The Bad Case of Stripes

By: David Shannon
Published by: Scholastic
Ages: 4-8
Pages: 32

A Bad Case of Stripes was an interesting story about a girl who wanted to fit in. She wanted to fit in so much that she would do what people wanted her to do, even if that wasn't exactly who she was. For example she loved to eat lima beans, but because she knew most people thought they were gross she also pretended like she thought they were gross. One day, when she was figuring out what to wear to school that would impress everyone, something happened. Her skin turns into stripes! The story continues as she turns into whatever people say about her until she finally learns to be herself again. She "cures" herself by eating a handful of lima beans, the same beans that she pretended she didn't like.

Who would I recommend this book to? All children!!!!

Possible problems/conflicts? No

My reaction: I love this book! It is so creative and so fun! And I love the moral it teaches of just being yourself! 5 stars *****

The Great Gilly Hopkins

By: KATHERINE PATERSON
Published by:HarperCollins
Pages:148
Ages:9-12

Gilly Hopkins has been in foster homes as long as she can remember. And everytime she does something that gets her removed from her foster home. It seems as though Gilly is not capable of love, and she doesn't think anyone loves her but her mother(who gave her away as a baby) Gilly meets her match- Mrs. Trotter. She doesn't put up with crap from Gilly. And in the book, you can see Gilly transform. Gilly starts to love her new family. She has to deal with her racism problem also, because bother Mrs. Trotter's good friend and her teacher are African American. Gilly writes a letter to her mother, but her grandmother gets it instead and goes and takes Gilly away from Trotter. Gilly finally meets her mother, but Gilly is let down because her mother was not at all what she pictured, and she wanted nothing to do with Gilly.

Who would I recommend this to? Older children around age 12.

Possible problems/conflicts? Yes, racism is shown and also very colorful language.

My reaction: I enjoyed this book. I liked Gilly, she was very feisty! 4 stars ****

The Story of Ruby Bridges Coles

By: Robert Coles
Illustrated by: George Ford
Published by: Scholastic
Ages: 4-8
Pages: 32 pages

This is a true story about a girl named Ruby Bridges. She is a young African American girl and the court orders her to go to school at an all white school. Her and 2 other children. US Marshalls had to walk her to school, and back from school. The white people in the neighborhood wouldn't allow their children to go to school with a black girl, so Ruby was left alone with her teacher. One day Ruby stopped right in the middle of the mob on the way to school and prayed for them. This little girl was amazing.

Who would I recommend this book to? Any children who are interested in learning in segregation.

Possible problems/conflicts? The only one I can think of is if parents are trying to shelter their children from how history was.

My reaction: I was amazed at this little girl, what a difference one person can make! AMAZING! 5 stars *****

Children Like Me

By: Anabel Kindersley, Barnabas Kindersley, and Barnabas Kindersley
Published by: Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd
Ages:9-12
Pages:80

This is a fun picture book about the lives of different kids from all over the world! It tells about their home life, school life, and their culture. It shows pictures of the kid, and they way they dress, and their houses.

Who I would recommend this to? EVERYONE!

Possible problems/conflicts? No, I do not.

My reaction: I really enjoyed this book, I learned so much from it. It was so interesting to read about kids in different countries, it opened my eyes. 5 stars *****

Beauty

By:Robin McKinley
Published by:HarperTeen
Ages: 9-12
Pages:336


Beauty is the youngest of three daughters of a wealthy merchant, Roderick Huston. Her given name is Honour, but when she was five years old, she said that she'd rather be called Beauty.She never felt she lived up to her name though. And that is what called her. Her father lost all of her money, and they were forced to relocated.

The family relocated to Gervain's( her sister's fiance) home town A few months later. The father was caught in a blizzard a few miles from home and lost his way in the forest, stumbling across a mysterious castle. As he left the next day he plucked one rose from the garden to bring home to Beauty, who hoped to grow roses. The Beast appeared before him, ready to kill him, but he begged for his life, pleading that he had daughters to return to. The Beast decided to let him go if he returned in one month with one of his daughters. Although he didn't want her to, Beauty insisted that she be the one to go.

The Beast seemed kind, but Beauty was scared of him. The castle had invisible servants and all the books and food she could want. Beauty came to enjoy living in the castle. There were only two problems: she missed her family and every night the Beast asked Beauty to marry him. Every night she said no.

Beast to let her go to her family. He reluctantly agreed, But she could only stay one week. Beauty was so excited to see her family. She came to realize that she was in love with the Beast and he with her. SHe hurried back to the castle and found the Beast and she confessed her love to him and said she would marry him. This broke the enchantment, and returned the Beast to his human form. Beauty insisted that she could not marry him. But he told her differently, and they ended up getting married :)

Who I would recommend this to? Fairytale lovers.

Possible problems/conflicts? Yes, it may be frightening to a child that they lost all of their money and house, and then the father gave the daughter to a beast.

My reaction: I didn't care much for this book, it was defiantly not my favorite. I am not a huge fan of fairy tales. 2 stars **

A Year Down Yonder

By: Richard Peck
Published by:
Ages: 9-12
Pages: 144
Published by: Puffin

This is a story about a girl named Mary Alice, who goes to live with her grandmother till her parents can get back on their feet during the great depression. Her grandma is crazy! She is always threatening someone, or causing trouble. Mary Alice manages to survive the winter with her grandmother and actually starts to like it there. In the spring, Grandma takes in a New York artist as a boarder and Mary Alice invites Royce (a cute boy in her class) over for a study-date. Mary Alice survives her first tornado, and the school year ends with a hayride that finds Royce and Mary Alice promsing to write letters. Mary Alice returns from Chicago to tie the knot with Royce McNabb on Grandma's front porch awhile later.

Who I would recommends this to? Anyone who wants a good laugh, this is a good novel.

Any problems/conflicts? Possibly the violent grandmother, or the fact Mary Alice's parents sent her away because they didn't have enough money, this could give them the wrong idea.

My reaction: I really enjoyed this book, it was one of my favorite assigned novels. It made me laugh a lot. 4 stars ****

Lincoln- A photobiography

By: Russell Freedman
Published by: Sandpiper
Pages: 160
Ages: 9-12

This is a book of the boyhood, marriage, and young professional life of Abraham Lincoln includes his presidential years and also reflects on the latest scholarly thoughts about our Civil War president. It shows the true side of Abraham Lincoln.

Who I would recommend this to? Kids who enjoy learning about presidents.

Possible conflicts/problems? There are some graphic pictures.

My reaction: I really enjoyed learning about Abe Lincoln (even though he doesn't like being called that) It showed his true colors. 4 stars ****

Love that Dog

By:Creech Sharon
Published by: Scholastic Trade
Ages: young adult
Pages: 86

Love that Dog is the story of a young boy named Jack. The story develops as Jack responds to his teacher, Miss Stretchberry, over the course of the school year. She tries to get him to start writing but Jack keeps saying "I can't" or "i won't". But as the teacher begins to feed him inspiration, Jack finds that he has a lot to say and many ways to say it. All year long, Jack tries to talk about his teacher, his favorite dog Sky, and his life in more in-depth ways. One day, Sky dies because he is hit by a truck. Jack uses poetry and his new joy in writing to cope with this loss.

