Title: Holes
Author: Lois Sachar
Publisher: Random House Children’s Books
Copyright: 1998 by Lois Sachar
Pages: 233
Ages: 9-12
Genre: Fiction
Summary:
Stanley Yelnats is very unlucky. He’s so unlucky, he even thinks he’s cursed. All because of his no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing-great-great-grandfather. He is accused of Stealing Clyde “Sweet Feet” Livingston’s shoes and is sent to Camp Green Lake where there is no lake, and where he and the other boys there have to dig holes everyday. Everyday, 5 feet wide and five feet deep. It is sweltering hot all day long and into the night. Each of the boys has a nickname and never go by the names they were given at birth. There is Zig Zag, X-Ray, Armpit, and Zero are in Stanley’s group. The boys ask Stanley what he did in order to get in there. And when he tells them what he is accused of, none of them believe him. Stanley finds this interesting because when he told the adults he didn’t do it, they didn’t believe him and when he told the boys he did, they didn’t believe him either.
Stanley’s great-great-grandfather was named Elya Yelnats and when he was young he fell in love with an empty headed girl. Elya was friends with a gypsy woman named Madame Zeroni. She promised him that if he carried a pig to the top of the mountain to drink from the spring, and then carried her and sang a lullaby, he would marry the beautiful girl. However he doesn’t keep his promise and Madame Zeroni curses him. His entire family suffers from then on.
As Stanley digs, he becomes stronger and is able to dig faster. But he is still one of the slowest diggers. However, one day he finds something and is going to report it, but then X-ray convinces him to give it to him. X-ray gets the day off and the boys are ordered to dig in the area near X-ray’s hole. The Warden is looking for something.
One day, Stanley is found with Mr. Sir’s sunflower seeds and admits to taking them even though he didn’t. He is taken to the Warden where she threatens him with her rattlesnake venom nail polish. She scratches Mr. Sir, and sends Stanley on his way. When Stanley returns to his hole, it was dug for him.
Because Stanley is the slowest digger, Zero makes a deal with him. If Stanley will teach him to read, Zero will dig half of his hole for him. Stanley agrees and begins to teach Zero. They become fast friends. During a thunderstorm (where they receive no rain) Stanley see’s what he thinks is “God’s Thumb” where his great-great-grandfather was supposed to carry Madame Zeroni.
Because of Mr. Sir’s injury, he treats Stanley badly. He won’t refill his water canteen at all and is mean to him. This happens for a long time, but Zero helps him dig his hole. Stanley continues to teach Zero until one day Stanley gets into a fight with the other boys and when Zero tries to save him, Mr. Pendanski fires his pistol into the air and then the other counselors come running. They find out that Stanley has been teaching Zero to read and they both get into trouble. The counselors make fun of Zero. He runs away, without any water and the counselors destroy his records.
A new boy named Twitch arrives who is there for stealing cars. When their canteens are getting refilled, Stanley steals the water truck with the help of Twitch but crashes it into a hole. Stanley runs. He didn’t even fill up his water bottle. He walks and walks and walks but can’t find Zero. He finally comes upon a sunflower seed bag with one seed stuck to it. It becomes his lunch. He takes the bag and continues on his way. He finds Zero under an old boat. Where they drink some Sploosh and are able to survive awhile longer. Stanley decides that since Zero refuses to return to camp, they should head to God’s Thumb. On the way Zero gets really sick and Stanley has to carry him up the mountain. Once there, they find water and onions and are able to eat and drink.
Stanley comes up with a plan. He wants to go back to camp and dig one last hole. He wants to find what the Warden has been looking for, so they return. They dig in the hole that Stanley found something in. They dig until they find a suitcase but unfortunately the Warden, Mr. Sir, and Mr. Pendanski catch them. Stanley and Zero are left in a hole with some poisonous lizards until morning when Stanley’s attorney comes to take him home. They safely leave the hole and Stanley and Zero are both able to leave because they had destroyed Zero’s information.
The suitcase contains jewels and other manner of money and the boys split it. Zero finds his mother and Stanley’s family’s bad luck is broken. And best of all Camp Green Lake was closed.
Recommendations:
I love this book and would recommend it to everyone.
Potential Problems:
There is some violence and degrading behavior. Zero is made fun of throughout the book. The girl that Elya Yelnats wants to marry is beautiful, and not very bright. Possibly inferring that beautiful women can’t be smart. An Afican American man is hung because he kisses a white woman.
My Reaction:
I love this book. The way the three stories intertwine is flawless. This is one of the few books that I’ve read that I can almost believe that I am there. It is an amazing piece of work.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
Ella Enchanted
Title: Ella Enchanted
Author: Gail Carson Levine
Publisher: Harper Collins
Copyright: 1997 by Gail Levine
Pages: 288
Ages: 9-12
Genre: Fairy Tale
Summary:
Ella has been cursed since birth. A fairy named Lucinda gave Ella the “gift” of obedience when she was born. She spends her life obeying orders whether she wants to or not. She has next to no freedom. Only her mother, fairy god mother and Lucinda know about the curse. Not even her father is aware because he is a traveling salesman. But when Ella’s mother dies, Ella is left alone. Or so she thinks. She discovers that her fairy god mother is actually her mother’s old ladies maid, Mandy. During the funeral Ella is overcome with grief and her father orders her away until she can control herself. While attempting to control herself she meets Prince Charmont for the first time. They begin to talk and it’s the start of their friendship.
Ella is introduced to Dame Olga and her daughters Hattie and Olive. Ella is immediately distrustful. Her father confirms that they are not good people and Ella dismisses them from her mind until her father informs her that she is going to finishing school with Dame Olga’s daughters. Ella refuses to go, but of course she has no choice. Even without the curse, there is nowhere she could go. Before she is to leave she goes to the royal “Zoo” and visits her favorite sites. The Parrots who speak different languages are her favorite. She meets Char there and they talk and enjoy the sites. They find a small gnome who has lost his way. Ella calms him with words from the parrots but when an ogre tells her to come to him and bring the child she has to obey. Prince Char saves her and the child is returned to his mother.
The next day Ella is sent to finishing school with Hattie and Olive. Hattie finds out the Ella must do her bidding and uses this to her advantage. She orders her about and even takes her mother’s necklace. Ella is deprived of food for days because of Hattie and when she arrives at finishing school she quickly becomes one of the most unpopular students but makes a friend. Areida is also unpopular and she and Ella become fast friends. However Hattie soon intervenes there as well. She orders Ella to stop their friendship and to get around the curse, Ella runs away after finding out her father will be at a Giant’s wedding 2 weeks away. She thinks that Lucinda might be there as well. So she heads on her way. She befriends the elves, and is captured by Ogres. She tames the Ogres by imitating their greasy talk and keeps them in line until Prince Char arrives to rescue her.
Char sends her with one of his knights to the Giant wedding and there she meets Lucinda who instead of lifting the curse, orders her to be happy. Ella finds her father and when he informs her that she is to wed because he lost all their money, she is “happy” about that too. Until Mandy realizes what has happened and takes back the order. However, instead of having to marry, her father marries Dame Olga instead. The day of the wedding Ella hides and Char finds her. They spend the wedding together and even slide down the banister together. Dame Olga, Ella’s father, Hattie and Olive all witness this and they part ways. Dame Olga finds out that she is being used and turns Ella into a servant when Sir P. (Ella’s father) is called away on business.
Char leaves for a year in a neighboring country and he and Ella write each other frequently. Ella continues her life as a servant and when Char asks her to marry him, she lies. She pretends to be Hattie saying that Ella ran away with a rich man. She does this to protect him from her curse. But this just makes her miserable.
This causes Mandy to call on Lucinda and she challenges Lucinda to act out her gifts. To be obedient, and see how she likes it. She does and when she returns she apologizes to Ella for what happened, but that she cannot break the curse.
Soon, word comes that the Prince will have three balls. Ella decides to go, but chooses to wear a mask. She and Mandy alter her mother’s old dresses. The night of the first ball it starts to sleet, so Ella calls on Lucinda. Lucinda gives her the orange coach and she attends the first ball. She attends and catches Char’s attention. The next night, she returns again and spends even more time with Char. Every night she leaves at midnight, but on the third night she decides to stay longer. Char introduces her to the King and Queen and as she and Char are dancing, Hattie pulls off Ella’s mask. She is exposed. She runs home, but loses a slipper. Once home, she changes and makes herself look like a servant again. Char finds her and places the slipper on her foot. It of course fits, and he tells her to marry him. Not thinking anything of his order. Hattie is telling her not to and Dame Olga is telling her to. Ella is torn. Finally everyone is telling her to. She screams that she won’t marry him. Breaking the curse. Her love for Char is enough to break the curse and they are soon married. Her step family is not invited. But Mandy and her father are. They live happy lives and live happily ever after.
Recommendations:
I would definitely recommend this book to girls. Boys, not so much. But any girl who loves the Cinderella story I think would enjoy this book.
Problems:
People get made fun of in this book and it could be taken the wrong way.
My Reaction:
Love it. It’s my favorite Cinderella story. Ella is given a chance to develop her personality by going on adventures and making friends and of course, breaking her curse. It’s a nice twist on the Cinderella that we all know.
Author: Gail Carson Levine
Publisher: Harper Collins
Copyright: 1997 by Gail Levine
Pages: 288
Ages: 9-12
Genre: Fairy Tale
Summary:
Ella has been cursed since birth. A fairy named Lucinda gave Ella the “gift” of obedience when she was born. She spends her life obeying orders whether she wants to or not. She has next to no freedom. Only her mother, fairy god mother and Lucinda know about the curse. Not even her father is aware because he is a traveling salesman. But when Ella’s mother dies, Ella is left alone. Or so she thinks. She discovers that her fairy god mother is actually her mother’s old ladies maid, Mandy. During the funeral Ella is overcome with grief and her father orders her away until she can control herself. While attempting to control herself she meets Prince Charmont for the first time. They begin to talk and it’s the start of their friendship.
Ella is introduced to Dame Olga and her daughters Hattie and Olive. Ella is immediately distrustful. Her father confirms that they are not good people and Ella dismisses them from her mind until her father informs her that she is going to finishing school with Dame Olga’s daughters. Ella refuses to go, but of course she has no choice. Even without the curse, there is nowhere she could go. Before she is to leave she goes to the royal “Zoo” and visits her favorite sites. The Parrots who speak different languages are her favorite. She meets Char there and they talk and enjoy the sites. They find a small gnome who has lost his way. Ella calms him with words from the parrots but when an ogre tells her to come to him and bring the child she has to obey. Prince Char saves her and the child is returned to his mother.
