Author: Andersen
Title: The Fir Tree
Genre: Fairy Tale
Summary of Plot: A young Fir Tree in the forest wishes to be a tall tree, he doesn’t think about all the splendid things in the forest. When the taller trees are cut down he is told they become masses to ships. When he sees the little trees being cut down, he hears that they are for Christmas. He wants to become a Christmas tree. He is cut down and place inside a house, where he spends his greatest night. The next day he is placed in attic for the winter. He tells the mice and rats about the stories he heard, but they soon lose interest in him. In the spring he is drought put of the attic and chopped up.
Your Reaction to the book: The tree annoyed me. He was always looking for something else and not enjoying what he had.
Potential Problems: the story never explained what the meaning of the story was. there could have been a lot of different meaning to this story.
Recommendations: I think everyone should know this fairy tale.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
A Story of a Mother
Author: Andersen
Title: A Story of a Mother
Genre: Fairy Tale
Summary of Plot: A mother loses her child, so she chases after death to get the child back. She comes to a woman dressed in black, who says she is Night. Night will point the mother in the right direction if she will sing a song. The mother sings the song and gets direction. She then comes to a Thorn-bush that is freezing. It tells the mother it warmed it up, it will let her past. The mother puts it close to her, the thrones cut in to her skin, but the mother does not put it down until it is warm. She comes to a frozen lake she cannot cross, but for her eyes is helped across. She finally gets to Death’s greenhouse. An old woman lets her in for her long black hair. When she finally finds her baby, that now a flower, death show up and asks her what she wants. Death tells her she can have her baby if she picks the right flower off of her babies stem. One will bring happiness and the other sorrow. The mother doesn’t know what one to choose.
Your Reaction to the book: This story makes you wonder what a mother would do for her child. This mother goes through a lot.
Potential Problems: some of the things the mother goes through are harsh; it makes me wonder if this is a story for kids or an older age group.
Recommendations: everyone, it’s nice reading a story that shows how much a mother will go through.
Title: A Story of a Mother
Genre: Fairy Tale
Summary of Plot: A mother loses her child, so she chases after death to get the child back. She comes to a woman dressed in black, who says she is Night. Night will point the mother in the right direction if she will sing a song. The mother sings the song and gets direction. She then comes to a Thorn-bush that is freezing. It tells the mother it warmed it up, it will let her past. The mother puts it close to her, the thrones cut in to her skin, but the mother does not put it down until it is warm. She comes to a frozen lake she cannot cross, but for her eyes is helped across. She finally gets to Death’s greenhouse. An old woman lets her in for her long black hair. When she finally finds her baby, that now a flower, death show up and asks her what she wants. Death tells her she can have her baby if she picks the right flower off of her babies stem. One will bring happiness and the other sorrow. The mother doesn’t know what one to choose.
Your Reaction to the book: This story makes you wonder what a mother would do for her child. This mother goes through a lot.
Potential Problems: some of the things the mother goes through are harsh; it makes me wonder if this is a story for kids or an older age group.
Recommendations: everyone, it’s nice reading a story that shows how much a mother will go through.
Monday, February 14, 2011
The Little Match Girl
Author: Andersen
Title: Little Match Girl
Genre: Fairy Tale
Summary of Plot: a little girl sells matches. One night, after she isn’t able to sell any, she is out late, afraid to go home. When she lights a match she is able to see all the beautiful things in the town. She sees a shooting star and knows that means a soul has left the earth. She strikes another match and sees her grandmother. She asks her grandmother to take her with her. The little girl strikes a whole bunch of matches to keep the image of her grandmother close to her. the next morning the town finds the little girl, and they think the lighted matched were used to keep her warm, they don’t know what they were really used for.
Your Reaction to the book: This story is sad a beautiful. The sad part is the girls life, the beautiful part is how she spends her last night, looking at this so beautiful.
Potential Problems: this story is very sad and dark and I don’t know if it is appropriate for some age groups
Recommendations: this is a great fairy tale and everyone should know it.
Title: Little Match Girl
Genre: Fairy Tale
Summary of Plot: a little girl sells matches. One night, after she isn’t able to sell any, she is out late, afraid to go home. When she lights a match she is able to see all the beautiful things in the town. She sees a shooting star and knows that means a soul has left the earth. She strikes another match and sees her grandmother. She asks her grandmother to take her with her. The little girl strikes a whole bunch of matches to keep the image of her grandmother close to her. the next morning the town finds the little girl, and they think the lighted matched were used to keep her warm, they don’t know what they were really used for.
Your Reaction to the book: This story is sad a beautiful. The sad part is the girls life, the beautiful part is how she spends her last night, looking at this so beautiful.
Potential Problems: this story is very sad and dark and I don’t know if it is appropriate for some age groups
Recommendations: this is a great fairy tale and everyone should know it.
The Peasant in Heaven
Author Grimm
Title: the Peasant in Heaven
Genre: Fairy Tales
Summary of Plot: a peasant dies and he stands by a pearly gates. At the same time he dies a rich had also died. St. Peter comes out and lets the rich man in but leaves the poor and out. The poor man could hear the cheering and celebrating for the rich man. Finally St. Peter lets the peasant in, by now the party was over. The Peasant expected everyone to give him the same celebration, but they didn’t. As the peasant was being led through heaven he asked the angles why he didn’t get the same treatment. The answered that peasants go to heaven every day while it only ones in a hundred rich man make it to heaven.
Your Reaction to the book: at first I thought I was a depressing story, but I understand now that what it is saying. It is harder for a rich man to get into heaven than a humble poor man.
Potential Problems: not everyone is being treated fairly
Recommendations: this story has a good moral to it. I would leave it to the older age group to read.
Title: the Peasant in Heaven
Genre: Fairy Tales
Summary of Plot: a peasant dies and he stands by a pearly gates. At the same time he dies a rich had also died. St. Peter comes out and lets the rich man in but leaves the poor and out. The poor man could hear the cheering and celebrating for the rich man. Finally St. Peter lets the peasant in, by now the party was over. The Peasant expected everyone to give him the same celebration, but they didn’t. As the peasant was being led through heaven he asked the angles why he didn’t get the same treatment. The answered that peasants go to heaven every day while it only ones in a hundred rich man make it to heaven.
Your Reaction to the book: at first I thought I was a depressing story, but I understand now that what it is saying. It is harder for a rich man to get into heaven than a humble poor man.
Potential Problems: not everyone is being treated fairly
Recommendations: this story has a good moral to it. I would leave it to the older age group to read.
Emperor's New Clothes
Author: Andersen
Title: The Emperor’s New Clothes
Genre: Fairy Tales
Summary of Plot: there once was an Emperor who loves new clothes. Two strangers came into town and told the Emperor of the splendid clothes they made. The fake weavers pretended to get to work at once. The Emperor could not see what they where making, not wanting to look like a fool, he did not say anything. The fake weaver’s fooled everyone in the court, because they also didn’t want to look like fools. The imposters had fooled everyone, because no one wanted to say they could see anything and look like a fool. The king was dressed in his invisible clothes and went for a walk. No one said anything, except a little child.
Your Reaction to the book: I always find this story amusing, that so many people can be fooled. I guess it’s a great commentary for anyone, and we should not follow the crowd to avoid looking like a fool, because in the end we will no matter what.
Potential Problems: the Emperor asks those who are faithful and loyal and they lie to him.
Recommendations: I think any kid would like this book.
