Coraline

Gaiman, Neil. Coraline. New York: HarperEntertainment, 2002.

Plot: Coraline's life is boring. Her parents are busy, her neighbors are old, her house is strange, and the weather will not cooperate. On an especially rainy day, she discovers a locked door. The door opens to a brick wall but, one day, while her mother grocery shops, Coraline opens the door to discover...her own parlor. As she enters the house, she discovers an other world, where her other mother fixes her food, encourages her to meet her other neighbors, and explore her other bedroom. While parts of the other world tend to be disconcerting, Coraline finds it much more interesting than her old world. Her other mother wishes her to stay, but Coraline declines. When she returns home, her parents are missing. The other mother uses them as bait to reclaim her "darling Coraline" and keep her for ever and always.

Genre: Horror

Reading Level: Like the Harry Potter series, the book is aimed at tweens, but is very enjoyable for teens and adults. It may be too intense for younger readers, though.

Similar Titles: Graveyard Book

Personal Thoughts: Like many readers, I became interested in the book when I saw trailers for the movie in 2009. I like it a bit more than the movie. Do not misunderstand me; the movie is remarkable. However, the book manages to draw the reader in and promptly freak him or her out. Coraline is a bit more relatable in the book. She is not a bad kid, but energetic, eager to explore, and easily bored. While the movie stresses the delights of the other world, the book displays a more interesting world with something innately wrong. The reader and Coraline do not discover the entirety of the strangeness until later, but something detectable is definitely not right within the other world. Still, the other world is genuinely tempting and Coraline must question her courage and her cause to defeat the other mother. Coraline, in the book, is the sole heroine. While the other characters offer invaluable help, Coraline is ultimately the only one that can stop the monster and save herself, her family, and others.

I like it, but I am not sure I could read it at night. What makes the book really convincing is the fact that it combines so many fears, such as the fear of being alone, the fear of change, the fear of losing someone important, the fear of kidnapping, the fear of unknown, and, even, the fear of spiders, that everyone faces to some degree. However, Gaiman points out the goal of the story is not merely to show readers the world is scary. He intends to show them the scary things can be defeated. Coraline manages that magnificently.

The Witches

Dahl, Roald. The Witches. New York: Farrar Straus Giroux, 1983.

Plot: Dahl's nameless protagonist learns about witches from his former witchophile grandmother in Norway shortly after he becomes orphaned in a car accident. Thanks to his grandmother's warnings, he avoids the plot of a witch roaming his street during the school year. He is not as lucky, however, at avoiding danger in his next encounter. He finds himself at an annual meeting of witches and overhears their plot to turn all of England's children into mice. Before he can warn anyone about the plan, he is caught and turned into a mouse. With his grandmother's knowledge and his newfound agility, the witches' plot must be stopped!

Genre: Fiction, Horror

Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Similar Titles: James and the Giant Peach, Fantastic Mr. Fox

Personal Thoughts: Wow, this book received varied responses. ALA reports it as a frequently banned book due to its reference to the occult, sexism (it states all witches are women), and wicca. Reportedly, Dahl responded to such critics by stating they had no sense of humor. It is unknown how the critics reacted to the accusation. By contrast, the books enjoyed a prominent spot in the Weekly Reader 150 bestselling children's booklist. Some schools use it as required reading. In addition, the book provided the basis for a movie that won several awards in 1990. I saw the movie when I was a kid, though, and to be honest, I was not impressed. The acting was weird, the special effects were campy, the music was unremarkable, and all the actors were creepy. Not just the villains. The protagonists looked like they were going to eat someone before the movie was over, too. To each their own, I guess.

Werewolves

Cohen, Daniel, Werewolves. New York: Cobblehill Books, 1996.

Plot: A collection of werewolf information. The book includes folktales, superstitions, and fairy tales as resources, but also includes modern understanding of werewolves. The chapters compare old and new definitions of the werewolf, such as demonic servant vs. skinchanger. Cohen also discusses historical werewolves and werewolf trials. Strangely, although witch trials remain sources of great interest, werewolf trials, which apparently happened as often as witch hunts, seem neglected in modern studies. He ends the book with ten recommended movies about werewolves.

Genre: Folktales

Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Similar Titles: The Wolf Man

Personal Thoughts; I always loved folktales, but I never really read about werewolves. Why? I spook easily.