Who I would recommend this to? Kids who enjoy poetry

Possible problems/conflicts? None that I see

My reaction: This was a cute, fun way to inroduce poetry to kids. 4 stars ****

A Single Shard

By: Linda Sue Park
Published by: Oxford University Press
Pages: 176
Ages: 9-12

Tree Ear is a young boy growing up in Korea, and he is facinating by this guy named Min, who makes beautiful pottery. One day he is trying to sneak a look at Min's pottery, and ends up breaking one. He starts working for Min to pay off the debt. He collects clay from the rivers. One day the emissary's assistant came to find someone to make pottery for the emissary. But none of Min's pottery turns out. So a few months later Tree Ear took a long journey to take Min's pottery to the emissary. He got robbed and the pottery was broken. So he took a single shard to the emissary, and they loved it and hired Min. :) But when Tree-ear returns home his guardian has died, and so Min and his wife take Tree Ear in and make them their son.

Who I would recommend this to? Kids interested in historical fiction.

Possible problems/conflicts? Tree ear comes from a homeless situation, this might be a problem for kid's to read.

My reaction: I didn't really care for this book, I thought it was boring, and slow. 2 stars **

Star Girl

By: Jerry Spinelli
Published by: Random House Childrens Books
Pages:208
Ages: Young Adult

It is Leo Borlock's junior year at Mica Area High School a a new girl named Stargirl moves in. Stargirl is the most unusual student ever to attend at Mica High. Despite being intrigued by her at first, the students turn on her due to her cheering on opposing basketball teams as well as the Mica High team and come to despise her antics. She spends more and more time with Leo, who is deeply in love with her but wants her to act like a normal student. Stargirl gives in to Leo to please him and seeks to blend in with her peers (going by her birth name "Susan," and dressing less exotically). The school rejects her and Leo can't overcome peer pressure to continue their relationship in the way it was before. The book's final appearance of Stargirl shows her at the Ocotillo ball, bunny hopping with her classmates and leaving after ungrudgingly forgiving her most vicious detractor (who had just slapped her across the face). She moves away before the next school year, but, years later, Leo receives a necktie similar to the one that she made for him in high school, suggesting that she still remembers, and has feelings for, him.

Who would I recommend this to? Every child, has a good moral.

Possible problems/conflicts? Stargirl is a little different, and may oppose some peoples view of life.

My reaction: I wasn't in love with this book, but I wasn't in hate either. I was pretty neutral. 3 stars ***

Giant John

By: Arnold Lobel
Published by: Henry Holt and Co.
Ages: 4-8
Pages: 32



Giant John needs to make money to feed himself and his mother so he goes to the king and helps out by holding his umbrella over the castle during the rain, giving the kiddos horsey rides and other useful tasks. Unfortunately, some mischievous fairies come along and make things difficult for the whole kingdom.The faires play music, and Giant John starts to dance. He crushes the castle, but luckily he gets it put back together and gets paid for his work. He returns hoem to his mother and is able to buy food.

Who would I recommend this book to? Young children, it teaches good work ethic.

Possible problems/conflicts? None

My reaction: This was a book from my mom's childhood, so I really enjoyed reading it. Good , fun book! 4 stars ****

The Missing Piece Meets the Big O

By: Shel Silverstein
Published by: HarperCollins
Pages: 104
Ages: 9-12

THe missing piece is looking for someone who is missing a missing piece. He meets many on his journey but cannot find the right one. He one day meets someone who tells him that he can be his own piece that isnt missing and he can roll like rest. so he tries and finally achieves what hes been looking for this whole time.

Who I would recommend this book to? children who are seeming to have a harder time fitting in.

Possible problems conflicts? None that I found

My reaction: I thought this was a cute book, a fun self esteem builder. 4 stars ****

The Giver

By: Louis Lowrey
Published by: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Pages: 208
Ages: 9-12

Every year there is a ceremony called the Ceremony of the Twelve. In that ceremony everyone is given a privilege based on their age. At the age of twelve, jobs are assigned. Jobs are assigned according to talents, but the person does not get to choose their own jobs. Spouses are assigned, and two children (one boy, one girl) are assigned to each couple. Some women are birth mothers, they are the only people in the society who are allowed to give birth to children, but they never get to see their children. Babies are kept in a nurturing house until they are one year old, and then they are assigned to a family. The family units dissolve once children are raised.

During the Ceremony of Twelve, Jonas is given the Assignment of Receiver of Memory. The Receiver is the only keeper of the community’s collective memory. When the community became its painless, warless, and mostly emotionless state of tranquility and harmony, it abandoned all memories of pain, war and emotion. But the memories cannot disappear completely. Someone must keep them so that the community can avoid making the mistakes of the past, even though no one but the Receiver can bear the pain. Jonas receives the memories of the past, good and bad, from the current Receiver, a wise old man who tells Jonas to call him the Giver.

Eventually it is too much for Jonas to handle, and he escapes this "perfect" society to the real world. We are left in suspense because we don't know if he lived, or died.

Who would I recommend this to? Definatley older kids, possibly 6th graders.

Possible problems/conflicts? This book has its conflicts, I think that some parents wouldn't want their kid reading this book. It is all about an extreme communist society.

My reaction: This is my favorite book of all time. 5 stars *****

Magic School Bus- Microbes

By: Joanna Cole
Illustrated by: Bruce Degen
Ages: 4-8
Pages: 48

In this book the Magic School Bus and the kids in Mrs. Frizzle's class are shrunk down to the size of a microbe. They explore how yeast rises, and how germs make someone sick. They end up inside of a body, and explore the red blood cells, and the white.

Who I would recommend this to? Young scientists, kids who like to explore new ideas.

Possible problems/conflicts? None that I can see

My reaction: I was so involved in this book, I couldn't put it down, nor did I want I want it to end! 5 stars *****

Muggie Maggie

By: Beverly Cleary
Published by: HarperCollins
Ages: 9-12
Pages:96

This is a story about a girl named Maggie, she refuses to learn how to write cursive. And despite her parents, teachers, and friend's desperate effort, Maggie remained stubborn. Her teacher got the idea of making her the class messanger, she knew that Maggie would have a hard time not snooping in the letters, but there was one problem they were all in cursive. The notes in cursive were about Maggie, and she knew that much because she could read her name. Eventually she learns how to read cursive, against her own will, and the teacher congratulates her.

Who I would recommend this to: Probably 3rd graders, this is the grade that most kids learn cursive.

Possible Problems/conflicts? None that I can find.

My reaction: I didn't really like this book, I thought the plot was boring, and I just wanted it to end. 2 stars **

Agapanthus Hum and the Angel Hoot

By: Joy Cowley
Pictures by: Jennifer Peicas
Published by: Philomel Books
Pages: 48
Ages: 4-8

This is a story about a little girl named Agapanthus Hum. Agapanthus has a woggly tooth, and finally one day it falls out and she realizes she can whistle through the whole where the tooth used to be. She is very excited about this because when she whistles , her dog howls. Agapanthus thinks that is a pretty sound. SO she takes her dog to class, and does the whistle/howl for show and tell. They kids in her class loved it! They all wished they could do it too! One day Agapanthus's best friend called her up to tell her that he could whistle too, but sadly Agapanthus cannot do it any longer. But they good news is, she has 5 more woggly teeth!

Who I would recommend this to: Young children, possibly ones who are about to, or have lost their first tooth.

Any possible problems/ conflicts? No I do not see any problems.

