57. Find the Magic

Title: Find the Magic
Author: Lee Cohen
Illustrator: Julia Harnett Harvey
Publisher: Raven Tree Press
Copyright Date: 2008
Number of Pages: 24
Reading Level: 9+
Genre: Fantasy

Summary
Euripides came to visit. Rip complained that he couldn’t think of anything to draw. Jesse couldn’t get her dolly’s dress on and was frustrated with their costumes. Abbey came in and said that she had explored every inch of the house and was absolutely bored. Euripides looked at them and said they needed to go on an adventure. So they all followed him out of the house and they walked and walked. Finally they came to a shop and they pushed the door open just enough for them to fit. All the friends were amazed at what they saw. There were mounds and walls of books! Euripides chose adventures for all of his friends. First he had Rip go to a land of knights and chivalry. Next Jesse becomes a fairy princess in her story. Abbey goes to 1001 Arabian Nights and soars on a flying carpet. Rip, Jesse, and Abbey decide that they need to let Euripides go on an adventure as well. They send him to be Sherlock Holmes in London. They have a great time and when they come back Rip knows what to draw, Jesse has ideas for costumes, and Abbey isn’t bored anymore. Euripides has taught them to find the magic in books.

Recommendation
For kids who complain in this fast paced world that they are bored.

Problems/Conflict
No problems.

My Reaction
I enjoyed this book because I believe that books are the best for a child’s imagination. There isn’t a better way to dispel boredom.

56. The Library

Title: The Library
Author: Sarah Stewart
Illustrator: David Small
Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux
Copyright Date: 1995
Number of Pages: 30
Reading Level: 8+
Genre: Fiction

Summary
Elizabeth Brown came into the world dropping from the sky. She was skinny, shy and nearsighted. She learned to read really early and didn’t enjoy dolls or skating. In bed she would take a flashlight so she could read herself to sleep. Elizabeth Brown loved her books so much that when she went to school she took a trunk with all of her books inside. She put them on the top bunk but they were so heavy the bed broke. Elizabeth didn’t pay attention in classes because she was off in a dream. She even made book cards to check out her books but she would show up at doors at midnight to collect them. Elizabeth didn’t go on dates because she preferred to stay up late reading. She got lost on a trip one afternoon and decided to stay. She would go into town for only one thing, books. Elizabeth read all the time, while exercising, groceries, and vacuuming. Books started to climb the walls and pile everywhere. Elizabeth Brown decided she needed to go to town and this time instead of getting more books she signed over all her books to the town. She moved in with a friend and lived a long time turning page, after page.

Recommendation
I would recommend this to girls who love to read.

Problems/Conflict
She didn’t ever do anything for herself. She lived in a fantasy world.

My Reaction
I think of librarians and wonder if this is what they are like in their personal lives or wish they could be like all the time.

55. The Boardwalk Princess

Title: The Boardwalk Princess
Author: Arthur A. Levine
Illustrator: Susan Guevara
Publisher: Tambourine Books
Copyright Date: 1993
Number of Pages: 31
Reading Level: 8+
Genre: Fantasy/Fairy Tale

Summary
Myron and Sadie have special gifts. Myron can smell grand fabric from a great distance and Sadie can hear a good fabric. They made beautiful clothes together. But they were watched over by a witch that had taken them in when they were young and orphans. She made them work endlessly and tirelessly. She sold their beautiful creations at extravagant prices and got rich. Finally Myron and Sadie decided not to take anymore. They packed up and ran away one night. While they were running away Myron got thirsty and saw a fountain. Sadie had to stop him because she could hear the witch’s potion gurgling in the fountain. He came to another fountain and tried to drink again but Sadie stopped him again. Finally a fire hydrant had been opened and Myron could stand it no longer. Suddenly he turned into a mouse! Sadie took him with her and she made him and pigeons clothes. One day a handsome man came with a group of people and Myron could smell his expensive clothes so he went for a closer look. A big black dog lunged at him and he escaped just in time. The handsome man saw Sadie and said that he could help her. Eventually they announced their wedding. The old witch heard this and devised an evil plan. She took the place of Sadie’s maid. Myron smelt the old hag and came running. He jumped at the witch and they fell into the tub with the potion. The witch disappeared and Myron turned back into a man. Myron was their best man and the wedding dress was magic.

Recommendation
I would recommend this to be read to mostly girls but I think boys would enjoy it too.

Problems/Conflict
I wonder what happens to the witch?

My Reaction
My mom bought this book for me when I was younger and now its one of my favorite. I just love that it is a rags to riches story but I of course am more partial to the love story. I always stare at the dress whenever I finish the book.

