Title: Tales of a Fifth Grade Knight
Author: Douglas Gibson
Publisher: Capstone Young Readers
Anticipated publication date:  August 1, 2015
ISBN:  978-1623702557
Genre: Fantasy
Age: 8 up

A weird and wacky, Underground Town of elves and talking animals exists in Douglas Gibson’s   Tales of a Fifth Grade Knight.   Isaac’s school is anything but ordinary.   It used to be a castle but “…the townspeople took one look at this creepy, drafty, damp, heap of rocks with a dungeon and said. “Hey! Let’s turn it into a school.””  When Isaac’s sister Lily disappears from the school’s furnace room, he and his two friends follow her down a tunnel “just big enough for a fifth grader to crawl though.”   They emerge in a magical land where animals grow larger and can talk - a world where humans turn into elves, after they finish weirding.  Weirding is a time when someone might turn into a giant ear, or have a firefly backside.  There is no cure for weirding.  Isaac and his friends must find and leave with Lilly before she begins to change, even though most of the creatures are trying to keep them underground!

This book will be a fun read for elementary children who enjoy a dash of wacky with their fantasy.  While Isaac and his sister have a typical sibling relationship, Gibson’s wild imagination creates uncommon characters in Underground Town that will speak directly to the combination of imagination, humor and wackiness in older elementary readers.  Great for children who have enjoyed Dan Gutman's My Weird School series. 

Bloody Jack 
by L.A. Meyer.  

Publisher: Turtleback
Year: 2004
ISBN: 978-0613716406

Genre: Fiction/Adventure

Themes: Pirates

Rating: Ages 11 and up 
Awards:  ALA Best Book for Young Adults, Booklist Editor's Choice 
AR Points: 11.0

Fantastic Book for older readers.  Great for boys or girls interested in adventure, pirates and historical fiction.   

Text of Video: Welcome everyone.  Today’s video is all about the novel Bloody Jack by L.A. Meyer.  The description on the cover says “being an account of the curious adventures of Mary Jacky Faber, Ship’s Boy.  Mary Faber is the daughter of a school teacher who has come to London to teach.  When his position falls through and the family takes ill, everyone dies except Mary.   Orphaned and alone, Mary is forced out on the streets and is taken in by a gang of street children.  Mary and the gang live on the streets.  They beg for pennies and food.  Sometimes Mary reads the news to the people in the streets and they make money that way.  When they have money, they buy a meat pie and share it between the gang.  When the leader of the gang, Charlie, is killed Mary discovers his body.  Heartbroken and crying, she steals his clothes and shiv.  She cuts her hair and dresses like a boy so she can join a ship’s crew and see the world.  Mary changes her name to Jacky and is accepted to the crew of the Dolphin because she can read.   She tells the crew she is a boy of 10 and bunks down with the 5 other ships boys near the cannons.  Jacky helps prepare the schoolroom for the midshipmen, and takes watch and does all the things the other ship’s boys do.  The British Naval ship the Dolphin travels to Palma and Jamaica in search of pirates, and treasure.  Jacky is growing up during this time and she has to hide the fact that she is becoming a woman.  She also has feelings for Jamie the young merchant’s boy who joined as a ship’s boy with her in London.  Jacky is worried about being thrown overboard when the crew finds out she is a girl, or worse being hanged.  How will Jacky ever share the truth and will she ever become a lady?

 If you love pirate tales, then you are going to love this book.  It has a sequel called Curse of the Blue tattoo.

Pirates Band of Misfits

The Pirates! 

Band of Misfits

Publisher: Aardman Animation          

Year: 2012

Media: Film   Rating: PG

Genre:  Adventure

Subjects/Themes:  Pirates,

Plot Summary:  After years of trying, the Pirate Captain has never won the Pirate of the Year Award.  He wants to enter the contest but is laughed at by the other pirates.  Despondent He is determined to win the prize.  After he attacks the ship of Charles Darwin, he is takes his band of pirates back to London and with his crew embark on an adventure where he learns to value friendship over fame.   

