Today I’m featuring a few winter themed titles we’ve enjoyed recently. Some are older classics and some new.
If You Loved, Call of the Wild, Try Dog Driven by Terry Lynn Johnson
What sets apart this sled dog story is that the main character, McKenna, is also trying to hide that she’s losing her vision due to Stargardt disease. Bringing the mail by sled means help and recognition for her sister, who has the same disease, but more progressed, but it will also test McKenna’s bravery and lack of vision. She is joined by some side characters—I particularly liked Guy, who had a blind lead dog and a great sense of fun. But the focus on family and McKenna needing to learn to trust others and not try to do it all alone made this book stand out for me. I love a character-driven novel, but this also had a ton of action and dogs, of course!
If You Loved Number the Stars by Lois Lowry, Try Snow Treasure
A classic. Written in 1942, but based on a true event that happened in 1940, this book reflects the times it was written in as there tended to be more focus on the adults (at least at first) and more “telling” than in contemporary novels. However, the story really picks up at the mid-point. Norwegian kids must hide gold bullion on their sleds in order to take it to a waiting boat. Peter is the nephew of the man who will take the gold to America where it will be used to buy weapons for the resistance. There is a lot of excitement, and I absolutely loved how the kids were able to sneak past the Germans just because no one suspected kids.
Note: There is also a 1967 movie of the book. It added a romantic storyline, which wasn’t really needed, and some other changes to the plot that just didn’t sit right with me. Just stick with the book.
If You Loved Wind in the Willows, Try The Willows in Winter by William Horwood
This is a sequel, written by another author, of the Wind in the Willows novel. The author, William Horwood, said that he came up with the idea because he didn’t think Toad would continue to behave. 😊 In this story, Mole goes out in the snow only to get lost and the rest of the animal friends try to find them—and of course, in Toadian style—an airplane is involved. I thought Horwood did such a wonderful job of capturing the language and feel of the classic book (although if you love fast-paced action, this book may not be for you.) Except for a weird spiritual experience by a couple of the animals (maybe preread so that you can discuss with children), I really enjoyed this one.
There is also a movie, a cartoon version, on Youtube, which I haven’t watched yet.
If You Loved The Watsons Go to Birmingham by Christopher Paul Curtis, Try I Lived Through a Windchill Advisory by Annika Klanderud
Full disclosure: Annika Klanderud is a dear friend of mine. Her debut released last November. As she said in an interview, "I wanted to write a book where being black was normal." In this novel, Ray tries to win friends through an elaborate pizza and frappucino scheme, but along the way, he discovers that the people he thought were "perfect" might not be so perfect after all, and true friends come in unexpectedly places. I really enjoyed this heartfelt take on discerning true friends, finding your people, and what it means to fit in.
Max’s take (out of a 5 bone scale)
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| Max, the Reading Dog |
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Is it no surprise that I loooved Dog Driven? If only my owners would let me pull a sled—and get around snow more often. Oh, well. I will stick to my walks in the park.
I want to hear from you!
Have you read any good winter books lately? Are you a cozy up with a warm blanket or read in a hammock kind of reader?
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