Laura

= **Laura's Book Selections** = = =
 * //Young Adult Literature //**

//1. Daddy-Long-Legs //by Jean Webster

This is a lovely story about Jerusha Abbott, an orphan who lives at John Grier Home. Being the oldest orphan her hopes of someone taking her in are a huge part of her life. One day, her dreams come true, but not exactly in the way she had hoped. She is told that a man has offered to pay for her to visit college in hopes that she will become an author. However, this man wises to remain an anonymous donor and only asks that Jerusha (AKA Judy) write him letters of her progress. This book is a compilation of those letters addressed to Daddy-Long-Legs, a nickname Judy uses instead of the boring name she was given, //Mr. John Smith//. I found this book to be a delight to read. The humorous letters Judy writes are refreshing and show her young and curious personality. Will Judy find out who this anonymous generous soul is? You will just have to read and find out!

//2. The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe //by C.S. Lewis

 //The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe// draws you in from the minute you begin reading. Four children- Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy- begin their story by being shipped off to a Professors country house to escape the sudden danger of the war. Little do they know that this will lead to the discovery of another world and adventures that only those who have experienced another world would believe. The difference of having my father read this story to me as a child and reading it myself as an adult is great indeed but does not make me love the story any less. Rather, reading it for myself brings about a deeper love for the characters and a greater respect for this brilliant and timeless work of C.S. Lewis. This story opens up the imaginations of children and adults alike and teaches us more about ourselves every time we read it. I would recommend it to anyone who needs a break from the stresses of life. Escape now to the new and refreshing world of Narnia.

3. //Across// //Five Aprils// by Irene hunt

 This Newbery Medal Runner-up is a classic story of a historical time where conflict, war, and loss are very present. Jethro Creighton is the youngest son in the Creighton family at nine years old. Born in 1852 in southern Illinois, Jethro grows up during a constant battle between the North and the South regarding slavery, which eventually leads to a civil war. In this story, Jethro begins his life as an innocent bystander but as his many brothers leave for the war he begins to see the stark reality of how grave a situation his country is facing. Despite death and confusion, Jethro grows and shapes his view of his country. This view is not shaped only by war and loss but also by love, loyalty, and family.


 * Intermediate Literature **

//1. Meet Andrew Jackson //by Ormande de Kay, Jr.

 Andrew Jackson did not always live in America, in fact, he was actually born in England and came to the American colonies with his mother at his fathers death. In America, Andy’s life was an adventure. He tried to fight the English and was captured, experienced small pox in prison, lost all his family, gained and lost a fortune, found love, owned slaves and planted cotton, became a part of congress, was elected a senator, and became the fourth president of the united States. Andrew Jackson lead a life of variety and this book highlights his main actions and accomplishments. Several things that were mentioned in the book were astonishing. Things such as how Jackson fought a dual and killed a man, had the nickname “Old Hickory”, served as secretary of war after presidency, and was elected president again in 1828. This book explains all this an much more.

//2. The Pied Piper //retold from Robert Browning by Ellen Miles

 //The pied Piper// is an interesting and imaginative story told, in the story, by Opa to his grandson Henry. He tells of a boy named Heinrich who lived in the city of Hamelin. This boy helped his mother serve all the Councillors in the city. One day Heinrich and his mother hear a noise from the cupboard and discover that it is a rat! Rats take over the town until a mysterious piper comes to the town and drowns them all through his enchanting music. He does this for a price though and when the Councillors will not pay him he threatens to use his powers against them. The next day, just has he enchanted the rats with his music he begins to enchant the children. The children folow him into the mountain and disappear forever into the mountain. The town regrets their decision to not pay him. This ending is sad but true. Opa end this story by saying that story is one that has been past down from generation to generation.

//<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">3. The Most Wonderful Doll in The World //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">by Phyllis McGinley

<span style="font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> Dulcy is a very discontent little girl who loves dolls most of all. Her parents get her many different dolls. One day, Mrs. Primrose decides she will give Dulcy her childhood doll named Angela. Dulcy takes it with pleasure but looses her that same day when she gets distracted by raking leaves. For many weeks, Dulcy continues to look for this doll and describes it again and again to her friends. Every time she describes her missing doll she adds something about her that is not true. Her doll is the best! She later finds her doll and realizes that all the outfits and things that she thought Angela had were only in her imagination. Dulcy begins to learn the lesson of being content and knowing what is real. She still has a long way to go.

