Category: 5 Star

Outstanding

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Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert O’Brien

 

Anthropomorphic. What a mouthful! But many children’s stories are anthropomorphic. Simple definition: a literary device attributing human qualities to animals or objects. However, Robert  O’Brien’s Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, an anthropomorphic story, is not merely fantasy. In my mind, it’s science fiction because many of the human characteristics of the rats originated with a science experiment in a mental health laboratory at the National Institute of Mental Health.

Synopsis

Mrs. Frisby, a widowed mouse, seeks help from a band of odd-behaving rats who are extremely intelligent. As she becomes acquainted with them, she learns they escaped from the laboratory at NIMH. The rats help save her son’s life, and she in turn, is able to save theirs when danger hunts them down.

I suppose that’s more of a hook than a synopsis, but I don’t want to give a whole lot away. The book is too good. Read it and find out how the story unfolds!

Pros

  1. Every plot detail has a positive message. Animal neighbors help animal neighbors. In cliché form, “one good turns deserves another.” That may sound dull, but with the continuous threat of Dragon the cat and the research scientists at NIMH, helpful neighbors risk their lives doing “good turns.” One particularly positive message: since the rats have gained so many abilities, they want to be able to live without stealing from others.
  2. The villains (humans and cat) aren’t filled with demonic evil. The rats consider the lab personnel likable, but resented, for incarcerating innocent animals. And the experiments in the lab aren’t painful. The obnoxious kid is simply—obnoxious. An impulsive boy who likes to observe and get involved with anything that interests him. Human reactions to rodents on the loose is typical of humans. Even the cat is just being a cat.
  3. While the rats are the heroes, they aren’t portrayed as perfect. Their relationships are real. When disagreements among them occur, they are handled without violence. How refreshing.

Cons

  1. Amazon labels this a teen book, but I think middle-graders would love it. The end might prove upsetting for younger readers under age nine. (SPOILER HERE): While the rats escape from those who seek their deaths, success comes at a high price.
  2. A warning about the movie, The Secret of NIMH: the plot focuses on Mrs. Frisby and her son more than the rats, a complete divergence from the book. As a result, the movie uses formulaic magic to bring about success in Mrs. Frisby’s quest, which Hollywood deems as necessary in children’s films. Not a fan. Worse, the disagreeable rat is violent in the movie.

Discussion questions

  1. Why were the rats willing to help Mrs. Frisby when they had never met her before?
  2. When you do something nice for someone, what good things might happen because you were helpful and kind?
  3. If you could become the size of a rat, would you want to be friends with the rats from NIMH? If yes, how would you help them in their goal to have a safe place to live?

Conclusion

The Newbery Award winner of 1972, Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH became an instant favorite of mine. After the movie was produced, Scholastic published the same book under the movie title, but the plot is the original version. Two NIMH books have followed written by O’Brien’s daughter, Jane Conley: Racso and the Rats of NIMH and R-T, Margaret, and the Rats of NIMH. I’ve read Racso, so I know Ms. Conley was faithful to her father’s legacy by using many of the same characters and maintaining their original charm. Reviews of R-T indicate the same.

If you’re interested in an excellent readable article on the history of how O’Brien’s novel got its start, here’s the link: The Doomed Mouse Utopia that Inspired the Rats of NIMH.

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Killing Lincoln by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard

 

Killing Lincoln

Killing Lincoln is an excellent historical account of the time surrounding the end of the Civil War. While it’s suitable for middle grade up, it should be categorized as young adult because the book was not written for children.

Pros

Killing Lincoln goes into detail about the end of the Civil War. O’Reilly and Dugard go into great detail to put Lincoln’s assassination into historical context. The best part was the details about John Wilkes Booth, his co-conspirators, and what they did before and after the assassination. Bill O’Reilly narrates the audio version of Killing Lincoln, and I highly recommend it.

