Check out what Mrs. Ottens Has Been Reading: Recent Episodes
Tricia Ottens
Hey, Valley Park! Today, I wanted to tell you about an award-winning debut novel about a 7th grade girl named Zoey who has her hands full and thinks life would be easier if she were an octopus: 8 arms to do 8 things at once. At home, she has to take care of her younger siblings every day after school while her mom works at the pizza parlor. Not that her mom seems to appreciate it. At least there's Lenny, her mom's boyfriend- they all get to live in his nice, clean trailer. At school, Zoey tries to stay under the radar. Her only friend Fuschia has her own issues, and since they're in an entirely different world than the rich kids, it's best if no one notices them. Unfortunately, she's not totally invisible, and one of her teachers forces her to join the debate club. Even though Zoey resists participating, debate ultimately leads her to see things in new way: her mom's relationship with Lenny, Fuschia's situation, and her own place in this town of people who think they're better than her. Will Zoey have the strength to find her own voice and the courage to speak up? Read The Benefits of Being an Octopus by Ann Braden to find out.
Hey, Valley Park! It's Mrs. Ottens here again to introduce you to another one of this year's Missouri Truman Award nominees. If you are a fan of Gary Paulsen's Hatchet series, you will love Watt Key's new book titled Deep Water. In this suspenseful story, a deep-sea dive off the coast of Alabama goes terribly wrong and two enemies must learn to work together to survive. 12 year old Julie is the daughter of a scuba dive guide. When scuba diving, the most important rule is if you don't feel right, don't go down, but against her better instincts Julie leads 2 obnoxious clients into the water. Problems start underwater, and things go from bad to worse when the trio resurfaces to discover that their boat is gone. With land nowhere in sight, there's no choice but to float and hope to be rescued. When Mother Nature throws sharks, hypothermia, and dehydration their way, will Julie be able to save them all? Read Deep Water by Watt Key to find out.
Hey, Valley Park! I am a big fan of the 80s so there was no way I could resist a book inspired by one of my all-time favorite movies, The Breakfast Club, and it didn't disappoint. I know many of you enjoy a good mystery, too. See, when Theo's photography project is mysteriously vandalized at school, there are 5 suspects who all claim, "it wasn't me." Theo just wants to forget about the humiliating incident, but his favorite teacher is determined to seize this teachable moment and has the 6 of them come into school over vacation to talk. She calls it "Justice Circle", but all 6 students - the Nerd, the Princess, the Jock, the Screw Up, the Weirdo, and the Nobody - think of it as detention. AKA their worst nightmare. That is until they realize they might get along after all, despite their differences. But what is everyone hiding? This funny but heartwarming whodunit will have you guessing until the end. Read It Wasn't Me by Dana Alison Levy.
Hey, Valley Park! All middle school students in the state of Missouri are invited to read books on this year’s Truman Readers Award list. I just finished reading on titled Ghost Boys, written by award winning author Jewell Parker Rhodes. This is the heartbreaking and powerful story about Jerome, a 12 year old bullied boy killed by a police officer who mistakes his toy gun for a real threat. Now Jerome wanders with other “ghost boys” who all suffered during acts of discriminatory violence. On his journey, he meets Emmett Till and learns none of them can rest until the world is free of racism. Ironically, the only living person who can see and hear Jerome is Sarah, the daughter of the police officer who took his life. Sarah is really struggling with her father’s actions. Can Jerome help Sarah understand that only the living can change the world? Will she be moved to make a difference? This though-provoking story will leave us considering the tragic effects of bullying, racism, and gun violence. Read Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes.
Hey, Valley Park! Lifeboat 12 is another book on this year's list of Truman Readers Award nominees. I couldn't put this book down. If you liked Refugee by Alan Gratz or The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, then I highly recommend this riveting novel in verse. Award-winning author Susan Hood brings this little known WWII story to life. Based on true events and real people, Lifeboat 12 tells the terrifying experience of Ken Sparks, an English boy who is 1 of 90 children to ship out aboard the SS City of Benares to safety in Canada. Life aboard the luxury ship is a real treat - 9 course meals, new friends and life far from bombs, rations, and his stepmum's glare. After 5 days at sea, the ship's officers announce they're out of danger, but they're wrong! Late that night, an explosion hurls Ken from his bunk. They've been hit by a torpedo, and the Benares is sinking fast. Ken and 5 other boys barely escape aboard lifeboat 12. Will they band together and survive? Read Lifeboat 12 by Susan Hood to find out.