| Reading update |
[Jul. 30th, 2008|06:17 pm] |
Books I read for my "Language Arts for Elementary school" class
15.
Name: Star Of Kazan 388 Pages
Grades 5-8
By Eva Ibbotson, 2004, ISBN0-330-41802-5
This book has many themes, but the most important theme is that your family is the people who love you and take care of you, rather than who you are related to. Annika, who is a foundling, leaves her adopted home and family in Vienna when her Aristocratic mother comes to claim her. While away, she learns many things, but most important is that Vienna is where she belongs. I would consider using the novel as a read alloud novel in class. Although it might be difficult for some readers on their own, it would lead to rich discussion. It is full of interesting characters and would be fairly gender neutral. It is sent in early 20th century Vienna.
Rating: 4.
16
Name: Journey to the River Sea 294 pages
By Eva Ibbotson, 2001, ISB 0-330-39715-X
Grades 5-8
This book is very much a love letter to the Amazon. Perhaps its main theme is that people need to follow their dreams and embrace nature and the world and culture around them. It is an adventure story which takes place in early 20th century South America. It would be a very interesting part of a thematic unit on the Amazon. It follows a young orphaned girl named Maia to distant relatives in the Amazon and is like a more modern, yet equally enchanting version of books such as The Secret Garden and A Little Princess.
Rating 4.5
17
The River Between Us 164 pages
By Richard Peck, 2003, ISBN 0-8037-2735-6
Grade 6-9
This book, which takes place in early 20th century America, and more substantially, along the Mississippi during the American Civil War, is about the importance of our history and where we come from. It is too advanced a book to do with a class as a whole, it was interesting, but probably not a book I would suggest to students as it is not a very interesting historical fiction novel and could feed stereotypes that historical fiction is boring. It is about a family caught up in the war. A young girl watches her twin brother go fight in the war on the side of the north, just as she befriends a southern Bell.
Rating 3
18
Rodzina 203 pages
By Karen Cushman, 2003, ISBN 0-618-13351-8
Grades 4-7.
A disappointing novel. This is not nearly as good as Cushman’s The Midwife’s Apprentice or The Ballad of Lucy Wipple. It is about a young immigrant from Polind who is Orphaned by tragedy in her Chicago home in 1881. She is sent on an orphan train out west to be adopted by settlers. It is not a very well paced novel and the ending seems unrealistic. I don’t think I would include it in my class at all, especially since Cushman has much better novels to offer.
Rating 2.5
19
The City of Ember 270, The People of Sparks 338
By Jeanne DuPrau, 2003, 2004, ISBN 0-375-82274-7, 0-375-82825-7
Grades 4-8
These are the first two books in a trilogy. It is post apocalyptic; the city of ember is a city built underground to save humans beings from the end of the world and takes place far in the future. It is about two young kids who save their city by finding a way out as their energy dies down. It is kind of like a younger version of the giver. The second book takes place on the surface, and DuPrau looks at discontent and war in the microcosm of the town of sparks. The trilogy is a kind of cautionary tale about saving our resources and what we need to do to keep people good and the world healthy. It would make a really good novel study because we could bring in a lot of current events.
Rating 3.5 and 4
20
Prophesy of the Stones 386 pages
Flavia Bujor, Translated by Linda Coverdale ISBN-13: 9780641680793
Grades 5-9
This book was written by a thirteen year old girl. It is about three very different girls who are connected by a prophecy. It is an old fashioned fair tale with a hint of sarcasm. It is quite distinct, not a copy of the Lord of the Rings like Eragon. The characters are interesting, though rather shallow. It is the story that makes the book so engaging. The theme is about the importance of standing up to life’s challenges. Not a book I would read to a class or use for a novel study, but certainly one I would have available for silent reading.
