Invention of Hugo Cabret

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Once I actually started reading, I couldn't put it down. It is a beautiful book about a young boy that has a hard childhood. Poor Hugo ends up orphaned twice. He tries to hide in the walls of the train station. He is caught stealing and his life changes forever. I love how all the characters come together in this story.

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Grimm Legacy

The Grimm Legacy by Polly Shulman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The beginning of the book was very intriguing and I had great hope for a book about a special library with magical items. However, the story climax left much to be desired. The main character, Elizabeth, is encouraged to go work at a special library in New York by her high school social studies teacher after writing a paper about the Grimm Brothers. She quickly earns the respect of the other pages and the librarians. She becomes friends with the other pages including the star basketball player from her school. Elizabeth learns that some of the items are going missing. After cleaning, repairing, and finding a missing item, she earns special privaleges to the Grimm Collection room. When one of Elizabeth's new friends and fellow pages goes missing, a group of pages must go and find her. They will have to use the magic from the Grimm Collection to succeed.

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EllRay Jakes

EllRay Jakes Is Not a Chicken by Sally Warner
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The writing was not great, may be more enjoyable for a 3rd or 4th grader. Wish more would have been done on the topic of bullying. Ending is a little far fetched.

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Play, Louis, Play

Play, Louis, Play!: The True Story of a Boy and His Horn by Muriel Harris Weinstein
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The story of Louis Armstrong told from the point of view of his horn. Little Louis suffered a tough childhood while growing up in New Orleans. My problem with the book was with some of the unnecessary cutesy fluff items thrown in. I think it would have been better as a picture book.

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Under the Mambo Moon

Under the Mambo Moon by Julia Durango
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Hard for me to fall in love with this one. I appreciate the lessons involved with each of the latin dances but the flow of the book didn't work for me.

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Wonder

Wonder by R.J. Palacio
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Amazing, outstanding, WONDERful! This book will end up with medals on its cover. This is a nice clean book that middle school
and upper elementary students should read. It is the story of a 5th grade boy's courage to attend school for the first time after having several operations to his abnormal face. I have one concern when I consider this book for its passing the test of time, a lot of modern day mentions like facebook.

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The Mighty Miss Malone by Christopher Paul Curtis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It's a winner! Deza Malone is such a wonderful character. I laughed and cried and then cried some more. The story takes place first in Gary, Indiana during the Great Depression. Deza's father has been looking for a job but gives up. He leaves his wife, son, and daughter hoping for better luck in Flint, Michigan where he grew up. After not hearing any thing and not able to afford the rent on their house, the family is forced to follow him. After a brief stay in the shanty town outside Flint, Mrs. Malone finds work and Jimmie, Deza's brother, pursues his dream of singing. Deza continues to visit the post office until one day...

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The Humming Room

The Humming Room by Ellen Potter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In this tribute to The Secret Garden, Ellen Potter, updates the story for a new generation of readers. I think students will really like this book. I recently finished reading The Secret Garden and felt the language may be too difficult for today's students. With this book, students will be able to enjoy the story of two young cousins that find each other in a big house. Both characters have had a difficult life and don't like to be around people. Roo, the young lady, and Phillip must hide their secret room at first while their caretakers are in awe at how much their personalities have improved. Just like with the Secret Garden, a young boy who seemingly can talk to the animals, helps the young cousins with bringing back to life a garden that Phillip's father had tried to destroy.

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Matched

Matched by Ally Condie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I felt the book lacked some substance so I couldn't give it all 5 stars. The story was suspenseful and kept me interested. I will read the next book.

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Rotters

Rotters by Daniel Kraus
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A real page turner, could be grossed out by some of the situations this poor young man was put in. The descriptive writing was incredible, the smells and sights made so real. Be aware of obscene language, wouldn't recommend to anyone younger than high school.