My reaction: My mom read this book aloud to me, and it was a very silly book. We had a lot of fun with it. **** Four Stars

The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me

By:Roald Dahl
Illustrated By: Quentin Blake
Published By: Puffin Books
Ages: 9-12
Pages: 78

This is a story of little boy named Billy. Billy is facinated with an old bulding on the edge of town that used to be a candy store. One day the for sale sign said SOLD over it and Billy began to watch the building more closely. One mornign he went and there was an open sign, and a very tall door. Billy goes inside to investigate. He finds a window washing crew. A girrafe(the ladder), the pelican ( the bucket) and a monkey (the actually cleaner). A fancy car pulls up and gives the crew their first job at at the famous Hampshire House, where the dutch lives. HE is impressed by their window cleaning abilities, and they capture a most wanted robber that is trying the steal jewels from the dutchess. The dutch offers them a place to live, and food if they will be his permanant window cleaners. They quickly agree, and then the dutch asks Billy what he wants for his work, and he says he wants to reopen a candy store in that building. So it happened, he gets his fancy candy store, and the cleaning crew is happy also.

Who I would recommend this to: Young readers who are reading to explore above their reading level.

Any possible problems/conflicts? Maybe that every one lives happily ever after, they all get exactly what they want.

My reaction: I really enjoyed this book, I thought it was a fun, silly story. 4 stars ****

Pee Wee Scouts: Blue Skies. French Fries

By: Judy Delton
Illustrated by: Alan Tiegreen
Published by: Yearling
Ages: 4-8
Pages:80

This book is about a group of pee wee scouts who are going to play in a flag football game against another troup. All of the money raised from the game goes to a childrens hospital. Their troup leader, Mrs peters tells them this good news at a weenie roast in the park. The troup is determined to win, they practice and practice and PRACTICE! Finally the big day comes, but they troup loses. They are sad, but happy to have helped the childrens hospital.

Who would I recommend this to? Parents who want to teach their kids about being good sports.

Possible problems/conflicts? None that I can see

My reaction: This book was a fun, easy read. I really enjoyed it. 4 stars

Pee Wee Scouts- Cookies and Crutches

By:Judy Delton
Illustrated by: Alan Tiegreen
Published by: Yearling
Ages: 4-8
Pages: 80 pages

This book is about a group of 1st graders who attend scouts every Tuesday. But this Tuesday they are especially excited because they get to learn how to make cookies. Mrs. Peters- (their scout leader) teaches them how to make chocolate chip cookies, and tells them they have to go home and make them on their own. All of the children's cookies prove to be a diaster, so Mrs. Peter's helps them all make their own at scouts the next week. Then the exciting news comes that there is a skating party, Molly isn't as good as her friend Racheal is, but she is still excited. They bring their dads along. The skating party is on a Saturday and Molly doesn't want Racheal to think she has big feet, so she rents size 10 skates, which are clearly too small. Molly ends up twisting her ankle, and has to go to the doctor. In the end all of her friends from scouts draw her pictures and make her cards.

Who would I recommend this book to? Any child who wants an easy, silly book.

Any possible problems/conflicts? Some of the kids in the group don't have dad's, this could cause a conflict.

My reaction: I loved these books as a kid, and I still love them now! 4 stars!

The Boxcar Children

By: Gertrude Chandler Warner
Published by: Albert Whitman
Pages: 154
Ages 9-12



This is a book about four children whose parents died when they were little. When they were looking for a place to sleep, they asked if they could stay at the bakery shop for one night and in the morning they would wash the dishes. Even though the baker & his wife didn't like children they said, “OK”. That night they heard the baker's wife talking to her husband and they said they were going to use the three oldest in the bakery and give the youngest to the orphanage. The children ran away at night. Then they found the old boxcar. Inside the boxcar were some old empty crates. They lived in the boxcar for a little while, and that is how they became the boxcar children.

Who I would recommend this to? Kids who love mysteries, because the rest of the boxcar books are mysteries.

Possible conflicts/problems? I can see how this would rise a problem, these kids have real life problems not little problems like a missing bike. It could introduce a whole new way of life, and unperfect life, to children.

My reaction: Such a fun booK! I loved these books when I was younG! 4 stars!

Rescuing the Rain Forest

By: Bob Temple and Savannah Horrocks\
Published by: Picture Window Books
Ages:7-12
Pages 62

This book is about a little boy named Ari, Ari keeps hearing a strange noise coming from his bedroom. When he tells his best friend about it, she teases him saying they are too old to think that monsters live in the closet. Ari tries over and over again to catch the monster, but doesn't. One day he finally sees a dark figure in his bedroom, he calls his best friend Kendra over to look. When they open the door to Ari's room they are shocked to find that his room has been transformed into a rain forest. With trees and vines, and everything. When they entered the rian forest they saw the small creature, Trace, who had been in Ari's room causing the noise. Trace tok Ari, and Kendra to a small village int he rain forest. They were taken to meet the king. The king turns out to be Trace's father and refuses help from the human children. And the king ordered the kids to be returned to their world. The kids come upon a part of the forest that was being destroyed, and they set out to stop it from being destroyed. But in the process the Trolls kidnap them, and try to set them on fire. But in the end Trace and his people save the children and scare away the trolls.

Who I would recommend this to? People who are interested in keeping the environment preserved.

Possible problems/ conflicts? Some people might disagree with keeping the earth "green"

My reaction: This book was a bit strange, I didn't enjoy it much. 3 stars.

Get Well Good Knight

By: Shelly Moore Thomas

Published by: Dutton Children's Books
Pages: 51
Ages:7-12

This book is about 3 little dragons who come down with a terrible cold, and a knight hears them sneezing. So he sets out on a journey to find whoever is sick. After awhile, he finds the sick dragons in bed. The knight becomes concerned with the sick dragons, and sets out to find a wizard to help. The wizard gave him some special stew to give the three dragons. He returned to the cave where the little dragons lived to give them the stew. But the dragons refused to eat the stew. So the knight tried it himself, and it was terrible. So he went back to the wizard for something new. The wizard gave him a new kind of soup, and the knight returns once again to the cave. Once again the dragons refused the soup. When their mother came home she made yummy soup and they got better, and the knight could return to his castle satisfied that he had helped.

Who would I recommend this book to? Beginning readers, this is a good first novel.

Possible problems/conflicts? None that I see

My reaction? Cute book, not my favorite I have read though. Pretty repetative. 3 stars.

The Way I Feel

By: Janan Cain
Published by: Parenting Press
Pages: 32
Ages: 2-8

This book is a fantastic way to teach kids about different emotions they feel and why they feel them. It goes through a variety of emotions such as scared, disappointed, happy, nervous and so on and gived situations in which you might feel that way, and it is also illustrated in the pictures.

Who I would recommend this to? Little kids who need a better understanding of different emotions.

Possible Conlicts/problems? No, this book is harmless.

My reaction: I loved the pictures to go along with each emotion. Super cute book, 4 stars.

Mercedes and the Chocolate Pilot

By: Margot Theis Raven
Illustrated by: Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen
Published by: Sleeping Bear Press
Ages: 10-12
Pages: 54

This is a story about a girl named Mercades who lived in Berlin at the time of WWII. Her mama tells her a story about a pilot that secrectly dropped candy out of the supply airplanes for children. But one day he was caught. And instead of getting in trouble, his colonel told him to keep dropping the candy. People from America supplied him with candy, enough to fill 2 boxcars on a train. Her mama promised to take her to get candy from the candy pilot. Just as her mother promised, she got to go stand under the plane with all the other children to catch candy. But sadly, she went away with none. So she wrote a note to the pilot asking him for candy. One day Mercedes got a package filled with chocolate and gum. And she was so happy!

