The Fault in Our Stars and A Monster Calls: a Literary Pairing

• both are books geared towards younger-than-adult people, 
• both are written by authors whom I hadn't before experienced,
• both were recommended by fellow bloggers, 
• both are about cancer and dealing with loss, 
• both approach the subject from very different, non-traditional directions,
• both are books that I loved.

The Fault in Our Stars: A Synopsis (via GoodReads)

"Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 12, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumours in her lungs... for now.

Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too; post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumours tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault.

Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind."

A Monster Calls: A Synopsis (via GoodReads)

"At seven minutes past midnight, thirteen-year-old Conor wakes to find a monster outside his bedroom window. But it isn’t the monster Conor’s been expecting — he’s been expecting the one from his nightmare, the nightmare he’s had nearly every night since his mother started her treatments.

The monster in his backyard is different. It’s ancient. And wild. And it wants something from Conor. Something terrible and dangerous. It wants the truth.

From the final idea of award-winning author Siobhan Dowd — whose premature death from cancer prevented her from writing it herself — Patrick Ness has spun a haunting and darkly funny novel of mischief, loss, and monsters both real and imagined."

Despite all the similarities listed above about these two books, they are very different stories, and provide very different reading experiences.

John Green lets you know right from the get-go that things are not going to end up well for Hazel and Augustus.  He is blunt about the crappy hand that those with cancer have been dealt, without getting sentimental.  Showing the practical side of the ordeal isn't as depressing at it would seem to be, however, because Green's writing deftly incorporates that other side of humanity: humor.  His characters can be quirky, treating their conditions almost irreverently, but it is exactly that perspective that illuminates the gravity of the situation and connects you to the characters.

Patrick Ness, on the other hand, approaches the subject from an almost opposite angle.  Instead of being all, "Oh hi! I'm a cancer book!" this one sucks you into Conor's internal anguish from the very first words.  As the story unfolds, pieces of the story start to come together and begin to build on each other, telling a fairly simple story in an incredibly layered way.  There's a surprising amount of depth here, making it all the more amazing that it is a gripping, very readable story.  It isn't overtly about cancer, it's about fear and love and being distinctly human.

Green sneaks up on you - making you surprised that you are so invested by the end since you were having fun all along.  Ness captures you from the first word, the first picture - making it impossible to look away.  Green's story encompasses how other lives are affected by cancer - not only the one whose body is playing traitor, but also the family, friends, acquaintances.  Ness shines a light on the pain and confusion that hover beneath consciousness when coming to terms with an unfortunate reality.

While cancer touches many lives on a daily basis, hurt and fear have touched us all.  The wonder of literature is the power it has to touch those hurts and fears and offer some comfort and companionship, whether you're in the midst of it or not.

(Note on Content:  The Fault in Our Stars contains some boyfriend/girlfriend interaction and angst that would make it more of a YA level, while A Monster Calls is suitable for all ages.  My 6th grader adored it to bits and pieces and immediately sold her teacher, librarian, and fellow students on it.)

A Second Round of Junior Lit

I have so many books that I want to talk about, (and yet, ironically, haven't been blogging much lately,) but I thought I'd better to a recap of the Junior Lit I read last week...especially as I've decided to put that challenge on hold midway through.  I'm planning on completing it next month, but just really needed to mix up the length and complexity of my reading diet!

I already talked about Lincoln: A Photobiography by Russell Freedman - an enticing overview of Lincoln's life that I'm going to follow up with Team of Rivals.  Thanks for the suggestions!  I read 4 others before I threw in the towel and sank into My Antonia instead:

Mary, Bloody Mary by Carolyn Meyer

We know the story of Henry VIII from just about every angle, but we get to hear Mary's side of the story in this piece of Junior Historical Fiction.  Mary's voice was strong and true, and she told her story in such a way that I couldn't help but identify with her.

