Book Reviews©copyright Frederick Muller 2010 |
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One day Trevor hears some strange noises behind his house. The next day he takes his friend Pete to investigate. What starts out seeming like a UFO sci-fi story quickly moves into a story about a secret military technology. Although it is unlikely that a bunch of kids could break into a top secret military installation with high security, this is a fun adventure book which builds and builds. Trevor has some interesting friends (and acquaintances.) I enjoyed this 273 page book which appears to be the first in a series. It is a complete story. You may not have heard of this book but I purchased it because it was written by a local author. I look forward to the next one.
In this sequel to "Weasel" (from 1990) Nathan sees that his friend from "Weasel", Ezra is now working a freak show, traveling around the countryside in the 1800s. Ezra decides to talk his father into letting he go and get Ezra. This is the 148 page adventure of Ezra traveling the area, meeting varied characters and going to bring Ezra back. Has Ezra been so mentally damaged at the freak show that he will never recover?
Thirteen-year-old Ben is a year-long resident on Martha's Vineyard. Some residents hate the influx of tourists in the summer -- others love it and make full economic use of them. Amid this tension, Ben is growing up and gets involved with an older boy. Suddenly he finds himself on the slippery slope of doing worse and worse things to the point where he eventually ends up delivering drugs. Consequences are dealt with. While the situation is fairly predictable, the telling of the story is good and depicts clearly how easy it is for young people to get on this slippery slope. I recommend this 181 page book for around 6th graders.
DeFelice, Cynthia. The ghost of Fossil Glen, 1998 [0-380-73175-4]
Allie is in 6th grade and begins "hearing" strange things that no one else does. She establishes that it is a ghost of a young girl trying to tell her something. Allie discovers who the ghost is and solves her murder of four years ago (which everyone thought was an accident.) The plot of this 154 page book was good but I felt the characters to be shallow and poorly developed. Allie's family at times seems to be a little too "Father knows best" at times. Kids who enjoy ghosts and a fast moving plot, will like this book though.
DeFelice, Cynthia. The light on Hogback Hill. AvonCamelot, 1993 [0-380-782395-6]
Josh is new in town and asks Hadley what is behind all the rumors and ghost stories in town about the house on the hill. She tells him about a crazy man in town who is telling all the stories. Josh convinces her to go up to the house on Halloween night. What they find on the hill surprises them both and gets the crazy man mad at them. I picked up this 139 page book on a "reading list" shelf in a book store. It is a very enjoyable mystery.
De Guzman, Michael. Melonhead. Farrar, Staus & Giroux, 2002 [0-374-34944-4]
Sidney is short thin and has a big head.. and is often called Melonhead. His parents are divorced and he shares time with them between Seattle and Los Angeles. Neither is a good situation so he boards a bus and heads to New York. The ride is eventful and he meets many interesting people before he ends up subconsciously at his grandmother's house in Rhode Island. She has never liked him and he has not liked her. Can this situation be resolved. This 213 page book is a great read about a runaway kid who is crying out for a stable life.
Delany, Mark. The protester's song [Misfits, Inc. #5]. Peachtree, 2001 [1-56145-244-0]
Thirty years ago Jake's Uncle, Josh lost his leg at an explosion during Vietnam protest. Once night the family goes to dinner and the musician playing reminds Uncle Josh of someone at the protest. That starts a chain of events in which Misfits, Inc (a group of kid detectives) gets involved with an FBI cover-up. In the midst of the story their school librarian resigns over a censorship issue. The buildup to the exciting climax kept me not wanting to put the book down. This 214 page book is #5 of a series concerning this group of detective HS kids. I have a feeling I may be purchasing more of this series.
Del Vecchio, Gene. The Pearl of Anton. Pelican, 2004 [1-58980-172-5]
Jason is the son of shoemaker and has inherited the Wizard's Stone at 15. He learns that he must use the stone to defend all that is good in the world in a Final Contest. Jason feels his brother should have inherited the stone but he died in an accident a few years before. In order for the Wizard Stone to have the most power it must be joined with the Pearl of Anton. So... Jason and his wise teacher set off with her body guard to find the Pearl of Anton to fight in the Final Contest and save the Race of Man. The author sets up an interesting world of characters (both men and monsters) and situations but gets a little wordy doing this. There are large blocks of text setting up the history for this world which may lose a reader but if they stick with it, the last half of the book gets more exciting as they approach the Final Contest. This 256 page book is a good introduction to the longer, and more advanced fantasies.
Denenberg, Barry. The journal of William Thomas Emerson [My name is America], 1998
This is one of the boy books of the Dear America Series - this series is called "My name is America" even though Dear America is still on the cover. This is a journal as opposed to a diary which makes it have a different feel. What I especially liked about this pre-Revolutionary War book taking place in Boston is its innocent feel. It is told from the eyes of a child without all the political stuff that is added to other historical fiction. This very well done. There are the usual historical notes at the end along with an excellent fold-out, historical map of Boston (which I just discovered.) If you study the Revolutionary War in your school, you must get this 156 page work of historical fiction.
Denenberg, Barry. So far from home [Dear America series], 1997.
This is a fictional diary of an Irish girl who come to America in 1847 to work in the Mills in Lowell, MA. She describes the hardships and famine in Ireland, the harsh trip over, and what it was like to work in the mills. Prejudice against the Irish is also covered. Scholastic has a hit with this series and I will try to get them all. All of these books have a nice historical narrative at the end which gives the reader some useful information about the period covered. This book would be a good companion to Lyddie by Paterson, which is also about the life of a girl in the same mills. I picked up this 166 page book at our book fair.
Denenberg, Barry. When will this cruel war be over [Dear America series], 1996
This is fictional diary which takes place during the Civil War. I was a third of the way through before I established it was from the South (now as I write this I see on the cover "Gordonsville, VA" - oh well). From the beginning of the diary you do not realize that the story takes place in a large home with many slaves. Even with all of the above criticism, I got really wrapped up in the story. Normally these type of books are from the northern perspective but this one show how horrible and confusing it was to live in the south during this time. The book has a wonderful historical epilogue. I was putting off reading this series which I got at our book fair, but now I will anxiously read the others. This is a 156 page book and approachable to all the students in my 5-8 building.
Deuker, Carl. Gym candy. Hougthon Mifflin, 2007 [978-0-618-77713-6 // 0-618-77713-x]
Mick loves football.. it is his whole life. His dad was a football hero. He and a friend get a chance to play varsity but he does not have the power to threaten the first string player's position. To get stronger he works out harder and starts drinking protein drinks and taking supplements. When Mick joins a private gym and has a trainer he resists taking the steroids that are being offered at first. Eventually he sees them as the only way to get the power and endurance to get where he wants in football. He decides to only take some in the summer to bulk up but against his own better judgment, he steps them up a notch. This 313 page book tells the story of a boy trying to look better in his father's eyes and his own eyes and what he will do to get better. It is the story of how sports can drive his whole life, at the loss of friends, and girl interests. The side effects of steroids are described in the story and lead to the dramatic end to this book. While the "gym candy" was the center piece of the book, I did not feel the author got too preachy. It is hard to tread that line as an author. This is an important book to have in your sports collection along with the others by Deuker.