Title: The Emperor’s New Clothes
Genre: Fairy Tales
Summary of Plot: there once was an Emperor who loves new clothes. Two strangers came into town and told the Emperor of the splendid clothes they made. The fake weavers pretended to get to work at once. The Emperor could not see what they where making, not wanting to look like a fool, he did not say anything. The fake weaver’s fooled everyone in the court, because they also didn’t want to look like fools. The imposters had fooled everyone, because no one wanted to say they could see anything and look like a fool. The king was dressed in his invisible clothes and went for a walk. No one said anything, except a little child.
Your Reaction to the book: I always find this story amusing, that so many people can be fooled. I guess it’s a great commentary for anyone, and we should not follow the crowd to avoid looking like a fool, because in the end we will no matter what.
Potential Problems: the Emperor asks those who are faithful and loyal and they lie to him.
Recommendations: I think any kid would like this book.
Three Little Pigs
Author: Jacobs
Title: The Three Little Pigs
Genre: Fairy Tales
Summary of Plot: an old sow tells her sons to go build their own houses. The first asks a man to sell his some straw so he can build a house. Soon after wards a wolf comes by and asks the pig if he can come in, after being denied the wolf blows down the house and eats the pig. The next son buys some wood, and builds his house. The wolf comes by and asks to come in. the pig tell him no, so he blows the house down and eats the pig. The last pig buys some bricks and makes his house strong. The wolf tries to blow it down but can’t. So the wolf tries to trick the pig out of his house, but it does not work. Finally he tries going down the chimney, but falls into a pot of water, and the pig eats him for dinner.
Your Reaction to the book: this story reminds me of the wise man who build his house on the rock. He is prepared for anything, just like the last pig.
Potential Problems: the wolf is eating people.
Recommendations: this is a great kids book with lots of repetition
Title: The Three Little Pigs
Genre: Fairy Tales
Summary of Plot: an old sow tells her sons to go build their own houses. The first asks a man to sell his some straw so he can build a house. Soon after wards a wolf comes by and asks the pig if he can come in, after being denied the wolf blows down the house and eats the pig. The next son buys some wood, and builds his house. The wolf comes by and asks to come in. the pig tell him no, so he blows the house down and eats the pig. The last pig buys some bricks and makes his house strong. The wolf tries to blow it down but can’t. So the wolf tries to trick the pig out of his house, but it does not work. Finally he tries going down the chimney, but falls into a pot of water, and the pig eats him for dinner.
Your Reaction to the book: this story reminds me of the wise man who build his house on the rock. He is prepared for anything, just like the last pig.
Potential Problems: the wolf is eating people.
Recommendations: this is a great kids book with lots of repetition
Cap O' Rushes
Author: Jacobs
Title: Cap O’ Rushes
Genre: Fairy Tales
Summary of Plot: A rich gentleman asks him three daughters how much they love him. The youngest does not please him with her answer, so he sends her away. He covers her clothes in rushes and gets a job as a maid. They gave her the name Cap O’Rushes because she did not give then her real name. At night the servants go dancing with the gentleman and ladies. Cap O’Rushes stays behind, but once everyone is gone she cleans up and goes in her nice clothes and returns before the other servants get back. The master’s son fall in love with her, and the second dance gives her a gold ring. The next day the cook asks her to make gruel for the master who is sick in bed because of love. She places the gold ring at the bottom of the bowl. When the man finds the ring he calls for the cook and asks who made the gruel. Cap O’Rushes is brought to him and admits the ring was given to her. She reveals herself as the young lady at the dances, they get married and she makes peace with her father.
Your Reaction to the book: this story was ok. I liked the how she made peace with her father.
Potential Problems: she tricks the people around her by not telling them who she really was.
Recommendations: everyone should be familiar with fairy tales.
Title: Cap O’ Rushes
Genre: Fairy Tales
Summary of Plot: A rich gentleman asks him three daughters how much they love him. The youngest does not please him with her answer, so he sends her away. He covers her clothes in rushes and gets a job as a maid. They gave her the name Cap O’Rushes because she did not give then her real name. At night the servants go dancing with the gentleman and ladies. Cap O’Rushes stays behind, but once everyone is gone she cleans up and goes in her nice clothes and returns before the other servants get back. The master’s son fall in love with her, and the second dance gives her a gold ring. The next day the cook asks her to make gruel for the master who is sick in bed because of love. She places the gold ring at the bottom of the bowl. When the man finds the ring he calls for the cook and asks who made the gruel. Cap O’Rushes is brought to him and admits the ring was given to her. She reveals herself as the young lady at the dances, they get married and she makes peace with her father.
Your Reaction to the book: this story was ok. I liked the how she made peace with her father.
Potential Problems: she tricks the people around her by not telling them who she really was.
Recommendations: everyone should be familiar with fairy tales.
The Three Bears
Author: Jacobs
Title: The Three Bears
Genre: Fairy Tales
Summary of Plot: There are three bears, Papa Mama and baby. After breakfast is made they go for a walk. While they are gone a little old woman comes in a tries the porridge. After trying all the bowls, and she finds she likes the little bowl the best. Then she sits in the chairs and finds she likes the smallest one best, but she breaks is. Then she goes to the bed room and only likes the smallest bed, and she soon falls asleep. The bears come home and see that things are out of place. They find the woman asleep in the little bears bed. She wakes up and jumps out the window.
Your Reaction to the book: It was the Fairy tale that I was use to as a child, except I always thought it was a young lady, not old.
Potential Problems: strangers breaking into people’s houses.
Recommendation: I think that this is a cute kids story, because of the repetition.
Title: The Three Bears
Genre: Fairy Tales
Summary of Plot: There are three bears, Papa Mama and baby. After breakfast is made they go for a walk. While they are gone a little old woman comes in a tries the porridge. After trying all the bowls, and she finds she likes the little bowl the best. Then she sits in the chairs and finds she likes the smallest one best, but she breaks is. Then she goes to the bed room and only likes the smallest bed, and she soon falls asleep. The bears come home and see that things are out of place. They find the woman asleep in the little bears bed. She wakes up and jumps out the window.
Your Reaction to the book: It was the Fairy tale that I was use to as a child, except I always thought it was a young lady, not old.
Potential Problems: strangers breaking into people’s houses.
Recommendation: I think that this is a cute kids story, because of the repetition.
The Three Sillies
Author: Jacobs
Title: The Three Sillies
Genre: Fairy Tales
Summary of Plot: A farmer and his wife’s daughter is courted by a gentleman. At dinner the daughter goes down to the cellar to get beer. She sees a mallet stuck in a beam. She thinks, what if she gets married and her child comes down her and the mallet falls and kills the kids. She is so upset that she sits down and cries. The mother then the father comes down to inquire what is taking so long. She tells each of them what she thought about the mallet. They sit down and cry with her. Finally the gentleman comes and sees the three crying, when he finds out why they are crying, he says he will come back if and when he finds three people sillier then them. He meets a lady trying to get her cow on her roof, to eat the grass, one the cow is up, the woman puts a rope around the cow’s neck and them around her waist. The cow falls and kills them both. When he stops at an inn, he has to share a room. Then next morning when he is getting dressed, his roommate has his pants strung up and is trying to up into the pants. He passes a town that is reaching into a pond trying to save the moon, he tries to explain, but they ignore him he soon returns to the farmer and marries his daughter.
Your Reaction to the book: I know a lot of people who act silly. Sometimes it’s because they don’t listen to or because they over react to things.
Potential Problems: We should take advice from people when it’s sensible.
Recommendations: I think this fairy tale is appropriate for all ages.