The drastic change from being her father's pet to being ostracized and disowned, withheld from her mother and everything she held dear, left Mary wounded and vowing to one day become who she was born to be: the queen of England.

Not only would this be a good introduction to how thoroughly the king ruled in that day and age, but it's a plausible and enjoyable look at a familiar story from a less popular point of view.  I'm no great expert on Tudor history, but all the bits of information jived with everything else I've read. (4 stars)

Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman

I was surprised to realized that this was the 3rd book I'd read by Karen Cushman.  First was The Midwife's Apprentice (a delightful Middle Ages tale) followed by The Ballad of Lucy Whipple (California Gold Rush era).  Unfortunately, the delight and novelty didn't survive past my first encounter.

Reading Catherine, Called Birdy seemed to be the dowdy, lesser-developed version of The Midwife's Apprentice.  I liked that it gives you a fun overview of how life worked for the daughter of a lord, and there were some funny parts throughout, but I didn't find it as enjoyable.  After reading Cushman's other stories, Catherine was a rather typical heroine.

Still, for a humorous, somewhat irreverent romp through castle life in the Middle Ages, this quick book is worth the read. (3.5 stars)

Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo

Here's another title that happens to be the 3rd book I've read by the author, and what a different experience than the one above!  I've loved everything of DiCamillo's I've read.  They combine easy-to-read writing with deep themes and characters that are easy to identify with, all within a high-interest plot.  Additionally, all three books of hers that I've read have been rather different in structure and tone - they aren't formula stories.

I'm sure you've heard of this title, but if you haven't read it, I'd recommend giving it a few minutes of your time (it won't take much more than that).  Or better yet, curl up on the couch and read it aloud to a kiddo or two.  I think there's something to enjoy at a variety of ages.  It's a nostalgic,  heartwarming tale grounded in reality. (4 stars)

The Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Joan Aiken

For some reason I always thought this book took place in Russia.  The fur caps, the wolves, and the snow seemed like a perfectly Russian combination.  It doesn't take place there, however, (unless Russia used to be quite easily reachable by train from London, an alternate history that's fun to imagine,) but once I came to terms with that I found a very enjoyable story.

An old-fashioned (meaning there are orphans involved) sort of children's mystery (meaning it's straightforward and not always entirely plausible), this tale kept the interest high throughout.  I enjoyed reading about the places and people involved, even though it was a very black & white/good vs. bad sort of struggle.  It held the magical innocence of A Little Princess and the independent adventure of the Boxcar Children - I would have loved it as a child.  As an adult, it was a bit too simple or innocent or something, but definitely fun enough to have earned a spot on my Junior Lit shelf.  It's one I'd be more than happy to recommend to kiddo or two. (3.5 stars)

Sunday Salon: Lisa See & Abraham Lincoln

Lisa See and Abraham Lincoln might be a bizarre combination, but those are two of the people currently lurking in the literature side of my brain.  I need some help sorting it all out and getting suggestions...what do you think? Are you up for helping me out?

My dilemma with Lisa See is simple.  I've refrained from reading her because she seems to be so popular, and the topic didn't pique my curiosity.  However, Dreams of Joy is the next pick for book club.  So now I need to know: should I read Shanghai Girls first?  Dreams of Joy is the sequel, right?? I actually own Shanghai Girls (someone passed it on to me) so the answer should seem obvious, but then enters my moderate lack of interest and my limited time frame...decide for me??



I'm currently in the middle of a personal Junior Lit challenge, and I think I need a break from quick books.  They're making me impatient!  That seems a little backwards to me, but there it is.  I read enough on a topic to get me interested, and then it's over and I'm off to the next book.  I read The Wolves of Willoughby Chase, and it reminded me of the story about  wolves in My Antonia...next thing you know, My Antonia is on my nightstand begging to be read.