54. Madeline's Rescue

Title: Madeline’s Rescue
Author: Ludwig Bemelmans
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Copyright Date: 1951
Number of Pages: 47
Reading Level: 7+
Genre: Fiction/Picture Book

Summary
Twelve little girls in two straight lines went out for their usual walk. No one could scare Ms. Clavel like little Madeline. Madeline was walking on a wall on a bridge and suddenly fell into the water. If it weren’t for a great big dog that jumped in to pull her out, she would most likely be dead. The girls took Madeline and the dog home and helped to warm them both up. That night when out went the light Ms. Clavel felt that something was not right. She ran into the room of girls to find them fighting over where the dog should sleep. The dog was named Genevieve and she was loved by all the girls. She could sing, was a great speller and loved the daily walk. When the first of May came around everyone grew nervous for their routine inspection. When the inspection was nearly done Genevieve was found and immediately thrown out. The girls vow to find their Genevieve and they all set out to find her. They come home empty handed. That night Ms. Clavel thinks that something is not right and turns on the light. She sees Miss Genevieve outside standing in the lamp light. She was greeted with love and all the girls were tucked into bed. Again a fight broke out as to where the dog should sleep. Miss Clavel breaks up the fight and they all go to be. But for the third time she is awoken in the night. Now there is enough hound to go around because Genevieve has had puppies.

Recommendation
Madeline has the best stories. I think that little girls should read these books and have them read to them. No exceptions.

Problems/Conflict
No problems other than Madeline seems to always disobeying Ms. Clavel.

My Reaction
I found myself finishing the sentences of the first part of the book. I guess I used to be obsessed with Madeline and I’m pretty sure I had my mom read it to me many times. I think that it is funny that the girls are at all able to share Genevieve. I would have had a hard time sharing with eleven other girls who were the same age as me.

53. The Toughest Cowboy

Title: The Toughest Cowboy
Author: John Frank
Illustrator: Zachary Pullen
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Copyright Date: 2004
Number of Pages: 48
Reading Level: 8+
Genre: Fiction/Picture Book

Summary
Grizz Brickbottom is the toughest cowboy around. He drank Tabasco every day, flossed with barbed wire and he could grind pretty much anything with the stubble from his chin. As Grizz was sitting around the fire with his range buddies he realized that something was missing from his life. Silky hair, lovely smell and gives lots of kisses, he needed a dog! Grizz stood up and flung his plate. He was so enthusiastic he told the boys that they needed a dog around because he was tired of their manners. They were outraged that he would suggest that they were less mannered than a dog. They needed a dog to chase mountain lions, herd cattle and because they take regular baths. Grizz decides when he’s going to get a dog he’ll name him dog gone it. The next time Grizz went to town he saw a sign and went in to enquire about the dog. When he returned to the boys he had dog in hand. The men all started to laugh at the miniature poodle and at Grizz for bringing him home. Grizz tells the guys that the dog already has a name, Foofy. They hoot and holler over that. Grizz gives each of the boys jobs to help take care of Foofy. Chuckwagon is to cook French dishes and to sing her to sleep at night. Bald Mountain is to brush Foofy’s hair each night before bed. Lariat is given the job of tying her hair with ribbons. They just stand there dumbfounded as Grizz sets off with Foofy to go and train her to herd cattle. Foofy isn’t very good and is scared of the cattle. Later he talks of teaching her to chase of the bobcats and mountain lions when a mouse appears and Foofy cowers in fear. Grizz is so upset he throws his plate into the air and to all of their surprise Foofy runs after it and catches it. The boys have a grand time throwing the plate and soon are throwing it to each other as well. They all do their jobs to take care of Foofy and when they bathe her they find they like the smell of soap. They all move into town so they can start having regular baths. Bald Mountain, who is bald, starts up a salon. Lariat starts a business for gift wrapping and other trinkets. Chuckwagon starts a restraunt. Grizz uses the idea of the flying disc and invents the “Grizz-B.” In the end he’s driving off with Foofy in a car with a cow in the back. He’s still driving cattle across the plains.

Recommendation
I would recommend this for a class to read, because its so funny or for a bed time story pretty much for the same reason. I think young kids would have so much fun thinking about grown men who are taking such good care of a girly dog.

Problems/Conflict
Frank used quite a bit of cowboy dialogue that could be a little hard to understand because of the accents to the words.

My Reaction
The pictures are so beautifully illustrated. There is one picture that reminds me of my dad, mostly because of the steely blue eyes though. I can’t get over the facial expressions of the cowboys when Grizz hands them their new duties to watch over Foofy. So funny. The story and pictures flow so well together I couldn’t have seen this book illustrated any other way.

52. Where the Wild Things Are

Title: Where the Wild Things Are
Author/Illustrator: Maurice Sendak
Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers
Copyright Date: 1963
Number of Pages: 48
Reading Level: 9+
Genre: Fantasy/Picture Book

Summary
Max is a little out of control. He likes to make mischief and he’s good at it. But he goes too far when he yells at his mom that he will eat her up. She sends him to his room without supper. Max goes to his room and slowly it starts to turn into a forest. Max finds a boat waiting for him to sail it away from his forest room. It takes weeks to a year before Max reaches the land of the wild things. The beasts roared and barred their teeth and their mighty claws. Max yells for the wild things to “BE STILL!” Max shows the wild things his magic trick and they are all amazed and want to make him their king. Max’s first order of business is for the wild rumpus to begin. They all howl and dance under the moon and swing from tree to tree. They parade Max on their shoulders happy to finally have a king. Max yells for them to stop and sends all of them off to bed without any supper. Then Max smells something really good and decides that he should follow the smell and give up being king. The wild things were upset and wanted Max to stay but he yelled “No!” and sailed away. The wild things roared again and showed their claws and teeth. Max sailed a year and then a week and then a day until he was home. He found his supper sitting in his room and it was still hot.

Recommendation
I would recommend this as a bedtime story for kids. Parents who have kids that just want to be rowdy and a wild thing should read this with their children.

Problems/Conflict
Max is punished for being a wild thing but the punishement isn’t actually carried out. He gets his dinner anyway. (Not that this is a bad thing.)

My Reaction
I think this book is fun and I have personal ties to it from childhood. I think my brothers (especially the oldest) have stronger ties because they were wild things more than me. Every time I enjoy when Max decides that being a wild thing is fun but home is better.

51. Bodies from the Ice

Title: Bodies from the Ice
Author: James M. Dean
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company
Copyright Date: 2008
Number of Pages: 58
Reading Level: 13+
Genre: Nonfiction

Summary
Erika and Helmut Simon had scaled the peak of Similaun before but this time it would be more difficult. They then climbed the nearby mountain Finail. On this hike they notices something interesting in the snow and on closer inspection found that it was a human body. After reporting the discovery the Austrians believed the body to be on their side. Italy didn’t dispute this until later when they realized the excavation area was on their side. The corpse was badly damaged because of mishandling to free it from the ice. At first authorities believed the man to be a recent time, most likely a hiker who lost his way or fell to some untimely death. Later they realized that his man had been encased in a tomb of ice and was perfectly preserved. The man lived over 5,300 years ago. They now believe that the ice man’s death was due to a blow to the head immediately after being shot with an arrow. Scientist at first didn’t understand how the ice man had stayed so well preserved and in one piece. Often hikers who fall in crevasses will be carried inside the ice as it moves to the snout. This will cause the body to break up and spread out. From 1500 to 1850 people of Europe held strong superstitions about glaciers, they believed that dragons lived on them or that witches danced there and sometimes that the devil lived on them and that would be where sinners went. It wasn’t until the 1600’s that the glaciers were explored. The children of the Andes who were sometimes offered as sacrifices. The three children who were the best preserved still had blood in the hearts, air in the lungs and their brains looked as though they had died only moments ago. The book next talks of the speculation of who reached the top of Mount Everest first. Many different excavations have been performed to recover the bodies of Mallory and Irvine who it is believed may have reached the summit before falling to their deaths. The book gives a sort of call to action about saving the past and saving the glaciers. Pollution is depleting the O-Zone and eventually the glaciers will be gone and fresh water sources will be majorly depleted.

Recommendation
I would recommend this first to boys. They would be most interested in the chilling pictures.

Problems/Conflict
There are some graphic images of skeletons that could be scary or disturbing to younger children. The young Incan children are especially chilling because they look almost like they could still be alive.

My Reaction
Wow! Scientists are amazing. They can tell what season the person died in, what their meals had consistently been and how old the bodies are. I am so impressed with this book because of the advances there are in science to help us uncover our past. The Incan children intrigued me the most. It is amazing how well preserved they were.

50. Elizabeth I

Title: Elizabeth I
Author: Rob Shone & Anita Ganeri
Illustrator: Terry Riley
Publisher: The Rosen Publishing Group
Copyright Date: 2005
Number of Pages: 47
Reading Level: 10+
Genre: Graphic Nonfiction

Summary
The book starts out showing the funeral procession for Elizabeth I. Then we go back in time and see Elizabeth being taken to the tower of London through the Traitor’s Gate. She is kept in the bell tower but she has her old governess Katherine Ashley for company. Elizabeth is still popular with the people although she is locked away. The queen Mary has been told to execute her sister because the people love her so well but she refuses having already killed her cousin she doesn’t want to kill anymore of her family. Queen Mary dies and courtiers show up to get Elizabeth saying that she is the next queen. Elizabeth has to find a way to salvage her country because it has been run by fools for so long. She pledges to fix the religious situation, restore the treasury, make peace with other countries and to build up their navy. Elizabeth falls ill with smallpox but thanks to a good doctor she is saved with little to no scaring from the pox. The men believe that Elizabeth need to marry so that she can be guided in her decisions with a strong male influence. Elizabeth says that she will never marry, that it is dangerous. Elizabeth’s cousin Mary Queen of Scots has been involved in a lot of controversy in her country. She married a man that no one liked and then when bored found company with an Italian. She has her husband murdered after he murders her lover in cold blood. Mary flees her country only to be imprisoned in England. Elizabeth’s good friend Earl of Leicester wants to marry her but she will not hear of it. When he does marry, she cuts him off as one of her favorites. She didn’t want to marry him but she didn’t want him to marry anyone else either. Mary is found to be plotting against Elizabeth and this time she has to be dealt with. Elizabeth has her beheaded. Elizabeth loses other favorites and finally she realizes she has outlived those she loved and her enemies. Elizabeth falls ill and eventually dies. Mary’s son is crowned King of England and Scotland no sooner than she is dead. He becomes King James I.

Recommendation
Kids who like comic books might actually be interested in this book even though it is a history book. This is a great way to introduce kids to informational books if they are presented in a pleasant way.

Problems/Conflict
The heads getting cut off. A little gross.