Nevertheless, the book presents the stories and attempts to look at them from both a modern and historical standpoint. It notes the change in attitudes towards the wolf-men, particularly from a social standpoint. Unfortunately, the book does dedicate a chapter to alt.horror.werewolves, a no longer existing website. Still, it provides an interesting read.

How To Keep Dinosaurs

Mash, Robert. How to Keep Dinosaurs. New York: Sterling Pub. Co., 2003.

Plot: While most people remain amazed by dinosaurs, few seem prepared to take one into their own home. As a result, the poor dinosaur (and its owners) become unhappy, destructive, or sickly due to the ignorance of their owners. Please, research before you purchase your dinosaur. The book offers solid guidance for new dinosaur keepers, as well as advice for veteran trainers. It also includes information on where to find particular specimens. Keep in mind, though, the book will not address certain issues, such as how to keep your dinosaur out of the trash...

Genre: Fictional non-fiction, perhaps? I am not entirely sure how to label this book. My local library places it in the nonfiction department.

Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Similar Titles: Definitely a one-of-a-kind title

Personal Thoughts: I love this kind of book. It makes something absolutely impossible seem entirely likely. Also, the author clearly did his research. Instead of filling the book with generic brontosaurs (which do not actually exist, but that's another issue for another time), triceratops, and t-rexes, the author ranks dinosaurs according to their suitability to apartment life, farming, or guard duty based on paleontologic study. The book includes a lot of tongue in cheek humor, such as a reference to the Archaeoraptor controversy under his heading for Microraptor. It is definitely more humorous for dinophiles, but it also contains good information.

The Beauty of Ugly

The Beauty of Ugly produced by Nature. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/the-beauty-of-ugly/video-full-episode/5380/

Plot: The documentary reviews some of the least homely animals in existence. While some animals, such as sea otters, enjoy human adoration, others seem positively hideous. Yet, the "ugly" aspects often provide the best means to survive in harsh habitats. For example, the bizarre "fingers" on a star-nosed mole's snout allow it to detect the slightest movements in its tunnels. The enormous drooping nose of male elephant seals allow it to intimidate rivals. Even the naked head of a vulture has purpose. Since the bird lacks feathers on its head, the likelihood of infection from its carrion diet is greatly reduced. Not all animals appear attractively, but sometimes the ugliest aspects of a creature permit its survival.

Genre: Documentary

Reading Level: Not rated

Similar Titles: Life, Earth

Personal Thoughts: Nature generally produces solid documentaries. This one is no exception. The show displays familiar and non-familiar animals in an introductory manner without becoming condescending. While everyone tends to find some animals attractive and others less so, realizing the purpose of unusual appearances remains vital for biologists (and biology students). As a side note, while I have seen photographs of star-nosed moles before, I had no idea they are so small. I expected them to be the size of a traditional mole or perhaps a ground squirrel, but the one in this video is roughly the size of a hamster. Since it is so small, it almost looks cute...until the camera zooms in on the weird nose.

The Hardy Boys #10: What Happened at Midnight

Dixon, Franklin W. The Hardy Boys #10: What Happened at Midnight. New York: Grosset & Dunlap, 1931.

Plot: Unlike previous cases, Joe and Frank do not prevent a theft in this mystery. Instead, they participate! Following the orders of their detective father, the boys break into the house of a famous inventor to obtain a radio before the real criminals can steal it. They barely manage to claim the item before stumbling on the real thieves. Attempting to capture the criminals while protecting the invention, the boys find themselves facing a gang of kidnappers, thieves, smugglers, and con men.

Genre: Mystery

Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Similar Titles: Other Hardy Boys titles, Nancy Drew series

Personal Thoughts: Another series that did not age quite as well as I hoped. The usage of certain terms, such as "chum" in a friendly context tends to distract readers. Also, the technological limits seem appalling by modern standards. That said, the story itself seems better than the Nancy Drew title I read. The dangers are real, but so are the behaviors of the boys. They seem less superhuman than Nancy does. In addition, some of the boys' actions have consequences, such as when they order at a restaurant they cannot afford. Joe and Frank are superheroes, but believable ones.

