Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Horton Hears a Who


Title: Horton Hears a Who
Author: Dr. Seuss
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Reading Level: 1 and up
Pages: 60
Genre: Picture Book










Summary:

Horton was in the pool when he heard a tiny noise. He couldn't tell where it was coming from, and then he saw a small speck of dust. That was where it was coming from! He picked up the speck and dropped it onto a flower for safe keeping. Horton tried to tell others about the people, but nobody believed him. Everyone thought he was crazy and that he should give up the speck. However, he wouldn't and then he heard it speck! The speck had Whos living on it! A whole town with buildings and a mayor and familes and books. Horton couldn't believe it. Then the Wickersham Brothers came and stole the flower with the speck on it! They took it to Vlad Vlad-i-koff. He took the flower and dropped it into a field full of the exact same flowers. Horton searched and searched and searched through the flowers until, finally, he found the Whos. There town had suffered damage but everyone was ding alright. However, all the animals still thought Horton was crazy. They decided to boil the flower in Beezle-Nut oil. Horton was terrified, and he told the maor of Whosville to get everyone to yell so that everyone else could hear them. However, no matter how hard they tried, nobody could hear them. They searched to make sure everyone was making noise when they found a little Who. The mayor rushed him to the top of the tower where he shouted 'yopp.' That yopp broke through and everybody heard the Whos. They all decided to protect the Whos then. The pictures in this book aren't very colorful, but they are full of all the creatures and craziness of the story. They definitely make the story full as you see the facial expressions and all the work that Horton does in the field.

My Reaction:

I've grown up with this book so I love it. Dr. Suess is always fun to read, and it's always an adventure.

Potential Problems:

The other animals are rude to Horton, and the evil bird takes away the Whos and almost loses them forever. Also, they try to boil the Whos, but everything works out in the end.

Recommendations:

I recommend tho book to everyone! Especially if they love Dr. Suess. This one is definitely a classic and I think everyone would love it.

The Very Hungry Catterpillar


Title: The Very Hungry Catterpillar
Author: Eric Carle
Publisher: Philomel
Reading Level: 1 and up
Pages: 22
Genre: Picture Book







Summary:

Once there was an egg on a leaf. After a while it cracked open and out came a very tiny and very hungry caterpillar. He started looking for food and he ate through everything you can think of for a full week. Then he wasn't feeling so well, and he wasn't very little anymore. He was huge! He made a cacoon and rested inside of it for many days. When he came out he wasn't a caterpillar anymore. He was a beautiful butterfly! Eric Carle tells this story of a hungry caterpillar, but his pictures are what makes the book come to life. Some of the pages are even shortened when there is only one item that he ate. The pages lengthen as he eats more each day. Every food that he eats through has a hole in it that you could actually put something through. It's very colorful and attention grabbing.

My Reaction:

I think this is a great book. It's just fun and it's different from most of what's out there to read.

Potential Problems:

I didn't recognize any potential problems with this book.

Recommendations:

I would recommend this for a fun read aloud with children. It would also be fun to teach the life cycle of a butterfly to students in a classroom.

Verdi


Title: Verdi
Author: Janell Cannon
Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books
Reading Level: 2 and up
Pages: 42
Genre: Picture Book





Summary:

Verdi loves his bright yellow skin and his black stripes. When his mother tells him to go grow big and green he can't understand why. He decides to ask the green snakes but they are boring and rude! So Verdi decides he will be the speediest snake and jump and climb so that he stays yellow. He grabs onto a branch and flings himself into the air. He has so much fun, but at his first molt he notices a long green stipe on his body. He is mortified! How could this have happened? He grabs leaves and jumps into the water trying to rub off the green. A fish almost eats him, but Verdi bites his nose and he is flung into mud. It covered him all over and it didn't feel very good, but at least he wasn't green. Once the mud dried it began to crack and Verdi was greener than ever. He grabbed a branch and flung himself into the sky again. However, he fell to the ground and he couldn't move. The greens had been watching him and they came to the rescue. They splinted him to a branch and all he could do was listen to them. He was shocked to hear that they had been just like him when they were young. When he was healed they untied him and told him he could come join them. He didn't feel like he was ready yet, but he sat there while the sun set. He loved the night life and how the moon changed. Soon he was so green that he blended into the leaves. One day two young snakes came up to him and joked about how lazy he was. He remembered how he was like that and then he asked the yellows if they wanted to climb trees and see his figure 8. They did a triple firgure 8, and Verdi was glad that even though he was green he was still Verdi. Each spread in this story has a full sized picture on one side. The deatail of the snakes is adorable and fun to see. The detail of the scenery is also beautiful and fun to search through. When the snakes smile you see their tongues sticking out, and you see all their emotions in their face.

My Reaction:

I think this is a great book. It is fun to read at and to look at. It's fun to see how it is a cycle with the snakes. They all didn't want to be green, and then once they were green they were content, and they were teased by younger snakes. I just love it all.

Potential Problems:

Unless a child is deathly afraid of snakes I don't see any potential problems with this book.

Recommendations:

I recommend this book for a read aloud in a class. It's fun, and it teaches that it's okay to grow up because you can still be you.

