From Author Rebecca Grabill
This Joyful Mess
Terrible, Horrible, No good, Very bad Day
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst. Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 1972.
Viorst respects the child’s world; her protagonist wakes up grumpy, gum in his hair, and as the day continues everything else seems to go so wrong...
Bread and Jam, Peanut Butter and Pepperoni, Whatever
Engaging the child within everyday family life. The lyrical text is sweet and gentle, reminding me of Rosemary Wells, and with it, Russell uncovers everyday details to engage the world of a child. The sorts of details that may drive a parent batty, but get at how closely children observe aspects of the world that appeal to or interest them. There is a deep understanding of...
Purple Plastic Purses and Other Uses of Alliteration
Super-fast summary: Little mouse Lily has a crush on her teacher. She so wants to impress him with her new purse, but ends up disrupting class and being scolded. Her crush quickly turns to anger and she draws a cruel picture, but later repents and all is well.
The bigness of Lily's angst, like Ramona’s in the Ramona Quimby books, shows...
Never Trust a Police Dog: Officer Buckle and Gloria by Peggy Rathmann
One of my children’s favorite books, though a little long for a bedtime read-aloud. It’s the story of Officer Buckle and his police dog, Gloria, who is (unbeknownst to Buckle) full of hysterical antics. Rathmann uses ...
Another Take on Princesses: Princess Academy by Shannon Hale
A lovely, character-driven plot with lots of twist and surprises. I haven’t read a Newbery fantasy like this since The Blue Sword/Hero and the Crown. There’s a strong (contemporary) emphasis on justice and diplomacy, but I found it odd that the prince did not marry...
Like Sitting on a Cloud and Flying: Little Bear by Else Holmelund Minarik
Four easy-to-read chapters with engaging pen and ink illustrations (Sendak). Each story uses carefully controlled and repeated vocabulary; many have surprise twists at the end. And as with most books...
A Happy Little Book about Death: Bodies From the Ash
Details must make sense and matter to the story. Does it matter that eighty-one loaves of bread were baking? I’m not sure. Regardless...
I'm Leaving On a Jet Plane
Heading for Hamline University - my flight takes off at 10am - for their MFA in writing for children and young adults. Ten days of lectures and workshops and...
Timeless Girl Survival Story: Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George
One of the first books I read in my 6th grade accelerated reading program, I reread it in college and read it again for this program. My first time through I fell in love with the wolves and the adventure-story elements of the book. My second time through I realized Julie was married! Oh my word! And ran away because...
Fire and Brimstone (Journals)
A novel in verse. First person with various voices and stories that weave in and out of one another all culminating in one hate-filled young man’s desire to blow away everyone on his sh@t list. Brilliant, beautiful...
Hi, I’m Rebecca. I write books and I write here at This Joyful Mess to inspire everyone to find JOY in the everyday messes of life. Here you’ll find inspiration, educational resources, and so much more. Please explore and connect. I’d love to hear from you!