The next day Ella is sent to finishing school with Hattie and Olive. Hattie finds out the Ella must do her bidding and uses this to her advantage. She orders her about and even takes her mother’s necklace. Ella is deprived of food for days because of Hattie and when she arrives at finishing school she quickly becomes one of the most unpopular students but makes a friend. Areida is also unpopular and she and Ella become fast friends. However Hattie soon intervenes there as well. She orders Ella to stop their friendship and to get around the curse, Ella runs away after finding out her father will be at a Giant’s wedding 2 weeks away. She thinks that Lucinda might be there as well. So she heads on her way. She befriends the elves, and is captured by Ogres. She tames the Ogres by imitating their greasy talk and keeps them in line until Prince Char arrives to rescue her.
Char sends her with one of his knights to the Giant wedding and there she meets Lucinda who instead of lifting the curse, orders her to be happy. Ella finds her father and when he informs her that she is to wed because he lost all their money, she is “happy” about that too. Until Mandy realizes what has happened and takes back the order. However, instead of having to marry, her father marries Dame Olga instead. The day of the wedding Ella hides and Char finds her. They spend the wedding together and even slide down the banister together. Dame Olga, Ella’s father, Hattie and Olive all witness this and they part ways. Dame Olga finds out that she is being used and turns Ella into a servant when Sir P. (Ella’s father) is called away on business.
Char leaves for a year in a neighboring country and he and Ella write each other frequently. Ella continues her life as a servant and when Char asks her to marry him, she lies. She pretends to be Hattie saying that Ella ran away with a rich man. She does this to protect him from her curse. But this just makes her miserable.
This causes Mandy to call on Lucinda and she challenges Lucinda to act out her gifts. To be obedient, and see how she likes it. She does and when she returns she apologizes to Ella for what happened, but that she cannot break the curse.
Soon, word comes that the Prince will have three balls. Ella decides to go, but chooses to wear a mask. She and Mandy alter her mother’s old dresses. The night of the first ball it starts to sleet, so Ella calls on Lucinda. Lucinda gives her the orange coach and she attends the first ball. She attends and catches Char’s attention. The next night, she returns again and spends even more time with Char. Every night she leaves at midnight, but on the third night she decides to stay longer. Char introduces her to the King and Queen and as she and Char are dancing, Hattie pulls off Ella’s mask. She is exposed. She runs home, but loses a slipper. Once home, she changes and makes herself look like a servant again. Char finds her and places the slipper on her foot. It of course fits, and he tells her to marry him. Not thinking anything of his order. Hattie is telling her not to and Dame Olga is telling her to. Ella is torn. Finally everyone is telling her to. She screams that she won’t marry him. Breaking the curse. Her love for Char is enough to break the curse and they are soon married. Her step family is not invited. But Mandy and her father are. They live happy lives and live happily ever after.
Recommendations:
I would definitely recommend this book to girls. Boys, not so much. But any girl who loves the Cinderella story I think would enjoy this book.
Problems:
People get made fun of in this book and it could be taken the wrong way.
My Reaction:
Love it. It’s my favorite Cinderella story. Ella is given a chance to develop her personality by going on adventures and making friends and of course, breaking her curse. It’s a nice twist on the Cinderella that we all know.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Perrault Fairy Tales
Title: Perrault Fairy Tales (Little Red Riding Hood, The Sleeping Beauty, Puss in Boots, Bluebeard)
Author: Charles Parrault
Publisher: Clarion Books
Copyright: 1993 The Albion Press Ltd.
Pages: 45
Ages: 9-12
Genre: Fairy Tales
Summary (Little Red Riding Hood):
Little Red Riding Hood was a beautiful little girl who’s mother and grandmother doted on. One day her mother sent her to her grandmother’s house because her grandmother was ill. She was to take her some bread and a pot of butter. Along the way she met a wolf and they talked and instead of being cautious she told him exactly what she was doing and where she was going. He races her to her grandmother’s cottage and when he arrives, eats the grandmother and waits for the girl. When she arrives, he pretends to be her grandmother and eats her.
Recommendations:
I would recommend this to younger children. I think it would help explain the need to not talk to strangers.
Potential Problems:
It’s not a happy story.
My Reaction:
I liked it. I think it had a good moral to the story. Not like the one I’ve always heard where someone saves Red, and her Grandmother. I think this is more true to what can happen.
Author: Charles Parrault
Publisher: Clarion Books
Copyright: 1993 The Albion Press Ltd.
Pages: 45
Ages: 9-12
Genre: Fairy Tales
Summary (Little Red Riding Hood):
Little Red Riding Hood was a beautiful little girl who’s mother and grandmother doted on. One day her mother sent her to her grandmother’s house because her grandmother was ill. She was to take her some bread and a pot of butter. Along the way she met a wolf and they talked and instead of being cautious she told him exactly what she was doing and where she was going. He races her to her grandmother’s cottage and when he arrives, eats the grandmother and waits for the girl. When she arrives, he pretends to be her grandmother and eats her.
Recommendations:
I would recommend this to younger children. I think it would help explain the need to not talk to strangers.
Potential Problems:
It’s not a happy story.
My Reaction:
I liked it. I think it had a good moral to the story. Not like the one I’ve always heard where someone saves Red, and her Grandmother. I think this is more true to what can happen.
Harriet Tubman: The Road To Freedom
Title: Harriet Tubman: The Road To Freedom
Author: Rae Bains
Publisher: Troll Associates
Copyright: 1982 by Troll Communications
Pages: 46
Ages: 9-12
Genre: Non-Fiction
Summary:
Harriet was born into a loving family. Unfortunately her entire family was slaves. From the time she was able, she was running errands for her Master. She had no time to play. When she was five she was sent to work in the “big house” where she was given things to do, but no one told her how to do them. When she did them wrong, she was punished. When she was six she was sent to live with the Cooks to learn weaving. One day when she was very ill with the measles, Mr. Cook had her go check his traps. Which meant she had to go into freezing cold water. She got very ill after this and was sent back to her family until she was well again. Harriet’s next job was to look after Mrs. Brodas’s baby. Harriet was seven years old and so little that she had to sit down and have the baby placed in her arms. If Harriet or the other slaves ever misbehaved, they would often be whipped. This was to control them. But they could not be controlled. There were slave uprisings every year. And this scared the Master’s.
From the time that Harriet was a child, she often heard stories of slaves who had escaped, and helped others escape. Mrs. Brodas didn’t like Harriet, she thought she was disrespectful and decided to break her. She sent her to a family that worked her day and night and hardly fed her until she was too frail and weak to work anymore. They had broken her body, but not her spirit. They sent her back and she spent a long time recovering. Her siblings tried to raise her spirits by making her laugh. One of their pastimes was to read the Bible. Her favorite story was that of Moses. She believed that her people would be free one day as well.
By the time Harriet was 11, she was able to do the work of a grown man. She heard talk of a man named Nat Turner who led a bloody revolt and wasn’t captured for many months after. She and her family talked of being free. Harriet said to be free they would have to take it, because their Master’s would never give it. Soon, stories began to surface about an underground road the slaves would take to freedom. Harriet thought about the underground railroad all the time.
When Harriet was 15, her life almost ended. After refusing a white man’s orders she was hit in the head and suffered a serious injury. Her Master tried to sell her because she couldn’t work, but no one wanted a slave that couldn’t work. After she was better, she still pretended she was ill so no one would want her. Hearing that her family was to be sold soon, she went to a woman who said that she would help her. Harriet went to her and was able, with her help and the help of many brave others, gain her freedom.
For years Harriet traveled back and forth from the South to free slaves. She was never caught and managed to rescue over 300 men, women and children. She never lost any of her passengers.
At the age of 93, Harriet Tubman passed away and was honored with a military funeral.
Recommendations:
I would recommend this to everyone. Harriet is a true hero and should be honored and known.
Potential Problems:
She had a hard life, and it could bother some people. But I think I would have it in my classroom anyway because it’s the truth and a wonderful thing that she did.
My Reaction:
Love it! I didn’t know all of that about Harriet Tubman. I knew she had helped people escape slavery, but I had no idea about her life before that. It was a real eye opener.
Author: Rae Bains
Publisher: Troll Associates
Copyright: 1982 by Troll Communications
Pages: 46
Ages: 9-12
Genre: Non-Fiction
Summary:
Harriet was born into a loving family. Unfortunately her entire family was slaves. From the time she was able, she was running errands for her Master. She had no time to play. When she was five she was sent to work in the “big house” where she was given things to do, but no one told her how to do them. When she did them wrong, she was punished. When she was six she was sent to live with the Cooks to learn weaving. One day when she was very ill with the measles, Mr. Cook had her go check his traps. Which meant she had to go into freezing cold water. She got very ill after this and was sent back to her family until she was well again. Harriet’s next job was to look after Mrs. Brodas’s baby. Harriet was seven years old and so little that she had to sit down and have the baby placed in her arms. If Harriet or the other slaves ever misbehaved, they would often be whipped. This was to control them. But they could not be controlled. There were slave uprisings every year. And this scared the Master’s.
From the time that Harriet was a child, she often heard stories of slaves who had escaped, and helped others escape. Mrs. Brodas didn’t like Harriet, she thought she was disrespectful and decided to break her. She sent her to a family that worked her day and night and hardly fed her until she was too frail and weak to work anymore. They had broken her body, but not her spirit. They sent her back and she spent a long time recovering. Her siblings tried to raise her spirits by making her laugh. One of their pastimes was to read the Bible. Her favorite story was that of Moses. She believed that her people would be free one day as well.
By the time Harriet was 11, she was able to do the work of a grown man. She heard talk of a man named Nat Turner who led a bloody revolt and wasn’t captured for many months after. She and her family talked of being free. Harriet said to be free they would have to take it, because their Master’s would never give it. Soon, stories began to surface about an underground road the slaves would take to freedom. Harriet thought about the underground railroad all the time.
When Harriet was 15, her life almost ended. After refusing a white man’s orders she was hit in the head and suffered a serious injury. Her Master tried to sell her because she couldn’t work, but no one wanted a slave that couldn’t work. After she was better, she still pretended she was ill so no one would want her. Hearing that her family was to be sold soon, she went to a woman who said that she would help her. Harriet went to her and was able, with her help and the help of many brave others, gain her freedom.
For years Harriet traveled back and forth from the South to free slaves. She was never caught and managed to rescue over 300 men, women and children. She never lost any of her passengers.