Deuker, Carl. Heart of a champion. Avon, 1993 [0-380-72269-0]
This is a great tale of baseball and of deep friendship. Seth likes baseball but does not become a fanatic until he meets Jimmy and his father. They work hard on the sport and develop and a strong friendship. Jimmy's father is an alcoholic and leaves the family. Meanwhile Jimmy teaches Seth what it means to be totally committed to the sport. Jimmy goes through many problems at home because of his father but always outshines Seth on the field and they frequently are not on the same team but their friendship lasts through both their struggles. This 168 page book has a lot of sports action - plenty to hold your baseball fan but doesn't lose the story getting bogged down with too much description of individual games. I really enjoyed this one and I am not a sports fan at all.
Deuker, Carl. Night Hoops. Houghton Mifflin, 2000 [0-395-97936-6]
Nick admired his brother as the HS basketball star in the family but then Scott drops basketball to focus on his music -- suddenly Nick is the family basketball player. Meanwhile a troubled family moves in across the street and everyone tries to avoid them but one of the sons, Trent ends up on Nicks basketball team. A troubled kind of friendship starts up between them. This is an incredible basketball book, a true story of friendship, mixed up with many sub plots. Don't miss this 212 page book! I have already ordered other books by this author.
Deuker, Carl. On the devil's court. Avon, 1988 [0-380-70879-5]
Joe loves playing basketball and finds a deserted building with a gym in it so he can practice. One day he says he would give his soul to play the season of his life. Suddenly his game improves. He is the star player.... he team is undefeated. But his father has a heart attack and is getting sicker. His class is reading Faust in school and he wonders if what he said meant he sold his soul to the devil and is he trading his father's life for a good season of basketball. This 252 page book is a great basketball story with the under-riding theme of selling your soul to the devil. It is never clear from the book whether Joe imagines what he does or what.
Deuker, Carl. Painting the black. Avon, 1997 [0-380-73104-5]
Josh, HS senior moves across the street from Ryan who formerly played baseball when he was younger. Josh is a all-star player in both football and baseball. He gets Ryan all excited and into baseball again. With Ryan catching for Josh, they bring their HS team to the championships when suddenly Josh does something bad and Ryan knows he did it. Should Ryan tell the police and risk losing the baseball season and his friendship with Josh? Mr. Deuker writes incredible sports stories for middle school and young adults. Not only are they centered around sports, but the story is also solid enough for non-sports fans (like me.) I recommend this 248 page book.
Deuker, Carl. Runner. Houghton Mifflin, 2005 [0-618-54298-1]
Chance is a HS student living with his alcoholic father on a boat in the Puget Sound. His father is always losing jobs and one day Chance is given the opportunity to deliver packages on his running route. He suspects he is delivering drugs because the pay is so good .. but he (and his father) need the money. Meanwhile he becomes interested in joining the school newspaper and the head of the newspaper sees him always stopping at the same place in his run and suspects something. One day the packages he delivers change.. then his contact commits suicide driving off a cliff. What can he do? Is he involved in more than drug smuggling now? Deuker's books have always been popular with my students. While this 216 page one is not centered on sports, I feel it is Deuker's best yet.. suspense, mystery..ethics and so much more.. Don't miss it.
DiCamillo, Kate. Because of Winn-Dixie. Scholastic, 2000 [0-439-25072-2]
Opal claims a dog that is running wild in the Winn-Dixie grocery store and names him after the store. This is beginning of a warm tale of everything that happens to her one summer because of the dog, Winn-Dixie. I was totally wrapped up in this wonderful story in the first few pages. The style of writing just wraps itself around you and gives a big warm hug. People are talking about this 182 page book as a Newbery possibility -- I hope so! When the book was complete I was so sorry to leave behind this girl, her dog, her father, and all her friends in the town.
DiCamillo, Kate. The miraculous journey of Edward Tulane. Candlewick, 2006 [0-7636-2589-2 // 978-0-7636-2589-4]
I initially was not going to purchase this book because from a distance it seemed to juvenile for my collection but after so many people said that it should have won the Newbery this past year, I had to purchase it. Visually, this is beautifully constructed book. The layout and the illustrations remind one of a number of much older books. The story is a cross between "The Velveteen Rabbit", "Don Quixote", and "The Wizard of Oz." Edward Tulane is a china rabbit who ends up going on a great journey, encountering many struggles. This 198 page book is a beautifully wonderful package all except one illustration which may contain some religious symbolism to SOME people. One drawing has the rabbit nailed to a scarecrow. While it did not bother me, I could see some people being offended by it.
DiCamillo, Kate. The tale of Despereaux. Candlewick Press, 2003 [0-7636-1722-9]
At the opening of the story we meet a mouse being born. He is different than the rest and is banished to the dungeon of the castle. This starts off an adventure where Despereaux (the mouse) meets up with rats, the King, Princess Pea, a slow-witted maid and the dungeon-keeper. This 268 page book is a well-written animal story which is told with humor and I am glad it won the Newbery medal. It would be a great read-aloud if you have the time.
Dickinson, Peter. The ropemaker. Delacorte, 2001 [0-385-72921-9]
When the magic that protects their valley starts to wear thin, representatives from the valley have to go into the evil empire to search out the person who originally placed the spells to protect the valley. There they find a place where everyone is fined for transgressions and must go to a place when they are old, where they have to die - all for a price. This 375 page book is a strongly crafted fantasy for your upper level readers.
DiTerlizzi, Tony and Holly Black. The Spiderwick Chronicles. Simon & Schuster, 2003-2004
The field guide - 978-0-689-85936-6//0-68985936-8
The seeing stone 978-1-4169-5018-9//1-41695018-4
Lucinda's secret 978-1-4169-5019-6//1-4169-5019-2
The ironwood tree 978-14169-5020-2//1-4169-5020-6
The wrath of Mulgarath 978-0-689-85940-3//0-68958940-4Jared, Simon, Mallory and their mom have to move into Aunt Lucy's (Lucinda) old, falling down house. Aunt Lucy lives in an old age home and everything thinks she is crazy. Soon after they move into the house the notice strange things going on. It is not long before they find a hidden library with a "Field Guide" describing the world of faeries, goblins, hobgoblins, dragons, griffins and more. They discover that one of the creatures, Mulgarath has a plan to take over the world with his dragons. There is a great climatic scene in a tower. This Five-book series is written for elementary students (each book is a little over 100 pages) but I am sure they will be of interest to middle schoolers .. especially with the movie just being released. They are an easy read (I read each in a night and I am not a fast reader) and wonderfully illustrated. And most important (at least to me), it is a complete series at five books - not an never-ending one. I would be nice if they would bind them all into one book to appeal more to a middle school audience.
