The Littles Go Exploring

written by John Peterson

Interior illustrations by Roberta Carter Clark

Scholastic, 1978

Genre: Children's fiction; adventure

Reading level: ages 6-9

96 pages

The Littles Go Exploring is a children's adventure book that follows the Little family in their search for their long lost grandfather. It starts out with the two children, Tom and Lucy, who watch as their mail accidentally falls into the chimney. The Little family are tiny people who live in the walls of the Bigg's house. They go to retrieve it and in doing so find a secret room. They find some old papers that were their grandfathers. They take it up to their family's "apartment" where Mr. and Mrs. Little along with Tom and Lucy's two uncles read through the pages and decide that their disappeared grandfather built a raft and sailed down the brook. After some research they decide to tell Granny and all go to look for him. Their first attempt to leave on Henry Bigg's toy boat is a failure as big kids start playing with the boat and they have to escape. So they try again with a boat found by their friend who is a pilot and they start on their journey, Tom and one of the uncles decide to try and build the raft that grandpa had left a diagram of, to try and replicate his journey exactly. But they are soon separated from the group and reunite with them as they all run into another tiny family that lives on the edge of the brook in caves. The Brook family tells them that they met their grandfather but he continued down the stream. The Littles stay for lunch and head out to search farther down. The brook quickly becomes a river, and it starts raining. They crash into a small island and their boat is ruined. However, they find their grandpa! plus a few other tiny people that had also been stranded. Luckily just before they crashed they radioed to their pilot friend and he comes to save them all.

I would recommend this book to any child who enjoys adventure stories.

I can think of no controversies that could come from reading this book.

I thought this book was very entertaining. It was fast and funny. It was a sweet children's book that i'm sure any child with an imagination will enjoy

My rating 4 out of 5

Why Didn't I Think of That? From Alarm Clocks to Zippers

Written by Webb Garrison

Pictures by Ray Abel

Prentice Hall, 1977

Genre: Children's nonfiction

Reading Level: ages 8-12

112 pages

Why Didn't I think of That, is a fun nonfiction children's book about a bunch of different everyday inventions. It talks about everything from alarm clocks to band aids, to elevators and erasers. Just to share a few of my favorites: the bikini swimsuit was invented in 1946 by Jacques Heim, he originally called it "the worlds smallest bathing suit" but it was soon changed to a bikini when at the same time the American government exploded a set of atomic bombs on a small island called Bikini. Another favorite of mine is the page on Jello. It was invented in 1900 by P.B. Wait. Many people had tried to make gelatin before but it wasn't very tasty, so Wait tried adding fruit syrup at first it wasn't very popular and Wait sold it to other cooking experts who put it into fancy dinners and now it's a favorite American food. My last favorite was the teddy bear. It was invented sometime between 1901-1909 during Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt's presidency. Roosevelt enjoyed hunting and one day while he was hunting a small cub came out of the woods, and Roosevelt couldn't shoot it. A cartoonist drew a cartoon of the president sparing the life of the nicknamed "Teddy bear". Toymakers ran with the idea and made teddy bears.

I would recommend this to any child; particularly children interested in inventing and engineering etc.

I can think of no controversy that could come with reading this book.

I really liked this book. I thought it was funny and portrayed things that aren't necessarily interesting in a very entertaining way. I think any child will love it. And it's funny because i learned a lot, and wasn't expecting to.

My rating 4 out of 5

The Wizard of Oz

written by L. Frank Baum

Illustrated by Charles Santore

Sterling Publishing, 2009

Genre: Children's picture book; fantasy

Reading Level: ages 6-9

96 pages

The Wizard of Oz is the well known children's story of a young country girl caught in a cyclone and carried to a fantastical land. Dorothy lives with her aunt, uncle, and dog Toto on a farm. One day Dorothy is in the farmhouse and a cyclone pics it up and drops her in the land of the munchkins in the land of Oz. Unfortunately the house falls on the ruler of the Munchkins aka the wicked witch of the west. Dorothy, along with the munchkins meets the good witch of the North who gives her the silver (not ruby red) slippers that the wicked witch of the west had been wearing as a thank you for saving the munchkins from their rule. The good Witch tells Dorothy that the only way to get back to her home is to go to the Emerald City and ask the Wizard of Oz for help. Dorothy follows the yellow brick road and meets a scarecrow, and Tin Woodman, and a cowardly lion who all go with her and her dog, Toto to the the Emerald City. The Scarecrow watns to ask the Wizard for a brain the Tin woodman wants a heart and the Cowardly lion wants courage. As they travel they overcome several traps including narrow roads a river, and deadly poppies. When they arrive at the Emerald city they are told to wear green spectacles. When each one of them meet with the Wizard they see some different form. To Dorothy the wizard is a giant head for example. The Wizard agrees to help them but first they must kill the Wicked witch of the west who rules the Winkie Country. They decide to all go together and as they travel the wicked witch sends all kinds of things to attack them. Finally sending the winged monkeys to capture them all. When the wicked witch finally gets ahold of them and takes one of Dorothy's slippers Dorothy gets angry and throws water on the witch who in turn begins to melt. The Winkies are so happy and they help to recharge the three friends. The Winkies especially love the Tin Woodman and he agrees to become their ruler after he helps Dorothy get home. Dorothy uses a golden cap to have the winged monkeys carry them all back to Emerald City where they meet up with the Wizard again. He tries to avoid his promises and Toto accidentally tips over the screen in the room showing that the Wizard was actually an old man who had come to Oz on a hot air balloon. The Wizard gives them all what he promised. He says that he will take Dorothy home on his balloon, leaving the Scarecrow in charge, but the ropes break and he floats away without Dorothy. A soldier advises that Dorothy go to Glinda, the Good witch of the South who lives in Quadling County. Again the companions overcome quite a few creatures and obstacles like fighting tress and hammer heads. The Lion even kills a great spider who is hurting the forest animals, and they make him their ruler. When they finally read Glinda's home they are welcomed and Glinda tells Dorothy that she has had the power to go home all along. That the silver shoes can take her anywhere. Dorothy says goodbye to all her friends and returns home and the shoes are lost during the flight and never seen again.