Who I would recommend this book to: Anyone interested in World War II.

Possible conflicts/problems? I did not find anY!

My reaction: I loved this book, I found it so interesting. The pictures were great also. 5 stars!

A Boy Named Beckoning: The True Story of Dr. Carlos Montezuma, Native American Hero

By: Gina Capaldi
Pulblished by: Carolrhonda Books
Ages: 8-12
Pages: 32

A true a story about an Yavapai Indian boy named Beckoning. He writes a letter to a professor stating he is willing to answer any questions the professor might have about his way of life. One night he was running from US soldiers and was seperatedd from his family and kidnapped by a strange man, and witnessed his village being burned. He was taken by horseback to a different village; a strange village. After a week, he was sold as a slave. His owner cut his hair, gave him a bath, and made him "civilized." The boy cried a lot, and to comfort him, his owner took him to talk with two indian girls. These girls happened to be his sisters. He only saw them 2 times again. The boy was baptized and given the new name of Carlos. When traveling he was given the job of being an actor. After traveling for quite some time, they settled in Chicago. And Carlos attended public school. When he was 11 his " father" was forced to leave him behind with a new family. Carlos attended medical school on scholarships. When he looked for his blodd family, he found they were all dead. But he was a doctor all of his life, and was happy with it.

Who I would recommend this to: Anyone really, such a great motivational story.

Possible problems/conflicts? None that I see.

My reaction: I loved this book, very interesting and motivational! 5 stars!

Lazily, Crazily, Just a Bit Nasally; More about adverbs

By: Brian P. Cleary
Illustrated by: Brian Gable
Published by: Millbrook Press
Ages:7-9
Pages:31

This book is a fun, nonfiction book about adverbs. It is a rymning book that teaches kids what adverbs are, how they are used,and what they are used for. It decribes what an adverb is by using averbs. It is a very creative book.

Who would I recommend this to? 2nd grade teachers who are trying to explain what an adverb is.

Possible problems/conflicts? This book sometimes got confusing, it may need to be read a few times.

My reaction: I thought this was a great way to teach about adverbs, I even learned something new! **** Four Stars

The Eleventh Hour

By: Graeme Base

Published by: Henry N. Adams

Ages: 4-8

Pages: 32

This a fun mystery book about an elephant named Horace who turns eleven, and wants to throw a big party! So he invites all of his animal friends, and has a big feast for them prepared. But first they play a bunch of party games. When they go to eat the feast at 11, someone has eaten the whole thing. The reader has to solve the mystery through the MANY clues hidden in the book. When the mystery is solved, the reader finds out that it is the mouse who ate all of it, along with his friends that came in right before the eleveth hour.



Who would I recommend this to? Anyone who is bored, or wants a mystery to solve.



Possible Conflicts/problems? The reader might feel silly after not being able to solve the mystery.



My reaction: Everyone boasts about this book, but I didn't care for it much. I have no patience to sit down and figure out the mystery. I give this book 3 stars ***

Jacobs Fairy Tales

By: Joesph Jacobs
Ages: All Ages
Published on: www.authorama.com

I read The Three Little Pigs, Jack and the Beanstock, Molly Whuppie and The Story of the Three Little Bears.

The story of Jack and the Beanstalk- Is about a little boy whose mother tells him to go sell the cow but he trades the cow for "magical" beans instead. His mother is so mad that she throws the beans out of the window, and sends the little boy to bed. Jack(the little boy) wakes up in the morning and sees a big beanstock, and climbs it. He finds a house at the top, and he enters it and finds a women. The women tell him to leave because her orge of a husband will eat him. Sure enough the husband can smell the boy, but the boy hids good enough and is not found. But the next day, Jack tries to steal some of the Giant's precious things, and the giant chases him down the beanstock, but before the giant can get down the beanstock, Jack chopped the beanstock down.

Who I would recommend this to: Anyone, this tales aren't too bad.

Possible Conflicts/problems: Death, and Violence

My reaction: I really don't dig fairy tales, they drive me crazy. Not a fan.

Grimm Fairy Tales

By: The Grimm Brothers- Jacob and Wilhelm
Published in The National Geographic
Ages: all ages

I read Hansel and Grethel which is a story about a poor family who cannot afford to feed their children, so the mother decides to take the children and leave them there to fend for themselves. The children overhear and put rocks in their pockets to drop along the way into the forest so they can find their way home. They find their was home the first time, and their father is so happy. But the mother takes them further into the forest leaving them there. This time they cannot find their way back and end up at a cottage made out of candy. The old lady of the house takes them in and then turns out to be a mean nasty witch, and tries to eat the children. But before she can, Grethel pushes her into the hot oven, closes the door, and the witch is burnt to pieces. The children take all of her money and jewels and return home to their father and lived happily ever after.

I also read Cinderella, Repunzel, and Little Red Cap.

Who I would recommend these fairy tales to: Not young children that's for sure! Maybe older children, like over the age 9.

Possible problems/conflicts? I think there is a lot of conflicts that could arise from these original fairy tales. Like abandonment of children, a witch trying to eat the kids, step sisters who go blind, and a little girl who kills the wolf with rocks.

My reaction: I was a little stunned by the orginal fairy tales, but I am pretty sure that they are the same ones I read when I was a kid, and they didn't do any damage. Well at least I hope : )

Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon

By: Patty Lovell

Illustrated by: David Catrow

Published by: G.P Putnam's and Sons

Ages: 4-8

Pages: 32 pages

Molly is a short little girl, the shortest in her class. But her grandma tells her to stand tall anyway. So she does. Molly has buck teeth, but her grandma tells her to smile anyway. So she does. Molly has a horrible singing voice, but her grandma tells her to sing anyway. So she does. One day Molly's family moves away from her grandma to a new school. The kids at her new school tease her for all her flaws, but she takes her grandma's advice and is herself. And she was accepted at her new school eventually!


Who I would recommend this to: Someone with low self esteem, or anyone who wants to smile.


Possible conflicts/problems: none that I saw


My reaction: I loved this book, I think it has a great message for kids of all ages, even for me. It tells that it is okay to be yourself! I give this book 5 stars *****

You Are Special

By: Maz Lucado

Illustrations: Sergio Martinez

Published by: Crossway Books

Ages: 5-9

Pages: 31

The Wemmicks all lived in a small village, they were all carved by a woodworker names Eli. Each Wemmick was different in shape and size. Everyday they gave each other stickers, the pretty and talented got stars but the ugly and clumbsy ones got dots. Stars made the wemmicks feel good, but the dots made them feel sad. Punchinello was a wemmick that always got dots, he would say something silly, or fall in a puddle-and he got a dot. He was covered in dots, and no stars. This made him so sad! One day he met another Wemmick who had NO STICKERS! She said that all of her stickers just fell off. Punchinello wanted to be like this, so he went to see Eli, the woodworker. Eli even knew his name! Punchinello expressed his concerns that he wasn't as good as the other Wemmicks. But Eli reassured him he was, and that he loved Punchinello just the way he is. He told Punchinello that the stickers wouldn't stick if he stopped caring about what other people said about him. And when Punchinello began to feel he was special, his stickers began to fall to the ground.

Who would I recommend this to? Any child or adult who needs a " pick me up" story!

Possible conflicts/problems? People could relate this story to religion. "everyone is equal in God's eyes." Parents might not want their child to hear or read this story because of this.

My reaction: This is one of my childhood favorites, and the copy in the library was well worn out, so it must be read alot, which is a good sign. I love the message that this book portays. GREAT BOOK! 5 stars *****

Does a Kangaroo Have a Mother?

