Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing
Author: Judy Blume
Publisher: Bantam Doubleday Dell Books/ Yearling Books
Copyright: 1972
Pages: 120
Reading Level: 4.9
Genre: Children’s Novel
Rating: ****

Summary:
Peter Hatcher has lots of problems, but only one classifies as his biggest problem, his little brother Fudge. Fudge is two and always into trouble. Trouble that Peter always seem to be either in the middle of or have to endure. From smearing his mashed potatoes all over the wall at Hamburger Heaven to being a “bird” on the monkey bars and losing his front two teeth Fudge is always into something. Peter is usually embarrassed or left cleaning up the mess after Fudge, but Fudge finally does it when he goes after Peter’s turtle Dribble. Peter won Dribble as his friend’s birthday party, and he is his prized position. He cleans his tank every weekend and talks and plays with Dribble often…but one day Peter comes home to find his door open and Dribble not in his bowl. After searching for hours they find that Dribble is not lost, but right where Fudge said he was, in his stomach. Fudge ate the turtle. Once all the uproar over Fudge swallowing the turtle leaving him in the hospital until it passed, had subsided, Peter finally gets a reward for dealing so well with Fudge. A dog, something all Peter’s own and far too big for Fudge to swallow. So pick up the book and enjoy a laugh as you sit back and enjoy the stories of Peter and his biggest problem, his little brother Fudge.

Who would benefit from reading this?
This book would be a fun read for any kid, especially those with younger siblings who can relate. It is also a great read aloud book especially for older kids.

Potential problems/conflicts:
The only problems I could see in this novel would be possible language if, parents don’t want their kids readings words like “shut up”. Another potential problem may be that all the adventures of Fudge just might give a kid some ideas that parents and older siblings don't want them to have. Other than that I see no conflicts.

My reaction:
I could not stop laughing while reading this book, whether I was alone or reading it to my roommates there was always laughter. Though my younger brother never swallowed my turtle, he did his fair share of embarrassing and obnoxious things. This perfectly portrays an older brother and what it is like to have a younger sibling. I would read it again in a heartbeat

The Wanderings of Odysseus
Author: Rosemary Sutcliff
Publisher: Laurel-Leaf/Random House copyright 1995
Copyright: 1995
Pages: 131
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Mythical/Fantasy

Summary: Through a young readers retelling of Homer’s Odyssey, we are able to follow along side of Odysseus the great King of Ithaca on his long voyage home from the war in Troy. Upon winning the war in Troy Odysseus and his men set sail for their home land of Ithaca. Their voyage home, though starting out smoothly and with high spirits, soon makes a turn for the worst. When Odysseus and his men stop on an island and find themselves trapped in the cave of one of Poseidon’s sons, the Cyclopes. Finally, by smiting the Cyclopes in the eye Odysseus and his men escape by tying themselves to the bellies of the Cyclopes beloved sheep. Managing his escape and being reunited with his men Odysseus’s spirits are high and he mocks the great Cyclopes who then plead with his father Poseidon to curse Odysseus for what he had done to his son. It is this curse that leads Odysseus through his many wandering years hoping to one day make it home, back to Ithaca and his family. While Odysseus finally manages to make it back home to Ithaca and his beloved wife Penelope he had to endure many years of waiting and troubles due to the cursing from Poseidon. This book not only retells the Odyssey so that kids can enjoy it, but teaches about Greek mythology along with providing nights of entertainment for those that find themselves lost in its pages.

Who would benefit from reading this?:
This book would be a great book for those young boys out there that think reading is boring, because this book holds all the suspense, gore, and tales of war that boys are drawn too. This book would also be a great read for those that are interested in Greek mythology and fantasy.

What problems/conflicts could this book potentially cause?:
One problem that this book has is, that it has a lot of ore and gore, especially in the beginning of the novel. I myself found it to be rather descriptive and might be one you wouldn’t want young children to read.

My reaction:
Being one who is not drawn in by the world of fantasy, the begging of this novel was a bit over my head and hard to get into. But as I read on, I found myself interested to know how Odysseus found his way out of his many troubles and near death experiences he found himself in. The author does a great job of describing all that is going on allowing the reader to create a picture in their mind of the scene before them. Definitely a book for older kids, but a fun read none the less.

Oh, the places you’ll go!
By: Dr Seuss
Reading level: K-4
56 pages
Published 1990 by Random House New York
Genre: Picture Book
Rating:****


Summary:Not unlike other Dr. Seuss classics, this book is full of bright colors, and large pictures that fill the page.:With each page filled with color from bottom to top and catchy rhyming and life lessons to boot, Dr. Seuss’s Oh, the Places You’ll Go is an ideal book for not only kids but those in all transitional phases of life. From high school graduates to those graduating from preschool it is a book full of motivation. This story follows a young boy off and on his way to great places and all the things and places he as to go through to get there. And just like this boy any kid or adult can relate to new places and things, challenges and struggles, “slumps” and “bumps” in the road and more. Although the best part of this book isn’t just all the things that happen along the way, but the message at the end of the book, that you will succeed. And it is “98 and ¾ percent guaranteed”.
Reaction: I loved this book! Not only because it has all the charm of a Dr. Seuss novel with rhyming, but the message at the end was not only positive but one that most of us need to hear and remember, that we will hit bumps and slumps and other such things along the way, but that we will succeed. So don’t be afraid to get out there and start your adventure.
Recommendations: I would recommend this book to everyone, especially those that are going through new things in life whether it is changing grades, moving, or leaving home. This book is motivational and fun for all age groups.
Potential Problems/Conflicts: One potential problem I could see with this book would be in reading it to younger kids because it does have some dark pages, that can seem slightly negative,to show some of the very realistic challenges of life.