Rakkety Tam

Jacques, Brian. Rakkety Tam. New York: Philomel Books, 2004.

Plot: Rakkety Tam MacBurl and Doogy Plumm, two warrior squirrels bound by oath to a pompous squirrelking and drayqueen, find an opportunity to escape. They must return a banner stolen by Golo the Savage, a wolverine warlord determined to find the "walking stone" while dominating and devouring all in his path. In pursuit of the fiend, the squirrels join forces with the legendary Long Patrol hares in a race to reach Redwall Abbey before the wolverine. While Rakkety looks forward to his first real battle in seasons, his adventures yield more dangers and rewards than he ever anticipated.

Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Animals

Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Similar Titles: Redwall series, Warriors series, Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole

Personal Thoughts: The novel is the seventeenth of the Redwall series. While the story does not rely on the history of the abbey as much as previous novels, it still intertwines common themes in a fresh and intriguing manner. One word of caution: the squirrels tend to speak with Scottish accents. While this adds distinct character to the story, it can be difficult for readers to understand.

Matilda

Dahl, Roald. Matilda. New York: Viking, 1988.

Plot: Matilda is extraordinary. At five and a half years old, she can read novels and multiply double-digit numbers. However, her parents think she is stupid, and they take every opportunity they can to tell her so. She eventually decides to discipline her parents through a series of pranks. The efforts seem rewarded, but they do not prepare her for Miss Tunchbull, her school headmistress. Unlike Miss Honey, Matilda's kindly teacher, the headmistress demands fearful submission through threats and violence. Faced with an injustice almost beyond her imagination, Matilda realizes she must use one of her unusual gifts to bring down Miss Tunchbull.

Genere: Fiction

Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Similar Titles: James and the Giant Peach, Fantastic Mr. Fox,  The Twits

Personal Thoughts: While the context is, perhaps, unusual, the novel follows some of Dahl's favorite themes. An unlikely hero manages to overpower strong opponents to bring justice. Apparently, the novel was banned by several libraries, presumably for its reference to psychic power. It also became a basis for a movie in 1996. The film differs greatly from the novel and received mediocre reviews. However, some favor the movie, so it has become a minor cult classic.

Nancy Drew #10: Password to Larkspur Lane

Keene, Carolyn. Nancy Drew #10: Password to Larkspur Lane. New York: Grosset & Dunlap, 1933.

Plot: When a plane releases an injured pigeon over her garden, Nancy Drew realizes she has a mystery to solve. Who owned the pigeon? Why did they release if from a moving plane? What does the message bound to the leg about "singing horses" mean? The mystery only deepens following a mysterious kidnapping and sudden change in a solid houseman's behavior. With the help of her friends and brand new convertible, Nancy is on the case!

Genre: Mystery

Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Similar Titles: Nancy Drew Mystery Stories, Hardy Boys

Personal Thoughts: Nancy Drew is an icon of literature. Her exploits find praise by traditionalists and feminists alike. She remains firmly herself and very feminine, yet she does not hesitate to take matters into her own hands and become involved with complex missions. She is, in many senses of the word, a heroine.

That said, I did not like the book. The mystery is good for what it is, but the text did not age well. Many of the terms and concepts are dated. In addition, her independence makes a swift move toward recklessness. The police are never contacted, even when she observes a known criminal stalking her. The book recalls the mentality of the old Superfriends cartoons. Drew is simply a heroine, incapable of making any mistakes, insults, or emotion.

The Bone Detectives: How Forensic Anthropologists Solve Crimes and Uncover Mysteries of the Dead

Jackson, Donna M. The Bone Detectives: How Forensic Anthropologists Solve Crimes and Uncover Mysteries of the Dead. New York: Little, Brown and Company, 1996.

Plot: An introduction on forensic anthropology. The book details a case in 1989 when a hiker found a bleached white skull at a Boy Scout camp. Through the deduction of police, forensic anthropologist Dr. Michael Charney, and forensic sculptor Nita Binter, the skull, shreds of clothing, and a few broken bones allowed the killer to be found and tried. The book continues by explaining how historians use forensic anthropology to reconstruct and identify long-dead individuals.

