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 *****
Sunday, April 4, 2010
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!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)