I would recommend this book to any and all children.

I can think of no real controversy from this book.

I love this book, it's been one of my favorites since i was young, and the movie one of my favorite movies! I especially liked this version because of the beautifully and unique pictures that fit the story perfectly.

My rating: 5 out of 5

William Kidd and the Pirates of the Indian Ocean

written and illustrated by John Malam

Black Rabbit Books, 2008

Genre: Children's nonfiction; picture book

Reading Level: Ages 7-9

32 pages

This pirate picture book is a book about different famous pirates and the life of a pirate. The first page talks about William Kidd, man who went out to hunt pirates and became a pirate himself and in 1698 after attacking the Quedah Merchant ship seized the greatest prize of his career, $13000 and the ship. On page two it talks about the Pirates of the Indian Ocean from 1690-1720. Pirates sailed this particular ocean because it offered them many chances of getting rich by attacking merchant ships who crossed it to get to Europe. It goes on to say that pirates who sailed the Indian Ocean made $2000 after an attack, while pirates in other places only got about $40. On the next page this topic continues explaining that the most attacked ship was the East Indiaman ships on their way home because they were heavy and slow moving full of goods worth as much as $100,000 (today's money=1million) The next page talks about the story of William Kidd and his conversion to a pirate and his end in 1701 when he was arrested and sentenced to death. On the next page we learn about William Kidd's ship that had sails for sailing but if their was no wind there was also oars to keep it going. It weighed 285 tons, was 125 feet and had 34 cannons. However it was leaky and William Kidd removed all the cargo and lit it on fire and let it sink. On the next page the author talks about what happens when someone becomes a pirate. They have to sign their name to a list of rules they have to follow and if they don't they're killed. The next few pages talk about some famous specific pirates; Thomas Cew from Rhode Island, Henry Every a very successful pirate, The Angrias a family of pirates, and Edward England a kind-hearted pirate. Finally, the last page talked about how most pirates came to terrible ends. Either murdered for breaking the law, murdered by other pirates or lost at sea.

I would recommend this to any young child; especially those interested in pirates.

The only controversy i can think of is parents getting upset by all the horrible deaths that are talked about, particularly the drownings.

I thought this book was creative, and well put together to intrigue a child. WHile it was enjoyable and unique i wasn't hugely impressed, and really didn't see too many differences between this pirate book and any others.

My rating: 3 out of 5

Cinderhazel

Cinderhazel: The Cinderella of Halloween

written and illustrated by Deborah Nourse Lattimore

Scholastic Inc., 2002

Genre: Children's picture book; fantasy

Reading Level: Ages 5-8

32 pages

Cinderhazel is the story of a witch that is badly treated by her step sisters and step mother, she is very dirty, and loves it. She loves all kinds of filthiness, and as she "cleans" the house by moving around and piling up the dirt one day, her step sisters and step mother got all dressed up and announced they were going to the Halloween ball where the prince would finally come out of hiding. Cinderhazel was very upset that she couldn't go because her broom was broken. But as she yelled and stamped around her fairy witch godmother shows up and turns her broom into a vacuum and tells her she better go, that she'll like the prince, because he is the prince of filth. So Cinderhazel goes to the ball and drops down the chimney and comes out covered in soot. Everyone gets mad at her and she casts a spell that covers them all in dirt which only makes them angrier. Cinderhazel feeling bad uses the vacuum to suck up the dirt, but it also sucks up their shoes, and clothes, and other party items like punch and decorations. Then the clock strikes midnight and the godmother's magic wears off, everyone's things are scattered everywhere and as everyone runs to get their stuff, the biggest dirtball that Cinderhazel has ever seen comes up and introduces himself as the prince to Cinderhazel after proving they can get really dirty together, they agree they like each other and they live "filthily ever after."

I would recommend this book to any child; especially those that like retelling of classic fairy tales and Halloween.

I can think of only a minor controversy that could come from this book being parent's worrying that their children will decide that it's ok to be very dirty. :)

I thought this book was kind of gross, but entertaining. I really liked the unique style of the pictures and what they add to the story.

My rating 4 out of 5

The Foggy Foggy Forest

written and illustrated by Nick Sharratt

Candlewick Press, 2008

Genre: Children's picture book;fiction

Reading Level: ages 3-8

24 pages

The Foggy Foggy Forest is a picture book about some fantastic characters "lurking" in the forest. Each page first asks "What can this be in a foggy, foggy forest?" and thanks to the semi transparent paper, the reader can see the outline of the character and what they're doing, so they can make a guess. Then turn the page and there's a line about the character and what it is doing. For example the first page says, ""A little elf all by himself." The creatures range from Cinderella to an ogre, to "Three brown bears in picnic chairs." The story ends with the last page which has travelling fair, and it says "hooray!"

