While there's nothing really original here with Judy & Stink, I appreciate the way Judy really commits to something. The repeated historical informatiWhile there's nothing really original here with Judy & Stink, I appreciate the way Judy really commits to something. The repeated historical information about Sarah Hale may help kids remember her story, and they'll certainly enjoy the kid-humor and sibling rivalry between Judy & Stink. ...more
Little-known story of a young boy who played the role of spy for George Washington.Although his "spying" amounted to little more than riding through tLittle-known story of a young boy who played the role of spy for George Washington.Although his "spying" amounted to little more than riding through the British and Hessian camps taking careful note of the number of soldiers and how well-supplied they were while pretending to be lost, young readers might find it interesting to see how someone their age genuinely aided in the Revolutionary War effort.
This book presents a cataloging dilemma for libraries: where to put it? They can't really put it in non-fiction because it contains undocumented conversations and thoughts. Put it in fiction and it will remain on the shelf unread. Ultimately, I believe the most common solution will be to just not purchase it in the first place....more
I grew up in a house that had originally been a two-room school house. My parents bought it at auction and converted it into a three-bedroom home thatI grew up in a house that had originally been a two-room school house. My parents bought it at auction and converted it into a three-bedroom home that was by no means fancy but held lots of love and laughter over the years. I never looked at it and thought it was not as good as my friends' homes. So what if their bedroom carpet was all one piece? My daddy spent days cutting pieces of different carpet scraps to cover the bedroom floors (there was lots of shag, baby). He worked hard on those carpets, and it didn't really occur to me to think of them as "less". It was our house, and I loved it. That's why I could identify with Lou, who loves her 175-year-old house, sagging roof, peeling paint, and all.
When Lou overhears a conversation about the city taking their home, she determines to do something to stop it. She enlists the help of her friends Benzer, Franklin, and Patty, and together they will do whatever it takes to save Lou's home.
If they could find a way to get the house on the National Register of Historic Places, that would work, but they don't know of anything that would warrant that designation. If they could find the missing Civil War-era gold that Lou's ancestor was rumored to have stolen, that would help, too. But so far all they have found is more trouble than they wanted, and no hope is in sight. Can Lou's house be saved, or will she have to move to a new town and make all new friends?
As a Nancy Drew fan from way back, I really liked this story. I wanted to be there with Lou as she made each new discovery. Completely believable characters, a stimulating mystery, a dire situation, and exciting connections to the past make this middle grade novel a huge winner. ...more
As with the first book about Callie Vee, I really enjoyed this book, but cannot see it circulating well in my library. I just don't believe many kids As with the first book about Callie Vee, I really enjoyed this book, but cannot see it circulating well in my library. I just don't believe many kids will give this a shot. It's very well-written, full of interesting vocabulary (I looked up a lot of words I wasn't sure about) and historical facts about the Galveston Hurricane of 1900, but I just don't see much of an audience for it among elementary school readers. I kind of wish the author had chosen to make Calpurnia 14 years old, which would put her books in the middle school market, where they might be more popular....more
Fun, book-related adventure/mystery set in San Francisco. If I lived there and knew all the landmarks I would've enjoyed it even more.Fun, book-related adventure/mystery set in San Francisco. If I lived there and knew all the landmarks I would've enjoyed it even more....more
It’s 1948, and the teacher of Tate Ellerbee’s class has given them the assignment of writing to a pen pal. Though the teacher encourages them to choosIt’s 1948, and the teacher of Tate Ellerbee’s class has given them the assignment of writing to a pen pal. Though the teacher encourages them to choose a pen pal from Japan, Tate chooses to write letters to the singer Hank Williams, who is just beginning to gain some popularity. She listens to him every Saturday night on the Louisiana Hayride radio program and aspires to be a famous singer one day, too. Although she never receives more than an autographed photo in reply, she continues to write faithfully and in her letters we learn about her life in post-WW2 Louisiana. She tells Hank all about how her momma is a famous singer so she travels a lot, and her father is a photographer who’s off shooting in some remote and dramatic site, so Tate and her little brother, Frog, live with Aunt Patty Cake and Uncle Jolly. Tate always tries to find the bright side of things; her life is comfortable and happy even though Frog drives her crazy sometimes, following her around asking, “Whatcha, whatcha?” (“Whatcha doin’?”), trying to outrace cars on his bicycle, and wearing his daddy’s way-too-big boots everywhere.
