Mr. Gumpy's Outing
John Burningham
Henry Holt and Company, 1866
Pages: 30
Reading Level: 4-8
Genre: Picture Book
Mr. Gumpy lived in a house by the river and owned a boat. He was going out on his boat one day, and two children asked if they could come. He said yes, but only if they didn't squabble. Then a rabbit asked, and Mr. Gumpy said yes, only if he didn't hop. Then he let a cat if he didn't chase the rabbit, a dog if he didn't tease the cat, a pig if he didn't muck about, a sheep if he didn't bleat, some chickens if they didn't flap, a calf if he didn't trample about, and a goat if he didn't kick. For a while they went along happily, but then the goat kicked, calf trampled, chickens flapped, sheep bleated, pig mucked, dog teased, cat chased, rabbit hopped, children squabbled, and the boat tipped. They walked home in the hot sun to dry, and went and had tea. Then Mr. Gumpy bade them all farewell and told then to come back again later.
I would not recommend this book to anyone.
Problems this book could cause: This book could cause kids to think it's okay if they don't listen to instructions.
My reaction: I did not like this book at all. It was boring and had no theme.
My rating: **
Monday, April 5, 2010
Friday, April 2, 2010
Martha Walks the Dog
Martha Walks the Dog
Susan Meddaugh
Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 1998
Pages: 32
Reading Level: 4-8
Genre: Picture Book
Martha is a dog who learned to talk one day when she was eating alphabet soup. The letters went up to her brain instead of her stomach. One day while Martha is taking a walk, she walks past a house with a sign that says "Beware of Dog." Martha is curious, so she walks up to the house. A huge dog runs at her and starts barking like crazy. A man runs out and yells "Bad Dog Bob!" Many times. The dog is just very angry. Martha is walking home when she passes an open window with a parrot inside. Martha, just for fun, teaches the parrot to say nice things like "good dog." A few days later, Martha sees her friend the poodle wander into Bob's yard. Martha doesn't want the poodle to get hurt, so she starts yelling mean things at Bob to get his attention. It works and Bob runs at her. Martha then realizes that Bob's chain is broken, and that he is coming for her. Martha runs and runs and runs. Finally she hides under a bush at the parrots house. Right when Bob gets to her, Martha hear's the parrot say "Good dog!" Bob stops...and smiles. Bob's owner comes and notices how happy Bob is, and tells him he is a good dog. Martha realizes that saying nice things to people makes them happy.
I would recommend this book to all young children. I think that it teaches an important life lesson about not calling people mean things.
Problems: I can't think of any problems this book would cause.
My reaction: This book is okay. I liked the original Martha book much more.
My rating: ***
Celia and the Sweet, Sweet Water
Celia and the Sweet, Sweet Water
Katherine Paterson, Illustrated by Vladmir Vagin
Clarion Books, 1998
Pages: 32
Reading Level: 4-8
Genre: Picture Book
Celia, here mother Mara, and their dog Brumble all lived together in a little cottage in the countryside. one day Mara became very ill, and was not getting better. Celia heard her mother say that if only she could have a drink of the sweet sweet water of her childhood she would be saved. So Celia and Brumble set off to find the sweet sweet water. They walked into a forest, and the first thing they ran into was a wild child. He scratched at the air, but Celia was not afraid. She offered him her cheese and bread, and the boy was astonished, for no one had ever been to kind to him before. He ate it, and told her that if she were to pass through his part of the forest again, that she should stop and say hello. Celia agreed, and then went on. They came out of the forest and met a woman in a boat crying. Celia asked what was wrong, and the woman told her she was lonely. Celia gave the woman her cloak and told her they'd be her friends and tell her stories as they crosses the lake in her boat. The woman agreed. After they crossed the lake, they came to a mountain, where there was a very angry man who wouldn't let them pass. Celia knew that music always calmed her down when she was angry, so she pulled out a flute and played till the man was no longer angry. Then she gave him the flute, and the man offered to carry her across the mountain so she could teach him how to play as they went. They crosses the mountain and came to the village, which was deserted. They found the well, which still had water, but there was no bucket. Celia tells Brumble to lower her into the well and she will fill her bottle. He did, and Celia filled the bottle. They were very happy. They headed home, with the help of the the man, woman, and child. When they came in view of the house, Celia ran, and tripped. The bottle broke and the water spilled. Celia was a wild as the boy, as angry as the man, and as sad as the woman. She cried over her mother, and her mother tasted the tears. She opened her eyes and said that the tears tasted the same as the sweet sweet water from her childhood. They learned that you can't share in someone's happiness until you share in their tears.
I would recommend this book to someone who has had a lot of hardship in their lives, because this book teaches that there isn't happiness until there has been sadness.
Problems: This book might convince children to leave home with no adult help at a young age.
My reaction: This story has a good theme, and I liked it.
My rating: ***
Dealing With Dragons
Dealing With Dragons
Patricia C. Wrede
Scholastic, 1992
Pages: 212
Reading Level: 9-12
Genre: Fantasy
Cimorene is a princess. The only thing is, she doesn't like being a princess because she thinks it is very boring. She only gets to learn things like how to curtsy and embroider and dance. These things bored her so much that she started making people around the castle teach her to do other more interesting things, like fencing and cooking and magic and Latin. However, whenever her father or mother, the king and queen, found out about these things they made Cimorene stop because it was not proper for a princess. Cimorene's parents did not know what to do with her. They try to solve their problems by making her marry a prince she doesn't like. Cimorene really doesn't want to marry the prince, so she runs away to the dragon's. Cimorene becomes Kazul's dragon. She enjoys herself very much. She gets to work magic spells and read Latin and organize and cook for Kazul.While Cimorene is the cave one day when Kazul left, some wizards show up. Wizards are not good for dragons, and are banned from the mountain. They come in and sneak a peek at a book of Kazul's. It is a dragon history book. Cimorene and Kazul discover that the wizards are working with a dragon to try and find out more about the Cave's of Fire and Night. It turn's out that the stone that decides which dragon is going to be the next king can be controlled by one of the stones in the Cave's of Fire and Night. Then the dragon king is murdered. Cimorene's friend, the stone prince, overhears a wizard talking to the dragon Waroug, and it turns out that Waroug poisoned the king so that the wizards could cast a spell on the stone that chooses the next king and make Waroug king of the dragons. Cimorene and her friends make it in time to the ceremony, melt a few wizards and stop them from doing their spell, and save the day. The stone chooses Kazul to be the next king, and everyone live happily ever after.
I would recommend this book to older children, young adults, and adults. Everyone should read it.
Problems: I don't want children thinking that if they run away from home all their problems will go away.
My reaction: I really really like this book. I read it for the first time when I was about ten, and have loved it since. If you ever have a chance to buy it, do.
My rating: ****
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Pierre's Dream
Pierre's Dream
Jennifer Armstrong
Dial, 1999
Pages: 32
Reading Level: 4-8
Genre: Picture Book
Pierre is a lazy man who doesn't do much. One day while is is sleeping under a tree, a circus comes and sets up around him. When Pierre wakes up, he thinks it must all be a dream. A lion gets out, and Pierre, who thinks he can't be hurt because it is all a dream, commands the lion back into the cage, and the lion obeys. Then he walked on the tightrope and did some tricks. The circus people asked him if he could swallow swords and juggle fire and lie down beneath the elefants foot, and Pierre said he could because he thought he was dreaming still. So the circus people made him ringmaster. During the first show he brought out the ponies and made them run fast, and then he jumped on one's back and stood up. Then he hung from the trapeze while juggling hoops lit on fire, and many other things. He was tired, because he had never had a dream that seemed so real or lasted so long. He sat down under a tree and fell asleep. When he awoke he thought of the wonderful dream he had had. He bumped a parasol, and noticed that it had a note on it which said, "Au Revior, Pierre." He laughed and realized that it wasn't a dream.
I would recomend this book to children who are about 6 or 7, because then they are old enough to realize that what Pierre did was dangerous, and young enough to find the fact the he thought he was dreaming it all very funny.
Problems: I would be afriad that children might think that if Pierre can do it that they can too. They might try dangerous stunts
My reaction: This book is creative, and I loved it. The pictures are great and add to the story a lot.
My rating: ***
Jennifer Armstrong
Dial, 1999
Pages: 32
Reading Level: 4-8
Genre: Picture Book
Pierre is a lazy man who doesn't do much. One day while is is sleeping under a tree, a circus comes and sets up around him. When Pierre wakes up, he thinks it must all be a dream. A lion gets out, and Pierre, who thinks he can't be hurt because it is all a dream, commands the lion back into the cage, and the lion obeys. Then he walked on the tightrope and did some tricks. The circus people asked him if he could swallow swords and juggle fire and lie down beneath the elefants foot, and Pierre said he could because he thought he was dreaming still. So the circus people made him ringmaster. During the first show he brought out the ponies and made them run fast, and then he jumped on one's back and stood up. Then he hung from the trapeze while juggling hoops lit on fire, and many other things. He was tired, because he had never had a dream that seemed so real or lasted so long. He sat down under a tree and fell asleep. When he awoke he thought of the wonderful dream he had had. He bumped a parasol, and noticed that it had a note on it which said, "Au Revior, Pierre." He laughed and realized that it wasn't a dream.
I would recomend this book to children who are about 6 or 7, because then they are old enough to realize that what Pierre did was dangerous, and young enough to find the fact the he thought he was dreaming it all very funny.
Problems: I would be afriad that children might think that if Pierre can do it that they can too. They might try dangerous stunts
My reaction: This book is creative, and I loved it. The pictures are great and add to the story a lot.
My rating: ***
Parts
Parts
Tedd Arnold
Puffin, 2000
Pages: 32
Reading Level: 4-8
Genre: picture book
In this book who thinks he is falling apart. He is combing his hair and he notices that some of his hairs fell out, he finds lint in his belly button and thinks his stuffing is coming out, his feet are peeling, and his "brains" are coming out of his nose. When his tooth gets lose, he decides that the glue that is supposed to hold him together isn't working. He starts to worry about his eyeballs, arms, and head coming off. He starts to tape himself together when his parents come in and tell him that all these things are normal, and that they grow back. The little boy feels much better.
I would recomend this book to little boys. I think it is the kind of humor that they love.
Problems: This book might cause children to pick at their skin or hair to see if it will come off.
My reaction: This book is funny, i liked it a lot.
My rating: ***
Tedd Arnold
Puffin, 2000
Pages: 32
Reading Level: 4-8
Genre: picture book
In this book who thinks he is falling apart. He is combing his hair and he notices that some of his hairs fell out, he finds lint in his belly button and thinks his stuffing is coming out, his feet are peeling, and his "brains" are coming out of his nose. When his tooth gets lose, he decides that the glue that is supposed to hold him together isn't working. He starts to worry about his eyeballs, arms, and head coming off. He starts to tape himself together when his parents come in and tell him that all these things are normal, and that they grow back. The little boy feels much better.
I would recomend this book to little boys. I think it is the kind of humor that they love.
Problems: This book might cause children to pick at their skin or hair to see if it will come off.
My reaction: This book is funny, i liked it a lot.
My rating: ***
The Little House
Te Little House
Virginia Lee Burton
Sandpiper, 1978
Pages: 44
Reading Level: 4-8
Genre: Picture Book
When the Little House was built, the man that built her said that she would never be sold and would live for a long long time, and Little House was happy. She enjoyed watching the land for many years. Then people started using cars and going much faster, and she still watched. They built up apartments around her, and no one wanted to live in her, but since she couldn't be sold, she just sat there and watched. Soon there was a train station next to her and a subway station under, and she couldn't tell what season it was. No one paid attention to her, they just hurried on by. Then the apartments next to her were torn down and big skyscrapers be built. Little House couldn't ever see the sun and was very sad. She looked shabby and old, even though she was still good on the inside. Then the great great grandaughter of one of the people who lived in the house found her and moved her to a hill in the country with daisies and apple trees, and fixed all the worn down parts on Little House, and Little House was very happy.
I wouldn't recommend this book to parents who want something good to read to their young children. This book is a classic.
Problems: I can't think of any problems this book could possibly cause.
My reaction: This book is very cute, and helps to teach about the passage of time.
My rating: ***
Virginia Lee Burton
Sandpiper, 1978
Pages: 44
Reading Level: 4-8
Genre: Picture Book
When the Little House was built, the man that built her said that she would never be sold and would live for a long long time, and Little House was happy. She enjoyed watching the land for many years. Then people started using cars and going much faster, and she still watched. They built up apartments around her, and no one wanted to live in her, but since she couldn't be sold, she just sat there and watched. Soon there was a train station next to her and a subway station under, and she couldn't tell what season it was. No one paid attention to her, they just hurried on by. Then the apartments next to her were torn down and big skyscrapers be built. Little House couldn't ever see the sun and was very sad. She looked shabby and old, even though she was still good on the inside. Then the great great grandaughter of one of the people who lived in the house found her and moved her to a hill in the country with daisies and apple trees, and fixed all the worn down parts on Little House, and Little House was very happy.
I wouldn't recommend this book to parents who want something good to read to their young children. This book is a classic.
Problems: I can't think of any problems this book could possibly cause.
My reaction: This book is very cute, and helps to teach about the passage of time.
My rating: ***
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
The Dragon New Year
The Dragon New Year: A Chinese Legend
David Bouchard, Illustrated by Zhong-Yang Huang
Peachtree Publishers, 1999
Pages: 32
Reading Level: 9-12
Genre: Picture Book
A young girl in China is frightened by all the noise and lights outside on New Year's, so her grandmother tells her the story of how the lights and noise of New Years keep her safe. She told the story of how long ago there was a dragon who lived in the sea named New Year. And once a year he came ashore to the village and would eat the people until he was full, and so the people learned to run into the hills until he was done feasting. One year there was a young man coming in from fishing, but because of the weather he could not make it to shore in time, and New Year ate him. His mother, who saw it all from where she was hiding on a cliff, was devastated. The next year, she did not go hide in the hills, because she had nothing left to live for. While she was home, Buddha came to her door and asked for some food. She said alright, but asked him why he wasn't hiding at this dangerous time. He told her that it was alright, that he would teach her a way to frighten New Year away. He told her that New Year had never seen fire or hear sound, since he lived under the ocean. So Buddha built a large bonfire, and he had mother chop meat and fish as hard and loud as she could. When New Year came to shore, he covered his ears because the sound was too much for him, and shrank away from the fire. Just then, they fire took the shape of the young man New Year had eaten the year before, and he took out a fishing net of fire and threw it over New Year. New Year struggled and was able to get free, but he dropped into the ocean and was gone. That, explained grandmother to her granddaughter, is why there is always lots of light and sound at New Year's.
I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to learn more about Chinese culture, or anyone wanting to know more about New Year's.
Problems: Children frequently believe in monsters in their rooms at night. If they read this book, they might try to get rid of it by creating a terrible ruckus, thus waking everyone in the house. Or worse, they might try to start a fire.
My reaction: I think this book is interesting. The paintings are beautiful, and have so much detail. They are very fun to look at.
My rating: ****
Flossie and the Fox
Flossie and the Fox
Patricia C. McKissack, Illustrated by Rachel Isadora
Dial, 1986
Pages: 32
Reading Level: 4-8
Genre: Picture Book
One day Flossie's mother sent her to deliver some eggs to a friend. This friend had been having trouble with a fox, and their chicken would lay any eggs. Foxes love eggs. Flossie's mother told her to protect the eggs so that the fox couldn't get them. On her way there, Flossie ran into the fox. The fox introduced himself as a fox, but Flossie didn't believe him, and refused to be scared of him. So the fox started looking for a way he could prove that he was a fox so that Flossie would be scared. He showed her his fox fur, but Flossie said it felt like a rabbits. Then he showed her his pointed nose, but she said it looked like a rats. They ran into a cat, and they cat pointed out that the fox had sharp claws and yellow eyes, but Flossie pointed out that so did the cat, and that both of them were cats. By now the fox was beside himself. The fox tells her that he has a bushy tail, and Flossie points to a squirrel who also has a bushy tail. Flossie tells the fox that he should be ashamed for claiming he is a fox, but not being able to prove it, and the fox begs for one more chance. He says that he has sharp teeth and can run exceedingly fast. Then Flossie says it doesn't matter anymore because the friends hound is behind the fox, and he has sharp teeth and can run fast too, and the hound has been looking for fox. The fox runs away because the hound knows that he is a fox. As he runs he yells that he isn't afraid of the dog because he is a fox. Flossie says that she knows, and takes the eggs safely to the friends house.