Likewise with Abraham Lincoln.  I read Lincoln: A Photobiography by Russell Freedman and really enjoyed it.  The information was familiar to me, but I loved how it was written, and the photos were a wonderful bonus.  I'd recommend this for children wanting to learn about Lincoln, as well as adults interested in a peek beyond the legend.  However, it was so good that it left me wanting to know more, more, more!

Do you have a book (fiction or nonfiction) about Lincoln that you would recommend to me?  I've read (a couple times) Love is Eternal by Irving Stone: a biographical novel about Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln, and that also left me wanting more.  I recently bought Lincoln: Life Size, which will help stall my urge a bit, but I'd like something meatier.  Suggestions?



I may change the structure of my Junior Lit challenge...instead of plowing through all 15 books in April, perhaps I'll pause to add in some extension reading and then finish in May.  The more I think about that idea, the more I like it.  Rereading My Antonia....mmmm...sounds good to me.

Muddling Through April (& a Junior Fiction Update)

Like the last banquet table to be dismissed for the buffet line, so has my family stumbled upon Spring Break.  I was seriously starting to think it might never come, but oh how we needed it!  I'm sure you all can relate.  Our plans for our time off changed at the last minute due to some rainy days blanketing much of the West Coast - instead of visiting friends in Idaho, we are getting some R&R at my parents' house in Northern California and a last-minute jaunt to Napa for my husband and I (which, unsurprisingly, is still gorgeous even when overcast).  Here's to good food, good wine [and of course some good books] for a day or two!

On the reading front, ten days into April and I've read 3 of the 15 books on my Junior Fiction/Newbery Award Challenges, as well as Watership Down, which was delightful. 

For a book that I've been supposed to read since I was 13 and avoided conscientiously - afraid that it would be the drab, dry twin of Wind in the Willows (which, to be fair, I should probably give another chance) - this book was surprisingly entertaining and refreshing. After taking a little while to understand who everyone was, (I started it on audio, trying to multi-task, and ended up having to start over and make a character chart,) it was not only smooth sailing, it had me hooked: I looked for any opportunity to sit down and find out more about Hazel and Fiver.  It was adventure mixed with life and lore; a well-imagined world.

In the end, I loved this story. It was continually exciting and interesting, and the rabbits were endearing (rather than creepy). The writing was well-paced and well-written - all-around a good experience. I immediately began forcing it upon my 13 year-old son...hopefully it won't take him as long to get to as it did me! (4.5 stars)

While in the process of reading Watership Down, I blew through a book that I actually did read when I was 13ish.  I remember looooving this book.  It understood me like no person could - indeed, Katherine Paterson (author of the much-loved Bridge to Terabithia) understood just how misunderstood I was.

As an adult, I feel like I do a pretty good job remembering what it was like to be young - as far as all the emotional turmoil goes - and yet rereading this book made me feel far removed. Sure, Louise's grandmother is cruel, her twin is either shallow or simply self-absorbed, and her parents were a bit clueless, but why on earth didn't Louise do anything to help herself?  She let jealousy and frustration cloud her life, and it was sad to watch.

I remember feeling a huge relief regarding the ending of this book as a young teen...I saw it as an example of how a life can be turned around. It gave me hope.  What an interesting reread.  If you have a contemplative, quiet, creative young lady in your life I'd recommend this book, but as an adult it wasn't so great. (3 stars)

I actually gave my 13 year-old son the right to choose which book I would start with, and he chose Rascal.  He's read a fair portion of the books on my list, and he's my deep-thinking reader, so I was interested to see what I'd find in his top recommendation.  This was a surprising diversion from the typical fictional fare.  In fact, it is a memoir/autobiography of a year in the author's life when he had the pleasure to be friends with a raccoon.

It's a rather nostalgic and contemplative read, and perfect for readers of any age who long for the days when kids had more freedom to explore nature.  WWI and the Spanish Influenza made it not so much a simpler time, but it did seem to be so through Sterling's eyes.  Surrounded by nature, if not a proper family, he had the opportunity to experience life, complete with joys and sorrows.

