A Single Shard

A Single Shard - Linda Sue Park
Dell Yearling - 2001

Reading Level: 8+  Number of Pages: 148 Genre: Fiction

Summary: Tree-ear, an orphan, lives under a bridge in Ch’ulp’o, a potters’ village famed for delicate celadon ware. He has become fascinated with the potter’s craft; he wants nothing more than to watch master potter Min at work, and he dreams of making a pot of his own someday. When Min takes Tree-ear on as his helper, Tree-ear is elated–until he finds obstacles in his path: the backbreaking labor of digging and hauling clay, Min’s irascible temper, and his own ignorance. But Tree-ear is determined to prove himself–even if it means taking a long, solitary journey on foot to present Min’s work in the hope of a royal commission . . . even if it means arriving at the royal court with nothing to show but a single celadon shard. The emissary is able to see Min's great skill, even from the small, broken piece, and grants him a commission. After Tree-ear returns to Ch'ul'po, he learns from Min that Crane-man has died. Min and his wife adopt Tree-ear, giving him a new name and finally teaching him the art of pottery.

"Tree-ear was so called after the mushroom that grew in wrinkled half-circles on dead or fallen tree trunks, emerging from the rotten wood without benefit of parent seed."

My Impressions:This is a pretty good book, and deserves the Newberry award. Interesting to tell a story by discussing pottery.

Parents' Guide:None

Recommendations:Good book!

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

The Very Hungry Caterpillar - Eric Carle
World Publishing - 1969
Reading Level: 3+  Number of Pages: 184 Genre: Fiction
Ten Best Picture Books of the Year in 1969; an American Institute of Graphics Arts Award in 1970; the Selection du Grand Prix des TreizeNakamori Reader's Prize in Japan in 1975

Summary: The caterpillar is very hungry, so he eats through a series of different foods. When he eats through a bunch of junk-food, he gets a stomachache, so he eats through a leaf to make him feel better. He then goes into a cocoon and becomes a butterfly!

 

My Impressions:The accolade to Carle belongs to his fabulous illustrations. The pictures are beautiful and inventive, and captivate readers. The story is a fictional fantasy which teaches the reader that junk food will give you a stomachache.

Parents' Guide:No issues.

Recommendations: Little kids will love this book.

Charlotte's Web

Charlotte's Web - E.B. White
HarperCollins - 1952
Reading Level: 8+  Number of Pages: 184 Genre: Fiction

Summary:
The book begins when John Arable's sow gives birth to a litter of piglets, and Mr. Arable discovers one of them is a runt and decides to kill it. However, his eight year old daughter Fern begs him to let it live, and she names it Wilbur. Wilbur gets lonely on the farm. Eventually, a warm and soothing voice tells him that she is going to be his friend. The next day, he wakes up and meets his new friend: Charlotte, the grey spider.
Wilbur soon becomes a member of the community of animals who live in the cellar of the barn. When the old sheep in the barn cellar tells Wilbur that he is going to be killed and eaten at Christmas, he turns to Charlotte for help. Charlotte has the idea of writing words in her web extolling Wilbur's excellence ("some pig", "terrific", "radiant", and eventually "humble"), reasoning that if she can make Wilbur sufficiently famous, he will not be killed. Thanks to Charlotte's efforts, and with the assistance of the gluttonous rat Templeton, Wilbur not only lives, but goes to the county fair with Charlotte and wins a prize. Having reached the end of her natural lifespan, Charlotte dies at the fair. Wilbur repays Charlotte by bringing home with him the sac of eggs she had laid at the fair before dying. When Charlotte's eggs hatch at Zuckerman's farm, most of them leave to make their own lives elsewhere, except for three: Joy, Aranea, and Nellie, who remain there as friends to Wilbur; but none of them can replace Charlotte.

"Why did you do all this for me?" he asked. "I don't deserve it. I've never done anything for you."
     "You have been my friend," replied Charlotte. "That in itself is a tremendous thing. I wove my webs for you because I liked you. After all, what's a life, anyway? We're born, we live a little while, we die... By helping you, perhaps I was trying to lift up my life a trifle. Heavens knows anyone's life can stand a little of that."

 

My Impressions:This is a touching story, ruined only by its film counterpart. This book calls to mind the idea of friendship, devotion, and life. We ought to read this book and learn how to make our lives happier, for death is a real thing.

Parents' Guide:Charlotte dies at the end. That is very sad.

Recommendations:Everyone should experience this book at least once.

How I Became a Pirate

How I Became a Pirate - Melinda Long
Scholastic - 2003
Reading Level: 6+  Number of Pages: 17 Genre: Fiction

Summary: Jeremy Jacobs tells the story of how he became a pirate. He was building sandcastles when a pirate ship came by. They saw he was such a good digger that they wanted him to come join their crew. Jeremy learned what it is like to be a pirate, and discovered that pirates do whatever they want! He is happy about this until he discovers that people don't pay the kind of attention to him that he wants, such as bedtime stories and tuck-ins. And when there is a big storm, Jeremy is afraid. He tells the pirates he has the perfect place to bury the treasure: his backyard! And so the treasure is buried in his yard and Jeremy makes it home in time to soccer practice. He has a map, just in case.

