rose

Both children risk everything to find what's missing.

With over 460 pages of original drawings and playing with the form he invented in his trailblazing debut novel, The Invention of Hugo Cabret, Brian Selznick once again sails into uncharted territory and takes readers on an awe-inspiring journey. Rich, complex, affecting and beautiful, Wonderstruck is a stunning achievement from a uniquely gifted artist and visionary.

My Thoughts

This was my first read by this author and I have to say I was very impressed! I saw a copy of this book in my local bookstore and was impressed with the artwork. The artwork had piqued my curiosity.

The book tells two layered stories, one through illustrations and one through words. The illustrated story is the story of Rose, who is enamored with a silent movie star named Lillian Mayhew. The written story is the story of Ben, who is grieving over his mother and wonders who and where his father is. Both Rose and Ben found a special place in my heart right away. You can't help but feel compassion for both characters. Rose and Ben's stories happen 50 years apart from each other and for the longest time I couldn't figure out how they were related. The suspense was building in me. Eventually the two stories come together in a way I never imagined! I found this a unique way to tell a story and I think it is a great way to tell a story to children. I don't want to say any more about the story as I don't want to spoil one moment of this delightful story for any reader. The story is a delectable journey that you will want to savor. I could not put this book down and read it straight through!

The pencil drawings are stunning and remarkable! The written story is creative and the descriptions are wonderfully vivid! Brian Selznick is extremely talented! This is a book you do not want to miss!

This is a wonderful story for all ages. I think kids and adults will enjoy this. The recommended ages are 9 years old and up or 4th grade and up. I have to agree with the recommended ages. There are some subjects that might be too sad or intense for younger children. I suggest you read it and decide if it is okay for your younger children.

I received this book through Amazon Vine for my honest opinion.

Mailbox Monday October 24

It's Monday and we all know what that means! Mailbox Monday! This months hostess is Serena at Savvy Verse and Wit.

I survived Dewey's Read-a-thon! We should have t-shirts that say that! I managed to get three books read before conking out in the wee hours of the morning. Not bad seeing my day normally begins at 5 am. Sunday morning was painful! As soon as the dogs had been put out, fed and got their medicine, I went back to bed until 9 am! I never sleep that late. Last night we had a bad storm come through but I slept right through it all! Guess I was tired!

I only received one book this week. That is okay by me. I have many books to catch up on. I purchased this book with a coupon. I can't pass up a good book or a good coupon!

What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty


Hardcover: 432 pages
Publisher: Amy Einhorn Books/Putnam; Book Club (BCE/BOMC) edition (June 2, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0399157182
ISBN-13: 978-0399157189

Alice Love is twenty-nine years old, madly in love with her husband, and pregnant with their first child. So imagine her surprise when, after a fall, she comes to on the floor of a gym (a gym! she HATES the gym!) and discovers that she's actually thirty-nine, has three children, and is in the midst of an acrimonious divorce.

A knock on the head has misplaced ten years of her life, and Alice isn't sure she likes who she's become. It turns out, though, that forgetting might be the most memorable thing that has ever happened to Alice.

That is what I received last week. What wonderful books made their way into your home?

Dewey's Readathon End of Event Meme

It's over. I had a blast. I read three books and was very happy with that. I didn't make the full 24 hours but I knew that I wouldn't. I finally gave up around 2 a.m. I tried again at 5 but my eyes and brain said no. Thank you to all the hosts and committee members who made it all possible! A special thanks to all the cheerleaders! You guys are awesome! See you in the spring!

1. Which hour was most daunting for you? From midnight on was hard for me. I finally gave up around 2 am and took a nap, woke up at 5 but my eyes hurt so I went back to sleep.

2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year? I enjoyed Wonderstruck by Brian Selznik. It was very different and was a quick read.

3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year? The only suggestion I would have is maybe some easier mini-challenges, at least during the latter hours of the readathon. My brain needed easier challenges then.

4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon? I liked the list of readers that was alphabetized.

5. How many books did you read? I read 3 books

6. What were the names of the books you read? Wonderstruck by Brian Selznik, Whistlin' Dixie in a Nor'Easter by Lisa Patton, Yankee Doodle Dixie by Lisa Patton.

7. Which book did you enjoy most? I really loved all three books!

8. Which did you enjoy least? NA

9. If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders? NA

10. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time? Of course I will participate again! I wouldn't miss it!

My Ending Stats

How many pages read since last update: 637
How many pages read total: 1110 pages
Number of books read since you started: 3
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 150 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 558 minutes

Mini-challenges completed: 5 mini challenges completed
Prizes won: The Bakers Wife by Erin Healey (yay!)

Dewey's Readathon Updated/Mini challenges

I will keep updating under this post so I don't fill up my followers readers.

12:48

Sadly, I think I need to take a break and a nap. I finished another book but it did smack me in the face several times as my eyes got heavy and closed. I did pretty good this time. I am hoping to take a nap and get back to reading. I finished Starstruck and highly recommend it!

Thank you to all my wonderful cheerleaders! You have all been great!

How many pages read since last update: 637
How many pages read total: 1110 pages
Number of books read since you started: 3
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 150 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 558 minutes

Mini-challenges completed: 5 mini challenges completed

Food and beverages consumed since last update:
Crystal Light Appletini--yummm!


