November 11th 2009
Review by Scott
Who would like this book? People who would like this book would be the kind that enjoy short stories and good literature.
Why? In the beginning, there is a poor old man who has not caught any fish for many days. In the middle, he sets out to sea for a few days. He has lots of adventures!
The details: 140 p. 1952 Winner of the Pulitzer Prize in 1953 Submitted by Scott
Coming soon to the Cal Young Library; it’s on the to-be-ordered list. ~ Sam
October 15th 2009
Review by Madisyn
Who would like this book? People who like books that are adventurous and don’t like to put the book down. Ages 11 and up.
Why? I liked this book because it was adventurous, and I didn’t want to put it down. Tom Sawyer is a young boy who lives on the Mississippi River with his aunt, brother, and sister. Tom Sawyer is a bit of a trouble maker. Tom often plays with Huckleberry Finn, who is a homeless boy. Tom’s aunt doesn’t like it when Huck and Tom see each other. Watch out for Injun Joe!!!
The details: 294 p. 1876 (originally!) Submitted by Madisyn
May 11th 2009
Review by Macey
Setting: Ozark Mountains
Plot: All Billy wants is two hound dogs. His parents aren’t going to get him some so Billy has to save the money himself. So Billy saves 50 dollars for two years to get two hound dogs. After Billy saves the money he goes to get his dogs. He trains the dogs for two years and makes them the best hunting dogs around.
Characters: Billy: Owner of the two dogs
Little Ann: One of Billy’s dogs
Old Dan: One of Billy’s dogs
Theme: If you really want something you can do anything.
The details: 249 p. 1961 Submitted by Macey
April 29th 2009
Review by Margo
Who would like this book?
Why? In Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Alice, a young curious girl, follows a mysterious talking White Rabbit down a large rabbit hole and into a strange and magical place called Wonderland. There she is faced with talking flowers, a sea of tears, a mad hatter, a Cheshire Cat and an evil queen who are all making it very hard to return to the world of reality. Will she make it home? Read to find out!
Review by Margo
December 4th 2008
Who would like this book? This book was originally published in 1726. But the text is easy, and the Adventure is grand! All Ages!
Why? Gulliver’s Travels is about an English man, (named Lemuel Gulliver) , who is shipwrecked, and lost at sea on to two remote islands. And, if that hasn’t already hooked you, they are inhabited by tiny people, and giants! Experience the Adventures of a lifetime, with Gulliver’s Travels! It’s Great!
The details: 1726, about 150 pp. Submitted by Chance
December 1st 2008
Who would like this book?This book is for all ages.
Why? Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is a great book with breathtaking poems, mind boggling creatures, and wonderful settings! It follows Alice, and her adventure down the rabbit hole. Meet amazing characters like, the ugly Duchess, the Cheshire Cat, the Queen, and the Mad Hatter! With a plot that twists around like no other, this book is one of a kind!
The details: 1865, about 150 pp. Available online for free
Submitted by Chance
November 13th 2008
Listen to a bookcast by Chance!
Who would like this book?
I think this book is is probably for ages 13 plus, for its sometimes confusing text. However, I think everyone would enjoy it; after all it is definitely a classic!
Why? When Mr. Lockwood decides to rent a house by a Mr. Heathcliff, he has no idea of the family’s horrid past, full of love, death, and tragedy. But, when he sees the ghost of a Heathcliff family member, his curiosity inspires him to ask an old family maid of the past. However, as Mr. Lockwood will soon find out, the past is usually not so bright, but what of the future? This book follows the maid’s sometimes chilling, and always intoxicating tale, of love, despair, and glory. With conflicts that will chill your bones, and warm your heart, Wuthering Heights is a definite classic that will make your head swim with pleasure. Read to find out more.
The details: 303 p. 1847 Submitted by Chance
October 12th 2008
Who would like this book? I highly recommend Anthem by Ayn Rand to anyone who likes good literature.
Why? Anthem was only 105 pages, and the book was short and skinny, but Ayn Rand successfully hooked me by the first chapter, and kept me there the whole book! There was only two occasions in which I read Anthem, and I finished it on the second. The chapters are short, but the detail is plentiful, and it truly is riveting. I left off where Equality 7-2521 is recounting his past. Equality 7-2521 finds a sewer pipe from the Unmentionable Times with his only friend(it is illegal to favor one brother over others), and his friend wants to tell the city counsel, but Equality 7-2521 convinces him not to (it is illegal to not inform the city counsel of anything found from the unmentionable times). There Equality 7-2521 finds “glass globes” and eventually makes something from the Unmentionable Times that set off a string of happenings in which Tragedies and glories occur.
The details: 105 p. (253 p. with notes) 1995 edition; First published in 1938 Submitted by Chance
March 9th 2008
Who would like this book? Teens who are interested in the Inuit (Eskimo) way of life and in the question of which environment is safer for a 12-year-old girl: the village with humans or the frozen tundra with wolves?
Why? Jean Craighead George’s classic story in three parts is a beautifully written, riveting tale of adventure and survival. The first part chronicles the way in which Miyax (Julie’s Eskimo name) reaches out to a wolf pack to help her survive on the tundra, where she has become lost. In the second part, we find out why she has run away to the tundra and why she became “Julie.” The main attraction of being “Julie” is her penpal, Amy, from San Francisco, whose descriptions of life in a beautiful house in a lively city captivate Julie. The third part of the story brings the two worlds – the world of the tundra and the world of the village together, and she must make a choice. This book, first published in 1972, continues to stand up as a worthwhile read. The use of “Eskimo” instead of “Inuit” reflects its publication date. A good research project would be to find out what other details in the book are dated and also to find out about the Inuit way of life and the choices and challenges they have faced under the influence of the “white man’s” civilization. I love this thought of Miyax: “The old Eskimos were scientists too. By using the plants, animals, and temperature, they had changed the harsh Arctic into a home, a feat s incredible as sending rockets to the moon.” (p. 121)
The details: 170 p. 1972
March 2nd 2008
Who would like this book? Teens who like Caroline B. Cooney and who have an interest in the macabre tale of Shakepeare’s Macbeth.
Why? The tragic treachery of Lord and Lady Macbeth unfolds through the point of view of 14-year-old Lady Mary in this captivating novelization of Shakespeare’s play. Mary has come to visit Lady Macbeth to help her be groomed to be mistress of her own castle. Mary’s perspective highlights the younger characters in the Scottish play, and seeing the terrible events from their point of view is fascinating. As the events unfold around her, Mary is also swept up by them. When her father betrays King Duncan, she must “disappear” into the kitchen and make her way through the castle with stealth and hard work. The danger that she is in personally gives her an added advantage in discovering what is really happening in the castle. Through Mary’s eyes, Cooney thoroughly explores the motivations and compulsions of the main and secondary characters. Though a knowledge of Macbeth would increase appreciation for this book, it is not necessary. Mary’s story stands up well all by itself! The two would be great to read side-by-side. Cooney concludes with an afterword about the historical Macbeth and about Shakespeare’s play.
The details: 288 p. 2007