Jana's Books

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Chronicles of Narnia

by C.S. Lewis

This series is my favorite of all time. It starts with the children being brought into the magical world of Narnia via wardrobe. It is beautiful and enchanted. The children soon find out it is not enchanted for the better. An evil White Witch makes it always winter, but never Christmas. Now these children are being put forward as the ones to end the Witches reign, under the direction of the King, Aslan. Aslan is the Lion, the Son of the Emperor across the sea. He is not tame, but He is good. This is the hook for the 1st book (as far as I'm concerned) but the whole series is beautiful. My favorite is the book Voyage of the Dawn Treader. I want to say that I thought the movie was fairly accurate, but entirely missed the spirit of the book.

Audience

I'd say 3rd grade on up. It will appeal more to girls than boys but I think both will like it. It is written so that I could love it as a child and yet I still understand it a little more every time I read it.

What I Love About These Books

Whenever I can't sleep I pull up one of these books. I've read them so many times that when I listen to abridged versions, I can tell what they left out. And yet, I still find new wisdom in them every time I read. I love the allegory of Aslan being Christ and I have come to know my Savior better through spending time with Aslan. The writing is so poetic, but it also strikes close because I can feel the truth of what he's saying. C.S. Lewis also has a tongue in cheek narration style that keeps me chuckling. The first line of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader may be one of the most brilliant in history-"There was a boy named Eustace Clarance Scrubb, and he almost deserved it."

Cautions

The 7th book seemed strange and creepy to me. There are a lot of very good things in it, but I needed to see the allegory to appreciate it. The book deals with the signs of the last days and the second coming. Maybe it was just me though.

Series (2 orders)
Publication order (my preference)
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
Prince Caspian
Voyage of the Dawn Treader
The Silver Chair
The Horse and His Boy
The Magicians Nephew
The Last Battle

Chronological Order
The Magicians Nephew
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
The Horse and His Boy
Prince Caspian
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
The Silver Chair
The Last Battle

Animorphs

by Ann M. Martin

Five kids were hanging out at the mall one night. They knew each other from school, but weren't friends, they just happened to be at the mall. As they were walking home they met this alien that was like a centaur, exept he was blue, had 4 eyes, a knife on his tail, and no mouth. He spoke in their thoughts. He was dying. An alien force was attacking earth and someone needed to fight it. No one knows because they are silent invaders. They are little slugs that come in your ear and wrap around you brain. Only this alien race, the Andelites, have the power to fight them. He gave the kids this power. It was the power to morph into other animals, so long as they could aquire their DNA. The catch is that they can only stay in animal form for 2 hours. If they stay longer than that, they are trapped in that body forever. He dies after giving them the power and the information, leaving them to figure out what to do with the knowledge and the rest of their lives.

Audience

Scholastic says they are for grades 4-7 but I distinctly remember loving them in 3rd grade. The vocab level is grades 3 and 4. The content level is probably not above middle school

What I Love About These Books

I enjoyed the thrill of the chase as a kid. These are action packed books with animal facts sprinkled through. The characters are allowed to grow and develop and change through the books. The circle of five expands to include others eventually. The kids that barely knew each other that first night become good friends, the kind that feel safe in fighting with each other sometimes. The books get darker as you go, but it's not graphic, so you will find as much darkness as you bring to it. I also like that there's a quick summary at the beginning of each book. It's better to start with the first one, but not strictly necessary

Cautions

I don't know what to say here. If the plot summary offended you or made you uncomfortable this is not for you. If you were okay with it, then you'll probably like the books. I will say that they are formulaic. This is annoying for older readers, but sometimes it's good to know what will be in your book when you open the front cover.

Series

Little Women

by Louisa Mayy Alcott

This book is part of our consiousness. Every person should at least have heard of it. The plot is very simple. It is how four sisters grow from childhood to adulthood. Most of all it focuses on Jo, whose dreams seem too big for her realities. She wants to be a writer, an actor, something creative that will make the worls notice her. Under the loving care of a watchful Marmee, all the girls learn who they really are and how to find what they want in life.

