Eragon

Paolini, Christopher. Eragon. New York : Distributed by Random House, 2003.

Plot: While on a hunting trip, Eragon finds a bright blue stone. Yet, it bears a secret for him on one clear night. The stone cracks to reveal a dragon hatchling. The dragon, later named Saphira, bonds with the teenager. Yet, the politics, legends, and fears surrounding dragons and their riders quickly overwhelm Eragon, costing him his home and his uncle. During his escape, Eragon encounters elves, dwarves, traitors, and rebels. Still, as Saphira reminds him, farmboys are not named after the original Dragon Rider for no reason. A much-needed revolution depends on the boy and his dragon.

Genre: Fantasy, Coming of Age

Reading Level: Ages 10-16, but older teens and adults may find it interesting as well.

Similar Titles: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, The Sea Trolls

Personal Thoughts: I was surprised by the book. Dragon stories, unfortunately, have a tendency to rely on the "novelty" of the creatures to define their setting. However, Paolini presents a realistic world with believable politics, traditions, and superstitions. The dragon, while exceptional, still meshes with the world in a natural manner. The book is highly recommended for fans of fantasy looking for something "lighter" than Tolkien but "heavier" than Rowling.

The novel provided the basis for a movie in 2006. While critics praised the graphics, the overall film received poor reviews.

Eragon is the first novel of a four-novel series. The final novel, Inheritance, will be published in November.

Island of the Blue Dolphins

O’Dell, Scott. Island of the Blue Dolphins. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1960.

Plot: When her people prepare leave their island home following a bloody battle with a group of otter hunters, Karana happily boards the ship. However, she realizes her younger brother was left behind. Ignoring the attempts to calm her, she jumps overboard and swims out to him. She and her brother prepare for the return of the ship but, after only a few days, he is killed by wild dogs. Karana must survive on her island alone. The story follows her many years as she finds food, makes weapons, avoids the hunters, dreams of friends, and survives the natural disasters common to the islands off California.

Genre: Adventure, Historical Fiction, Survival

Reading Level: Grades 4-7

Similar Titles: Hatchet, My Side of the Mountain, Julie of the Wolves

Personal Thoughts: The book won a Newbery Medal in 1961.

The book is a good survival story about a survivor. While most survival stories focus on people in completely foreign situations, this is a story about a girl who knows what to do to survive and even thrive. In a sense, she learns to live in her own home. Still, the reader gains a sense of the loneliness and trials she faces. At the same time, the readers realize life on the island becomes a part of her. While the book ends happily, the reader also understands what she looses by leaving the island.

As a side note, I loved this book when I was younger. I literally read the cover off of my copy, taped it back together, and read it until the cover and the first few pages became completely destroyed.

Pearls of Lutra

Jacques, Brian. Pearls of Lutra. New York : Philomel Books, 1997.

Plot: Ublaz the Emperor of pirates seeks an ultimate prize - six perfect, rose-colored pearls to complete his crown. When his captain fails to retrieve the pearls from a massacred otter holt, the emperor makes a second attempt, sparking a rebellion, a quest for revenge, and an adventure for  Redwall Abbey. Rollo, Cracklyn, and Tansy, three Redwall creatures, must solve the riddles leading to the pearls to ransom their abbot. Yet, through circumstance, storms, icebergs, and seals, the warriors of Redwall steadily bring matters into the emperor's own domain.

Genre: Fantasy, Animals, Adventures

Reading Level: Grades 6-8

Similar Titles: Guardians of Ga'hoole series, Redwall series

Personal Thoughts: The novel expertly blends puzzles, adventures, swordfights, and animals in a creative and intriguing manner. This may very well be one of Jacques's best works.

Doomwyte

Jacques, Brian. Doomwyte. New York : Philomel Books, 2008.

Plot: A strange, cult-like group stalks the swamps of Mossflower Woods. While the Wytes continue to claim lives, they are frustrated by the loss of their treasure, taken by Gonff, an infamous mousethief, seasons ago. Yet, the decendants of the thief are alive, well, and eager to claim the four gemstones stolen from the cult and hidden by their ancestor long ago. Their treasure hunt results in revelations, lessons, rediscoveries, and the key to the destruction of the Wytes once and for all.