I would recommend this book to all young children; there isn't really a theme, but it is a cute book children would enjoy.
Problems: I can't think of any problems this book could cause.
My reaction: I thought this was a cute book. There isn't really any theme or point to it, other than it is simply a good read.
My rating: ***
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Destination: Space
Destination: Space
Seumour Simon
Collins, 2006
Pages: 32
Reading Level: 4-8
Genre: Non-Fiction
The Hubble Space telescope has been orbiting the earth since April 1990, and has been taking many wonderful picture. This book uses those pictures to teach us about many things in space, including mars, Jupiter, star clusters, supernovas, nebulas, cometary knots, and many more. Mars has a spring, summer, fall and winter just like us. In the spring in the northern hemispere, the north polar cap which is dry ice rapidly disappears. Jupitars beautiful rings are made up of ice, and it has "northern lights" just like earth. Supernova's are exploding stars that give off enourmous amounts of light and energy, and then flicker out and die. Nebulas are where stars are born. They are great big clouds of hydrogen gas and dust. The pictures in this book help to understand what each of these do and look like.
I would recommend that an elementary school teacher or science teacher read this book to their students. It is a great way to learn about space.
I can't think of any problems or conficts this book could cause.
My reaction: This book is a wonderful way for children to learn about space. The pictures are beautiful and informative.
My rating: ***
Seumour Simon
Collins, 2006
Pages: 32
Reading Level: 4-8
Genre: Non-Fiction
The Hubble Space telescope has been orbiting the earth since April 1990, and has been taking many wonderful picture. This book uses those pictures to teach us about many things in space, including mars, Jupiter, star clusters, supernovas, nebulas, cometary knots, and many more. Mars has a spring, summer, fall and winter just like us. In the spring in the northern hemispere, the north polar cap which is dry ice rapidly disappears. Jupitars beautiful rings are made up of ice, and it has "northern lights" just like earth. Supernova's are exploding stars that give off enourmous amounts of light and energy, and then flicker out and die. Nebulas are where stars are born. They are great big clouds of hydrogen gas and dust. The pictures in this book help to understand what each of these do and look like.
I would recommend that an elementary school teacher or science teacher read this book to their students. It is a great way to learn about space.
I can't think of any problems or conficts this book could cause.
My reaction: This book is a wonderful way for children to learn about space. The pictures are beautiful and informative.
My rating: ***
The Farmer and the Poor God
The Farmer and the Poor God: a folktale from Japan
Retold by Ruth Wells, Illustrated by Yoshi
Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers, 1996
Pages: 24
Reading Level: 4-8
Genre: Picture Book
A long time ago in Japan there was a very poor farmer. He was not a very good farmer because he didn't work very hard. He was sad and his wife was sad and their children were loud and always fought. One day the farmer decided that they had a poor god in their attic, and this was true. People who had the Poor God living there could never truly be rich. They made a plan to leave that night while the Poor God was sleeping so they could escape their bad luck. But the Poor God heard them, and started making sandals out of stalks of rice for the journey. That night the farmer and his wife were very sad to find out that the Poor God found out about their plans, and they went back to bed. The Poor God kept on making sandals, for he thought it was a very good way to spend his time. He soon found ways to make dyes and make beautifully colored sandals. A man came by a commented on how beautiful the sandals were, so Poor God gave them some. Soon many people wanted them, and the farmer had the idea to charge for the sandals. He took them to the market and gave back with lots of rice and grain and chickens and things. He asked if Poor God could keep making sandals, and he said yes, but only if the family would bring him more rice stalks and make dye. The family began to work hard and became more and more happy, and the farmer learned how to make sandals and became an artist. On New Year's, the Poor God decided it was time to leave, for the family was becoming too rich for him. But they didn't want him to go, so when Rich God came to take his place, they pushed him out of their home. Eventually, Poor God simply faded away.
I would recommend this book to anyone who wanted to learn a little more about Japanese culture.
Problems: This book could cause people to blame their “luck” on something else, and not work hard for what they want.
My reaction: This book is okay, but not my favorite.
My rating: ***
Retold by Ruth Wells, Illustrated by Yoshi
Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers, 1996
Pages: 24
Reading Level: 4-8
Genre: Picture Book
A long time ago in Japan there was a very poor farmer. He was not a very good farmer because he didn't work very hard. He was sad and his wife was sad and their children were loud and always fought. One day the farmer decided that they had a poor god in their attic, and this was true. People who had the Poor God living there could never truly be rich. They made a plan to leave that night while the Poor God was sleeping so they could escape their bad luck. But the Poor God heard them, and started making sandals out of stalks of rice for the journey. That night the farmer and his wife were very sad to find out that the Poor God found out about their plans, and they went back to bed. The Poor God kept on making sandals, for he thought it was a very good way to spend his time. He soon found ways to make dyes and make beautifully colored sandals. A man came by a commented on how beautiful the sandals were, so Poor God gave them some. Soon many people wanted them, and the farmer had the idea to charge for the sandals. He took them to the market and gave back with lots of rice and grain and chickens and things. He asked if Poor God could keep making sandals, and he said yes, but only if the family would bring him more rice stalks and make dye. The family began to work hard and became more and more happy, and the farmer learned how to make sandals and became an artist. On New Year's, the Poor God decided it was time to leave, for the family was becoming too rich for him. But they didn't want him to go, so when Rich God came to take his place, they pushed him out of their home. Eventually, Poor God simply faded away.
I would recommend this book to anyone who wanted to learn a little more about Japanese culture.
Problems: This book could cause people to blame their “luck” on something else, and not work hard for what they want.
My reaction: This book is okay, but not my favorite.
My rating: ***
Monday, March 29, 2010
Gertrude Chandler Warner
Gertrude Chandler Warner
Joan Wallner
Abdo & Daughters, 1996
Pages: 31
Reading Level: 4-8
Genre: Non-Fiction/Biography
Gertrude Chandler Weber grew up in Putnam, Connecticut. She loved to play with her dollhouse and reading when she was growing up. Both Gertrude and her sister wanted to write books when they grew up. Her house was across the street from the railroad, and Gertrude always wondered what it would be like to live in a train. Her whole life, Gertrude Warner suffered from very bad hay fever, and back then there wasn't any medicine for it. One day her house caught on fire and after the excitement was over she realized that her sneezing had stopped. She realized that excitement helped her allergy, so she was always looking for excitement and laughter. She traveled a bit, to find somewhere where her allergies wouldn't be as bad, but everywhere she went her allergies followed, so she moved back home. She got a job as a writer, but soon realized she needed more of an education so she took classes at Yale University. While in her classes, she became interested in teaching young children, and decided to write childrens books as well as teach children. She wrote a few books, but nothing too big. That is, until she got bronchitis. She was so sick that she couldn't work. So she spent her time writing, and wrote the first book in the boxcar children series. It was such a huge success that she got many letters from readers who wanted to hear more about the four children's adventures, so she started writing the series. She kept writing till he died at the age of 89, but her books continued to be very popular, and still are today.
I would recommend this book to any children who really like the boxcar children series.
I can't foresee any problems caused by this book
My reaction: The Boxcar Children series was my most favorite series as a child, and I thought it was interesting to learn about the woman who wrote them.
My rating: ***
Joan Wallner
Abdo & Daughters, 1996
Pages: 31
Reading Level: 4-8
Genre: Non-Fiction/Biography
Gertrude Chandler Weber grew up in Putnam, Connecticut. She loved to play with her dollhouse and reading when she was growing up. Both Gertrude and her sister wanted to write books when they grew up. Her house was across the street from the railroad, and Gertrude always wondered what it would be like to live in a train. Her whole life, Gertrude Warner suffered from very bad hay fever, and back then there wasn't any medicine for it. One day her house caught on fire and after the excitement was over she realized that her sneezing had stopped. She realized that excitement helped her allergy, so she was always looking for excitement and laughter. She traveled a bit, to find somewhere where her allergies wouldn't be as bad, but everywhere she went her allergies followed, so she moved back home. She got a job as a writer, but soon realized she needed more of an education so she took classes at Yale University. While in her classes, she became interested in teaching young children, and decided to write childrens books as well as teach children. She wrote a few books, but nothing too big. That is, until she got bronchitis. She was so sick that she couldn't work. So she spent her time writing, and wrote the first book in the boxcar children series. It was such a huge success that she got many letters from readers who wanted to hear more about the four children's adventures, so she started writing the series. She kept writing till he died at the age of 89, but her books continued to be very popular, and still are today.
I would recommend this book to any children who really like the boxcar children series.
I can't foresee any problems caused by this book
My reaction: The Boxcar Children series was my most favorite series as a child, and I thought it was interesting to learn about the woman who wrote them.
My rating: ***
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Martin's Big Words
Martin's Big Words
Doreen Rappaport
Hyperion Book CH, 2001
Pages: 40
Reading Level: 4-8
Genre: Non-Fiction/Biography
This book takes the authors words and follows them on nearly every page with quote by Martin Luther King Jr. It starts out with him as a young boy seeing "white only" signs all over the place. He asks him mother about it, and she simply tells him that he is as good as anyone. His father is a minister, and Martin wants to use "big words" like his father someday, so he grows up to be a minister too. Martin wanted to teach the people that the way to get what they wanted was not with violence, but with love. Throughout his life he "walked with people, talked with people, sang with them and prayed with them." He finally accomplished his goal, and segregation was abolished. Immediately after, Martin Luther King Jr. was killed.
I would recommend this book to teachers who are teaching their class about segregation and Marting Luther King. It would be a great book for them to read to their classes.
I can't think of any problems this book would cause.
My reaction: I read this book with my 10-year-old sister, and we both loved it. We had a good discussion about it. It has great educational value.
My rating: ****
Anansi's Narrow Waist
Anansi's Narrow Waist
Len Cabral, Illustrator:David Diax
GoodYear Books,1994
Pages:16
Reading level:4-8
Genre:Picture Book
One day Anansi the spider smelled some yams cooking and wanted some. The people invited him to wait a minute and have some yams when they were done, but Anansi didn't want to wait, so he had the people tie a string around his waist and told them to tug it when the yams were done. He kept walking and soon came to fried rice and beans. He had them tie a string around his waist too. He kept walking, and eventually he had eight strings around his waist. Then the yams people tugged their strings, then the fried rice and beans people, and all the rest of the strings too. The strings kept pulling tighter and tighter, and making his waist smaller and smaller, until they snapped. That is why a spider has eight legs and a tiny waist.
I would recommend this book to people who want to learn about the African culture.
Children might believe this story and hurt themselves pulling strings that are tied around their waist.
I liked this book because it teaches children to be patient.
Rating:***
Len Cabral, Illustrator:David Diax
GoodYear Books,1994
Pages:16
Reading level:4-8
Genre:Picture Book
One day Anansi the spider smelled some yams cooking and wanted some. The people invited him to wait a minute and have some yams when they were done, but Anansi didn't want to wait, so he had the people tie a string around his waist and told them to tug it when the yams were done. He kept walking and soon came to fried rice and beans. He had them tie a string around his waist too. He kept walking, and eventually he had eight strings around his waist. Then the yams people tugged their strings, then the fried rice and beans people, and all the rest of the strings too. The strings kept pulling tighter and tighter, and making his waist smaller and smaller, until they snapped. That is why a spider has eight legs and a tiny waist.
I would recommend this book to people who want to learn about the African culture.
Children might believe this story and hurt themselves pulling strings that are tied around their waist.
I liked this book because it teaches children to be patient.
Rating:***
Anansi The Spider
Anansi The Spider
Gerald McDermott
Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1972
Pages: 48
Reading Level: 4-8
Genre: Picture Book
Anansi is a spider who had six sons. These sons were See Trouble, Road Builder, River Drinker, Game Skinner, Stone Thrower, and Cushion. One day Anansi walked far from home and fell into the river and got swallowed by a fish. See Trouble saw what happened and yelled to his brothers that their father was in trouble. Road Builder built a road to get to him, River Drinker drank the river that the fish lived in, and Game Skinner skinned the fish that swallowed father. But the trouble wasn't over. Just then a bird flew by and picked up Anansi in it's beak. Stone thrower threw a stone at the bird and it dropped his father. Cushion helped father to land softly so he wouldn't get hurt. That night at home, Anansi found a great globe of light. He wanted to give it to the sun who had helped him the most, but he couldn't figure out which one had. So Anansi gave the globe to Nyame, the god of all things, and asked him to hold it until Anansi could figure out which son to give it to. They couldn't figure out which son to give it to, so Nyame took the light up into the sky for everyone to enjoy. The moon is still there today.
I would recommend this book to people interested in learning about the Ashanti people
The book could cause children to really believe that the moon really was placed in the sky because of a spider, which is not true.
My Reaction: I really like this tale of Anansi the Spider. It allows me to see into a culture I probably wouldn't have otherwise experienced
My rating: ***
Gerald McDermott
Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1972
Pages: 48
Reading Level: 4-8
Genre: Picture Book
Anansi is a spider who had six sons. These sons were See Trouble, Road Builder, River Drinker, Game Skinner, Stone Thrower, and Cushion. One day Anansi walked far from home and fell into the river and got swallowed by a fish. See Trouble saw what happened and yelled to his brothers that their father was in trouble. Road Builder built a road to get to him, River Drinker drank the river that the fish lived in, and Game Skinner skinned the fish that swallowed father. But the trouble wasn't over. Just then a bird flew by and picked up Anansi in it's beak. Stone thrower threw a stone at the bird and it dropped his father. Cushion helped father to land softly so he wouldn't get hurt. That night at home, Anansi found a great globe of light. He wanted to give it to the sun who had helped him the most, but he couldn't figure out which one had. So Anansi gave the globe to Nyame, the god of all things, and asked him to hold it until Anansi could figure out which son to give it to. They couldn't figure out which son to give it to, so Nyame took the light up into the sky for everyone to enjoy. The moon is still there today.
I would recommend this book to people interested in learning about the Ashanti people
The book could cause children to really believe that the moon really was placed in the sky because of a spider, which is not true.
