Al Capone Does My Shirts

Choldenko, Gennifer. Al Capone Does My Shirts. New York : G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2004.

Plot: Moose's life has never been easy. It becomes even more complicated when his family moves to Alcatraz. While his parents hope to get Moose's sister, Natalie, into a highly recommended school, Moose wishes he could leave the criminals and crazy warden to return to Santa Monica. His wish intensifies when the warden's daughter gets him and nearly every other junior higher on the island in trouble. To further complicate things, his mother wants him to watch Natalie while she teaches piano. Despite her three year seniority over Moose, Natalie requires the utmost care, especially with so many criminals in their own backyard. Yet, Natalie is not the only one in need of help. Moose must learn how to grow despite his stunted relationships with his parents.

Genre: Coming of Age, Historical Fiction

Reading Level: Ages 8-16

Similar Titles: Al Capone Shines My Shoes, A Year Down Yonder, Budd, Not Buddy

Personal Thoughts: The book is interesting, but I do not think I would have liked it as a tween. It tries to include too much. The novel's main themes involve Natalie's autism, the history of Alcatraz, Moose's issues with his mother, and coming of age. As a result, the novel becomes skewed, focusing on so many topics it fails to adequately address any, causing much of the setting's potential to fall by the wayside with an abrupt ending. The issue of growing up in Alcatraz, the inspiration for the novel's title, seems especially muted. In addition, despite the title's implications, the book is not particularly humorous and is, in fact, rather depressing. True, the novel does provide the necessary service of addressing past grievances and current issues, particularly regarding society's response to older autistics. Yet, it is not fun or easy to read about.

Changes for Molly: A Winter Story

Well...I forgot to mention this last time, but we will look at American Historical Fiction this week.

Tripp, Valarie and Backes, Nick. Changes for Molly: A Winter Story. Madison, Wis. : Pleasant Co., 1988.

Plot: After waiting for several years, Molly's family finally gets the letter they have longed for. Molly's father will be returning safely after serving his country as a doctor during World War II. His letter expresses how he missed his family, and how he eagerly waits to see the changes in his children. Molly, however, has not changed. She is still plain old Molly. Determined to greet her father perfectly, Molly tries out for the dance show at the veterin's hospital. She receives the star role after changing her stick-straight hair into bright curls. She is convinced everything will be perfect. Yet, perfection often comes at a price.


Genre: Historical Fiction, Coming of Age


Reading Level: Ages 9-12


Similar Titles: The Struggle, Missing in Action, The Art of Keeping Cool

Personal Thoughts: A light read that offers a link between historical issues and perminent concerns. Many works of historical fiction focus on the participants of World War II, but this member of the American Girls series takes note of the majority of the families in the war. Molly never spies on the Germans, falls in love with the enemy, or works for the government. Instead, she struggles with growing up, learns to work in a strained situation, and participates in community services. Reading the novel provides insight to the life of the everyman (everygirl?) in WWII. Also, the novel looks into topics still facing girls, particularly the desire to be "grown up." Molly wants her father to see how she has grown, but her appearance does not reveal the maturity she has accomplished. People still struggle with looks and growing, so the novel can still be applicable post-war.


A section at the end of the novel provides a brief historical review of the story's setting.

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.

Tiger Eyes

Blume, Judy. Tiger Eyes. New York : Dell Pub. Co., 1981.

Plot: After the brutal murder of her father, Davey and her remaining family are locked in deep sorrow. Seeking assistance, her mother takes her two children to the safety of her brother's New Mexican home. Davey, with the help of Wolf, a young hiker, eventually faces her grief. Her journey through the mourning process faces challenges, as she faces her depressed mother, overprotective relatives, alcoholic friend, paranoid community, and racist neighbors. Life without her father will not be easy, but Davey may learn to grow into a woman capable of handling sorrow without losing herself in the maze of fears and escapism surrounding her.