By: Eric Carle

Published by: Harpercollins Publishers

Pages: 32 pages

Ages: 4-8

This book is a fun book, with lots of colorful illustrations. It goes through asking if different animals have mothers like we do. for example, Does a lion have a mother? Yes they do. Then it shows a fun picture of a baby lion with their mother. It goes through a list of animals like dolphins, cats, kangaroos, sheep, bears, elephants and monkeys. And they ALL have mothers, just like us! In the end it says, "All animals have mothers who love them, just like your mom loves you."


Who would I recommend this to: Preschoolers, or young readers.

Possible conflicts/problems? I didn't find any.

My reaction: I enjoyed reading this book, I thought the moral of this story was cute, and I loved the pictures. I give this book 4 stars. ****

Moo Who?

By: Margie Palatini

Illustrated by: Keith Graves

Published by: Katherine Tegan Books- (Harpercollins)

Ages: 4-8

Pages: 40

There is a cow, named Hilda, she is a horrible singer; usually off key. She was in the middle of a song when a cow pie hit her in the head. It knocked her out cold! When she woke up, she had lost her moo. She looked for it everywhere, but she found honks. She tried to see if she was a duck, but she wasn't. She found a peep, but she wasn't a chicken either. She tried to moo, but it just seemed so wrong. She continued to look to see what sound she should be making, but none seemed right. In the end she finds her moo again, and realizes she is a cow.


Who I would recommend this book to? Younger children, about kindergarten age.


Possible conflicts/problems? I didn't find any, this is a sweet innocent book.


My reaction: I enjoyed this book, it was better than I thought it was going to be. I especially like her name, Hilda Mae Heifer. I give this book 4 stars! ****

George Washington

By: Barbara Knox
Published by: Pebble Books

Pages: 24
Ages: 9-12

George Washington was born in born in Virgina in 1732. He grew up on a farm. He started working as a surveyor when he was 16. In 1759, he married. And moved to live on Mount Vernon. He led the revolutionary war in 1775. He became the first president of the United States. He dies in 1799 and we will remember him as "The Father of His Country."

Who would I recommend this book to: Anyone who wants to learn more about George Washington, it's just the basics, but good knowledge to know.

Possible conflicts/problems? I didn't find any.

My reaction: I love George Washington through and through. If he was my age ( and alive) I would hope to marry him! So I loved reading this book, I am a nerd.. .I know! I give it 4 stars ****

Who's That Tripping Over My Bridge

By: Coleen Salley

Illustrated by: Amy Jackson Dixon

Published by: Pelican Publishing Company

Ages: 4-8

Pages: 32

Just north of Baton Rouge lived 3 billy goats named Gruff. They wanted to climb the hills to eat the grass to make them fat. But first they had to cross Thompson creek, which was filled with quicksand. So they had to cross the bridge. Under the bridge lived an ugly troll who gobbled up everything that passed over the bridge. When the first goat went across the troll caught him and yelled at him. She tells him she is going to eat him up but the littlist billy goat tells her to wait for his brother to cross, because he is much fatter. And she lets him cross. This happens to the second billy goat too. And when the third billy goat crosses the bridge, the troll tells him she is going to eat him up, but the biggest billy goat kills the troll instead.


I recommend this book to: Someone who isn't afraid of trolls! : ) This troll is creepy!


Possible conflicts/ problems? The end is a little violent, I am not sure I would want my child reading that.


My reaction: I am not a big fan, I didn't really like it, I didn't like the illustrations much. I don't think I would recommend this book. I give it 2 stars **

Even More Parts

By: Tedd Arnold

Published: Dial Books for Young Readers

Ages: 4-8

Pages: 40

The little boy in this book talks about weird sayings he has heard (and he thinks people mean them literally) Like I have lost my head, I am toungue tied, my nose is running, I sang my heart out, and a lot more. He is afraid to leave the house, so he gears up in armor that he has made, and when he leaves the house his mom says, "Be sure to keep your head on straight."



Possible Conflicts/problems? After reading this a child might begin to wonder if their parts can come loose also.



Who I would recommend this book to? Anyone, once again I found myself chuckling out loud when I read it!



My reaction: This was such a funny book! I really liked it, I felt like a kid again. The pictures were fantastic and silly! LOVE IT! I give this 4 stars ****

Junior Sports: Snowboarding

By: Morgan Hughes

Published by: Rouke Publishing

Pages: 32

Ages: 9-12

Snowboarding began almost 40 years ago. They first called it the "snufer" Most snowboards are made of composite materials for flexiblity and strength. The edges are lined with a steal band. Snowboarders should wear a helmet. Boarders must yield to people in front of them. This book is a great book with lots of facts, and interesting tips.



Who I would recommend this book to: Beginning snowboarders



Possible conflicts/problems: I feel there could have been more description of the things they talked about.



My reaction: I like this book a lot, I love to snowboard so it was fun to read about it.


I give it 4 stars ****

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs

By: Judi Barrett

Illustrations by: Ron Barrett

Published by: Aladdin Paperbacks

Pages: 32

Ages 4-9

The grandpa in the story tells his granchildren a bedtime story of a land called Chewandswallow. In the land of Chewandswallow, no one buys food at the supermarket, everything falls from the sky. It would "rain" food three times a day, and whatever fell from the sky, the people would eat. They would often take leftovers home to put in the fridge to eat later. The sanatation dept. had to clean up after each meal. One day, everything started gettign out of control, food continually feel from the sky, and was damaging homes and hurting people. So the townspeople used bread and leftovers to make boats and float to a new place where it rained rain and snowed snow. They found it odd that they had to buy their food, but they were happy!



Possible conflicts/problems? People could get depressed after reading this book, because they might wish their food fell from the sky too.



Who I would recommend this to? Little kids, with a vivid imagination.



My reaction: This book disturbed me, I would hate for food to just fall from the sky, and what happens if I don't like the food that falls that day, would I just go hungry? I give his book 3 stars ***

Silly Billy

By: Anthony Browne

Published by: Candlewick Press

Pages: 32 pages

Ages: 4-8

Billy is a worrier. He worries about hats, shoes, clouds, rain, birds. Anything, you name it.. he is scared of it. His parents kept telling him not to worry, and they will protect him. One night, he stayed at his grandma's house, and he couldn't sleep because he was so worried. He wakes up his grandma, and she gives him little worry dolls to put under his pillow to do the worrying for him. Billy slept like a dog that night. And the next night and the next. But then one night, Billy began to worry again. All of the worries he had given to the dolls, it didn't seem fair. So the next day he made worry dolls for the worry dolls, and he slept great that night and every night after.

Who would I recommend this to? Some child who tends to worry a lot!

Possible conflicts/problems? I don't see any


My reaction: I thought this was a fun book! I didn't know there was such things as worry dolls! I give this book 3 stars ***

Mo's Stinky Sweater

By: David Bedford

Illustrated by: Edward Eaves

Published by: Hyperion Books for Children

Pages: 32

The monkey Mo always wears his rainbow sweater, he wears it to pick berries, and making mud pies. He uses his sweater to clean his hands and face after eating messy foods. One day his mom came and tried to take the sweater off of Mo to go wash it, but Mo wouldn't let her. They had a tug-a-war over the sweater, and had other animals join on either side. Mo let go and his mother and her friends tumbled into the mud. Mo's sweater eventually gets washed, but when he put it on, it is too big and stretched out! But he doesn't mind, because now he can sleep in his sweater, like a hammock.