I would recommend this for any young child.

I can think of no controversy that would come from this book.

I really enjoyed this book. The semi transparent paper really added a cool and unique element. The words were rhyming and creative and I can really see how a child would have reading them, and listen to them being read.

My rating: 5 out of 5

Our Song, Our Toil

The Story of American Slavery As Told By Slaves

compiled and edited by Michele Stepto

Millbrook press, 1994

Genre: Children's nonfiction

Reading Level: Ages 9-11

95 pages

Our Song, Our Toil is a captivating book about the lives of American slaves throughout history. IN the different chapters it describes different aspects of a slave's life, and then shares at least one story told by an actual slave. The first chapter, "Into Captivity" is about captives being taken from West Africa and sold into slavery and the miserable journey they made to get to America, if they survived. In this chapter the reader learns about Olaudah Equiano a boy born in Nigeria that was captured and sold into slavery along with his family. He talks about getting split up from his family, the horrible trip in the ship to his new home as a slave of a British Naval Officer who took him to England and later sold him to a Philadelphia Quaker, from whom Olaudah bought his freedom when he was twenty one, and lived the rest of his life as a free man in London. In the second chapter, "Born a Slave" the author talks about how children were considered slaves if their mother was a slave, and the master who owned the mother in turn owned all her children; born and unborn. The chapter also talks about how children were usually separated from their parents at an early age, and rarely ever saw them again. This chapter has a couple of personal stories, the most well known from Frederick Douglas who talks about how he only saw his mother four or five times in his life, and actually had been sent to live with his grandparents and their master who was very fearsome. Chapter three, "the Enslaved Family", is a chapter about how as slavery progressed after the American revolution more and more slave families were ripped apart. If you could even call them families. Enslaved people weren't allowed to be legally married, had no rights to their children, and many were punished if they even recognized their kin by calling them brother, sister, etc. The families could not have their own surnames, and usually took the name of their masters, though they often had secret surnames to keep track of their ancestry orally. This chapter has the story of a slave named Elizabeth who when separated from her family clung to her religion to get her through until she was freed at the age of thirty. Chapter four, "The Work of Slavery" discusses the different work that the slaves were in charge of based on their region. In the North slaves fulfilled several different tasks; from helping on a farm, in a house, also helping to build roads and cities . They also labored in the growing industries like shipbuilding, lumbering, mining, etc. In the South, slaves mostly worked on farms, clearing the land, tending the crops, and harvesting. The Southern owners started to rely on the slaves for everything that needed to be done, that's why it became so important to them. Solomon Northup's story is in this chapter. He was born and raise free in upstate New York but when he was thirty-two years old he was kidnapped and sold into slavery and worked on a cotton farm for the next twelve years. In chapter five, "The Resistance" the reader learns about how slaves who were unable to escape rebelled in ways big and small. As far as big, many groups took up arms against their masters, though their attempts failed their actions gave courage to other slaves for future fights. however this blunt resistance was rare and more common was the day to day rebellion. This ranged from running away to rest before returning, breaking equipment, burning buildings, pretending to be ill, and many other antics. In this chapter we learn about a slave woman named Fannie who was a slave in Tennessee. She was a field hand and, as we read, had quite a temper. Her story is about one day when she got really angry when her master hit her with a stick and she hit back. Chapter six, "Literacy", is about another resistance the slaves took hold of. There were several anti-literacy laws that banned slaves from learning to read or write. But many slaves found ways around these laws, learning from their free friends and surrounding people's information. The slaves knew that literacy and freedom went hand in hand so they struggled to learn everything they could to read and write. in this chapter we learn more about Frederick Douglass, and his experience as slave. When Douglass was a slave in Baltimore his mistress Sophia gave him reading lessons, however when his master found out he put an immediate halt to it. But Douglass never forgot what he learned and did everything he could to build on his knowledge. "Escaping Slavery" is chapter seven and it is about those slaves that attempted, and succeeded in escaping their condition. It talks about the underground railroad aiding in escape, where the ex slaves went when they ran (usually to the Northwest). However in 1850 many of the escapes were halted when the fugitive slave law was passed which made it against the law to know about a slave that had escaped and not reported it, taking away free soil for the slaves. In this chapter we read about Andrew Jackson who was born into slavery into Kentucky and escaped at the age of twenty five and his fight against the men who tried to force him back into slavery. The final chapter of the book, "On to Freedom" talks about how slavery changed due to the Civil War, Westward Expansion, and finally the Emancipation Proclamation which halted slavery in many states and halted its expansion. in this final chapter we learn about Annie L. Burton who had been separated from her family but as the war ended they were freed and reunited.

I would recommend this book to any child interested in history, particularly those learning about slavery in school or from their parents.

As far as controversy from this book, I think it will be hard for some people to share a story with their children that is uplifting and happily ever after, it's the truth and it is what it is.

I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was well written, captivating, and I felt the personal accounts really helped me to get into the mindset of a slave and share their pain and suffering and turmoil.

