Martin McMillan and the Secret of the Ruby Elephant

A novel for boys (and girls) interested in skateboarding, travel, and adventure:

Thirteen-year-old Martin and his friend Isabel skate their way through another fast-paced adventure. The 15th century Ruby Elephant is stolen from a special Thai art exhibit at the Chicago Field Museum of Natural History, where Martin’s father is curator. The family heads to Thailand with Dr. Sommat, the owner of the statue, and his granddaughter Junya. The figure is part of a mysterious legend that holds the secret to a hidden treasure. With Junya’s help, the friends must decipher a complicated puzzle of clues involving Buddhist symbols and ancient artifacts as they track down an international gang of thieves and try to stay out of harm’s way.

“…The writing is smooth, clear, and entertaining, moving the plot along and coloring in the scenery beautifully without getting bogged down in too much explanation or detail…This is a highly entertaining read, and I look forward to the next in what will hopefully be a long and successful series.”
-- Indie Reader

This unique book is by Elaine Russell.  Visit Elaine’s website for more on the book and be sure to watch the cool slide show by clicking here.

Vertical

For a good summer skateboard read, try Vertical.  Skateboarder Josh Lowman witnesses one of the best skateboarders in town (the local bully) commit a crime. For days he agonizes over whether to tell anyone. Meanwhile, his friendships with a fellow skater, a girl in his English class, and a cool math tutor (a college student who skates) slowly steer him toward a new kind of courage.

Rave:

“I think Vertical is awesome! It felt like I was reliving the early years where my passion for skateboarding was so new, fresh, and profound.”

—Danny Way, three-time X Games gold medalist

“Berend captures perfectly the bravado and angst of teenage boys hooked on wanting to risk it all and terrified of losing something they can’t define. A tightly drawn tale of when to speak out and the cost of friendship, Vertical glides in and out of trouble as deftly as Josh Lowman’s skateboard.”

—Sarah Collins Honenberger, author of the bestseller Catcher, Caught

“Vertical gives you the true feeling of what it’s like to have an obsession with skateboarding.”

—Mike McGill, skateboarding legend

“I really felt a connection to this book and all of the skateboarding parts. It just feels real.”

—Mitchie Brusco, youngest athlete to compete in the X Games 2011 Mega Ramp, first person to land the 900 in Mega Ramp competition

“The narrator’s voice is very authentic. Skating details are incredible. . . . The tension builds gradually and becomes a real page-turner. . . . Teens will appreciate the appeal of day-to-day skating challenges overlaid with larger life challenges. Being a teenager often does feel like being at the top of a large half pipe and what kid doesn’t want to feel that exhilaration of soaring above it all?”

—Laurie Stowell, Ph.D., California State University, San Marcos, Literacy Education

Click here for Vertical

Boys in USA Likely to report they spent no time reading for pleasure

Below is information about an excellent research-based report from Canada.  I found it interesting that boys in USA were most likely to report they spent no time reading for pleasure.

Key findings of the report include:

➢ Reading is associated with cultivating the disposition for civic participation at large;
➢ “Foreign-born Canadians engage somewhat more in reading newspapers and election coverage in newspapers than non-foreign-born Canadians” (p.10);
➢ Later-life avid readers were likely read to at an earlier age than non-avid readers, demonstrating the importance of instilling a joy of reading in school-age children;
➢ Engagement with literature enhances professional efforts (“good readers make good doctors”);
➢ Our definitions of “pleasure reading” and “reading” need to be more broad; there are many deep and comprehensive reading experiences beyond engagement with fiction;
➢ Readers see Internet use as quite different than engaging with a book, even when the online activity involves extended periods of reading;
➢ “Even though reading is typically thought of as a solitary activity, reading and being a member of a group that reads a particular author or collection of books has direct social benefits through social interaction”; (p.17)
➢ Teens in particular identify the importance of working in groups as a key component to fostering literacy;
➢ Evidence supports the idea that giving students control over choosing what they read encourages them to read more;
➢ Because of academic obligation, even students who report that they enjoy reading frequently don’t read texts other than those assigned to them.


Click here to access full report.

