“A year spent in artificial intelligence is enough to make one believe in God.”—Alan Perlis
Reading Level
Grades 5-8
Review
The draw of The Wild Robot is definitely its premise. We’ve all read stories of characters trying to survive in the wilderness in books like Hatchet and Robinson Crusoe. We’ve also read futuristic stories of robots who have evolved to act more and more like humans. Rarely, however, are the two instances put together as they are in this novel. Peter Brown brings us this intriguing situation and, I admit, this is what drew me to the book. Continue reading Into the Wild: A Review of ‘The Wild Robot’→
“Friendship is the source of the greatest pleasures, and without friends even the most agreeable of pursuits becomes tedious.”—Thomas Aquinas
Interest Level:
Grades 7-12
Review and Thoughts
I am often hesitant when it comes to reading Catholic young adult literature, but I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised with The Perfect Blindside. Not only does it tell a good story, but it brings aspects of the faith into the story without beating the reader over the head. I appreciate the effort by Leslea Wahl to appeal to her young adult readers that way. Continue reading The Greatest Pursuit: A Review of ‘The Perfect Blindside’→
“Every person’s life is a fairy tale written by God’s fingers.” –Hans Christian Anderson
Reading Level:
Grade 5 [The text could likely be read independently by a student whose reading skills are at the level of a typical fifth grader.]
Interest Level:
Grades of 3-8
Review and Comments:
The Wishing Spell is a story about a brother and sister named Alex and Connor Bailey, twins who are individually quite unique. Alex is an intelligent and resourceful girl who spends a great deal of time reading alone and isolating herself from those who consider her different. Connor, on the other hand, is a very popular boy who finds school a challenge and sometimes feels that no matter how hard he tries he just doesn’t measure up. He has trouble staying awake in school because, well, most lessons are just not interesting or relevant. The twins do share two very important things in common however. They love fairy tales. Their father and grandmother have been telling them fairy tales since they were very young. Those family times are some of their best memories. Alex even wonders what it would be like to live in a fairy tale of her imagination. The twins also share a great sorrow. Their dad was killed in an accident and even though it was a year ago they still grieve so much that “sometimes they expect their sadness to swell out of their bodies”. Continue reading Venture Forth: A Review of ‘The Wishing Spell’ (Land of Stories #1)→
“Since it is so likely that children will meet cruel enemies, let them at least have heard of brave knights and heroic courage.” – C.S. Lewis
Reading Level:
Grades 2-3 [according to common core]
Grade 3.5 [according to Scholastic – reflects the grade level at which a student reading on grade could read the book independently]
Interest Level: K – 2
Review and Comments:
The Irish Cinderlad by Shirley Climo is a story that takes place in ages past in Ireland. It is a familiar tale based on Doublas Hyde’s “The Bracket Bull” and on Sara Cone Bryant’s “Billy Beg and His Bull.” It also brings to mind the very familiar fairy tale, Cinderella. Continue reading Achieving Hero Status: A Review of ‘The Irish Cinderlad’→
“Fairy tales do not tell children that dragons exist. Children already know that dragons exist. Fairy tales tell children the dragon can be killed.” —G. K. Chesterton
Suggested Grade Level:
Grades 9-12+
Review and Thoughts:
I have to admit, I am not a huge fan of fantasy. With the exception of the more classic fantasies like the “The Chronicles of Narnia”, “The Lord of the Rings”, and “The Harry Potter Series”, I generally steer clear of the imaginary worlds invented in others’ heads. I have also found that more modern fantasies reduce themselves to including a lot of sex and violence to make the story more captivating. (“Game of Thrones” anyone?) I am happy to say, that when I read “The Land’s Whisper” I was pleasantly surprised. Continue reading Reclaiming the Beauty of Fantasy: A Review of ‘The Land’s Whisper’→
“So many things are possible just as long as you don’t know they’re impossible.” – Norton Juster
Reading Level:
Grades 4-5 [according to common core]
Grade 5.4 [according to Scholastic – reflects the grade level at which a student reading on grade level could read the book independently]
Interest Level:
Grades 3-5
Review and Comments:
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster tells the story about a boy named Milo who has an extraordinary adventure that literally changes his life. When the reader meets Milo he is displeased with pretty much everything. He seems stuck in his frustration and doesn’t “see the point in most things.” He isn’t satisfied with school or even the world! One afternoon he is again grumbling to himself when he notices a package in the corner of his room. An attached note reads “For Milo, who has plenty of time.” The package contains “one genuine turnpike tollbooth.” Surprisingly, Milo follows the instructions and assembles the tollbooth, chooses a destination called Dictionopolis, and is off on his trek hoping “he isn’t wasting his time.” Milo’s journey through the tollbooth is so unexpected and curious that he actually begins to anticipate the unfolding experience. It exposes him to the richness, beauty, and complexities of words mingled with the most exceptional characters he will ever meet. Continue reading Opportunities of a Challenged Learner: A Review of ‘The Phantom Tollbooth’→
“When you’re pinned against a wall, and you have no options except to overcome, you discover how strong you really are.” -Unknown
Reading Level:
Grades 4-5 [level according to common core)
Grade 4.9 [level according to Scholastic – reflects the grade level at which a student reading on grade could read the book independently]
Interest Level:
Grades 3-5
Review and Comments:
Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl is a story about the sly and cunning Mr. Fox. He must provide for his family so every night he considers the cuisine that three different farms can provide. Farmer Boggis raises chickens, Farmer Bunce raises ducks and geese, and Farmer Bean raises turkeys and grows apples. This bounty always provides a tempting menu of delicious dinners. The farmers however do not look at Mr. Fox as a clever fellow. They consider him a thief plain and simple. They are determined to stop him at all costs so they form a coalition with one goal – to catch Mr. Fox and stop his thievery. Continue reading Daring in Adversity: A Review of ‘Fantastic Mr. Fox’→
“Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”– St. Francis of Assisi
Reading Level: Grades 5-6
Interest Level: Grades 5-8
Review and Comments:
As Brian buckles his seat belt and settles in the small plane to begin a trip to visit his father for the summer, he never dreams his life is about to change forever. He is distracted by angry, raging thoughts about his parents’ divorce. In the tangle of all of those emotions is a secret about his mom and that “Secret” is like an anchor weighing him down not only in his heart but in his thoughts. Those thoughts again assault his mind as he begins his flight. After a lengthy period of silence, he and the pilot finally begin to talk a bit. Brain is surprised when the pilot shows him how to use the rudder, and he actually flies the plane on his own. After that things go horribly wrong. The pilot has a heart attack and dies leaving Brian alone flying over the vast Canadian woods. Continue reading Strength in the Face of Danger: A Review of ‘Hatchet’ by Gary Paulsen→
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Reading Level: Grades 5-6