Genre: Animals, Adventure, Fantasy

Reading Level: Grades 6-8

Similar Titles: Redwall series, especially The Pearls of Lutra

Personal Thoughts: While the story contains some interesting aspects, it is not as well developed as some of Jacques' other works. The heroes and the villains do not intertwine as well as in other novels. The Wytes are thoroughly malicious and intriguing, but their influence seems largely stunted and ineffective. Similarly, while the heroes have potential, they just do not appear as heroic as some of Jacques' other protagonists. However, the novel does introduce the "modern" view of past characters in a believable manner. The heroes that were casual are raised, appropriately, to an almost larger than life status by the characters in this story. I like that, since it mirrors reality. The heroes of the past are remembered for their unbelievable actions, not their personal mannerisms, and the story reflects this fact very well.

Redwall

Jacques, Brian. Redwall. New York: Ace Books, 1989.

Plot: Matthias, a novice of Redwall Abbey, always loved hearing of the mouse warrior, Martin. Yet, as a member of an order of healing in a time of peace, he has no hope of experiencing battle. However, his life, and the life of every creature in Mossflower, becomes radically changed when Cluny the Scourge, a tyrannical rat, brings his army to the Abbey’s gates. Matthias discovers his hidden ability to lead, encourage, and fight through the influence of his friends, his mentors, and a young fieldmouse named Cornflower. Yet, to assure victory over the warlord, Matthias must find the lost sword of Martin and claim his destiny as defender of Redwall.

Reading Level: 6-8 grade

Genre: Adventure, Animals

Similar Titles: Mossflower, Nightshade City, Warriors series

Personal Thoughts: The first in the popular Redwall series, the novel provides a history of the abbey and its warriors. While the concept of animal stories tends to be dismissed as juvenile, the book also discusses topics such as responsibility, planning, justice, and hope creatively and believably. After reading a few more books from the series, loyal readers can recognize the beginnings of characteristic themes in the series, particularly riddles and multiple plotlines. The book provided a basis for a cartoon miniseries a few years ago. Apparently, the miniseries is now available on DVD.

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

Twain, Mark. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.

Plot: Tom is the town rascal in pre-Civil War Mississippi. His adventures focus on running away, evading the dangers of school, spending time with the son of the town drunk, removing boredom from church, and paying attention to the new blond girl. However, his activities eventually bring him to city-wide attention, particularly surrounding the events at a murder in a local graveyard and a picnic near a cave...

Genre: Historical Fiction

Reading Level: I recall reading it for class in Middle School, but classics are hard to rank.

Similar Titles: Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Treasure Island, Jungle Book

Personal Thoughts: This was one of the few novels I enjoyed in the seventh grade. Tom is the eternal boy, fascinated with bugs, pirates, fighting, and blood. As a result he is believable, which means his over-the-top adventures are believable. The book tends to get a lot of controversy (although not as much as Huckleberry Finn) for its depiction of African-Americans, but it also reveals how things really were viewed back then. Sugar-coating or ignoring the ugliness of racism in pre-Civil War times does not change it. If anything, it limits modern capacities to prevent it.

As a side note, my attempt to make the blinds look like a whitewash fence failed miserably. Also, I forgot to take note of the bibliographic information from my book, but most libraries have a few versions floating around, so finding a good copy should not be difficult.

School Rumble

Kobayashi, Jin. School Rumble. New York : Ballantine Books.

Plot: The plot focuses on a classic, boy loves girl, girl loves other boy story. However, when the loving boy is a biker, the clueless girl is a klutz, and the loved boy is...hungry, things take a turn for the humorous. As the teens attempt to gain the attention of their attraction, the disaster stakes steadily rise to the braking point.

Genre: Manga

Reading Level: The books are rated T

Similar Titles: Azumanga Daioh, Spice and Wolf

Personal Thoughts: The first five books are so offer an extremely good reading experience. Around book six, though, subplots and side characters start to take over. An occasional additional story aspect adds to a graphic novel, but too many distracts from the characters. Yet, the first book in the series is one of my favorite mangas.

Life of Pi

Martel, Yann. Life of Pi. New York : Harcourt, 2001.

Plot: Pi, a bookish and religious boy, suddenly finds himself trapped in a lifeboat in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. While such a situation daunts everyone, he discovers he must adjust to an additional problem. He has a shipmate. Richard Parker, the only other survivor of the shipwreck, is a young adult Bengal tiger. Pi must survive the harshness of the ocean while keeping the wildcat at bay. Yet, strangely, Richard Parker, the greatest threat to his life, may prove to be the only thing saving him.

Genre: Fiction, Animals

Reading Level: Aimed at young adults; some of the religious arguments and gory scenes may be unsuitable for younger readers.

