April
2012
The Tale of Despereaux
Despereaux is a tiny mouse
born to a group of rodents living in a castle.
Unafraid of human contact, he is quite different
than his family, much to their dismay. Going against
their wishes, he falls in love with the human
Princess Pea, even speaking to her in person.
Outraged, the mouse council condemns him to the
dungeon, where the deranged killer rats dwell. This
cannot be the fate for our hero! How will he escape
from the dungeon? Will he ever see his beloved Pea
again?
The Tale Of Despereaux is
really four books within a book, with each book
delving into the personality of a different
character. These stories intertwine in the last
book, creating a thoroughly engaging read.
The book features some minor
violence and darker moments. I recommend it for ages
12 and up.
I give The Tale of Despereaux
four-and-a-half out of five bookmarks. It is another
addition to my Must-Read List.
Happy reading!
March
2012
The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke
Foreign lands, ingenious plot twists, and fantasy
are just some of the elements that make The Thief
Lord an enjoyable read.
The Thief Lord tells the tale of two young orphans,
Prosper and Bo. After going through many troubles
and trials to leave their mean aunt and uncle
behind, the two brothers arrive in the city of
Venice. After exploring the city, Propser and his
younger brother meet a mysterious, masked boy known
as Scipio, the Thief Lord. He and his cronies scour
the streets, pickpocketing, pulling off stealthy
heists, and causing much mischief. Scipio needs the
orphans' help to steal a highly valuable treasure,
but much to the two brothers' dismay, a detective is
on their trail to bring them back to their aunt and
uncle! Will these two runaways be caught and brought
back to their cruel home? Not if the Thief Lord has
anything to say about it!
The Thief Lord was written in 2003 by
Cornelia Funke. You may remember Funke as the author
of Inkheart, a book I previously reviewed.
The Thief Lord is the recipient of many awards,
including Parenting Magazine's Book of the Year and
Book Sense's Book of the Year.
The book contains some fight scenes, mild language,
and thievery. I recommend it for ages 12 and up.
I give The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke four
out of five bookmarks. Happy reading!
February
2012
The Maze Runner by James Dashner
Thomas doesn't remember anything. His family,
his past, everything but his first name: all have
been forgotten when he awakens inside a strange
elevator. When the doors open, the boy finds himself
in The Glade, a woodsy area inhabited by other boys
who have also had their memories wiped. Although no
one knows how or why they got here, they know one
thing: survival is the name of the game.
It seems the only way out of The Glade is
through a deep, complex maze that changes every day.
Who knows what dangers lurk in this maze? And with
the arrival of a mysterious young girl, the first
and only girl to be brought to The Glade, everything
will change...
The Maze Runner by James Dashner is,
simply put, one of the best books I've read in a
long time. The struggle for survival in an expanse
that defies explanation makes an excellent setting.
With realistic characters, horrific creatures, and a
do-or-die ending, The Maze Runner will leave you on
the edge of your seat.
This book contains some intense violence,
disturbing scenes, and mild language. I recommend it
for ages 16 and up.
I give The Maze Runner a perfect five out
of five bookmarks. Without a doubt, this book is on
my Must-Read List.
January 2012
It's that time
again! Time to kick off the new year with
resolutions, returning to school, and, of course,
books! I have selected my favorite books of the past
year and compiled them in my third annual book list.
No matter which ones you choose, I guarantee you
they will not disappoint. Note: I may not have
reviewed some of these, so expect reviews of them in
the near future.
Caleb's Book List
(In no particular order)
1. The Maze Runner
by James Dashner
2. Daniel X: Watch The Skies by James Patterson
3. The Tale Of Despereaux by Kate Dicamillo
4. Penrod, His Complete Story by Booth Tarkington
5. Inkheart trilogy by Cornelia Funke
6. The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke
7. Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink
8. King Of The Wind by Marguerite Henry
9. Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman
10. King of Shadows by Susan Cooper
11. The Snow Goose by Paul Gallico
12. Coraline by Neil Gaiman
13. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
14. The Mysterious Benedict Society trilogy by
Trenton Lee Stuart
15. Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
16. A Tale Of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
17. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats Of NIMH by Robert C.
O'brien
18. The Christmas Miracle Of Jonathan Toomey by
Susan Wojciechowski
19. An Outlaw Thanksgiving by Emily Arnold McCully
20. This Is The Feast by Diane Z. Shore
December
2011
Christmas is coming faster than you can say
"Jingle Bells", so I'm doing a special review of two
picture books: The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan
Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski and The
All-I'll-Ever-Want Christmas Doll by Patricia C.
