Book Review ~ Worth

Title: Worth

Author: A. LaFaye

Accelerated Reader (AR) Level: 4 (worth 4 points)

Ages that Will Enjoy the Book: 10-14

Movie Version Available: No

Review: This is a work of historical fiction that explores the feelings of belonging and fitting into a family. Nathaniel is working on his family's farm when he is involved in an accident. Due to this accident, he is no longer able to work on his family farm. An orphan train comes to town, and his family adopts an orphan boy to help with the tasks Nathaniel can no longer help with. Both boys have troubles adjusting to this new way of life. Nathaniel feels like he has been replaced, while John, the orphan boy, feels more like the help than a part of the family he longs for. The book follows the boys as they sort out their feelings and adjust to this new lifestyle. It is a nice book, and I think that kids can relate to feeling a little out of place and trying to find out how to fit in.

Book Review ~ Fame and Glory in Freedom, Georgia

Title: Fame and Glory in Freedom, Georgia

Author: Barbara O'Connor

Accelerated Reader (AR) Level: 4 (worth 3 points)

Ages that Will Enjoy the Book: 9 - 12

Movie Version Available: No

Review: This is a cute book about a friendship between two kids that both feel a little out of place. They bond while preparing for a Spelling Bee. The story starts a little slow, but I really enjoyed it. I read it to a class of fourth graders. They enjoyed the story as well. It is a nice little story about family, friends, trying to fit in, and hopes and dreams.

Also by Barbara O'Connor

Book Review ~ The Westing Game

Title: The Westing Game

Author: Ellen Raskin

Accelerated Reader (AR) Level: 5 (worth 8 points)

Ages that Will Enjoy the Book: 10 - adult

Movie Version Available: no

Review: This book took me a few chapters to get really in to it, but when I did, I couldn't put it down. It is a mystery, but it is feels more like a regular story than a mystery. The clues are given so that a young person could figure out parts of the mystery, yet even an advanced mystery reader will probably still find parts of the end surprising. I am not usually a big mystery fan, but I really liked this book. I think you will find it fun to read. The plot is full of exciting twists and turns.

Also by Ellen Raskin

Book Review ~ Princess Academy

Title: Princess Academy

Author: Shannon Hale

Accelerated Reader (AR) Level: 6 (worth 10 points)

Ages that Will Enjoy the Book: 10-13

Movie Version Available: no

Review: This is a cute book that girls will enjoy. It is about a poor neglected area in a kingdom. The next princess will be chosen from their area. Classes begin to train the girls how to become a fitting princess. Then the prince will choose a bride. Miri soon learns of plots that will endanger them. She must organize a way to save everyone. The story is cute, and I liked the ending. I think many young girls will enjoy this story.

Also by Shannon Hale

Book Review ~ Notes From a Liar and Her Dog

Title: Notes From a Liar and Her Dog

Author: Gennifer Choldenko

Accelerated Reader (AR) Level: 3 (worth 7 points)

Ages that Will Enjoy the Book: 9-14

Movie Version Available: no

Review: This book is about a girl named Ant who does not feel like she belongs in her family. She believes that her parents only love her two sisters and not her. She can only confide in her dog and her best friend Harrison. In the book she makes friends with her art teacher who is a bit meddlesome, but also somewhat helpful. Ant must face all of her lies and try to work with her family to find a place to belong. Overall I liked the plot of this book, however, a word of caution, Ant lies a lot and is often disrespectful to her parents. There are lessons learned about this, but in the book her parents are written to be as much as fault as she is. I didn't really appreciate that her attitude was not cast in a more negative light.

Also by Gennifer Choldenko

Book Review ~ Pish Posh

Title: Pish Posh

Author: Ellen Potter

Accelerated Reader (AR) Level: 5 (worth 6 points)

Ages that Will Enjoy the Book: 9-12

Movie Version Available: no

Review: At first I was not impressed with this book because the main character is a little girl who is entirely too stuck up. I stuck with it, however, and it was worth it. There was a nice sprinkling of humor throughout the book as well as a few much needed lessons. I think that young girls will enjoy this book because they can imagine living the dream life of Clara Frankofile. She gets to meet all kinds of rich and famous people, has quite possibly the coolest house in the history of the world, and gets to solve a light mystery to boot. Moms will like it because of the lesson that all people are of equal importance.

Also by Ellen Potter

Book Review ~ Amber Brown is not a Crayon

Title: Amber Brown is not a Crayon

Author: Paula Danzinger

Accelerated Reader (AR) Level: 3 (worth 1 point)

Ages that Will Enjoy the Book: 7-11

Movie Version Available: no

Review: This book is a bit predictable. It is made to be a beginner chapter book, so kids may not mind a predictable story. The plot line is simple with a few breaks in the main story for some humor attempts. As basic as this book is, I think that young kids may enjoy it.