My rating: 4 out of 5

The Giver

written by Lois Lowry

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 1993

Genre: Children/Young Adult Science fiction; fantasy

Reading Level: Ages 11+

178 pages

Honestly this book is very hard to explain completely, so i hope you get the idea. At the beginning of the book Jonas, the main character, is upset about the upcoming December ceremony. He decides that it is a different fear than he has felt in the past and that it is mixed with eagerness, and decides he is really apprehensive. Later that night Jonas and his family share their feelings, as is tradition, and everyone has to be completely honest, according to the rules of the town. Lily, Jonas' sister talks about her anger at another group of children. Jonas' father shares that he is worried about a newchild (a baby) at his work who may be "released". He explains that he must bring the newchild home to care for it. Lily gets excited and says they should keep it but is reminded that each family is only allowed two children, one male and one female. Jonas' mother shares that she is scared of having to punish a man for the third time, she works at the Department of Justice, and that he will have to be "released". Jonas goes lasts and talks about the fear he had felt earlier that day. After sharing his fears Lily is sent to bed and Jonas' parents try and ease his concerns and remind him that the ceremony is a time of celebration for the transition from his childhood to his training to be adult. The next day, Jonas' father brings home the newchild, Gabriel and they all have to adjust. Jonas later goes with his friends to do some of his volunteer hours in the house of the old. They talk to an older person about a celebration of release of a friend in the Releasing Room. However, when Jonas asks her what happens in the Releasing Room she doesn't know. The next morning as the family shares their dreams, Jonas talks about having a dream about his friend, Fiona and the weird "stirrings" he had. His mother gives him a pill and tells him that they will make the feelings go away. Finally the ceremony that Jonas has been dreading arrives. Each child (11 year old) is given their job/training assignment, like a laborer, a birthmother, judge, doctor, etc. Jonas was initially skipped over and as he is freaking out the Chief Elder, the leader, announces that Jonas is called to be a Receiver. The community celebrates and honors him. Jonas is very nervous and doesn't really understand but his parents explain that it is the most important position in the community. However he hears that someone had been called as a receiver before but had failed, though no one knew more than that. Jonas the next day meets with the current Receiver of Memory and the old man explains that his training basically involves giving Jonas all his memories. As Jonas lies on a bed in the old man's office he is given memories, from snow to a sled, to the sun, and many others. The reader learns that Jonas' hometown has a state of sameness where weather doesn't exist and everything and everyone is the same. Jonas now calls his trainer the Giver. Jonas isn't able to tell anyone about his training but strange things start happening. He starts to see colors for example, he can see through the sameness. The Giver explains that without Sameness people would be forced to make choices, and they might make wrong ones. The Giver also explains that Jonas' job is to have his life become his memories and that he will be called upon to give advice to the Elders. He explains the story of the failed receiver who's memories were "re-assimulated" and people had some of the memories and it was chaos. Soon after the Giver starts giving Jonas some of his painful memories. Along with the painful memories, occasionally Jonas gets good memories and learns bout love and wishes he had it in his life. Jonas learns more about the failed receiver, and apparently she asked to be released and that's what released the memories into the people's minds. The Giver and Jonas talked about what would happen if Jonas were to be released, and the Giver says that he could probably help the community cope with the memories, and explain them. One day the Giver has Jonas watch a recording of his father releasing one newchild from a set of identical twins. Jonas watches horrified as his father kills the newchild by injection and puts it down a chute. The realization hits Jonas really hard, now seeing his father as a murderer. Jonas very distraught comes up with a plan with the Giver to leave the community and thus release all of his memories, and the Giver will stay and help the Community cope. However the careful planning falls apart when Jonas father one night announces that Gabriel is to be released the next morning. jonas knows he has to save him. So Jonas enacts the plan immediately. He takes Gabriel, some food, and a bike and leaves the community. After escaping sameness Jonas finds himself in a wilderness, and dwindling food supplies. Jonas no longer cares about himself, but is worried for Gabriel's life. As Jonas feels he's getting closer to a destination snow starts falling and he finds the sled from his memories. Jonas and Gabriel get on and start sledding. Jonas sees lights from somewhere and starts to hear music. And the book ends.

I would recommend this book to an older child interested in civilizations different from their own.

I think there are several controversies that could come from reading this book dealing with the issues of socialism, murder, euthanasia, and several others.

I really enjoyed this book, it was well written and very descriptive. It was a unique idea with an intriguing plot, and intriguing characters.