Review:  A silly film with sight gags galore to keep you giggling.  The movie is based on The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists by Gideon Defoe.  Best for younger audiences.  The stop motion animation is fantastic but the story may leave adults longing for something more.

If you like this film you may also like:  Flushed Away (2006), which was fantastic on so many levels, and Wallace & Gromit.

The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg by Rodman Philbrick

The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg 
by Rodman Pilbrick

Text from video: Welcome everyone.  This video is about the Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg,  written by Rodman Philbrick.  Homer and his older brother, Harold, are orphans under the care of their rotten Uncle Squinton Leach.  When Harold stops Uncle Squint from beating Homer, Uncle Squint sells Harold to the Union Army where he must serve three years or until he dies.  Homer knows that it was wrong to sell Harold because Harold is only seventeen, and not old enough to be sworn into the army. Homer is worried about Harold and wants to rescue Harold before he is killed in the war.  Homer leaves Uncle Squints farm and travels through Maine.  Where he meets slave catchers and scoundrels who steal his horse and make him stop at a house on the Underground Railroad.  Homer tricks the scoundrels and helps the slaves continue on their journey to freedom.    Mr. Brewster rewards Homer with a trip on a steamship to New York so he can find Harold.  While on the steamship Homer’s guardian is bamboozled and Homer is locked in the steerage with pigs.  Once in New York, Homer joins a traveling medicine show that follows the Union wagon trains.  Homer has one adventure after another and even ends up on a hot air balloon that takes him to a battle where he meets Coronel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain.   Will Homer ever find Harold?  Will they serve the union army well?  Find out by reading The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg

Title:   The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg

Author:  Rodman Philbrick

Publisher: Scholastic  

Year: 2011 c 2009

ISBN:  978-0-439-66821-7

Genre: Fiction/Adventure/Historic

This book is for Ages: 9-14

Awards: Newbery Honor Book, ALA Notable Book.

AR Points: 7.0           

Subjects/Themes: Runaways, Orphans, Brother, Self Reliance, Family, Civil War

Plot Summary:  12-year-old Homer P. Figg runs away from his horrible uncle to rescue his brother Harold.  Harold was tricked into joining the union army.  Homer travels from Maine to Gettysburg hoping to free his brother and protect him from the dangers of war.  As Homer travels he meets, bandits, a Quaker, thieves and spies. The book is dedicated “To everyone whoever lied and found their way back to the truth”.  Homer is a boy like any other but his experiences are amazing. 

Review:  This book is a wild ride from beginning to end.  Homer’s tale will make you laugh.  It is an excellent read-aloud story you won’t want to put down. Homer struggles with right, wrong and telling the truth.  His story deals with serious issues like war and slavery from the point of view of a child.  Homer understands the dangers of war and is determined to save his brother.  Philbrick’s detailed descriptions bring this story to life.  I will miss Homer and his adventures.  I liked that the book includes a special section at the back with a recipe for Union hard tack and trivia about the Civil War.   

If you like this book you may also like:  The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain. 

The Princess Bride

The Princess Bride

Publisher:  Metro Goldwyn Mayer     

Year: 1987

Media: Motion Picture

Rating: PG

Genre:  Adventure

Subjects/Themes:  Pirates, Courage, True Love,

Wesley the farm boy is in love with the beautiful Buttercup.  When he realizes she loves him too, he leaves the farm to make his fortune.  When he returns they will marry.   Unfortunately Buttercup hears that Wesley’s ship has been attacked by the Dread Pirate Roberts, who never takes prisoners.  Believing Wesley dead, a heart-broken Buttercup is engaged to marry Prince Humperdinck.  Just after the engagement Buttercup is kidnapped by Inigo, Vizzini and Fezzik.  A mysterious man in black chases Buttercup and her captors but it is not Prince Humperdink.  It is the Dread Pirate Roberts. 

