THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WALL

Author:  Simon Schwartz

Genre:  Graphic Memoir, Standalone

Published:  2015

Personal Rating:  3/5 (just okay)

Format:  Book

Yearly Count:  45

From Goodreads:

Simon Schwartz was born in 1982 in East Germany, at a time when the repressive Socialist Unity Party of Germany controlled the area. Shortly before Simon's birth, his parents decided to leave their home in search of greater freedoms on the other side of the Berlin Wall. But East German authorities did not allow the Schwartzes to leave for almost three years. In the meantime, Simon's parents struggled with the costs of their decision: the loss of work, the attention of the East German secret police, and the fragmentation of their family.

I learned a little from this read, but didn't find it as detailed or riveting as it could have been. It's told in a simplistic manner, which is always a good thing for young readers, though.  I would have liked a little more of something. 

Thoughts of Joy

Young Reader Book

Due to Privacy Issues I am not going to reveal this book.  However, I want it counted in my reads.

Genre:  Young Readers

Published:  2018

Format:  Book

Yearly Count:  29

Thoughts of Joy

ORPHAN TRAIN RIDER

Author:  Andrea Warren

Genre:  Young Reader NF, Standalone

Published:  1996

Personal Rating:  3.5/5 (good)

Format:  Book

Yearly Count:  23

The true account of Lee Nailling riding an orphan train is told with chapters of the history.

I enjoyed reading the story as a whole, but the writing was a bit choppy.  It was a good introduction to this period of our history and could inspire a child (or adult) to read more.

Thoughts of Joy

WONDER

Author:  R. J. Palacio

Genre:   Young Reader, Standalone

Published:  2012

Personal Rating:  4/5 (very good)

Format/Narrator:  Audiobook/

Steele, Podehl & Rudd

Yearly Count:  84

August (Auggie) goes to school for the first time and enters the 5th grade.  He has been home-schooled due to hospital stays and healing from facial surgeries.  Life takes a drastic change once he enters the building.

This story was written with heart and realism.  I really liked Auggie and his family; however, I didn't appreciate the several changes in point-of-view throughout the book, because it made it feel redundant and predictable. However, the other views gave a well-rounded perspective of the lives affected by Auggie's presence (including Auggie himself) and for a children's book that may have been necessary.  This was a very good book with a very important message.

25th & 26th Challenge Completed!

TWO CHALLENGES IN ONE!

As I continue in my quest to finish up challenges, I decided to go ahead and complete these two.  I combined both of these challenges by celebrating an author's birthday by reading one of their young readers book.  The books I chose have been by authors that I have wanted to read and for the most part enjoyed doing so.  

Thank you Becky from Becky's Book Reviews for hosting these challenges.

Celebrate the Author & Young Reader Challenge Reads:

Winnie-the-Pooh (Milne)

My Mama Says . . . (Viorst)

Koala Lou (Fox)

The X-ed Out X-Ray (Roy)

Puff the Magic Dragon (Yarrow)

Zathura (Van Allsburg)

Thank You, Mr. Falker (Polacco)

Choo Choo (Burton)

Big Anthony and the Magic Ring (de Paola)

Russell's Secret (Hurwitz)

Arthur Meets the President (Brown)

My Red Balloon (Bunting)

Here is my original list of books with links to my thoughts.

Favorite:

Winnie-the-Pooh (Milne)

Least Favorite:

Puff the Magic Dragon (Yarrow)

Young Authors & Celebrate the Author (Aug - Dec)

AUGUST BIRTHDAY:

Author:  Virginia Lee Burton

Genre:  Young Reader

Published:  1937

Personal Rating:  4/5

Choo Choo is "the story of a little engine who ran away."  She realizes that she can go faster without carrying cargo, so she takes off on her own.

This is a great book to discuss with young children, due to the many lessons that can be gleaned.  Burton is best known for her books Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel and The Little House.  

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SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAY:

Author:  Tomie de Paola

Genre:  Young Reader

Published:  1979

Personal Rating:  2.75/5  

Big Anthony is Strega Nona's (Grandmother Witch) helper.  When Spring arrives, he becomes sluggish and unproductive.  Strega Nona suggests "Night Life" as a solution to his malaise.  With a little help from her magic, Big Anthony gets a taste of a different life.

The Strega Nona character doesn't impress me, so I didn't care for this one that much.  Although, I will give it credit for the imbedded lesson. 

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OCTOBER BIRTHDAY:

Author:  Johanna Hurwitz

Genre:  Young Reader

Published:  2001

Personal Rating:  4.25/5  

One morning Russell decides he doesn't want to go to school.  What he wants is to stay home and act like a baby.  His mom allows this, so Russell revisits what its like to be a baby.