Genre: Non-Fiction

Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Similar Titles: CSI Expert! Forensic Science for Kids

Personal Thoughts: As a tween, I think I would have been scared of this book. Then again, I have never found the nerve to enter a haunted house (even a Disney one), so I may not be the best gauge for scariness. Anyway, the book does provide solid information and illustrations describing the steps and science of forensic anthropology.

The Legend of Zelda Spirit Tracks: The Official Prima Guide

Stratton, Stephen and David Knight. The Legend of Zelda Spirit Tracks: The Official Prima Guide. Roseville, CA: Prima Games, 2009.

Plot: A guide to Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks for the Nintendo DS. When Cole betrays Princess Zelda, a young engineer named Link springs into action to assist the princess. Unlike previous incantations of the Zelda series, players also control Zelda to stop evil forces from taking over the land. Includes maps, item descriptions, enemy guides, and force gem locations. Like most Prima Guides, the book includes official illustrations and character art. Also comes with a map showing secret train routes and rabbit locations.

Genre: Video Game Guide

Reading Level: The game is rated E10+

Similar Titles: The game is a direct sequel to Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass

Personal Thoughts: What? I wanted to review books that would appeal to tween boys this week. Tween boys like video games. It's that simple. I'm just following the trend. It's not like I purchased the guide at a 15% discount at my favorite video game store after I bought one of the best games of the year for the really cool electric blue DS Lite my family got me for Christmas. It's all about being a professional librarian and providing the best information I can on a variety of resources.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a dungeon to conquer.

Tintin: Volume 1

Rémi, Georges. Tintin: Volume 1. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1979.

Plot: World-famous detective and newsman, Tintin, and his dog, Snowy, leaves his native Belgium to clean up the corruption during America's prohibition. He manages to capture several notorious criminals after traveling through Chicago and the American Southwest. During his boat ride home, he becomes involved with drug smugglers. The smugglers use theft, kidnapping, and social influence to evade Tintin and Snowy. Eventually, the smugglers are all captured by Tintin or killed by their reckless attempts to escape. Yet, Tintin receives cryptic warnings about enemies at large in China...during the onset of World War II.

Genre: Comics, Adventure

Reading Level: Ages 8 and up, but originally intended for adults

Similar Titles: Tintin series, Bone

Personal Thoughts: I loved this series when I was younger. Now that I am older, I can enjoy the series more through historical context, but when I was little, I just thought the adventures of Tintin and Snowy were intriguing and fun. Apparently, though, the prejudice of the author, while acceptable if not expected from the culture at the time of the writing, led to the banning of Tintin's adventures in some institutions. Still, the series manages to secure a universal charm that continues to attract audiences worldwide. As such, the series provided a basis for animations, plays, radio programs, and an upcoming movie.

The Hardy Boys: Undercover Brothers - #10 Blown Away

Dixon, Franklin W. The Hardy Boys: Undercover Brothers - #10 Blown Away. NY: Aladdin Paperbacks, 2006.

Plot: Shortly after capturing a team of drug dealers, Joe and Frank, teen twin operatives for a government secret agency, receive a new mission. They must leave the snow of lake Tahoe for the sunny landscape of Arizona. A terrorist threatens a major resort with a bomb. The boys have until three o'clock to find the terrorist while maintaining their cover with the vacationers and keeping their search a secret from their mother. Could one of the two business tycoons at the resort have a grudge worth killing for? Will the boys find the bomb on time? Will their mother make them play Scrabble?

Genre: Mystery, Adventure

Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Similar Titles: Original Hardy Boys series, Nancy Drew series

Personal Thoughts: This is one of a series of updated Hardy Boys books. Many of the cultural, economical, and social references are up-to-date, allowing readers to gain easy understanding of the novels. I remember one of my teachers claiming the original Hardy Boys were the only books she could get chronically non-reading boys to enjoy. While the new version is certainly enjoyable, I think I need to get my hands on an original.

The Indian in the Cupboard

Banks, Lynne Reid. The Indian in the Cupboard. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1980.

Plot: Omri does not especially care for his brother's birthday gift. The gift, found in a rubbish heap in an alley, is a white, mirrored cupboard. Still, he likes playing with plastic figures, so he places a small Indian in the cupboard and locks it with a key of his mother's. When he opens the cupboard the next day, he is shocked to discover the toy has become a tiny, real, live Indian. While Omri treasures his discovery, the world of full-sized people is no place for a toy-sized one. Such a world becomes more complicated when Patrick, Omri's best friend, uses the cupboard on a plastic cowboy...

