Heartbeat
Sharon Creech
Heartbeat is another novel in verse by Sharon Creech. After reading Love That Dog and Hate That Cat, I wanted to read this book. I really enjoy how Creech tells a story in so few words and I wanted to compare this book to the last two I read.
This novel was a little more interesting to me than the last two because I learned more about the main character’s family and friends. The book is titled Heartbeat because Annie’s mom is going to have a baby. Sharon Creech shows how a child is affected by the fact that she is no longer the only child in the family. At first this may be difficult for some children, but Annie comes to love her new sibling. In addition, Sharon Creech describes Annie’s relationship with her friend Max. Max and Annie both enjoy running and racing so it is interesting to see how they compete with one another and are close to each other.
Once again I think it is great that Sharon Creech can tell her stories through poetry. This novel has more words on the pages compared to the last two I read. The novel is broken up into short poems. This is a good idea because it gives the reader a little insight as to what will be discussed next. The poems flow and they are simple and lyrical.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
Hate That Cat-Another great novel by Sharon Creech
Hate That Cat
Sharon Creech
If you liked Love That Dog then you would enjoy reading Sharon Creech’s continuation of Jack’s story, Hate That Cat. This novel, in verse, is just as creative if not more creative as Love That Dog. Now that Jack has learned a little bit about poetry, his poems are full of enthusiasm.
Through his poems you really learn a lot about Jack’s character. He changes from hating cats to loving them when he gets a kitten. Children have the ability to love and care for animals and this novel shows us how Jack comes to love a kitten.
Once again, like Love That Dog this novel is a quick read. Each page may only be filled with a few words or phrases, but the words carry meaning. They teach us about Jack’s character and let us get inside of his head to understand what he is thinking. Many of the words are also what I would call “fun” words for kids. For example, words such as “buzz,” “boom,” and “pop” are just fun to read and even more fun for children to say. They reiterate Jack’s energy. Jack comes across to the reader as a loving, inspired, and caring person. I recommend that you take a little time and read this novel.
Sharon Creech
If you liked Love That Dog then you would enjoy reading Sharon Creech’s continuation of Jack’s story, Hate That Cat. This novel, in verse, is just as creative if not more creative as Love That Dog. Now that Jack has learned a little bit about poetry, his poems are full of enthusiasm.
Through his poems you really learn a lot about Jack’s character. He changes from hating cats to loving them when he gets a kitten. Children have the ability to love and care for animals and this novel shows us how Jack comes to love a kitten.
Once again, like Love That Dog this novel is a quick read. Each page may only be filled with a few words or phrases, but the words carry meaning. They teach us about Jack’s character and let us get inside of his head to understand what he is thinking. Many of the words are also what I would call “fun” words for kids. For example, words such as “buzz,” “boom,” and “pop” are just fun to read and even more fun for children to say. They reiterate Jack’s energy. Jack comes across to the reader as a loving, inspired, and caring person. I recommend that you take a little time and read this novel.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Go Ask Alice is a MUST Read
Go Ask Alice
Anonymous
I first read Go Ask Alice when I was in sixth grade. My teacher read it to our class and left out some parts because she felt they were too inappropriate for us to hear. After rereading this book, I am unsure whether she should have read it to us at all. This book is intense especially because it is a diary of a real person and not just someone made up. Each journal entry kept me wanting to read on and turn the page until I eventually finished it.
I would recommend Go Ask Alice to people in middle school and above. It introduces you to the effects that drugs can have on people. Some may think it’s unlikely to become addicted, but this diary shows you that it is very easy to become hooked.
This book also made me think twice about trusting people. One of the main reasons the girl is put in uncomfortable situations is due to the friends that she has. It’s important that we make friends we can trust. And, if you can’t trust someone then is that person really a good friend?
It’s a shame that the girl had to go through so many terrible experiences, but I do recommend this book. It’s an easy read, it’s interesting, and it’s a true account of how drugs impacted a girl’s life.
Anonymous
I first read Go Ask Alice when I was in sixth grade. My teacher read it to our class and left out some parts because she felt they were too inappropriate for us to hear. After rereading this book, I am unsure whether she should have read it to us at all. This book is intense especially because it is a diary of a real person and not just someone made up. Each journal entry kept me wanting to read on and turn the page until I eventually finished it.
