What I'm Reading: The Wild Robot + more

Last week I had the delight to read The Wild Robot, by Peter Brown. I actually listened to this title, and the audiobook was very well done. After I finished listening, I got my hands on the actual book so I was able to see the illustrations, which definitely added to the story (but so did the robot voice in the audiobook!)  It has already gotten a lot of press/blog posts, including getting on the NYT Bestseller's List, plus a NYT Editor's Choice book, an interview on Let's Get Busy with Matthew Winner, and much more.
It is about a robot named Roz, who first powers up to discover that she is on an island. She uses her survival instincts and learns from the animals around her, even as they call her a monster. After much observation, she learns their languages and begins to interact with them, and even begins taking care of an orphaned gosling. There are different layers to this book and I think children and adults would like it. It would make a great read aloud, and I even would consider it as a "One Book, One School" book, although in the end Roz's mysterious origin catches up with her and there is some robot violence, which parents might think is too much for their kindergartener. It was a wonderful read and touches on issues of family, friendship, prejudices, overcoming fear, loneliness, sacrifice, and the interaction between humans and the wilderness.

Other books I just finished include Rules for Stealing Stars by Corey Ann Haydu. 11-year old Silly can remember a time with her mother was better, but lately her mother only seems to be getting worse. She sleeps often, drinks frequently, and has unpredictable moods. Silly's family, which includes 3 older sisters and a father who is an absent-minded professor of fairy tales, has moved to New Hampshire to live in their "summer home." The sisters find magical places in the home's closets that help them deal with their dysfunctional family, but is escaping the best way to deal, or should they be fighting for their family? A beautiful and heartbreaking story that is hopeful. I enjoyed it, and I would recommend it for 5th and up.

I also just finished listening to How to Catch a Bogle by Catherine Jinks. It is a historical fantasy with a Dickens-like feel. The main character Birdie is a brave and sassy bogler's girl, which means she is an apprentice who sings sweetly to lure the bogles out of the hiding places. Bogles are nasty creatures who live in dark, damp places and prey on children. Not everyone wants the bogles to be vanquished, however, and so Birdie and her master Alfred must pit themselves against a human foe as well.
The story left me wanting to read/hear more! I just downloaded the audio of book two, A Plague of Bogles, and am hoping it is the same narrator.