Dogar, Sharon. Waves. Chicken House/Scholastic, 2007 [978-0439-87180-9 // 0-439-87180-8]
Every summer Hal and his family have gone to the coast. This year is different. Last year is different because last year hit her head on a rock on the beach and is in a coma. After they decide to go to the shore anyway, Hal begins getting messages in his mind from his sister, in her coma in the hospital. No one knows what happened and how she had her accident. It appears that she is trying to tell Hal what happened. This 324 page book is about a family dealing with a tragedy, not knowing what happened in the accident. It is a mystery. It is a tale of new love and the love between a brother and sister. This is a touching book, but not really for elementary students.
Dokey, Cameron. Hindenburg, 1937, 1999 [0-671-03601-7]
It is 1937 and Anna sits at her dying Grandfather's bed holding the ticket in her hand. They had planned to travel the Hindenburg together but now he had died. Once on board Anna falls in love with a handsome stranger right before her former love (who walked had out on her) appears and asks her to watch this handsome stranger. The book is a love story, a mystery, and a piece of historical fiction. This story makes the disaster sabotage, but the notes at the end of the book explain that it probably wasn't along with many other interesting facts. This 212 page book is good on many levels: love, intrigue and historical fiction.
Doucet, Sharon Anns. Fiddle Fever. Clarion Books, 2000 [0-618-04324-1]
This story takes place in the Cajun bayous during 1914. Teenage Felix feels trapped on the farm in Louisiana. His parents are strict and for some reason they wont let him learn the fiddle -- something his Uncle plays and everyone admires him for it. This is the tale of teenage rebellion but it told against the colorful setting of the Cajun world. The reader learns something of a culture while enjoying an emotional story. This 166 page book contains a glossary at the end for the Cajun dialect (which is not overpowering.)
Dowell, Frances O'Roark. Where's I'd like to be. Atheneum, 2003 [0-689-84420-4]
Twelve-year-old Maddie is an orphan who lives in Tennessee children's home. She has a secret scrap book in which she pastes pictures of homes in which she would like to live. She only shows it to a 6 year old friend at the home. Well a new girl shows up with exciting tales. They all get together and decide to build a fort or home of their own. When Maddie shares her special scrap book to Murphy everything changes. This 232 page book is a touching tale of friendship and loyalty. Note.. this is an easy read about 4th or 5th grade level.
Downie, Mary Alice & John. Danger in disguise. Roussan, 2000 [1-896184-72-3]
Jamie lived in Scotland with his father who was always on the run. On his 14th birthday he and his father are force to run again and Jamie ends up being Shanghaied on a ship to the New World where he ends up in Quebec just as the British General Wolfe holds siege to the city. This 170 page book is
a good piece of historical fiction of Canadian history just before our revolutionary war, something most American's don't study.
Doyle, Brian. Angel Square, 1984 [088899-230-0]
In the time following WWII Tommy lives in Canada and has to cross Angel Square every day to go to school. There are three schools on the square: a Catholic one, a Protestant one, and a Jewish one. Every day the kids from the schools fight in the square on the way to and fro to school. Tommy's best friend's father is beaten severely one night because he was Jewish and was sent to the hospital. Tommy, as "The Shadow", sets out to find out who did it. There is not a lot of action in the story but Mr. Doyle has a wonderful grasp of the English language and his books are a pleasure to read. This 127 page book is no exception. The cover looks like a juvenile mystery but its themes of prejudice and the constant fighting make it a little more harsh than it appears from the cover.
Doyle, Brian. Boy O'Boy. Groundwood Books, 2005 [0-888999-954-3]
Martin O'Boy (that's his name) lives in Ottawa, Canada during World War II. The war is drawing to a close but everything is not so great with him. His favorite grandmother died, they are low on money, and his parents are fighting all the time. Martin and his friend, Billy try to have fun looking at National Geographics and sneaking into the local movies. They also spend a lot of time at the church since they are both in the choir. The organist at the church has been very friendly with Martin and Billy. One day he takes Martin to an expensive ice cream show and to the park where the organist touches Martin and tries to get him to touch him. Martin has the sense to run away but one day he finds out that the organist is being friendly with Billy. Can he get Billy's mother in time? Can Martin and Billy find a way to get back at the organist? Will Billy's brother coming home from overseas help? This is the story of two boys living through the end of World War II. The child abuse scene is scary but not offensively descriptive. This 169 page book shows how a child predator is frequently someone the child knows and the situation...grows. It even sneaks up on the reader. This is a book with a powerful message which should be on middle school shelves.
Doyle, Brian. Easy Avenue, 1995 [0-88899-248-3]
Hubbo's first year at HS is rough. He is deciding between joining the HiY group or getting closer with a poor girl from his neighborhood (not compatable choices.) His life changes when he gets a chance for a job to sit with an feeble rich women who lives on Easy Avenue. The writing is very clever in this book and his descriptions of the situations are great. There is not a lot of action in the first part of the book but by the end of the 122 pages, things start to happen. I ordered some other books by this author because I really liked his grasp of the language and his wit.
Doyle, Brian. Uncle Ronald. Douglas & McIntyre, 2004 [0-88899-621-7]
This book is narrated by an one hundred and twelve year old man who can not remember what he had for lunch but can relate a powerful tale from his childhood. He grew up with a abusive father. Finally one day his mother could not take it any more and takes him and runs away. She sends Mickey to his Uncle, who lives on a farm and she disappears. Life then becomes complicated at the tax collectors arrive in the Uncle Ronald's town and the townspeople refuse to pay. After this is sort of resolved, Mickey's mom shows up followed in a few days by his abusive father. Mom stands up to him and everyone chases dad away. This 163 page book is a powerful story of an abusive father in the wilderness of Canada around the turn of the 20th century. The idea of having the old man relating the story, starting and ending the book, makes it more special.
Doyle, Brian. You can pick me up at Peggy's Cove, 1979 [0-88899-116-9]
Brian's father had been acting strange because of his C.O.L. (change of life) and finally he just ran away. So Brian's mother can find his dad, she sends him to his Aunt for the summer in Peggy's Cove. There Brian gets involved with a young man (shoplifter) and also joins an interesting pair for deep sea fishing every morning. The constant wit of his other books was not evident in this book but is does make appearances. The two fisherman are wonderfully lovable characters. I enjoyed this 120 page book (maybe not as much as his others) but it is definitely worth purchasing.
