Author: Aidan Chambers
Publisher: New York: Dutton Books
Publication Date: 1999
ISBN: 0-525-46863-3
Pages: 312
Summary: Told in double narratives, this book follows the adventures of Jacob Todd as he visits Holland to meet Geertrui, the woman who cared for his soldier grandfather during the Second World War. Set against the backdrop of Geertrui's recollections about that time, the book follows Jacob as he learns about life, love, and himself.
Major Characters: Jacob Todd (grandson), Daan Wesseling (friend), Ton (friend), Geertrui Wesseling, Jacob Todd (grandfather)
Comments: This is a very unique and captivating book. It makes you think and examines some controversial issues, such as euthanasia, homosexuality and social propriety. The way the book switches between the two different storylines is accomplished very well. The reader doesn't get confused by it, and both sets of characters are interesting and likeable. None of the people are all good or all bad, which makes them seem more realistic and identifiable. This book has received a lot of praise and won the Carnegie Medal.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Age Level: 16+
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Catherine, Called Birdy
Author: Karen Cushman
Producer: New York: Recorded Books Productions, Inc.
Publication Date: 1996
ID #: 94861
Format: 5 Audiocassettes
Duration: 6.5 hours
ISBN: 0-7887-0687-X
Summary: Catherine (called Birdy by her family) is a free-spirited, independent girl from a well-to-do family in 13th century England. On her 14th birthday her brother asks her to start writing a diary. She doesn't like the idea at first, but soon fills the pages with stories about her "ogre" of a father, tales of the villagers, and thoughts about the changing world around her.
Major Characters: Catherine, Lord Rouleau (father), Shaggy Beard (a suitor)
Comments: This is a very funny book. Catherine's blunt comments and the tricks she plays on people make you laugh out loud. The author has obviously done a lot of research. The way she describes daily life in medieval England makes you feel like you are there. The book has won numerous awards, inlcuding a Newbery Honor, ALA Children's Notable Book, ALA Best Book for Young Adults and an ALA Quick Pick for Young Adults.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Age Level: 12+
Producer: New York: Recorded Books Productions, Inc.
Publication Date: 1996
ID #: 94861
Format: 5 Audiocassettes
Duration: 6.5 hours
ISBN: 0-7887-0687-X
Summary: Catherine (called Birdy by her family) is a free-spirited, independent girl from a well-to-do family in 13th century England. On her 14th birthday her brother asks her to start writing a diary. She doesn't like the idea at first, but soon fills the pages with stories about her "ogre" of a father, tales of the villagers, and thoughts about the changing world around her.
Major Characters: Catherine, Lord Rouleau (father), Shaggy Beard (a suitor)
Comments: This is a very funny book. Catherine's blunt comments and the tricks she plays on people make you laugh out loud. The author has obviously done a lot of research. The way she describes daily life in medieval England makes you feel like you are there. The book has won numerous awards, inlcuding a Newbery Honor, ALA Children's Notable Book, ALA Best Book for Young Adults and an ALA Quick Pick for Young Adults.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Age Level: 12+
Irish Chain
Author: Barbara Hawoth-Attard CAN
Publication: Toronto: Harper Trophy Canada
Publication Date: 2002
ISBN: 0-00-639215-6
Pages: 204 pages of story, 8 pages of appendices
Summary: Thirteen-year-old Rose Dunlea hates school. The only thing she seems to be good at is telling stories about patches in the Irish chain quilt that was passed down from her great-grandmother. She has been held back a grade twice because she can't read or write and this has made her an outcast. One day she prays that she will never have to go back to school again. The next day her school is detroyed by an explosion in Halifax Harbour and Rose if forced to look inside herself to find the strength to deal with the tragedy and the guilt she feels about having caused it.
Major Characters: Rose Dunlea, Alice (Mam) Dunlea (mother), Patrick Murphy (Rose's cousin)
Comments: This would be a very good book to recommend to a student who has dyslexia, as it presents the learning challenge in a positive light. What I liked most about this book was that it did not try to end with a happy ending. The Halifax Explosion of 1917 was a horrible tragedy and Haworth-Attard does a good job of acccurately portraying that. The pictures at the back help to illustrate the destruction, and the author even inlcudes instructions on how to make your own Irish chain quilt.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Age Level: 12+
Publication: Toronto: Harper Trophy Canada
Publication Date: 2002
ISBN: 0-00-639215-6
Pages: 204 pages of story, 8 pages of appendices
Summary: Thirteen-year-old Rose Dunlea hates school. The only thing she seems to be good at is telling stories about patches in the Irish chain quilt that was passed down from her great-grandmother. She has been held back a grade twice because she can't read or write and this has made her an outcast. One day she prays that she will never have to go back to school again. The next day her school is detroyed by an explosion in Halifax Harbour and Rose if forced to look inside herself to find the strength to deal with the tragedy and the guilt she feels about having caused it.
