What Made the Wild West Wild

What Made the Wild West Wild

Author:  Wim Coleman and Pat Perrin

Publisher:  My Report Links.com Books       

Year:  2006

ISBN:  159845-016-6

Genre: Non Fiction American History

This book is for Ages: 8 up

Subjects/Themes: U.S. History

“Wild Bill” Hickok, “Calamity” Jane, Davy Crockett, and “Buffalo Bill” Cody these heroes of the old west and the dime novels and stories that made them great are examined and compared with reality.  This book includes a helpful website with links to information to use for creating book reports and biographical reports.  Covering the 19^th century U.S. history of Indians, pioneers, gold rush, cowboys outlaws and lawmen, What made the Wild West Wild is an engaging overview with photos, maps and illustrations that bring the wild west to life.  

If you like this book you may also like:  Pony Express Riders of the Wild West by Jeff Savage.

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.

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.

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. 

The Hunger Games By Suzanne Collins

Title:   The Hunger Games

Author:  Suzanne Collins

Publisher:  Scholastic            Year: 2009 c2008

ISBN:  978-0-439-02352-8

Genre: Fiction/Adventure/Science Fiction

This book is for Ages: 12 up

Awards: Publisher’s Weekly Best Books, Kirkis Editor’s Choice, SLJ Best Book, California Young Reader Medal

AR Points:     15.0

 Subjects/Themes: Survival, Poverty, Trust, Government Control Dystopia

Plot Summary:  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?

Review:   Compelling novel with an action driven storyline.  The novel examines ideas of survival, government control, trust and even the reality of reality television.  Collins character is a very strong, very tough, young girl who will do whatever she must to survive.  I did not put this book down from the first page. Best for young adult audiences.

If you like this book you may also like:  City of Ember

Odd and the Frost Giants, by Neil Gaiman

Title:   Odd and the Frost Giants

Author:  Neil Gaiman

Publisher: Harper Collins Audio       Year: 2009 c2008

ISBN:  9780061962622

Genre: Fiction/Adventure/Fantasy/Folklore

This book is for Ages: 8-12

AR Points:     2.0

Subjects/Themes: Norse Mythology, Norway, Heroes, Giants, Gods

Plot Summary:  Odd is a 12-year-old who always has had some very bad luck,  His father was killed on a Viking expedition, A tree fell on his leg and crushed it, so now he walks with a crutch.  Despite the cold winter weather Odd runs away to live in his father’s hunting cabin.  Odd saves a bear that is trapped by a tree.  The bear, a fox and an eagle follow him to the cabin and tell him a wondrous tale.  Together they go on adventure to the land of Asgard where Odd must defeat the Frost Giants so that spring can return to the land.  

Review: This novella is wonderful.  Written and performed by Neil Gaiman, author of The Graveyard Book.  Gaiman shares a wondrous tale that left me dreaming of Thor, Odin and Loki, and hoping for more.  I have seen the illustrations from the print version of this book.  They are beautiful and imaginative.  Print or Audio this book is a winner.

If you like this book you may also like:  The Graveyard Book, by Neil Gaiman;

Operation Yes by Sarah Lewis Homes

Title:  Operation YES

Author:  Sarah Lewis Holmes

Publisher: Brilliance Audio   Year:  2011

Read by:  Jessica Almasy

Media: CD Unabridged Playing Time: 6 hours

ISBN:  978-1-61106-079-9

Genre: Fiction/Realistic

This book is for Ages: 8 - 14

Awards:  Audie Award for Best Audio Recording for Ages 8-12 (2010)

AR Points: 7.0

Subjects/Themes: Teachers/Students/Military Families/War/Hope

Plot Summary:  Bo is sure his 6^th grade year is going to be different.  He has a new teacher, Miss Loupe, who has a tattoo and an ugly green couch.  His cousin, Gari, is coming to live with his family at the air force base.  Her mom an army nurse has been deployed.  Gari is in the sixth grade too.  Bo and Gari share a year learning to say “Yes, and  . . .” as Miss Loupe shares her ideas theater and improvisation with the 6^th graders.  When tragedy strikes, Bo, Gari and the students of Mrs. Loupe’s sixth grade class try to restore hope to Miss Loupe, the school and soldiers.

Review:   Holmes reveals the interesting life of military children.  Bo is a typical 6^th-grade-boy.  He is a little rowdy.  He likes airplanes and cars.  He struggles with the responsibility of being the base commander’s son.  His cousin Gari worries about her mom being deployed to Iraq.  The story deals with the special challenges faced by children of American soldiers.  Holmes book is happy, sad, strong and hopeful.  This book is a must read.

If you like this book you may also like:  Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, The Military Alphabet By Chris Demarest.