My Reaction: I really like this tale of Anansi the Spider. It allows me to see into a culture I probably wouldn't have otherwise experienced
My rating: ***
Friday, March 26, 2010
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
J.K. Rowling
Scholastic Press, 1998
Pages: 309
Reading Level: 9-12
Genre: Fantasy
Harry Potter is an 11 year old boy whoes parents were killed in a car accident, or so he was told. Harry lives with his Aunt Petunia, Uncle Vernon, and cousin Dudley. They are terrible to him. One day Harry actually gets a letter in the mail. He is very excited about it, but Vernon sees it and takes it away. The next day more letters come, so Vernon nails the mail slot shut. Then things start to get weird. Letters start coming in eggs, and there is a downpour our of the chimney. Vernon decides to take the family away. He finds then an old run-down house on a little island. He is confident that no letters will find them there. That night at midnight, also Harry's birthday, a giant breaks down the door. His name is Hagrid. Hagrid pulls out a letter and gives it to Harry and tells him that he is a wizard, that his letter is an acceptance letter to Hogwarts: school of witchcraft and wizardery. And that his parents were killed by an evil wizard named Voldemort, not a car accident, and that he was destroyed when he tried to kill Harry and that Harry is famous. Harry is delighted to hear that he is a wizard and that he doesn't have to put of with the Dursleys anymore, and he leaves with Hargrid to buy his school supplies. After he buys his supplies he gets on platform 9 and 3/4 and meets Ron and Hermione. Ron and Harry become fast friends, but they think Hermione is a know-it-all. When they get to the school, all three are sorted into Griffindor, one of the four groups in the school. Soon after, the first-years are having their first flying lesson, and Harry gets into a fight while the teachers are gone with a boy named Draco Malfoy. Malfoy throws a glass ball that belongs to one of Harry's friends and Harry flys off to save it. He gets caught by a professor, but instead of getting in trouble, he gets made the seeker of his team in Quiddich, which is quite an honor. One night Harry, Ron, and Hermione are wandering the halls after curfew and they almost get caught by Filtch, so they magically unlock a locked door and hide there. That is, until they realize there is a giant 3 headed dog behind them. They leave, and in the days that follow, discover that the dog is guarding the sorcerers stone, which will make an elixer that will turn the drinker immortal and turn anything into gold. One day in class, Ron criticizes Herminone and hurts her feelings and she runs off to the girls bathroom to cry. At dinner, Professor Quirrell runs in a tells everyone that there is a Troll in the dungeon. Dumbledoor, the head-master, orders everyone to their dormitories. The two boys are on their way when they remember Hermione, they go to help her when they stumble upon the troll. It goes into a room, and the boys lock it in, hoping to trap it. Then they hear a girls scream and realize they just locked it in the girls bathroom with Hermione. Together the three of them beat the troll and become fast friends. After that they overhear Snape saying that he got bit my the three-headed dog, so they suspect him of trying to steal the stone. They want to tell Dumbledor, but realize that he is gone. Harry is worried that Snape is going to steal the stone that night while Dumbledor is gone, and Harry is going to thwart him. Harry, Ron, and Hermione manage to get past all the defenses that lie in their way, but Ron got hurt and in one of the rooms only one could progress so Hermione had to stay back. So Harry went on alone. He gets to the last room and finds Professor Quirrell. It was him who was the bad guy all along. He is standing in front of the Mirror of Erised, which shows the looker their greatest desire. Quirrell knows that the stone is in the mirror, but he doesn't know that DUmbledor designed it so that only one who wanted the stone, but didn't want to use it for personal gain could get it out. Quirrell made Harry look into the mirror, and Harry got the stone. Quirrell asked Harry what he saw, and Harry lied so that he didn't have to tell Quirrell that he had the stone. Then there was a voice that said that Harry had lied, and Quirrell took off his turban. On the back of his head was Voldemorts face; he wasn't dead after all. Vordemort commanded Quirrell to destroy Harry, but when Quirrell touched Harry his hands burned. Harry used this to his advantage and destroyed Quirrell, temporarily stopping Voldemort until he could find another body. Harry was rescued by Dumbledor, who told him that it was his mother's love that had saved him when he was a child, that kept Quirrell from touching him. Harry then left to spend the summer with the Dursleys.
I would recommend this book to all chilren. It sparks a love for reading.
Problems: This book might teach children that it is okay to not listen to the rules.
My reaction: This book is a classic and one of my favorites of all time.
My rating: *****
J.K. Rowling
Scholastic Press, 1998
Pages: 309
Reading Level: 9-12
Genre: Fantasy
Harry Potter is an 11 year old boy whoes parents were killed in a car accident, or so he was told. Harry lives with his Aunt Petunia, Uncle Vernon, and cousin Dudley. They are terrible to him. One day Harry actually gets a letter in the mail. He is very excited about it, but Vernon sees it and takes it away. The next day more letters come, so Vernon nails the mail slot shut. Then things start to get weird. Letters start coming in eggs, and there is a downpour our of the chimney. Vernon decides to take the family away. He finds then an old run-down house on a little island. He is confident that no letters will find them there. That night at midnight, also Harry's birthday, a giant breaks down the door. His name is Hagrid. Hagrid pulls out a letter and gives it to Harry and tells him that he is a wizard, that his letter is an acceptance letter to Hogwarts: school of witchcraft and wizardery. And that his parents were killed by an evil wizard named Voldemort, not a car accident, and that he was destroyed when he tried to kill Harry and that Harry is famous. Harry is delighted to hear that he is a wizard and that he doesn't have to put of with the Dursleys anymore, and he leaves with Hargrid to buy his school supplies. After he buys his supplies he gets on platform 9 and 3/4 and meets Ron and Hermione. Ron and Harry become fast friends, but they think Hermione is a know-it-all. When they get to the school, all three are sorted into Griffindor, one of the four groups in the school. Soon after, the first-years are having their first flying lesson, and Harry gets into a fight while the teachers are gone with a boy named Draco Malfoy. Malfoy throws a glass ball that belongs to one of Harry's friends and Harry flys off to save it. He gets caught by a professor, but instead of getting in trouble, he gets made the seeker of his team in Quiddich, which is quite an honor. One night Harry, Ron, and Hermione are wandering the halls after curfew and they almost get caught by Filtch, so they magically unlock a locked door and hide there. That is, until they realize there is a giant 3 headed dog behind them. They leave, and in the days that follow, discover that the dog is guarding the sorcerers stone, which will make an elixer that will turn the drinker immortal and turn anything into gold. One day in class, Ron criticizes Herminone and hurts her feelings and she runs off to the girls bathroom to cry. At dinner, Professor Quirrell runs in a tells everyone that there is a Troll in the dungeon. Dumbledoor, the head-master, orders everyone to their dormitories. The two boys are on their way when they remember Hermione, they go to help her when they stumble upon the troll. It goes into a room, and the boys lock it in, hoping to trap it. Then they hear a girls scream and realize they just locked it in the girls bathroom with Hermione. Together the three of them beat the troll and become fast friends. After that they overhear Snape saying that he got bit my the three-headed dog, so they suspect him of trying to steal the stone. They want to tell Dumbledor, but realize that he is gone. Harry is worried that Snape is going to steal the stone that night while Dumbledor is gone, and Harry is going to thwart him. Harry, Ron, and Hermione manage to get past all the defenses that lie in their way, but Ron got hurt and in one of the rooms only one could progress so Hermione had to stay back. So Harry went on alone. He gets to the last room and finds Professor Quirrell. It was him who was the bad guy all along. He is standing in front of the Mirror of Erised, which shows the looker their greatest desire. Quirrell knows that the stone is in the mirror, but he doesn't know that DUmbledor designed it so that only one who wanted the stone, but didn't want to use it for personal gain could get it out. Quirrell made Harry look into the mirror, and Harry got the stone. Quirrell asked Harry what he saw, and Harry lied so that he didn't have to tell Quirrell that he had the stone. Then there was a voice that said that Harry had lied, and Quirrell took off his turban. On the back of his head was Voldemorts face; he wasn't dead after all. Vordemort commanded Quirrell to destroy Harry, but when Quirrell touched Harry his hands burned. Harry used this to his advantage and destroyed Quirrell, temporarily stopping Voldemort until he could find another body. Harry was rescued by Dumbledor, who told him that it was his mother's love that had saved him when he was a child, that kept Quirrell from touching him. Harry then left to spend the summer with the Dursleys.
I would recommend this book to all chilren. It sparks a love for reading.
Problems: This book might teach children that it is okay to not listen to the rules.
My reaction: This book is a classic and one of my favorites of all time.
My rating: *****
The Sea of Monsters
The Sea of Monsters
Rick Riordan
Disney-Hyperion, 2006
Pages: 288
Reading Level: 9-12
Genre: Fantasy
Percy is at the end of another school year at a new school. He is playing dodgeball with a bunch of seventh graders when he realizes they are actually monsters trying to kill him. They start throwing fireballs at him, but his is saved by his large friend Tyson, and Annabeth, another demi-god, who stabs a monster. They escape and head to camp half-blood. When they get there, camp is under attack because the tree that protects camp has been poisoned. Chiron has been fired because he suspects them of doing the poisoning. While there, they realize the Tyson is actually a cyclops, and Posiden claims him as a son. Percy asks the camp director if someone can please be sent on a quest, and the director agrees, sending clarisse. Percy is upset because he really wanted to help and go on the quest. He is at the lake when his father sends him help in the form of three hippocampi to take Percy, Tyson, and Annabeth. While they are in the water, they pass a cruise ship that Luke has taken over. They are captured and learn that Luke is trying to bring back Kronos, the evil titan. They escape and are saved by Clarisse. They head toward the "Sea of Monsters" which is also known as the Bermuda Triangle. They barely manage to get to the island, destroying Clarisse's ship in the process, with the help of Tyson and Clarisse. They save Grover from the giant cyclops who has him hostage and is about to eat him, and steal the fleece. They send Clarisse to take it back to camp, since Percy can't fly without Zeus killing him, and then Percy, Annebeth, Tyson, and Grover are captured by Luke. Percy tricks Luke into admitting to poisoning the tree, thus proving Chiron's innocence. Percy duels with Luke and barely gets out with his life. Back at camp, the fleece heals the trees, and out of it came Thalia, the daughter of Zeus who had been turned into the tree in a battle long before.
I would recommend this book to people/kids who feel like they don't fit in.
This book might cause kids to willfully disobey the orders their parents, teacher, and leaders have given them.
My reaction: I love this series! It teaches great values and is a wonderful story.
My rating: *****
The Lightening Thief
The Lightening Thief
Rick Riordan
Disney-Hyperion, 2005
Pages: 384
Reading level: 9-12
Genre: Fantasy
Percy Jackson is a twelve year old boy who has always had a hard time in school. He has dyslexia and ADHD, and has never managed to make it a full year without being expelled. Weird things always seem to happen to him. One day when his class is on a field trip, one of his teachers turns into a monster and tries to kill him. Then afterwards, no one can seem to remember that it happened. Then Percy goes on a trip with his mother, and it is then that his best friend Grover tells percy that he is a demi-god, which is half god half human, and that grover himself is a saryter. They need to get to camp half-blood, but on their way they are attacked by a minotaur who grabs Percy's mother who dissolves into golden light. Percy gets away and makes it to camp. He is placed into another God's cabin, Hermes, because he doesn't know which god is his father. During a game of capture the flag, he steps into a river and a trident appears above him. It turns out that his father, Posiden, had broken an ancient oath to not have any half-blood children. Percy is given a quest to go and find the master bolt, which is Zues' main weapon. While he is on the quest he is set up. Another god, Ares, makes it look like Percy has stolen the bolt by putting it in Percy's backpack, plus Hades thinks Percy has his Helm of Darkness, which Ares has. Percy, who was in the underworld looking for his mothe, is forced to flee from Hades wrath. He finds Ares and fights him to get the Helm. He wins and returns the Helm to Hades. He then takes the Bolt to Zeus and learns that his mother is still alive. When he gets back to camp, Luke, a boy from Hermes who befriended Percy, admits that it was he who stole the Bolt for a bad titan named Kronos, and told Percy that he had gotten in the way. Luke called up a scorpion to sting Percy and kill him. Percy almost died, but Chiron, the leader of the camp, saved him. Then Percy went home to his mother until next summer.
I would recommend this book to children who feel as if they don't belong.
Problems: I'm afraid that this book would condone fighting among children.
My reaction: I absolutely LOVED this book. It is fantastic!
My rating: *****
Thursday, March 25, 2010
The Mitten
The Mitten
Jan Brett
Putnam Juvenile, 1989
Pages: 32
Reading Level: 4-8
Genre: Picture Book
Nikki is a little boy who really wants white mittens. His Baba said she didn't want to make him white mittens, because she was afraid he would drop one in the snow and not be able to find it. But Nikki really wanted white mittens, so Baba made them for him. Sure enough, he soon lost one mitten. Soon a tired mole finds the mitten and climbs inside to rest. Then a rabbit has the same idea and gets in too. Then a hedgehog.., and an owl and a badger and fox and bear all climb in one at a time. The knitten mittin stretched and pulled and buldged without breaking, because that's how good Baba's knitting was. Then a mouse came along and got in the last space available, which was on the bear's nose. This made the bears nose itch, and he sneezed. When he sneezed it shot the mitten up into the sky and they animals fell everywhere. Then Nikki saw his white mitten in the air, caught it, and went home.
I would recommend this book to kids who just want a good read.
Problems: This book could cause children to think it's okay to lose things
My reaction: This book has been a favorite since childhood.
My rating: ****
Jan Brett
Putnam Juvenile, 1989
Pages: 32
Reading Level: 4-8
Genre: Picture Book
Nikki is a little boy who really wants white mittens. His Baba said she didn't want to make him white mittens, because she was afraid he would drop one in the snow and not be able to find it. But Nikki really wanted white mittens, so Baba made them for him. Sure enough, he soon lost one mitten. Soon a tired mole finds the mitten and climbs inside to rest. Then a rabbit has the same idea and gets in too. Then a hedgehog.., and an owl and a badger and fox and bear all climb in one at a time. The knitten mittin stretched and pulled and buldged without breaking, because that's how good Baba's knitting was. Then a mouse came along and got in the last space available, which was on the bear's nose. This made the bears nose itch, and he sneezed. When he sneezed it shot the mitten up into the sky and they animals fell everywhere. Then Nikki saw his white mitten in the air, caught it, and went home.
I would recommend this book to kids who just want a good read.
Problems: This book could cause children to think it's okay to lose things
My reaction: This book has been a favorite since childhood.
My rating: ****
Lincoln: A Photobiography
Linclon: A Photobiography
Russell Freedman
Sandpiper, 1989
Pages:160
Reading Level: 9-12
Genre: Biography
This book is a biography of Lincoln's entire life. It starts with him as a young boy, and works all the way up to his death. Lincoln's father was a simple farmer, and his family was poor. Since he had to help his father with the farm, he went to school by "little's" He said that if you added up all his schooling, it was probably less than a year. But this doesn't mean that he was stupid; on the contrary. Lincoln was a brillant man. They say he was never seen without a book. He could have intelligent conversations about shakespere and loved to quote him. He never went to college, but rather read lots and lots about law, and after three years of study he went and passed the bar examine. Although Lincoln was brilliant, he definitely wasn't perfect. He argued with his wife a lot, and suffered from drepression quite badly. After he had been a lawyer for a while he decided to get into politics. He actually lost his first campain, but kept trying. After a while in politcs, he decided to quit for a while, but when he heard about what was going with the new territories and slavery, he decided to run for president. He won, and soon thereafter the civil war began. This was very difficult on Lincoln. In the pictures, one can see that he aged very much in those 4 years. The civil war was hard on him for one reason because he didn't have any good war generals. Lincoln had to train himself in the ways of leading an army. In the end, they won the war, but only after hundreds of thousands of men died. Immediatly after it was over, Abraham Lincoln was shot to death.
I would recommend this book to students studying the civil war or presidents of the united states.
Potential Problems: The only problem I can foresee with this book is that some children will be upset about Abraham's shortcomings.
My reaction: I thought this book was interesting, and the pictures were great and added to the knowledge.
My rating: ****
Russell Freedman
Sandpiper, 1989
Pages:160
Reading Level: 9-12
Genre: Biography
This book is a biography of Lincoln's entire life. It starts with him as a young boy, and works all the way up to his death. Lincoln's father was a simple farmer, and his family was poor. Since he had to help his father with the farm, he went to school by "little's" He said that if you added up all his schooling, it was probably less than a year. But this doesn't mean that he was stupid; on the contrary. Lincoln was a brillant man. They say he was never seen without a book. He could have intelligent conversations about shakespere and loved to quote him. He never went to college, but rather read lots and lots about law, and after three years of study he went and passed the bar examine. Although Lincoln was brilliant, he definitely wasn't perfect. He argued with his wife a lot, and suffered from drepression quite badly. After he had been a lawyer for a while he decided to get into politics. He actually lost his first campain, but kept trying. After a while in politcs, he decided to quit for a while, but when he heard about what was going with the new territories and slavery, he decided to run for president. He won, and soon thereafter the civil war began. This was very difficult on Lincoln. In the pictures, one can see that he aged very much in those 4 years. The civil war was hard on him for one reason because he didn't have any good war generals. Lincoln had to train himself in the ways of leading an army. In the end, they won the war, but only after hundreds of thousands of men died. Immediatly after it was over, Abraham Lincoln was shot to death.
I would recommend this book to students studying the civil war or presidents of the united states.
Potential Problems: The only problem I can foresee with this book is that some children will be upset about Abraham's shortcomings.
My reaction: I thought this book was interesting, and the pictures were great and added to the knowledge.
My rating: ****
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Henry's Freedom Box
Henry's Freedom Box
Ellen Levine
Schilastic Press, 2007
Pages: 40
Reading Level: 4-8
Genre: Non-Fiction/Biography
Henry is a little boy who was born into slavery. While he was still a young boy his master died and he was sold to another man and separated from his mother. He worked hard for his new master, and when He got older he met a girl with whom he fell in love with. They got permission from their masters and got married. They were lucky because their masters let them live together even though they had different masters. Henry and his wife had three children, and they loved them very much. Henry's wife was worried because her master's business wasn't doing very well and she was afraid that the children would get sold. One day while Henry was working his friend came and told him that his wife and children had just been sold. He was devastated. He decided to try to get free. He burned his hands on purpose so that his master would let him stay home from work, then he got a white man who believed slavery was wrong to put him into a big crate and mail him North to freedom. It was a long hard trip, but Henry made it. From that day on he had the middle name of "Box."
