Number the Stars by Lois Lowry May 4, 2010
Posted by jcarlson in : Historical Fiction , 4comments
This book is about a girl named Annemarie that helps her Jewish friend Ellen during World War II. Ellen is a Jewish girl that is going through some hard times in life during the war. Things that are hard for her such as the Nazis are looking for her, her parents are taken away somewhere they will be safe, and she goes to live with her friend Annemarie. To figure out what happens to Ellen and see if she can ever live a normal life again, you should read this book. I liked this book because it was interesting and adventurous!
~Lily and Anna, Fourth Graders~
Penny from Heaven by Jennifer Holm October 2, 2009
Posted by jcarlson in : Family Fiction, Historical Fiction , 7comments
Nothing is that easy for Penny. Her dad died when she was only a baby, her mom won’t let her go to places because she’s afraid of her of catching Polio, Penny’s mom is dating the milkman and her grandma’s cooking might kill someone! All she wants to do is eat butter pecan ice cream and go to a Dodgers game!
This book takes place in the summer of 1953 and it will change Penny’s life forever! She was born into a family where the two sides don’t talk to each other. Penny lives with her grandparents (Me-me and Pop-Pop) and her mom. She goes to her dad’s side for dinner on Sundays. Penny and her cousin, Frankie, are always getting in trouble. They try to find the money that their Grandfather Falucci buried. First, they’re in the news about robbery when they tried to sneak in their Nonny’s yard. The next day Frankie finds the money in the basement of their Nonny’s house and…the trouble really starts happening when Penny’s hand is stuck in the wringer! But what Penny finds are that miracles can happen.
~Kristen, Fifth Grader~
The Cay by Theodore Taylor January 12, 2009
Posted by jcarlson in : Friendship Fiction, Historical Fiction , 24comments
Phillip, his mom, and his dad lived on Curacao, an island. Phillip’s mom wanted to move because she didn’t like the smell of oil and gas, so she decided to move from the island they live on to Virginia. Phillip doesn’t want to go on a ship called the SS Hato. It gets torpedoed because they are in the middle of a war. Everyone is in the water, but Phillip gets hit on the head with something. Not long after, Phillip wakes up to see that he is on a raft in the middle of the ocean with an African American named Timothy. The next day Phillip goes blind, and they see a cay and live on it. After a few months, they get hit by a hurricane, and Timothy dies. Now Phillip is blind and alone with a cat named Stew Cat. Does he get rescued? Read and find out.
~Alan, Fifth Grader~
Tiger, Tiger by Lynne Reid Banks January 2, 2009
Posted by jcarlson in : Animal Fiction, Historical Fiction, Podcasts , 3comments
To find out if you’d like to read this book by the author of The Indian in the Cupboard, please listen to the podcast by Mrs. Carlson.
Show Way by Jacqueline Woodson December 16, 2008
Posted by jcarlson in : Historical Fiction , 3comments
Show Way, written by Jacqueline Woodson, is an amazing short piece of historical fiction. It is also a gloriously colorful picture book, illustrated by Hudson Talbott. In Mrs. Woodson’s own words, “This is the first time I’ve written a book based on some of my own family history. ‘Show Ways,’ or quilts, once served as secret maps for freedom-seeking slaves. This is the story of seven generations of girls and women who were quilters and artists and freedom fighters.”
The illustrations include paintings, quilt designs, and photographs from the 19th and 20th centuries. There are also quotations about the civil rights struggle and even a map. Although it looks like a picture book, it is suitable for all ages. I am giving a copy to a grown-up friend who is a quilter. She will share it with her granddaughters, I hope.
If you like this book, check out Ms. Woodson’s website www.jacquelinewoodson.com. She has written many books for children and youth of all ages.
~Mrs. Gaston~
Willow Run by Patricia Reilly Giff November 26, 2008
Posted by jcarlson in : Historical Fiction , 2comments
This book is a companion to Lily’s Crossing. I never heard of it until Colleen and Lexi gave it to me as a gift. I really liked Lily’s Crossing, so it wasn’t a surprise that I liked this book as well. Both books take place during World War II and show how the war affected children’s lives.
Meggie and her parents move to Willow Run, Michigan, to help the war effort. Her father works in a factory that makes bomber planes. Eventually her mom works at the factory too. Meggie misses her best friend Lily and her grandfather, who are back home in Rockaway, New York. She also misses her brother Eddie, who is off fighting in the war. Meggie makes friends in Willow Run. These friends, along with her family, teach her about courage and hope.
If you enjoy historical fiction, especially if it takes place during WW II, you should read this book.
~Mrs. Carlson~
Penny from Heaven by Jennifer Holm November 15, 2008
Posted by jcarlson in : Historical Fiction , 3comments
Eleven year old Penny lives with her mother and maternal grandparents. Her father died when she was very young, and Penny is uncertain as to how he died. Her father’s big, Italian family loves Penny, and she gets to spend every Sunday with them. For some reason, Penny’s mother does not get along with her father’s family.
It’s the summer of 1953. Penny plans to spend the summer listening to baseball games with her eccentric Uncle Dominic and hanging out with her cousin Frankie. Unfortunately, she winds up in the hospital for six weeks after a terrible accident. The accident brings the families closer together, and Penny is finally told the truth about her father’s death.
I really enjoyed Penny from Heaven, a 2007 Newbery Honor book. It made me laugh, worry, wonder, and learn a bit of history. This book is on the Great Readers list. Why don’t you give it a try?
~Mrs. Carlson~