Sparrow Girl by Sara Pennypacker

Pennypacker, S. (2009). Sparrow Girl. New York: Hyperion Book Ch.

I loved this book! Not only is it a wonderfully illustrated picture book, but it' very inspirational. First of all, I don't recall ever hearing about the Famine of 1958 in China, however, Sara Pennypacker, writes this story with a little twist of the facts, and teaches a lesson: By solving one problem, a bigger one may lie ahead - which is exactly what happened once all the sparrows died. I can't wait to read this to my class, I know many of them will love hearing about Ming-Li and how she saved "the world". This was one of my favorite Bluebonnet Award Nominee books that I read this year.

Eidi by Bodil Bredsdorff

Bredsdorff, B. (2009). Eidi: The Children of Crow Cove (The Children of Crow Cove Series). New York: Farrar, Straus And Giroux (Byr).

This is the 2nd book in the series The Children of Crow Cove, and as such the first couple of chapters were confusing, as I was trying to understand Eidi. However, as the story line progressed, I was able to understand the new story and plot that was overturning.  I think Brodil Bredsdorff wrote a fine book about the adventures that one can find and the struggles of reality and being true to oneself, despite social and societal setbacks. I thought this book was a good read for children. It is from the Notable Books for Children list.

Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer

Colfer, Eoin. Artemis Fowl (new cover). New York: Hyperion Book Ch, 2001. Print.

Artemis Fowl is on the New York Times Best-Seller list. Artemis is the main character.Eoin Colfer is a wonderful writer and grabs the reader's attention by quickly developing the plot and bringing the reader into Artemis' adventure to restore his family's wealth. The author creates a separate world inhabited by mythical creatures. After learning of this world Artemis develops a plan to exploit this world for his own benefit. Throughout the story, the author uses these mythical creatures to voice her own opinions regarding social issues. 
Since this book is about fairies and trolls and dwarfs, it was a bit more challenging for me to get into. I know this type of books is popular among the younger readers, which is why it has been on the Best Sellers list for 115 weeks. It has been compared to the Harry Potter Books in popularity.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

 Kinney, J. (2007). Diary of a Wimpy Kid. New York: Abrams Books for Young Readers.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid has been a New York Times Best Seller for 90 weeks. This graphic novel series is sure to be a delight to all kids. It's reading level is ages 9-12. I know at our school, our 5th grade English teacher has students read this series to get them into reading. It is full of pictures and the kids like that - later in the year, she will introduce them to more novel type stories.
In Diary of Wimpy Kidd, we see friendship and the significance of what friendship is as the main theme throughout this realistic fiction story. Greg is always trying to  come up with new ideas to become popular and he drags his best friend Rowly into everything, despite the fact that Rowly just wants to do good. However, as the story unfolds, Rowly sees his friendship with Greg is really one sided and takes steps to make new friends without Gregg. In the end, it's Greg who realizes the importance of friendship and that Rowly really is a good friend. This graphic novel is such a popular series among young readers that recently a movie was made about the first book.

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

 

Stead, R. (2009). When You Reach Me. New York: Wendy Lamb Books

I enjoyed reading this book and I think it soon will be on my list of "classics". This is a Newberry winner and I love how Rebecca Stead intertwined "A Wrinkle in Time" into the story line- I guess because I read Wrinkle in Time, I was able to really understand and relate to Miranda, as she conquered her role. Rebecca Stead did a great job using voice and setting to make this book believable through the eyes of young readers. I also think one of the things that really struck me about this book, are the details that surround Miranda and the fact that the events could really happen - like a realistic fiction story, that young readers would be able to relate too.

To Kill a Mockingbird

Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird: 50th Anniversary Edition. Anv ed. New York: Harper, 2010. Print.

I really enjoyed reading this book, again. It's been many, many years since I read it and I was motivated again to read it after going to ALA and sitting in on an interview with the director of an upcoming documentary, paying tribute to the anniversary of To Kill a Mockingbird.  Reading this as an adult, I have a much stronger and deeper sense of satisfaction and understanding, then when I read it as a teenage. Probably because I have life experiences now and I can better relate, or rather understand the struggles that Atticus faced, as well as, the actions of Scout. I can understand why this book is challenged: the language is less than desireable. However, language and vocabulary make the book! Thanks for allowing me an opportunity to read it again!

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

L'Engle, M. (2007). A Wrinkle in Time. New York: Square Fish. (Original work published null)

As one my my challenged book readings, I am always eager to find out what the challenges are. In reading a Wrinkle in Time, I read that the challenges were based more upon religion Christianity and the issues raised. I thought this to be very ironic because I don't understand this challenge. I look at this book as the early stages of our new science fiction ere, with it being on a more basic level than Harry Potter and even Twilight. I enjoyed reading this book as I think about the adventures Meg went on in search for and further understanding of her father.