At the age of 93, Harriet Tubman passed away and was honored with a military funeral.
Recommendations:
I would recommend this to everyone. Harriet is a true hero and should be honored and known.
Potential Problems:
She had a hard life, and it could bother some people. But I think I would have it in my classroom anyway because it’s the truth and a wonderful thing that she did.
My Reaction:
Love it! I didn’t know all of that about Harriet Tubman. I knew she had helped people escape slavery, but I had no idea about her life before that. It was a real eye opener.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight?
Title: How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight?
Author: Jane Yolen
Publisher: Blue Sky Press
Copyright: 2000 by Jane Yolen
Pages: 40
Ages: 4-8
Genre: Picture
Summary:
When dad comes in to turn off the light, dinosaurs don’t slam their tails and pout. They don’t throw their teddy bear, or scream and shout. They don’t ask for more books. And when mom comes in to turn off the light, they don’t swing their head from side to side. Or demand piggy back rides. They don’t scream and cry. They give their mother a kiss and turn out the light. They tuck in and say goodnight. They give big hugs and kisses and that’s how dinosaurs say goodnight.
Recommendations:
I would recommend this to children who have a hard time going to sleep, or parents who have children like this.
Potential Problems:
It might give children ideas on how to get out of going to bed.
My Reaction:
It’s cute, the illustrations are funny. But it’s not a book I would want to have to read to my child everyday.
Author: Jane Yolen
Publisher: Blue Sky Press
Copyright: 2000 by Jane Yolen
Pages: 40
Ages: 4-8
Genre: Picture
Summary:
When dad comes in to turn off the light, dinosaurs don’t slam their tails and pout. They don’t throw their teddy bear, or scream and shout. They don’t ask for more books. And when mom comes in to turn off the light, they don’t swing their head from side to side. Or demand piggy back rides. They don’t scream and cry. They give their mother a kiss and turn out the light. They tuck in and say goodnight. They give big hugs and kisses and that’s how dinosaurs say goodnight.
Recommendations:
I would recommend this to children who have a hard time going to sleep, or parents who have children like this.
Potential Problems:
It might give children ideas on how to get out of going to bed.
My Reaction:
It’s cute, the illustrations are funny. But it’s not a book I would want to have to read to my child everyday.
I Like Myself
Title: I Like Myself
Author: Karen Beaumont
Publisher: Harcourt, Inc.
Copyright: 2004 by Karen Beaumont
Pages: 32
Ages: 4-8
Genre: Picture
Summary:
This is a book about a little girl who likes herself just the way she is. She likes everything about herself. It doesn’t matter to her what people think. She knows who she is. If people make fun of her she doesn’t care, they can call her names and it doesn’t bother her. What they say can’t change her inside. She could have purple polka dotted lips and porcupine hair and she would still be the same. She likes herself because she is herself.
Who would I recommend this to?
It says it’s for 4-8 year olds, but I would recommend this to everyone! It’s what everyone needs to feel about themselves. I think this would be especially helpful to people with poor self image.
Potential Problems:
I see none.
My Reaction:
LOVED IT!!! It’s exactly what I needed to read today. I’d been feeling pretty icky about myself and this book really lifted my spirits. The message was amazing and the pictures were cute, and bright and happy! I truly love this book!
Author: Karen Beaumont
Publisher: Harcourt, Inc.
Copyright: 2004 by Karen Beaumont
Pages: 32
Ages: 4-8
Genre: Picture
Summary:
This is a book about a little girl who likes herself just the way she is. She likes everything about herself. It doesn’t matter to her what people think. She knows who she is. If people make fun of her she doesn’t care, they can call her names and it doesn’t bother her. What they say can’t change her inside. She could have purple polka dotted lips and porcupine hair and she would still be the same. She likes herself because she is herself.
Who would I recommend this to?
It says it’s for 4-8 year olds, but I would recommend this to everyone! It’s what everyone needs to feel about themselves. I think this would be especially helpful to people with poor self image.
Potential Problems:
I see none.
My Reaction:
LOVED IT!!! It’s exactly what I needed to read today. I’d been feeling pretty icky about myself and this book really lifted my spirits. The message was amazing and the pictures were cute, and bright and happy! I truly love this book!
The Asbjornsen Fairy Tales
Title: The Three Billy Goats Gruff, The Husband Who Was To Mind the House, The Giant Who Had No Heart In His Body, and The Blue Belt.
Author: P.C. Asbjornsen and Jorgen E. Moe
Publisher: MACMILLAN CO.
Copyright: 1963 The Macmillan co.
Pages: 135
Ages: 9-12
Genre: Fairy Tales
Summary: (The Three Billy Goats Gruff)
A billy goat on his way to make himself fat on a hill has to pass a troll bridge. While crossing it, the Troll tells him he’s going to eat him. But the tiniest billy goat tells him that he can have his brother because he is much fatter. The Troll agrees and sends the tiniest goat on his way. The next billy goat comes along and convinces the Troll not to eat him, telling him that the next goat will be even larger. The Troll agrees and sends the middle goat on his way. The biggest billy goat comes along and when the Troll comes to get him, the goat kills the troll and he and his brothers get fat together.
Who would I recommend this to:
I don’t think that I’d recommend this to anyone. I don’t really see a moral to the story other than you shouldn’t be a troll.
Potential Problems:
It could be considered scary, and is violent.
My Reaction:
I remember my dad reading this to me, but I don’t remember the Billy Goat killing the Troll. Overall, I didn’t like it, I couldn’t tell what the moral of the story was.
Author: P.C. Asbjornsen and Jorgen E. Moe
Publisher: MACMILLAN CO.
Copyright: 1963 The Macmillan co.
Pages: 135
Ages: 9-12
Genre: Fairy Tales
Summary: (The Three Billy Goats Gruff)
A billy goat on his way to make himself fat on a hill has to pass a troll bridge. While crossing it, the Troll tells him he’s going to eat him. But the tiniest billy goat tells him that he can have his brother because he is much fatter. The Troll agrees and sends the tiniest goat on his way. The next billy goat comes along and convinces the Troll not to eat him, telling him that the next goat will be even larger. The Troll agrees and sends the middle goat on his way. The biggest billy goat comes along and when the Troll comes to get him, the goat kills the troll and he and his brothers get fat together.
Who would I recommend this to:
I don’t think that I’d recommend this to anyone. I don’t really see a moral to the story other than you shouldn’t be a troll.
Potential Problems:
It could be considered scary, and is violent.
My Reaction:
I remember my dad reading this to me, but I don’t remember the Billy Goat killing the Troll. Overall, I didn’t like it, I couldn’t tell what the moral of the story was.
Pyramids and Mummies
Title: Pyramids and Mummies
Author: Seymour Simon
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Copyright: 2003 by Seymour Simon
Pages: 40
Ages: 9-12
Genre: Non-fiction
Summary:
This is an informational book that describes the pyramids and mummification process of the Egyptians.
Pyramids were built for the Pharaoh’s in Ancient Egypt. Each pyramid built, was built for a specific Pharaoh. It was believed that the Pharaoh was a God in human form. The people of Egypt believed that the land West of the Nile was toward the land of the dead, and that’s why the sun sets in the West. Every Pyramid is built on the west bank of the Nile.
Most of the Pyramids are built on a large square base that is the length of several city blocks. And while they are built in the shape of a pyramid, no one really knows why, because they used to simply have burial mounds.
The Step pyramid of Zoser was Built 4,700 years ago.
The Great Pyramid of Khufu was built 4,500 years ago and until the Eiffel Tower was built, it was the tallest building in the world.
The Next largest Pyramid was Khafre’s. It looks larger than the Great Pyramid because it is built on higher ground.
After a Pharaohs death, boats were provided for their trip to the underworld. Each Pharaoh had his name carved into a cartouche. And their names were written in Hieroglyphics. However because no one has written in hieroglyphics in over 2000 years, it is impossible to determine some of the symbols.
The Sphinx is 4,500 years old and was mostly buried in sand, but because it was dug out, the once well preserved Sphinx is now deteriorating. It is believed that it was placed there to guard the tomb.
While preparing a Pharaoh’s body for burial, it would take 70 days to complete the process. That’s over 2 months. All of the organs would be removed, minus the heart because the Egyptians believed that the heart contained the soul.
The Body was placed in a salt bath for 40 days, and then filled with salt, had wax poured over them, their hair done and face painted and then wrapped in cloth. Each appendage was individually wrapped and then bound together. This took an additional 30 days.
The body was then placed in a sarcophagus. He was buried in this, with all of his Jewels and Gold and Servants. Most of the treasures were stolen, despite measure to protect them. The greatest treasure ever found was in King Tut’s tomb.
Pyramids were carefully planned before being constructed. They used accurate measurements to figure out how it all would go together. Pyramids are mainly built of limestone and no one truly knows how they were built. The Great Pyramid weighs approximately 6.5 billion tons and there isn’t even room to slip a knife between each block.
The Aztec and Mayan people built similar structures although the insides are filled with other things like rubble.
Even today we make pyramids. For example, in Las Vegas there is a hotel in the shape of a pyramid.
Recommendations:
I would recommend this to children about 10-12 years old. I think younger children might be frightened by the pictures of mummies. But a slightly older group would enjoy the pictures and the information provided.
Problems:
Some of the pictures are rather disturbing. There are several pictures of the dead Pharaohs and while they’re very well preserved, they still don’t look the greatest.
My Reaction:
I enjoyed this book, I’ve always liked Egypt and the stories related to it. I learned some new things and was able to enjoy the photos as well.
Author: Seymour Simon
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Copyright: 2003 by Seymour Simon
Pages: 40
Ages: 9-12
Genre: Non-fiction
Summary:
This is an informational book that describes the pyramids and mummification process of the Egyptians.
Pyramids were built for the Pharaoh’s in Ancient Egypt. Each pyramid built, was built for a specific Pharaoh. It was believed that the Pharaoh was a God in human form. The people of Egypt believed that the land West of the Nile was toward the land of the dead, and that’s why the sun sets in the West. Every Pyramid is built on the west bank of the Nile.
Most of the Pyramids are built on a large square base that is the length of several city blocks. And while they are built in the shape of a pyramid, no one really knows why, because they used to simply have burial mounds.
The Step pyramid of Zoser was Built 4,700 years ago.
The Great Pyramid of Khufu was built 4,500 years ago and until the Eiffel Tower was built, it was the tallest building in the world.
The Next largest Pyramid was Khafre’s. It looks larger than the Great Pyramid because it is built on higher ground.
