The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Copyright: 2007
Number of Pages: 525
Age: 12+ years
Summary:
In the story of Hugo Cabret, is a boy who lives on his own, surviving through theft and living in a clock tower in the train station. Before this Hugo lived with his father. Him and his father loved to fix things, mostly clocks. One day Hugo's father found a machine in the attic of the musem that he worked at. It needed a lot of fixing, however, this machine was special. It was a robot that was able to write. They both believed that there was a secret message in the machine. So the father spent some time trying to fix the robot. One night the father was accidently locked in the attic while working on the robot and the museum caught on fire. The father died tragically that night. That was when Hugo went to work for his Uncle in the clock tower in the train station. One night Hugo's uncle disappeared and never returned. Hugo didn't want to be put in an orphanage so he tried to run the clocks himself, pretending to be his uncle.
The rotbot was the only thing left in the fire, so Hugo took it back to his tower. It became his obsession to fix it, because perhaps the message the robot was going to write was from his father. In order to fix this he had to have the right parts. So he went and stole various parts from the toy stand across the street. One day the old man who owned it caught Hugo. He took Hugo's notebook that had his notes in it to fix the robot. Hugo wanted it back so badly that he kept coming back asking for the notebook. The old man said that he had to him why Hugo wanted the notebook back so badly. Hugo refused to tell. So the old man kept the book. Hugo ended up working for the old man to earn back his notebook. Hugo met a little girl that worked there too. She tried to help Hugo to get his notebook back. When Hugo went back to his tower one night he stared fiddling with the robot to see if he could fix it without his notebook. He eventually figured it out without his notebook. The only piece missing was a key in the shape of a heart. Hugo saw that the necklace around the little girls neck looked like it would fit, so he stole it. Right when he was about to put in the key the girl came running in, seeing that he sole her key. They turned the robot on together and the message was a picture from Hugo's fathers favorite childhood movie. Eventually through various events the children found out the old man who owned the toy stand used to make famous movies. He was the director of Hugo's favorite childhood movie. The children took their discovery to the old man and he became inspired again from his old movies. The old man was later on celebrated for all the movie works that he had done. Hugo ended up living with the old man, his wife, and the little girl.
Who would benefit from this book?
Anyone could. This book is a vey interesting book because of the twists and turns that it provides. It would definately be a book for older children to read because younger children may not be able to comprehend what would be going on in the story.
What problems might this book cause?
The problem would be with Hugo's behavior. He steals and that could put out the message that its ok to do that.
My reaction:
I really enjoyed this book because of the plot, it kept me guessing. Also because of the style of writing. It was a good chunk of pictures that told part of the story.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
Hop on Pop
Hop on Pop by Dr. Seuss
Publisher:Random House Inc.
Copyright: 1963
Number of Pages: 64
Age: 4-5 years
Genre: Fantasy
Summary:
This book is about nothing too much. Its its about a bunch of rhymes of different characters. An example would be "Pat Pat, they call him Pat. Pat sat on a cat."
Who would benefit from this book?
Young childern because they are a lot of basic words that would help children learn how to read.
What problems might this book cause?
none.
My reaction:
It was a fine book for young children. I got bored because it didn't have a plot but like I said it woud be good for young children.
Publisher:Random House Inc.
Copyright: 1963
Number of Pages: 64
Age: 4-5 years
Genre: Fantasy
Summary:
This book is about nothing too much. Its its about a bunch of rhymes of different characters. An example would be "Pat Pat, they call him Pat. Pat sat on a cat."
Who would benefit from this book?
Young childern because they are a lot of basic words that would help children learn how to read.
What problems might this book cause?
none.
My reaction:
It was a fine book for young children. I got bored because it didn't have a plot but like I said it woud be good for young children.
What was I scared of?
What was I scared of? by Dr. Seuss
Publisher: Scholastic
Copyright: 1997
Number of Pages: 25
Age: 4-5 years
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Scholastic
Copyright: 1997
Number of Pages: 25
Age: 4-5 years
Genre: Fantasy
Summary:
This is a story about a little Who boy who isn't scared of anything, so he thinks. He walks along and sees a pair of empty pants flying in the air. The pants start to fly after him and the Who gets scared. Through the book the pants follow the Who. The Who boy eventually gets cornered and starts to scream for help. The pants start to cry and the Who boy was confused but then tries to comfort the pants. The pants and the Who boy then become friends and from now on they both would say hello to each other neither one being scared.