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The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a heartwarming story about a gorilla named Ivan who started his life in the jungle of Africa. As a young gorilla he remembers playing tag with his twin sister. Then one day humans come and take him away and he ends up being raised as a human baby with Mack and Helen. Ivan enjoys driving around in their convertible, living the life of a human, eating all kinds of food and watching TV but he wishes for the warmth of another gorilla. Mack brings him to a small mall along the interstate that has a pony ride and he is instantly a tourist attraction where people can get their pictures taken with him. Ivan now remains in his domain (his cage) as he has gotten too big. He didn't realize he would be there so long. Now 27 years later, he promises a dying friend that he will help get the new baby elephant out so she won't die in the cage. Ivan is not sure how he will do such a thing. He hopes his human friend, Julia, will be able to help.

An enjoyable book to read that will be sure to have a shiny sticker on it one day.

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The Scorpio Races

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This is the story of a far away island that attracts locals and tourists every year in November, to the Scorpio Races. This race is not your average horse race though; these races involve the water horses that are captured out of the water. They are angry horses and are difficult to train to be ridden. Sean Kendrick has won these races many times and he is the favorite again on his sea horse. Kathrine Connely, known to many as Puck, is trying, with not much success, to keep her family together, after her parents died in a boating accident. She decides to enter the Scorpio races in hopes to stop her older brother from moving to the mainland. She soon learns that he wants to move to make more money at a better job. The house that they have been living in is behind in the payments. They will be forced to move out if they don't pay up. Puck becomes the first woman to enter the race and she enters with her island pony, which many feel has no chance in winning. Puck and Sean first become friends and then their relationship evolves into something more. Sean wants this to be his last race and he hopes to win his horse if he wins.



The beginning was very slow for me. I believe the descriptive writing style was difficult for me to concentrate on after reading so many fast moving novels as of late. I think once I saw how Sean and Puck met and became friends, it was better for me. I am not a huge horse lover but I enjoyed the story line and was left wondering how the story was going to end right up to the end.



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Library Books

Library Books on PhotoPeach

Dead End in Norvelt

Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I can only give this Newbery winner (2012) four stars. It was missing the tear jerking story line that I look for in a five star rating. It did have some great humorous lines. I think my lack of enthusiasm for this book also has to do with the fact that I had read so many great books last year that this book is not even in my top ten. I also can't help to think about the previous year's winner of the Newbery and the similiarities among the two stories. I am looking forward to something new for next year.



I found myself getting bored with the history lessons throughout the book. I find it hard to believe that children will stay motivated to read through it all. I do find myself wanting to learn more about the real Norvelt, Pennsylvania and more about Eleanor Roosevelt.



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Cinder

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I really liked this book. It was hard to put this book down. I really wanted to see how this book ended. I was disappointed in the end though. I realized that it was the first book in a series but I would have liked for this book to be a stand-alone novel and for there to be a better conclusion. There were several questions that were left unanswered that I would have liked more information on. (how the disease started and is spreading, how did Cinder become a cyborg, how did she come to be adopted) I have recommended this book to others and everyone is really excited to hear the quick summary. Now I will have to wait for the next book.



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The Strange Case of Origami Yoda

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I gave it 4 out of 5 stars because I sometimes felt like it was hard to follow who was writing each chapter. I liked the premise of the story and feel the book has a great message for young students learning how to get along/fit in with their classmates. The book is perfect for 4 - 6 grades. I look forward to making my own paper origami Yoda.



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Forge

Forge by Laurie Halse Anderson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


In the second book of the Seeds of America trilogy, the story is told from the point of view of Curzon. The story picks up with Curzon on his own after leaving Isabel to travel to Charleston by herself to rescue her sister. Curzon finds himself in the middle of the fighting and is recruited into the rebel Colonial army. His troop is to report to Valley Forge and is instructed to build their own hut. Food and supplies are scarce. Curzon becomes friends with several of the men but they are unaware of his entire history. Fate would have it that his former owner, Bellingham, would come to visit the Forge. Curzon finds Isabel has been captured and sold to Bellingham. Bellingham requires Curzon to return to the officer's manor. The two must once again find a way to escape their bondage.