Title: The Three Sillies
Genre: Fairy Tales
Summary of Plot: A farmer and his wife’s daughter is courted by a gentleman. At dinner the daughter goes down to the cellar to get beer. She sees a mallet stuck in a beam. She thinks, what if she gets married and her child comes down her and the mallet falls and kills the kids. She is so upset that she sits down and cries. The mother then the father comes down to inquire what is taking so long. She tells each of them what she thought about the mallet. They sit down and cry with her. Finally the gentleman comes and sees the three crying, when he finds out why they are crying, he says he will come back if and when he finds three people sillier then them. He meets a lady trying to get her cow on her roof, to eat the grass, one the cow is up, the woman puts a rope around the cow’s neck and them around her waist. The cow falls and kills them both. When he stops at an inn, he has to share a room. Then next morning when he is getting dressed, his roommate has his pants strung up and is trying to up into the pants. He passes a town that is reaching into a pond trying to save the moon, he tries to explain, but they ignore him he soon returns to the farmer and marries his daughter.
Your Reaction to the book: I know a lot of people who act silly. Sometimes it’s because they don’t listen to or because they over react to things.
Potential Problems: We should take advice from people when it’s sensible.
Recommendations: I think this fairy tale is appropriate for all ages.
Ricky the Tuft
Author: Perrault
Title: Ricky of the Tuft
Genre: Fairy Tales
Summary of Plot: A Queen has an ugly son, but a fairy promises that he will have plenty of brain and he will be able to save with the person whom he loves best the same degree of intelligence as he possesses. In the next kingdom over, the queen has twins. The youngest would have no sense at all and the as stupid as she was beautiful. The older would be able to share her beauty with the one. They both became great beauties, but the oldest was cleaver and more liked, and the younger became jealous. Ricky goes to the youngest sister and asks her to marry him and he will be able to share his gift with her. He gives her a year to decide. Once she agrees to marry him, she becomes cleaver and witty. She meets Ricky again and promises her love to him and he becomes handsome.
Potential Problems: beauty in not everything neither is cleverness. I think people but too much focus emphasis on the beauty part and forget about cleverness.
Your Reaction to the book: I thought that the story was good.
Recommendations: I thought a that the point of this story would be good for teenagers to hear, as it could remind them that beauty is not everything and that only being clever is not enough either.
Title: Ricky of the Tuft
Genre: Fairy Tales
Summary of Plot: A Queen has an ugly son, but a fairy promises that he will have plenty of brain and he will be able to save with the person whom he loves best the same degree of intelligence as he possesses. In the next kingdom over, the queen has twins. The youngest would have no sense at all and the as stupid as she was beautiful. The older would be able to share her beauty with the one. They both became great beauties, but the oldest was cleaver and more liked, and the younger became jealous. Ricky goes to the youngest sister and asks her to marry him and he will be able to share his gift with her. He gives her a year to decide. Once she agrees to marry him, she becomes cleaver and witty. She meets Ricky again and promises her love to him and he becomes handsome.
Potential Problems: beauty in not everything neither is cleverness. I think people but too much focus emphasis on the beauty part and forget about cleverness.
Your Reaction to the book: I thought that the story was good.
Recommendations: I thought a that the point of this story would be good for teenagers to hear, as it could remind them that beauty is not everything and that only being clever is not enough either.
Puss in Boots
Author: Perrault
Title: Master Cat or Puss in Boots
Genre: Fairy Tale
Summary of Plot: A miller dies and gives all his possessions to his sons. The Miller gives the oldest the mill, the second the donkey, and the last son a cat. The last son thinks he is given the raw end of the deal. But the cat proves otherwise. Dressed in boots the cat goes and catches a rabbit. He takes his catch to the king and claims it’s from his master. The next time he brings the king two partridges. For months the cat brings things to the king claiming it’s from his master. One day when he hears that the king is going to travel down the river, he tells his own master of a good place to bath. As the king travels the cat sees his master but tells the king that his master has been robbed by thieves. The king offers to help the young man. The young man is welcomed into the carriage. As they travel further down, the cat runs ahead and tells the workers that they work for his master. The cat gets to a castle that belongs to an ogre, with wealth and power. He tricks the ogre to change himself into a mouse, where Puss pounced and ate it. With the castle empty, the cat leads the party into the castle. That day the miller’s youngest son marries the princes.
Your Reaction to the book: I thought that this story is cleaver. Puss in boots is a creative character, and very clever.
Potential Problems: The cat gains by lying and tricking others.
Recommendations: this was a fun story of being cleaver.
Title: Master Cat or Puss in Boots
Genre: Fairy Tale
Summary of Plot: A miller dies and gives all his possessions to his sons. The Miller gives the oldest the mill, the second the donkey, and the last son a cat. The last son thinks he is given the raw end of the deal. But the cat proves otherwise. Dressed in boots the cat goes and catches a rabbit. He takes his catch to the king and claims it’s from his master. The next time he brings the king two partridges. For months the cat brings things to the king claiming it’s from his master. One day when he hears that the king is going to travel down the river, he tells his own master of a good place to bath. As the king travels the cat sees his master but tells the king that his master has been robbed by thieves. The king offers to help the young man. The young man is welcomed into the carriage. As they travel further down, the cat runs ahead and tells the workers that they work for his master. The cat gets to a castle that belongs to an ogre, with wealth and power. He tricks the ogre to change himself into a mouse, where Puss pounced and ate it. With the castle empty, the cat leads the party into the castle. That day the miller’s youngest son marries the princes.
Your Reaction to the book: I thought that this story is cleaver. Puss in boots is a creative character, and very clever.
Potential Problems: The cat gains by lying and tricking others.
Recommendations: this was a fun story of being cleaver.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Sleeping Beauty
Author: Perrault
Title: Sleeping Beauty
Genre: Fairy Tale
Summary of Plot: A King and Queen are finally able to have a child they invite 7 fairies to be the child’s godmother. They forget to invite one, and she becomes angry and curses the child. That she will prick her finger on a spinning wheel and die. But a young fairy, which has saved her blessing for last, counters the curse and blesses the girl that she will not die, but will fall asleep for a hundred years and a prince will come to wake her up. Sixteen years later, the princess pricks her finger and falls into a deep sleep. The fairy places everyone in the castle under a spell that they will sleep until the princess wakes up.
A hundred years later and a prince hear about the hidden castle and the beautiful woman inside of it. He fall in love with her and marries her at once. He does not reveal to his parents that he is married until, two years later, when he gets the thorn. By then he has two children, Dawn and Day. Some years later he goes to war and leaves his mother in charge. She orders the steward to kill Dawn and fed it to her, but he hides the child and feeds her a lamb. Then she orders him to feed her Day, but he hides the child and feeds her a lamb. Next she asks him to kill the queen and serve that to her. He also hides the queen and gives the mother something else. When the queen finds out that she has been tricked, she plans on killing everyone and eating them, but the king comes home and saves everyone.
Your Reaction to the book: I was not expecting the second half of the story. I know the first part, but didn’t know there was more after the princes woke up the princess.
Potential Problems: We should not fear in-laws. This story gives us a good reason to.
Recommendations: I thought that this story would be enjoyed by girls because it has that romantic aspect of the princes saving the princes.
