Listen!

Author: Stephanie Tolan

Summary: It’s summer, but 12-year-old Charley feels she has nothing to look forward to. Her best friend has gone away to tennis camp and Charley is still grieving over the loss of her mother, a nature photographer who died two years earlier in a plane crash. To top it off, Charley is recovering from a car accident in which she injured her leg. Then one day Charley comes across a shy but intelligent stray dog who is terrified of people and desperately in need of some love. Charley decides to tame him and in the process comes to terms with her grief and learns to enjoy life again.

Number of pages: 197

Reading Level: 5.7

Rating: 8 stars

Kids: Yes, another dog book! This is a good story, but is slow moving and on the serious side. Listen! kept me interested, but there is not a lot of action or an exciting climax. Still, if you enjoy animal stories, you’d probably like this one.

Parents: This is a sweet, gentle story of healing as Charley learns to open her heart to the dog. The book contains powerful themes of nature, family and love. Charley’s grief for her mother is an integral part of the story, however, and may be difficult for younger readers to connect with or comprehend.

Teachers: While the readability level of Listen! is probably about 5.2, I scored it as 5.7 because of the mature themes of grief and recovery. Only advanced readers would understand the emotions Charley experiences throughout the book. The communication between Charley and Coyote could make an interesting literature circle discussion. I’m a big fan of Tolan’s Surviving the Applewhites, and though Listen! is worth reading, it doesn’t live up to her previous novels.

Awards:
2007 Christopher Award
Nominated for The 2006 ASPCA® Henry Bergh Children’s Book Award
New York Public Library Books for Teen Age Readers List
Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award (Vermont)

If you liked Listen!, I’d recommend:
A Dog’s Life by Ann M. Martin
Surviving the Applewhites by Stephanie Tolan
A Dog Called Kitty by Bill Wallace
Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles
Paint the Wind by Pam Munoz Ryan

ISBN-13:978-0060579357

The Princess Academy

Author: Shannon Hale

Summary: Mira, her father, and sister mine for linder, a prized rock, on Mt. Eskel. One day, representatives of the prince arrive to announce that the prince’s bride will be chosen from the young women of Mira’s village. Before the prince chooses, however, the girls need training on how to be a princess and Mira and 19 other young ladies are led away to the Princess Academy. There, Mira learns that she can communicate her thoughts without speaking to the other girls through the linder rock that covers the Academy grounds. She uses this skill to improve life in her village and eventually save the other girls from unexpected danger.

Reading Level: 5.5

Rating: 8 stars

Kids: Sorry, guys. This book is pretty much a girl book, as you can tell from the title. There isn’t a lot of action in this story, but the characters are interesting and there is a good theme about believing in yourself. If you like that sort of a book, this is a good choice for you. By the way, if you come to the “linder speak” part and it seems kind of confusing, just keep reading because you’ll understand the whole thing in a few chapters.

Parents: Strong values of family and loyalty are prominent in The Princess Academy. There is an allusion to romance between two characters, but it’s very innocent. It’s a satisfying tale where good wins out and there’s a happy ending for all.

Teachers: The Princess Academy is well written and the main character, Mira, is bold, courageous and smart. It has some novel ideas and twists that were probably a factor in its selection as a Newbery Honor book. For some reason, the book never gained much popularity in my classroom for independent reading, but it could be used successfully as a literature circle book.

