Heckedy Peg by Audrey Wood
Published by: Voyager Books
Copyright: 1987
Number of Pages: 30
Reading Level: 5-8 Years
Genre: Fairytale
Summary:
In a poor shack there was a mother and her 7 children; Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The children had been helping there mother all day and were on very good behavior. The mother said that she had to run to town and that because the children were so good she would bring them back something that they wanted. Each of the children told her what they wanted. The mother then said before she left to not let anyone in and don't touch the fire. As soon as the mother was off to town an old woman came to the window. She convinced the children to let her in to light her pipe. Once she lit her pipe all the children were turned into food. She grabbed them and took off to her home far away. The mother came home and was worried. A little bird told her what happened and led her to the old womans house. The mother talked with the old lady and if the mother could guess which food was each child they would be free. The mother guessed and was able to set her children free. The mother then chased the old woman away and the old woman was never heard from again.
Who would benefit from this book?
I think any child would. Its creative and has a good storyline.
Problems this book could cause?
I don't think this book could cause too many problems. An idea that could be implanted in childrens heads is that all old women were bad witches.
My reaction:
I enjoyed this book. I thought it was cute because of the fun story line and how the mother was able to figure out which child was which.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Thursday, January 14, 2010
The Eleventh Hour
The Eleventh Hour by Graeme Base
Publisher: Abrams
Copyright: 1988
Number of Pages: 30
Reading Level: 12 and up
Genre: Mystery
Summary:
In this story there is an Elephant named Horace. Horace is turning eleven and he decides to throw a birthday party. He invites all his friends to come play games, eat food, and celebrate. Horace spends hours preparing for his party. When all his guests arrive they say at the table reading to dig into the big feast prepared. Horace shouts that they aren't aloud to eat until after games. So all the guests go out to play the games that had been prepared. Soon enough its time to eat! When all the guests go to the table the food is gone! Puzzled and sad the guests sat and tried to figure out where it all went. None had commited the crime. Horace comes out with some sandwiches and says that they aren't as great as the feast he had prepared but they will do. Then Horace leads the guests outside and ta-da there is all the food waiting for them as a picnic!
Who would benefit from this book?
I think that anyone 12 and up. Even younger children because of the beautiful pictures included. Its a fun story to read and to follow along.
What problems might this book cause?
This book wouldn't seem to cause any problems.
My reaction:
I enjoyed this book. I thought it was cute. Its pretty short and doesn't seem to go off on random tangents. It was enjoyable and pretty simple.
Publisher: Abrams
Copyright: 1988
Number of Pages: 30
Reading Level: 12 and up
Genre: Mystery
Summary:
In this story there is an Elephant named Horace. Horace is turning eleven and he decides to throw a birthday party. He invites all his friends to come play games, eat food, and celebrate. Horace spends hours preparing for his party. When all his guests arrive they say at the table reading to dig into the big feast prepared. Horace shouts that they aren't aloud to eat until after games. So all the guests go out to play the games that had been prepared. Soon enough its time to eat! When all the guests go to the table the food is gone! Puzzled and sad the guests sat and tried to figure out where it all went. None had commited the crime. Horace comes out with some sandwiches and says that they aren't as great as the feast he had prepared but they will do. Then Horace leads the guests outside and ta-da there is all the food waiting for them as a picnic!
Who would benefit from this book?
I think that anyone 12 and up. Even younger children because of the beautiful pictures included. Its a fun story to read and to follow along.
What problems might this book cause?
This book wouldn't seem to cause any problems.
My reaction:
I enjoyed this book. I thought it was cute. Its pretty short and doesn't seem to go off on random tangents. It was enjoyable and pretty simple.
The Witch Who Wanted to Be a Princess
The Witch Who Wanted to Be a Princess by Lois G. Grambling
Publisher: Charlesbridge Publishing
Copyright: 2002
Number of Pages: 28
Reading Level: 2nd Grade
Genre: Fantasy
Summary-
Witch Bella had graduated at the top of her class in the School for Witches. However, even though she was smart and could do just about any spell, she couldn't turn herself into a princes. She even looked up spells but found that witches were decaying so she was left with only one option; to marry a prince. Bella found in and ad that a prince was interviewing prospective brides. Bella rushed to the castle to be interviewed. Because of her rush she tumbled to the ground to the prince's feet. He helped her up and as soon as they looked at each other it was magic and they knew they were meant to be together. They were married as soon as possible and that is how Bella became a princess.
Who would benefit from this book?
I think that any child would benefit from this book. It has beautiful pictures and it isn't hard to read or follow along.
What problems could the book cause?
This book doesn't seem to me to cause any problems.
My reaction:
I loved this book. I thought it was super cute. It was fun to see a witch become a princess instead of the typical story of the princess marrying the prince. It is a great message that its not just the girls with the crowns that are princess's but that all of us are and can be.