Title: Sleeping Beauty
Genre: Fairy Tale
A hundred years later and a prince hear about the hidden castle and the beautiful woman inside of it. He fall in love with her and marries her at once. He does not reveal to his parents that he is married until, two years later, when he gets the thorn. By then he has two children, Dawn and Day. Some years later he goes to war and leaves his mother in charge. She orders the steward to kill Dawn and fed it to her, but he hides the child and feeds her a lamb. Then she orders him to feed her Day, but he hides the child and feeds her a lamb. Next she asks him to kill the queen and serve that to her. He also hides the queen and gives the mother something else. When the queen finds out that she has been tricked, she plans on killing everyone and eating them, but the king comes home and saves everyone.
Your Reaction to the book: I was not expecting the second half of the story. I know the first part, but didn’t know there was more after the princes woke up the princess.
Potential Problems: We should not fear in-laws. This story gives us a good reason to.
Recommendations: I thought that this story would be enjoyed by girls because it has that romantic aspect of the princes saving the princes.
Little Red Riding Hood
Author: Perrault
Title: Little Red Riding Hood
Genre: Fairy Tale
Summary of Plot: Little Red Riding Hood is sent to her grandmother’s house with some treats because she is sick. Along Riding Hood meets a wolf. She tell the wolf about her grandma. He takes the shorter road, and she takes the longer road. The Wolf gets there before she does and eats the grandma, and then disguises himself as grandma. When Riding Hood shows up, the wolf invites her into the bed with him. After Little Red Riding Hood comments on the wolf’s appearance, the wolf eats her.
Your Reaction to the book: It was what I was expecting, the wolf meeting Red Riding Hood and eating her and her grandma. I am surprised that there was nothing further in the story, that there is no hunter to come save them.
Potential Problems: Little Red Riding Hood should not have talked to a wolf because he is a threat. But children are not going to be meeting wolf, the strangers they meet are not going to look like threats
Recommendations: Little kids should be warned about talking to strangers and giving away to much information.
Title: Little Red Riding Hood
Genre: Fairy Tale
Your Reaction to the book: It was what I was expecting, the wolf meeting Red Riding Hood and eating her and her grandma. I am surprised that there was nothing further in the story, that there is no hunter to come save them.
Potential Problems: Little Red Riding Hood should not have talked to a wolf because he is a threat. But children are not going to be meeting wolf, the strangers they meet are not going to look like threats
Recommendations: Little kids should be warned about talking to strangers and giving away to much information.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Snow-White and The Seven Dwarfs
Author: Grimm Brothers
Title: Snow-White and the Seven Dwarfs, Grimm’s Complete Fairy Tales
Publishing information: Barnes and Noble Publishing, 1993,
Number of Pages: 328-336,
Genre: Fairy Tale
Summary of Plot: Snow-White’s Step Mother, the Queen, is jealous of Snow-White’s beauty. So the Step Mother send a hunter out to kill Snow-White, but he takes pity on her and lets her live. He kills a pig and shows the heart to the Queen. Snow-White runs into the wood and lives in a house with 7 dwarfs. When the Queen’s mirror tells her that Snow-White is still a live she goes out looking for her. She first strangles her with ribbon, but the dwarfs come in time and save her. Then the Queen tries a poisoned comb, but again the dwarfs save her. Lastly she gives the girl a poisoned apple. The dwarfs could not save her. Because she was beautiful they could not bury her, so they place her in a coffin of clear glass. One day a Prince rides by and see her. She is so beautiful that he buys the coffin and takes it home with him. As they moved the coffin about, the apple flew out of her mouth and she woke up. The Prince decides to marry her. At the wedding feast Snow-White’s Step mother say her and was angry with jealousy. The wedding party was waiting for her and made her wear red-hot iron shoes in which she has to dance until she died.
Your Reaction to the book: Reading the original version of this story was interesting. I follows pattern of 3. The step mother needs to come to Snow-White before she successful.
Potential Problems: The Killing is gruesome and all the ways the step mother tries to kill Snow-white. Kids from separated families could have a hard time with the evil step mother. they might think that all step mothers are this way
Recommendations: Every child need to be familiar with Fairy Tales.
Title: Snow-White and the Seven Dwarfs, Grimm’s Complete Fairy Tales
Publishing information: Barnes and Noble Publishing, 1993,
Number of Pages: 328-336,
Genre: Fairy Tale
Your Reaction to the book: Reading the original version of this story was interesting. I follows pattern of 3. The step mother needs to come to Snow-White before she successful.
Potential Problems: The Killing is gruesome and all the ways the step mother tries to kill Snow-white. Kids from separated families could have a hard time with the evil step mother. they might think that all step mothers are this way
Recommendations: Every child need to be familiar with Fairy Tales.
If I Ran the Zoo
Author: Dr. Seuss
Title: If I Ran the Zoo
Publishing information: Random House, 1950, 4-8
Number of Pages: 64
Genre: Picture Book
Summary of Plot: A little boy goes to the zoo, but only sees boring animals. He dreams of all the exotic animals he would catch and put in his zoo, like Bustard, a family of Joats, and Lunks.
Your Reaction to the book: this was a fun book, one of my favorites because of all the fin words.
Potential Problems: This book could be hard for beginning readers and discourage them.
Recommendations: Beginner readers should read this book, because shows them the worlds that reading can open up for them.
Title: If I Ran the Zoo
Publishing information: Random House, 1950, 4-8
Number of Pages: 64
Genre: Picture Book
Summary of Plot: A little boy goes to the zoo, but only sees boring animals. He dreams of all the exotic animals he would catch and put in his zoo, like Bustard, a family of Joats, and Lunks.
Your Reaction to the book: this was a fun book, one of my favorites because of all the fin words.
Potential Problems: This book could be hard for beginning readers and discourage them.
Recommendations: Beginner readers should read this book, because shows them the worlds that reading can open up for them.
When I was King
Author: Linda Ashman
Title: When I Was King
Publishing information: Harper Collins Publisher, 2008, 4-8
Number of Pages: 32
Genre: Picture book
Summary of Plot: A big brother needs to get use to the idea of a younger sibling. He no longer get all the attention and he has to share his stuff. When the baby brakes stuff he that the baby is to small to understand and that he is a big kid can do more. He comes like all the things he can do now because he is older and comes to like taking care of the little sibling.
Your Reaction to the book: I thought that this book was well planned out. The little boys change was at a good time in the book. The pictures were water paint. There was not a constant rhythm, but enough to make reading it interesting.
Potential Problems: Not every older brother will start to change like the little boy in this book.
Recommendations: If a parent is expecting to have another baby, this book is a good way to talk about jealously and growing up.
Title: When I Was King
Publishing information: Harper Collins Publisher, 2008, 4-8
Number of Pages: 32
Genre: Picture book
Summary of Plot: A big brother needs to get use to the idea of a younger sibling. He no longer get all the attention and he has to share his stuff. When the baby brakes stuff he that the baby is to small to understand and that he is a big kid can do more. He comes like all the things he can do now because he is older and comes to like taking care of the little sibling.
Your Reaction to the book: I thought that this book was well planned out. The little boys change was at a good time in the book. The pictures were water paint. There was not a constant rhythm, but enough to make reading it interesting.
Potential Problems: Not every older brother will start to change like the little boy in this book.
Recommendations: If a parent is expecting to have another baby, this book is a good way to talk about jealously and growing up.