Cons

Not too many. Really sensitive children might be troubled by the details of Lincoln’s injury and the broken leg John Wilkes Booth sustained. While not overly graphic, both are rather detailed. Blogger’s note: when I went to Ford’s Theater and saw the suit Lincoln wore, I nearly passed out, so I might be a bit on the squeamish side. Because of the nature of assassinations, this might preclude families from listening to the audio version or allowing sensitive readers to read this book until they can handle this aspect. There is minimal,  if any unsuitable language. There may be a couple of minor oaths and/or racial slurs in the context of quotes and correspondence.

Rating

5 Stars. Overall, Killing Lincoln is well-written and engaging. Most of all, the istorical details are the highlight of this book are fascinating. My husband and I listened to the audiobook, which I highly recommend. Bill O’Reilly narrates and has an engaging voice.

Personal Opinion

We have listened to all of the O’Reilly-Dugard “Killing” books, and this is the second in my series on these books because I think each of them offers fantastic insight into the social and political climate at the time. However, not all will carry 5-star ratings even though the writing quality and level of detail are the same. Not all are family friendly due to varying degrees of objectionable content especially in the books covering more recent events.

Discussion points for parents & teachers:

  1. Discuss some of the difficult decisions President Lincoln had to make. Would you have made the same choice?
  2. John Wilkes Booth came from a prominent family and his brother was the equivalent of a famous movie star. What it might have been like to grow up like this?
  3. Put yourself in the place of a Confederate after their side lost
  4. Discuss the challenges faced by newly freed slaves.
  5. Consider some of the problems the Union faced reuniting the country.
  6. General Ulysses S. Grant
  7. General Robert E. Lee
  8. Jefferson Davis
  9. Secretary of State Seward and other political leaders of the time
  10. The Lincoln Family
  11. The conspirators

Parents will appreciate the historical account of this time in history. For teachers and librarians there are so many great topics that can springboard from this book.

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May B. by Caroline Starr Rose

May B., by Caroline Rose Starr, is an inspiring Middle Grade story about twelve-year-old Mavis Elizabeth Betts, a girl with dyslexia who dreams of being a teacher someday.

Written entirely in verse, the 240-page book is a quick and engrossing read.

“I catch what’s not said:/ it’s foolishness to keep pretending. / What sort of teacher can’t /read out lessons? / Maybe May B. can / Maybe May B. can’t”

May B.’s life-altering experience begins when she is volunteered by her parents to help out a neighbor because his new wife needs help adjusting to life on a Kansas prairie farm. The couple live fifteen miles from the Betts’ homestead. Besides, May will be home by Christmas her father assures her. Things go awry, and May is stranded, alone, in a fight for her life against the harsh Kansas winter. The story is a testament to May’s inner strength and bravery.

Pros:

  • May B. is a first-person account from May’s point of view. The author manages to paint a realistic picture of life for the early settlers in Kansas: the one-room schoolhouse, dug-out cabins, scarcity of food and resources, harsh weather, and long distances. Hard choices abound for May B. and her family, and she must grow up quickly.
  • Ms. Rose’s characterization, imagery, and pacing are first rate. She does what all novelists strive to achieve in far fewer words, and I salute her skill. This book is appropriate for all ages, particularly middle grades and up. Readers younger than nine may need help following the story without the usual cues provided by prose.

Cons:

  • May’s current teacher neither understands nor sympathizes with May’s learning problem caused by her dyslexia. May has fond memories of her first teacher who worked hard to help her progress.
  • The children at her school, all but her brother, underestimate May’s intelligence based on her poor academic performance. Any child with learning differences will identify with the way this affects her self-esteem.
  • Her peers ridicule and harass May because of her disability.
  • Even her parents seem to underestimate their daughter, although their love for her is clear.
  • The neighbor’s inept wife is rude to May and unappreciative of her hard work.
  • The neighbor and his wife perish off-screen. May does not know they have died until the end of the story.

My Personal Opinion:

I have read this book through twice and thoroughly enjoyed it both times.  For those who love Laura Ingalls Wilder or even Anne of Green Gables, this book is a natural choice. The female protagonist has a strong spirit and will to survive.