After a Pharaohs death, boats were provided for their trip to the underworld. Each Pharaoh had his name carved into a cartouche. And their names were written in Hieroglyphics. However because no one has written in hieroglyphics in over 2000 years, it is impossible to determine some of the symbols.
The Sphinx is 4,500 years old and was mostly buried in sand, but because it was dug out, the once well preserved Sphinx is now deteriorating. It is believed that it was placed there to guard the tomb.
While preparing a Pharaoh’s body for burial, it would take 70 days to complete the process. That’s over 2 months. All of the organs would be removed, minus the heart because the Egyptians believed that the heart contained the soul.
The Body was placed in a salt bath for 40 days, and then filled with salt, had wax poured over them, their hair done and face painted and then wrapped in cloth. Each appendage was individually wrapped and then bound together. This took an additional 30 days.
The body was then placed in a sarcophagus. He was buried in this, with all of his Jewels and Gold and Servants. Most of the treasures were stolen, despite measure to protect them. The greatest treasure ever found was in King Tut’s tomb.
Pyramids were carefully planned before being constructed. They used accurate measurements to figure out how it all would go together. Pyramids are mainly built of limestone and no one truly knows how they were built. The Great Pyramid weighs approximately 6.5 billion tons and there isn’t even room to slip a knife between each block.
The Aztec and Mayan people built similar structures although the insides are filled with other things like rubble.
Even today we make pyramids. For example, in Las Vegas there is a hotel in the shape of a pyramid.
Recommendations:
I would recommend this to children about 10-12 years old. I think younger children might be frightened by the pictures of mummies. But a slightly older group would enjoy the pictures and the information provided.
Problems:
Some of the pictures are rather disturbing. There are several pictures of the dead Pharaohs and while they’re very well preserved, they still don’t look the greatest.
My Reaction:
I enjoyed this book, I’ve always liked Egypt and the stories related to it. I learned some new things and was able to enjoy the photos as well.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Henry's Freedom Box
Title: Henry’s Freedom Box
Author: Ellen Levine
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Copyright: 2007 by Kadir Nelson
Pages: 40
Ages: 4-8
Genre: Non-fiction
Summary:
Henry was a slave who lived with his mother until one day his Master became ill. He gave Henry to his son who was a tobacco farmer. While in town one day he met another slave named Nancy and they fell in love. They received permission from both of their Masters to get married. They did, and had many children. However because Nancy’s Master had lost money, he sold Nancy and the Children. There was nothing that Henry could do. He was distraught. He worked, ate and slept. Then one day, he and some others including a white man who believed slavery to be wrong, decided to mail Henry to freedom. They labeled the box so that he would be kept right side up and handled with care but no one listened. He was turned upside down, and sideways and rolled and dropped. After 27 hours he was finally in Philadelphia.
Who would I recommend this to?
Everyone. Absolutely everyone! It’s such a great book and really gives a feel for what it was like during times of slavery in the United States.
Potential Problems:
Some people may not want their children to know about the United States past and the way slaves were treated. It also has a gruesome part where he burns his hand to get off of work. It could also frighten some children. His family was taken from him and they never saw each other again.
My Reaction:
I really liked this book, but it is so sad! It’s definitely not a happy ending. It piqued my curiosity and now I plan to look up more about Henry. It really saddens me that he never saw his family again.
The illustrations are beautiful! You get a true sense of the emotions that he was feeling. Which I think is important because of the seriousness of the book.
Author: Ellen Levine
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Copyright: 2007 by Kadir Nelson
Pages: 40
Ages: 4-8
Genre: Non-fiction
Summary:
Henry was a slave who lived with his mother until one day his Master became ill. He gave Henry to his son who was a tobacco farmer. While in town one day he met another slave named Nancy and they fell in love. They received permission from both of their Masters to get married. They did, and had many children. However because Nancy’s Master had lost money, he sold Nancy and the Children. There was nothing that Henry could do. He was distraught. He worked, ate and slept. Then one day, he and some others including a white man who believed slavery to be wrong, decided to mail Henry to freedom. They labeled the box so that he would be kept right side up and handled with care but no one listened. He was turned upside down, and sideways and rolled and dropped. After 27 hours he was finally in Philadelphia.
Who would I recommend this to?
Everyone. Absolutely everyone! It’s such a great book and really gives a feel for what it was like during times of slavery in the United States.
Potential Problems:
Some people may not want their children to know about the United States past and the way slaves were treated. It also has a gruesome part where he burns his hand to get off of work. It could also frighten some children. His family was taken from him and they never saw each other again.
My Reaction:
I really liked this book, but it is so sad! It’s definitely not a happy ending. It piqued my curiosity and now I plan to look up more about Henry. It really saddens me that he never saw his family again.
The illustrations are beautiful! You get a true sense of the emotions that he was feeling. Which I think is important because of the seriousness of the book.
Sally Ride
Title: Sally Ride
Author: Pamela Hill Nettleton
Publisher: Picture Window Books
Copyright: 2004 by Picture Window Books
Pages: 24 Pages
Ages: 9-12
Genre: Non-fiction
Summary:
In 1983 Sally Ride was the first woman into outer space. She didn’t always want to be an astronaut. First she wanted to be a baseball player, then a tennis player and then an astronaut. Her parents encouraged her and her sister to be what they wanted to be. Sally had always been an athlete and loved sports. She continued her education instead of having a career in tennis. Her teacher helped her realize that Science and math were fun. After graduate school she applied to the NASA program. Only 35 out of 8000 were chosen and only 6 were women. She endured many tests. She learned to fly in high-speed jets, and learned about gravity and to do things while floating. After 5 years Sally and the other Astronauts were ready to ride the Challenger. Sally was 32 years old. Finally the day came and she and the other astronauts went up an elevator and into the shuttle. The shuttle shot up and they were in space. They were in space for six days. Sally and the other astronauts did experiments for that time and they released a satellite. Sally had the best time of her life. She was an astronaut for 8 years. She was able to fly into space once more and when the Challenger later exploded with another crew on board, she helped figure out how it happened. And finally in 1989 Sally became a physics teacher at the University of California. She encourages girls to study math and science.
Who would I recommend this to?
I would recommend this to everyone. But I would more specifically recommend this to girls. To encourage them to fulfill their dreams.
Possible Problems:
I don’t see any problems with this book.
My Reaction:
I enjoyed reading about Sally Ride. I didn’t know her story until now. I didn’t particularly like the illustrations. They seemed flat and boring, but I did enjoy the story.
Author: Pamela Hill Nettleton
Publisher: Picture Window Books
Copyright: 2004 by Picture Window Books
Pages: 24 Pages
Ages: 9-12
Genre: Non-fiction
Summary:
In 1983 Sally Ride was the first woman into outer space. She didn’t always want to be an astronaut. First she wanted to be a baseball player, then a tennis player and then an astronaut. Her parents encouraged her and her sister to be what they wanted to be. Sally had always been an athlete and loved sports. She continued her education instead of having a career in tennis. Her teacher helped her realize that Science and math were fun. After graduate school she applied to the NASA program. Only 35 out of 8000 were chosen and only 6 were women. She endured many tests. She learned to fly in high-speed jets, and learned about gravity and to do things while floating. After 5 years Sally and the other Astronauts were ready to ride the Challenger. Sally was 32 years old. Finally the day came and she and the other astronauts went up an elevator and into the shuttle. The shuttle shot up and they were in space. They were in space for six days. Sally and the other astronauts did experiments for that time and they released a satellite. Sally had the best time of her life. She was an astronaut for 8 years. She was able to fly into space once more and when the Challenger later exploded with another crew on board, she helped figure out how it happened. And finally in 1989 Sally became a physics teacher at the University of California. She encourages girls to study math and science.
Who would I recommend this to?
I would recommend this to everyone. But I would more specifically recommend this to girls. To encourage them to fulfill their dreams.
Possible Problems:
I don’t see any problems with this book.
My Reaction:
I enjoyed reading about Sally Ride. I didn’t know her story until now. I didn’t particularly like the illustrations. They seemed flat and boring, but I did enjoy the story.
Corduroy
Title: Corduroy
Author: Don Freeman
Publisher: Penguin Group
Copyright: Don Freeman 1968
Pages: 40
Ages: 4-8
Genre: Picture Book
Summary:
Corduroy is a bear in a department store. Day by day people come and go, but no one wants a bear in green overalls. Until one day a little girl sees him and wants him. She asks her mother if she can have him but her mother is busy and tells her that she’s already spent too much and that he’s missing a button.
Corduroy didn’t know he’d lost a button, so he decides to go search for it. He goes up the mall’s escalator which he thinks is a mountain. In the furniture department, he believes he is in a palace. And when he gets to the beds, he decides he’d like to sleep in one. Immediately he sees a button. He tries to get it, but falls off the bed. Then the night guard comes and takes Corduroy back to the toy shelf.
The next morning, Corduroy is waking up and the little girl is staring right at him. She tells him that he’s going to be her bear, and she takes him home. She takes him home and runs to her room. Corduroy recognizes that they’re in a home. And he thinks “I know I’ve always wanted a home.”
Recommendation:
I would recommend this book to everyone.
Potential Problems:
I do not see any problems with this book.
My Reaction:
I liked the illustrations in this book and the story was cute as well. But I think the illustrations are by far my favorite. It looks like watercolors were used with ink pen. I really the illustrations, they’re simple but creative.
Author: Don Freeman
Publisher: Penguin Group
Copyright: Don Freeman 1968
Pages: 40
Ages: 4-8
Genre: Picture Book
Summary:
Corduroy is a bear in a department store. Day by day people come and go, but no one wants a bear in green overalls. Until one day a little girl sees him and wants him. She asks her mother if she can have him but her mother is busy and tells her that she’s already spent too much and that he’s missing a button.
Corduroy didn’t know he’d lost a button, so he decides to go search for it. He goes up the mall’s escalator which he thinks is a mountain. In the furniture department, he believes he is in a palace. And when he gets to the beds, he decides he’d like to sleep in one. Immediately he sees a button. He tries to get it, but falls off the bed. Then the night guard comes and takes Corduroy back to the toy shelf.
The next morning, Corduroy is waking up and the little girl is staring right at him. She tells him that he’s going to be her bear, and she takes him home. She takes him home and runs to her room. Corduroy recognizes that they’re in a home. And he thinks “I know I’ve always wanted a home.”
Recommendation:
I would recommend this book to everyone.
Potential Problems:
I do not see any problems with this book.
My Reaction:
I liked the illustrations in this book and the story was cute as well. But I think the illustrations are by far my favorite. It looks like watercolors were used with ink pen. I really the illustrations, they’re simple but creative.