What I Love About this Book

There are so many coming of age stories out there, but what makes this one special is that it is 4 girls coming of age. I think every girl can latch onto one or two of the main characters. The sisters are so different and want entirely different lives, yet are bound together in love. I think the fact that Louisa May Alcot wrote from her own life gives this book power. I found myself in these pages constantly and still do sometimes. There is humor and there is tragedy. I love that every crisis is met with faith and love. This book doesn't pull punches on how hard life can be, it just reminds us of the light at the end of the tunnel

Cautions

This book was writen during Civil War times. The war is alluded to, but never really discussed. Transendentalism and temperence are also mentioned and it's helpful to have a knowledge of those concepts. The book does not focus on religion, but it does mention it in a positive light, showing both Protestent and Catholic faith at its' heart

Tuck Everlasting

by Natalie Babbitt

Winnie Foster runs to the woods to escape her oppressive life around the turn of the century. She finds a Jesse Tuck in her woods drinking from a stream and starts questioning him. When she cannot be deflected from her curiosity she is kidnapped by the Tuck family, who is more sorry about her kidnapping than she is. She learns the secret of the Tucks-they have been immortal ever since they drank from the spring. Now she has the choice to follow in their footsteps and some time to decide. She examines each member of the family and their different views on life. Jesse very much wants her to drink the water when she gets older. Ma Tuck is so happy just to have a girl in her life once again. Miles and Pa Tuck share the broken hearts they've had because of their immortality. Winnie finds friendship and freedom for the first time with the Tucks, but is that worth giving up one's place in the cycle of the world?

Audience3rd-5th grade

What I Love About This Book

After reading so many sensational novels, it was a breath of fresh air to read this sweet little story about choices and belonging. This is a gently paced book with a special sweetness I haven't found very often. The moral is something to think about. I will always have a soft spot in my heart for this book.

Cautions

SPOILER!!!! The moral is that life is valuable because it is so short. Death is presented as being necessary to life. Immortality is portrayed as a misery.

Bailey School Kids

by Debbie Dadey and Marcia T. Jones

Liza, Melody, Howie, and Eddie are normal grade school kids. There lives are slightly more complicated in that they see supernatural creatures everywhere. It's impossible that the bus driver could be a gargoyle, isn't it? And there is no way the track teacher could be a mermaid.

Audience

This is geared toward younger children. We did it as a read aloud in 1st grade.

What I Love About These Books
I love that the 4 children have different characters and we see the way they settle differences. All the books are pretty much the same, which appeals to children because they know exactly what they're getting in each book

Cautions
They are formulaic-meaning they repeat themselves. The books are pretty much the same, but if they are a winner the first 5 times, they will probably be a winner every time. They are very Scooby-Dooish but geared to younger kids.

Series

Vampires Don't Wear Polka Dots
Werewolves Don't Go to Summer Camp
Santa Claus Doesn't Mop Floors
Leprechauns Don't Play Basketball
Ghosts Don't Eat Potato Chips
Frankenstein Doesn't Plant Petunias
Aliens Don't Wear Braces
Genies Don't Ride Bicycles
Pirates Don't Wear Pink Sunglasses
Witches Don't Do Back Flips
Skeletons Don't Play Tubas
Cupid Doesn't Flip Hamburgers
Gremlins Don't Chew Bubble Gum
Monsters Don't Scuba Dive
Zombies Don't Play Soccer
Dracula Doesn't Drink Lemonade
Elves Don't Wear Hard Hats
Martians Don't Take Temperatures
Gargoyles Don't Drive School Buses
Wizards Don't Need Computers
Mummies Don't Coach Softball
Cyclops Doesn't Roller-Skate
Angels Don't Know Karate
Dragons Don't Cook Pizza
Bigfoot Doesn't Square Dance
Mermaids Don't Run Track
Bogeymen Don't Play Football
Unicorns Don't Give Sleigh Rides
Knights Don't Teach Piano
Hercules Doesn't Pull Teeth
Ghouls Don't Scoop Ice Cream
Phantoms Don't Drive Sports Cars
Giants Don't Go Snowboarding
Frankenstein Doesn't Slam Hockey Pucks
Trolls Don't Ride Roller Coasters
Wolfmen Don't Hula Dance
Goblins Don't Play Video Games
Ninjas Don't Bake Pumpkin Pie
Dracula Doesn't Rock and Roll
Sea Monsters Don't Ride Motorcycles
The Bride of Frankenstein Doesn't Bake Cookies
Robots Don't Catch Chicken Pox
Vikings Don't Wear Wrestling Belts
Ghosts Don't Ride Wild Horses
Wizards Don't Wear Graduation Gowns
Sea Serpents Don't Juggle Water Balloons
Frankenstein Doesn't Start Food Fights
Dracula Doesn't Play Kickball
Werewolves Don't Run For President
The Abominable Snowman Doesn't Roast Marshmallows
Dragons Don't Throw Snowballs
Beasts Don't Read Magazines

