A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
L'Engle, Madeleine. 2000. A WRINKLE IN TIME. New York, NY: Glencoe/McGraw-Hill. ISBN 0028180054.


2. PLOT SUMMARY
Meg and Charles Wallace Murray need to find their father. Some say he ran off, but they know their father would never do such a thing and is "stuck" somewhere. A strange visitor arrives and eventually leads them (and their friend Calvin) on a journey through a wrinkle in time...and space...to find their father.

3. IMPRESSIONS
I remember reading this book upwards of thirty years ago and just loving the premise. I was excited to read it again and relive those memories. However, it was as if I was reading the book for the first time. I remembered nothing about the plot and was swept up again as the Murray kids traveled with Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who and Mrs. Which (interesting names...wondering where Mrs. When, Mrs. Where and Mrs. Why are?).

The book starts off with the phrase, "It was a dark and stormy night", and I almost felt that Snoopy was writing up on top of his doghouse. L'Engle uses a cliche phrase here, but it does set the tone. The plot of the story moves well and there is little "down-time" as the reader is caught up in the action.

I do not remember the overt Christianity that L'Engle includes here. Obviously written before this became taboo in many ways, A Wrinkle in Time wastes no words in stating that there is evil in this world and that can be overcome through the power of Christ. Personally, I did not mind it. I am an elementary librarian, but I also have a position in the pastorate. That being said, I am still overly conscious of the separation of church and state and there is always an argument about politics or religion or cultural bias that we need to be aware of.

Regardless, I liked this book. I knew that I could read it for good clean fun and that L'Engle would keep my interest.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
* Starred review in YOUNG ADULT REVIEWS (: "With several interesting and other-worldly characters named Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, Mrs. Which and Aunt Beast; Meg, Charles Wallace and Calvin are taken on a magical journey that challenges everything they understand about time, space and themselves. Held constant throughout the entire novel is the struggle that these three young adventurers face in coming to understand themselves and learning to control and use their strengths and weaknesses. They are thrown into an epic battle between good and evil and must rely on each other to survive." Young Adult Reviews (2008). Tangient LLC.

https://yareviews.wikispaces.com/A+Wrinkle+in+Time?f=print

* Starred review in WORD PRESS: "L’Engle’s interpretation of theology is fascinating, and I love that she flat out quotes Scripture in such fitting contexts as strange space creatures singing praises to God. She manages to write a great story without turning faith into an ambiguous allegory, but also without watering the book down to that lamest of lame genres, “Christian Fiction.” Aside from that, though, the story is just plain old good. Meg gets a little obnoxious at times, but L’Engle uses that to the tale’s advantage, and counters nicely with the ever-amazing Charles Wallace." Word Press (2008). The Little Bird Book Review.

http://littlebirdreview.wordpress.com/2006/09/25/book-review-the-time-quartet-by-madeliene-lengle/

* Starred review in YOUNG READER REVIEW: "L'Engle's writing is truly captivating and the story she tells is immersive, evocative and downright entertaining. She creates characters that are quirky, flawed and humbly, sometimes heartwrenchingly human. On all levels this novel is sure to resonate with readers both young in body and young at heart. Run, walk or tesser to the nearest bookstore and pick up a copy today." Newsvine Inc. (2008). Young Reader Review.

http://deatienza.newsvine.com/_news/2006/07/12/286068-young-reader-review-a-wrinkle-in-time

Harris and Me by Gary Paulsen

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Paulsen, Gary. 1993. HARRIS AND ME: A SUMMER REMEMBERED. San Diego, CA: Harcourt Children's Books. ISBN 0152928774.


2. PLOT SUMMARY
Born to parents who prefer to indulge in liquor, the narrator is shipped off to a distant relative's farm for the summer. Rather reticent at first, he finds himself in several humorous situations that pull the him into a family he wished was his. Throughout those months, his nine-year-old partner in crime, Harris, and he get into scrapes with animals, buildings, machines, and anything else they can find.

3. IMPRESSIONS
Gary Paulsen is one of my favorite Children's/YA author. I knew this would be a good book...and I was right. In a way, it reminded me of The Painted House by John Grisham. This book is definitely a deviation from his normal thrillers or adventures, and is a simply a slow paced, easy to read, nice flowing story about two cousins and the summer they spend together stirring up trouble.

The innocence and child-like quality of the book is in direct contrast to many of the books that are out on the market now and that was a nice change. It was a book that could be read a chapter at a time with each having its own story. I laughed out loud a couple of times and thoroughly enjoyed the subtle humor and Paulsen's use of irony and satire.

