Cozy Reads

We were so excited to see Newbery Book Awards announced yesterday.

We are currently reading not one, but two of the books that won, at our home.  While I don’t always love the winning Newbery, this year we think they chose some pretty wonderful books.

The winner this year is The One and Only Ivan.

The quote at the beginning of the book is this: “It is never too late to be what you might have been.”  – George Eliot

My son, Ben received this book for Christmas and read it over the holiday break.  He loved it so much that he’s been listening in now that my husband is reading it aloud to the rest of our family.  We are almost to the end and while some of the book is very sad (aren’t all Newberys?), this is a book about hope and determination.  It is about love and friendship.  I’ve also got a feeling it’s about how “becoming what you might have been” comes when we focus on helping someone else.

Another Newbery Honor book announced yesterday is Three Times Lucky.  Lily got this book for Christmas and has been devouring it for the last few weeks.  As of last night, she is two chapters from the end and says, “This book is awesome!”  She especially loves the main character, a spunky girl named Mo.

As soon as we finish Ivan, we’ll be reading this one aloud too.

Emma’s Christmas book was Starry River of the Sky.  We’ve already read this book aloud.  It’s by the same author as Where the Mountain Meets the Moon – one of our favorite read aloud books of the past few years.  It’s a wonderful book, full of wisdom.

Just one last little mention.  Did you know that yesterday was also the 200th anniversary of the printing of Pride and Prejudice?  It’s snowing here today and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than to put on the BBC movie and sew.  With any luck, I’ll get the chance this afternoon.