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librarybonanza
Age: Kindergarten-2nd grade
Moral of the story: don't ever let mom come to Kindergarten with you cause she won't do anything right and you'll just end up explaining all the rules. Fergus presents a funny what-if scenario that shows mom acting out like a child and her kindergartener making sure she stays in line. Perfect for the "know-it-all" children and kids that will find the role-reversal between mom and child to be funny.
Moral of the story: don't ever let mom come to Kindergarten with you cause she won't do anything right and you'll just end up explaining all the rules. Fergus presents a funny what-if scenario that shows mom acting out like a child and her kindergartener making sure she stays in line. Perfect for the "know-it-all" children and kids that will find the role-reversal between mom and child to be funny.
Age: Kindergarten-2nd grade
Accompanied with a great rhythm, this ultra cool dude expresses his feelings in all sorts of colors. Some colors get their point across perfectly, such as blue, black, gray, and red, but other colors are barely aligned with an emotion; instead they are aligned with a part of the plot. For example, yellow is associated with dinnertime and orange is associated with playing basketball. But, in making this observation, I realize that it gives the story variety. Also, there are no objective interpretations of associating colors with emotions so anything is fair game.
Accompanied with a great rhythm, this ultra cool dude expresses his feelings in all sorts of colors. Some colors get their point across perfectly, such as blue, black, gray, and red, but other colors are barely aligned with an emotion; instead they are aligned with a part of the plot. For example, yellow is associated with dinnertime and orange is associated with playing basketball. But, in making this observation, I realize that it gives the story variety. Also, there are no objective interpretations of associating colors with emotions so anything is fair game.
Age: Kindergarten-2nd grade
Animals: Pet crocodile
Humor: Clever
Oh, that ending was great.
Animals: Pet crocodile
Humor: Clever
Oh, that ending was great.
Age: 4th-6th grade (advanced readers)
Read-alike: Narnia
Well, of course I had to read it because the lead singer of my favorite band (The Decemberists) wrote it. Meloy writes amazing lyrics for his band that are mini-tales full of characterization, conflict, metaphor, and any other literary device he can get his hand on. Meloy's lyrics are complex and flavorful, fun or deeply sorrowful. His venture into novel writing is a welcome addition to his creativity.
Although the main character is a young girl (like 14?) this book reminds me of an adult version of Narnia with complex vocabulary (although not forced), a lengthy read, and twists in a common plot line. I found it interesting how snobby & hipster the first chapter was and what a turn-off it would be to many readers. However, the rest of the book bars away from precociousness and instead focuses on character development, plot, and action. I enjoyed the dual story line and the scattered pictures throughout the book. At the beginning, I was expecting Curtis to be a clone of Edward, but his choices are less selfish and gradually mature throughout the novel.
Read-alike: Narnia
Well, of course I had to read it because the lead singer of my favorite band (The Decemberists) wrote it. Meloy writes amazing lyrics for his band that are mini-tales full of characterization, conflict, metaphor, and any other literary device he can get his hand on. Meloy's lyrics are complex and flavorful, fun or deeply sorrowful. His venture into novel writing is a welcome addition to his creativity.
Although the main character is a young girl (like 14?) this book reminds me of an adult version of Narnia with complex vocabulary (although not forced), a lengthy read, and twists in a common plot line. I found it interesting how snobby & hipster the first chapter was and what a turn-off it would be to many readers. However, the rest of the book bars away from precociousness and instead focuses on character development, plot, and action. I enjoyed the dual story line and the scattered pictures throughout the book. At the beginning, I was expecting Curtis to be a clone of Edward, but his choices are less selfish and gradually mature throughout the novel.
Spoiler
Interesting copycat move when the Eagles showed up to save the day. Thanks, Tolkien
Age: Kindergarten-2nd grade
Elements of folktale sift throughout Jack's tale as he tries to bring the most delicious looking cake to the Princess's birthday party. He sacrifices all he has to concoct a fine looking cake and sets out on his journey to the castle. Along the way, he encounters many a foe that gradually pick away at his masterpiece.
Although Jack has sacrificed everything, he has gained a friend. And let's hope that friend can provide him with a couple sacks of food.
Elements of folktale sift throughout Jack's tale as he tries to bring the most delicious looking cake to the Princess's birthday party. He sacrifices all he has to concoct a fine looking cake and sets out on his journey to the castle. Along the way, he encounters many a foe that gradually pick away at his masterpiece.
Spoiler
When he finally arrives at the castle he has nothing to give and tells the Princess his adventure coming to the castle and why he has shown up empty handed. The princess, previously bored with baubles and stones, delightfully shouts "A story! And an adventure story at that."Although Jack has sacrificed everything, he has gained a friend. And let's hope that friend can provide him with a couple sacks of food.
Age: Preschool-2nd grade
Animals: pet dogs, working dogs
An array of fun action shots, cute profile snapshots, and panorama scenes, Katz gets the big bone for this one. Not only are the photographs "awww" inspiring and plentiful, but the story line is masterfully set-up. Throughout the book, we meet each dog and their responsibilities on the farm as they align with their personalities. But what is Lenore's job? A must-read for any pet owner or anyone that has a heart.