Genre: Fantasy

Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Similar Titles: Return of the Indian in the Cupboard, The Borrowers, James and the Giant Peach

Personal Thoughts: I was really surprised by the positive response I got from this title at work (I read during my breaks). Apparently, both tween boys and tween girls enjoy the novel. I am also a little surprised, given the stress on political correctness, that the book continues to gain favor. Granted, the book is (in my opinion) not racist, but it seems like whenever a question of race arises, books tend to get blacklisted quickly. Anyway, the novel is apparently still used in middle school lessons throughout the country. It provided the basis for a movie in 1995 (with mixed reviews) and launched a series of sequels. 
 

Frindle

Clements, Andrew. Frindle. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 1996.

Plot: When Nicholas Allen finally enters fifth grade, he meets his match in the form of Mrs. Granger, the language teacher. Despite Nick's best efforts, she catches his every attempt to avoid homework and waste class time. Yet, one of her lessons gives Nick the opportunity to fight back. According to Mrs. Granger, words have meaning because people give them meanings. With this fact in mind, Nick plans to implement his new word, "frindle," as a substitute for "pen." Through a network of friends, the word takes over the fifth grade, school, city, and, eventually, nation, despite Mrs. Granger's attempts to stop it. So why do her eyes sparkle whenever she hears the word?

Genre: Realistic

Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Similar Titles: No Talking, The Lemonade War, Loser

Personal Thoughts: The novel captures the mentalities present in a school setting excellently. The children behave like kids, not like adults in kid suits. Every class has a smart but squirrely kid like Nick, but Clements reveals how such kids can make major changes. He also describes the one teacher every class dreads, but ultimately learns the most from.

As a side note, this is one of the few realistic novels I found that does not saturate itself in tragedy. I do not know who decided that children, teens, tweens, and adults like reading sad stories where no one wins, but whoever did was mistaken. True, sappy stories do not have much appeal, but this book shows a story can be realistic, with real problems, people, and consequences without painting the world in depression.

Because of Winn-Dixie

DiCamillo, Kate. Because of Winn-Dixie. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press, 2000.

Plot: The summer India Opal moves is hard. She cannot make friends. Her father is busy with the church. She misses her mother more than ever. Then, she meets a dog. Or, rather, a dog meets her after wrecking the local grocery store. After convincing her father the dog needs them, Winn-Dixie, named after the store she ruined, begins to change Opal's life. The dog's ability to welcome and comfort people allows Opal to meet people as lonely as she is. Together, they learn to live with the sweet and sad parts of life.

Genre: Animals, Coming of Age

Reading Level: Age 9-12

Similar Titles: Shiloh, Misty of Chincoteague

Personal Thoughts: A Newbery Honor book that deserves the reward. I really enjoyed the book and its portrayal of growing up with flawed, quirky, and lonely people (and dogs). However, I do not think I would have liked it as a tween. True, the story has a happy ending. Opal and her father make friends of the friendless in their town. The story also carries many depressing elements, such as death, loneliness, abandonment, and injustice. As a tween, I doubt the sweet ending would justify the sad story.

The book provided the basis of a movie in 2005. While some enjoy the acting of the dog, most find the movie a bit unoriginal and boring.

My Side of the Mountain

George, Jean Craighead. My Side of the Mountain. New York: E.P. Dutton, 1988.

Plot: Sam Gribley, tired of sharing a house with his mother, father, and 10 siblings, decides to run away. He manages to fulfill two dreams of almost every child. He runs away and gets away with it. Instead of running through the streets of New York. After studying and developing survival skills, he runs to his family's ancestral farm in the Catskill Mountains. Through his studies and mistakes, Sam creates a comfortable home within the mountains. He also discovers friends in the mountains in the form of Frightful, a falcon, and Baron Weasel.

Genre: Fiction, Adventure

Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Similar Titles: Island of the Blue Dolphins, Hatchet, Julie of the Wolves

Personal Thoughts: A good introductory to survival guides. The story, while easily impossible, is thoroughly believable through solid research in survival, plants, and animals of Eastern North America. I loved this story as a kid, but I have the same complaint now as I did then. The reader never wants the story to end. An ending is inevitable, but it seems as unexpected and unwelcome as a penguin in the desert.