The Grasshopper and the Ants


Title: The Grasshopper and the Ants
Author: Margaret Wise Brown
Publisher: D.C. heath and Company
Reading Level: 2 and up
Pages: 28
Genre: Picture Book










Summary:

The grasshopper loved to enjoy the summer, and he went around having fun and singing. When he ran into the ants working he told them to play. However, they knew winter was coming so they worked hard all day to store up for the winter. The grasshopper did not like this way of life, so he kept singing and danceing and eating whenever he wanted. One day he met an ant and told him to 'take the grasshopper way' and have fun. The ant loved the music so he stopped working. Then the queen of the ants came and the little ant left to keep working. The queen told the grasshopper that he would be sorry when winter came, but he continued to sing and play. The queen hurried off to keep working, and the summer continued. The ants kept working and when winter started to set in they settled into their home with all the food they would need. Grasshopper, on the other hand, was frozen and he couldn't find any food. He saw the ants having fun in their home and then he fell to the ground almost frozen. He knocked and the ants let him in and cared for him. When he saw the queen he asked for a second chance, and she told him he must work. She handed him his fiddle and ordered him to play! Everyone statred to dance, and the grasshopper changed his ways. This book contains full page pictures of all the events. The grasshopper is portrayed as making the good decision with the colors, and the ants seem boring. However, when winter comes it changes. The ants home is fun and full of color, and the grasshopper is frozen. I love the reactions and facial expressions of all the ants. I think they are all so cute!

My Reaction:

This is a great book! I love the pictures and it has a great moral.

Potential Problems:

Kids might be sad that the grasshopper almost freezes, but nothing bad happens to him.

Recommendations:

I wolud recommend this book to everyone. It teaches a good lesson of preparing now for the future instead of waiting around until the last minute. Everybody needs a reminder every now and then.

Saturday Night at the Dinosaur Stomp


Title: Saturday Night at the Dinosaur Stomp
Author: Carl Diggory Shileds
Publisher: Candlewick
Reading Level: 1 and up
Pages: 24
Genre: Picture Book

Summary:

This adorable book is set up with rhymes and a bunch of fun for kids. The dinos are spreading the word that it's time for the Dinosaur Stomp. Everyone is very excited and they start to get ready. Everybody is washing up to lok their best, and then they race to the Dinosaur Stomp! The different dinosaurs all get there and the part began. It was fun and exciting and sometimes a little scary. All of a sudden the bad struck up. Time for dancing! Dinos began dancing the night away, and they even started a conga line! As the night continued they watched the firwork show from the volcanoes, and they even danced up an earthquake! They danced through the Cenozoic era and then they were beat. They laid down to slepp until it was time for the next Dinosaur Stomp!! This book is fun with how it rhymes and the dinos dancing up an earthquake. The best part is the pictures though. Each picture takes up the whole page, and you see the dinos at theier best. You see the diferent types heading to the stomp, and you see all the fun they have once they get there.

My Reaction:

I've always loved this book. The rhyming was catchy, and I loved the pictures. I think it would be fun for kids to read and be able to rhyme with.

Potential Problems:

I didn't recognize any potential problems with this story. Unless someone is afraid of dinosaurs!

Recommendations:

I would recommend this for a read aloud to young children. They will love the rhyming and the pictures are great!

Huggly Gets Dressed


Title: Huggly Gets Dressed
Author: Tedd Arnold
Publisher: Cartwheel Books
Reading Level: Preschool and up
Pages: 22
Genre: Picture Book






Summary:

Huggly is a monster under the bed. At night he sneaks out and the room is a mess! He loves it! He doesn't want to wake the 'people child,' so he tries to be quiet. He goes all over the room and he bumps his head on a dresser. All of the 'people child's' clothes fall out! Huggly decides to wear the clothes, but he doesn't know what goes where. He tries to get everything on and he is proud of his accomplishment. However, there is suddenly a knock on the door! It is time for the 'people child' to get up! The mom had asked if her son needed helped getting dressed, and Huggly said oh no because he was afraid he would get caught. The mother opens the door to make sure he doesn't need help and Huggly books it for the bed. He runs right into the 'people child!' However, he makes it under the bed, and the mother walks in to see her son dressed very differently than he should be. This story is hilarious! However, you definitely need the pictures to make is so great. When Huggly is getting dressed the text describes it from how Huggly sees it. This means that the words pants, socks, shirt, hat, etc. are not used. However, through the pictures you see which item he is putting on and how it is in the very wrong place. The pictures are simple, but they are very well done.

My Reaction:

I love these books. They are simple and younder children (before kindergarten) love them because of the pictures and the humor.

Potential Problems:

If your child is afraid of monsters under their bed you might not want to read this to them. :) Other than that, it is a very cute book and I think most children would love it.

Recommendations:

I recommend this to anyone who wants to read a story out loud to little kids. They will love it!

The Relatives Came


Title: The Relatives Came
Author: Cynthia Rylant
Publisher: Atheneum
Reading Level: Kindergarten and up
Pages: 28
Genre: Picture Book










Summary:

The relatives from Virginia decide to come visit one year during the summer. They left at four in the morning in their station wagon full to the brim of stuff. They traveled for a long time and thought about their home back in Virginia, but the also thought about their relatives ahead. They ate up all their snacks and they finally pulled into the yard. Then hugging went on for hours! There was some crying, but they just kept on hugging. Once they were in the house it there was laughter and happiness all around... and more hugs! There was a huge supper, and finally people began to settle down. Then it was time for sleeping. The relatives were all over and on top of everyone and everything, it was very interesting. They stayed for weeks and helped around the house and yard, and nobody was worried about Virginia. However, they had to go back at some point. One morning, at 4 AM, they packed up and headed out. The house seemed empty without them! The relatives drove for a long time again and thought of Virginia, but they also missed their family they had left. They got to their home in Virginia and went to bed dreaming of next summer. This books is an adorable and crazy little story of a family reunion. You don't quite get the chaos through the text, but the pictures capture it perfectly. Even driving in the car the relatives have things falling off and things breaking. The facial expressions show how happy they are and how much fun they are having.

My Reaction:

I think this is an adorable story. It reminds me of the family vacations that I've been to. Crazy, and good to be home, but you still had a blast.

Potential Problems:

I did not recognize any potential problems with this story.

Recommendations:

I would recommend this to any little kids who loves to read. It's fun to relate to your own family and see what happens.