I think all children should read this book. It teaches how slavery ruined lives and that discrimination against race is wrong, which I believe is important to learn at a young age.
Problems this book could cause: I'm afraid this book might convince children to get a friend to help them mail themselves somewhere! That would be terrible.
My reaction: I thought this was a great biography. If no one had told me it was a true story I would have thought it was just a good fiction story
My rating: ****
Ellen Levine
Schilastic Press, 2007
Pages: 40
Reading Level: 4-8
Genre: Non-Fiction/Biography
Henry is a little boy who was born into slavery. While he was still a young boy his master died and he was sold to another man and separated from his mother. He worked hard for his new master, and when He got older he met a girl with whom he fell in love with. They got permission from their masters and got married. They were lucky because their masters let them live together even though they had different masters. Henry and his wife had three children, and they loved them very much. Henry's wife was worried because her master's business wasn't doing very well and she was afraid that the children would get sold. One day while Henry was working his friend came and told him that his wife and children had just been sold. He was devastated. He decided to try to get free. He burned his hands on purpose so that his master would let him stay home from work, then he got a white man who believed slavery was wrong to put him into a big crate and mail him North to freedom. It was a long hard trip, but Henry made it. From that day on he had the middle name of "Box."
I think all children should read this book. It teaches how slavery ruined lives and that discrimination against race is wrong, which I believe is important to learn at a young age.
Problems this book could cause: I'm afraid this book might convince children to get a friend to help them mail themselves somewhere! That would be terrible.
My reaction: I thought this was a great biography. If no one had told me it was a true story I would have thought it was just a good fiction story
My rating: ****
A Single Shard
A Single Shard
Linda Sue Park
Clarion Books, 2001
Pages: 160
Reading Level: 9-12
Genre: Historical Fiction
Tree-ear is a boy who has grown up living with a man named Crane-man. Crane-Man raised him, and they enjoyed their life together very much. Most of their day is taken up with hunting for food, but one day Tree-ear discovers that if he hides in the trees, he can watch the potter min work. One day when Min doesn't come out to work when Tree-ear expects, Tree-Ear decides to get a closer look. He accidentally breaks one of the pieces of pottery, and Min catches him. In order to repay him, Tree-Ear offers to work for Min. Min accepts, much to Tree-Ears delight, and puts Tree-Ear to work. Tree-Ear, who thinks he is going to learn to make wonderful pottery, is actually put to work chopping wood and performing other menial tasks. After a while of this, he gets upset and asks Min when he is going to learn to make pottery. Min says never, for Tree-Ear is not his son. Tree-Ear is devastated. Around this same time, the emperors assistant comes to town to find a potter to give a commission to. He chooses a different potter, who has discovered a new way to inlay designs in his pottery. The commissioner asks Min to make a piece of pottery with the new kind of inlay and bring it to the capital, but Min says he is too old. Then Tree-Ear volunteers. They make a special basket for the pottery, and Tree-Ear starts on his way. He is almost there when he is attacked by bandits. They are upset when he has no money, so they throw his pottery off a cliff. Tree-Ear gets to the bottom and find only a single shard that is intact. He decides to take the shard to the capital, even though it is probably hopeless. When he gets there, the emperors assistant is so impressed with the beauty of the shard, that he gives him the commission anyway, but to the surprise of everyone.
I think everyone would benefit from reading this book. I would recommend it to all, young and old, male and female.
This book makes living under a bridge look like fun. It might convince some children to run away and try to live on their own.
My reaction: I really really liked this book. I think it is wonderfully written.
My rating: *****
Love That Dog
Love That Dog
Sharon Creech
Harper Collins, 2001
Pages: 112
Reading Level: 9-12
Genre: Peotry
This story is from the perspective of a boy named Jack. It's as if you are reading a notebook that he has to write for a class. At the beginning, his teacher has asked everyone to write poems. He replies that he doesn't want to, and that poems are for girls. He also says that to him it seems as if poems are just normal words written in very short lines. His teacher gives him some inspiration, and he discovers that he likes poems and is actually kind of good at them. He really likes the poems of a man name Mr. Walter Dean Myers. Mr. Deans poems help Jack get his feelings out about his dog, Sky, who was hit by a car. He is so happy about his poem, that Jack invites Walter Dean Myers to his class... and guess what?! He comes!
I would recommend this book to children in Jr High. I think it would be a good way to get them re-interested in poetry.
I can't think of any problems or conflicts this poem could cause.
My reaction: I don't really like poems, but this one was still pretty good. I liked reading a poem that I didn't have to analyse after. But for some reason I have a hard time retaining what I erad when I read poems, even this one.
My rating: ***
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
A Year Down Yonder
A Year Down Yonder
Richard Peck
Dial, 2000
Pages: 130
Reading level: 9-12
Genre: Historical Fiction
Mary-Alice's family has been hit hard by the Great Depression, and her family can't afford to have Mary-Alice around for a while, so they send her off to Grandma Dowel's house. Mary-Alice is very afraid, because grandma is a very scary person. She is big and tall, and wears mens clothing. When Mary-Alice first gets their, she gets on the bad side of a bully, who demands a dollar from her. Mary-Alice doesn't have a dollar, so she takes the bully home to have grandma give her a dollar. When they get their, grandma is very nice and gives the bully food and talks to her really nice. Then while she is eating, grandma goes and unties the horse. It turns out that the horse was stolen, and grandma knew it would go back to it original home. Another time, grandma poured glue all over a boy who was trying to tip over her outhouse. Yet another time, she plowed into a neighbor's tree to knock the walnuts out so she could gather them for her pie. Although Grandma Dowel might see rough on the exterior, she had a gold heart. She is the only friend of a grumpy old man, she makes pies for community events, raises money for a poor family, and she saves money for Mary-Alice to go home for Christmas to see her family. Although at first Mary-Alice is afraid of Grandma, she soon sees this heart of gold, and starts to warm up to her. She realizes that Grandma Dowel doesn't do things without a reason. Mary-Alice starts to gain confidence around her grandmother and others. One day, she asks a boy whom she likes to help her with math, but when he comes over, a naked lady runs out from upstairs. Grandma had an artist renting a room from her, and he had asked a local lady to come pose nude for him. She did, but soon saw the snake grandma kept there to eat the mice, and fled. While the woman was running around screaming, grandma opened the door. The woman ran out, and grandma got her gun and let out a shot. This alerted the neighbors immediately. When asked why she did that, grandma said, "That's too good a show to keep to ourselves." Mary-Alice was devastated that this happened when the boy was over, but he was amused. He liked her grandma. When it was time for Mary-Alice to leave, she didn't want too. She liked living with Grandma. But grandma told her she needed to be with her family, and the boy told her he would write her while he was at college. Mary-Alice left, but many years later came back to be married to the boy in her Grandma's house.
I would recommend this book to everyone, because I feel it is an all-around good-read.
Problems: This book might allow people to believe that the sometimes rash and rude things that grandma does are okay for everyone to do.
My reaction: I liked this book. It was very creative and funny.
My rating: ****
Richard Peck
Dial, 2000
Pages: 130
Reading level: 9-12
Genre: Historical Fiction
Mary-Alice's family has been hit hard by the Great Depression, and her family can't afford to have Mary-Alice around for a while, so they send her off to Grandma Dowel's house. Mary-Alice is very afraid, because grandma is a very scary person. She is big and tall, and wears mens clothing. When Mary-Alice first gets their, she gets on the bad side of a bully, who demands a dollar from her. Mary-Alice doesn't have a dollar, so she takes the bully home to have grandma give her a dollar. When they get their, grandma is very nice and gives the bully food and talks to her really nice. Then while she is eating, grandma goes and unties the horse. It turns out that the horse was stolen, and grandma knew it would go back to it original home. Another time, grandma poured glue all over a boy who was trying to tip over her outhouse. Yet another time, she plowed into a neighbor's tree to knock the walnuts out so she could gather them for her pie. Although Grandma Dowel might see rough on the exterior, she had a gold heart. She is the only friend of a grumpy old man, she makes pies for community events, raises money for a poor family, and she saves money for Mary-Alice to go home for Christmas to see her family. Although at first Mary-Alice is afraid of Grandma, she soon sees this heart of gold, and starts to warm up to her. She realizes that Grandma Dowel doesn't do things without a reason. Mary-Alice starts to gain confidence around her grandmother and others. One day, she asks a boy whom she likes to help her with math, but when he comes over, a naked lady runs out from upstairs. Grandma had an artist renting a room from her, and he had asked a local lady to come pose nude for him. She did, but soon saw the snake grandma kept there to eat the mice, and fled. While the woman was running around screaming, grandma opened the door. The woman ran out, and grandma got her gun and let out a shot. This alerted the neighbors immediately. When asked why she did that, grandma said, "That's too good a show to keep to ourselves." Mary-Alice was devastated that this happened when the boy was over, but he was amused. He liked her grandma. When it was time for Mary-Alice to leave, she didn't want too. She liked living with Grandma. But grandma told her she needed to be with her family, and the boy told her he would write her while he was at college. Mary-Alice left, but many years later came back to be married to the boy in her Grandma's house.
I would recommend this book to everyone, because I feel it is an all-around good-read.
Problems: This book might allow people to believe that the sometimes rash and rude things that grandma does are okay for everyone to do.
My reaction: I liked this book. It was very creative and funny.
My rating: ****
Monday, March 15, 2010
Beauty
Beauty
Robin McKinley
Harper Collins, 1978
Pages:256
Reading Level: 9-12
Genre: Fantasy
This book is a retelling of the classic story The Beauty and the Beast. In this story, Beauty is not beautiful at all. In fact her real name is Honour, but she doesn't like it. She tells her father one day that she would rather be called Beauty, so from then on she was. She grew up to be a rather plain girl. She was small with big hands and feet, and a splotchy face and dull hair. One day, her father's ships came upon a terrible accident, and Beauty and her family were forced to leave their beautiful mansion and live in the country. The adjusted well. One day they got word that one of Father's ships may have returned. Father went to find out, and on the way back he got lost in the "enchanted" forest. He came upon the Beast's castle. He was well fed, his horse groomed, and sent on his way by invisible servants. On his way out, he decided to pick a rose for Beauty. It is then that the Beast showed himself. He was furious that Father stole a rose. He told him that in one months time, if either Father or one of his daughters didn't come to live with the Beast, that the Beast would come find him. Father told his daughters this, and Beauty volunteered. She went to live with the Beast. At first she thought he was terrible, and was disturbed by his continuous asking of her to marry him. But eventually she comes to enjoy his company, and starts to think of him as a good friend. One day she discovers that her sister's lost fiance, presumed to be dead, is alive. She begs the Beast to let her go tell her sister. The beast allows it, but tells her that if she isn't back in one week, that he will die. She goes, and is almost too late in coming back. The Beast appears to be dead. He starts to come back to life, and Beauty tells him that she will marry him. Then the beast transforms into a handsome prince. Beauty now thinks that he is to handsome for her, a plain girl. But the beast shows her that she too has changed over time, and that she is now beautiful. The get married and live happily ever after.
I would recommend this book to young girls. It teaches them to not worry if they aren't beautiful.
This book could cause children to believe that there is always going to be a happy ending in life. But this isn't always true.
My reaction: This has been my favorite required book so far. I think it was beautifully written, and tells a wonderful story.
My rating: *****
The Story of Ruby Bridges
The Story of Ruby Bridges
Robert Coles, Illustrated by George Ford
Scholastic Press, 1995
Pages: 32
Reading level: 4-8
Genre: Biography
This book is the true story about a girl named Ruby Bridges. Ruby Bridges was 6 years old when the court ordered desegregation in schools. Ruby was one of four children chosen to go to the previously all-white school. The other three went to the other nearby elementary school, while Ruby went by herself to another elementary school. Everyday she would walk with federal marshals to school. They protected her from all the mobs that gathered outside of the school everyday. Ruby was threatened many times, but managed to keep a brave face. Ruby went to school by herself. All the other boys and girl's parents took them out of school as a protest against Ruby being there. All the teachers except one left too. That one remaining teacher, who was from the North, agreed to teach Ruby Bridges. One day on her way to class, Ruby stopped on the fronts steps of the building. She was saying a prayer that God would forgive all the people. This made the people very mad. When her teacher asked her why she stopped, Ruby replied that she prayed every day, but had forgotten this morning until she got to the steps of the building. The next year, parents were tired of keeping their children home without an education. They realized that their children were the only ones being hurt by them not going to school. Eventually, the students and teachers came back, and the mobs dissipated.
I think that EVERYONE should read this book, not just children. This book would be good for adults too. It teaches tolerance and acceptance, which everyone needs to know.
This book could make children angry about how Ruby Bridges was treated by the white people.
My reaction: This book is wonderful. It teaches a great lesson, and the pictures are beautiful!
My Rating: *****
Children Just Like Me
Children Just Like Me
Kindersley, Anabel and Barnabas
DK Chilren, 1995
Pages: 80
Reading Level: 9-12
Genre: Non-Fiction
This book teaches us about the lives of children all around the world. There are children from France, America, Africa, Canada, Poland, Hungary, Greece, and many many more. It talks about each child's home, their family, what they like to do for fun, school, and other aspects of their lives. It shows us that even though we come from different places, we all have likes and dislikes, homes and families. The pictures are very interesting. One child in the book is Omar, from Mexico. Omar is 8 years old. He lives with his Mami and Papi, grandma, and brother. When he grows up he wants to play football and work with computers. His favorite food is a fruit called tuna. He likes to eat it with ice on hot days. He thinks it is very refreshing.
I would recommend this book to all children. It helps to understand differences in culture, which i think is important for children to gain at early ages.
I can't think of any problems this book could cause.
My reaction: I was surprised with how much I enjoyed this book. I didn't think I would because it is non-fiction, and I generally don't like non-fiction. This book was very well written.
My rating: ****
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
The Great Gilly Hopkins
The Great Gilly Hopkins
Katherine Patterson
Harper Collins, 1987
Pages: 160
Reading level: 9-12
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Gilly Hopkins is an eleven-year-old foster car child, who wants dearly for her mother to come and get her. She has been to a few different homes already, and it has taught her that to survive she needs to be tough. Then she gets sent to Trotters home. Trotter is unlike any foster mother Gilly has ever had. Trotter is fat, religious, and weird. At first Gilly hates her and the boy who live there. Gilly tries to manipulate Trotter, but Trotter isn't someone who can be manipulated, so Gilly bullies the little boy, William Earnest. She writes a letter to her mother, telling her how terrible things are, and to please come save her. In the meantime, Gilly devises a plan to get out on her own. She has her mothers address from a former letter, and decides to steal money and buy a train ticket to her mother. She steals from Trotter and the nice blind neighbor, Mr. Randolf. She is successful at stealing to money, but the man at the ticket office at the train station calls the police, and Gilly goes back with Trotter. Over time, Gilly starts warming up to Trotter and William Earnest. She even starts teaching the boy hoe to defend himself so he won't get teased anymore. When everyone in the house gets sick except Gilly, she becomes nursemaid. She realizes that she loves these people and wants them to get better. While Gilly is nursing everyone back to health, the house gets trashed. With all her taking care of the sick, she doesn't have time to clean, and Trotter is so sick she can't either. It is then that Gilly maternal grandmother shows up. Gilly's mother sent the letter about Gilly to her grandmother. Grandma sees the house in shambles, and is gets Gilly out. Gilly is devastated. It wasn't her grandmother she wanted, it was her mother! And besides, she doesn't want to leave anymore, because Trotter and William Earnest have become her family. But she has no choice, and has to go with Grandma. One day her grandma tells her her mother is coming, and Gilly is very excited. But when she arrives, it is not what Gilly expects. It turns out her mother really doesn't want her. Gilly thinks about running away, but her time with Trotter taught her that she can't just run away from her problems, so she stays with her grandmother.
