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.

Penny Dreadful By Abigail Halpin

Penny Dreadful

Author:  Abigail Halpin

Publisher:  Random House    Year:  2010

ISBN:  978-0-375- 86199-4

Genre: Fiction/ Realistic

This book is for Ages: 8 up

AR Points:      8.0

Subjects/Themes: Family Life, Rural Neighborhood, Friends

Plot Summary: Penny has never been to school.  She has always had private tutors.  She lives in a big house with someone to cook and clean.  Her Dad and Mom are almost never around.  One day, Dad comes home and announces that he has quit his job.  When the family can’t afford their big house anymore and mom inherits a house from her great –great aunt Elsbeth in East Tennessee the family packs up and starts a new life.  Penny has a lot to learn about making friends and living in a small town and what makes a person truly rich.  

Review:  Abigail Snyder’s book explores important questions the ideas of wealth in her wonderful book full of spunk and spirit Penny is anything but dreadful.  A fun story for today’s young people. 

If you like this book you may also like: The Penderwicks a summer tale of four sisters, two rabbits, and a very interesting boy by Jeanne Birdsall

Rules by Cynthia Lord

 Rules

Author:  Cynthia Lord

Publisher:  Scholastic, Inc.    Year:  2006

ISBN:  978-0-439-44383-8

Genre: Fiction/ Realistic

This book is for Ages: 8 up

Awards: Skipping Stones Honor Award; Newbery Honor; Schneider Family Award; ALA Notable/Best Books;

AR Points:      4.0

Subjects/Themes: Friendship, Family Life Growing Up, Disabilities

Plot Summary:  12-year-old Catherine is frustrated with having am 8-year-old brother with autism.  She just wants to have normal friends and do normal things.  Her dad is always at work.  Her mom asks her to watch her brother a lot.  Catherine has rules to help David interact in the world.  When Katherine meets a new friend names Jason, she has to question her rules and her idea of normal. 

Review: Cynthia Lord’s book is about acceptance.  Still it was hard for me to accept that Catherine is as compassionate as she is written.  I liked Jason and David.  The Rules are great.  I especially liked the Davids escapades with the fish tank.  Good book, with a nice story.  

If you like this book you may also like:  Anything but Typical by Nora Raleigh Baskin. 

Worth by A. LaFaye

Title:   Worth

Author:  A. La Faye

Publisher: Scholastic             Year:  2006 c2004

ISBN:  978-0439-91342-3

Genre: Historical Fiction

This book is for Ages: 9-12

Awards: Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction

 AR Points:     4.0

 Subjects/Themes: Family Life/Orphans/Frontier Life

Plot Summary:  11-year-old Nate is hurrying to help his father bring in the hay as a violent storm hits their farm.  A flash of lightning as bright as the sun changes Nate’s life forever.  Unable to help on the family farm Nate feels bad.  His Pa won’t even look at him.  When Pa adopts an orphan boy named John Worth, Nate feels unloved and useless.  What role can Nate have on the farm?  Worth is a city boy with no experience working a farm.  He is treated like a servant, and can’t seem to do anything right.  When the ranchers and farmers start feuding, tensions are high as sabotage damages the family farm.  Can the boys work together to save their farm and create a family where they both belong? 

Review:  Nate and his family have trouble accepting his replacement and new brother.  Worth is an interesting and exciting story about life on the frontier in the late 1800’s including: immigrants, and range feuds.  The book has an exciting climax.  That will leave you wanting more. 

If you like this book you may also like:  The Storm in the Barn by Matt Phelan.

Alabama Moon DVD 2009

Title:   Alabama Moon
Publisher: Faulkner-McLean Entertainment Year: 2009
Media: Film
This film is for Ages:  8 and up
Rating: PG
Subjects/Themes: Self Reliance, Trust, Death, Runaways Orphans

Plot Summary:  11-year-old Moon Blake lives in the forests of Alabama with his anti-government father.  When his father is injured and dies Moon is left of his own to travel to Alaska, where his father told him to homestead.  Moon is captured by a mean spirited constable and taken to the local home for boys.  Moon quickly escapes bringing his new friends Kit and Hal along.  The boys run from the constable and begin an adventure in the woods.   The boys encounter trouble and more trouble that tests their friendship and leads Moon to a new life.