Know it Alls: Snakes!


Title: Know it Alls: Snakes!
Author: Christopher Nicholas
Publisher: Learning Horizons
Reading Level: Kindergarten and up
Pages: 23
Genre: Informational









Summary:

If you've ever wanted to learn about snakes then you should start with this book. Each page shows a picture of a new snake and it gives details of snakes in general. You learn that snakes don't have eye-lids and they don't have ears! They hear from the vibrations in the ground. Snakes live all over the world, even in water! Snakes can eat things that are small and things that are much bigger than themselves. They use sharp teeth, poison and constriction to kill their prey. They swallow their meals whole and unhinge their jaws to fit them! They have juices in their stomach that breaks down everything, even bones and teeth. Snakes protect themselves through camouflage, bright warning colors, frigtening sounds, curling up, moving quicly, and even playing dead! Many snakes are born in eggs, but some are born live. They can care for themselves as soon as they are alive and they shed their skin many times in a year. The end of this informational book shares interesting facts about different snakes around the world. The pictures show everything that is described in the text, and it's appealing to all ages.

My Reaction:

This isn't a book I would sit and read for enjoyment, but I think it would be fun if I was writting a simple report on snakes in general.

Potential Problems:

SOme of the picture of the snake eating or giving birth are a little graphic, but not horrendous. Also, if kids are afraid of snakes it wouldn't be the best option.

Recommendations:

I would recommend this to young kids doing a report on snakes. It privides all the informations about the reptile and even interesting facts.

The City of Ember


Title: The City of Ember
Author: Jeanne DuPrau
Publisher: Random House
Reading Level: 3 and up
Pages: 270
Genre: Science Fiction









Summary:

People known as the builders are at the beginning of this story. They have just constructed Ember, and undergound city, but they realize the resources won't last forever. Ember was built because a great war was wiping out all life, so people were sent to live underground to survive. Because of the worry of shortages in many years the builders made a special box to pass form mayor to mayor until the time it would open on its own. There would be instructions on how to get out of Ember, however, this was not told to anyone. The mayors passed the box on, but nobody knew what it contained. It eventually got lost, but nobody worried about it. The story then jumps forward to 'appointement day' 241 years later. Lina and Doon are waiting for their job that they will work. Lina picks pipeworks and Doon picks messenger. They switch because they do not like the ones they picked and the go off to work. Lina loves her job and she learns about the whole city in and out. Doon wants to find a way to save Ember. The lights have been running out, and the electricity has been failing, leaving them in utter darkness. He finds the generator, but he has no idea how to fix or find any problems. Lina returns home after work and helps her little sister and her old grandmother. When Poppy finds an old paper in a box she chews it up before Lina can grab it. However Lina saves the scraps and tries to get the message decoded. Lina askeds Doon to help her and they find out that it is directions to get out of Ember. They go to the pipeworks to find the way out and they run into Looper. Lina had run messages from him to the mayor and had been puzzled by them. He was stealing the city's resources, which are already running out! They try to report him, but the mayor goes to have them arrested for spreading rumors. Lina grabs Poppy and, with Doon, they go to escape Ember. They find a boat and many things that they don't know how to use. However, they figure it out and the get to a rocky shore. Poppy finds a book and Lina keeps it for later. The kids walk up a slpe for a while and they are astounded to see the real world. They sun, the moon, the stars; it's all brand new to them! They read the journal and figure out the history of Ember. They are amazed, and then they continue to explore. They see a cave and they go into it. They are astonished to see that Ember is undergound! THey never knew that they have been living undergound for hundreds of years! They know the city is going to fail and they can't return. However, they want to save everyone. They write a note and wrap it up in Doon's shirt. They throw it over the cliff inside of the cave and it falls down into the City of Ember. Mrs. Munro, down in Ember, sees it fall and picks it up. She starts to unwrap it, and the book ends.

My Reaction:

I love this book! I love the imagination to create a world underground, and trying to rescue everyone. Definitely a page turner for me!

Potential Problems:

The lying between the mayor and his people is an issue. The theft that Looper does with the cities resources is also a problem. Other that that there wasn't anything very big that was an issue, I thought.

Recommendations:

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a good read. It's fun, and not to hard to get through. You grow to love the people, and you will want to read the sequels.

The Secret Garden


Title: The Secret Garden
Author: Deborah Hautzig
Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap Inc.
Reading Level: 2 and up
Pages: 48
Genre: Fiction










Summary:

Mary Lennox was a very spoiled girl born in India. All the servants had to do everything she ordered, and they did everything for her. She was no happy, and she never smiled. When she turned 10 a sickness came through and killed her parents. She was angry because she didn't know who would take care of her now. But soon she found out, her Uncle Archibald Craven, She would move to England and live with him. One of the servants, Mrs. Medlock greeted her and soon found out she was 'a sour little thing' just like her uncle. Mrs. Medlock showed her where she would sleep and warned her to not look around the house. The next morning Martha brought Mary her breakfast. When she found out that Mary couldn't do anything for herself she was shocked. She taught her to care for herself and to go outside and play in the gardens. However, one garden was locked up and had been for 10 years. Mary was determined to find this garden and she searched every day. She met the gardner, Ben, and he had a robin for a friend. One day Mary ran into the robin again and it took her somewhere. One the ground she noticed a key. She knew it was to the garden, so she asked the bird to take her to the door. She found the secret garden and decided to make it beautiful again. She asked Martha for tools, and was told to go to Dickon, her brother. When she met him she told him about the garden so he could help. They worked on it every day. One night, while in her room, Mary heard crying, but Martha told her it was just the wind. However, she heard it the next night too, so she went to investigate. She found a boy who said he was Collin Craven, her cousin! She told him about the garden and he wanted to come see it. He was a cripple, and the servants had to do anything to please him. Everybody thought he was going to die, and his father never wanted to spend time with him because it reminded him of his wife's death. Mary, Dixon and Collin started going to the garden every day. One day they made a lot of noise, and Ben put a ladder against the wall and peered into the garden. He was shocked to see the kids and the crippled Collin. Collin was upset at being called crippled and he stood up! Everyone was so excited because he had never stood before. Everyone had been telling him he was sick for so long that he believed it. However, once he had something to live for he got better. After a few weeks Archibald Craven came home and decided to walk to the secret garden. He was suprised when he heard noise, and then a boy ran out right into him! It was his son, all better! Collin told him how he got better, and everybody was able to enjoy the garden.