Major Characters: Rose Dunlea, Alice (Mam) Dunlea (mother), Patrick Murphy (Rose's cousin)
Comments: This would be a very good book to recommend to a student who has dyslexia, as it presents the learning challenge in a positive light. What I liked most about this book was that it did not try to end with a happy ending. The Halifax Explosion of 1917 was a horrible tragedy and Haworth-Attard does a good job of acccurately portraying that. The pictures at the back help to illustrate the destruction, and the author even inlcudes instructions on how to make your own Irish chain quilt.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Age Level: 12+
Oliver's Wars
Author: Budge Wilson CAN
Publication: Toronto: Stoddart Publishing Co.
Publication Date: 1992
ISBN: 0-7737-5508-X
Pages: 102
Summary: When Oliver's dad (a military nurse) is called to serve in the Gulf War, he and his family are forced to moved from Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan to Halifax, Nova Scotia to live with his grandparents. To everyone else, Oliver seems to be carefree and have it all together, but inside he is torn apart with worry for his father, fears of moving to a new city and dealing with his cranky grandfather. Oliver must adjust to his new life, and learn how to admit when he's feeling bad.
Major Characters: Oliver Kovak, Jerry Kovak (brother), Gus Rodgers (school bully), Grandpa and Grandma Kovak
Comments: This is a rather short chapter book and more suited to elementary students rather than young adults, but it is still a great story. I had the great pleasure of being able to hear Budge Wilson speak to our class a couple of months ago, and she said that of all her characters, Oliver is the character that is most like her. I read this book before I knew that, and I thought at the time that she must have written some of herself into him, because his emotions are so real, that they could only have been created from personal experience. Although the book takes place during the time of the Gulf War, it is appropriate today becuase of the events in Iraq.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 10-12
Publication: Toronto: Stoddart Publishing Co.
Publication Date: 1992
ISBN: 0-7737-5508-X
Pages: 102
Summary: When Oliver's dad (a military nurse) is called to serve in the Gulf War, he and his family are forced to moved from Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan to Halifax, Nova Scotia to live with his grandparents. To everyone else, Oliver seems to be carefree and have it all together, but inside he is torn apart with worry for his father, fears of moving to a new city and dealing with his cranky grandfather. Oliver must adjust to his new life, and learn how to admit when he's feeling bad.
Major Characters: Oliver Kovak, Jerry Kovak (brother), Gus Rodgers (school bully), Grandpa and Grandma Kovak
Comments: This is a rather short chapter book and more suited to elementary students rather than young adults, but it is still a great story. I had the great pleasure of being able to hear Budge Wilson speak to our class a couple of months ago, and she said that of all her characters, Oliver is the character that is most like her. I read this book before I knew that, and I thought at the time that she must have written some of herself into him, because his emotions are so real, that they could only have been created from personal experience. Although the book takes place during the time of the Gulf War, it is appropriate today becuase of the events in Iraq.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 10-12
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
Author: Ann Brashares
Publication: New York: Laurel Leaf Books
Publication Date: 2001
ISBN: 0-440-22970-7
Pages: 294
Summary: Four girls who have been friends since birth are about to embark on their first summer seperate from each other. One of them finds a pair of jeans in a second-hand store that seem to have magical powers, because it fits each of the girls' different figures perfectly. They decide that the Pants should spend a few days with each of them while they are on their respective vacations and then reunite at the end of the summer to talk about the adventures they had. Along the way the girls learn valuable lessons about life and death, love and rejection, family relationships, and being yourself.
Major Characters: Carmen, Tibby, Lena and Bridget
Comments: By now, almost every teenage girl and youth services librarian in North America knows about this book and its two sequels. When the movie is released later this summer, even more people will learn about it. Carmen, Tibby, Lena and Bridget have a huge following, and it is easy to see why. Once you start reading the book you're hooked. The four girls seem so human; anyone could identify with them. While the book teaches a lot of lessons, it doesn't come over as preachy. It makes no judgements about the decisions the girls make, but just seems to follow along as the girls work things out on their own. I would recommend this book more for older readers, because there are some hints of sexuality, but nothing is described explicitly. I laughed out loud at several parts of this book and can't wait to read the other novels in the series.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 15+
Publication: New York: Laurel Leaf Books
Publication Date: 2001
ISBN: 0-440-22970-7
Pages: 294
Summary: Four girls who have been friends since birth are about to embark on their first summer seperate from each other. One of them finds a pair of jeans in a second-hand store that seem to have magical powers, because it fits each of the girls' different figures perfectly. They decide that the Pants should spend a few days with each of them while they are on their respective vacations and then reunite at the end of the summer to talk about the adventures they had. Along the way the girls learn valuable lessons about life and death, love and rejection, family relationships, and being yourself.