Genre: Edgy, Coming of Age, Society, High School

Reading Level: Ages 10-13

Similar Titles: It's Not Summer without You: A Summer Novel, A Time for Dancing, Wrecked

Personal Thoughts: As an adult, I thought the novel portrayed the stages of grief in a clear and sympathetic manner. However, I hated the novel as a tween. To me, the story seemed to offer a mish-mash of alcohol, teen angst, rebellion, and anger issues, not a story of grief.  I am not entirely sure why I like the novel more as an adult than as a tween. Perhaps learning about psychology helped me understand Davey's actions better. Maybe age gave me the maturity necessary to recognize the logic behind the protagonist's responses. Experiencing some grief of my own may allow me to appreciate the story. However, the answer may be much simpler. Perhaps, despite the popular insistence that tweens are emotionally mature, they just do not understand things the manner way an older reader will.

I do not think I would recommend this book. For someone experiencing grief, the novel seems like a parody of sorrow under layers of social issues. If someone has not experience loss, an actual biography may be more beneficial. Overall, the book is good, but not particularly useful.

Three Musketeers and Changes

Summer exploded in my face a bit, but we finally chugged through The Three Musketeers. The time did, however, give me an opportunity to re-evaluate the state of the blog. While I enjoy the freedom of an open reading blog, more focus could enhance the quality and direction of the site. So, I am going to revert to the original purpose of the blog (minus the grading issues). Starting next week, the blog will focus on materials aimed at or useful to tweens, the age group between 8 and 13.

Most tweens have returned to school. While recommended reading will wait (probably until the first full week of September), I would like to conduct an experiment. The Internet provides a growing number of students with resources. A developing resource comes through online question and answer pages. Next week, we will ask a simple question: What is a qat? and judge AskColorado, Yahoo! Answers, Answers.com, and AskKids according to the following criteria:

1. Accuracy (+1)
2. Direction to further information (other sites, books, etc.) (+1 per resource)
3. Speed of response (+1 if given within 24 hours)

Points will be taken away for:

1. Inaccuracy (-1)
2. Joke, troll, or unrelated responses (-1 per response)
3. Direction to Wikipedia (-1)

My reasons for downgrading Wikipedia directions are threefold. Wikipedia is not an official source, so most school assignments will not accept it. Furthermore, anyone can change a Wikipedia page, for good or for "lolz," so accuracy is not guaranteed. Also, once Wikipedia revealed that tsunamis are caused by yo mama. I really should have taken a screenshot of that. Anyway, it killed my faith in Wikipedia, so I will not consider it an acceptable resource.

Anyway, onward!

Treasure Island

Stevenson, Robert Louis. Treasure Island. New York : Scribner, 1981.


Plot: Jim Hawkins unintentionally becomes heir to a legendary treasure map when a sea-going stranger dies unexpectedly. He, with the local doctor and squire, set off to find the wealth. While the company eagerly seeks the treasure, they find themselves on board the Hispanola with a motley crew of questionable seamen, a strict captain, and a cheerful cook known as Long John Silver. The boat's occupants have their own agenda, though, and the island housing the treasure is not quite as deserted as initially thought.

Genre: Treasure Island, Adventure, Coming of Age, Historical Fiction

Reading Level: Ages 9-12; although some readers may be discouraged by the technical and old fashioned writing.

Similar Titles: Tales of Zorro, The Angel's Command, The Guns of Tortuga

Personal Thoughts: My ninja-loving bias will have to be suppressed this week.

Anyway, many consider this book to be the epitome of children's adventure literature. Due to the age and popularity of the novel, the belief seems justified. However, many modern books, such as Hatchet, Island of the Blue Dolphins, and Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief, also capture adventure, but in a more accessible manner. The story requires several chapters describing the setting of the novel, and the action waits until nearly a third of the book. I would recommend the title to active readers. However, reluctant readers will most likely find lengthy set-up of the novel discouraging or boring. Another title may offer a more satisfying experience for newer readers.

Nurse Matilda

Brand, Christianna and Ardizzone, Edward. Nurse Matilda. New York : Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2005.


Plot: The Brown children are incredibly naughty! After driving away every nanny, governess, and nursery maid in town, the Browns find themselves desperate for any solution. Nurse Matilda, a mysterious, hideous nanny, is the solution. While she has strict conditions for her work, she gains the results the Browns hoped for. With a bang of her black walking stick, the children find themselves launched into unreal situations caused by their own misbehavior. Yet, as they learn how their actions affect others, the children learn to be good, which has a surprising effect on Nurse Matilda.  