My Reaction:

I love this story! I read the unabridged version when I was younger, and I've watched the movie dozens of times. It think it's great for younger kids that this book is shorter so they can get the same great story and still keep it within their attention span.

Potential Problems:

At the begginning Mary is rude, but she gets better. Other than that I didn't recognize any potential problems.

Recommendations:

I would recommend this to younger kids so they can have this great story at a younger age. If they love the book then they can read the longer version when they are able to and love it even more!

The Twits


Title: The Twits
Author: Roald Dahl
Publisher: Puffin
Reading Level: 2 and up
Pages: 76
Genre: Fiction





Summary:

Mr. Twit is a very hairy, very ugly, very mean man. He has a wife too. And she is very ugly, and very mean, and has a glass eye. Nobody knows why the two are married. Every day they are plotting to do something horrible to eachother. It goes back and forth like that for days and days. Mrs. Twit put her glass eye in Mr. Twit's beer mug, so he put a frog in her bed. So she decided to make his spaghetti with worms!!! To get her back he added wood to her walking stick. After a while she noticed that it was longer. He told her she was gettin gthe dreaded shrinks! Her head was going to squish into her body and then her body into her legs! Everything was squishing into her body that she would end up just being a bundle of clothes and some shoes! Mrs. Twit was terified. So Mr. Twit told her that if she was stretched she would be cured. He tied her to the ground and started tying ballons to her arms and head. She felt herself stretching, and she was worried that the string holding her down would break. When Mr. Twit heard her say that he hurried and cut the string. She flew up and up and up! Mrs. Twit was a quick thinker, so she started biting off the stings, and slowly she started to float down. She landed right on Mr. Twit! They always played these horrible tricks on eachother. Every Wednesday the Twits had bird pie. Mr. Twit would go out Tuesday and put strong glue on a dead tree. At night when the birds roost in the trees they get stuck tight! Then Mr. Twit comes and takes them in to be cooked into a pie. Now Mr. Twit has 4 monkeys (he wants to create an upside-down monkey circus) and they alwasy try to warn the birds. However, they don't speak the same language. One day, a Roly-Poly bird came and spoke the same language as the the monkeys and the birds! Every night the bird would warn the other birds, and Mr. Twit would be angry that he didn't have any birds for his bird pie. The Twits decided to go and get guns! When they leave the Roly-Poly bird grans the keys and the monkeys are free! Muggle-Wump (the dad monkey) hurries to get the strong glue and he runs into the house. All the birds and his family think he is crazy as he tells them to cover the ceiling with glue. However, they do it, and soon all the furniture is on the ceiling! The Twits come home and some birds put gllue on their heads. They go to load their guns, but when they walk in everything is upside-down! Mr. Twit says they need to stand on their heads to be right-side-up. So they do, and the glue sticks them tight to the floor that looks like the ceiling. The monkey's escape and the Roly-Poly bird gives them rides back to Africa. Now the Twits are stuck on their heads like that for a very long time. As the time grows longer they realize that their heads are starting to shrink into their necks! Their whole bodies are shrinking into themselves! Soon all that is left is a bundle of clothes and some shoe; they had gotten the shrinks! When Fred came (he was coming to read the gas-meter) he knowcked on their door. When nobody answered he walked inside and saw whaat was left of the Twits, He shouted hooray as did everyone else!

My Reaction:

This was an alright book. I don't think I would read it again, but it was kind of funny, and gave me something to do.

Potential Problems:

The Twits are very mean to eachother. Parents and teachers might not want their kids/students to have the idea that playing pranks on eachother is okay.

Recommendations:

If you want a quick read then this is the book for you. It's a very easy read, and there are even some pictures throughout it. However, it's not very enlightening.

Monday, March 28, 2011

Henry's Freedom Box


Title: Henry's Freedom Box
Author: Ellen Levine and Kadir Nelson
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Reading Level: Kindergarten and up
Pages: 38
Genre: Non-fiction picture book






Summary:

Henry was born a slave and he was able to stay with his family for many years. However, one day his master sent him off to work for his son, and Henry had to say goodbye. He always thought of freedom, and he tried to think of how he could achieve it. One day he met a woman named Nancy and he fell in love with her. Once their masters agreed they got married and had children. However, Nancy's master had lost a lot of money and she was worried that he would sell their children. While Henry was at work he tried not to think about it, however, someone came up to him and informed him that his family had been sold to the slave market. He could not leave without his master beating him, but once work was over he raced to the slave market. He tried to find his family and he heard father shouted from his children. They were already racing away with new owners. He quicly tried to find Nancy, but once they met eyes, she was gone. Henry was devasted as he went back to work. Then he got an idea as he was lifting a crate. He went to Dr. Smith, a white doctor, and James for help. He was going to mail himself to the free states. He poured oil of vitriol onto his hand and it burned to the bone. This way his master would have to let him stay home. The next morning Henry climbed into the box and he was mailed off. Although they wrote careful on the box and this side up, henry was tossed around. After 27 hours and and 350 miles, Henry arrived in Philadelphia as a free man. This book portrays full page pictures of Henry's life and journey. I love the coloring of the pages and the facial expressions of the people.

