Lily B. on the Brink of Love

I had never heard of the Lily B. series before, and within the first few pages I began to realize this was probably a very popular book for children. It's obviously geared at young girls, at an age where they are a little bit past reading simple chapter books.

Lily B. is a budding writer, intelligent and quirky. She is her schools advice columnist, and of course meets The Boy of her dreams. Not only has she met the love of her life, but she has just gotten a new job with an real life author...Who turns out to be The Boys mother. Along with her friends Charlotte and Bonnie she immerses herself in her new job, and figuring out how to make The Boy fall in love with her. Along the way, there are upsets and of course he never sees her the way she sees him, but throughout the book, she learns how to be herself and find someone who truly appreciate her for who she really is.

Although this book was very "girly" it was fun, and I would recommend it to girls who are ready to read a chapter book that isn't necessarily for beginners. Girls in grade 5-6 would enjoy this!

3.5 out of 5

Kimmel, Elizabeth C. (2005). Lily B. on the Brink of Love. New York, NY: Harper Trophy.

Genre- Realistic Fiction

The Hunger Games and Catching Fire

Thank goodness for my class-mate Danielle, because she introduced me to both The Hunger Games and Catching Fire, written by Suzanne Collins. Also, thank goodness Collins plans on penning a third book in this series.

The basic premise of these two book follows the life of Katniss Everdeen, a young girl from a nation that has the land of North America, but is divided into districts and run by the Capitol. Each of the districts must give up two of their very own children, a boy and a girl, to the hunger games, a literal fight to death. The brave Katniss steps forward to take her sister's place, to fight in the hunger games. Through a devoted friend, she makes it out alive, with her friend Peeta. She fools the Capitol into letting them both live, and in Catching Fire, she pays for this mistake and is entered into the Games again. Making it out alive yet again, the Capitol has never been more angry and Katniss knows she will eventually have to pay for this. She feels like she's starting a revolution in the districts, something that she is indeed doing.

These stories are amazing, and say much more about the society in which we ourselves live in. This book is recommended for upper level readers, grade 6-7.

These books are a 5 out of 5!

Collins, Suzanne. (2008). The Hunger Games. New York, NY: Scholastic Press.

Collins, Suzanne. (2009). Catching Fire. New York, NY. Scholastic Press.

Genre- Series Fiction (x2)

The House in the Night

My first interaction with The House in the Night was using it for a comparison paper, where I looked only at the illustrations. I realize now how much I missed from my first encounter with the text. The story is a little tale within a tale, having the main character taking flight on a beautiful bird, which is the main character in their book. I say "their" because you really can't tell if the person in the story is a little girl, or a little boy, which I find intriguing and wonderful. This is a whimsical story, with very cool illustrations, being primarily colored in black and white, with bright flashes of yellow for things that should draw focus, that end up feeling so alive.

I adore these types of stories that have the sentiment of lulling you into a sleep.

I would recommend this book for parents looking for something to read to their infant, or for a child just learning to read.

5 out of 5.

Swanson, Susan.(2008). The House in the Night. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Company.

Genre- Picture Book

Muhammed Ali - Champion of the World

Muhammad Ali is a name most people know, and one a lot of children may hear often but not really know the story of who this man was.

The story begins with a little history on black boxers, talking about Jack Johnson, Joe Louis and then finally Cassius Clay, the man who would eventually become Muhammad Ali. The momentous times in Ali's life are highlighted in this children's story talking about his first win, when he refuses to fight in the war, his imprisonment and finally his comeback to the ring, overtaking George Foreman in an unexpected win.

I didn't think I'd enjoy this little story as much as I did. I always found Muhammad Ali annoyingly arrogant, which he has admitted on his own. The story includes all the major points of Ali's life, and even his extreme confidence, but still remains a children's tale. This is a great read for a child who is asking about Ali's life! I would recommend this for 7-8 year olds. Also, the illustrations are wonderful!

I would give this a 4 out 5

Winter, Jonah. Roca, Francoise. (2007) Muhammed Ali - Champion of the World. New York, NY: Shwartz & Wade Books.

Genre- Biography

Little Women

Wonderfully enough, Little Women is one book that I was most looking forward to reading for this reading log. I've read Little Women as a child, and remember falling in love with the characters. To me, they were so completely endearing and lovable. I then remember getting the VHS movie with Winona Ryder as Jo, and still loving them. But, oddly enough I didn't love them as much this time. I found Meg pretentious, Jo rude, Beth so very weak and scared and Amy, well Amy was always hard to take. The real question of course is whether or not a child would enjoy reading this book, or at the very least have this book read to them. What I remember loving was all the "old fashion" references, and I think this is something that many children would enjoy hearing about now. Little Women is a classic, a book I'm sure many young girls would enjoy reading.

*Note- The copy of Little Women that I borrowed from the library was the original publication format, meaning it stops immediately after Mr. March arrives home after being at war, then injured. We also miss out on all the sad Beth stuff, so that might be ok for really sensitive children.

2.5 out of 5

Alcott, Louisa May Alcott. (this edition published in 1997). Little Women. Viking Press.

Genre- Classic Fiction

The Long Winter

What to do when your a family of six, gearing up for a long winter? Really, it's no big deal, make sure the winter tires are on the car and the woodpile is high. No worries if there's a blizzard, snow plows will be out in no time!

Not the case for poor Laura Ingalls the main character of The Long Winter, by Laura Ingalls Wilder herself, who's family is facing the longest winter in Seven years. Between lack of coal, food and cabin fever setting in, the family begins to lose all hope, until thankfully Spring sets in and all is saved. The wonderful moments in this historic tale really lie in the families love for one another and their humble attitudes towards life. Between celebrating Christmas and having Pa break out the fiddle every now and then (to lift their spirits), the family survives the long, snowy season.

Of course this book, first published in the 1940's doesn't necessarily have the best language or social attitudes (calling aboriginal people "Indians", making women and their lives be solely dedicated to the home and some rather heavy religious tones), but it has something that children will fall in love with, a way to really take a look at the "olden days". It's a way to talk to your kids about life back in the 1800's, and just a lot of fun to read!

I give this book a 3.5 out of 5!

Wilder, Laura Ingalls. (1940). The Long Winter. Harper and Row Publishing: New York, New York.

Genre- Historical Fiction

Snow-White and the Seven Dwarfs

Oh Grimm fairy-tales, why do you continue to terrify me, even at the age of 26?

I kid, I kid. Snow-White and the Seven Dwarfs, translated by Randall Jarrell and illustrations by Nancy Ekholm Burkert, is the fairy-tale that we have come to expect, in that it is indeed the original story filled with the mystical (something that draws the child in) and of course, the violence which we always seem to forget exists in these pages.

The classic story leaves Snow-White cast away by her wicked step mother, but happily taken in by seven dwarfs (no worries, she repays them by being their lady-servant and doing all the household chores). Snow-White's Step Mother has the magic mirror that will NOT stop selling Snow-White out, claiming her alive every time the Step-Mother asks, mirror mirror on the wall, who's the fairest of them all? Her attempts at killing Snow-White all fail, and the good news? Snow-White's prince charming comes along, and she (thank god!) lives happily ever after.

Should children read this? Sure, it's history but please, please talk to your child about this. And if they look the least bit frightened, just look at the beautiful illustrations!

I'd recommend reading this book to a child 6+!

I love the Snow-White story, in all it's wickedness,

5 out of 5

Genre- Folktale/Fairy Tale