Shel

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poetry corner

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Poetry by Shel Silverstein

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Poetry Corner

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Flat Stanley: Chapter 3

Flat Stanley: Chapter 2

Flat Stanley: Chapter One

Fantasy Fiction

The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe

By: C.S. Lewis

High Fantasy Fiction

Illustrations: Pauline Baynes

Reading Level: Grade 4 and above

Step into another world, the frozen world of Narnia, where it is always winter but never Christmas. As four children living in England, Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy, step through the wardrobe into the adventures of this secret land, they find out that the creatures of Narnia have been awaiting the arrival of four human children whom they believe will help them fight the evil White Witch. As Mr. and Mrs. Beaver take the children to meet Aslan, the Great Lion, each of them begins a journey in which they discover something about themselves. Will Peter have the courage and knowledge to lead them to victory? Will Edmund join the witch rather than give in to his bossy brother? What do Susan and Lucy see when they follow Aslan into the forest to meet the White Witch?

Evil faces Goodness in this high fantasy. Wolves and dwarves and even some of the trees side with the witch, so be careful what you whisper. You wouldn’t want to end up being turned into a stone statue and never making it back to the safety of the wardrobe. (Reviewed by Michelle.)

New York: HarperTrophy (1950). ISBN: 0-06-023481-4.

Non Fiction

Super Sensational Science Experiments

By: Michael DiSpezio

Non-fiction

Wow! If you are interested in science and trying your own experiments, this is the book for you. The book starts off with great advice for achieving successful experiments, how to go about gathering information and then moves on to the experimenting or inquiry-based learning.

You can learn about magnets and magnetism as you conduct the experiments first hand and observe the results you produce. Would you like to know how to make electricity with a lemon--well, this is the book for you. Ever wonder how motors work? Well this book has a way for you to build your own and observe how it works. You can learn about friction and inertia and in case your not sure what that means, it means--you can learn to make your own rocket and learn what makes it go. Why does ketchup separate when it sits?

You won't find an answer to everything, but this book will help you jump start your quest for science knowledge. (review by: Della McGinley)

DiSpezio, Michael, Super Sensational Science Experiments, New York NY, Sterling Publishing, 2005

ISBN: 978-4027-4286-6

http://www.michaeldispezio.com/

Biography

The Story of Helen Keller

By: Lorena A. Hickok

Biography

Imagine if you could not hear, see, or speak. What would your life be like? At the age of seven, Helen Keller could do none of these things. She lived in a dark, silent world until Anne Sullivan invaded her prison like world.

Reaching out to Helen Keller was not an easy task. Helen has been allowed to roam as she pleased through life doing anything that she pleases however she pleases. Ms. Sullivan; however demands that she conduct herself in an acceptable fashion. To begin her teaching, Ms. Sullivan begins with obedience and eventually moves on to learning. Helen's future took a turn for the better the day that she learned to spell w-a-t-e-r. Helen experienced a new out of control era in that she wanted to learn everything, but all at once. Ms. Sullivan did not stop with simple labeling; however. She also taught Helen how to physically write, use sign language, read braille, and even speak. Helen went on attend college.

Helen Keller's life has amazed me since childhood and I'm sure she will give you inspiration.

(review by: Della McGinley)

Hickok, Lorena, The Story of Helen Keller, New York NY, Grosset & Dunlap, 1958

ISBN: 0-590-33968-0

http://www.helenkeller.org/graphicversion/bio.html

Mystery

From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

By: E. L. Konigsburg

Mystery/ Newberry Award

Creep through the halls of the Metropolitan Museum of Art with Claudia and her brother. Claudia talks her brother into running away with her and their destination is the Metropolitan Museum. Claudia and her brother devise a plan that allows them to hide themselves from museum security and enjoy their accommodations.

Their plans change when the Angel arrives. The Angel has been bought for a low price and believed to be a creation of Michelangelo's. There is no sound evidence; however to proved the authenticity of the piece of art. Claudia and her brother take on the mystery of the Angel. They research material at the library as well as in house. Their first theory is a disappointment because the museum is already aware of their discovery.

The twist comes when Claudia decides to use the last of their money to take a taxi to visit the lady who sold the art to the museum. Claudia doesn't beat around the bush with Mrs. Frankweiler. She want to know if the Angel is authentic and is not afraid to ask. Mrs. Frankweiler; however, sends them on a mission through a wall of filing cabinets to see if they can discover the answer. The answer is found and Mrs. Frankweiler rewards Claudia well, but you'll have to read the book to find out what the answer was. (review by: Della McGinley)

Konigsburg, E. L., From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, New York NY, Aladdin Paperbacks, 1972

ISBN: 978-0-689-71181-7

http://www.eduplace.com/kids/hmr/mtai/konigsburg.html

Folklore

Rowan of Rin

By: Emily Rodda

Fantasy

Rowan is born into the town of Rin where his late father is known as a ledgend. Rowan faces fear, timidity, and failure in his community. Rowan is everything that his father was not.

