Goop Soup: Nathan Abercrombie, Accidental Zombie book 3 by David Lubar

My review of Goop Soup is up at my new blog, The Prairie Library. If you have young kids you should really check it out!

Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan

When I picked up this book I thought I knew what I was in for. But apparently I was ignorant of the largest involuntary migration in the U.S. – that of Mexican workers, many legal citizens, who were forced to move to Mexico during the Great Depression. Esperanza’s story is set during this turbulent time. The daughter of a wealthy Mexican rancher, Esperanza has everything she could ever desire. But in one night her life changes and she and her mother migrate to California to work on a farm labor camp. While the Great Depression rages, Esperanza adjusts to the difficulties of her new life.

I enjoyed Esperanza’s story, based off Ryan’s grandmother’s life. The writing is interspersed with Spanish making this a very cultural text. I think this is an excellent book for kids to learn about the difficulties of emigrating families, the richness of Mexican culture as well as the history surrounding the Great Depression. I find this story particularly relevant today as we come out of our economic slump. With so many unemployed, sympathy for non-citizen workers definitely fades. Esperanza’s story reminds us that everyone deserves humane treatment and that stereotyping has never helped our country in the past. That’s what I got out of this text, anyways! I will tuck away this title in my memory bank for my future kid someday.
Publisher: Scholastic, 2000      Pages: 262          Source: IC Public Library
Rating: 4 Stars                             Recommended Age: 10 and up

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

I loved this book! It was one of those stories I felt invested in the characters and enjoyed the whole reading experience. Before I get too carried away, here’s a short description.

Twelve-year-old Miranda encounters shifting friendships, a sudden punch, a strange homeless man and mysterious notes that hint at knowledge of the future. These and other seemingly random events converge in a brilliantly constructed plot. – from: http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/%20newberymedal/newberymedal.cfm

So, what was so great about his book? The voice, Miranda’s voice, was incredibly authentic. She was cute, spunky and genuinely concerned about those around her. Yet she was sometimes selfish and gave her mom a bit of lip. She isn’t perfect but she sure is loveable. Stead captures the concerns of a 12-year-old perfectly. Miranda often asks: Why does my best friend avoid me? Why do the girls at school give me dirty looks? She becomes aware of her family’s lack of money. Her first crush develops. And in addition to these normal bumps to growing up, Miranda receives mysterious and rather alarming notes. These notes drive the plot as Miranda tries to puzzle them together. I enjoyed how the book is written as Miranda’s reply to the messenger and how the text begins addressing someone we don’t know. This is a touching story of growing up, learning how to be a good friend and opening oneself up to possibilities. I don’t want to give too much away as there is quite a bit of mystery. The plot kept me guessing and I wasn’t sure of the messenger’s identity until he/she is revealed.

This text references A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle (my review) throughout the book so, if you haven’t read Wrinkle you may want to do so first or at least read a synopsis of it before reading Stead’s book. Miranda finds comfort and role models in her favorite book and is alarmed when others try to pick it apart. She says, “The truth is that I hate to think about other people reading my book. It’s like watching someone go through the box of private stuff that I keep under my bed” (Stead 49). That’s often how I feel when a book is discussed in class and characters that I adore are scrutinized. It’s funny how adults will become defensive and argue their favorite character’s integrity! I can see this being a teacher’s great challenge when discussing books with kids and trying to get them to see a different perspective. Have you ever felt so strongly about a fictional character? When You Reach Me was a perfect story and a must read. I’m sure it will be a well-loved book for years to come.
Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books of Random House, 2009
Rating: 5 Stars            Source: IC Public Library           Pages: 200    Recommended Age: 10 +

