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January 2010
Happy New Year from Caleb's Corner!
It's that time of year. Time to ring in the new year and make
 New
Year's resolutions. How about resolving to read more books in 2010?
Listed below, in no particular order, but numbered for your convenience,
are some of my favorites. Happy reading!
1. The Kingdom Keepers by Ridley Pearson
2. The Giver (for older readers) by Lois Lowry
3./4. Gathering Blue and Messenger (companion books to The Giver) (for
older readers) by Lois Lowry
5. The Mistmantle Chronicles by M.I. McAllister
6. Anne of Green Gables series (especially for the girls) by L.M.
Montgomery
7. The Remarkable Journey of Prince Jen (for older readers) by Lloyd
Alexander
8. Peter and the Starcatchers series by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
9. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
10. The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry
11. Wrinkle in Time series by Madeleine L'Engle
12. The Borrowers series by Mary Norton
13. Raptor by Paul Zindel
14. Science Fair by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
15. The Grand Escape by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
16. The Adventures of Don Quixote by Cervantes/Barret
17/18. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Charlie and the Great
Glass Elevator by Roald Dahl
19. The Whipping Boy by Peter Sis/Sid Fleischman
20. The Dragons of North Chittendon by Susan Fromberg Schaeffer
21. The Search for Delicious by Natalie Babbitt
22. The Mitford Series (for older readers) by Jan Karon
23. My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craigshead George
24. The Dangerous Days of Daniel X (for older readers) by James
Patterson
25. Trigger John's Son by Tom Robinson
26. Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder
27. Gossamer by Lois Lowry
28. The Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis
29. Hitty, Her First Hundred Years (especially for the girls) by Rachel
Field
30. Carry On, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham
31. Understood Betsy by Dorothy Canfield Fisher
December 2009
The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman
Imagine if you never were punished for things you did that were
wrong! In The Whipping Boy, spoiled Prince Horace (or Prince Brat
as he is called) is always playing mean tricks on the citizens of his
castle. Whenever he is caught doing something wrong, he is not punished,
for it is illegal to spank or hit the prince. He has a lowly whipping
boy named Jemmy, an orphan who lived his lonely life around the sewers
before he was taken to the castle to take Prince Brat's punishments.
When the prince becomes tired of his prank-playing at the castle, he
decides to run away from home for some real adventures. But no sooner
than he leaves with Jemmy, the whipping boy, the two of them are
captured by the notorious, garlic-smelling outlaw Hold-Your-Nose Billy,
and his lanky sidekick, Cutwater! How will they get out of this shocking
predicament? Will the king find out about it?
I thought that The Whipping Boy was a spectacular read with
some of the best character detail I've ever read! The plot had many
surprising twists, and showed excellent character development. I didn't
want to stop reading this one! This book is a very easy read that could,
without a doubt, be finished in a day. It makes a great read for ages 8
and up.
I would give this book 4.5 out of 5 bookmarks. Happy reading!
November 2009
The Search For Delicious by
Natalie Babbitt
Words have power, but can you believe that one word could start a
war?
In The Search For Delicious, the Prime Minister is working
on his new dictionary. Every description and definition is perfect
except for the word "delicious". When no one can agree on their choice
description for this word, civil war breaks out in the kingdom! The King
sends out his messenger boy, Gaylen, to find out what "delicious" truly
is. Little does Gaylen know that this trip will be filled with new
friends, legendary mythical creatures, and a relentless villain. How
will this story end?
The Search For Delicious is an excellent, yet unusual fantasy
tale. There's a suspenseful turning point at the end, and the whole book
is filled with humor and action. I couldn't find anything inappropriate
in this story. It would make a great read-aloud for all ages, or a great
read for ages 9 and up.
I give The Search For Delicious by Natalie Babbitt a 4.5 out
of 5 bookmarks. It is one of the many additions to my Must-Read list.
Happy reading!
October 2009
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
As a child, one of my favorite movies was Willy Wonka and the
Chocolate Factory. After enjoying the original movie, I decided to
watch the recent remake, which I felt was disappointing and unfaithful
to the original movie. But after reading the book, I realized that the
remake of the movie was actually more faithful to the book than the
original movie was!
The famous chocolate factory owned by Willy Wonka: for years it has
been closed to the public, and no one or no thing came out of it except
candy. But now, Wonka has re-opened his factory and five lucky children
will be allowed to enter. Five golden tickets needed to enter the
factory have been hidden among Wonka chocolate bars.
Among the five children finding the golden tickets are the greedy
glutton Augustus Gloop, the gum-chewing braggart Violet Beauregarde,
spoiled brat Veruca Salt, and TV addict Mike Teavee. The fifth child to
obtain a ticket to the factory is our hero, the kindhearted Charlie
Bucket. Charlie lives with his poor family in an ordinary house very
close to the factory. Now, these children will discover many of Willy
Wonka's chocolaty secrets. But what will go wrong?
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was written in 1964 by
Roald Dahl. Dahl is well known for his award winning book James and
the Giant Peach.
This book doesn't have anything that I would consider inappropriate
for children, with the exception of a minor curse word. It would make a
good read for ages 9 and up, and a great read-aloud for younger
children.
I thought Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was a wonderful
read that held a great balance between whimsy and morals. The candies
described in the book are enough to make your mouth water! However, in
the midst of all the chocolate wonder, the misadventures of the children
taught valuable lessons.
Once again, another classic story has been added to my Must-Read
list! If you liked the book, I would recommend the movies. The original
movie is overall better than the remake, but the remake is truer to the
book.
I give Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 5 out of 5
bookmarks. Happy reading!
September 2009
The Remarkable Journey of Prince Jen by Lloyd Alexander
The Remarkable Journey of Prince Jen is an adventure story
written in 1991 by the talented Lloyd Alexander. Alexander is a
well-known children's author specializing in fantasy and adventure
stories. This book contains some disturbing violence that might frighten
younger readers. I would recommend it for ages 12 and up.
Our story takes place in the
Chinese kingdom of T'ang. A quest to reach the fabled court of
T'ien-Kuo is beginning. Prince Jen and his squire Mafoo are
traveling to this legendary court bearing six humble yet mystical
objects as gifts: a sword, a brass bowl, a kite, a flute, a saddle,
and a paint box.
During their journey, Jen
and Mafoo encounter many allies and enemies, such as the charming and
valiant flute girl Voyaging Moon, the mad robber Moxa who follows a code
of honor, and the ravenous, villainous warrior Natha Yellow Scarf. What
hardships await them? How will these mystical items come into play? And
will Tien-Kuo be discovered?
I thought The Remarkable Journey of Prince Jen was a
fantastic, adventurous story with a thrilling, epic plot and many
lovable (and hate-able) characters. I didn't want it to end! I enjoyed
the writing style of this book. The storyline often switches between the
characters, giving the reader several points of view.
I would give this book 4.5 out of 5 bookmarks. This book is
obviously on my must-read list. Happy reading! |