Rowans town is in danger when the sweet water from the mountain tops suddenly stops running and the bukshah have nothing to drink. The town relies on the bukshah for their food, clothes, transportation of wares, and for Rowan--friendship. The town seeks the help of the towns medicine woman. She sends them away with riddles but no answer. Rowan discovers her cleverness when he finds a map in a stick presented by the elder lady. The map shows the way up the mountain, but it only works when Rowan is holding it.

This new event means that Rowan must join the crew of brave citizens that hae volunteered to climb the mountain, dragon and all. The townfolk laugh at this idea, Rowan's mother is horrified, and the mountain crew is irritated to think that he will be joining them with all his uselessness.

The journey is full of dangerous situations as the elder had predicted and one by one, the crew returns home in shame. In the end, it is up to Rowan and Strong John to save Rin. The turning point is when Rowan makes the choice the first save Strong John. As predicted, Rowan was the only one smart enough to conquer the mountain because he was the only one smart enough to embrace fear. (review by: Della McGinley)

Rodda, Emily, Rowan of Rin, Australia, Omnibus Books, 1993

ISBN: 0-06-441019-6

http://www.emilyrodda.com/

Historical

Get On Board
by Jim Haskins

Historical

Reading Level: 5th & 6th

Get On Board talks about the Underground Railroad which was a way of freedom for the slaves. The underground railroad stretched from Florida to Washington and from North Carolina to Missouri. Get On Board is undoubtedly an eye opener to the experiences and tribulations of the slaves and the people that helped the slaves. Get On Board book provides documented stories of slaves that escaped through and with the help of the underground railroad. (Jack McGuire)


Haskins, Jim. Get On Board. New York: Scholastic Inc., 1993.

ISBN: 0-5980-45419-6

Historical Fiction

My Brother Sam Is Dead
by James Lincoln Collier & Christopher Collier

Historical Fiction

Reading level: 5th and 6th

My Brother Sam Is Dead takes the reader back more than 230 years to the American Revolution. This story is a narrative that begins with Tim Meeker telling the story of his family in Redding, Connecticut.
Tim talks about how he idolizes his brother Sam telling him stories about his college days in Yale and New Haven. When Sam joins the Patriots (the Continental army) his father (Life) disagrees immensely, for Tim's father (Life) is a Tory. During the time Sam is away and joined the Continental Army Tim talks of life in Redding as a small town with houses, a school and a few merchants. The Redding tavern is owned by the Meekers and most the people are loyalists for the English. The war has hit the economic life with shortage of supplies and money.

Tim who is adventurous and a will of his own talks of wanting to grown up and be brave like his older brother. With Tim's father despising Sam for joining he continentals and the war sweeping the country how will the Meekers survive the war and will the family hold together through these hard times? (Jack McGuire)

Collier, Jame lincoln. My Brother Sam Is Dead. New York: Scholastic Inc, 1974.

ISBN: 0-439-78360-7

Realistic fiction

Dear Mr. Henshaw
by Beverly Cleary

Realistic fiction

Grade level: 5th and 6th

This book is about a boy named Leigh Botts that writes to an author named Mr. Henshaw. Leigh starts writing to Mr. Henshaw in the second grade after Leigh's teacher reads Ways to Amuse a Dog written by Mr. Henshaw. Leigh continues to write to Mr. Henshaw up through the 6th grade, at that point he writes and sends 10 questions to the Mr. Henshaw as a class assignment and the Mr. Henshaw sends 10 question to Leigh.

Leigh's mom and dad are divorced. His dad is a truck driver and mom is works part time and takes college classes. Leigh enters a class writing contest and wins honorable mention. The prize is, Leigh gets to go to dinner with a famous author that knows Mr. Henshaw. The author said Leighs writing strenth was that he wrote like himself and didn't try to write like someone else.

This book is easy and fun to read it hits home with many kids today with the fact that divorce is on the rise. Leigh shows that kids can speak their feelings through their writing. (Jack McGuire)

Cleary, Beverly. Mr. Henshaw. New York: Dell Publishing, 1983

ISBN: 0-440-21934-5

Poetry-Prose Fiction

Hugging the Rock

By: Susan Taylor Brown

Poetry-Prose Fiction

Reading Level: Grade 5 and above

Rachel's mom runs away saying she can’t deal with things. Unable to believe that the world will go on turning, Rachel writes about her jumbled feelings in a diary after her bipolar mom leaves her and her father. Dad acts dazed and even the dog, Madison, mourns for weeks. Blaming herself, Rachel finds little comfort anywere. Healing finally begins when a photo album of Dad and Rachel surfaces and communication between an estranged father and daughter slowly blossoms. A year later, what happens when Mom makes contact?