Other Amber Brown books

Also by Paula Danzinger

Book Review ~ Cluck O’ Clock

Title: Cluck O' Clock

Author: Kes Gray

Accelerated Reader (AR) Level: 2 (worth a half point)

Ages that Will Enjoy the Book: 7 and under

Movie Version Available: No

Review: This is a charming little picture book about a day in the life of a few hens that live together on a farm. The book is written in a lyrical rhyming form. I think it will really appeal to young readers/listeners. In my opinion, a good picture book must have good illustrations. The illustrations in this book are very cute. They are full of beautiful colors and attention to details. I love it when the pictures build on what the author writes to add further information. This book does a great job in that area. I enjoyed reading it, and I think that kids will enjoy it as well.

Also by Kes Gray

Book Review ~ Judy Moody

Title: Judy Moody was in a Mood. Not a Good Mood. A Bad Mood.

Author: Megan McDonald

Accelerated Reader (AR) Level: 3 (worth 1 point)

Ages that Will Enjoy the Book: 7 - 10

Movie Version Available: No

Review: This is a book in a series of books about Judy Moody. She is quite a fireball with big hopes, dreams, and criticisms. It is a good transition into chapter books because the print is large, and the book is not that long. Parts of the book are pretty funny. It is written to appeal to a child's sense of humor, frustration, etc.

Other Judy Moody books

Also by Megan McDonald

Book Review ~ Silly Goose

Title: Silly Goose

Author: Marni McGee

Accelerated Reader (AR) Level: N/A

Ages that Will Enjoy the Book: 8 and under

Movie Version Available: No

Review: The illustrations in this picture book are beautifully done. Kids will enjoy looking at this book as much as they enjoy the story. The book is about a fox who is trying to trick a goose into being his lunch. However, goose has some loyal friends who will try to help him out. The story is cute, and the entire book is adorable.

Also by Marni McGee

Book Review ~ Molly and Her Dad

Title: Molly and Her Dad

Author: Jan Ormerod

Accelerated Reader (AR) Level: I could not find an AR quiz currently available

Ages that Will Enjoy the Book: 4-8

Movie Version Available: No

Review: This is a picture book about a little girl named Molly who wants to know her father better. She doesn't know a lot about him, so she makes it all up in her mind. Then, he comes to visit for a week while her mom is out of town. The story is OK, but I think it would be nice to have just a few more details about his trip. It seems to be the focal point of the book, yet it rushes by quite quickly. It feels like Molly's dad is only there for 2 or 3 days instead of a week. The illustrations remind me a little bit of Ramona Quimby in the Beverly Cleary books. They seem to be done with chalks. While they are not particularly my style of art, some of them are pretty cute, and I love that they elaborate on the narrative. It's hard to grow up without a dad. Maybe this book could help.

Also by Jan Ormerod

Book Review ~ Charlie Hits it Big

Title: Charlie Hits it Big

Author: Deborah Blumenthal

Accelerated Reader (AR) Level: 3 (worth a half point)

Ages that Will Enjoy the Book: 10 and under

Movie Version Available: No

Review: This is a cute little book about a guinea pig that runs off to find fame and fortune in Hollywood. The little girl that takes care of him is quite distraught to find him missing, but Charlie leaves a note to tell her where he has gone. The illustrations are adorable; there are a couple that are quite humorous (Charlie flying on the airplane sitting on 3 pillows and his suitcase so he can reach his tray and Charlie getting his foot stepped on.) The story is also very charming. Charlie apparently does not realize that he is not a human! I think you will enjoy this little picture book.

Also by Deborah Blumenthal

Book Review ~ Pirate Girl

Title: Pirate Girl

Author: Cornelia Funke

Accelerated Reader (AR) Level: 3 (worth a half point)

Ages that Will Enjoy the Book: 5-8

Movie Version Available: no

Review: This is a picture book. The author incorporates some larger words, which is a nice feature. Younger kids will be able to understand it, yet broaden their horizons at the same time. The book is a little quirky. That can be a good thing, but I didn't really care too much for this book. It is pretty hum-drum. It reminded me of the Pippi Longstocking books, but without the humor and with a less interesting plot. I think it was a bit too predictable, and I was not a fan of the illustrations. I like bold, colorful, cartoon-like pictures in a picture book. These illustrations reminded me more of The Farside comics, or a Shel Silverstein book. However, sometimes young children are far less critical. Maybe a young child would enjoy this story. I think the fact that it is a bout pirates should work in its favor.

Also by Cornelia Funke

Book Review ~ The Boxcar Children Series

Title: The Boxcar Children series

Author: Gertrude Chandler Warner

Accelerated Reader (AR) Level: 3-4 (worth 2-3 points)

Ages that Will Enjoy the Book: 7-11

Movie Version Available: No

Review: These books were my first chapter books. I started reading them in first grade, and I was hooked on them. They are a little bit older, but I think kids will still enjoy them. The idea of being on your own as children is quite an adventure for little imaginations, and then the children find their grandfather, who turns out to be wealthy. It is quite an intriguing setting. I like several things about this series. For one, the books really promote good family relationships. The brothers and sisters are very kind to each other and they really look out for each other as well. Another nice thing about this series is the quality of the mysteries; they are challenging for young minds without being overly frightening. That can be a difficult balance to find in a child's mystery, but I think the Boxcar Children books have struck it perfectly.

