Beedle the Bard

The Tales of Beedle the Bard

by J.K. Rowling (2008)




A nice little addition to the Harry Potter shelf, fairy tales of magic with commentary from the great Dumbledore himself...

Yolanda's Genius

Yolanda's Genius

by Carol Fenner (1995)

Newbery Honor Book

Very nice story, a lot going on -- moving from city to suburbs, plus-size females, musical talent, making friends, missing father, drug dealers, etc. etc... -- the book could've been twice as long, but it focused the last 3rd and ended interestingly. The same book could be written from Yolanda's brother Andrew's POV.

I really like the cover art also; sometimes I don't look twice at a cover, but I kept glancing back at this one...

connections: Chicago blues music, The Sound and the Fury

Among the Hidden

Among the Hidden
by Margaret Peterson Haddix (2000)
The beginning of a series (7? 8 books?) dealing with a government limiting families to 2 children and controlling the food supply... what happens when the extra/illegal children revolt? Adventure plus discussions of personal freedom...
connections: The Giver, Anne Frank

Whirligig

Whirligig

by Paul Fleischman (1999)

I wasn't sure about this one during the first chapter -- teen alcohol, hormone and suicide issues -- but then it got much better. Alternating chapters between a boy seeking redemption for mistakes and the people whose lives are touched by his actions and art, it's interesting and thought-provoking.

Whoa! Just checked the published date: 1920?!?!?!? Need to double-check that, or re-read the book, 'cause that doesn't make sense... UPDATE: no, of course it wasn't written in 1920 -- that's what I get for trusting anything on the Internet for viable information!

Horns & Wrinkles

Horns & Wrinkles

by Joseph Helgerson (2006)

Loved it! Trolls and magic, bullies and crickets...

Thanks, Wrighty (as in Wrighty's Reads), but you don't really want page 56 from any of the piles of books surrounding me -- they're either phonics lessons, subtraction problems, or delights such as:

"Qualitative and quantitative purpose statements address similar content, but to express the assumptions of a qualitative paradigm..."

let's just stop there, before things get out of control...

on the nightstand: Judy Moody saves the world & Whiligig (sp?)

update: that Judy Moody is a hoot! felt like I should know some of the characters better, so I either accidentally skipped a chapter or need to pick up earlier books in the series...

Whirligig starts with a drunk teenager killing someone, but seems to be getting better 1/2 way through...

The Whipping Boy

by Sid Fleischman

Newbery Medal 1987

The poor servant teaches the rich royalty how to escape kidnappers and appreciate life... got off to a slow start for me, not very likeable characters, but once they got out and on the run it picked up.

Good for study w/ history or social studies...


p.s. post #100 -- whoo hoo!

Jack and the Giant

Jack and the Giant A Story Full of Beans

by Jim Harris (1997)

Jack and his beanstalk, cowboy style... not my usual type of book to list here, but it gets special consideration since it was the star of my first official lesson plan assignment.

Brian's Winter

Brian's Winter

by Gary Paulsen (1996)

The hero of Hatchet gets a re-imagined adventure of not being rescued before winter... mostly deals with hunting, the cold, and survival techniques, but doesn't go very deep and personal as in the previous book. The ending seems quickly added once a certain number of were hit.

My Father's Dragon

Only read 1 chapter of this one, but it was to actual real live students, and I was paid to do it!

Seems like a cool book too, have to pick up a copy and find out how it ends...

My Father's Dragon
by Ruth Stiles Gannet (1948?)

The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs

The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs

by Betty G.* Birney (2005)

A boy who wants to travel and see the world, or at least get off the farm and ride a train, looks around his small town for "wonders" and finds how special his family and neighbors really are. Well done characters, humor, strength of family and community, but also following your dreams, looking out into the wide world.

*are there a lot of other Betty Birneys out there she might get confused with?

Specials

Specials

Scott Westerfeld (2006)

The conclusion (?) to Uglies, and very similar... not as much new and different, same characters, issues, conflicts for the heroine, just with new technology/power... some drama, a death, even a 9/11 reference and Pres. Bush/Iraq allusion, but a happy ending...
connections: Gathering Blue, ecology vs technology, government control vs right to choose

Thimble Summer

Thimble Summer

by Elizabeth Enright

Newbery Medal 1938

Whoa, didn't realize this one was from so long ago... I've been trying to avoid some of the older books, (unnecessarily?) worrying about relevance and dated references, etc.... tales of a farm girl's constant mishaps -- she seems quite disrespectful, running off quite often with no apparent disciplinary consequences, but in the end she learns a little lesson...

connections: Little House...; Sarah, Plain and Tall; farm life

Red Ridin' in the Hood

Red Ridin' in the Hood



by Patricia Santos Marcantonio (2005)



classic fairy tales and Greek myths retold with Latino flavoring... only got to a couple before Son #2 book-jacked it, but the stories more than just changing Jack to Jose and setting the tale in Mexico... some are funny, some more traditional...

Missing May

Missing May

by Cynthia Rylant

Newbery Medal 1993

coupled with Sarah, Plain and Tall -- what a great hour of reading! Funny, sensitive, respectful of life and death, strength and importance of family, quirky characters... I'd recommend this to any adult as well...