My rating: 5 out of 5

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

Written and Illustrated by Brian Selznick

Scholastic Press, 2007

Genre: Historical Fiction; picture book

Reading Level: Ages 9-12

533 pages

The book starts out with an introduction from Professor H. Alcofrisbas who says the story takes place in 1931 in Paris and it's about a boy named Hugo who discovered a mysterious drawing that changed his life. Then the story really starts, and we see a young boy, Hugo run through a crowd and climb into a crevice behind a clock tower. He watches an old man who runs a toy stand across the street. When the old man falls asleep Hugo quietly crosses the street, but as he gets close to the toy stand the old man wakes up and accuses him of stealing, he grabs Hugo and a notebook falls out. The old man picks it up and sees some mysterious sketches of what appears to be a mechanical man. The old man questions Hugo about the pictures and when Hugo doesn't answer the old man keeps the notebook and shoos Hugo away. Hugo runs back to the clocks in the station, and his small apartment behind them, he does his job winding the clocks, just like his uncle had taught him to do. Hugo returns to the toy shop as the old man is closing up and demands his notebook, the old man refuses and says he's going to burn it and report Hugo to the inspector. The old man starts walking away, and Hugo follows him all the way to an old apartment, where the old man slams the door in his face. Hugo throws a small rock at a window of the apartment and a young girl appears, she comes outside and asks Hugo what he wants, he tells her that he wants his notebook, she tells him that she will try and get it for him, and that He is to ask the old man for it back tomorrow. Hugo returns to his little apartment and uncovers the mechanical man. There is a short flashback of Hugo and his father. His father is telling him about the automaton he found in the top floor of the museum where he works as a clockmaker and no one knows where it came from, and it's broken but it looks like it could write. Hugo's father due to Hugo's pushing and his own fascination decides to try and fix it. Sadly, one night as Hugo's dad is working on the machine he gets locked in by the guard and the place catches on fire, no one knows how the fire started. Hugo's uncle comes to get him and take him to live with him fixing the clocks in the station. Hugo, after looking at the wreckage of the fire, sees the mechanical man, and decides to take it and his father's notebook and try to finish it. Hugo's uncle disappeared and Hugo was left in charge of keeping the station clocks going. The book jumps back to Hugo in the present, and he returns to the old man toy's shop, who hands him a pile of ashes, Hugo is crushed, and crawls back into bed. Going to get coffee later he runs into the girl he met the night before and she tells him the book wasn't burned. He returns to the toy shop and confronts the old man, who gives Hugo a job at the toy store, it's a start. Hugo and Isabelle meet up again and she wants to know more about Hugo and the notebook. He refuses and ends up running. As she falls trying to chase him a key comes out of her shirt around her neck, and he asks where she got it. She refuses to answer because Hugo won't answer her questions and they part ways. The next day Hugo returns to the toy shop and the old man accuses him of taking the notebook and Isabelle shows up holding the notebook. Hugo hugs her and runs away. He returns to his apartment and pulls out the necklace he had grabbed off of Isabelle, and he turns the mechanical man around and just before he turns, Isabelle shows up and yells at him. He turns the key and the gears start turning and the man starts drawing. He draws a picture of a moon with a face and a telescope coming out of his eye. So part two begins, the kids realize that the man signed a name, and Isabelle runs home to ask the woman she lives with, the old man's husband about it all. Hugo follows her. mama Jeanne who is completely freaked out by the picture, the story that went along with it, and the necklace that was hers. She refuses to talk any more about it. The children search the room as Mama Jeanne leaves to distract her husband. They find a box of drawings and just as they look through them Georges, the old man, runs into the room and rips up the pictures, yelling frantically. Hugo leaves the house and returns to his apartment to sleep. The next morning Hugo goes to the film academy library to look for clues to the picture, thinking that it reminded him of one his father's old favorite movies. Hugo finds what he's looking for, it's the same picture from a movie called "A Trip to the Moon" by the filmmaker Georges Melies who was the first to realize the movies didn't have to depict only real life. The biography along with the movie card however said that Georges was dead, but Hugo knew he was not. Hugo writes the author of the book about the movie and tells him to come to Georges apartment, but that was a week away. Finally the day arrives and Monsieur Tabard shows up at the apartment, he pulls out a projector and they watch the old movies, but Georges takes the slideshow into a locked room. Isabelle picks the lock because everyone is worried. Georges is drawing at his desk, and the story comes out about him building the automaton and putting together movies. He asks where the automaton is, and Hugo says he'll go get it. Unfortunately on his way back to the apartment, Hugo is caught stealing by the inspector and was being taken to prison, he tried to run and ended up in front of a speeding train, the inspector grabs him, and Hugo passed out. When he woke up Georges was holding him and they saved him from the inspector and took him home. They found the broken automaton that Hugo dropped. The book jumps forward six months to a night at the French film academy honoring Georges. Hugo was dubbed, Professor Alcofrisbas, one of Georges characters, and it ends with the explanation that Hugo in fact wrote the book.

I would recommend this to any child with an imagination.

I think the only controversy along with this book would be related to the length, though it's not really a problem.

I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!! It was soo creative and well done. The drawn pictures combined with the actual pictures are excellent and add so much to the story. It was well written, exciting, and I couldn't put it down.