Doyle, Debra and James MacDonald. Knight's wyrd, 1992
This is a great knight in shining armor fantasy which takes place in a fantasy place very similar to England & Ireland. The story opens with the main character being knighted and gets a prediction from a wizard that he will not become Duke of his fathers castle before he dies. He then goes out into the world fighting orgres, dragons, and men always having this prediction back in his mind. He meets the girl he is betrothed to, gets framed as a traitor, and meets the messenger of death. I got this 308 page book as a book fair bonus and three kids begged to read it before I did. (I always read fiction books before I put them on the shelf.) They loved it and I did too!
Draper, Sharon M. Forged by fire. Simon & Schuster, 1997 [0-689-81851-3]
After his loving Aunt dies, Gerald goes back to living with his mother and his stepfather. He is thrown into a household of violence and abuse. He loves his newly discovered younger sister. When it gets go bad, Gerald tells his friend's father about what his stepfather is doing to his sister. After a short trial he is convicted of sexual abuse and put in jail for six years. After his jail term the stepfather comes back to the family... can he control himself. This 156 page book is a powerful story of inner city life. While the sexual abuse is very evident, it is not descriptive at all. There are discussion topics at the end of the book
Draper, Sharon M. Romiette and Julio, 1999 [0-689-82180-8]
Romiette and Julio are two students in HS who fall in love with each other. One is African-American and the other Hispanic from Texas. Their fathers are not too happy about them being together and the black gang at school is definitely not. The gang warns them and then threatens them. This leads to an adventure of kidnapping and both sets of parents getting together during the hours of searching. I won't tell you how it ends but kids will like this combination love story and adventure. This 236 page book (with fine print) will probably be best enjoyed by junior high and older students.
Draper, Sharon M. Tears of a Tiger, 1994
The book opens with a car crash which involved 4 African Ameican HS basketball players who had been drinking. One boy dies. The story is the tale Andy, the of the driver of the car and his mental self torture and depression as a result of this accident. The book is written in the words and thoughts of the people involved and appears kind of like a play script without the names in front of each line. It makes the story more powerful. The reader hopes that Andy can learn to adjust but gradually begins to accept his eventual suicide. The closing of the book is letters written to Andy by his friends (and 6 year-old brother) telling him how they feel about his sudden death. The letters are heart-wrenching. I have not cried while reading in a while. While there is nothing inappropriate for younger students, this 180 page book is definitely directed at HS students. There are discussion questions at the end of the book to aid teachers who may want to use the book with their class.
Duane, Diane. A wizard alone [Young Wizards #6]. Harcourt, 2002 [0-15*204562-7]
In this continuation tale of present day wizards, Kit and his friends encounter an autistic boy who is going through the wizard trial. This boy creates worlds of his own that Kit and his friends have to enter in order to help this boy struggle against the Lone Power. While I found it interesting delving into the mind of an autistic wizard, some of the trips into his mind were a little too long and took away from the story. That being said, this 320 page book (and the series) is an excellent read for lovers of wizards and a good follow up to Harry Potter.
Duey, K. and K.A Bale. Cave-in [Survial series #7], 1998
This is one of a series each of which deals with young people facing a disaster. In this one a girl pretends to be a boy so he can stay home sick from the mine. While there, there is a cave-in. The first half of the book before the cave-in is just so-so and it can be confusing at times because of the frequent use of mining terminology. This book cries out for a glossary. Once the cave-in happens - wow! The description of the darkness, the coal dust chocked air, the rats, and the fear just grabbed me. This 158 page book is from a large series. I will try the one about the SF earthquake next.
Duey, K. and K.A. Bale. Earthquake [Survival #2], 1998
The is the story of two children surviving the San Francisco earthquake of 1906. He is delivering pastries and she is Chinese running from home when it happens. They are throw together and he tries to get her back to Chinatown but her family dies. They wander about the city experiencing the confusion, and horror after an earthquake along with prejudice against the Chinese. Some others have not given favorable reviews to this 174 page book, but I liked it. I wished though, it had a map of the city to look at as they roamed the streets.
Duffey, Betsey. Fur-Ever yours, Booker Jones. Viking, 2001 [0-670-89287-4]
This book is centered around the characters and ideas of the first book (Utterly yours) but should not be considered a sequel. Once again Booker is forever writing stories and sending notes off the the publisher and keeps getting form letters back but it does not discourage him. Meanwhile many things are happening in his life. His parents go on a vacation leaving him and his sister to care for his frail (and failing) grandfather who lives in the house. He and his sister do not get along well so hence the household matters fall apart but when things start happening with his grandfather they pull together in a very touching way to help him. Also, Booker and his best friend take a writing class together and end up having a fight over writing type things which spill into their friendship. This 100 page book is an easy read which maintains the fun of the first book but fills out the characters much more. I found this to me a much better book.
Duncan, Lois. Gallows Hill, 1997
Sharon moves with her mother from California to a VERY conservative, religious and isolated town at the start of her Senior HS year. In trying to fit in, she is convinced to do a gypsy fortune telling booth at the school fair. Eventually she gets accused of being a witch. It turns out that the town (including Sharon) is a collection of people who had been involved in the Salem Witch trials in a previous life. The whole thing comes to a head at the end when they try to "scare" her and almost kill her. The book deals with ESP, past-life regression, reincarnation, and of course the Salem witchcraft trials. This is a powerful 227 page book not for elementary students. There is a bibliography at the end for people who would like more information concerning the mentioned topics. I would not be surprised to see this on the "big screen" sometime soon.
DuPrau, Jeanne. The city of Ember. Random House, 2003 [0-375-82273-9]
We are taken to the city of Ember and fantastical city which is totally controlled and had been planned out by the "builders." Unfortunately, this lovely city is now on the downfall.. the storerooms are getting empty so there are few supplies and there are many black outs. The people of the city are taught there is no world beyond the city of Ember. Does that mean there is no help? Can Lina and Doon find a way to save their city? This 270 page book is a fantasy with an interesting ending. It might be a good follow up for the "Among the hidden" books.
DuPrau, Jeanne. The people of Sparks. Random House, 2004 [0-375-82824-9]
DuPrau has outdone herself in the sequel to "The city of Ember." Lina and Doon lead over 400 people of Ember out of the cave and wander until they come upon the city of Sparks with a population less than 400. The people of Sparks must make a large sacrifice to help the people of Ember and agree that they can stay for six months while they learn the many things they need to know to survive and build their own city. But it isn't long before resentment starts to build. The arguments grow more serious. In this 338 page book the reader sees how two people forced on each other because of need can let resentment and hate grow until it may not be possible to stop the slide down the slippery slope to armed conflict.
