Hero's song

Hero's Song
Edith Pattou
1991
This is an epic journey through dark-aged Eirren, a parallel to Ireland. Collun is a young man and simple gardener living at peace with his family in their small humble home, but when his beloved sister disappears, Collun must go in search of her. Along the road he finds himself in the company of an aspiring bard, a wizard, a prince of magical beings, and a fiery archer with a mission of her own. The journey is perilous and filled with dangerous encounters. Collun learns the worst is yet to come when he finds the only way to reach his sister is by killing a horrific beast which few have seen and lived to tell the tale.




Fire Arrow
Edith Pattou
1997
This is the tale of Breo-Saight, better known as Brie, Collun's fiery archer companion from the first novel. After witnessing her father's murder she vowed revenge on his killers. When she finally finds peace with Collun, she is told where she will find her father's killers by a wyl, a magical being with the power to see beyond. Brie continues her quest and comes across her birthright: an arrow that seems to have a mind of its own. To make matters worse, there is an evil one-eyed sorcerer with a diabolical plan. In her darkest hour of need, Collun comes to the rescue. Together he and Brie must stop the sorcerer from carrying out his plan and destroy him, and Brie must learn to keep her thirst for revenge from destroying herself.

Soldier Son

Shaman's Crossing, Forest Mage, Renegade's Magic
Robbin Hobb

Tawny Man

Fool's Errand, The Golden Fool, Fool's Fate
Robin Hobb

Live Ship Traders

Ship of Magic, Mad Ship, Ship of Destiny
Robin Hobb

Farseer

Assassin's Apprentice, Royal Assassin, Assassin's Quest
Robin Hobb

Power of One

Eragon

Eragon, Eldest, Brisingr
Christopher Paloni

The Inheritance

Pride and Prejudice

Elantris

Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park
Wende Fazio
Children's press
copyright 1998
Pages: 48
Reading Level: 8-10
Genre: Non fiction
Summary:
 Acadia is located off the coast of Maine. Acadia was made of Granite from the surface of the ocean floor and from glaciers. Jesuit priests attempted to teach christianity to the native people of Acadia, but the natives became sick and died from the disease the Europeans brought with them. Acadia is full of paper birch trees and sugar maple trees. The Harbor is full of seals. It is a National park today and most of the views can be seen when you take Park Loop Road.
Recommendations and Conflicts:
I would recommend this to a student who has an assignment of studying a national park. I do not see any conflicts in this book.
Reaction:
I thought this was a interesting and informational book.

When Lightning Comes in a Jar

When Lightning Comes in a Jar
Patricia Polacco
Penguin Group
Copyright 2002
Pages: 40
Reading Level: 6-10
Genre: Realistic fiction
Summary:
Trisha can barely wait for her family to come for the family reunion, it reminds her of the reunions of the past. One year Gramma told her that they were going to catch lightning in a jar, but they had to wait for evening to fall. The day was full of excitement and games, including baseball, cricket, and sack races. Grandpa would call for everyone to be measured against the cow shed. Gramma and the aunties would tell stories then that night Gramma showed them how to catch lightning in a jar, with lightning-bugs. That was a long time ago and now Trisha is a gramma and she is looking forward to showing her grandkids how to catch lightning bugs
Recommendations and Conflicts:
I would recommend this book to kids who like fireflies. I don't see conflicts in this book.
Reaction:
I enjoyed this book, but was thrown off by the change of Trisha's age.

Hi

Hi
Ann Herbert Scott
Philomel Books
Copyright 1994
Pages: 30
Reading level:
Genre: Fiction
Summary:
Margarita is waiting for her mother to be done at the post office, so she says hi to everyone. Nobody waved back when she first said hi. She said hi to a man reading a newspaper, but he didn't respond. She said hi to three teenage girls, but they didn't hear her. She said hi to a mother and her crying baby, but the mother was too busy taking care of her baby to notice. She said hi less loudly to a boy bringing in packages, but he didn't hear her either. At last Margarita and her mother were at the front of the line. Margarita tried one last time and whispered hi to the post office lady, who smiled and said hi right to her.
Recommendations and Conflicts:
I recommend this book to all children, the only conflict I see in it is that Margarita is ignored by so many people.
Reaction:
This book shows that you just have to be persistent and somebody will respond to you.