This is one of those books I will buy for myself and pull out every other year or so. Go read this. You'll like it.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS from http://www.amazon.com/Harris-Me-Gary-Paulsen/dp/015205880X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1225455899&sr=1-1

* Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "A nostalgic journey through a boy's breakneck summer. Told by a narrator recalling his experiences the summer he was 11, the stories begin with his being dropped by a deputy at the farm home of a distant relative. "'We heard your folks was puke drunks, is that right?'" asks the beguiling and reckless nine-year-old Harris almost immediately. Of course they are, but that dismal fact of life is forgotten nearly at once as Harris leads the two of them off on one wild adventure after another. As one might suspect from Paulsen, there are no ordinary characters residing on this backwoods farm: there's Vivian, the ornery, kicking cow; 300 pound pigs who don't look kindly on wrestling matches with boys; Ernie, the attack-rooster; Louie, the hired hand with strange table manners and an artistic streak; Buzzer, his pet lynx; and Harris's older sister, Glennis, who is constantly whacking him for swearing. (At times the language does get a little salty.) The plot is a loosely constructed romp with each chapter an episode that's fast paced, highly descriptive, and funny. Using headings such as "In which war is declared and honor established," Paulsen raises readers' expectations and sets the tone for the action to follow. Some stories push beyond believability and edge into tall-tale territory, but it doesn't matter, for this is storytelling in the tradition of Twain and Harte, memorable and humorous and very telling of human nature."

* Starred review in PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: "Paulsen choreographs an antic jig of down-on-the-farm frolics in this warm comedy set a few years after WW II. The 11-year-old narrator (who has spent a good portion of his life being shipped off to various relatives) has never seen anything like the Larson homestead, where he is sent to spend the summer; nor has he witnessed anyone like second cousin Harris, prankster extraordinaire. Initiation to country life includes a swift kick in the head by Vivian the cow, run-ins with an angry rooster and the Larson's spirited pet lynx, as well as assorted dares and humiliations conducted by nine-year-old Harris, who eventually becomes a cherished friend. Days are filled with a mixture of tough work and rough play and sometime during the course of his visit the city boy--parented by a couple of "puke drunks"--learns the real meaning of "home." On the Larson farm, readers will experience hearts as large as farmers' appetites, humor as broad as the country landscape and adventures as wild as boyhood imaginations. All this adds up to a hearty helping of old-fashioned, rip-roaring entertainment."

Amazon.com (2008). http://www.amazon.com/

A Girl Named Disaster by Nancy Farmer

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Farmer, Nancy. 1998. A GIRL NAMED DISASTER. New York, NY: Puffin Books. ISBN 185881622X.


2. PLOT SUMMARY
Blamed for trouble in her tribe, Disaster embarks on a journey to find the family she so desperately craves. The short tribe to Zimbabwe turns into a year-long ordeal filled with trials and tests that Disaster must navigate through. Eventually she reaches her destination and realizes that surviving civilian life can be just as treacherous.

3. IMPRESSIONS
Initially I had a tough time with this book. There are many strange names and a different language that trip the tongue and the mind. However, that is quickly erased as the reader becomes immersed in the life of Disaster. The reader cannot help but be sympathetic toward her situation and the pages turn quickly as we are anxious to see how she can possibly handle all that is thrown her way.

This book is filled with adventure and survival. There is also a deep connection with the spirit world. In fact, this is ostensibly how Disaster finally overcomes her "demons".

As an adult, I savored this book like a hearty stew. I looked forward to coming home every day, hopping on my recumbent bike, and reading for an hour. I'm not so sure I would feel the same if I was a teenager. This book is a journey, much like the one Disaster is on. Patience rewards the reader and YA don't have much of that in supply. This pace may trip up a teen reader.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS from http://www.amazon.com/Girl-Named-Disaster-Nancy-Farmer/dp/0141311843/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1225455963&sr=1-1

* Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "A cast of characters, glossary, background information on South Africa and the Shona, and a bibliography ground this novel's details and culture. This story is humorous and heartwrenching, complex and multilayered, and the fortunate child who reads it will place Nhamo alongside Zia (Island of the Dolphins) and Julie (Julie of the Wolves). An engrossing and memorable saga."

* Starred review in PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: "This 1997 Newbery Honor book, which is set in Africa, is both a survival story and a spiritual voyage. 'The heroine is a stunning creation while she serves as a fictional ambassador from a foreign culture, she is supremely human. An unforgettable work,' said PW in a starred review.

