Good books I've read lately....

Hello all! Terribly sorry I haven't written any reviews lately. College has taken over the better part of my life and this was a project for a class I was doing last semester. SO, here are some books that I have read lately, or just ones that I would reccommend to anyone who asked. If you have questions about the books I have reccommended, just ask and I'll get to you as soon as I can!

The Adventures of Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass
The Mortal Intruments Series
Percy Jackson and the Olympians
A Countess Below Stairs
The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner
Once Upon a Marigold and Twice Upon a Marigold
The Blue Bloods Series (By Melissa De la Cruz)
Inkdeath

Those are just to get you started! I'll post more as soon as I can.

The Return of the Indian

The Return of the Indian
Written By: Lynne Reid Banks
HarperCollins Publishers
October 1987
Ages: 10-12
Pages: 189

Summary

In the first book Omri nearly avoids disastrous consequences with Little Bear and finally decides to send him back to his own world and his own time. Omri then gives his mother the key to the cupboard for safe keeping and so he won't be tempted to use it ever again. He now understands the importance of Little Bear staying in his own time. But a year later Omri has lots of exciting news to tell and Omri's mother carelessly leaves the key on the bathroom sink and he gives way to temptation and brings Little Bear back to life, only to find that he has been injured in the French and Indian War. What originally started out as a game quickly turns into a nightmare and Omri must act quickly if he wants to save Little Bear's village from being completely slaughtered in the onslaught of war.

Who would benefit from reading this book?

I think anyone who enjoys a good twist on historical fiction or even if they enjoyed the first book in the series would love this book. It's exciting and adventurous and perfect for a good read on a rainy day.

What problems do you see arising from reading this book?

This book deals with a lot of violence and the consequences of violence due to the French and Indian war that Little Bear is involved in. Some younger audiences may find the content a tad bit innappropriate.

What was your reaction?

As with many other books I've read this semester, it has been a long time since I've read this one. I think the last time I read the entire series was when I was in the seventh grade. i'd forgotten how much I loved the excitement and adventure found in this book.

My First Book of Dinosaurs

My First Book of Dinosaurs and Other Prehistoric Animals
Written By: Colin Clark, Illustrated By: Geoff Campion
Brown-Watson, England
1992
Pages: 30

Summary

This is a unique book with surprisingly realistic illustrations. It's extremely informative and fact based and tells about not only dinosaurs, but prehistoric birds and mammals too.

Who would benefit from reading this book?

I think any young child who has taken an early interest in dinosaurs and prehistoric animals would enjoy this book. It gives them the opportunity to learn important facts about their favorite thing!

What problems do you see arising from reading this book?

I do not currently see any problems arising from reading this book.

What was your reaction?

It was kind of fun to read this book once more. I remember leafing through it when I was a younger child and marveling at all of the different illustrations. It's been in my family for a long time and it is one that we have always enjoyed.

I Know How We Fight Germs

I Know How We Fight Germs (Sam's Science)
Written By: Kate Rowan, Illustrated By: Katharine McEwan
Candlewick Press
January 1999
Ages: 6-10
Approx. # of Pages: 25

Summary

Young Sam has caught a cold and he and his mother talk about germs, viruses and bacteria. They also talk about different facts such as a sneeze travels up to the length of three elephants long. A fun, informative and educational book that will help young children learn how to stay healthy.

Who would benefit from reading this book?

I think that young children who are just old enough to learn how we get sick and what makes us sick would enjoy this book. it is made for young children, but it still has enough information in it and it's drawings that it's still informative and useful to use in maybe a classroom setting.

What problems do you see arising from reading this book?

I do not currently see any problems arising from reading this book.

What was your reaction?

I thought this book was super cute. As I've mentioned before the book has wonderfully unique illustrations that help get the facts and information across to the younger audiences.

Where the Sidewalk Ends

Where the Sidewalk Ends
Written By: Shel Silverstein
HarperCollins Publishers
November 1974
Ages: 9-12
Pages: 166

Summary

This is one of my favorite book of poems of all time. Shel Silverstein has the wonderful and unique ability to get children to love poetry through witty and hilarious verse. Some are serious, but most of the time they're not and they talk about funny situations children get into and funny stories that children can get interested in.

Who would benefit from reading this book?

I think anyone would benefit from reading this book. It's a lighthearted book that will keep you guessing and laughing and asking for more the whole way through.

What problems do you see arising from reading this book?

I currently do not see any problems arising from reading this book.

What was your reaction?

I absolutely LOVE this book and I have ever since I was little. I think I was first introduced to these poems when I was about in the third grade or so. I fell in love with the poems because they made me laugh so much and I eventually got all three of the poem books for a present one year.

Absolutely Normal Chaos

Absolutely Normal Chaos
Written By: Sharon Creech (Winner of the Newberry Medal for Walk Two Moons.)
Harper Collins Publishers
February 1997
Ages: 12 and up
Pages: 230

Summary

Mary Lou Finney, from Walk Two Moons has been assigned to write and keep a summer journal to be reviewed by her new teacher at the beginning of the school year. The journal starts out as recording the rather boring goings on of her family and friends, but soon things are turned upside down when Mary Lou's backwoods cousin, Carl Ray, comes to visit, wher her boy crazy best friend Beth Ann becomes two faced and goes off the deep end and when mary lou falls in love with a boy from school, Alex Cheevey. Some of my favorite parts of this "journal" are when Mary Lou records her experiences and musings as she reads the Odyssey. Here is an excerpt: "Book eleven of the odyssey is deadly boring. Ha. That's a pun because this part is all about Odysseus' visit to the dead. It wasn't as exciting as I expected it to be. He meets some old friends who weren't as lucky as he (they're dead, after all) and also he meets a prophet who tells him what's going to happen to him in the future. He warns him about all the dangers ahead and tells him that he will kill all of his wife's suitors. I didn't think Homer should give away the ending like that. Also, this prophet tells Odysseus how he will die!!! he's gong to die at the sea, but a sort of peaceful death." This is just a taste of what you will find when you read this book.

Who would benefit from reading this book?

I think this book would mostly be appropriate for girls around 12 or so. They would like it because the girl in the book is just like them and they will come to realize that they aren't the only ones with problems, it's not the end of the world and there are so many things you can do to solve those problems.

What problems may arise from reading this book?

Like any other girl her age, Mary Lou is growing up and going through lots of different changes, becoming more curious about relationships, boys and of course, sex. This might be a good book for young girls to read with their mothers in order to understand some different things.

What was your reaction?

I loved this book and I've read it more times than I can remember. Mary Lou's witty and sarcastic comments keep the book's plot moving, making it interesting and easy to read.

The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids: Vampires Don't Wear Polka Dots

The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids: Vampires Don't Wear Polka Dots
Written By: Debbie Dadey and Marcia Thornton Jones. Illustrated By: John Steven Gurney
Scholastic Inc.
January 1991
Ages: 7-10

Summary

These books, because they are so short, are hard to summarize without giving the whole plot away (which I don't like to do) so I'm going to do my best and see what happens! The Third Graders at Bailey Elementary are some of the worst children the teaches have ever come in contact with. Most of the teachers move far away after mental/nervous breakdowns and never return. The third graders take pride in seeing how short of a time it takes them to get rid of a teacher. But with the new teacher from the transylvanian alps, come new risks and different happenings when they make the teacher mad. She just might be a vampire and four kids in Mrs. Jeepers' new class will do everything they can to figure out if it's true or not.

Who would benefit from reading this book?

Any child who likes stories about children, mysteries or even stories about fantasy creatures will enjoy these books.

What problems do you see arising from this book?

The main characters in this book are terribly nosy, michevious and quite frankly, just the typical trouble makers. Some children might be impressionable enough that they will try to copy these behaviors.

What was your reaction?

I haven't read any of the Bailey School Kids books in quite some time and it was a pleasure to read one of them again. They were my favorites when i was younger because they were easy to read, but they were exciting and interesting and NEVER boring! There was always something going on in them.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Sea of Monsters

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Sea of Monsters
Written By: Rick Riordan
Hyperion Books
March 2007
Ages: 9-12

Summary

This book takes place in Percy's seventh grade school year. And it is extremely quiet, something that he's not used to happening at all. Percy is having a hard time at school though because a developmentally delayed homeless child named Tyson at school follows him around and all of the other kids make fun of him for it. After an amazing and terrifying battle of dodgeball with man eating cannibalistic giants, Tyson, Percy and Annabeth flee to camp half blood to find that the magical barriers around it that keep it protected are failing and Thalia's pine tree is dying. Through some interesting dreams that connect Percy to Grover, Percy discovers that Grover has been taken hostage by the legendary Cyclops from Homer's the Odyssey. Along with the daughter of the God of War Clarisse, Tyson, Annabeth and Percy must sail through the legendary Sea of Monsters, the Bermuda Triangle, to save camp Half Blood and bring back the golden fleece by the end of the summer or mosters, the treacherous Luke and his evil minions will take over.