Durrant, Lynda. The beaded moccasins. Clarion, 1998 [0-395-85398-2]
Mary is kidnapped (along with others) by Delaware Indians on the morning of her 12th birthday. She vows to never forget her real family as she is forced to live with the Delaware. Although she says this, she begins to adopt to the new way of life and a culture which is so different than hers. This 183 page book is based on a true story and contains a bibliography at the end of the book. The reader begins to understand the hard choices Mary has to make and her gradual assimilation into the Delaware tribe.
Dyer, T.A. A way of his own. Houghton Mifflin, 1981 [0-329-02690-9]
Shutok is a crippled young man in a nomadic Native American and when his tribe must move on, they leave him behind to die. A slave girl runs back to help him out. They survive a terrible winter in a cave and end up killing a terrible man eater (leopard.) When the tribe returns from the winder wandering will the two loners be able to earn back the respect of the tribe even though they did not follow "the way." The first half of this 154 page book is slow and tedious but after that the reader gets involved with the winter survival, the killing of the leopard, and the confrontation with the tribes. If the reader can make it through the slow first part, he/she will enjoy the book.
Dygard, Thomas. River danger, 1998
Two brothers go on a canoe/camping trip and get involved with some criminals. After all the excitement dies down they realize that they now know each much better. This 151 page book is exciting yet predictable.
Eaton, Anthony. A new kind of dreaming. Univ of Queensland Press, 2002 [0702232289]
The court sends Jamie to Port Riley. When he arrives his social worker warns of the town is full of stories. Jamie starts to discover the stories are true and the person they are about takes Jamie out to the desert and ties him up in a deserted cabin for him to die.. but his friend figures it out and comes to rescue Jamie. His car dies.. and they have to wander through the desert to get back to the town to warn everyone about the criminal. This 229 page book is part mystery and part adventure as the boys try to survive the desert. A good read.
Ehrlich, Gretel. A blizzard year. Hyperion, 1999 [0-7868-2309-7]
The story opens on a farm in the high mountains of Wyoming. Timmy (a thirteen-year-old girl) relates the happenings of one hard year in a kind of diary. Both the family and farm suffer a terrible winter in which most of their new calves die off. It becomes clear that this loss may have been more then their finances can stand -- they wait for the bank to come and foreclose on their beloved farm. This 122 page book is a heart-wrenching tale of a farming family trying to survive the effects of terrible winter. While the tale starts off slow, the reader is quickly absorbed into the struggle against nature (and the bank.) While this book is only 122 pages, it would be very appropriate for Jr. High and up. This would be a great book to read aloud but if you do be aware of the harsh life which is depicted.
Elish, Dan. Born too short. Simon Pulse, 2002 [0-689-86213-X]
Matt is an short nerdy 8th grader who is best friends with star athlete, popular with all the girls, and model classmate, Keith. One day he gets frustrated and wishes that Keith's life wasn't so perfect and a homeless person says, "Watch out what you wish for." Suddenly Matt gets a girl friend and Keith has one set back after another. Is this change of events just chance? This 156 page book is a great book on friendship and the trials of starting to date. A great high interest book for boys.
Ellis, Carol. The body, 1995
This is one of the Scholastic thrillers. Melanie is hired to read to a girl her age who was crippled after falling down a cliff. After several days of reading she realizes this girl is trying to tell her something. Eventually Melanie begins to suspect that the girl's accident involved foul play and she gets wrapped up in the mystery. This is a pretty good suspense tale that ends up with the usual fever pitch. Kids should like this 195 page book that is full of suspense and yet not gruesome.
Ellis, Deborah. The Breadwinner. Douglas & McIntyre, 2000 [0-88899-416-8]
Parvana (a teen age girl) lives in Taliban controlled Afghanistan. She, her sisters, and mother are not allowed out of the house without a male (her father) present. When here father is picked up and arrested by the Taliban for some unknown reason, Parvana must shave her hair short and act as a boy to become the breadwinner for the family. This 170 page story is an interesting insight into Afghanistan under Taliban control. Readers should be aware that life is sometimes quite harsh - for example once Parvana goes to a stadium and ends up seeing some thieves having their hands chopped off.
Ellis, Deborah. Parvana's journey. Douglas & McIntyre, 2002 [0-88899-514-8]
Parvana's father has died so she is on her own to wander around Afghanistan looking for the rest of her family. She meets up with other wandering orphans and they form a little team. This is a harsh tale of starvation, illness, and death. Bombs falling out the skies and the severe realities of living in a refugee camp are part of this 199 page book. Ellis paints a stark picture of what is like to suffer in uncertainty.
Ellis, Deborah. Mud City. Douglas & McIntyre, 2003 [088899-518-0]
This is the third in the Breadwinner series. Shauzia, who was Pavana's best friend has fled from Afghanistan to Pakistan and must now survive on her own. She finds a dog which helps her. Should she continue to beg for money on the streets of Peshawar or should she return to the refugee camp and suffer the hardships of the camp. This 164 page book takes the reader back into the harsh world of the current day people of Afghanistan.
Erdrich, Louise. The birchbark house. Hyperion, 1999 [0-7868-0300-2]
This is the one-year story of a native American girl and her tribe who live on an island in Minnesota. The reader learns an incredible amount about the tribe's customs and living conditions and the story is frequently lost in the first half of the book because of this. About halfway through the book smallpox runs through the village killing many and the story picks up at this point. There is an interesting relationship between the girl and her grandmother, the local healer and exocentric. The 244 page book contains a much needed glossary because many of the terms are not clearly described in the context of the book. Some reviewers have compared this to "The Little House on the Prairie."
Ernst, Kathleen. Retreat from Gettysburg. White Maine Kids, 2000 [1-57249-187-6]
It is a week after Gettysburg and the retreating Confederate Army is trapped by the swelling river near Chigger's Maryland home. Local families are forced to quarter and care for wounded soldiers. Chigger hates having a Reb soldier in their house since his father and his brothers have all been killed in the war. Chigger must care for his mother. Should he kill or even refuse to help or talk to the Reb soldier quartered in his house? Should he join the Union army and leave his troubled mother alone. I enjoyed this 141 page book which covers the aftermath of Gettysburg and the feelings of the local Union families.
Esquirel, Laura. Like water for chocolate. Anchor, 1992 [0-385-42017-x]
This is a passionate love story which takes place in Mexico. The story is combined with traditional recipes. I purchased this 246 page book because of the recommendation of a teacher. There is frank discussion of love, pregnancy, and birth so it is not a book for younger children... but the story is an endearing love story. I did not care for it.. but then again I am not a big fan of love stories. There is an excellent movie of the book - almost better than the book.