Genre: Nannies, Children, Fantasy, Tweens

Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Similar Titles: 17 Things I'm Not Allowed to Do Anymore, How Not to Babysit Your Brother, Mary Poppins

Personal Thoughts: The book combines surreal naughtiness with startling sorcery to get an expected but still surprising resolution. Through Nurse Matilda's lessons, the children do learn to behave. Yet the path to the change remains unexpectedly entertaining.

The book also provided the basis for the 2005 film Nanny McPhee, which received favorable reviews and led to a sequel in 2010.

Baba Yaga & the Wise Doll

Oram, Hiawyn. Baba Yaga & the Wise Doll. New York : Dutton Children's Books, 1998.


Plot: Too Nice, desperate for respect from her peers, is forced to approach Baba Yaga, a witch eager to remind the girl of her place. The witch forces Too Nice to perform a series of impossible tasks or be eaten. Yet, through the gift of a doll, Too Nice succeeds and even gains the witch's favor.

Genre: Fairy Tales, Picture Books

Reading Level: Ages 9-12.

Similar Titles: Vasilisa the Beautiful, The Black Swans, Mossycoat

Personal Thoughts: The book retells the Russian folktale, Vasilisa the Beautiful, in a child-friendly manner. The original is a bit like a Cinderella story, except instead of going to the ball, the heroine visits a witch that unexpectedly takes out the stepmother and stepsisters in possibly one of the most over-the-top sequences in fairy tale history (I am not going to give it away. Look it up.). The retelling is pretty well illustrated and executed, but the last sentence of the story "And Too Nice - not surprisingly after all she'd been through - stopped being too nice and become...well...Just About Right" seems really...well...pointless. I understand the reasoning behind including it. Many storytellers wish to show how a character grows through the conflicts of the story. However, the tale never really takes her through the process of change, so it is unseemly abrupt. Also, it seems to imply too nice is a negative without really explaining why. Is Oram trying to caution readers about being courteous? Submissive? Generous? Goody-goody? Individualistic? Unaccepted? Unfortunately, readers typically consider the last part of a story to be the most meaningful, and Oram ends the story on a blurry commentary on ideal behavior.

The Sleeping Beauty

Hyman, Trina. The Sleeping Beauty. Boston : Little, Brown and Company, 1977.

Plot: A retelling of the French fairy tale, The Sleeping Beauty in the Wood. After years of waiting, a king and queen finally have a child, a little girl. The princess is blessed by fairies, but one, feeling slighted by the king, places a curse on the child. Before she is sixteen, she will die by touching a spindle. However, another fairy manages to reduce the curse into a plague of sleep. The princess and her castle sleep for a century before a prince manages to arrive when she awakens.

Genre: Fairy Tales, Picture Books

Reading Level: Aimed at 9-12 year-olds, but adults may want to caution younger readers due to scary illustrations.

Similar Titles: Red Riding Hood, Snow White, Beauty and the Beast

Personal Thoughts: Most renditions of this story fall into two categories: the original or the clean. The clean version is, in essence, the "Disney" version. The original, like many first editions of fairy tales, is gory. The "Disney" version actually ends in the middle of the original, which continues after the awakening into a complex tale of the princess versus a cannablistic in-law armed with a snake pit. Both stories probably have something to their merit, but this particular retelling tries take a middle path through both versions. It does not work. The result is a story that is too intense for younger readers but too simple for older ones. There are better retellings available.

Side Note: Toothless is going to eat the prince.

The Golden Slipper: A Vietnamese Legend

Lum, Darrell. The Golden Slipper: A Vietnamese Legend. Mahwah, N.J. : Troll Associates, 1994.

Plot: A Cinderella-esque story from Vietnam. This retelling focuses on Tam, a hardworking, first daughter of a rice farmer. While she is kind and generous, her stepmother treats her cruely, favoring her own daughter, Cam. While Cam enjoys treats, cloths, and play, Tam must take care of the house and fields. Despite her misfortune, change comes through her kindness and a remarkable brocade shoe...

