Monday, December 12, 2011

Bibliophile's Corner

The View from Saturday - by E.L. Konigsburg

Back Cover description:
*Noah, who quite by accident was best man at the wedding of Ethan's grandmother and Nadia's grandfather.
*Nadia, a hybrid with a halo of red hair, a dog that's a genius, and a fondness for baby turtles.
*Ethan, the silent second son of one of Epiphany's oldest families, who discovers he likes halos.
*Julian, the strangest person on the school bus, who starts everything by inviting the others to a tea party.

How did Mrs. Olinski, returning to teaching ten years after being paralyzed in an automobile accident, choose these four to be her sixth-grade Academic Bowl team? And how did this unlikely foursome become even unlikelier champions, in far more than just the state middle school championship? The View from Saturday is a rich and rewarding journey that answers these questions and raises many more.

My thoughts:
The View from Saturday is a remarkable middle grade novel written by E.L. Konigsburg - she won the Newbery Medal Award for this book in 1997. The author skillfully weaves colorful characters into a plot that tugs at the heart, and challenges the mind. This book touches deeply on many life issues - I would strongly recommend it to readers of all ages.