Hurwitz did a very good job making this story realistic.  I enjoyed the expressive pictures and the story line all the way through.  

Hurwitz is an award winning author who has written over 50 children's books.  

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NOVEMBER BIRTHDAY:

Author:  Marc Brown

Genre:  Young Reader

Published:  1991

Personal Rating:  4/5

Arthur enters a contest by writing a paper on "How I Can Help make America Great."  He wins the contest and is invited to Washington, D. C. to recite his winning paper to the President.  Arthur is very worried that he's not going to be able to remember it.

Arthur is a great character.  I have enjoyed many books in this series and this one was no different.    

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DECEMBER BIRTHDAY:

Author:  Eve Bunting

Genre:  Young Reader

Published:  2005

Personal Rating:  4/5

A little boy's father is coming home from overseas.  The boy brings a special red balloon when he and his mother go to pick him up.  He wants his father to be able to recognize him in the crowd, but accidentally releases the ballon from his wrist.

This book must ring very true to those that have had a loved one come home from service.  Told from a young boy's perspective makes this a touching read.

THANK YOU, MR. FALKER

Author: Patricia Polacco

Genre: Children

Published: 1998

Personal Rating: 4/5

As a school girl, Trish struggled. She was getting more behind with each year's passing, but still yearned to read. Mr. Falker enters her life in the fifth grade and opens a whole new world for her.

I thought the moral of the story and the sentiment behind it was certainly worthy of a 5 rating, but the overall feel of the book left me a bit unsatisfied. Polacco uses much of her personal life in her books, and this one is no different. Children with disabilities will be able to connect, but ultimately glean hope.

ZATHURA

Author: Chris Van Allsburg

Genre: Children

Published: 2002

Personal Rating: 3.75/5

The Budwing brothers stumble upon a board game outside. They take it home and begin to play. The space-themed game is nothing like they ever played before!

This book happens to be the sequel to Jumanji and was, also, made into a movie. I don't know the success of it, but a movie it is, none-the-less. The board game based book was fun and the events that occur are interesting. I enjoyed the pictures and the creativity.

PUFF THE MAGIC DRAGON

Author: Peter Yarrow

Genre: Children

Published: 2007

Personal Rating: 2/5

I chose this book to read for the Celebrate the Author and the Young Reader Challenge and am very surprised that all Yarrow did was put the song on the pages of a book. I expected a story! The illustrations were fine, but nothing special and I don't understand why this is such a beloved tale. Whatever.

POLLYANNA

Eleanor H. Porter

Genre: Children's Classic

Published: 1913

Personal Rating: 4.5/5

Yearly Count: 50

Pollyanna is orphaned at eleven years old. Her wealthy Aunt Polly feels it's her duty to have Pollyanna move in with her. Right from the start, Pollyanna spreads her "gladness" wherever she goes. As time passes, she touches the lives of many people in her community until her own "gladness" is in need of repair.

This was delightful! Of course, I am aware of the Pollyanna stereotype, but now I have a clear image ingrained in my mind. I am so glad that I finally read this uplifting book. I am. I am.

THE X'ED-OUT X-RAY

Ron Roy

Genre: Children

Published: 2005

Personal Rating: 4/5

A group of three friends go to a concert in the park. One of them gets injured and the singer is robbed of her diamond necklace. The kids gather clues to find the missing necklace.

For a children's book (reading level 2.7), this was pretty good. The plot was laid out nicely and there were many suspects to consider. It could bring about great discussions in a book group. I think this series (A to Z Mysteries) would be a great introduction to the mystery genre and a fun read for young mystery lovers.

KOALA LOU

Mem Fox

Genre: Children

Published: 1989

Personal Rating: 3.75/5

Cute koala bears demonstrate that the love of a mother isn't earned, it just is.

MY MAMA SAYS . . .

There Aren't Any Zombies, Ghosts, Vampires, Creatures, Demons, Monsters, Fiends, Goblins, or Things

Judith Viorst

Genre: Children

Published: 1977

Personal Rating: 4/5

I have really enjoyed the "Alexander" series by this author, so I thought I'd celebrate Viorst's birthday month by reading another one of her treasures.

This one was just as enjoyable. It's short, but gets the point across that Mama's sometimes make mistakes, too. It's a great book to model for children to make their own books or to share their imaginations.

WINNIE-THE-POOH

A. A. Milne

Genre: Children

Published: 1926

Personal Rating: 4.5/5

Yearly Count: 2

What an absolutely adorable book! It was so simple and silly, yet so very sweet. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing about Winnie-the-Pooh and his friendships, definitely a pleasurable experience. I look forward to reading more of their adventures.

