Author: Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Year: 1991
Genre: Novel
Reading Level: Intermediate
Series: First in the Shiloh Trilogy
Plot Summary: While wandering the woods around his rural West Virginia home, eleven-year-old Marty Preston runs into a small beagle that follows him home. Marty is very taken with the dog, and is concerned at the way it shows signs of mistreatment. Not long after the dog has been taken back by its owner, the beagle shows up at Marty's house again. Naming him Shiloh, Marty is determined to keep him safe, whether Shiloh's owner likes it or not.
Red Flags: Some dog violence, hunting
Award/s: Newbery winner, 1992
Movie Version: Shiloh
My Rating: B. I'll admit, I expected a bit more from this book, being a Newbery winner and all. It was good, it was a good story and it pulls the heartstrings a little, but it didn't blow me away. I think I was unintentionally comparing it to Because of Winn-Dixie the whole time, and that book is the superior Newbery-winning dog tale.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Ophelia
Author: Lisa Klein
Year: 2006
Genre: Novel
Reading Level: Young Adult
Plot Summary: This retelling of Shakespeare's Hamlet focuses on Ophelia and her doomed romance with Hamlet. The story traces Ophelia's rambunctious childhood to her education and development at court and finally intersects with the events of Hamlet. Readers expecting the story to end with Ophelia's suicide will be surprised. Told from her own perspective, Ophelia offers a fresh take on a very familiar tale.
Red Flags: Character deaths, political intrigues, some men of a forceful persuasion
My Rating: B+. This is a good book. Klein is a good writer and her characters are fleshed out and interesting. I only have a few problems with this book. First, in an effort to make Ophelia a strong female character, Klein kind of turned her into a cliche. She's bookish! She's educated! She speaks her mind! Also, the romance element was not as strong as I expected. Besides a few scenes together there wasn't much interaction with Hamlet and Ophelia. Also, she spends half of the book thinking he never loved her, but hello, he totally did. Second, the last third of the book--SPOILER!--takes place at a French convent and it just seemed rather irrelevant. Or maybe that was just me. Third, I forget. Anyway, I liked it. It just got long and a little boring towards the end.
Year: 2006
Genre: Novel
Reading Level: Young Adult
Plot Summary: This retelling of Shakespeare's Hamlet focuses on Ophelia and her doomed romance with Hamlet. The story traces Ophelia's rambunctious childhood to her education and development at court and finally intersects with the events of Hamlet. Readers expecting the story to end with Ophelia's suicide will be surprised. Told from her own perspective, Ophelia offers a fresh take on a very familiar tale.
Red Flags: Character deaths, political intrigues, some men of a forceful persuasion
My Rating: B+. This is a good book. Klein is a good writer and her characters are fleshed out and interesting. I only have a few problems with this book. First, in an effort to make Ophelia a strong female character, Klein kind of turned her into a cliche. She's bookish! She's educated! She speaks her mind! Also, the romance element was not as strong as I expected. Besides a few scenes together there wasn't much interaction with Hamlet and Ophelia. Also, she spends half of the book thinking he never loved her, but hello, he totally did. Second, the last third of the book--SPOILER!--takes place at a French convent and it just seemed rather irrelevant. Or maybe that was just me. Third, I forget. Anyway, I liked it. It just got long and a little boring towards the end.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
The Outsiders
Author: S.E. Hinton
Year: 1967
Genre: novel/realistic fiction
Reading Level: Young Adult
Plot Summary: Fourteen-year-old Ponyboy Curtis lives with his older brothers after their parents' deaths, the youngest member of the gang they've formed with their closest friends. Though their lives are rough and tumble, Ponyboy and his friend Johnny try to defy their hoodlum stereotype. After a violent encounter with a rival gang, however, Ponyboy and Johnny struggle to adjust to the drama and tragedy that follows.
Red Flags: teen drinking and smoking, some violence, character deaths
Movie Version: The Outsiders
My Rating: A-. I didn't love it, but I think it was a good book. It's just not really my genre or a time period that interests me. Besides that, though, the writing was solid and the characters rang true. The story was a little slow moving, but not to the point of frustration.
Year: 1967
Genre: novel/realistic fiction
Reading Level: Young Adult
Plot Summary: Fourteen-year-old Ponyboy Curtis lives with his older brothers after their parents' deaths, the youngest member of the gang they've formed with their closest friends. Though their lives are rough and tumble, Ponyboy and his friend Johnny try to defy their hoodlum stereotype. After a violent encounter with a rival gang, however, Ponyboy and Johnny struggle to adjust to the drama and tragedy that follows.