My Reaction
Really interesting that they used the format of a graphic novel to illustrate the life of Elizabeth I

49. Catwings

Title: Catwings
Author: Ursula K. Le Guin
Illustrator: S.D. Schindler
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Copyright Date: 1988
Number of Pages: 40
Reading Level: 9+
Genre: Fantasy

Summary
Four kittens are born to Mrs. Jane Tabby. They are special kittens because the have wings. Mother soon realizes that the alley isn’t a safe place for her kittens and she tells them that they were given wings for a purpose and they must go and fly away. The kittens are sad to leave home but the understand and are proud that their mother thinks they can survive on their own. They fly off and have to rest often because they are not light kittens, their mother fed them well. They see birds and want to do the tricks that they can. The kittens fly to a forest and there they felt strange ground because they were used to asphalt and concrete. They drank from a stream and they saw something funny. Roger batted his paw at it and said that he thought it was dinner. The fish proved to be a good meal for the kittens. The kittens hid in a bush and all fell asleep. It seemed like a safe enough place but they knew that every place was dangerous. The other animals of the forest were outraged. It wasn’t right that a cat could fly. The mouse disagreed and the fish said nothing. The owl had plans of her own when James flew over her and her babies one day. She chased after James with her talons out. She scratched him and one of his wings was week. The kittens all hid in the tree that night and knew that they had to do all of their hunting and flying during the day. One day Harriet came home and said that a nice pair of hands gave her food in a dish on a stump. The others were curious but scared. Eventually Roger went with Harriet and they ate together. But the hands had another pair of hands with her. All four kittens came the next day and they were happy to find out that the hands were kind. The hands promised never to catch the kittens or tell other hands about them. Even Thelma flew into a lap.

Recommendation
I would recommend this to kids who wish that their pets could talk or that animals could do amazing things.

Problems/Conflict
Just that cats can’t fly but it’s not realistic anyway.

My Reaction
I think I liked this book as a kid because I was obsessed with my cats. I loved them. I was a little unimpressed but simple is good and it’s a sweet story about siblings taking care of each other.

48. The Friendship

Title: The Friendship
Author: Mildred D. Taylor
Publisher: Puffin Books
Copyright Date: 1987
Number of Pages: 53
Reading Level: 9+
Genre: Fiction/Historical

Summary
The kids need to get medicine for their aunt and need to go into a store that neither they or their parents enjoy going in. Little Man is told not to touch anything. He leans up against the glass in the store and is told to get his filthy hands off it by the angry, white store owner. Little Man protests saying he isn’t dirty but the men make jokes and Little Man feels really bad. They get the medicine and leave as quick as possible. They see Mr. Tom Bee outside and he asks them to wait for him while he goes in to get some tobacco. The kids sit outside and talk, they try to make Little Man feel better. There is shouting inside because Mr. Tom Bee called the store owner by his first name. The two angry men are his sons and they tell Tom to get out. John, the storeowner comes in and gets Tom what he needs. His sons look at him and say that Tom can’t go around disrespecting him like that. John ignores them and tells them to leave. Tom keeps calling John by his first name and John starts to lose his patience. Tom leaves after he gets his things and then gives the kids candy canes he bought for them. They start walking and Tom says he forgot to get some tobacco and heads back to the store. The kids know this won’t end well. Tom goes in and there is now a huge group of white people. Tom calls John by his first name and John is told not to take it. Tom keeps carrying on and suddenly there is a blast. John comes out as Tom is on the ground holding his bloody leg. John says he can’t call him by his first name that it just isn’t right. Tom swears that he better kill him because he will call him John by his first name until he dies. Tom keeps muttering this and then dies as he’s pulling himself away.

Recommendation
I would recommend that each child read this. It is such an eye opening subject. I think the more knowledge you have the less likely we will be to repeat it.

Problems/Conflict
This book is hard to read at times because she uses dialogue that can be hard to understand. She also uses many derogatory terms toward African Americans.

My Reaction
All in one day this story takes place. I think that the story is not only simple but has such a strong message. African Americans were so wrongly treated and the hypocrisy is atrocious.

47. The Declaration of Independence

Title: The Declaration of Independence
Author: Michael Burgan
Publisher: Compass Point Books
Copyright Date: 2001
Number of Pages: 47
Reading Level: 11+
Genre: Nonfiction

Summary
In June of 1776 the colonies sent representatives to Pennsylvania State House to discuss the pressing issue of rebelling against Britain and its King. General Washington was commanding troops already and they had won the battle of Bunker Hill. There were mixed feelings about declaring independence from Britain. Richard Henry Lee presented a resolution that helped the Continental Congress make a decision a month later. What began the struggle was when the French and Indian War was won. The war was expensive and America was paying for it. Britain was taxing the colonies without proper representation. They had no say in the taxes that they paid. The most unpopular tax was the Stamp Act that taxed all paper goods. The people were outraged and knew that something needed to be done. The tax was finally lifted but Parliament retained the right to take other taxes from the people. The people strongly against the taxation without representation were called Patriots. One famous clash was the Boston Tea Party, five men were shot. Patriots threw thousands of pounds of Tea into the water and this was the first real act of rebellion. The First Continental Congress decided that they would cut off all trade with Great Britain until the taxes were lifted. British troops were sent to destroy all reserves and weapons that the colonists used to defend themselves. They were met by minutemen, the colonists own militia. In January of 1776 a book went on sale called Common Sense, Thomas Paine was the author. 100,000 copies were sold and it told the people that their great country could only flourish through independence. The vote for independence was put off many times to accommodate representatives who needed to counsel first. Thomas Jefferson went to work penning the Declaration. He sent copies to Adams and Franklin and they put notes on it for revision. The document was divided into three sections, the preamble, a list of complaints against King George and then a declaration of independence for the United States of America. This was the first time that the full name appeared on a document. Finally July 4, 1776 Congress approved the Declaration of Independence. Much more hard work was left to be done but they had done it.