Review: Remarkably well-written, this film is a classic.    It is “inconceivable” to imagine this film being any better.  The actors are well cast and truly shine under Rob Reiner’s direction.  The film is a hilarious action adventure epic romance.   Where true love really does conquer all.

If you like this Film you may also like: The Princess Bride by William Goldman or the film Ever After (1998).

Dark Hills Divide by Patrick Carman

Dark Hills Divide

Author:  Patrick Carman

Narrator: Aasne Vigesaa

Publisher: Brilliance Audio              

Year:  2005

ASIN: B001IV0FBE

Genre: Fiction/Adventure

This book is for Ages:  8-12

AR Points:      10.0

Subjects/Themes:  Magic, Safety

Plot Summary:  12-year-old Alexa is spending the summer with her father in the walled city of Bridewell.  For years she has longed to know what lies outside its walls.   Alexa discovers a secret door that takes her to the forest where she learns of the suffering of the animals since the walls went up and of a dark plot to invade Bridewell.    Can Alexa and her new friends save the city?

Review:   Patrick Carman writes a magical story that starts out a little slowly.  Alexa is smart but she follows directions far too easily while in the forest.  Much of the story is told as a narrative by other characters.  This book could have been more interesting but it is still worth reading.  The woodland creatures that help her are intriguing and funny.   The pool in the novel is well-crafted.   I would read the next book in the series because Dark Hills Divide is an intriguing story and I want to know what happens next.

If you like this book you may also like:  The Lion, the Witch and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis and the other Land of Elyon books.

The Hunger Games Motion Picture

Title:  The Hunger Games

Publisher:  Lionsgate Films  

Year: 2012

Media: Film     

Rating: PG13

Ages: 10 and up

Genre:  Science Fiction/Fantasy

Subjects/Themes: Government, Death, Survival

Plot Summary from the novel: 16 year-old Katniss Everdeen has been providing for her family since her father died five years ago.  She breaks the laws of the government of Panem everyday by hunting with her bow for fresh meat, and gathering fruits and vegetable in the woods.  When Katniss’ 12-year old sister Prim is chosen for the Hunger Games, a government-sponsored reality television competition where 12 boys and girls compete to the death, Katniss takes her place.  She and Peeta, the kind baker’s son, must travel to the Capitol and compete for their lives against others who are stronger and more cunning.  Can Katniss win the Hunger Games?  What about the others?  She likes, Peeta and even Rue the young competitor who reminds her so much of Prim.  Can she bring herself to fight them for her life?

The Hunger Games film follows the story of Katniss Everdeen as told in the novel.  The film has an omniscient viewpoint and allows for a deeper understanding of the government's role in the games and the oppression of the people of the 12 Districts.  The film deals with death and violence in a responsible manner while staying true to the story.   The film is very good.  Although a stronger film could have been made with an R rating the balance struck by Director Ross conveys the essence of the novel in a format that will please parents, children and adult fans of the novel.  The Hunger Games is a delicately crafted, thought provoking film. 

Midnight for Charlie Bone by Jenny Nimmo

Midnight for Charlie Bone

Author:  Jenny Nimmo

Publisher:  Listening Library  Date: March 2004

ISBN:  978-1400086146

Audio Book Narrator: Simon Russell Beale

Genre: Fiction

This book is for Ages: 8 up

AR Points:      10.0

Subjects/Themes: Fantasy Magic

Plot Summary:  11-year-old Charlie Bone lives with his Mom, 2 Grandmothers and Uncle.  One day Charlie realizes that he is endowed.  He can hear the thoughts and conversations of people in photographs.  When Charlie’s photograph of his best friend’s dog gets mixed up with the 11-year-old photo of a man and his baby girl, Charlie begins to investigate what happened to the baby and wonders if the girl may be a student with him at Bloor’s academy.  Charlie soon becomes entangled in a larger plot where endowed children good and evil, struggle for control.
 