The book won a Newbery Honor.

The Rainbow People

Yep, Laurence. The Rainbow People. New York: Harper & Row, Publishers, 1989.

Plot: A collection of Chinese-American folktales, the stories offer a transition between the fairy tales of elementary school and the novels of high school. Yep manages to tie the stories of fools, saints, thieves, magicians, and transformations to the history of Chinese laborers in the United States. Some, like "Natural Enemies" provide explanations for injustice. A few, like "Professor of Smells," praise the triumph of wit over strength. Others, like "The Rainbow People" offer hope amid loss and loneliness.

Genre: Folktales

Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Similar Titles: The People Could Fly: American Black Folktales, Tongues of Jade

Personal Thoughts: I believe tweens still like stories. Not irony (although they can appreciate it), not metaphor (although they can recognize it),  and not diction (although they can hate it). A good story catches attention and encourages understanding. The stories in this novel manage to do both, but also allows the reader to recognize a greater story. It allows the readers to realize the complexities of moving to a new country and culture. 

Will We Miss Them?

Wright, Alexandra. Will We Miss Them?: Endangered Species. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge Publishing, 1992.

Plot: The book reviews several endangered species. Many are endangered due to human actions, especially hunting and habitat destruction. Yet, they are worthy of being saved. Some, like elephants, mountain lions, and muriquis are valued for their remarkable appearance. Others, like blue whales and grizzly bears, are majestic. Bald eagles, elephants, and giant pandas serve as national symbols. Yet, whether people acknowledge them or not, the animals provide for the balance that supports other species of life.

Genre: Non-fiction, Science

Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Similar Titles: The Atlas of Endangered Species, The Best Book of Endangered and Extinct Animals

Personal Thoughts: I actually really liked this book when I was younger. Some of the information is a bit dated, but most of it is still accurate. I do have one complaint, though. All of the animals are the "popular" ones. While I understand the book is meant to be a brief introduction to the concept of endangered animals, only two birds and two reptiles are included. The rest are either really large or really fuzzy mammals. Insects, fish, or unattractive animals receive no mention. Such a loss is unfortunate, since some of the rarest animals seem ignored.

Side note: Hurray for forced perspective!

A True Book: Water Power

Petersen, Christine. A True Book: Water Power. New York: Children's Press, 2004.

Plot: Through the water cycle, water continuously travels throughout the earth. People, animals, and plants rely on it for survival. Yet, in light of the limits and pollutants of fossil fuels, water may find another purpose. Water can create electricity. Some forms of usage, such as water wheels and dams, began centuries ago. Modern scientists want to expand the use of water through the use of tides, evaporation, and waves. Unfortunately such sources have their costs, both economically and evironmentally. Still, with time and development, water power can provide a continuous resource of electricity.

Genre: Non-fiction, Science

Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Similar Titles: True Books: Alternative Energy, Fact Finders: Hydroelectric Power, The Energy Debate: The Pros and Cons of Water Power

Personal Thoughts: The book provides a solid review of possible hydroelectric power possibilities, including wave and current-based technology. While the book shows some slight bias towards the benefits of water power, it manages to redeem itself by showing some potential challenges of water usage. A pretty good introduction to water power.

Misty of Chincoteague

Henry, Marguerite. Misty of Chincoteague. Chicago: Rand McNally & Company, 1847.

Plot: After helping their grandfather raise wild ponies only to loose them when they are sold, Paul and Maureen decide to raise the money to get their own pony. A pony that will stay and never be taken away. However, they do not want any pony. They want Phantom, a three-year-old mare famous for her ability to avoid wranglers. While Paul is determined to capture her, he and his sister need to raise the money to buy her from the wranglers. They manage to, thanks in part to Phantom's little piebald foal...

Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Genre: Fiction, Animals

Similar Titles: King of the Wind, Black Beauty, Where the Red Fern Grows

Personal Thoughts: Where the Red Fern Grows without the tragedy. Seriously.

