The Zookeeper's Wife by Diane Ackerman

Reading Level: Adult
Number of pages: 363
Publisher: W W Norton and company paperback 2007

After their zoo was bombed, Polish zookeepers Jan and Antonina Zabinski managed to save over three hundred people from the Nazis by hiding them in animal cages and other buildings in the Warsaw Zoo during WWII. This is a true story, exuberant and absorbing. By the end of the book I felt that Antonina was someone I would love as a friend and I was so inspired by her efforts to keep a home and normal atmosphere for her children during the atrocities of war. She had a gift for nurturing animals in her role as the zookeeper's wife. Those gifts were magnified as she was thrust into the role of caretaker of hundreds of human souls who took refuge in the home she created, depending on her for survival. The author, a naturalist, beautifully weaves details into the story that capture all the senses and breathe life into the retelling. This book is poignant, and beautifully written. The author reminded me of a modern Gene Stratton Porter. (That is high praise coming from me) This will be on my reread list for years to come.

Unlucky Arithmetic

My children's lit teacher has this poster hanging on the door to his office. It's genius.

Unlucky Arithmetic
Thirteen Ways to Raise a Nonreader
by Dean Schneider and Robin Smith

1. Never read where your children can see you.

2. Put a TV or computer in every room. Don’t neglect the bedrooms and kitchen.

3. Correct your child every time she mispronounces a word.

4. Schedule activities every day after school so your child will never be bored.

5. Once your child can read independently, throw out the picture books. They’re for babies.

6. Don’t play board games together. Too dull.

7. Give little rewards for reading. Stickers and plastic toys are nice. Money is even better.

8. Don’t expect your children to enjoy reading. Kids’ books are for teaching vocabulary, proper study habits, and good morals.

9. Buy only 40-watt bulbs for your lamps.

10. Under no circumstances read your child the same book over and over. She heard it once, she should remember it.

11. Never allow your child to listen to books on tape; that’s cheating.

12. Make sure your kids only read books that are “challenging.” Easy books are a complete waste of time. That goes double for comic books and Mad magazine.

13. Absolutely, positively no reading in bed.

The Slave Dancer by Paula Fox

Reading Level: age 10-12
Paperback: 150 pages
Newbery Award Winner

A surprisingly good read. This is a story of a boy who was kidnapped and force to play his pipe on a slaving ship. Well written and an interesting perspective to the cruelties that took place as part of the slave trade.

The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander

Reading Level: ages7-10
Paper back: 190 pages

Alexander has a gift with bringing his characters to life. His characters have very unique personalities and Alexander's writing allows you to get to know them. The Book of Three is the first book of the Prydain Chronicles (including the Black Cauldron) and I had to hold myself back from continuing right on to the next book.
The book starts out with Taran, the assistant-pig keeper, who, through events beyond what he could have expected, sets out on an adventure that requires more of him than he thinks he is able to give. Alexander prefaced the book by asking "Aren't there times when we all feel like assistant pig keepers?" Embarking on this journey with Taran, I could relate many times to Taran's feelings of inadequacy, but I, like Taran, often am surprised by what I am able to achieve even if I can still see my flaws.

I'd give this book four stars.

Some of my Re-Reads

Frankly, I re-read almost everything. If I can get through it the first time, I usually want to revisit a second, third, fourth, and on and on. I could post about so many, but I'll just start with one author.

One of my favorite fantasy authors is Robin McKinley. I recommended her to my mom and she doesn't like her writing at all. It's pretty wordy and has some strange sentence structure, but I love it. I was wandering through the library recently wishing that I owned almost all of her books and that she had written more of them.

In order of recommendation, or perhaps the order I was introduced ...

Beauty.

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages

It doesn't seem like it could possibly be over 300 pages. It must have really large margins. This is a fun retelling of Beauty and the Beast.

Spindle's End.

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Paperback: 384 pages

A version of Sleeping Beauty. It gets a little strange near the end. Most of her books do, but I love all the rest of it.

The Hero and the Crown and The Blue Sword

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Mass Market Paperback: 227 pages
• Newberry Medal
  

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 248 pages
• Newberry Honor
  

These two are about the same land, but are set generations apart. I love The Blue Sword more. In fact I don't think I'd use the word love in relation to The Hero and the Crown, but it's fairly interesting and a fun read.

The Outlaws of Sherwood

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Paperback: 368 pages

I haven't read this one very much, but it seems like I liked it pretty well.

Chalice

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Paperback: 272 pages

I liked this one a lot, but I think it is pretty weird and I wish it was longer.

Rose Daughter

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Paperback: 304 pages

I don't think I liked this one until I'd read it a couple of times so I don't know that I can recommend it strongly. It is another telling of Beauty and the Beast and Beauty is much better!