As time goes by Tate begins to reveal more truths about her life in her letters, and before long we realize that her momma is not quite as famous as Tate has led Mr. Hank Williams to believe, and her daddy isn't quite the picture she painted, either.
Tate has just the right mix of friendliness, resolve, pride, orneriness, and sentimentality and her desire to be loved by her parents is almost tangible. But Aunt Patty Cake and Uncle Jolly are wonderful surrogates, and though their little family has its struggles, it is full of love and understanding. I think I would like to be friends with all four of them, and Garnett and sweet Mrs. Applebud, too.
[SPOILER ALERT]
Because I hadn't read anything that hinted there was a surprise at the end, I did not see it coming at all. It left me a little incredulous and heartbroken. After I finished the book I went back and skimmed it to look for foreshadowing, and it was everywhere, I had just not noticed. That’s good writing, in my book. Well, in any book. And a book that can make me do that—say, “No way…” and go back to reread--I count that a winner. ...more
Children’s book guru Judy Freeman said that when she began reading this fourth book about the Penderwick sisters it was like visiting old friends. I aChildren’s book guru Judy Freeman said that when she began reading this fourth book about the Penderwick sisters it was like visiting old friends. I agree wholeheartedly. It only took me about one chapter to reacquaint myself with sisters Rosalind, Skye, Jane, and Batty, their new brother and sister Ben and Lydia, and their friend Jeffrey. I didn’t remember near-perfect Nick Geiger, but I really enjoyed getting to know him. (Those Penderwick sisters sure were lucky to grow up with boys who would turn out to be entirely honorable and completely charming.) A review or a blurb I read before I started this book led me to believe a tragedy would occur at some point and I spent the whole time anxious that something horrible was going to happen to either Nick or Tommy. Spoiler Alert: you can relax.
I liked this title just as much as I did the other 3 in the series, and was truly concerned about how the necessary reconciliation would occur. (No more spoilers.) And now I’m kind of sad that there is only one more book coming in the series, but I'm eager to get my hands on it. Maybe Lydia will be the lead character next time? Or Ben? I hope we'll get to see how all the girls’ lives turned out. Thank you, Jeanne Birdsall, for introducing me to a family of genuinely nice human beings. I wish they lived down the street from me and my girls. Oh—and those Geiger boys can live next door, too. ;) ...more
Sugar lives on a sugar cane plantation in Louisiana. She and all those who live in the old slave shacks on the plantation with her are free-- technicaSugar lives on a sugar cane plantation in Louisiana. She and all those who live in the old slave shacks on the plantation with her are free-- technically-- since President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, but it sure doesn’t feel like free. They do back- breaking every day in the sugar cane fields, often from dawn and into the night. Sugar hates sugar.
Sugar is always getting into trouble because she’s a dreamer and just a tiny bit rebellious. She wants to be good, she really does. But she misses her mother, who died on New Year’s Day. Mister and Missus Beale take good care of her, but she doesn’t want to stay on the plantation forever. She dreams of seeing other places, going up north with all the other former slaves who have left them, like her friend Lizzie. The only other child around to play with is Billy Wills, the son of the plantation owner. Sugar knows friendship with Billy is forbidden, but they’re both adventurers who are willing to stretch their boundaries—and the rules-- for friendship.