Awards:

2006 Newbery Honor Book
2005 Honorable Mention for "Favorite Novel of the Year," Publishers Weekly
2007 Beehive Award winner
An ALA Notable Children's Book
A New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing
Nominated for the 2008 Young Reader's Choice Award
Nominated for the Illinois 2008 Rebecca Caudill Young Reader's Book Award

If you liked The Princess Academy, I’d recommend:

The Two Princesses of Bamarre by Gail Carson Levine
Just Ella by Margret Haddix
The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi
Ida B. by Katherine Hannigan
Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles

ISBN: 1582349932

A Dog’s Life: Autobiography of a Stray

Author: Ann M. Martin

Summary: Good natured Squirrel and her brother, Bone, begin their life in a toolshed behind a summer vacation house. Their mother gives them the survival skills they’ll need as stray dogs and life is happy. Then one day, Mother disappears and the puppies must survive on their own. Squirrel is adopted by well-meaning strangers several times, must rely on her hunting skills and garbage cans for food, and makes friends with other strays along the way. By the end of the story, Squirrel is an old, well-loved mutt.

Reading Level: 5.5

Rating: 7 1/2 stars

Kids: If you’re a dog lover, you’ll probably enjoy this book. Lots of my students recommended it to me. It’s told from the dog’s perspective and that’s pretty cool. There are some sad parts, however, and, to be honest, there isn’t a lot of action and the story can get a little slow. Maybe try reading the first few chapters and see if you like it.

Parents: There’s nothing offensive in the book and it’s a safe read, though a little sad at times. The book might give you an opportunity to talk with your child about the responsibilities of being a pet owner and the importance of good pet care.

Teachers: Many of my students enjoyed this book, though I found it a little slow. Some tender-hearted boys and girls might have a hard time with some of the difficult situations in which Squirrel finds herself. I don’t think I’d use this book as a read aloud.

Accelerated Reader test: Available (check your school)

Awards:

2008 William Allen White Children’s Book Awards
2008 Young Reader's Choice Award Winners
2006 American Booksellers Honor Book

If you liked A Dog’s Life, I’d recommend: (these are all dog books)

The Good Dog by Avi

Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

The BossQueen, Little Bigbark, And the Sentinel Pup by Sarah Clark Jordan

Listen by Syephanie Tolan

ISBN10: 0439901073

Feathers

Author: Jacqueline Woodson

Summary: When a white boy joins Frannie’s all-black sixth grade class, she doesn’t know how to feel. The other students nickname him Jesus Boy for his long hair and calm demeanor. While the school bully harasses the new boy, Frannie’s best friend, Samantha, starts to hope that he really is Jesus. Meanwhile, Frannie must grapple with issues at home: an older brother who is deaf, and a mother who is grieving after several miscarriages. Though life is difficult, Frannie is able to find hope in the little things. An afternoon sitting on Grandma's lap. Coming home to the good smell of Mama cooking chicken. And one black girl getting along with one white boy. Like a feather, hope floats through Frannie’s life.

Reading Level: 5.5

Rating: 8 stars


Kids: Even though Feathers is a short book, you should read it slowly and really think about what the author is trying to say. The story is a simple one, but there are a lot of deeper meanings behind it. I liked it, but it is a serious book. It’s a good book to read with a friend so you can talk about it.

Parents: Feathers is full of morals and Christian values. You might want to read this book with your child so that you can discuss the themes of prejudice, faith and goodness so prevalent in the story. One of my favorite lines in the book sums up the story’s theme. "Maybe Jesus is just that something good or something sad or something . . . something that stays with us and makes us do stuff like help. . . Maybe Jesus is that hope you were feeling."

Teachers: This book is beautifully written and the theme of hope is well developed. However, as an educator in a public school, all the religious references made me feel a little uncomfortable; I couldn’t read this book as a Read Aloud. This book needs to be given to just the right student: a mature and deep thinker who can look beyond the obvious.


Accelerated Reader test: Available (check your school)

Awards:
2008 Newbery Honor book

If you liked Feathers, I’d recommend:

Surviving the Applewhites by Stephanie Tolan
Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis
Rules by Cynthia Lord
Manic Magee by Jerry Spinelli

ISBN-10: 0399239898

Shakespeare's Secret

Author: Elise Broach

Summary: Sixth-grader, Hero, moves into a new neighborhood but has a hard time adjusting when kids at school tease her about her name. However, she is able to make quick friends with an intriguing, elderly next-door neighbor, Mrs. Roth, who tells Hero about the enormous diamond rumored to be hidden in Hero's new house. Helped by Mrs. Roth and a popular eighth-grader, Danny, Hero launches into a furtive search that unearths links between the diamond's original owner and Edward de Vere, a nobleman believed by some to be the original author of Shakespeare's plays. As the mystery is solved, the characters’ lives are changed forever.

