LIfe in the Fat Lane by Cherie Bennett

"Which would you rather be, fat or dead?"

Sixteen year old Lara has it all - thin, popular, smart, perfect family, perfect boyfriend, pageant winner and now Homecoming Queen. Her world is turned upside down when she mysteriously begins to gain weight, almost 100 pounds over her junior year and suddenly life is not as perfect.

I enjoyed this book. My only criticism is I felt the easy road was taken by giving Lara a made up disease to explain weight gain. Otherwise her struggle to lose weight, deal with the gossip and family situation were depicted honestly. I liked that Lara did not lose the weight and live happily ever after but instead found self acceptance and value in her life and relationships. She became a real person.

Bennett, C. (1998). Life in the fat lane. New York, NY: Laurel-Leaf Books.
ISBN: 0440220297
260 pages

Wasteland by Francesca Lia Block

We keep burning in the brown smog pit.

Siblings Marina and Lex have an unusually close bond that results in a sexual encounter one night. Lex cannot live with the guilt and commits suicide. Marina suffers through her grief only to find out that Lex was adopted.

I felt uncomfortable reading the story once I understood the allusions to incest. I didn't see the ending coming which is a compliment to the author. I found the book hard to read at first because there were multiple narrators and journal excerpts.

Block, F.L. (2003). Wasteland. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers.
ISBN: 0064408396
150 pages

The Loud Silence of Francine Green by Karen Cushman

"Holy cow!" I said when Sophie Bowman told me she'd be joining me at All Saints School for Girls this year.

Francine becomes best friends Sophie while attending Catholic school in 1949. Sophie questions the norms of society at at time when questioning was considered dangerous. The threat of communism and the "naming of names" in Hollywood sparks events that lead to Francine to question her own thoughts and beliefs.

An interesting time to set this story. I saw parallels between then and a few years ago. The author captures the language, styles and mood aptly, in my opinion. She acknowledges Google, libraries and librarians for research and provides a short history and list of resources.

Cushman, K. (2006). The loud silence of francine green. New York, NY: Clarion Books.
ISBN: 0618504559
225 pages

Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes by Chris Crutcher

My dad left when I still had a month to go in the darkroom, and historically when people have tried to figure me out (as in, "What went wrong?"), they usually conclude that Mom spoiled me; gave me everything I wanted because I had no pappy.

Eric and Sarah were close friends growing up uniting in their differences but as Eric began to change, the friends grow apart. However, when Sarah needs him, Eric fights for her proving their friendship is as strong as ever. Strong opinions on God, abortion, organized religion, and suicide are weaved into the story. Friendship, love, self-acceptance and abuse are themes found in this story.

I love this book! The characters, situations and dialogue are drawn from real life. I will read more of Chris Crutcher's books.

Crutcher, C. (1993). Staying fat for sarah byrnes. New York, NY: Greenwillow Books.
ISBN: 0668115527
216 pages

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

Little Women or Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy by Louisa May Alcott

The unforgettable story of the four March sisters and their lives during the Civil War. We see these sisters mature and find love and heartbreak over the course of the book.

I have been rereading this book every few years since I was in fourth grade. The March sisters are like old friends. I read it this time in comparison t0 all the other books I have been reading in this "childrens" portion of my contract. I think the story would be difficult for some readers to sit through. It is slower paced and very descriptive. Depending on the mood a child was in, it might not be a hit.

Alcott, L.M. (no date). Little women. Garden City, NY: International Collectors Library.
No ISBN

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

Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt

Ten year old Winnie Foster runs away one morning and encounters a family who has drunk from a spring giving them everlasting life. Winnie goes with the family willingly and is enchanted by the son, Jesse, who proposes she drink from the spring when she turns sixteen so they can be together forever. Meanwhile, a man approaches the family about the spring and events occur that will change Winnie's plans.

I was surprised by the ending expecting a happily ever after one. It is a magical story and left me wanting to know more about the Tuck family.

Babbitt, N. (2002). Tuck everlasting. New York, NY: Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
ISBN: 0374480134

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

Meg Murry, her brother Charles Wallace and new friend Calvin are thrust into another world after encountering Mrs Whatsit on a stormy night. They travel through time and space to bring back Mr Murry who has been missing for a long time.

The story is adventurous and opens the mind. I didn't read this when I was younger and I found myself completely enthralled in the story. I look forward to reading the rest of their adventures.

L'Engle, M. (1976). A wrinkle in time. New York, NY: Bantam Doubleday Books.
ISBN: 0440998050

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

Ten year old orphaned Harry Potter is forced to live with his aunt, uncle and horrible cousin. He is treated like a thorn in their side until his 10th birthday when a special message arrives by owl and his life will never be the same again.

I hadn't read this book until now. I loved it so much that I had to read the rest of the books. I am completely in awe of the author. As Harry ages, his language and situations he encounters become more complex just like any child. How did she do that so well? I understand why children and adults lined up for each new book.

Rowling, J.K. (1999). Harry potter and the sorcerer's stone. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc.
ISBN: 059035342X
Illustrated by Mary Grandpre

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 Secret of the Mansion (Trixie Belden #1) by Julie Campbell

The first book in the series where Trixie meets her soon to be best friends Honey Wheeler and Jim Frayne. They band together to help Jim find the money his uncle, Mr Frayne was reputed to have hidden in his mansion after he passes away. The search becomes frantic when Jim's evil stepfather comes to get his share.

My mom gave me a box of my stuff a few years ago and in it were a few Trixie Belden books. I placed them on my bookshelf and thought maybe I would read them someday. After reading Nancy Drew, I HAD to read Trixie Belden. I remembered this book more clearly than the Nancy Drew. I prefer Trixie Belden to Nancy Drew. A blasphemous statement for some!