"Pirates sleep with one eye open--just in case. And they don't change into pajamas--unless they want to."

My Impressions:I thought this was a funny, enjoyable book with a lot of great illustrations. There were some great jokes and a good lesson, I thought. It talks about brushing teeth and being responsible, as opposed to acting like a maniac. I think a lot of kids would like to let their inner maniac out once in a while, but have to learn to keep their cool.

Parents' Guide: No issues.

Recommendations: This would be a great book for younger kids.

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll
Macmillin - 1865
Reading Level: 10+  Number of Pages: 148 Genre: Fiction

Summary: A summary of this book is challenging, as we all seem to be familiar with the story, yet there is so much nonsense that occurs in wonderland. Alice encounters this strange world by chasing a rabbit and following him down the rabbit hole. There she encounters several memorable characters, such as the Mad Hatter, the Mock Turtle, and the Red Queen of Hearts. Most of the characters make absolutely no sense. They read absurd poetry, tell outrageous tales, and draw puns from every line of dialogue. Eventually Alice is brought to court, where she accidentally begins to grow quite large. The queen commands her to quit growing, but she replies that she can't simply stop growing, for that's what every living thing does. The queen shouts "off with her head!" and her playing card soldiers swarm her. Alice wakes up to find herself outside, sleeping on the grass.

"It would be so nice if something made sense for a change."

 

My Impressions: This is an enjoyable book, and the nonsensical way in which it is told makes it all the more enjoyable.

Parents' Guide: No real issues. The caterpillar smokes a hookah.

Recommendations: This is a real piece of classic fairy-tale that everyone should read at least once.

George Shrinks

George Shrinks - William Joyce
HarperCollins - 1985
Reading Level: 5+  Number of Pages: 13 Genre: Fiction

Summary: George wakes up and discovers that he has shrunk! The story reads as a letter to George, and the pictures demonstrate what George does when he is an inch tall. He plays with his brother, cleans his room, and does the dishes. The illustrations show how much fun he is having. He turns back to normal size just as his parents get home.

"One day, while his mother and father were out, George dreamt he was small, and when he woke up he found it was true."

 

My Impressions: A fun picture book. It looks like everything is more fun when you are only an inch tall.

Parents' Guide: No problems.

Recommendations:Little kids will love this book. There exists an animated cartoon series with the same premise.

Hatchet

Hatchet - Gary Paulsen
Bradbury Press - 1987
Reading Level: 10+  Number of Pages: 196 Genre: Realistic Fiction

Summary: Brian is flying in a small prop plane when his pilot has a heart-attack. Brian steers the plane until it runs out of fuel, and then crashes into a small lake, far off course of its intended destination. Jarred from the crash, Brian finds himself lost in the middle of the forest, with a small hatchet strapped to his belt the only possession he has. The hatchet had been a gift he had taken just before getting in the plane, and became his only tool for survival. After pitying himself, crying, and contemplating suicide, Brian figures out how to survive. He builds a fire, he catches fish. He eats turtle eggs. He survives a tornado and a moose attack, and learns how to survive on his own. When the tornado moves the plane in the lake to a reachable spot, Brian builds a raft and hopes to salvage materials from the plane. Inside he discovers the dead pilot, and salvages an emergency kit from inside. The kit contains a radio, a gun, and several food packets. Brian sets down to eat, and accidentally triggers the emergency locater on the radio. A small plane with pontoon floats lands in the lake and Brian is rescued.

"Fire. The hatchet was the key to it all."

 

My Impressions: This book fascinated me as a kid, and I still enjoyed it. I found the idea of trying to live in the wilderness to be interesting, and sometimes I still wonder what I would have done in Brian's circumstance.

Parents' Guide: In desperation, Brian contemplates suicide, but he recovers.

Recommendations:I would strongly recommend this book, but particularly to kids who don't read much. I think a lot of people would enjoy it because it is a simple, short, fascinating read.

Ender's Game

Ender's Game - Orson Scott Card
Tor Books - 1985
Reading Level: 10+  Number of Pages: 324 Genre: Science Fiction

Summary: Ender is taken to battle school in space. He has been specially chosen to save the human race from aliens colloquially known as "buggers." In space he learns to be brutal; he learns how to win. His fighting skills are tested by mock battles in zero-gravity, as well as a computer desk-game. Ender becomes a commander, and his fleet of misfit students becomes unbeatable in the rankings. The deskgame, designed to adapt to each student, behaves erratically when Ender uses it, inventing worlds and creating people from his memory. As Ender progresses, he eventually is used to launch an assault on the alien homeworld. Ender is devastated that he has been tricked and used, and travels a long time before he can live with the mass xenocide he caused.

"From now on the enemy is more clever than you. From now on the enemy is stronger than you. From now on you are always about to lose."

 

My Impressions:  This book fascinates me even now. The elements of literary analysis are all present, but most readers (including myself) are instantly captivated by the dramatic telling of the story and of Ender's struggle.

Parents' Guide: There exists some cursing, and also some bawdy jokes. Ender is brought to drastic means to win battles in the battle room, and resorts to the same drastic means when he is physically attacked, brutally injuring kids who try to hurt him.

