A Year Down Yonder
Author: Richard Peck
Publisher: Puffin Books
Copyright: 2000
Pages: 130
Reading Level: 5
Genre: Childrens Fiction
Rating: *****

Summary:
Mary Alice’s family like many was hit hard by the depression. With money scare and the budget tight her brother was sent off to work and Mary Alice was sent to Illinois to live with Grandma. Grandma Dowell isn’t just any grandma either, she can rough it and tough it with the best of them. Arriving at the station her in Illinois she was rushed off to school and form that day till the very last things never failed to be interesting. As time goes on though, Mary Alice learns just how much she never realizes about Grandma through the many adventures they have. From fox trapping, cooking pies for the town and “picking” pecan for the pies, to tripping the local Halloween terrorizers her and Grandma grow closer and closer. And in time, Mary Alice finds she is ending up more like Grandma each and every day than she ever would have thought. The time finally comes though, when Mary Alice’s father has gotten a job, and is able to bring her home…but does she want to go? No. She would rather be with grandma. Grandma, being the good woman she is though kindly shows her the door but reminders that she never locks it. Years later, Mary Alice is back in grandma’s living room only with wedding bells. Marrying her one true love she met thanks to coming to live with grandma, and they live happily ever after.

Who would benefit from reading this?
Anybody who has a grandma that is a force to reckon with would love reading this book because it will remind them of their own grandma. This is also a great book for kids who like an adventure when they read, but a classic very relatable adventure. A great book for anyone and everyone I think.

Potential problems/conflicts:
Some of the tricks grandma can pull can be a little graphic and the words shared between her and a neighbor can be less than kind but there isn’t anything I don’t think a kid can’t read. Also if you are against hunting…some parts in this book might be hard to stomach. You could also consider some actions of grandma’s against the law.

My reaction:
I loved this book!! I reminded me of my grandma to a t. This grandma is as tough as nails, and witty beyond compare, but loves everyone and would do anything for those she loves and those around her. All throughout the book I couldn’t help but laugh at the pranks and things her grandma pulls, and smile at the impact her grandmother has on her, not only then but for the rest of her life. This book was better than I expected. I would strongly encourage everyone to read it! Especially if your grandma is one of those strong, independent woman it will feel like you are reading a book all about your own grandma! Read it!! I recommend it! No more needs to be said.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Author: Judith Viorst
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Copyright: 1972
Pages: 28
Reading Level: 3
Genre: Picture Book
Rating: *****

Summary:
Alexander woke up…and everything from that point on made it a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. He tripped on his skateboard, his sweat fell in the sink and got all wet, everyone else got a surprise in their cereal box and that was in his was…cereal! So what does he do? He declares it a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day and decides he will move to Australia. Things just keep going wrong, he had to sit in the middle of the carpool, he was declared Philips third best friend, his mother forgot to pack him a dessert for lunch and on top of all that…he is the only one the dentist finds a cavity in! To top it all off on the way home his brother makes him fall then makes fun of for crying…and who gets in trouble? Well he did, because of course his mother walked in at the wrong time and only saw him yelling. At the shoe store they didn’t have his shoe and he had to get all white ones…ssooooo not cool, and at his Father’s work he knocked the papers on and more. Finally the day is coming to a close, but not his bad day because, there are lima beans for dinner and kissing on tv both of which he hates. Along with his bath being too hot and having to wear his least favorite pajamas to bed. Going to bed he once more declares that today has been a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day but, his Mom said some days are like that…even in Australia.

Who would benefit from reading this?
EVERY KID!! Along with anyone who is just having one of those terrible, horrible, no good, very bad days.

Potential problems/conflicts:
The only problem I could see with this book is that it involves imagination on part of the audience because the pictures are not in color, honestly though you don’t even notice.

My reaction:
I love, love, love this book! It was one of my favorites as a child and still is. The pictures may not be in color, but the characters none the less are very real, and everyone can go down memory lane as the follow Alexander through his bad day. Even as an adult it is still nice to know that I am not alone, and that someone else out there had a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day…but it’s okay, because some days are like that. Everyone can relate with Alexander and laugh as we see his day just go from bad to worse. I strongly suggest this book for every book collection out there whether yours is large or small!

Lincoln: A Photobiography
Author: Russell Freedman
Publisher: Clarion Books
Copyright: 1987
Pages: 144
Reading Level: Ages 8-12
Genre: Photobiography
Rating: ***

Summary:
This book is exactly what it sounds like a biography of President Lincoln, but with pictures. The unique thing about this book is the pictures because not only do they go along with the text, but they are actual pictures from that time. It talks all about Lincoln’s life from a-z. It starts out with a general overview, and then lets us see into his whole life. His life as a poor farm boy, his desire to be a lawyer and reading law books and taking the bar and passing, his marriage to his wife, and his wife’s families distaste and disapproval of Lincoln for marriage. Naturally it also talks of his running for President, the war, the emancipation act, and finally his assassination. All throughout the book there are numerous pictures about Lincoln. Each tells us more about him, and lets us see what it was like back then. There are several pictures of the war, and even his funeral procession. A great book about one of our Presidents, that is more geared toward a lower reading level, and less stuffy and intimidating than a textbook.