McKissack. Both books are quality reads with vibrant
illustrations that everyone can enjoy this holiday
season.
In The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey,
a widow and her young son call upon a gruff
woodcarver to replace a lost nativity set. It is a
touching story of love, family, and the miracle of
Christ's birth. The beautifully-illustrated book
comes with a CD of the story, read aloud by the
legendary James Earl Jones. Both readers young and
old alike will love this gem of a book!
I give The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan
Toomey five out of five bookmarks and a top spot
on my Must-Read List.
The All-I'll-Ever-Want Christmas Doll
tells the story of Nella, a young girl living during
the Depression. All she wants for Christmas (and all
she says she'll ever want) is a Baby Betty doll.
Much to the surprise of her sisters, little Nella
gets the doll as a Christmas gift! She selfishly
claims the doll all for herself. Will she learn to
share with her sisters, or is she really convinced
this doll is all she will ever need? This book is
appropriate for our younger readers, ages four to
eight years old. It would make a good read-aloud.
I give The All-I'll-Ever-Want Christmas Doll
four out of five bookmarks.
Happy reading! Merry Christmas!
November
2011
I have something special for our youngest readers.
This month, I have selected several Thanksgiving
picture and chapter books. These make great reads or
read-alouds for children.
Picture books:
The Know-Nothings Talk Turkey by Michele Sobel Spirn:
Very funny and silly, with colorful illustrations.
An easy read for kids.
The Night Before Thanksgiving by Natasha Wing: A
fun, colorful, easy read with charming pictures.
An Outlaw Thanksgiving by Emily Arnold McCully:
Unique and original with a surprising ending. A good
read-aloud.
Thanksgiving Is For Giving Thanks by Maragaret
Sutherland: Sweet, delightful, and easy read for
young kids.
Molly's Pilgrim by Barbra Cohen: Pleasant and
endearing story, would make a good read-aloud.
Thanksgiving Rules by Laurie Friedman: Amusing book
with colorful illustrations, great read-aloud for
younger children.
The Can-Do Thanksgiving by Marion Hess Pomeranc:
Fun, appealing story, with illustrations to match.
This Is The Feast by Diane Z. Shore: Beautiful
illustrations, classic Thanksgiving story, makes a
good read-aloud.
'Twas The Night Before Thanksgiving by Dav Pilker:
Traditional tale with colorful pictures, easy to
read.
The Thanksgiving Story by Alice Dalgliesh: Classic
story with unique illustrations. Too hard for
younger children to read, but a good read-aloud.
Chapter Books:
Dr. Carbles Is Losing His Marbles! by Dan Gutman:
Quirky, zany, and hilarious! Suitable read for
grade-school children.
Magic Tree House #27: Thanksgiving on Thursday by
Mary Pope Osborne: Exciting chapter book for
grade-school children.
I enjoyed all of these books, but my favorites were
An Outlaw Thanksgiving, Dr. Carbles Is Losing His
Marbles!, and This Is The Feast. Happy
reading and happy Thanksgiving!
October 2011
It's Halloween! Time for
Trick-Or-Treating, and I have a treat for you!
I recently read two novels by surreal fiction
author, Neil Gaiman. Winner of both Newberry and
Carnegie medals, Gaiman is an incredible writer.
Coraline and The Graveyard Book
are two of his masterpieces.
Coraline Jones, along with her busy, neglectful
parents, has moved into a new apartment flat. After
much exploring the new home, she finds a small,
locked door with nothing behind it but brick.
However, the following night, the door takes her to
a house that looks strangely similar to hers. Inside
the house are two people that look just like her
parents, except with buttons for eyes. The
mysterious couple treat Coraline with love and
respect, and it seems like everything in this other
world is far better than in the real world. But is
it too good to be true? What do the other parents
really have in store for her?
Coraline is a truly original book packed
with surprises and twists. Featuring eerie villains,
illustrations, and vivid descriptions, Coraline
will leave you on the edge of your seat.
The Graveyard Book opens on a dark night.
A mysterious assassin has arrived at an ordinary
family's home, intent on murdering them. He succeeds
in part, for the infant child, who had left his crib
to explore, evaded the murderer. This baby later
finds himself in a graveyard, in which he is adopted
by Mr. and Mrs. Owens, a departed couple living as
ghosts. The boy grows up to be Nobody Owens, Bod for
short, and learns the ways of the graveyard. The
ghouls warn Bod not to leave the graveyard, since
the killer is still searching for him. But why would
this man murder an innocent family in the first
place?
