Just A Dream

Just A Dream by Chris Van Allsburg
Publisher:Scholastic
Copyright:1990
Number of Pages:45
Age Level: 7-10 years
Genre: Fantasy

Summary:

In this story its about a boy who doesn't do much. He is interested in the future and having robots do things for him so he doesn't have to worry about those things. He thinks that its stupid to have a tree as a birthday present like his next door neighbor. One night though he falls asleep and he has these dreams where his bed is warped to the future and he comes to find that the future isn't anything like what he wanted. Soon he comes to appreciate what he has and he tries to be a better person. He even asks for a tree for his birthday. After his birthday he falls asleep and he warps to the future where his tree and his next door neighbors tree are full grown.

Who might benefit from this book?
I think that anyone could benefit from this book. Children obviously because it sends a message that you don't know what the future looks like so you want to do your best now to help make a better tomorrow.

What problems this book might cause?
I couldn't think of any problems.

My reaction:
I enjoyed the book and I thought tha it was very simple. It had fun ideas though about what the future will look like.

The Other Side

The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson
Publisher: Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers
Copyright: 2001
Number of Pages:32
Age Level: 6-8 Years
Genre: Contemporary



Summary:
This book was about back in the times where blacks and whites were segregated. The perspective in this story is from a young black girl. In this story her mother tells her that she is to never cross the fence because on the other side its dangerous and thats where the white folk lived. The little girl would always go play in the sun and when she did she always saw a little white girl sitting on the fence looking over at her. Eventually the little black girl goes and talks with the white girl and they become friends. They sat on the fence together and soon enough other little black girls came and sat on the fence as well. In the end the girls both agreed that one day that fence was going to be torn down. Some day.

Who might benefit from this book?
I think anyone would. To me it doesn't seem to target any typical age or tries to send a specific message to any certain age group.

What problems might this book cause?
I don't think that it would cause any problems. If anything children would ask why were blacks and whites segregated which would be good things for children to learn since its in our history.

My reaction:
I thought it was a pretty good book. It wasn't my favorite because it didn't have a climax. It was just a simple short story about a black girl and a white girl coming together on a fence. Nothing reached a peak in the story so it lacked that excitement.

Cinder Edna

Cinder Edna by Ellen Jackson
Publisher:Lothrop, Lee and Shepard Books
Copyright:1994
Number of Pages: 29
Age Level: 4 grade+
Genre: Fantasy



Summary:
This is a story about not only Cinderella but Cinder Edna. In this story both of the Cinder's live next door to each other. They both took different approaches towards their evil step sisters. Cinderella would mope around and be sad after all her hard work was done. She would look into the sky and wish for a different life. However, Cinder Edna took a different approach. She looked at everything she did as a great learning experience. She loved the different things she had to do because she knew so many things that most people didn't know; an example would be how to make a tuna cassoral dish 16 different ways! One day the prince was having a ball to find his bride. Both the girls found their ways to go. Cinderella of course wished for a fairy godmother to come help her do everything. Cinder Edna did it all herself. She wore a dress she had bought, she wore shoes that were great for dancing, and she took the bus to the ball. Of course we all know what Cinderella did, and she didn't do any of it herself. Both of the ladies went to the ball and there were actually two princes there! They were brothers. Both princes fell in love with both the Cinder's. At midnight both of the Cinder's had to leave so they dashed out of the palace, leaving behind one of each of their shoes. The princes went and searched for the Cinder's and they were both married in a duo wedding.
Who would benefit from this book?
I think just about anyone could benefit from this book. I think that young girls would be the best because they are the ones more targeted for the fairytale princesses.
What problems might this book cause?
I don't think it would cause any problems. Especially with Cinder Edna's side of the story, it makes it more realistic.
My reaction:
I loved it! I thought it was an awesome story because it showed how the ones who find their princes aren't always dolled up and live that way. Hard working girls can find them too. It also showed how we have the option of turning something negative to being positive.

The Witch's Walking Stick

The Witch's Walking Stick by Susan Meddaugh
Published:Walter Lorraine Books
Copyright: 2005
Number of Pages: 32
Reading Level: 3rd Grade+
Genre: Fantasy

Summary:
In the story of The Witch's Walking Stick the story goes in a small area near a forest. The witch is walking a long the forest with her old stick and she goes and turns things into anything she wanted for her own amusement. She was a cold hearted woman. However, as she was turning creatures into different things a dog came and stole her stick!
In a village not too far was a little girl who was bossed around by her older siblings. The little girl was fed up with their behavior and decided to run away. Little later the little girl ran into the old woman and told her she would get the old woman's stick back. Once the little girl finds the stick she figures out what it does and starts to make her own wishes. She goes and changes things at home and makes her living there much better. After she was able to satisfy herself she went and returned the stick. However, because she made her wishes come true there was no more magic left. The wicked old woman broke the stick and ran away. The little girl returned home and was able to live contently with her siblings.

Who would benefit from this book?
I think that anyone could benefit from it as long as they were able to find the messages that were within the story.
Problems the book could cause:
This book I believe could cause conflict between siblings and for children to think that it was OK to treat their siblings the way that they do in this story.
My Reaction:
I actually didn't really enjoy this book very much. I thought it's storyline was fine but it wasn't that thrilling of a story. It didn't feel like it was completed. To me it felt like it could have gone more in depth with the story then it did.

Heckedy Peg

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.

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.

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.