The Little Red Elf
Author: Barbara Barbieri McGrath
Title: The Little Red Elf
Publishing information: Charlesbridge, 2009,4-8
Number of Pages:32
Genre: Seasonal, Picture Book
Summary of Plot: This is the story of the Red Hen, but with a reindeer, penguin, hare a elf. The Elf does all the work while the others where lazy. When Christmas comes around the elf asked who wants to help with the presents. There is a twist in this story. She lets them open the presents, but they are not filled with amazing gifts but little red hen that say “one little red hen for you”
Your Reaction to the book: The story was constructed just like the story of the Little Red Hen, but in the end the Elf doesn’t make her friend help her, she get her revenge in another way. The pages are painted with Acrylic paint, and a black ball point.
Potential Problems: you need to know the story of the little red hen, or the ending would be confusing.
Recommendations: To help bring the Christmas spirit to children
Title: The Little Red Elf
Publishing information: Charlesbridge, 2009,4-8
Number of Pages:32
Genre: Seasonal, Picture Book
Summary of Plot: This is the story of the Red Hen, but with a reindeer, penguin, hare a elf. The Elf does all the work while the others where lazy. When Christmas comes around the elf asked who wants to help with the presents. There is a twist in this story. She lets them open the presents, but they are not filled with amazing gifts but little red hen that say “one little red hen for you”
Your Reaction to the book: The story was constructed just like the story of the Little Red Hen, but in the end the Elf doesn’t make her friend help her, she get her revenge in another way. The pages are painted with Acrylic paint, and a black ball point.
Potential Problems: you need to know the story of the little red hen, or the ending would be confusing.
Recommendations: To help bring the Christmas spirit to children
Counting Crocodiles
Author: Judy Sierra
Title: Counting Crocodiles
Publishing information: Gulliver Books, 1997, 4-8
Number of Pages: 40
Genre: Counting, Picture Book
Summary of Plot: On an island lives a monkey in a lemon tree, she want to get to another island to get the bananas, but between the islands are crocodiles. She fools the crocodiles to come to the surface and the monkey counts them as she crosses the water.
Your Reaction to the book: this book was written in a rhyme, and deals with counting. The pictured where fun, with all the crazy crocodiles. The pictures are oil, oil pastel, water color and gouache on vellum.
Potential Problems: this book doesn’t but emphasis on the danger of crocodiles. I also think the facts about where the crocodiles live are untrue.
Recommendations: This counting book had cute pictures. The crazy crocodiles and the progression and digression of numbers where interesting and I think any kid would like it.
Title: Counting Crocodiles
Publishing information: Gulliver Books, 1997, 4-8
Number of Pages: 40
Genre: Counting, Picture Book
Summary of Plot: On an island lives a monkey in a lemon tree, she want to get to another island to get the bananas, but between the islands are crocodiles. She fools the crocodiles to come to the surface and the monkey counts them as she crosses the water.
Your Reaction to the book: this book was written in a rhyme, and deals with counting. The pictured where fun, with all the crazy crocodiles. The pictures are oil, oil pastel, water color and gouache on vellum.
Potential Problems: this book doesn’t but emphasis on the danger of crocodiles. I also think the facts about where the crocodiles live are untrue.
Recommendations: This counting book had cute pictures. The crazy crocodiles and the progression and digression of numbers where interesting and I think any kid would like it.
Animals of the Cold
Author: Valerie Videau
Title: Animals of the Cold
Publishing information: Firefly Books, 2003, Ages 4-8
Number of Pages: 28
Genre: Informational, Picture Book
Summary of Plot: This fun little book has pages that fold out that show more information about the animals. It starts with a board map of the world, than narrows down to certain areas of the world that are cold. Polar Bears, penguins, seals, whales, birds, foxes. The book shows where the animals live, what they do in different seasons, and what would happen if their environment went away. There are also fun interactive games, like matching, counting, and guessing.
Your Reaction to the book: This book had a heavy political agenda. It was fun to learn more about the animals.
Potential Problems: The political agenda did have damper on the book. The kids won’t see it, but the adults will.
Recommendations: Young kids who are interested in animals. This is a great book to start them off on.
Title: Animals of the Cold
Publishing information: Firefly Books, 2003, Ages 4-8
Number of Pages: 28
Genre: Informational, Picture Book
Summary of Plot: This fun little book has pages that fold out that show more information about the animals. It starts with a board map of the world, than narrows down to certain areas of the world that are cold. Polar Bears, penguins, seals, whales, birds, foxes. The book shows where the animals live, what they do in different seasons, and what would happen if their environment went away. There are also fun interactive games, like matching, counting, and guessing.
Your Reaction to the book: This book had a heavy political agenda. It was fun to learn more about the animals.
Potential Problems: The political agenda did have damper on the book. The kids won’t see it, but the adults will.
Recommendations: Young kids who are interested in animals. This is a great book to start them off on.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Number the Stars
Author: Lois Lowry
Title: Number the Stars
Publishing information: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1989, Ages 9-12
Number of Pages: 137
Genre: Historical Fiction
Summary of Plot: Annemarie her family live in Demark during World War 2. Their neighbors and friends are Jews. Annemarie and her family help their neighbors cross the ocean to Sweden. When the Germans come to collect the Jews her family helps hid them and takes them to the sea. Annemarie’s uncle, who is a fisher, takes the Jewish families across the sea.
Your Reaction to the book: I thought that this book was very insightful. I learned a lot about the Demark and the German occupation. I was amazing to learn about how Jewish were able to get out of German occupation countries. There was a lot of hope in this book.
Potential Problems: There was not a lot of mention of the war, but a lot of facts to go with it
Recommendations: people who like historical events, or teaching about what being brave means.
Title: Number the Stars
Publishing information: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1989, Ages 9-12
Number of Pages: 137
Genre: Historical Fiction
Summary of Plot: Annemarie her family live in Demark during World War 2. Their neighbors and friends are Jews. Annemarie and her family help their neighbors cross the ocean to Sweden. When the Germans come to collect the Jews her family helps hid them and takes them to the sea. Annemarie’s uncle, who is a fisher, takes the Jewish families across the sea.
Your Reaction to the book: I thought that this book was very insightful. I learned a lot about the Demark and the German occupation. I was amazing to learn about how Jewish were able to get out of German occupation countries. There was a lot of hope in this book.
Potential Problems: There was not a lot of mention of the war, but a lot of facts to go with it
Recommendations: people who like historical events, or teaching about what being brave means.
Monday, February 7, 2011
The Wanderings of Odysseus
Author: Rosemary Sutcliff
Title: Wandering of Odysseus
Publishing information: Random House, 1995, Ages 9-12
Number of Pages: 131
Genre: Traditional Literature
Summary of Plot: After the Trojian War, Odysseus is heading home, but Poseidon has it out for Odysseus and doesn’t want him to make it home. Odysseus gets lost and runs many strange islands. He runs into a Cyclops, Circe the land of the dead. When he finally returns home, he finds his home full of suitors. He wins an archery contest and then he chases the other men out of the city.
Your Reaction to the book: the book was boring and dummied down.
Potential Problems: There are a lot of gaps in this story; it loses its beauty in the retelling.
Recommendations: Kids that love traditional stories, or interested in Greek stories.
Title: Wandering of Odysseus
Publishing information: Random House, 1995, Ages 9-12
Number of Pages: 131
Genre: Traditional Literature
Your Reaction to the book: the book was boring and dummied down.
Potential Problems: There are a lot of gaps in this story; it loses its beauty in the retelling.
Recommendations: Kids that love traditional stories, or interested in Greek stories.
