Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

Title:  Prince Caspian
Author:  C. S. Lewis
Series: The Chronicles of Narnia
Approximate reading level:  8th grade

Summary:  Caspian is the next in line to become king of Narnia--that is, until his uncle Miraz takes over.  So, when Miraz has a son, Caspian's life is in danger.  He flees, and eventually calls the High King Peter, and his brother and sisters King Edmund and Queens Susan and Lucy by magic back to help him regain his rightful place and to bring Narnia back to its former glory with talking beasts and living trees.  Although ages have passed in Narnia since they were last here, it's been only one year for the children in England.  But magic is magic, after all, and it doesn't take long for them to regain their royal abilities they learned earlier in Narnia. 

Review:  Some children may be disturbed or frightened by the account of Caspian's life being in danger at the hand of his own family.  As in other Narnian stories, there are battle scenes--however, they are not described in gruesome detail, again, like in the other books.  The book can be appropriate for older children to read on their own, or to be read to younger children. 
**** Four stars

Chronicles of Narnia: The Horse and His Boy

Title:  The Horse and His Boy
Series:  The Chronicles of Narnia
Author:  C. S. Lewis
Approximate reading level:  8th grade

Summary:  Shasta overhears a conversation when he learns that the man he lives with is not his father and is willing to sell him to another man.  While wondering out loud what kind of man his new owner is, he finds a talking Narnian horse named Bree.  They decide to help each other escape a cruel master and begin a series of adventures that crosses multiple countries and the desert and brings them to meet many people, from royalty to a hermit.  Come along with Shasta and Bree and save a country, learn from Aslan, and find out Shasta's true identity.

Review:  More battle scenes may make this story intense for some children.  Also, although there are some important lessons learned--humility and concern for others among others--some are learned the hard way.  For example, Avaris (whom Shasta meets on his travels) suffers injuries equal to the ones she caused to be inflicted on a servant when she escaped.  Characters discuss the possibility of ghouls in the Tombs nearby one of the cities they must travel through, where they decide to meet if separated. 
I think the questionable elements are handled well and that this is another good book to read.  I think the Narnia series is also a great series to read to children younger than the approximate reading level--as long as the reader is sure the child(ren) can handle such items as the battle scenes and mention of ghouls.
**** four stars

Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe

I think this is the third time I've read The Chronicles of Narnia and I still can't put it down.  But finding the time to read (mostly in the car) is easier than finding the time to write.

Title:  The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe
Series:  The Chronicles of Narnia
Author: C. S. Lewis
Approximate Reading Level:  7th grade

Summary:  "Always winter and never Christmas."  This is the curse that Narnia is under when the children get there.  Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy are sent away during the war for their safety, away from the air raids that often happened in major cities.  While there, Lucy discovers a way to Narnia, although it isn't there all the time.  At first, the others don't believe, but when they travel to Narnia too, they have no choice.  While there, they help Aslan (the lion in the title) rescue Narnia from the White Witch.  They have many adventures and many trials, including a traitor among them.  How can they defeat the witch's magic and reclaim Narnia?  Will they ever be able to return to England?  You'll have to read to find out.

Review:  I love the way the Narnia series reads.  Lewis tells the story as though you're sitting next to him listening, rather than reading decades later.
Fantasy elements in the story include talking animals, a magical portal between worlds, and mythical creatures.  Battle scenes may be intense for some children.  A traitor is judged, but forgiven; and good triumphs over evil in the end.
****4 stars

Chronicles of Narnia: The Magician's Nephew

Wow, has it really been over 3 months since I last posted?  Yikes!  Sorry :(  A lot has happened since then.  My "part time" job scheduled me for way more than part time hours, and there's been a couple new additions to the bookworm family (one canine, one human). :)  Here's hoping I'll be able to post more regularly than every 3 months, although I won't guarantee every week.
Keep reading,
Bella

Title:  The Magician's Nephew
Author:  C. S. Lewis
Series:  The Chronicles of Narnia
Approximate Reading Level:  7th grade

Summary:  In The Magician's Nephew, readers see how Narnia began.  Digory and Polly, two young children living in London, England, are sent on an incredible journey by Digory's uncle.  They visit an in-between place, a world between worlds.  From here, they visit a world much older than their own, and a world much younger than their own.  A danger is brought into the new world of Narnia, but Aslan is forgiving, and allows Digory and Polly to bring back some magic into their own world.