My rating 6 out of 5

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

written by Robin McKinley

Harper Collins Publishers, 1993

Genre: Childrens fiction; fairy tale, fantasy

Reading Level: ages 9 to 12

256 pages

Beauty starts out with an introduction to Beauty's family; her father and her two sisters Grace and Hope, and their life. Beauty is mis named in that she grows to be far less pretty than her elder sisters. Beauty's mother died when she was very young Beauty's father is a merchant and very wealthy so the girls live very well. Grace is engaged to one of their fathers workers, Robbie who leaves on a ship to prove himself and make enough money for a wonderful start with Grace. Unfortunately Beauty's father's ships crash and he loses basically all his money and Robbie is lost at sea. The family is forced to leave the city and move into the country where the could live cheaply and where Hope's fiancee has offered to work with their father for a living. After adjusting to the country life after some time, and making new friends they hear news of one of the lost ships coming back into part. Beauty's father returns to town to see what's going on and to sell the ship's cargo. He asks his daughters if there is any gifts that he can bring them. Grace and Hope both ask for pearls and jewels and gowns, but Beauty only asks for rose seeds to plant in her garden. Beauty's father makes it to town sells the cargo, and learns that unfortunately it was not Robert's ship. As he returns home he gets caught in a storm and comes across a big creepy castle he is helped and taken care of by invisible servants, and he is very grateful. He leaves to return home the next morning and thinking of Beauty picks one of the beautiful roses in the garden, a beast appears from nowhere and threatens to kill him calling him ungrateful. Beauty's father begs for his life saying that he had daughters he needed to return to. The Beast agrees to let him go as long as he returned in one month with one of his daughters. The father is horrified but agrees and is let free. He returns home, but seems sick and exhausted. He tells the story to his daughters and they are horrified but Beauty agrees to go. The rose that the father took lives for one month and the seeds that Beauty plants grow fast and stay beautiful for longer than most other roses. The family also quickly realizes that the Beast sent some jewels and pearls and dresses for the daughters that Beauty's father was unable to get for them. When the time came, Beauty and her father left for the castle, all the while her sisters begging her not to go. They reach the castle and Beauty enters with her treasured horse. She wastes as much time as she could taking care of her horse, and occupying herself before it finally hits dark and she enters the castle. She is greeted by the invisible servants, fed good food, and shown a grand selection of books which gives her some comfort. She is finally introduced to the Beast who is excited for her companionship, he ends their introduction asking her to marry him, she says no, quite taken aback and she is led to her room. As time went on she grew to think the beast was kind, and spent time with him at meals, outside, but most of all reading and discussing books. Beauty grew to better understand the enchantment on the castle and sometimes could even hear the servants speaking about her being the last hope, but she couldn't figure out what it all meant. Though she was still heavy hearted because she missed her family and every night the Beast asked her to marry him, and every night she said no. Then one night, when she was desperately missing her family she had a dream about her family that was very vivid and was really upset by this. The Beast recognized her sadness and explained that he had given her that dream and agrees to show her more. Beauty sees that Grace is leaning towards marrying another man in the country, a local minister, and Hope is pushing her in that direction. Then a new vision comes in and she sees Robbie, alive. Beauty knows that she must return home and tel Grace that Robbie is alive. She begs the Beast to go and he reluctantly lets her go, for one week telling her that she must return within the week or he will die. Beauty was so excited to get home and see her family and tell Grace the news. She was so excited she ended up staying over a week. During the week Beauty realizes she loves the beast, and soon after she has a dream about the Beast dying. She hurries back to the castle and finds the Beast dying; she quickly confesses her love to him and says she will marry him. Without knowing it she breaks the enchantment and the Beast returns to his handsome human form. Beauty insists that she cannot marry him because she is not beautiful enough for him. The now human beast shows Beauty her reflection and she realizes that in her time at the castle she has grown into a beautiful woman. Beauty and the Beast are married in a triple wedding with Grace and Robert, and Beauty's father and Melinda, a woman they met in the country. And they all lived happily ever after.

I would recommend this book particularly to young girls who love fairy tales with a new spin.

I can't really think of any controversy that could come from reading this book.

I thought this was a really good book. It was a great retelling that really engaged the reader. I also really liked the message, it was positive and self esteem boosting.

My rating: 4 out of 5

The Great Gilly Hopkins

Written by Katherine Paterson

Harper Collins Publishers, 1978

Genre: Children's Contemporary Fiction

Reading Level: Ages 9-12

192 pages

Gilly is introduced into her new foster home of Maime Trotter and her other foster son William Ernest.

MaimeTrotter does everything she can to make Gilly happy and feel at home but Gilly rebels, is rude, and angry. Gilly dreams of her mother coming to save her from this miserable place as she stares at the only picture she has from her mom. Trotter turns out to be very religious and doesn’t tolerate some of Gilly’s language, or her making fun of William Ernest. Mr. Randolph, the black blind neighbor comes over for dinner, and Gilly acts very prejudice towards him saying she has never touched one of “those” people and doesn’t want to help him walk. Gilly does everything she can to attempt to take control of the house, through manipulation and deceit. Gilly starts school, her teacher is black and Gilly starts hatching the same plan as she has in previous schools, to do her very best and impress the teachers then stop trying and really frustrates everyone. One day Gilly gets a postcard from her mom and dreams even more about her mom coming to get her, or getting enough money to get to her other herself

One day Gilly is asked to go get a book from Mr. Randolphs house to read to everyone and she stumbles across some money and begins to hatch a plan to get the rest. Gilly ends up using William Ernest to get into Mr. Randolphs to get more of the money, which doesn’t turn out to be very much. Gilly starts to notice looks of caring from Trotter, and she doesn’t know how she feels about it and continues to daydream about her mother. Gilly continues to harass her teacher even going as far as making a card that was very insulting, but the teacher being very witty thanks GIlly for finally making her anger come to the surface. Gilly also continues with her plan to find more money in Mr. Randolph’s house, by offering to clean it for him, and since he can’t see her she searches for the money. Out of frustration of not finding any more money she writes her mother complaining about the horrible situation she is in, she exaggerates quite a bit hoping her mother will come save her. Gilly gets desperate and steals money from Trotter and runs away to buy a ticket to go see her mother, unfortunately she gets caught and taken to the police station where Trotter and W.E. pick her up and GIlly only agrees to come with Trotter as W.E. begs and screams and cries for her to come home. After the incident Miss Ellis, a social worker, fights with Trotter about taking Gilly away but Trotter refuses. Trotter makes GIlly return the money and work off the money she gave away, Gilly seems to gain more respect for Trotter and W.E. and Gilly start bonding as Gilly starts teaching him to box and stand up for himself. Trotter, W.E. and Mr. Randolph all get sick and Gilly tends to them, unfortunately around this same time Gilly’s grandmother, who she’s never before met, stops by to check on her because of the letter that Gilly sent to her mom, she leaves promising Gilly that she’ll get her out of there, and Gilly realizes she doesn’t want to leave. Soon after, Gilly is forced to go live with her grandmother, and she finally meets her mom and realizes that her mom doesn’t want her and doesn’t care about her. She continues to stay in contact with Trotter and W.E. and makes the most out of her new life telling them that she is really happy.