The Graveyard Book is one of the best
books I've read in a long time. The tale includes
many wonderful characters, some spooky ghouls, and
some (not so) ordinary humans. With extreme suspense
and a heartfelt ending, this is a book you can't
miss!
Both books contain frightening moments and
disturbing images. I recommend them for ages 12 and
up.
Coraline was made into a movie, but of
course it is not as good as the book.
I would give Coraline four-and-a-half out
of five bookmarks, and The Graveyard Book a
perfect five out of five bookmarks. Both are on my
Must-Read List.
Happy reading!
September 2011
Caddie Woodlawn /
Carol Ryrie Brink
This month I want to
review a book that has been around a long time.
Caddie Woodlawn was written in 1935 by Carol
Ryrie Brink. It is based on the true life adventures
of the author's grandmother.
Caddie Woodlawn
is the story of a daring pioneer girl and the
adventures she and her two brothers experience while
living in 1860s Wisconsin. Caddie's tomboyish
personality makes her the pride of her father, but
the dismay of her mother, who wishes she could be
more ladylike. From forest excursions to Indian
encounters, Caddie Woodlawn is a rip-roaring
adventure.
This Newberry
award-winner is suitable for everyone, and would
make an excellent family read-aloud. It contains no
offensive language or objectionable content.
Also look for
Magical Melons, the companion book to Caddie
Woodlawn.
I am happy to give
Caddie Woodlawn five out of five bookmarks,
making it another fantastic addition to my Must-Read
List.
Happy Reading!
August 2011
Inkheart by Cornelia
Funke
Inkheart is the first book in a trilogy
of fantasy novels by Cornelia Funke. In the same
vein as The Neverending Story and The Book
Of Story Beginnings, Inkheart is a tale
about a magical book, and of the heroes and
villains that fight for its powers.
Meggie Folchart has always loved to read
alongside her father, Mortimer, the bookbinder who
repairs many old books. One day, the two of them are
called upon by Meg's Aunt Elinor, an old woman who
is obsessed with her books, to discuss a legendary
book known as Inkheart. Later on, Mortimer,
along with Inkheart, is captured by the
sinister Capricorn, who wants to use the book's
magic for his own evil purposes. Who is Capricorn
and where did he come from? What will become of
Meg, her father, and the mystical Inkheart?
Inkheart has a spellbinding
storyline, well thought-out characters, and an
incredible ending. It is definitely a challenging
read at 534 pages, but it never felt boring or
drawn-out.
This book contains some dark and disturbing
images. I recommend it for ages 11 and up. There is
a 2009 movie adaptation of Inkheart. Although
I have never seen it, it is more than likely not as
good as the book.
I give Inkheart four-and-a-half out of
five bookmarks. It is on my Must-Read List.
Happy Reading!
July 2011
King Of The Wind by
Marguerite Henry
With their majestic appearance, loyalty to their
master, and wild spirit, horses have always made a
great topic for amazing books. King Of The Wind,
the story of an Arabian horse and his young, mute
master, is no exception. It is easily one of the
best horse books I've ever read.
A young colt has been born in the hot badlands
of Arabia. Agba, the kind but mute horseboy, is
overjoyed to see his new horse. But this is no
ordinary colt. It has two interesting
characteristics: the white spot on his hind heel, a
sign of incredible speed and swiftness, and the
accursed wheat ear, a horrible omen that represents
evil and death. This young foal, Sham, grows up to
be a swift and majestic (yet relatively small)
stallion. One day, the grand Sultan calls out for
six Arabian stallions to be presented to the king of
France, and surely enough, Sham is chosen! But what
does the king really want with these horses? Will
Sham finally have his chance to show his true glory
in a great race, or will the king foolishly squander
Sham's potential?
King Of The Wind has all of the
elements of a good book: edge-of-your-seat action,
suspenseful drama, and heartfelt friendships. With
several "how will they get out of this mess?"
moments and a satisfying ending, I cannot recommend
this book enough.
This book contains little offensive content,
though it might be hard for younger children to
understand. I recommend it for ages 8 and up.
I would give King Of The Wind by
Marguerite Henry a perfect five out of five
bookmarks. It is another fine addition to my
Must-Read List.
Happy Reading!
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