Shouting at the Rain by Lynda Mullaly Hunt (Nancy Paulsen Books: Out May 7, 2019)
Picture thanks to: Emily Montjoy (Instagram: mrsmontjoy)
Lynda Mullaly Hunt is an author that my students immediately recognize thanks to Fish in a Tree or One for the Murphy's. If they have read one, I always recommend the other. As always, a Nancy Paulsen published book never leaves me disappointed. I first used this book as a lesson before I had even finished. We analyzed her book cover and then inferred how they may be connected to the story.
The kids did an amazing job of breaking apart the cover and truly engaging in what the story might be about without ever reading.
I would say that Lynda's stories are always ones that leave me feeling fulfilled. Maybe in a positive emotional way, or not, but they always let me know that there are kids experiencing these same emotions and they are not alone, at all.
Shouting at the Rain was no different.
Delsie lives with her grandma and feels abandoned by her biological mom (my real life in a nutshell, and always prayed I had had a book that I could relate to growing up) - Delsie is also feeling like her best friend has abandoned her. In trying to navigate the new of growing up, middle school ages, and life in general, Delsie learns that not everybody has the same desires at the same age or within the same rate. Delsie's always BFF Brandy has made acquaintances with her new BFF Tressa, whom Delsie does not feel comfortable around (for valid reasons), but as much as she's always loved a good storm, the brewing that is happening in her life is not the storm she wants to ride out. I firmly believe students need this book in their hands to learn that as you grow older friends change, and it's okay - family may not always be blood, and that's okay, and that being true to yourself, is always the number one priority.
While we were analyzing the cover students noticed so much about how intentional the illustrator was with the placement of specific things. I shared with Lynda on Twitter and she also felt that her cover portrayed her story so well, and my kids were beyond excited to have analyzed it successfully.
After, I shared my advanced copy with a student whose review I would like to share:
Breelie:
I really loved reading Shouting At The Rain and Fish in a Tree! In Shouting At The Rain,
I really liked how the main character was an orphan and she discovered different parts of her
history. I also really liked how I got a different view of different characters, I got cool views
of them, got to see them and then got to know them. I thought that was really cool.
My favorite part was when he (I can't remember his name!) tried to flip a crepe and it got stuck
on the ceiling! That was so funny to me!
I want to ask, how many pets do you have and what they are their names? I love animals.
I also want to ask, are there any books you've written that haven't been published or books
I should read that I don't know about? What are your favorite books?
To purchase: Click on the picture above!
Book Description
From the author of the New York Times bestseller Fish in a Tree comes a compelling story about perspective and learning to love the family you have.
Delsie loves tracking the weather--lately, though, it seems the squalls are in her own life. She's always lived with her kindhearted Grammy, but now she's looking at their life with new eyes and wishing she could have a "regular family." Delsie observes other changes in the air, too--the most painful being a friend who's outgrown her. Luckily, she has neighbors with strong shoulders to support her, and Ronan, a new friend who is caring and courageous but also troubled by the losses he's endured. As Ronan and Delsie traipse around Cape Cod on their adventures, they both learn what it means to be angry versus sad, broken versus whole, and abandoned versus loved. And that, together, they can weather any storm.
Author Bio
Lynda Mullaly Hunt is the author of New York Times bestseller Fish in a Treeand Bank Street Best Book One for the Murphys. She's a former teacher, and holds writers retreats for the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. She lives in Connecticut with her husband, two children, impetuous beagle, and beagle-loathing cat.
WEEK ONE
April 22 – A Gingerly Review – Review
April 23 – So She Tries – Review
April 24 – KidLitExchange – Review
April 25 – InRandom – Review
WEEK TWO
April 29 – Book Princess Reviews – Listicle: Books that take us through an emotional storm
April 30 – Mama Panda Bear – Review
May 1 – Ms. Yingling Reads – Review
May 2 – Elysian Artiste – Moodboard + Review
WEEK THREE
May 6 – Teachers Who Read – Review + Classroom Lesson
May 7 – Two Points of Interest – Review
May 8 – Just Commonly – Q&A
May 9 – Homeschool on the Range – Inspired by the Book: Learning Unit
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