I would recommend this to all children.

I'm sure this book is very controversial because of Gilly's behavior, language, prejudice, and other vices.

Part of me really enjoyed this book, and the other wasn't impressed. I thought it was well written and entertaining, but I've liked other books more in the past dealing with the same topics.

My rating: 3 out of 5

Voyager:An Adventure through Space

Written by John Gustafson

Illustrated by: Edie Weinberg and Tanya Maiboroda

Scholastic Inc., 1994

Genre: Children's nonfiction

Reading Level: Ages 4-8

31 pages

Voyager:An Adventure through Space starts out explaining that the Voyager was created by Scientists to be able to see parts of space that telescopes can't see. It then goes on to tell about the solar system and the planets that the Voyager would be able to show to scientists. Specifically Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. The book then goes into how the spacecraft was built and what it was equipped with to withstand space conditions, such as bitter cold and harsh radiation. After the Voyager was built and ready to go, on August 20, 1977 a rocket took off from Florida carrying the Voyager into space. It took 12 years for the Voyager to get to the outer planets. Then the book gets really interesting. It goes through and describes the different pictures that the Voyager took. Starting with Jupiter. It gives some facts about Jupiter, comparing it to Earth's composition, telling about Jupiter's moons and climate. Then the author describes the next planet the Voyager reaches, Saturn. Which is obviously most famous for its rings. Then Voyager reached Uranus, after 8 1/2 years of travel across 2 billion miles of space. Lastly and finally the Voyager reached Neptune, the pictures show that the planet is blue because of methane gas. It ends by explaining that the Voyager is still traveling today, outside of our solar system and into others.

I would recommend this book to any child with an interest in space and satellites.

I feel there are no controversies that could come from this book.

I really enjoyed this book. It was well written with a lot of interesting information and absolutely beautiful and astonishing pictures. I have no doubt that every child that picks it up will be fascinated at least by the pictures, but i can see how if a child isn't interested in space they could find it pretty boring.

My rating: 3 out of 5

Are You My Rabbit?

Written by Julie Vogel

Illustrated by Matthew Williams

ABDO Publishing Group: Magic Wagon, 2009

Genre: Children's Nonfiction

Reading Level: ages 4-8

32 pages

Are You My Rabbit is a children's book about rabbits as pets. Each page has a question, an answer, a picture depicting the writing, and an interesting fact. It starts out asking the question, "Is a rabbit the right pet for me?" It describes a rabbit and says that if it sounds appealing to the reader then a rabbit is the pet for them. Then it answers several questions about choosing a rabbit; should it be big or small, what kind of rabbit is best, and how old should it be? Then it moves into answering questions about what a rabbit needs, food wise, care wise, how to teach it, and how to keep it safe. Lastly it answers the question, "How do I stay safe?"

I would recommend this book to any child who is ready for a pet and trying to decide which kind to get, especially if they're seriously considering a rabbit.

I can see no controversy that could come from this book.

I thought this book was entertaining for children, and informational. It's easy to understand and really teaches the reader a lot. It is very simple, but definitely perfect for a child wanting a rabbit.

My rating: 4 out of 5

Children Just Like Me

Full Title: Children Just Like Me-A Unique Celebration of Children Around the World.

Written by: Barnabas and Anabel Kindersley

DK Publishing, 1995

Genre: Children's nonfiction

Reading Level: 6-11

80 pages

This encyclopedia type book is a nonfiction book that shares the stories of children all around. It tells of different children's daily life; their clothing, schooling, food, family, and other interesting facts that make them different. It starts out with a short introduction about the Americas as an intro to the different places all the children come from. Then it jumps right in to telling the children's stories. It covers children from many different places, like Oscar from Bolivia, to Taylor from New York and all the way to Erdene to Mongolia. It gives several interesting details of the children's lives. For example one of my favorites was Esta from Tanzania. Her page tells about her family, their tribes traditions, her school and favorite subjects, all the way down to a description of her sneakers that she wears to school and church.

I would recommend this to any and all children who seem interested in how they are different from other children, who are interested in the world, and any other child who enjoys learning.

I believe that in no way could this be a controversial book.

I really enjoyed this book, i thought that it was brilliantly put together, and can really be something that children will love. I loved the personal stories and connections, and the pictures.

The only thing i wasn't crazy about was the amount of information on each page, i think that for some children it would be quite a bit overwhelming.

My rating: 4 out of 5

The Story of Ruby Bridges

Written by Robert Coles

Illustrated by George Ford

Scholastic Books, 1995

Genre: Children's Nonfiction

Reading Level: Ages 7-10

32 pages

This wonderfully written children's book is the true story of the courageous Ruby Bridges. The story starts with a brief background of Ruby and her family and their move to New Orleans in 1957. It describes the family's Christian spirit and dedication to each other. Then Coles goes into an explanation of the times and the concept of segregation in schools, and how in 1960 a judge ordered four black girls to go to two white elementary schools. Ruby was one of the girls chosen to go to a white school, her parents were very proud of their daughter. Unfortunately Ruby was the only one to go to one of the schools, while the other three girls went to the other chosen elementary school. The story then jumps ahead to Ruby's first day at the school. It is surrounded by a mob of angry white people who threatened Ruby and called her names. While the city and state police did not help protect Ruby the president of the US ordered marshals to walk with Ruby into the building. This continued for months, but still Ruby went to school. To a school where she was the only student with only one teacher, Mrs. Henry as the white families refused to work there or send their kids. The author portrays one tender moment where Mrs. Henry one day looked out the window and saw Ruby, surrounded by the hateful mob, stop and say something. Later when asked what she had said Ruby answered that she had been praying for them.

