Hello again,
And life has gotten in the way again. I apologize for being late again with this post, but the last couple weeks have been pretty hectic. They included a couple of doctor's appointments, an unexpected trip out of town for a funeral, and many other little problems. But I hope you enjoy this book. I have one more "Dear America" book after this one (there are several more, but I don't have them).
Enjoy!
Bella
Title: My Secret War: The World War II Diary of Madeline Beck
Author: Mary Pope Osborne
Setting: Long Island, New York, 1941
Target Audience: Junior high
Independent Reading Level: 8th
Summary: Madeline and her mother recently moved into a boarding house in Long Island. Her father is on an aircraft carrier somewhere in the Pacific Ocean. The story begins in late September of 1941, as Madeline is having trouble in her new school. American warships are protecting merchant ships (since they are being attacked by German submarines), but America has not yet entered the war. The book continues as Pearl Harbor is attacked, and America enters the war. Madeline starts a club so that local kids can help with the war effort by doing things such as collecting scrap metal. Madeline has to deal with many problems, including worry about her father, the other residents in the house, and other girls at school who do not want to include her. As the book ends, Madeline must leave her new friends and begin life in a new city again.
Review: The book does cover a sensitive topic--war, but I think Osborne does so in a good manner. As with other Dear America books, historical information is included about the era. Madeline's worry about her father is often evident, but Osborne balances this with real life often distracting her from writing letters to her father. I think this is a good book to expose young adults to World War II.
**** 4 stars
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
A Time for Courage
Title: A Time for Courage
Author: Kathryn Lasky
Target Audience: Upper Elementary
Independent Reading Level: 5th grade
Setting: Washington, DC 1917, Women's Suffragette Movement and WWI
Summary: Kathleen Bowen is given a diary by her mother for Christmas. At first, she thinks her life is too boring to write about. But as women petition and picket to gain the right to vote and America enters the Great War, she soon finds quite a bit to write about in her life and that of her family.
Review: Kathleen is like most girls her age. As she writes, she worries about school, her mother's participation in the movement for women's right to vote, and the possibility of her father's going to war. Kathleen's character is dynamic--by the end of the book, she is more focused on others than at the beginning of the book. More focus is given to the women's suffrage movement than to the war, but some people Kathleen knows are involved in helping wounded soldiers and that part of the war is described. As with the other books in the Dear America series, a historical note and pictures are included at the end of the book describing actual events and people of the time. Also, the book is interesting as well as educational.
**** 4 stars
Author: Kathryn Lasky
Target Audience: Upper Elementary
Independent Reading Level: 5th grade
Setting: Washington, DC 1917, Women's Suffragette Movement and WWI
Summary: Kathleen Bowen is given a diary by her mother for Christmas. At first, she thinks her life is too boring to write about. But as women petition and picket to gain the right to vote and America enters the Great War, she soon finds quite a bit to write about in her life and that of her family.
Review: Kathleen is like most girls her age. As she writes, she worries about school, her mother's participation in the movement for women's right to vote, and the possibility of her father's going to war. Kathleen's character is dynamic--by the end of the book, she is more focused on others than at the beginning of the book. More focus is given to the women's suffrage movement than to the war, but some people Kathleen knows are involved in helping wounded soldiers and that part of the war is described. As with the other books in the Dear America series, a historical note and pictures are included at the end of the book describing actual events and people of the time. Also, the book is interesting as well as educational.
**** 4 stars
Sunday, July 29, 2012
West to a Land of Plenty
Hey!
Time's fun when you're having flies! Whoops, sorry--guess I've been hanging out around the local frogs too much lately :) I meant to say, Time flies when you're having fun! Here's this week's review.