She also has a couple collections of short stories that are fun but not marvelous. DON'T read Deerskin- seems like it is a bit offensive. I didn't care for Dragonhaven- it wasn't bad- just didn't really like it. Her adult book Sunshine is an intriguing vampire tale, but has two pages that I wish I'd never read as they were too graphic for me.

The Doll People

This is a really good read! All about this Doll family trying to find their aunt.
Along the way they meet some new friends. I wont tell any more so you have to read it to find out what happens :)

Ulysses Moore the long lost map

A while ago my mom bought me a book.A good book.
This is a book of mystery,excitement,and suspense.
really good. This girls brothers get trapped in ancient Egypt and go on a
exciting adventure trying to find their way home. Meanwhile the girl has to face
Oblivia Newton a greedy young woman and her chauffeur Manfred. A really
cool read! I rate it 6 stars out of 5 :)

A Visit With Lloyd Alexander

Below is a link to a wonderful video of Lloyd Alexander, author of The Chronicles of Prydain, talking about his life and his writing.

Click here to go to part one. There are three parts to the series (about 20 minutes all together) and well worth watching.

In his will, Alexander left many of his books/manuscripts/ and possesions to Brigham Young University. A new exhibit just opened in the Harold B. Lee Library displaying his things, including the harp shown in the video.

Books Not Worth Reading

I understand that the purpose of this blog is to highlight books that are worth while and uplifting but I also thought it worth noting the books that you have attempted to read but ultimately were not worth your time. 

If you have read or started to read a book that you have deemed "not worth reading" please make note of it as a comment to this post and if possible give a reason as to why it turned you off.

My Friends

At Anna's request, here are a few books I call friends...

1. The Chronicles of Narnia - classic. By C.S. Lewis

Reading level: ages 7-adult
Paperback, 767 pages (for the entire series)
September 20th 2001 by HarperCollins (first published 1954)

I honestly can't count how many times I have read these books. Each of the seven books is inspirational, symbolic, and fun. If you've only read the first book or two keep reading! The last book is my absolute favorite, but you need to read the rest of them first to fully appreciate it.

2. Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

Reading level: ages 9-12
Paperback, 240 pages
January 1st 1997 by Scholastic Books

This is the book I like to read when brain needs a rest. It's fun, cute, and creative. A familiar book that I can always come back to.


3. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Reading level: High school-adult
Paperback, 576 pages
February 4th 2003 by Penguin Classics (first published 1847)

Ok, let's be honest, Jane Eyre is way to heavy to read over and over, but it is one of my favorites. When I'm looking for something deep and moving, with an intense storyline, and a wonderfully brave, though imperfect, heroine this is it.


4. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Reading level: Young adult-adult (but a great read-aloud for younger ages)
Paperback, 104 pages
October 1st 1999 by Bethany House Publishers (first published 1981)

This is a wonderful seasonal book to help you get into the Christmas spirit! My mom read it to me at Christmas time when I was a little girl, and read it again this last Christmas. It's classic Dickens and classic Christmas - the perfect combination.


5. Princess Academy by Shannon Hale

Reading level: ages 9-14
Paperback, 336 pages
April 17th 2007 by Bloomsbury USA Children's Books (first published 2005)

This one surprised me. I love Shannon Hale, but when I first read this one it wasn't my favorite. The book's sweet, heart-warming tone, however, drew me back and I fell in love. The author's rich language pulls you into the fictional mountain village in a way that reminds you of home, and keeps you cheering for the simple people who live there.

Last, but certainly not least...

6. Calvin and Hobbes: There's Treasure Everywhere by Bill Watterson

Reading level: ages 9-adult
Paperback, 176 pages
March 1st 1996 by Andrews McMeel Publishing

Bill Watterson is my hero. He's wonderfully clever and his straightforward portrayal of childhood is simply delightful. No one can tell me genuinely good writing cannot be found in a comic strip. Here it is. This was my very first Calvin and Hobbes collection and I no longer have to look at the captions...I can quote each comic with a glance at the first picture. With a combination of our collections my husband and I now have 7 books, and we're still collecting. Happy laughing!

Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World by Jennifer Armstrong

The Extraordinary True Story of Shackleton and the Endurance
Reading Level: Age 10+
Paperback: 134 pages
Publisher: Crown Publishers (Sept 2000)

It is 1916 and there have already been two exhibitions made to Antarctica, but Shackleton's mission is to cross they entire icy continent. He assembles a crew of sailors, scientists, and even a photographer and set out on an adventure, but they never make it to the continent. Disaster strikes and Captain 'Boss' must get his men united, or they might not survive. Against all odds, Shackleton and his crew survive on icepacks within 100 miles of Antarctica for over a year. This book is a vivid recount of the events of disaster and how a great leader kept his men together and alive.

The books you could call your friends.

Because this blog is still in the making and not everyone has a book they have finished recently, Sarah thought it would be a good idea for each of the blog contributors to post their favorite "re-reads", the books you keep going back to.