I would recommend this book to children in the foster care system.
This book could cause children to think that it is "cool" to not try hard in school, and to be disrespectful.
My reaction: I LOVED this book. It is a wonderful book
My rating: *****
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Star Girl
Star Girl
Jerry Spinelli
Dell Laurel-leaf, 2000
Pages: 186
Reading Level: 9-12
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Leo is a high school boy. One day a girl named Stargirl moves in, and she is very very different. She sings happy birthday with her ukulele to people during lunch. She cheers for both teams, and does other strange things. At first, her strangeness makes her popular, but when the basketball team starts losing, they blame it on stargirl because she was rooting for both teams. She becomes very unpopular. Meanwhile, Leo has fallen in love with her. He personally feels the repercussions of startgirls unpopularity, and he tries to change her. It fails miserably, and all it achieves is making stargirl feel terrible about herself. She goes back to being herself, which makes Leo terribly mad. Stargirl ends up going to the dance by herself, where people start liking her again for who she is. But then one of the girls, who still doesn't like her, slaps her. Stargirl kisses her on the cheek in return, leaves, and never comes back. Leo ends up devastated.
I would recommend this book to middle-schoolers, especially if they feel like they don't fit in.
I think this book could show kids that it is okay to run away from problems like stargirl does in the end, which would be a problem.
My reaction: I loved this book, except for the ending.
My rating: ****
Jerry Spinelli
Dell Laurel-leaf, 2000
Pages: 186
Reading Level: 9-12
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Leo is a high school boy. One day a girl named Stargirl moves in, and she is very very different. She sings happy birthday with her ukulele to people during lunch. She cheers for both teams, and does other strange things. At first, her strangeness makes her popular, but when the basketball team starts losing, they blame it on stargirl because she was rooting for both teams. She becomes very unpopular. Meanwhile, Leo has fallen in love with her. He personally feels the repercussions of startgirls unpopularity, and he tries to change her. It fails miserably, and all it achieves is making stargirl feel terrible about herself. She goes back to being herself, which makes Leo terribly mad. Stargirl ends up going to the dance by herself, where people start liking her again for who she is. But then one of the girls, who still doesn't like her, slaps her. Stargirl kisses her on the cheek in return, leaves, and never comes back. Leo ends up devastated.
I would recommend this book to middle-schoolers, especially if they feel like they don't fit in.
I think this book could show kids that it is okay to run away from problems like stargirl does in the end, which would be a problem.
My reaction: I loved this book, except for the ending.
My rating: ****
Friday, February 12, 2010
The Princess on the Glass Hill
The Princess on the Glass Hill (From The Worlds Best Fairy Tales)
(Also read East of the Sun and West of the Moon, The Tree Billy Goats Gruff, and The Master-Smith)
By Peter Charles Asbjornsen
Readers Digest Assoc., 1967
Pages: 5
Reading Level: 9-12
Genre: Fairy Tale
This story is about a poor boy, with two older brothers. Once a year, the boy's family crops get eaten up, and they want to figure out why. So the father sends out the boy's eldest brother, who goes and watches at night, but there is an earthquake and he gets scared and runs away. The next year the father sends the next oldest son, who also gets scared away by an earthquake. The third year, the youngest son goes, and the earthquake does not scare him away. He sees a horse with a bronze suit of armor eating the crops. He captures the horse, and the next year he finds a horse with silver eating the crops. He capture this one also, and the third year he captures a horse with gold armor. A little while later, the king decrees that he is going to put his daughter at the top of a glass hill, and whoever can ride his horse up and get her and the three golden apple she holds will marry her and have half of the kingdom. On the first day no one can ride up the glass hill, but the boy goes and gets the horse with the bronze armor, and rides half-way up the hill. The princess is so impressed that she throws one of the golden apples at him and it rolls into his shoe. The second day he rides the silver horse two-thirds up the hill and then turns around again, and the princess again throws a golden apple at him. The third day he rides the golden horse all the way to the top and gets the third apple. Later he takes all the apples to the king and tell him that he rode to the top. The poor boy gets to marry the princess and owns half the kingdom.
I think that all children would benefit from this book. It shows them that if they are brave and try hard, that they can succeed.
I can't see this book causing any real problem, except that maybe they will start throwing apples :)
My reaction: This story was okay, not my favorite, but not bad either.
My rating: ***
(Also read East of the Sun and West of the Moon, The Tree Billy Goats Gruff, and The Master-Smith)
By Peter Charles Asbjornsen
Readers Digest Assoc., 1967
Pages: 5
Reading Level: 9-12
Genre: Fairy Tale
This story is about a poor boy, with two older brothers. Once a year, the boy's family crops get eaten up, and they want to figure out why. So the father sends out the boy's eldest brother, who goes and watches at night, but there is an earthquake and he gets scared and runs away. The next year the father sends the next oldest son, who also gets scared away by an earthquake. The third year, the youngest son goes, and the earthquake does not scare him away. He sees a horse with a bronze suit of armor eating the crops. He captures the horse, and the next year he finds a horse with silver eating the crops. He capture this one also, and the third year he captures a horse with gold armor. A little while later, the king decrees that he is going to put his daughter at the top of a glass hill, and whoever can ride his horse up and get her and the three golden apple she holds will marry her and have half of the kingdom. On the first day no one can ride up the glass hill, but the boy goes and gets the horse with the bronze armor, and rides half-way up the hill. The princess is so impressed that she throws one of the golden apples at him and it rolls into his shoe. The second day he rides the silver horse two-thirds up the hill and then turns around again, and the princess again throws a golden apple at him. The third day he rides the golden horse all the way to the top and gets the third apple. Later he takes all the apples to the king and tell him that he rode to the top. The poor boy gets to marry the princess and owns half the kingdom.
I think that all children would benefit from this book. It shows them that if they are brave and try hard, that they can succeed.
I can't see this book causing any real problem, except that maybe they will start throwing apples :)
My reaction: This story was okay, not my favorite, but not bad either.
My rating: ***
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Blue Beard
Blue Beard (From The World's Best Fairy Tales)
(Also read Puss in Boots, Sleeping Beauty, and Cinderella)
Charles Perrault
The Readers Digest Assoc., 1967
Pages: 7
Reading Level: 9-12
Genre: Fairy Tale
Blue Beard is a man with a blue beard. Because of this odd beard, he was considered very ugly. He wanted a girl to be his wife, but she said no, so Blue Beard invited her and her mother and friends to his castle where they played and had fun. After this, the girl agreed to marry him. She enjoyed herself with her new finery. One day Blue Beard had to leave, and he gave his wife all of his keys. He told her she could use all of them but one. Then he left. When he left, his wife became so curious that she went and opened the cupboard that the forbidden key opened. Inside were the corpses of Blue Beards previous wives. She was so scared. When Blue Beard found out, he was going to kill her, but her brothers came just in time and killed Blue Beard. The woman became very rich with Blue Beards money, and found a nice husband.
I would recommend this book to older children and adults.
This book condones disobedience. Children could think that if they do something they were told not to do, that they won't have consequences.
My reaction: This fairy tale was better than some of the others I have read. I liked it.
My rating: ***
(Also read Puss in Boots, Sleeping Beauty, and Cinderella)
Charles Perrault
The Readers Digest Assoc., 1967
Pages: 7
Reading Level: 9-12
Genre: Fairy Tale
Blue Beard is a man with a blue beard. Because of this odd beard, he was considered very ugly. He wanted a girl to be his wife, but she said no, so Blue Beard invited her and her mother and friends to his castle where they played and had fun. After this, the girl agreed to marry him. She enjoyed herself with her new finery. One day Blue Beard had to leave, and he gave his wife all of his keys. He told her she could use all of them but one. Then he left. When he left, his wife became so curious that she went and opened the cupboard that the forbidden key opened. Inside were the corpses of Blue Beards previous wives. She was so scared. When Blue Beard found out, he was going to kill her, but her brothers came just in time and killed Blue Beard. The woman became very rich with Blue Beards money, and found a nice husband.
I would recommend this book to older children and adults.
This book condones disobedience. Children could think that if they do something they were told not to do, that they won't have consequences.
My reaction: This fairy tale was better than some of the others I have read. I liked it.
My rating: ***
Fairy Ointment
Fairy Ointment
(I also read Tom Tit Tot, The Rose Tree, and Jack and His Golden-Snuff Box)
By Joseph Jacobs
http://www.authorama.com/english-fairy-tales-43.html
Philipp Lenssen, 2003
Pages: 2
Reading level: 4-8
Genre: Fairy Tale
One day Dame Goody, who was a nurse and babysitter, was asked by a squinty old man if she would come watch his baby while his wife was ill. She agreed, and he took her to his house. The mother gave the baby to Dame Goody, and told her to put ointment on both of his eyelids when he opened his eyes. She did so, but when no one was looking she put some on her right eye. As soon as she did it, everything around her became much more beautiful, except for the rest of the children and the husband, who looked like imps. The woman told no one, and when the mother was better, Dame Goody went home. A few days later when she was at the market, she saw the man. She went and said hello, and the old man was shocked that she could see him, for she shouldn't have been able to. He asked her which eye she could see him with, and she said the right. Then the old man, poked out her right eye, and she was blind forever.
I would not recommend this book to anyone.
After hearing this Tale, children might be tempted to poke out someone's eye, which would definitely be a problem.
My reaction: I didn't really like this tale. The good woman ends up blind for her entire life, with no compensation!
Rating:**
(I also read Tom Tit Tot, The Rose Tree, and Jack and His Golden-Snuff Box)
By Joseph Jacobs
http://www.authorama.com/english-fairy-tales-43.html
Philipp Lenssen, 2003
Pages: 2
Reading level: 4-8
Genre: Fairy Tale
One day Dame Goody, who was a nurse and babysitter, was asked by a squinty old man if she would come watch his baby while his wife was ill. She agreed, and he took her to his house. The mother gave the baby to Dame Goody, and told her to put ointment on both of his eyelids when he opened his eyes. She did so, but when no one was looking she put some on her right eye. As soon as she did it, everything around her became much more beautiful, except for the rest of the children and the husband, who looked like imps. The woman told no one, and when the mother was better, Dame Goody went home. A few days later when she was at the market, she saw the man. She went and said hello, and the old man was shocked that she could see him, for she shouldn't have been able to. He asked her which eye she could see him with, and she said the right. Then the old man, poked out her right eye, and she was blind forever.
I would not recommend this book to anyone.
After hearing this Tale, children might be tempted to poke out someone's eye, which would definitely be a problem.
My reaction: I didn't really like this tale. The good woman ends up blind for her entire life, with no compensation!
Rating:**
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Dr. Know-It-All
Dr. Know-It-All (From The World's Best Fairy Tales)
(I also read Jorinda and Joringel, One Eye, Two Eyes, and Three Eyes, and Rapunzel)
By the Grimm Brothers
The Reader's Digest Assoc., 1967
Pages: 8
Reading Level: 9-12
Genre: Fairy Tale
The mian character in this story is a poor, poor peseant. One day, he sees a doctor eating a feast. The poor man wants to become a doctor so that he can be rich and eat fine foods too, so he asks the doctor what he needs to do to become a doctor. The man tells him to sell what little he has and buy some fine clothes and and medicines and a sign that says "Dr. Know-It-All." The poor man does it, and one day a rich noble man comes in. He tells him that if he really knows everything, he can tell him who stole his money. He invites the "doctor" to his house for dinner. When the servant brings out the first course, the doctor says to his wife, "This is the first." The servant thinks the doctor is labeling him as a thief...which he was, along with the other 4 servants. The servants are scared that the doctor knows what they did, so they confess where the gold is. The doctor tells the noble man where the gold is, who in turn makes the doctor rich.
I would recommend this book to any children
This book condones lying and stealing, and could make children think that these things are okay.
My reaction: This book is okay, not as gruesome as some other Grimm books
My rating: ***
(I also read Jorinda and Joringel, One Eye, Two Eyes, and Three Eyes, and Rapunzel)
By the Grimm Brothers
The Reader's Digest Assoc., 1967
Pages: 8
Reading Level: 9-12
Genre: Fairy Tale
The mian character in this story is a poor, poor peseant. One day, he sees a doctor eating a feast. The poor man wants to become a doctor so that he can be rich and eat fine foods too, so he asks the doctor what he needs to do to become a doctor. The man tells him to sell what little he has and buy some fine clothes and and medicines and a sign that says "Dr. Know-It-All." The poor man does it, and one day a rich noble man comes in. He tells him that if he really knows everything, he can tell him who stole his money. He invites the "doctor" to his house for dinner. When the servant brings out the first course, the doctor says to his wife, "This is the first." The servant thinks the doctor is labeling him as a thief...which he was, along with the other 4 servants. The servants are scared that the doctor knows what they did, so they confess where the gold is. The doctor tells the noble man where the gold is, who in turn makes the doctor rich.
I would recommend this book to any children
This book condones lying and stealing, and could make children think that these things are okay.
My reaction: This book is okay, not as gruesome as some other Grimm books
My rating: ***
Monday, February 8, 2010
Icefire
Icefire
Chris D'Lacey
Orchard Books, 2006
Pages: 432
Reading Level: 9-12
Genre: Fantasy
In Icefire, David has been living with Liz and Lucy for a while. At the beginning of the story, David names a wishing dragon that Lucy is making. Because he named it, the dragon belongs to him. David makes a wish to know the whereabouts of the last fire tear. As soon as he wishes, "Aunty Gwenoth" shows up at the door. Aunty Gwenoth also wants the fire tear, and for some reason she has something to do with David finding the fire tear. David's prefessor also knows that dragons exist. He teaches David about polar bears, and that they have a lot to do with the fire tear. Throughout the story, David learns that Aunty Gwenoth is actually an evil lady, and he thwarts her plans to create and keep a new dragon. The baby dragon is born, but is given instead to a friend of Davids who has been helping throughout. David needs to go with the teacher to the artic to look for the tear. Aunty Gwenoth, thinking she is helping herself, bespells a publisher to publish David's book on squirrels, with the promise that he will write one on polar bears. So David gets enough money to go to the artic.
I think any fantasy lover would benefit from this book
This book condones cheating on significant others. At one point while Davids girlfriend is gone, he kisses this other girl. Then his girlfriend gets back and there are no consequences and everything works out for the better for David. It is unrealistic.
My reaction: I really enjoyed this book
My rating: ****
Chris D'Lacey
Orchard Books, 2006
Pages: 432
Reading Level: 9-12
Genre: Fantasy
In Icefire, David has been living with Liz and Lucy for a while. At the beginning of the story, David names a wishing dragon that Lucy is making. Because he named it, the dragon belongs to him. David makes a wish to know the whereabouts of the last fire tear. As soon as he wishes, "Aunty Gwenoth" shows up at the door. Aunty Gwenoth also wants the fire tear, and for some reason she has something to do with David finding the fire tear. David's prefessor also knows that dragons exist. He teaches David about polar bears, and that they have a lot to do with the fire tear. Throughout the story, David learns that Aunty Gwenoth is actually an evil lady, and he thwarts her plans to create and keep a new dragon. The baby dragon is born, but is given instead to a friend of Davids who has been helping throughout. David needs to go with the teacher to the artic to look for the tear. Aunty Gwenoth, thinking she is helping herself, bespells a publisher to publish David's book on squirrels, with the promise that he will write one on polar bears. So David gets enough money to go to the artic.
I think any fantasy lover would benefit from this book
This book condones cheating on significant others. At one point while Davids girlfriend is gone, he kisses this other girl. Then his girlfriend gets back and there are no consequences and everything works out for the better for David. It is unrealistic.
My reaction: I really enjoyed this book
My rating: ****
The Fire Within
The Fire Within
Chris D'Lacey
Scholastic Paperbacks, 2007
Pages: 352
Reading Level: 9-12
Genre: Fantasy
David is a college student, who moves in with Liz, and her daughter Lucy. Liz makes clay dragons for a living, and she gives one to David as a house-warming gift. Lucy realy like squirrels. She wants to save one squirrel whose eye is missing. She convinces David to help. She also convinces David to write a story about it. While writing his story, he sees his dragon, Gadzooks, writing something. David eventually learns that dragons are real and that Liz is putting a little bit of dragon fire in each clay dragon, causing them to come to live. With the help of Gadzooks, David writes his story (BEFORE it happens), and helps save the squirrel.
