"B is for Betsy" by Carolyn Haywood

I just finished reading this book to my young daughters. We all enjoyed it quite a bit, so I had to write a recommendation.

"B" Is for Betsy
Author: Carolyn Haywood
Age Level: 5-10 years

Betsy is very anxious about starting first grade. However, she soon discovers that school can be a wonderful place. This story relates Betsy's adventures as she goes through a year of school. She makes many new friends and learns some important lessons.

Despite the fact that this book is obviously dated, it is a delightful story. Children will enjoy the many little adventures Betsy has over the course of the story. As a parent, I appreciated the values that this book espoused: learning to be thankful, being generous, admitting wrongdoing, and asking for forgiveness. The stories were simple and wholesome. My only complaint is that the chapters tended to end quite abruptly. However, I would highly recommend this book to children in the primary grades. I intend to read more of Carolyn Haywood's books to my children, beginning with: Betsy and Billy, Back to School with Betsy, and Betsy and the Boys.

Christmas Books

Here are a few of my favorite picture books to read to my young children at Christmastime:

Room for a Little One
Author: Martin Waddell
Illustrator: Jason Cockcroft

Night Tree
Author: Eve Bunting
Illustrator: Ted Rand

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey
Author: Susan Wojciechowski
Illustrator: P.J. Lynch

The Polar Express
Author & Illustrator: Chris Van Allsburg

Great Joy
Author: Kate DiCamillo
Illustrator: Bagram Ibatoulline

Stories from Jan Brett's Christmas Treasury


For older children and adults, I would recommend:

The Gift of the Magi
Author: O. Henry
Illustrator: P.J. Lynch

A Christmas Carol
Author: Charles Dickens

"The Ruins of Gorlan" by John Flanagan

I chose to review this book because this series has been so popular recently.

The Ruins of Gorlan (Ranger's Apprentice, Book 1)
Author: John Flanagan
Genre: Fantasy
Age Level: 11-15 years

When Will is left on the steps of Castle Redmont as an infant, he is adopted as a ward of Baron Arald. He has grown up believing his father was a great warrior who died a hero's death. More than anything, Will wants to go to Battleschool and follow in his father's footsteps. Now Will is turning fifteen and it is Choosing Day. When Will discovers that he will not go to Battleschool as he had hoped, but has instead been apprenticed to the mysterious ranger, Halt, he is devastated. However, as he slowly becomes acquainted with Halt and the ways of a ranger, he realizes that he has an important role to play. And when the evil Morgorath sends the terrifying kalkara out on a killing mission, Will's new skills are put to the test.

Readers ought to know that this book is primarily a coming-of-age story. I predict that it may be a bit too slow for some boys, as the action and suspense don't pick up until close to the end of the book. The focus is on Will's character development as he gradually realizes that he doesn't have to be a knight to be a hero. As he matures, he learns more about his personal history and comes to understand and respect his mentor. Due to this focus on character development, there isn't much action/adventure for most of the book.

I also felt that the coming-of-age storyline was at times a bit too self-conscious and the characters a bit too stereotypical. While these shortcomings most likely will not trouble the targeted audience, I fear that it means this book will not become an enduring classic; a fantasy that both adults and youth can enjoy and appreciate.

Having said all that, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this book to readers, particularly boys, in the targeted age range. Mr. Flanagan has created an enjoyable world with an interesting premise, especially for those who like rangers. I also appreciated that the adults in his novel were positive figures; role models to respect and emulate.

ABC Books

There are hundreds of ABC books. Here are a few titles that my preschooler has enjoyed reading:

Animalia
Author/Illustrator: Graeme Base
Find animals and objects beginning with one of the letters of the alphabet on every page. And don't forget to look for the author himself.

Creature ABC
Author/Photographer: Andrew Zuckerman
The wonderful photographs of animals makes this book worth checking out.

Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten
Author: Joseph Slate
Illustrator: Ashley Wolff
My preschooler loves this book! A cute way to introduce the letters, some animals, and reassure children who have fears about going to school.

Alphabet Soup
Author/Illustrator: Scott Gustafson
Otter invites his animal friends to bring their favorite ingredients for an alphabet soup house-warming party.

G is for Goat
Author/Illustrator: Patricia Polacco
An ABC book all about goats.

Paddington's A B C
Author: Michael Bond
Illustrator: John Lobban
In order to emphasize the letter sounds, I read this one using the following pattern: A says [a] as in [a] [a] apple.

"The Lightning Thief" by Rick Riordan

I chose to review this book because this series has been so popular recently.