So contributors, please post a list of books (you don't have to write a complete review) and the specs (reading level, pages, publisher) so we can get rolling with the books worth reading again.

Z for Zachariah by Robert O'Brien

Reading Level: Ages 10-12
Paperback: 234 pgs
Publisher: New York, Collier Books

Winner of the Edgar Allan Poe award, I should have known this book would have tension. From the very beginning, the story was gripping, but I did not enjoy reading this book and about half way through I was very angry. The author's writing is very effective and compelling to the very last page and now that I have finished the book, I think it was a great read, but the process of reading was very aggravating.

This is a story of a girl, Ann Burden, who, as far as she knows, is the last person alive. Nuclear gas has wiped out all life except the protected,quiet valley where she and her family lived apart from society. The radios, telephones and any connection with the outside world are dead and the latest news about the war was bleak. Ann's parents set out to to look for survivors but never make it back. Ann also discovers that her brother who was suppose to stay with her and stowed away in family car, leaving her completely alone. She is able to survive by herself, but then her world changes when a stranger in radiation-proof equipment arrives in the valley.

Dinotrux by Chris Gall

Reading level: Ages 4-8

Hardcover: 32 pages

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (June 1, 2009)

 

Sam and I found this book at the library and fell in love with it. If you have little boys in your home this is the book for you.  We were renewing it as much as we could because we didn't want to let it go.  Eventually Grammie stepped in and bought if for us.  It is a very creative mix of dinosaurs and trucks. Sam begs to read it every day.  Now when we are driving down the road and pass a truck Sam and Elijah get all excited and try to figure out which DinoTrux it is. Sam will even quote parts of the book back.

I was looking for images to put on the blog and ended up finding a "book trailer" for Dinotrux. I didn't know such things existed. It's even done by the original author/illustrator. Sam is now begging to watch it over and over.

(This post was originally on my personal blog.  I thought it a fitting addition here and copied it over- with a little editing.)

The Diary of Ma Yan the Struggles and Hopes of a Chinese Schoolgirl edited by Pierre Haski

Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 176 pages
Publisher: Collins; Tra edition (May 31, 2005)

In a poor rural area of Northern China, lives a young girl named Ma Yan who understands all too well that education is the difference between a life of crushing poverty and the hope of a better future. The low wages paid her family for back-breaking work aren't enough to pay for school fees for Ma Yan and her brother. Her diary begins with her mother telling Ma Yan that they can no longer afford to send her to school. What follows is the courageous and often heart wrenching account of her determination to become an educated young woman. The story of how her diary is passed off to a foreign journalist by her mother (who cannot even read) is captivating. This is a quick read that gives great insight to living conditions in rural China and a spunky little girl determined to live a better life. Proceeds from Ma Yan's diary are used to pay for education fees for Ma Yan and other children like her who live in rural China. Highly recommended for ages 10 and up.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: The Dial Press; Later edition (July 29, 2008)
 
During WWII, Guernsey, a small island in the English Channel was occupied by the Germans who imposed strict curfews upon the villagers. In order to avoid harsh punishment for being caught out after curfew a common alibi was invented, the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society was born. The members of this newly formed group decided to actually start meeting and in addition to sharing books, they served dessert such as potato peel pie, the only pie they could make with the scant supplies available. The club not only ignites a genuine love of reading, but offers a common focus and diversion that helps unite them and carries them through the horrors of war with grace and character. The characters are so delightful and likable, I felt sad to have this uplifting story find it's end. I like a quote that is in the inside cover of the book. "Perhaps there is some sort of secret homing instinct in books that brings them to their perfect readers". I am certainly glad that this book found it's way into my home! One of the best recent fiction books written!

Eragon by Christopher Paolini

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 544 pages
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers; First Edition, First Printing edition (June 25, 2003)

A while ago I started reading Eragon thinking it would be downright scary.It was more exciting than scary,it was a teeny bit at the end but I rate it 4.9 stars. If you like the Lord of the rings trilogy this is a must read series!

The Truth about Sparrows by Marian Hales

Reading level: Ages 9-12

Paperback: 288 pages

Publisher: Square Fish (October 16, 2007)

 
Taking place during the Depression, this book is about a girl whose family has had to relocate and like many of the time, take whatever jobs they could get. The beauty of this book is the weaving of a story I could relate with heavily... defining home. Without being didactic, the author takes her reader on a journey as the main character learns that despite her circumstance and what she left behind, she has with her all along what she thought she had lost. Simple but beautifully written!

Flotsam

Caldecott Medal Book

Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 40 pages

Publisher: Clarion Books; illustrated edition edition (September 4, 2006)

A surprisingly good 'read'. David Weisner's wordless picture books provide enough structure in his stories to spark the imagination but not so much that the reader is limited. I love that he leaves the story open ended, allowing for a continuation of thought and for the reader to take it one step further creating his or her own part of the story. I think this is an important part of reading, learning to answer "what do you think will happen?" and then enjoy discovering!