Book Review ~ Duck

Title: Duck

Author: Randy Cecil

Accelerated Reader (AR) Level: 3 (worth a half point)

Ages that Will Enjoy the Book: 8 and under

Movie Version Available: no

Review: This is a picture book that is written by a man who is primarily an illustrator. The illustrations are too cute, and the story is charming. Duck is a carousel animal that lives quite a life on the side. He is full of hopes, dreams, and the ability to love. I thought it was a great little book, and my four month old seemed to enjoy it as well.

Also by Randy Cecil (some he authored and some he illustrated)

Book Review ~ Wayside School Series

Title: Wayside School
Series

Author: Louis Sacher

Accelerated Reader (AR) Level: 3 (worth 3-4 points)

Ages that Will Enjoy the Book: 8 - 12

Movie Version Available: Yes (animated – not really a common movie though, also a weekly cartoon)

Review: I love to read these books with my class. They are so animated and full of child-like imagination. Kids love to imagine all of the nonsense that goes on in Wayside School. Kids will laugh their way through the entire series. I must admit that I enjoy it as well. It is a nice story for kids who are just starting out on chapter books because each chapter is a standalone story. It makes a large undertaking like beginning a chapter book, more possible since it can be done in small steps.

Also by Louis Sachar

Book Review ~ Shadow Children Series

Title: Shadow Children Series (Among the Hidden)

Author: Margaret Peterson Haddix

Accelerated Reader (AR) Level: 4-5 (worth 5-7 points)

Ages that Will Enjoy the Book: 12-15

Movie Version Available: no

Review: I really enjoyed these books. They are full of suspense and plot twists. They are written on the fourth and fifth grade level, but use caution before giving them to children that age. I know a few fourth graders that love this series, but many students that age would not be ready for them yet. They are set in a future society where government leaders have decided that there is not enough food. To "fix" this problem, they decree that each family may only have two children. The series follows several children who were born into families already having two children. They must, consequently, live in hiding or get a new identity. The children, their families, and their supporters try to change the government so all children can be safe. Some situations may be too intense for younger children. However, if your kids are old enough to handle these books, they are very well written. Readers will be kept on the edge of their seats at all times.

Also by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Book Review ~ Narnia Series

Title: Narnia Series

Author: C. S. Lewis

Accelerated Reader (AR) Level: 5 (worth 6-7 points)

Ages that Will Enjoy the Book: 9-15

Movie Version Available: Yes (several versions)

Review: The popularity of this series has swelled again recently due to the new Disney movies. I enjoyed the books. They are well written and pretty well known, so not much of a review is needed. My main point in recommending these books is to say this: there are two orders in which to read this series. They were written in this order: The Magician's Nephew, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Horse and His Boy, Prince Caspian, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, The Silver Chair, and The Last Battle. Yet when they were published, they were released in a different order: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Prince Caspian, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, The Silver Chair, The Horse and His Boy, The Magician's Nephew, and The Last Battle. People have many views on which order you should follow when you are reading them. As a person who read them first by the publishing order and later on by the order they were written in, I must say that they make a WHOLE lot more sense when read in the order they were written.

Also by C. S. Lewis

Book Review ~ Gooney Bird Greene

Title: Gooney Bird Greene

Author: Lois Lowry

Accelerated Reader (AR) Level: 3 (worth 2 points)

Ages that Will Enjoy the Book: 8-11

Movie Version Available: No

Review: Kids will enjoy this book because it is silly and humorous. Teachers and parents will like it because it teaches children the parts of a good story. Through the wild tales that Gooney weaves to share with her class, kids learn the elements of fiction. Gooney explains the elements in some detail to her fellow students, so they too can tell wonderful stories. Though this book is very educational, it is extremely entertaining. I read it to my class of third graders. They loved it, and I was able to gain a lot of teachable moments through this story. Another added bonus is that Gooney loves to use big words. Often, she explains what they mean. That is a great learning opportunity for kids as well.

Also in the Gooney Bird Greene series

Also by Lois Lowry

Book Review ~ A Series of Unfortunate Events

Title: A Series of Unfortunate Events

Author: Lemony Snicket

Accelerated Reader (AR) Level: Mostly 6, but a few are 7s (most worth 5-9 points)

Ages that Will Enjoy the Book: 8-13

Movie Version Available: Yes (covers the first few books)

Review: When these books first came out, libraries and bookstores could not keep them on the shelves. I was teaching third grade at the time, and several of my students were absolutely in love with this series. I read the first book. I could not stand to read any farther. Many adults that read them with their children felt the same way. There must be something about them that adults just don't "get." For whatever reason, kids seem to like them. They are written in a classic style. The vocabulary used in this book will surely stretch your child to new levels. I think this series is very educational in that aspect. While they were not my favorites, I think they are good for kids. Not many books on the market today are written with rich language and complex wording. They have not been "written down" on a child's level. They are much more like the classics of old. It may be good for a child to experience such a work of literature.