One of the things that Andrew (my 13 year-old) loved about this book was that it was all real.  It's a picture of days gone by, and when the author's dad reminisces about falling in love with an Indian girl, you are getting a glimpse of  an even older world dying away.   It's comparatively slow, but it's full of feeling and remembering, tying the ages together. (3.5 stars)

Just today I closed the covers of Princess Academy - a book that caught my eye back when it was published 5 years ago.  Like Cynthia Voigt or Gail Carson Levine, Shannon Hale easily and realistically creates a land such reminiscent of  Cinderella, complete with any young girl's yearning for beauty and love, just as she did in The Goose Girl.

Miri is growing up, and longing more than ever to know that her dad loves her.  But he's a closed book - has been since her mom died after Miri's birth - and the surprise edict forcing her away from her home to train as a possible princess does nothing to answer her confusing emotions.

I can't imagine a boy getting much out of this book, but for a girl who's ever loved The Twelve Dancing Princesses or Sleeping Beauty, who has ever dreamed of the perfection of a fairy-tale ending, there's ever so much to love here.  (4 stars)

On my nightstand I've got others from my Junior Lit challenges: the photobiography about Lincoln, Cosmic (to make me smile), and Mary, Bloody Mary for a trip into history.  Only 12 more to go to complete my 2012 challenge!

Spring Into Junior Fiction

I'm planning on using April to plow through some of the Junior Fiction I've had on my shelves for ages. My kiddos are growing up, I need to know which books to recommend to them, and which to clear from my shelves.  It's crazy though, I pulled these 15 titles off my shelf and it doesn't even seem to have made a dent.  Perhaps by the time I've read them I'll feel differently...or maybe I just need to reorganize my shelves. :)

Instead of reviewing each title, I'm thinking of posting a weekly recap - adding JF titles I've read in the last 6 months into the mix - to give me some time (and mental space) to talk about some Adult Fiction I haven't had the chance to chat about yet.  Anyhow, I'm wondering...have you heard of these titles? Read them?  Most importantly, which should I read first??

5 Newbery Award Winners:

• Jacob Have I Loved, Katherine Paterson
• Shiloh, Phyllis Reynolds Naylor 
• Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, Robert C. O'Brien 
• Julie of the Wolves, Jean Craighead George
• Lincoln: A Photobiography, Russell Freedman (nonfiction)

5 Historical, School-Oriented Books:

• Patty Reed's Doll, Rachel K. Laurgeard 
• The Shakespeare Stealer, Gary Blackwood 
• Mary, Bloody Mary, Carolyn Meyer
• The Wolves of Willoughby Chase, Joan Aiken 
• Catherine, Called Birdy, Karen Cushman

5 For Fun:

• Rascal, Sterling North
• Princess Academy, Shannon Hale
• Homer Price, Robert McCloskey
• Cosmic, Frank Cottrell Boyce 
• Because of Winn-Dixie, Kate DiCamillo

Reading Roundup: Teen Fiction

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, Levithan & Cohn
No, I haven't seen the movie, but I did happen to count how many times the lovely little word f**k appeared in the book.  My count may be off, because I was getting a little blurry-eyed, but I can tell you that my copy of the book earned it's very own permanent bookmark.  Not that I care ever so much, but when the book is 183pp, and the count of any four-letter word is over 250...it's a little distracting.

...and this bookmark shall serve to
remind us of the contents therein...

The story is quite good, actually.  It starts when Nick asks Norah to be his girlfriend for five minutes, and continues--in alternating chapters--to show how one [very long] night can be enough to change your focus on life.  I liked the picture of the New York music scene through the eyes of these teens, and I liked seeing them reassess their view on life, but the 'conversational' tone didn't work for me so much.  Levithan does seem to have a gift for story-telling, though, and I will be reading more of his ventures and collaborations in the future.

