The Tale of Desperaux

by Kate DiCamillo



Desperaux is a very small mouse with very large ears.  He lives in the castle and is a complete failure at being a mouse.  He doesn't like hunting or eating books-he likes reading books.  His favorites are about the knights that save the princess.  Shortly thereafter he falls in love with Princess Pea and learns the truth of how powerful love really is.  Along the way he learns love for many others, including a serving girl, a prison guard, a rat, a brokenhearted king, and his own family.

Audience: 2nd Grade, Vocabulary 4th Grade

What I Love:
This story is about real love.  The characters are flawed and sometimes absurd.  They hurt each other and make mistakes, but they forgive and move forward.  I found countless priceless lines throughout the story.  The theme has to do with Light v. Dark and how we choose which one we will keep.  I feel every child and most adults need to read this book.

Caution:
Every single character comes from a broken family.

Because of Winn-Dixie

Because of Winn-Dixie

by Kate DiCamillo

When I started doing literature circles with my students, I thought they wanted action packed, exciting books.  This book is not action packed or exciting, yet it is my students' favorite.  It is the story of a ten year old girl and her single father moving to a new town.  The father is burried in work, and one day sends Opal to get groceries for him.  While she is in Winn-Dixie grocery store, she finds a dog she names Winn-Dixie.  With a dog for a constant companion Opal feels a little less lonely.  Soon she gets to know the people of the town.  She learns that Miss Franny Block has the best stories and she is lonely too.  She learns that Amanda Wilkerson has a reason she always looks sad.  Most of all, she learns that she can heal from her own heartache.

Audience
I loved this book.  My third graders cannot get enough of it.  The reading level is probably closer to 4th grade, but I think this is the perfect age to start with it.

What I Love About This Book
I was crying when I read it.  What a beautiful story.  I loved that in the end Opal learned that her dad needs her just as much as she needs him.  This book focuses a lot on how we all have burdens, and the joy that comes from sharing them with good friends.  All the characters and relationships are different, but there is a sweetness and innocence to the whole story.

Cautions
Abandonment is a major theme, and alcoholism is mentioned a few times