I enjoyed getting to know Sugar, Bill, and the Beales, and Bo (Beau), who arrives of the halfway through the book. I learned a few things about sugar cane, and some history about how Chinese workers were brought in to work on the southern plantations after the slaves were freed. I had no idea. I found this book really interesting and I will definitely recommend it to third to fifth graders, especially those who are wanting to read books from the Sequoyah master list.
2016 Oklahoma Sequoyah Children’s Book Award Master List ...more
I’m not sure how many 3rd-6th graders are really interested in learning about the cholera epidemic in London 150 years ago, but I found this book realI’m not sure how many 3rd-6th graders are really interested in learning about the cholera epidemic in London 150 years ago, but I found this book really interesting. I learned some things, and I enjoyed the mystery and race against time.
2016 Oklahoma Sequoyah Children’s Book Award Master List ...more
I enjoyed it all the way up until the ending. What??? This is historical fiction. Supernatural events like the one here are entirely out of place. RuiI enjoyed it all the way up until the ending. What??? This is historical fiction. Supernatural events like the one here are entirely out of place. Ruined it for me. ...more
The Paddington stories remind me of Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh stories, only shorter and less clever. I still liked them, but not the way I love Pooh.The Paddington stories remind me of Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh stories, only shorter and less clever. I still liked them, but not the way I love Pooh....more
Okay, yes, I am aware this is a classic. And I fully intended to like it. Love it, maybe, even. But oh, my. It was just such nonsense that I had to evOkay, yes, I am aware this is a classic. And I fully intended to like it. Love it, maybe, even. But oh, my. It was just such nonsense that I had to eventually give up. I need at least a little logic in my stories, I guess. Sorry, Alice. ...more
Okay, Nancy is really dated in this one. It's all about violin music and collectible dolls stolen from/by gypsies. Lots and lots of gypsies. Are they Okay, Nancy is really dated in this one. It's all about violin music and collectible dolls stolen from/by gypsies. Lots and lots of gypsies. Are they all terrible people? Surely not! But they're gypsies, with their strange gypsy music and strange gypsy ways!
Without much "gypsy knowledge " to go on, this one was a little too wacky for me. Crazy Nancy, always tromping off with George (the tall. athletic beauty) and pleasingly plump Bess (who is always looking to go shopping or eat at a new tea house she's found.) ") Not the best from the Stratemeyer syndicate. ...more
If this one is sort of hard to place. I think I would put it in the middle school realm. It is the story of a young girl who wakes in in the night andIf this one is sort of hard to place. I think I would put it in the middle school realm. It is the story of a young girl who wakes in in the night and finds her grandmother sitting along, upset. When she encourages her grandmother to share her feelings, she is surprised by the story she hears. Her grandmother begins telling the truth of her childhood, how she grew up in the middle of the disappearances of the Jews from Europe. Her own parents taken, she was forced to live with a neighbor, and then someone new, moved around for her safety.
This is all told in a sort of oddly comforting cartoon style, but it’s told very well. This might be a good discussion starter for kids who are just beginning to open their eyes and discover the truth of the Holocaust. ...more
I know I was supposed to like this one. Everybody told me I would like this one. It had lots of fun pictures in it. I just didn’t like it. While I canI know I was supposed to like this one. Everybody told me I would like this one. It had lots of fun pictures in it. I just didn’t like it. While I can certainly understand Dory’s plight at being the youngest who was left out by her brother and sister, and I appreciated the fact that she has a very active imagination, I sort of found her as annoying as Violet and Luke did. And if I was her mother at the doctor’s office, there would have been some serious consequences for her refusal to speak to the doctor like a human being rather than a dog.