I would recommend this book to any child interested in history, looking for a hero, or that need to know that even children have a huge impact.

I believe that this could be a controversial book, many people feel that we should censor children's reading so that it doesn't include anything uncomfortable, or that portrays people in a bad way. They want their kids to think the world is a wonderful accepting place.

I really loved how the author portrayed Ruby's story. He helped the reader connect with Ruby in a new way, and made it interesting and entertaining for children. The pictures are beautiful, and the story correct and well written.

My rating: 5 out of 5

Stargirl

Written by Jerry Spinelli

Random House Children Books, 2000

Genre: Contemporary fiction

Reading Level: ages 10-15

208 pages

Stargirl is a book told from a young boy named Leo's point of view. Leo begins his story by reflecting on when he was little and he started collecting porcupine ties. He only had one in his collection until his fourteenth birthday when a porcupine tie mysteriously showed up on his doorstep. Then the real story starts and at Leo's school there's a lot of excitement surrounding a new student, who apparently is very odd. Her name is Stargirl. As the days pass we learn more about her, she sings happy birthday to people she doesn't know, she's always happy, she wears weird clothes, and a myriad of other unusual traits. Leo's friend, Kevin, decides that they should get Stargirl to come on their tv show. While Leo is completely fascinated by Stargirl he refuses to put her on the show, not knowing the reason himself. Leo watches stargirl, follows her and desperately tries to understand who/what she is and why she does the things she does. One of the events that Stargirl really became known for, and the start of people liking her, was her performance at the school football team. She did an interesting and entertaining routine and cheered for both teams, larger numbers of people than ever started coming to the football games. Stargirl really won them over when she sang happy birthday to the high school's popular snotty girl, and she did this while looking straight at Leo. Leo and Kevin decide to go visit their old friend Archie who was a palentologist and who taught kids about his life, and philosophy on the weekends, or whenever they wanted to listen. They went and visited Archie and asked if he thought Stargirl was genuine, he agreed with what Leo thought all along, that she was her own human self, and that she was special. Stargirl became beloved by the school and they really showed their admiration for her at the big school oratorical contest that she won. Slowly but surely Stargirl's popularity eventually ran out as she said things weird, attended funerals of people she didn't know and cheered and assisted the rivalry football team when the home team was actually winning, and in a new way this really angered the students. When Stargirl finally appeared on Leo and Kevin's tv show, she was attacked by the people asking her questions that were cruel. Stargirl was shunned at school. And Leo got caught up in it all when he found a valentine from Stargirl telling him that she loved him. The next day she said hi to him and he was 'crushed'. leo ended up following her to her house and they had their first full conversation, and he was in love. Leo and Stargirl start spending more time together. She shows him her enchanted place where she meditates and he escorts her around the school. After some time leo realizes that at school him and Stargirl are invisible, they are being shunned by their classmates, they are alone and he doesn't know how long he can stand it. Archie helps Leo out, very slightly, by asking him the ultimate question, "Whose affection do you value more, hers or the others?' Leo doesnt want to answer. Leo continues spending time with Stargirl, who shows him her house, how she helps people, and how she understands people. Then one day it was all ruined. Leo came to school to find "Stargirl loves Leo" posted on a board where everyone could see it. People started to ignore him more, and he started to avoid Stargirl more. Eventually Leo confronts Stargirl and basically tells her she needs to change. So she does. She becomes like everyone else, or at least she tries to. She dresses like them, she talks like them, she changes her name to Susan, and she does her best to fit in. Then comes the oratorical state contest and she imagines coming home from winning and being greeted by a huge crowd of welcoming peers. She wins the contest with a standing ovation, but she returns home to a basically empty school parking lot. Stargirl became stargirl again, back to her unusal antics, and embarassing Leo. He doesn't ask her to the school dance, and in fact doesn't go himself. However, he did find a spot to watch the event. It started out with Stargirl being ignored, but obviously enchanting everyone, until one boy came up and complimented her. As other boys started walking over, she went up to the band and requested the bunny hop. She danced and the kids were once again entranced by her and joined along. they did the song over and over. Then, as Leo watched, the snotty popular girl walked up to Stargirl completely frustrated and slapped her and blamed her for ruining the dance. Everyone froze, then to everyone's surprise, Stargirl stepped forward and kissed the girl on the cheek. Then she left, and was never seen again. The story ends 15 years later with Leo reflecting on what happened, still trying to understand the girl he fell in love with. And wondering where she was now.

I would recommend this book to any child who has been bullied, or called abnormal. I believe that it will give them the hope and encouragement they need to know they dont have to change for anyone.

The conflict i see coming out of this book would be the parents being worried their child might be cast out by his/her peers if they have the motivation to act like Stargirl.

i really enjoyed this book. I felt that it was extremely well written, very descriptive, and portrayed a good moral in a new way. I was furious at Leo, and I loved him. I admired Stargirl and she embarrassed me. It was wonderful.

My rating: 5 out of 5