Who would benefit from reading this book?

Anyone who enjoyed the first Percy Jackson book, The Lightning Thief, will definitely enjoy the sequel. It has lots more adventure and intrigue and a couple of twists that the reader won't expect. it will keep them interested and asking for more once the book is over and done with.

What problems do you see arising from reading this book?

The Only problem I see arising from reading this book is that there is a lot of fantasty related violence in these books that the children encounter when they are on their quests. Some children reading the book might not be comfortable with it.

What was your reaction?

After finishing reading The Lightning Thief, I went out and bought the next two books in the series because I love the first one so much. The author is extremely talented at bringing ancient greek mythology to life in Modern times and does a great job of weaving in believable and relatable characters.

The Baby Sitter's Club: Jessi's Secret Language

The Baby Sitter's Club: Jessi's Secret Language
Written By: Ann M. Martin
Scholastic Inc.
September 1988
Ages: 8-12
Pages: 145

Summary

Jessi Ramsey is one of the newest members of the babysitter's club and she gets a brand new special child to work with. This child's name is Matt and he is deaf and has been since birth. He uses sign language to speak and so naturally, to be his sitter, Jessi must learn sing language too. At first it's really difficult, but Jessi grows to really love sing language and the special way that she is able to comunicate with matt. Learning sign language has kept Jessi really busy and soon all of the kids in Stoneybrook want to learn sing language. jessi is also a ballet dancer and she has figured out a special surprise for Matt and all of his friends at his school for the deaf.

Who would benefit from reading this book?

Anyone who is a fan of the babysitter's club would love this book. It has a unique storyline that introduces children to the fact that deaf children are just like any other child.

What problems do you see arising from reading this book?

I do not currently see any problems arising from reading this book.

What was your reaction?

I absolutely loved the Babysitter's club books when I was younger, around eleven or so. I actually read all of the babysitter's club books within a whole summer, and this book was one of my favorites. i actually started to learn sing language because of it and picked up a lot of different signs and the alphabet too.

Helen Keller

Helen Keller
Written By: Margaret Davidson
Scholastic Inc.
March 1989
Ages: 9-12

Summary

This book is a good companion book to Helen Keller's TEACHER and should be read after reading it. This book tells of the different situations and adventures that both Annie Sullivan and Helen Keller went through together in order to teach Helen how to read, write and eventually talk and go to college and graduate with honors. One of the most memorable scenes in this books is when Helen won't use her table manners at breakfast and is acting rude, wild and inconsiderate to everyone within a 12 inch radius. Annie immediately orders everyone from the dining room and locks the doors with just she and Helen inside. After several hours and a terriffic fight, Helen is eating her oatmeal with a spoon.

Who would benefit from reading this book?

As I mentioned in this section of the book review for HELEN KELLER'S TEACHER, any child would benefit from reading it. This book has the unique opportunity and ability to teach children several different vauable morals and life skills that will help them throughout their school years and different relationships with friends and family.

What problems do you see arising from reading this book?

I currently do not see any problems arising from reading this book.

What was your reaction?

My reaction was much the same as it was when I read Helen Keller's TEACHER. I read this book several times, just fascinated with Helen's story and the sheer determination and desire to learn she used to progress in life.

Helen Keller's TEACHER

Helen Keller's TEACHER
Written By: Margaret Davidson
Scholastic Inc.
March 1992
Ages: 9-12
Pages: 153

Summary

I have always been fascinated by the miraculous story of Helen Keller and this book is one that helped to satiate my curiosity because to truly understand Helen Keller and her situation, you must learn about her amazingly talented teacher, Annie Sullivan. Annie Sullivan gained her passion, courage and determination from the extremely difficult childhood and adulthood she went through. At a young age, her parents died and she and her little brother and baby sister were separted. Due to a tuburcular hip, her brother later died and Annie never saw her baby sister again. After the unfortuante death of her brother, Annie had the wonderful oppportunity to be sent to the Perkins Institute for the Blind and it is there that she learned all of her important and valuable skills that would help her to teach little Helen Keller in later life. After we learn of Annie's life, the story shifts to meeting Helen and of the exciting thigns that happened there after Annie started to teach her.

Who would benefit from reading this book?

The stories of Annie Sullivan and Helen Keller would be beneficial if read to any child. The story tells that anything is possible, even in the most gloomy and most dire of circumstances; all it requires is determination and the belief that you are capable of anything.

What problems do you see arising from reading this book?

I do not see any problems arising from reading this book.

What was your reaction?

As a young child I was a voracious reader and I would read anything I could get my chubby little hands on. I went through yet another reading phrase where I read anything and everything to do with Annie Sullivan and Helen Keller. I admired the determination seen, written and talked about in both women and it made me feel like I could do anything I set my mind to.

Get on Board: The Story of the Underground Railroad

Get on Board: The Story of the Underground Railroad
Written By: Jim Haskins
Scholastic Inc.
January 1995
Ages: 9-12
Pages: 144

Summary

This book is just a collection of several stories about how the slaves came to be in America and their miraculous stories of survival and dangerous escapes to freedom. No one really knows for sure how many slaves escaped and how many people were there to help them on their way, but apparently hundreds of stories have survied from the tumultuous time and this book does an excellent job of telling and explaining them to young audiences.

Who would benefit from reading this book?

I think that any child, or teacher for that matter, who is interested in the Civil War Era or the stories of the slaves and the undeground railroad would enjoy this knowledgeable and informative book.

What problems do you see arising from reading this book?

I currently do not see any problems arising from reading this book.

What was your reaction?

I personally really enjoyed this book. It was informative and it was just the right thing for me to read when I was younger and going through my underground railroad/civil war phase.

Inkdeath

Inkdeath
Written By: Cornelia Funke, Translated From the German Text By: Anthea Bell
Scholastic Inc.
October 2008
Ages: 8-12
Pages: 663

Summary

Life in the world of Inkheart hasn't been easy when in Inkspell (the second book in the series) Meggie, Mo, Resa and Dustfinger got read into the world, leaving Elinor and Darius the reader behind in Modern day Italy. The adderhead has become more angry and more volatile due to Mo's curse on the white book of immortality. He's made the book rot from the inside out, and in so doing, making the adderhead rot from the inside out, but still immortal and unable to die. The milksop, the adderhead's brother-in-law has taken over Ombra along with the evil Piper and Farid is now working for Orpheus, the cowardly, backstabbing reader that Fenoglio, the author of Inkheart, created. With Dustfinger dead and Meggie, Resa, Mo and the Black Prince and his gang hiding out in the forest away from prying eyes. Things start to go awry when Mo makes a deal with death itself and must kill the adderhead for the White Women and free Ombra from his cruel and oppressive rule. The only catch is, is that Mo must get help from the Adderhead's Daughter, Violante (Her Ugliness), and give himself up so the hunt for the children of Ombra to be used in the silver mines will stop and the hostage children will be released.

Who would benefit from reading this book?

I think that anyone who is familiar with Cornelia Funke's writing, such as the Thief Lord, The Dragon Rider, Inkheart, and Inkspell would love Inkdeath. It's a wonderful ending to a truly epic children's literature series.

What problems do you see arising from reading this book?

This book has a lot of fantasy themed violence and some mild swearing in it. Due to the extreme situations some of the characters have to go through, some children might be opposed to reading it.

What was your reaction?

I loved this book. I read it in a matter of days. I love Cornelia Funke's unique way of story telling because her descriptive and life-like and relatable writing has the ability to draw the reader into the story right away without a lot of fluffy filler.

