This is how to write a book from the point of view of a child. Bravo!
When Primrose's parents are lost at sea, everyone but her is convinced that they're dead. The story is full of hope, recipes, and startlingly profound insights into why people act the way they do. Harvath's writing is sharp and clever, with just the right mix of humor, wit, and sincerity. Her characters are absolutely wonderful. I loved each and every one of them. And the ending? Perfection.
Read this book. You'll thank me.
Estimated Reading Level: 4th grade
Grade: A+
Friday, September 16, 2011
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
The Case of the Missing Marquess -- Nancy Springer
Nicely done, Springer.
This is the journey of a young girl learning to become her own person in a time when women were not allowed to be independent. The book declares itself "An Enola Holmes Mystery," but turns out to be more of an adventure with just a touch of mystery. The balance of the two works together well to create an exciting and entertaining story. Sherlock Holmes makes an appearance, and is a good example on how to use a famous character without overshadowing your own.
Original, fun, and clever. I recommend it.
Estimated Reading Level: 5th grade
Grade: B+
This is the journey of a young girl learning to become her own person in a time when women were not allowed to be independent. The book declares itself "An Enola Holmes Mystery," but turns out to be more of an adventure with just a touch of mystery. The balance of the two works together well to create an exciting and entertaining story. Sherlock Holmes makes an appearance, and is a good example on how to use a famous character without overshadowing your own.
Original, fun, and clever. I recommend it.
Estimated Reading Level: 5th grade
Grade: B+
Monday, September 12, 2011
That Was Then, This Is Now -- S. E. Hinton
A classic. A very depressing classic.
Bryon, the poor kid growing up in a place where fighting is a hobby, is forced through terrible life changes that make him question himself and the brother he always looked up to. Hinton creates voices for her characters that are unbelievably raw and honest, and her writing, though breaking every grammar rule possible, is excellent. The plot and pacing work together perfectly to create the best emotional involvement in the reader. The end was as dramatic as it was traumatic. It wasn't my favorite kind of story, but I can't deny its merit.
Because of the more mature mindset and lifestyle of the characters--drugs, alcohol, muggings, gun-fights--this is probably best for older readers.
Estimated Reading Level: 7th grade
Grade: A
Bryon, the poor kid growing up in a place where fighting is a hobby, is forced through terrible life changes that make him question himself and the brother he always looked up to. Hinton creates voices for her characters that are unbelievably raw and honest, and her writing, though breaking every grammar rule possible, is excellent. The plot and pacing work together perfectly to create the best emotional involvement in the reader. The end was as dramatic as it was traumatic. It wasn't my favorite kind of story, but I can't deny its merit.
Because of the more mature mindset and lifestyle of the characters--drugs, alcohol, muggings, gun-fights--this is probably best for older readers.
Estimated Reading Level: 7th grade
Grade: A
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Remembering Mrs. Rossi -- Amy Hest
This book was . . . cute, I suppose. I wasn't very fond of it.
Hest tries very hard to capture the voice of an eight year old, but children are usually more eloquent than writers expect them to be, and she fails miserably in her attempt. The main character, Annie, is a brat, and while I sympathize with the loss of her mother, I found it very hard to like her. The supporting characters and the natural naivety of Annie were the only things that made it worthwhile.
Younger readers might enjoy this story.
Estimated Reading Level: 3rd grade
Grade: C
Hest tries very hard to capture the voice of an eight year old, but children are usually more eloquent than writers expect them to be, and she fails miserably in her attempt. The main character, Annie, is a brat, and while I sympathize with the loss of her mother, I found it very hard to like her. The supporting characters and the natural naivety of Annie were the only things that made it worthwhile.
Younger readers might enjoy this story.
Estimated Reading Level: 3rd grade
Grade: C
The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg -- Rodman Philbrick
I liked this story. Philbrick has some real talent.
Homer is a fun character to follow with a very unique voice, and his journey to find and save his brother from the war is full of surprises. Set in the time of the Civil War, there are a few racial slurs in this book, and although the "n-word" is never used, this might be something parents want to discuss with their children. Over the course of the book, Homer sees and learns things that change him from a boy to a young man, and the change is a fascinating thing to watch.
If you like adventure, this is an excellent book to try.
Estimated Reading Level: 5th grade +
Grade: A+
Homer is a fun character to follow with a very unique voice, and his journey to find and save his brother from the war is full of surprises. Set in the time of the Civil War, there are a few racial slurs in this book, and although the "n-word" is never used, this might be something parents want to discuss with their children. Over the course of the book, Homer sees and learns things that change him from a boy to a young man, and the change is a fascinating thing to watch.
If you like adventure, this is an excellent book to try.
Estimated Reading Level: 5th grade +
Grade: A+
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Dial-a-Ghost -- Eva Ibbotson
I love Ibbotson, but I forgot just how gruesome her imagery can be. Her style reminds me of Roald Dahl's--quirky, delightful, and, in the best possible sense, a tad bit morbid.
This off-the-wall story follows the sweet, polite Wilkinson ghost family, the evil, vengeful Shriekers spook couple, and the humans who adopt them. It is endlessly entertaining. My one complaint with Ibbotson is that she has a nasty habit of switching from characters' regular names to their nicknames and back again without warning. Even so, the characters themselves are brilliantly written and easy enough to distinguish from one another.
This is a terrific book with plenty of twists, humor, and a wonderful ending. It's perfect for a reader looking for an exciting, but not too scary, story.
Estimated Reading Level: 5th grade
Grade: B+
This off-the-wall story follows the sweet, polite Wilkinson ghost family, the evil, vengeful Shriekers spook couple, and the humans who adopt them. It is endlessly entertaining. My one complaint with Ibbotson is that she has a nasty habit of switching from characters' regular names to their nicknames and back again without warning. Even so, the characters themselves are brilliantly written and easy enough to distinguish from one another.
This is a terrific book with plenty of twists, humor, and a wonderful ending. It's perfect for a reader looking for an exciting, but not too scary, story.
Estimated Reading Level: 5th grade
Grade: B+
Monday, September 5, 2011
Among the Hidden -- Margaret Peterson Haddix
Haddix did a wonderful job taking a dark plot and writing it for young audiences.
She has created a believable world where having more than two children is illegal, and those few who are born are forced into hiding. The characters are well developed, the dialogue is convincing, and the pacing is perfect. The narration, however, was distant and lacked emotional involvement.
If you're looking for a book with suspense appropriate for younger children, this is a great one to try.
Estimated Reading level: 5th grade
Grade: B+
If you're looking for a book with suspense appropriate for younger children, this is a great one to try.
Estimated Reading level: 5th grade
Grade: B+
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