Rave Reviews Log: Realistic Fiction

October 26, 2006

Firegirl




By Tony Abbott
Rating: 4 1/4 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

Tom is in 7th grade in Catholic school and spends his time with his one good friend, Jeff, and daydreaming about Courtney, the prettiest girl in class. Then one day a new girl in brought into the class--Jessica, who was badly burned in a fire. Jessica looks like no one Tom has ever seen before, and he is afraid of her, especially when she ends up sitting next to him. But as unkind rumors and gossip swirl around about Jessica, Tom finds that he dislikes the way everyone treats her even more than he dislikes how Jessica looks. When Tom's teacher sends him over her house to deliver some homework, Tom has a chance to find out the truth. Jessica's stay in his classroom is brief, but Tom finds that the short time she was there has changed the way he sees life forever. Although Tom doesn't save the day, in a way, he is a hero, even if no one else sees it. This is a powerful story, which will benefit anyone who reads it. A great book to discuss.

October 23, 2006

All of the Above


By Shelley Pearsall
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

Pearsall was inspired by the true story of a math class that tackled building the biggest Sierpinski Tetrahedron and did it, with the hope of getting into the Guiness Book of Records. This fictional account begins with Mr. Collins' 7th grade math class. Frustrated at the lack of interest from his students who are mostly black and struggling against poverty, Mr. Collins proposes a math club after school which will strive to build the largest tetrahedron ever. A tetrahedron is like a pyramid, but all sides are triangles, unlike a pyramid which has a square bottom. Although Mr. Collins expects no one to show up, a few students do, and slowly, over the long months and some big setbacks, the project comes to mean something important to all of them and ends up making all of their lives a little bit better. The novel is told from the points of view of all the main characters, and we get fascinating and moving glimpses into their hopes, dreams and every day lives. It is a quick read, but an inspiring one that should make anyone who reads it feel the power of individuals who, while striving for the same goal, become a team who feel they can accomplish more than they ever thought they could.

Shug


By Jenny Han
Rating: 3 3/4 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

Annemarie, nicknamed Shug, is about to start 7th grade and she's not sure she's ready to be that grown up. She feels very plain next to her beautiful sister Celia, as well as her mother, and she suspects that her neighborhood friends will no longer be quite so friendly in junior high. To complicate things, her mother is turning into an alchoholic and fighting a lot with her father and suddenly, Annemarie has fallen in love with her neighbor and longtime friend, Mark. How can she get Mark to notice her as a girl, especially one without any amazing qualities to show off? As Annemarie works her way through the beginning of 7th grade, she learns some hard lessons about family, friends and fitting in. But she also makes some new friends and has some unexpected surprises, including a first kiss. This is a good, realistic story for that tween who isn't quite as ready as some others to hurry up and get older.

Caddy Ever After


By Hilary McKay
Rating: 3 3/4 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

The fabulous Casson family has returned! For those of us who enjoyed Saffy's Angel, Indigo's Star (see review) and Permanent Rose, another chapter in the lives of Saffy, Indigo, Caddy and Rose is presented. Despite the book's title, it is not all about Caddy. McKay decides to let all 4 members of the Casson family take a hand chronicling their latest adventures. So we hear about Rose's troubles in the classroom, Indigo's takeover of the Valentine disco and Saffy's new romance which all end up leading to what the title refers to--Caddy meeting the guy who is to be her "Ever After." However, everyone is not as sure as Caddy is about her fiance, since everyone had liked Darling Michael whom she had broken her engagement off with the previous year. Will Caddy buck her family's protests and marry her new beau? Will Rose keep the promise she made to Michael before he left? Will Saffy be able to make up with her friend Sarah? Will Indigo impress the girl he likes? As ever, the Casson family will make you laugh, cry and be happy that you picked up this book to read.

Dicey's Song



By Cynthia Rylant
1983 Newbery Award Winner
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

Continuing the story begun in Homecoming, Dicey Tillerman and her 3 siblings, James, MayBeth and Sammy, have made it finally to where their grandmother lives in Crisfield, Maryland after weeks of traveling by themselves on foot . Although she hadn't known of their existence until recently, Gram decides to take them in and adopt them. But Dicey finds that even though their biggest problem of finding a home has been solved, many other issues remain. Sammy is fighting in school, MayBeth can't seem to learn how to read, James has a hard time making friends, and Dicey keeps herself held back from getting too involved in anything. Plus money is always a worry, and Gram's rather unconventional ways have townspeople's tongues wagging. But the biggest blow is still to come. Slowly, slowly, the Tillermans learn that they need to reach out if they want to hold onto the good things in life, and that there are good things to reach for. This beautifully written novel will take you inside of Dicey's life as she struggles to adjust to her new world and to take the bad with the good. There are many other novels about the Tillermans and their friends that you might want to read, including The Runner, Sons From Afar, Seventeen Against the Dealer and A Solitary Blue. Good stuff, from beginning to end.