Like Where the Red Fern Grows, the novel starts with a childhood desire for a pet. It develops into a quest to earn the money to purchase said pet. However, it also requires action, in this case, a willingness to participate in the wrangling and horse sale. Unlike Where the Red Fern Grows, the book ends happily, with the children enjoying their pet while accepting the loss of Phantom (do not worry, she returns to the wild; unlike the plot present in most pet stories SHE DOES NOT DIE).

My only complaint is the fact that the book should have been titles Phantom of Assateague. Most of the book focuses on Phantom. Misty only gets a few pages of her own story in the novel.

Anyway, the book also provided the basis of a movie in 1961 (it got mixed reviews) and received a Newbury Honor in 1948.

The Secret Garden

Burnett, Frances H. The Secret Garden. Philadelphia: Lippincott 1962.

Plot: Bratty Mary Lennox finds herself shipped to her uncle's manor after her parents die in colonial India. She does not fit into the manor's household, but she did not fit in well in India, either. Still, she enjoys exploring the garden, especially after she hears about a garden hidden and locked away. With the help of an energetic robin, she discovers the garden, which brings her and the other unwanted members of the manor together. They rebuild the garden and manage to solve the mystery behind the garden's original disappearance.

Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Genre: Fiction

Similar Titles: The Little Princess, Ann of Green Gables, Little Women

Personal Thoughts: Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to present the rarely-seen school book with a happy ending. Seriously, nearly every required reading novel from fifth grade onwards seems to end with the character losing a pet, mother, father, and/or friend. Then people wonder why kids suddenly stop reading. Okay, the rant is now done.

Anyway, the book manages to offer a mystery without the usual spies, skeletons, or murders. Instead, it presents a realistic look at manor life in the Victorian era from the perspective of a child. The characters are flawed, but endearingly so. Tragedies occur, but they do not remain crippling, figuratively or otherwise. The ending manages to be happy, but not sappy. This was one of the few books I enjoyed from my tween school years. As a side note, the story provided a basis for at least two films and a musical.

Manga Shakespeare: Much Ado About Nothing

Appignanesi, Richard. Manga Shakespear: Much Ado About Nothing. New York: Amulet Books, 2009.

Plot: A manga adaptation of William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing. The play/story follows two distinct plots. For the first, the shrewd Beatrice and witty Benedick continue their battle of words, even in the presence of Don Pedro, Prince of Aragon. Determined the two should stop their fight, the prince and friends of the pair trick them into believing they love each other - as they really do. While the merry deception takes place, Don John, Don Pedro's evil brother, plans to ruin the happiness of his royal relative. He convinces the prince and Claudio, the prince's major domo, that Hero, Claudio's betrothed, is having an affair. The rumors and lies come together to form one of Shakespeare's most famous comedies.

Reading Level: Ages 10-15

Genre: Manga, Shakespeare

Similar Titles: Manga Shakespeare: A Midsummer Night's Dream, Manga Shakespeare: The Temptest

Personal Thoughts: Shakespeare fans, you knew this was coming. The Bard has found his way into musicals, comic books, movies, and puppet shows. It was only a matter of time before it reached the medium known as manga. Actually, the illustrations serve the story well. The illustrator captures the emotions of the characters in a tangible and visually pleasing manner. I doubt the manga will convince non-Shakespeare readers to like the play, but it will please those who enjoy it.

Eyewitness Books: Elephants

Redmond, Ian. Eyewitness Books: Elephants. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 2000.

Plot: The book reviews elephants using the stark white background and variety of illustrations the Eyewitness Books are famous for. Elephants' history with humanity as gods, beasts of burden, and trophies. It also reviews the natural history of elephants, dedicating entire pages to the skeleton, trunk, teeth, and tusks. Conservation efforts and successes are discussed as well.

Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Genre: Non-Fiction, Animals

Similar Titles: Elephants: True Books, Face to Face with Elephants

Personal Thoughts: I loved this series when I was younger. Actually, I remember reading this on the floor of one of my best friend's bedroom (granted, I read the first edition 1993 version...and I could recognize where they made changes in the 2000 edition...I am both a biology and literary nerd...will you still be my friend?). Anyway, nostalgia aside, the illustrations and information still contain the appeal I witnessed as a tween. The comments are brief, but focus on genuinely biological concepts, such as scientific names, species identification, adaptations, and conservation issues. The series provides a good introduction to complex scientific concepts.