Amazon.com (2008). http://www.amazon.com/

Bone:Out From Boneville by Jeff Bone

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Bone, Jeff. 2005. BONE:OUT FROM BONEVILLE. New York, NY: Scholastic. ISBN 0439706408.


2. PLOT SUMMARY
Fone Bone, Phoney Bone and Smiley Bone, three cousins from Bonevill, are run out of town because of Phoney Bone's less than ethical financial schemes. The cousins get separated and evenually lost in the desert and then a forest filled with terrible creatures. Each finds his way back to the others and meet up at GranMa Ben's farm where trouble ensues.

3. IMPRESSIONS
I kept waiting for this book to get better, but I just never got into it. I found the plot lacking and thin and I could not quite grasp the concept. Certainly this may be due to the fact that this is written for a different audience and I accept that. Young adults love graphic novels and this book seems to resonate with that age group. It was good for me to read this to see what the YA audience is reading, but this will be the last "Bone" book I will read.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS from http://www.amazon.com/Bone-1-Boneville-Jeff-Smith/dp/0439706408/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1225456015&sr=1-2

* Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "A whimsical journey, cunningly told. It combines fable with American legend in a tale of greed, friendship, and struggle. The story follows three cousins who have been thrown out of their town for cheating the citizens. Shortly thereafter, they are separated. Each Bone stumbles into a mysterious valley full of odd creatures that reveal strange happenings. The story is well paced with smooth transitions. It is dark, witty, mysterious, and exciting. The full-color art reflects that of classic comic books; one glance at the comic cels and one is reminded of old Disney and "Peanuts" cartoons. However, the animation and fresh story line put Smith in a league of his own."

* Starred review in PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: "Smith's epic concerns three blobby creatures who have stumbled into a valley full of monsters, magic, farmers, an exiled princess and a huge, cynical dragon. The story is something like a Chuck Jones version of The Lord of the Rings: hilarious and action-packed, but rarely losing track of its darker subtext about power and evil. This volume is the most lighthearted of the bunch, though, featuring some of the wittiest writing of any children's literature in recent memory--a few of Smith's gags are so delicious that he repeated them for the rest of the series. It also introduces the Bone cast's unforgettable supporting characters: the leathery, tough-as-nails, racing-cow-breeding Gran'ma Ben; the carnivorous but quiche-loving "rat creatures"; a spunky trio of baby opossums; and Ted the Bug, whose minimalist appearance (a tiny semicircle) exemplifies Smith's gift for less-is-more cartooning. The way his clear-lined, exaggerated characters contrast with their subtle, detailed backgrounds is a product of his background in animation, and so is his mastery of camera angles and choreography. This is first-class kid lit: exciting, funny, scary and resonant enough that it will stick with readers for a long time."

Amazon.com (2008). http://www.amazon.com/

Pink and Say by Patricia Polacco

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Polacco, Patricia. 1994. PINK AND SAY. New York, NY: Philomel Books. ISBN 0399226710.


2. PLOT SUMMARY
Here, Polacco relates a story told to her. During the civil war, a white union teenage soldier (Say) is wounded. He is rescued by a black union teenage soldier (Pink). Pink takes Say to his home where Pink's mother nurses Say back to heath. The boys forge a friendship that encompasses Say learning to read and finding out that Pink actually touched the hand of Abraham Lincoln. This friendship continues when they are both taken to Andersonville prison.

3. IMPRESSIONS
I must confess. I am not a big fan of Patricia Polacco. I was not looking forward to reading this book. However, this book may be the one that completely changes my thoughts on the author.

An easy read, I completed the book in one sitting. Yet, the message still resonates weeks later. I had quite a visceral reaction as I closed the back cover and said the words "Pinkus Aylee" while tears welled up in my eyes. I had no prior knowledge of the plot and what was going to happen and I'm guessing that my emotions were due to shock as much as anything. Also, my reaction did not stem from the story itself, but Polacco's comments on the last page.

I liked this book so much, I showed it to both adults and children. With few exceptions, the reactions were all the same as mine. During one library period, I read it to fifth grade students. I always read to my kids, so it was nothing new. They got out their folders and scrap paper and colored pencils and got busy while I started reading. By about page 5, not one boy or girl was doodling. All eyes were on me and they never left until I closed the book. I sat quietly and watched them as silence surrounded us. What a powerful, powerful moment.