Recommendation
I think any child interested in our American history would enjoy this book to see how the founding fathers developed the Declaration of Independence.

Problems/Conflict
No problems

My Reaction
I enjoy reading about the revolution and I think this book did a good job of presenting the facts.

46. The Lewis and Clark Expedition

Title: The Lewis and Clark Expedition
Author: Patricia Ryon Quiri
Publisher: Compass Point Books
Copyright Date: 2001
Number of Pages: 45
Reading Level: 10+
Genre: Nonfiction

Summary
After the Louisiana Purchase by President Jefferson he needed a group to go out and explore the new territory. This new territory was so large that it doubled the size of the United States. He wanted to find a water route from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean. This would provide a trade route. Eventually the goal would be to expand the nation to the Pacific and make America a nation to be noted. The Corps of Discovery was formed and Jefferson chose his personal secretary, Meriwether Lewis to head the expedition. Lewis asked his friend William Clark to come on the trip as well. They first set up a camp on the Mississippi River to train and prepare for the journey. They left on May 14, 1804 and traveled in three boats. Two horses were brought along as well to go and hunt food when it became scarce. Ticks and mosquitoes were a nuisance to them and the only solution was to cover themselves in grease. Clark was talker and Lewis enjoyed being alone to think. They met their first buffalo in South Dakota. The two men kept detailed journals of animals and plants to take back to Jefferson. The group met man groups of Native Americans along their way, people like the Oto were friendly and inviting while the Sioux were dangerous and threatened the lives of the explorers. While with the Mandan people The expedition took on three more people to the journey, Charbonneau, his young wife Sacagawea and their baby nicknamed Pomp. The group became attached to the baby and Sacagawea helped them to navigate and choose which foods were safe. Many men fell ill, Lewis was chased by a bear and shot in the butt, mistaken for an elk. They lost only one man on the expedition and it was due to severe illness three months into the trip. They found that a direct route to the Pacific did not exist.

Recommendation
I would recommend this for fourth grade history here in Idaho. I think that this will help kids understand some of the things that Lewis and Clark did on their journey.

Problems/Conflict
No problems with it. Everything seemed direct and to the point.

My Reaction
I was a little bored with this book. It was short and easy but I just wasn’t interested in the material it presented.

45. The Invention of Hugo Cabret

Title: The Invention of Hugo Cabret
Author/Illustrator: Brian Selznick
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Copyright Date: 2007
Number of Pages: 525
Reading Level: 11+
Genre: Fiction

Summary
Hugo is the son of a horologist. He’s learned his whole life how to run and fix clocks. Hugo’s dad sees a mechanical robot at work one day and is fascinated. He draws page after page of the automaton to see how it works and to see if he can fix it. One night Hugo’s father doesn’t come home and the next day his uncle shows up and tells him his father died in a fire. Hugo’s world shatters. Hugo’s uncle takes him in as his apprentice at the train station maintaining the clocks. Hugo returned to the place where his father died and finds the automaton in the wreckage. Hugo packs it up and takes it back to the train station. Hugo tries to fix the automaton but needs the little parts that go with it. He is sure that once he finishes it the machine will write a message to Hugo from his father. Hugo steals small toys for the parts and one day is caught by the toy booth owner. The owner demands that Hugo empty his pockets and so he does, all but one. The storekeeper notices and demand he turn it out. The notebook that Hugo’s father gave him with pictures of the automaton is in his pocket. The storekeeper is furious and tells Hugo to leave. He says he’s going to go home and burn the notebook. The next day the storekeeper hands Hugo a handkerchief with ashes in it. The storekeeper’s goddaughter, Isabelle, reassures Hugo that he did not burn his notebook and she will find it for him. Hugo doesn’t feel he can trust her. Hugo ends up working for the storekeeper to earn back his notebook. Everyone believes he is a thief. Hugo fixes the automaton on his own and is missing only one thing. He finds out he doesn’t need the notebook after all. No keys will fit. Hugo sees the key one day around Isabelle’s neck. He pretends to give her a hug and steals the necklace. Isabelle notices later and follows him inside the walls to find out where he lives and what he did with her key. They use the key to turn on the automaton and it draws a picture that is familiar to Hugo. His dad had described the image from a movie but the picture was signed by Isabelle’s godfather. They find out he was a famous movie producer but after the war he had to sell all his films to pay for his family. Hugo is adopted into the family and Mr. Mieles is honored at a dinner for him. Everyone now knows he didn’t die in the Great War.

Recommendation
I would recommend this to kids who have vivid imaginations, enjoy drawing, or who are interested in magic. This makes me wish I could draw but honestly I can’t to save my life.

Problems/Conflict
Hugo did steal from other people.

My Reaction
In the book Hugo said that every great movie should end with a chase scene. This book ends with a pretty intense chase scene when Hugo is running from the Station Inspector. I appreciated that Hugo didn’t enjoy stealing; he only did it when he had to or when he needed the parts for the automaton. It’s a nice coincidence that the parts he stole were for a machine with the same creator as the toys.

44. The Ninth Nugget

Title: The Ninth Nugget
Author: Ron Roy
Illustrator: John Steven Gurney
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Copyright Date: 2001
Number of Pages:
Reading Level: 9+
Genre: Mystery

Summary
After helping a man get back his winning lottery ticket the kids are sent to Bozeman Montana as a reward for their help. Jud shows up to pick them up from the airport. They are headed to a dude ranch for a whole week. The kids find out quickly that the ranch isn’t doing so well and they are tight on money. The kids get all there stuff unpacked and go to dinner with everyone else. There they meet the rest of the ranch hands and the other guests. There is a newly married couple, Ma, Pa, Thumbs, Mr. Getz, the three kids, Fiona, Jud and the cook. Thumbs is a little creepy to the kids. He takes all the guests to go panning for gold the next day. Everyone has found a small nugget but Josh. Josh goes upstream to try and find more gold and falls into the stream he pulls out his hand and has a gold nugget the size of a potato. Everyone congratulates Josh on his find. When they get back to the ranch Pa suggests that Josh put the nugget in the safe for protection. They all go on a horse ride but Mr. Gets twists his leg and has to stay behind. Fiona stays as well to look after him. The guests have to come home early because a storm sets in. When they get back to the ranch they find the cook, Fiona and Mr. Getz tied or handcuffed and the safe is open and the nugget is missing. Everyone suspects someone else on the ranch and the sheriff is called in to help solve the mystery. Nothing can be done so everyone goes to dinner. Thumbs isn’t at the table and Josh thinks that he did it. The kids meet up and decide to go and search the suspect’s cabins. Thumbs’ cabin seems to be the most suspicious but there is no real evidence. When the kids regroup at their cabin they notice Mr. Getz hobbling back to his cabin. They see him in the window as he puts down the crutches and packs up all his stuff. He was faking! The kids see him pack away the gold nugget and act fast. Josh lassos Mr. Getz when he comes out and Ruth Rose rings the dinner bell. Everyone comes running out and the thief is caught. The next day Pa offers to take Josh into town to sell the nugget but he says that he will donate to saving the ranch. Ma and cook are told he wants a kiss as a reward by Ruth Rose but Josh runs away just in time.

Recommendation
I would recommend this to kids who like mysteries and figuring out puzzles.

Problems/Conflict
They suspected Thumbs first based on appearance. Everyone found a nugget which is not very realistic. Okay maybe it is.

My Reaction
I enjoyed this book and guessing who I thought did it. I thought it was Thumbs for the first part then they introduced Mr. Getz as a magician. I then thought the rest of the time that it was him and was sure when Dink found the stethoscope in his cabin. I had fun reading this book because it was so interactive.

43. Who Was Albert Einstein

Title: Who Was Albert Einstein?
Author: Jess Brallier
Illustrator: Robert Andrew Parker
Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap
Copyright Date: 2002
Number of Pages: 101
Reading Level: 9+
Genre: Nonfiction/Biography

Summary
Albert Einstein didn’t speak until he was almost four years old and it was to tell his mother that the soup was too hot. They asked why he hadn’t spoken and he said up until then everything had been okay. Albert excelled in school and in his spare time enjoyed thinking above all else. Albert taught himself complex math from books and enjoyed school until high school began. In high school he was not expected to ask questions but to remain quiet. Albert hated this environment. Eventually Albert’s family left and moved to Italy but left him to complete his schooling. Albert was kicked out of school for smart mouthing and for being what they called a lazy dog. Albert was disappointed that he was thrown out of school but he was happy to reunite with his family again. The Italian people were much kinder than the people in Germany. Albert moved to Switzerland to go back to school eventually and became a citizen. He married Mileva, his first wife, and they had two children. While married to Mileva, Albert wrote and thought of most of his monumental stuff. Some speculate that some of Albert’s ideas were actually Mileva’s. Albert gets a job back in Germany and decides to take it because it would allow him to think more. Albert and his wife get a divorce and she stays behind in Switzerland. Albert meets up with his cousin, Elsa, and they get married. Elsa takes good care of Albert because he won’t eat, sleep, or wake unless someone tells him to. She has to make sure that he takes care of himself. The nazis start to rise in Germany and many of Alberts books are burned. Germany dislikes his free thinking and peace-keeping ways. There are books of people wanted in Germany. Albert is pictured on the first page of some of these with the caption “Not yet hanged.” Albert and Elsa go to the United States and Albert teaches at Princeton. Albert’s greatest fear is that Germany will create an atom bomb before the U.S. can so he volunteers to start work on one. This is one of his greatest disappointments is the creation of the atom bomb. Before his death Albert wrote a letter to dignitaries to stop nuclear war. He believed if there were a world war III people afterwards would have to throw sticks and stones at each other because all human civilization would cease and the world would begin again.

Recommendation
I would recommend this to someone who was interested in the great thinkers of the world. I wouldn’t highly recommend it though.

Problems/Conflict
There were some things put into the book that had no actual proof that they took place, they were either stories or speculation with nothing to back them up. I thought this was not a strong point. I don’t want to read something about a real person that may not have been true.

My Reaction
I liked that when a boy asked why he didn’t wear socks he replied that he was old enough now he didn’t have to. I found out a lot of interest facts about Einstein but I was a little disappointed in the sourcing for the information.

42. Junie B. Jones Has a Peep in Her Pocket

Title: Junie B. Jones Has a Peep in Her Pocket
Author: Barbara Park
Illustrator: Denise Brunkus
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Copyright Date: 2000
Number of Pages: 67
Reading Level: 8+
Genre:Realistic Fiction/ Humor

Summary
Junie B is ‘rolled into kindergarten. She really likes school especially her friends Lucille and that Grace. She calls her teacher Mrs. there is more to her name but Junie just likes to say Mrs. One day Mrs. says that school will be over soon and all the kids are very upset because they are supposed to be in school a long time, even until they grow up. Mrs. has to explain that they will only be gone for vacation and then they will come back as first graders. No one likes this because first graders are mean. Mrs. has to explain that the first graders will be second graders and so on. The kids understand and Mrs. goes on to say that the kids will be going on a field trip. The children are so excited but not Junie B. because they are going to a farm. Ponies are at farms. Her babysitter let her watch a show called “When Ponies Attack” and ever since Junie didn’t want anything to do with ponies. Her parents insist that she go and mom says she’ll buy her an outfit and a throw away camera. Junie isn’t convinced this is a good thing and thinks about it really hard. She tells her parents the next morning that there are also roosters on farms and they are mean, her mom even said so. Plus meanie Jim brought his rooster to class one time and said that roosters are so mean they’ll peck your head into a nub. A nub! Junie cannot go to the farm. Her parents make her and get her the outfit and throw away camera. Meanie Jim sits behind Junie on the bus and teases her the whole way there. Junie tries to hide under the seats so she doesn’t have to get off and Mrs. brings the farmer on the bus to coax her out. He says she can be his farm hand. She seems ok with this because she thinks that she gets to order other kids around. Junie has fun on the farm and uses all her pictures. Her teacher rescues the camera from the garbage because Junie knows that it’s a throw away. Junie also holds a little chick and is told that he will become a rooster one day. Farmer Flores takes off his hat and Junie sees his head is not a nub! Junie is happy that she now likes roosters, at least little ones anyway.

Recommendation
I would recommend this be read to kids at bed, to be read in a class, or just for a personal fun read. I think young kids can enjoy how silly Junie is and relate to her in a lot of ways.

Problems/Conflict
No problems. Just a cute and very fun book.

My Reaction
Oh Junie B. you are so funny! I love how simple this book is and how true it is to a kids efforts to get out of things, how they misunderstand concepts and how they are scared of unreasonable things.

41. A Single Shard

Title: A Single Shard
Author: Linda Sue Park
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Copyright Date: 2001
Number of Pages: 148
Reading Level: 11+
Genre: Historical Fiction

Summary
Tree-ear saw a man walking in front of him, rice was slowly flowing out of his pack and the man had no idea. Tree-ear had to decide whether to let the man keep walking or tell him and possibly not get any rice. He waits a while longer and then tells the man. He says that Tree-ear can have all that fell from his pack. Tree-ear goes home happy that he and Crane-man will be able to eat well that night. Tree-ear came to Crane-man as a little child and he was supposed to go to the monastery as soon as a sickness there passed. The child would not leave Crane-man and they ended up living together under a bridge. Crane-man believed that men who begged were no better than dogs. Tree-ear has a distinct knowledge of right and wrong and is always concerned that he may be doing wrong. Tree-ear is interested in pottery and sometimes spies on a master potter named Min. Tree-ear sneaks into his yard to examine some of the pottery one day and is surprised by Min. He drops the piece he was holding and Min is furious. Tree-ear begs to repay him the debt by helping him. Min agrees and for the duration of Tree-ear’s service he cuts and hauls wood to the kiln. Tree-ear is frustrated that he hasn’t been able to do anything with clay and when his time is up Min says he’ll take him on to work. Tree-ear is excited although he is not paid because he will get a meal each day. He takes half the meal home each day so that he and Crane-man can have dinner. Min’s wife notices and starts filling his bowl when Tree-ear isn’t around so he will have more. Tree-ear is taught to make fine clay and slip but isn’t taught to use the wheel. A royal commission is announced and all the potters start making their finest work. Tree-ear sees that Kang has a new technique but doesn’t tell anyone until Kang has presented it himself. Min tries to recreate the process better before the emissary leaves. The pieces have oxidation marks on them and Min destroys them. The emissary says that if Min can recreate the process with his perfect pots he will have a commission for him. Tree-ear volunteers to take the new pots to Songdo to see the emissary. They pack the pots and Tree-ear leaves. He left a small clay monkey with Crane-man before he left. Tree-ear visits a special sight and is ambushed by thieves, they throw the pots off the cliff and Tree-ear is distraught. He takes a single shard to Songdo to show the emissary. At first the emissary is angry but then he tells Tree-ear that Min has the commission. They send him back by sea. When he returns home Tree-ear finds out that Crane-man died but Min and his wife take Tree-ear in and give him a new name. Min promises Tree-ear a wheel of his own and to teach him the trade.