Just as the author did in the first book, Chains, each chapter begins with a quote from a historical document. The obvious research that was done is incredible. Even though I thought I knew everything about the Revolutionary War, Laurie Halse Anderson teaches me something new. I think this book would be a perfect read-aloud in a middle school American History class.

I really liked this book and look forward to reading the third and final book, Ashes.



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War Horse

War Horse - Audio by Michael Morpurgo

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is a historical fiction book intended for fifth grade to eighth graders. Those with a special love for horses will not be disappointed with this book. I also believe young boys will enjoy the battle scences. The book is set during WWI in France. Joey is bought at a market by a miserable man but his son Albert takes over the care of the horse with a stubborn attitude. When the war starts, the family must sell Joey to the war effort. Albert vows to find Joey one day. Joey finds himself working pulling an ambulance for the British army alongside his new horse friend, Topthorne, and then as an artillary cart horse. He is captured by the German army but his stubborn attitude pushes him to trot away from the troops to get to the quiet.

The book is told from the point of view of the horse and did have some parts that were difficult to hold my attention. The narrator did a fine job of using authentic dialogue with British accent as well as German dialect.



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Shiloh

Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This is a realistic fiction book told from the point of view of a young boy. While walking in the woods one day he comes across a small beagle dog he quickly calls Shiloh. (Shiloh is the name of the area)The story continues with Marty, the young boy, trying to figure out a way so that he can 1) hide the dog from his family and 2) hide the dog from his real owner. Marty tries to figure out a way he can convince the owner Judd Travers that he should take of the dog instead. Marty feels Judd is too mean to his dogs that he uses for hunting. Good moral values emerge naturally.

What can be bad about a book that's all about a boy and a dog? This book is perfect and I think it is a wise choice for the Newbery. Even though it was written in the 1980's, it is still a good choice for kids now. The story is timeless.

I enjoyed the cassette tape version of this book. The reader was very good with characterization. Soft music in-between each of the chapters was a nice transition.



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Sarah, Plain and Tall

Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Winner of the 1985 Newbery Award, Patricia MacLachlan shares a beautifully written short historical fiction novel set in the nineteenth century. Anna and Caleb have been motherless since Caleb was born. Their father writes an advertisement for a mail-order bride to come be his wife and a mother for his children. They are delighted to learn there is a response from a young lady living in Maine. They return letters back and forth until finally it is set for her to come visit for one month. She describes herself as plain and tall. A great bond is developed but the children continue to fear she may miss the sea too much.



I think the cover is perfect for this story as it could have been a drawing done by Sarah.



This would be a great read-aloud to share with 3rd to 5th graders. A teaching extension idea would be for students to interview grandparents or older family friends about what it was like for them growing up. Sarah, Plain and Tall was the first book in a series which also includes, Skylark and Caleb's Story.



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The Whipping Boy

The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This is a humorous fiction story that most closely falls into the fantasy genre. The story is one of a prince and a pauper theme. Jemmy, the whipping boy for the prince, has had enough of taking all the whacks every time the prince gets bored and comes up with a mischievious idea. Jemmy has learned to read and write while the prince has ignored his studies. Even for this Jemmy takes the abuse instead of dishonoring the Prince. Before Jemmy can get away, the prince comes one night and orders him to leave with him to go see the world. The boys meet two ruffians that try to collect a ransom for the prince but they are not sure which boy is the prince. The boys also meet a girl with a dancing bear and a hot potato salesman while on their adventure in the real world. The prince gradually is becoming a decent person especially after learning that the townspeople call him Prince Brat and worry about the day that he takes the throne.



This would be a good book for a read-aloud in fourth or fifth grade. The chapters are short for short attention spans. I also really liked the chapter titles, very humorous. As the 1987 Newbery winner I expected more. Looking at the other titles that were Newbery contenders that year I am surprised that this book was able to win. On My Honor by Marion Bauer would have been my pick over this one for that year.



A teaching extension would be for the students to write about other possible troublemaking scemes that Prince Brat could do around the castle.



