The Great Little Madison

The Great Little Madison by Jean Fritz

Publisher: Puffin Books

Copyright: 1989

Number of Pages: 151

Age: 13+

Genre: Nonfiction

Summary:

In this book it talks about how James Madison was able to be a huge part in forming our constitution that we live by today. He was able to help steer America through turmoil of two wars and ensure that our government and nation came out of that war still intact and able to continue on as a strong nation. It talks about how James Madison was a small person, with a small voice and he was able to rise to become a great president of the United States.

My reaction:

I didn't enjoy this book as much. I think that because I read the Lincoln Photobiography I had a hard time adjusting to this book that wasn't as easy of a read. This book was in the form of a normal chapter book which makes reading about history a lot harder. If the book had more pictures and broke up some of the reading more then I think that this book would have been more enjoyable.

Who might benefit from this book?
I think anyone who loves to learn about history would enjoy reading something like this. The reader would really have to enjoy learning about our past presidents and history because, as I have said, it is in form of a chapter book, which makes it harder to read.

What problems might this book cause?

None.

Walden; Or, Life in the Woods

Walden; or, Life in the Woods by Henry David Thoreau
Publisher: Dover Publications
Copyright: 1996
Number of Pages: 216
Age: 14+
Genre: Nonfiction

Summary:
In this story its Henry Thoreau who decides to go live in the woods to learn about the woods and life. The climax of this story is when he endures the winter and is able to live to see spring begin to transform. Through this book Thoreau learns the importance of self-reliance and the value of simplicity. The book ends with Thoreau going back home to Concord, however he has a new view on life and he is able to realize the simplicity of things and is able to see the beauty in the small things that seem so insignificant to us.
My reaction
I enjoyed reading about Thoreau's adventure in the woods. I mostly liked it because I know that when someone takes time away from society and just goes to live in nature it makes different things come clear to us. I think that I enjoyed it most because I know the feeling of having revelation come to you when you are in nature and you can start to see the simple things in life.
Who would benefit from this book?
I think that anyone who is interested in learning about a different life philosophy would enjoy reading something like this.
What problems might this book cause?
None.

Eight Cousins

Eight Cousins by Louisa M. Alcott
Publisher: The World Publishing Company
Copyright: 1948
Number of Pages: 252
Age: 14+
Genre: Contemporary

Summary:
In this story it is about a young girl named Rose. She character used to mope around the house and cry all the time. She was a very unhappy person who didn't enjoy her life. She was an orphan who lived with her aunt and uncle. Finally her uncle couldn't handle her being sad all the time and knew that Rose needed some distraction and maybe someone that could reach to her. So he calls in the seven cousins to come help her. Through the book Rose learns that even though women should be proper they still can have fun. The cousins come and treat her almost like a tomboy and she is able to loosen up and be able to see the big picture in life. Rose was able to learn to care about others and that while she is living her life she can have fun while doing it.
My reaction
I enjoyed this book because it had a wonderful message. The message being that we need to learn to enjoy life while we are at it because that is why we are here. We learn to be charitable to others and even though we should be kind and proper at times, we still should have fun while doing it.
Who might benefit from this book?
I think that anyone who has a hard time in life, where they feel sad all the time and they get the opportunity to be able to look at an example of another who can live life a little better because they learned to laugh at the different problems in their life.
What problems might this book cause?
None.

The Starplace

The Starplace by Vicki Grove
Publisher: Puffin Books
Copyright: 1999
Number of Pages: 214
Age: 13+
Genre: Contemporary

Summary:
In the story of Starplace, is about a town that has a huge history of racism. A girl named Celeste moves to a house that is near the border of the blacks and whites segregation line. Because Celeste's house is at the border line she has to go to an all white school. When she does everyone ignored her. One day Celeste was put into a group ensamble with a girl named Frannie. They quickly became friends. However, not everyone was open to the idea of a black girl and a white girl being friends. Through the book it shows the trials and tribulations that Celeste and Frannie have to go through. However, in the end the girls remained friends and they bother were able to fulfill their dreams. Celeste wanted to become a singer and Frannie wanted to become a writer. Celeste wears a clip in her hair that when she is done performing she touches it, and Frannie touches hers as well. That clip was a significant symbol of their friendship that was able to last through the trials of their school life. Everyone was able to eventually adapt to the idea of blacks being in their school and that it was OK to be friends with them.
My reaction:
I thought that it was a good book because it hits important points about how segregation was hard and that eventually through time, even though some things may seem hard, you can always hope for the best. The book was well written and the characters were well developed.
Who might benefit from this book?
I think anyone would benefit from this book because it points out an important part of our history and that there are people out there who aren't afraid to break normal trends.
What problems might this book cause?
Maybe in the beginning it may be hard for a younger reader to be able to understand that that was how blacks used to be treated.

