Variety was definitely the name of my spring break reads - from sad and heavy reads to light and easy reads.
Star Jumper by Frank Asch - yes the author of my favorite bear books- was a nice light read. Perfect for early chapter book readers. If you have ever spent spring break using your imagination to transform a giant cardboard box into a spaceship, a race car, a castle, or anything else... You can relate to this book. Imagination required!
Loose Threads by Lorie Ann Grover was a hidden gem discovered in my 811 poetry books and about to be weeded. As you may remember, I love verse novels! Although the cover is dark and frankly kind of ugly, a beautiful, but sad, story lies within. Kay lives with her mom, her grandma, and her great grandma. That's it! Just women! It's all she's ever known and she loves it, most of the time. Each woman is special in her life in a unique way, especially her grandma. But now her grandma has found a lump...and her life begins to change. Get the Kleenex...
Finally, The Year in Coal Harbor by Polly Horvath, was an unexpected pleasure. Honestly, the cover and the title didn't appeal much. I only brought it home out of curiosity because it received such good reviews from some well respected sources. This story did not disappoint. First of all, there is nothing about coal! Coal Harbor is more of a fishing village, but that's a minor part of the story. This is a story about loneliness and finding friends in unexpected places - then doing everything you can to protect that friendship! I think it would be a great read aloud for 2nd or 3rd grade.