Genre: Fairy Tales, Picture Books

Reading Level: Ages 9-12, but younger readers may enjoy it as well.

Similar Titles: The Sea King, Children of the Dragon: Selected Tales from Vietnam 

Personal Thoughts: The Cinderella story is perhaps one of the most universal fairy tales in the world. Nearly every culture offers some variation of a neglected but kind daughter given the respect and blessings she deserves. This retelling captures the goodness of the protagonist through her actions and the actions of her relatives. The pictures assist the story, offering pretty illustrations focusing on the royal colors of gold and yellow in an unusual, mosaic fashion. As such, the capture the attention of the readers, even if they do not have experience with Vietnamese culture. Overall, this offers the comfort of a familiar concept as a lens into an unfamiliar culture. As such, it can benefit young readers.

Side Note: Why is Jerome holding a dollar? Simple. I wanted to get your attention.

The Boy Who Drew Cats

Hodges, Margaret. The Boy Who Drew Cats. New York : Holiday House, 2002.

Plot: Unlike most of his family, Sesshu Toyo does not possess the strength to help on the farm. However, he is very clever, so his parents send him to become a priest. While he lives up to their expectations, he also harbors a fault. He loves to draw cats, even when he should study. His passion leads to his failure as a priest, but also a gateway to his destiny within an abandoned temple.

Genre: Picture Books, Fairy Tales, Animals

Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Similar Titles: Cats of Myths, The Flying Canoe, Puss in Boots

Personal Thoughts: This is one of my favorite fairy tales, and Hodges does it justice. The boy is understandable, the priest is authorative, and the cats are noble. The illustrations also serve the story well. The artist, Ari Sogabe, mimics traditional Japanese watercolors, adding to the exotic feel of the story and adding to the artistic themes of the tale.

Hatchet

Paulsen, Gary. Hatchet. New York: Bradbury Press, 1987.

Plot: On the way to visit his father in the oil wells of Canada, Brian finds himself in the worst-case scenario. The pilot suffers a heart attack and dies. Brian manages to land the plane, but finds himself lost and alone in the Canadian wilderness. His only tools are his tattered, wet clothes and his small hatchet, bought by his mother. He survives by learning to hunt, fish, make shelter, and create fire with his meager provisions. Yet, even with his survival at risk, he cannot forget the Secret. The Secret caused him to visit his father. The Secret caused his parents to divorce and separate with a national border between them. Yet, the Secret cannot stop him from surviving.

Reading Level: 6-8 grade

Genre: Adventure, Survival

Similar Titles: Julie of the Wolves, Brian’s Return, Sign of the Beaver

Personal Thoughts: The book won a Newbery Honor Award. However, I did not care for it. While this novel covered physiological issues, such as secrets, parental relationships, and coming of age, much of the emotion seems tacked on, almost like the "drama" in a reality-television series. The fact that a boy finds himself in a struggle for survival makes enough conflict for a novel by itself. The family issues fail to add depth or genuine sympathy for the protagonist. Additionally, Brian seems artificially mature and aloof, particularly in comparison to CC from Chinese Cinderella and the Secret Dragon Society, Sam from My Side of the Mountain,  or Karana from Island of the Blue Dolphins. Unlike the other heroes, never really appears to be a child. Rather, he is an “adult in a kid’s body.” The other protagonists' changes were more gradual and believable. Even so, the novel does present the challenges of survival as challenges. Nothing comes automatically or easily, so that aspect of the story is realistic. Apparently, two sequels came as a result of Hatchet’s success. The novel also provided the basis for Cry in the Wild, a movie made in 1990.

Dragons of Blueland

Gannet, Ruth. Dragons of Blueland. New York : Knopf : Distributed by Random House, 1987.

Plot: The novel actually consists of three books, My Father's Dragon and two sequels. Elmer Elevator finally fulfills his dream to fly after assisting an imprisoned baby dragon. However, escape merely provides the beginning of the pair's adventures. Shortly after evading the cruel animals of Wild Island, the boy and dragon discover treasure with the help of a long-missing friend. Later, Elmer comes to the assistance of the young dragon when his family is threatened by hunters.