Who would benefit from reading this?
Kids who like non-fiction books, as well as those in a history class or doing a project on President Lincoln would benefit from this book. This book is not only for kids though, it would be beneficial to anyone that wanted to learn more about Lincoln, in a factual, non biased but less text book style of writing, and better yet with pictures.

Potential problems/conflicts:
There is a lot of text, and not as many pictures. So a lot of kids will probably get bored, this is not a book you would read straight through. There are also some pretty graphic pictures of the Civil War that you might not want younger children to see.

My reaction:
I learned a lot about President Lincoln that I had never learned because, such as how he didn’t believe in punishment for his kids, and just how rotten they were. I also learned more about the war, without bias and more about the man, behind the title of President. I won’t lie, at times it was hard to stay awake while reading because it is so very much fact based but I loved the pictures! I loved that I saw the picture that Lincoln thinks looks the most like him, what his family looked like, his handwriting and more. By far the picture aspect of the book was my favorite but there is a lot to learn in this book and it would be great to use when teaching children.

LOVE THAT DOG
Author: Sharon Creech
Publisher: Harper Trophy
Copyright: 2001
Pages: 86
Reading Level: Ages 8-12
Genre: Poetry
Rating: **

Summary:
Jack doesn’t like poetry, but that doesn’t change the fact that the subject in school is poetry. Each kid has to write poetry, and read and respond to several poems. Jack starts off by saying he doesn’t like poetry and he doesn’t understand it. But from each of the poems he reads, writes about, or writes of his own we see that little does Jack know it, but he is writing poetry. The whole book is in poem form, and tells jack life thanks to a teacher who knows that every kid has poetry in him, Jack’s dog Sky, and some poems that hit home. The poem by Walter Dean Myers “Love that boy”, not only inspires Jack to write his poem about Sky but, Myers even comes to visit the class at Jack’s special request. After he visits the class on the last page we get to see Jack’s poem called “Love that Dog” and see how is poetry went from just talking, to actual poetry.

Who would benefit from reading this?
Kids struggling to read poetry or those who love poetry, as well as those looking for a quick read.

Potential problems/conflicts:
There is not a lot of detail so those that need a good storyline and the typical novel outline may not want to read this book. You also have to be able to follow the dialogue of one person to the next. It also talks about his dog that died...that could bring up tender memories in kids as well.

My reaction:
I won’t lie; I did not enjoy this book. Though it was a quick read, it never caught my interest. I was able to easily put down the book and was glad when I was done. This could have to do with the fact that I am the person who does not enjoy poetry I suppose but, I think in large, the main thing is that I like more of a story book writing style, verse a dialogue book.

Children Just Like Me
Author: Barnabas and Anabel Kindersley /Unicef
Publisher: DK Publishing Inc.
Copyright: 1995
Pages: 79
Reading Level: 4
Genre: Informational/Growing up Book
Rating: ****

Summary:
Oscar Gutierrez is nine. He lives in Bolivia, and when he grows up he wants to be a soccer player. Houda Elazhar is ten. She lives in Morocco and she wants to teach Arabic when she grows. Who are these kids? Children just like us. This book is all about kids from all over the world that are just like us. Each page is represents a different country/state, with details, details and more about the child and their home. You see the clothing they wear each day, hear about the weather, schooling, work, hopes and dreams and more. There are over 160 countries represented in the book, and it is a great way to show children that though others may look different, they are just like each of us and them. Full of facts and hours upon hours of entertainment and education for children, it is exactly as the title says…Children just like everyone else.

Who would benefit from reading this?
Who would benefit…kids of all ages, especially those whom live in areas that aren’t as diverse. For me as a child, it was common to see all different groups and races of children, but for those born in less diverse areas it is a great opportunity for them to learn that everyone else, though they may look different are no different than them. At the same time it can benefit those from especially diverse places to weaken the prejudice in children.

Potential problems/conflicts:
It is very long, and there is a lot of information on each child. You may want to take this book one page at a time. Reading it too long can also leave you with an uninterested and upset child.

My Reaction:
I loved this book, but I am a nerd for auto and biographies. So learing about these kids from their own words, and seeing them as they are each day really helped me to make a connection no only with them, but with others I now come into contact with whom are from the same place or foreign countries. I would never sit and read this book all at once, but fun to read every now and again.