Red Flags: teen drinking and smoking, some violence, character deaths
Movie Version: The Outsiders
My Rating: A-. I didn't love it, but I think it was a good book. It's just not really my genre or a time period that interests me. Besides that, though, the writing was solid and the characters rang true. The story was a little slow moving, but not to the point of frustration.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
The Golden Compass
Author: Phillip Pullman
Year: 1995
Genre: Fantasy (steampunk)
Reading Level: Young Adult
Series: First in the His Dark Materials series
Plot Summary: When Lyra Belacqua decides to sneak into a forbidden room at Oxford and overhears a discussion among the scholars, she has no idea of the consequences. Children all over England are disappearing, stolen by "Gobblers" and when Lyra's best friend, Roger, disappears she's determined to rescue him. Along with her faithful daemon, Pantalaimon, Lyra journeys to the mysterious North to solve the mystery of the Gobblers' purpose and rescue Roger. On the way she discovers startling information of her own past and learns to use the mysterious truth-telling device--the alethiometer.
Red Flags: some scariness and spookiness, character death, a violent battle betweenpolar armored bears. And let's not forget the whole anti-Christian thing, although that doesn't really come into this book.
Movie Version: The Golden Compass
My Rating: A-. I don't know if this is traditionally viewed as a young adult book, but the writing style and the overall heaviness of it makes me wonder how many kids would be interested. Anyway, I really enjoyed it. It took a while for me to get really interested but by the end I was thoroughly hooked. Pullman is a good writer and even though Lyra is a brat, I mostly liked her by the end. Also: Iorek=win.
Year: 1995
Genre: Fantasy (steampunk)
Reading Level: Young Adult
Series: First in the His Dark Materials series
Plot Summary: When Lyra Belacqua decides to sneak into a forbidden room at Oxford and overhears a discussion among the scholars, she has no idea of the consequences. Children all over England are disappearing, stolen by "Gobblers" and when Lyra's best friend, Roger, disappears she's determined to rescue him. Along with her faithful daemon, Pantalaimon, Lyra journeys to the mysterious North to solve the mystery of the Gobblers' purpose and rescue Roger. On the way she discovers startling information of her own past and learns to use the mysterious truth-telling device--the alethiometer.
Red Flags: some scariness and spookiness, character death, a violent battle between
Movie Version: The Golden Compass
My Rating: A-. I don't know if this is traditionally viewed as a young adult book, but the writing style and the overall heaviness of it makes me wonder how many kids would be interested. Anyway, I really enjoyed it. It took a while for me to get really interested but by the end I was thoroughly hooked. Pullman is a good writer and even though Lyra is a brat, I mostly liked her by the end. Also: Iorek=win.
Hatchet
Author: Gary Paulsen
Year: 1987
Genre: Adventure/Survival
Reading Level: Young Adult
Series: First in the Brian's Saga series
Plot Summary: Brian Robeson is on his way to visit his father in Canada in a small plane when the pilot dies suddenly of a heart attack. Alone in the plane with the pilot's corpse, off course and with only a rudimentary understanding of flying, Brian first has to figure out how to land the plane in a way that will not lead to his demise. When he finally gets to the ground, Brian finds his troubles are just beginning when he has to survive, alone, in the middle of a Canadian forest. Of course he has to do this with just the clothes on his back and a dorky gift from his mother--a hatchet.
Award/s: Newbery Honor book
Red Flags: stressful situations, a detailed death and general unpleasantries
My Rating: B+. I enjoyed this book. It was interesting and entertaining and fast. But I didn't care for Paulsen's super dramatic style, which I will now imitate: "If he didn't land the plane he would die. Die. That would be it. He would be dead. Forever. Dead." But I did enjoy it! It was just filled with all kinds of unpleasant survival details like vomiting and swollen faces. Also, two words: turtle eggs.
Year: 1987
Genre: Adventure/Survival
Reading Level: Young Adult
Series: First in the Brian's Saga series
Plot Summary: Brian Robeson is on his way to visit his father in Canada in a small plane when the pilot dies suddenly of a heart attack. Alone in the plane with the pilot's corpse, off course and with only a rudimentary understanding of flying, Brian first has to figure out how to land the plane in a way that will not lead to his demise. When he finally gets to the ground, Brian finds his troubles are just beginning when he has to survive, alone, in the middle of a Canadian forest. Of course he has to do this with just the clothes on his back and a dorky gift from his mother--a hatchet.
Award/s: Newbery Honor book
Red Flags: stressful situations, a detailed death and general unpleasantries
My Rating: B+. I enjoyed this book. It was interesting and entertaining and fast. But I didn't care for Paulsen's super dramatic style, which I will now imitate: "If he didn't land the plane he would die. Die. That would be it. He would be dead. Forever. Dead." But I did enjoy it! It was just filled with all kinds of unpleasant survival details like vomiting and swollen faces. Also, two words: turtle eggs.