The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe

The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
Publisher: Collier Books
Copyright: 1950
Number of Pages:186
Age: 12+
Genre: Fantasy

Summary:
In this story, 4 children named Lucy, Edmund, Susan, and Peter all live in an old house that one day they were playing hide and go seek, when Lucy finds an old wardrobe. When she climbs into the wardrobe she finds herself in another world called Narnia. Eventually when Lucy goes back to England (through the wardrobe) she convinces her siblings that Narnia is real. When they all go through they end up finding out that Narnia was over taken by the White Witch. In this story it is up to the 4 children to save Narnia and return the throne to Aslan(the lion). Eventually the children go to war against the White Witch and they win. Narnia is then set in charge by the 4 children because they are the children who are the rightful leaders of the throne. They spend 15 years in Narnia growing and ruling, but then one day return to the Wardrobe finding themselves children again.
My reaction
I loved this story. I loved the whole idea of living in a different world and a world that is made up of different mystical creatures. The ending was pretty awesome because when they go back into the wardrobe they are children again.
Who would benefit from this book?
I think that anyone could benefit from this book because it was a great storyline that children would love to follow. I think that its a concept that could easily be grasped also. It was thrilling and definately a page turner, which everyone could benefit from.
Problems this book might cause?
None.

The Great Good Thing

The Great Good Thing by Roderick Townley
Publisher: Scholastic
Copyright: 2001
Number of Pages: 216
Age: 12+
Genre: Fantasy

Summary:
In the story of The Great Good Thing, the main character Sylvie is a character in a book. During the story the reader goes to bed and as she fell asleep the book's story started to burn. Once the books story started to burn the characters from the book had to go into the dream of the reader named Clair. Once they were in the head for a while Clair started to get old, so the characters needed to move to Clair's daughters dream, Lily. Through the book the story is being told through Clair's mind. When it comes time to move to anothers dream Sylvie is the only one that makes it through to Lily's mind. Once Sylvie is in Lily's mind she tells her the story and has her write it down. Once the story is written and published Sylvie was able to transfer down into her story. The characters in the newly written book are different from the original because every one imagines characters differently, but Sylvie was able to live on and continue her story.
My reaction
I enjoyed this book but it was definately more complicated of a story for a child to follow. I think that it was great because it was original and the characters were orginial as well. It was a refreshing story line.
Who might benefit from this book?
I think that it is meant for an older reader because it is layered with different ideas through the book. I think that if the reader is old enough and likes that fantasy type then they could enjoy it. However, some readers might lose interest quickly because of the complex story line.
What problems might this book cause?
The reader that reads this should be and would be old enough to know that characters from books can't literally jump into your head, so I don't think that there would be a problem.

Morning Girl

Morning Girl by Michael Dorris
Publisher: Scholastic
Copyright: 1992
Number of Pages: 74
Age: 11+
Genre: Contemporary

Summary:
In this story it is told in two narratives. Each chapter flips back and forth between Morning Girl and her brother Star Boy. Through this story they both tell their perspective on different things. They both live on a Carribbean Island where they both roam and make up their own adventures. They explore the different things around them while trying to grow up and understand life. The big tragedy in the book is when there is a hurricane and it comes to destroy everything. All the families lost everything, fortunately no one was killed. They all felt that it would be OK because everything that was destroyed could be built again. So through that plot, the story is about these two kids who learn how to grow up and how to make the best of things even when it seems really hard. In the end they were rebuilding and Morning Girl gets up and goes to the ocean; she sees visitors and welcomes them to their land. In the end, its the girl hoping for a new beginning and a new start to a better relationship with her family and brother.
My reaction
I enjoyed the book because of the detailed writing. It was an easy read but it was detailed so that a picture could be painted in your mind. It was a good read and it made you get a taste of a different culture.
Who might benefit from this book?
I think children who are able to understand detailed writing. When the reader can understand the details they are able to appreciate the portrait that is being painted in their heads.
What problems might this book cause?
When Star Boy runs away at different times, children might think its ok to disappear and not come back for a while, just because they think its funny. That could put the wrong ideas in children's heads.