Sarah, Plain and Tall

Sarah, Plain and Tall

by Patricia MacLachlan

Newbery Medal 1986

a quick read, short and simple, very sweet... ayuh, I liked this one a lot, not just as a children's story...

A Single Shard

A Single Shard

by Linda Sue Park

Newbery Medal 2002

actually just started it... I'll get back to ya...

Airman

Airman

by Eoin Colfer (2008)

kings and revolutions, swords and the dawn of flight, honor and loyalty and a good old fashion swashbuckling tale... I know there can, and prob will be, further adventures of the young hero, but I was glad this book ended, as in ended without "look for book 2 in this continuing series, coming soon!"

Yellow Star

Yellow Star

by Jennifer Roy (2006)

Historical fiction account of one of the few children to survive in a ghetto during WWII... similar tone w/ Number the Stars, written in almost a free verse from the young girl's pov...

The Middle of Somewhere

The Middle of Somewhere

by J.B. Cheaney

a girl and her adhd little brother travel through Kansas with a grandfather who has not been around very much and doesn't seem to like children: misadventures soon abound... very nice book, young teen protag shows insight and responsibility, all learn appreciation for others as they are... funny, fast-paced, and entertaining...

The Absolutely True Diary...

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

by Sherman Alexie (2007)

A venture into YA lit from one of my favorite authors... a gifted student from the Indian reservation attempts to change his life by going to an outside/white school, and deals with betraying his friends/making new ones, poverty, alcohol, girls, and basketball...

lots of humor to deal with lots of pain, not the deepest story despite some heavy subjects, very Hollywood-like endings... strength of family, following your heart and being true and brave for yourself...

Hatchet

Hatchet

by Gary Paulsen (1987) -- Newbery Honor

A tale of survival, a boy becoming a man by battling wildlife, the elements, and his own fears... fast-paced, exciting, interesting details... strange little extra on the divorced parents plotline involving catching mom having an affair...

connections: The Cay, Call It Courage

Dobry

Dobry

by Monica Shannon

Newbery Medal 1935

I usually stay away from the older books, but I must not have caught the year on this one until it was too late... not only that, but the writing style is a bit different, almost as if translated by a non-english speaker in some places -- but despite it all, I enjoyed the story!

Set in Bulgaria and with a lot of winter, it's totally different from our part of the world, but the joy and appreciation for nature and life, even of hard work and simple surroundings, make this a quality, recommended read.

connections: Little House in the Big Woods?

Pictures of Hollis Woods

Pictures of Hollis Woods

by Patricia Reilly Giff (2002)

A foster child finally finds a home, then almost loses it by not trusting others... family dynamics, trusting and caring for others, the magic of Christmas...

George's Secret Key to the Universe

George's Secret Key to the Universe

Lucy & Stephen Hawking (2007)

How to get kids interested in black holes and the depths of space... pages from a science text subliminally placed inside a story about a secret super computer that can get you a ride on a comet, with reminders to care for the earth and solve our wasteful ways before it's too late...

Quick, light story but not predictable... great to accompany space/science lessons

The Nobodies

The Nobodies

by N.E. Bode (2007)

I liked the first one better (The Anybodies) but still an excellent book; very Potter-ish, with a dash of Jumanji as well...

Jackie and Me

Jackie & Me

by Dan Gutman (1999)

let's teach racial tolerance by being poor sports!

Ok, too harsh. Especially for a book about one of my personal heroes, and a mighty fine ballplayer too. Our time-traveling protagonist goes back to 1947, changes skin color, and learns first-hand about racial inequality and bigotry. Quick, exciting plot, lots to discuss. But as a father and coach I cringe over the blatant unsportsman-like taunting, mocking, and fighting at a Little League baseball game... it's one thing to have Robinson the professional athlete being aggressive in a World Series game, but not a kid who supposedly learned something from Robinson's self-respect and dignity. But still, good book.

connections: Time Warp Trio, Year of the Boar..., Negro League baseball, Jackie Robinson biographies...

The Anybodies

The Anybodies

by N. E. Bode/Julianna Baggott (2004)

The entire story was worth the house made of books (which I'm sure is cheaper than the prices here in SoCal)... lots of references to classic children's lit, clever and humorous comments from the "author", nice family connections, a sweet and strong lead character... I really liked this one!

update: I saw on the author's website there are 39 books and their characters, from Charlotte & Fern to the Bible, referenced in this book... can you find them all?

So Far From Home

So Far From Home

A Dear America Book

by Barry Denenberg (1997)

Irish girl escapes the potatoes, sails the ocean blue, works in the mills, dies of a cough... I've been very impressed with the "Dear America" series, so I'm glad I didn't pick this one up first. It didn't start out too bad, maybe a little rushed, yet melodramatic, but the 2nd half must have been written right after reading Lyddie ... really does not measure up to the quality of the other books.

101 Ways to Bug Your Teacher

101 Ways to Bug Your Teacher

by Lee Wardlaw (2004)

Y'know how you go to make an omelet and start tossing in whatever is there in the fridge, but realize you went too far and added too much when the spaghetti and orange chicken clash unappetizingly, so you have a bowl of Cap'n Crunch instead?

