Welcome to Litsy!

I‘m working my way through the Heartland List, for a literacy conference later this year. A fun middle grade book told by a dog who is hilarious and gives the best descriptions. “The ducks know nothing.”Book #69 in 2024

A delightful tale narrated by a dog. A tale for all ages. I love the modified paintings! 💚🐶

Oof. Whiplash from the tone shifts. That I thought this was a picture book by Dave Eggers, and it's actually a short novel that reads more like older middle grade, and the few images are actually famous landscapes that another artist has painted a dog into, is on me. 1/?

Today's 'scratched my brain just right' phrase.

“...the Sun only wants you to bask...“😌🌞☀️

I've seen this one all over booktube. Hopefully, I'll get to it soon. @Karisimo #middlegradeMonday

🦎Iambic Pentameter: relates to Shakespeare - Family Family, Laurie Frankel
🦎Grammatica: multiple authors - True Love Experiment, Christina Lauren
🦎Dobby: prominent animal character - The Eyes & the Impossible, Dave Eggers
🦎Expecto Patronum: happily ever after - With Love, from Cold World, Alicia Thompson
🦎Greenhouse: character with plant name - Slip, Marika McCoola & Aatmaja Pandya
🦎Polyjuice Potion: impersonator - The Appeal, Janice Hallett

If this isn‘t the most gorgeous book inside and out that I‘ve ever read, I don‘t know WHAT is! Full of heart and humor, this story told from a dog‘s perspective is one that will stay with you forever. As a teacher, I instinctively imagined how I would read this aloud to a group of kids, because it would be so perfect for any mid-upper elementary classroom. A perfect blend of realistic and fantastical.

This 2024 Newbery-award-winner tells the story of a dog who is friends with bison, a seagull, and other creatures in an island park. I‘ve recently read two others from the POV of an animal (Pax and Open Throat), but I loved how this one leaned heavy on a buddy comedy vibe, working in a heist and a deep, abiding friendship between the animals. I liked it much more than I thought I would and the audio, performed by Ethan Hawk) was such fun.

One on the most beautiful stories I have read in ages! They say this a book for 8-12 year olds but I disagree this book is written for everyone. Hopeful, kind, courageous, it‘s a wonderful reminder of joy. 🥰

Another fantastic #auldlangspine title from @Karisimo

This is a middle grade novel that felt like a modern classic. It‘s about Johannes, a dog who lives in the park by the sea. He is the Eyes, sees everything going on and reports to the ancient bison who then decide what to do about it. There are also other animals in the park who are his assistants and friends, who each have their own well fleshed out personalities I found delightful. 👇🏻

I love my middle grade dystopian stories but surprisingly an animal story came out on top this year!

A most unusual and delightful tale with startlingly beautiful art. Johannes is a dog who lives a life of freedom in a huge, beautiful park near the ocean. His job is to be the Eyes—to see everything that happens within the park and report back to the park‘s elders, three ancient Bison; with help from his friends: the squirrels, raccoons, seagulls, and pelicans.

#SummerEndReadathon Day 29
#20in4Readathon Day 1
#RushAThon

#IdiomInsight Day 14: There is a #CryWolf aspect to the book cover although it appears like this one is a dog. 😭🤣🥹 Recent book haul. Review is forthcoming.

Shocked that this is the same author who wrote The Circle, which I really didn‘t like…at all. Middle grade animal book that gives all the feels. Johannes, a free dog, and his park animal friends will entertain readers of all ages. The illustrations are paintings where Johannes has been added, so they‘re just a beautiful addition to the story.

What a beautiful and unique book! It has a wooden cover with cutouts, and these beautiful illustrations, which are very old masterpieces that have been slightly altered to add the main character, Johannes, a wild dog.

A middle grade novel from the point of view of Johannes, who lives in a huge park and is friends with lots of different species of animals. His greatest joy is running and being free. I loved it.