Author: Robert C. O'Brien
Year: 1971
Reading Level: Intermediate
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Plot Summary: It's early spring and for newly-widowed Mrs. Frisby and her small (mice) children, it means they have to move out of the farmer's garden before he plows it. Unfortunately her youngest son, Timothy, falls seriously ill and she cannot move him before the plowing. Mrs. Frisby finds help in unexpected places, but nowhere more unexpected than from a mysterious group of rats living under a rose bush. Where did the rats come from? What connection do they have to Mrs. Frisby? The answer is, well, awesome.
Red Flags: This is one of those books that will make you feel guilty for interefering with the animal world at all. Also, the ending is kind of sad.
Movie Version: The Secret of NIMH
My Rating: A. I was not expecting to like this as much as I did. I remember liking the movie a lot (which is not entirely faithful), but that was all I had to go on. And while the book is different, it was really good. Justin! How can you not love Justin? It reminded me of Watership Down, more towards the end, what with the drama and the escaping and the tragic ending.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Snow White
Authors: Brothers Grimm
Illustrator: Charles Santore
Year: 2004
Reading Level: Picture Book (4-8)
Plot Summary: This traditional version of Snow White begins with her mother wishing for a daughter with, shall we say, exceptional coloring. After her mother's death, Snow White's stepmother tries to have her killed but Snow White's would-be murderer takes pity on her instead. Snow White flees, and finds the home of seven dwarfs, who take her in. Unfortunately Snow White's stepmother isn't happy that her stepdaughter lives and is determined to finish her off.
Red flags: Murderous step mothers! Poison 1) lace 2) combs 3) apples!
My Rating: A- You know...it's Snow White. That's cool. I like the illustrations a lot--they're very grand. But sometimes their eyes look vacant and the dwarfs were not quite what I imagined. Still good!
Illustrator: Charles Santore
Year: 2004
Reading Level: Picture Book (4-8)
Plot Summary: This traditional version of Snow White begins with her mother wishing for a daughter with, shall we say, exceptional coloring. After her mother's death, Snow White's stepmother tries to have her killed but Snow White's would-be murderer takes pity on her instead. Snow White flees, and finds the home of seven dwarfs, who take her in. Unfortunately Snow White's stepmother isn't happy that her stepdaughter lives and is determined to finish her off.
Red flags: Murderous step mothers! Poison 1) lace 2) combs 3) apples!
My Rating: A- You know...it's Snow White. That's cool. I like the illustrations a lot--they're very grand. But sometimes their eyes look vacant and the dwarfs were not quite what I imagined. Still good!
T is for Terrible
Author/Illustrator: Peter McCarty
Year: 2004
Reading Level: Picture book (4-6)
Plot Summary: Tyrannosaurus Rex narrates this book and wonders why he is called "terrible." After all, he says, he came out of an egg just like other dinosaurs and had a mother, just like other dinosaurs. It's not his fault he grew to be so big and hungry. He can't be a vegetarian and he can't help squashing flowers when he walks.
My Rating: A+. This is surely the cutest dinosaur book I have ever read. It makes me all sad for this cute, puffy-looking, wants-to-be-loved Tyrannosaurus Rex. The illustrations are very nice, and the text is big and easy to read. And even though I love T-Rexes anyway, I have to admit I might love them more if they were pink.
Year: 2004
Reading Level: Picture book (4-6)
Plot Summary: Tyrannosaurus Rex narrates this book and wonders why he is called "terrible." After all, he says, he came out of an egg just like other dinosaurs and had a mother, just like other dinosaurs. It's not his fault he grew to be so big and hungry. He can't be a vegetarian and he can't help squashing flowers when he walks.
My Rating: A+. This is surely the cutest dinosaur book I have ever read. It makes me all sad for this cute, puffy-looking, wants-to-be-loved Tyrannosaurus Rex. The illustrations are very nice, and the text is big and easy to read. And even though I love T-Rexes anyway, I have to admit I might love them more if they were pink.
Bats at the Library
Author/Illustrator: Brian Lies
Year: 2008
Reading Level: Picture book (4-8)
Plot Summary: A group of bats are tired of flying around every night and want to do something different. Luckily for them, a librarian has left a window open in the library and the bats get to have their "Bat Night at the library!" The bats enjoy all the delights of a library, from copy machines to drinking fountains and, of course, books.