The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush
Title: The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush
Author: Tomie dePaola
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Copyright: 1988 by Tomie dePaola
Pages: 40
Ages: 4-8
Genre: Legend/Picture Book
Summary:
Little Gopher was not like the other little boys in his tribe. They could run and jump and play all day but Little Gopher was unable to keep up. His family worried for him. But he has his own gift. He was an artist. The Shaman of the tribe told Little Gopher that he was not meant to be a warrior, he would be remembered for a different reason. When he is on his journey to be a man, he has a vision and is given a task. He is to paint the colors of the sky on a pure white skin. The next day he began to paint, and tried and tried, but could never get the colors quite right. Sometimes he still wanted to go with the other warriors but he remembered his vision and continued his work. He would go to the top of the hill each evening and watch the colors of the sky. One night, he heard a voice telling him to take the white buckskin to the top of the hill and the colors would be provided. At the top of the hill, the paintbrushes and colors were there. He worked quickly and painted the sky. The next morning the hills were covered in flowers the same colors as the sunset. Every Spring after, the tribe celebrated Little Gopher who painted for them. And the changed his name to He-who-brought-the-Sunset-to-the-Earth.
Who would I recommend this to?
I would recommend this book to people who like legends and Native American History.
Possible Problems:
The only problem I see with this book is that he didn’t get to be a warrior.
My reaction:
I enjoyed this book as a child, but no longer enjoy it. I did like the illustrations, but the story no longer caught my attention.
Author: Tomie dePaola
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Copyright: 1988 by Tomie dePaola
Pages: 40
Ages: 4-8
Genre: Legend/Picture Book
Summary:
Little Gopher was not like the other little boys in his tribe. They could run and jump and play all day but Little Gopher was unable to keep up. His family worried for him. But he has his own gift. He was an artist. The Shaman of the tribe told Little Gopher that he was not meant to be a warrior, he would be remembered for a different reason. When he is on his journey to be a man, he has a vision and is given a task. He is to paint the colors of the sky on a pure white skin. The next day he began to paint, and tried and tried, but could never get the colors quite right. Sometimes he still wanted to go with the other warriors but he remembered his vision and continued his work. He would go to the top of the hill each evening and watch the colors of the sky. One night, he heard a voice telling him to take the white buckskin to the top of the hill and the colors would be provided. At the top of the hill, the paintbrushes and colors were there. He worked quickly and painted the sky. The next morning the hills were covered in flowers the same colors as the sunset. Every Spring after, the tribe celebrated Little Gopher who painted for them. And the changed his name to He-who-brought-the-Sunset-to-the-Earth.
Who would I recommend this to?
I would recommend this book to people who like legends and Native American History.
Possible Problems:
The only problem I see with this book is that he didn’t get to be a warrior.
My reaction:
I enjoyed this book as a child, but no longer enjoy it. I did like the illustrations, but the story no longer caught my attention.
The Velveteen Rabbit
Title: The Velveteen Rabbit
Author: Margery Williams
Publisher: Derrydale Books
Copyright: Margery Williams, 1880-1944
Pages: 32
Ages: 4-8
Genre: Picture Book
Summary:
On Christmas morning a young boy received a Velveteen rabbit as a gift. He loved the little rabbit for a short while and then got distracted by the rest of the festivities. The Velveteen Rabbit lived for a long time in the nursery and was ignored by the other more expensive toys. Everyone put on appearances and his only friend was the Skin Horse.
The Skin Horse was wise and had been in the nursery the longest. So, the Velveteen Rabbit asked “what is real?” The Skin Horse replies that being real happens when a child loves you for a long time. The Skin Horse explains that once you’re real, you can’t go back.
There was a person called Nana who tidied the nursery and one night when the Boy couldn’t find his china dog that he slept with, she gave him the Velveteen Rabbit. For many nights, the Rabbit slept with the boy. The boy kept the Rabbit and played with him and loved him and the Rabbit grew to like it. As the boy loved the Rabbit, the played throughout the Spring and one night when the Rabbit was left outside, Nana had to come find him because the boy couldn’t sleep. That night the Boy declared that his bunny was Real. And the Rabbit believed. They had a wonderful Summer. One evening the Rabbit met some other rabbits. The rabbits make fun of him and tell him he is not real. The rabbits run away and the boy returns for him.
Life continues and the Rabbit gets shabbier and shabbier but the Boy loved him. Then the Boy becomes ill. A long time passes with the Boy being ill. The adults decide to take him to the sea side. But the Rabbit doesn’t understand that all the toys are to be burned. They throw the Rabbit out and get him a new bunny. But he is too excited to pay attention.
That night, out with the bunny appears a fairy. She makes the Velveteen Rabbit truly real. When she kissed the Rabbit he didn’t realize that he completely changed. He realizes then that he’s changed . The fairy disappears and the Rabbit uses his new body.
During the Summer, the Rabbit see’s his boy and his boy seems to recognize him too but never knows that he helped him to be real.
Who would I recommend this to?
I would recommend this book to everyone.
Potential Problems:
I do not see any problems with this book. It’s very clean and a sweet book.
My reaction:
I really enjoyed this book, it’s fanciful and has a happy ending. The Rabbit becomes real and is able to keep watch over the Boy who helped him become real.
Author: Margery Williams
Publisher: Derrydale Books
Copyright: Margery Williams, 1880-1944
Pages: 32
Ages: 4-8
Genre: Picture Book
Summary:
On Christmas morning a young boy received a Velveteen rabbit as a gift. He loved the little rabbit for a short while and then got distracted by the rest of the festivities. The Velveteen Rabbit lived for a long time in the nursery and was ignored by the other more expensive toys. Everyone put on appearances and his only friend was the Skin Horse.
The Skin Horse was wise and had been in the nursery the longest. So, the Velveteen Rabbit asked “what is real?” The Skin Horse replies that being real happens when a child loves you for a long time. The Skin Horse explains that once you’re real, you can’t go back.
There was a person called Nana who tidied the nursery and one night when the Boy couldn’t find his china dog that he slept with, she gave him the Velveteen Rabbit. For many nights, the Rabbit slept with the boy. The boy kept the Rabbit and played with him and loved him and the Rabbit grew to like it. As the boy loved the Rabbit, the played throughout the Spring and one night when the Rabbit was left outside, Nana had to come find him because the boy couldn’t sleep. That night the Boy declared that his bunny was Real. And the Rabbit believed. They had a wonderful Summer. One evening the Rabbit met some other rabbits. The rabbits make fun of him and tell him he is not real. The rabbits run away and the boy returns for him.
Life continues and the Rabbit gets shabbier and shabbier but the Boy loved him. Then the Boy becomes ill. A long time passes with the Boy being ill. The adults decide to take him to the sea side. But the Rabbit doesn’t understand that all the toys are to be burned. They throw the Rabbit out and get him a new bunny. But he is too excited to pay attention.
That night, out with the bunny appears a fairy. She makes the Velveteen Rabbit truly real. When she kissed the Rabbit he didn’t realize that he completely changed. He realizes then that he’s changed . The fairy disappears and the Rabbit uses his new body.
During the Summer, the Rabbit see’s his boy and his boy seems to recognize him too but never knows that he helped him to be real.
Who would I recommend this to?
I would recommend this book to everyone.
Potential Problems:
I do not see any problems with this book. It’s very clean and a sweet book.
My reaction:
I really enjoyed this book, it’s fanciful and has a happy ending. The Rabbit becomes real and is able to keep watch over the Boy who helped him become real.
Just Ella
Title: Just Ella
Author: Margaret Peterson Haddix
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Copyright: 1999 by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Pages: 240
Ages: Young Adults
Genre: Fantasy
Summary:
Where Cinderella left off, Ella is living her happily ever after in Prince Charming’s castle. Right? Not really. Life is not quite the Happily Ever After that Ella believed it might be. Ella is being smothered by new information and ridiculous rules. Her days are filled with lessons and learning things that are completely pointless. Every other night she is allotted one hour with the Prince in a chaperoned room where they don’t really speak. Then she and he both go back about their business. One day during her lesson, her teacher falls ill. She saves his life and is then reprimanded for it because that is not how a princess acts! Her instructor is soon replaced by her original instructor’s son. He is somewhat shy and awkward and unsure of how to act around her. They soon become friends, and with this, Ella’s meetings with the Prince become more and more strange. She keeps telling herself that she loves the Prince, but she is unsure. Ella’s days begin to set into a happier rhythm in which she spends time with Jed (her new instructor). She begins to hear rumors about a fairy godmother and that she won the Prince over with magic. To counter what the servants and ladies are saying she decides to tell Jed the real story.
While cleaning one day, someone arrived at the door. I was a messenger of the King. He announces that every young lady is invited to the ball in four weeks. Her step-mother informs her that she will not be allowed to attend. But Ella had a plan. She dug out her mother’s wedding dress to wear to the ball. But was faced with a dilemma of shoes. One day while passing the glass blowers shop, she challenged him to make a pair of glass slippers that she could walk in without breaking. He made them, and after six steps, the bet was won and she ran home with the slippers (after and argument with the glass blower). Her step-mother orders her to scrub the cellar the night of the ball but Ella ignores this, and gets dressed for the ball. She walks most of the way there and then has a man drive her to the front. Upon entering she gives the name Cindersella so that her Step-family will know she is there. The Prince dances with her every dance and she runs off at midnight.
After Ella finishes her story, Jed begins to act more distant. Later, while at dinner, the King announces a tournament. Ella is beyond excited. She’ll finally get to go outside and spend the day in the sun. The day of the tournament arrives and Ella is made to wear a ridiculous corset. Once at the tournament, the ladies are led into a tent and then closed in so that they cannot participate. Ella is furious. She tries to leave the tent and when she is threatened with not being able to marry the Prince, she faints. (Mainly because the corset is too tight). That night, Ella realizes something monumentally important. She does not love Prince Charming.
During her next meeting with the Prince, she decides to give him one more chance. She asks why he loves her and he’s only able to tell her she’s beautiful. When she asks Mary (the serving girl) about why she beauty is so important, she realizes the Prince doesn’t love her either.
During her next meeting with the Prince, she tells him she can’t marry him. He doesn’t take it well. They fight and the Prince throws a tantrum like a two year old. They continue their fight and the Prince actually ties her up. The Prince goes for help and everyone explains to Ella that she cannot call off the wedding. They drug her and throw her in the dungeon and threaten to leave her there until the wedding. That way she’ll be thin and pale and beautiful. Mary comes to visit and they plan Ella’s escape. Mary brings her a shovel and Ella begins to dig her way out the crap hole. (Ew!)