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

An enduring classic, A Wrinkle in Time is a great book to get kids excited about math and physics. With unusual and endearing characters this novel also encourages strong family bonds, especially between siblings. It is science fiction that will appeal to several age groups since there is something for everyone in this tale. There is the classic good against evil plot that tries Meg, the heroin, her brother Charles and friend Calvin. This book was all over the place in terms of subjects – time travel, space travel, aliens, absent parent, strange witches who may be good or may be bad, school challenges – but they are woven together seamlessly. I was surprised (in a good way) by the Christian undertone and am sure many religious adults will appreciate the allegory as much as kids will appreciate the action and adventure. There were several references to Shakespeare (The Tempest) and other philosophers as well as Biblical quotes. So, in addition to mathematics, this text also encourages kids to explore the liberal arts. This book still gets young readers excited and has quite a following – impressive for such an “old” book. The themes of family and friendship will always be important to people and I think these elements make this book time-less. This was a really different read for me and made me stretch my imagination. But it was an enjoyable story in the end.
Publisher: Laurel-Leaf of Dell, 1962     Recommended Age: 10 and up
Rating: 3 Stars                                            Pages: 190

The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry

The Willoughbys uses a lot of dark humor. The four children wish their parents would die so they can be orphans like ones in books. And their parents find their kids annoying and plot to get rid of them. In the end, Mr. and Mrs. meet their demise on vacation. I found much of the humor harmless and think most kids would enjoy it. However, I disliked the way the oldest sibling, Tim, acted like a tyrant and belittled Jane by telling her she wouldn’t ever do anything important because she’s a girl. It’s all meant to be funny, and clearly everyone has flaws in this story. But I felt Tim just wasn’t funny or cute. He begins to mend his ways in the later half but his attitude towards women is never directly addressed. For this reason, Tim’s character never sat right with me. I appreciated the “big words” throughout the story. And the glossary is there for kids to learn what words like “surreptitious” and “obsequious” mean. There are several references to classics about orphans and nannies. I think I’ll have to read some of them. A cute story but The Willoughbys was a bit of a letdown.
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin, 2008     Recommended Age: 8 and up
Rating: 2.5 Stars                                        Pages: 157, 174 with Glossary and Bibliography

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

Hugo, an orphan living in Paris in the 1930s, is good with building and repairing mechanical things. He devotes himself to repairing a special automaton and many secrets are brought to light by his efforts. The inspiration for the book was a real automaton. In the acknowledgments, Selznick gives this address for watching the original automatons write and draw: http://www.fi.edu/learn/sci-tech/automaton/automaton.php?cts=instrumentation. Pretty cool!

This book is most easily defined as a graphic novel, but it is more a hybrid between a novel and a graphic novel. The drawings have their own pages as do the written parts which read like a traditional story, not like cartoons with speech bubbles. The drawings inform the reader as much as the text. They are not simply illustrations but are a part of the narrative. Reading the book is similar to watching an old silent movie with black and white pictures followed by text. This is fitting since the book explores the work of early movie maker Georges Melies as well as other early films. Original pictures from these early movies are in the book including a picture of the very first film of a train pulling into a station. I can envision this book being very popular with elementary students who are interested in how movies were invented and why people began making them. There is a lot of interactive material available via the web to enhance the reading experience.

The Invention is unique because of the way it presents the story. However, the story was a little slow. I was disappointed with the “secret” that is unveiled. I expected something more dramatic considering all the effort that Hugo gave in order to reveal it. But it is a really cute story and Hugo is a likable character.
Publisher: Scholastic, 2007     Recommended Age: 8 and up
Source: IC Public Library        Pages: 533 (284 are drawings)
Rating: 3.5 Stars                    More on this author at: http://www.theinventionofhugocabret.com/index.htm

The Giver by Lois Lowry

Jonas lives in a perfect, utopian society. But when he turns twelve, an adult, with special privileges, he begins to question how much perfection is worth sacrificing for. If hunger, disease and even unhappiness were eradicated would you risk bringing them back for certain liberties? Would you risk your life?

“He glanced quickly at the wall speaker, terrified that the Committee might be listening as they could at any time. But, as always during their sessions together, the switch had been turned to OFF” (105).