9:42

Mid-Event Survey:
1. What are you reading right now? Starstruck by Brian Selznik
2. How many books have you read so far? 2
3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon? Starstruck
4. Did you have to make any special arrangements to free up your whole day? Declared it "Mom is not doing anything day!"
5. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those? Yep, phone calls, dogs, kids, helping my son get spiffed up for a wedding. Just took a break and went with it.
6. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far? That I am still awake and reading
7. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year? Nope it is all good!
8. What would you do differently, as a Reader or a Cheerleader, if you were to do this again next year? Not get up at 5 in the morning, I get up to give my dog his medicine and I stayed up when I could have slept for two more hours before the readathon started.
9. Are you getting tired yet? Oh yeah!
10. Do you have any tips for other Readers or Cheerleaders, something you think is working well for you that others may not have discovered? Nothing I can think of


Updated Stats
What I'm reading now: Starstruck by Brian Selznick

How many pages read since last update: 293
How many pages read total: 473 pages
Number of books read since you started: 2
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 266minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 408 minutes

Mini-challenges completed: 5 mini challenges completed

Food and beverages consumed since last update:
rainbow sherbet with chocolate chips and toffee chips
dark chocolate reeses peanut butter cup
macaroni and cheese smothered in chili
milk
white cranberry peach drink



3:34pm
Book Sentence Challenge

This is a challenge hosted by Midnight Book Girl(who has an awesome blog!) where you take at least three book titles and make a sentence from them. My sentence isn't too good. I'll update my reading totals around the half way mark.

Cherries in winter wither east of the sun.


Just a little update. I was going pretty good but had quite a few distractions the past couple hours so I decided to do a quick update and get back to business.

What I'm reading now: Yankee Doodle Dixie by Lisa Patton

How many pages read since last update: 180 pages
How many pages read total: 180 pages
Number of books read since you started: 1
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 142 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 142 minutes

Mini-challenges completed: 3 mini challenges completed

Food and beverages consumed:
coffee/french vanilla creamer
banana oatmeal chococolate chip craisin muffin

white cranberry peach drink
turkey/swiss sandwich on whole wheat
Claussen pickle spear
veggie sticks
mini Milky Way bars

Dewey's Readathon Mini-Challenge -Characater Photo

Alyce at AT Home With Books is hosting this challenge! Thank you Alyce! Here is what Alyce asked us to do:

"My challenge for you is to take a photo of something that represents a character in one of the books you are reading for the readathon."

I took picture that is not too original. The character I am currently reading about is Leelee Satterfield from Whistlin Dixie in a Nor'Easter by Lisa Patton. She is a southern belle at heart that has been uprooted to run an inn in Vermont. She just finished shoveling out her car, or so she thought, after an April Nor'Easter. This picture represents her. She's a peach out of her element and is not liking the rough Vermont weather and having to wear so much paraphernalia. I imagine her wearing a styling winter hat.


I am doing okay on the readathon and will update my totals later. I made my morning phone call to my mother and am now ready to get back to my book! So far, so good!

In another note, I can't believe that as soon as I took off my word verification off of comments, I got spammed.

Dear Mr. or Mrs. Spammer,
No, I won't be watching Jersey Shore anytime soon so you really don't need to leave me a link to watch it! And I sure won't be clicking on any links you might choose to leave me. I hope you can find a better way to enjoy your day!

Back to the books!

Dewey's Readathon Begins! Introduction Meme

1)Where are you reading from today? I am reading from home in Southeast Wisconsin

2)Three random facts about me… I have three children, I played the violin growing up, I adore dark chocolate

3)How many books do you have in your TBR pile for the next 24 hours? 15...I won't get to them all but wanted an assortment ready to go

4)Do you have any goals for the read-a-thon (i.e. number of books, number of pages, number of hours, or number of comments on blogs)? No set goals, just to read as much as I can and have fun

5)If you’re a veteran read-a-thoner, any advice for people doing this for the first time? Just to have fun and maybe set up a template for updates. I found that having a template is helpful.

And we are off! Let the reading begin!

I am starting the day off finishing Whistlin in a Nor'Easter which I had hoped to have finished before today. I spent yesterday suit shopping with one of my sons for a wedding he is going to...today! He is my procrastinater. Do you know how hard it is to find a suit to fit a tall, skinny guy on short notice? Love the lady at Men's Wearhouse! She hooked us up and took excellent care of us!

I am ready to read. The dogs are fed. I have my favorite dog t-shirt on along with my favorite yoga pants. The weather is going to be beautiful, so some reading can be done outside! Yay! I have a lukewarm cup of coffee(coffeemaker is not my friend today) with french vanilla creamer in it. The house is quiet since everyone else is sleeping in.

Good luck and have fun everyone!

WWW Wednesday October 19

WWW Wednesday is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading.

To play along, just answer the following three questions…
• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you’ll read next?


What are you currently reading?

Whistlin' Dixie in a Nor'easter by Lisa Patton

What did you recently finish reading?

Before I Go To Sleep by S.J. Watson

What do you think you’ll read next?

Yankee Doodle Dixie by Lisa Patton