Elske, Cynthia Voigt

Mmm, I love Cynthia Voigt.  Did you read Dicey's Song or Homecoming when you were young?  I remember reading those books and thinking that they were very serious books to be read by so young a person.  Not just because of the topic--Voigt has a special talent for making young people feel important and intelligent.

The "Kingdom" series begins with Jackaroo, though each book stands alone and needn't be treated as a series.  They combine fairy-tale fantasy with a Middle Ages flavor, all the while telling a meaningful, exciting story.  The characters are about as real as you can get, especially considering the Robin-Hood-esque nature of the setting.  Each story is so well told that it feels more like historical fiction than fantasy.

Best part?  She's written a gazillion books, so there's more where this came from.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret & WonderStruck, Brian Selznick

 

Selznick's books are something special.  They're simple, yet complex, quick to read while still feeling like an accomplishment.  I actually read Wonderstruck first, and decided that both of these books were perfect examples of the kind of younger-reader-book that would be a joy to have on my shelf regardless whether I have kiddos living with me or not.  The size of the book, the quality of the art, the magnetism of the story, and the relatively short time commitment leave you with a sense of magic and wonder regardless of your age.

The historical component in Hugo was captivating, especially how it was tied in with the drawings--and how interesting to see it turned into a film.  Have you seen Hugo yet?  My family is both curious and a little afraid it won't live up to the experience of the book (really, how could it?)  Wonderstruck was not quite as good, perhaps, but still unique and very enjoyable. 

The Countdown is On

Ohmygoodness only 12 days left in the YEAR!  In some ways, this is oh-so-difficult to believe, and in other ways, incredible that it didn't happen a long time ago.  Seriously, this year has felt about 2 years long.

me & my hunny

December has been filled with so many preparations for parties and house furnishings (in addition to the usual decorating and gift-buying) that blogging and reading have been on the back burner.  This is the second year that we have hosted  a big Christmas party, complete with themed music and dress.  Last year, to celebrate moving into our mid-century modern house, we went with an early 60s theme (great fun) and this year, to honor the Mexican traditions of my husband's family, we had a Latin/Mexican theme.  SO much fun: great food, pinatas, Mariachi and Latin Jazz bands, mojitos and margaritas...yum&yay!

I'm coming to the realization, with less than a fortnight remaining until 2012 gets underway, that I'm not going to be completing many more books, so I suppose it's time to begin wrapping up my 2011 reads and looking forward to 2012.  I love looking at my year-end stats, but hopefully you all won't be too overwhelmed with my ruminations in the next week or so!

A big thing for me right now is the Indie Lit Awards.  The nominations close at the end of the year, and will be followed by some fun reading--some of the best books of 2011!  I can tell you, as the director of the Fiction category, that the short list (at least for the Fiction category) is still rather undecided, so if you had a favorite read published in 2011, nominate it! Get your friends and family to nominate it too...anything can happen!  You have more influence than you may think--whether your favorite title was big or small this year, your votes are needed.  The form is simple and quick too, so it won't even take much time. :)

And oh, by the way, if you are looking for a wonderful book to buy for a little person this year, I have to tell you about Press Here by Herve Tullet.  This is not your traditional kid's book, it's interactive, it's fun, it's surprising.  My 7 year-old was delighted with it.  Half-way through reading it she looked up with a smile on her face and said "I like this book!"  My 10 year-old read it next.  She smiled and said with a grin, "This is enjoyable!"  Even my 13 & 15 year-old boys liked it, smiling and following all the instructions, remarking on how funny it was.  I ended up buying 3 copies: 2 to give away, and one to keep. Fun stuff here!

Enjoy your final days of 2011, and happy holidays to all!  You'll be hearing from me again soon...get ready for those year-end lists! :)

Jumping into Junior Fiction

Like Non-Fiction, I haven’t read near the amount of Junior Fiction this year as I have in past years, but I did go through a short spell a month or so back where I read a few of those titles on my JF TBR shelf.  There's another handful that I'm planning on reading before the end of the year, but I figured now was as good a time as any to share these ones.  They range from one extreme (historical fiction specifically for learning purposes) to the other (magical fiction for fun and imagination).