In November

In November
Cynthia Ryalnt
Hartcourt Inc
Copyright 2000
Pages: 28
Reading Level:
Genre: fiction
Summary:
Every November the earth has a blanket of snow and the trees stand tall and leafless. The birds all move away and the animals all sleep more. Pets all come in doors and keep warm by the fire. The smell of food is different in November because we start cooking for Thanksgiving. Families all gather and celebrate and then go home again.
Recommendations and conflicts:
I would recommend this book to a classroom if they lived in a snowy area. There are no conflicts with this book.
Reaction:
I loved the paintings that Jill Kastner drew for this book, they are all warm and make me feel cosy.

Spiderwick Lucinda's Secret

Lucinda's Secret
Tony DiTerlizzi
Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Copyright: 2003
Pages: 128
Reading Level: 7+
Genre: Fantasy
Summary:
The Grace children visit their Great-Aunt Lucinda, who is now in a psychiatric hospital. When they speak to her, they learn more about the world of faerie creatures, the Field Guide, and its author, Arthur Spiderwick, who was Aunt Lucinda's father. Arthur had disappeared when Lucinda was still a little girl and the Grace children later find out where he disappeared to when they stumble upon a forest of elves. On their journey they meet Stray-Sods, grass that can move, and a Phooka, a strange creature that talks only in riddles. Jared is captured by the elves, but tricks them by saying he is "Simon" and they promise to keep "Simon" there until they bring the guide. Jared says he isn't "Simon" but Jared, and they let him out but only by promising them that they will bring the field guide to them when it is found.
Recommendations and Conflicts:
 I would recommend this book to those with an active imagination.I don't see conflicts in this book.
Reaction:
I thought this book was hilarious, but it doesn't make sense when it is out of context.

Riding Freedom

Riding Freedom
 Pam Munoz Ryan
 Mass Market Paperback
Pages: 144
Reading Level: 8-12
Genre: Historical Fiction
Summary:
Charlotte was born and her family crashed in a buggie accident. She was sent to live in an orphanage in which she was the only girl and was used as a kitchen helper. She loved to work with the horses, she raced Freedom and beat all the other boys in the orphanage. Freedom was sick when she raced him and Charlotte didn't realize this until afterward when she took him back to the stables. That night Freedom died. Charlotte's best friend, Hayward, got adopted the next day and Charlotte was banned from the stables, so Charlotte decides to run away and dress like a boy. She got on the stage coach and fell asleep between two ladies who thought she was the sweetest boy they'd ever met. At the end of the line, Charlotte got a job in a stable as Charley. The owner of the stable was moving and could only take "Charley" if he could drive the stage coach, which Charlotte did. Charley was the most respected stage coach driver on the east coast, people would request him as their driver, not realizing he was a girl. Charlotte got an offer to go west and drive stage coaches out there, she went wanting to buy land and have her own horses. When she got out there, she was shoeing a wild hose when the horse kicked and blinded Charlotte in one eye. She was determined to drive coaches. She taught herself how to drive with limited vision so that she could continue to do what she loved to do. She was hired as a driver by her friends after she proved that she could drive. She voted (and was among the first women to do so, but she was still disguised as a man). She was finally able to afford a ranch and wrote a letter inviting Hayward to come join her and she also wrote a letter to her former employer (who knew by now that she was a girl) to invite him to come breed horses in the west. They both came and eventually Charlotte died, which is when everyone found out she was a woman.
Recommendations and Conflicts:
I would recommend this book to any and all readers of every age. The conflict I see in this book is the mistreatment of Charlotte when she was still in the orphanage, and her need to act and dress like a man her entire life.
Reactions:
I loved this book and Charlotte's determination to do what she wanted to do and to make it possible to get it done.