Reading Level: 5.5

Rating: 8 stars

Kids: This is a fun mystery! The characters are believable and there is a twist at the end that I didn’t expect. There is some suspense, though it’s not a scary book. It might also get you interested in learning more about Shakespeare and the Elizabethan time period. I know lots of kids who liked this book!

Parents: I liked that the main character came from a nuclear family – pretty unusual in books these days. The characters are wholesome and realistic. While the book contains no foul language, a few references are made to situations in Elizabethan time you might deem slightly inappropriate, including a mention of “illegitimate children.” Most of this would probably go over a fifth grader’s head.

Teachers: I almost gave this book 7 1/2 stars, but moved it up to eight for the accurate historical references. I liked this book much better than Chasing Vermeer. It could make a good literature circle book, but I don’t think I’d use it as a read aloud. While it’s a good book for recreational reading, there are lots of historical references to Shakespeare that GATE students might enjoy investigating. Was William Shakespeare really who people say he was? One of my favorite parts of the book was the author’s final comment about Shakespeare’s amazing understanding of human nature. See the Parent section above for comments on possible inappropriate references.

Accelerated Reading Test: Available (check your school)

Awards:

2008 Young Reader’s Choice Nominee
2008 Mark Twain Award nominee
Junior Library Guild Selection
Edgar Award Nominee – Best Juvenile Mystery
ALA Notable book

If you liked Shakespeare's Secret, I’d recommend:

Mysteries:
From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg
Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett

Sammy Keyes series by Wendelin Van Draanen

On Shakespeare:

King of Shadows by Susan Cooper

The Shakespeare Stealer by Gary Blackwood

ISBN-13: 978-0312371326

Ida B. and Whittington

Ida B : . . . and Her Plans to Maximize Fun, Avoid Disaster, and (Possibly) Save the World

by Katherine Hannigan

Summary: Ida B is an only child with plenty of time on her hands. She is home schooled and spends much of the day having fun: exploring the family farm and visiting the apple orchards. When an unexpected event turns Ida’s world upside down, she feels angry and betrayed. Ida vows to turn her heart to stone and declares war: against her family, against her new classmates, and most determinedly against herself. However, with the help of a compassionate teacher and the support of her parents, Ida begins to heal.

Reading Level: 4.8

Rating: 8 ½ stars


Kids: You’ll like Ida B’s character, her sense of humor and her attitude about life. Ida B is more of a girl’s book and there isn’t much action. However, the story is heartwarming and not too sad. I think you’ll like it.

Parents: Ida B is a safe, wholesome story. You will find no foul language or situations that might be deemed inappropriate. Strong characters model compassion and forgiveness.

Teachers: A good book for literature circles and a possible read aloud. Great, strong main character with whom readers can easily connect. No foul language or mature subject matter. Themes of family, forgiveness and trust.


Accelerated Reading Test: Available (check your school)

Awards:
Publishers Weekly Best Book
School Library Journal Best Book
New York Public Library's "One Hundred Titles for Reading and Sharing"
IRA/CBC Teachers' Choice
Quill Award Nominee
Book Sense Honor Book
Borders Original Voices
ALA Booklist Editors’ Choice

If you liked Ida B, I’d recommend:

Rules by Cynthia Lord
Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
Hope Was Here by Joan Bauer
So B. It by Sarah Weeks

ISBN 0060730242

Whittington
By Alan Armstrong


Summary: A soft-hearted farmer, Bernie, takes in forlorn animals including Whittington the cat, who shows up one fall day. When the year’s first snowstorm traps the bored animals in the barn, Whittington becomes a storyteller. As the barn animals and Bernie's two grandchildren listen, Whittington recounts the adventures of his namesake, Dick Whittington, whose good fortune was brought on by hard work and advice from his cat. Meanwhile, Ben, Bernie's grandson, has dyslexia and may be held back at school. With the help of his sister and the support of the animals, Ben learns to overcome his reading difficulties.

