The Agony of Alice by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Naylor, Phyllis Reynolds. The Agony of Alice. New York: Aladdin Paperbacks, 1985.

Summary

Alice McKinley’s mother has been dead for years and she is on her way to becoming a teenager. The only problem is that she does not know how, and her father and nineteen-year-old brother have no idea about being a teenage girl. When the family moves and Alice starts the sixth grade she hopes to get a teacher for her new role model. The problem is she gets Mrs. Plotkins the pear-shaped teacher instead of Miss Cole the beautiful one, until she discovers it matters what is inside of a person that truly counts.

Personal Opinions/Reactions

Naylor takes her readers into a series of incidents both hilarious and emotional as Alice tries to deal with her emotions of becoming a teenager. Readers will feel her pain throughout, but laugh out loud at the new adventures that she will encounter. Audiences of all ages will be able to relate to the feelings and wants that Alice will have about growing up. Through mishaps at school to visiting her aunt and cousin, you will not be able to put this book down. It is a speedy and simple read for even your reluctant readers. At the end of this book, you will want to pick up the next one in the series to continue your adventure of Alice and her life.

I would recommend this book mainly to girls around the ages ten and up. This book would be a great suggestion to any girl living without her own mother.

Reviews

A Children’s Choice Book

School Library Journal: “The lively style exhibits a deft touch at capturing the essence of an endearing heroine growing up without a mother.”

Booklist: “A wonderfully funny and touching story.”

The Vanishings (Left Behind: The Kids) By Jenkins and Lahaye

Jenkins, Jerry B., and Tim LaHaye. The Vanishings (Left Behind: The Kids). Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1998.

Summary

Around the globe, in one shocking moment millions disappear. For those that are left behind will face the uncertain future, and especially for four kids who are now alone. As they search for answers they are told the truth behind the disappearances. The question they must ask themselves is that are they ready to believe? Judd, Vicki, Lionel, and Ryan must band together to find faith and fight the evil forces that threaten their lives.

Personal Opinions/Reactions

The Vanishings is just the first one of a series of books that will teach children about the Rapture and Tribulation, and is based on the adult series Left Behind. Jenkins and LaHaye do a fantastic job of explaining the Rapture through the eyes of four children who do not believe. They write the book in a very realistic fashion, and will have readers questioning their beliefs at the end. After reading the first book you can not help, but want to continue to read further into the series. It is an easy read for students, and the four children’s characters are relatable.

I would recommend this book for children ten and up who are interested in learning about the Rapture and Tribulation.

Reviews

This series is based on the best-selling book Left Behind.

Jenkins writings has reached the New York Times best-seller list three times.

LaHaye is the author of numerous international best-sellers with sales over eleven million copies.

The Great Fire by Jim Murphy

Murphy, Jim. The Great Fire. New York: Scholastic, Inc., 1995.

Summary

Jim Murphy gives a vivid firsthand description by people who lived through the 1871 Chicago fire. This fire is known for the disaster of wiping out a wide part of Chicago. Murphy will also look at the origins of the fire, errors of judgments, and the problems with organization amongst the city’s firefighters, plus efforts to rebuild.

Personal Opinions/Reactions

Murphy does a fascinating job of laying out the facts concerning one of the biggest disasters to take place in American history. He includes accounts of witnesses that were involved in the fire, as well as historic photos, engravings, and newspaper clippings on almost every page. Readers will be fascinated with the stories and pictures included that will help the audience get a true understanding of what took place during that time. As the fire continues to spread through Chicago, Murphy includes a drawing that shows how the city continues to burn giving a detailed vision in a readers mind. The story is fact-based and suspenseful that will keep you turning the page, but gaining an educational insight as well.

I would recommend The Great Fire for those ten years old and up. This is a good resource to have in a classroom setting with the inclusion of lithographs, historical photographs, and a bibliography, especially with the drought and continuous problems of forest fires.

Reviews

Newbery Medal/Honor

Notable/Best Books (A.L.A)

The Horn Book: "Vivid firsthand descriptions by persons who lived through the 1871 Chicago fire are woven into a gripping account... Absorbing and riveting reading."

School Library Journal: “The diversity and multitude of personal accounts is presented in both text and voice so that there is no sense of frustration in the changes of viewpoints, but rather a better appreciation of the event as a dynamic experience from which we still have much to learn.”

Zen Shorts by Jon J. Muth

Muth, Jon J. Zen Shorts. New York: Scholastic Press, 2005.

Summary

Addie, Karl, and Michael meet a giant panda who moves into the neighborhood that happens to tell great stories. Stillwater, the bear tells of a poor man who gives gifts to a robber, a farmer who knows that luck can be neither judged nor predicted, and of a monk who carries the weight of a burden long past. Muth uses bright ink colors to add to this delightful tale.

Personal Opinions/Reactions

When I finished reading this book, I felt I received a bonus of four books in one. Jon Muth takes a tale of a panda named Stillwater and then includes three more stories within that are told by him. As Stillwater shares to Addie, Karl, and Michael he links the conversation between each of them with the story topic making an easy shift between stories. He also does a fascinating job with the colors throughout using a different color tone for each story, so to help readers not become confused. Readers and listeners will be enthralled with the stories as well as the interesting use of colors created in this book. One can not help, but fall in love with the bear outside.

I would recommend this book for children in kindergarten through the fourth grade.

Reviews

Caldecott Medal/Honor 01/23/06

Notable/Best Books (A.L.A.) 01/01/06

School Library Journal: “Appealing enough for a group read-aloud, but also begging to be shared and discussed by caregiver and child, Zen Shorts is a notable achievement.”

Library Media Connection: “As well as being read for enjoyment, the stories in this book can be read and discussed several times, forming a basis for discussions about character building and decision making."

Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer

Meyer, Stephenie. Eclipse. New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2007.

Summary

In this third book of the Twilight series, Stephenie Meyer does an incredible job with the riveting love saga. Bella must make the hard decision of who her true love is Edward, the vampire or Jacob, the werewolf. At the same time Seattle is being destroyed by mysterious killings, and a spiteful vampire is to still out to get her. Now, Edward and Jacob will have to team up together to help Bella survive, plus she will have to decide between the two. To make matters worse, graduation is near and the question is whether to stay a human or become a vampire.

Personal Opinions/Reactions

Stephenie Meyer’s takes both Twilight and New Moon and combines the two together to create a great master piece with Eclipse. As Bella can’t live without Edward, but struggles with her friendship and possible love for Jacob readers will be mesmerized with this third book. As you continue to turn the page the tension created will just keep you wanting more especially when Jacob, Bella, and Edward are together on the mountain waiting for the big fight. Depending on if you are an Edward or Jacob fan the scene with Jacob kissing Bella will have you mad as can be or jumping for joy. Meyer's created a book for readers that have people talking all over and age isn't even an issue. With many conflicts created throughout, Meyer’s will have people waiting in line for the fourth book to see how she continues on this great saga, including myself.

I would highly recommend this book to at least 7th graders and up, plus some mature 6th graders. I would also suggest this book to adults who love to read.

Reviews

Kirkus Review: “Fans of Bella's angst-drenched love triangle will gobble this entry up, and the open-ended conclusion paves the way for Jake's story to come.”

School Library Journal: “Meyer knows what her fans want: thrills, chills, and a lot of romance, and she delivers on all counts.”