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Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven

 

Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven is an engaging contemporary Young Adult novel most suited to high school readers.  It addresses some of the concerns and problems  of overweight teens.

My favorite of the two Jennifer Niven books I’ve read

I’d like to see more contemporary realism like Holding Up the Universe that encourages teens to draw upon their personal power and offers them hope of happiness without being sugary-sweet. All the Bright Places by Niven did not live up to my expectations after the hype it received. Or maybe I’m growing tired of novels in which two teens fall in love and then one of them dies. Holding Up the Universe left me with a good feeling.

Pros:

  • This story places the reader inside the head of a girl who has been overweight since the death of her mother, so obese that she could not attend school for years. I was very moved by the main female character’s situation. The reader learns about emotional factors involved in extreme overeating and the importance of extending a hand of friendship and understanding to the overweight.
  • Told in alternating points of view, the story also provides a look into the mind of a boy who suffers from prosopagnosia, also known as face blindness. He cannot recognize faces, even those of family members, and must memorize clues about their appearance such as hairstyle, skin and hair colors, body size, and the way they walk.
  • Both the main characters, Libby and Jack, grow a lot in this story. Unmatched in looks and popularity, they become friends because of internal similarities and external circumstances.

Cons:

  • Libby has thoughts of engaging in casual sex.
  • Profanity is abundant in this secular novel compared to Christian YA novels.
  • A few story details may seem unbelievable.

Final Word

Holding Up the Universe has wonderful pacing, so its 391 pages flew by. I recommend this novel to both boys and girls mature enough to handle profanity and references to sex without being influenced by them. Teens who are overweight or suffer from social anxiety can benefit from reading this novel, as can teens who think it’s funny to make fun of the overweight.

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A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness is a bittersweet teen fiction about a boy struggling to come to terms with his mother’s serious illness.

Synopsis:

Connor, a twelve-year-old-boy, is faced with unbelievable stress – a dying mother, a father who has split from the family, a recurrent nightmare, a domineering grandmother, and bullies at school. Then, a monster visits. But this monster, which Connor initially believes is just a dream, insists that Connor “called” him. Between dealing with the above problems, Connor must listen to the monster’s stories that urges him to confront his anger, confusion, and frustrations. And at the end of the monster’s three tales, Connor is forced to reciprocate by describing his nightmare – a story of truth, and the root of his depression and anxiety.

Pros:

  • Connor is a believable, imperfect boy, who many readers will be able to identify with.
  • This story deals effectively with a thought provoking and tough issue of a parent’s grave illness.
  • All characters are well formed and sincere. The adults don’t have everything figured out, and they are portrayed as flawed humans dealing with a difficult situation as best they can. Even the bully has depth and isn’t your paper-thin rendition of a bad guy.
  • The story is written in a compelling action-packed fashion, which encourages you to turn the pages.
  • A Monster Calls can be enjoyed on many different levels. Younger kids can enjoy it on a fantasy level, and older teens can delve into the symbolism of the monster and the stories it tells. This is why I have classified it as both Young Adult and Middle Grade.

Cons:

  • The story deals with a sensitive and heart-wrenching tragedy of losing a parent to illness. This could be very disturbing for kids, who are sensitive, or are dealing with the same issues.
  • A bully receives what he deserves, which is satisfying, but not always realistic.

Impression:

When I picked up A Monster Calls to read, I was surprised to see it was coming out as a movie, with big names involved, like Liam Neeson and Sigourney Weaver. I quickly fell in love with the style and the content. I enjoy reading a book that has heavy symbolism and this didn’t disappoint. The story is based upon an idea of writer Siobhan Dowd, who has written four other amazing Young Adult novels. Tragically, this would have been her fifth, if she too hadn’t been taken too early by cancer. Patrick Ness, the author, has been passed the literary baton, and he ran with it, creating a powerful and provocative piece of work. In his words, he challenges other writers to “…go. Run with it. Make Trouble.”