Publisher: Charlesbridge Publishing
Copyright: 2002
Number of Pages: 28
Reading Level: 2nd Grade
Genre: Fantasy
Summary-
Witch Bella had graduated at the top of her class in the School for Witches. However, even though she was smart and could do just about any spell, she couldn't turn herself into a princes. She even looked up spells but found that witches were decaying so she was left with only one option; to marry a prince. Bella found in and ad that a prince was interviewing prospective brides. Bella rushed to the castle to be interviewed. Because of her rush she tumbled to the ground to the prince's feet. He helped her up and as soon as they looked at each other it was magic and they knew they were meant to be together. They were married as soon as possible and that is how Bella became a princess.
Who would benefit from this book?
I think that any child would benefit from this book. It has beautiful pictures and it isn't hard to read or follow along.
What problems could the book cause?
This book doesn't seem to me to cause any problems.
My reaction:
I loved this book. I thought it was super cute. It was fun to see a witch become a princess instead of the typical story of the princess marrying the prince. It is a great message that its not just the girls with the crowns that are princess's but that all of us are and can be.
Stargirl
Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
Publisher: Dell Laurel-Leaf
Copyright: 2000
Number of Pages: 183
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Problem
Summary:
Stargirl is a sophomore in Mica High School. She is an extraordinary girl that when darts are thrown at her she doesn't let them stick. She was new to Mica High and in that school tere were labels on everyone and that was the way the students liked it. A young man named Leo was curious about Stargirl but always kept his distance. Even though Mica High liked their set ways, Stargirl chanced all of that. She came along and no could pin what kind of person she was; jock, geek, nerd, prep, etc. Eventually through time the school started to accept her and even wanted to be like her in her odd ways. Everything seemed to be fine and dandy until the boy's basketball team lost at nationals. THe school then blamed Stargirl for the loss, due to her cheering for the other team as well as her own. Leo, however, still remained interested in Stargirl. Despite the school and their ignorance Stargirl remained happy and did good service continually for others. Leo because more and more upset and thus left Stargirl, leaving her with one other friend. Towards the end of the book at the prom dance everyone all the sudden came around and started to dance with Stargirl and everything was great. The few persons who didn't participate were Leo, Hillari, and her date. As soon as the dancing came winding down Stargirl was slapped on the face by Hillari because Stargirl had changed Mica High's traditional ways. After she was slapped, Stargirl kissed Hillari on the cheek and vanished. No one had seen nor heard from her again. A valuable lesson was learned by all the characters to not care what others think and no one should give someone else the power to make them happy or not. Leo was sorry he didn't come and around sooner before she left but eventually received a package from Stargirl, this continuing their friendship.
Who would benefit from the book?
I think that kids who are about to go into high school would greatly appreciate this book. It teaches them to not care what others think. That only you have power over yourself and your happiness.
What problems would this book potenially cause?
The problems it could potentially cause would be that some kids would then think it was ok to do anything that they wanted. It should be understood that there are some boundaries but some could take it that they could do whatever they wanted despite others feelings.
My reaction:
I loved this book. It made me want to be more like Stargirl. I loved the end when she was slapped and she kissed the girl on the cheek. That would never normally happen and to me it showed such Christ-like characteristc to not fight back and to just love the person despite what they do.
Publisher: Dell Laurel-Leaf
Copyright: 2000
Number of Pages: 183
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Problem
Summary:
Stargirl is a sophomore in Mica High School. She is an extraordinary girl that when darts are thrown at her she doesn't let them stick. She was new to Mica High and in that school tere were labels on everyone and that was the way the students liked it. A young man named Leo was curious about Stargirl but always kept his distance. Even though Mica High liked their set ways, Stargirl chanced all of that. She came along and no could pin what kind of person she was; jock, geek, nerd, prep, etc. Eventually through time the school started to accept her and even wanted to be like her in her odd ways. Everything seemed to be fine and dandy until the boy's basketball team lost at nationals. THe school then blamed Stargirl for the loss, due to her cheering for the other team as well as her own. Leo, however, still remained interested in Stargirl. Despite the school and their ignorance Stargirl remained happy and did good service continually for others. Leo because more and more upset and thus left Stargirl, leaving her with one other friend. Towards the end of the book at the prom dance everyone all the sudden came around and started to dance with Stargirl and everything was great. The few persons who didn't participate were Leo, Hillari, and her date. As soon as the dancing came winding down Stargirl was slapped on the face by Hillari because Stargirl had changed Mica High's traditional ways. After she was slapped, Stargirl kissed Hillari on the cheek and vanished. No one had seen nor heard from her again. A valuable lesson was learned by all the characters to not care what others think and no one should give someone else the power to make them happy or not. Leo was sorry he didn't come and around sooner before she left but eventually received a package from Stargirl, this continuing their friendship.
Who would benefit from the book?
I think that kids who are about to go into high school would greatly appreciate this book. It teaches them to not care what others think. That only you have power over yourself and your happiness.
What problems would this book potenially cause?
The problems it could potentially cause would be that some kids would then think it was ok to do anything that they wanted. It should be understood that there are some boundaries but some could take it that they could do whatever they wanted despite others feelings.
My reaction:
I loved this book. It made me want to be more like Stargirl. I loved the end when she was slapped and she kissed the girl on the cheek. That would never normally happen and to me it showed such Christ-like characteristc to not fight back and to just love the person despite what they do.