Holes
Author: Louis Sachar
Title: Holes
Publishing information: Yearling, 2000, 9-12
Number of Pages: 272
Genre: Modern Fantasy
Summary of Plot: Stanley Yelnats the 4th is cursed, so is all the males in this family, because of his “No- Good-Dirty- Rotten-Pig-Stealing- Great-Great-Grandpa. Now Stanley is being sent to Camp Green Lake because he has been accused of stealing a famous baseball player’s shoes from a Homeless Shelter. The Moto at Camp Green Lake is “If you take a bad boy and make him dig a hole everyday in the hot sun, it will turn him into a good boy.” The boys have to dig a 5x5x5 hole, the size of the shovels, every day.
This book covers 3 stories. The first is Stanley at Camp Green Lake and his new friend Zero. The second story is of Kissin’ Kate Barlow aka Miss Kate, who lived in the town 110 years before Camp Green Lake. The Third story is of Stanley’s No-Good-Dirty-Rotten-Pig-Stealing-Great-Great-Grandpa.
Kate is a nice, loving teacher, who loves to make spice peaches. She develops feeling for Sam, a black onion farmer. One night they kiss, but its back news for Sam. The Mayor’s son (who ends up being the Warden’s Grandfather) finds out and kills Sam. Miss Kate goes bad and becomes Kissin’ Kate Barlow, becoming one of the biggest outlaws in the West. She even runs into Stanley Yelnats, the first, who after making millions and heading to California, she hijacks his money. At the end of her life she returns to the Green Lake area and buries her money. Leaving the Mayor of Green Lake and his family to digging for it.
Elya is Stanley’s Great-great grandfather. Back in Latvia he falls in love with a girl, but to marry her he must produce a fat pig. He goes to the gypsy, Madam Zeroni, who tells him to carry a pig up a mount, let it drink from the water and sing to it, and then he has to carry Madam Zeroni up the mountain too. But the pig ends up being too small and angry Elya leave for America, and madam Zeroni Curses Elya with bad luck.
Back at Camp Green Lake Stanley is fitting in with the boys for the first time. He helps Zero learn how to read. When he finds something interesting to show to the Warden, X-ray demands that he gets it because he has been at the camp longer. The whole camp is put on the same digging job, but nothing is found. With the tension building in camp, Zero runs away and Stanley goes after him. Living out in desert Zero lives off of old canned peaches. Stanley carries him up a mountain and gets him to water. The Onions they eat from the area protect them from the Yellow spotted lizards. Feeling lucky for the first time Stanley and Zero head back to Camp Green Lake and dig up Kissin’ Kate’s treasure. Stanley’s Lawyer shows up to take him home. In the end everyone gets what they deserve.
Your Reaction to the book: This was a fun book with the flash backs and how everything fit together. I really like it when an author only adds things to his books that enrich them. Louis Sachar does an exultant job at putting in just the right information to keep the reader interested
Potential Problems: Sachar portrays adults as the bad guys. They are unapproachable and they are not really trying to help the kids.
Recommendations: Someone who is looking for something different and interesting.
Title: Holes
Publishing information: Yearling, 2000, 9-12
Number of Pages: 272
Genre: Modern Fantasy
This book covers 3 stories. The first is Stanley at Camp Green Lake and his new friend Zero. The second story is of Kissin’ Kate Barlow aka Miss Kate, who lived in the town 110 years before Camp Green Lake. The Third story is of Stanley’s No-Good-Dirty-Rotten-Pig-Stealing-Great-Great-Grandpa.
Kate is a nice, loving teacher, who loves to make spice peaches. She develops feeling for Sam, a black onion farmer. One night they kiss, but its back news for Sam. The Mayor’s son (who ends up being the Warden’s Grandfather) finds out and kills Sam. Miss Kate goes bad and becomes Kissin’ Kate Barlow, becoming one of the biggest outlaws in the West. She even runs into Stanley Yelnats, the first, who after making millions and heading to California, she hijacks his money. At the end of her life she returns to the Green Lake area and buries her money. Leaving the Mayor of Green Lake and his family to digging for it.
Elya is Stanley’s Great-great grandfather. Back in Latvia he falls in love with a girl, but to marry her he must produce a fat pig. He goes to the gypsy, Madam Zeroni, who tells him to carry a pig up a mount, let it drink from the water and sing to it, and then he has to carry Madam Zeroni up the mountain too. But the pig ends up being too small and angry Elya leave for America, and madam Zeroni Curses Elya with bad luck.
Back at Camp Green Lake Stanley is fitting in with the boys for the first time. He helps Zero learn how to read. When he finds something interesting to show to the Warden, X-ray demands that he gets it because he has been at the camp longer. The whole camp is put on the same digging job, but nothing is found. With the tension building in camp, Zero runs away and Stanley goes after him. Living out in desert Zero lives off of old canned peaches. Stanley carries him up a mountain and gets him to water. The Onions they eat from the area protect them from the Yellow spotted lizards. Feeling lucky for the first time Stanley and Zero head back to Camp Green Lake and dig up Kissin’ Kate’s treasure. Stanley’s Lawyer shows up to take him home. In the end everyone gets what they deserve.
Your Reaction to the book: This was a fun book with the flash backs and how everything fit together. I really like it when an author only adds things to his books that enrich them. Louis Sachar does an exultant job at putting in just the right information to keep the reader interested
Potential Problems: Sachar portrays adults as the bad guys. They are unapproachable and they are not really trying to help the kids.
Recommendations: Someone who is looking for something different and interesting.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Magic School Bus
Author: Joanna Cole
Title: The Magic School bus: On the Ocean floor
Publishing Information: Scholastic Inc. 1992, Ages 4-8
Number of Pages: 32
Genre:picture book; Informational
Summary: Ms. Frizzle’s class is learning about the ocean. To complete their projects Ms. Frizzle takes the class to the beach, but they don’t stop at the sand, they go right into the water. They learn about the Tide Pool, Continental Shelf, and the Coral Reef. They learn about the animals that live there, from the microscopic to the shark! As they get deeper the water get darker and the animals stranger. Along for a ride is a Life Guard who helps the kids learn about the habit of underwater life, and the movement of the waves and how this affects the ocean.
Reaction: The notes on the sides of the pages written by the kids where very insightful, they fun.
Problems: Buses can’t really drive under water. Magic isn’t real.
Recommendation: I loved the magic school bus as a kid, and I loved rereading it now. These book are fun and are packed with information.
Title: The Magic School bus: On the Ocean floor
Publishing Information: Scholastic Inc. 1992, Ages 4-8
Number of Pages: 32
Genre:picture book; Informational
Summary: Ms. Frizzle’s class is learning about the ocean. To complete their projects Ms. Frizzle takes the class to the beach, but they don’t stop at the sand, they go right into the water. They learn about the Tide Pool, Continental Shelf, and the Coral Reef. They learn about the animals that live there, from the microscopic to the shark! As they get deeper the water get darker and the animals stranger. Along for a ride is a Life Guard who helps the kids learn about the habit of underwater life, and the movement of the waves and how this affects the ocean.
Reaction: The notes on the sides of the pages written by the kids where very insightful, they fun.
Problems: Buses can’t really drive under water. Magic isn’t real.
Recommendation: I loved the magic school bus as a kid, and I loved rereading it now. These book are fun and are packed with information.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
King ThrushBeard
Author: Written down by the Grimm Brothers
Title: King ThrushBeard
Publishing Information:Grimm's Complete Fairy Tales, Barnes and Noble Publishing, 1993
Reading Level: All Ages
Page Numbers:43-47
Genre: Fairy Tales
Summary Plot: A conceited princess, will not marry because she doesn’t like any of the suitors. She mocks one and calls him the ThrushBeard. One day a Fiddler comes by and begs the king give him his conceited daughters. She sees all the things could have if she had married the ThrushBeard, but she gets a small cabin with no servants, and she has to work. All her hard work cures her of her pride, and she finds out her husband is King Grisly- Beard.