Once Upon a Princess and Pea
Author: Ann Campbell
Illustrator: Kathy Osborn Young
Year: 1993
Age Level: 4-8
Plot Summary: In this updated version of the Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale, the good-hearted princess Esmerelda runs away when she finds out she's being married off to middle-aged, toothless king. Luckily Prince Hector is on the road, looking for a princess to marry. None of the so-called princesses he encounters meet his standards, but Esmerelda just might change his mind...
My Rating: B. This book=blah. I really didn't like the illustrations. They were weird and ugly and sorry, but I like my fairy tales to be pretty. The story was fine, but the changes didn't really improve it at all and the whole book seemed like a weak effort.
Illustrator: Kathy Osborn Young
Year: 1993
Age Level: 4-8
Plot Summary: In this updated version of the Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale, the good-hearted princess Esmerelda runs away when she finds out she's being married off to middle-aged, toothless king. Luckily Prince Hector is on the road, looking for a princess to marry. None of the so-called princesses he encounters meet his standards, but Esmerelda just might change his mind...
My Rating: B. This book=blah. I really didn't like the illustrations. They were weird and ugly and sorry, but I like my fairy tales to be pretty. The story was fine, but the changes didn't really improve it at all and the whole book seemed like a weak effort.
The Ballad of the Pirate Queens
Author: Jane Yolen
Illustrator: David Shannon
Year: 1998
Age level: 4-8
Plot Summary: This book tells the story of the two most famous female pirates--Anne Bonney and Mary Reade. Sailing on the ship Vanity, the two women protest when their captain does nothing when the ship is attacked. After the ship is captured by the military, they escape hanging...unlike their unfortunate shipmates.
Red Flag/s: Thievin' and plunderin'. Also, hangings.
My Rating: A-. I'll admit I read this book for the illustrations, which are fantastic. The text is good too, but in this case picture trump words.
Illustrator: David Shannon
Year: 1998
Age level: 4-8
Plot Summary: This book tells the story of the two most famous female pirates--Anne Bonney and Mary Reade. Sailing on the ship Vanity, the two women protest when their captain does nothing when the ship is attacked. After the ship is captured by the military, they escape hanging...unlike their unfortunate shipmates.
Red Flag/s: Thievin' and plunderin'. Also, hangings.
My Rating: A-. I'll admit I read this book for the illustrations, which are fantastic. The text is good too, but in this case picture trump words.
Seven Blind Mice
Author/Illustrator: Ed Young
Year: 2002
Plot Summary: This retelling of an Indian story deals with seven blind mice and an elephant. Each mouse goes out to touch the elephant and decide what, in fact, it is. Each feels a different part and comes to a different conclusion of what they're feeling. When the truth is finally discovered in the end, the mice conclude that "Knowing in part may make a fine tale, but wisdom comes from seeing the whole."
Award/s: Caldecott honor book
My Rating: B+. This was a fun book to read. The illustrations are very bright with a black background that makes it all very dramatic. Also, the mice have very long tail and I appreciate that.
Year: 2002
Plot Summary: This retelling of an Indian story deals with seven blind mice and an elephant. Each mouse goes out to touch the elephant and decide what, in fact, it is. Each feels a different part and comes to a different conclusion of what they're feeling. When the truth is finally discovered in the end, the mice conclude that "Knowing in part may make a fine tale, but wisdom comes from seeing the whole."
Award/s: Caldecott honor book
My Rating: B+. This was a fun book to read. The illustrations are very bright with a black background that makes it all very dramatic. Also, the mice have very long tail and I appreciate that.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing
Author: Judy Blume
Year: 1972
Genre: Novel
Reading Level: Intermediate
Series: Fudge books
Plot Summary: Peter has a new pet turtle named Dribble, and he also has a little brother called Fudge. While Peter finds Fudge all manner of exasperating, most adults think he's cute as can be. Peter endures many trials with Fudge--buying shoes, seeing a movie in the theater, and a birthday party, among others. Fudge's antics culminate in an event that is both gross and tragic.
Red Flags: None, unless you count the antics of a two year old.
My Rating: A-. This was a very fun, entertaining read. It's just little stories, but Peter is a great, likable and sympathetic character. I also really liked the family relationships in this book. Another thing I liked was that even though it was written in the 1970's, it doesn't seem very dated at all.