The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1)
Author: Rick Riordan
Genre: Fantasy
Age Level: 10-14 years

By all outward appearances, Percy Jackson is a troubled youth. He has ADHD, dyslexia, and he is about to be expelled from his sixth school. After a series of disconcerting events, he discovers that he is a half-blood (his father is a Greek god) and he lands at a summer camp for children in similar circumstances. Just when he is starting to finally feel at home, he is given a special sign and is assigned a dangerous quest. Can Percy succeed in his quest and save the world from another terrible war?

This is an exciting and fast-paced adventure that I am sure most kids would find entertaining. I enjoyed it despite the almost shameless similarities to the Harry Potter series. The author has used the same successful formula implemented by J.K. Rowling. Some obvious parallels include, but are certainly  not limited to: (1) the main characters are children who have special powers who must go to a school (summer camp in this instance) to learn how to hone their skills, (2) the supporting characters include a smart girl and a somewhat awkward boy, (3) the children are divided into houses - those of one house being very antagonistic toward the main character.

This book is very episodic, particularly in the middle part when the three main characters are on their way across the US and confront one monster after another. I also thought the ending was rather anticlimactic. Neither did I care for the voice. Written from 12-year-old Percy's perspective, the pre-teen jargon was overwhelming and I grew weary of it quite quickly. However, I have to admit that this is the first children's book I have read in a while that interested me enough to be willing to read the other books in the series. The bottom line is this is a fun book that young readers will enjoy, but it is not fantastic literature.

"Caddie Woodlawn" by Carol Ryrie Brink

Here is yet another review in my series on the Newberry Award.

Caddie Woodlawn
Author: Carol Ryrie Brink
Age Level: 9-12 years
Newberry Award: 1936

Carol Ryrie Brink used to love sitting at her grandmother's knee listening to stories of her pioneer childhood in Wisconsin. She enjoyed the stories so much that she decided to compile them into this historical fiction about Caddie Woodlawn. The first paragraph of the novel provides a good summary:

"In 1864 Caddie Woodlawn was eleven, and as wild a little tomboy as ever ran the woods of western Wisconsin. She was the despair of her mother and of her elder sister, Clara. But her father watched her with a little shine of pride in his eyes, and her brothers accepted her as one of themselves without a question. Indeed, Tom, who was two years older, and Warren, who was two years younger than Caddie, needed Caddie to link them together into an inseparable trio. Together they got in and out of more scrapes and adventures than any one of them could have imagined alone. And in those pioneer days, Wisconsin offered plenty of opportunities for adventure to three wide-eyed, red-headed youngsters."

This book was one of my personal favorites as a child. I was curious to read it again to see if I enjoyed it as much as an adult. It did not disappoint. Reminiscent of the Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder, it records the adventures of Caddie and her brothers over the course of one year. Ms. Brink portrays Caddie as a young girl who gradually matures and comes to recognize the honor of a "woman with a wise and understanding heart, healthy in body and honest in mind." The novel contains a satisfying blend of descriptive and contemplative passages interwoven with exciting adventures and plenty of humor. Although the protagonist is a girl, I suspect that both boys and girls would enjoy this read. I would highly recommend it.

Maj Lindman

Swedish author and illustrator, Maj Lindman, wrote a series of books telling stories about the triplet sisters Flicka, Ricka, and Dicka as well as several books about triplet brothers Snipp, Snapp, and Snurr. These are sweet stories for young children with simple messages about doing the right thing. Readers will enjoy the brightly colored illustrations and realistic adventures of these youths. I would encourage you to check these out:

Flicka, Ricka, Dicka and the New Dotted Dresses
Flicka, Ricka, Dicka and the Three Kittens
Flicka, Ricka, Dicka and the Strawberries
Flicka, Ricka, Dicka Bake a Cake
Flicka, Ricka, Dicka and the Little Dog
Flicka, Ricka, Dicka and the Big Red Hen
Flicka, Ricka, Dicka and Their New Friend
Flicka, Ricka, Dicka and Their New Skates

Snipp, Snapp, Snurr Learn to Swim
Snipp, Snapp, Snurr and the Yellow Sled
Snipp, Snapp, Snurr and the Red Shoes
Snipp, Snapp, Snurr and the Buttered Bread
Snipp, Snapp, Snurr, and the Gingerbread
Snipp, Snapp, Snurr and the Reindeer

"When You Reach Me" by Rebecca Stead

This is my second review in a series on the Newberry Award books. (See previous post for introduction to series.) I began with an older book and have now selected a very recent award recipient.