Recommendations: This book is excellent! Even people who don't normally read for fun will find enjoyment in this book. I suggest giving this book to any kid who has expressed dissatisfaction with reading, and give them an awesome story to turn them around.

The Lion Who Couldn't Roar

The Lion Who Couldn't Roar: A Happy Hawk Adventure - Gary Hogg
Little Buckaroo Books - 1991 
Reading Level: 6+  Number of Pages: 24 Genre: Fiction

Summary: There once was a lion who couldn't roar, so he tried doing what everyone else was doing. If he couldn't succeed at being a lion, maybe he could be some other animal. He tried several ideas, but then saw Happy Hawk taking a swim, so he stole the Happy Hawk's clothing and tried to act like him by trying to fly. He would have gotten hurt had not the hawk saved him. The hawk teaches him that he doesn't have to roar to be a lion, but should be who he is because it isn't outward appearances that matter.
 

"'Roars don't make kings,' the Happy Hawk said. 

'It's what you have in your heart and up in your head.'"

 

My Impressions: The book is pretty good. Although the illustrations are simple, the book teaches a good lesson, and ought to be appreciated by young kids.

Parent's Guide: no issues.

 

Recommendations:Little kids would like this one.

Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy

Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy - Gary Schmidt
Random House - 2004

Reading Level: 8+  Number of Pages: 217 Genre: Historical Fiction


Summary: Not only is Turner Buckminster the son of the new minister in a small Maine town, he is shunned for playing baseball differently than the local boys. Then he befriends smart and lively Lizzie Bright Griffin, a girl from Malaga Island, a poor community founded by former slaves. Lizzie shows Turner a new world along the Maine coast from digging clams to rowing a boat next to a whale. When the powerful town elders, including Turner’s father, decide to drive the people off the island to set up a tourist business, Turner stands alone against them. He and Lizzie try to save her community, but they are stopped when community members ship the people from Malaga Island to an insane asylum, where Lizzie passes away. Turner's father is also killed by the sheriff for opposing the will of the community. The lesson in the story is realized when Turner finally learns to see things as they are.
 

"The world turns and the world spins, the tide runs in and the tide runs out, and there is nothing in the world more beautiful and more wonderful in all its evolved forms that two souls who look at each other straight on. And there is nothing more woeful and soul-saddening than when they are parted...everything in the world rejoices in the touch, and everything in the world laments in the losing."

My Impressions: This is a very interesting book. At times it is funny, and at times it is deeply tragic. I think I enjoyed it a lot, but was definitely made more aware of how real the issue of slavery once was, and how closed minded people really were.

Parent's Guide: The book contains several weighty discussions of racism, and also allows several of its main characters to die. It is at times very sad, but thought provoking.

Recommendations: A definite read, although I admit the story is tragic.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - J.K. Rowling
Geoffrey Bles - 1950

Reading Level: 8+  Number of Pages: 759 Genre: Fiction

Summary: The seventh book in the series, Harry Potter is not going to wizard school this year. In this book, he leaves home under the protection of his friends, and then departs into the forest, trying to understand the way that he can defeat Voldemort. He, Ron, and Hermione discover that one of the horcruxes is in the possession of Dolores Umbridge, who works at the Ministry of Magic. They go in disguise and retrieve the horcrux, and then find a way to destroy it. In the process of seeking horcruxes, Harry learns of the hallows, and learns that Voldemort is in search of them. Harry decides that horcruxes are more important for them to find, and then follows clues to eventually destroy the diadem of Ravenclaw and the cup of Hufflepuff. The story culminates at Hogwarts, with a big battle between the death-eaters and those opposing Voldemort. Harry confronts Voldemort, who hits him with a killing curse. Harry is transported to a semi-dead place where he speaks with Dumbledore, who explains that when Voldemort used Harry's blood to regain his full strength, it protected Harry from Voldemort harming him; the Horcrux inside Harry has been destroyed, and Harry can return to his body despite being hit by the Killing Curse. Harry returns to his body, and Voldemort is defeated.

    

"It is a curious thing, Harry, but perhaps those who are best suited to power are those who have never sought it. Those who, like you, have leadership thrust upon them, and take up the mantle because they must, and find to their own surprise that they wear it well." - Albus Dumbledore

My Impressions: Any fan of the series will read this book. I really enjoyed how this book managed to deviate from simple-plot driven architecture and focus on some real poignant socialisms, such as friendship, courage, and loyalty.

Parent's Guide:There is some swearing and some definitely intense scenes. A few important characters die, and that is very tragic.

Recommendations: Harry Potter is an impressive work, and a definite read--particularly for people who are not prone to reading. Yes, kids CAN read a seven-hundred page novel.

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe - C. S. Lewis
Geoffrey Bles - 1950

Reading Level: 8+  Number of Pages: 208 Genre: Fiction

Summary: While the four children are searching around an old house for a game of hide-and-seek, Lucy happens on a wardrobe. Going inside, she finds another world called Narnia, and encounters a fawn named Mr. Tumnus. Tumnus originally intended to take her to the evil queen, but changed his mind and returned her home. Later she and her brothers and sister return to Narnia, only to discover that Tumnus has been taken. Seduced by the white queen, Edmund is taken to her castle where he discovers several creatures turned to stone. The children team up with Aslan, a great lion who exchanges his life for Edmund's. Aslan is resurrected, and he and the children, along with a horde of talking animals, unite to defeat the ice queen. The children become kings and queens of Narnia, and grow up there before returning to their own world, where they are children again. 