The Iron Dragon Never Sleeps by Stephen Krensky
This is a small book that I picked up when I was planning a unit on California history for my kiddos last year. It isn’t your typical Gold Rush era story, which is both good and bad. On the down side, this story definitely has the feel of existing so that a lesson can be taught. The characters are somewhat thin, and the plot is a bit stilted. However, I think that, in the right situation, the positives outweigh the negatives. It teaches much about the competition that went into the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad, as well as the mistreated Chinese workers that helped to build it. This book turns a blot in California’s history into regret for the past and hope for the future. I’d so much rather learn from mistakes and build compassion than cover them up to save face. This may not be award winning fiction, but it does provide an interesting perspective, and is much more fun to read than a textbook.



Journey to Jo’Burg by Beverly Naidoo
Another title that I purchased to go along with school studies, this is a quick story that serves as a great introduction to South African history and the apartheid regime. The author, born and raised in South Africa, has first hand experience with trying, at a young age, to process the inhumanity surrounding her. I think that she does a beautiful job of showing the difference in culture at an appropriate level for grade school children. The main characters, being children, make this story especially touching. Simple story, complex themes, and a worthwhile read.



The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman
I'm coming to think of Sid Fleischman as a new favorite author.  I loved Bandit’s Moon and By the Great Horn Spoon! (talk about great perspectives on California history!) so I was excited to read his Newbery Award winning novel. I love his characters, how he interjects humor and adventure into his stories, and how he makes the historical settings seem like a normal part of life. This is Historical Junior Fiction at its best. The Whipping Boy tells the story of Prince Brat and the boy who takes the physical brunt of the prince’s punishments. It was fun, teaches a great lesson on humility, and—while I don’t think it was quite as good as the others of his I’ve read—was simply a lot of fun.

Magic in the Park by Ruth Chew
This book came home with my eldest daughter from school when she was in 2nd grade, and she loved how the magical creativity set her imagination going. Originally published in 1972, it has that lovely Nancy-Drew-ish vintage flavor. The kids go play in the park by themselves and run around the city all by themselves and are never missed, fun stuff like that. That’s not the point of the story though, the point of the story is to find out what is going on with the old man in the park that feeds the birds…and why a mysterious looking tree seems to change locations. For young readers (or listeners) it is a great adventure, though the older ones may find it a bit silly. It made me miss the days as a kid when I used to read mysteries like they were going out of style. There’s something happy about vintage literature, (not classic, necessarily, just somewhat aged,) whether it’s for children or adults. Something that sets that old imagination back on fire.



The House on Pooh Corner by A.A. Milne
I grew up with Pooh stories, and my kiddos grew up watching Pooh movies, but I don't think I'd ever read any of it in Milne's actual words.  I was missing out!  My 7 year-old and I were both enchanted with the wording, and with the bear of very little brain.  She had never before been interested in hearing or seeing anything to do with Pooh, but this book changed all that.  As a girl whose stuffed-with-fluff friends spend each night on her bed, this is a story that she could relate to.  What sweet characters; what gentle storytelling.  Just as the end was beginning to be too sad to bear, what with Goodbyes and all, Milne refocuses on the bright side, leaving a sweet comforting memory of your time in the Hundred Acre Wood.

Sunday Salon: Junior Fiction (Happy Birthday Beverly Cleary!)

You may or may not realize that there is some really wonderful Junior Fiction out there.  You are all readers of some sort, and were all kids at some point, so I'm guessing that most everyone has read some Junior Fiction in their lives.

You may or may not have continued reading Junior Fiction after ceasing to be of "junior" age.  If you have kiddos, like I do, the chances that you've dipped back into Newbery territory are probably greater, but whether you have children to read aloud to or not, Junior Fiction plays a vital role in literature.