The next day Ella is introduced to her jailer, Quog. Quog is a rapist and in charge of guarding and drooling over Ella. They begin to starve her and Mary has to bring her food so the Ella can have the energy to continue digging. The Prince comes to see her and offers to take her away. She refuses, pretending that she isn’t worthy. The Prince kills Quog and Ella is left alone again. That night, Ella finishes her hole and escapes. She travels to her Step-mother’s house and takes some clothing, food and a few books of her fathers. Her step-mother catches her and Ella runs.
Ella travels by night and sleeps by day. She teaches herself about nursing so that she can join Jed at the camps. After several days, she hears the soldiers. The soldiers begin ordering the peasants to bring them food. And in return they share the story of the Prince’s wedding. Ella is of course shocked. Wondering who could have been his bride. The soldiers leave and Ella is once again on her way. She is given directions and eventually arrives at the camp. She meets Jed and tells her story. Then, he proposes! She asks for six months to make a decision and then gives her a job.
Ella begins her new life, splinting arms by day and spending her evenings with Jed. Ella is finally happy. Until the day when a letter arrives from the King saying that Jed’s father had died and they needed Jed to come back. Jed leaves and Ella adjusts. They write one another and Ella learns that her step-sister became the Prince’s wife. Ella learns that she truly loves Jed, and she decides to wait for him.
Who would I recommend this to?
I would recommend this to anyone who likes the Cinderella stories and likes a little bit of a twist. Young girls (or women) who like to do things differently rather than fit in with the crowd.
Potential Problems:
There are some rude things throughout the book. And Quog is rather disgusting.
My reaction:
I didn’t like this book, It seemed to have a lot of filler, and I didn’t particularly like the characters. Honestly, I got bored throughout the novel. It didn’t exactly have the happily ever after feel that I enjoy in a book.
Author: Margaret Peterson Haddix
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Copyright: 1999 by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Pages: 240
Ages: Young Adults
Genre: Fantasy
Summary:
Where Cinderella left off, Ella is living her happily ever after in Prince Charming’s castle. Right? Not really. Life is not quite the Happily Ever After that Ella believed it might be. Ella is being smothered by new information and ridiculous rules. Her days are filled with lessons and learning things that are completely pointless. Every other night she is allotted one hour with the Prince in a chaperoned room where they don’t really speak. Then she and he both go back about their business. One day during her lesson, her teacher falls ill. She saves his life and is then reprimanded for it because that is not how a princess acts! Her instructor is soon replaced by her original instructor’s son. He is somewhat shy and awkward and unsure of how to act around her. They soon become friends, and with this, Ella’s meetings with the Prince become more and more strange. She keeps telling herself that she loves the Prince, but she is unsure. Ella’s days begin to set into a happier rhythm in which she spends time with Jed (her new instructor). She begins to hear rumors about a fairy godmother and that she won the Prince over with magic. To counter what the servants and ladies are saying she decides to tell Jed the real story.
While cleaning one day, someone arrived at the door. I was a messenger of the King. He announces that every young lady is invited to the ball in four weeks. Her step-mother informs her that she will not be allowed to attend. But Ella had a plan. She dug out her mother’s wedding dress to wear to the ball. But was faced with a dilemma of shoes. One day while passing the glass blowers shop, she challenged him to make a pair of glass slippers that she could walk in without breaking. He made them, and after six steps, the bet was won and she ran home with the slippers (after and argument with the glass blower). Her step-mother orders her to scrub the cellar the night of the ball but Ella ignores this, and gets dressed for the ball. She walks most of the way there and then has a man drive her to the front. Upon entering she gives the name Cindersella so that her Step-family will know she is there. The Prince dances with her every dance and she runs off at midnight.
After Ella finishes her story, Jed begins to act more distant. Later, while at dinner, the King announces a tournament. Ella is beyond excited. She’ll finally get to go outside and spend the day in the sun. The day of the tournament arrives and Ella is made to wear a ridiculous corset. Once at the tournament, the ladies are led into a tent and then closed in so that they cannot participate. Ella is furious. She tries to leave the tent and when she is threatened with not being able to marry the Prince, she faints. (Mainly because the corset is too tight). That night, Ella realizes something monumentally important. She does not love Prince Charming.
During her next meeting with the Prince, she decides to give him one more chance. She asks why he loves her and he’s only able to tell her she’s beautiful. When she asks Mary (the serving girl) about why she beauty is so important, she realizes the Prince doesn’t love her either.
During her next meeting with the Prince, she tells him she can’t marry him. He doesn’t take it well. They fight and the Prince throws a tantrum like a two year old. They continue their fight and the Prince actually ties her up. The Prince goes for help and everyone explains to Ella that she cannot call off the wedding. They drug her and throw her in the dungeon and threaten to leave her there until the wedding. That way she’ll be thin and pale and beautiful. Mary comes to visit and they plan Ella’s escape. Mary brings her a shovel and Ella begins to dig her way out the crap hole. (Ew!)
The next day Ella is introduced to her jailer, Quog. Quog is a rapist and in charge of guarding and drooling over Ella. They begin to starve her and Mary has to bring her food so the Ella can have the energy to continue digging. The Prince comes to see her and offers to take her away. She refuses, pretending that she isn’t worthy. The Prince kills Quog and Ella is left alone again. That night, Ella finishes her hole and escapes. She travels to her Step-mother’s house and takes some clothing, food and a few books of her fathers. Her step-mother catches her and Ella runs.
Ella travels by night and sleeps by day. She teaches herself about nursing so that she can join Jed at the camps. After several days, she hears the soldiers. The soldiers begin ordering the peasants to bring them food. And in return they share the story of the Prince’s wedding. Ella is of course shocked. Wondering who could have been his bride. The soldiers leave and Ella is once again on her way. She is given directions and eventually arrives at the camp. She meets Jed and tells her story. Then, he proposes! She asks for six months to make a decision and then gives her a job.
Ella begins her new life, splinting arms by day and spending her evenings with Jed. Ella is finally happy. Until the day when a letter arrives from the King saying that Jed’s father had died and they needed Jed to come back. Jed leaves and Ella adjusts. They write one another and Ella learns that her step-sister became the Prince’s wife. Ella learns that she truly loves Jed, and she decides to wait for him.
Who would I recommend this to?
I would recommend this to anyone who likes the Cinderella stories and likes a little bit of a twist. Young girls (or women) who like to do things differently rather than fit in with the crowd.
Potential Problems:
There are some rude things throughout the book. And Quog is rather disgusting.
My reaction:
I didn’t like this book, It seemed to have a lot of filler, and I didn’t particularly like the characters. Honestly, I got bored throughout the novel. It didn’t exactly have the happily ever after feel that I enjoy in a book.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Living with the Senecas
Title: Living with the Senecas
Author: Susan Bivin Aller
Publisher: Millbrook Press
Copyright: 2007 by Susan Bivin Aller
Pages: 64
Ages: 9-12
Genre: Non-fiction
Summary:
Mary Jemison lived with her family in Pennsylvania in the 1700’s. Until she was kidnapped by the Shawnees. Her family is murdered and she is taken captive with another boy. Mary is given to two Seneca women who recently lost their brother. They treat her well, but of course Mary misses her family. The Seneca women adopt her. They teach her their language which she learns quickly, and they teach her how to plant and harvest and be a Seneca woman. One day she is almost rescued but her Seneca sisters hide her and the rescue is foiled. Mary becomes depressed again, but comes out of it quickly. The next year her sisters choose a husband for her and they are married. She grows to love her husband very much and they have a daughter who lives only two days and then a son whom she names Thomas Jemison after her father. Unfortuately, when Mary leaves to go to her sister’s to show them the baby, her husband leaves for a journey, never to return. Mary moves in with her sisters. While there, the chief wanted to sell her back to the whites. Her sister’s hid her in a cave and she is soon remarried to a much older, but nice man. They have several children together. Their town is destroyed by white men and she and her family are forced to leave. She resolves to take care of her family on her own and finds a large corn field and two black men who escaped from slavery. They allow her to stay and protect her. The American Revolution ended in 1783 and the USA won it’s independence from Britain. Mary was offered an opportunity to return to white citizenship and after thinking about she decides to stay with her Seneca family. Mary gains some farm land and lives on it for most of the rest of her life. Mary loses three of her sons to drink, one of her sons murders his two others in a drunken rage. She is cheated out of her land many times and eventually she is interviewed and her story is written.
Who would I recommend this to?
I would recommend this to children who enjoys American History.
Potential problems:
It can be pretty graphic and violent.
My reaction:
I enjoyed this book. I read an adult book on Mary Jemison and really enjoyed it, but this was much better for children and still gave plenty of information.
Author: Susan Bivin Aller
Publisher: Millbrook Press
Copyright: 2007 by Susan Bivin Aller
Pages: 64
Ages: 9-12
Genre: Non-fiction
Summary:
Mary Jemison lived with her family in Pennsylvania in the 1700’s. Until she was kidnapped by the Shawnees. Her family is murdered and she is taken captive with another boy. Mary is given to two Seneca women who recently lost their brother. They treat her well, but of course Mary misses her family. The Seneca women adopt her. They teach her their language which she learns quickly, and they teach her how to plant and harvest and be a Seneca woman. One day she is almost rescued but her Seneca sisters hide her and the rescue is foiled. Mary becomes depressed again, but comes out of it quickly. The next year her sisters choose a husband for her and they are married. She grows to love her husband very much and they have a daughter who lives only two days and then a son whom she names Thomas Jemison after her father. Unfortuately, when Mary leaves to go to her sister’s to show them the baby, her husband leaves for a journey, never to return. Mary moves in with her sisters. While there, the chief wanted to sell her back to the whites. Her sister’s hid her in a cave and she is soon remarried to a much older, but nice man. They have several children together. Their town is destroyed by white men and she and her family are forced to leave. She resolves to take care of her family on her own and finds a large corn field and two black men who escaped from slavery. They allow her to stay and protect her. The American Revolution ended in 1783 and the USA won it’s independence from Britain. Mary was offered an opportunity to return to white citizenship and after thinking about she decides to stay with her Seneca family. Mary gains some farm land and lives on it for most of the rest of her life. Mary loses three of her sons to drink, one of her sons murders his two others in a drunken rage. She is cheated out of her land many times and eventually she is interviewed and her story is written.
Who would I recommend this to?
I would recommend this to children who enjoys American History.