Dear Mr. Henshaw
Author: Beverly Clearly
Publisher: Dell/Yearling Book
Copyright: 1983
Pages: 134
Reading Level: 4.7
Genre: Children’s Novel
Rating: ***

Summary:
This books is simply letters from Leigh Botts to his favorite auther, Mr. Henshaw. Leigh starts out with letters about his book “Ways to Amuse a Dog”, and how much he loves it and the reports he is doing on it. Then the letters turn into questions for the author for a project. But not only does Mr. Henshaw answer the questions, but sends a list of his own for Leigh. The book then progresses to Leigh answering the many questions even though he doesn’t want to. After the questions, Leigh reads more books by Mr. Henshaw like he has suggested, and wants to know more about being a writer. Each letter, Mr. Henshaw replies; some are just post cards but he always replies. And from each reply wheter it is a post card or a letter Leigh discovers something about himself. He discovers his mixed feelings for his father who left, he discovers his feels for his mother and how grateful he is for how hard she works. He finally finds a friend. And all this because of Mr. Henshaw’s good example, and his advice to start a journal, and begin writing now if Leigh wanted to be a writer. The message and the tone of the book is so simple, and yet can hit so close to home for so many. Though I have never experienced divorce, many close to me have! It a hard time, especially for a child, and each kid needs to know that he is loved, he has value, and he can become anything he sets his mind to.

Who would benefit from reading this?
Kids who have experienced a divorce by far! Also those who feel like they have no one to talk to would be a good audience as well.

Potential problems/conflicts:
It is all about a boy going through the divorce of his parents. Though the divorce is not talked about a lot directly, it could cause kids in similar situations to ask a lot of unwanted questions. As well as that it could bring up a lot of painful memories for others.

My reaction:
I have heard about this book over and over but I have to admit, I wasn’t as thrilled by it as others seem to be. The book was almost repetitive for me, and lacked detail. But from the perspective of a tween I can see how any child in the same situation could relate and find this book not only enlightening but a load of their shoulder, and that they weren’t alone. So maybe the fact that I have never experienced a divorce has to do with me not loving this book. It is a well written book though, and shows how much impact we can have on others, even those we never meet.

Egg Monsters from Mars
Author: R.L. Stine
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Copyright: 1996
Pages: 115
Reading Level: 4
Genre: Scary
Rating: ***

Summary:
Dana Johnson wants to be a scientist when he grows. So when he is out hunting for eggs for his sister Brandy’s birthday party “egg hunt” and come across an egg like he has never seen he has to take it home. The egg is large, has green veins and what sounds like a heartbeat, and no matter what he does to it, it doesn’t crack open. The next morning though, he wakes to thumping and bumping…and opens his drawer where the egg is hidden to watch it hatch. And what does he find a scrambled egg looking sort of monster. It is yellow and lumpy and has black beady eyes, and on top of that, it growls. So what does he do? He takes it down to the local lab like any scientist to find out what it is. Once he is there Dr. Gray brings him and explains that the scrambled egg looking thing is in fact a Martian from mars that fell from the sky. He shows Dana the room full of other Martians, but then things suddenly go south for Dana. The Doctor locks him in the room and will not let him return home, because not only are the Martians being studied, he will be now too. Locked inside the freezing room, Dana is about to give up. His father came looking for him, but he was in a sound proof room and the lights were off so he couldn’t see him and left. As the night went on, Dana got colder and colder and just when he thought he would freeze to death the eggs all combined together and made a large blanket to keep him warm. Then, Dr. Gray came in the next morning, the eggs attacked him and Dana escaped. Though no one believed him he knew what happened was real. And on his way to his friend Anna’s house the next morning…suddenly Dana laid an egg…

Who would benefit from reading this?
I think any kid in the elementary age would benefit from this, especially those who like a little terror. These books have just enough scare factor to keep kids reading, but not so much that they wouldn’t be able to sleep at night. Very fun, and a quick read.

Potential problems/conflicts:
The fact that it is a scary is the first conflict that comes to my mind. It might scare some kids, or possibly give them nightmares. It also talks about aliens, which parents might not want their kids reading about because they don’t believe in it. The main problem is it is scary.

My reaction:
My sister used to read these books all the time as a child, and for some reason I never had the desire to read them. I was more the “Little House on the Prairie” type, but reading this made me laugh. Though it held absolutely no scare factor for me as an adult, I could see how it would keep kids reading because they were on the edge of their seat. A fun read. I can see this being a great series for those that find reading boring, because there is really nothing boring about the Goosebumps series. I mean the series name says it all! I would have no problem letting my kids read these books, they are a fun and different read from the normal. I enjoyed it.