Love That Dog

Love That Dog
Written By: Sharon Creech
HarperCollins Publishers
July 2001
Ages: 12 and up.
Pages: 86

Summary

It's hard to summarize this book without making it sound like something off of a book jacket, so I'm just going to write it and whatever comes out, comes out. So there. :) Anyway, this book is about a young boy named Jack who absolutely abhors writing poetry and staunchly refuses to do so because "only girls" write poetry. But, his teacher keeps giving him poetry assignments and he is forced to do them. When he starts out, he just puts his thoughts in stanzas, but after reading a poem about a dog, it reminds him of a dog that died that he used to have and what he remembers helps him to develop his poetry skills. The whole book is written in free verse poetry from from Jack's point of view.

Who would benefit from reading this book?

Anyone who loves poetry would love this book. I personally love all different types of poetry and it was fun to see the evolvement of Jack's poetry skills.

What problems do you see arising from reading this book?

I do not at this time see any problems arising from reading this book.

What was your reaction?

This book was also OK. While I liked reading it and seeing the evolvement of Jack's poetry skills, it was a little hard to get into.

Lincoln: A Photobiography

Lincoln: A Photobiography
Written By: Russell Freedman
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing
September 1989
Ages: 8-12.
Pages: 144

Summary

This book is a little hard to summarize. It's a book about Lincoln's life that is written specifically for children and is accompanied by authentic photographs of President Lincoln, his family and of different things that went on during that particular time period, such as Union Soldiers and pictures of the President of the Confederate United States, Jefferson Davis. The book goes through several different important periods in Lincoln's life and ends with the description of his death.

Who would benefit from reading this book?

I think anyone, especially elementary school history teachers or those children interested in President Lincoln and the civil war would enjoy reading this book and looking at all of the pictures.

What problems do you see arising from reading this book?

As of right now, the only problem I can think of is that this book contains information about the violence of slavery, the civil war and the assassination of President Lincoln. Some younger audiences might be disturbed by the book's content.

What was your reaction?

I didn't necessarily love the book, nor did I necessarily hate it. I just thought it was a good informational book, probably a good book to have if you're teaching elementary school.

A Single Shard

A Single Shard
Written By: Linda Sue Park
Random House Children's Books.
February 2003
Age Range: 10 and up.
Pages: 152

Summary

This book is beautiful and unique in every way. It tells of a young orphan boy named Tree-Ear that lives with a crippled homeless man named Crane-Man in medieval Korea. Tree ear is usually unable to find much food, but after eating, his favorite thing to do is to go and watch the village potter, Min, make pottery. One day when Min is out, Tree-Ear goes into the potter's shop to explore and ends up breaking a valuable wooden box. In exchange, the potter make the boy work for nine days for him, because it takes at least three to make the box. After his working obligation is over, Tree Ear decides to stay on and help the potter with different tasks, hoping that the potter will decide to teach him how to make a pot. But more than likely, Tree ear won't get to make a pot because that skill is usally passed down from father to son and Min's son is dead. One day, an person of the imperial court comes to find a potter to work in the new palace. And so Tree ear travels to show the emmisary the potter's best work. On his way to the city, Tree ear is attacked by robbers and every single pot is broken and Tree Ear is left with a single shard of pottery to show the skill of Min's work. At the end of the story, Crane Man dies, but Tree Ear's hard work has paid off. Min's work will be used and Tree ear is adopted into Min's family and gets a new name and finally learns how to make a pot.

Who would benefit from reading this book?

Any adult or child who is interested in different Asian cultures will enjoy this book. Despite being a work of fiction, it is immensely educational and teaches several different important values.

What problems do you see arising from reading this book?

I do not currently see any problems arising from reading this book.

What was your reaction?

The book was OKAY. While being very unique and beautifully written, it's not the sort of book I would usually read.

A Year Down Yonder

A Year Down Yonder (The Sequel to "A Long Way from Chicago".)
Written By: Richard Peck
Penguin Group, USA
December 2002
Ages: 12 and up.
Pages: 130

Summary

I was first introduced to these books when I was very young, then again when I was about in the eighth grade. I had a physical science teacher that loved them. This story is just about fifteen year old Mary Alice when circumstances of the great depression force her to move and live with her Grandmother for a year. I don't want to give away too much of the book, so I'll just tell about a few of my favorite parts. One of my most favorite parts in the book is when Grandma needed Pecans to make pecan pie and she knew of and had an old crotechety neighbor that had a couple pecan trees. Grandma rammed his tractor right into the tree so all of the pecans would fall to the ground. This was because if she took the pecans from the ground because they'd fell "naturally" off the tree, then this wouldn't be stealing. My other favorite part of the book is the ending or the epilogue. Mary Alice is all grown up and she tells of her reporting job in the city and how her family is doing near the end of the world war and what they are all up to. Mary Alice is engaged and she goes to Grandma's house to get married, and so Grandma can give her away.

Who would benefit from reading this book?

Anyone who has or even hasn't read "A Long Way from Chicago" will love "A Year Down Yonder". If you like to laugh while reading, then this book is definitely for you. Grandma's antics will keep you rolling and yelling for more.

What problems do you see arising from reading this book?

Unless some particularly imaginative and mischevious children are bent on following Grandma's example with some of her crazy antics, then I don't see any problems arising.

What was your reaction?

I personally loved this book. I read it all together in a couple hours. It brought me back to junior high days when my earth science teacher used to read to us before the lesson.

Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl

Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl
Written By: Anne Frank, Translated By: B.M. Mooyaart, Introduction By: Eleanor Roosevelt
Random House Publishing: Bantam Books
June 1993
Ages: ?
Pages: 283

Summary

It's hard to explain in detail about Anne's experiences that are written about in her diary. Her first entry is on June 14th, 1942, two days after her birthday.She describes her birthday experiences and then later on, she describes some of the things that Jews are forced to do, wear the yellow star, stay away from parks, swimming pools and movie theatres. The rest of the diary follows up until Anne describes her family's escape to the secret annexe. Anne stays there with her family for over two years and her diary tells about her experiences there and her love for a boy named Peter, who's family is also in hiding with them. Anne's last diary entry occurs on August 1st, 1944. It is strangely forshadows what is to come and it makes the reader sad to think of what came next for Anne and her family and her friends. Anne's family was captured by the Nazi's and transfered to a concentration camp shortly after her last diary entry. She died when she was not yet sixteen, just two days or so before the Americans would liberate Bergen-Belsen.

Who would benefit from reading this book?

As I discussed in this section of the book card for Memories of Anne Frank, anyone who is interested in the story of Anne Frank or WW II or the Holocaust would be fairly interested in the insights that are gained from reading Anne's diary. the knowledge and feelings gained from reading Anne's diary are priceless.

What problems do you see arising from reading this book?

The only thing I can think of is that in one part of the book, Anne is particularly occupied with the human anatomy and sex. Young children should wait until they are old enough to understand the content presented in the diary.

What was your reaction?

When I finally read Anne's diary all the way through, I felt honored to have been able to read something so revealing and personal of another human being's thoughts and feelings. Anne's diary is a book that should be read with respect, reverence and rememberance.

Reflections of a Childhood Friend: Memories of Anne Frank

Reflections of a Childhood Friend: Memories of Anne Frank
Written By: Alison Leslie Gold
Polaris, Scholastic Inc.
April 1999
Ages: 10 and up.
Pages: 135

Summary

This is a beautiful recollection of stories from Anne Frank's dear friend, Hannah Goslar. The whole of the book just basically runs through and describes Hannah and Anne's friendship leading up to their separation when they were both sent to concentration camps. Some of the most touching parts of the story come from Hannah's experiences described in the concentration camps and what she went through there to survive. On one occasion, Hannah and Anne happened to be in neighboring concentration camps, but Anne and her sister Margot were in much worse shape and hardly ever got food to eat or a warm place to sleep. On two occasions, Hannah tried to throw packages with Red Cross food in them to Anne, but the first time, the package was wrestled from Anne and she was left with nothing. The second time, thankfully, Anne was able to catch the package as it was thrown over the fence. Just mere weeks later, Anne's camp disappeared.

Who would benefit from reading this book?

Any child who has heard of Anne Frank or is even interested in World War Two and the Holocaust would benfit from reading this book. It chronciles the endurance of the human spirit through the most trying times anyone could ever be put through and the miracles that can happen from those experiences.

What problems do you see arising from reading this book?

This book describes in some detail the horrors and terrible conditions of the concentration camps and what happened there. Some young children might be disturbed by it's content. I would reccommend reading it with a parent and discussing it's contents.

What was your reaction?

