Archive for July, 2006
Thursday, July 6th, 2006
| |
| Tell friends about this blog entry |
|
| Author: | Louis Sachar |
| Reading Level (Conceptual): | Children 12 and up |
| Reading Level (Vocabulary): | Children 12 and up |
| Genre: | fiction |
| Year of publication: | 2006 |
Small Steps is kind of a sequel to Holes, but it's from the perspective of Armpit (Theodore) instead of Stanley.
I liked Small Steps; I read it in less than a week, although it gets a little smushy in some parts -- lots of kissing and stuff.
In the beginning, it's just a little bit boring, but it picks up at the end.
So if you read it…
Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fizzy, age 11
|
Parent's note: Along with the romance mentioned, the plot also involves battery and an attempted beating to death....
-- Emily |
If you found this review helpful and/or interesting, consider supporting our book habit: Buy this book!: Small Steps |
Posted in Conceptual: age 12 and up, Dickensian, Fiction, Reading level: age 12 and up | Comments Closed
Thursday, July 6th, 2006
| |
| Tell friends about this blog entry |
|
| Author: | Jerry Spinelli |
| Reading Level (Conceptual): | Children 8 and up |
| Reading Level (Vocabulary): | Children 8 and up |
| Genre: | fiction |
| Year of publication: | 1990 |
Modern day tall tale, beautifully written by Jerry Spinelli, whose Stargirl we also loved.
Maniac's athletic gifts and personal fortitude give him entree behind the window curtains of many homes in his small Pennsylvania town, where he is privileged to share meals and experiences with old and young, black and white, humans and zoo animals. Maniac re-pays the kindness of strangers by helping to bridge, although not heal, the town's racial divide. |
Winner, 1991 Newbery Medal |
If you found this review helpful and/or interesting, consider supporting our book habit: Buy this book!: Maniac Magee |
Posted in Baseball, Conceptual: 8 and up, Culture, Dealing with bullies, Death is a central theme, Dickensian, Fairy tales, Fiction, Gifted, Reading level: age 8 and up, Sports | Comments Closed
Monday, July 3rd, 2006
| |
| Tell friends about this blog entry |
|
| Author: | Nancy Farmer |
| Reading Level (Conceptual): | Children 12 and up |
| Reading Level (Vocabulary): | Children 8 and up |
| Genre: | fiction |
| Year of publication: | 1996 |
1997 Newbery Honor book. First person account of how a gifted Mozambiquen girl orphan survives and forges families -- with baboons, scientists, and her own kin -- for herself during a harrowing trip through the South African wilderness. Nhamo, the girl, must use all that she knows -- which foods to eat, what happens when the seasons change; how to consult/appease her spirit guardians -- to survive on her own on her long trek.
A lovely, interesting, intense survival story. |
The first few chapters are stomach-churners, as the girl's aunt and other relatives consign her to the control of an evil witch-doctor. Similar to, but more graphic, than the treatment of Cinderella.
Subsequent chapters are fascinating and, while Nhamo does face danger at many junctures, it is thrilling to observe her making mostly good decisions and learning from her few, scary mistakes. |
If you found this review helpful and/or interesting, consider supporting our book habit: Buy this book!: Girl Named Disaster, A |
Posted in Animals, Conceptual: age 12 and up, Culture, Fairy tales, Female protagonist, Fiction, Gifted, History, Reading level: age 8 and up | Comments Closed
