Magic Tree House- Night of the New Magicians

Magic Tree House- Night of the New Magicians
By Mary Pope Osborne

2006

Jack and Annie have experienced many, many great adventures from magical librarian Morgan le Fay’s magic tree house, usually at the request of Merlin from Camelot.  One this particular adventure the duo are sent to the 1889 World Fair in Paris to find The Magician of Sound, The Magician of Light, The Magician of the Invisible, and the Magician of Iron to warn them about the evil sorcerer who wants to steal their secrets. Jack and Annie are asked to learn about their secrets for Merlin. Soon we learn that the Magician of Sound is Alexander Graham Bell, the Magician of Light is Thomas Edison, the Magician of the Invisible is Louis Pasteur and the Magician of Iron is Gustave Eiffel!! 

I have loved the Magic Tree House adventures with my own children.  It was so neat to see how jack and Annie have evolved through the years and how the author, Mary Pope Osborne keeps their adventures fresh and new!  I really appreciate how this particular adventure linked itself to real people in our history. 

Two- Minute Mysteries Collection

Two- Minute Mysteries Collection

By Donald J. Sobol

I love this book for those little breaks in between gathering backpacks and lining up to leave, or washing hands for the lunch line.  I took this book with me to 3^rd grade and 5^th grade practicum classes; it will be one to sit on my desk always!!  This book contains 422 pages of 2 to 3 page mysteries (more than 200 mysteries in all!), at the end of each mystery upside text reveals the solution. The mysteries are told through a narrator, about the adventures of Dr Haledijian!  Dr. H exposes the reader to clues in an incredible way to engage kids, while prompting some critical thinking!  Dr. H will indeed solve the mystery, but he gives us a chance to solve it first! I love it!!! 

Homeless Bird

Homeless Bird

By Gloria Whelan

2000

AWARD: National Book Award Winner

At 13 years old young Koly is expected to leave her family and marry someone she has never met.  It is custom in India to have your parents arrange a marriage for you!  Koly’s family, although of highest Hindu caste Brahman, still had very little to offer as dowry for Koly so the family cow, among other family possessions had to be sold to pay to the grooms family to take her. UGH!  Upon arriving in the village of her groom, Hari, the first thing asked was of her dowry, leading her to believe that the money for her was all her in-laws were interested in. She was correct. The money would be used to take Hari to Varanasi to the holy Ganges River in hopes of curing her sickly and terminally ill husband. The events that unfold are heartbreaking as well as uplifting, but the strength and courage in the heart of young Koly is inspiring.

I really didn’t think I would like this book.  The cover did not appeal to me, and the title was vague.  It wasn’t until about half way into the book that the title held meaning!  I love the culture and tradition depicted in the book, but I really think it should be more for older elementary students as opposed to 3^rd, 4^th or 5^th grade.  I fell in love with Koly and delighted in her happy ending!

The Trouble with Huck

The Trouble with Huck

By Theodore Taylor

1981

AWARD: Young Reader Medal

This is an inspiring story of Helen and Friar Tuck and the friendship, bond and unconditional love shared by both girl and dog.  When Friar Tuck (Tuck) was 3 years old his family had discovered his blindness.  The family found Lady Daisy, a female Germans Sheppard from a companion-dog school in San Carlos.  She was only six years old, but they thought she may be too old to start retraining with a new master, so they placed her with Tuck.  Lady Daisy would be a Seeing Eye dog…….to a dog. 

I loved that this story was inspired by the true story of the Orser family in San Francisco and their beloved dog, Big Bonanza.  I loved that it was an exceptional story for animal lovers and I love that it was about taking care of the ones we love!  Its a fast read, with only 17 chapters.

Keeper of the Doves

Keeper of the Doves

By Betsy Byars

2002

 I was so impressed with The Pinballs written by Betsy Byars that when I came across this book a the Library titled Keeper of Doves, I was excited to read it. 

The book begins with a baby, minutes old, awaiting her fate. Of course, she realizes that she couldn’t possibly remember, but the story had been told to her so many times that she assumed it as her own memory.  The child, a baby girl, was born to a man who desperately wanted a son but had 4 daughters already.  In disappointment and disgust, he named her Amen!, later nicknamed Amie. The family took in a stranger who had saved her fathers life, Mr. Tominski (Mr. Tom).  Mr. Tom is mysterious, speaks in German and is the Keeper of the Doves.  The girls make fun of him and fear his mysterious ways, but Amie sees gentleness. 

I really didn’t like this book.  It seemed to drag on, it was full of judgment and I really felt so sorry for Mr. Tom.  I did like that young Amie was an aspiring poet and that her father was supportive of that, and I thought it cleaver that the author had 26 short chapters beginning with each letter of the alphabet.

The Pinballs

The Pinballs

By Betsy Byars

This is an endearing story about three kids in foster care for various reasons.  Carlie is there because of an abusive step father that her mother just could not part with, so she sent Carly away. Harvey’s mother ran away and his father drank the memory of her away and blamed Harvey for much of it.  The state took Harvey away from him when in a drunken rage, he backed over Harvey’s’ legs.  Little Thomas J. had been orphaned as a toddler and taken in by two old sisters who simply grew too old to take care of him.  The Masons were unable to have children of their own so they began fostering children.  The bond that developed between hard nosed Carly, quiet and damaged Harvey and curious and proper Thomas J. was touching.

This book, although controversial, should be one offered as a classroom read aloud.  It looks deeply into friendship, trust and a child’s ability to move forward.  It’s topics of abuse and abandonment may be what keeps teachers from sharing this book with their students

Martin’s Big Words- The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, JR.

Written by Doreen Rappaport

Illustrated by Bryan Collier

2001 Picture Book, Award Winner

AWARDS; Caldecott Honor, Coretta Scott King Award,  Best Illustrated Children’s Book 2001 The New York Times Book Review

A chronological story of little Martin and his exposure and struggles with injustice, leads to Dr. King and the ways he used love instead of hate, and hope to break the chains of segregation.  The illustrations are captivating, event the end pages with windows of stained-glass are symbolic of Dr. Kings life.

I loved the use of water colors and cut paper collage, like things that ordinarily would not be used together, but work very nicely together if given a chance….like people. 

I chose this beautiful picture book as a tool for students to “see” and “hear” and “read” about a pivotal time in American History.   However, the book will offer understanding and hope, and unconditional love for us as well.  There is a timeline in the back of the book as well, so the important dates of Dr. King can be followed.