I believe that the first time I read this book I got it as a Christmas gift, along with Anne Frank's diary. I had and still do, have an affinity for the Holocaust and WW II. I treasure the lessons I learn from studying these experiences and the knowledge I gain from them.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief (Book #1)
Written By: Rick Riordan
January 2010
Hyperion Books
Ages: 9-12
Pages: 375

Summary

Percy Jackson has been kicked out of six boarding schools in six years, and he has no idea why. Despite his desperate attempts to behave, he always ends up making trouble. Like obliterating his Algebra Teacher on a museum fieldtrip when she turns into a mythical Fury from Hell sent by Hades to destroy him. After this upsetting incident and after the end of the year tests, Percy travels home to his mother and his rotten stepfather and goes on a nice summer trip with his mother to a cottage by the ocean. But things go from bad to worse when Percy, his mother and his best friend (who just HAPPENS to be a satyr) are chased to a summer camp for demi-gods (half-gods Half humans)by a Minotaur. Percy experiences the unimaginable when it seems as if the characters from his ancient greek myths are coming to life. And to top things off, somehow Percy has made the gods angry and Zeus' master lightning bolt has been stolen, and Percy is the prime suspect. With help from his friends, Grover (the satyr) and Annabeth (the daughter of Athena) have ten days to find the master bolt, or be the cause of an all out war on mount olympus. In their adventures, Percy and his friends meet the god of war, A medusa, and a chihuaua that can change into a creature that is more fearsome than they care to encounter. Percy also discovers that Poseidon, the God of the Sea, is his father.

Who would benefit from reading this book?

I have always been a fan of greek myths and fantasy stories and I think anyone who has even the vaguest interest in these subjects would love this book. It has all sorts of interesting creatures and greek gods packed into the setting of modern day New York.

What Problems do you see arising from reading this book?

This book contains villains, most of which meet violent and unpleasant ends. Some children might be uncomfortable with the violence found in this book.

What was your reaction?

I started reading this book because I'd heard it was very good from several different people. I also really wanted to see the movie and I wanted to see what all the hype was about. I absolutely love this book. It has everything I look for in a novel and I would reccommend it to anyone who mentioned it or asked about it.

Little House on the Prairie

Little House on the Prairie
Written By: Laura Ingalls Wilder, Illustrated By: Garth Williams
HarperCollins Publishers
1935
Ages: 8-12
Pages: 335

Summary

The Little House on the Prairie is about a little girl named Laura Ingalls and her Ma, Pa and her sisters Mary and Carrie who travel across the great plains in search of a better land and a better life. The whole of the book chronicles Laura's adventures on the prairie: some of the more exciting adventures to read about in the book include when Laura's family has to cross a big creek, when they get to move into their new house, when they encounter wolves on the prairie, when Indians come to visit, when her family and the surrounding people get sick with "fever 'n' ague" and when Mr. Edwards "Meets" Santa Claus. That last experience is one of my favorites. As little girls, Laura and Mary believe that Santa Claus cannot travel at Christmastime without snow and when it rains continually and the creek rises to a dangerous level, the girls are devastated. BUT Mr. Edwards soon shows up, soaking wet and shivering with a HUGE bundle. Mr. Edwards tells his story about how he met Santa. He said that Santa was sad because he didn't think that he would be able to get to the girls because of the creek. So he asked Mr. Edwards to deliver the gifts and Mr. Edwards said he would. Mary and Laura each recieved tin cups, a candy cane, heart shaped cakes sprinkled with white sugar. and a penny.

Who do you think would benefit from reading this book?

I think any young child, especially those children who are interested in our country's history and how it was settled would heartily enjoy these books. The copy that I own, was once my aunt's, and it just goes to show a love for books can be passed down from generations.

Do you see any problems arising from reading this book?

I currently do not forsee any problems arising from reading this book.

What was your reaction?

I have not read this book in quite some time and it was nice to read it again. The 'Little House' books used to be some of my favorites when I was little and it reminded me of one of my other favorite books in the series, Farmer Boy.

The Hardy Boys Case Files: The Crowning Terror

The Hardy Boys Case Files: The Crowning Terror
Written By: Franklin W. Dixon
Siomn and Schuster Children's Publishing
July 1987
Pages: 154

Summary

This is definitely one of my favorite Hardy Boys mysteries. Frank and Joe want to have lunch with their uncle, but when they try to do so, their Unlce Hugh is kidnapped and Joe and Frank are suddenly in trouble with the U.S. Espionage Unit. A certain special agent is totally bent on proving that Uncle Hugh is a traitor and he thinks that the boys helped him to escape. And a woman named Charity appearson Uncle Hugh's trail and to make things even more complicated yet again, Frank and Joe are being tailed by two different gangs who want to kill them! The rest of the novel follows Frank, Joe and Uncle Hugh's adventures and how they miraculously come out for the better.

Who would benefit from reading this book?

I think anyone who enjoys a good mystery or especially Nancy Drew or any of the other Hardy Boys mysteries would love this book. It is especially adventurous and fast paced.

What problems do you see arising from reading this book?

The hardy boys and their Uncle are always involved in extremely suspenseful and dangerous situations that involve doing harm to others and running from murderers. This might disturb some young readers.

What was your reaction?

The book was awesome! It's a hardy boys mystery, need I say more? It has adverture, danger and intrigue rolled all up into one!

Children Just Like Me

Children Just Like Me
By Anabel and Barnabas Kindersley
DK Publishing Inc.
September 1995
Ages: 8-11 years of age.
Pages: 79

Summary

This is a wonderful informational children's book that displays children from all around the world and tells of their friends, family, favorite foods and activities. It has great pictures of all of the children and where they live and their families, etc.

Who would benefit from reading this book?

I think all children and adults alike would benefit from reading this book. It is extremely informative without being boring. It is bright, colorful and very interesting with eye catching images that would catch the interest of any reader.

What problems do you see arising from this book?

I currentlydo not see any problems arising from reading this book.

What was your reaction?

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was extremely informative and I loved all of the wonderful photographs.

The Story of Ruby Bridges

The Story of Ruby Bridges
Written By: Robert Coles, Illustrated By: George Ford
Scholastic Inc.
June 2004
Ages: 7-10 years of age.

Summary

Ruby Bridges grew up during the most tumultuous times of the civil rights movement; she was the first African-American child to attend an all Caucasian elementary school. And everyone in the town was against it. Everyday Ruby had to be escorted into school by the U.S. Marshalls amongst people who threatened to kill her and do harm to her, but she instead prayed for them and the mean things that they said to her. And to top things off, no other children would go to school because Ruby was going to school and only one teacher stayed to teach her.

Who would benefit from reading this book?

I think all children would benefit from reading this book. It shows what can happen when you follow your dreams despite what other people say and think of you. It is a valuable book that teaches children about the civil rights movement without being to graphic.

What problems do you see arising from reading this book?

Children might be disturbed from the treatment that young Ruby recieves from the adults that taunt her when she goes to school.

What was your reaction?

I liked this book. I am very interested in the civil rights movement and I was overjoyed to find a children's book that is able to explain the trials of it without being too graphic for children. It is extremely educational.

The Great Gilly Hopkins

The Great Gilly Hopkins
Written By: Katherine Paterson
HarperCollins Publishers
June 1987
Ages: 9-12
Pages: 178

Summary

The Great Gilly Hopkins is an Eleven year old foster child who is determined to be against the world. She is brilliantly smart, but uses her smarts to get what she wants and to get herself booted from several different foster homes. As a frim last resort, Gilly's social worker sends her to live with a loving, wonderful, albeit illiterate and very overweight woman and a little boy who also lives there, William Ernest. Through different actions, such as stealing, swearing and being harmfully mean and racist. Gilly's (Galadriel) greatest wish is to be rescued by her mother. Gilly ends up writing a riduclously embellished letter about the conditions at her new foster home to her mother and it gets way out of hand. Gilly never expected to come to lover Trotter and William Ernest but she does and when she does, her grandmother comes to take her away permantly, believing the outlandish lies in Gilly's Letter. Gilly is sorely disappointed when she discovers what her mother is really like and is devastated because she has built her up so much. But in order to make Trotter proud Gilly puts on a stiff upper lip and confidently goes forward with what life has given her. " 'Sorry to make you wait...I'm ready to go home now.' No clouds of glory, perhaps, but Trotter would be proud.' "

Who Would Benefit from reading this book?