My rating: A+ This book is so fun! The bats are so cute! There's a library! One of my favorite things is the montage of book references that are included in the illustrations, to show what the bats are reading. There are references to Make Way for Ducklings, Treasure Island, Alice in Wonderland and many others--all with a batty spin. The illustrations are my favorite part.
Year: 2008
Reading Level: Picture book (4-8)
Plot Summary: A group of bats are tired of flying around every night and want to do something different. Luckily for them, a librarian has left a window open in the library and the bats get to have their "Bat Night at the library!" The bats enjoy all the delights of a library, from copy machines to drinking fountains and, of course, books.
My rating: A+ This book is so fun! The bats are so cute! There's a library! One of my favorite things is the montage of book references that are included in the illustrations, to show what the bats are reading. There are references to Make Way for Ducklings, Treasure Island, Alice in Wonderland and many others--all with a batty spin. The illustrations are my favorite part.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
The Fantastic Flying Adventure
Author: Gerald Durrell
Year: 1987
Reading Level: Intermediate
Genre: Adventure
Plot Summary: The three Dollybutt (really) siblings--Emma, Conrad and Ivan--are understandably surprised when their Great-Uncle Lancelot shows up on their lawn in his enormous hot air balloon house, the Belladonna. He quickly enlists the children's help in finding his lost brother Perceval and they set off to find him in the Belladonna. They travel around the world in the balloon following Perceval's trail, frequently stopping to question the local animals on his whereabouts.
Red Flags: Heavy handed environmental message
My Rating: C. Illustrations=nice. Story=bland. I'm not sure which annoyed me more--how obviously the animal factoids were shoehorned in or how obnoxiously heavy handed the environmental message was. It's great that Gerald Durrell is a leading naturalist and whatnot but a storyteller he is not.
Year: 1987
Reading Level: Intermediate
Genre: Adventure
Plot Summary: The three Dollybutt (really) siblings--Emma, Conrad and Ivan--are understandably surprised when their Great-Uncle Lancelot shows up on their lawn in his enormous hot air balloon house, the Belladonna. He quickly enlists the children's help in finding his lost brother Perceval and they set off to find him in the Belladonna. They travel around the world in the balloon following Perceval's trail, frequently stopping to question the local animals on his whereabouts.
Red Flags: Heavy handed environmental message
My Rating: C. Illustrations=nice. Story=bland. I'm not sure which annoyed me more--how obviously the animal factoids were shoehorned in or how obnoxiously heavy handed the environmental message was. It's great that Gerald Durrell is a leading naturalist and whatnot but a storyteller he is not.
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
Author: Ann Brashares
Year: 2001
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Novel
Series: Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
Plot Summary: Four best friends, Lena, Bridget, Tibby and Carmen, are 15 and facing their first summer apart. The day before they separate they realize a pair of thrift-store jeans magically fit all of them perfectly. They go their separate ways to face their own trials over the summer, some with more success than others. Through it all, however, the Pants are shared and sent from one friend to another until they come together again.
Red Flags: Some mild language and mild sexual situations
Movie Version: The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
My Rating: A. Good grief, this book sucked me like a Twilight book (sadly, no brain-breaking Jacobs involved). Maybe I liked it better because I had Gossip Girl to contrast it with, but I really, really liked this book. The girls had real personalities and read like actual people that could exist in real life. The adventures weren't too overblown or overdramatic, and the writing was good! Now, quick, give me the next one!
Year: 2001
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Novel
Series: Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
Plot Summary: Four best friends, Lena, Bridget, Tibby and Carmen, are 15 and facing their first summer apart. The day before they separate they realize a pair of thrift-store jeans magically fit all of them perfectly. They go their separate ways to face their own trials over the summer, some with more success than others. Through it all, however, the Pants are shared and sent from one friend to another until they come together again.
Red Flags: Some mild language and mild sexual situations
Movie Version: The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
My Rating: A. Good grief, this book sucked me like a Twilight book (sadly, no brain-breaking Jacobs involved). Maybe I liked it better because I had Gossip Girl to contrast it with, but I really, really liked this book. The girls had real personalities and read like actual people that could exist in real life. The adventures weren't too overblown or overdramatic, and the writing was good! Now, quick, give me the next one!
