A Man Called Ove

I recently discovered this author and started following him on Instagram. He’s a Swedish blogger and writer with a snarky, sarcastic voice. A Man Called Ove is Fredrik Backman’s debut novel published in 2015. Loved this book! There’s also a Swedish movie with English subtitles on Amazon Prime that made me cry because life isn’t fair and it’s so messy. Also, I am a female curmudgeon. Edit to add that an American version of the film starring Tom Hanks and renamed A Man Called Otto was released in 2023 and is not as strong as the original.

This review sums it up.

"An inspiring affirmation of love for life and acceptance of people for their essence and individual quirks. A Man Called Ove is a perfect selection for book clubs. It's well written and replete with universal concerns. It lacks violence and profanity, is life-affirming and relationship-driven. The book is bittersweet, tender, often wickedly humorous and almost certain to elicit tears. I contentedly wept my way through a box of tissues when I first read the novel and again when I savored it for a second time.” (BookBrowse.com) 

In a similar, irreverent manner this story reminds me of the Netflix series After Life starring Ricky Gervais. The no-holds-barred humor belies a deeper theme about the importance of human connection.

Riding Freedom

Riding Freedom by Pam Munoz Ryan is a not very compelling quick read with a strong theme about being free to live your life the way you want, developing friendships, and persevering through difficult times. Despite the bland  writing, the story became more interesting to me when I discovered by reading ahead to the Afterword that it was based on the true story of a girl who pretended to be a boy during the mid-1800s in order to accomplish her goals.

My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry

My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry by Fredrik Backman was recommended by my daughter Meredith on Instagram. So I downloaded it on my phone and got back into reading again over Christmas vacation! Bachman’s odd characters and sharp writing style make his books easy to read! I so enjoyed being immersed in the bizarre world of Elsa and her family, and I definitely want to move to a spunky country like Sweden. Interestingly, I have a fifth grade student this year with all the weirdly charming characteristics of Elsa. Ellie would be perfect for the role in a movie version of this insightful novel. Good choice, Meredith!

“Full of heart, hope, forgiveness, and the embracing of differences, Elsa’s story is one that sticks with you long after you’ve turned the last page.” (Library Journal)

Poppy (2)

Poppy by Avi is a classic that still engages fifth graders today, as it has for decades! It works wonderfully as a read aloud and in literature groups. Contains vivid descriptions and powerful imagery as well as well-drawn out characters, albeit personified animals. An added bonus is the science connection to nature’s network of habitats and food chains and the circle of life.

The conflict between Poppy, the deer mouse and her nemesis Mr. Ocax, the great horned owl, plays out with the suspense and intensity of a horror film. To the delight of my students, I found myself embellishing my read alouds with extra bits like, “No Poppy, don’t go near that old log! Danger, danger, run Poppy, run!”

The cantankerous porcupine’s dialogue is punctuated with amusing alliterative phrases that capture the reader’s attention and reinforce the teaching of figurative language. The satisfying resolution not only ties together many plot strands for our heroine, Poppy, but also provides openings for several prequels and sequels to the story. I’m hoping this will inspire some of my reluctant readers  to continue to explore further adventures with the creatures of Dimwood Forest.

Sophia's War

Sophia’s War by Avi has been on my list for a while, and I finally found time to read it along with my first leveled reading group of girls from LAST school year. Another group of fifth grade girls learned a lot and enjoyed this selection again this past school year. Avi’s descriptive writing style incorporates characters’ thoughts and feelings while also painting a vivid picture of the living conditions during the early years of the American Revolution. The strong willed and sensitive fictional Sophia is insterted into the well known saga of the famous traitor Benedict Arnold and British major John Andres.

The plot parallels the story line of another historical fiction book for adults that was also made into a television mini-series, TURN: Washingron’s Spies. While I found the tv series delightful, it’s not appropriate for fifth graders. I’m a huge fan of Avi’s work and love how he has made the material accessible for all ages. Unfortunately, the length of Sophia’s War makes it challenging for the majority of my students.