I think despite some of it's content and Gilly's attitude, that every child would benefit from reading this book. I think this because it shows that life is just not all fun and games, it has trials too, but those trials don't keep you from enjoying life and that you can work to get what you want. It teaches children good values.

What problems do you see this book causing?

Gilly is not like a typical eleven year old. She speaks her mind regardless of what situation she's in and does what she likes and says what she likes with no respect to authority. Children might get the wrong idea and copy Gilly's attitude.

What was your reaction from this book?

Despite my surprise at reading this book for the first time, I grew to enjoy it as I read it. It made me laugh and I love Gilly's brovado and cavalier and confident attitude.

Stargirl

Stargirl
Written By: Jerry Spinelli
Random House Children's Books
May 2004
Age Range: Young Adult
Pages: 186

Summary

Stargirl is a very unique story. It starts with a young boy named Leo who is in high school and he is BENT on trying to fit in, not caring what he has to do or who he has to shun in order to fit in. Then Stargirl comes along and changes everything. She is everything someone in high school tries to avoid; she is ridiculously odd, and different in a way that seems almost otherwordly. She dresses from different centuries and different genres, plays the ukelele to people who have birthdays, makes cards, decorate her desk in class, and above all, doesn't care what other people think. Leo soon falls for Stargirl, but soon discovers that hanging out with her and spending time with her and getting to know her isn't as perfect or as idealized or as easy as he expected to be. Stargirl changes the high school forever, sky-rocketing to popularity for her radical uniqueness, but then she is shunned for things which can't be explained, for being herself and for something that is not her fault. Leo has a hard time choosing between who he wants to be and who everyone else wants him to be. He and Stargirl go through several different experiences together which help them to discover that perhaps popularity isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Who would benefit from reading this book?

This book is definitely a coming of age story and anyone, male or female around the age of 12 turning thirteen, would appreciate this book. It teaches important lessons that may not be able to be learned or absorbed any other way. It shows that it's okay to be different and that life goes on and that you don't need people's approval to be who you really are.

What problems do you see this book causing?

This book could go either way; the kids reading it could be on stargirl's side, rooting for uniqueness or wishing she'd just stop what she was doing and try to fit it. The kids at the high school get to be particularly cruel and berating and some younger audiences might not like the content.

What was your reaction to this book?

This book was wonderful. I liked how it accurately portrayed the reaction of high school students, even though it might not have been very flattering. I think it's important for all people to understand what they are capable of and what you yourself are capable of.

Tuck Everlasting

Tuck Everlasting
Written By: Natalie Babbitt
Farrar, Straus and Giroux
January 1975
Ages:12 and up
Pages: 139

Summary

Tuck Everlasting is a book that I will never, ever forget reading. Tuck Everlasting starts out with the story of a young girl from a rich family named Winifred "Winnie" Foster. Winnie is tired of being told what to do, day in and day out; of being told how to dress, how to act and when and where it is appropriate to do things. So one day, Winnie sneaks out to the wood (which her father owns) across from the cottage where she lives and goes exploring. Winnie soon gets lost, but she then suddenly comes across a boy who appears to be about seventeen, drinking from a freshwater spring at the base of a big tree. Captivated by the young boy and fighting terrible thirst, Winnie approaches the boy and asks for a drink from it. Immediately terrified, the young boy, Jesse, staunchly refuses her a drink;coming up with all sorts of ridiculous excuses that just end up contradicting his actions. Angry and exhausted and from her excursions, winnie trys to push past Jesse and is suddenly swept up by someone on horseback. Before Winnie realizes what has happened, she has been kidnapped and then she finds out the miraculous story of the Tucks. A mother, a father and two boys, Jesse and Miles. They are immortal and the source of their immortality is the spring from which Jesse drank. The next few days are spent at the tucks house, explaining why winnie under any circumstances, CANNOT EVER tell anyone about the spring. Obviously, back home, Winnie has gone missing and her return is being negotiated by a cruel, coniving man in a yellow suit who knows the miraculous circumstances of the tucks. The man in the yellow suit will help return winnie in exchange for the deeds to the wood. One things leads to another and when the man in the yellow suit turns up and tries to take Winnie by force, Mae Tuck (the mother) clubs him over the head with a shotgun, inveitably killing him and earning a death sentence when the sheriff shows up in time just to see everything go down. Obviously, when Mae Tuck hangs, she will not die and so the rest of the book is how winnie manages to save Mae and break her out of jail.

Who would benefit from reading this book?

I would reccommend this book to anyone who would listen or stand still for me to do it. It is a book that everyone will enjoy, despite their literary genre preferance.

What problems do you see arising from this book?

The only thing I would have concern with in this book mostly has to do with the man in the yellow suit. He is cruel and coniving and uses blackmail in order to get what he wants, even threatening to murder Winnie or do harm to her if she doesn't come quietly. And of course, Mae Tuck unintentionally murders the man in the yellow suit when she is trying to protect winnie. Some children might not be comfortable with some of these types of themes.

What was your reaction?

I absolutely LOVE this book. I was first introduced to it in the fifth grade and have been in love with it ever since. It is a unique and tragically beautiful story that has the ability to pull people in and identify with the characters.

Beauty: A retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast

Beauty: A Re-telling of the story of Beauty and the Beast
Written By: Robin McKinley, Illustrated By: Michael Deas
HarperCollins Publishers
May 1993
Ages: 9-12
Pages: 247

Summary

This unique retelling of the classic fairytale, Beauty and the Beast, is about a girl by the name of Honor, nicknamed Beauty by her father and two older sisters. Beauty's family is originally very well off (a merchant family), but due to all of her father's goods and ships being lost in a storm, along with her sister's betrothed, her family is reduced to poverty and they are forced to sell everything they own in order to survive. When her other sister is proposed to, the rest of Beauty's family moves away with them to the new son-in-law's hometown, which is a several week journey away. A new house is set up for them and life is good. But then when Beauty's father gets lost in the forest that is rumored to be evily enchanted on the way home from a business trip. He miraculously finds his way to a castle...the beast's castle. After making good use of the beast's hospitality, Beauty's father attempts to cut a rose from the garden for Beauty's present. The beast catches him, enraged and threatens to kill him because he has taken advantage of his hospitality. He consents to spare the father's life if he will bring the beast one of his daughters to live there. The father finally has to agree and then makes his way home. After he arrives home, he tells his family of his chilling tale and what must happen in a month's time.

As most of you can already guess, Beauty goes with her father and the rest of the story is about Beauty's adventures in the castle, the miraculous happenstance of her father's fortune being restored and her sister's betrothed returning from sea when all thought he was dead. The end of the story comes about when the curse on the beast is broken and all of the family shows up at the castle for a huge wedding.

Who would benefit from reading this book?

I think that anyone who loves a good retelling of classic fairytales will enjoy or even love this book. It has a unique twist on a favorite classic fairytale that enables the reader to be privy to other possibilities in a fantasy world.

What are some potential problems you see this book causing?

Quite frankly, I do not forsee any problems arising from reading this book.

What was your reaction?

I absolutely was pleasantly surprised with this book. I have already read several retellings of fairytales by different authors, which I have loved, so I was eager to get started on this one. It was refreshing to read a re-telling of the story that I wasn't familiar with.

Holes

Holes
By Louis Sachar
Random House Children's Books
May 2000
Ages: 12 and up.
Pages: 233

Summary

This book is about a young boy named Stanley Yelnats who has more bad luck than anyone he knows. Because of this bad luck, stanley is accused of something he didn't do and is sent to a juvenile detention camp where you dig holes. After one of stanley's friends, Hector, nicknamed "Zero" can't take it anymore and runs away, Stanley follows him in an attempt to persuade him to come back. But Stanley and Hector take refuge on "God's Thumb" and dig up some family history and the truth about camp green lake and the curse on stanley's family is broken because of the friendship and adventures that have happened between Hector and Stanley.

Who would benefit from reading this book?

This is a fantastic adveture/modern day fantasy read. It has some of everything in it, including mystery, danger, intrigue and just a little bit of justice and romance mixed. It is a book that everyone can read and find something they like about it according to their favorite genre.

What are some problems you see this book causing?

There is not really anything that I see right now that would or could cause a problem. The book is about boys in a juvenile detention camp. If anything, it shows you that there are consequences for every action you take, whether they are good or bad ones.

What was your reaction to this book?

I've read this book before and I loved reading it this time, just as much as I did the first time. As I mentioned above, this book has something for everyone. Mystery, intrigue, danger, adventure and justice with just a little bit of romance mixed in. It's a great read that I would reccommend to anyone of any age.

