Get ready to read

I have just read my first few books in the Silver Birch and Blue Spruce programs for this year. There is an interesting range of reading available for those of you who wish to participate.
Here is a brief review of 2 of those books.

Mattland by Hazel Hutchins is in the Blue Spruce category (for grades Kindergarten to 3). This is a beautifully put together story of few words. Matt is a young boy whose parents have moved around often. In their latest home, they are surrounded by a bleak, muddy wasteland. Matt sets about creating his own world and in the process builds himself a community of friends. The illustrations are beautifully done and I highly recommend that you take a look at this book.

Silver Birch fiction (grades 4-6) - The Moon Children by Beverley Brenna deals with the sensitive issue of a boy born with many different learning and behaviour issues. He is a very likable but lonely character who becomes friends with a young Romanian girl who never speaks. This young girl also has a troubled past and spends all her time writing in a notebook and tracking the phases of the moon. The friendship that develops between the 2 is very touching. This is not a light-hearted story at all but it is a worthwhile read and the characters are very well written. This is my favourite so far!
Let me know what you think when you have read it.