Who would benefit from this book?
Young children because its a great little story for young children. It also kind of sends a message that you shouldn't judge something by the way it looks. You should get to know it first.
What problems might this book cause?
None.
My reaction:
I enjoyed reading the book because it was a short rhyming book that had a fun message. The Dr. Seuss books are almost always fun to read for me.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
You Are Special
You Are Special by Max Lucado
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Copyright: 1997
Number of Pages: 26
Age: 8-9 years
Genre: Folktale
Summary:
This story is about wooden creatures who live in a wooden town created by a man named Eli. The wooden people walked around every day giving each other either dots or stars. The ones who were special got stars, the ones who were ugly or had scratches got dots. One character named Pinchenello always got dots. He got dots for everything that he did. One day he met a girl who didn't have any stars or dots. She said that she had been going to Eli everyday and that if he did then Eli could help him. The next day Pinchenello ges to see Eli. Eli tells him that he is special because he made him and that he shouldn't care what the other wooden people thought. As Pinchenello started to leave a dot fell off.
Who would benefit from this book?
Everyone because it has a wonderful message that everyone should always remember; we shouldn't care about what other people think and that we are special no matter what.
What problems might this book cause?
None.
My reaction:
I loved this book ever since I heard it the first time. I love the message behind it all. Its so important and it puts the message in a story that is fun to read with characters that are fun to look at.
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Copyright: 1997
Number of Pages: 26
Age: 8-9 years
Genre: Folktale
Summary:
This story is about wooden creatures who live in a wooden town created by a man named Eli. The wooden people walked around every day giving each other either dots or stars. The ones who were special got stars, the ones who were ugly or had scratches got dots. One character named Pinchenello always got dots. He got dots for everything that he did. One day he met a girl who didn't have any stars or dots. She said that she had been going to Eli everyday and that if he did then Eli could help him. The next day Pinchenello ges to see Eli. Eli tells him that he is special because he made him and that he shouldn't care what the other wooden people thought. As Pinchenello started to leave a dot fell off.
Who would benefit from this book?
Everyone because it has a wonderful message that everyone should always remember; we shouldn't care about what other people think and that we are special no matter what.
What problems might this book cause?
None.
My reaction:
I loved this book ever since I heard it the first time. I love the message behind it all. Its so important and it puts the message in a story that is fun to read with characters that are fun to look at.
Love That Dog
Love That Dog by Sharon Creech
Publisher: Harper Trophy
Copyright: 1987
Number of Pages: 86
Age: 6-7 years
Genre: Contemporary
Summary:
In this book its about a little boy who tries to write poems but doesn't think that he can. As time goes on through the book his writing develops and the teacher likes to share his poems with the class. He eventually grows more confident with his writing and starts to understand poems more and how to write his own poem.
Who might benefit from this book?
I think that anyone could. It probably might need to be explained to some children because the only person talking is the little boy. The little boy responds to peoples questions in the book but it doesn't show other people talking but the boy.
What problems might this book cause?
None.
My reaction:
I thought it was a cute, simple book that anyone could read and understand most of it aside from what I said about how the boy is the only one talking.
Publisher: Harper Trophy
Copyright: 1987
Number of Pages: 86
Age: 6-7 years
Genre: Contemporary
Summary:
In this book its about a little boy who tries to write poems but doesn't think that he can. As time goes on through the book his writing develops and the teacher likes to share his poems with the class. He eventually grows more confident with his writing and starts to understand poems more and how to write his own poem.
Who might benefit from this book?
I think that anyone could. It probably might need to be explained to some children because the only person talking is the little boy. The little boy responds to peoples questions in the book but it doesn't show other people talking but the boy.
What problems might this book cause?
None.
My reaction:
I thought it was a cute, simple book that anyone could read and understand most of it aside from what I said about how the boy is the only one talking.