//<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">4. Old Charlie //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">by Clyde Robert Bulla

<span style="font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> Bruce, twelve, and Pinky, six, are brothers who are home alone a lot while their dad is at work. Although they deny it, Mrs. Diggle next door says they are getting into trouble so they try to find something that will occupy their time and not cause any trouble. They decide to go on a picnic to the camp they have gone to and find that it has burned down. This was sad news because they were hoping to find the horse, Old Charlie, that Bruce knew from camp. They find out that this horse is now at a farm in town but is goin to be given to the factory to make cat food, so they believe. They begin raising money to buy the horse and finally are able to do so and save the horse. They go against their fathers wishes to do so however and cause a bit of trouble. In the end they are able to house the horse in Mrs. Diggles brothers pasture. They have saved the horse from an awful fate.

//<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">5. Willie McLean and the Civil War Surrender //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">by Candice Ransom

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">This book describes the happening of the surrender of General Robert E. Lee to General Ulysses S. Grant on April 9, 1865. This story is told from the perspective of a boy by the name of Wilmer McLean Junior, otherwise known as Willie. Willie has a fervor for the war and is very curious about what is going on. He wants to be in on the action. He encounters a deserter, Captain Lincoln, and confederates in his attempt to be a part of the war. When General Lee surrenders, Willie is devastated and does not understand. This is a great book to explain this event in time.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">6. //Clifford: four Favorite Stories//

<span style="font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> Clifford is a dog that started out at a tiny runt but grew into the biggest dog in history. Emily Elizabeth loves Clifford and goes on many adventures with him. These book are imaginative and humorous and bring any dog lover joy. The colorful illustrations are simple yet interesting. They give an almost cartoon feeling to the stories. The things that Clifford can and cannot do make life for Emily Elizabeth quite a lot of fun to figure out. From figuring out how to feed him to figuring out how to celebrate his birthday without a major catastrophe, Emily Elizabeth is never bored.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Children’s Literature **

//<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">1. Math Curse //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">by [|Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith]

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The math curse begins for one students when Mrs. Fibonacci explains to her class that everything can be viewed as a math problem. This student wakes up the next day and everything they do becomes a math problem. From getting dressed to eating breakfast, everything is a math problem and it is beginning to drive this student insane! How Can he beat this curse? Well, read this story and see how math can be a nightmare if you are not careful. Who knows, maybe you will even find out how you can become a math whiz and use math in all areas of life.

//<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">2. Flicka, Ricka, and Dicka Bake a Cake //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">by Maj Lindman

<span style="font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> This sweet story is about three Swedish girls named Flicka, Ricka, and Dicka whose mother is having a birthday. They have the idea to make a cake for her so they go to Aunt Betty’s house to have her help them make a beautiful cake. There is much to be done. The girls make a list, go to get groceries, and begin making the cake. Although Aunt Betty warned them to only let the cake bake for half an hour the girls get carried away jumping rope and the cake is burned black as ink. They attempt this project again and succeed making Mother’s birthday special day.

//<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">3. One Morning in Maine //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">by Robert McCloskey

<span style="font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> Sal is a lovely girl who is growing up quite fast. This book is about the event of her first lost tooth and her curiosity about what animals have teeth. Throughout her daily activities of eating breakfast, picking clams with her father, and traveling to Buck’s Harbor for groceries Sal has many questions and learns a lot about loosing teeth and the process of growing up. This is a sweet story about a typical day in Maine. It portrays such a care free lifestyle through its beautiful pencil drawings. This Caldecott Honor Book is a loved classic that will never grow old.

//<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">4. Mr. Gumpy’s Outing //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> by John Burningham

<span style="font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> Mr. Gumpy is going for a ride in his boat and many want to join in the fun. The children, the rabbit, the cat, the dog, the pig, the sheep, the chickens, the calf, and the goat all want to come along. However, Mr. Gumpy gives precise instructions to each passenger as they board. What will happen on the boat ride on the lake? Make a guess or read this book to find out. This is a uniquely illustrated book and will be sure to make you think twice before you let anyone come a long for your next boat ride.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">5. //Cendrillon// by Robert D. San Souci

<span style="font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> Cinderella is a classic story for all children. What does a Caribbean Cinderella story look like though? It still involves a dashing prince and beautiful princess but it also involves a real godmother who loves the child and helps her throughout her life, still containing the element of magic. A Caribbean Cinderella also is written from the viewpoint of the godmother. This beautifully illustrated book is a find for any young, or old, girl looking for a bit of romance and make-believe.

//<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">6. The Best Cat in The World //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">by Leslea Newman

<span style="font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> The “best” of something is often in the eye of the beholder. In this story Charlie was the best cat in the world until he died. This was a hard blow for Victor. How could Charlie die? Little did Victor know that there was a new kitten waiting for him at the veterinarians office. When Dr. Levin called to say the a kitten named Shelley needed a good home, Victor was skeptical. Through this experience, Victor learns that being content and making the best of every situation is a valuable trait to possess. Accepting change and seeing the good in a new situation is not always easy to do but Victor does it well in this book.