Kids may enjoy this, and that would be terrific. It’s just not my cup of tea. ...more
This was a tough call for me. I loved Alvin Ho in his first appearance. He was adorable and endearing. In this novel, though, I was impatient with himThis was a tough call for me. I loved Alvin Ho in his first appearance. He was adorable and endearing. In this novel, though, I was impatient with him, wanted him to be more reasonable, and found him annoying for most of the first half of the book. His behavior on the airplane was not acceptable, and his irrational fears caused his family unnecessary difficulties and delays both in the airport and once they reached their destination in China. I wanted his parents to say, “I know you're afraid of elevators, but we're not walking up 32 flights of stairs just because you're afraid. It's time to face that fear.” But they didn't. They let Alvin's fears control their behaviors. I can understand and sympathize that when your child is afraid, you want to keep him or her calm, but I thought this was this a little too extreme.
It was only when Alvin came to the Christmas tree with the wishing angels that I began to see him in a more sympathetic light. Finally, he began to show a little compassion for others, and less selfishness. It was good to see that Alvin again, it just took too long to find him.
I also found that I enjoyed learning about China through the eyes of Alvin's cousins who taught him in ways he could understand. I liked the glossary as well, but thought it was a little too jam-packed with all the things the author wanted to teach readers about China but did not have room for. Overall, I still love Alvin Ho and will continue to recommend him to kids. ...more
Dani's and her best friend, Ella, have moved away from each other and she misses her terribly. To make matters worse, two girls in school decide to beDani's and her best friend, Ella, have moved away from each other and she misses her terribly. To make matters worse, two girls in school decide to be mean to her because the boy they like seems to like Dani better than them. She tries her best to ignore it and have a happy attitude, choosing to sit alone at lunchtime and concentrate on all the fun she has with her friend Ella when they are together. When the teacher makes Dani move to sit between the mean girls, they pinch her until her arms are red and sore. When she can take it no more, Dani reacts by squirting sauce on both girls--and a little bit on the teacher, too-- and then Dani is the one who is in trouble.
While I am not sure the ending where Ella hides in her father's car and comes to visit is very realistic, that was really my only problem with this book. The characters are realistic, Dani is very sympathetic, and the bullying situation is handled well once the truth comes out. The line-drawing illustrations are adorable, as well. Girls who are just beginning smaller chapter books may enjoy this one. ...more
Naomi “Chirp” Orenstein has lived a secure, happy life with her parents and older sister, playing and exploring wildlife—especially birds--on the beacNaomi “Chirp” Orenstein has lived a secure, happy life with her parents and older sister, playing and exploring wildlife—especially birds--on the beaches near Cape Cod. Things are changing, though. Her sister, Rachel, is a teenager now and is beginning to make new friendships. She doesn’t have as much time to spend with Chirp as she did when they were younger. Even worse, Chirp’s dancer mother, Hannah, is beginning to feel weakness in her legs, and the doctor’s diagnosis is not a hopeful one. Things get more difficult at home, and then, in one moment, Chirp’s world is shattered.
Joey, one of three brothers who lives down the road from Chirp’s family, becomes a surprising ally as she tries to deal with her grief. Together, they set out for Boston to see the swan boats. Chirp once rode the boats with her mother, and believes riding them again will make her feel better. Joey, who just wants to help take care of Chirp and escape his abusive family, knows that if he runs away, coming home may not be a possibility.
Erhlich has developed Chirp and Joey into realistic and sympathetic characters , especially Joey, who is tenderhearted and kind despite the verbal and physical abuse he endures at home. In her grief, Chirp is oblivious to the pain of her other family members, but by the end of the novel she realizes they are hurting, too. I will admit that I never understood the significance of the woman Chirp finds in her special place, and I felt like some of Chirp’s behavior was a little immature for a girl of her age, but not everyone matures at the same rate, and she has lived a somewhat sheltered life. I found her father a little annoying, as he was apparently unable to separate his career as a psychiatrist from his role as a father and husband. Not everyone wants to be analyzed at home. Girls who enjoy a quiet and sometimes sad story should like Nest, but I don’t anticipate that audience as being very large. While I enjoyed the book quite a bit, I think this would be an additional purchase at my school, not a first purchase, simply because I'm not sure how often it would be chosen from the shelves. ...more
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