Abjornsen and Moe Fairytales

Taming the Shrew, The Two Stepsisters, Buttercup and Gertrude's Bird.
By Peter Christen Abjornsen and Jorgen Moe.
http://www.surlalunefairytales.com/authors/asbjornsen_moe.html

Summary

The tale I will summarize is called Buttercup. It is about a mother and her son and their dog. The boy was so plump and jolly that the mother called him buttercup. each day, a wicked old hag who carried her head under her arm always tricked the boy into the sack by offering him a present. On the third day, the witch asked her daughter to kill the boy and boil him in a pot. The daughter had no idea how to do this, so the boy offered to show her and he chopped off her head and boiled her instead. The witch and her husband came home and tasted the broth, thinking it was buttercup. Instead, it was their daughter who they thought was asleep in bed, but it was only her head. They heard a noise outside and they went to investigate. THe boy bashed their heads to bits with rocks, stole the gold and silver which was inside the sack and took it home to his mother and they became very rich.

Who would benefit from reading this tale?

I'm not sure anyone would benefit from reading this tale. it's a little disturbing... Though I think that anyone who is interested in comparing fairytales with each other would do well to read this one and compare it with the Brothers Grimm.

What Problems do you see this tale causing?

This tale talks of violence and murder. Chopping off heads, boiling the bodies for soup and then smashing heads to bits. The gruesomness might disturb some younger readers.

What was your reaction?

I was a little horriffied, though not at all surprised. After reading several different types of fairytales and being exposed to varying degrees of gruesomness and violence in each one of them, this one was not any different. I didn't really care for it, though it was kind of interesting. The title of the story is VERY misleading. Don't let it fool you. It has nothing to do with the Princess Bride. ha ha ha

Hans Christian Andersen Fairytales

The Princess and the Pea, The Little Mermaid, Thumbelina and The Brave Tin Soldier
By: Hans Christian Andersen
http://hca.gilead.org.il/

Summary

The story I will be summarizing is The Princess and the Pea. In the princess and the pea, a prince longs to marry a real princess, so he travels the world and searches and searches, never finding someone. So he comes home again. One night there was a bad storm and a princess knocks at the door of the castle. The queen, determined to see if the princess was a real one, took a pea, laid it on the bedframe and piled twenty mattresses on top. If the girl could feel the pea through the mattresses, then she was a real princess. The princess had the most awful's night's sleep because the bed was so uncomfortable; she was black and blue all over. THen the prince promptly married her because no one but a real princess could be as sensitive as that. Then they put the pea in a museum where it can still be seen today.

Who would benefit from reading this story?

I think anyone would benefit from reading this story. It's classic princess story with a fun and unexpected twist to test the princess.

What problems do you see this story causing?

I do not see this story causing any problems.

What was your reaction?

I knew when we had to read Hans Christian Andersen that I immediately wanted to read the princess and the pea. When I was a lot younger, I had a book of the Princess and the Pea that had wonderful and engaging illustrations; I read it all the time. I loved how the illustrations were able to suck you into the story and imagine that you were there with the princess and the prince and the crafty queen.

The Brothers Grimm Fairytales

Rapunzel, Cinderella, Hansel and Grethel, and The Frog King
By: Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm
www.nationalgeographic.com/grimm/index2.html

Summary

The story I will be summarizing is Rapunzel, which is my favorite out of all the Brothers Grimm fairytales. There was a man and woman who were expecting their first child; they lived next door to a witch. The woman grew to crave the rapunzel the witch grew in her garden and thought she would surely die if she could not have some. So, the husband would steal some for her to eat and then one day he got caught. The witch declared that if he wanted to keep taking rapunzel then he would have to give her his firstborn child when they were born. The man agreed. When the baby was born, the witch took her and named her Rapunzel. When Rapunzel came of age, the witch locked her in a tower and came to visit her often. Rapunzel would let her long hair down out the window and the witch would climb it. One day when the witch came, a prince witnessed her climbing Rapunzel's hair and he decided that he would do it. So after the witch left, he climbed her hair, Rapunzel was surprised, but she and the prince soon fell in love. The rest of the story progresses and rapunzel has all of her hair cut off by the witch, the prince has his eyes pricked out by thorns when he falls from the tower and he and rapunzel only meet each other and live happily ever after years later after the prince has wandered blindly and aimlessly in the desert.

Who would benefit from reading this story?

This is a classic fairytale and one of my favorites despite being a little graphic. I think anyone would benefit from reading this story because it teaches good morals in a way that is easy for people to understand.

What problems do you see this book potentially causing?

As I mentioned above, the story gets a little graphic/violent in a place or two. The witch is particularly cruel and this might disturb some younger readers.

What was your reaction?

I LOVE the story of Rapunzel, and I love it so much because I can identify with it. This is because of Rapunzel's long hair. I have really long hair and when I was in high school, it was even longer than it is now. Rapunzel was one of the nicknames that my friends had given me.

Charles Perrault's Stories

Puss in Boots, The Ridiculous Wishes and Griselda
By Charles Perrault
http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/perrault.html

Summary

This is about the Tale of Griselda. A young prince is in charge of a kindgom and his subjects urge him to get married. He tells them a list of qualities and then tells them when they find this lady, he will marry her straight away. He then proceeds to go hunting with his friends and hounds. He becomes separated from them and finds the most beautiful, sweet and sincere maiden he has ever met. After meeting her and drinking from her cup, he goes on his way again. When separated from her, he becomes deeply melancholy. When he goes hunting again, he devises a way to lose his companions so he can find Griselda again. In the coming days, the more he saw of Griselda, the more his love burned for her, the young shepherdess. He told his counselers and subjects that he was soon planning to wed and that he hoped they would approve of his choice. A great wedding is soon planned and the prince travels to Griselda's cottage with the wedding party and she is in shock, but pleasantly surprised to find out that she is to be the bride of the wedding. She vows never to have any wishes but those of her husband's. They were married and a year later were blessed with a child. The princes grows angry and rude and mean and soon Griselda's goodness annoys and offends him. He soon locks her up in her rooms and takes away all of her jewelry and fine things in a show of dominance.

He then takes away the child so that she may be raised properly. Griselda is beside herself. The princess grows, falls in love and then marries. They are cruelly torn apart by the princess's father and her husband leaves. I will not tell the rest of the story, for it has a good couple of unique twists that are hard to summarize/describe.

Who would benefit from reading this tale?

It's a weird mixture of snow white and sleeping beauty with a few defining characteristics of their own thrown in. Anyone would enjoy it.

What problems could this solve?

Griselda's husband, the prince or the king or whatever, is particularly cruel and manipulative. He gets very jealous, very easily and these might not be qualities that parents want their children exposed to.

What was your reaction?

I liked it better than some of the other fairytales I've recently read, but it still wasn't my favorite. It dragged on WAY too much, again like the Sea Maiden, there was a lot of fluff that didn't really have anything to do with the plot.

Joseph Jacobs Celtic Fairytales

The Sea Maiden, The Story of Deirdre, and Connla and the Fairy Maiden
By Joseph Jacobs
http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/celt/cft/index.htm

Summary

Okay, so I just spent the last fifteen minutes typing up a well thought out summary, truly epic, when my internet at my apartment complex kicked me off. I'm not spending another fifteen minutes on it, so whatever I give you, you'll have to be happy with.

A man makes a bargain with a sea maiden so that he may be prosperous and catch lots of fish. In return his son must go to be with sea maiden when he is twenty years old. the son leaves home before he turns twenty and does a series of challenges, unintentionally proving himself to the king and winning the princess's hand in marriage. They marry and one day they take a walk on the loch, and the sea maiden kidnaps the son. The princess is distraught and talks to the soothsayer and gives her a solution. The princess succeeds in saving her beloved, but afterwards she herself is kidnapped by the sea maiden. The son talks to the soothsayer and finds a solution and with the help of his animal friends he made on his various journeys, he saves the princess and kills the sea maiden.

Who would benefit from reading this?

Anyone who is a fan of celtic fairytales, or even Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Mermaid might like this tale. It gives lots of detail on battles and the son's heroic feats in order to marry the princess.

What problems do you see this story causing?

This particular tale has a lot of violence in it. Giants are killed and beheaded or trampled to death, monsters are beheaded, etc. It's just not very pleasant and some younger audiences might be disturbed with the contents.