Genre: Fantasy, Adventure

Reading Level: Aimed at ages 9-12, but younger readers may enjoy listening to the book or observing the illustrations.

Similar Titles: Kiki's Delivery Service, The Dragonling, The Warm Place

Personal Thoughts: Like many sequels, the book does not enjoy quite as much attention as the original, which is unfortunate. The stories logically follow the tale from the first book while expanding the characters and situations inevitably and unexpectedly. Elmer's history and the dragon's personality naturally flow into the situations presented by the tales which, like the first, are reminiscent of old cartoons and backyard adventures. Highly recommended as a read-out-loud or bedtime story book.

Side note: I could not take a picture of Jerome looking at the book because he kept falling off of the chair.

Howliday Inn

Howe, James. Howliday Inn. New York : Atheneum, 1982.

Plot: A sequel to Bunnicula. While the Monroes go on a car trip, Chester the cat and Harold the dog find themselves boarded at Chateau Bow-Wow. Despite Mrs. Monroe's assurance that adventure is good for the soul, the pair of pets discover slew of strange situations awaiting them, including a love triangle between two poodles and a bulldog, a clash  between the kennel's staff, and a strangely absent vet. The situation becomes worse when two wire-haired dachshunds keep the boarding house awake with their howls, making Chester suspect some werewolf genes exist in their background. Chester's over-active imagination becomes even more irregular when an unpopular boarder unexpectedly disappears. However, his response may not be quite as strange as initially suspected, particularly when another animal vanishes...

Genre: Animals, Mystery

Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Similar Titles: Bunnicula, The Original Adventures of Hank the Cowdog, The Buddy Files series

Personal Thoughts: While I am especially found of the novel now, I adored it during middle school. It provides a simple, but unexpected mystery and can be a good introduction to the genre. Additionally, the storyline is believable and the twists, while surprising, remain in character with the initial introductions. Overall, a solid sequel to the original.

Mr. Popper's Penguins

Atwater, Richard; Atwater, Florence; and Lawson, Robert. Mr. Popper's Penguins. Boston : Little, Brown and Co., 1938.


Plot: While Mr. Popper works as a painter, he dreams of being an explorer, particularly in Antarctica. After sending a letter to his hero, Mr. Popper receives an unexpected and wonderful gift - a real, live penguin from the South Pole. The penguin, later named Captain Cook, transforms the Poppers' household. After Greta, a female penguin, arrives, the number of penguins unexpectedly grows to twelve. Yet, the Poppers cannot afford to feed and cool so many Arctic birds. After much consideration, the Poppers wonder if the antics of the penguins themselves may solve the problem. Much to the surprise of many, they do!

Genre: Animals, Penguins

Reading Level: Apparently aimed at ages 9-12, but younger readers may appreciate it as well.

Similar Titles: The Cricket in Times Square, From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, My Father's Dragon

Personal Thoughts: While the novel is slightly dated, it continues to gain fans. Part of this is due to the classic story of a little man pursuing his dreams and succeeding. However, the penguins significantly contribute to the popularity of the story as well. The novel would not enjoy nearly as much success if it focused on dogs, pigs, or parrots. Penguins are foreign. They are also adorable. So the concept of a cute but strange creature in an urban setting continues to enchant and amuse readers.

The book received a Newbury Award.

As of this writing, a movie based on the novel is in the works. However, it seems to vary widely from the original source.

Random note: The penguins in the book are Adélie penguins, one of only two that live directly on Antarctica (the other is the emperor penguin, of March of the Penguins fame).

Justin Morgan Had a Horse

Henry, Marguerite Henry. Justin Morgan Had a Horse . Chicago : Rand McNally, 1954.

Plot: Joel Goss, much to his delight, is allowed to "gentle" Little Bud, a tiny foal given to his schoolmaster to cancel a debt. However, the realities of horsemanship mean Bub will work hard for other owners. Nevertheless, Joel is determined to one day own the horse that managed to out-work, out-pull, and out-race every challenger. His dedication eventually allows him to keep the foal he once cared for, and lead to the creation of a breed representing the United States.