My Reaction:

I think this is a great book. It teaches about slavery with a true story, and shows how the slaves were determined to become free... no matter what it took.

Potential Problems:

Racism is definitely a problem with the slaves. Also when Henry's family is taken from him, and how the owners beat the slaves.

Recommendations:

I think this is a great book for children. It would be great to read to young kids when a teacher is teaching about civil rights and slavery. It's in picture book format, but it is a true story.

Dinosaur Time


Title: Dinosaur Time
Author: Peggy Parish
Publisher: HarperCollins
Reading Level: Preschool and up
Pages: 30
Genre: Informational













Summary:

This book tells us that the world used to be very different from what it is today. It used to be covered in dinosaurs! There were all types of dinosaurs and they all did different things. Each page contains a new dinosaur with a picture to show what they looked like. There is a fact or two about each dinosaur; stegosaurus, diplodocus, ankylosaurus, apatosaurus, compsognathus, tetratosaurus, anatosaurus, ornithomimus,brachiosaurus, pentaceratops, and tyrannosaurus. Dinosaurs ruled the world and then they all died. Nobody knows why this happened, but we still study their fossils to learn more about them.

My Reaction:

This wasn't my favorite informational book. It was pretty basic, and not very challenging. I know it is for younger children, but I didn't love it.

Potential Problems:

If kids are afraid of dinosaurs then that's a problem, but other than that I didn't recognize any problems.

Recommendations:

I would recommend this to a young child if they were interested in dinosaurs. It's a good intro to get them started.

The Story of Ruby Bridges


Title: The Story of Ruby Bridges
Author: Robert Coles
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Reading Level: Kindergarten and up
Pages: 25
Genre: Non-fiction picture book









Summary:

At the age of six, Ruby Bridges was sent to William Frantz Elementary School. She went to this school because it was an order from a judge. Ruby was a little black girl, and William Frantz Elementary School was for whites. It was a life changing decision, and not very many people were excited about it, especially white people. The Sunday before, all of Ruby's family prayed for her. When she went to school she there was a huge croud of white adults, and they were not happy. Ruby had a federal marshals escorting her from the people. They yelled at her and called her mean things, and had rude signs. However, Ruby contined into the school, but nobody was there. This happened every day. Miss. Hurley was her teacher and she would teach her just like a normal student, which she was. Miss. Hurley was amazed by Ruby's courage and her calmness. She wondered how she did it. One day she watched Ruby coming into the school, but she stopped on the stairs. Miss. Hurley could see the angry mob and Ruby's lips moving, and then she watched her continue into the school building. When she asked Ruby what she had said to the people, she replied that she hadn't talked to them, she had been praying. She said a prayer everyday, but she had forgotten that day until she was almost in the building. She would pray to God to forgive the people because they did not know what they were doing. She asked the Lord to forgive the people who said terrible things to her, just like he forgave the people who did terrible things to Him. Later in the year two white boys joined Ruby. By second grade the mobs stopped trying to get rid of her, and let all of their children attend school. This book tells the story of Ruby Bridges very well. However, it also depicts it very well. Each page has a full-sized picture to describe what is happening. I love the pictures because you can see all the emotion that is going on in everybody.

My Reaction:

I love this book. Partly because I love the story of Ruby Bridges. I mean, she was six and she stood up to everything that the world could throw at her. I think that is a great example of courage to kids as well as to adults.

Potential Problems:

There is a lot of racism in this book. Children might be upset by that, but it is what happened, and they need to know at some point.

Recommendations:

I recommend this book to everyone. It is important that we know the history of the world, especially the history of our nation. Ruby Bridges suffered a lot for her decisions, but look where it has led us know? I think we should all know this story, and it is great for little kids in this picture format.

Lincoln: A Photobiography


Title: Lincoln: A Photobiography
Author: Russell Freedman
Publisher: Sandpiper
Reading Level: 3 and up
Pages: 141
Genre: Non-fiction










Summary:

If you've ever wondered about the president Abraham Lincoln, then this is the book to read. This photobiography starts out when Lincoln was a child and it goes through his life to his assassination. Fun facts are all over the place. For example, did you know that he hated being called Abe? He also worked as a flatboatman when he turned 17. When he was older he left to figure out who he was and get to work. At 23 he ran for the Illinois state legislature, but he lost coming in at eighth. He decided to start a general store and it eventually 'winked out,' leaving a $1,100 debt. Lincoln payed off every cent over the next 15 years. Soon he met Mary, his soon-to-be-wife, but her parents opposed it vigorously. However, this did not stop them. Lincoln was still interested in politics, so he got a hold of every book of the law he could. he studied up and became very well educated. His self-education eventually led him to becoming the nation's president. This book contains many more facts about Lincoln and his life, but it is a unique biography because of the pictures with it. Almost every page has a picture or two on it. These pictures are all real, and some are very graphic. However, the pictures make the book, and help people to see what things were like in a visual way instead of just a verbal way.

My Reaction:

I did not think that I would enjoy this book. However, once I got into it, I was eagerly turning the page to learn a new fact about 'Honest Abe.'

Potential Problems:

Some of the picture (Of the Civil War) are very graphic and might not be appropriate for young children.

Recommendations:

I would recommend this book to all who live in America. We should know about our presidents and what they have done for us. I think this is a great, and simple read to help people learn more about the president.