What was your reaction?

I personally did not care for the story. The only part that mentioned the Sea Maiden was at the very beginning and at the very end. It gave WAY too much detail in the middle with nothing to do with the sea maiden. It all just seemed like fluffy filler.

The Count of Monte Cristo (Great Illustrated Classics)

The Count of Monte Cristo (Great Illustrated Classics Version)
By: Alexandre Dumas, Abridged By: Mistu Yamamoto
Abdo Publishing Company
January 2002
Ages: 9-12
Pages: 236

Summary

Edmond Dantes is sentenced to life in prison for treason that he did not commit. He was framed by his best friend who was in love with his fiance', Mercedes. After fourteen years in prision, of being tortured, being left without hope, Edmond breaks free and sails to the Island of Monte Cristo with some friends he has made on his journey to find the long, lost treasure of the Island of Monte Cristo. There, Edmond and his friend find the treasure and become fabulously wealthy. Throughout the rest of the book, they use their riches to exact revege on the people who framed Edmond and had him imprisoned for 14 years.

Who would benefit from reading this book?

Anyone who is familiar with the Count of Monte Cristo, but does not want to read the whole unabridged and original version, will love this book. Also, anyone who loves adventure, mystery, intrugue, romance and revenge will want to read this book again and again!

What problems do you see this book causing?

Some of the main themes in this book are being dishonest and getting revenge on those you say are your enemies. Some of the subject matter, such as vilolence and the themes discussed above, my might be innappropriate for young audiences.

What was your reaction?

I got this book as a Christmas present one year when I was young and I was absolutely thrilled. I loved the movie and i wanted to read the book and the abridged version was a great way to go. The pictures are wonderful and completely complement the text of the book.

Matilda

Matilda
By: Roald Dahl, Illustrated By: Quentin Blake
Penguin Group
October 1988
Ages: 9-11

Summary

In this book, a young girl named Matilda is absolutely ignored by her worthless parents. Through being ignored, Matilda discovers that she is extremely intelligent for her age and that she has special telekenetic powers. Throughout the book Matilda uses her powers to get revenge on her idiotic mother and father, the evil Miss Agatha Truncbull (the headmistress at her school), but she also uses them for good, to help her teacher, Miss Jennifer Honey, get her fortune back from her Wicked Aunt. Some of the things Matilda does is dye her father's hair platinum blonde, glue his hat to his head, convince her parents their house is haunted (by trading something of her her's for the neighbor boy's parrot and sticking him up the chinmney.) And scare the living daylights out of Miss Trunchbull while she is teaching.

Who would benefit from reading this book?

I think any child that thinks they are worth nothing, should read this book. It's a classic tale of a hero/heroine rising from humble circumstances to make themselves heard; to make themselves great. It's deliciously funny and captivating and does a bang-up job of moving developing the characters and moving the story.

What problems do you see this book causing?

My only concern is that after reading this book, young children might think it's okay to seek revenge on their enemies, to use their resources to be mean to people. This might be an innapropriate theme for some younger readers.

What was your reaction?

This was my favorite book when i was younger. The copy that I have now is so worn down with the covers bent, cornered, torn and in general dissarray because I read it so much. It's definitely worth reading. I love the characters and the uniqueness of the storyline.

Charlotte's Web

Charlotte's Web
By: E.B. White, Illustrated By: Garth Williams
HarperCollins Publishers
May 1974
Ages: 9-12

Summary

Charlotte's Web is about a spring pig who is saved from an untimely death by a young girl name Fern, because he is a runt. When Wilbur the pig is sold to fern's uncle, his life becomes in danger once more because Fern's Uncle, Homer Zuckerman, is determined to make Wilbur into bacon when winter rolls around. The animals of the barn decide to help Wilbur and an intelligent, beautfiul spider named Charlotte, with the help of a rotten, self-centered rat named Templeton work on a plan to save Wilbur's life. Charlotte spins a series of webs with complients about Wilbur in them such as "Some Pig", "Terrific" and "Radiant". When Wilbur gets to go to the county fair, Charlotte spins one last word in the web in an effort to save Wilbur's life before she herself dies after laying her eggs. The word is "Humble" and is perhaps the most appropriate word for Wilbur in the end.

Who would benefit from reading this book?

Every child dreams and wishes that animals could talk, and in this novel, they can! They have hopes and dreams and wishes just like everyone else and it helps children to learn that they can do anything they set their mind to.

What Problems do you see this book causing?

I do not see this book causing any problems.

What was your reaction?

I was first introduced to Charlotte's Web when I was eight years old. I got it as a baptism present from a very dear and important family friend. I had seen the movie and loved it, but i had never before read the book. But once I did, I immidiately fell in love with the book too. There is just something magical about animals that can talk!

The Witches

The Witches
By: Roald Dahl, Illustrations By: Quentin Blake
Farrar, Straus and Giroux
October 1983
Ages: 8-12

Summary

This book is about a young boy who has to live with his Norwegian Grandmother after his parents are killed in a tragic accident. Luke's grandmother is completely obessessed with Witches and is convinved that they exist, that they look like ordinary women and they can do and have done unspeakable acts of horror against children. When Luke and his grandmother go on holiday to the english seaside, the grandmother teaches him how to recognise a witch and Luke is horrified to learn that not only is the Grand High Witch (the most evil witch of all) is staying at their same hotel, but a whole convention of witches, all of the witches in Europe are there too and they have a plan to turn all of the children in England into mice. In the book, Luke is turned into a mouse with another young boy named Bruno and together, with the help of the grandma go on a set of different adventures, trying to figure out how to stop the witches.

Who would benefit from reading this book?

Anyone who is familiar with Roald Dahl's unique sense of humor and writing style will love reading "The Witches." If someone is not familair with Roald Dahl's writing, reading "The Witches" is a good place to start to get introduced to his brilliance.

What problems could this book potentially cause?

The Witches in this book absolutely ABHOR children and their main goal in life is to annihalate every single one of them and they will stop at nothing to do so. The main point is that they talk of murdering thousands, even millions of children and this fact might be disturbing to some young readers.

What was your reaction?

Roald Dahl was one of my favorite authors when I was young and his book, Matilda, was my absolute FAVORITE. The Witches was immediately added to my favorites list. It is unique in it's literary genre because the hero of the story is an ordinary young boy that has to save the day.

Maniac Magee

Maniac Magee
By: Jerry Spinelli
Little Brown Books for Young Readers
April 1990
Ages:9-12

Summary

Maniac Magee is about a young boy who is orphaned as a child and goes to live with his aunt and uncle for eight years. But Jeffrey (maniac) soon gets tired of his life with his aunt and uncle and decides to "run" away. Jeffrey is an amazing athlete and he soon finds himself in the town of Two Mills, Pennsylvania, a town that is extremely racially segregated. Jeffrey stays for a while with the Beales, a black family, but building pressure soon forces Jeffrey away and he goes and lives at the zoo with an old man who is the janitor there until the janitor dies and then he goes and lives with the town hicks, the Mcnabs, an extremely racist family who are convinced that a race war is the only way to solve anything. Throughout the book, Jeffrey changes lives by just being himself and teaches them the importance of acceptance, compassion and love.

Who Would Benefit from Reading this book?

I think that any parent who is concerned about teaching their children about the race issues that plagued and still plague our society today would benefit from having their children read this book. It presents race issues in such a way that is not offensive nor is it confusing and gives children an opportunity to think and to form their own ideas and opinions.

What problems or conflicts could this book potentially cause?

I don't see this book causing any problems. It brings awareness to the issue of racism and the effect that it had and is still having on our society today.

What was your reaction?

I really liked this book. I liked how it was so realistic and you got to get a pick at the different types of families and how they lived, laughed and loved within the racist and racially segregated environment of the United States in the 1960's.

The Thief Lord

The Thief Lord
By: Cornelia Funke, Illustrated By: Christian Burmingham, Translated from German to English By: Oliver Latsch.
Scholastic Inc.
October 2003
Ages: 9-12

Summary

After their Mother dies, brothers Prosper and Bo, runaway to Venice to live. They run into a band of homeless children that live in an abandoned movie theatre that is controlled by someone who calls himself the Thief Lord, a young, intelligent child with a darker and more mysterious background than the others are aware of. He brings "loot" from his various robberies for the children to sell and get money for so that they may be able to live. But unfortunately, as this happens in most novels, Prosper and Bo's cruel Aunt and Uncle have hired a private detective in Venice and he is hot on their trail. And when a mysterious client intent on hiring the children and the thief lord for a robbery he wants done, things start to get fishy and just a little bit supernatural/magical and Prosper and Bo go through a series of adventures with each other that they never would've dreamed possible. A mysterious tale about a magical merry-go-round surface and they children are convinced of it's magical powers.