Brown's use of prose to unfold a story based on an unusual topic successfully draws readers into the raw emotions and thoughts of a child experiencing a devastating and confusing loss. Skillfully, she weaves in threads of hope without diminishing the reality of the situation. As surely as winter turns into spring, this story brings readers to see how healing begins and how past hurts can become the foundations of new life. (Reviewed by Michelle.)

Berkeley, Toronto: Tricycle Press (2006).

ISBN 13: 978-1-58246-180-9. 170 pgs.

Check out the Kids' Page at: http://www.susantaylorbrown.com/kids.html

Historical Fiction

Time Enough for Drums

By: Ann Rinaldi

Historical Fiction

Reading Level: Grade 6 and above

The historical novel, Time Enough for Drums, weaves a story of love and loyalty within a typical colonial family against the setting of the American Revolution. The young main character, a 15-year old girl named Jem, grows in maturity and understanding under the watchful eye of her parents and British tutor, John Reid, whom she stubbornly perceives as the enemy. Fiercely loyal to her parents’ patriot views, she comes to better understand the sacrifices people around her have made because of their beliefs.

Author Ann Rinaldi successfully ties into the plot many of the main events, historical figures, and revolutionary ideas that are foundational to the revolution. Written within the context of a typical family's life during colonial times, readers easily identify with the characters and see the issues of the war through Jem's eyes. Two of her brothers join Washington's army while Dad struggles to keep the family store in business, even while boycotting English imports such as tea. When the American troops retreat across the Delaware, Jem's home is confiscated, first by Hessian soldiers and then the British. These experiences teach her lessons about human nature, love, loyalty, and secrets.

Step into America's early history and discover the surprising ways that well-known figures and everyday people impacted the struggle for freedom. Risking life and loved ones, people like Jem and her family dared to take a stand. What will Jem do when she finds out someone she loves is a spy and rebel? (Reviewed by Michelle.)

New York: Random House, Inc. (1986).

ISBN: 0-440-22850-6. 244 pages.

Meet the author at: http://www.annrinaldi.com/index.htm

Historical Fiction

Or Give Me Death

By: Ann Rinaldi

Historical Fiction

Is there a secret behind Patrick Henry's famous speech? Patrick Henry traveled through the American colonies, advocating for independence. In his absence, his family in Virginia had some hardships of their own. Sara, Henry's wife becomes mentally ill and tries to kill her youngest son by drowning. Patrick Henry's oldest daughter, Patsy, inevitably has to confine her and the only place seems to be the family cellar.

Sara claims to have the gift of sight and one frightful night, she shares with her middle daughter which of her five children will inherit her terrible illness. Anne is terrified to disclose the real persons name for fear that Patsy will drive them to early insanity. Anne bravely decides that she will tell everyone she is the one who will inherit the illness and suffers years of harsh treatment from her sister, Patsy, in hopes of saving her.

After four years of confinement, Anne hears her mother and father talking in the cellar. Her mother is frantic and begging her husband. As Patsy listens closely she hears her mother say "give me my freedom or let me go to my death!" Anne is later haunted by these very words when she hears them in her father's famous speech. Life is blistering to a head and Anne struggles with the decision of keeping her secret or telling the truth about the illness. While Patrick Henry crusaded through the Revolutionary War, his family waged a war of their own. (review by Della McGinley)

Rinaldi, Ann, Or Give Me Death, Orlando FL, Harper Court, 2003

ISBN: 0-15-205076-0

http://www.annrinaldi.com/

Realistic Fiction

The Wanderer

By: Sharon Creech

Realistic Fiction/ Newberry Award 2001

Everyone has a history and ironically history makes us who we are. Society, culture, and life experiences all play a part in the history of a person's life. The wanderer takes you across the Atlantic from Connecticut to Ireland through the eyes of a young girl named Sophie and through the voice of the sea.

Sophie has suffered much loss and change in her life and is wandering through life when she begins her journey. The author writes of howling wind that literally knocks you off your feet. The words describe the sea, but they also describe the effects of the hardships in Sophie's life. Sophie is joined in her journey by uncles and cousins. Through out the journey, the crew decides everyone must teach the others something special that they can do. Her cousin decided to teach juggling although some though it a stupid thing to teach. Her cousin Brian taught "points of sail" and other sailing logo. Boooorrrriiiiinnnngggg! Sophie decided to teach amazing stories that she remembered hearing her Bompie (their father/grandfather) tell. The uncles and cousins could not understand why they could not remember the amazing stories that were also their history.

Sophie tells her stories and her uncles and cousins begin to feel like wanderers as they search their memories to recall the events of Sophie's wonderful stories. The story revolves around these exciting stories and it is rather interesting because....well, you see, Sophie has never met Bompie because Sophie was adopted into this wonderful family only three years ago and has never been to Ireland, where Bompie lives. Want to know more about Sophie's stories? You'll have to read the book yourself for that information. (review by Della McGinley)

Creech, Sharon, The Wanderer, New York NY, Harper Collins, 2002

ISBN: 0-06-441032-3

http://www.sharoncreech.com/