Similar Titles: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time; Beatrice and Virgil: A Novel 

Personal Thoughts: The book falls squarely in the trendy-dramatic category popular with book clubs, both in libraries and on talk shows. Still, it presents a good story, even if the religious arguments smack of political correctness.

As a side note, many schools now use this as required reading. I think this is a terrible thing to do with this type of novel. If a reader chooses to read it, it will be tolerable and even enjoyable (like I mentioned once, it is one of my favorite novels). However, its charm quickly disintegrates if forced on readers, particularly due to its complex and controversial side-topics (religion and animal-keeping).

How To Train Your Dragon

How To Train Your Dragon. Glendale, CA : DreamWorks Home Entertainment, 2010.

Plot: Hiccup is not much of a Viking. His body is scrawny, his personality is contrary, and his actions are disastrous. Still, he is determined to live up to his father's expectations and kill a dragon. However, when he successfully downs a nightfury, perhaps the most dangerous dragon of all, he suddenly finds himself unable to harm it. Naming the crippled dragon "Toothless," he sets out to train it, while slowly learning the truth of the reptiles' actions. Yet, his lessons seem for naught after he fails to kill a dragon in front of the village. Hiccup and Toothless may never be the pair any Viking would expect, but they may be the duo the village really needs.

Genre: Animation

Reading Level: Rated PG

Similar Titles: Despicable Me, Toy Story 3

Personal Thoughts: I have mixed opinions about the movie. The plot is not especially original and the adults and kids seem locked into impenetrable archetypes. The graphics, particularly in the village and flying scenes, are nice. Also, the designs, particularly of the dragons and armor, show character and creativity. Additionally, the movements of the dragons remain believable. If users want a new story, recommend another title. If they wish to enjoy a movie with good graphics and creative design, offer this animation.

P.S. Dreamworks dragon approves, +5

WorldBook Online

WorldBook Online can be purchased, but most public libraries allow access through their websites to cardholders.

Plot: A world-renouned reference source. The online version offers options for children as well as tweens and teens. Users can search for specific scientific, geographic, cultural, and historical terms in the online encyclopedia. Each page describes the topic thoroughly and often with links to similar topics. In addition, the pages usually display colorful and comprehensive graphics. Also, the lower portion of the pages include tips for citing the resource for reports or papers.

Genre: Reference

Reading Level: 8-14

Similar Titles: Encyclopedia Brittanica Online

Personal Thoughts: Whenever I needed to do a report in Middle School, I loved referencing WorldBook. The text just seemed cleaner and clearer than the dusty encyclopedias aimed at adults. While I eventually graduated to the more complex versions, WorldBook still manages to provide relevant information in a highly appealing matter.

Disney XD

Disney XD presented by the Disney Channel. Retrieved from http://disney.go.com/disneyxd/

Plot: The webpage describes and advertises Disney XD, an aspect of Disney aimed at male tweens. As part of the Disney Channel's Internet presence, Disney XD enjoys the best marketing can offer. The page displays colorful and often animated displays, buttons, and options. In addition, users can access games, create personal avatars, and watch videos of shows offered by Disney XD. In addition, the page links to other webpages, including ones regarding more popular shows, such as Phineas and Ferb, The Avengers, and Naruto.

Genre: Website

Reading Level: Most shows are rated TV-Y7 or TV-G

Similar Titles: Naruto Shippuden, Nickelodeon website

Personal Thoughts: The site enjoys high potential. Not only does it offer information about the channel, it also gives users an opportunity to socialize and play online in the relative safety of a Disney-based website. In addition, it does offer clips and full episodes of more popular shows, allowing users without cable to still enjoy them. However, the massive advertisements, particularly in the form of commercials during the videos, can be disconcerting. Also, navigating to particular programs tends to be a lengthy and frustrating endeavor.

Series of Unfortunate Events: The End

Snicket, Lemony. Series of Unfortunate Events: The End. New York: Harper Collins Publishers: 2006.

Plot: After marooning on an island with their nemesis, Count Olaf, the Baudelaire orphans find themselves welcomed into the island's society. While the islanders' refusal to accept or assist Olaf relieves the orphans, the strange customs of the island gradually cause them to rebel. Their rebellion results in their abandonment with the count and, unexpectedly, a very pregnant Kit Snicket. When the Baudelaires' seek weapons for a planned mutany, they are shocked to discover the history of their own parents on the island. The children must make their own decisions, which become increasingly complicated when a certain count releases the deadly spores of the Medusoid Mycelium.