Keep reading,
Bella
Title: West to a Land of Plenty: The Diary of Teresa Angelino Viscardi
Author: Jim Murphy
Setting: New York to Idaho Territory, 1883
Target Audience: Middle School
Approximate Independent Reading Level: 8th
Summary: Teresa and her family are Italians living in New York with several other Italian families on their street. "Poppa" has come home and announced that they will be leaving their home in New York to go to Idaho territory, where they will be able to get a large plot of land and farm it. Also, they will not be looked down on as they are in New York. Teresa is very upset about leaving her home and her friends, and she writes in her diary at the suggestion of her teacher. Her younger sister Antoinetta, who goes by Netta, also writes in the diary sometimes. The trail is long and hard, with many sicknesses and dangers. Several people decide not to continue or die along the way. Teresa's (almost) daily story shows how the journey changes her and others.
Review: Another book in the "Dear America" series, this book is again written in a diary format. Teresa's arguing with Netta is comparable to the sibling rivalry in most families. Teresa uses a few Italian words, but they are close enough to the American to be determined from context. Different typesets are used to make it easy to determine whether the writing is Teresa's diary entry or something else (Netta's diary entry or a letter that Teresa pasted into the diary. I think the book is well-written in Teresa's voice (and others when appropriate), including spelling and grammatical errors. The use of historical fiction makes this time period in America's interesting.
**** 4 stars
Happy reading, y'all!
Time's fun when you're having flies! Whoops, sorry--guess I've been hanging out around the local frogs too much lately :) I meant to say, Time flies when you're having fun! Here's this week's review.
Keep reading,
Bella
Title: West to a Land of Plenty: The Diary of Teresa Angelino Viscardi
Author: Jim Murphy
Setting: New York to Idaho Territory, 1883
Target Audience: Middle School
Approximate Independent Reading Level: 8th
Summary: Teresa and her family are Italians living in New York with several other Italian families on their street. "Poppa" has come home and announced that they will be leaving their home in New York to go to Idaho territory, where they will be able to get a large plot of land and farm it. Also, they will not be looked down on as they are in New York. Teresa is very upset about leaving her home and her friends, and she writes in her diary at the suggestion of her teacher. Her younger sister Antoinetta, who goes by Netta, also writes in the diary sometimes. The trail is long and hard, with many sicknesses and dangers. Several people decide not to continue or die along the way. Teresa's (almost) daily story shows how the journey changes her and others.
Review: Another book in the "Dear America" series, this book is again written in a diary format. Teresa's arguing with Netta is comparable to the sibling rivalry in most families. Teresa uses a few Italian words, but they are close enough to the American to be determined from context. Different typesets are used to make it easy to determine whether the writing is Teresa's diary entry or something else (Netta's diary entry or a letter that Teresa pasted into the diary. I think the book is well-written in Teresa's voice (and others when appropriate), including spelling and grammatical errors. The use of historical fiction makes this time period in America's interesting.
**** 4 stars
Happy reading, y'all!
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Quackadack Duck
Hey, y'all!
Taking a quick break from the Dear America series this week for a short read. This week flew by, and I can't believe I'm a day late on posting again!
Bella
Title: Quackadack Duck
Author: Allen Morgan
Illustrator: John Beder
Target Audience: Young children (a read-aloud book)
Approximate (independent) reading level: 3rd grade
Summary: A troll likes to make mischief and collect pennies. One day, he comes across a duck egg as it is hatching. The baby duck thinks the troll is his mother, and begins copying the troll. At first, the troll is upset and ignores the baby duck; but he soon feels pity for the duck and lets him into his home, naming him Quackadack Duck. When the duck follows him to the market and is taken by a man with a poultry store, the troll must choose between his treasured pennies and his new friend.
Review: The story is well-written and the artwork is just as good and also flows well into the story. The words are rhythmical and sometimes rhyming, which makes it more fun for young children. The story also teaches a good lesson about the importance of friendship.
**** 4 stars
Taking a quick break from the Dear America series this week for a short read. This week flew by, and I can't believe I'm a day late on posting again!
Bella
Title: Quackadack Duck
Author: Allen Morgan
Illustrator: John Beder
Target Audience: Young children (a read-aloud book)
Approximate (independent) reading level: 3rd grade
Summary: A troll likes to make mischief and collect pennies. One day, he comes across a duck egg as it is hatching. The baby duck thinks the troll is his mother, and begins copying the troll. At first, the troll is upset and ignores the baby duck; but he soon feels pity for the duck and lets him into his home, naming him Quackadack Duck. When the duck follows him to the market and is taken by a man with a poultry store, the troll must choose between his treasured pennies and his new friend.