This week, on April 12, Beverly Cleary will celebrate her 95th birthday.  Here is an author that set out to entertain children and has consequently made an impression on a nation (and perhaps beyond?)  Multiple generations have enjoyed Ribsy and identified with Ramona.  The power of the written word, even when in the form of simple sentences and young characters, is enough to bring laughter and comfort to people of different ages and backgrounds.  I'd like to wish Beverly Cleary a happy birthday, from my daughters and myself--thank you for remembering what it was like to be a child, and daring to write about it...your books will always have a place on my shelf!

I haven't written regular reviews of my Junior Fiction reads in a while, and I thought I'd start doing a quarterly overview...so the following books are the ones from the first quarter of 2011.  Most of these are read aloud to my kiddos, some for school and some just for fun.  Hope you find something worth looking into or something you've read that will spark a happy memory (if not, at least my unreviewed-books-guilt has been alleviated somewhat!)

The Door in the Wall by Marguerite DeAngeli
I reviewed this Newbery Winner (1950) at The Newbery Project in January.  I read it aloud for school (Middle Ages and all that) and while it does discuss some interesting parts of the era (illness, the role of the church, the feudal system) we found it a bit boring and hard to follow.  We had already read Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! (another Newbery winner) and we'd recommend that instead--very different styles of books, but as far as interest goes, we enjoyed the latter more. (3 stars)

The School Story by Andrew Clements
This is a fun story for the young writer or entrepreneur you may know.  Natalie's friend Zoe is amazed at Natalie's talent for writing and is determined to help her get her story published.  Although Natalie's mother works in publishing, she refuses to enlist her mother's help, determined to make her own way.  Everything works out way too easily for these girls, but it is still a fun adventure.  The plot was rather predictable, but the characters and the dialogue felt real and refreshing. (3.5 stars)

Dragon Flight and Dragon Spear by Jessica Day George
I've talked about these books and the author before.  These 2 titles follow Dragon Slippers to make a nice middle grade dragon-fantasy trilogy.  The first book takes a little while to really suck you in, and the last one ends rather gently, but generally speaking they are full of fun and adventure throughout.  In addition to that, the thing I really appreciated was that they were rather innocent as far as love and battle goes.  It included both, but hit a good balance of intensity--my sensitive 6 year-old daughter enjoyed listening to them, and my 12 year old son enjoyed reading them as well.  (4 stars)

Adam of the Road by Elizabeth Janet Gray
Back to the school subjects...I have to say that by the end of this book my kiddos were tired of the Middle Ages and tired of minstrels.  That being said, however, this Newbery winner was much more fun to read than The Door in the Wall.  It was easier to follow and easier to identify with.  I'd still say that Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! was their favorite from the medieval bunch, though.  At least Adam of the Road seemed more like a book about (and geared towards) children than the prior one! (3.5 stars)

Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry
My 6 year-old daughter lives and breathes horses. We've been reading My Chincoteague Pony (picture book) for years, and so she was very excited to finally hear the story inspiring the picture book.  A fairly simple story from a fairly simple time, it is nonetheless a heartwarming book for the horse lover.  Marguerite Henry is a great author to go to for books about horses! I'm sure I'll be re-reading this at some point.  (4 stars)

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg
I didn't know what to expect out of this Newbery winner, I just knew that I'd heard many people declare their love of it.  I found it enjoyable enough, although I'm afraid the magic passed over me somewhat.  I think my kiddos enjoyed it more than I did.  Perhaps if I'd read it as a child??  Maybe not...I didn't really identify with the characters or the adventure: I never wanted to run away and be out on my own, and museums always creeped me out as a kid.  If you don't have those issues, you're much more likely to love this book! I did enjoy the dynamics between the brother and sister, though--the constant grammar corrections and budget discussions were entertaining.  (3.5 stars)