AUGUST 27, 2008
The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry
Written by the same author who wrote The Giver, this book is an exagerated example of an old-fashioned story and is quite humorous. The author uses familiar plot-lines from the orphan stories that have become classics including, Mary Poppins, Heidi, Pollyanna, and The Secret Garden, to tell the story of how the four Willoughby children, Tim, Barnaby A, Barnaby B, and Jane become orphans and who, along with their Nanny, come to live with an extremely wealthy gentleman whose wife and son were caught in an avalanche while riding a train in Switzerland, never to be heard from again. The beginning is similar to The Series of Unfortunate Events in its perpetual unhappiness and lack of sensitivity by the parents, but the ending is pleasing as all old-fashioned stories should be. This is an easy-to-read book that will appeal to both boys and girls in grades 3-6. It would also make a good read-aloud to younger children. The author uses many large and old-fashioned words that are defined in the back of the book also in a humorous fashion. Brief summaries of some of the old-fashioned stories referenced in the book are also included in the back of the book. I heard the author read the first chapters of this book prior to its publication and her dry manner of reading had the audience laughing and anxious to read the rest of it. I highly recommend it!
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AUGUST 26, 2008
Heat by Mike Lupica
Having an outstanding pitching arm, a best friend and catcher who cleverly brings out the best in you, playing with a team surely talented enough to make it to the Little League World Series - Wow! It would seem that Michael Arroyo has everything going for him - Right? Wrong! Unfortunately his Cuban immigrant Papi (his Dad and most supportive fan) has died of a heart attack leaving him and his seventeen-year-old brother to fend for themselves. Determined to keep Papi's death a secret and to prevent them from falling into the hands of the Social Services and thus being separated, Carlos quits school to work two jobs to try to support them. Meanwhile, Michael's South Bronx team seems to be on track to head to Williamsport, PA and the Series until a competing coach challenges Michael to produce a birth certificate proving his eligibility by being only twelve years of age. Having fled Cuba with little more than the clothes on their backs, this seems a near impossibility, but it must be done if the Arroyos' dream is to come true. Gifted sports writer, Mike Lupica, has written an intriguing action-packed story sure to be of interest to middle-school readers.
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AUGUST 14, 2008
Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
Told using spare text and lots of cartoons, similar to the Captain Underpants series, Greg Heffley keeps a journal to please his mother, even though she bought a book with "Diary" written right on the cover. He makes it clear that this is not a diary. It is a journal. Greg writes about how misunderstood he is at home and at school. He has to deal with his parents grounding him all the time and his friend Rowley's over-protective father, not to mention his mean older brother Rodrick and the trouble-making teenagers in the neighborhood. From running for class treasurer, to listening to CD's and reading magazines he's not allowed to, to his unfortunate experience in the lightweight class in wrestling, Greg's journal is going to keep kids laughing. This book will appeal to middle school boys and younger who enjoyed Captain Underpants. Also good for reluctant readers.
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AUGUST 8, 2008
The Dragon's Child A Story of Angel Island by Laurence Yep with Dr. Kathleen S. Yep
Ten-year-old Gim Lew Yep is forced to leave his home in China and travel to America with his father. He hardly knows his father. His father lived in America and visited home in China where Gim, the youngest child, and his mother lived. Gim hates to leave his home but is afraid of disappointing his father. Gim's father loves California, referred to as the Golden Mountain by people in China during that era. Gim has to practice for the very strict immigration test given to Chinese people at Angle Island near San Francisco in the early 1900's. Gim stutters and uses his left hand. Both seem to be a limitation to Chinese people of that time. Gim faces his fears and leaves everything familiar to him.
This book is written as a dialog between the author and his father. His father is the real Gim Lew Yep. In the study of Chinese culture and their family tree, the author and his niece create this wonderful historical fiction story based on true people and events. This book is most suitable for readers in grades 4-6. Boys may identify with the desire a young man has to please his father.
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AUGUST 8, 2008
Annie and Simon by Catharine O'Neill
If you are a big brother in your family, you will appreciate Simon. He has to be the world's most patient big brother. Simon is significantly older than his littler sister, Annie. However, the two have a wonderful friendship and really enjoy summer vacation time together. Annie is full of questions for Simon. She thinks Simon knows it all. He takes her constant questions in stride and answers her while still participating in his own interests. They enjoy canoe rides, even though, the canoe tips over! Annie gets a bee sting but Simon is there for Annie. Read their other adventures in this easy to read chapter book. This book is most appropriate for readers in grades 1-2.
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