Discussion Questions:

  • What is Connor’s real nightmare and why is he so ashamed of it? Why does the monster force Connor to tell it?
  • What lies do Connor and his mother tell each other during her illness? What lies do they tell themselves? Are they necessary? Why do those lies ultimately need to be replaced by the truth?
  • Why does Connor allow himself to be bullied by his classmate Harry? What does Harry understand about Connor that no one else does?
  • Connor O’Malley is often unsure about what separates the real from the imagined, and so is the reader. How does this book continually keep its readers off-balance? Why?
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Mr. Popper’s Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater

Growing up, I had always heard of the book, Mr. Popper’s Penguins, yet had never read it. I guess a story about penguins just didn’t draw my attention, but since my hometown is stuck in the deep freeze right now, Antarctica and penguins came to mind.

A 1938 Newbery Honor recipient, Mr. Popper’s Penguins, by Richard and Florence Atwater, is written in a more narrative style than what we’re used to almost eighty years later. Don’t let that stop you. There are several laugh-out-loud moments, and by the end of the tale, I adored the daddy penguin, Captain Cook, as much as Mr. Popper did.

I finished the book in one sitting. The vocabulary is easily handled by fourth grade and above, so this might make a great family read-aloud for younger readers. The plot probably appeals to the seven to ten-year-old age range rather than those bordering on junior high school. That said, since the story entertained me, preteens will also find it amusing.

Pros: 

1. The book educates readers on the topics of penguins and Antarctica’s history and geography with no hint of an academic lecture.

2. You can’t find a more family-friendly story. With cheerful attitudes, Mr. and Mrs. Popper and their two children work together to help keep innocent animals healthy and happy.

Cons: 

As I mentioned before, the narrative style might turn off the modern reader. If that happens, they’ve missed out on a great story. As I’ve mentioned in previous Vintage Reads (see Rickshaw Girl), let your kids try out new flavors of literature.

Discussion points:

  1. Popper created several items to keep the penguins comfortable. If you had a pet penguin, what might you make to keep them cool or to give them a toy to play with?
  2. This book was written a long time ago. What technology do we use in our everyday lives that Mr. and Mrs. Popper never used because it had probably not been invented yet?
  3. Do you think it was a good idea for the penguins to travel all over the country? Why or why not?
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Killing Jesus by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard

 

Killing Jesus is an excellent historical account of the time surrounding Jesus’s life. While not a religious book, it puts the Bible, specifically the Gospels in historical context. I’m categorizing this as young adult, but it’s suitable for middle grade up with the caveat that some parts of the crucifixion might be a bit graphic for sensitive children.

Pros

The book goes into detail about the Roman occupation of Israel, the religious and political climate of Israel, and several of the key historical figures such as Augustus Caesar, Herod, Tiberius, and Pontius Pilate. O’Reilly and Dugard go into great detail to put Jesus’s life into historical context, which helped me understand parts of the Bible even better. O’Reilly and Dugard are Catholic and while they keep this book historical, the authors hint that they believe the Bible to be true. Bill O’Reilly narrates the audio version, and I highly recommend it.

Cons

Not too many. There are parts that are a bit graphic when describing the crucifixion. This might preclude families from listening to the audio version or allowing sensitive readers to read this book until they can handle this aspect.

Rating

5 Stars. Overall, the book is well-written and engaging. I found the historical detail to be a nice supplement to reading the Bible. My husband and I listened to the audiobook, which I highly recommend. Bill O’Reilly narrates and has an engaging voice.

Personal Opinion

My husband and I have listened to all of the O’Reilly-Dugard “Killing” books, and I’m going to do a series on these books because I think each of them offers fantastic insight into the social and political climate at the time. However, not all will carry 5-star ratings even though the writing quality and level of detail are the same. Not all are family friendly due to varying degrees of objectionable content especially in the books covering more recent events.