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Walk Two Moons

Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Winner of the 1995 Newbery Award



Themes: Grandparents and Storytelling



Sal is the main character that is telling the story about her friend Phoebe. Phoebe is her best friend. Sal is telling her grandparents about her as they travel from Kentucky to Idaho as they retrace Sal's mother's route. Underneath the stories being told is the fact that Sal and her family are American Indians, as they like to be called. The author, Sharon Creech, does a great job of not making this a big deal but helps us to understand Sal and her family better. Her heritage does not affect how easy it was for her to make friends.



At first it was hard for me to follow what story I was reading; the one Creech was telling or the story Sal was telling her grandparents. At points I found it hard to believe Sal would tell her grandparents everything she said. The book was an easy read once getting past the first 10 pages or so.



The ending was surprising, the author and teller left no clues but for most of the book the reader is trying to guess who "the lunatic" is and what part he/she plays in the story.



Before I began reading, a student told me another teacher cried while reading. I too cried at the end. I look forward to reading the next book, Absolutely Normal Chaos.



Walk Two Moons is about fourth grade reading level but fifth grade interest. A good read alound if you can control the tears.



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View from Saturday

The View From Saturday by E.L. Konigsburg

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


A realistic fiction book for 5th to 8th grade. This book would be a good read-a-loud.



It is a story of four sixth graders who are all related in some way. Each section of the book is told from a different perspective. The sixth graders also have a unique teacher. She is a paraplegic. Most of the students respect her but when asked to choose 4 students for the quiz bowl she gives careful consideration to her choices. She could tell the 4 main characters would work hard and work well together.



Throughout the book she is asked why she chose these four that went on to the state championship, the first sixth grade team to get that far. We don't get her answer until the end.



This book could be used to show how people with special needs work in today's society. Also the trivia questions asked during the book could spark renewed interest in other ideas. The answers are given in the back. This book also deals with the friendships that are created among the team members and between the team and the teacher.



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Mockingjay

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


In this third and final book of the Hunger Games trilogy Katniss Everdeen wakes in District 13 after being carried out of the Quell Games in Catching Fire. District 12, her home, has been destroyed. Katniss must decide if she will become the Mockingjay, the voice and face of the rebellion. Peeta has been taken hostage by President Snow and is seen in short propoganda video clips. Katniss agrees to be the Mockingjay but only if all the victors will be granted immunity. Katniss begins making her own propos and the rebellion is going strong. Eventually all the districts are under rebellion control. A group of star soldiers including Gale and Katniss are sent into the Capitol and believe they will see minimal fighting. They are instead thrown right in the middle of the fighting and Peacekeepers search to find them all. Katniss is determined to get to Snow and finish this war.



I waited some time to read this third book which may be why I didn't completely fall in love with this book. It took me some time to remember the stories behind the other victors. Unlike the first two books in the series, there are a lot of down times and the action doesn't really start until the end. The love triangle is strained and lacking. The ending was very unexpected on many levels.



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Sounder

Sounder by William H. Armstrong

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This is a historical fiction book written from the 3rd person perspective. It is about an African American share cropper family shortly after the civil war. We learn only the dog's name, Sounder, but not the boy's, the mother's or father's names. This was a very difficult story to get interested in. The writing is very descriptive. The writing is at a 5th -6th grade level. I believe the book would go well with a unit on oppression and pre-Civil Rights actions. There are a few illustrations included but I was not impressed. They were black and white and hard to visualize. I did not enjoy the book but believe it is an important book to read.



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Bridge to Terabithia

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Winner of the 1978 Newbery Medal, Paterson has done it again. It made me laugh and cry, and cry some more! An excellent book for a class set but be careful reading aloud. It was hard to put down.

The story centers around Jess, who we see develop from a shy boy to one of a creative man. Leslie is the new girl who moves in next door and is very different from any other girl he or his teachers or parents have met. She is a boyish girl whose parents have left the city for country life. The family is considered eccentric but no one but Jesse gets close enough to meet them. Leslie and Jess become King and Queen of a hidden land they call Terabitha. Jess and Leslie have adventures and crusades to rid themselves of the evil spells and creatures they imagine that live in Terabithia.



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