Genre: Non-Fiction

Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Similar Titles: Series of Unfortunate Events

Personal Thoughts: Apparently, a lot of fans were disappointed by the novel. Many claim Snicket uses the subplots of the book as a cop-out and lament the poor ending to the series. I actually thought it finished the series very well. To paraphrase a much better writer than myself, "an ending should be unexpected and inevitable," and the novel manages to produce such an end to the series. The children discover the truth behind their parents' history. Count Olaf is defeated, but in a sympathetic manner. The poor choices of the children have real consequences, but their good decisions allow them to survive. Not all the subplots end happily or completely, yet they do reach an unexpected and inevitable point. The book also explains who the "Beatrice" described at the beginning of each novel is.

Phineas and Ferb

Phineas and Ferb, produced by Walt Disney Company

Plot: Phineas and his stepbrother, Ferb, want to experience the ultimate summer vacation. To accomplish their goal, they plan elaborate adventures and create unbelievable inventions. However, their older sister, Candace, is determined to expose their behavior to their mother. Meanwhile, Perry, the boys' pet platypus, works as a secret agent to stop the evil Dr. Doofenshmirtz from causing havoc. The climax of the Dr. and platypus' fights inevitably prevent Candace from busting the boys, leaving her stunned and stuttering at the end of every episode.

Genre: Cartoon

Reading Level: Rated G

Similar Titles: Spongebob Squarepants, Penguins of Madagascar

Personal Thoughts: While some reviewers complain about the show's repetitive nature, most viewers easily understand the cartoon's appeal. It is just a goofy, over-the-top, funny show. It does not try to take itself seriously. It does not discuss the horrors of being a tween or teen. It does not try to teach kids trivia. It simply focuses on entertaining its audience, and it does so very well.

P.S. Dreamworks dragon does not approve of your viewing of Disney Channel shows (you can just barely see him glaring at you over the computer screen).

Eywitness: Volcano

Eyewitness: Volcano. DVD produced by DK Publishing, 2007.

Plot: Based on the best-selling book series, the show, produced in 1997 and transitioned into DVD format in 2007, offers a study of the world's most powerful and destructive natural phenomena. Volcanoes shift the land in large explosions, releasing enormous amounts of ash, mud, gases, and lava. Yet, they also affect locals in a positive way. The ash provides nutrients for plants and compounds for industry and mining. The power of the volcanoes also form the basis of myth and culture. Presented through the "Eyewitness Museum," the DVD manages to copy the books' famous white backgrounds and solid information while displaying dynamic animation.

Genre: Documentary

Reading Level: Not rated, but good for middle schoolers.

Similar Titles: Eyewitness Series, Ring of Fire: IMAX, National Geographic: Volcano

Personal Thoughts: The DVD displays information cleanly and comprehensively. Sadly, most of the technological displays, like the "Eyewitness Museum" seem outdated. As a result, viewers used to more elaborate graphics may become disinterested.

In addition to the main show, the DVD offers a "Making of Eyewitness" section. The thirty minute subprogram shows the technology and film methods used to produce the programs. I found the explanations amazing. Technology, particularly in the entertainment industry, has changed so much in the past thirteen years. Tweens will probably like the show for its information, but I really enjoyed the retrospective.

Freak the Mighty

Philbrick, Rodman. Freak the Mighty. New York, N.Y. : Blue Sky Press, 1993.

Plot: Max is a big, slow, clumsy outcast. Kevin is a small, smart, crippled outcast. Yet, when they get together, they become more. They become Freak the Mighty, destroyer of dragons, bane of gangs, returner of purses, and swimmer of nasty mill ponds. The story follows the two misfits as they take on summer and, eventually, the school year. Ghosts from Max's family history threaten him, but with the help of Kevin, he escapes his homocidal father and confronts the death of his mother. Yet, when Kevin becomes increasingly weak and awaits a new biotic body being developed at a local hospital, Max begins to worry...

Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Similar Titles: Max the Mighty, Holes

Personal Thoughts: Another funny but sad book. The interactions between Max, Kevin, and the world at large are both humorous and believable. As a kid, I really enjoyed the book. Strangely, as an adult, the sadness in the book seems more powerful. It is strange. Adults (including myself, much to my frustration) often fear exposing children, teens, and tweens to sad or disturbing concepts, yet they often seem to cope with the issues better than "grown-ups" do. Not that I'm going to ask a kid to read something like Le Miserables or anything. I'm just surprised by their resilience.

The book was the inspiration for the movie, The Mighty. Even though the film bombed, it received high reviews.

The Tale of Despereaux

DiCamillo, Kate. The Tale of Desperaux. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press, 2006.