Bollywood Babes


By Narinder Dhami
Rating: 3 1/2 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

Amber, Jazz and Geena are three sisters who like to meddle. Amber, our narrator, gets particularly "good" ideas which usually turn into disasters. In this book, their third, the girls have been working hard to get their single Auntie hooked up with the cute teacher at their school, Mr. Arora. When the girls hear about an old Bollywood (like Hollywood, but movies made in India) movie star, Molly Mahal, living nearly destitute nearby, they decide to see if they can convince her to come to their Bollywood party fundraiser for their school. That would put a feather in Auntie's cap! But the girls find Molly about to be evicted from her apartment and living on next to nothing, and impulsively, they invite her home to stay. Soon, Molly Mahal has everyone dazzled, including the girls' father and Mr. Arora! Molly acts more like a queen than someone living on charity, and the girls (and Auntie) are at their wit's end as they try to find a way to get rid of the most popular girl in town. But when Molly starts acting as if their father might be on her agenda to improve her circumstances, things get desperate. What will be the price of Molly's fame? This is a fun read about family, crushes, and the what you would do to be famous. It is also an enjoyable peek into an Indian-English community. If you like this story, you might also enjoy more stories of the girls, including Bindi Babes and Bhangri Babes.

Poison Ivy




By Amy Goldman Koss
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

Ivy has been picked on for years by the Evil Three: Ann, Benita and Sophie. When Ivy's teacher finds out about the torture, she decides to hold a mock trial to hold the threesome accountable for their treatment of Ivy. The other kids in class get chosen as lawyers and jurors and so forth. But would you stand up against the most popular girls in school and not worry about your own reputation? Even to do the right thing? Would you lie? Or tell the truth? Koss tells the story from the viewpoint of several of the kids in the classroom, although Ivy, Ann, Daria (Ivy's lawyer) and Marco (a juror) get the most to say. It is a story to make you think about whether you are kid who teases others or one of those who gets teased, or even if you are just someone in the middle. A book that makes you think about what is important to you in school and what should be important. An interesting read that would be great to talk about in a classroom or discussion group.

Jake Drake, Class Clown





By Andrew Clements
Rating: 4 7/8 stars
Reviewed by Karen

Jake Drake's 2nd grade class has a new student teacher who never smiles, not even a little. One day Jake spontaneously makes a joke and thinks he sees a slight smile. He even overhears her tell another teacher that she thinks he is funny! Now, Jake's mission is to make Miss Bruce laugh. This story is part of a series of Jake Drake books and gives children an idea of what it must be like to be a new teacher. Jake learns that all actions have consequences and they might not be the ones you want. Does he make Miss Bruce laugh? Does he think about what might happen if he is successful? It's a very funny story and kids will find Jake's attempts to make Miss Bruce laugh hilarious.

Defiance



By Valerie Hobbs
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

Toby and his parents are at a rented cottage for the summer and Toby is enjoying doing regular things an 11 year old would do. But he has a secret. Toby's cancer is coming back and he has decided he is not telling his parents and he is not going back to the Children's Hospital for treatment. At least, that is his decision until he meets Pearl, a spunky old woman living on a small farm nearby. Pearl's cow Blossom becomes the reason that Pearl and Toby meet and become friends, and doing what is best for Blossom helps both of them realize what is best for themselves. Told with warmth, honesty and poetry, this is ultimately a story about understanding your own destiny and making choices. An enjoyable and meaningful read.

Gender Blender



By Blake Nelson
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

Emma and Tom are neighbors. They were friends up until 4th grade, but now, in 6th grade, all they seem to do is fight. Then they collide heads on a trampoline while Tom has an arrowhead in his pocket and they magically switch bodies! Emma discovers an old legend that says they have 4 days to learn how to settle their differences or they will be cursed to stay in the wrong body forever. Emma and Tom try to solve their problem, but meanwhile, life is still happening. Tom has to learn how to act and dress like a girl and go to Emma's Girl Scouts meeting, gymnastic meet, and piano lessons. Emma has to learn how to be a boy and pitch in Tom's baseball tryouts, as well as outwit Tom's little brother. And what about Emma's chances with the very cute Jeff and Tom's chances with gorgeous Kelly? With all this happening, how can they learn to get along with each other? This is a very enjoyable and funny story, which shows the different expectations we have of boys and girls. It will hit a chord with tweens of both sexes. Thumbs up!