When You Reach Me
Author: Rebecca Stead
Age Level: 11-14 years
Newberry Award: 2010

It is 1978 in New York City and sixth-grader, Miranda, is grappling with common childhood issues such as negotiating friendships, growing independence, and socioeconomic concerns. In the midst of it all, she receives a series of mysterious notes by someone claiming that he or she is coming to save her friend's life. Miranda is more than a little perplexed, particularly when it becomes apparent that the author of these notes knows things that no one could possibly know...because they haven't happened yet. Can Miranda fit the pieces of the puzzle together?

I was surprised that this book had won the Newberry Award. I thought it was a good, but not a great, book. I had a difficult time identifying why this book left me feeling flat and decided to skim through it a second time in an attempt to glean more from it, to no avail. I had two primary criticisms of this novel. First, it seemed the author couldn't decide if she wanted to write a coming-of-age story or a science fiction mystery. The result was that, on the one hand, several of the subplots, on which a significant amount of time was spent, did not add much to the central storyline. On the other hand, while there were clever elements of the mystery/time travel aspect of the story, it wasn't very well calculated and the resolution felt anticlimactic. Second, although the various characters were realistic, they were not well-developed enough to explain some puzzling behavior from several of them.

In the end, When You Reach Me was not a bad book, just not as interesting as it promised to be. If you do decide to read it, I would suggest reading A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle first since there are several allusions to this story throughout the novel.

"The Dark Frigate"

This is my first review in a series on the Newberry Award books. (See previous post for introduction to series.)

The Dark Frigate
Author: Charles Boardman Hawes
Age Level: 12+ years
Newberry Award: 1924

Young Philip Marsham has been bred to the sea. When his father dies, leaving him an orphan, and a gun accident forces him to flee for his life, Phil finds himself in the company of a fellow sailor. The two make their way on foot to the port town of Devon where they secure a berth on a frigate called the Rose of Devon. The ship is eventually seized by pirates and Phil is forced to stand by and witness their numerous villainous acts. In the midst of storms and battles, Phil struggles to save the ship, all the while searching for an opportunity to escape.

This is an exciting tale about adventure on the high seas. Although the beginning is a bit slow and the pacing is awkward at the end, the greater part of this tale is very entertaining. The characters are well-developed and complex. The pirates are thoroughly wicked yet also have their own warped sense of honor among "gentlemen of fortune". The story is set in 17th century England and the author did extensive research to make his tale as true to life as possible. The language, particularly the dialogue and nautical vocabulary, can be difficult, yet very authentic. I imagine that this would be a great book to listen to on CD, if you can find it. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and would recommend it to anyone age 12 or older, keeping in mind that there are some very unsavory characters.

Newberry Medal Books

Introduction to Series:

I thought it would be an enjoyable project to read and review the Newberry Medal Books (first awarded in 1922). I have no plans to proceed in any particular order. However, I will most likely attempt to alternate between the early medal winners and the more recent award recipients. If there is a particular title about which you are curious, please feel free to request it. I will do my best to provide a prompt review.

For more information about this award and how the winning books are selected, you can visit the American Library Association (ALA) website found here.

Check back soon for my first review.

Virginia Lee Burton

Virginia Lee Burton (1909-1968) is one of my favorite authors. She had the wonderful ability to personify inanimate objects and endow them with very human emotions. I also appreciate the themes and values she addressed in her books. I loved these books as a child and my children enjoy them still. Her seven self-illustrated books are ideal for children ages 4 to 8 years, although even older kids may enjoy them.

Calico the Wonder Horse, or the Saga of Stewy Stinker
This book is a good old-fashioned western drama written in early comic book style. Calico and her faithful owner, Hank, have many adventures as they try to outwit Stewy Stinker and his Bad Men. This tale has humor, suspense, and is utterly unbelievable. My children love it!

Choo Choo
This is the story of a little engine named Choo Choo. One day she decides that she is tired of pulling heavy coaches all day long. She wants to be free and show off to everyone, so she runs away. Ultimately, Choo Choo learns an important lesson about independence and being responsible. This is a great read!

Katy and the Big Snow
Katy is a tractor who helps repair roads in the summer and plow snow in the winter. When there is a huge blizzard that buries the entire town, the people of Geoppolis can depend on Katy to rescue them. A good story highlighting the importance of determination and perseverance.

Life Story
As the subtitle proclaims, this is "the story of life on our Earth from its beginning up to now." It is very cleverly written as a play in five acts; the first act covers billions of years while the last act follows the passage of only one year. Please be aware that, in this book, the author wholly subscribes to the theory of evolution. Regardless of your worldview, this book would be an interesting way to introduce your children to our culture's predominant views of the origins of life.