Year: 1972
Genre: Novel
Reading Level: Intermediate
Series: Fudge books
Plot Summary: Peter has a new pet turtle named Dribble, and he also has a little brother called Fudge. While Peter finds Fudge all manner of exasperating, most adults think he's cute as can be. Peter endures many trials with Fudge--buying shoes, seeing a movie in the theater, and a birthday party, among others. Fudge's antics culminate in an event that is both gross and tragic.
Red Flags: None, unless you count the antics of a two year old.
My Rating: A-. This was a very fun, entertaining read. It's just little stories, but Peter is a great, likable and sympathetic character. I also really liked the family relationships in this book. Another thing I liked was that even though it was written in the 1970's, it doesn't seem very dated at all.
Tuck Everlasting
Author: Natalie Babbit
Year: 1975
Age Level: Young Adult?
Genre: Fantasy, coming of age
Plot Summary: Winnie Foster lives with her overprotective parents and grandmother, and she longs for something more interesting in life. Feeling bold, Winnie finally ventures into the mysterious woods surrounding the house and discoversEdward Cullen a handsome boy at a spring. What Winnie doesn't know is that this spring has given the entire Tuck family eternal life. When Winnie is offered the same, will she choose to live forever?
Red Flags: One scene of mild violence
Movie Version: Tuck Everlasting
Memorable Quotes: "'Know what that is, all around us, Winnie?' said Tuck, his voice low. 'Life. Moving, growing, changing, never the same two minutes together. This water, you look out at it every morning, and it looks the same, but it ain't. All night long it's been moving, coming in through the stream back there to the west, slipping out through the stream down east here, always quiet, always new, moving on. You can't hardly see the current, can you? And sometimes the wind makes it look like it's going the other way. But it's always there, the water's always moving on, and someday, after a long while, it comes to the ocean.'"
My Rating: A-. I enjoyed this book. It was a nice read, very summery, nice story. I wasn't blown away but I do like Babbitt's writing style and her descriptions. I think I missed the romance element from the movie a bit, and some of the character development for Jesse.
Year: 1975
Age Level: Young Adult?
Genre: Fantasy, coming of age
Plot Summary: Winnie Foster lives with her overprotective parents and grandmother, and she longs for something more interesting in life. Feeling bold, Winnie finally ventures into the mysterious woods surrounding the house and discovers
Red Flags: One scene of mild violence
Movie Version: Tuck Everlasting
Memorable Quotes: "'Know what that is, all around us, Winnie?' said Tuck, his voice low. 'Life. Moving, growing, changing, never the same two minutes together. This water, you look out at it every morning, and it looks the same, but it ain't. All night long it's been moving, coming in through the stream back there to the west, slipping out through the stream down east here, always quiet, always new, moving on. You can't hardly see the current, can you? And sometimes the wind makes it look like it's going the other way. But it's always there, the water's always moving on, and someday, after a long while, it comes to the ocean.'"
My Rating: A-. I enjoyed this book. It was a nice read, very summery, nice story. I wasn't blown away but I do like Babbitt's writing style and her descriptions. I think I missed the romance element from the movie a bit, and some of the character development for Jesse.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Book?
Author/Illustrator: Lauren Child
Year: 2003
Reading Level: Picture book (4-8)
Plot Summary: Herb likes to read books all the time, and one night Herb falls asleep while reading a book of fairy tales. Strangely enough, Herb wakes up in the book, and its inhabitants aren't too happy with how he's treated their book. Prince Charming is missing, the Queen has a mustache and the Stepmother's house is upside down. But before he can fix the book, Herb has to get out--luckily he has Cinderella to help him.
My Rating: A-. I'm a little torn about this book. For myself, I enjoyed it. It was fun and creative. One of my favorite things was that Herb had drawn a telephone on each page so at one point Cinderella picks up the phone. On the other hand, I think younger kids would have a hard time with it because there is so much going on. The pictures aren't super easy to follow along with, even though they're fun to look at it and the text (intentionally) goes all over the place.
Year: 2003
Reading Level: Picture book (4-8)
Plot Summary: Herb likes to read books all the time, and one night Herb falls asleep while reading a book of fairy tales. Strangely enough, Herb wakes up in the book, and its inhabitants aren't too happy with how he's treated their book. Prince Charming is missing, the Queen has a mustache and the Stepmother's house is upside down. But before he can fix the book, Herb has to get out--luckily he has Cinderella to help him.
My Rating: A-. I'm a little torn about this book. For myself, I enjoyed it. It was fun and creative. One of my favorite things was that Herb had drawn a telephone on each page so at one point Cinderella picks up the phone. On the other hand, I think younger kids would have a hard time with it because there is so much going on. The pictures aren't super easy to follow along with, even though they're fun to look at it and the text (intentionally) goes all over the place.
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