I would recommend Go Ask Alice to people in middle school and above. It introduces you to the effects that drugs can have on people. Some may think it’s unlikely to become addicted, but this diary shows you that it is very easy to become hooked.
This book also made me think twice about trusting people. One of the main reasons the girl is put in uncomfortable situations is due to the friends that she has. It’s important that we make friends we can trust. And, if you can’t trust someone then is that person really a good friend?
It’s a shame that the girl had to go through so many terrible experiences, but I do recommend this book. It’s an easy read, it’s interesting, and it’s a true account of how drugs impacted a girl’s life.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
A Mysterious Creative Novel
When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
This is a must-read for people that would enjoy reading a mystery with a different sort of twist. Miranda discovers several notes left for her in her home. Some of them cause her and her mother to believe they might be dealing with a criminal. But you learn that it is quite the opposite.
The author does a great job of making this novel appeal to both children and adults. If I had read this novel when I was younger, I would have liked the fact that I could relate to Miranda. Friendships are described in the book. Children develop their first friendships in elementary school. As a young adult, it is interesting to see how Miranda’s surroundings impact her thoughts and feelings. The author also shows us that Miranda is intelligent, caring, and helpful to others.
The author organized this novel into short chapters. Many chapter titles are simple phrases such as “Things You Hide,” “Things That Sneak Up On You,” and “Things That Smell.” The titles are intriguing and caused me to want to read and discover what things you hide, what sneaks up on you, and what smells.
In all, this was a book that I finished within a couple days. It kept my interest and so it was difficult to put the novel down.
This is a must-read for people that would enjoy reading a mystery with a different sort of twist. Miranda discovers several notes left for her in her home. Some of them cause her and her mother to believe they might be dealing with a criminal. But you learn that it is quite the opposite.
The author does a great job of making this novel appeal to both children and adults. If I had read this novel when I was younger, I would have liked the fact that I could relate to Miranda. Friendships are described in the book. Children develop their first friendships in elementary school. As a young adult, it is interesting to see how Miranda’s surroundings impact her thoughts and feelings. The author also shows us that Miranda is intelligent, caring, and helpful to others.
The author organized this novel into short chapters. Many chapter titles are simple phrases such as “Things You Hide,” “Things That Sneak Up On You,” and “Things That Smell.” The titles are intriguing and caused me to want to read and discover what things you hide, what sneaks up on you, and what smells.
In all, this was a book that I finished within a couple days. It kept my interest and so it was difficult to put the novel down.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
What's left: the Leftovers
Leftovers by Laura Wiess
Why this book is great: The story makes you think twice, some parts are so disgusting/horrible that you are impelled to read on
This story is about two girls that become friends and help one another deal with their family issues. One of the girls is abused, both sexually and emotionally, and the other girl is grows up in a household where her mother makes her feel unimportant. The girls struggle with trying to understand boys and wanting to be liked by them. However, they are taken advantage of by one boy too many.
This story would be best fit for teenagers and even adults. It takes a more mature audience to read this novel because of the situations the girls are placed in. The characters are only in eighth grade yet they are already testing their sexually and are sexually abused and taken advantage of. It is horrible to think that people can abuse others to such a great extent, but it does happen and it is important to understand how this affects people.
The author makes it clear that we need to be careful with who we let into our lives and help and care for those we love and trust.
The author’s style makes this book interesting. Each chapter alternates from one of the girl’s perspective to the other’s perspective. It is in first person which allowed me to feel like the girls were speaking directly to me. This technique also enabled me to sympathize with the characters and gain a better understanding of how their family life and environment impacted their life and decisions.
Why this book is great: The story makes you think twice, some parts are so disgusting/horrible that you are impelled to read on
This story is about two girls that become friends and help one another deal with their family issues. One of the girls is abused, both sexually and emotionally, and the other girl is grows up in a household where her mother makes her feel unimportant. The girls struggle with trying to understand boys and wanting to be liked by them. However, they are taken advantage of by one boy too many.
This story would be best fit for teenagers and even adults. It takes a more mature audience to read this novel because of the situations the girls are placed in. The characters are only in eighth grade yet they are already testing their sexually and are sexually abused and taken advantage of. It is horrible to think that people can abuse others to such a great extent, but it does happen and it is important to understand how this affects people.
The author makes it clear that we need to be careful with who we let into our lives and help and care for those we love and trust.