Potential problems:
It can be pretty graphic and violent.
My reaction:
I enjoyed this book. I read an adult book on Mary Jemison and really enjoyed it, but this was much better for children and still gave plenty of information.
You Are Special
Title: You are Special
Author: Max Lucado
Publisher: Crossway Books
Copyright: 1997 Max Lucado
Pages: 32 pages
Ages: 4-8
Genre: Picture Book
Summary:
The Wemmicks are small wooden people created by Eli the woodworker who lives on top of the hill. Every Wemmick was different, and everyday they would give each other stars and dots. Stars if the other Wemmicks thought you were important, or pretty or could do impressive things. And dots if you were different, unattractive or couldn’t do exciting things. Punchinello was covered in dots. He couldn’t jump high, he would fall. And he was clumsy so the other Wemmicks would give him more and more dots. So eventually he stayed inside. Some days he would spend time with the other Wemmicks with dots. This made him feel a little better. One day he met Lucia. She had no stars or dots. The Wemmicks would try to give them to her but they’d simply fall off. Punchinello asked her how she did it. She said that she visited Eli everyday. He was nervous that Eli would not want to see him because he was covered in dots. But he decided that stars and dots were not fair and decided to go see Eli. Punchinello is frightened but then Eli calls out to him. Eli explains that he loves Punchinello and it doesn’t matter what the other Wemmicks think of him. It only matters what Eli thinks. He explains that the stickers only stick if they matter to the person receiving them. He tells Punchinello to come see him everyday. He reminds Punchinello that he loves him and as Punchinello walks out the door, a dot drops to the floor.
Who would I recommend this to?
Everyone!
Potential problems:
I don’t see any problems with this book.
My reaction:
I love love love this book! It has such a beautiful message. It’s also rather metaphorical of our Savior’s love for us. It has wonderful illustrations and in a word it’s beautiful.
Author: Max Lucado
Publisher: Crossway Books
Copyright: 1997 Max Lucado
Pages: 32 pages
Ages: 4-8
Genre: Picture Book
Summary:
The Wemmicks are small wooden people created by Eli the woodworker who lives on top of the hill. Every Wemmick was different, and everyday they would give each other stars and dots. Stars if the other Wemmicks thought you were important, or pretty or could do impressive things. And dots if you were different, unattractive or couldn’t do exciting things. Punchinello was covered in dots. He couldn’t jump high, he would fall. And he was clumsy so the other Wemmicks would give him more and more dots. So eventually he stayed inside. Some days he would spend time with the other Wemmicks with dots. This made him feel a little better. One day he met Lucia. She had no stars or dots. The Wemmicks would try to give them to her but they’d simply fall off. Punchinello asked her how she did it. She said that she visited Eli everyday. He was nervous that Eli would not want to see him because he was covered in dots. But he decided that stars and dots were not fair and decided to go see Eli. Punchinello is frightened but then Eli calls out to him. Eli explains that he loves Punchinello and it doesn’t matter what the other Wemmicks think of him. It only matters what Eli thinks. He explains that the stickers only stick if they matter to the person receiving them. He tells Punchinello to come see him everyday. He reminds Punchinello that he loves him and as Punchinello walks out the door, a dot drops to the floor.
Who would I recommend this to?
Everyone!
Potential problems:
I don’t see any problems with this book.
My reaction:
I love love love this book! It has such a beautiful message. It’s also rather metaphorical of our Savior’s love for us. It has wonderful illustrations and in a word it’s beautiful.
Friday, February 5, 2010
The Berenstain Bears Learn About Strangers
Title: The Berenstain Bears Learn About Strangers
Author: Stan and Jan Berenstain
Publisher: Random House
Copyright: 1985 by Berenstains, Inc.
Pages: 32 pages
Ages: 4-8
Genre: Picture Book
Summary:
Brother and Sister Bear are very much alike, but they’re still different. Brother Bear is cautious but Sister Bear is overly friendly to everyone. Even strangers. Papa Bear shows the newspaper to Sister Bear and it shows a missing cub was found, and a stranger was being questioned. Papa Bear asks Brother Bear if he’s listening but Brother Bear is more interested in his airplane. That night Papa Bear tells the cubs about Silly Goose and Wily Fox. Wily Fox had tricked Silly into his cave and ate her for supper. Sister Bear had a hard time sleeping that night and the next day she didn’t want to play but went with Brother anyway. She avoided strangers and when she got home told her mother how many there were. Mother Bear explained that not all strangers are bad, but that you have to be careful anyway. Some people may look different, but be perfectly fine. While others may look normal and not be a nice person. Brother and Sister Bear go to the meadow to fly Brother’s airplane. While there, a man with a nice airplane comes to the park and offers to take Brother Bear with him. Sister Bear makes him stay and runs home to tell their parents. Mother and Father Bear explain again the importance of obeying the rules. They also explain the Sister wasn’t tattling, she was trying to protect Brother Bear. It ends with them eating Mother Bears homemade applesauce.
Who would I recommend this to?
Absolutely anyone with children. Introduce this book when children are young ad keep at it until they’re old enough to understand.
What are the potential problems:
It’s possible that it could cause too much fear. But I think it’s better to be safe than sorry.
My reaction:
I love the Berenstain Bears books. They teach great lessons in a way that children can comprehend and relate to. The lessons the teach are important, while still being enjoyable to listen to.
Author: Stan and Jan Berenstain
Publisher: Random House
Copyright: 1985 by Berenstains, Inc.
Pages: 32 pages
Ages: 4-8
Genre: Picture Book
Summary:
Brother and Sister Bear are very much alike, but they’re still different. Brother Bear is cautious but Sister Bear is overly friendly to everyone. Even strangers. Papa Bear shows the newspaper to Sister Bear and it shows a missing cub was found, and a stranger was being questioned. Papa Bear asks Brother Bear if he’s listening but Brother Bear is more interested in his airplane. That night Papa Bear tells the cubs about Silly Goose and Wily Fox. Wily Fox had tricked Silly into his cave and ate her for supper. Sister Bear had a hard time sleeping that night and the next day she didn’t want to play but went with Brother anyway. She avoided strangers and when she got home told her mother how many there were. Mother Bear explained that not all strangers are bad, but that you have to be careful anyway. Some people may look different, but be perfectly fine. While others may look normal and not be a nice person. Brother and Sister Bear go to the meadow to fly Brother’s airplane. While there, a man with a nice airplane comes to the park and offers to take Brother Bear with him. Sister Bear makes him stay and runs home to tell their parents. Mother and Father Bear explain again the importance of obeying the rules. They also explain the Sister wasn’t tattling, she was trying to protect Brother Bear. It ends with them eating Mother Bears homemade applesauce.
Who would I recommend this to?
Absolutely anyone with children. Introduce this book when children are young ad keep at it until they’re old enough to understand.
What are the potential problems:
It’s possible that it could cause too much fear. But I think it’s better to be safe than sorry.
My reaction:
I love the Berenstain Bears books. They teach great lessons in a way that children can comprehend and relate to. The lessons the teach are important, while still being enjoyable to listen to.
My Side of the Mountain
Title: My Side of the Mountain
Author: Jean George
Publisher: Puffin Books
Copyright: 1959 by Jean George
Pages: 178
Ages: 9-12
Genre: Fiction
Summary:
Sam Gribley has a very large family, so one day he tells his father that he’s going to go live on the old Gribley farm up in the mountains. His father laughs, but Sam goes anyway. He learns everything he needs to know from books at the library. He buys some flint, and learns how to use it. And takes a few dollars and he’s on his way. He hitchhikes his way to the mountain and asks for directions to the Gribley farm. His first day, he tries to catch fish but soon encounters frost so that he can’t get worms for bait. He finds a grub and catches a fish, but has no fire to cook it. So he goes to bed cold and hungry. The next day he hitchhikes again and goes to the library where he meets Miss Turner. She helps him find the farm on some old maps and gives him directions. He manages to find it and catches a big catfish and huddles around his fire. While wondering where he is going to live, he searches what is left of the farm. He comes upon a large tree and decides to hollow it and live inside it. He burns the inside and hollows it.
He learns to make and set traps for animals. One day he runs into an old woman picking strawberries (I thought she was irritating) and he walks her home. While in town he goes to the library to read books on falcons and talk to Miss Turner. She gives him a haircut and he heads home. He watches a mother falcon and decides to get one for himself. He climbs a cliff and retrieves a falcon. The mother attacks him, but he gets his falcon. He names her frightful. Soon after there is a forester that comes through looking for Sam. Sam avoids him. He finds out that his fire had been spotted so he vows to be more careful. The Warden leaves and Sam learns to season his food with a salt like substance. He makes himself a bed and learns to dig pits for deer and even makes friends with a weasel. Someone is poaching and he hides the deer and begins to clean it and prepare it. Sam begins training Frightful and she catches her first prey. Several days later, Sam hears sirens. When he investigates, he finds a man he believes to be a criminal on the run. Sam feeds him, and takes care of him for awhile. They become friends and instead of sharing names, they make them up for one another. Sam calls the man Bando and Bando calls Sam, Thoreau. Sam has assumed that Bando was a criminal but it turns out he is a school teacher and got lost during the break. He decides to stay with Sam until he needs to go back to school. Bando teaches Sam some things, like how to use clay and make fire hotter. But soon Bando has to leave but promises to come back for Christmas. Sam becomes lonely. Sam begins storing food for winter, and making a winter suit. He makes a stove to warm his tree house. Around Halloween Sam throws a party for the animals, but it is cut short when his tree is overrun. After Halloween the hunting season starts. Sam discovers how he’ll make his winter suit. There are many deer that the hunters shoot, but then never find. He takes them and begins his suit. Once made, he heads back into town. He runs into a young man with lots of questions (understandable considering he’s wearing nothing but deerskin.) Sam invites him to the farm if the boy can find it.
Once home again, he starts on a wood pile. He continues to prepare for winter and before he knows it. It’s Christmas. Bando arrives and Sam learns that there are stories in the newspaper about a boy living in the mountains. He also gets a surprise visit. His father arrives! After a wonderful Christmas Sam’s father and Bando leave and Sam is once again left to his own devices. Winter became serious very fast. He plays the flute and makes snow shoes. He goes sledding in a turtle shell sled. Sam also learns to pay attention to the animals so he’ll know when a storm is coming. This works really well and he’s able to get to his house before any really bad storms occur.
