The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

When I stepped out into the bright sunlight from the darkness of the movie house, I had only two things on my mind: Paul Newman and a ride home.

Ponyboy's world is shaken when in the middle of a rumble his friend kills a rival gang member and he joins his friend in hiding. Ponyboy realizes that death, sadness are universal irregardless of the gang membership and this realization threatens his identity. Themes of violence, love, hate, tension, identity, friendship, solidarity and rivalry.

Whenever I think of The Outsiders, I see Ralph Macchio and hear his recitation of Robert Frost's poem "Nothing Gold Can Stay". Rereading the book did not change this - darn Hollywood!

Hinton, S.E. (1997). The outsiders. New York, NY: Puffin Books.
ISBN: 014038572X
180 pages

The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier

They murdered him.

A classic novel about a boy who refuses to follow in line and sell chocolates for the school encountering the wrath of the school bullies. Readers are left asking how far would they go to stand up for what they believe in. Themes of violence, peer pressure, individualism, conformity, power and greed are addressed within the novel.

This novel stands up today - over 30 years later. I found myself riveted to the story and what would happen next for Jerry.

Cormier, R. (1974). The chocolate war. New York, NY: Dell Publishing
ISBN: 0440944597
191 pages

Eight Cousins or The Aunt Hill by Louisa May Alcott

Orphan Rose Campbell is living with her aunts while awaiting for the arrival of her guardian, Uncle Alec, on Aunt Hill. Rose is nervous and skittish child mourning for hte loss of her father and definitely not ready for the company of her boisterous seven boy cousins. Under Alec's care, Rose becomes a caring, healthy giving child able to keep up with her cousins.

A classic book that I haven't read since I was a child. I imagine the language might be outdated and potentially offensive if not understood it was representative of the culture and society at that time. I loved the book and Rose learns self-acceptance becoming a strong female character.

Alcott, L.M. (1958). Eight cousins or the aunt hill. Garden City, NY: Nelson Doubleday, Inc.
No ISBN
Illustrated by Ruth Ives

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by Frank Baum

Dorothy and Toto are swept up by a tornado and set down in the Land of Oz. So begins the tale of their journey back home to Kansas and the characters they encounter along the way.

It is hard to read this book without picturing Judy Garland as Dorothy and the Munchkins. I wonder if there are children who have not seen the movie? I wish that I had read the book before I saw the movie. It is a page turner with good descriptions. I would have liked to have been able to picture these characters like the author must have not Hollywood.

Baum, F. (1970). The wonderful wizard of oz. Racine, WI: Western Publishing Inc.
ISBN: 030701520X
Illustrated by Erika Markling

The Open Road: from the Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame

The illustrated story of Rat and Mole on a trip in a brand new cart with Toad. Toad likes new things and when their cart is upended by a car Toad buys a new one the next day. Adapted from The Wind in the Willows.

An easy reader book with chapters and large size text and spacing. The sentence structure and vocabulary read like a level one. Illustrations at time are full page and complement the story. I am now inspired to read The Wind in the Willows again.

Grahame, K. (2003). The open road: From the wind in the willows. New York, NY: Sterling Publishing Company, Inc.
ISBN: 9781599613413
Illustrated by Ann Iosa