Major Characters: Carmen, Tibby, Lena and Bridget
Comments: By now, almost every teenage girl and youth services librarian in North America knows about this book and its two sequels. When the movie is released later this summer, even more people will learn about it. Carmen, Tibby, Lena and Bridget have a huge following, and it is easy to see why. Once you start reading the book you're hooked. The four girls seem so human; anyone could identify with them. While the book teaches a lot of lessons, it doesn't come over as preachy. It makes no judgements about the decisions the girls make, but just seems to follow along as the girls work things out on their own. I would recommend this book more for older readers, because there are some hints of sexuality, but nothing is described explicitly. I laughed out loud at several parts of this book and can't wait to read the other novels in the series.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 15+
How Not to Spend Your Senior Year
Author: Cameron Dokey
Publication: New York: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: 2004
ISBN: 0-689-86703-4
Pages: 293
Summary: Jo O'Connor has moved around so much while growing up that she has gotten used to it and learned not to get close to anyone. That all changes in her senior year though, when she falls in love. When Jo and her father learn that they have to fake their deaths in order to protect themsleves from a murderer, Jo finds it hard to resist the urge to say one last goodbye. This sets events in motion to the point where Beacon High is convinced that Jo's ghost has come back to haunt them. The staff of the student newspaper at Jo's new school (Royer High) are so intrigued by her resemblance to the dead girl, that they send her on an exchange to Beacon to get the scoop on the strange events that are happening there. Somehow, Jo has to fix all the problems she caused without giving away her identity.
Major Characters: Jo O'Connor, Alex Crawford (boyfriend), Elaine Golden (best friend and neighbour), Mark London (student at Royer)
Comments: This is an enjoyable, funny read. Even though the plot is far-fetched, the story is told very naturally, as if it could happen to anyone. Unlike many teen stories, there is no angst from Jo about her childhood (she had a perfectly happy upbringing despite losing her mother and having to move all the time). The book is written in modern language and it makes lots of pop culture references to things such as Starbucks lattes.
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Age Level: 15+
Publication: New York: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: 2004
ISBN: 0-689-86703-4
Pages: 293
Summary: Jo O'Connor has moved around so much while growing up that she has gotten used to it and learned not to get close to anyone. That all changes in her senior year though, when she falls in love. When Jo and her father learn that they have to fake their deaths in order to protect themsleves from a murderer, Jo finds it hard to resist the urge to say one last goodbye. This sets events in motion to the point where Beacon High is convinced that Jo's ghost has come back to haunt them. The staff of the student newspaper at Jo's new school (Royer High) are so intrigued by her resemblance to the dead girl, that they send her on an exchange to Beacon to get the scoop on the strange events that are happening there. Somehow, Jo has to fix all the problems she caused without giving away her identity.
Major Characters: Jo O'Connor, Alex Crawford (boyfriend), Elaine Golden (best friend and neighbour), Mark London (student at Royer)
Comments: This is an enjoyable, funny read. Even though the plot is far-fetched, the story is told very naturally, as if it could happen to anyone. Unlike many teen stories, there is no angst from Jo about her childhood (she had a perfectly happy upbringing despite losing her mother and having to move all the time). The book is written in modern language and it makes lots of pop culture references to things such as Starbucks lattes.
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Age Level: 15+
Elisabeth: The Princess Bride
Author: Barry Denenberg
Series: The Royal Diaries
Publication: New York: Scholastic
Publication Date: 2003
ISBN: 0-439-26644-0
Pages: 151
Summary: A diary-style story about Princess Elisabeth, set in the years 1853 and 1854. It describes her engagement and marriage to her cousin, Franz Joseph I, Emperor of Austria.
Major Characters: Elisabeth (future Empress of Austria-Hungary), Franz Joseph I (Emperor), Duchess Ludovica (Elisabeth's mother), Archduchess Sophie (Elisabeth's aunt and Franz Joseph's mother)
Comments: Half the book is a fictional account of a period in Elisabeth's life, while the other half is a biographical sketch of the Empress. This section includes a biography, illustrations, a family tree, and other interesting items. I liked this part of the book much more than the diary part. It is obvious that the author has taken time to make sure that the story is historically accurate, but the diary is written in modern language, so I feel like all of that effort has been wasted. The style of the writing just sounds like someone pretending to be from the 1800s. Elisabeth also never talks about her first kiss, which all girls write about in their diaries, so I never felt like I was reading an actual diary. The Dear Canada Series accomplishes this effect much better.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Age Level: 10-15
Series: The Royal Diaries
Publication: New York: Scholastic
Publication Date: 2003
ISBN: 0-439-26644-0
Pages: 151
Summary: A diary-style story about Princess Elisabeth, set in the years 1853 and 1854. It describes her engagement and marriage to her cousin, Franz Joseph I, Emperor of Austria.
Major Characters: Elisabeth (future Empress of Austria-Hungary), Franz Joseph I (Emperor), Duchess Ludovica (Elisabeth's mother), Archduchess Sophie (Elisabeth's aunt and Franz Joseph's mother)
Comments: Half the book is a fictional account of a period in Elisabeth's life, while the other half is a biographical sketch of the Empress. This section includes a biography, illustrations, a family tree, and other interesting items. I liked this part of the book much more than the diary part. It is obvious that the author has taken time to make sure that the story is historically accurate, but the diary is written in modern language, so I feel like all of that effort has been wasted. The style of the writing just sounds like someone pretending to be from the 1800s. Elisabeth also never talks about her first kiss, which all girls write about in their diaries, so I never felt like I was reading an actual diary. The Dear Canada Series accomplishes this effect much better.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Age Level: 10-15
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