Recommendation
I would recommend this book to kids who want to learn about Korea or have an interest in ceramics.

Problems/Conflict
Tree-ear does steal sometimes but only when he has to. The mount of falling flowers is in commemoration of women who jumped off the cliff rather than be taken prisoner. Their suicide is viewed as courage.

My Reaction
I was really disinterested at first. I didn’t know how a book about pottery was going to be interesting or fun to read. It took me a little while to get into this book but eventually I really liked it. Its interesting that there are not many beggars in Korea, or at least that’s what I interpreted. Orphans were also thought to be unlucky and were avoided. Pride plays a big role in this book. It can not only create beautiful things but also destroy the entire life of a man. This book is multifaceted and interesting once you get going.

40. Pirates Past Noon

Title: Pirates Past Noon
Author: Mary Pope Osborne
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Copyright Date: 1994
Number of Pages: 67
Reading Level: 8+
Genre: Fantasy

Summary
It was raining outside and Annie and Jack looked out the window. It was supposed to stop by noon. The kids desperately wanted to go to the tree house. Maybe the mysterious M person would be there. They decided to get all their rain gear on and head out anyway. Once they got to the tree house the kids were looking through the books and thinking about their three previous adventures to the time of dinosaurs, medieval times, and ancient Egypt. Each time they had been helped by an animal or person of that time. It was really cold in the tree house and Annie saw a book open. It showed a tropical scene that looked great compared to where they were, Frog Creek Pennsylvania. Suddenly a parrot appeared in the window saying “too late!” The tree house began to spin and before they knew it they were on that beach that was in the book. Annie went running down to the beach and Jack reluctantly followed. A ship appeared in the distance and they saw the jolly roger. They knew this could only mean one thing, pirates! Jack wanted to sketch the flag and soon the pirates were in a row boat and getting close. Annie hurried Jack along but he left the book on the beach so he had to go back. A pirate grabbed Jack and they searched through their things. They found the gold medallion but were angry there wasn’t anymore. The kids are taken back to the ship and they have to interpret a map of Captain Bones. The kids are locked up but when they look out the window they understand that the island looks like a whale and they see where the eye is and know that this must be where the treasure is. They tell the pirates and are taken back to shore. Two pirates try to move the giant rock and finally do but a storm rolls in and they get scared. The pirates run off and Captain Bones follows not wanting to be left behind. Jack and Annie have to run back to the tree house and Polly, the parrot, helps Jack to leave behind the treasure. The kids return home and Polly turns into a beautiful old woman named Morgan from Kind Arthur’s time. She’s the mysterious M person. Morgan has been collecting books from every time period for a personal library. She says that never before has anyone been able to see or use the tree house but her. It only works when they are together. She leaves them and disappears in the tree house. They love their adventures and they think they will see Morgan again.

Recommendation
I would recommend this to first graders who have vivid imaginations and he dream of going to far off places when they are older. This will help them fuel that imagination and maybe want to see those places more.

Problems/Conflict
There is no reality in a magic tree house that travels through time.

My Reaction
These were some of my favorite books when I was little, especially this one because I like pirates. I didn’t realize how simple these books are because when I first read them they were hard. I just enjoy the simple adventures these two kids go on, but how exotic the places are that they visit.

39. Lincoln: A Photobiography

Title: Lincoln: A Photobiography
Author: Russell Freedman
Publisher: Clarion Books
Copyright Date: 1987
Number of Pages:132
Reading Level: 12+
Genre: Biography/Nonfiction

Summary
Russell Freedman’s book is one where we really get to know the character of Abraham Lincoln. First we start with his truly humble beginnings in the backwoods of Illinois. Lincoln was a hard worker and was known for the sound he made when he was felling trees. Everyone knew when Abraham was chopping wood. He was fast and strong. Lincoln was a sight to behold too, standing at six feet six inches he easily towered over people. Abraham in all went to school for less than a year. But because he was an avid reader he was high in intellect. He would be seen plowing with a book in hand. He taught himself law and was able to learn all that he needed to know for the bar exam simply by buying the books and reading them. Abraham was known to be unkempt in appearance but that didn’t stop him from catching the eye of Mary Todd. Her family completely and verbally disapproved of their marriage but love won out. They had four sons together and only two made it to adulthood. Lincoln ran for a lot of positions and in many instances lost. But when he ran for President he won. Almost right after being elected he had hard choices to make as to whether the country would be at war with itself. The effects of the war showed on Lincoln’s face as each year passed and a new photograph was taken. Lincoln genuinely cared about what the people thought and openly invited personal interviews to see what they thought. Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth while at Ford’s theatre with his wife. His bodyguard was downstairs enjoying the show rather than at his post. The conspirators of his assassination were photographed and hung.

Recommendation
This was a great book to dispel the tall tales that we have heard about President Lincoln. I can’t see a kid getting through this book and enjoying it so I would suggest that it be primarily used as resource material for kids.

Problems/Conflict
Really long. I can’t see this keeping the attention of a seventh grader.

My Reaction
I think that Freedman did an excellent job of keeping personal opinion out of this book. There are a lot of instances that he could have made a judgment on the things that Lincoln did but he kept thoughts to himself. Really a very interesting book and I enjoyed it.