Rating: 3.5
21
Among the Imposters
Margaret Peterson Haddix
Grades 4-7
A recent future novel about our world after a famine. It is the sequal to Among the Hidden, and takes place in a world ruled by the population police who are in charge of maintaining a 2 children per family limit. Any third children are killed, for they are stealing food meant for rightful citizens. Luke is a third child, and he has been given a chance at life with a fake id. The theme of the novel involves the importance of standing up for what you believe in. It is also a cautionary tale on preserving our resources. It would be a good class library book, though I would be more likely to use the first book, Among the Hidden, as a class novel for a novel study. It could be interesting to read in the context of looking at the one child per family rule in China, as well as the gender imbalance associated with it, or to study modern famines.
Rating 4
22
The Sea of Monsters 279
By Rich Ridoran (Sequal to The Lightening Thief) 2006, 978-142310334-9
Grades 6-8
A children’s version of American Gods. This book is an adventure story which takes place in Modern America, where the Greek Gods continue to rule. The Gods and Mosters have been modernized to fit into the new world, and the protagonists are a group of kids who are Half bloods. They have one mortal and one god for a parent. They are a lot of fun, and would work well as part of a mythology unit. I suppose the theme is that of acceptance despite appearances, and the importance of family and friends.
Rating 4
23
The Princess Academy by Shannon Tale 250 pages
A rather disappointing book. As a fantasy tale, it lacks the joy and enthusiasm of books like Ella Enchanted or the engaging twists and characters in Donna Jo Napoli’s books. It is an Ever After type story, trying to look at a fantasy world in a realistic manner. Unfourtunately, it sucks most of the fun out of the genre. The themes involve remembering where you come from and being proud of your heritage. I may have it in my classroom for students, but it would not be a recommended read.
Rating 2.5
24
The Castle Corona
Sharon Creech
Cute and engaging take on the fairy tale story. The king, queen and royal princes and princess are flawed and spoiled. The tale is funny and engaging. It is not as perfect as Ella Enchanted, but is more gender neutral. The themes involve not being taken in by appearances and making assumptions, and it revolves around the importance of intelligence and self reflection. A good class library book.
Rating 3.5
25
The Queen of Atolia 368 pages
Megan Whalen Turner ISBN-13: 978-0060841829
Exciting follow up to The Thief, which centers around the characters more than its predecessor. It is not an easy read, it would be best suited for mature students, due to violence and anger (the protagonist has his hand cut off) but it is an excellent read for more advanced readers. I would recommend it to strong readers ad have it available in my classroom. It has fun surprising twists and the study of power and leadership is interesting and revealing. The King of Attolia is also a great read. It is a great trilogy, though the first one is probably most appropriate for the age group I will be teaching.
4.5
26
Pictures of Hollis Woods 166 pages
By Patricia Reilly Giff, 2002, ISBN 0-440-41578-0
Grades 6-9
A well written contemporary novel about an adolescent orphan who has been shipped from foster home to foster home throughout her life. Its theme is perhaps that you need to believe people, even if you have been hurt in the past. All Hollis has ever wanted I a family. The book is written in two alternating sections. In one she is living with an artist, in the other she is remembering the family she loved that she left behind. This would make a good classroom book for more advanced readers.
Rating 4
27
The Outcasts of 19 Schuyler Place 304 pages
E.L Konigburg ISBN-13: 978-0689866364
Grades 4-9
A book about a girl trying to save some beautiful artwork in her uncle’s backyard from demolition. It is written mostly with a moral like theme that if you put your mind to it, you can do anything. It does however, avoid being too sugar coated by examining how money is valued above beauty by many people, as well as by examining a dislike for differences. It is an engaging book with a strong female protagonist. I would put it in my classroom library.
Rating 4
28
Ruby Hollow 320
By Sharon Creech 2004l ISBN 978-0747560296
Grades 4-6
A story about twin orphans, a boy and a girl, who find love and acceptance with an old couple. The novel is about the importance of following through with your life goals, and more importantly, about trusting those who care about you. The novel takes place in the modern world, but because of the story, it seems old fashioned. It is filled with old fashioned values, perhaps because the old couple seem to maintain a demeanor from a golden age in their quiet hollow. It shows how nature can be an escape from the trials of society. It could be used as a classroom book, but I didn’t really like it enough to do it as a novel study. It has the right components, but somehow lacks the passion needed to create a reading experience. I would more likely but it in my classroom library.
Grade 3.5 |
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