I would recommend this book to any children, young adults, or adults. I'm 21 and I loved it :)
I don't see this book causing any problems
My reaction: I thought this was a god book. It tied reality and fantasy together in a very realistc way
My rating: ****
Chris D'Lacey
Scholastic Paperbacks, 2007
Pages: 352
Reading Level: 9-12
Genre: Fantasy
David is a college student, who moves in with Liz, and her daughter Lucy. Liz makes clay dragons for a living, and she gives one to David as a house-warming gift. Lucy realy like squirrels. She wants to save one squirrel whose eye is missing. She convinces David to help. She also convinces David to write a story about it. While writing his story, he sees his dragon, Gadzooks, writing something. David eventually learns that dragons are real and that Liz is putting a little bit of dragon fire in each clay dragon, causing them to come to live. With the help of Gadzooks, David writes his story (BEFORE it happens), and helps save the squirrel.
I would recommend this book to any children, young adults, or adults. I'm 21 and I loved it :)
I don't see this book causing any problems
My reaction: I thought this was a god book. It tied reality and fantasy together in a very realistc way
My rating: ****
Shortcut
Shortcut
Donald Crews
Mulberry Books, 1996
Pages: 32
Reading Level: 32
Genre: Picture Book
A group a children is heading home from school one day, and they decide to take the shortcut. This shortcut is actually a railroad track. They listen and look, and don't see a train, so they continue. The children are playing around and having fun, so no one hears the soft "Choo choo" in the distance. Suddenly, the train is close, and the children have to jump into the briars and snake-filled (they think) water to avoid being hit. After the train passes, they climb out and are so scared they go back to the safe pass and never take the shortcut again.
I would recommend this book to children who live near a railroad
I can't think of any problems this bok could cause.
My reaction: I think this is a good way to teach children about the dangers of trains
My rating: ***
Donald Crews
Mulberry Books, 1996
Pages: 32
Reading Level: 32
Genre: Picture Book
A group a children is heading home from school one day, and they decide to take the shortcut. This shortcut is actually a railroad track. They listen and look, and don't see a train, so they continue. The children are playing around and having fun, so no one hears the soft "Choo choo" in the distance. Suddenly, the train is close, and the children have to jump into the briars and snake-filled (they think) water to avoid being hit. After the train passes, they climb out and are so scared they go back to the safe pass and never take the shortcut again.
I would recommend this book to children who live near a railroad
I can't think of any problems this bok could cause.
My reaction: I think this is a good way to teach children about the dangers of trains
My rating: ***
WIlly's Silly Grandma
Willy's Silly Grandma
Cynthia DeFelice Illustrated by Shelly Jackson
Orchard Books, 1997
Pages: 28
Reading level: 9-12
Genre: Picture Book
Willy's Grandma is superstitious, and Willy doesn't believe any of the things that she says. She tells him things like if he sings before breakfast he'll be crying before dinner. Willy tells his dad that grandma is silly, and his dad tells him not to call grandma silly, because when it comes to things that matter, she knows a lot. Willy doesn't believe him, so whenever grandma tells him not to do something, he does it anyway. One day she tells him not to walk at the swamp at night, so something will give him a fright. So Willy goes out to the swamp at night, and this time the bogeyman yells at him. He runs home screaming, but grandma tells him it is just a willow tree and the wind. Because grandma knows the things that matter.
I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone
This book could cause children to think that it is okay to not do the things that their parents and teachers tell them to do, and everything will still be alright. It condones disobedience.
My reaction: I did not like this book
My rating: *
Cynthia DeFelice Illustrated by Shelly Jackson
Orchard Books, 1997
Pages: 28
Reading level: 9-12
Genre: Picture Book
Willy's Grandma is superstitious, and Willy doesn't believe any of the things that she says. She tells him things like if he sings before breakfast he'll be crying before dinner. Willy tells his dad that grandma is silly, and his dad tells him not to call grandma silly, because when it comes to things that matter, she knows a lot. Willy doesn't believe him, so whenever grandma tells him not to do something, he does it anyway. One day she tells him not to walk at the swamp at night, so something will give him a fright. So Willy goes out to the swamp at night, and this time the bogeyman yells at him. He runs home screaming, but grandma tells him it is just a willow tree and the wind. Because grandma knows the things that matter.
I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone
This book could cause children to think that it is okay to not do the things that their parents and teachers tell them to do, and everything will still be alright. It condones disobedience.
My reaction: I did not like this book
My rating: *
The Snow Queen
The Snow Queen
(Note: For Andersen I also read The Emperors New Clothes, The Red Shoes, and The Streadfast Tin Soldier)
Hans Christian Andersen Retold by Amy Ehrlich Illustrated by Susan Jeffers
Dutton Children's Books, 1982
Pages: 40
Reading Level: 9-12
Genre: Fairy Tale
The tale starts out telling us that long ago there were some trolls who made a mirror which made everything pretty look ugly, one day it shattered and its pieces fell around the world. If a tiny piece got in your eye, you would see ugly things instead of pretty ones. If a piece touched your heart, your heart became cold and you became cruel. One day a little boy gets a piece in his eye and heart. He becomes rude to his best friend, who is a girl. One day the boy gets picked up by the evil ice queen and she takes him to her castle. The girl is upset, and sets out to find him. He gets trapped at a witches house for a while, but eventually gets free. Then she goes to a castle, but doesn't find him. Then she gets picked up by some robbers, who end up giving her a reindeer who gives her a ride to the snowqueens castle. She finds her friends, and warms up his heart. He is so ahppy to see her that he starts crying and washes out the mirror pieve from his eye, and they leave the castle and go home and get married.
I would recommend this book to girls, because it shows that they can be brave and can do things on their own.
This book could cause children to think it is okay to be rude, because the little boy is very rude, and the little girl still tries to save him.
My reaction: This tale was okay, but not my favorite. It wasn't as gruesome as some of Andersens other stories, which is good.
My rating: ***
(Note: For Andersen I also read The Emperors New Clothes, The Red Shoes, and The Streadfast Tin Soldier)
Hans Christian Andersen Retold by Amy Ehrlich Illustrated by Susan Jeffers
Dutton Children's Books, 1982
Pages: 40
Reading Level: 9-12
Genre: Fairy Tale
The tale starts out telling us that long ago there were some trolls who made a mirror which made everything pretty look ugly, one day it shattered and its pieces fell around the world. If a tiny piece got in your eye, you would see ugly things instead of pretty ones. If a piece touched your heart, your heart became cold and you became cruel. One day a little boy gets a piece in his eye and heart. He becomes rude to his best friend, who is a girl. One day the boy gets picked up by the evil ice queen and she takes him to her castle. The girl is upset, and sets out to find him. He gets trapped at a witches house for a while, but eventually gets free. Then she goes to a castle, but doesn't find him. Then she gets picked up by some robbers, who end up giving her a reindeer who gives her a ride to the snowqueens castle. She finds her friends, and warms up his heart. He is so ahppy to see her that he starts crying and washes out the mirror pieve from his eye, and they leave the castle and go home and get married.
I would recommend this book to girls, because it shows that they can be brave and can do things on their own.
This book could cause children to think it is okay to be rude, because the little boy is very rude, and the little girl still tries to save him.
My reaction: This tale was okay, but not my favorite. It wasn't as gruesome as some of Andersens other stories, which is good.
My rating: ***
Wilma Unlimted
Wilma Unlimited
Kathleen Krull Illustrated by David Diaz
Harcourt Brace & Company, 1996
Pages: 48
Reading Level: 4-8
Genre: Nonfiction, Biography
Wilma Rudolph was born very small. She was only four pounds, and in 1940, babies didn't usually live. But Wilma did. However, she was very very sick. She had 22 brothers and sisters, and whenever one of them got only a little sick, she would get it twice as bad. One time when she was sick, she got polio which cripped her leg. She wasn't supposed to be able to walk again, but she worked very hard. One day she took her brace off, and decided she wasn't going to wear it anymore. She practiced walking, and one day got good enough to run and play basketball. She played ball in high school, and at a state tournament a track coach saw her run and asked to to come run on his team. Wilma was the first in her family to go to college. She eventually made it to the olympics, where she won 3 gold medals.
I would recommend this book to people with physical disabilities who are feeling down.
I can't see this book causing any problems
My reaction: I was moved by this book. It made me realize that if Wilma could win the olympics, then I can do anything.
My rating: ****
Kathleen Krull Illustrated by David Diaz
Harcourt Brace & Company, 1996
Pages: 48
Reading Level: 4-8
Genre: Nonfiction, Biography
Wilma Rudolph was born very small. She was only four pounds, and in 1940, babies didn't usually live. But Wilma did. However, she was very very sick. She had 22 brothers and sisters, and whenever one of them got only a little sick, she would get it twice as bad. One time when she was sick, she got polio which cripped her leg. She wasn't supposed to be able to walk again, but she worked very hard. One day she took her brace off, and decided she wasn't going to wear it anymore. She practiced walking, and one day got good enough to run and play basketball. She played ball in high school, and at a state tournament a track coach saw her run and asked to to come run on his team. Wilma was the first in her family to go to college. She eventually made it to the olympics, where she won 3 gold medals.
I would recommend this book to people with physical disabilities who are feeling down.
I can't see this book causing any problems
My reaction: I was moved by this book. It made me realize that if Wilma could win the olympics, then I can do anything.
My rating: ****
The Wright Brothers
The Wright Brothers
By Pamela Duncan Edwards Illustrated by Henry Cole
Hyperion Books for Children, 2003
Pages: 30
Reading level: 4-8
Genre: Non-Fiction
This book is a creative way to teach kids about the Wright brothers. The main text is similar to There was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly, in the sense that it keeps building upon itself. But the details of what is happening is provided by three little mice on each page. The Wright brothers became curious about flying because of a toy they had as children that flew through the air. As they got older, they opened their own bike shop where they designed bikes. They continued to make more planes. They observed how some buzzards were flying, and built the planes wings to match the buzzards. It worked, but they could only fly straight. They built theie own wind tunnel and engine, and finnally invented the first airplane in 1903.
I woulod reccomend this book to young children, especially if they had big imaginations.
I can't see this book causing any problems
I liked this book. The author makes it very interesting and gives the book a beat.
My rating: ***
By Pamela Duncan Edwards Illustrated by Henry Cole
Hyperion Books for Children, 2003
Pages: 30
Reading level: 4-8
Genre: Non-Fiction
This book is a creative way to teach kids about the Wright brothers. The main text is similar to There was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly, in the sense that it keeps building upon itself. But the details of what is happening is provided by three little mice on each page. The Wright brothers became curious about flying because of a toy they had as children that flew through the air. As they got older, they opened their own bike shop where they designed bikes. They continued to make more planes. They observed how some buzzards were flying, and built the planes wings to match the buzzards. It worked, but they could only fly straight. They built theie own wind tunnel and engine, and finnally invented the first airplane in 1903.
I woulod reccomend this book to young children, especially if they had big imaginations.
I can't see this book causing any problems
I liked this book. The author makes it very interesting and gives the book a beat.
My rating: ***
Sunday, February 7, 2010
And to Think That I Saw it On Mulberry Street
And to Think That I Saw it On Mulberry Street
Dr. Seuss
Vangaurd Press, 1937
Pages: 40
Reading Level: 4-8
Genre: Picture Book
This book is about a young boy who's father asks him everyday what he saw walking home from school. This day there is only a little cart being pulled by a mule. He decides that isn't good enough, so he starts making up more things, starting with a zebra instead of a mule. Then he starting adding sleighs and elephants, and ends up with a whole parade and a prince and the police as an escort. He runs in the house to tell his father about all these things, and ends up just telling him the truth.
I would reccomend this book to children of all ages, but to the younger ones in particular. Also, I was reading this to a little autistic boy i work with, and he wanted me to read it again and again, and he does NOT like reading, so i think tyhis book would be especially good for kids who need to gain a loove for reading.
I don't see this book causing any problems, it actually teaches kids to NOT lie to their parents.
My reaction: This is a great book. Has a wonderful beat.
My rating: ****
Dr. Seuss
Vangaurd Press, 1937
Pages: 40
Reading Level: 4-8
Genre: Picture Book
This book is about a young boy who's father asks him everyday what he saw walking home from school. This day there is only a little cart being pulled by a mule. He decides that isn't good enough, so he starts making up more things, starting with a zebra instead of a mule. Then he starting adding sleighs and elephants, and ends up with a whole parade and a prince and the police as an escort. He runs in the house to tell his father about all these things, and ends up just telling him the truth.
I would reccomend this book to children of all ages, but to the younger ones in particular. Also, I was reading this to a little autistic boy i work with, and he wanted me to read it again and again, and he does NOT like reading, so i think tyhis book would be especially good for kids who need to gain a loove for reading.
I don't see this book causing any problems, it actually teaches kids to NOT lie to their parents.
My reaction: This is a great book. Has a wonderful beat.
My rating: ****
Friday, February 5, 2010
Corduroy
Corduroy
Don Freeman
Viking Juvenile, 1968
Pages: 28
Reading Level: 2-5
Genre: Picture Book
Corduroy is a little teddy bear in a store. He wants very much to be bought and taken home. One day a little girl sees him and wants to have him, but her mother says she isn't going to spend any more money, and that she doesn't want to buy a little bear missing a button. Corduroy didn't know he was missing a button until then, so that night he starts exploring the store to find a button. He tries to take the ones that are on the mattresses, but they won't come off, and he ends up knocking over a lamp. The next morning, the little girl comes back with the money from her piggy bank and buys him and takes him home, where she replaces his button. Corduroy is very happy, because he has always wanted a home.
I would reccommend this book to young children who are just learning to read.
I can't see this book causing any problems
My reaction: I liked this book. It teaches that the home is a happy, safe place.
My rating: ****
Don Freeman
Viking Juvenile, 1968
Pages: 28
Reading Level: 2-5
Genre: Picture Book
Corduroy is a little teddy bear in a store. He wants very much to be bought and taken home. One day a little girl sees him and wants to have him, but her mother says she isn't going to spend any more money, and that she doesn't want to buy a little bear missing a button. Corduroy didn't know he was missing a button until then, so that night he starts exploring the store to find a button. He tries to take the ones that are on the mattresses, but they won't come off, and he ends up knocking over a lamp. The next morning, the little girl comes back with the money from her piggy bank and buys him and takes him home, where she replaces his button. Corduroy is very happy, because he has always wanted a home.
I would reccommend this book to young children who are just learning to read.
I can't see this book causing any problems
My reaction: I liked this book. It teaches that the home is a happy, safe place.
My rating: ****
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Animorphs: The Encounter
Animorphs: The Encounter
K.A. Applegate
Scholastic Inc, 1996
Pages: 157
Reading level: 9-12
Genre: Science Fiction
Each of the Animorph books is narrated by one of the five children who are the animorphs. In this book, it is Tobias. Tobais is a Hawk, because in one of the previous books he didn't morph back to human in time and now is a hawk forever. While he is flying one day, he sees a shimmer in the air, and discovers that it is a huge yeerk ship. This ship is in a forest in the mountains sucking up water and oxygen to take up to it's main ship in space. The children decide that if they can get inside the ship and take out its cloaking device, that the world would see it and become aware of what was going on. They decide to go up the mountain as wolves, and nearly all get stuck in that form. They barely make it out in time. Then they morph into fish and let themselves get sucked up into the ship. They end up getting trapped inside! The Yeerks discover that Tobias is an animorph, and to keep from getting shot by a dracon beam, which would disinegrate him, he lands on the ship because he knows they wouldn't dare shoot and miss and hit the ship. Then he steals a gun and shoots a hole in the ship and takes out a helicopter and frees his friends. They all escape, and the Yeerks see a hawk who looks similar and they kill it, thinking it was Tobias. The animorphs are once again safe.
I would recommend this book to children who feel lonely. It proves that even if you are alone, you can be great.
This book could condone shooting.