United Tates of America


by Paula Danziger
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Karen

United Tates of America begins with Sarah Kate "Skate" Tate finishing her first day of middle school. There are a lot of changes happening in Skate's life...new school, new friends, and new activities all at once. It seems very scary and sometimes Skate longs for elementary school when life was less complicated and more predictable. The biggest change of all comes with the death of Skate's much loved Great Uncle Mort (GUM). The entire Tate family misses him dearly and Skate remembers his advice, "The future is not to be feared but to be explored and celebrated". Instead of worrying about how different her life is from last year she realizes that changes are not the end of something but can mean a new beginning or adventure. The one constant in Skate's life is her scrapbooking hobby and Danziger's scrapbook art is a great addition. Despite some serious issues, the story is upbeat and hopeful. Both girls and boys will identify with Skate's situation whether it's adjusting to a new school or a death in the family.

Chicken Boy


By Frances O'Roark Dowell
Rating: 4 1/2 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

Ignore the terrible title and cover! This is a good book! Tobin is a 7th grader with what seems like nothing going for him. His mother died of cancer five years ago, his house is a pigsty, his father and siblings are rarely home, and there is never anything to eat in the house. His siblings have a bad reputation in school and around town, so although Tobin is a good kid, he underperforms in school and tries to just not call attention to himself. He wishes he could live with his Granny, but since she and his father are always at odds, he feels like he is in the middle. That all changes when he impulsively stands up for an English teacher who has been kind and not condescending to him. He starts a fight with the offending boy, and another boy jumps in to help Tobin out. Enter Henry Otis, who persists in making Tobin his friend and introduces Tobin to the world of raising chickens. Henry thinks chickens have souls, and sets out pulling Tobin into proving he is right. Tobin is able to start opening up to a friend--and some chickens. He starts making more friends at school and doing better in classes. But just when things seem to be getting better, Granny calls Social Services on his father and Tobin gets put into a foster home. You would think things would just get worse, but actually, this when his family finally has to take hard look at themselves and their situation. This is a great, interesting (when is the last time you wondered if a chicken had a soul?), and moving story that will reward whomsoever reads it.

Class President


By Johanna Hurwitz
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Karen

Mr. Flores' 5th grade class is voting for a class president. Popular Cricket Kaufman wants to run and Julio expects she will win. Julio would like to run but doesn't think he stands a chance against Cricket. He decides to help Lucas' campaign instead, but as the week goes by his own leadership abilities become apparent. The characters are well rounded and there is humor in the the story too - Lucas' three year old twin brothers shampoo their hair in the boy's room at school! The ending is predictable but children might not think so.

Replay


By Sharon Creech
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

Leo is the second child of four in an Italian-American family. He wants to act and dream and dance, but his propensity for daydreaming causes his family to call him "fog boy." Leo really just wants to be noticed for his talents, and his role as the Old Crone in an upcoming play seems like his chance. But when the teacher asks the cast to get into character by imagining someone around them as young, Leo begins to examine his family more closely. His father's autobiography at age 13 falls into his hands and Leo finds it hard to imagine his father as the carefree person he writes about. He also uncovers some secrets which are painful for his family when they are brought into the light of the current day. But Leo finds that love and hope still remain by the end of the story, in both his family and the play. Leo, like other protagonists of Creech, deals with loss and fears of loss along with more ordinary feelings, like being noticed in a good way. Still, the story is entertaining, and you'll find yourself rooting for Leo to make good. This is a quick but, as with all Creech books, a good read.

Criss Cross


By Lynne Rae Perkins
Newbery Award Winner 2006
Rating: 3.5 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

Debbie, Hector, Patty, Lenny and Phil have all been neighborhood friends forever. During one particular summer, the group explores their small town lives and themselves, thinking about who they are and who they might become. The book is told from the points of view of most of the characters, but mostly the story focuses on Debbie and Hector. Over this summer, Debbie will move from having a crush to having a romance, from being a watcher to being a doer. Hector becomes inspired to learn to play guitar, and through his guitar class, he develops some of his own character through writing songs. This is not a book where a lot happens except perhaps in the minds of the characters. So if you like a book that has lots of action and adventure, this is not the story for you. But if you like a quiet book that will make you think differently about the world around you, you might like this one.