    

Did that bird just 'pssst' us?

My Impressions:This story is a fantasy, and is a metaphor for the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. C.S. Lewis is definitely using this as a metaphor for life, but explains everything in a form acceptable for children, and concealed in a way that those who do not recognize the analogy may not understand it.

Parent's Guide: There are some battles, and the death of Aslan is very tragic.

Recommendations: A definite read. Strongly recommend.

Number the Stars

Number the Stars - Louis Lowry
Dell Publishing - 1989

Reading Level: 8+  Number of Pages: 132 Genre: Fiction

Summary: Annemarie Johansen lives in Copenhagen, Denmark, and is best friends with Ellen Rosen, a Jewish girl. Annemarie develops a fear of Nazi soldiers after being stopped and questioned by one of them. She discovers that the Nazis are after all the Jews, and is afraid for her friend, who marks her Jewish belief by wearing a small Star of David. Her older brother is involved with a resistance movement, and helps the family escape by leading them into the hull of a ship. Annemarie is able to help her friend by concealing a substance in a napkin which ruined the sense of smell of the police dogs, thereby allowing the family to remain concealed. 

    

"Halte!' the soldier ordered in a stern voice.The German word was as familiar as it was frightening. Annemarie had heard it often enough before, but it had never been directed at her until now."

My Impressions: This is a fantastic and realistic story told from the perspective of two young girls who really didn't understand it much. The story becomes real, and helps children understand a lot about trust and not discriminating based on religion.

Parent's Guide: The story could be a little scary for some kids.

Recommendations: A definite read. Strongly recommend.

Love, Stargirl

Love, Stargirl - Jerry Spinelli
Random House - 2007

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Reading Level: 8+  Number of Pages: 274 Genre: Fiction
 
Summary:The sequel to Stargirl, this book follows Stargirl herself as she writes "the world's longest letter" to Leo. The book reads as a series of journal entries, all directed to Leo, who has no idea where she went at the end of the first book. Stargirl and a six-year old named Dootsie spend time together, and her influence affects the people in her new town in a positive way. The book culminates with Stargirl's project of making a solar calendar, and inviting members of the town to experience the winter solstice with her. In attendance is a woman who has not left her house in years, but came to support Stargirl.

    

"Tell me that even though our bodies were in separate states, our star selves shared an enchanted place."

My Impressions: Having read Stargirl, I feel it is essential to follow up with a sequel. The first book climaxes with Leo's near-acceptance of Stargirl's uniqueness, but never quite gets off the ground. I read this book because I expected a sequel to answer the typical questions a book with a love story seems to demand: "Do Stargirl and Leo ever get together again?" "This isn't the end, right?"

I have to admit although I was expecting an answer to the first question, the book leaves that open to future events, but it is clear that this isn't the end of the story, even if the book ends here. I really enjoyed this book.

 

Parent's Guide: No problems.

Recommendations: Once you finish Stargirl, you'll come back and read this one.

Treasure Island

Treasure Island - Robert Louis Stevenson
London: Cassell and Co - 1883

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Reading Level: 10+  Number of Pages: 223 Genre: Fiction

Summary: Jim and his mother run an inn. An old sailor named Billy Bones becomes a tenant there, and warns Jim about a sailor with a wooden leg named Long John Silver. The inn is ransacked by pirates, and one of them has a wooden leg. Bones dies, and Jim and his mother leave with money from his sea-chest for rent payment, as well as a small oilskin packet. The packet contains a map to an island holding mountains of treasure, and Jim takes it to a professor who helps organize a trip to the island. The crew of the ship which gets chosen ends up being part loyal crewmen, and part pirates led by Long John Silver himself, who had been working the kitchen as a cook on the ship. When they reach the island, there is a mutiny, and the boat is overrun by pirates. Jim escapes and meets a maroon named Ben Gun on the island, who shows him where he has relocated the treasure. The pirates depose Silver as captain by giving him the "black spot," and he is basically arrested, however he escapes in a lifeboat with his parrot. Jim gets to return home with the treasure.

    

"Fifteen men on the dead man's chest- Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of rum! Drink and the devil had done for the rest- Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of rum!"

My Impressions: I read this book once quite a few years ago, but recently re-experienced it in audiobook form. The pirate voices were very enjoyable in this reading, and I felt I had experienced this book in a new way. There is a sense of adventure in Stevenson's writing which makes this a worthwhile reading experience.

 

Parent's Guide: There are several battles and some people are killed.

 

Recommendations:Treasure Island is a memorable piece of classic literature, and definitely something all readers should experience at least once in a lifetime.  

Secret Codes and Ciphers

Secret Codes and Ciphers - Bernice Kohn
Prentice Hall - 1968

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Reading Level: 10+  Number of Pages: 58 Genre: Informational

Summary:This is a rather old book that I located, and was fascinated by the interesting methods for cipher and cryptography this book contained. Having once read Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code, I have been a little interested in codes, but have never really found a good guide for making or constructing them. This book is designed for a young audience, but explains some very complicated methods for concealing a code. A child using this as a manual could successfully write a cipher unbreakable by anyone who does not know the code word. The book outlines some historical significance of code making and breaking, and explains several methods for transmitting messages in code, including substitution ciphers, Morse code, and the Julius square.