The Little House
This is my personal favorite. It is an endearing tale about a little house who is curious to see the city, only to discover one day that the city has surrounded her. It is not what she imagined it would be. She realizes that her heart's desire is to return to "the country on a hill covered with daisies and apple trees growing around" where she can see the moon and stars at night and watch the seasons change. Reading this story always leaves me feeling nostalgic for the simplicity and beauty of the country. I highly recommend this book.

Maybelle the Cable Car
In this story, Ms. Burton celebrates the efforts of the people of San Francisco to save their cable cars. The cadence and rhyme of this story make it an enjoyable one to read aloud. After introducing this book to my children for the first time, they immediately requested that we visit San Francisco to ride the cable cars.

Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel 
This is probably the most well-known of Ms. Burton's works, and rightfully so. It is a wonderful story about the inseparable team of Mike Mulligan and his steam shovel Mary Anne. The timelessness of this classic tale is due to the author's ability to illicit strong emotions from the reader: suspense, elation, despair, and eventually triumph. What a great read!

Discovering Picture Books as an Adult

The following are picture books that I did not discover until I was an adult. They have become some of my favorites and I am always happy to read them when my children request them.

Something From Nothing
Author and Illustrator: Phoebe Gilman
Genre: Picture Book
Age Level: 4-8 years

"When Joseph was a baby, his grandfather made him a wonderful blanket..." As Joseph grows older and wears out his precious gift, his grandfather transforms it into ever smaller items until finally he is left with only enough material for one final alteration.

Children will enjoy the repetition and cadence of Ms. Gilman's retelling of this Jewish folktale. The illustrations are filled with interesting details including what is happening under the floorboards of Joseph's house.

Officer Buckle & Gloria
Author and Illustrator: Peggy Rathmann
Genre: Picture Book
Age Level: 4-8 years

Officer Buckle knows a lot of safety tips and is happy to share them with others. The trouble is that his presentations are quite boring. That is, until one day when Gloria, the police dog, accompanies him. Then, all of a sudden, the children sit up and pay attention.

I would encourage you to take a close look at the illustrations in this 1996 Caldecott Medal winner. It is a humorous story with a good message.

The Relatives Came
Author: Cynthia Rylant
Illustrator: Stephen Gammell
Genre: Picture Book
Age Level: 4-8 years

This is a simple story of a family whose Virginia relatives come for their annual extended visit. The book portrays the joy and the chaos of a large family gathering. It reminds readers of the importance of familial bonds.

Having a large extended family whom I saw regularly was very important to me as a child. I hope that my own children will also be able to relate to the excitement of welcoming relatives to their home.

Island Boy
Author and Illustrator: Barbara Cooney
Genre: Picture Book
Age Level: 4-8 years

Ms. Cooney's tale follows the life of Matthais Tibbetts whose family first settles an island along the coast of Maine at the turn of the century. Despite all the changes happening around him and the attractions of the outside world, Matthais remains faithful to his island and teaches others to love and appreciate it as well.

This picture book is lengthy yet poetic. The illustrations are beautiful and accurately reflect the emotions of the story. The story does touch on some weighty themes, so please be prepared to discuss these with your children.

Owl Moon
Author: Jane Yolen
Illustrator: John Schoenherr
Genre: Picture Book
Age Level: 3-8 years

This story is about a young girl and her Pa who go owling in the woods one night near their home. Although all of her older brothers have already experienced this adventure, this is her first time. She is very excited, but she knows not to make a sound. She is rewarded for her patience and gets to see the majestic Great Horned Owl.

Although this book was awarded the 1988 Caldecott Medal for its watercolor illustrations, what I appreciate most about this book is the hauntingly beautiful language. The melody of the text makes it a great read-aloud.

The Kissing Hand
Author: Audrey Penn
Illustrators: Ruth E. Harper and Nancy M. Leak
Genre: Picture Book
Age Level: 4-8 years

Chester Raccoon doesn't want to leave his mother and go to school. His mother explains that sometimes we have to do things we don't want to and assures him that he will like school. Then she tells him the secret of the Kissing Hand. His mother's love and warmth stay with him wherever he goes and he is ready to face his first night of school, but not before giving his mother a Kissing Hand too.

As stated in the forward, "The Kissing Hand is a story for any child who confronts a difficult situation and for the child within each of us who sometimes needs reassurance." I suspect that sentimental mothers may appreciate this story more than the youngsters to whom they are reading, but it is a great story to share with your children nonetheless.