Review: The story is well-written and the artwork is just as good and also flows well into the story. The words are rhythmical and sometimes rhyming, which makes it more fun for young children. The story also teaches a good lesson about the importance of friendship.
**** 4 stars
Saturday, July 14, 2012
My Heart is on the Ground
Hi, folks!
I missed last week AND am late this week--WHOOPS! I had a couple of family trips over the last two weeks an was unable to finish reading my book in time. Hope y'all enjoy this review, and I should be back on track next Friday.
God bless,
Bella
Title: My Heart is on the Ground: The Diary of Nannie Little Rose, a Sioux Girl
Author: Ann Rinaldi
Setting: Carlisle Indian School, Pennsylvania, 1880
Target Audience: Upper Elementary-Middle School
Approximate reading level: 6th grade
Summary: Little Rose lived on a reservation with her family and tribe until her father decided to send her to the school for Indians in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. There, she was forced to lose her Indian language and customs and take on those of the white people--even being required to take a new name, Nannie. In her diary, she writes about her first year away from home. She meets new friends and welcomes old ones and grows in her understanding of "white" customs and language.
Review: Nannie Little Rose's writing improves while at the school, but may be difficult to understand at times. There are some controversial elements, such as Nannie's hurting herself in a time of grief, and the Indians being forced to give up their clothes and hair. These are historically accurate, however, and contribute to the story--not gratuitous at all.
**** 4 stars
I missed last week AND am late this week--WHOOPS! I had a couple of family trips over the last two weeks an was unable to finish reading my book in time. Hope y'all enjoy this review, and I should be back on track next Friday.
God bless,
Bella
Title: My Heart is on the Ground: The Diary of Nannie Little Rose, a Sioux Girl
Author: Ann Rinaldi
Setting: Carlisle Indian School, Pennsylvania, 1880
Target Audience: Upper Elementary-Middle School
Approximate reading level: 6th grade
Summary: Little Rose lived on a reservation with her family and tribe until her father decided to send her to the school for Indians in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. There, she was forced to lose her Indian language and customs and take on those of the white people--even being required to take a new name, Nannie. In her diary, she writes about her first year away from home. She meets new friends and welcomes old ones and grows in her understanding of "white" customs and language.
Review: Nannie Little Rose's writing improves while at the school, but may be difficult to understand at times. There are some controversial elements, such as Nannie's hurting herself in a time of grief, and the Indians being forced to give up their clothes and hair. These are historically accurate, however, and contribute to the story--not gratuitous at all.
**** 4 stars
Friday, June 29, 2012
The Journal of Joshua Loper: A Black Cowboy
Series: My Name Is America (Dear America)
Title: The Journal of Joshua Loper: A Black Cowboy
Setting: The Chisholm Trail, 1871
Main Character: Joshua Loper, a 16-year-old black cowboy
Summary: Joshua is a cowboy and has just been told he will be helping drive his boss' cows up the Chisholm Trail to be sold. He is black at a time shortly after the Civil War, when this is an important distinction. His diary covers his journey from Mr. Muhlen's ranch in Texas to Abilene, Kansas as he deals with stampedes, the excitement of his first time on the trail, tricks played on him by other members of the cattle drive, and even a great loss. His first entry is April 30, and he describes his journey until the group arrives in Abilene July 15. Mr. Muhlen has also arrived for the sale of his cattle, and tells Joshua, along with some of the other trail hands, that he wants them to return to the ranch and bring back another herd of cattle. Joshua arrives home, but doesn't have much time to spend with his mother before heading back out on the trail as the book closes.
Review: I think the diary format makes these books interesting. The author includes a "Historical Note" at the end of the book with a description of "Life in America in 1871" and pictures of the towns and people who inspired Joshua's story. A fold-out map of the Chisholm Trail is also included as the last page. There are some grammatical errors, but they are accurate to how an individual like Joshua would have talked and written. Joshua makes several references to church and prayer. I have enjoyed reading this book more than once, and will read it again.