    

"OD UOY WONK TAHW SIHT SYAS?

If that sentence didn't make any sense to you, read each word backwards. And if that was too easy for you, try this one:

DBO ZPV SFBE UIJT?

Of course you can. Just change each letter to the one that comes before it in the alphabet."

My Impressions: I found this to be a very interesting book, and though I have never had to write a cipher, have kept it around or the sake of interest. There are some very interesting and very cool methods for coding in this book.

 

Parent's Guide:There should be no problems a parent would have with this book, unless a parent would prefer not to let a child conceal secrets.

 

Recommendations: This book is more of a curiosity, but is very interesting. I would recommend this book as an interesting and intellectual game for maybe a treasure hunt or something. 

The Hobbit

The Hobbit - J.R.R. Tolkien
George Allen and Unwin - 1937

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Reading Level: 10+  Number of Pages: 310 Genre: Fiction/Fantasy

nominated for the Carnegie Medal 

New York Herald Tribune best juvenile fiction of the year (1938).

Most Important 20th-Century Novel in the Children's Books of the Century poll in Books for Keeps

Summary: Bilbo the hobbit lives in the Shire, and never does anything out of the ordinary, and never has any crazy adventures. One day, Gandalf the wizard happens by his house, and Bilbo's life changes. He soon finds himself on a journey with thirteen dwarves on a mission to avenge their people and defeat the mighty dragon, Smaug. Their journey takes them by trolls, through Mirkwood, where they encounter giant spiders, and down into a goblins' lair, where Bilbo makes a fantastic discovery. Bilbo discovers a magical ring which has the power to make him invisible, and has to outsmart a strange creature named Gollum to keep it. The ring comes in handy as he continues on his journey with his companions, and helps him rescue them on the way. After the dragon is defeated by some people who live near the mountain where Smaug lives, Bilbo and the dwarves return home, their lives enriched by the dragon's wealth.

    

"In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. . ."

My Impressions: This is a fantastic book, yet many people wonder why it qualifies as childrens' literature. This qualifies itself as a classic tale, so why not acquaint children with it? I find the story to be inventive and fraught with danger, yet complex and inspiring in a way that generates introspection.  I believe readers of this book will come away from it enriched and inspired.

 

Parent's Guide: No real problems. There is some goblin-slaying and a dragon definitely gets shot, but otherwise little violence, although there is danger.

Recommendations: Seriously. Read this book.

Love That Dog

Love That Dog - Sharon Creech
Harper Collins - 2001

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Reading Level: 8+  Number of Pages: 86 Genre: Poetry
 

Summary: Jack is a student in Mrs. Stretchberry's class, and he is coaxed into writing poetry. The book is written as a collection of poems, as if they were writings by Jack. At the beginning, Jack is reluctant to write poems, but gradually grows to like them. He writes about getting his dog, comments on famous poems, and invites Walter Dean Myers to come visit his school. Most strikingly, he writes about how his dog gets hit by a car. His final poem is inspired by Walter Dean Myers, and is about his dog.

    

"I don't want to/ because boys/ don't write poetry./ Girls do."

My Impressions:The quote above is the opening line in the story, written in poetry form. Let me just say that at the opening line I was instantly captivated, and was generously rewarded by seeing this kid learn to love poetry. The book is happy, funny, sarcastic, beautiful, and sad, and I really enjoyed it.

 

Parent's Guide: No real problems.

Recommendations: I would recommend this book to kids who hate poetry (or to kids who think they hate poetry).

Tales of Real Heroism

Tales of Real Heroism - Paul Dowswell
Usborne Publishing - 1996

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Reading Level: 8+  Number of Pages: 63 Genre: Informational
 

Summary: In what is essentially a collection of historical events, this book details episodes of history where real heroism was demonstrated. The events depicted include heroic acts performed by firefighters at Chernobyl, a surgeon in Beirut named Pauline Cutting, the first cosmonaut, and the soldiers who eventually overthrew Blackbeard. Many of the stories depict people who overcame exceptional odds to accomplish an impressive feat. Others describe people who were brave or bold, or who showed great charity to others. The following quote is an excerpt from an account of firefighters at the Chernobyl power station in 1968. 

    

"His blood ran cold, and Perevozchenko was seized by panic. He knew that his body was absorbing lethal doses of radiation, but instead of fleeing he steeled himself to stay and search for his colleague. . . By now he had absorbed so much radiation he felt his whole body was on fire. But then he remembered that there were several other men near to the explosion who might also be trapped."

My Impressions: This is a remarkably fascinating book. The events contained here are all true, and they all demonstrate an individual who challenged surprising odds to achieve something great. Those who read should be inspired by these true stories and try to achieve greatness on their own. I liked the book, even though it is very historical. The information is detailed, but not too complicated. 

 

Parent's Guide: Several historical events. Some fighting and battles, but all in historical context.

Recommendations:I think this book would be a challenge for younger kids, but maybe a challenge is what they need. The writing is not geared to very young kids, but I believe slightly older kids would benefit from some real-life role models.