Animals: pet dogs, working dogs
An array of fun action shots, cute profile snapshots, and panorama scenes, Katz gets the big bone for this one. Not only are the photographs "awww" inspiring and plentiful, but the story line is masterfully set-up. Throughout the book, we meet each dog and their responsibilities on the farm as they align with their personalities. But what is Lenore's job? A must-read for any pet owner or anyone that has a heart.
Age: Preschool-1st grade
Animals: pet dogs
Another addition to stories that introduce a new pet to the family (that can double as a lesson for older siblings). What I liked most about this book was the mutual companionship in the end that resulted from the dogs' schedules aligning. Their personalities did not change and they didn't become the best of friends of ever, but they did begin to settle into the same routine together.
Animals: pet dogs
Another addition to stories that introduce a new pet to the family (that can double as a lesson for older siblings). What I liked most about this book was the mutual companionship in the end that resulted from the dogs' schedules aligning. Their personalities did not change and they didn't become the best of friends of ever, but they did begin to settle into the same routine together.
Age: 1st-2nd grade
Food: Cookie
Murray nailed the rhyme scheme with a lovely new addition to the Gingerbread Man tale. This is better suited for older kids because the fun rhyme is still there but the repetition is slightly less emphasized, making it seem less "baby-ish." Also, they will need to know the original tale in order to see the slight humor in the Gingerbread Man running towards humans instead of away.
The ending was also satisfactory and comforting to see the kids preparing for and inviting the Gingerbread Man to be a part of their class.
Food: Cookie
Murray nailed the rhyme scheme with a lovely new addition to the Gingerbread Man tale. This is better suited for older kids because the fun rhyme is still there but the repetition is slightly less emphasized, making it seem less "baby-ish." Also, they will need to know the original tale in order to see the slight humor in the Gingerbread Man running towards humans instead of away.
The ending was also satisfactory and comforting to see the kids preparing for and inviting the Gingerbread Man to be a part of their class.
Age: High School (based on content)
We follow the life behind a modern day suicide bomber, Valkyrie, and the traumatic experiences that lead up to her decision. This is a short book with heavy subject material but the writing is fairly simple, making it a quick read. Some reviewers have mentioned that the writing is dense but I feel like it's pretty straightforward. I suppose there is the motif of chess and some disjointed thoughts spread throughout, making those parts a little harder to easily understand.
The concept of the black helicopters was interesting because Valley and Bo and her dad definitely hear (not imagine) the helicopter pass over their house. They must have actually heard it because the writing is in present tense and not a manipulated memory recalling the past in past tense. After it passes, Mabby lies dead in the yard without a scratch on her. Perhaps the dad associates the sound of a helicopter with her death and turns it into a conspiracy theory.
It's hard for me to see the dad's gradual manipulation of his children when there was no description of the family before mom's death. Also, the time period is not established which made me believe that dad's paranoia was justified (as if the book takes place in a dystopian future). And, perhaps the author wants the reader to feel that the paranoia is justified but if we are to truly follow along with Valley's demented logic then I wanted to see a contrast from her life before Mabby's death (not provided) and the life after.
I'm never one to say this but I feel like the suspense got in the way of the book's meaning. I wanted to rush through the pages to see what Valley would do without understanding all the details in her twisted life.
We follow the life behind a modern day suicide bomber, Valkyrie, and the traumatic experiences that lead up to her decision. This is a short book with heavy subject material but the writing is fairly simple, making it a quick read. Some reviewers have mentioned that the writing is dense but I feel like it's pretty straightforward. I suppose there is the motif of chess and some disjointed thoughts spread throughout, making those parts a little harder to easily understand.
The concept of the black helicopters was interesting because Valley and Bo and her dad definitely hear (not imagine) the helicopter pass over their house. They must have actually heard it because the writing is in present tense and not a manipulated memory recalling the past in past tense. After it passes, Mabby lies dead in the yard without a scratch on her. Perhaps the dad associates the sound of a helicopter with her death and turns it into a conspiracy theory.
Spoiler
But later in the book, Valley finds other people conversing about the deadly black helicopters, proving that her dad did not think of this himself.It's hard for me to see the dad's gradual manipulation of his children when there was no description of the family before mom's death. Also, the time period is not established which made me believe that dad's paranoia was justified (as if the book takes place in a dystopian future). And, perhaps the author wants the reader to feel that the paranoia is justified but if we are to truly follow along with Valley's demented logic then I wanted to see a contrast from her life before Mabby's death (not provided) and the life after.
I'm never one to say this but I feel like the suspense got in the way of the book's meaning. I wanted to rush through the pages to see what Valley would do without understanding all the details in her twisted life.
Age: Preschool
Animal: Guinea pig, unusual pets
Siblings: Older sister, younger brother
There are so many pets you can get, why would you choose a boring guinea pig? This little brother questions his sister's choice and imagine all the cooler pets he can have while big sister keeps deriding his imagination. In the end, both siblings have fun playing lost-and-seek with the guinea pig, but the boy can still dream.
Animal: Guinea pig, unusual pets
Siblings: Older sister, younger brother
There are so many pets you can get, why would you choose a boring guinea pig? This little brother questions his sister's choice and imagine all the cooler pets he can have while big sister keeps deriding his imagination. In the end, both siblings have fun playing lost-and-seek with the guinea pig, but the boy can still dream.