Book Orders

Our most recent school book order has arrived! Here is what we got:

1. Savvy by Ingrid Lawn (Newberry Honor)
2. Spelling B and the Cat-Astrophe by Lexi Connor (#4)
3. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne
4. The Boy who Dared by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
5. The first 3 Dragon Slayers' Academy by Kate McMullan: The New Kid at School, Revenge of the Dragon Ladyn, and Class Trip to the Cave of Doom
6. Henry and Mudge (set of 4)

A small order. I must have been making up for the last order that nearly broke my 8 year old's back when he hauled them home. Book Order Day is well anticipated at our house.

I have three questions:

1. Has anyone read any of these book? Good? No? I have not read a single one!
2. Do you utilize school book orders?
3. Do you remember getting book order books as a kid?

I remember. It was a rare treat. My parents raised our family on a shoestring and books were not usually in the budget. (My small town had a pitiful library. I remember clearly in grade school saving up my allowance until I had exactly the $5.31 needed {with tax} to buy another Dragonlance book. Those were wondrous moments at B Dalton's in the mall!) Being a young book lover, you would think I was thrilled when my mother ordered something...but that was usually not the case. She didn't approve of my love for fantasy and used book orders to broaden my horizons. And those books that I had to collect in class were embarrassing to me. I'm not sure why, now, but I would try to hide the covers. I read those books anyway, and I was big enough even then to acknowledge I was wrong. The books I remember being most embarrassed about and most determined to hate became some of my favorites. The Iceberg Hermit. The Sole Survivor. The Secret Garden. The Upstairs Room.

Just to make sure we're clear, it would many years before I'd pick up anything but fantasy on my own. But Mom, if you take the long view, your efforts have paid off. Thank you.