Plot: A little mouse with open eyes and huge ears is born to a family of mice living in a castle. While his family believes he represents the worst example of mousedom, he seems strangely content. However, when he commits the unforgivable sin of consorting with humans, particularly a princess known as Pea, he his condemned to death. As he is lead to the dungeon, he steps into a larger story. Pea's mother died six months earlier when a rat fell into her soup. The rat, known Chiaroscuro, becomes warped by the tragedy and vows revenge. His plans seem destined for success when an abused and gullible servant known as Mig expresses her longing to take the place of the princess. Despereaux must face his fears, his sorrows, his darkness, and his hate to save Pea.

Genre: Animals, Fantasy

Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Similar Titles: Because of Winn-Dixie, Charlotte's Web

Personal Thoughts: I was really surprised by how much I liked this book, particularly in light of its dark nature. People are abused, forgotten, ignored, and hated in the novel. Yet, I actually liked it more than Because of Winn-Dixie, another title by DiCamillo noted for its lighter subjects. I think I like the book more because it taps on a very unpopular but very necessary subject: forgiveness. Despereaux and Pea can only survive unscathed if they forgive the people (or rodents) that hurt them. The offenders cannot do anything to earn the forgiveness. Yet, if they could, would they need to be forgiven? However, refusing to forgive the terrible wrongs will only warp the hero and heroine. Forgiving may be hard, but it is the only way to really survive.

I think that truth is the one that struck me the most, since most books do not mention it. Forgiveness does not make as good a story as a quest for revenge. Yet, like the mouse and the princess, I need the capacity to forgive. To look past the flaws and see the hurt, warped, broken person behind the action. In many ways, this conclusion is revolutionary. No group agrees universally with a revolution, but it still comes when things need to change.

As a side note, the book provided the basis for a movie in 2008. It did not do well.

Nancy Drew: Riverboat Ruse

Keene, Carolyn. Nancy Drew: Riverboat Ruse. New York: Aladdin Paperbacks, 2005.

Plot: Nancy Drew is awestruck by the picturesque Magnolia Belle, a riverboat hosting a charity dinner. As she and her friends settle down for the evening mystery play, they are shocked by an abrupt, unscheduled blackout. When the lights return, a valuable necklace disappears. Nancy must make her way through the boat, its mysterious curse, its questionable staff, and its strange passengers to discover the thief.

Genre: Mystery

Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Similar Titles: Original Nancy Drew series, Hardy Boys

Personal Thoughts: I tried to like Nancy Drew. I really did. To give the series the best opportunity I could, I decided to read the "new" series, much like I did with the Hardy Boys. I think the original and the newer titles are the same. Nancy just does not strike me as believable. She gets the unquestionable approval of everyone except the passive-aggressive authority figures (very original *sarcasm*). Somehow, she manages to acquire unmentioned skills (such as long-distance swimming) just when she needs them. She searches rooms without permission or a warrant (good luck using such items in court, Kid). Also, she never seeks help from someone who actually has the legal rights to do something. Seriously. She depends on her friend to hack into police databases. Instead of contacting the chief of police, she has a friend, pardon, BOYFRIEND contact his father to snoop out the FBI. She does not address her concerns to the captain or any of the crew. AND SHE NEVER GETS IN TROUBLE. Somehow, all the laws and protocol she breaks never come back to haunt her. I would like Nancy Drew, but in the books I have read, she comes off as a Mary Sue.

Death By Field Trip

Amend, Bill. Death By Field Trip. Kansas City: Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2001.

Plot: A year's worth of Foxtrot comics. Each book follows the lives of the Fox family, which consists of Andie and Roger, the two parents; Peter, Paige, and Peter, the three kids; and Quincey, Jason's pet iguana. The arcs include numerous parodies, such as The Lord of the Rings movies, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, and How the Grinch Stole Chritmas. A good read with multiple references to popular culture and family relationships.

Genre: Comics

Reading Level: All ages

Similar Titles: Baby Blues,  Zits

Personal Thoughts: While some complain of the comic's repetition, it still provides an interesting read. Most readers can find someone in the comic to relate too, such as the video-game loving nerd Jason or the health-conscious mother Andie. While some of the jokes will be lost on younger readers (such as those who do not remember the chaos surrounding the announcement of the Lord of the Rings movies), it manages to maintain a relevant level of humor. As a side note, Amend stopped producing daily comics a few years ago, but his still makes Sunday comics weekly.

P.S.: Double points if you get why there's a Pokemon card in the picture.

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.