Sunday, July 14, 2013

True Blue Scouts of the Sugar Man Swamp

You shouldn't necessarily trust my review of this book because it is sure to be biased.  After all, it was written by my very own fairy book-mother, the amazing Kathi Appelt.  Thankfully, there are other reviewers out there that share my opinion.  The New York Times published a rave review.  I, of course, agree completely. I can chime in that I am totally in LOVE with how all of the different pieces and parts of story lines were woven together by the end.  I have a deeper love for the scouts because I had the amazing chance to see several drafts of the Sugar Man, from when it was a stack of papers held together by a binder clip to the final, published book.  It was like the world's greatest lesson in writing.  Really, at some point a publisher should print a book that shows the drafts and processes; it would give great hope to students everywhere who struggle with the revision process!  So, listen to me and the NYT, run to your local book store and fall in love with True Blue Scouts of the Sugar Man Swamp.  On a related note, it has to be considered a Newbery contender.
And once you read and love this book, you are sure to love all of her other books, past and future, for she is an amazing fairy book-mother, but an even
better author. 

2 comments:

  1. Hi Laura! I'm so glad you're back online. I was worried and didn't know how I could find out how you were doing. I, too, am a fan of Kathi's writing and have pre-ordered her new book from my local bookstore. Thanks for the positive review and I'm looking forward to reading it! Best wishes from a Sarnia, Ontario, Canada teacher!

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  2. I really enjoyed True Blue Scouts and plan to read it to my class this fall. I enjoyed Kathi's humor in it and as soon as I finished I went to the public library to borrow Keeper. I read that in one sitting and cried the last few chapters. I don't know if I could read that one to the class!

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