I again tried to consider this book from a child of today. I still found it interesting if not slightly outdated in language. The pace was quick and the characters different enough to be interesting. I found it amusing that both Trixie and Nancy were dealing with snake bites. Snake bites must have been terrifying back in the day. Trixie is a strong female character especially for 1948. And it was printed in Racine where I grew up!

Campbell, J. (1948). The secret of the mansion. Racine, WI: Western Publishing Company.
ISBN: 0307215245

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

Fifth grader Jess has been practicing all summer to win the school race. Newcomer Leslie beats Jess and afterwards the two become inseparable, best of friends, despite being a girl and boy. They create a make believe world of Terabithia reached by a rope swing where they reign as king and queen. One day, Leslie goes to Terabithia and a terrible accident happens. Jess suffers through guilt, grief and rage before reaching acceptance.

Themes of friendship, love and loss are found in the story.

This book has been challenged frequently because of the sudden death and religious references. I believe that the religious references are demonstrative of people found in this setting. The death took me by surprise when I read the book. I can understand the impulse to protect a child from learning of death. When the time comes, this would be a good book to begin the conversation of how to deal with it.

Paterson, K. (1977). Bridge to terabithia. New York, NY: Harper and Row, Publishers.
ISBN: 0064401847
Illustrated by Donna Diamond

Ramona Forever by Beverly Cleary

The story of third-grader Ramona Quimby and her family weathering numerous changes beginning with the return of neighbor Howie Kemp's uncle, Hobart, death of a cat, job change for Mr Quimby, a wedding and ending with a new addition to the Quimby family.

This story was written from the limited omniscient view of Ramona and told in a linear chronological narrative order. Character versus character conflict and episodic plots were used throughout the book. These characteristics are simpler for children to understanding explaining in part the success of the Ramona's books. As the primary character, Ramona is well-rounded and the tone and language she uses is spot on.

It had been many years since I read a Ramona book and I thoroughly enjoyed this one. The author writes convincingly as a third-grader!

Cleary, B. (1984). Ramona forever. New York, NY: Harper Collins Publishers Inc.
ISBN: 0380709600
Illustrated by Alan Tiegreen

Amber Brown is Feeling Blue by Paula Danziger

Amber Brown learns the lesson that decisions can be difficult to make and the end result doesn't make everyone happy when she must choose between spending Thanksgiving with her father or her mother. On top of this, a new girl starts school who has a colorful name too and Amber Brown doesn't know how to feel about this. The story is told from a first person narrative.

The author's choice of the name Amber Brown and the speaking style (I, Amber Brown...) used throughout the book made it enjoyable to read. The repetition of her name provides word recognition helping children feel they can get through a big book. The first person style draws in the reader and makes Amber feel like a real person.

It is a modern story dealing with the impact of divorce on a child and the feelings and situations that occur when parents begin dating. Amber's friends and scenes set in school are recognizable to what children encounter each day. There are some illustrations throughout the book but they are not the focus.

Danziger, P. (1998). Amber brown is feeling blue. New York, NY: Scholastic, Inc.
ISBN: 0439071682
Illustrated by Tony Ross

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume

Peter Hatcher's account of the injustices and problems he has because of his 3 year old brother, Fudgie. Among these problems are temper tantrums, smearing mashed potatoes on walls, Fudgie's broken front teeth and ruined homework. Illustrations are not used.

This is the first of the transitional books that I read. Transitional books use simple words and short sentences. Stories should be compelling and applicable to the age group and each chapter contains a standalone story within it.

This book fit the descriptors above. Any oldest child can relate to the change in rules, injustices, burdens and embarassments that come along with a younger sibling. Even as an adult, I can remember the same feelings Peter expresses. Each chapter tells of an incident that Peter faces with Fudgie. The author's words and sentences ring true of a child at this age. For example, calling your brother Fang when he loses his two front teeth feels exactly right. The stories and environments are familiar to children. Excellent book.

Blume, J. (1972). Tales of a fourth grade nothing. New York, NY: Puffin Books.
ISBN: 9780142408810

Frog and Toad are Friends by Arnold Lobel

A collection of five stories demonstrating the friendship shared between Frog and Toad.

An I Can Read Book written for level two readers. The sentences are complex and are filling most of the page - 8 to 15 lines per page. Words are familiar and most are simple. Those two or three syllable words are familiar objects for a child. The illustrations are consist of mostly brown and green which fit the colors of Frog and Toad.

Lobel, A. (1970). Frog and toad are friends. New York, NY: Harper Collins Publishers.
ISBN: 0060239573
Illustrated by the author

Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans

Madeline lives in Paris in a home with 11 other girls and Miss Clavel. Madeline is the smallest and the bravest. She must have her appendix removed and her absence is felt by the whole household. The illustrations are mixed between simple lines and colors when describing the story to brilliantly detailed representation of true buildings in Paris, such as Notre Dame.

An appealing little girl living in an exotic location begins the start of a great series. The rhythmic text draws in a young reader along with the illustrations.

Bemelmans, L. (1967). Madeline. New York, NY: Viking Press.
ISBN: 0670445800
Illustrated by the author

George and Martha by James Marshall

A collection of five stories about two great friends, George and Martha. Each story humorously teaches an important lesson regarding friendship. The illustrations of these two hippopotamuses.

Excellent book to introduce the concept of friendship to children. Wonderful pictures!

Marshall, J. (1972). George and martha. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Publishing.
ISBN: 0395166195
Illustrated by the author