I don't think I can remember all the issues blended in to this scramble -- surprise pregnancy of mom, laid off dad, overly mean teacher, freshly deceased mother/dad dating again (and dating the mean teach, but that's just syrup on the eggs), rebellion of good student, crush on girl, too smart for grade level, never giving up on your dreams, mysterious illness/best friend in hospital, Egyptian burial traditions -- the list goes on...

***

having been shown my critique and the comment from this book's author (see "comments") , Guest Reviewer/Son #2 decided to air his opinion as well, and come to the defense of the author and her work --

Dear Ms. Wardlaw,

I really like this book, 101 Ways to Bug Your Teacher, the
funny thing is that it wasn't given to my classroom as a gift but the teacher bought it from the book fair! It's a pretty good book but I think that in 101 Ways to Bug Your Teacher you should have put more info on the other teachers instead of only on Fierce (my teacher is not nearly as bad as Fierce) also I was wondering if the book is based on a real thing or if its a made up story. I can't wait until when 101 Ways to Bug Your Friends and Enemies comes out in 2009.

Sincerely, Kasey

p.s. I think that Sneeze should invent an automatic fish feeder.

Journal of Joshua Loper

The Journal of Joshua Loper

a Dear America Book

by Walter Dean Myers (1999)

Driving cattle along the Chisolm Trail, keeping a diary of battles against the elements, stubborn steer and horses, racism, and the difficulty of being a cowboy.

The Slave Dancer

The Slave Dancer

by Paula Fox

Newbery Medal 1974

A young boy from New Orleans is impressed into the crew of a slave trader and witnesses first hand the horrors of human capture and bondage... not light reading for a fun book group, but not overly heavy either; there is always a spark of awareness and independence in the boy to let us study the other characters and the slave situation without being overwhelmed.

I seem to be on a sea theme lately, maybe there's a cruise in my future (but I guess that would mean there would be pirates, shipwrecks, rats and scurvy too, so let's hope not...)

Coraline

Coraline
by Neil Gaiman (2002)
Ooooo, spooooky... a little ghost story, clever and imaginative and humorous in the expected excellence of Gaiman's style. A girl in a big house with quirky neighbors and a mysterious door to nowhere...

Seuss was an annoying child...

Eggs

Eggs

by Jerry Spinelli (2007)

Misfit, emotionally stressed, parentless kids argue and bond and help each other... they argued a bit much for me, but maybe that's because I have my own that I usually refuse to let bicker/fight/insult (unless it's clever) with each other. A deceased mom, a wacky mom, missing and rarely there dads, a clueless Grandmother that lets her 9 yr old roam the streets all night (?), and a teen girl with issues (the book on her would be a J Frey/C. Love memoir) all connect for a too easy ending, but lots of issues to discuss with kids -- grief, growing up/personal responsibilty, connecting with others...

Sky Horizon

(sorry, the cover is much spookier when larger than a freckle...)

Sky Horizon

by David Brin (2007)

I like a book that does the unexpected; as an adult reading juv or YA fiction, things can get a bit predictable (although I really thought ol' Wilbur would be Christmas dinner) and when a book keeps me turning and guessing, that's a good thing.

Sky Horizon isn't the best written book, it has some strange scenes that don't seem to fit -- but when the end is not really the end (what/where is the next book?) even that seems to fit in, and is another unexpected aspect... standing alone, the book has some drama, some intrigue, a good lead character, and aliens. It also brings up many points for discussion regarding our history and future as a planet, our role as a species or member of the universe, or simply as individuals relating to one another. Lots of opportunity for "well, what would you do?" or "what do you think?"

connections: exploration, Columbus/aborigine, ET, Only You...Mankind

Love, Stargirl

Love, Stargirl
by Jerry Spinelli (2007)
A little more sappy and melodramatic (in a spacey way) than the first Stargirl, but still enjoyable, sweet, and funny. I think I have a fondness for Stargirl because she reminds me a lot of a former girlfriend from back in the day who I imagine still pines for me and leaves me anonymous notes... she wasn't as weird as Stargirl, but was unique and caring and did her own thing -- attractive yet scary to a teenage boy and his raging hormones. Ah, I digress... Much more likable supporting cast here, lots to discuss with peer pressure and family issues and unrequited emotions...

The Cay

The Cay

by Theodore Taylor (1969)

set during WWII among the Caribbean Islands, a white boy and an elderly black man are shipwrecked together on a tiny island where the boy learns to respect and love the man... good adventure, survival, coming of age, very well done...

Golden Line: "He said softly 'Young bahss, you 'ave always been my friend.'"

connections: blindness, shipwrecks, Swiss Family Robinson, Call it Courage

Babe and Me

Babe and Me

by Dan Gutman (2000)

"A Baseball Card Adventure" -- if my review gets confused, it may be because we just watched the movie Everybody's Hero about a kid and Babe Ruth... pretty cool, mixes in real world events with a boy that can travel back in time, unbelievable but fun...