Flashy Fantastic Rain Forest Frogs

Flashy Fantastic Rain Forest Frogs - Dorothy Hinshaw Patent
Scholastic - 1997

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Reading Level: 5+  Number of Pages: 28 Genre: Informational
 

Summary: This is an informational book that explains a little about frogs that live in the rain forest. There is information on different species, habitat, life cycle, poisonous species, and deforestation.

    

"Poison dart frogs don't need to hide or escape. They hop fearlessly about on the forest floor during the day. Their bright colors warn predators. 'Don't touch me.' Only a few animals can eat them, because their skin contains bitter-tasting chemicals. Some of these chemicals are very poisonous."

My Impressions: The illustrations in this book are very colorful, and the poisonous varieties were interesting to read about. In found it interesting to learn about poisonous varieties, as well as medicinal uses for frog venom. The book also talks about camouflage and eating behaviors, and covers some really interesting information.

 

Parent's Guide: The book does mention frog reproduction, but doesn't go into detail.

Recommendations: I think little kids interested in animals would love this book.

A Year Down Yonder

A Year Down Yonder - Richard Peck
Penguin - 2000
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Reading Level: 10+  Number of Pages: 130 Genre: Historical Fiction

Summary: Mary Alice is out to the country to live with her grandmother, a severely tough but kind woman. In the process of the book, we see Mary Alice learn from her grandmother and develop confidence as she learns from her quirky grandma. The book is filled with several antics that are quite funny, and the story is set during the great depression.

    

"'Grandma, it's the program tonight.' Waving away her own forgetfulness, she said, "Well, then,' you better wear this.' She produced something from a big apron pocket that looked like a coil of baling wire. She handed i over. It was a coil of baling wire. Twisted in it were tiny tin stars, cut from cans. A day's work to make. Grandma stood back, her hands clasped, a little eagerness in her eyes. 'Watch out them stars don't dig your scalp.'

She'd made me a halo so Carleen Lovejoy in all her tinsel wouldn't outshine me. It looked more like a crown of thorns, but I handled it carefully. I'd have come dangerously near to kissing Grandma then, if she'd let me."

My Impressions: I actually laughed out loud while reading this book. There are some seriously funny parts, and there is no real serious conflict to make the story uncomfortable or tense. If anything, this story is driven by and all about the characters, who are interesting enough to hold my interest. The historical context is supplementarily educational and informative.

Parent's Guide: Nothing real serious. Mischief and antics, but nothing crude.

Recommendations: A definite read.

Children Just Like Me

Children Just Like Me - Anabel Kindersley
DK Publishing - 1995

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Reading Level: 5+  Number of Pages: 79 Genre: Biography
 

Summary: This is an interesting book, and it is essentially a compilation of pictures and small biographies of children all around the world. It is interesting because the reader has the freedom to contrast how children live and behave in different parts of the world. It is interesting to see where people live, what they eat, whether they are poor or rich, or with whom they live. I am not struck so much by the differences between the children in this book, but by their similarities. Also, none of the children, no matter how poor or third-world, are depicted as being unhappy. The book is designed as a casual and interactive reference.

    

"Eleven-year-old Ari Laiti comes from Finland in northern Europe. His family belongs to the Saame people, who live in the northern part of Finland called Lapland. The Saame speak their own language, and many of them keep herds of reindeer. Ari's village, Utsjoki, is the most northern settlement in Finland. It is 310 miles inside the Arctic Circle."

My Impressions: The first thing I noticed is that the information in this edition of the book is surprisingly dated, even for 1995. The age of the book aside, it is still full of useful details pertaining to all sorts of cultures. I found it interesting to see that lots of kids ate some really (in my opinion) odd things, and others had surprisingly different daily duties, such as milking reindeer.

Parent's Guide: No issues

Recommendations:A good reference book for kids who are curious about different cultures.

Lincoln: A Photobiography

Lincoln: A Photobiography - Russell Freedman
Houghton Mifflin - 1987

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Reading Level: 10+  Number of Pages: 141 Genre: Biography
Newbery Medal - 1988
 

Summary: This book is intended as a biographic sketch of Abraham Lincoln, and includes a lot of pictures of him and scenes from his history, detailing his entire life. The book focuses on the events of his presidency leading to the abolishing of slavery. 

    

"'Common-looking people are the best in the world; that is the reason the Lord makes so many of them.' -- Remark by Lincoln, from diary of his secretary, John Hay, December 24, 1863"

My Impressions: This is essentially a history book, and contains all authentic information relating to Abraham Lincoln in a manner understandable by children. The book follows the events of his life quickly yet thoroughly, and manages to list all of the major important details while making them interesting. At the end of the book I find myself appreciating the work of Lincoln and all the hard things he had to endure to get the results he fought for.

Parent's Guide: There are not major details with which to be concerned, unless the parent wishes not to discuss slavery or battles of the civil war.

Recommendations: I think this book would be a valuable biography of Lincoln, particularly for its simplicity.

