Oh So Delicious

KITCHENS OF THE GREAT MIDWEST by J. Ryan Stradal

            An expertly interwoven tapestry of unique perspectives, character development, subtle mystery, and exquisite recipes, KITCHENS OF THE GREAT MIDWEST is a must read. Stradal has established a steady, even paced plot that brings the main character Eva Thorvald to life amidst the crises of a world that is sure to resonate with all audiences. Readers should appreciate the opportunity to be immersed in the life of Eva Thorvald and all those who leave lasting impacts on her kitchen; their hearts will break with hers and their minds will grow strong with her undeniable determination. In an act of wizardry, the elements of this novel form a world so real that readers will begin to love and care for Eva as if she was a dear childhood friend. What is more, readers will be inspired to continue the pursuit of their wildest ambitions after being part of Eva’s journey. It is recommended that this novel be read with snacks at hand as the mouth-watering descriptions of Eva’s creations are sure to make you hungry! This novel integrates the use of varying perspectives and would prove to be a wonderful opportunity for high school students to analyze how character voice can be a tool to manipulate information provided to readers. It should be noted that issues explored within KITCHENS OF THE GREAT MIDWEST include loss of a parent and struggles with substance use that may be sensitive to some readers.

Hopefully you’re persuaded to read this

PERSUASION by Jane Austen

            Short and sweet just like this post, PERSUASION by Jane Austen is the equivalent of a nineteenth century must watch Sunday matinee. This novel follows the life of Anne Elliot and associates after her estranged love interest, Captain Wentworth, re-enters the scene. Of course, the return of Captain Wentworth prompts several love triangles to emerge. No spoilers here though, you’ll have to read to find out if the characters get their happy ending! Throughout my reading of the novel I kept asking myself why I had not been asked to read this in high school. That said, I challenge high school English teachers to encourage their students to read PERSUASION, or better yet, to incorporate the novel into their courses. In particular, I think it is important to note the opportunity for students to explore character development in PERSUASION through dramatic readings of the novel, or for students to create their own theatrical interpretations of scenes from the novel.

Read and Reflect

RADAR GIRLS by Sara Ackerman

            More than just a pleasure read, Sara Ackerman’s RADAR GIRLS opens the door to reflection concerning gender roles, the significance of historical technological development, and what it means to work together. The story details the fictional life of Daisy Wilder in Hawaii following the bombing of Pearl Harbour during WWII, focusing on her peer relationships and contributions to the implementation of radar detection. Daisy’s actions force readers to ask themselves what it means to be true to oneself, how to maintain integrity, and what they value most. Although readers will be likely to gobble up the story stuffed with humour, emotion, and basted in romance faster than last Thanksgiving’s turkey; it also presents a greater opportunity to extend readers’ learning. Suitable for high school student learning, RADAR GIRLS offers cross-curricular applications including history (WWII), civics and history (evolution of gender roles and women’s rights), with the potential for some science and technology (function and application of radar technology). On a beach, to pass the time on a road trip, cozied up on your sofa, or in classroom student centers, this novel is thoroughly enjoyable and a worthwhile read.

Carefully Crafted Suspense

RIDGERUNNER by Gil Adamson

            Gil Adamson’s RIDGERUNNER is a master work of carefully crafted suspense that will leave readers frantically searching for more pages when they reach the end. Follow the adventures of Jack Boulton and his father William Moreland in western North America during WWI to explore themes of social inequity, determination, and courage. Readers will find themselves questioning their morality as they sympathize with William Moreland, and wondering if they have ever truly known courage as they follow Jack Boulton. This novel develops delicate suspense without prioritizing mystery above adventure, creating a world for readers that overflows with intense energy. RIDGERUNNER does not simply raise the bar for quality storytelling, it upends and replaces any previous notions of what it means to successfully interweave suspense with characters’ adventures.

Why Blog It?

I believe that reading offers the opportunity for escape to unknown or newly imagined lands, to participate in adventure through narrators’ descriptions, and to benefit from the intense emotions elicited during character development. As an avid reader I appreciate the many facets of a good read, but prioritize accuracy of information, complexity of plot development, relatability of characters, and descriptions that maximize sensory information. Most significantly though, I value novels that evoke strong feelings and encourage a greater understanding of our world. It is my goal that each blog post will serve as a suggestion for worthwhile reads that other readers may use as suggestions to guide their To Be Read lists, and to engage with my peer readers so that I may learn from their perspectives. As an educator, I also look forward to suggesting reads that may be beneficial in classroom settings and exploring how they might be extended for student learning. Growing up I had the good fortune of being surrounded by family, friends, and educators who supported my reading and writing endeavours. Reading was and always will be valued in my home as a happy adventure, and I hope that you will find happiness in the reading suggestions found within this blog.

Cheers to reading!