Review:  This movie was great fun for a family movie night.  Jimmy Bennett does a good job playing the role of a scared and determined and bewildered boy who is learning the truth about the world in which he lives.  The relationship between Moon and Kit is a strong one that helps explain the transformation of Moon from recluse to a ordinary boy.  While I have not read the book I hope it does a better job of establishing the relationship between Moon and Hal.  Hal does something pretty nice for Moon at the end of the movie and I was disappointed with the consequences Hal suffers as a result.  The movie is a good family movie.  It has a generous touch of  adventure and sadness but like Moon  this movie is always hopeful.

If you like this film you may also like the book Alabama Moon by Watt Key and the Hatchet by Gary Paulsen.

Shiloh by Phyliss Reynolds Naylor

Title:  Shiloh

Author:  Phylllis Reynolds Naylor

Publisher:  Atheneum Books for Young Readers     Year:  2000

ISBN:  978-0-689-31614-2

Genre: Fiction/Realistic

This book is for Ages: 10 - 14

Awards:  Newbery Medal

AR Points: 4.0

Series:   Shiloh

Subjects/Themes: Dogs/West Virginia/Trust/Small Towns

Plot Summary:  11-year-old Marty is out for a walk practicing shooting when a young beagle begins following him.  The beagle is so thin you can see his ribs, and he has tics.  When the beagle follows Marty home, Marty decides to call him Shiloh.  Judd Travers is Marty’s ill-tempered neighbor; he kicks his dogs and shoots deer out of season.  Shiloh is Judd’s dog.  Marty’s father makes him return Shiloh even though Marty is sure Shiloh is unhappy and abused by Travers.  When Shiloh runs away again Marty must choose between right and wrong.  Is it right to take the dog back to Judd when he thinks it is being abused?  Is it wrong to keep the dog and lie to his mama and papa?  What is Marty going to do?

Review:   Marty is a good boy.  He cares for his little sisters; he loves his mother and respects his father.  He is faced with a tough question about right and wrong when he finds Shiloh.  Judd is mean, but Naylor gives us enough of a glimpse into his life to make us wonder what abuses he has suffered. Naylor’s description of Marty’s relationship with Shiloh is pure puppy love. Shiloh will warm your heart.

If you like this book you may also like: Shiloh Season, and Saving Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor or Old Yeller by Fred Gipson.

Clear as Day by Scotty McCreedy

Title:   Clear as Day

Artist:  Scotty McCreery  

Publisher: Mercury Nashville/19/Interscope Records

Year: 2011

Format: CD or Digital Download

Genre: Music Country

This album is for Ages:  8-Adult

Awards: Certified Platinum  

Subjects/Themes: Innocence, Summer Romance, Small Towns.

 
Tracks: 

1.      Out of Summertime

2.      I Love You this Big

3.      Clear as Day

4.      The Trouble with Girls

5.      Water Tower Town

6.      Walk in the Country

7.      Better Than That

8.      Write my number on your hand

9.      Dirty Dishes

10.  You Make that Look Good

11.  Back on the Ground

12.  That Old King James

Review: The songs were written by well-established country songwriters for Scotty McCreery who was 17 at the time of recording.  They reflect his youth and are great for any audience.  Track Number 6 Walk in the Country is a cover of a song written by Keith Urban and was previously recorded and released by Keith.  This album is a great first country album.  The content is true to country themes of summertime, mom, first love and small town America.  The songs show off Scotty’s vocal range and deep resonant voice.  

I must admit prior to listening to the CD I had no idea who the Scotty was.  He is the Winner of the 10^th season of American Idol.  The CD was a gift from a music executive to my husband and spent the last few months unplayed.  While I enjoy country music, it is not my first choice.  When my 14-year-old niece told me her friend loves Scotty and is a huge fan.  I knew I would have to listen.  I was really pleased.  The tunes will get your toes tapping.  The lyrics are playful and the album will leave you smiling and feeling good.  

If you like this CD you may also like:  Wildflower Lauren Alaina,