Avi

The Barn By: Avi

                It is the spring of 1855 and Benjamin is called home by his brother and sister from boarding school in Portland because their father has had a fit of the palsy.  His siblings do not know what to do and are thinking of leaving their land or getting married.  Ben does not understand just how bad their father is and knows in his heart that his father will get better. He decides to be the one to stay home and take care of their father while his siblings plant the fields and work.  He finds out that his father does understand things and is able to get him to blink yes or no responses.  He is hopeful that his father will get better and decides that if they work together to build the barn their father wants he will get better, and convinces his siblings to do so.  Will they get the barn built in time?

                This was a touching story of siblings who are forced into a hard situation of caring for their father when he cannot do anything for himself. It shows the true meaning of family and was a wonderful story. It is written at about a 4^th grade reading level, but could be used with older students too.  It does have some mature themes as the father is bedridden and must be taken care of fully and is a heartfelt story as you are truly shown the emotions of the main character Benjamin.

This book is part  of an Avi author study that I am using with my students in class and I borrowed the book from the district GATE department. 

ISBN: 978-0-380-72562-5

A Beginning a Muddle and an End: The Right Way to Write Writing By: Avi

                This is the story of Avon the snail and Edward the Ant.  They have decided to write a story. But all they can come up with is “something”.  This story follows their adventures on how to write a story and what should be put in the story.  They spend days working on their story and how to best write it down, and somewhere in the “muddle” they have a great time.

                This is a funny book that continues the adventures of these two characters. It cracked me up. The ant and snail are really trying to write but have no idea what to do. There are many funny scenes in the book. I love the funny banter between the characters. Like, ““Perhaps you need to get  a grip on yourself,” said Edward. “Edward!” cried Avon. “How can I get a grip when I have no hands?””  This book is for a reader who understands how to laugh. It is written at a 5^th grade level yet would be funny for anyone.

This book is part  of an Avi author study that I am using with my students in class and I borrowed the book from the district GATE department. 

ISBN: 978-0-15-205555-4