Tag Archives: fiction

Middle School

The Games In Which We Compete: A Review of ‘The Crossover’ and ‘Booked’

“Continue, dear young men, to give the best of yourselves in sports competitions, always remembering that the competitive spirit of the sportsman, though so noble in itself, must not be an end in itself, but must be subordinated to the far more noble requirements of the spirit. Therefore, while I repeat to you: be good sportsmen, I also say to you: be good citizens in family and social life, and, even more, be good Christians, who are able to give a superior meaning to life, in such a way as to be able to put into practice what the Apostle Paul said about athletes to Christians of his time: ‘Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it … They (athletes) do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable’” (l Cor 9:24-25).—Saint Pope John Paul II from his address to the Bologna Soccer Team, December 9, 1978

The Crossover

Interest Level:

5-9

Grade Level Equivalent:

5-6

Review and Thoughts

Kwame Alexander’s book The Crossover would’ve made my basketball-lovin’ heart oh so happy back when I was in middle school.  Alexander uses poetry to write so passionately about the sport and brings in a close family to add to the drama of the novel. Continue reading The Games In Which We Compete: A Review of ‘The Crossover’ and ‘Booked’ →

Elementary, Middle School

Venture Forth: A Review of ‘The Wishing Spell’ (Land of Stories #1)

 “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) →

Elementary

A Most Enduring Home: A Review of ‘The Little House’

“Where we love is home – home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts.” – Oliver Wendell Holmes

Reading Level:

3.9 [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:

Little House was lovingly built for family – generations of family. She was very content watching the family grow and the changing seasons from her small hilltop.  As time passed, Little House also saw further transformations of the landscape.  There was an increase in traffic so bigger roads were built through the beautiful countryside, and more and more people followed those roads right up to her little world. After awhile the ever-expanding and consuming city grew. Little House was in the middle of that crowded city with feelings that she was abandoned by the family who loved her. She was alone, boarded up and shabby, yearning for the life she used to have. Continue reading A Most Enduring Home: A Review of ‘The Little House’ →

Elementary, Middle School

Facing Fears and Gaining Courage: A Review of ‘Elijah of Buxton’

“It really boils down to this: that all life is interrelated.  We are all caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied into a single garment of destiny.  Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

Reading Level:

Grades: 4-5 [according to common core]

Grades: 6     [according to Scholastic – reflects the grade level at which a student reading on grade could read the book independently]

Interest Level:  

Grade:  7

Review and Comments:

Elijah Freeman is the first free born child born in the settlement at Raleigh in Canada West called Buxton.  The honor makes Elijah well known among the citizens of almost all ex-slaves.  Elijah’s life is intertwined with many strong and often damaged people from the town.  His relationship with those people and the events they share begin his journey to see life as it really is. Continue reading Facing Fears and Gaining Courage: A Review of ‘Elijah of Buxton’ →

Elementary

Middle School Perception: A Review of ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid’

“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some people will hear today.” — St. Francis of Assisi

Reading Level:  

Grades 4-5 [according to common core]

Grade   5.2 [according to Scholastic]

Interest Level:  

Grades 3-8

Review and Comments:

Greg Heffley reluctantly begins a journal at the same time he starts middle school. The journal is a very detailed record of his private thought process, observations, desires, and schemes. The reader also learns that the journal is primarily a record of his life so when he becomes famous he will only have to reference this history to recall his life story.  From the beginning, he realizes the transition to a new school is an uncertain one and brings with it many challenges.  His anxiety is on high alert as he tries to tread lightly and yet at the same time survive and fit into the intimidating world called middle school. Continue reading Middle School Perception: A Review of ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid’ →

Middle School

The Burden of Affliction: A Review of ‘A Monster Calls’

“Without the burden of afflictions it is impossible to reach the height of grace.  The gift of grace increases as the struggle increases.”-St. Rose of Lima

Interest Level:

6-9

Grade Level Equivalent:

4.5

Review and Thoughts

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness is a story about a young boy named Conor whose mother is dying of cancer.  Conor is visited by an ancient monster, a yew tree, who lives in a graveyard close to his house.  The monster tells him that he will tell Conor three stories and then Conor must tell him the fourth story, which is Conor’s truth, or he will be eaten.  Conor is surprisingly not scared of this monster because he has seen another monster in his dreams and it is much more terrifying. Continue reading The Burden of Affliction: A Review of ‘A Monster Calls’ →

Elementary

A New Life: A Review of ‘The Memory Coat’

“All journeys begin by leaving one place to venture to another.” – Ellis Island

Reading Level: 

Grades 2 – 3  [according to common core]

Grade  3.7      [according to Scholastic – reflects the grade level at which a student reading on grade could read the book independently]

Review and Comments:

The Memory Coat by Elvira Woodruff is a story about loss and a hopeful new beginning – the loss of a beloved mother, the loss of a community and country, and the promise of a better life in a new country. Continue reading A New Life: A Review of ‘The Memory Coat’ →

Elementary, Middle School

The Universal Language: A Review of ‘Echo’

“Music is the universal language of mankind.”—Henry Wordsworth Longfellow

Interest Level:

Grades 5-9

Reading Level:

Grade 6

Review and Thoughts

Pam Munoz Ryan begins her story with a legend.  A little boy lost in the woods begins to read the story of three princesses cursed to wander the woods.  He is eventually found, disoriented and confused.  His memories of what took place are soon dismissed and forgotten. Continue reading The Universal Language: A Review of ‘Echo’ →

Elementary

Reminders of God’s Love: A Review of Three Books by Anthony DeStefano

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The Donkey That No One Could Ride

[A tale of faith]

“Be strong and steadfast; have no fear or dread of them, for it is the LORD, your God, who marches with you; he will never fail you or forsake you.” – Deuteronomy 31:6

Age Range 5-8

Grade Level: K-3

Donkey was a small, frail creature.  He knew that was accurate because everyone told him it was true.  Even his owner abandoned him because he wasn’t able to carry anyone or do any kind of work so he considered Donkey worthless.  Donkey was left alone to ponder his weak and frightened life.  Then, quite by surprise he was brought to a man who was different than anyone he had ever met before.  The man’s voice was gentle as he explained that he wanted Donkey to carry him into the city.  Donkey knew in his heart he could not do what the man asked because he was a desperate loser.  This man told him that “the weaker a person is the more strength he would give if they had faith.”  Donkey didn’t know why he believed the man, but he felt his powerful love.  Suddenly, he gained strength and became more courageous!  He humbly accepted the duty before him and carried the man to the town. They walked through throngs of people who were actually praising the man as a prophet and savior.  Donkey was overjoyed that he was chosen to carry a king even though he was “young, weak, and small.” Continue reading Reminders of God’s Love: A Review of Three Books by Anthony DeStefano →

Elementary

Lost and Found: A Review of ‘Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale’

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“When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.” – Margery Wilson, The Velveteen Rabbit

Reading Level:

Grades K – 1 [according to common core]

Grade   1      [according to Scholastic – reflects the grade level at which a student reading on grade could read the book independently]

Interest Level: Pre-K – 1

Review and Comments:

Knuffle Bunny by Mo Williams is a humorous story that both parents and children will enjoy. Mo Willems has captured an authentic moment in the everyday life of a father and daughter – one of those moments that is better appreciated when reminiscing after some time has passed. Continue reading Lost and Found: A Review of ‘Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale’ →