Discussion points for parents & teachers:

  1. Jesus of Nazareth
  2. The Roman Empire
  3. Pontius Pilate
  4. King Herod
  5. Caesar Augustus and Tiberius
  6. Pontius Pilate
  7. The Jewish Religion of the first century
  8. The beginning of Christianity

For parents, especially those who are Christians, will appreciate the historical account of Jesus’s life, which is a different way of proving the Bible is true from a different perspective. For teachers and librarians in public or secular schools, this is not a religious text and could be a good way to introduce the history of Christianity into the classroom. The authors are Roman Catholic and at the end hint that they believe Jesus is the Messiah, but they make it clear that the book is meant to be a historical account of Israel in the years approximately 1-33 AD.

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We Are All Made of Molecules by Susin Nielsen

We Are All Made of Molecules by Susin Nielsen is a Young Adult book that targets grades 7 and up.  This contemporary story deals with significant social and family issues including grief, a gay parent, peer pressure, stepfamilies, moving, underage drinking, and (almost) date rape. 

Pros:

  • The writing is fresh and enjoyable. The story is told in alternating points of view by a 13-year-old boy prodigy and a 14-year-old spoiled fashionista. This is a book both male and female readers can enjoy.
  • The stepmother in the story is relatable, not evil. A departure from most blended family stories.
  • The author has a great sense of humor and she uses it effectively.
  • Many important issues, especially for girls, are developed in this book. While some of the subjects are mature (bigotry, hate crimes, date rape lite), they are introduced in an age-appropriate way.

Cons:

  • The only con is the subject matter. If you are a conservative parent/teacher you may want to reserve this book for older readers. Again, I think this is an important book for any girl to read before she starts dating.

Discussion Points

Take advantage of the topics this novel covers to discussion difficult subjects with your young reader in a safe matter. To help you, here are some questions to get you started:

  1.  Which character in the story did you relate to more: Ashley or Stewart? Why?
  2. Did you feel sorry for Ashley or Stewart? If so, why?
  3. How would you feel if your parents divorced and your dad lived in your backyard?
  4. How would you feel if one of your parents told you they were gay?
  5. How would your life change if one of your parents died?
  6. Do you know any kids at your school like Steward or Ashley? How do other students treat them? How do you treat them?
  7. Have you ever been in a situation at school where you’ve been afraid? What did you do?

 

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6 Dates to Disaster by Cynthia T Toney

6 Dates to Disaster by Cynthia T Toney is a thought-provoking book for high school students. Wendy is coasting through the last weeks of school eager for her family trip to Alaska to see Mrs. V and Sam. Unfortunately, financial struggles threaten that dream. Wendy is determined to figure out a way to get to Alaska. When a job opportunity from a classmate looks like the ideal way, Wendy is forced to consider whether or not it’s too good to be true. There’s also a fun mystery involving a jewelry box, and Wendy’s former best friend has a new boyfriend who is bad news.

Pros: See my comment below about one of the main plot points related to a scandal that arises as a result from Wendy’s tutoring job. The ensuing ethical dilemma was thought-provoking. Cynthia creates strong and fun characters. Her stories are humorous and realistic but are clean and morally uplifting. Wendy’s stepdad looses his job threatening her summer plans. Consequently Wendy pitches in to earn money for her Alaska trip to see Mrs. V. David and Wendy handle coupledom without being too physical or dramatic. Wendy is a big-hearted girl, especially when it comes to her stepsister Alice and her former best friend Jen.

Cons: Not too many. There are a few ethical things that come up. The aforementioned plot point of Wendy’s tutoring job. Also, Jen gets involved with an older boy who is a bad influence. There’s alcohol involved, which is handled very well. It’s clear that underage drinking shouldn’t be condoned and that drinking and driving is extremely dangerous. David and Wendy kiss and physical temptation (at a very PG level) comes up. The two “put on the brakes” fast so the story doesn’t go far with this.

Rating: 5 Stars. I bought a copy of this book and will buy other copies for teens. It’s definitely a book for high school kids, possibly seventh or eighth graders. There’s nothing really inappropriate in the subject matter. However, it’s is a bit too mature for kids any younger than this.