Possible problems/conflicts? Possibly when Mo won't obey his mom, this could be a bad example.


Who would I recommend this to? Anyone who wants a smile, mainly preschoolers though.


My reaction: I feel this a fun book for little kids, great colors and pictures! I give it 4 stars ****

Diary of a Spider

By: Doreen Cronin

Illustrated by: Harry Bliss

Published By: Joanna Colter Books

Pages: 40

Ages: 4-8

This book is a diary of a little spider. Her grampa comes to school and teaches the little spider students that spiders aren't insects, and butterflies taste better with a little barbecue sauce. She learns how to fly using her silk string; it takes a lot of practice. Another day, they have a vacuum cleaner drill, and they will continue to practice. Another day, he molts from his skin because his mom says he is getting too big. His friend Worm thinks that is gross. His grampa travel across the ocean, this made the spider so excited to hear about his travels. Spider expresses his concern that he wishes all spiders weren't judged because of those few spiders who DO bite.


Who I would recommend this to? People/kids who are afraid of spiders. Or who like kill them!


Possible problems/conflicts? I don't see any. Maybe for people who get really creeped out by spiders! :)


My Reaction: I loved this book, I was chuckling aloud the whole time I was reading it. People in the library were for sure laughing at me :) I give it 5 stars *****

How to Catch a Star

Written and Illustrated by: Oliver Jeffers

Published by: Philomel Books

Ages: 4-8

Pages: 32

The little boy in the story LOVES stars, and he wishes he could have one of his own. He wants one to play games with, and take walks with. He decided that he was going to catch a star of his very own. So he sets out at sunrise, but didn't see any stars, he sits down and waits for one to appear. Finally the boy sees a star. He tries jumping, and climbing a tree but still couldn't find it. He kept trying ideas but they all failed. Then he sees the refection of the star in the water, and tries to fish it out. But he cannot grab a refection. He gives up, and slowly starts toward home. But then he saw a golden star just sitting in the sand. He had finally caught his star! And he happily walks home with his star.



Who I would recommend it to: Children who need a ray of hope



Possible conflicts/problems: I didn't find any



My reaction: I thought this was such a cute book! It was so happy! I give it 4 stars ****

If You Give a Pig a Pancake

By: Laura Numeroff

Illustrated by: Felicia Bond

Published by: HarperCollins Publishers

Ages: 4-8

Pages: 32

The girl in this story gives a pig a pancake, and then he asks for syrup. And he gets sticky from the syrup and he wants a bath... and so on. The story ends up with the girl building him a tree house, and then the pig wants to decorate it, and he gets sticky from the glue while putting on the wallpaper, and it reminds him of the syrup in the beginning so he asks the little girl for some, then he winds up wanting pancakes.

I would recommend this book to: Anyone who wants a laugh!

Any problems/conflicts? I don't see any, the pig isn't wearing pants, maybe that :)

My reaction: This book amused me, I think it is a fun book, with creative pictures. I give it 4 stars ****

The Polar Express

Written and Illustrated by: Chris Van Allsburg

Published By: Houghton Mifflin Company

Pages: 32

Ages: 7-9

A boy(who does not believe in Santa) wakes up on Christmas Eve, and hears a train outside of his window. He looks out the window to see a conductor calling him to get on the train. As the boy boards the train he is told that this is the Polar Express and it is going to the North Pole. On the train they eat cookies, and drink hot coco. They pass through forests, mountains, ice caps, and finally the North Pole. The children on the train are told everyone in the North Pole is gathered in town square to see who gets the first Christmas gift. When the boy sees Santa, Santa calls him up and asks him what he wants for Christmas. The boy told Santa that he wanted a silver bell from Santa's sleigh more than anything .The boy received the first gift of Christmas, the bell. When the clock struck midnight, Santa and his reindeer were off to deliver gifts. All of the children got back on the train, and when they pulled away the little boy noticed there was a hole in his pocket and the bell was no where to be found. Sad, he returns home, and back to bed. Christmas morning after all the gifts were opened there was one small package left under the tree, it was the silver bell. When the boy rang it, only him and his sister could hear it. And over the years, less and less can hear the bell, but the little boy always can, and always will.

Who would I recommend this to: Anyone who wants to feel the Christmas spirit.

Possible Conflicts/problems? For parents who don't teach there is a Santa, or who don't believe in Christmas, they probably wouldn't want their children to read it.

My reaction: I have always loved this book, and always will. It is such a great way to get excited about Christmas. And the illustrations are amazing! I give this book 5 stars *****

The Snow Show

By: Carolyn Fisher

Published By: Harcourt Inc.

Pages: 48 pages

Ages: 9-12

This book is a fun, silly way to teach how snow is made. The book is a TV show, that takes the readers to the north pole, and through the sky, in the clouds, and back to the ground. It explains how water is turned into snow. "the recipe for snow" And then it explains the different types of snow crystals that fall from the sky. It has silly remarks throughout the book from the water that is being made into the snow, they call him chef.


Possible conficts/problems? I don't see any, this book is harmless

Who I recommend this book to? Anyone! Adults! Children! I just love this book!


My reaction: I loved this book, I read it aloud and my friend and I were enthused by this book. It was so funny, and great illustrations. Such a fun way to teach kids about snow. I give this book 5 stars*****

Wash Your Hands

By: Tony Ross

Published By: Kane/Miller Book Publishers

Pages: 24 pages

Ages: 4-8

This book is a fun book about a little girl who is being told by her parents to wash her hands after playing outside, with the dog, using the potty, and sneezing. Her maid explains to her that she gets "germs" on her hands after those activities, and if those germs get on her food, they can make her sick. In the end the little girl is more than happy to wash her hands before she eats.



Who would I recommend this to? Parents who cannot get their children to wash their hands.



Possible conflicts/problems? I don't see any.



My reaction: I thought this book was such a fun way to teach young kids about germs, and the pictures are fun also. I give it 4 stars ****

Over Land and Sea- A Story of International Adoption

By: Steven Layne

Illustrated by: Jan Bower

Published by: Pelican Publishing Company

Pages: 32

Ages: 4-8

This book is a cute story to adopted children about how their parents fell in love, and couldn't have a child so they travelled far to look for one to add to the family. It explains to an internationally adopted child that they are loved as much as biological children, and how much their parents went through to bring them into their family.

Who I would recommend it to: An adopted child and their families.

Possible conflicts/problems? I don't see any.

My reaction: I loved this cute book, the pictures were great, the theme was great. It hit home to me because my brither was adopted, and we love him like he isn't any different than the rest of us. I give this book 4 stars ****

My Brother Dan's Delicious

By: Steven Layne

Illustrations by: Chuck Galey

Published by: Pelican Publishing Company

Pages: 32

Ages: 4-8

A little boy named Joesph came home to find no one there, and a note on the front door from his parents saying they were out for coffee, and his brother would be home from the movies shortly. At first he was so excited to be alone at home. But then he got thinking, what if the monsters know he is alone. He starts looking around the house, and he begins to picture monsters everywhere waiting to eat him, and he plans on telling them that his older brother Dan will taste better if they just wait for him. The more he wonders around the house, the more scared he becomes. Then just when he thinks a monster is about to attack, it turns out to be his brother Dan to save the day.

Who would I recommend this to? I would recommend it to kids who are NOT afraid of monsters.