Review:  C. S. Lewis is a wonderful writer, and his fantasy worlds come alive.  He often talks directly to the reader, bringing him into the story.  Uncle Andrew uses the word "dem" several times, a variation of "damn" in C. S. Lewis' time.  In another scene, one character objects to the "harsh language" used by another.  However, the language used is no longer "harsh."  Good morals, regarding stealing and lying, are well represented.

****Four stars

Indian Captive: The Story of Mary Jemison

Title:  Indian Captive:  The Story of Mary Jemison
Author:  Lois Lenski
Approximate independent reading level:  8th grade

Summary:  Almost twenty years before the Revolutionary War, the Jemison family lived on the frontier of America.  Mary, also called Molly, lives in a log cabin with her parents and five siblings.  Although some of the neighbors have decided to return east because of worry about the Indians, Molly's father is sure his family is safe enough and plans on staying to plant his corn.  But the Indians arrive the next morning and take most of the family captive, although the two older brothers are able to escape to tell the neighbors.  Molly and a young neighbor boy are separated from the rest of their families and hurried away by one group of Indians.  She is taken to live with a tribe of Seneca Indians to replace a tribe member who was killed.  The story that follows describes her first year with the Senecas, as she attempts to escape, learns their rituals, and tries to discover how or even whether a white girl can live with the Indians.

Review:  Molly Jemison actually lived, and the events in this story actually happened, although the author does take some liberties with timing.  The author is authentic to Seneca culture and to Molly's experience.  I think this could be an interesting as well as an informative read on the Seneca Indians and on what it might be like to be completely alone in a strange place with strange people, ripped from family.
****  Four stars

If You Give series

Titles:  If You Give a Mouse a Cookie; If You Give a Moose a Muffin; If You Give a Pig a Pancake; If You Take a Mouse to School; If You Give a Pig a Party
Author:  Laura Numeroff
Illustrator:  Felicia Bond

Summary:  There are five books in this cute little series.  Each starts with a child engaging in the title activity, which seems to be simple and straightforward.  But each begins a chain of events that is as funny as it is both exhausting and messy, and which eventually runs full circle.  

Review:  I don't remember which of these books I first found on the bookshelf of the daycare or home I was working at, but I do remember thoroughly enjoying it.  So when I found a boxed set with more books than I was aware of on the shelf at a local secondhand children's shop for just a few dollars, I just couldn't resist buying it.  The story lines are simple and easy to follow, while also providing an opportunity to engage young children.  "What do you think will happen next?" can be asked often throughout these stories, as well as "What would you do if . . .?" This second question can be asked both in reference to the child in the story or in reference to the animal (If someone gave you a cookie, what would you want to go with it?)  

The pictures are beautifully done, without unnecessary details, but still allowing for engaging reading.  For example, in If You Give a Pig a Party, a hide-and-seek scene suggests a game of "Can you find Pig and her friends?"  

Well-drawn pictures and a catchy, repetitive storyline work together to make these books great read-alongs for young children.  I give them all four stars.

****

Bonus:  Guess who two of the guests are at Pig's party.  :)

11 Birthdays

Friends,
I apologize again for another late post, but this one comes with good reason--I started a new job last week.  I will do my best to keep up with postings, but please understand that helping to support my family must come first.
Love,
Bella

Title:  11 Birthdays
Author:   Wendy Mass
Target Audience:  Upper Elementary
Approximate Independent Reading Level:  7th grade

Summary:  Leo and Amanda were born on the same day, but they're not twins.  In fact, they're not related at all.  But sharing a birthday is the beginning of a story that leads to their becoming best friends--at least for awhile.  But when a fight leads to magical problems, they must work together to solve a problem bigger than they could have ever imagined.

Review:  This story is fantasy, with an element of magic.  But the magic is not meant to be harmful.  The story contains no Christian elements, but can still be used to teach Christian truths--such as the importance of forgiveness.  Working together is another important element in the book.  There are some elements of lying to adults as the children attempt to figure out how to solve their problems.  In their defense, however, the truth is completely unbelievable and would have sounded like a lie, and they do their best to not lie to or disobey their parents.
**** 4 stars