My reaction: I liked this book. It is very creative
My rating: ****
K.A. Applegate
Scholastic Inc, 1996
Pages: 157
Reading level: 9-12
Genre: Science Fiction
Each of the Animorph books is narrated by one of the five children who are the animorphs. In this book, it is Tobias. Tobais is a Hawk, because in one of the previous books he didn't morph back to human in time and now is a hawk forever. While he is flying one day, he sees a shimmer in the air, and discovers that it is a huge yeerk ship. This ship is in a forest in the mountains sucking up water and oxygen to take up to it's main ship in space. The children decide that if they can get inside the ship and take out its cloaking device, that the world would see it and become aware of what was going on. They decide to go up the mountain as wolves, and nearly all get stuck in that form. They barely make it out in time. Then they morph into fish and let themselves get sucked up into the ship. They end up getting trapped inside! The Yeerks discover that Tobias is an animorph, and to keep from getting shot by a dracon beam, which would disinegrate him, he lands on the ship because he knows they wouldn't dare shoot and miss and hit the ship. Then he steals a gun and shoots a hole in the ship and takes out a helicopter and frees his friends. They all escape, and the Yeerks see a hawk who looks similar and they kill it, thinking it was Tobias. The animorphs are once again safe.
I would recommend this book to children who feel lonely. It proves that even if you are alone, you can be great.
This book could condone shooting.
My reaction: I liked this book. It is very creative
My rating: ****
The Foot Book
The Foot Book
Dr. Suess
Random House, 1968
Pages: 26
Reading level: 4-8
Genre: Picture book
This book is about all kinds of feet. Although it is about feet, it mainly teaches about opposites. It shows us wet feet, dry feet, low feet, high feet. Also slow, fast, trick, and sick. It rhymes very well and has a great beat.
I would reccomend this book to young children. It says ages 4-8, but I would read it to even younger children, even 1-3 year-olds.
I can't think of any problems this book might cause.
My reaction: I liked this book. I read it to a little boy I work with everyday, and it seemed to be calming to him.
My rating: ****
Dr. Suess
Random House, 1968
Pages: 26
Reading level: 4-8
Genre: Picture book
This book is about all kinds of feet. Although it is about feet, it mainly teaches about opposites. It shows us wet feet, dry feet, low feet, high feet. Also slow, fast, trick, and sick. It rhymes very well and has a great beat.
I would reccomend this book to young children. It says ages 4-8, but I would read it to even younger children, even 1-3 year-olds.
I can't think of any problems this book might cause.
My reaction: I liked this book. I read it to a little boy I work with everyday, and it seemed to be calming to him.
My rating: ****
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Bright Shadow
Bright Shadow
Avi
Scholastic Inc, 1985
Pages: 167
Reading Level: 6-8
Genre: Fantasy
Morwenna is a young girl who cleans the Kings Castle. One day she happens upon an old, dying man. She asks if there is anything she can do to help him. Instead of answering, he grabs her hand. He starts chanting. He gives her five wishes. There used to be a thousand wishes, but now there are only five. These wishes are more a curse than a blessing. She can't tell anyone about them, she can't use them on herself, and when she uses the last one, she will die. Well, she doesn't really understand what just happened, so she just goes on with her life. The King, who is very evil, decides he needs to find the wizard (old man) and kill him so that he doesn't help the people overthrow the King. He can't find the old man, since he is dead. Instead, the King blames Morwenna's best friend, Swen. The King tries to kill Swen twice, but Morwenna saves him with the wishes. Swen, who also wished he wasn't dying, believed that he really was the wizard! The two children run away, and run into a group of people trying to overthrow the King. They all believe that Swen in the wizard, come to save them from the King, but one man discovers that it is really Morwenna. He keeps her prisoner until they overthrow the King. In the process, she uses all here wishes but one, and Swen dies because Morwenna decides that she wants to live more than she wants Swen to live, so Swen dies. Then Morwenna goes to live alone until she dies.
I would not recommend this book to anyone
This book could make children think it is okay to not cherish their friends
My reaction: I did not like this book at all. In the end, the Heroine proves to be selfish and save herself.
My rating: *
Avi
Scholastic Inc, 1985
Pages: 167
Reading Level: 6-8
Genre: Fantasy
Morwenna is a young girl who cleans the Kings Castle. One day she happens upon an old, dying man. She asks if there is anything she can do to help him. Instead of answering, he grabs her hand. He starts chanting. He gives her five wishes. There used to be a thousand wishes, but now there are only five. These wishes are more a curse than a blessing. She can't tell anyone about them, she can't use them on herself, and when she uses the last one, she will die. Well, she doesn't really understand what just happened, so she just goes on with her life. The King, who is very evil, decides he needs to find the wizard (old man) and kill him so that he doesn't help the people overthrow the King. He can't find the old man, since he is dead. Instead, the King blames Morwenna's best friend, Swen. The King tries to kill Swen twice, but Morwenna saves him with the wishes. Swen, who also wished he wasn't dying, believed that he really was the wizard! The two children run away, and run into a group of people trying to overthrow the King. They all believe that Swen in the wizard, come to save them from the King, but one man discovers that it is really Morwenna. He keeps her prisoner until they overthrow the King. In the process, she uses all here wishes but one, and Swen dies because Morwenna decides that she wants to live more than she wants Swen to live, so Swen dies. Then Morwenna goes to live alone until she dies.
I would not recommend this book to anyone
This book could make children think it is okay to not cherish their friends
My reaction: I did not like this book at all. In the end, the Heroine proves to be selfish and save herself.
My rating: *
Animorphs: The Visitor
Animorphs: The Visitor
K.A. Applegate
Scholastic INC, 1996
Pages: 175
Reading Level: 9-12
Genre: Science Fiction
Rachel and her friends were all given the amazing ability to morph into any animal. But they promised to use their powers to help save the earth from the Yeerks, and alien race that looks like a little bugs that gets into the minds of people and takes control of their brain. They had previously discovered that their assistant principle, Mr. Chapman, was a Human-Contoller, meaning a human with a Yeerk in their head. The children are looking for a way to destroy the Yeerks, so they decide to spy on Mr. Chapman. Rachel volunteers to become the Chapman's cat and go into their home. She finds out many secrets about the Yeerks, but this she is caught! She is saved because one of her friends, Jake, was morphed into a flea riding in her fur. He morphs into a tiger and helps her fight her way out. For the time being, all the animorphs, as they call themselves, are safe.
I would recommend this book to most middle-schoolers.
I can't see this book causing any problems
My Reaction: These books were a childhood favorite. I have always enjoyed them
My rating: ****
K.A. Applegate
Scholastic INC, 1996
Pages: 175
Reading Level: 9-12
Genre: Science Fiction
Rachel and her friends were all given the amazing ability to morph into any animal. But they promised to use their powers to help save the earth from the Yeerks, and alien race that looks like a little bugs that gets into the minds of people and takes control of their brain. They had previously discovered that their assistant principle, Mr. Chapman, was a Human-Contoller, meaning a human with a Yeerk in their head. The children are looking for a way to destroy the Yeerks, so they decide to spy on Mr. Chapman. Rachel volunteers to become the Chapman's cat and go into their home. She finds out many secrets about the Yeerks, but this she is caught! She is saved because one of her friends, Jake, was morphed into a flea riding in her fur. He morphs into a tiger and helps her fight her way out. For the time being, all the animorphs, as they call themselves, are safe.
I would recommend this book to most middle-schoolers.
I can't see this book causing any problems
My Reaction: These books were a childhood favorite. I have always enjoyed them
My rating: ****
The Houndini Box
The Houdini Box
Brian Selznick
Aladdin Paperbacks, 1991
Pages: 64
Reading Level: 6-10
Genre: Picture Book, Historical Fiction
The Houdini Box is about a little boy named Victor. He loves Houdini, and wants very much to be just like him when he grows up. Victor is constantly trying to get himself out of locked boxes, just like Houdini, but ends up just getting locked in. He tries to hold his breath for a long time, and pushing through walls, but was never successful. His mother is worried about him so she sends him to stay with his aunt in the country for a little while, to clear his head. While waiting for his train at the train station, Victor spots Houdini! He runs up to him and starts asking question after question. Houdini tells him to give him his address, and he will write him a letter. Victor is so excited when he gets the letter, but he is even more excited when he reads it. Houdini invited him over to his house! Victor runs over and knocks on Houdini's door and his wife answers. Victor shows her the note, and she walks away. She comes back with a box and tears in her eyes and tells Victor that Houdini died that day. Victor is very sad. When he gets home he tries to open the box, but it is locked. He notices on the bottom that it says E.W. Victor was crushed because he thinks it's not even Houdini's box. He is so sad that he vows to never do magic again. Victor grows up and gets married, and one day while he is playing baseball with his son, the ball lands on Houdini's grave. He realizes Houdini's real name was Enrich Weiss...E.W! He goes home and finds the box and gets it open...that night he locked himself in the trunk...and got out.
I would recommend this book to children who have lost someone important in their lives.
I don't see this book causing any problems
My reaction: This book is okay. It's good, but not great
My rating:***
Brian Selznick
Aladdin Paperbacks, 1991
Pages: 64
Reading Level: 6-10
Genre: Picture Book, Historical Fiction
The Houdini Box is about a little boy named Victor. He loves Houdini, and wants very much to be just like him when he grows up. Victor is constantly trying to get himself out of locked boxes, just like Houdini, but ends up just getting locked in. He tries to hold his breath for a long time, and pushing through walls, but was never successful. His mother is worried about him so she sends him to stay with his aunt in the country for a little while, to clear his head. While waiting for his train at the train station, Victor spots Houdini! He runs up to him and starts asking question after question. Houdini tells him to give him his address, and he will write him a letter. Victor is so excited when he gets the letter, but he is even more excited when he reads it. Houdini invited him over to his house! Victor runs over and knocks on Houdini's door and his wife answers. Victor shows her the note, and she walks away. She comes back with a box and tears in her eyes and tells Victor that Houdini died that day. Victor is very sad. When he gets home he tries to open the box, but it is locked. He notices on the bottom that it says E.W. Victor was crushed because he thinks it's not even Houdini's box. He is so sad that he vows to never do magic again. Victor grows up and gets married, and one day while he is playing baseball with his son, the ball lands on Houdini's grave. He realizes Houdini's real name was Enrich Weiss...E.W! He goes home and finds the box and gets it open...that night he locked himself in the trunk...and got out.
I would recommend this book to children who have lost someone important in their lives.
I don't see this book causing any problems
My reaction: This book is okay. It's good, but not great
My rating:***
The Eleventh Hour
The Eleventh Hour
Graeme Base
Harry N. Abrams, 1989
Pages: 32
Reading level: 4-8
Genre: Mystery
The Eleventh Hour is about an elephant named Horace. It is Horace's 11th birthday, and so he decides to have a party. He invites many friends, and makes a big feast. His friends are astounded by the feast, but Horace doesn't let them eat just yet...he wants to play some games first! So they play tennis and chess and many others. Finally, it is time to eat. But when they get to the kitchen all of the food is gone! The reader finds out that it is THEIR job to go back through the book and figure out who did it. There are clues on every page, some easy, some difficult, and it is a long adventure to figure out the mystery. In the end, you find out that it was the mouse, and 111 friends.
I think anyone of any age would benefit from this book. The actual story-line is simple enough for even young children to understand, but the clues are challenging enough for adults and older children. It is fun for all.
The only problem I see this book causing is children never wanting to put it down because it is so good!
I loved this book, and spent hours trying to figure out the clues.
My rating: *****
Graeme Base
Harry N. Abrams, 1989
Pages: 32
Reading level: 4-8
Genre: Mystery
The Eleventh Hour is about an elephant named Horace. It is Horace's 11th birthday, and so he decides to have a party. He invites many friends, and makes a big feast. His friends are astounded by the feast, but Horace doesn't let them eat just yet...he wants to play some games first! So they play tennis and chess and many others. Finally, it is time to eat. But when they get to the kitchen all of the food is gone! The reader finds out that it is THEIR job to go back through the book and figure out who did it. There are clues on every page, some easy, some difficult, and it is a long adventure to figure out the mystery. In the end, you find out that it was the mouse, and 111 friends.
I think anyone of any age would benefit from this book. The actual story-line is simple enough for even young children to understand, but the clues are challenging enough for adults and older children. It is fun for all.
The only problem I see this book causing is children never wanting to put it down because it is so good!
I loved this book, and spent hours trying to figure out the clues.
My rating: *****
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth, William McKinley, and me, Elizabeth
Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth, William McKinley, and me, Elizabeth
E.L. Konigsburg
Aladin Paperbacks, 1967
Pages: 117
Reading Level: 9-12
Genre: Fiction
Elizabeth is a ten-year-old girl who moves into a new school. She doesn't have any friends, and is kind of lonely. Then she meets Jennifer. Jennifer is different then everybody else. She is a little strange. She tells Elizabeth that she is a witch. Elizabeth thinks Jennifer is great. Jennifer introduces her to stories of witches, like the witches in Macbeth. One day she asks Elizabeths if she wants to be a witches apprentice. Elizabeth says yes, and is very excited. She has to do a lot of weird things, like eating raw onions and eggs. The girls decided to make a flying ointment, and gathered lots of ingredients. One of them is a toad. They begin to love the toad. And when Jennifer is about to toss him in the pot, Elizabeth gets mad at her and stops her. This starts a big fight. They stay mad at each other for a while, then Jennifer comes over and they apoligize to each other. They don't pretend to be witches anymore, and just stay really good friends.
Kids who are seen as kinda different, or strange would benefit from this book. It proves that you don't have to be popular to have fun.
I don't see this book causing any problems.
I did not like this book. It was kind of boring.
My rating: **
E.L. Konigsburg
Aladin Paperbacks, 1967
Pages: 117
Reading Level: 9-12
Genre: Fiction
Elizabeth is a ten-year-old girl who moves into a new school. She doesn't have any friends, and is kind of lonely. Then she meets Jennifer. Jennifer is different then everybody else. She is a little strange. She tells Elizabeth that she is a witch. Elizabeth thinks Jennifer is great. Jennifer introduces her to stories of witches, like the witches in Macbeth. One day she asks Elizabeths if she wants to be a witches apprentice. Elizabeth says yes, and is very excited. She has to do a lot of weird things, like eating raw onions and eggs. The girls decided to make a flying ointment, and gathered lots of ingredients. One of them is a toad. They begin to love the toad. And when Jennifer is about to toss him in the pot, Elizabeth gets mad at her and stops her. This starts a big fight. They stay mad at each other for a while, then Jennifer comes over and they apoligize to each other. They don't pretend to be witches anymore, and just stay really good friends.
Kids who are seen as kinda different, or strange would benefit from this book. It proves that you don't have to be popular to have fun.
I don't see this book causing any problems.
I did not like this book. It was kind of boring.
My rating: **
Juliet Dove Queen of Love
Juliet Dove Queen of Love
by Bruce Coville
Harcourt Books, 2003
Pages: 190
Reading Level: 9-12
Genre: Fiction
Juliet Dove is a young girl who is very very shy. The only time she can speak her mind is when she gets angry, and when that happens you want to be out of her way. One day, after she yelled at a class mate, she runs away. She gets lost and runs into a magic shop. She is curious, so she walks in. Inside there is a strange woman who gives her a pendant. When she puts on the pendant, Juliet becomes very very beautiful. It turns out that the woman who gave her the pendant is Eris, the goddess of discord. She gave the same pendant to Helen of Troy, and started the Trojan war. Inside the pendant is Cupid, trapped. In order to keep the world from fighting over her, Juliet must find a way to free Cupid from his prison, since she can't take off the pendant. She is given a riddle by on old blind man, and she follows it, and with the help of two of the magic shop's owners rats, she sets free cupid and is declared the Queen of Love by the other anciet goddesses.
I would recommend this book to shy girls, because is shows that even if you are very shy, you can overcome it and be successful.
I don't see this book causing any problems.
This book is okay, but not anywhere near a favorite.
My Rating: ***
by Bruce Coville
Harcourt Books, 2003
Pages: 190
Reading Level: 9-12
Genre: Fiction
Juliet Dove is a young girl who is very very shy. The only time she can speak her mind is when she gets angry, and when that happens you want to be out of her way. One day, after she yelled at a class mate, she runs away. She gets lost and runs into a magic shop. She is curious, so she walks in. Inside there is a strange woman who gives her a pendant. When she puts on the pendant, Juliet becomes very very beautiful. It turns out that the woman who gave her the pendant is Eris, the goddess of discord. She gave the same pendant to Helen of Troy, and started the Trojan war. Inside the pendant is Cupid, trapped. In order to keep the world from fighting over her, Juliet must find a way to free Cupid from his prison, since she can't take off the pendant. She is given a riddle by on old blind man, and she follows it, and with the help of two of the magic shop's owners rats, she sets free cupid and is declared the Queen of Love by the other anciet goddesses.