The Story of Ruby Bridges

The Story of Ruby Bridges - Robert Coles
Scholastic - 1995

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Reading Level: 8+  Number of Pages: 20 Genre: Biography

Summary: This book is true a story of a little girl who attended school in New Orleans in 1957, at the very beginning of the attempted integration of black and white schools. The book tells of how Ruby was escorted to her school by armed Federal Marshals, how she walked past white protesters, and how she would attend school by herself (the parents of the other children would not allow them to go to school if she was attending). The book tells of how Ruby would walk to school each day, thronged by crowds of angry people who shouted at her, and then would attend school by herself. At one point, Ruby stopped in the middle of the crowd, and it seemed as though Ruby was speaking to the people in the crowd. When her teacher asked her what she was saying, Ruby replied that she was praying for the protesters.

    

"'Please, God, try to forgive those people. Because they say those bad things, they don't know what they're doing. So You could forgive them, just like You did those folks a long time ago when they said terrible things about You.'"

My Impressions: This remarkably powerful book is a fairly accurate depiction of a true event. At first I was struck at how unique the story is--there are remarkably few biographies about children, and Ruby Bridges is a fantastic example of courage and stoic faith. At first I was a little confused by the author's intention of including Ruby's prayer in the story; I was touched by her faith, but I wondered if the author was editorializing to prove a point. Truthfully, this is an accurate portrait of Ruby as a child. Her mother taught her to pray for the protesters, and she did. On that day, she had simply forgotten until she was met with the crowd. For more information on Ruby Bridges, click here.

Parent's Guide: The book details some horrific events. Imagine being threatened every day you had to attend school! But I feel the author manages to present the horrors Ruby experienced in a simple yet clear way without focusing on exactly how bad the threats became. Parents should note that Ruby prays for those who berated her, and should choose for themselves whether the lesson this book teaches is valuable for their children or not.

Recommendations: Interestingly, this little girl became a component of our nation's history. She is a role-model for children because she was a child when she went through these trials. Her story shouldn't just be read to children who share her heritage, but should be an educational tool for all children.

CDB!

CDB! - William Steig
Simon & Schuster - 1968

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Reading Level: 6+  Number of Pages: 47 Genre: puzzle

Summary: The book uses several letters and numbers to create sounds of words and sentences. The pictures provide visual clues to the text, and the book is like a puzzle: some of the pages are more difficult to read!

    

"K-T  S  X-M-N-N  D  N-6." (Katy is examining the ants)

"E  S  D  1  4  U  2  C."  (He is the one for you to see)

My Impressions: The book is enjoyable, and I had a bit of a challenge myself trying to figure out the puzzles. Fortunately there is a key in the back, or I would have been a little lost on a few puzzles. Despite my confusion, most of the puzzles are quite simple to solve, once the pattern has been recognized.

Parent's Guide: No issues.

Recommendations: Puzzle books are a good idea for inquisitive children, and allows them to tackle new concepts and understand new ideas. It may be a fun idea to allow a child to figure out the puzzles for himself.

The Great Gilly Hopkins

The Great Gilly Hopkins - Katherine Paterson
HarperTrophy. - 1978

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Reading Level: 8+  Number of Pages: 148 Genre: Realistic Fiction

National Book Award for Children's Litarature
ALA Notable Children's Book
Winner of the Christopher Medal
A Jane Addams Award Honor Book
The Horn Book Fanfare Honor List
"Best of the Best" Children's books 1966-1978 (SLJ)  

Summary: Galadriel Hopkins is a foster kid with a bad attitude. She has been pushed from home to home for so long, and has grown to know how to manipulate people around her. We find her in the story heading to yet another foster home, this time with a woman named Trotter, who has another foster son named William Earnest, a kid with some kind of mental handicap. Gilly immediately begins to push people around, swearing and causing a fuss, and is shocked at some of the happenings at the Trotter home. For example, Trotter invites their neighbor Mr. Randolph to dinner, a blind African American. Gilly is shocked to have to sit and eat with a black man, and is even more shocked to discover that her teacher at school is black. Her efforts to misbehave and run away are not handled the same way as they had always been before; this time her bad behavior is met with love and compassion, but the damage has already been done. As soon as she arrived at her new foster home, Gilly wrote a letter to her biological mother, saying that she needed to leave this house as soon as possible. One day her biological grandmother arrives, and promises to help Gilly leave this place with the "enormously fat" foster mother and her "retarded" son. Except, by this time, Gilly doesn't want to leave. She has somehow begun to love the odd family, including William Earnest, and has started to teach him to stick up for himself.
Her grandmother arrives, and Gilly is taken to live with her, and eventually the time comes to meet her biological mother. Gilly's expectations are crushed when she discovers that her mother has not come to take her daughter home, and does not love her. Gilly escapes for a moment and calls Trotter on the phone, pleading for some way for her to come back to the only place that has ever offered her permanence and love. Unfortunately, this is not possible, but Gilly has learned that in order to receive love, one must also give love.

    

"'First thing, when somebody yells at you, don't throw your hands up' --she imitated him-- 'and act like you think they're going to kill you'

'Pow?' He swung his little fist in a kind of question mark.

'Naw, not first thing. See, they may not be even meaning to hit you. First thing is, you take a deep breath--' She filled her diaphragm and waited to imitate her, his ribs poking through his shirt. 'Then you yell like this: Get the hell outa my way!'"