Possible problems/conflicts? This book talks about a silly way to keep the monster from eating you, but I think it would have scared me as a kid, I was terrified to stay alone.

My reaction: Cute book , surprisingly large words though. I give it 3 stars ***

Coral Snakes- Amazing Snakes

By: Ted O'Hare
Published by: Rourke Publishing LLC
Pages: 24

Coral Snakes are reptiles. There are more than 70 species of coral snakes. They all have venom. They live in North, Central, and South America. They are normally about 2 feet long. Coral snakes rely on their smell to find their prey. The venom of the snake paralyzes the prey and then it swallows it whole. In the summer mother snakes lay 6-10 eggs. After about 2 months the eggs hatch, and as soon as they are born they can kill prey and defend for themselves.

Ages: 4-8

I would recommend this book to: Some one who is interested in snakes or wild life.

Possible conflicts or problems: Some words are difficult for a young child to understand, I think they needed more explanation.

My reaction: I learned a lot about coral snakes from reading this book. I quite liked it. I give it 4 stars ****

The Lorax

By: Dr. Suess

Published by: Random House Books for Young Readers

Pages: 72



This book is a story about a little boy who goes to a dirty, polluted, deserted place. This place has no trees, and heavy smog. There stands one house with a man who knows the story about what happened to this place. He pays the man fifteen cents, and the man begins to tell the story. He starts by saying that when he came to the forest there was lots of trees, and fish, and birds and animals. So he built a house and statred making " Thneeds" (a sweater, sock, shirt, pillow case, sheet, anything you can imagine) out of Truffula Trees. Soon he gets greedy and his business gets bigger with more employees. The Lorax keeps warning him that he is ruining the beautiful area. But the man keeps making Thneeds. The forest gets dirtier and dirtier and eventually the animals, birds, and fish have to leave. Along with the Lorax. Eventually the last tree is gone and everyone that is making Thneeds leaves, and the one man is left to live in the dirty forest. And at the end of the story the old man gives the last seed from the Truffula trees, and tells him to grow one, and take good care of it.



Ages: 4-7



Who I would recommend it to: Any young child, or anyone for that matter. It's a fun book to teach about the environment.



Possible Conflicts: I don't think this has conflicts, I feel this story has a good lesson built in it about keeping our environment clean.



My reaction: Honestly I thought this was a lame book, it would be fun if you were learning or teaching about keeping the environment clean. I give it 3 stars ***

Freckle Juice

By: Judy Blume

Published by: Yearling

Pages: 48



Andrew wanted more freckles like another boy in his class, so his mom wouldn't know when his neck was dirty. A girl in his class overhears him saying that he wants more freckles, and says that for 50 cents she would give him the secret recipe for freckle juice. Andrew falls for it and gives her 50 cents, she gives him a paper with a list of ingredients. Andrew goes home when his mom is at the neighbors and drinks this vile drink of a mix of ingredients. He gets sick from the ingredients, and doesn't go to school the next day. He is embarrassed the drink didn't give him freckles, so he used a magic marker to give himself freckles. The next day at school, the teacher sees his freckles start to run and gives him a freckle remover. (soap and water) and he takes off his "freckles" At the end he decides that he likes himself just the way he is!


Ages: 4-8


Conflicts: None that I could see, this is a cute harmless book.


My reaction: I thought this was a fun book, I could have seen myself doing as a kid, so it made me laugh. I give this book 3 stars ***

Amber Brown is Not a Crayon

By: Paula Danziger

Published by: Penguin Group

Pages: 80



This book is about a misfit girl named Amber Brown. Her best friend Justin is also a misfit, and together they have a lot of fun. They are never apart. But one day they are walking home from school, and when they get to Justin's house they see a for sale sign. Amber tries to stop anyone from buying the house, but despite her efforts the house gets sold and Justin's family plans on moving to to Alabama. Justin doesn't seem too sad though, he even throws out the gum collection that he and Amber have been working on. This puts Amber over the edge, and she disowns Justin as her best friend. And begins to search for a new one. But no one can quite take Justin's place. The day came when Justin was saying goodbye to the class, and he and Amber make up, and become friends again. Justin gives the gum collection( that he dug out of the garbage) to Amber as a going away present. Even though they are both dad, they still plan on talking on the phone, well when their parents allow it.


Ages: 7-11


Possible conflicts: I don't think there are any possible conflicts found in this book.


My reaction: I loved Amber Brown growing up, and I still love it reading it again. They are such fun stories, with good lessons behind them. I give this book 4 stars ****

Heckedy Peg

By: Audrey Wood

Illustrated by: Don Wood

Published by: Harcourt, INC

Pages: 30

This book is a fun story about a mom who leaves her children to go to the market, before she leaves she asks her 7 children what they want her to bring back for them. They all say a different item, and with a word of advice not to talk to strangers she if off. While the children were playing alone, a knock comes at the door. It is an old lady who claims she is missin a legs and light for her pipe. The children let her in and she turns out to be a wicked witch and turns them into food, and takes them to her house for a feast. When the mother returns she sees her children are missing and some one tells her he saw an old lady take them. She searches for them and finds them, when she gets to the wicked witch's house the witch won't let her in because her feet are dirty. So the mom quickly gets on her knees, and claims she has cut her feet off. The witch les her and in and says that she must name all of her children (who were food items now) to get them back. Using her wits, and based on what they wanted at the store, she names all of her children correctly and she chased the witch out of town.

Ages: 4-8

Possible conflicts: The witch could scare some children, because she scared me. :)

My reaction: This was a fun book, I loved the pictures. But I must admit, it scared me a little bit! :) I give the book 4 stars ****

The Watsons Go To Birmingham 1963

By: Christopher Paul Curtis

Published by: Yearling

Pages: 210


This book is a hilarious book about a African-American family that lives in Flint, Michigan. The oldest boy, Bryon is misbehaving and not following his parents rules. So Momma and Dad decided to take a road trip to Alabama to leave Byron with his grandmother for a few months. This is sad for both Joetta, and Kenny( his siblings) Despite the begging and pleading, momma and dad still insist on taking Byron to Alabama. They make the long trip to Alabama and when they are there, Kenny almost drowns in a swimming hole, but Byron saves his life. And then there is a bombing(whick is based on true events) at the church house where Joetta( the little sister) was attending Sunday school. When Kenny heard about the bombing, he went and searched for Joetta at the church, he saw lots of dead bodies of little girls lying around, and he wsas sure Joetta was dead. Joetta was fine however, but momma and dad decided that it wasn't right to leave Byron there anymore, and he promised to shape up if they took him back home to flint with them. The family learns a lot about racism while visiting grandma, and for the kids, it changed their lives for the better.


Age Level: Ages 9-12


Possible conflicts: There is a lot of racism in this book, and also a lot of foul laungage, I don't think I would be comfortable in having my kids read this book until they were in the 6th grade, which is when I first read it.


My reaction: I love this book, the cover is decieving because this book is so funny, and whitty. I loved every minute of reading it. Plus I enjoy the history in it also. I give it 5 stars *****

Beezus and Ramona

By: Beverly Cleary

Illustrated: Louis Darling

Pages: 159



Published by: William Morrow & Company



This book is a fun story about two sisters who fight all of the time. Ramona is only five years old, and she drives Beezus nuts most of the time. ramona is your regular child terror. She wants the same book read over and over agin, and instists on wearing her bunny ears in public. Beezus being the older and quieter of the two, is embarrassed by Ramonas acts. Like the time she shows up unannounced at Beezus's art class, and makes a huge mess out of the paints, and leaves Beezus to clean up. Or the time she throws a birthday party for herself without telling any of her family, and Beezus has to help entertain 15 little children. At the end of the story Ramona ruins 2 of Beezus's birthday cakes, and keeps interuppting Beezus at her own birthday dinner. This frustrates Beezus and she explains to her family that sometimes she just doesn't love Ramona, and she feels guilty for it. Her mom and aunt explain that it is normal to fight with your sister, and you cannot love them all of the time. This makes Beezus feel better, and she is happy to have Ramona join her for the rest of her birthday.



Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Possible conflicts: I think the theme could be a possible conflict. It teaches kids that it is okay not to LOVE your family all of the time, when really I think they should have taught that it is okay not to get along with your family at all times.

My reaction: This book wasn't as good as I remembered it being. I was a bit disappointed. I give it 3 stars ***

Sideways Stories from Wayside School

By: Louis Sachar

Illustrated by: Adam McCauley


128 pages


HaperCollins Publisher Inc.


This book is personally one of my favorites. It is a collection of silly, unusual stories about kids who are on the 30th floor of the wacky school. When the school was built, the builders built it 30 stories high, and only one class room on each floor, instead of 1 story high with 30 classrooms. And there is no 13th floor in this book. The stories are about the kids in Mrs. Jewel's class on the 30th floor. They are so silly and fun!


Ages: 9-12


What problems could this book possibly cause? This book does use some foul laungage and has some violent acts. This cause potenitally cause a problem.

My reaction: These books are great. I love Louis Sachar, he has such a greta sense of humor. I give it 4 stars.

Click, Clack, Moo; Cows That Type

By Doreen Cronin

Pictures by Betsy Lewin

Published by: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers

This picture book is a silly story of cows that get a type writer and leave a note for the farmer telling him they want electric blankets and when the farmer refuses, they go on strike. Finally the farmer gives in and sends the neutral duck to give the blankets to the cows in exchange for the typewriter. The cows were happy to get the blankets, but the duck stole the typewriter. And at the end of the book the duck types a letter to the farmer asking for a diving board for the pond. Super cute, fun book!

Ages 3-7

I don't think there is any possible conficts or problems that arise with this fun book.

I give this book 4 stars!

Holes

Holes by Louis Sachar

Pages: 233

Reading Level: ages 9-12 years old

Fantasy

This book is about a young boy named who gets sent to Camp Greenlake for "stealing" a professional baseball players shoes. but he really didn't steal the shoes, he just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. The shoes had fallen on his head when he was under an overpass. He blames it on his pig stealing grandfather. Who had a curse placed upon his family forever for breaking a promise to carry a gypsy women up a mountain and allow her to drink from a stream. He went to the camp anyway. He went hoping he would make new friends, and get to swim in the lake. When he got there he realized there was no lake, and he doubted he would make new friends. At Camp Greenlake, the boys are required to dig a 5 ft hole (wide and deep) each day. The camp tells the boys they are digging to build character, but in reality, the Warden of the camp is looking for buried treasure. It is deadly hot out there, and so the boys have to get up each day at 4 am to start the holes. All the boys in Stanleys group are loud and rude, but there is one boy named Zero who only talks to Stanley. One day Zero tells Stanley that he doesn't know how to read, and Stanley agrees to teach Zero, but Zero has to dig part of Stanley's hole each day. When the Warden of the camp finds out about this agreement, she yells at the boys. At this point in the book, Zero has taken enough crap from everyone, and he starts running as fast as he can away from camp. The Warden expects him to become buzzard food because the camp has the only food and water around for hundreds of miles. So she tells one of the counselors to delete Zero's files and pretend he was never there. A few days later, Stanley runs away too, in hopes of finding Zero. He eventually finds Zero under a boat drinking cans of old peaches. He called them "sploosh." Stanley once remembered a story about how his grandfather found water on something called "god's thumb" and survived in the desert. Stanley looked up to see a mountain shaped like a thumb. He and Zero set out to climb the mountain to find water. But on the way up Zero got sick, and Stanley had to carry him up the mountain. They found water and onions on top of the mountain, and survived for a week off of them. Suddenly something clicked with Stanley and he wanted to go back to camp to dig one last hole, in hopes of finding the treasure that kissing Kate Barlow stole from his grandfather 100 years before. He and Zero return to camp at night, and sure enough they find the treasure, but as soon as they do, the Warden shines a light on them saying, "You boys sure saved me a lot of work." Before she could take the treasure, lizards appeared all over in the hole where the boys stood, and these lizards cause a slow painful death with just one bite. The lizards didn't bite the boys because they don't like onion blood. Before the Warden could claim the treasure Stanley's lawyer shows up to take him home, because he has been proven innocent. And he gets to take the treasure(Because it has his grandfather's name on it, which is also stanley yelnats.) and Zero( because his files couldn't be found). The boys returned home as millionaires (well almost) and when they got home Stanley's dad the inventor had invented a cure for foot odor, and everyone said it smelled like peaches, so they named it sploosh. We find out in the end of the book that Zero was a decedent of the gypsy who had placed a curse on Stanley's family, and because Stanley carried Zero up the mountain, the curse was broken. This book has 3 stories going on at once, and is quite hard to explain, so I suggest you go out and get your copy today! ENJOY!



I would recommend this book to anyone! It is fit for all ages, probably no one under 10 though :)



What problems/conflicts could this book possibly cause? There are some cold characters in this book, and Stanley is a misfit. There is also some violence between characters. Like the shooting of a black man.

I give it 5 stars! It is one of my favorite books!

Fudge-a-Mania

Fudge-a-Mania

Penguin Group 2000

146 pages

Reading level: Ages 9-12

Juvenile Fiction

This book is told from the percpetive of a young boy named Peter Hatcher. He and his family take a trip to Maine with some family friends. Peter isn't too happy to stay next door to his sworn enemy, Sheila Tubman, for 3 weeks. But his 5 year old brother, Fudge, couldn't be happier. He was convinced that he and Sheila would be married. The two families end up sharing a house together, and things get crazy. Someone leaves the window open, and lets Fudge's bird, Uncle Feather, out of the house. Fudge, and Peter end up meeting the wife of a retired famous baseball player. Silly adventures continue through out the book. Fudge doesn't end up marrying Sheila. But he has found himself a new puppy love named Mitsy, the granddaughter of the famous baseball player. But two people do end up getting married at the end, but not who you would have thought. Peter Hatcher's grandma marries Sheila Tubman's grandfather. This puts quite the twist on the story. Not only did Peter have to spend 3 weeks in the same house as his sworn enemy but he had to work through his differences with Sheila, because now they are cousins.

I would recommend this book to 3rd and 4th graders. But this book can get a laugh out of just about anyone!

What problems/conflicts could this book potentially cause? The children in this book are not nice to each other. They call each other a lot of names and say rude things to each other. This possibly could teach children inadequate social skills.

My reaction: I loved this book when I was in grade school, and I still love it now. It is a witty and humoruous book! I give it 4 stars! ****

The Book Buzz

I have taken on the challenge this semester of a 300 level English class. And for that class I have to read around 65 books, that are young adult literature. I have read a few so far, and I have a feeling it is going to be quite the adventure! They are so fun to read. So I challenge you to go on this adventure with me, and follow this blog. I will post reviews on books every where from nonfiction to picture books! I encourage you to put your inputs on these books, or suggest other great young adult books.

Thank you!

Shayna