Holes
Holes by Louis Sachar
Publisher: Yearling Books
Copyright: 1998
Number of Pages: 236
Age: 12+ years
Genre: Contemporary
Summary:
This is a story about Stanley Yelnats. He is a young boy who has the worst luck because of the curse that was placed on his family by his old great great grandfather. Stanley was in the wrong place at the wrong time. He was caught with a pair of shoes that he didn't steal. So he was sent to Camp Greenlake. In the camp all the trouble maker kids had to dig holes. What they didnt know was that what they were really looking for was a buried treasure. Stanley becomes friends with Zero. Zero was teased a lot in the camp because he didn't say much. Then one day he was fed up with being teased. He hit one of the administrators head and started running away. Stanley after a few days ends up going after Zero. Stanley finds Zero and they both start to climb up a big mountain called God's thumb. Stanley has to carry Zero up the mountain because Zero could barely climb anymore. Once they got to the top there was water and Stanley started to sing a song. Once he sang this song the curse was broken over Stanley's family. The curse could only be broken through someone in Stanley's family carrying up someone from Zero's family. However, they didn't know that at the time because Zero is related to the old woman who put the curse on on Stanley's family. After the curse was broken Stanley and Zero go back to the holes at the camp and start to dig while everyone was still sleeping. The dug until finally they found the treasure that was buried. The boys were caught but they were able to keep the treasure because it had Stanley's name on it. The treasure was collected by a woman named Kissing Kate Barlow. She robbed every bank around and also stole Stanley's great grandfathers trunk that had his name on it which was Stanley Yelnats. Stanley's family got the money and they were able to buy a big home and live happily with Stanley and his friends from camp.
Another part was during all of this the father of Stanley was trying to come up with a material to put into shoes to make them not stink anymore. Once the curse was broken it came true and that added to their fortune.
Who would benefit from this book?
Anyone. It didn't have too many guidelines other than it should be for older children because they would understand it more then younger ones.
What problems might this cause?
That everything always works out in the end they way they want it to.
My reaction:
I really enjoyed the book. I thought it was a fun story line that was unique and a good page turner. Kept me guessing what was going to happen.
Publisher: Yearling Books
Copyright: 1998
Number of Pages: 236
Age: 12+ years
Genre: Contemporary
Summary:
This is a story about Stanley Yelnats. He is a young boy who has the worst luck because of the curse that was placed on his family by his old great great grandfather. Stanley was in the wrong place at the wrong time. He was caught with a pair of shoes that he didn't steal. So he was sent to Camp Greenlake. In the camp all the trouble maker kids had to dig holes. What they didnt know was that what they were really looking for was a buried treasure. Stanley becomes friends with Zero. Zero was teased a lot in the camp because he didn't say much. Then one day he was fed up with being teased. He hit one of the administrators head and started running away. Stanley after a few days ends up going after Zero. Stanley finds Zero and they both start to climb up a big mountain called God's thumb. Stanley has to carry Zero up the mountain because Zero could barely climb anymore. Once they got to the top there was water and Stanley started to sing a song. Once he sang this song the curse was broken over Stanley's family. The curse could only be broken through someone in Stanley's family carrying up someone from Zero's family. However, they didn't know that at the time because Zero is related to the old woman who put the curse on on Stanley's family. After the curse was broken Stanley and Zero go back to the holes at the camp and start to dig while everyone was still sleeping. The dug until finally they found the treasure that was buried. The boys were caught but they were able to keep the treasure because it had Stanley's name on it. The treasure was collected by a woman named Kissing Kate Barlow. She robbed every bank around and also stole Stanley's great grandfathers trunk that had his name on it which was Stanley Yelnats. Stanley's family got the money and they were able to buy a big home and live happily with Stanley and his friends from camp.
Another part was during all of this the father of Stanley was trying to come up with a material to put into shoes to make them not stink anymore. Once the curse was broken it came true and that added to their fortune.
Who would benefit from this book?
Anyone. It didn't have too many guidelines other than it should be for older children because they would understand it more then younger ones.
What problems might this cause?
That everything always works out in the end they way they want it to.
My reaction:
I really enjoyed the book. I thought it was a fun story line that was unique and a good page turner. Kept me guessing what was going to happen.
Beauty
Beauty by Robin Mckinley
Publisher: Harper Trophy
Copyright:1978
Number of Pages: 247
Age: 12+ years
Genre: Fantasy/Fairytale
Summary:
This is the same story of beauty and the beast. There was a man and his three daughters who lived a rich life until the father sent out his ships to do business. A storm came in and over took the ships and all but two were lost. On one of the lost ships was a man who was in love with one of the fathers daughters. Because of this loss of ships the father decided to retire and they moved away to a small house far away. The house that they moved to was the house of one of the daughters husbands.
All the daughters were named something that they possessed ie. Grace, Hope, and Honour. However, Honour didn't like her name when she was younger so she changed her name to Beauty. When Beauty grew up she found that she hated her name because she didn't think it was true at all. She thought she was plain and ugly.