Reaction: I thought that this story was very cleaver. I think that a story about someone becoming humble is meaningful, and anyone can relate to.
Potential problems: This fairy tale is unique because the princes is cured of her pride. Like all fairy tales, though they don’t come true for everyone. Not everyone’s beggar is going to change into a prince.
Potential Problems: we can’t always have our lives turn into a fairy tale, and once we are given a task we should complete it no matter what.
Recommendations: Little girls with pride problems
Title: King ThrushBeard
Publishing Information:Grimm's Complete Fairy Tales, Barnes and Noble Publishing, 1993
Reading Level: All Ages
Page Numbers:43-47
Genre: Fairy Tales
Summary Plot: A conceited princess, will not marry because she doesn’t like any of the suitors. She mocks one and calls him the ThrushBeard. One day a Fiddler comes by and begs the king give him his conceited daughters. She sees all the things could have if she had married the ThrushBeard, but she gets a small cabin with no servants, and she has to work. All her hard work cures her of her pride, and she finds out her husband is King Grisly- Beard.
Reaction: I thought that this story was very cleaver. I think that a story about someone becoming humble is meaningful, and anyone can relate to.
Potential problems: This fairy tale is unique because the princes is cured of her pride. Like all fairy tales, though they don’t come true for everyone. Not everyone’s beggar is going to change into a prince.
Potential Problems: we can’t always have our lives turn into a fairy tale, and once we are given a task we should complete it no matter what.
Recommendations: Little girls with pride problems
The Great Gilly Hopkins
Author: Katherine Paterson
Title: The Great Gilly Hopkins
Publishing information: Harper Trophy, 1978, Ages 9-12
Number of Pages: 178
Genre:Contemporary Realistic Fiction
Summary Plot: Gilly is a foster child being moved to a new home. She knows what it takes to be taught and she is convinced she won’t be hurt again by this family. Miss. Ellis her social worker takes her to the dirty home of Mrs. Trotter. Trotter is a big woman and has been doing foster care for years. She takes care of little William Ernest Teague and the blind neighbor Mr. Randolph. Gilly more than anything wants to go home to her mother, so she writes her mother to tell her how awful the new home is. When she doesn’t receive a response she decides to take the matter into her own hands. She steals money from Mr. Randolph and Mrs. Trotter. Once caught Gilly comes to realize the love Mrs. Trotter has for all her Foster kids. She comes to love the little family. When things start getting regular for her in her new home, her Grandma shows up to take her home. Because of the letter Gilly sent her mother, convinced Gilly’s mother to contact her own mother to pick up Gilly.
Gilly realizes what love is in this book, and through Mrs. Trotters lessons, learns its ok to love somebody even if it hurts you, or scares you. Gilly is a tough girl because of the jumping around different homes. Mrs. Trotter has had many Foster kids, and even though they leave her she still loves them.
Potential Problems: Gilly is a mean girl, she picks fights. she has the attitude that things are rightfully hers. she starts the book with a narrow mind. The people who are trying to Help Gilly are not put into a good light (this could be because its from her point of view).
Your Reaction to the book: My parents do foster care, and I felt that this book, captured the feeling of the foster kids in a new home very well. I thought that Mrs. Trotter was a great foster parents, she loved the kids, but didn’t let them run her life.
Recommendation: Foster kids, Foster parents, teachers, friends of foster kids, if you have any contact with a foster kids, I think that this book to understand foster kids.
Title: The Great Gilly Hopkins
Publishing information: Harper Trophy, 1978, Ages 9-12
Number of Pages: 178
Genre:Contemporary Realistic Fiction
Summary Plot: Gilly is a foster child being moved to a new home. She knows what it takes to be taught and she is convinced she won’t be hurt again by this family. Miss. Ellis her social worker takes her to the dirty home of Mrs. Trotter. Trotter is a big woman and has been doing foster care for years. She takes care of little William Ernest Teague and the blind neighbor Mr. Randolph. Gilly more than anything wants to go home to her mother, so she writes her mother to tell her how awful the new home is. When she doesn’t receive a response she decides to take the matter into her own hands. She steals money from Mr. Randolph and Mrs. Trotter. Once caught Gilly comes to realize the love Mrs. Trotter has for all her Foster kids. She comes to love the little family. When things start getting regular for her in her new home, her Grandma shows up to take her home. Because of the letter Gilly sent her mother, convinced Gilly’s mother to contact her own mother to pick up Gilly.
Gilly realizes what love is in this book, and through Mrs. Trotters lessons, learns its ok to love somebody even if it hurts you, or scares you. Gilly is a tough girl because of the jumping around different homes. Mrs. Trotter has had many Foster kids, and even though they leave her she still loves them.
Potential Problems: Gilly is a mean girl, she picks fights. she has the attitude that things are rightfully hers. she starts the book with a narrow mind. The people who are trying to Help Gilly are not put into a good light (this could be because its from her point of view).
Your Reaction to the book: My parents do foster care, and I felt that this book, captured the feeling of the foster kids in a new home very well. I thought that Mrs. Trotter was a great foster parents, she loved the kids, but didn’t let them run her life.
Recommendation: Foster kids, Foster parents, teachers, friends of foster kids, if you have any contact with a foster kids, I think that this book to understand foster kids.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Grimm's Fairy Tale: Rumpelstiltskin
Author: Written down by the Grimm Brothers
Title: Rumpelstiltskin
Publishing information: Grimm's Complete Fairy Tales, Barnes & Noble Publishing, 1993,
Reading level: All ages
Number of pages: 235-238
Genre: Fairy Tale
Summary of Plot: A Miller tells the king that his daughter can spin straw into gold. The greedy king tells the Miller’s daughter to spin all the straw in the room into gold, or she would die. The first night the girl is helped out by a little man, for the price of her gold necklace. The king is pleased and puts the girl in a larger room of straw. The little man comes back and helps her with the payment of a gold ring. One more night and the process is repeated, but the Miller’s daughter has nothing to pay with. The little man makes her promise that he could have her first born child. The deal is made and the straw turned into gold. The King marries the Miller’s daughter, and a year later they have a child. The little man comes back to claim the child. The Miller’s daughter is given three days to guess the little man’s name, or she loses her child. She searches everywhere for unique names, but cannot guess it. The night before the third day a messenger over hears the little man say his name is Rumplestiltskin. When the Miller’s Daughter names the little man, he stumps his foot into the ground and falls through.
Reaction to this book: I remember reading this story as a kids and being confused on what the moral of the story is. I still have no idea what it could be. Are we learning from the Miller’s daughter? She lies about being able to spin gold into straw, and she is rewarded for the lie. The Little man makes a unfair deal and pays for that in the end. I think that the story is a fun one to tell, the repetition of three, and the chant of “that is not my name”, and song the little man sings revealing his name.
Recommendation: I think everyone should know the fairy tales, and everyone should read them.