A Year Down Yonder


Title: A Year Down Yonder
Author: Richard Peck
Publisher: Dial
Reading Level: 3 and up
Pages: 130
Genre: Historical Fiction






Summary:

1937 borught Mary Alice to a realiziation that she didn't want to acknowledge. Joey, her brother, was going off to fly war planes in the war. Her paretns were sending her away so they could earn more money to recouperate from the depression. And Mary Alice. Well, she was going to live with Grandma. Now most kids love going to see grandma. She is fun and loving and always baking sweets and giving our hugs. Well, that was definitely NOT how you would describe Grandma Dowdel. She was big, mean, and always coniving. Mary Alice was used to the city life, so when she moved in with Grandma it was a shock. Most of the kids labeled her as the rich Chicago girl, and they did not talk to her. However, a girl by the name of Ina-Rae became friends with Mary Alice and the came up with all sorts of things to do. Halloween came along, and the boys usually destoryed privys all over town. So, Grandma rigged her yard and they sat down to wait. When the boys came they tripped over a line and Augie got homemade glue dumped on his head. Next time they saw him he had no hair, and his head was all scabbed. An old man in town offered Grandma any of the pecans that fell from his tree. When she went to get some there was hardly any there. She hopped into a tractor and rammed the tree. Mary Alice and her grabbed as many as they could fit into a bag on a wagon. On the way home Grandma stopped by the Pensingers and grabbed some pumpkins. Mary Alice had a hard time adapting to Grandma's 'borrowing,' but in the end it helped her to learn how to keep up for herslef and get things done. For the Christmas pageant Mary Alice was chosen to be the virgin Mary. Grandma hunted foxes and sold the skins, and at the pageant, Joey showed up, and Mary Alice and him were able to go home for Christmas. Mary Alice came back to finish school, and a new boy was there. His name was Royce McNabb and everybody was falling for him. For Valentine's Day Mary Alice made some fake Valentines for Ina-Rae with one from Royce. All the girls were upset, but it was a big joke for those who kneow. Arnold Greene came into town looking for a place that he could do stay while he did art. Grandma got him to stay, and after a dinner with Miss Butler, he married and stayed in the town he never thought he would. One day at school the sirens started ringing. Tornado! All the kids ran to the safety cellars at the school, but Mary Alice ran all the way home to make sure Grandma was alright. They ran to the cellar and waited the storm out. Once it was over Grandma got out and went to go check on people. Mary Alice realized that although Grandma may be tough, she really does care for everyone. When she finally hears from her parents, Mary Alice doesn't want to go home. However, Grandma tells her she needs to, so she does. Many years later it's Mary Alice's wedding day. She is married in Grandma's house, and Grandma gives her to the groom, Royce McNabb, and they live happily ever after.

My Reaction:

This wasn't one of my favorite books, but it definitely was a good one. I loved Richard Peck's humor throughout it, and I love Grandma Dowdel.

Potential Problems:

Grandma's pretty rough, but I think the kids would love her still. In one part, Ms. Wilcox is naked and runs down the street; that might be a problem...

Recommendations:

I would recommend this to someone who wants a good laugh. It definitley will make you laugh, and it does have a good moral.

Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy


Title: Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy
Author: Gary D. Schmidt
Publisher: Clarion Books
Reading Level: 4 and up
Pages: 217
Genre: Historical Fiction










Summary:

Turner Buckminster is from Boston, and his family has moved to Phippsburg, Maine. He does not like it at all. He feels like everybody is judging him. He can't play their form of baseball right, and he won't jump off the rocks. Oh yeah, and Mrs. Cobb saw him walking down the street with his shirt off and kicking rocks at her fence. Why is this a problem you ask? Well, Turner isn't just any old boy. He's the minister's son. EVerybody expects him to be the perfect kid and do everything right. And if he doesn't... well, you can be sure that his father will be hearing about it. After Mrs. Cobb complains to the reverend then Turner has to go read to her every day during the summer. He is mortified, and the first time he goes she falls asleep! He sneaks out to get a breath of fresh air, it was hot in there!, and he sees Willis Hurd. After a brawl between the two, Turner has blood all over his shirt and pants. He goes back into Mrs. Cobb's house, takes of his shirt and trousers, and stucks them under the sink to wash out the blood. While he is in his underwear in her kitchen, she walks in! She almost dies, and you know that she phoned Reverend Buckminster right away. On top of reading, Turner has to play the organ now. He doesn't think that this town could be any worse. Then one day he goes to the shore and runs into a black girl named Lizzie Bright Griffin. Lizzie has a thing or two to say to him, but he instantly likes her. They see eachother every day and play around. While climbing one day, Lizzie falls and hits her head. She is bleeding all over, and Turner tries to row the boat to Malaga Island so she can get to her grandfather. However, the current takes him away and many hours pass. Whales surround the boat and Turner looks into the eye of one. He feels empowered, but he couldn't touch it before it was out of reach. Then they hear a boat and someone has come to save them. Lizzie's grandfather takes her home to the island, and Turner heads home to the anger of his parents. Lizzie Bright and Malaga Island are OFF limits. After a few days, Lizzie comes to his house to ask why he hasn't been around. After explaining, he invites her to come and listen to him play the organ for Mrs. Cobb the next day. She comes, and walks into the house with him. Mrs. Cobb is shocked that there is a black girl in her house, but she listens to the organ. Every day Lizzie comes to listen to Turner play the organ, and Mrs. Cobb even grows to like her. Mrs. Cobb is always going on about how someone needs to write her last words down when she dies, and she reminds Turner of this every day. Then one day, she dies, or she seems to. Turner and Lizzie write down her poetic last words, but they argue over one word. Mrs. Cobb yells at them and they both jump. She tells them to go get her a ginger ale because it is hot, and when they come back she really has passed on. Her funeral happens and then her will is found. She is giving her house to Turner! Turner knew she had done this because Lizzie was being forced out of her home. In fact, everybody living on Malaga Island was being forced to leave. Turner knew that they could live in Mrs. Cobb's house, but he failed to recognize the prejudice in the town's heart. They are determined to keep 'negros' out of their town. They go down to Malaga Island one night, and they burn everything. Lizzie and those left on the island are taken to an insane asylum. Turner knew something was going to happen that night, but he thought it would be to the house. He gets locked inside and when he finally escapes he sees the island in flames. The sheriff is waiting for him at the cliffside, and Turner attacks him. All of a sudden his father is there and he pulls Turner away. He argues with the sheriff, and then the sheriff picks Turner up and throws him to the ground. Reverend Buckminster stars to fight with the sheriff, and when Turner turns around he sees his father fall off the cliff. Reverend Buckminster is in terrible condition, and he hasn't talked to anyone for days. The town feels akward about the situation, and Turner's mother decides that they will move into Mrs. Cobb's house. Reverend Buckminster dies, and everyone attends the funeral. Turner is upset at them all, and he lets them know. Once him and his mother are moved into the house, Turner decides he is going to go get Lizzie from the asylum. However, when he gets there the secretary informs him that she died 10 days after admittance. Turner returns home dejected. He goes out on a boat and cries on the river. Then he is surrounded by whales. He rows up to the head and looks into the eye. He reaches out and touches it. He realizes that life will move on, and he returns home.