**** Four stars
Keep reading,
Bella
Title: The Journal of Joshua Loper: A Black Cowboy
Setting: The Chisholm Trail, 1871
Main Character: Joshua Loper, a 16-year-old black cowboy
Summary: Joshua is a cowboy and has just been told he will be helping drive his boss' cows up the Chisholm Trail to be sold. He is black at a time shortly after the Civil War, when this is an important distinction. His diary covers his journey from Mr. Muhlen's ranch in Texas to Abilene, Kansas as he deals with stampedes, the excitement of his first time on the trail, tricks played on him by other members of the cattle drive, and even a great loss. His first entry is April 30, and he describes his journey until the group arrives in Abilene July 15. Mr. Muhlen has also arrived for the sale of his cattle, and tells Joshua, along with some of the other trail hands, that he wants them to return to the ranch and bring back another herd of cattle. Joshua arrives home, but doesn't have much time to spend with his mother before heading back out on the trail as the book closes.
Review: I think the diary format makes these books interesting. The author includes a "Historical Note" at the end of the book with a description of "Life in America in 1871" and pictures of the towns and people who inspired Joshua's story. A fold-out map of the Chisholm Trail is also included as the last page. There are some grammatical errors, but they are accurate to how an individual like Joshua would have talked and written. Joshua makes several references to church and prayer. I have enjoyed reading this book more than once, and will read it again.
**** Four stars
Keep reading,
Bella
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Dear America: A Picture of Freedom
Title: Dear America: A Picture of Freedom (The Diary of Clotee, a Slave Girl
Author: Patricia C. McKissack
Setting: Belmont Plantation, Virginia, 1859
Target Audience: Upper Elementary--Middle
Summary: The book is written in diary format, from the perspective of a 12-year-old slave girl who works in the kitchen on a Virginia plantation. She taught herself to read and write while fanning the Master's son William during his lessons. This act could earn her a severe beating if her Master finds out, as well as result in her being sold to another Master in the "Deep South"--both scary ideas. So, she must keep her learning--and her diary--a secret from everyone. Even the other slaves might tell on her if it means some benefit for them. In the book, Clotee writes about her life for about 13 months. She learns about abolitionists, the Underground Railroad, and the dangers of learning too much.
Review: I think this book is very well-written. There is a clear difference in Clotee's writing over the course of the book as she learns more. The book does include some incidents which, though historically accurate, may be considered problematic, such as beatings of slaves. A few spots may be difficult to understand, due to poor English and historical words or phrasing, but I believe most readers will be able to figure out what is meant by the context. I think reading the book may be helpful in understanding what slaves went through in early America. A "Historical Note" at the end of the book explains how slavery ended and some important people involved, such as Sojourner Truth and Harriet Tubman.
**** Four stars
Author: Patricia C. McKissack
Setting: Belmont Plantation, Virginia, 1859
Target Audience: Upper Elementary--Middle
Summary: The book is written in diary format, from the perspective of a 12-year-old slave girl who works in the kitchen on a Virginia plantation. She taught herself to read and write while fanning the Master's son William during his lessons. This act could earn her a severe beating if her Master finds out, as well as result in her being sold to another Master in the "Deep South"--both scary ideas. So, she must keep her learning--and her diary--a secret from everyone. Even the other slaves might tell on her if it means some benefit for them. In the book, Clotee writes about her life for about 13 months. She learns about abolitionists, the Underground Railroad, and the dangers of learning too much.
Review: I think this book is very well-written. There is a clear difference in Clotee's writing over the course of the book as she learns more. The book does include some incidents which, though historically accurate, may be considered problematic, such as beatings of slaves. A few spots may be difficult to understand, due to poor English and historical words or phrasing, but I believe most readers will be able to figure out what is meant by the context. I think reading the book may be helpful in understanding what slaves went through in early America. A "Historical Note" at the end of the book explains how slavery ended and some important people involved, such as Sojourner Truth and Harriet Tubman.
**** Four stars
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