The author’s style makes this book interesting. Each chapter alternates from one of the girl’s perspective to the other’s perspective. It is in first person which allowed me to feel like the girls were speaking directly to me. This technique also enabled me to sympathize with the characters and gain a better understanding of how their family life and environment impacted their life and decisions.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
A book by one of my favorite authors
The Unfinished Angel by Sharon Creech
Sharon Creech is one of my favorite children’s book authors. In addition to reading this novel, I have read Walk Two Moons and Love that Dog. Her novels are almost perfectly constructed that I find myself deeply engaged in her stories.
The cover of the book reminds me of peace and harmony. The bird on the front looks like a Dove and it is outlined with the colors of the rainbow. It is not too complex and looks like a student could draw it which caught my attention.
The Unfinished Angel showed the relationship between Angel and Zola and how they connected with one another while working to help the children. This story is very humorous and shows the kindness in the main character’s hearts. It is great to want to help others, but it is another thing to follow through with these aspirations.
I also liked that the chapters were only a few pages long. This kept my focus because stories from one chapter would continue to the next or a new idea would be presented. There is also some uncertainty of what’s going to happen next which provokes you to think ahead.
The fact that Zola helps the Angel learn and Angel helps Zola learn is very important. It shows us that friendship is a give and take relationship, and this is a lesson that children should understand.
Sharon Creech is one of my favorite children’s book authors. In addition to reading this novel, I have read Walk Two Moons and Love that Dog. Her novels are almost perfectly constructed that I find myself deeply engaged in her stories.
The cover of the book reminds me of peace and harmony. The bird on the front looks like a Dove and it is outlined with the colors of the rainbow. It is not too complex and looks like a student could draw it which caught my attention.
The Unfinished Angel showed the relationship between Angel and Zola and how they connected with one another while working to help the children. This story is very humorous and shows the kindness in the main character’s hearts. It is great to want to help others, but it is another thing to follow through with these aspirations.
I also liked that the chapters were only a few pages long. This kept my focus because stories from one chapter would continue to the next or a new idea would be presented. There is also some uncertainty of what’s going to happen next which provokes you to think ahead.
The fact that Zola helps the Angel learn and Angel helps Zola learn is very important. It shows us that friendship is a give and take relationship, and this is a lesson that children should understand.
Historical Fiction--One of the Best
The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg by Rodman Philbrick
I really enjoyed reading this novel. The best part of this book is that the author brings the main character, Homer P. Figg to life. I’m glad this novel is written in first person because it allows readers to have the opportunity to get to know Homer better. From the beginning of the book we learn that Homer is telling a true story even though he seems to tell lies all of the time. His lies are clever because they help him get out of sticky situations. They are humorous and caused me to want to continue reading until I finished the story. I hardly put the book down and finished the book within two days.
When I saw the cover of the book, I instantly thought about the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. I do not remember the whole storyline of Huckleberry Finn but I do remember it being clever and interesting. It too involved things from the past such as discussing racial issues.
The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg would be a great book to introduce to children both at home and in school. Many children may not enjoy learning about history in class and this book teaches children about the Civil War and is also entertaining. The author did a good job of choosing titles for each chapter. For example, the titles “ The Secret in the Wagons,” and “The Weasel Comes A-Calling,” are interesting, unusual titles that may cause children to want to discover what lies ahead.
I really enjoyed reading this novel. The best part of this book is that the author brings the main character, Homer P. Figg to life. I’m glad this novel is written in first person because it allows readers to have the opportunity to get to know Homer better. From the beginning of the book we learn that Homer is telling a true story even though he seems to tell lies all of the time. His lies are clever because they help him get out of sticky situations. They are humorous and caused me to want to continue reading until I finished the story. I hardly put the book down and finished the book within two days.
When I saw the cover of the book, I instantly thought about the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. I do not remember the whole storyline of Huckleberry Finn but I do remember it being clever and interesting. It too involved things from the past such as discussing racial issues.
The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg would be a great book to introduce to children both at home and in school. Many children may not enjoy learning about history in class and this book teaches children about the Civil War and is also entertaining. The author did a good job of choosing titles for each chapter. For example, the titles “ The Secret in the Wagons,” and “The Weasel Comes A-Calling,” are interesting, unusual titles that may cause children to want to discover what lies ahead.
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