My Reaction:

It took me a little bit to get into this book. I wasn't very captivated by it, but once I was about 1/3 of the way through I loved it. I love the friendship created by Turner and Lizzie and how much fun they have. I love Turner's stubborness, and how he makes it through life. It is definitely a sad story, but also a very good one.

Potential Problems:

There is a lot of prejudice in this book about the people of Malaga Island, mostly because they are black. Also, the sheriff pushes the reverend off the cliff. There is some swearing throughout the book, but only a few times.

Recommendations:

I would recommend this book to all who love to read. I think it's a great book to show children the reality of rasicm back then so that they can be aware of it today. It's a great story of friendship and standing up for what you believe in.

A Single Shard


Title: A Single Shard
Author: Linda Sue Park
Publisher: Clarion Books
Reading Level: 4 and up
Pages: 148
Genre: Historical Fiction










Summary:

Tree-ear lives under the bridge with Crane-man. He has lived there for a very long time, and Cran-man is his only family, even though they are not related. They are very poor and they have to scavenge for their food at all times. Often Tree-ear will go hide in the bushes and watch a famous potter, Min, throw pots. He is fascinated by Min's work and he wishes he could do the same. One day he goes to look at Min's work whil the potter is gone for a little bit. When looking at a box Min had made the potter returns and scares Tree-ear. He drops the lid and ruins it. Min is frustrated, and Tree-ear wants to help him. After pleading he could be of good help Min agrees to let Tree-ear pay off the debt by working for him for 9 days. Tree-ear excpects, and hopes, that Min will teach him how to throw a pot. However, he is disappointed. Min sends him to the forest to chop wood for the kiln. After doing this for 9 days his debt is payed, but he wants to keep working. He returns to Min and Min accepts his work but says he will not be able to pay for him. Tree-ear is fine with the noon-day meal that he gets every day. He only eats half so that he can reurn to Crane-man at night and they can eat. However, when he returns for the bowl each afternoon he finds it full to the brim. This is the doing of Min's wife, who is soon referred to as Ajima by Tree-ear. She is kind to him and Tree-ear stays after work so that he can do little chores around the house for her as payment for her kindness. Tree-ear continues to cut wood and eventually gather clay for Min. He puts his dream of being a potter in the back of his mind for now. One day it is heard that royalty will be coming to give a comission to a potter to work for the king. Min has dreamed of this his whole life so he sets to work. Kang, another potter, is seen by Tree-ear, while he is being very secretive about his work. Tree-ear spies on him and finds out that he is doing inlay work. However, Tree-ear does not tell Min because he thinks it is dishonest because he found the idea through stealth. When the emissarys come to view the work of the potters Kang's design is displayed. He has many pots and they all have crysanthumums on them that are beautiful. The king spends many minutes at his stall admiring his work. Then he continues down the line. He gets to Min's stall, and Tree-ear is nervous. Min works slow and doesn't produce many objects. However, his work is perfect and the king recognizes this. He comes to Min later to inform him that Kang had a one-year comission and if Min could reproduce the inlay work in his own then he could get a comission if he brought it to Songdo, the capital. Min sets to work. He makes many of the exact same pot, and does the exact same inlay work on them. He fires the pots and two come out perfect. Tree-ear offers to take them to Songdo. Crane-man makes a straw jiggeh to carry the pots, Ajima provides food, and Min sends some money and Tree-ear is off. He travels many days, and he climbs a mountain that Crane-man told him he must see. At the top of the mountain robbers confront him and take the jiggeh. Upon seeing the vases they are disappointed and they turn to leave. However, they are cruel and they turn back and throw the pots off the side of the cliff. Heartbroked, Tree-ear runs down the mountain to find the vases; hoping against all hope that one survived by falling in the water. He finds the first vase smashed to pebble sized pieces. Then he finds the second vase. Shattered. He cries and picks up pieces of the second vase. Suddenly determination sets in. He takes the largest piece and continues on to Songdo. He stands up to the guards and goes to see Emissary Kan. He explains what happened and presented the shard. After examining it, Emissary Kan writes a comission for Min. Tree-ear is so elated that he almost can't contain it. A ship is provided and he goes back home. Upon returning he runs to Ajima and Min telling them of the success. They seem happy, yet sad at the same time. Min takes Tree-ear aside and informs him that Crane-man fell of the bridge and died in the cold of the water. Tree-ear is beside himself with grief. He returns the to bridge, and grieves the loss of his friend.The next day he returns to Min's house where there is much activity. Min informs him to go cut wood in a different way than normal. Tree-ear does not understand. Min says to hurry for he cannot make a wheel for Tree-ear if he takes all day. Tree-ear is ecstatic! Min is going to teach him to throw pots! Ajima tells him to hurry and then return home. At the sound of home he looks back to her. She then asks him to live with them and if they can change his name to Hyung-pil. The name shared a syllable with their son who had died. Tree-ear felt greatly honored as he went to cut wood. Then he began to think of what he would inlay on his vase... he wanted it to be wonderful. The book ends here, but there is an additional historical note that says a vase of great beauty was found but the artist was unknown. Inlayed all over the vase were cranes... it is known as the "Thousand Crane Vase."

