Bridge to Terabithia

Paterson, K. (1977). Bridge to terabithia. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc.

This story is set in the 1970’s in Virginia.  Leslie has only been in town a few weeks, but it’s not long before she and Jesse, the main characters in this book, develop an amazing friendship.   They begin spending a lot of time together which one day leads them to a crossing a creek.  It soon becomes their kingdom, and it comes to be known as Terabithia.  Here, Jesse and Leslie let their imaginations run wild as they consider themselves king and queen of Terabithia.  It is their secret place.

                One afternoon while Jess is out with his music teacher at a museum, a tragic accident occurs and Leslie loses her life.  After being in denial for some time, Jesse finally accepts her death.  While out one day at the creek, he realizes that his little sister has followed him.  He becomes enraged at first as this was his and Leslie’s place.  Once calm, he allows May Belle to cross over and proclaims her the new queen of Terabithia, still keeping Leslie's memory alive.  He takes what he has learned from Leslie and is able to move on.

               The theme of friendship can be seen through out the course of the story.  The climax comes during Leslie’s death as uncertainty, confusion, and emotions run high.  Leslie was Jess’s escape.  In their friendship, he found he could be himself.

-Newbery Award winner

The Lion and The Mouse

Pinkney, J. (2009). The Lion and The Mouse. New York, NY: Little Brown and Company.

                In his 2010 Caldecott Medal winning book, Jerry Pinkney tells a story of a lion and a mouse with only astounding pictures.  There is  no need for words as the vibrant pictures tell a story on their own.  From the front cover and through out, there is no mistaking the quality of illustrations that make this book such a great  success.

Sunset of the Sabertooth

Osborne, M.P. (1996). Sunset of the sabertooth. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc.

          In their magical tree house, there is a book, and when looked at, it takes them places.  The main characters Jack and Annie take us on a journey back to the Ice Age in book seven in the series of the Magic Tree House.  The rising action of this book begins after Annie runs her finger over a picture which takes them back in time to the Ice Age.  Not prepared, Jack tries to stop her, but realizes it is too late.

          This book is full of adventure from beginning to end.  There is never a dull moment with these two characters as they realize they must find an item before they return to present time.  The mystery of the unknown keeps these two on their toes.  Traveling through time and encountering animals from the past such as the sabertooth and wolly mammoth bring added excitement to this adventure.

Secret of the Andes

Clark, A.N. (1952). Secret of the andes. New York, NY: The Viking Press.

Cusi a Native American boy knows no one but his guardian Chuto.  The two main characters of this story work together as they herd and breed llamas in the Andes Mountains.  Cusi has never visited the cities below off of the mountains.  Chuto on the other hand takes the llama wool to the market where he then takes the time to visit the cities.  In time, Cusi is asked to join Chuto.  The trip to the cities has a powerful impact on Cusi as he longs to be part of a group or family.  During the trip, he begins to think about his own family and how he came to be.  He eventually learns the truth about his family and how a land slide destroyed his people.

            Clark uses history of the Incan people as well as imagery and many details to help bring the characters to life.  Minor characters in this story make large contributions to the actions of the major characters.    

-Newbery Medal winner, 1953

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Lewis, C.S., & Baynes, P. (1994). The lion, the witch, and the wardrobe. New York, NY: HarperTrophy.

One of seven books from The Chronicles of Narnia, The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe is the second book in the series.

Because of air raids during war, Lucy, Edmund, Peter, and Susan must leave London to go live with Professor Kirke.  When they come to the professor’s home, not only is he unusual, they encounter many unusual objects in the many rooms.  While playing in one of those rooms, the youngest of the four children comes across a wardrobe.  She finds that this wardrobe leads to a secret place, Narnia.

The children’s true adventures begin once in Narnia as Edmund betrays his siblings to help the White Witch find them. The only way to dethrone the witch is by having all four of the children (2 sons of Adam and 2 daughters of Eve) sit on the thrones at the castle in Cair Paravel.  That is why the witch has threatened that any human caught in Narnia is to be turned to stone.  With all the characters in this story, the only one that can truly help is Astlan, the mighty lion which many fear.  After many adventures and a battle, the children make their way to the castle with the help of Asltan and are crowned Kings and Queens.

Figurative language such as idioms painted a clearer picture of how the characters reacted. Excellent word choice allowed the reader to paint vivid images of the characters and setting.  Foreshadowing was another literary element that I found to be very important in how this story was told.  In one section, we know that a battle would soon ensue because Father Time had given the children gifts that included weapons.  Over all, it was a great book!

 

The Midwife's Apprentice

Cushman, K. (1995). The midwife's apprentice. New York, NY: Clarion Books.

     1996 Newbery Award winner, this story is set during the middle ages.  A girl is taken in to work by a midwife after being found sleeping in a dung heap. As payment, she is fed little to eat. She is constantly teased and bullied by boys in the village as well as mistreated by the midwife.  In the rising action, we see Beetle, who we later come to know as Alyce, gain confidence as she searches for her place in the world.  Her self-confidence is short lived as she takes what she has learned from the midwife and attempts to deliver a child.  She fails and once again finds herself unsure of her skills and capabilities.

