Fantasy/Science Fiction 1 - Tuck Everlasting

Title: Tuck Everlasting
Author: Natalie Babbitt
Publisher: Square Fish
Date: 2007
Age Range:

Summary: A young girl stumbles upon a strange family hiding a precious secret...


Strengths:
The word use is very relaxing at times, especially when Babbitt is describing the setting around the characters. It makes me think back to lazy summer days. The story itself is very intriguing. Would you choose eternal life? I suspect many children would jump at the chance. It really leaves a profound effect on the reader. The characters and the story are both interesting and keep the reader in suspense.

Concerns:
It's a bit slow and carries a weighty question which might turn off readers.

Of Blogs and Comments

Here are the blogs and the comments I have made!


I.N.K (Interesting Nonfiction for Kids) ---> http://inkrethink.blogspot.com/
My comment --->

http://inkrethink.blogspot.com/2009/03/green-craft-books-for-st-patricks-day.html?showComment=1237317300000#c4989111427948622905


The PlanetEsme Plan: The Best New Children's Books from Esme's Shelf ---> http://planetesme.blogspot.com/
My comment --->

http://planetesme.blogspot.com/2009/02/madame-pamplemousse-and-her-incredible.html
(I commented but at the moment it won't appear till Ms. Esme approves it)


The Children's Liturature Book Club ---> http://childlitbookclub.blogspot.com/
My comments --->

http://childlitbookclub.blogspot.com/2009/01/sammy-keyes-and-cold-hard-cash-by.html? showComment=1237316220000#c9018703879112104893

http://childlitbookclub.blogspot.com/2009/01/january-books-being-turned-into-movies.html?showComment=1237316460000#c2763885916084139791

Realistic Fiction 5 - Bridge to Terabithia

Title: Bridge to Terabithia
Author: Katherine Paterson
Publisher: Haper Enterainment
Date: 2006
Age Range: 4 - 5 grade

Summary: The life of a ten-year-old boy in rural Virginia expands when he becomes friends with a newcomer who subsequently meets an untimely death trying to reach their hideaway, Terabithia, during a storm.

Strengths:
The problems of the main characters are very realistic and children can identify with them. I like how Paterson used Terabithia as a way for the kids to imagine and escape from reality. I know when I was younger I would play just like (well maybe not that advance) with my friends.


Concerns:
Such a sad book. I'm not one for books about death, they have always put me in a bad depressing mood. It was kind of creepy that they were talking about death and dying only a few chapters ahead from the actual death. But it is a part of life that children should learn when they are ready.

Historical Fiction 5 - Fever 1793

Title: Fever 1793
Author: Laurie Halse Anderson
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books
Date: 2000
Age Range: 4 - 8 grade

Summary: In 1793 Philadelphia, sixteen year old Matilda Cook, separated from her sick mother, learns about perseverance and self-reliance when she is forced to cope with the horrors of a yellow fever epidemic.

Strengths:
It's set in the best city (wink!) I specifically like the growth of Matilda, the first part of the book she is lazy and doesn't know how to take care of herself but towards the end she grows and takes charge of her life. Matilda also has real character to her and her wit is sharp. The book also shows how life can be disrupted so quickly. It's also a fascinating look into the lives of people from that point of time.

Concerns:
In the middle it becomes slow and depressing but other than that it is a strong historical book.

Informational/Biography 5 - The Secret life of Cosmetics

Title: The Secret Life of Cosmetics
Author: Vicki Cobb
Illustrator: Theo Cobb
Publisher: J.B Lippincott
Date: 1985
Age Range: 5 grade and up

Summary: Briefly discusses the history of cosmetics and gives instructions for experiments which show how and why cosmetics such as shampoo, toothpaste, soap and nail polish work.

Strengths:
It is an interesting subject that isn't covered very often. I think older children (specifically girls) will be interested in this.

Concerns:
The book and the illustrations look old fashioned. You can also tell that the language is dated because at one point for an experiment it asks for "virgin hair" which I found a little strange. I think the whole book could use a revamp. And even though it is an interesting subject to some, to others it isn't. It is also a very thick book with a lot of information. The information is separated by chapters and is chunky to read.

Historical Fiction 4 - Revolution is Not a Dinner Party

Title: Revolution is Not a Dinner Party
Author: Ying Chang Compestine
Publisher: Henery Holt and Company LLC
Date: 2007
Age Range: 6th grade and up

Summary: Starting in 1972 when she is nine years old, Ling, the daughter of two doctors, struggles to make sense of the communists' Cultural Revolution, which empties stores of food, home of appliances deemed "bourgeois", and people of laughter.

Strengths:
Compestine is very good at writing from a 9 year old's perspective, the dialog and thoughts of Ling sound very believable. The story is interesting and because the author herself lived through this period of time she adds a touch of her own experiences.

Concerns:
It's a little confusing in parts and I feel like I either missed things/or there were things missing. The ending is disappointing because it just leaves off on a happy-ish note but nothing else is said.

Historical Fiction 2 - Catherine Called Birdy

Title: Catherine, Called Birdy
Author: Karen Cushman
Publisher: Harper Trophy
Date: 1994
Age Range: 5th grade and up

Summary: This unusual book provides an insider's look at the life of Birdy, 14, the daughter of a minor English nobleman. The year is 1290 and the vehicle for storytelling is the girl's witty, irreverent diary. She looks with a clear and critical eye upon the world around her, telling of the people she knows and of the daily events in her small manor house.

Strengths:
I love how this book is told through diary format, it adds a certain idea of "daily life" to it. Catherine has a very unique voice and is entertaining to read. She has a comment on everything and is very forthright. It's great to have a book with such a great story set around the middle ages. It will help readers imagine what was life back then besides death and diseases (which is what everyone thinks of when they think of the middle ages.) I also love the Saints days at the top of each entry, its a humorous touch that is very true to what people believed in back then.

Concerns:
Some of the language used my be confusing for children