Review: Jenny Nimmo’s Charlie Bone is a good story that suffers from comparison to the Harry Potter books.  Bloor’s Academy is like Hogwarts and Charlie’s family is both supportive and sinister.  The nice thing about this book is that Charlie is not an orphan.  He has a mother, grandmother and uncle who support him.  Charlie meets other adults he can rely on in this tale and the unusual powers of the endowed children makes for a good read.

If you like this book you may also like:  Any of the Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling. 

Boom by Mark Haddon

Boom

Author:  Mark Haddon

Publisher:  Listening Library (Audio); Unabridged edition (May 11, 2010)

ISBN:  978-0739381373

Genre: Science Fiction

This book is for Ages: 10 up

AR Points:      5.0

Subjects/Themes: Friends, Family, Space, Aliens, United Kingdom

Plot Summary:  When Jimbo’s sister tells him he is going to be expelled from school, He and his best friend, Charlie decide to bug the teachers’ lounge.  They hear 2 teachers talking in a completely unrecognizable language and acting in a very alien manner.  Charlie is intrigued and starts to investigate.  When Charlie goes missing, Jimbo knows it is up to him to find and save Charlie and maybe even the Earth.

Review: Marc Haddon’s book is a fun romp good for a giggle.  Jimbo is fun; Charlie is great; the aliens are silly, and scary.  The book is written with a British audience in mind and so readers may encounter some interesting and fun cultural slang.  This book is a rewrite of Haddon’s earlier work Gridzbi Spudvetch! (Walker, 1994).  

If you like this book you may also like:  Hitchiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams  although it is for a slightly older audience. 

Airborn by Kenneth Oppel

Airborn

Author:  Kenneth Oppel

Publisher:  EOS          Year:  2004

ISBN:  0-06-053180-0

Genre: Fiction/ Science Fiction

This book is for Ages: 12 uu

Awards:  Canadian Library Association Honour;  Snow Willow Award/Nominee;  Michael Printz Award/Honor Book;  Governor General's Literary Award;  Rocky Mountain Book Award;  BCCB Blue Ribbon Book;  SLJ Best Book;  Stellar Award/Nominees;  Red Maple Award/Nominee;  ALA Best Book for Young Adults;  Red Cedar Book Award/Nominee;  ALA Notable/Best Books;  YALSA Top Ten; Canadian Content-Canadian Content

AR Points:      15.0

Subjects/Themes: Adventure-Travel; Pirates; Traveling in Space; Friends;

Plot Summary: Matt Cruse is in the crow’s nest when he spots a failing hot air balloon floating towards his airship.  Despite all attempts the pilot of the balloon does not respond.  Matt makes a daring rescue swinging like a trapeze artist high in the atmosphere to save the pilot and keep the balloon from crashing into his airship.  The pilot asks Matt if he saw the beautiful creatures, but there was nothing in the air with them, or was there something strange and deadly flying above.

Review:   I really hesitated reading this book.  I did not want to like it.  But it was good.  It reminded me of the adventure books and movies like Indiana Jones, Night at the Museum, Stardust, and the Mummy.  Scientific, strange, wild and enjoyable - Airborn will take you to another world.  

If you like this book you may also like: Leviathan by Scott Westerfield.

The Edge of the Sword by Rebecca Tingle

The Edge of the Sword

Author:  Rebecca Tingle

Publisher:  Scholastic

Year:  2001

ISBN:  0-439-41796-1

Genre: Fiction

This book is for Ages: 12 up

AR Points:      11.0

Subjects/Themes: Family Life, Marriage

Plot Summary:  Flaed is the 15-year-old daughter of the King.  She will be soon married to Alderman Ethelred.  She will leave the safety of her home and family to start a new life, but Flaed wants her freedom.  She wants to leave the watchful eyes of Red, the guard Ethelred has sent to keep her safe until the wedding.  Flaed plans and manages her escape right into the hands of kidnappers.  What will she do now?

