ROUND 1 

Ellerslie Campus - Team 5 

King of Jam Sandwiches (3 votes) to The Whispers (1 vote)

The King of Jam Sandwiches is, in our humble opinion, a must read. Walters has crafted a raw and emotional story that shines light on the realities of vulnerable children who rely on loved ones experiencing addiction, mental illness, and poverty. We should be careful to preface this read with multiple trigger warnings ahead of time as we never truly know what’s happening behind closed doors. I hope readers with similar backgrounds will not only see themselves in the text, but will also understand that they deserve better. My hope is that readers without these lived experiences will better understand their peers and will move through life with more compassion for others.

They are both thought provoking takes on personal narratives.  I can see both books being worth adding to our classroom libraries. Initially, I did not enjoy the narrative style of Whispers, but did end up  finding it’s mystery interesting and poignant. However, King of Jam Sandwiches kept me engaged from start to finish and still sticks with me.  I still can’t figure out who Harmony is.  

Although both novels were engaging, my vote is for The Whispers. The novel did have a slow start, but I was completely drawn into Riley’s quest to find his mother.  I found myself rereading parts after I discovered the truth (don’t want to spoil the ending for anyone!) and was impressed with Greg Howard’s ability to weave together a tale that let’s the reader experience the pain, sorrow and  altered reality that grief can bestow upon us. We agree both books are a must for our classroom libraries!

The Whispers is an interesting tale that would be a good fit for upper elementary to junior high readers. As the mystery of Riley’s missing mother evolves we’re transported into an ominous world with dangers lurking in every shadow. Riley’s conditions are presented in such a way that drives the story forward as readers try to piece the puzzle together. There are times when the story feels as if it’s taken on too much for its own good… which can be a glaring issue for some readers. Overall, the characters are believable and heartfelt and will resonate with readers of all ages. Do be warned, you may find yourself in need of some tissues from time to time.