Reading Level: 5.8

Rating: 7 ½ stars

Kids: Whittington is a sweet story, but very slow. It is similar to Charlotte’s Web, but not quite as good. The best parts are when Whittington the cat describes the adventures of Dick Whittington. If you like animal stories, you might enjoy this one. But beware. It moves very slowly.

Parents: Whittington is an old-fashioned tale similar to Charlotte’s Web. References to opium and hashish occur about mid-way through, though most children would probably gloss right over them. No foul language.

Teachers: This book is very slow and difficult to read. I question its Newbery recognition. The characters are one-dimensional and I found them difficult to care about. Sentences are often choppy and pretentious. While written with the most basic of constructions, the vocabulary and comprehension level is somewhere in the sixth grade. I can’t recommend it for a read aloud or for literature circles. Themes of loyalty, trust and friendship.


Accelerated Reading Test: Available (check your school)

Awards:

WINNER 2006 - Newbery Medal Winner
WINNER 2006 - ALA Notable Children's Book


If you liked Whittington I’d recommend

Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White
The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very
Interesting Boy by Jeanne Birdsall
Ginger Pye by Eleanor Estes
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo


ISBN-10: 0375828656

Walk Two Moons

Author: Sharon Creech

Summary: Walk Two Moons juggles two stories simultaneously. Thirteen-year-old Salamanca Tree Hiddle's is taking a car trip across the US with her grandparents in order to see her mother in Idaho. Sal believes that if she can see her mother before Sal's birthday, her mother will come back home. On the way to Idaho, Sal's grandparents retrace her mother's trip to Idaho. To pass the time, Sal tells her grandparents about her unusual friend, Phoebe Winterbottom, whose mother vanished and who received secret messages after her disappearance. As Sal describes how she and Pheobe discovered the truth about Pheobe's family, Sal slowly reveals the truth about her own.

Reading Level: 5.4

Rating: 10 stars

Kids: This is my all-time favorite book! It is one of the few I have actually given 10 stars. The characters are funny and the story is surprising. The ending blew me away. However, not every student to whom I have recommended this book have enjoyed it as much as I did. It's more of a girl book than a boy book, but I know plenty of boys who have enjoyed it. I hope you try it!

Parents: There are few books so full of loving characters and honest messages about life and coming of age. The book does contain a little bit of mature subject matter. Nothing terribly inappropriate, just mature. This would be a great book to read together with your child or as a family. It will undoubtedly affect you as much as them.

Teachers: Walk Two Moons is one of the few books I think truly deserves a Newbery Medal. I have done this book as a read aloud, but the ending is so difficult for me to read that I have to take a break half-way through the last few chapters. It makes a great lit circle book, but your guidance will be needed along the way. Students who have already read the book once would enjoy a second read as they explore the foreshadowing that occurs about the ending. I can't recommend it enough.

Accelerated Reading Test: Available (check your school)

Awards:

Newbery Medal
School Library Journal Best Book
Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts (NCTE)
ALA Notable Children’s Book
Bulletin Blue Ribbon (The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books)
Sequoyah Young Adult Book Award (Oklahoma)
Virginia Young Readers Award
Parents' Choice Gold Award
School Library Journal Best Book

If you liked Walk Two Moons, I’d recommend:

Rules by Cynthia Lord

Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo

The Wanderer by Sharon Creech

Holes by Jerry Spinelli

Gossamer by Lois Lowry

ISBN13: 9780060560133