One day he gets frozen into his tree. He has to light a fire in his stove and kick the door open. As everything freezes, the trees themselves begin to split and break and almost explode because of the heavy ice. Sam began to worry about his tree house. As winter progresses he becomes very tired and sluggish. He begins to crave liver. And realizes his body is lacking nutrients. He gets the nutrients he needs and winter starts to come to an end. But soon a reporter appears and blackmails Sam. Telling him that he’d tell on Sam if he didn’t let him stay with him for awhile. Sam of course has to agree.
By April Sam was no longer living on his food stores. He begins nothing in the spring again and sings several songs. He teaches some of his songs to a man named Aaron who was passing through. They spend the day together and share songs.
The day comes when Sam meets with Math the young reporter who blackmails him. Sam blindfolds him and leads him to his home. They talk and Matt asks a lot of questions and ends up staying about a week. Sam teaches him the way that he lives and Matt learns a lot. Sam begins getting quite a few visitors. Bando comes again and the make a guest tree. Sam is visited by Mr. Jacket (Tom) and he visits about every weekend. Sam realizes that it won’t be long before more people come poking around.
In June, reporters come and ask lots of questions, Sam answers just hoping they’ll go away. Four days later, Sam’s entire family comes. His mother read the reports about Sam a decided she would not have people thinking she was a bad mother. So she brought the family to the mountain and they began building a home. Sam is most displeased but respects his mother’s wishes. That is, until he turns 18.
Who I would recommend this to:
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves the mountains or has ever dreamed of living on their own in the mountains or wilderness. I’d recommend it to about 8-12 year olds, boys and girls. I actually recommended this to my best friend who wants to do something similar.
Potential Problems:
It could encourage children to go off on their own therefore risking their safety. It should be brought to their attention that this shouldn’t be attempted without parental permission.
My Reaction:
I really like this book. I’ve always liked the idea of going into the mountains (or some such place) and living off the land. It’s an exciting prospect and is only more encouraging after reading Sam’s story (even though it is fiction) it’s a nice book and I learned a lot, whether or not the plant information is true. It’s an excellent book and I will read it again and again.
Author: Jean George
Publisher: Puffin Books
Copyright: 1959 by Jean George
Pages: 178
Ages: 9-12
Genre: Fiction
Summary:
Sam Gribley has a very large family, so one day he tells his father that he’s going to go live on the old Gribley farm up in the mountains. His father laughs, but Sam goes anyway. He learns everything he needs to know from books at the library. He buys some flint, and learns how to use it. And takes a few dollars and he’s on his way. He hitchhikes his way to the mountain and asks for directions to the Gribley farm. His first day, he tries to catch fish but soon encounters frost so that he can’t get worms for bait. He finds a grub and catches a fish, but has no fire to cook it. So he goes to bed cold and hungry. The next day he hitchhikes again and goes to the library where he meets Miss Turner. She helps him find the farm on some old maps and gives him directions. He manages to find it and catches a big catfish and huddles around his fire. While wondering where he is going to live, he searches what is left of the farm. He comes upon a large tree and decides to hollow it and live inside it. He burns the inside and hollows it.
He learns to make and set traps for animals. One day he runs into an old woman picking strawberries (I thought she was irritating) and he walks her home. While in town he goes to the library to read books on falcons and talk to Miss Turner. She gives him a haircut and he heads home. He watches a mother falcon and decides to get one for himself. He climbs a cliff and retrieves a falcon. The mother attacks him, but he gets his falcon. He names her frightful. Soon after there is a forester that comes through looking for Sam. Sam avoids him. He finds out that his fire had been spotted so he vows to be more careful. The Warden leaves and Sam learns to season his food with a salt like substance. He makes himself a bed and learns to dig pits for deer and even makes friends with a weasel. Someone is poaching and he hides the deer and begins to clean it and prepare it. Sam begins training Frightful and she catches her first prey. Several days later, Sam hears sirens. When he investigates, he finds a man he believes to be a criminal on the run. Sam feeds him, and takes care of him for awhile. They become friends and instead of sharing names, they make them up for one another. Sam calls the man Bando and Bando calls Sam, Thoreau. Sam has assumed that Bando was a criminal but it turns out he is a school teacher and got lost during the break. He decides to stay with Sam until he needs to go back to school. Bando teaches Sam some things, like how to use clay and make fire hotter. But soon Bando has to leave but promises to come back for Christmas. Sam becomes lonely. Sam begins storing food for winter, and making a winter suit. He makes a stove to warm his tree house. Around Halloween Sam throws a party for the animals, but it is cut short when his tree is overrun. After Halloween the hunting season starts. Sam discovers how he’ll make his winter suit. There are many deer that the hunters shoot, but then never find. He takes them and begins his suit. Once made, he heads back into town. He runs into a young man with lots of questions (understandable considering he’s wearing nothing but deerskin.) Sam invites him to the farm if the boy can find it.
Once home again, he starts on a wood pile. He continues to prepare for winter and before he knows it. It’s Christmas. Bando arrives and Sam learns that there are stories in the newspaper about a boy living in the mountains. He also gets a surprise visit. His father arrives! After a wonderful Christmas Sam’s father and Bando leave and Sam is once again left to his own devices. Winter became serious very fast. He plays the flute and makes snow shoes. He goes sledding in a turtle shell sled. Sam also learns to pay attention to the animals so he’ll know when a storm is coming. This works really well and he’s able to get to his house before any really bad storms occur.
One day he gets frozen into his tree. He has to light a fire in his stove and kick the door open. As everything freezes, the trees themselves begin to split and break and almost explode because of the heavy ice. Sam began to worry about his tree house. As winter progresses he becomes very tired and sluggish. He begins to crave liver. And realizes his body is lacking nutrients. He gets the nutrients he needs and winter starts to come to an end. But soon a reporter appears and blackmails Sam. Telling him that he’d tell on Sam if he didn’t let him stay with him for awhile. Sam of course has to agree.
By April Sam was no longer living on his food stores. He begins nothing in the spring again and sings several songs. He teaches some of his songs to a man named Aaron who was passing through. They spend the day together and share songs.
The day comes when Sam meets with Math the young reporter who blackmails him. Sam blindfolds him and leads him to his home. They talk and Matt asks a lot of questions and ends up staying about a week. Sam teaches him the way that he lives and Matt learns a lot. Sam begins getting quite a few visitors. Bando comes again and the make a guest tree. Sam is visited by Mr. Jacket (Tom) and he visits about every weekend. Sam realizes that it won’t be long before more people come poking around.
In June, reporters come and ask lots of questions, Sam answers just hoping they’ll go away. Four days later, Sam’s entire family comes. His mother read the reports about Sam a decided she would not have people thinking she was a bad mother. So she brought the family to the mountain and they began building a home. Sam is most displeased but respects his mother’s wishes. That is, until he turns 18.
Who I would recommend this to:
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves the mountains or has ever dreamed of living on their own in the mountains or wilderness. I’d recommend it to about 8-12 year olds, boys and girls. I actually recommended this to my best friend who wants to do something similar.
Potential Problems:
It could encourage children to go off on their own therefore risking their safety. It should be brought to their attention that this shouldn’t be attempted without parental permission.
My Reaction:
I really like this book. I’ve always liked the idea of going into the mountains (or some such place) and living off the land. It’s an exciting prospect and is only more encouraging after reading Sam’s story (even though it is fiction) it’s a nice book and I learned a lot, whether or not the plant information is true. It’s an excellent book and I will read it again and again.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Jacobs Fairy Tales
Title: Jack and the Beanstalk, Tom Thumb, Molly Whuppie, Cap O’ Rushes
Author: Joseph Jacobs
Publisher: Little, Brown and Co.
Copyright: 1959 by Virginia Haviland
Pages:88
Ages: 9-12
Genre: Fairy Tale
Summary: Cap O’Rushes
A king had three daughters and he wanted to know how much they each loved him. His youngest daughter didn’t give him a satisfactory answer so he threw her out. She wandered until she came upon a swamp, she made a sort of cloak to hide her fine clothes and then went to house to be a maid. Because she couldn’t tell them her name, they called her Cap O’ Rushes. One day there was to be a dance. The servants were allowed to go but she said she was too tired. Then once everyone left she got dressed and attended only to have the Master’s son fall in love with her. There were two more dances she attended but never revealed her identity. A the last dance he gave her a ring, but she went home. The Master’s son soon became sick with love over Cap o’ Rushes and she helped make the soup to make him better. In the soup she places the ring and when he finishes he sees it. He asks the cook who made it and the cook lies. Then Cap O’ Rushes is brought forward and she reveals herself. They are married and Cap o’ Rushes father attends. She has the entire meal made without salt and he father realizes that she did love him most after all. They’re reunited and lived happily ever after.
Recommendations:
I would recommend these fairy tales to someone who likes the traditional style fairy tales, and the Disney versions. Just as a comparison. Anyone who likes the main character to be clever and sometimes mischievous.
Problems?
They do tend to be somewhat violent.
My Reaction:
I liked these fairy tales, they were clever and sometimes witty. They weren’t the traditional damsel in distress. They thought for themselves and were able to overcome their obstacles with wisdom and cleverness.
Author: Joseph Jacobs
Publisher: Little, Brown and Co.
Copyright: 1959 by Virginia Haviland
Pages:88
Ages: 9-12
Genre: Fairy Tale
Summary: Cap O’Rushes
A king had three daughters and he wanted to know how much they each loved him. His youngest daughter didn’t give him a satisfactory answer so he threw her out. She wandered until she came upon a swamp, she made a sort of cloak to hide her fine clothes and then went to house to be a maid. Because she couldn’t tell them her name, they called her Cap O’ Rushes. One day there was to be a dance. The servants were allowed to go but she said she was too tired. Then once everyone left she got dressed and attended only to have the Master’s son fall in love with her. There were two more dances she attended but never revealed her identity. A the last dance he gave her a ring, but she went home. The Master’s son soon became sick with love over Cap o’ Rushes and she helped make the soup to make him better. In the soup she places the ring and when he finishes he sees it. He asks the cook who made it and the cook lies. Then Cap O’ Rushes is brought forward and she reveals herself. They are married and Cap o’ Rushes father attends. She has the entire meal made without salt and he father realizes that she did love him most after all. They’re reunited and lived happily ever after.
Recommendations:
I would recommend these fairy tales to someone who likes the traditional style fairy tales, and the Disney versions. Just as a comparison. Anyone who likes the main character to be clever and sometimes mischievous.
Problems?
They do tend to be somewhat violent.
My Reaction:
I liked these fairy tales, they were clever and sometimes witty. They weren’t the traditional damsel in distress. They thought for themselves and were able to overcome their obstacles with wisdom and cleverness.
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