Farmer, Nancy. The House of the Scorpion. Simon Pulse, 2002 [0-689-85223-1]
Matt lives in a future country which lies between the US and Mexico. He is a clone of a rich 140-year-old ruler who can afford to "raise" clones for replacement parts. The country is a major opium provider which is harvested by "eejets" who have had computer chips placed in their brains to become worker drones. Matt escapes the country and ends up in an orphanage run by cruel Keepers (a kind of Oliver Twist story.) This 380 page book wraps up a little too tight but I highly recommend it. It is very thought-provoking and can lead to discussions of raising clones for body parts, technology abusing people, and an unwatched environment.
Farmer, Nancy. The Sea of Trolls. Atheneum, 2004 [0-689-86744-1]
Here is a fantasy adventure story full of magic, wrapped around Norse mythology. Jack had just been apprenticed to the local Bard and had started learning magic when he is kidnapped in a Viking raid. Because of his ability of to draw on the Life Force for his magic, Jack ends up going on a quest to the land of the Trolls. This 450 page book is a great fantasy adventure in the spirit of "Lord of the Rings." It is a complete story but it would not be difficult for Farmer to craft a sequel.
Fenner, Carol. The King of dragons, 1998 [0-689-82217-0]
Ian and his Vietnam vet father have been homeless and are living in a deserted building that used to be the town courthouse. One day the father goes out and never comes back and Ian must survive on his own. A museum sets up a kite exhibit in the old courthouse and Ian watches it develop, always being careful. One day he boldly walks out and volunteers to help, lying about his situation. He becomes a hit at the exhibit and gets interviewed on TV where his aunt sees him. It turns out that his father is very mentally ill and was placed in a treatment center. At the end, his father calls his sister and together they go and get Ian, who ends up living at his aunt's. This is a tale of survival for a homeless boy who has to deal with a mentally disturbed father. Although initially confusing, this 216 page book is a wonderful story of self-resolve. The cover makes the reader think it is about a oriental boy with the picture of dragon kite -- hopefully this will not limit its audience.
Fenner, Carol. Yolonda's genius, 1995
This is the war story of a girl's love for her younger brother. Although he has a learning disability, she is convinced he is a musical genius because of how he plays the harmonica. They end up at a blues festival in Chicago and Yolonda figures out a way for both of them to get back stage and meet B.B. King. It is a wonderful story - although the ending wraps up a little to neatly. This family happens to be African-American but the true story is the relationship between the brother and sister. The book cover says that it is a Newbery Honor book. I picked up this 211 page book at our book fair.
Ferris, Amy Schor. A greater Goode. Houghton Mifflin, 2002 [0-618-13154-x]
Addie lives with her father along with a colorful housekeeper since her mother (who she never really knew) ran away. Her best friend is Luke. They meet a runaway pregnant girl with an abusive boyfriend. Luke's father has a heart attack and is hospitalized and when Addie goes to visit something clicks when she meets his room-mate who mentions his runaway daughter. This delightful 183 page book is told by Addie in a stream of consciousness and is pleasure to read.
Ferris, Jean. Love among the walnuts, 1998 [0-15-201590-6]
This is a humorous book that has the feel of a sitcom. Sandy's parents, who are very wealthy, decide to leave the rat race and move to the country just before Sandy is born. They build the house next to a home for "distressed" called Walnut manor. Sandy's uncles, in a plot to get the family money, try to poison his parents and this puts them into a coma. They eventually end up next store at Walnut manor where their young nurse helps the Walnut patients begin to get a grasp on reality. In a series of misadventures, they find Walnut manor is going bankrupt, the uncles continue to try to get rid of Sandy's parents, the chauffeur tries to mix up an antidote to the poison, and Sandy falls in love with the nurse. Of course everything works out fine in the end and there are multiple marriages. This 216 page book is a lot of fun and reminded me of Cresswell's Bagthorpe saga. My only reservation is that all but one of the characters are adults so it may not hold kids's interest.
Ferris, Jean. Once upon a Marigold. Harcourt, 2002 [0-15-205084-1]
This is a different kind of fairy tale. Christian runs away from a mysterious past and ends up living with a troll. From the troll's cave he begins watching a princess through a telescope and decides to send a pigeon with a message. They soon begin communicating through p-mail (pigeon mail..ha ha). He runs away from the troll to work at the castle where he gets involved in the problems of the Queen trying to marry off the princess. This 275 page book is part love story, part fairy tale, part comedy.. just a lot of fun. NOTE: I purchased this book because I saw a lot of students carrying it around school reading it. Once it takes off in your library, it will be very popular.
Fiedler, Lisa. Curtis Piperfield's biggest fan, 1995
This is a cute hi interest/low level story about some 8th grade kids in two Catholic schools just falling in love for the first time. CC has a crush on her neighbor and French kisses him and the "whole world" hears the next day and shortly she ends up French kissing someone else who she really likes. She talks about French kissing but only in a cute way. CC also begins to write poetry. The story deals a bit with religion - taking place in the Catholic school - but not much. I really liked this charming 121 page book.
Fine, Anne. Step by wicked step, 1997
What a disappointment! This is a contrived vehicle to tie together some short stories into one tale. Several of the short stories are actually very good but this attempt to tie them all together just doesn't work. All the families in the book are step families, hence the title. I find the title deceptive -- I guess it is a play on words about wicked step mothers. This book would have been much better if it were packaged truthfully as a collection of short stories.
Fine, Anne. The tulip touch, 1997
This is a very forceful book which starts out pretty tame. It is the story of a girl who moves to an area and meets a neighbor girl and they become best friends. She soon realizes that the neighbor is a very troubled girl but she puts up the nonsense for the friendship. Eventually she breaks off contact with the neighbor because the problems begin to escalate. The neighbor girl decides to get back at the girl and sets fire to her home and even delays and distracts the firemen so the building burns down. This 149 page book is a very troubling book, well written, but not for everyone. I am concerned that the cover will attract girls looking for a nice book about friendship and this is SO much more.
Fitzgerald, Dawn. Soccer chick rules. Roaring Brook Press, 2006 [1-59643-137-7]
Soccer is everything for 13 year-old Tess and she spends her life focused on that until she finds out that the School Board has threatened to cut sports programs on school unless the school budget or levy is passed. Along with trying to do her best in the soccer season, getting involved with boys and challenging friends, Tess now gets involved in local politics. This 150 page book deals with sports, friendship, and fighting for a cause.
Flake, Sharon G. The skin I'm in, 1998 [0-7868-0444-0]
Maleeka is an African American girl going to a inner city middle school. She has always been teased because of her very dark skin color. It all comes to a head when a new teacher comes to school who has marks on her face. Maleeka has been traveling with the wrong crowd. This new teacher sees the potential in her but Maleeka ends up getting caught in terrible situation. All through this she is writing a fictional diary of a slave girl and trying to gain social acceptance. This 171 page book is a great coming of age and self-acceptance story.
