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 *****
Monday, April 5, 2010
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 ****
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 *****
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 *****
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 **
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 ****
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 ****
Sunday, April 4, 2010
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 ****
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 ****
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 **
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 ***
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 ****
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 ****
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 *****
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 *****
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 **
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
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 ****
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 ****
Thursday, April 1, 2010
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
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!
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!
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