Wild Boy

“One day in 1798, woodsmen in southern France returned from the forest having captured a naked boy. He had been running wild, digging for food, and was covered with scars. In the village square, people gathered around, gaping and jabbering in words the boy didn’t understand. And so began the curious public life of the boy known as the Savage of Aveyron, whose journey took him all the way to Paris. Though the wild boy’s world was forever changed, some things stayed the same: sometimes, when the mountain winds blew, “he looked up at the sky, made sounds deep in his throat, and gave great bursts of laughter.” In a moving work of narrative nonfiction that reads like a novel, Mary Losure invests another compelling story from history with vivid and arresting new life.”

Wild Boy: The Real Life of the Savage of Aveyron is the story of a boy found living wild in the forests of France. He is known in history as Victor of Aveyron, and was sighted and (after his final capture) studied, by many eyewitnesses who were keenly interested in a real, wild boy. Mary Losure wanted to tell the story as the BOY, not the scientists, experienced it. So she went to France and retraced the route of his long-ago journeys.

This is a spellbinding story and is fun to read out loud with boys and girls.

To learn more about Wild Boy, click here.

To buy Wild Boy, click here.

Tumtum and Nutmeg

Hidden in the broom cupboard of Rose Cottage are two grand gates that lead to the loveliest little house you’ve ever seen. Nutmouse Hall.
Shh, don’t tell anyone, this is the home of Tumtum and Nutmeg…

Thanks to a teacher tip, I discovered Tumtum and Nutmeg.  These are awesome and charming stories for boys and girls.  You are never too old or too young for stories like these.  I bought an Apple App. version of the first book in the series.  Currently reading aloud to my twelve-year-old daughter; what a great way to stay connected.


About the author: Emily Bearn grew up in London, and started out in journalism at the age of 20 when she joined Harpers & Queen magazine. She has since worked for The Times and The Sunday Telegraph, where she spent eight years as a feature writer. She and her daughter live in Hammersmith, and share their house with two (very helpful) mice.


To learn more about Tumtum and Nutmeg, click here.

Judy Blume; Not Just For Girls

From Chicagoland, a mother recommends, the Fudge series by Judy Blume. She says, "My 4th grader LOVED them. He is dyslexic but, like most dyslexics, loves good narrative.  And Judy Blume…not just for girls.  Peter Hatcher – in the Fudge books – is a 5th grade boy. Themes are sophisticated, real, funny.  My son laughed his head off."

Click here for more on Judy Blume.

The Brothers Plad

Once there were two brothers.
They loved life and they loved adventure.
They needed rugged shirts for their adventures.
They chose flannel plad.

As featured on the television show, The Generations Project, Vermont dyslexic carpenter Sean Plasse (Watermelon Tourmaline) and brother banker Matt Plasse (Hignus Harkaway), have written the best book for boys...The Brothers Plad and The Mystery Trout. Beautifully illustrated by Vermont illustrator Kevin Ruelle (Legrand Poisson), published locally by First Rise, LLC, it is a homestitched pladventure of daring, danger and determination. It is NOT for wizards or wimps. Purchase today. Plad up!

The Brothers Plad comes highly recommended by one of our New England Boys Read Advocates.  Below is her best-practice story:

"It was about this time last year that I contacted you with a heavy heart regarding my 7, now 8 year old son and his lack of interest in reading.  I am happy to report with we are back on track!  After being inspired by your site to be a better advocate for my boys education, I began working with the school and local library using lists found on your website.

While perusing your website an add for a local author(Vermont) popped up.  The advertisement was for a book for boys who like hunting and fishing.  I contacted the authors and convinced the primary grades to read the book in their classrooms as well as offer the book in the library.   The authors agreed to come to the school and do an inspirational presentation which was the most awe-inspiring giggly event of the year.  If you do not have The Mystery Trout by the Plad Brothers. 


At the time we did not employ one male in the entire K-8 school other than the 1/2 time janitor.   I had to point out to the school board that we have really let our kids down by not employing a male teacher.  We have a new male gym teacher, principal, and a kindergarten teacher.  There is a nice balance in the school and everyone, men, women boys and girls are happy!  

I just wanted to thank you for sparking my advocacy."

Click here to learn more