Fletcher, Susan. Shadow spinner, 1998
This is a re-telling of the tale of Shahrazad (one I was not familiar with.) Shahrazad must tell a different tale to the Sultan every night or be killed and she runs out of tales. She hears of a crippled girl who knows more tales and they get her into the harem. There is much intrigue in the harem; people are smuggled in and out, the Sultan's mother is much to be feared, and there is a mysterious blind story tell in the bazaar. The who thing gets quite complicated at the end. I liked this 237 page book though found it slow in places. It certainly has inspired me to find out more about Shahrazad - more than the author's notes at the end.
Fleischman, Sid. The Giant Rat of Sumatra or Pirates Galore. Greenwillow/HarperCollins, 2005 [0-06-074238-0]
It is 1846 and a 12-year-old boy is pulled from the sea by pirates and is nicknamed, Shipwreck. The ship lands on the California coast in what is still Mexico. His pirate captain buys land and sets up his ranch and since the US is at war with Mexico, Shipwreck (from Boston) must hide the fact that he is American. Now Shipwreck is stuck there and gets involved in mutineers, outlaws, old enemies and former friends of the captain. This 194 page book is written in the same adventure and fun spirit as Fleischman's other books. A note at the end of the book explains that this book is the last in a trilogy which started with "By the Great Horn Spoon."
Fleischman, Paul. Mind's eye, 1999 [0-80506314-5] Henry Holt
An 16 year old girl is paralyzed from an accident and is put in a nursing home. There she meets another patient, an old lady who stresses that Courtney must use her mind. They decide to go on a imaginary trip to Italy with Courtney reluctantly reading the guide book for them both. On this trip they have all kinds of adventures. Courtney imagines burning down the Uffizi Art gallery. At the end of the book the older lady has died and Courtney is introducing someone to the world of the mind's eye. This 108 page book is all written as a play script and although is short, is a heavy book for older readers. While most of the book is depressing, the ending is rather uplifting. I enjoyed the book, but I think only a limited audience of students will.
Fleischman, Paul. Whirligig, 1998
A young man ends up killing a girl while he was drunk driving. The mother doesn't want to sue but instead insists that he go to the four corners of the country and erect whirligigs in her memory. The reader not only follows this adventure but also how they whirligigs effect other people. It took me about half of the book to really get into it but once I did, grew on me. It can be confusing to the reader because the chapters switch back and forth between the main character and tales of the people who are effected by the whirligigs. The book is tied together nicely by an early chapter and the last one. The main character grows and begins to accept what he did. This 133 page book is not for everyone but will be thoroughly enjoyed by some readers.
Fox, Helen. Eager. Random House, 2004 [0-385-74672-5]
This story takes place in a future world where most the people are provided for but the technocrats have all the good things, including the best robots. A new model robot, BDC4, comes out which is supposed to think and all the fancy places and technocrats get them. Meanwhile the Bell family (not technocrats) needs a new robot and by chance if friends with a famous robot scientist. He wants them to try out his new robot but there is one catch. This robot has not been programmed in the traditional way. Like a human he has to experience and learn things. The story starts out fun watching the new robot, Eager, trying to learn and understand things but soon Gavin Bell (the boy in the family) notices that there is something strange about the new BDC4 robots. Eager starts to realize this too. This is a story in the tradition of Asimov's robot stories. In these 280 pages the reader begins to explore what it means to be alive, to be free, and to have a soul. It is a great meaty and serious science fiction story for young adults.
Fox, Paula. Radiance descending, 1997
This is a touching 101 page book about a sixth-grade boy coming to grips with his younger Down syndrome brother. The book can be approached on several levels and would be a great lead-in for discussion. The older brother successfully tries to blot out his brother until the end of the book when he must walk him to the doctor's office two Saturdays in a row. He becomes aware of his younger brother's world and begins to see him as a person. I especially liked the book since I was a special education teacher for 13 years. It is not a "tear-jerker" like "The man who loved clowns."
Frank, E.R. Friction. Atheneum, 2003 [0-689-85384-x]
Alexandra attends a private school in 8th grade with a innovative teacher whom everyone loves. When Stacy arrives at school she creates all kinds of friction at the previously calm school. It soon becomes well know that Stacy tells lies but after she starts spreading rumors and twisting stories about Alex and her teacher the entire class doesn't know what to believe and how to react to their formerly beloved teacher. Then a detective shows up at school. This 197 page book is a powerful story. You should be aware that because it deals with possible sexual abuse there is some discussion of sex.
Frank, Lucy. Lucky stars. Atheneum, 2005 [0-689-85933-3]
Kira lived with her grandmother in the country after her parents divorced. When she goes back to live with her father in NYC, she is forced to sing with her dad in the subway. At school she meets some new friends, one of which has a severe case of stuttering. So their could all be in the same classes, they all transfer to chorus where an demanding teacher sees something in all of them. This is a nice reading 295 page book relating the story of kids all with different problems, under the guidance of a seemingly strict, yet caring teacher.
Franklin, Kristine L. Nerd no more, 1996
This is the funny story of a smart 6th grader who mother is a scientist and also host of the science TV show that his class watches. He gets a lot of ribbing because of this and decides to change his image. He tries to change his look several times. Eventually he gets in with the "cool" kids and starts getting in trouble. The book is a good example of a boy trying to find his own identity. Unfortunately this 143 page ends up a little too neatly for me. Over all, I did like the book.
Freeman, Martha. The year my parents ruined my life, 1997
This is a light-hearted tale of a girl whose family moves from California to Pennsylvania in the winter. She has problems adjusting to the weather, to her school, and other things. She saves enough money to run away back to her friends house in California. When she gets there she discovers that you can never go back. Her parents are made but things settle down and she becomes respected in her 6th grade class because of her escapade. This is a fun 184 page book - not a serious run-a-way story.
Freymann-Weyr, Garret. The kings are already here. Houghton Mifflin, 2003 [0-618-26363-2]
WOW this book is a real head-trip... a heavy read.. not for all students. Two young people's lives cross in Geneva. Both of them are in an activity that requires total commitment to the craft - ballet and chess. Phebe at 15 has suddenly begun to question whether she wants to give her total life to ballet and Nikolai is searching for a grandmaster to complete his chess training. Together they travel across Europe searching for Stas, an elusive chess master. While this 149 page book is short, it is a heavy read investigating what it takes and means to be a champion. Is winning important?
Friedman, D. Dina. Escaping into the night. Simon & Schuster, 2006 [1-4769-0258-9/978-1-4169-0258-4]
Halina, a 13 year-old-girl lives in the Polish ghetto and barely is able to get smuggled out of town before the German come to round everyone up. She and her friend make it to an underground forest encampment were a group of Jews struggle to stay alive. This 199 page book is the harsh tale of a scared and confused people struggling to survive. The story is based on actual historical events which happened in the many underground forest encampments which saved many Jews from the Nazis during World War II.
