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. 

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.

No Castles Here by A.C.E. Bauer

No Castles Here

Author:  A.C.E. Bauer

Publisher:  Random House    Year:  2007

ISBN:  978-0-375-93921-1

Genre: Fiction/ Realistic

This book is for Ages: 8 up

AR Points:      7.0

Subjects/Themes: Family Life, Neighborhood, School, Music

Augie is an 11-year-old boy living in a tough neighborhood.  The boys in his class sometimes are lookouts for the local gang.  With the help of his music teacher, a bookstore owner and a few others, Augie helps his community unite through music to revitalize his aging school and acknowledge the commitment of the students despite their difficult circumstances.  The characters in this story are believable; the situations are tough and yet somehow ring true.  A.C.E. Bauer writes a good story within a story.  Augie is a likeable although imperfect, as are most people in the real world. 

If you like this book you may also like:  Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrik

The Manny Files by Christian Burch

The Manny Files  

Author:  Christian Burch

Publisher:  Antheneum Books for Young Readers    

Year:  2006

ISBN:  978-1-4169-0039-9

Genre: Fiction/Realistic       

This book is for Ages: 8 and up

Awards: Josette Frank Children’s Book Award

AR Points:      9.0

Subjects/Themes: Self Confidence; Family Life;  Bullies, Humor

Plot Summary:  Keats is 8-years-old and has always had a nanny take care of him and his sisters.  One day his mom introduces him to Manny the family’s new male nanny.   Manny does things differently.  He sings songs by Alice Cooper, hangs piñatas over their beds and makes breakfast like Pablo Pancake-asso.  Keats thinks Manny is the greatest.   Lulu, Keats’ older sister, doesn’t like Manny, she records everything he does in “The Manny Files” a notebook she could use to get Manny fired just like she did to the other nanny.  What can Keats do to convince his parents to keep Manny.

Review:   This is a witty book filled with pop culture references.  While it is marketed to kids, older teens and even adults will enjoy the humor and love shared by the Keats’s and his family.  The Manny Files is about growing up and growing older.  This book has wonderful and wacky characters for everyone to enjoy.

If you like this book you may also like:  Hit the Road Manny also by Christian Burch.

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.

Sam I Am by Ilene Cooper

Title:  Sam I am

Author:  Ilene Cooper

Publisher:  Scholastic Press  Year:  2004

ISBN:  0-439-43967-1  

Genre: Fiction/Realistic

This book is for Ages: 10-14

AR Points: 8.0

Subjects/Themes: Family/Religion/Identity

Plot Summary:  Sam’s mom is Christian but his dad is Jewish.  When his dog Pluto knocks over the Hanukah Bush and breaks his mother’s treasured ornaments.  His parents decide to change the way the family celebrate the holidays.  Sam wonders about God and religious tolerance as he searches to define who he is, and what he believes.

Review:   Good book with likeable characters.  Sam has a voice that reflects his 7^th grade self.  He likes, girls, is starting to grow up and is not sure what he thinks about God.   Sam I am acknowledges religious intolerance and racism as it is encountered by the young people in school and the media.  Sam I am is a good book for students to read when studying WWII or the Holocaust.  Ilene Cooper’s book provides insight and answers for some of the questions that many adults and children encounter when struggling with questions about religion. 

If you like this book you may also like: Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life by Wendy Mass.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

Title:   Dairy of a Wimpy Kid

Author and Illustrator:  Jeff Kinney

Publisher: Amulet Books      Year: 2007

ISBN:  978-0-8109-9313-6

Genre: Fiction/Realistic/Humorous

This book is for Ages: 9-13

Awards:  Publisher’s Weekly Best Book, YALSA Top 10

AR Points: 3.0          

Subjects/Themes: Friends, School, Family

Plot Summary:  Greg Heffley is stuck in middle school, or the dumbest idea ever invented.  In his journal, not a diary, he records his thoughts on girls, Phys ed., taking care of his little brother, dealing with parents, video games, friends and all the stuff that can make the first year a middle school a bust.

Review:  Laugh out loud funny this book is fantastic.  I wish I had read this when my son was in middle school.  Jeff Kinney’s characters and situations involving Greg, Rowley, Rodrick, even Mom and Dad are brought to life by his lively illustrations. Greg is kind of a bully but in the end he proves that he is a true friend. 

If you like this book you may also like: the other books in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series also by Jeff Kinney.

The Secret World of Arrietty

Image courtesy of Secret World of Arrietty can be found here

Title:   The Secret World of Arrietty

Publisher:  Studio Ghibli (Disney U.S. Release)       Year: 2012

Media: Film    Rating: G

Ages: 6-12

Genre:  Fantasy

Subjects/Themes:  Self Reliance, Growing Up, Hope

Plot Summary:  Arrietty is a 14-year-old miniature girl whose family lives under the floorboards.  Secretly they borrow things small things that won’t be missed from the homeowner and her maid.    If a borrower is ever seen by a human, they have to move away.  Arrietty’s family hasn’t seen any other borrowers in a long time.  She wonders if maybe her family is the last of her kind.   One day when out in the garden, Arrietty is spotted by a young boy named Shawn.  Arrietty knows humans are dangerous, but she is intrigued by this new boy.  Shawn understands what it is like to be scared and alone.  Will getting to know Shawn be dangerous for Arrietty’s family?  

Review: Japanese Studio Ghibli presents a beautiful oasis in children’s animation a respite from the over hyped, over done films that Hollywood has churned out over the past few years.  Like the other films of Studio co-founder Hayao Miyazaki, The Secret World of Arrietty has thoughtful messages about loneliness, trust, perseverance and hope and for our young people.  All this is wrapped in a Japanese garden, where a strong and capable young miniature girl escapes with her life from predators like cats and birds.  Despite her diminutive size Arrietty has the courage to look fearlessly at her future and inspires Shawn to do the same.  This film has beautiful animation.   It is based on the Borrowers a series of novels by Mary Norton.

If you like this book you may also like:  Kiki’s Delivery Service and Spirited Away, also by Studio Ghibli.  The Borrowers by Mary Norton.

City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau

Title:   City of Ember

Author:  Jeanne DuPrau

Reader:  Wendy Dillon

Media: Digital Download

Publisher:  Listening Library; Unabridged edition   Year:  2006

ISBN:  978-0739331675

Genre: Fiction/Science Fiction

This book is for Ages: 9 up

Awards:  ALA Notable Book, Kirkus Editor’s Choice

AR Points:     9.0

Subjects/Themes:  Dystopia, Government Control, Courage, Family, Leadership,

Plot Summary:  Lina Mayfleet and Doon Harrow have just finished the 6^th grade and have new jobs.  Lina is a messenger, Doon works in the pipe works.  They live in the city of Ember in year 241.  Ember is a city without a sun or moon.  All light comes from lamps powered by a generator.  When the generator begins to fail Doon is convinced the city is in grave danger.  When Lina uncovers a mysterious message they work together to find a way to save the city.  

Review:   This book is one of the reasons dystopian or future imperfect books are so popular.  This is the perfect book for reader’s looking for something different.  The unabridged audio book version is enhanced with sound effects that bring the story to life.  This is a diverting book for listening to on your next road trip.

If you like this book you may also like:  The People of Sparks by Jeanne DuPrau.