//<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">7. The Treasure //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">by Uri Shulevitz <span style="font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> “Sometimes you must travel far to discover what is near.” This lesson is what Isaac in //The Treasure// had to find out. When he has a recurring dream about a treasure in the capital city, Isaac travels a great distance to find out that the treasure is acutally right under his nose in his own home. The simple yet elegant arrangement of words and illustrations teaches a valuable lesson of looking for the treasures in your own life, there is a lot to be thankful for right under your own roof.

//<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">8. Sweet Dream Pie //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">by Audrey wood & Mark Teague

<span style="font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> Pa Brindle was craving a piece of Sweet Dream Pie. So Ma Brindle decided they would make a pie as long as Pa promised only to have one piece, for your dreams will not be sweet if you have more too much Sweet Dream Pie. Ma and Pa set out and create this masterpiece pie enticing the whole neighborhood with the sweet scent. A, sort of, pie party commences where everyone eats extremely too much pie. What does this mean for the neighborhood? You will have to find that out for yourself.

//<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">9. George and Martha //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">by James Marshall

<span style="font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> George and Martha great friends. They do everything together. Eating split pea soup, riding in hot air balloons, peeking at and playing pranks on each other, and going to the dentist are just a few activities they find humor and joy in sharing together. This simple, yet hilarious children’s story will make you love hippos and wish to share in even more fun times wish George and Martha. Readers learn to love this timeless story of true friendship and love for your neighbor. A good laugh is guaranteed with every reading of this clever and quirky tale.

//<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">10. Tacky the Penguin //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">by Helen Lester

<span style="font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> Tacky is not like the other penguins. In fact, tacky is an outcast. All the other penguins go about their days in the same uniform, polite manor while Tacky is loud, clumsy, and cannot sing a single note on key. What happens when the hunters come to catch penguins and become “rich, rich, rich“? Tacky saves the day by simply being his silly self. Although he cannot sing, dive, march, or politely greet his fellow penguins, he can do what he does the best…be himself. This story is a great lesson for students on the value of diversity and differences in personality and skills.

//<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">11. The Stray Dog //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">by Marc Simont

<span style="font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> Are you feeling lost? Do you not belong? This is what Willy, the stray dog in this book, was feeling. A family of four decides to take a picnic in the park and discovers this cute puppy. But he must belong to someone! This family later rescues this puppy from the hands of the dog catcher and take him in to be their very own. This is a cute book with lovable illustrations and a family whose heart is softened toward a puppy who needs a home. Student will love this story of love for a lost little dog.

//<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">12. Three Aesop Fox Fables //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">by Aesop Illustrated by Paul Galdone

<span style="font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> These three clever stories are a great resource for students who desire to find morals in literature. The first moral from these stories is that scorning what you cannot get is an easy task. The second is that tricksters cannot complain when in turn they and tricked. And lastly, never trust a flatterer. These three lesson are taught through the actions of a fox who interacts with another animal. Although the fox thinks he is clever in all he does, each of these stories does not end the best for him. The moral that I have picked out is //do unto others as you would have them do unto you-// a wise rule for all people.

//<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">13. King Rooster, Queen Hen //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">by Anita Lobel

<span style="font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> A rooster and a hen pecking away at the ground decide they want to go to the city to be king and queen. Using what they have they make a carriage and begin their journey. Along the way, they are met by other kind folk who ask to join their journey and volunteer their services to the king and queen. These creatures, a sparrow, a crow, and a duck, all hop in the mouse drawn carriage and are off again only to meet a fox. This fox invites them to dinner but instead of serving his guests, he attempts to eat his guests but fails because of the sparrows watchful eye. All return to their farm and settle to live a contented life the way they lived at the beginning.

//<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">14 //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">. //Little One, We Knew You’d Come// by Sally Lloyd-Jones

<span style="font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> This poetic version of the birth of Christ is a beautifully illustrated piece. The sing song poem is a wonderful reminder of the beauty of the Jesus’ birth. The water color illustrations bring to life this middle east experience of traveling across the desert to Bethlehem. The texture and tone of these watercolors as well as the emotion shown on the characters faces really set an emotional draw and personal aspect. //Little One, We Knew You’d Come// is a unique and simple version of this event.

//<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">15. The Library Dragon //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">by Carmen Angra Deedy

<span style="font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> Sunrise Elementary School had a new librarian. The problem with new librarian was that she was a mean old dragon who would not let the students get anywhere near the new sparkling book on the shelves. Miss Lotta Scales was her name and she was strict. Not letting the children read meant that the children were falling behind in their studies. The teachers were not happy. They had to do something but were helpless to fight this nasty dragon. Not until Molly Brickmeyer accidentally ran into a book shelf, for she could not find her glasses, that reading began again. Not only did reading begin again, but as the children sat around listening to Molly read, Lotta took over and read to the children as her scales began to fall right off her body revealing Miss Lotty. Miss Lotty was a librarian and storyteller and changed the library for the good.