Sixth Grade, Glommers, Norks and Me


By Lisa Papademetriou
Rating: 3 3/4 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

Allie and Tam are best friends about to start 6th grade at a new school--a magnet school for smart kids--and they are worried about who they are going to know, what the other kids will wear, what their classes will be like and so on. Allie is more the jock type, and is really into soccer. Tam is more the pretty fashionable one. But they've been best friends forever, and nothing is going to change that! Well, until they start 6th grade. Allie is not pleased to find Tam hanging out with Renee--a girl from their past that they supposedly didn't like. Allie starts feeling very left out by the pair, and things don't seem to get any better when she has to play a new position on the soccer team and she gets stuck with a real nerd for her lab partner in science. But as Allie works through the hurt of growing apart from her best friend, she finds she has new friends on her soccer team, that befriending a nork (a cross between a nerd and dork) isn't that bad, and that she is better off being her own person than a "glommer." This is an engaging story about starting middle school and doing a little bit of growing up and standing up for what's important. Girls will definitely identify with Allie and her trials and maybe hope for new installments about her life.

Gooney Bird Greene


By Lois Lowry
Reviewed by Karen

Gooney Bird Greene is the new girl in second grade and as soon as she arrives the other students can't get enough of her unique and "absolutely true" stories. She is the main character in all of her stories and the center of everyone's attention and that is exactly where she wants to be! I liked the "absolutely true" explanations behind the unbelievable sounding stories. Gooney Bird's story titled "Beloved Catman Is Consumed by a Cow" was really about a cat who became infatuated with a cow. This is a great chapter book for younger readers (especially girls). Readers will want to hear more Gooney Bird stories.

Because of Winn-Dixie


By Kate DiCamillo
Rating: 5 stars
Newbery Honor Award
Reviewed by Noelle

This may well be one of my favorite all-time books. India Opal and her preacher father have just moved to Naomi, Florida. 10 year old Opal has no friends and is pretty lonely until she happens to find a stray dog in the Winn-Dixie supermarket. She takes him home and calls him--what else?--Winn-Dixie. As Opal says, everything good that happened that summer happened because of Winn-Dixie. Following her dog's lead, Opal finally manages to make friends, both young and old, and then she brings her misfit band of lonely folks together. Her new friends include a criminal, a witch, a candy-maker's great-granddaughter, a knuckle-sucking 5 year old, some bald-headed babies, and a girl with a permanently pinched up face. Really? you ask. Well, maybe first impressions shouldn't count, and you need to see people for who they really are right now. Opal learns that everyone makes mistakes and that there is a lot of good mixed in with the bad. So pop a Littmus Lozenge in your mouth and curl up with Winn-Dixie. You won't be sorry!

Nicky Deuce: Welcome to the Family


By Steve Schirripa
Rating: 3 1/2 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

Twelve year old Nicholas Borelli, Jr. lives in a nice highbrow neighborhood in New Jersey and is expecting to go to his usual summer camp when the camp has an unexpected emergency and can't open on time. His parents reluctantly decide to send him to his grandmother Tutti who lives in a very Italian neighborhood in Brooklyn while they go on their scheduled cruise. Nicholas arrives and after one look, his Uncle Frankie rechristens him Nicky Deuce and starts to teach him about his Italian-American heritage. Nicky watches gangster movies, meets the locals in the neighborhood, and prepares to become a "goomba." To his surprise, this usually brainy rich kid loves his new life. His grandmother's cooking is fabulous and he makes a new friend named Tommy, and he has his first real crush on a girl named Donna. But his new life has some shadows to it. Frankie disappears regularly for his "job," and after a little investigating, Nicky is sure his uncle is part of the mafia. Nicky's new friend Tommy also gets Nicky involved in some shady dealings. In fact, Tommy and Nicky get into some very serious trouble, and it will take Frankie, Nicky's dad and some courage that Nicky never knew he had to get them out of it. This is a very fun, quick read that boys will especially like. There is adventure around every corner, and it is a great story for anyone who ever wondered what it would be like to be put smack in the middle of a mobster story.

Frindle



By Andrew Clements
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

Nick Allen is a fifth grader, a good kid, maybe a little bit of a troublemaker. His new English teacher, Mrs. Granger, is no nonsense. So Nick decides to push her a little bit about one of her favorite things--the dictionary and the importance of words and language. He invents the word "frindle" to use instead of pen, and enlists all of his friends to use it, too. Before Nick knows it, his new word is sweeping the nation! He finally got the upper hand on Mrs. Granger! or did he? This is a great school story about a boy, a teacher, some initiative, and how things can get out of hand in a good way as well as a bad way. I don't know anyone who doesn't like this story! After you read Frindle, you'll want to read more Andrew Clements books.

