6.27.2007

Slave Dancer 1974 Medal Winner ***

The Slave Dancer tells the story of Jessie who is kidnapped in New Orleans because he can play a fife. He discovers that his talent is used to "dance the slaves" to keep their muscles strong for when they are sold. Jessie sees first hand the horrors of the slave trade industry and wonders if there is anything he can do to personally stop the practice.

The Slave Dancer is a compelling story, but in my opinion too graphic for children. I think it's important that we learn the horrors of slave ships, but at not too young of an age. There are some very violent and graphic scenes that describe death of both crewmen and slaves alike. I appreciated the authors obvious research and telling this story through the eyes of a young adult who didn't want to be there.

6.23.2007

The Long Winter 1941 Honor Book *****


The Long Winter tells the story of the Ingalls family the year they were literally snowed in their cabin. They ran out of food, fuel and energy. This book gives a detailed account of what the family had to do to survive the long winter.

I remember reading this book one summer in Arizona enjoying 110+ degree heat and literally shivering as I read. I couldn't put it down, I felt like every time I did I was leaving the family to starve. Laura did a great job explaining how easily it can be to get in such a predicament. After finishing this book I began looking at my resources differently and trying to see how much I can live without, instead of with. I can honestly say that this is one of the few books that I have read that has truly changed my life and view of the world. I think this is appropiate for all ages.

6.22.2007

The Watsons Go to Birmingham: 1963 1996 Honor Book ****


The Watsons are known as the "Weird Watsons". Kenny tells stories about his family's trip to see their maternal grandmother in Birmingham, Alabama. His parents want to leave his older brother Byron there to live with his grandma because he's such a trouble maker. They arrive to experience first hand the tensions between whites and blacks. Kenny witnesses an event so horrible he wonders if he'll ever be the same.

This book is similar to the author's other newbery, Bud, Not Buddy. While told in a humorous and light-hearted way, the author does a compelling job showing what life was like before the human rights bill was signed in 1964. I laughed out loud, and also stopped to pay close attention. I fell in love with the Watsons. Because of the tragic death at the end, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone younger than ten years old.

The House of the Scorpion 2003 Honor Book ***


The House of the Scorpion is a science fiction based in the future. Mexico no longer exists, there is now Opium a country that borders the U.S. and Aztlan. Just as many people are immigrating to Aztlan as the U.S., but get caught in the middle in Opium. Matt is a clone of El Patron the leader of the country. Unlike other clones, his brains haven't been ruined and he's able to learn, communicate and even play the piano. As he ages he slowly comes to understand his real realtionship with the 148 year old leader of the country and what he must do to make a life for himself.

As a former molecular biologist, I really like genetic thrillers. Having created plant clones myself, I love to think about how our world would be different if we could make human clones. Not that I think we should, but some days I wish I had a clone to clean the bathrooms! I think this book would be hard for younger children to followalthough those in junior high or school would really like it. The last section of the book does seem to drag on a bit, I wish the author hadn't spent so much time with the Keepers.

6.18.2007

An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793 2004 Honor Book ***


An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793 is an account of the events during the plague that hit the nation's capital at the time, Philadelphia. This plague was so devastating that it essentially shut down the federal government. The author Jim Murphy chronicles the events using documenations, pictures and vivid descriptions.

I found this book to be fascinating but not appropiate for children. Some of the accounts are graphic and disturbing. I think a high school student could handle the information, but I wouldn't go much younger than that. Interestingly former slaves from Africa and West Indies were immunized because they had had it children in their homeland. This put them in the perfect position to truly serve the community and try to help the sick and dying. How they were treated after the epidemic is truly tragic.

A Corner of the Universe 2003 Honor Book ***


A Corner of the Universe is about 11 year-old Hattie Owen. Its summer in 1960 and Hattie is shy with few friends and just like to be at home with her parents. She's shocked to discover that she actually has a 21 year-old uncle, Adam, who no one has ever told her about. He's coming home for the summer because the school where lived has shut down. Adam is mentally challenged and needs to find a new school. Hattie learns much from Adam as she's able to look past his challenges and see his heart inside.