Out of many quotable quotes, here's one I really liked:

"Nobody can be uncheered with a balloon."
Winnie-the-Pooh
(the bear with a very little brain)

Christmas Theme Book Challenge

A CHRISTMAS MEMORY

Truman Capote

Personal Rating: 3/5

Yearly Count: 113

In this book, Capote shares a fond memory of himself at the age of 7 with his much older (mid-sixties) cousin during the holiday season. I didn't find anything special in the memoir or anything great about the writing. It wasn't boring and it wasn't lacking in tender moments, but like I said...nothing special. I must be missing the real message. ???

COMPLETED:  September, 2008

My book choices have qualified me for 2 challenges.

Woo Hoo!

Hosted By:

Becky's Book Reviews

(12 books/January - December, 2008)

Hosted By:

Becky's Book Reviews

(12 books/January - December, 2008)

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January: A. A. Milne

Winnie-the-Pooh

(Finished: January 4, 2008)

February: Judith Viorst

My Mama Says There Aren't Any Zombies, Ghosts, Vampires, Creatures, Demons, Monsters, Fiends, Goblins, or Things

(Finished: February 5, 2008)

March: Mem Fox

Koala Lou

(Finished: March 4, 2008)

April: Ron Roy

The X'ed-Out X-Ray

(Finished: April 15, 2008)

May: Peter Yarrow

Puff the Magic Dragon

(Finished: May 15, 2008)

June: Chris Van Allsburg

Zathura

(Finished: June 27, 2008)

July: Patricia Polacco

Thank you, Mr. Falker

(Finished: July 3, 2008)

August: Virginia Lee Burton

Choo Choo

(Finished:  September 5, 2008)

September: Tomie de Paola

Big Anthony and the Magic Ring

(Finished:  September 5, 2008)

October: Johanna Hurwitz

Russell's Secret

(Finished:  September 5, 2008)

November: Marc Brown

Arthur Meets the President

(Finished:  September 5, 2008)

December: Eve Bunting

My Red Balloon

(Finished:  September 5, 2008)

THE SIGN OF THE BEAVER

Elizabeth George Speare ~ BOiPod

Personal Rating: 3/5

Yearly Count: 104

This book was just shy of being a Newbery Winner by ending up as a 1984 Newbery Honor Book. I can see the value in its message and recognize its truths, but other than that, I didn't find it to be anything special.

While learning from each other, an "Indian boy" (Attean) and a "white boy" (Matt) develop a friendship. The narrator is Matt, so we get his understanding of the Indians and their way of living off the land. The lessons become very important to Matt.

Book Awards Reading Challenge (Newbery)

THE WITCH OF BLACKBIRD POND
Elizabeth George Speare ~ BOiPod

Personal Rating: 3.75/5

Yearly Count: 95

This is another children's book that I've always had an interest in and finally had the opportunity to squeeze it into the line-up. Listening to books on my iPod has really broadened my ability to get to more books on my TBR list. I accomplish tasks and cross books off my list . . . love it!

Due to Kit's dire circumstances, she travels from Barbados to Connecticut, 1867, to live with relatives that she's never met. As she's adjusting to an unfamiliar lifestyle, Kit befriends a woman who the community believes to be a witch.

Book Awards Reading Challenge (Newbery) & By the Decades Challenge ~ 70's (1976)

ROLL OF THUNDER, HEAR MY CRY
Mildred D. Taylor ~ BOiPod
Personal Rating: 4.5/5

Yearly Count: 93

A portion of America’s history is brutally told through the lives of Cassie and her family who live in rural Mississippi. It is filled with the tragedy of racial injustice, yet also the perseverance and love of a devoted family. This was a very realistic and powerful book.

At this present stage in my life, I found this book to be fascinating and extremely well-written for children and adults, alike. It most definitely deserves the Newbery Award.

AND . . . I just discovered that this is the first in a trilogy! I will be reading or listening to the rest of them.

Book Awards Reading Challenge (Newbery)

CADDIE WOODLAWN

Carol Ryrie Brink ~ BOiPod

Personal Rating: 3.5/5

Yearly Count: 91

Caddie is a wild-running tomboy who lives on a Wisconsin farm with her parents and 6 siblings. We experience her life through schoolhouse antics, neighborhood Indians, sibling adventures, farm visitors, storytelling pastimes, etc.

I enjoyed the escapades and life of this family; however, many of the chapters reminded me of the television episodes of Little House on the Prairie more than a pleasant flow a book can deliver. Children, especially girls, who enjoy reading about the pioneer lifestyle, would be thrilled with this one.