The Report Card


By Andrew Clements
Rating: 4 1/2 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

Nora is a genius. Really. But she's the only one who knows. She saw that people would treat her differently if they knew how smart she was, so Nora plays average. And she's happy that way. But then she sees how important grades can be to someone who isn't a genius, and decides it is time to take action. Nora decides instead of being average, she is going to fail her next report card. Her parents and the school go to great lengths to find out what is wrong with Nora, which is just fine with her. She'll show them how grades are not important! Will Nora succeed in her quest? Read it and find out! This is a thoroughly enjoyable story about a girl against the world. Anyone who enjoys school stories will like this one!

My Life as a Secret Ping-Pong Wizard


By Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

Hank Zipzer is a fifth grader with some learning challenges. Math and spelling are not his strong suit! But it is a new school year and his friends Ashley and Frankie sign up for soccer, so Hank does, too. But Hank finds he has some learning challenges with soccer, too, and that, combined with a coach who is very hard on the team, makes Hank want to drop out. Then his grandfather, Papa Pete, takes Hank to his ping-pong club. Hank doesn't think he'll be able to play ping-pong either, but with some practice, he really begins to get good at it and likes playing. The problem is, Hank is afraid his friends and family will make fun of him for not playing a "real" sport, so he hides his new talent. He definitely won't participate in the Parade of Athletes at school. But when a friend really needs him, will Hank keep on hiding his talent? If you like books that are funny and also make you feel good, read a Hank Zipzer book! You'll want to read all the Hank Zipzer books. Check out the Hank Zipzer website for more information.

Dork in Disguise


By Carol Gorman
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

Jerry is a geek, through and through. But he decides that since he is starting middle school in a new town, he will reinvent himself as a "cool kid." After all, no one needs to know about his geek past, right? But being a cool kid is harder than it seems. And with the help of a new friend, Brenda, Jerry realizes that maybe being himself isn't so awful. A funny book about struggling to fit in, that most everyone will like! Check out more about this book and its sequels, Dork on the Run and A Midsummer's Night Dork and Carol Gorman at this site.

Indigo's Star


By Hilary McKay
Rating: 4 1/2 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

Indigo is part of the Casson family, who are all named after colors by their artist parents. After a long illness, Indigo is back at school and is mercilessly bullied by a group of boys, making his life rather miserable. Things begin to look up, however, when Indigo meets Tom, the new American boy at his school, who has a talent for music and doesn't particularly care what the bullies think. Tom has some heartache of his own, since he is sulking after the birth of his new baby sister and missing his father. Rose, Indigo's sister, is also experiencing some heartache since the Casson's father is almost always in London at his studio there. She works tirelessly to find a good enough reason to get him to come back home to her. The three end up forming a firm friendship, which supports them and enables them all to grow. You can't help but fall in love with the Casson family, who are unorganized but always loving. If you want a fast-paced adventure, don't pick up this book, but if you want to love what you are reading, try it out. A bonus is that there are more books about the Casson family, including Saffy's Angel, Permanent Rose and Caddy Ever After. Read more about Hilary McKay.

The Penderwicks


By Jeanne Birdsall
Rating: 4 1/2 stars
National Book Award Winner
Reviewed by Noelle

I have read few books that were more enjoyable or fun than this one this past year. Rosalind, Skye, Jane and Batty have a rented house in the Berkshires of Massachusetts for two weeks with their father. The house is on the property of a beautiful mansion, and the sisters quickly make the acquaintance of Jeffrey who lives in the house. Jeffrey's mother looks down on the very colorful and outspoken sisters, and is set on seperating her son from the girls and sending him to military school like her own father. Jeffrey, however, only wants to play piano, and forms firm friendships with the Penderwicks. Rosalind, the eldest sister, is also captivated by Cagney, the young gardener who works on the estate. They get into several scrapes and adventures in the story, mostly involving Jeffrey, too. The dedication between the sisters and the friendship with Jeffrey, as well as a satisfying conclusion, make this story completely enjoyable from start to finish. It is hard to find a reason to not like The Penderwicks!
Read more about Jeanne Birdsall and the book!

Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret


By Judy Blume
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

Margaret has just moved to a new neighborhood and she is going through a lot of changes. She is very preoccupied with how her body is changing, and talks with her new friend Nancy about wearing training bras and so on. Margaret is ready to start growing up! She also feels a bit odd because most of her friends practice some sort of religion, like Catholicism or Judaism, but her family doesn't. So Margaret talks a lot of stuff over to God in her head. This book was one of the first to really talk about the confusing issues that girls face as they grow up, and it feels real and comforting. Boys may not want to read a book like this, but most girls will identify with Margaret and her mixed up feelings. Read more books by Judy Blume or find out more about her.