Review:  Rebecca Tingle writes a historical novel based on real life strong female main character.  Unfortunately the relationships in just story just didn’t draw me in the way they should have.  While it is a good book it is not fantastic as I would have hoped.  If you like history and love to read, pick it up.  This book is not for reluctant readers.

The Last Apprentice: Revenge of the Witch by Joseph Delaney

The Last Apprentice: Revenge of the Witch 

Author:  Joseph Delaney

Publisher:  Greenwillow Books          

Year:  2006

ISBN:  978-0-06-076620-4

Genre: Fiction/Fantasy

Awards: ALA Best Book for Young Adults; Horn Book Fanfare; Booklist Editors' Choice;

AR Points: 9.0

This book is for Ages: 8 and up

Subjects/Themes: Witches, Ghosts, Supernatural

The Last Apprentice Revenge of the Witch tells the story of 13-year-old Tom the seventh son of a seventh son who is apprenticed to Old Gregory a Spook who has been protecting farms for 60 years.  His new job will be to deal with “ghouls, boggarts and all manner of wicked beasties.”   All of Old Gregory’s other apprentices have failed or worse, died.  Can Tom do what needs to be done?  Is he strong enough to fight even the darkest evil?

Joseph Delany provides a spine tingling and chilling read -- a great book to read around Halloween when you are looking for a reason to keep the lights on.  Patrick Arrasmith’s illustrations are a true enhancement to the book dark and scary with strong lines and dripping blood.  The witches are particularly horrible, the kind that like to eat little children and harvest bones for magic.  I am not a fan of spooky or scary stories.  This one tops the list of books for the very brave.  

If you like this book you may also like more books in The Last Apprentice series also by Joseph Delany.

Horton Halfpott: Or, The Fiendish Mystery of Smugwick Manor; or, The Loosening of M'Lady Luggertuck's Corset by Tom Angleberger

Title: Horton Halfpott: Or, The Fiendish Mystery of Smugwick Manor; or, The Loosening of M'Lady Luggertuck's Corset

Author:  Tom Angleberger

Publisher:  Amulet Books     

Year:  2011

ISBN:  978-0-8109-9715-8 

Genre: Fiction/Humor 

Awards:  Edgar Award/Honor Book

AR Points: 5.0

This book is for Ages: 8 and up

Subjects/Themes: Character

Horton Halfpott is a kitchen boy in the Luggertck household.  As things go missing in the Luggertuck household Horton and his friends the snooping stable boys try to unravel the mystery and its connection to the beautiful heiress Celia and a band of shipless pirates.

Silly and fun retelling of the Cinderella story, by Tom Angleberger, Horton is too good to be true.  He is loved by the baker and the pirates.  Angleberger also provides the illustrations for this book which are quite entertaining.  This is a fun and quick read with a glow in the dark cover.   

If you like this book you may also like The Strange Case of Origami Yoda also by Tom Angleberger or Captain Underpants by Dave Pilkey.

Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick

Title:   Freak the Mighty

Author:  Rodman Philbrick

Publisher: Scholastic Inc.       

Year:  ©1993

ISBN:  978-0-439-28606-0

Genre: Fiction/Realistic

This book is for Ages: 10 up

Awards:  Judy Lopez Memorial Award Honor Book

AR Points:      5.5

Subjects/Themes: Friendship, School, Family, Identity, Death

Plot Summary:  Max always thought he was a stupid, unlovable giant.  Everyone is afraid of him, even his Gram and Grim (Grandpa) who he lives with since his mother died and his father went away.  One day Max meets Freak, a very small and extremely smart boy.  Together they become Freak the Mighty, avoiding bullies, and performing quests.  Freak shares everything with Max, like the secrets of how to read and what words mean.  Freak is going to get bionic body from the research lab at the hospital.  

Review:    Despite his small size, Freak is a superhero.  He saves Max in this compelling and powerful story by Rodman Philbrick.  This book is full of adventure and on its face is a great story.  For older readers Freak the mighty challenges us to examine the way we look at children of all ages to see beyond the physical into the heart and spirit of the young people we encounter.