Through out, the theme of self-doubt can be seen. Even up until the end of the story, Alyce thinks she knows what she wants in life and decides to go back to Jane the midwife.  After being refused entry, as her last attempt, she finds the confidence within and demands to be let in.

This story was not at all what I expected.  I thoroughly enjoyed it from beginning to end.

Junie B. Jones Smells Something Fishy

(Junie B. Jones Series #12)

         Park, B. (1998). Junie b. jones smells something fishy. New York, NY: Random House Children's Books.    

       The problem… It’s almost pet day and Junie B. does not have a pet other than a dog or cat. The very outspoken Junie does not like that the only things allowed are pictures or caged pets.  

This interesting character takes us through her quest to find a new pet before pet day.   After several failed attempts to find a pet (earthworm, ants, and fish), she finally finds a solution in her own freezer.  When it comes time to take a turn, she pulls out a fish stick.  Hesitant at first, her teacher gives her the opportunity to explain why the fish stick is a pet.  It is not until she answers a few of the teacher’s questions that they declare it a pet.  Both the teacher and Junie are content at the end of the story.

       Idioms (“easy as pie!”) and choice of words bring life to the character.  Through her improper English, we are able to make connections to children Junie’s age.  You can’t help but laugh at her ideas and actions.

The Great and Only Barnum

Fleming, C. (2009). The great and only barnum: the trmendous, stupendous life of the showman p.t. barnum. New York, NY: Schwart & Wade.

          A Notable Book for Children's List, C. Fleming does an amazing job in this biography capturing important details of P.T. Barnum's life. This biography takes us from childhood through adulthood. It tells of life with his family, as a businessman, and a politcian.
Barnum considered himself a showman and was always looking for his next business opportunity. Despite suffering several tragedies (bankruptcy, fires, and illness), he continued his success up until his death (at this point,it included a partnership with Bailey). 
        The photos used and quotes taken from Barnum's autobiography helped bring this book to life by helping tell of his life story and tell of the legacy he left behind.

                                        

Cirque Du Freak: A Livng Nightmare, Vol. I

Shan, D. (2002). Cirque du freak : a living nightmare, vol. i. New York, NY: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.

    
         The first novel in the Saga of Darren Shan by Darren Shan, this book is full of excitement, mystery, and adventure.  As Darren and Steve attend the freak show that has come to town, they quickly realize that their actions will not be taken lightly.  After taking Madam Octa, Mr. Crepsley's poisonous spider, Darren creates his first problem with the vampire.  Action escalates as the spider bites Steve which lands him on what appears to be his death bed until Darren ends up making a deal to be the vampire's assistant in order to spare his life.  The forshadowing through different methods such as the character's behaviors and actions in this story kept me from putting the book down.  It was easy to see why children enjoy this book so much.
                                                

Jacob Have I Loved

Paterson, K. (1990). Jacob have i loved. New York, NY : HarperCollins.

Jacob Have I Loved is told in the point of view of the main character Sara Louise and is set in the 1940’s on the island of Rass.  Through out the story, Sara Louise, “Wheeze”, is in constant conflict with her twin sister.  Strong characterization is evident as Sara Louise leaves her island to attain more in life and no longer live in the shadows of her twin sister.  While in the mountains, she finds happiness and becomes more accepting of the people and their actions. 

-A Newbery Award Winner

Island of the Blue Dolphins

O' Dell, S. (1960). Island of the blue dolphins. Boston, Mass.: Houghton Mifflin.

       Receiving the Newbery Award, this story is based on factual events.  The mood is a serious one for most of the story as Karana's determination of survival is evident through out.  She experiences many tragedies with family members and her tribe. The climax of this story comes when after many years of being stranded on this island, her brother death, her family and tribal members gone, another set of hunters land their ship.  At this point, Karana, unsure of what to expect, goes out on a limb as a young lady from the ship attempts to communicate with her. After spending time with the young woman, eventually Karana begins to trust her which brings her hope.  When she least expects it, the people leave the island without notice, giving the impression that her last chance of rescue has ended which leads to the falling action of the story.  Karana looses all hope for many years until she is finally rescued and taken from the island.

A Year Down Yonder

Peck, R. (2002). A year down yonder. New York, NY : Puffin.

A Newbery Award winner, this story is set during the Great Depression of 1937.  Times are hard, and fifteen year old Mary Alice’s parents have no choice but to send her to live with her grandmother. Mary Alice soon finds that her grandmother is quite a force to reckon with as she deals with pranksters, stands her ground with neighbors, and raises prices on a drink at the Annual Turkey Shoot.  Despite there being conflict between Grandma Dowdel and community members, Grandma somehow always finds herself on the better end of things.

Mary Alice struggles at first to adjust to her new school with a classroom filled with different aged students.  After a bad start with a bully, things start looking up as she takes part in the Christmas play, begins submitting articles to the community newspaper, and begins speaking to the new boy at school.

As the school year comes to an end, things have changed dramatically.  Mary Alice and Royce agree to stay in contact, and most of all, she understands her grandmother now more than ever.  The theme, never judge a book by its cover, is something that the main character in this story learns from the year spent with her grandmother.  Even though her grandmother appears rigid and unkind at first, Mary Alice finds that she is quite the opposite in doing kind acts for the community and for Mary Alice herself.