One day the father went riding his horse and got lost in the forest. Once he was lost he found a trail (once you are lost in the forest everyone will find this trail, it leads straight to the castle). This trail took him straight to a castle which was known to be dangerous. The night was coming on and the father needed a place to stay so he stayed at the castle and he was taken care of. As soon as the father was leaving the next day he stopped at the front gate and saw a beautiful flower that he wanted to give to Beauty because she asked for flower seeds. As soon as the father cut the flower the Beast came towards the father and said that he was going to kill the father because he tried to steal one of his flowers. The Beast gave the father a month to be with his family then he had to return to the castle. The only way out would be that someone would have to come in his place and that person would have to live in the castle forever. Once the father returned home he told his family and Beauty said she would go. She was so stubborn that no one could convince her otherwise. So Beauty left to the castle.
Over her time there she began to fall in love with the Beast. One night the Beast showed her a magic bowl he had that he could see outside of the castle. Beauty wondered what happened to the ships that were lost. It showed one of the ships that had returned. On the ship was Beauty's sisters love. Beauty new she had to tell her sister before she married another. So the Beast let her go. Beauty rushed to tell her. Beauty then had a week to be with her family then she must return. However, Beauty stayed one extra day and as she woke to return to the castle she was overwhelmed with worry that the Beast was dead. She ran to the castle found he Beast half dead and she cried her love for him and that she would marry him. The Beast awoke and his spell was broken. He turned into a handsome prince and Beauty became his bride. Beauty's sister married her long lost love and they all lived happily in the castle.
Who would benefit from this story?
Everyone! This is an awesome story of Beauty and the Beast. It it magical and very mysterious. Its a joyful book to read.
What problems might this book cause?
None.
My reaction:
I loved this book so much! It was much better then the disney series. It was well written and it made me feel like I was there because of all the details. All the characters were wonderful and fun to read about.
Publisher: Harper Trophy
Copyright:1978
Number of Pages: 247
Age: 12+ years
Genre: Fantasy/Fairytale
Summary:
This is the same story of beauty and the beast. There was a man and his three daughters who lived a rich life until the father sent out his ships to do business. A storm came in and over took the ships and all but two were lost. On one of the lost ships was a man who was in love with one of the fathers daughters. Because of this loss of ships the father decided to retire and they moved away to a small house far away. The house that they moved to was the house of one of the daughters husbands.
All the daughters were named something that they possessed ie. Grace, Hope, and Honour. However, Honour didn't like her name when she was younger so she changed her name to Beauty. When Beauty grew up she found that she hated her name because she didn't think it was true at all. She thought she was plain and ugly.
One day the father went riding his horse and got lost in the forest. Once he was lost he found a trail (once you are lost in the forest everyone will find this trail, it leads straight to the castle). This trail took him straight to a castle which was known to be dangerous. The night was coming on and the father needed a place to stay so he stayed at the castle and he was taken care of. As soon as the father was leaving the next day he stopped at the front gate and saw a beautiful flower that he wanted to give to Beauty because she asked for flower seeds. As soon as the father cut the flower the Beast came towards the father and said that he was going to kill the father because he tried to steal one of his flowers. The Beast gave the father a month to be with his family then he had to return to the castle. The only way out would be that someone would have to come in his place and that person would have to live in the castle forever. Once the father returned home he told his family and Beauty said she would go. She was so stubborn that no one could convince her otherwise. So Beauty left to the castle.
Over her time there she began to fall in love with the Beast. One night the Beast showed her a magic bowl he had that he could see outside of the castle. Beauty wondered what happened to the ships that were lost. It showed one of the ships that had returned. On the ship was Beauty's sisters love. Beauty new she had to tell her sister before she married another. So the Beast let her go. Beauty rushed to tell her. Beauty then had a week to be with her family then she must return. However, Beauty stayed one extra day and as she woke to return to the castle she was overwhelmed with worry that the Beast was dead. She ran to the castle found he Beast half dead and she cried her love for him and that she would marry him. The Beast awoke and his spell was broken. He turned into a handsome prince and Beauty became his bride. Beauty's sister married her long lost love and they all lived happily in the castle.
Who would benefit from this story?
Everyone! This is an awesome story of Beauty and the Beast. It it magical and very mysterious. Its a joyful book to read.
What problems might this book cause?
None.
My reaction:
I loved this book so much! It was much better then the disney series. It was well written and it made me feel like I was there because of all the details. All the characters were wonderful and fun to read about.
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