Who would benefit from reading this book?

Anyone who is already a fan of Cornelia Funke's work or a fan of modern fantasy/adveture books will surely enjoy this unique story.

What was your reaction?

I am already a huge fan of Cornelia Funke's work and The Thief Lord was no acception for me. I fell in love with it the moment I started reading it and i couldn't put it down! It's definitely something I would reccommend to anyone who asked about it.

The Letter, The Whitch and the Ring

The Letter, The Witch and the Ring
By: John Bellairs, Illustrated By: Richard Egielski
Penguin Group
August 2004
Ages: 12 and up

Summary

The Letter, The Witch and and the Ring is about a young girl, Rose Rita Pottinger, who becomes extremely bored after her friend, Lewis goes to boy scout camp for the summer. In an effort to save her summer vacation, Rose Rita goes on a road trip with her elderly, but very magical neighbor, Mrs. Zimmermann who needs to go to collect the contents of her Cousin Oley's farm in Wisconsin, and a special snake shaped ring he believed to be magical. Rose and Mrs. Zimmermann encounter many more strange, wild and dangerous happenings than they had every dared dream of and they find out through a series of events that someone very evil wants to keep the ring for themselves as Oley's farm was ransacked, ruined and the ring gone by the time they arrive in Wisconsin. The whole story and Rose's situation takes a turn for the worst when Mrs. Zimmermann disappears and she is faced with the reality of having to solve the mystery on her own.

Who would benefit from reading this book?

I think anyone who enjoys a good-edge-of-your-seat mystery or even a fanstasy would like this book. Like most of the books I'm reviewing, I think the age range of this book goes way beyond the twelve and up. I think any person of any age, would enjoy this book. Its an interesting interpretation of a gothic mystery/fantasy novel.

What Problems do you see this book potentially causing?

This book is a bit more "dark" than the average children's fantasy/mystery novel and some children/pre-teens might be potentially disturbed with the subject matter.

What was your reaction?

My younger brother, jacob, actually introduced me to the interestingly unique literary world of John Bellairs and The Letter, The Witch and the Ring is by far my favorite book that he has written. It's an interesting read that keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole time you read the book.

Prince Caspian (Chronicles of Narnia #4)

Prince Caspian (Chronicles of Narnia #4)
By: C.S. Lewis
Harper-Collins Publishing
Jully 1994 (First Published in 1951)
Ages: 8-12

Summary

Prince Caspian is the fourth book int he Chronicles of Narnia series and continues the adventures of Narnia with Susan, Peter, Edmund and Lucy. On their way back to school, the Pevansie Siblings get suddenly sucked backed into Narnia, only to find that it has been several thousand years since they ruled Narnia and the whole country has fallen into anarchy, run by the telmarines, forcing the magical creatures into hiding, leading most of the citizens of Narnia to believe they are in fact, all extinct. Throughout the book, the Pevansie siblings must help Prince Caspian to take the throne so they can bring Narnia back to it's former glory, with the magical creatures as equals. But it's not so easy and throughout the book while waiting/looking for Aslan, the entire group is being thwarted by Caspian's evil uncle, who is determined to see HIS young baby son, take the throne.

Who would benefit from reading this book?

Like Harry Potter, though it is reccommended for ages 8-12, Prince Caspian is a book that everyone can benefit from reading. C.S. Lewis expertly crafts Christian beliefs and ideals into this book that makes it easy for anyone to read and understand. Anyone who loves fantasy will love reading Prince Caspian.

What problems or conflicts can you see this book causing?

There is some mild fantasy violence in this book. (An intense battle/murder attempts) Also, some might not agree with the Christain beliefs and values that are weaved into the storyline.

Your Reaction?

Prince Caspian is one of my favorite books in the whole Chronicles of Narnia Series and I enjoy reading it again and again because of it's characters and the fast moving storyline/plot.

The Indian in the Cupboard

The Indian in the Cupboard
By: Lynne Reid Banks
Random House Children's Books
March 1985
Age: 9 and up

Summary

The Indian in the Cupboard is a really unique kind of story about a young boy named Omri who gets a boring, old fashioned medicine cupboard and a plastic indian for his birthday. Through a series of events that bring about Omri's intense boredom, to his surprise, the Indian comes to life when locked in the cupboard. A real, live miniature of an actual Native American who has all of the same types of skills, beliefs, hopes and dreams of one such a type of person. Throughout the book, Omri and "Little Bear" have many different adventures and become fast friends, though the road to their unique friendship is not without it's hardships and struggles.

Who Would benefit from reading this book?

I think anyone who enjoys historical fiction will love this book. Though it is not a true historical fiction novel in the real sense, it has a unique twist on the idea. Little Bear, the Native American, is an actual Native American Indian brought forward in time to rest in the body of the little plastic figurine. He is familiar with blood feuds and tribal wars and all of the native american skills, dreams, hopes and beliefs. Anyone who loves historical fiction, or even a good adventure novel will enjoy this book.

What problems or conflicts could this book potentially cause?

I do not see this book causing any problems.

What was your reaction?

I really enjoyed this book. I really love historical fiction novels and I liked how the author mixed present day with real-historical figures and events. It's a unique twist on an interesting storyline.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
By: J.K Rowling, Illustrations By: Mary Grandpre
Scholastic Inc.
January 1997
Ages: 9-12 Years.

Summary

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is a classic tale of the continuing struggle between good and evil. In this book, the main character, Harry, is orphaned as a young baby and then is sent off to live with his only living relatives, the Dursleys, when he is only a year old. In the book, Harry discovers he is a wizard and he gets to go to a special wizarding school wear he makes new friends, learns magic and ultimately, finds out who he really is and in the process, begins to come full circle with the battle between good and evil. With his friends, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, Harry is able to figure out who is behind the mysterious happenings and dissapearances at Hogwarts and throughout the wizarding world.

Who Would Benefit From Reading this book?

Even though the reading level suggests that this book is appropriate for individuals 9-12 years of age, I would definitely reccommend it to anyone who is a fan of the fantasy/adventure genre. Harry Potter has it all; adventure, fantasty, romance, danger, intrigue and that definite element of mystery. Anyone who is looking for a good, fast paced read will definitely love Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.

What problems or conflicts could this book potentially cause?

The only problems that I can see this book causing is that it contains some fantasy related violence. There is also the matter of witchcraft/wizardry. Some parents might not feel that this is appropriate, but i feel it is. The witchcraft and wizardry is an integral part of the story and it is used to show the struggle between good and evil; white magic and dark magic. Witchcraft/wizardry, at leat in the Harry Potter type sense, is NOT real. It is JUST a story that helps children and adults alike to identify and relate to several important topics; compassion, honesty, good vs. evil, and the importance of family and friendship, etc.

What was my reaction to this book?

I first started reading Harry Potter when I was around nine or ten years old and I absolutely fell in love with it. I fell in love with the characters (who are extremely believable and relatable), the genre, the plot and the storyline (which devlops quickly and moves along quite nicely) and the setting in which it takes place. I grew up in England around the time when Harry Potter first started becoming popular and so it will always hold a special place in my heart.

Mafia to Mormon: My Conversion Story

Mafia to Mormon: My Conversion Story
By: Mario Facione
Cedar Fort Incorporated
August 2004
Ages: 12 and up
Pages:105

Summary

This compelling, gripping, non-fiction drama is just as it's title says it is. It's about the long-coming, yet dangerous and difficult conversion story of someone steeped deep within the Italian mafia who finds the truth through two LDS missionaries.

Who would benefit from reading this book?

I think most people would benefit from reading this story. Many of the themes of determination, salvation, honor and duty resonate with those who read it.

What Problems Could this Book Potentially Cause?

I would not reccommend this book to anyone younger than the age of twelve. It's themes and some of the circumstances and situations in this book like robbery, murder,coarse attitudes etc. might make the wrong impression on a younger person.

My Reaction

I recieved this book as a gift and I am absolutely and totally impressed with the quality and depth of the writing. I would definitely reccomend it to anyone who was interested.