Reviews of Accelerated Reader Novels and Non-Fiction

			Reviews of Novels and Non-Fiction Grades 3 and up-January
Grade level	AR Disk	Mlticultural	Title, Author, & Summary This site is linked to Barnes and Noble. You may click on any title for information on how to order the book. Click on the author's name for more books by that author.
3-5	A-06	No	The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Skene Catling Young John Midas, who has an insufferable addiction to candy receives a magical gift that causes everything that touches his lips to turn to chocolate. At first, John is elated, but the gift starts to cause problems for him, especially when he kisses his mother.
3-5	PP-112	No	Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary This book is written in the form of letters to an author (Mr. Henshaw) from his ten-year-old fan, Leigh Botts. In the letters, Leigh discusses the problems he is having dealing with his parents divorce and his problems with being the new boy at school. Beverly Cleary really delivers in this one, by approaching two very common and problematic situations. NM
3-5	D-13	Japanese	Mieko and the Fifth Treasure by Eleanor Coerr The author of Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes gives us another look at a child tragically affected by the atomic bomb dropped on Japan in World War II. Young Mieko was a promising artist with what her teacher called "the fifth treasure," meaning beauty in the heart. With practice, Mieko was destinied to become a great artist, until the dreadful bomb crippled her hand. Mieko has a lot of bitterness. She hates her school and she is teased by her classmates because of her disfigured hand. As Mieko begins her emotional healing process, she begins to know what the fifth treasure is, and happiness returns to her heart.
3-5	PP-053	No	San Francisco 49'ers by Lorin Stanley This book is one of Creative Education's NFL Today Series. These books begin with an introduction to the home town of the team, followed by the team's early years. A brief bio of the earliest coach, coaching philosophy and the performance of star players are hilights of these books. Upper elementary through middle school boys enjoy reading about their favorite teams and looking at the pages of photographs. A real incentive to reluctant readers.
3-6	A-08	Jewish	Number the Stars by Lois Lowry The memorable story of two friends in Denmark during World War II. Anne Marie's best friend Ellen is Jewish, and the Nazis are relocating al the Jews. Anne Marie's family pretends that Ellen is their daughter, thus putting them all in danger. A good story for young people to introduce the atrocities of World War II and the Danish Resistance. School Library Journal Best Book of the Year. NM
3-5	A-03	No	Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan Plain and tall is how Papa's new mail-order bride described herself in her letter. Anna and Caleb have been raised on the prairie by their father since their mother died years ago. The two have longed for a mother, and when Sarah arrives from the coast of Maine, Anna, Caleb, and papa hope that she will stay and become part oftheir family. NM
3-5	A-06	No	Stone Fox by John Reynolds Gardiner Little Willy can not understand why his grandfather won't get well and get out of bed. He finds out that his grandfather owes so much in taxes that he will lose the potato farm. Little Willy finds out about a dog sled race with a cash prize that would cover the taxes if he wins. He uses his college savings and his pet dog, Searchlight to enter the race. A very moving story with a tear-jerker ending.
3-5	G-26	English	Traveling Backward by Toby Forward Fanny's grandfather is very old and on his deathbed. Fanny desperately wants him to live and seeks out the help of a magical potion that cause Grandpa to grow younger. Fanny has the joy of knowing her grandfather as a young man with his own life, and not just in the role of her grandfather. The story is humorous, but it is also good for children who are dealing with the death of a loved one.
4 and up	PP-112	No	Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson Ten-year-old Jessie, a boy living in rural Virginia unexpectedly befriends Leslie, a new student. Their special friendship leads them to create the imaginary kingdom of Terabithia to where they escape their fears and enemies. As a character, we watch Jessie grow and finally deal with Leslie's tragic death. NM
4 and up	H-18	NO	Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine The title fits this book, which is certainly enchanting. The Cinderella theme comes alive here, only this time with very developed characters and very human motivations for their actions, even though some of the characters are fairies, ogres, and elves. The title character Ella received a "gift" at her birth, but it turned out to be a curse that would make her follow any order given to her by anyone. The story is about her struggle to break the curse on her own, to become her own person, and to protect her beloved prince from harm that could come as a result of her gift. NH
4 and up	A-05	African American	The House of Dies Drear by Virginia Hamilton Thomas moves with his family to an old house in Ohio with a fascinating history. Once a station on the Underground Railroad, the house is said to be haunted by the ghost of a murdered abolitionist and several slaves who are guarding a secret treasure. Hamilton builds great tale of suspense that informs the reader about a fascinating part of our nation's history.
4 and up	G-20	African American	Junebug by Alice Mead Reeve McLain Jr., nicknamed "Junebug" is about to celebrate his tenth birthday with much hesitation because ten is the age that the boys in his at-risk neighborhood are forced into gangs and drugs. Junebug has hopes and dreams for his life that are threatened by the dominance of drug dealers and gangs and despairs to see people that he cares about being harmed. Still, it is a story that leaves the reader with the hope that Junebug and his mother will be able to make choices that will result in the family living a safer and more promising life.
4 and up	D-13	No	Mama Let's Dance by Patricia Hermes Three children, abandoned by their mother keep their situation secret so that the child welfare department will not separate them into different foster homes. All through the story Mary Belle wonders if her mother will ever come home and how she will react if she does. Her most difficult challenge is taking care of her seven year old sister, a dear sweet loving child who becomes very sick. This book will probably make you cry. A School Library Journal best book of 1991.
5 and up	PP-112	No	Dicey's Song by Cynthia Voight When thirteen year old Dicey Tillerman's mother becomes too ill to care for Dicey and her three younger siblings, the children have to move in with their grandmother to a small town on the Chesapeake Bay. Dicey struggles with constant worries about her family having enough money, her sister who has an undiagnosed learning disability, her youngest brother who is getting into a lot of trouble, her dying mother, and her grandmother who has a reputation for being eccentric. A moving tale with a strong protagonist. NM
5 and up	A-03	No	The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster A new generation is now reading the fantasy we enjoyed decades ago about poor Milo who was so bored and disinterested in life that he saw little purpose in learning anything. Until he discovers the Phantom Tollbooth in his bedroom. He passes through the tollbooth and finds himself in an extraordinary fantasy world where, accompanied by a Watch Dog (a dog with an abdomen made out of a clock) and a Humbug, he must rescue the princesses Rhyme and Reason. Though the events are humorous, Milo learns, and readers will also learn about the wonders of words and numbers.
5 and up	PP-112	African American	Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor The unforgettable tale of Cassie Logan and her family as they try to survive the depression in Mississippi. As Cassie braves the pain of prejudice and racism in her community, she learns the true value of the land which her family owns, and why it is key to their independence. A powerful tale of courage and pride. The prequel to Let the Circle be Unbroken. NM