I would recommend this book to shy girls, because is shows that even if you are very shy, you can overcome it and be successful.
I don't see this book causing any problems.
This book is okay, but not anywhere near a favorite.
My Rating: ***
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Holes
Holes
by Louis Sachar
Dell Yearling, 1998
Pages: 233
Reading Level: 9-12
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Stanley Yelnats has bad luck. A long time ago, his no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing great-great-grandfather, didn't fulfill his end of the bargain with an old lady named Madame Zeroni by carrying her up a mountain, and so she cursed him and all his desendants. Stanley Yelnats is one of those decendants. One day a pair of shoes fall down on him from the sky. It turns out that they belong to a famous baseball player. Stanley is caught with them and is accused of stealing. Instead of going to jail, he goes to Camp Green Lake. This camp is a desert, and the boys have to dig holes five feet deep and five feet wide. They don't know it yet, but they are looking for the treasure of Kissin' Kate Barlow, the outlaw. When Stanley's friend Zero, Stanley goes to find him. He finds him, and discovers that he is very sick and about to die. He remembers a tale his father told him about God's Thumb, and carries Zero to the top. This ends Stanley's curse, because Zero is actually a Hector Zeroni, a decendant of Madame Zeroni. They find food and water to keep them alive, and Zero gets better. They decide to go back for the treasure, because Stanley knows where it is hidden. After they find it though, they get caught by the camp Warden. She tries to take the treasure, but the boys are saved by Stanley's lawyer, who discovered that Stanley really was innocent. She takes both boys with her, and they share the treasure with their families and live happy lives.
I think that children who feel like their lives aren't good would benefit from this book. It shows that you can still find happiness in dark situations.
I think it is possible that this book could cause children to think that stealing is okay, because Zero did it, and got to get out of Camp Green Lake the same time Stanley did.
This bood has been a long-time favorite. I enjoyed reading it this time just as much as the first time.
My rating: ****
by Louis Sachar
Dell Yearling, 1998
Pages: 233
Reading Level: 9-12
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Stanley Yelnats has bad luck. A long time ago, his no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing great-great-grandfather, didn't fulfill his end of the bargain with an old lady named Madame Zeroni by carrying her up a mountain, and so she cursed him and all his desendants. Stanley Yelnats is one of those decendants. One day a pair of shoes fall down on him from the sky. It turns out that they belong to a famous baseball player. Stanley is caught with them and is accused of stealing. Instead of going to jail, he goes to Camp Green Lake. This camp is a desert, and the boys have to dig holes five feet deep and five feet wide. They don't know it yet, but they are looking for the treasure of Kissin' Kate Barlow, the outlaw. When Stanley's friend Zero, Stanley goes to find him. He finds him, and discovers that he is very sick and about to die. He remembers a tale his father told him about God's Thumb, and carries Zero to the top. This ends Stanley's curse, because Zero is actually a Hector Zeroni, a decendant of Madame Zeroni. They find food and water to keep them alive, and Zero gets better. They decide to go back for the treasure, because Stanley knows where it is hidden. After they find it though, they get caught by the camp Warden. She tries to take the treasure, but the boys are saved by Stanley's lawyer, who discovered that Stanley really was innocent. She takes both boys with her, and they share the treasure with their families and live happy lives.
I think that children who feel like their lives aren't good would benefit from this book. It shows that you can still find happiness in dark situations.
I think it is possible that this book could cause children to think that stealing is okay, because Zero did it, and got to get out of Camp Green Lake the same time Stanley did.
This bood has been a long-time favorite. I enjoyed reading it this time just as much as the first time.
My rating: ****
Tuesday
Tuesday
by David Wiesner
Clarion Books, 1991
Pages: 36
Reading Level: 4-8
Genre: Picture Book
Tuesday is mostly all pictures telling the story, with few words. On Tuesday evening, the frogs and their lily pads start floating into the air. They float up past the telephone lines and the birds, and over houses. At 11:21, they fly past a man eating a sandwich. The frogs go in windows and down chimneys. At 4:38, one frog gets chased by a dog, and brings back lots of frog friends to chase the dag. As the sun rises they fall off their lily pads and hop back to the pond. The police are confused as to how the lily pads appeared in the middle of town and on the street. The next Tuesday, the pigs start flying...
I would recommend this book to very young children and their parents. It is a great book for inspiring questions and discussions.
I don't see this book causing any problems
My reaction: I liked the pictures, they were very beautiful, but personally prefer a written storyline.
My rating: ***
by David Wiesner
Clarion Books, 1991
Pages: 36
Reading Level: 4-8
Genre: Picture Book
Tuesday is mostly all pictures telling the story, with few words. On Tuesday evening, the frogs and their lily pads start floating into the air. They float up past the telephone lines and the birds, and over houses. At 11:21, they fly past a man eating a sandwich. The frogs go in windows and down chimneys. At 4:38, one frog gets chased by a dog, and brings back lots of frog friends to chase the dag. As the sun rises they fall off their lily pads and hop back to the pond. The police are confused as to how the lily pads appeared in the middle of town and on the street. The next Tuesday, the pigs start flying...
I would recommend this book to very young children and their parents. It is a great book for inspiring questions and discussions.
I don't see this book causing any problems
My reaction: I liked the pictures, they were very beautiful, but personally prefer a written storyline.
My rating: ***
The Magic Thief
The Magic Thief
Sarah Prineas
Harper Trophy, 2008
Pages: 411
Reading Level: 9-12
Genre: Fantasy
Connwaer is a young boy who has been a pick-pocket and thief his entire life. One night, he picks the pocket of a wizard named Nevery, and gets his magicalicus. It should have killed him instantly, but it doesn't. Of course the wizard finds him, and when he dos, he is shocked that Conn isn't dead. Because of this he agrees to take on Conn as an apprentice. Conn goes to school, and everyone is shocked that he doesn't have his own Magicalicus, which is supposed to be a rock of some kind. The mages council gives him 30 day to find it, and if he can't, he isn't allowed to be an apprentice. He looks and looks, and on day thirty, he finds it. It is the largest emerald on the Duchesses finest necklace. He steals it and almost gets arrested when Nevery tells everyone it is Conn's magicalicus, and he HAS to have it. Conn knows that something is going on with the magic in the air, and he knows it is up to him and his emerald magicalicus to figure it out. It turns out that it is being stolen and stored by Conn's uncle, and if he doesn't free it, it will die. He finds where the magic has been stolen and uses his magicalicus to set it free.
I would recommend this book to children from poorer houses. It shows that even those at the bottom can acheive greatness
This book could possibly condone thievery in children, for it makes it seem as if stealing isn't bad, and that a child won't get punished for it.
I really enjoyed this book, and think that it is a book that every child should read
My Rating: *****
Sarah Prineas
Harper Trophy, 2008
Pages: 411
Reading Level: 9-12
Genre: Fantasy
Connwaer is a young boy who has been a pick-pocket and thief his entire life. One night, he picks the pocket of a wizard named Nevery, and gets his magicalicus. It should have killed him instantly, but it doesn't. Of course the wizard finds him, and when he dos, he is shocked that Conn isn't dead. Because of this he agrees to take on Conn as an apprentice. Conn goes to school, and everyone is shocked that he doesn't have his own Magicalicus, which is supposed to be a rock of some kind. The mages council gives him 30 day to find it, and if he can't, he isn't allowed to be an apprentice. He looks and looks, and on day thirty, he finds it. It is the largest emerald on the Duchesses finest necklace. He steals it and almost gets arrested when Nevery tells everyone it is Conn's magicalicus, and he HAS to have it. Conn knows that something is going on with the magic in the air, and he knows it is up to him and his emerald magicalicus to figure it out. It turns out that it is being stolen and stored by Conn's uncle, and if he doesn't free it, it will die. He finds where the magic has been stolen and uses his magicalicus to set it free.
I would recommend this book to children from poorer houses. It shows that even those at the bottom can acheive greatness
This book could possibly condone thievery in children, for it makes it seem as if stealing isn't bad, and that a child won't get punished for it.
I really enjoyed this book, and think that it is a book that every child should read
My Rating: *****
Bran Hambric - The Farfield Curse
Bran Hambric - The Farfield Curse
Kaleb Nation
Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, 2009
Pages: 430
Reading Level: 9-12
Genre: Fantasy
Bran Hambric woke up one day when he was six years old inside a bank vault with no memory of how he got there. He is adopted by a somewhat foul man named Sewey, and is taken to live with Sewey and his family. When bran gets older, around 13, he discovers his magic when it comes to his aid when he is trying to save a friends life. Bran soon discovers that he is the only child of a magic criminal. His mother was involved in creating, but not finishing, the Farfield curse, which killed many people. She was a VERY powerful mage, but could only perform dark magic. Bran got his mother's power, but was not restrained to dark magic. Bran is the most powerful mage ever known. Because of his power, the people who were with his mother when the curse was created want him to help them finish the curse. They eventually, after much difficulty, capture him and force him to bring back to life the leader of their cause, Baslyn. When Baslyn realizes that he cannot convince Bran to help them, he tries to kill him and his friend. After a difficult battle, Bran wins and Baslyn dies for good, and the Farfield curse is not brought to completion.
I believe that most boys and girls would benefit from this book. I would recommend it especially to orphans, because it can help them to feel that they are also special, like Bran Hambric.
This book makes magic seem very real, since it comes along with modern things, like cell phones. It could cause some children to have a hard time differentiating between real and fantasy.
I absolutly loved this book. It is creative and well-written
My Rating: *****
Kaleb Nation
Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, 2009
Pages: 430
Reading Level: 9-12
Genre: Fantasy
Bran Hambric woke up one day when he was six years old inside a bank vault with no memory of how he got there. He is adopted by a somewhat foul man named Sewey, and is taken to live with Sewey and his family. When bran gets older, around 13, he discovers his magic when it comes to his aid when he is trying to save a friends life. Bran soon discovers that he is the only child of a magic criminal. His mother was involved in creating, but not finishing, the Farfield curse, which killed many people. She was a VERY powerful mage, but could only perform dark magic. Bran got his mother's power, but was not restrained to dark magic. Bran is the most powerful mage ever known. Because of his power, the people who were with his mother when the curse was created want him to help them finish the curse. They eventually, after much difficulty, capture him and force him to bring back to life the leader of their cause, Baslyn. When Baslyn realizes that he cannot convince Bran to help them, he tries to kill him and his friend. After a difficult battle, Bran wins and Baslyn dies for good, and the Farfield curse is not brought to completion.
I believe that most boys and girls would benefit from this book. I would recommend it especially to orphans, because it can help them to feel that they are also special, like Bran Hambric.
This book makes magic seem very real, since it comes along with modern things, like cell phones. It could cause some children to have a hard time differentiating between real and fantasy.
I absolutly loved this book. It is creative and well-written
My Rating: *****
Friday, January 22, 2010
Amelia Bedelia
Amelia Bedelia
By Peggy Parish, illustrated by Fritz Siebel
Newfield Publications, Inc., 1963
Pages: 64
Reading Level: 4-8
Genre: Picture Book
Amelia Bedelia is hired to work in the home of Mr. & Mrs. Rogers. Mrs. Rogers leaves a list of things for Amelia to do while they are gone. After Amelia Bedelia makes a lemon-meringue pie, she starts on the house. She follows the direction impecably, definitly to a fault. When told to "change the towels," she gets out her scissors and literally changes them. She takes all her chores literally like that. At one point, she even dresses the chicken up like a boy! When Mrs. Rogers sees what Amelia has done to her home, she is furious. She opens her mouth to fire her, when Mr. Rogers puts in some Lemon-meringue. It is so delicious, that Amelias job is safe, and Mrs. Rogers learns to rephrase her list.
I would recommend this book to young children who still take things literally. It can help them to understand that there is more than one meaning to a lot of words.
This book could cause children to think that it is alright to go around cutting up towels and putting dusting powder on the furniture. It enables the thought that they won't get in trouble for things like that.
I really enjoyed this book. It has been a favorite since my childhood.
My rating: ****
By Peggy Parish, illustrated by Fritz Siebel
Newfield Publications, Inc., 1963
Pages: 64
Reading Level: 4-8
Genre: Picture Book
Amelia Bedelia is hired to work in the home of Mr. & Mrs. Rogers. Mrs. Rogers leaves a list of things for Amelia to do while they are gone. After Amelia Bedelia makes a lemon-meringue pie, she starts on the house. She follows the direction impecably, definitly to a fault. When told to "change the towels," she gets out her scissors and literally changes them. She takes all her chores literally like that. At one point, she even dresses the chicken up like a boy! When Mrs. Rogers sees what Amelia has done to her home, she is furious. She opens her mouth to fire her, when Mr. Rogers puts in some Lemon-meringue. It is so delicious, that Amelias job is safe, and Mrs. Rogers learns to rephrase her list.
I would recommend this book to young children who still take things literally. It can help them to understand that there is more than one meaning to a lot of words.
This book could cause children to think that it is alright to go around cutting up towels and putting dusting powder on the furniture. It enables the thought that they won't get in trouble for things like that.
I really enjoyed this book. It has been a favorite since my childhood.
My rating: ****
If You Lived With the Cherokee
If You Lived With the Cherokee
By Peter and Connie Roop, Illustrated by Kevin Smith
Scholastic, Inc 1998
Pages: 80
Reading Level: 9-12
Genre: Social Studies Non-Fiction
This book tells you exactly what your life would be like if you lived with the Cherokee. It talks about what you would wear and eat, how you would marry, what tools you would use, what you would live in, what games you would play, how to make a canoe, what jobs you would do if you are a girl or a boy, and pretty much anything else you can think of. When the Cherokee got married, they exchanged items. The man would give the woman meat to show he would always be a good hunter, and she would give him corn, to show that she would always tend to the crops. Then , they would move into the woman's house. The women could not be cheif, but were otherwise equal to men, and were considered the leaders of the family. The Cherokee didn't go to school, instead they were taught by their family and told were told stories about their history. If you were a Cherokee, you could change your name many times. You would be givin a name a few days after birth, but as you got older you sould change it to something you were good at, or an acheivement or quality. The Cherokee's life changed a lot when America was settled by the Europeans. They gained tools and weapons, but eventually lost their land and were driven out via the Trail of Tears.
I would recommend this book to an elementary school Social Studies teacher to read to their students. All students, and even adults like myself, would benefit from the knowledge in this book
This book could cause steryotyping between men and women.
For a non-fiction book, it was good. I don't really like non-fiction, but this book was more interesting than most.
My Rating: ***
By Peter and Connie Roop, Illustrated by Kevin Smith
Scholastic, Inc 1998
Pages: 80
Reading Level: 9-12
Genre: Social Studies Non-Fiction
This book tells you exactly what your life would be like if you lived with the Cherokee. It talks about what you would wear and eat, how you would marry, what tools you would use, what you would live in, what games you would play, how to make a canoe, what jobs you would do if you are a girl or a boy, and pretty much anything else you can think of. When the Cherokee got married, they exchanged items. The man would give the woman meat to show he would always be a good hunter, and she would give him corn, to show that she would always tend to the crops. Then , they would move into the woman's house. The women could not be cheif, but were otherwise equal to men, and were considered the leaders of the family. The Cherokee didn't go to school, instead they were taught by their family and told were told stories about their history. If you were a Cherokee, you could change your name many times. You would be givin a name a few days after birth, but as you got older you sould change it to something you were good at, or an acheivement or quality. The Cherokee's life changed a lot when America was settled by the Europeans. They gained tools and weapons, but eventually lost their land and were driven out via the Trail of Tears.
I would recommend this book to an elementary school Social Studies teacher to read to their students. All students, and even adults like myself, would benefit from the knowledge in this book
This book could cause steryotyping between men and women.
For a non-fiction book, it was good. I don't really like non-fiction, but this book was more interesting than most.
My Rating: ***