Friedman, Robin. How I survived my summer vacation and lived to write the story. Front Street, 2000 [0-8126-2738-5]
Thirteen year old Jackie decides to spend his summer writing a novel. Each of the chapters in the book start off with a new opening line for his book. During this summer Jackie's life has many ups and downs. He struggles with his friends, his parents don't believe in his novel, he becomes interested in a girl (maybe) and so much more. This 173 page book has well developed adolescent characters with real-life concerns.
Friel, Maeve. Charlie's story. Peachtree, 1997 [1-56145-315-3]
Charlie is a girl is is living with her Uncle and his family ever since her unwed mother abandoned her in a shopping mall when at the age of 4. She is now is a suburban private school and she is not accepted. It gets worse when her fellow students find out she was abandoned. She is bullied viciously by the trendy girls at the school and the teachers either don't see it or ignore it because "girls don't do that." Life isn't very good at home either because everyone there totally ignores the whole story of how she was abandoned. This 121 page book shows how bullying can get out of hand if it is not checked. After a peak, the story resolves itself a little too neatly for my comfort but the story is a good read with a good message. It takes place in England so the reader has to deal with some "Britishisms."
Fuller, Kimberly. Home, 1997
Manna and her friends think they see a falling star one day but it is a space pod with lands on the beach. Manna falls in love with the guy who comes out. It turns out that he is originally from this planet before it was cruelly taken over by another race and he was sent in space in stasis for 30 years. It also turns out that Manna has been living with that cruel race and is really on of the boy's race. They find the survivors in the woods who all try to take back their planet. I really enjoyed this book. It deals with a peaceful race taken over by a violent one. Can Manna and her love bring the two people together? There are many parallels to Native Americans. This is a thought provoking 191 page book for junior high readers or upper elementary.
Funke, Cornelia. Inkheart [#1]. Scholastic, 2003 [0-439-53164-0]
One night Meggie wakes to find a stranger outside her window staring at her house. When he is invited in by her father, thus starts a fanciful journey. It appears that when her father reads books out loud, he brings the characters to this world. When this happens someone must leave this world and enter the book.. that is what happened to Maggie's mother. Nine years ago her father read a book and brought a bunch of evil characters to this world. Now Meggie, her father, and a friend book collector have to battle these cruel and evil people and send them back to the book some way. This 534 page book is an incredible fantasy. It might be a good "if-you-liked-Harry-Potter" type book. Just note that these are evil and cruel characters who kill and harm people.
Funke, Cornelia. Inkspell [#2]. Scholastic, 2005 [0-439-55400-4]
WOW..I think this sequel to Inkheart is better than the first! We are back with Meggie, her family and friends in a place where certain people who read out loud from a story will transfer characters from the story to this life and back and forth. Now Meggie, her mother, father, Dustfinger are back within the story along with the original author of the story. The author notices the story (and world they are in) is changing from what he has written. He starts writing new sections of the story having a "reader" read it. This unfortunately changes things not quite as he imagined them. Meanwhile back on the real world, Elinor is being held captive in her house by some characters who have come out of the book. It is all much to complicated to explain here. All I can say is that this 635 book paints an incredible picture of two worlds wrapped up in a fantasy situation. It is a "meaty" read which took me a long time to get through and the writing is beautiful (even though it is translated) but don't miss this series.
Funke, Cornelia. Inkdeath [Inkheart #3]. Chicken House/Scholastic, 2007 [978-0-439-86628-6 // 0-439-86628-6]
In this third book of the trilogy we once again return to the world inside of the book Inkheart. Evil in the form of Adderhead has taken over the world and people are in constant fear. Dustfinger, the fireeater, is dead trying to save his apprentice, Farid. Elinor has been left behind in the real world and thinks her entire family is now dead. Mo, as Bluebird, becomes a hero to the people and he makes a deal with the White Women of death to try and save the people. Mo's daughter Meggie continues to believe in her father. This 682 is a heavy read... there are so many characters living in two separate worlds. I didn't realize until I was done, that there is a glossary at the end helping the reader. There reader is brought back and forth between two story-lines in the book world and the one story-line back in the real world. Good readers who enjoyed the first two in the series, will live through the slow beginning of this book to the exciting conclusion. A movie will be released this month (January 2009) and you can see clips on youtube. Although I have enjoyed this series, I have not had much interest in them.. but with the movie out now....who knows.
Funke, Cornelia. The Thief Lord. Scholastic, 2000 [0-439-40437-1]
Two boys run from their guardians and end up in Venice living with a bunch of homeless children in a deserted movie theatre. The "Thief Lord" is the leader of the kids and he gets a "commission" to steal a special wood carving. It turns out that this carving is part of a mythical merry-go-round which can send people back and forward in time. This 345 page book is fantastic in the descriptions of the group of homeless children and their various struggles. It gets a little weird when they encounter the merry-go-round at the end of the book. I did enjoy the book in total though.
Furlong, Monica. Wise child, 1987 [0-394-82598-5]
On a remote Scottish island, in ancient times, a girl is deserted by her parents to be raised by her grandmother who eventually dies. This girl, Wise Child, is then sent to live with a sorceress, Juniper. There she is tutored in Latin, reading, and the use of healing herbs. It is a hard life. Wise Child's mother is an evil sorceress and tries to draw Wise Child back to her with no avail. Finally Juniper is accused of witchcraft because small pox has come to the village. After the trial she and Wise Child escape (a little too easily.) I found the early parts of the book to be tediously slow, although beautifully written, and the escape at the end too quick. There was not feel of ancient times while reading it, and I think it is because Juniper always remains calm and has the correct answers, feeling like a modern woman using psychology. This 228 page book is part of a series, but reads fine on its own. I have be told by fantasy buffs, that this would be an excellent addition to a library collection.
Fusco, Kimberly Newton. Tending Grace. Knopf, 2004 [0-375--82862-1]
Fourteen-year-old Cornelia's mother is a free spirit and one day drops her off at her Aunt's ramshackle farm so the mother and her boyfriend can find better things in Arizona. The Aunt is a rough and tumble lady who lives on a farm. Cornelia rarely speaks because of her stuttering. This 167 page book is the story of Cornelia and her Aunt learning to get along while Cornelia continually waits for her mother to return. Aunt Agatha's no-nonsense approach to Cornelia's stuttering also makes Agatha face some troubles in her life. This book has a great deal of white space on the pages between the chapters, so is easy to read with short chapters. It might be a good read aloud. That being said, it is not a topic that an elementary student might like or follow. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I am sure many kids in my middle school will also.