Personal Opinion: I’m a big fan of the Bird Face series and 6 Dates doesn’t disappoint. Wendy is as funny and plucky as ever. Alice is sweet. David, Gail, etc. round out a strong supporting cast. Without spoiling anything, we’re reunited with several characters from 8 Notes to a Nobody (Book 1).

Discussion points for parents & teachers:

  1. Job Loss
  2. Family
  3. Dating/Relationships
  4. Academic Dishonesty
  5. Underage Drinking/Drinking and Driving
  6. Integrity
  7. Priorities

Most of all, Wendy’s dilemma about her tutoring job challenged me. She is concerned that she’s doing too much for the students she’s tutoring.  As an adult, I didn’t see anything wrong with what Wendy did. However, I had to step back and put myself in the shoes of a high school student. While adult writers might hire an editor or someone in another profession might have a peer or senior colleague review their work and mark it up with corrections and suggestions, that isn’t really the role of a tutor. They’re just supposed to help a student understand concepts not heavily correct or even rewrite assignments.

Cynthia T Toney

Blog:  http://birdfacewendy.wordpress.comFacebook Author Page:  https://www.facebook.com/birdfacewendy

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/CynthiaTToney

Twitter:  @CynthiaTToney

 Instagram:  @CynthiaTToney

Pinterest:  Cynthia T. Toney, YA Author

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Time Enough for Drums by Ann Rinaldi

Scriblerians

Time Enough for Drums by Ann Rinaldi is a thought-provoking Young Adult book most suited to eighth grade and up.  The setting is the American Revolution as experienced by sixteen-year-old Jemima Emerson.

One of my all-time favorite books

Jemima Emerson lives in Trenton, New Jersey, and her family experiences all of the conflict of the War for Independence. Her family is split; Jemima’s older sister is married to a British officer, but her oldest brother is an officer in Washington’s army. Her grandfathers are on opposite sides of the conflict as well. Even Jemima’s despised tutor, John Reid, is a Tory. But, as she will learn, not everyone is who they seem to be.

Her family pays a high price for choosing sides, and Jemima has to grow up fast against the backdrop of war.

Pros:

  • This story provides great insight into the reasons for the uprising, although it is clearly prejudiced to the patriot viewpoint. Still, the reader will understand both sides and see that neither had an absolute moral high ground.
  • Jemima’s character arc is very well done. Her clashes with her tutor and her deliberate disobedience eventually change to a longing to grow into a woman he can admire. She begins as a rather spoiled and bratty girl and eventually matures into the young women who holds her family together.
  • War is not glorified in this story; rather, the hardships of war and the hard choices it brings are highlighted through the plot without being too gory.
  • The plight of the Native Americans and the slaves are not glossed over. I love the fact that this book does not “whitewash” the cast. Lucy, the black slave turned maid, is a beloved character in this book, as is Jemima’s half-breed uncle.

Cons:

  • There is an age gap between Jemima and her love interest, John, that modern-day sensibilities will find unappealing. However, the gap is realistic to the historical period, and it is not as great as it might have been. Some will also be put off by the amount of authority John exercises over Jemima in his role as her tutor, but again, it is not unrealistic and seems in line with other accounts from the period. However, John does not overstep the lines of propriety or take advantage of his position. He conducts himself honorably toward Jemima, and their romance is not the center of the story.
  • Jemima’s mother is shattered by the events of the story, and her decline into mental illness provides the darkest moments of the plot.
  • There is a period when Jemima and Lucy are forced to share the house with enemy soldiers.  This may be scary to some readers.
  • This book is about war, and a few characters die. The violence happens “off screen,” but it is appalling none the less.

Final Word

Time Enough for Drums is a story I have read multiple times because I want to experience it again and again, like a favorite movie. The characters get under your skin, and their victories and defeats come back to haunt you. In short, this is not a book you can read and forget; it is a book that makes you think about what you believe. I can think of no higher praise.