This unique, young adult novel is in many ways reminiscent of Orwell’s 1984. But instead of being merely a pawn in a larger scheme, Jonas is in a position to risk everything to make a change. The relationship between Jonas and his tutor is endearing and brings a beautiful side of humanity to the forefront. My age recommendation is eleven; however, be warned that there is a mild reference to sexuality in adolescents as well as one short disturbing scene in which Jonas witnesses the euthanizing of an unwanted baby. So, this is somewhat serious for youngsters. Overall, I enjoyed the utopian/dystopian plot seen through a young protagonist's eyes. I can see why this won the Newberry Medal in ’94. The only other kids/YA book The Giver reminds me of is The City of Ember which I enjoyed but I found The Giver to surpass Ember in prose and gravity.
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1993     Recommended Age: 11 and up
Source: IC Public Library                                   Pages: 180
Rating: 4 stars

Diary of a Wimpy Kid, books 1 - 4, by Jeff Kinney

Diary of a Wimpy Kid (book one)

If you haven’t heard about this series from your kids then I’ll assume it’s because you have none. Kinney’s series is hilarious and easily appreciated by adults as well as children. I found myself laughing out loud on several occasions. My husband would say, “Nothing can be that funny in a kids book. You can stop laughing now.” But Diary of a Wimpy Kid is so funny!

Greg Heffley is about twelve years old when he begins writing his journal – NOT to be confused with a diary. Greg documents many of the events that most middle school students experience or encounter: Halloween, the school musical, Christmas, running for student government, and the safety patrol. Throughout the text, Greg’s cartoons provide lots of laughter. Passages like the one below show Greg’s mischievous side and we are often left to wonder if he will ever learn from his blunders since he almost always gets caught.

“I finally figured out how to get some of my games past Rowley’s dad. I just put one of my discs in Manny’s ‘Discovering the Alphabet’ case, and that’s all it takes” (43).

Greg’s inability to see his faults, many of which we find in ourselves, draws readers to him. Greg is young and we expect him to make mistakes. But we know he’s good at heart.

Publisher: Amulet Books, 2007        Recommended Age: 9 and up
Source: Iowa City Public Library     Pages: 217
Rating: 4 stars

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules (book 2)

Greg returns in Rodrick rules to continue entertaining kids and adults alike. In book two, Greg learns to get along with his older brother, Rodrick, which often means becoming an accomplice in his brother’s schemes. As usual, Greg tries to finagle events to his benefit. Greg even prepares contingency plans in case things go wrong. And when his plans backfire, reader laughter ensues. Laugh page after page while Greg tries desperately to keep Rodrick from telling the world his biggest most embarrassing secret. If you’ve ever had a bullying older brother or annoying younger sibling, then you’ll know just what Greg Heffley is going through.
Publisher: Amulet Books, 2008        Recommended Age: 9 and up
Rating: 4 Stars                                    Pages: 217

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw (book 3)

In The Last Straw, book three in the Wimpy Kid series, Greg pushes his luck as far as he can. His antics have finally caught his dad’s attention. So, Greg tries to impress his dad but always seems to fall a little short of expectations. As usual, the cartoons are just as important as the text. Both formats are meant to be read together. And together, the cartoons and text yield rolling laughter. Book three is another quick and fun read - something you can pick up when you've only got a few minutes to read here and there.
Publisher: Amulet Books, 2009     Recommended Age: 9 and up
Source: IC Public Library              Pages: 217
Rating: 4 Stars
 
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days (book 4)

Dog Days is the fourth (and currently last) book of the Wimpy Kid series. Greg’s family can’t afford a regular vacation this summer so Greg must learn to occupy and entertain himself in his hometown. He and his best friend, Rowley, have a falling out and Greg ends up drifting in the public pool for a long time before they get back together. This separation was sad since Greg and Rowley’s antics were a central feature in the other books. I missed seeing their relationship. Also, Greg becomes slightly distant from his family in the fourth book and I missed seeing more of his brothers. Overall, Dog Days is still funny, but it didn’t have much new to offer and relied a lot on the previous books’ jokes to fill the gaps. I hope Kinney writes one more Wimpy Kid book to end on a slightly higher note.
Publisher: Amulet Books, 2009      Recommended Age: 9 and up           Source: IC Public Library
Rating: 3 Stars Pages: 217