The Wolves of Willoughby Chase
Author: Joan Aiken
Year: 1987
Reading Level: Intermediate
Genre: Alternate history, novel
Plot Summary: Young Bonnie Green's parents are leaving for a ocean trip to improve her mother's help. They've hired a governess, Miss Slighcarp, and sent for Bonnie's cousin Sylvia to watch over the house and keep her company in their absence. Sylvia is everything Bonnie expected and wanted in a companion, but as soon as her parents leave, Miss Slighcarp asserts her authority in the most unpleasant ways. She soon sends Bonnie and Sylvia off to a wretched orphan school, but Bonnie's determined to escape and take back her home.
Red Flags: Scary adults
My Rating: A-. It took a while to get into this book, and by the end I was still puzzled by the wolves. But after the intitial kind of "Huh?" of the first 40 pages or so, it was quite entertaining and strange in an appealing way. Also, it's all Victorian and stuff and that's cool. Final note: Simon reminded me a lot of Dickon from The Secret Garden (this is a good thing).
Year: 1987
Reading Level: Intermediate
Genre: Alternate history, novel
Plot Summary: Young Bonnie Green's parents are leaving for a ocean trip to improve her mother's help. They've hired a governess, Miss Slighcarp, and sent for Bonnie's cousin Sylvia to watch over the house and keep her company in their absence. Sylvia is everything Bonnie expected and wanted in a companion, but as soon as her parents leave, Miss Slighcarp asserts her authority in the most unpleasant ways. She soon sends Bonnie and Sylvia off to a wretched orphan school, but Bonnie's determined to escape and take back her home.
Red Flags: Scary adults
My Rating: A-. It took a while to get into this book, and by the end I was still puzzled by the wolves. But after the intitial kind of "Huh?" of the first 40 pages or so, it was quite entertaining and strange in an appealing way. Also, it's all Victorian and stuff and that's cool. Final note: Simon reminded me a lot of Dickon from The Secret Garden (this is a good thing).
Tantalize
Author: Cynthia Leitich Smith
Year: 2007
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Supernatural fantasy
Plot Summary: 17 and orphaned, Quincie Morris is overseeing the renovation of her family's Italian restaurant as it becomes the vampire-themed Sanguini's. After the head chef (and family friend) is brutally murdered, Quincie finds his replacement in the unassuming but talented Henry Johnson. Meanwhile Quincie's best friend (and would-be love interest) Kieren, a hybrid werewolf, is under suspicion for murder. Life gets increasingly stranger as Sanguini's opening night draws closer...
Red Flags: teenage drinking, some gore, moderate language, mild sexual content, general weirdness
My Rating: C. This book just got weirder and weirder. I thought it would be more Twilight-y (which, for some reason, I wanted) and it wasn't at all. I thought hot werewolf Kieren would actually be in the book, but he hardly was. Also, this book was strange and in the end, what was the point? The characters were bland. The setting was Austin but too undefined for me to get a grip on. Also, I hate it when characters aren't described (Kieren! I don't know what you look like! I only know that you're hot!).
Year: 2007
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Supernatural fantasy
Plot Summary: 17 and orphaned, Quincie Morris is overseeing the renovation of her family's Italian restaurant as it becomes the vampire-themed Sanguini's. After the head chef (and family friend) is brutally murdered, Quincie finds his replacement in the unassuming but talented Henry Johnson. Meanwhile Quincie's best friend (and would-be love interest) Kieren, a hybrid werewolf, is under suspicion for murder. Life gets increasingly stranger as Sanguini's opening night draws closer...
Red Flags: teenage drinking, some gore, moderate language, mild sexual content, general weirdness
My Rating: C. This book just got weirder and weirder. I thought it would be more Twilight-y (which, for some reason, I wanted) and it wasn't at all. I thought hot werewolf Kieren would actually be in the book, but he hardly was. Also, this book was strange and in the end, what was the point? The characters were bland. The setting was Austin but too undefined for me to get a grip on. Also, I hate it when characters aren't described (Kieren! I don't know what you look like! I only know that you're hot!).
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Fairest
Author: Gail Carson Levine
Year: 2006
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Fairy tale
Series: Not a series per se, but set in the same universe as Ella Enchanted
Plot Summary: Aza has never been pretty, especially compared to other Ayorthians, but what she lacks in looks she makes up for with her singing talents. When Aza gets the chance to go to the king's wedding, her life changes as she becomes involved with court life. She doesn't have much time to enjoy it though, as an unfortunate accident has repercussions not just for Aza but for the whole kingdom.
Red Flags: None
My Rating: A- This was a fun book to read, very quick and absorbing (I liked it much more than Ella Enchanted, but not as much as Goose Chase). Aza was very likeable, as was the Prince. Probably my only gripe is how the gnomes talk. Am I supposed to be able to pronounce any of those words?