Genre: Historical Fiction, Animals, Coming of Age

Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Similar Titles: King of the Wind, Black Beauty, Misty of Chincoteague

Personal Thoughts: The book won a Newbury Honor.

Like many of Henry's novels, the story focuses on a horse and how it affected its child caretakers. Unfortunately, it does not relay the actual history of the Morgan breed well. Apparently, the "first" Morgan was a stallion named Figure. Figure's lineage, as implied by the novel, remains debatable. However, he was not a random farm horse. Justin Morgan actually bred horses, including the stallion that eventually took his name. To learn more about the history of the Morgan horse, please view here and here.

My Father's Dragon

Gannett, Ruth Stiles. My Father's Dragon. New York : Random House, 1948.

Plot: Elmer Elevator longs to fly one day. While he expects he will have to wait until he is grown up to reach his dream, a stray cat offers another way. On Wild Island, a baby dragon is forced by lazy jungle animals to work as a ferry. If the boy frees him from the inhabitants of the island, the dragon will certainly allow the boy to ride his back. Armed with six hair ribbons, toothpaste, bubble gum, rubber bands, and two dozen pink lollipops, Elmer sets out to free the dragon.

Genre: Fantasy, Animals

Reading Level: Ages 9-12 (but younger readers will probably enjoy it if someone reads it to them).

Similar Titles: The Dragons of Blueland, Mr. Poppers Penguins, The Little Prince, Peter and the Wolf

Personal Thoughts: The title won a Newbury Honor.

Simply put, reading the book is fun. It reminds me of the cartoons I watched as a child. The descriptions of the animals and the pictures appear like old-fashioned animations. Additionally, the story focuses on nothing other than being a good story. Instead of artificially creating drama through moral dilemmas or emotional outbursts, Gannett simply describes a story about a boy on an adventure. Apparently, the effort of storytelling reached international acclaim. The novel provided the basis for a anime in 1997 (it was not published in the United States).

Since the copywrite has expired, the book can also be downloaded at: Project Glutenberg.

Side note: of course dragons like daffodils.

The Cat Who Went to Heaven

Coatsworth, Elizabeth Jane. The Cat Who Went to Heaven. New York : Macmillan 1958.


Plot: A poor artist reluctantly yields to his housekeeper's desire to keep a small calico kitten. Despite the stigma against cats as unholy, Good Fortune (as the housekeeper calls her) shows pious tendencies, such as releasing sparrows and meditating before the household's shrine. When the artist receives a request from the local temple to paint a portrait of the dying Buddha, he pours his efforts, time, and very soul into the project that may establish him. Good Fortune watches and appears to encourage him, until she realizes he will not paint a cat. According to Buddhist belief, cats refused the teaching and cannot enter Nirvana. Yet, Good Fortune does not show anger or vindictiveness. Instead, she appears depressed and seems to cry. After spending days reflecting on the Buddha to create the portrait, the artist realizes the need for compassion. Despite the religious and economic pressures, he paints a cat in the picture, realizing it will cost him his future.

Or will it?

Genre: Fiction, Animals, Folklore

Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Similar Titles: The Boy Who Painted Cats, King of the Wind

Personal Thoughts: According to some of the reviews on Amazon.com, some people find the Newbury Metal winner offensive because the people are mean to cats, the cat dies, and the people are exclusive. I think such reviews miss the point. Yes, the cat dies. Yes, people are mean to the cat. Yes, some kids probably will not like the book because of that. Yet, the story also brings up important concepts like mercy, compassion, and courage.

Often, people encourage each other to do the right thing through stories. The prince saves the princess. The girl stands up for herself. The little group changes the world. Such stories are good and should be told. Yet, it seems most tales neglect the cost of such actions, such as physical pain, social intolerance, and long-lasting consequences. To show compassion, the artist risks ridicule, poverty, and dishonor. Yet, he does not regret it. His actions were worth taking because they were right and compassionate, even if no one ever acknowledges or even understands them. Only after he runs the risk does he find the glory.

The story is not about one good cat. It is about realizing what is right and doing it, no matter the consequences.

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.