//<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">16. Basil Brush Gets a Medal //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">by Peter Firmin

<span style="font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> This is a clever story about a helpful fox named Basil Brush who loves helping people. He headed to the palace to get a medal of honor from the princess alongside his friend Harry, the mole. They arrive only to be disappointed. The gate keeper will not let them in because the princess has not finished her breakfast. In fact, she has not finished her breakfast because she had no milk for her porridge. She has no milk because the cows could not be brought to the farm. The cows could not be brought to the farm because the bridge was broken. They could not fix the bridge because they needed to get wood from the woodman, who could not get wood because his axe was dull. He could not sharpen his axe because his grind stone was dry. And he could not wet the grind stone because the woodman’s wife could not get water from the broken well. This series of problems was grave indeed. Thankfully, Harry had a nail which fixed the well, which allowed water to be brought to wet the grind stone, which allowed the woodman to sharpen his axe, to cut down a tree, to mend the bridge, to bring the cows to the farm, to get some milk, to bring to the princess, to allow the gate to be opened, ALL so that Basil Brush could get his medal.

//<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">17. Sylvester and the Magic Pebble //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">by William Steig

<span style="font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> This Caldecott Medal Winner is about Sylvester Duncan, a donkey who loves collecting pebbles. This story is about how a magic pebble and a unintended wish lead to great sorry and trouble. When Sylvester found a magic red pebble he was amazed at the power it had to make his wishes come true. Unfortunately, he was forced to make a hasty wish when he was being stalked by a lion on his walk home and wished that he was a rock. This horrible yet hilarious mistake lead to much grief for the Duncan family who searched aimlessly for Sylvester with no luck whatsoever. It was not until a year later that he was able to wish his way back to normal and rejoin his family with much happiness. I loved this story and would recommend it to anyone who loves a good nail biter.

//<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">18. It’s Nice to be Little //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">by John Stanley

<span style="font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> This is a precious book about kids who want to grow up and be “bigger.” It talks about how we wish we could be bigger so we can do so many more things than we can do now. It states that, although we cannot see ourselves growing, we actually are and will continue to grow until we are the same size or bigger than our parents. What I really liked about this book was that, at the end, it encouraged kids to be content and happy with being little now because being little will not last forever. I agree one-hundred percent with this book. I still pretend I am little sometimes! Who needs to grow up so fast? This book was well done.

//<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">19. How Tom Beat Captain Najork and his hired Sportsmen I //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">by Russell Hoban

<span style="font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> Tom was a boy that loved fooling around at play. He fooled around here and there and truly got on the nerves of Aunt Fidget Wonkham-Strong. In fact, she disliked fooling around so much that she threatened to call in Captain Najork and his hired sportmen to teach Tom a lesson unless he stopped. Tome did not waiver and forced her to take action. At the arrival of Captain Najork, Tom was still fooling around. Captain Najork believed he would teach Tom a lesson by beating him at three different games, however, Tom ended up winning all three. The last had graver consequences, would Tom win and take home the paddle boat or would Captain Najork win and take home Aunt Fidget Wonkham-Strong? Read this delightfull story and find out.

//<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">20. The Very Little Girl //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">by Phyllis Krasilovsky

<span style="font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> With precious illustrations and analogies, this book describes how tiny the very little girl in this book is. It describes all the things the is smaller than until she begins to notice a change. She is getting bigger! Everyday she notices things that she is bigger than until she is big enough to not be small anymore. This little girl is growing to be a big girl. This is perfect timing because she will be the perfect size to be a big sister to her very very small little brother. What a cute story this is to talk about growing up and going through different stages of life based on size and the things you can do based on your size. I

//<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">21. The Dancing Stars: an Iroquois Legend //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">retold and illustrated by Anne Rockwell

<span style="font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> Seven brothers who loved to play and dance one day found themselves dancing to a melody from far away. They did not know where it came from. They dance toward the melody, dancing right up into the sky. They found that this beautiful song came from a bear made of stars. They danced and danced and eventually formed into starts themselves. When they heard their mother calling one of the boys dove down onto the earth but instead of becoming a boy again and walking on the earth her made a hole on the land and disappeared for good. The other boys would stay in the sky. His mothers tears wet the ground where he had fallen and a tall tree grew up into the sky, the tallest tree in the forest it was and the seven brothers were again all united in the sky. They remain there to this day. What a wonderfully enchanting story! Children are sure to love its imaginative plot.