Year: 2006
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Fairy tale
Series: Not a series per se, but set in the same universe as Ella Enchanted
Plot Summary: Aza has never been pretty, especially compared to other Ayorthians, but what she lacks in looks she makes up for with her singing talents. When Aza gets the chance to go to the king's wedding, her life changes as she becomes involved with court life. She doesn't have much time to enjoy it though, as an unfortunate accident has repercussions not just for Aza but for the whole kingdom.
Red Flags: None
My Rating: A- This was a fun book to read, very quick and absorbing (I liked it much more than Ella Enchanted, but not as much as Goose Chase). Aza was very likeable, as was the Prince. Probably my only gripe is how the gnomes talk. Am I supposed to be able to pronounce any of those words?
The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup and a Spool of Thread
Author: Kate DiCamillo
Year: 2003
Reading Level: Intermediate
Genre: Fantasy
Plot Summary: Despereaux, a small-bodied but large-eared mouse, is not like the other mice that live in the castle. He loves books and music and is in love with Princess Pea, which shocks his relations to their core. It's also this love that takes him on a series of adventures, down to the castle's dungeon, where the vicious rats live. Despite his small size, Despereaux risks everything to save his (human) lady love.
Red Flags: None! Unless you count a mild inter-species romance.
Movie Version: The Tale of Despereaux
Award/s: Newbery Medal, 2004
My Rating: A. This was a very fun, endearing kind of book. Despereaux is cute, cuddly and sincere, and the supporting characters are all entertaining (especially his French mother). I like Kate DiCamillo's writing style, although I didn't so much care for her constantly saying "Reader..." But overall, it was a great book.
Year: 2003
Reading Level: Intermediate
Genre: Fantasy
Plot Summary: Despereaux, a small-bodied but large-eared mouse, is not like the other mice that live in the castle. He loves books and music and is in love with Princess Pea, which shocks his relations to their core. It's also this love that takes him on a series of adventures, down to the castle's dungeon, where the vicious rats live. Despite his small size, Despereaux risks everything to save his (human) lady love.
Red Flags: None! Unless you count a mild inter-species romance.
Movie Version: The Tale of Despereaux
Award/s: Newbery Medal, 2004
My Rating: A. This was a very fun, endearing kind of book. Despereaux is cute, cuddly and sincere, and the supporting characters are all entertaining (especially his French mother). I like Kate DiCamillo's writing style, although I didn't so much care for her constantly saying "Reader..." But overall, it was a great book.
Runaway Ralph
Author: Beverly Cleary
Year: 1970
Reading Level: Intermediate
Genre: Real world fantasy
Series: Mouse and the Motorcycle
Plot Summary: Fed up with living with his pesky younger cousins and nagging relatives, Ralph leaves the rustic inn that is his home and strikes out for freedom on the open road. After a long journey on his trusty motorcycle, Ralph finds himself at the Happy Acres summer camp. His freedom is short lived, however, as he soon finds himself shut in a wire cage with only a cynical hamster for company. In a bid for his freedom, Ralph launches a desperate escape plan, but the camp's cat isn't so keen on letting him go.
Red Flags: None
My Rating: B+. I loved and still love The Mouse and the Motorcycle, and while this one isn't as good, I still love the idea of a mouse being able to ride a motorcycle just by making the sound. About 3/4 of the way through I started to wonder if I've read this one before, or if I'm thinking of Ralph S. Mouse. Or did I read them both? I have no idea.
Year: 1970
Reading Level: Intermediate
Genre: Real world fantasy
Series: Mouse and the Motorcycle
Plot Summary: Fed up with living with his pesky younger cousins and nagging relatives, Ralph leaves the rustic inn that is his home and strikes out for freedom on the open road. After a long journey on his trusty motorcycle, Ralph finds himself at the Happy Acres summer camp. His freedom is short lived, however, as he soon finds himself shut in a wire cage with only a cynical hamster for company. In a bid for his freedom, Ralph launches a desperate escape plan, but the camp's cat isn't so keen on letting him go.
Red Flags: None
My Rating: B+. I loved and still love The Mouse and the Motorcycle, and while this one isn't as good, I still love the idea of a mouse being able to ride a motorcycle just by making the sound. About 3/4 of the way through I started to wonder if I've read this one before, or if I'm thinking of Ralph S. Mouse. Or did I read them both? I have no idea.
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