My Reaction:

I loved this book! It is a great way to teach children about kindness, repect, honestly and love. It was definitely a page turner for me and I could read it again right now!

Potential Problems:

Children might not like how Tree-ear and Crane-man are treated some of the time. They are not a part of a family and that is frowned upon. Also, Min is not everly nice to Tree-ear as he works for him. Other than that, I think this book is a great story for children.

Recommendations:

I would recommend this book to anybody. More directed towards older children. Some of the details of pottery work could be boring for a child and it will not be able to hold their interest.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Owen and Mzee


Title: Owen and Mzee: The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship
Author: Isabella Hatkoff, Craig Hatkoff, and Dr. Paula Kahumba
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Reading Level: 1 and up
Pages: 40
Genre: Non-fiction





Summary:

A hippopotamus is one of the most dangerous animals in Africa. A full grown adult can be up to 8,000 pounds, and that's not anything somebody wants to mess with. This is what the peole in Malindi decided one day when a pod of hippos moved into their village. There was nothing they could do. Then one day a tsunami wave came and all the hippos disappeared. Except for one; a little (well, for a hippo, 600 pounds) baby was stranded in the water. The village set to work to free him before he died. Even though he was small for a hippo he was still strong. The people had to get a shark net that wouldn't break. A man named Owen tackled the hippo, and thus his name became Owen. Own was angry at the people and he tried to charge them, but thye secured ropes around him and called Haller Park to see if they would take him. There were up for the task and they came to pick up Owen. Again he tried to charge them, but they finally got him to the park. The lot they had picked out for him was perfect for a hippo, but there was am Aldabra tortoise, Mzee, who lived there too. Mzee wasn't a very nice tortise, but the people figured the two animals would leave eachother alone. This was not the case however. As soon as Owen was released he ran behind Mzee's big shell. Mzee was annoyed and kept trying to crawl away while hissing at Owen. However, the hippo wasn't deterred. He followed Mzee around all day, until the old tortise finally accepted his fate. It wasn't long until the two became inseperable. Owen looked to Mzee like a 'mother' figure and learned how to fend for himself and eat. When Owen was old enough he was moved in with more hippos... along with Mzee. The two odd ducks are still inseperable friends to this day.

My Reaction:

This book is adorable! Who would have thought that a hippo and a tortise would be best friends? I think it's a cute story of how the impossible can happen.

Potential Problems:

Little kids might be upset about Owen's family disappearing, but other than that it's a great book!

Recommendations:

I would recommend this book to everyone! It's an adorable story, and I think kids would love to hear about it!

When Marian Sang


Title: When Marian Sang
Author: Pam Munoz Ryan
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Reading Level: 2 and up
Pages: 40
Genre: Non-fiction







Summary:

Marian loves to sing. Her family sings with her, her mother hums, her father whistles. It's in her blood. Everybody loves to listen to her too. She has an amazing voice, and everybody is willing to help raise money for her to continue learning and improving her skill. However, Marian is black, and society in her time was unwilling to accept her. She was rejected, but she continued to take lessons in her town. She worked and did small concerts to raise money for her family after her father died and everybody was proud of her. Finally one of her friends got her into an interview with the famous Giuseppe Boghettie. Once again, prejudice was there and he wouldn't even consider her. With all her courage Marian closed her eyes and began to sing. Boghettie was instantly captivated and he accepted her as his student. After two years of working with him, Marian had learned all that she could. She decided to travel over seas to learn more languages and she became famous. Upon returning home to many a eager crowd, she was disappointed to find that no building would let her perform because of her skin color. The president let her perform on the stairs of the Lincoln Memorial, and she finally could get bookings everywhere. Finally, her dream place to sing accepts her. The Metropolitan Opera. She performs with all her heart, and she loves every minute of it.

My Reaction:

I lvoed this book! I love how Marian perserveres even when she is put down again and again. She shows the world what she can do with a little faith and determination.

Potential Problems:

The only things that might be a problem with this book is the prejudice.

Recommendations:

I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone! It's a great book to show children that they can do whatever they set their minds to, and it's a good reminder for adults too.

Children Just Like Me


Title: Children Just Like Me
Author: Barnabas and Anabel Kindersley
Publisher: Dorling Kindersley Publishing Inc.
Reading Level: 2 and up
Pages: 79
Genre: Informational









Summary:

Children Just Like Me is about what it sounds like... children like me! However, it is not written in the typical paragraph and chapter format. Real pictures were taken from all over the world and children were interviewed for this book to come about. Organized by the continents and then countries, each of these children's lives are told about. A big picture of the child is shown surrounded by many little picture with descriptions. Everything is told about them; what they like, what they do, what they eat, where they go to school, how old they are, traditions in their culture, and much more! Children can be fascinated for hours learning about children from all over the world. They can learn that there are people just like them all over the place!

My Reaction:

I thought this book was very interesting. It was fun to see all of the little kids and their pictures of everything. I loved seeing how they all loved to play and have fun, just like I did when I was a kid. I think kids would love learning about kids just like them from all over the world.

Potential Problems:

I do not think there are any potential problems with this book. It helps kids to learn about different races and cultures and see that there are people like them all over.

Recommendations:

I would recommend this to anybody wanting to learn a little bit more about kids from all over. It would be fun for a research paper for younger students too.