My Impressions: This book approaches some very real topics, and Gilly is very easy to identify with. Essentially she is a foster-child with an anger issue, but her character is deeply harrowed by sorrow and a deep desire to belong somewhere. What she wants is her biological mom, and she vents her frustration by misbehaving. To me this story is a beautiful exploration of frustration and anger, and how a person can take even a hopeless situation and let it change them.

Parent's Guide: As mentioned above, the story involves itself in some very real topics, such as foster parenting, the reality that a child can experience being unloved. Gilly also has some bad character traits, and exhibits racism, deism, and a bit of cursing. Gilly also steals money from Trotter and her blind neighbor.

Recommendations:This would be a great book for kids to discover if they may possibly identify with Gilly. I enjoyed this book because the main character is easy to love and feel for.

Stargirl

Stargirl - Jerry Spinelli
Knopf Books - 2000

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Reading Level: 8+  Number of Pages: 186 Genre: Realistic Fiction

ALA Top Ten Best Book for Young Adults
A book Sense National Bestseller
A Publishers Weekly Bestseller
A Parents' Choice Gold Award Winner
A Bank Street College of Education Best Book of the Year
An ABC Children's Bookseller Choice
A New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age
Winner of the Young Hoosier Book Award
Winner of the Garden State Teen Book Award
Winner of the Arizona Young Readers' Award

Summary: Leo is a student at an average, and relatively small school in Arizona. He is smitten one day by a unique new student who calls herself Stargirl, although he wasn't so much smitten as he was awed in horror at her uniqueness. Stargirl wasn't like the other people at their school--she was ferociously . . . different. She sang to people on their birthdays, she cheered when people succeeded, and cried when they failed. Her ukulele and pet rat, symbols of her individuality, were embraced as a unique difference at the school, but were eventually shunned as strange or different. People who liked Stargirl for her actions cast her off, for at sporting events she cheered for BOTH teams. The people in the school begin to shun Stargirl.

 

At this point, Leo has become enamored with Stargirl, but notices that when he spends time with her at school the other students shun them. Stargirl shows Leo that she is not as affected by the actions or words of others, even when they seem so stinging. Leo discovers that he must choose between the opinions of others and this strangely unique girl.

At the end of the story there is a prom. Because he is afraid of being laughed at, Leo doesn't ask Stargirl to the prom, but she shows up anyway. She is dressed in a bright, sunflower yellow dress, and leads the school in a crazy and fun dance, all around the building and into the fields beyond. At this point it appears that many in the school have overcome their need to shun Stargirl, and that she may be able to develop some acceptance. One girl, Hillari, slaps Stargirl for "ruining" the dance, and Stargirl returns the gesture by giving her a hug and a kiss. From that night on nobody ever saw Stargirl again. Her family had moved, and Stargirl was gone, but she left a void in the hearts of the students at the school, especially with Leo.

 

   

"In the Sonoran Desert there are ponds. You could be standing in the middle of one and not know it, becasue the ponds are usually dry. Nor would you know that inches below your feet, frogs are sleeping, their heartbeats down to once or twice per minute. They lie dormant and waiting, these mud frogs, for without water their lives are incomplete, they are not fully themselves.  . . 

 

It was wonderful to see, wonderful to be in the middle of we mud frogs awakening all around. We were awash in tiny attentions. Small gestures, words, empathies thought to be extinct came to life. For years the strangers among us had passed sullenly in the hallways; now we looked, we nodded, we smiled. If someone got an A, others celebrated too. If someone sprained an ankle, others felt the pain. We discovered the color of each other's eyes."

My Impressions: This book is a deeply touching discussion of individuality and nonconformity, but it is mostly about how we treat those who are different. In Stargirl's case, "different" certainly meant "unique," but the students failed to see that in her until she was nearly gone.

Parent's Guide: No huge issues. The students are very rude to Stargirl.

Recommendations: I STRONGLY recommend this book.

Sideways Stories from Wayside School

Sideways Stories from Wayside School - Louis Sachar
Scholastic Inc. 1985

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Reading Level: 8+  Number of Pages: 118 Genre: Fiction

IRA/CBC Children's Choice

Summary: Wayside school was accidentally built sideways. It was supposed to be one story tall and thirty classrooms wide, but the builder read the plans wrong. He said he was very sorry. This book is a collection of stories about the children in the thirtieth story, where Mrs. Jewls is a teacher over a unique bunch of kids. Each chapter is a different story about a kid from this classroom, and the last chapter is about the yard teacher, Louis, who apparently wrote this book.

    

"Sharie sat next to the window in Mrs. Jewls's class. She spent a lot of time just staring our the window. Mrs. Jewls didn't mind. Mrs. Jewls said that a lot of people learn best when they stare out a window. Sharie often fell asleep in class. Mrs. Jewls didn't mind that either. She siad that a lot of people do their best learning when they are asleep. Sharie spent all of her time either looking out the window or sleeping. Mrs. Jewls thought she was the best student in the class."

My Impressions: This book is very entertaining, and is essentially a collection of short stories about the same classroom of students. In each chapter the students encounter ridiculous or strange situations (which to them are normal), and there is usually a silly lesson or moral from each story. 

Parent's Guide: No real problems. The children are all a little bizarre, however.

Recommendations: A good read. I would suggest this as a book for independent young readers.