Jr. Chapter Books Series

Ghosts DO Splash In Puddles
Reindeer DO Wear Striped Underwear
Cupid DOES Eat Chocolate-Covered Snails
Pirates DO Ride Scooters
Dragons DO Eat Homework
Wizards DO Roast Turkeys
Vampires DO Hunt Marshmallow Bunnies
Cavemen DO Drive School Buses
Snow Monsters DO Drink Hot Chocolate

Special Editions

SE Swamp Monsters Don't Chase Wild Turkeys [Thanksgiving]
SE Aliens Don't Carve Jack-O-Lanterns [Halloween]
SE Mrs. Claus Doesn't Climb Telephone Poles [Christmas]
SE Leprechauns Don't play fetch [St. Patrick's Day]
SE Ogres Don't Hunt Easter Eggs [Easter]

Super Specials

SS Mrs. Jeepers Is Missing
SS Mrs. Jeepers' Batty Vacation
SS Mrs. Jeepers' Secret Cave
SS Mrs. Jeepers In Outer Space
SS Mrs. Jeepers' Monster Class Trip
SS Mrs. Jeepers On Vampire Island
SS Mrs. Jeepers' Scariest Halloween... EVER!
SS Mrs. Jeepers' Creepy Christmas

The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

by E. L. Koingsburg

Claudia, like all young people at some point, wants to run away. She's aware enough to know that roughing it isn't for her, so she decides to run to the Metropolitan Museum of Art with her brother Jamie. While there, she comes across an angel reputed to have been carved my Michelangelo. She and Jaime make it their mission (mostly at Claudia's insistence) to discover the statues true origins. Eventually they contact the owner of the statue (Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler) to discover the truth. The eccentric woman shows Claudia that the precious statue has been filling the same need that caused her to run away in the first place, and give her the insight to return home.

Audience

This book is slower paced but very witty. Those who like action wouldn't care for this, but the mystery was enough to keep me going. The story is told my Mrs. Frankweiler whose style is very sharp and enjoyable. It's typical to be introduced to this one in 4th grade.

What I Love About This Book

I thought it was mostly a story of self discovery. It's funny and lighthearted, but I think most children can relate with Claudia and her undefinable need.

Cautions

Two main characters have no qualms about cheating. Also, the children run away and come back with no regrets about the pain they caused their loved ones.

Belle Praters Boy

by Ruth White

Gypsy does not know her cousin Wodrow very well, but that changes when he moves in next door to live with their shared grandparents. He's cross eyed and has coke bottle glasses. And those coveralls are their own disaster. Gypsy is determined to know what Wodrow knows about his mother's disappearance. As she gets to know him, she laughs at his mischief and at herself for joining in. As they become close, they prove to the world that he is more than just "Belle Prater's Boy" and she has courage and a fire all her own.

What I Love About This Book

Whenever I've had my heart broken, and I mean really broken, I pull this book off the shelf and gather courage and perspective from it's pages. I love the way heavy topics are handled. It's not avoided, and the book does not pretend that real pain can be "made better" with just a little understanding. When the book ends the children are not necessarily healed, but they are at peace. As serious as this book gets, there are plenty of childhood antics that keep me in stitches. The voices of the characters, as well as their coping strategies ring true to me as a teacher of children that age.

Cautions: SPOILERS

1) The book is about Gypsy coming to terms with her father's suicide

2) It's also about Wodrow coming to terms with his mother's abandonment