This book will resonate with audiences of all ages. It is that book that you will never forget.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS from http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/product-description/0399226710/ref=dp_proddesc_0?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books

* Starred review in KIRKUS REVIEWS: "A white youth from Ohio, Sheldon Russell Curtis (Say), and a black youth from Georgia, Pinkus Aylee (Pink), meet as young soldiers with the Union army. Pink finds Say wounded in the leg after a battle and brings him home with him. Pink's mother, Moe Moe Bay, cares for the boys while Say recuperates, feeding and comforting them and banishing the war for a time. Whereas Pink is eager to go back and fight against ``the sickness'' that is slavery, Say is afraid to return to his unit. But when he sees Moe Moe Bay die at the hands of marauders, he understands the need to return. Pink and Say are captured by Confederate soldiers and brought to the notorious Andersonville prison camp. Say is released months later, ill and undernourished, but Pink is never released, and Polacco reports that he was hanged that very first day because he was black. Polacco (Babushka Baba Yaga, 1993, etc; My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother, above) tells this story, which was passed down for generations in her family (Say was her great-great-grandfather), carefully and without melodrama so that it speaks for itself. The stunning illustrations--reminiscent of the German expressionist Egon Shiele in their use of color and form--are completely heartbreaking. A spectacular achievement."

* Starred review in BOOKLIST: "Hands and gestures have always been important in Polacco's work. Here they are at the center of a picture book based on a true incident in the author's own family history. It's a story of interracial friendship during the Civil War between two 15-year-old Union soldiers. Say, who is white and poor, tells how he is rescued by Pinkus (Pink), who carries the wounded Say back to the Georgia home where Pink's black family were slaves. In a kind of idyllic interlude, Pink and his mother nurse Say back to health, and Pink teaches his friend to read; but before they can leave, marauders kill Pink's mother and drag the boys to Andersonville prison. Pink is hanged, but Say survives to tell the story and pass it on across generations. The figure of Pink's mother borders on the sentimental, but the boys' relationship is beautifully drawn. Throughout the story there are heartbreaking images of people torn from a loving embrace. Pictures on the title and copyright pages show the parallel partings as each boy leaves his family to go to war. At the end, when the friends are wrenched apart in prison, the widening space between their outstretched hands expresses all the sorrow of the war. Then, in a powerful double-page spread, they are able to clasp hands for a moment, and their union is like a rope. Say once shook Lincoln's hand, just as Say held Pink's hand, and Say tells his children, who tell theirs, that they have touched the hand that touched the hand."

Amazon.com (2008). http://www.amazon.com/

Genius:A Photobiography of Albert Einstein by M.F.Delano

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Delano, M.F. 2005. GENIUS: A PHOTOBIOGRAPHY OF ALBERT EINSTEIN. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic. ISBN 0792295447.


2. PLOT SUMMARY
Through a series of photographs as well as informational text, this book walks the reader through the life of Albert Einstein from his birth in 1879 to his death in 1955.

3. IMPRESSIONS

My father is a doctor and is fascinated with Einstein and DaVinci and Steven Hawking, etc. He would be so proud of me that I read this book...and I liked it! He has tried to get me to read about some of his giants for years, but the books were dull and the writing was worse. Finally, a book I can understand and enjoy on this subject!

I feel that I now have a grasp of who Einstein was and his importance in world history. Sure, I got a bit from textbooks and discussion, but Delano's book really brings him to life. I received just enough information that I can carry on an intelligent conversation on the subject, but not too much information that I lost interest. She does not delve too deeply in any one aspect of Einstein's life, but gives core knowledge. If every biography was written this way, I would read so many more.

For the most part, I enjoyed the photographs that were included. I had seen some, but others were new to me. Also, at first, I enjoyed the way she overlayed pictures over news clippings or other photographs or music scores. After about the tenth one, however, I felt it was a bit of overkill.

At the end, Delano includes not only a chronology of Einstein's life, but also a page of resources if the reader wants to further investigate the genius of this man. A good touch for the 21st century learner, there are also web sites posted.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS from http://www.amazon.com/Genius-Photobiography-Albert-Einstein-Photobiographies/dp/1426302940/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1225456155&sr=1-1

* Starred review in BOOKLIST: "There are plenty of books about Einstein, but this one combines a solid text with a particularly attractive format. Delano moves briskly through Einstein's life, clearing up misconceptions along the way (he was not a bad student as some have claimed). She does not delve too deeply into his relationships or motives, but she brings him to life so that readers come to care about Einstein as a person, not simply see him as a genius. Delano offers just enough information about Einstein's theories to give a sense of his work, keeping in mind that his ideas go over the heads of most people. What is particularly impressive, however, is the format. Oversize and filled with well-selected photographs, the book is very handsome. Many of the photos and quotes are placed against aged-looking paper, with Einstein's writings and formulas just visible on its surface. The background color meshes perfectly with the sepia tone of many of the photos. Quotes are sourced, and appended material includes a chronology and list of resources. Because this year marks the 100th anniversary of the theory of relativity, we'll see many books about Einstein. This one is sure to be among the best."

* Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "While the myriad photographs are fascinating, the bigger draw here is the wonderfully simple explanations of some of Einstein's theories. For example, in clarifying the physicist's quantum theory of light, Delano says, "Simply put, Einstein showed that photons in the light beam knock the electrons out of metal." And, to make the concept of spacetime easier to understand, she asks readers to contemplate spacetime as a trampoline with a bowling ball resting on it. This visual perception helps to make the theory understandable for all students. The black-and-white and sepia photographs follow Einstein from boyhood to old age and show him in a variety of settings: at the blackboard, delivering a speech, taking the oath of U.S. citizenship, in his Princeton home with children who survived the Holocaust, and so on. Many have appeared elsewhere. Cartoon illustrations add to the clarity of the very readable text. Personal thoughts and feelings abound. To make Einstein human to the audience, his mistakes are mentioned, as well as his celebrity. Complete quote sources are appended. An introduction by Evelyn Einstein, the scientist's granddaughter, is included. This entertaining effort displays clarity and intelligence. It has plenty of information for reports and is also a good choice for browsing."

Amazon.com (2008). http://www.amazon.com/

The Color of Absence by James Howe (ed)

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Howe, James (ed). 2001. THE COLOR OF ABSENCE: 12 STORIES ABOUT LOSS AND HOPE. New York, NY: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0689828624.


2. PLOT SUMMARY
Short fiction stories give the readers handfuls of sorrow. Individual authors lend their style to accounts that juxtapose a passing of sorts and the eventual anticipation of a new normal.

3. IMPRESSIONS

As will anything, individuals will react differently to various stories included here. Because I have lived a few more years than young adults, I have walked through or somehow experienced many of the situations presented here. My grandmothers have died, I've dealt with parishioners who have succumbed to dementia, I've lost pets, etc. Consequently, I was moved by these stories.

I was impressed with the scope of this book. Not only did it include various young adult authors who are noteworthy in their right, but the different ways in which they broached awkward and provoking situations really hit home to me. It's hard enough to come up with an idea and flesh it out enough to write a novel. It's another concept entirely to have someone else have an idea and expect you to flesh it out. I was impressed with how these authors really proved their mettle.

Adults and youth will be better served by reading this book and can show them that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, though hard to see at times. This would definitely be a book that would have to recommended or discussed during a book talk. The subject matter is for higher level kids and would not be something they would just pluck off a shelf.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS from http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/product-description/0689856679/ref=dp_proddesc_0?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books

* Starred review in BOOKLIST: "The uneasy intersection of loss and hope provides the thematic setting for this collection of 11 original stories and one excerpt, "The Rialto," from a novel-in-progress coauthored by Jacqueline Woodson and Chris Lynch. Other contributors include such leading young adult authors as Walter Dean Myers, Annette Curtis Klause, Norma Fox Mazer, and Virginia Euwer Wolff. All of the stories are professionally executed but--perhaps because loss is inherently sad--too many strike the same note of melancholy and deal with the theme in ways that are often predictable. Happily there are notable exceptions. Klause reintroduces Simon the vampire in a story invested with emotional resonance; Naomi Shihab Nye feeds loss with metaphoric food; and Wolff demonstrates the spare power of understatement in her story-in-dialogue, "The Chair." What these and several other good stories in the book demonstrate is that loss can be redeemed not only by hope but also by art."

* Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "Howe invited 12 well-known YA authors to contribute pieces and added a story of his own to the mix, resulting in a finely crafted anthology. It starts out with a tremendously moving piece by Annette Curtis Klause, in which the vampire Simon (from her novel The Silver Kiss) braves entering a church in order to try to save his beloved cat during the Summer of Love. He realizes that loving Grimalkin and losing her was the most painful thing he could ever encounter, but that the experience has transformed him into a being with a sort of soul. Other stories vary widely and may serve to entice teens with different reading tastes-some may have a stronger emotional response to a story about the end of a relationship than to the loss of a grandparent, or vice versa. All of these selections share themes of hope, and show that what you endure makes you stronger, and that loss provides the opportunity to reassess and cherish personal relationships. A solid choice for all collections."

Amazon.com (2008). http://www.amazon.com/