Not that many books in the world

The boy had heard once that some people had so many books they only read each book once. But the boy was sure there were not that many books in the world.  

                                                                     ---from Sounder by William H. Armstrong



(Sounder was published in 1969 and won the 1970 Newbery medal, but the story takes place decades earlier. There still aren't enough books in the world today, especially for underprivileged children. That's where organizations like First Book come in.  In two weeks, I'll be discussing several Newbery medal-winning books I've read recently. But next week, I'm participating in something extra-special, so be sure to stop by then.)

Winner of THE MONSTER IN THE MUDBALL... and an intriguing quote

Hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving weekend and didn't have to go shopping that day. I'm wondering how long it will be before retailers start trying to get you to do your Hanukkah/Christmas/Kwanzaa shopping in August... Will this consumer madness ever stop? Okay, forget I asked that. So buy books, people. If you must buy something, buy books! Preferably from brick-and-mortar stores. Small Business Saturday doesn't have to be limited to the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Thank you. I'll get down from my soapbox now.

Besides, I have a winner to announce. According to random.org, the winner of the hardcover of THE MONSTER IN THE MUDBALL by S.P. Gates is (ta da!):

ROSI

Congratulations, Rosi! And expect an email from me asking for your mailing address. Readers, don't forget my other giveaway, the signed hardcover of THE WIG IN THE WINDOW by Kristen Kittscher, still going on at this post. 

I have no MMGM book review this week, due to family celebrations and travel, but if you go to Shannon's blog, you can find links to many other wonderful posts.

However, I do have a middle grade quote for you.

"Books are like truth serum – if you don’t read, you can’t figure out what’s real."

                                                              -- Freak, in Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick  

*   *   *   *   *

What do you think, reader? Do books help you figure out what's real?  

A thought-provoking quote

"All reality, I decide, is a blender where hopes and dreams are mixed with fear and despair."

-- Willow Chance, narrator of Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan

See last week's post for my review of this amazing book.

Another great quote

"Only great ideas come when you are running. It is the way of things."

Bee, the narrator of Beholding Bee by Kimberly Newton Fusco

*   *   *   *   *

What do you think, reader? Do your best ideas come to you when you're running (or swimming, walking, or biking)?

Great Quotes from Children's Books

"How will the world change if we do not question it?"

-- Leo Matienne in The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo