Underground to Canada

This review is written by Amina in grade 6:

Do you like books about slavery? If you do, Underground to Canada by Barbara Smucker is a book for you. Many characters in this book are based on real people! For instance Levi Coffin and his wife Cathrine helped more than 3,000 slaves escape to Canada, and Mr. Alexander Ross helped more than 31 or more slaves escape to Canada in about 5 years.

Underground to Canada is a story about a young girl, who is taken away from her mother by a ruthless slave trader. All she has left is the dream of freedom. She meets a girl named Liza. When workers from the underground railway offer to help them, they are ready. But the slave catchers and their dogs will soon be after them. Will they ever reach Canada?

Barbara Smucker makes the reader turn each page of this wonderful book, for example: A little of the fear and ache lifted from Julilly she began repeating the words that the slave owner had used Quaker Abolitionist, free n---- boy and found herself wondering if the words might have anything to do with Canada.

Will she ever get to Canada? Or will she find herself picking cotton with whip slashing down her back if you want to find out I recommend this book I recommend this book to you!

Miss Harold's Notes:Here is a link for more information on the Underground Railway, and one man's walking journey done last year

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

The following is a review by Anthony age 8:
Do you love happy endings? If you like books with happy ending, you have to read this! Although, the beginning is very sad. Charlie is a boy who is poor. His mom couldn't find a job. His dad is a cap screwer. They could only buy a small cabin. I don't think you want to read those parts. You still have to read the ending.

The good part is that Charlie got a golden ticket. If you find a golden ticket, this guy who owns a huge chocolate factory will give you tons of chocolate. Your house will become a chocolate world. The guy who owns the factory is Mr. Willy Wonka.

I can't tell you how the story ends but I can tell you what I like. Dahl makes weird crazy books. I like crazy. He writes interesting books like this book I'm telling you about.

Do you wonder how Charlie got the golden ticket? Read this book to find out how that poor boy got that golden ticket. I really recommend you to read this book now.

Book Review - The Witch of Blackbird Pond

After reading the Sign of the Beaver and enjoying it, I decided to read this book by the same author, Elizabeth George Speare. The Witch of Blackbird Pond, like Sign of the Beaver, is the Newbury Award winner for 1959. The setting is Connecticut around the late 1600s. It is a time when the Puritans and Quakers battled for freedom in the new America.

Our main character, Kit, has just arrived from Barbados. She is seeking to live with her only remaining family members, the Woods. From the beginning Kit's lifestyle conflicts with the Puritan way of life she is faced to live. Kit is headstrong and defiant and often reaps the consequences of her actions, regardless of her motives.

This is a good choice for a novel study for Grade 5-7. There is fragments of a love story in the novel, as girls of Kit's age were considering marriage. Though the book is fictional, Ms Speare does incorporate the real-life characters of Sir Edmond Andros, Samuel Talcott, Eleazer Kimbeley and Reverend Bulkeley.

Book Review - Mysterious Benedict Society

Another recommendation from a book list posted through Barnes & Noble. This book has been receiving excellent reviews. They even have a website called the Curious Chronicle: http://www.hachettebookgroupusa.com/features/mysteriousbenedict/content/index.asp

When I started reading this, I was reminded of Harry Potter (book 1) without the magic. Reynie is an orphan who answers an ad in the newspaper about opportunities for gifted children. He along with three other "orphaned" children pass a series of very unusual tests which leads them to the "Society". Their mission? Foil the plans of one evil "Mr. Curtain" and his plans to rule the world! These children don't have magic, they use their minds and ingenuity to infiltrate to ranks of Mr. Curtain's inner circle. Do they succeed? No spoilers allowed in book reviews.

Though I found the pacing of this book rather slow (it's a long 500 pages) the characters are interesting and the book presents positive messages regarding the media, and perseverence in friendship. And I just recently found out that the society has embarked on another adventure, "The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey" was just recently released.

This book can be used as a read-aloud though I would edit some of the long descriptors for younger children. This novel is recommended for Grade 5-9.

Book Review - I Am David

My previous school reads this book every year in the Grade 7 class. I had been told it was quite good. Again, this is a book that students will be reading next year so I thought I'd get a head start.

This is quite an intense book. The author paints a very vivid picture of a boy who has fled a concentration camp and is journeying to Denmark. Why? Because an officer in the camp told him too. The reader discovers alongside David the missing pieces to his life's puzzle. David also invites the "God of the green pastures and still waters" to help on his journey.

This book would complement a Social Studies report on the second World War. It's pretty powerful. David is a boy of real integrity. It makes me wonder whether it is based on a true story. There is also a movie that was released about 4-5 years ago. But, alas, it has removed God from it.

Currently reading: The Mysterious Benedict Society

Book Review - The Vacation

The Vacation by Polly Horvath won last year's "Chocolate Lily Award". Based on that recommendation, I decided to read it. This is one of those books that I couldn't decide whether to like or pity the characters. Henry's parents leave for Africa (why do people say Africa - it's a continent, not a country?)and ask his aunts Aunt Magnolia and Pigg to babysit him. Now these aunts are 40 years old and quite frankly, being 40ish myself, I felt the things they did seemed closer to 60ish. I digress...

After a bout of sickness and a 40th birthday party, Aunt Mag decides it's time to take that vacation they never took. There is a lot of arguing, disappointment, and frustration. There is also moments of comedy, reflection and contentment. Mag, Pigg, and Henry drive all over the US and take us along for the ride.

I don't think I would take a family vacation again, if I have to endure the events Henry took but you can be the judge. This book is recommended for children 10 and older. I wouldn't use it as a read-aloud for younger children due to some of the content and regular "cutting remarks" make by the characters. There's not a lot of love in this book.

Currently reading: I am David

Book Review - Camp Baby Mouse - Part 2

I enjoyed a fun and energetic evening with my niece and nephews. As mentioned in an earlier post I read "Camp Babymouse" to them. They laughed, they asked questions (I'll comment on this in a bit) and they wanted to hear more "Babymouse" tales.

So why did they ask questions? When Babymouse digresses she enters other famous literary characters such as Moby Dick, Dr. Jeckyl & Mr. Hyde, and King Kong (a cinematic character). Most young children do not know these references so I was having to explain them. They still thought it was funny.

In conclusion, I would recommend "Camp Babymouse" and I'll be ordering more "Babymouse" tales from the library to read to the youngens.

Current reading: The Vacation - should be finished in a couple days