This is actually a very touching story with flavorful characters and stories. I listened to it on CD and Judith Ivey did a fantastic job as the various people. Her interpretation of Adam made me stop whatever I was doing to listen. This book does have some deep subjects however and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone under 12 and think it would be best for an older teenager.

6.16.2007

Millions of Cats 1929 Honor Book **

Millions of Cats is about an old man and his wife who wanted a cat. He can't decide between the millions of cats so he brings them all home. They then let the cats decide which one can stay.

I'm not a fan of cats, and I didn't really get this book. It's a short read and small children might enjoy it.

Surviving the Applewhites 2003 Honor Book ****

Jake Semple's parents are both in jail, he burned down a middle school and now as a last resort has to live with the Applewhites, a free-thinking family who run the Creative Academy. The Creative Academy is unlike any other school Jake has ever seen. No homework, no teachers, and you write your own curriculum. E.D. is supposed to share her curriculum with Jake. E.D. is nothing like the other Applewhites, she likes order, routine and predictability, certainly hard to come by living at Wit's End, the Applewhite's farm. Pretty soon chaos moves to catastrophe when the father decides to direct "The Sound of Music" and tries to break out of the norm by casting every race and color as the von Trapp family. Soon both Jake and E.D. discover even they have talents that can be appreciated in an extremely unconventional family.

What a unique and fun book. Definitely a great classroom read for 4th grade and up. The chapters alternate between E.D's and Jake's point of view. The author did a great job with dialog, I could hear the different voices and fluctuations automatically. I found it difficult to put down and finished in a just few days. A great story for any teenage boy or girl to read that is headed down the path of "goth".

6.15.2007

Everything on a Waffle 2002 Honor Book ******


Primrose Squarp's parents are lost at sea and everyone believes they have died, except Primrose. Her mother left behind a recipe for apricot glazed carrots and a grocery list, so Primrose decides to begin a recipe collection, and collect many amazing experiences along the way.

I absolutely loved this book. Definitely the perfect read aloud for a classroom. At first when it mentioned the death of Primrose's parents, I thought, "Oh no! not again." But the style is more like Junie B. Jones, only her spelling and grammar has improved. I can't wait to run to the bookstore to buy a copy of this book, if for just the recipes alone! It's been a very long time since I've gotten so excited about a book. You can't help but fall in love with Primrose and everyone at Coal Harbour.

6.14.2007

Olive's Ocean 2004 Honor Book ***


Martha spends her summer vacation visiting her grandmother just after the death of a school mate she hardly knew, Olive. Just before the vacation Olive's mother drops off a page from her journal where she mentions Martha and her wish to see the ocean. As Martha spends her summer pondering death and life she decides to try to help Olive fulfill her wish.

As soon as I heard one of the first sentences, "Olive Bristow was dead." I thought "Oh boy, another book about death and despair, a popular theme for this decade." Thankfully I was wrong. It is a sweet coming of age story about 12-year-old Martha. The writing is beautiful and very descriptive. While she doesn't waste her time describing outfits and hair color, I feel that I can picture each character in my mind. I listened to this story on CD read by Blair Brown who did a wonderful job. Definitely a good read for children ages 12 and up.

6.13.2007

Joey Pigza Loses Control 2001 Honor Book *


A single mother drops her son off at his father's house for 6 weeks. Because he's hyperactive, he must be on constant medication and very quickly his alcoholic father convinces him to remove the patch that administers the medication. Joey continues to spiral down out of control as his medication wears off, until finally he's able to steal money out of a fountain at a mall and call his mom to come get him.

I really didn't like this book. I found it frustrating and depressing. What grandmother takes money from her grandson just to buy cigarettes? An addicted woman I guess. I just wanted to slap Joey's grandmother and father up side the head. Definitely not a book any child needs to read.