Chinese Cinderella

Chinese Cinderella: The True Story of  an Unwanted Daughter By: Adeline Yen Mah

Adeline has never been the favorite daughter. In fact, she is the most not liked. She is blamed for her mother's death, as her mother died two weeks after giving birth to her.  When Adeline's father remarries, it is apparent that things are only going to get worse for her and her siblings.  They are not as favored as the new siblings, and they are mistreated.  Adeline works her hardest in school and outside her house to be the best she can be, she is given many awards, but never once does anyone come to see her.  Eventually Adeline is sent to live at two different boarding houses, and is never contacted by her family.  But throughout all of this she eventually makes a name for herself by winning a writing contest, that starts her career as an author.

Such a beautifully sad story.  I cannot imagine what her childhood was like, and it makes me very thankful that I lived with parents who loved me, and cared for me. What I also found heartbreaking was that there were other girls that lived in the boarding houses and orphanages with Adeline that were going through the same types of things.  A wonderful book.

I purchased this from Barnes and Nobel
ISBN: 978-0-385-74007-4

Unspoken

Unspoken: A Story From the Underground Railroad By: Henry Cole

This is one of the most beautifully illustrated wordless books I have seen.  It tells the story of a farm girl that finds a slave hiding in their barn. The girl brings the slave food and keeps the secret of the slave hiding there.  Even without words this is a powerful book. The author's note at the end tells the author's story of hearing about the brave  people that helped hide slaves during the Civil War.  The illustrations are charcoal,  and simply beautiful with so much detail. Great book!

I borrowed this from the public library
ISBN: 978-0-545-39997-5

Killer Species

Killer Species Menace From the Deep   By: Michael P. Spradlin


Emmet is moving again, his father is a biologist and so they move around where his dad is asked to work.  Emmet hates moving and especially now since his mother is gone.   He meets Calvin and they become friends, but as their parent's research continues they find a strange new species and a crazy man behind them. Dr. Catalyst wants to ride the Everglades of harmful species and so he has created monster creatures. He uses these creatures to fend off people he believes are in his way, and he is now focused on Emmet, Calvin and their parents.

Killer Species Feeding Frenzy By: Michael P. Spradlin

Dr. Catalyst is back in this next thriller adventure. This time he has moved to the water to create a dangerous type of fish.  He is out to get back at Emmet and his family again, and so he targets them each time he releases his fish.  Emmet thinks he has figured out just who Dr. Catalyst is though, and so he leads the chase to find him. Especially after Dr. Catalyst takes Emmet's dog.

These two books are perfect for any reader who likes thrillers, and  science fiction all in one. I know that readers will instantly like Emmet, and feel an instant creepiness  about Dr. Catalyst.  Being a book for upper elementary and middle school readers, this book is definitely a good one. It has the creepy element of the bad guy narrating some chapters and the good guys having no idea what is going on, but you know.  I know my son will love them.  The adventure does continue in the third book Killer Species Out For Blood

I purchased these books at the Scholastic Book Fair
ISBN: 978-0-545-56366-6 and 978-0-545-62200-4

Peter H. Reynolds

The Dot
    Vashti doesn't think she is good at art.  Her art teacher gives her advice, "Just make a mark and see where it takes you."  This leads Vashti to her own collection of art dots.  Everyone is amazed at the beautiful art that Vashti has created.

Ish
  Ramon loves to draw. But one day his brother, Leon, makes fun of him.  Ramon no longer loves to draw and destroys his work.  But his little sister, Marisol,  changes his mind when she hangs all of his work and tells him that she likes them. Ramon learns to love his work and drawing again.

Both of these books are very simple, but really great.  Each book shows a child that learns to accept themselves for the work that they do.  I love the simpleness of them both. Perfect little reads.

I borrowed these from the public library
ISBN:0-7636-1961-2 and 0-7636-2344-X

Graceling

Graceling By: Kristin Cashore

Katsa is basically at the mercy of her uncle the King. He tells her what to do and who to hurt. Katsa has a Grace, that makes her very strong and a skilled fighter. She does not like doing the King's bidding and wishes she could leave.  When she meets Prince Po, she is not expecting to find a friend.  As they train together and get closer, she is scared that she has someone that she can lean on and trust.  But on one assignment things do not go as planned for Katsa and she is in a lot of trouble.  She decides to take Po up on his offer and flew with   him on his quest to avenge the kidnapping of his grandfather.  But as they embark on this journey and find much more for them to fight for, they also find each other.

I loved this book and didn't put it down until I was done.  The story of Katsa, a strong independent girl, who really just needs a friend was just great.   I found myself sad for her, and then ultimately happy when she realized what it was like to have a friend that she could trust.  I also liked that she was a strong fighter, and protective as well.  All around a great read.

I borrowed this from the public library

ISBN: 978-0-547-25830-0

The Sherlock Files Book 1

The Sherlock Files: Book 1 The 100 Year Old Secret By: Tracy Barrett

Xander and his sister Xena love mysteries.  They are playing a game about guess the person's job, when they are given a mysterious note with disappearing ink.  After working out what the message is telling them to do, they find out that they are descendants of Sherlock Holmes himself.  They are asked by the Society for the Preservation of Famous Detectives to help them solve a mystery. Find a painting that has been missing for a long time Girl in the Purple Hat.  As they work to solve this crime and start at a new school working together has never been more important.

I thought this was a great mystery read for upper elementary readers.  My son is doing his book report on this book, so I thought I would read it to.  The storyline is a good one, with lots of mystery solving adventure.  Mystery readers will love the tie to Sherlock Holmes stories in this book, as the adventure continues with his great great great grandchildren.

I borrowed this from the public library
ISBN: 978-0-312-60212-3

A Day With Wilbur Robinson

A Day With Wilbur Robinson By: William Joyce

The Robinsons are a different group of people. Wilbur introduces us to all of them Aunt Billie plays with her train set, that appears to be actual size compared to her. Uncle Wormly is hanging out with his bug friends, The time machine was left on so there was dinosaurs by the pool.  A different family for sure.  I really enjoyed this book, it was another great William Joyce original work.  The illustrations are what make it great, the way he mixes pasty styles with future twists always drag me in.   Great read for elementary and up.

I borrowed this from the public library.
ISBN: 978-0-06-089098-8