Title: Rumpelstiltskin
Publishing information: Grimm's Complete Fairy Tales, Barnes & Noble Publishing, 1993,
Reading level: All ages
Number of pages: 235-238
Genre: Fairy Tale
Summary of Plot: A Miller tells the king that his daughter can spin straw into gold. The greedy king tells the Miller’s daughter to spin all the straw in the room into gold, or she would die. The first night the girl is helped out by a little man, for the price of her gold necklace. The king is pleased and puts the girl in a larger room of straw. The little man comes back and helps her with the payment of a gold ring. One more night and the process is repeated, but the Miller’s daughter has nothing to pay with. The little man makes her promise that he could have her first born child. The deal is made and the straw turned into gold. The King marries the Miller’s daughter, and a year later they have a child. The little man comes back to claim the child. The Miller’s daughter is given three days to guess the little man’s name, or she loses her child. She searches everywhere for unique names, but cannot guess it. The night before the third day a messenger over hears the little man say his name is Rumplestiltskin. When the Miller’s Daughter names the little man, he stumps his foot into the ground and falls through.
Reaction to this book: I remember reading this story as a kids and being confused on what the moral of the story is. I still have no idea what it could be. Are we learning from the Miller’s daughter? She lies about being able to spin gold into straw, and she is rewarded for the lie. The Little man makes a unfair deal and pays for that in the end. I think that the story is a fun one to tell, the repetition of three, and the chant of “that is not my name”, and song the little man sings revealing his name.
Recommendation: I think everyone should know the fairy tales, and everyone should read them.
Cowboy Tales
Author: John R. Erickson
Title: Cowboy Tales
Publishing information: Mavrick Books, September 1994, Ages 9-12
Number of Pages: 92
Genre: Comtemporary Realistic Fiction
Summary of Plot: This book tells stories from the point of view of a Ranch hand, Ranch hand’s wife, a bronco, the ranch dog, and cow-horse. Life on a ranch can be difficult, but through the voice of a different unique character, if can be quite interesting.
Your Reaction to the book: My Husband recommended this book. This was the book he read repeatedly as a child. I like how this told many stories with different voices for each tale. The tales also have good morals at the end.
Potential Problems: tobacco, smoking, cursing are mentioned but are only small parts of the stories. In one of the stories, the Ranch hands talk to the Devil. This could present a problem for some people.
Recommendations: Boys who love cowboys! This book tells you everything you need to know about being a cowboy, such as how to learn from your mistakes, and deal with cow, or hard situations, with a level head.
Title: Cowboy Tales
Publishing information: Mavrick Books, September 1994, Ages 9-12
Number of Pages: 92
Genre: Comtemporary Realistic Fiction
Summary of Plot: This book tells stories from the point of view of a Ranch hand, Ranch hand’s wife, a bronco, the ranch dog, and cow-horse. Life on a ranch can be difficult, but through the voice of a different unique character, if can be quite interesting.
Your Reaction to the book: My Husband recommended this book. This was the book he read repeatedly as a child. I like how this told many stories with different voices for each tale. The tales also have good morals at the end.
Potential Problems: tobacco, smoking, cursing are mentioned but are only small parts of the stories. In one of the stories, the Ranch hands talk to the Devil. This could present a problem for some people.
Recommendations: Boys who love cowboys! This book tells you everything you need to know about being a cowboy, such as how to learn from your mistakes, and deal with cow, or hard situations, with a level head.
When You Reach Me
Author: Rebecca Stead
Title: When You Reach Me
Publishing information: Wendy Lamb Books, July 14 2009, Ages 9-12
Number of Pages: 208
Genre: Modern Fiction
Summary of Plot: Miranda lives in New York with her mother in the 70’s. She receives notes that she believes comes from the future, it ask her to tell a story and claims it will help save her life and her friends. The book starts by jumping around, her mother practicing for the game show, where she hides her spare key, when her best friend stops talking to her. You understand later why it feels like it is jumping around. Later you learn how it works in a chronological order. The soon story starts following a consistent time line. Her friend stops talking to her and her makes new friends with a girl and boy in her class. She gets a job during lunch with her new friends. Her favorite book is A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle. During a conversation with a kid on her block they discuss the possibilities on time travel.
Your Reaction to the book: There were a lot of mention of the book A Wrinkle in Time, but I don’t think that it affected my understanding of this book. I love books that hides its foreshadowing carefully, and that you have to return to the beginning of the book to catch on to the hints. The story to me was about her seeing the world from a new perspective. She learns to view people in different ways, situations from a different view point. It was a nice book with a great twist.
Potential Problems: Every book has a problem, whether it contains some mixes messages or don’t clarify a problem. I believe book can be great even if they have these flaws. At the beginning Miranda struggles with harshly judging others, but becomes a better person by the end of this book.
Recommendations: I would recommend this book to people who like A Wrinkle in Time, or to people interested in time travel. I would also recommend this book a wider variety of kids who like anything from science fiction, modern fiction, and non-fiction
Title: When You Reach Me
Publishing information: Wendy Lamb Books, July 14 2009, Ages 9-12
Number of Pages: 208
Genre: Modern Fiction
Summary of Plot: Miranda lives in New York with her mother in the 70’s. She receives notes that she believes comes from the future, it ask her to tell a story and claims it will help save her life and her friends. The book starts by jumping around, her mother practicing for the game show, where she hides her spare key, when her best friend stops talking to her. You understand later why it feels like it is jumping around. Later you learn how it works in a chronological order. The soon story starts following a consistent time line. Her friend stops talking to her and her makes new friends with a girl and boy in her class. She gets a job during lunch with her new friends. Her favorite book is A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle. During a conversation with a kid on her block they discuss the possibilities on time travel.
Your Reaction to the book: There were a lot of mention of the book A Wrinkle in Time, but I don’t think that it affected my understanding of this book. I love books that hides its foreshadowing carefully, and that you have to return to the beginning of the book to catch on to the hints. The story to me was about her seeing the world from a new perspective. She learns to view people in different ways, situations from a different view point. It was a nice book with a great twist.
Potential Problems: Every book has a problem, whether it contains some mixes messages or don’t clarify a problem. I believe book can be great even if they have these flaws. At the beginning Miranda struggles with harshly judging others, but becomes a better person by the end of this book.
Recommendations: I would recommend this book to people who like A Wrinkle in Time, or to people interested in time travel. I would also recommend this book a wider variety of kids who like anything from science fiction, modern fiction, and non-fiction
Alctraz versus the Shattered Lens
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Title: Alcatraz versus the Shattered Lens
Publishing information: Scholastic Press, December 1, 2010, Ages 9-12
Number of Pages: 304
Genre: Science Fiction
Summary of Plot: This fourth book of the Alcatraz series starts with Alcatraz learning about exploding teddy bears! Why you might ask, well because the Librarians are attacking. The Free Kingdom Mokia is near defeat, and it’s up to Alcatraz Smedry to save them. Why, because he is a Smedry. Alcatraz in this book learns more about his family’s power and his own ability to break things. He ends up the leader of the falling city, with his help of his friend Bastille, a Crystalian Knight, and his Uncle Kaz, who has the ability to get lost; he tries to hold against the Librarians until more help arrives.
Your Reaction to the book: I love the smart-aleckiness, the sarcasm and the puns. You can’t go a page without laughing at something. This is the fourth book in the series, so don’t try starting with this one, start with Alcatraz versus the Evil Librarians. This book is fast past and will keep anyone interested. Even though I would ladle this Science Fiction, I would not say it filled with science fiction elements
Potential Problems: This book doesn’t review from past books. It doesn’t slow down to explain things, but it will be explained along the way. The author releases this and encourages the reader to continue to read.
Recommendations: Kids who do not enjoy read, or find it boring should definitely pick up this book. If a kids does not find this book, or any other book in the series fast past enough, then they did not read it.
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