Island of the Blue Dolphins

Island of the Blue Dolphins
Scott O'Dell
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Trade & Referemce Publis
Copyright: 1960
Pages: 192
Reading level: 8-12
Genre: Historical Fiction
Summary:
Wonapalei (or Karana, her secret name) is marooned for 18 years on the island. Aleuts have convinced her people to trade with them, but leave without paying. The Chief leaves the island for help and sends a boat back for his people to go to the main land. Karana's little brother is not on the boat when it leaves and she swims back so he won't be alone. Ramo, Karana's brother, is killed by the wild dogs that took over the village. Karana must now do the tasks that she wasn't previously allowed to do because she is a woman. She makes a spear, builds a canoe, and vows to avenge her brother's death. She injures the leader of the pack and has a change of heart, she tames the wolf and names him Rontu for Fox Eyes. Karana makes a life for herself, makes a home and stocks a cave full of provisions. One summer the Aleuts return and Karana takes refuge in her cave. She meets a girl named Tutok who takes care of the Aleuts domestic duties. They exchange presents and become friends. She meets sailors and they take her to the mission in Santa Barbara.
Recommendations and Conflicts:
I would recommend this book to a sixth grader who loves to read. There is a lot of death and abandonment in this book.
Reaction:
I enjoyed reading about Karana and her struggle. I felt sorry for her when she realized that she was the last of her people and that no one else spoke her language.

Barack Obama

Barack Obama
Marlene Targ Brill
Millbrook Press
2006
Pages: 48
Reading Level:10+
Genre: Non-Fiction, Biography
Summary:
This is Barack Obama's story before he ran for President. He got his name from Kenya, but his accent from Kansas. He was born in Hawaii and moved to Indonesia with his mother and step dad in 1967. A few years later, he moved back to Hawaii and enrolled in school. In 79, he went to California for school, and later switched to New York. He went to Harvard in 88 and was the first black president of Harvard Law Review. He married his wife in 1991 then joined a Chicago law firm. In 1996, he won the election of Illinois state senator. In 2004, he was elected US Senator from Illinois, becoming the fifth African American in History to join the Senate.
Recommendations and Conflicts:
I would recommend this book to people who have no idea what Obama's background is. The conflict I see is that this might brainwash children into thinking that Obama has no faults.
Reaction:
This concerned me because it is such a well written book that children may think that Obama is a perfect person. I did like that I got a chance to understand what Obama's background is.

Captain Underpants

Captain Underpants
Dav Pilkey
Scholastic Inc
Copyright 1997
Pages 128
Reading Level: 7-10
Genre: Comic Novel
Summary:
George and Harold like to play around and pull pranks on people and don't get caught. That is until one day the principal called them in to his office and showed them a video of them setting up their pranks for the previous football game. He blackmailed them with it, it would go to the football players unless they behaved and did manual labor for him. The two boys did this for a while, until they were fed up and bought a hypnosis ring. They hypnotized their principal into being Captain Underpants (the hero from their comics they made). Captain Underpants ran off to save the world. He stopped a robbery and stopped Dr Diaper from destroying the world. George and Harold got Captain Underpants to return to school, but couldn't get their principal back, so they splashed him with water (which made him switch between the two)
Recommendations and Conflicts:
I would recommend this book to the trouble makers. I see one problem in this book, the principal is wearing only his underwear. 
Reaction:
I thought this book was hilarious.  It was full of humor that parents might not be able to appreciate.

the lion the witch and the wardrobe

the lion the witch and the wardrobe
CS Lewis
HarperCollins Publishers
Copyright 1994
pages: 208
Reading Level: 10-14
Genre: Fantacy
Summary:
 Peter, Susan, Edmund andLucy are all sent to the countryside to escape WWII. On a rainey day they explore the house and Lucy finds a wardrobe that transports them to Narnia. Lucy spends hours in Narnia and returns to find almost no time has passed in our world. Lucy gets in again and Edmund follows her. Edmund meets the White Witch who casts Edmund under her spell. The children are playing one day when they hear Mrs Macready who is showing the house to some visitors. They end up hiding in the wardrobe and enter Narnia. Edmund tries to get his siblings to go the the White Witch's castle, but the Beavers get the three away in time. The White Witch's power over Narnia is fading, Aslan, the true ruler of Narnia, has returned to Narnia. He offers himself in Edmund's place when the White Witch would kill him. Aslan knows the deep magic of Narnia, in which a innocent life cannot be forfeit when offered for another. In the final battle, the White Witch is killed by Aslan and the children become the Kings and Queens of Narnia. They grow up and forget about our world when they stumble upon a lamppost and enter our world out of the wardrobe, only to find their years in Narnia have taken no time in this world.
Recommendations and Conflicts:
This book I would recommend to children of all ages. I do not see conflicts in this book, but some see it as a religious based book.
Reaction:
I enjoyed the world of Narnia, it opens your eyes to who you are and which of the four siblings would you be.