We're Off to See the Wizard...

Title: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

Author: L. Frank Baum

Rating: *****

Review: This is a charming American fairytale. We cannot claim many, but we can always claim Oz as our own. I started reading this story to my sister when she was eight. She quickly snuck the book away and finished it herself. I finally listened to it on project gutenburg. I loved it! Based on the illustrations in my copy, I assumed it was a little scary and deep for young readers. I now no longer feel that way. I also don't think the movie does the story ANY justice. If MGM were smart, they would re-make it, OR allow Disney to make all the books into movies (I believe they hold the copyright). 

Anyway, movie or not, this is a great fairytale for any age.

The Sunroom

Title: The Sunroom

Author: Beverly Lewis

Rating: *****

Review: I saw this book in The Lion and the Lamb Christian book store right after it was published. I was just discovering Beverly Lewis and her Amish fiction. I wanted to read it, but feared I was too young (I was tweleve, maybe thirteen). Finally I acquired it through a swap.

This is a much shorter book than I remember. It is told from the perspective of a forty-ish woman remembering the year she turned thirteen. Her mother was diagnosed with cancer, and her family prayed for her survival. The experience ultimately strengthened her belief in the Almighty.

This is a page-turner. Until you start reading the last chapter, you don't know what to expect. I loved it. My cousin died in November, leaving behind three girls under eight. I knew this would be a hard read, due to my life situations, but I knew it would be worth it. It was. If you only ever read one Beverly Lewis book, this should be it.

Anne of Avonlea

Title: Anne of Avonlea

Author: L.M. Montgomery

Rating: *****

Review: This story is charming. Anne's antics take a backseat to Davey's, but those are just as funny. The Avonlea community continues to grow throughout the novel. Anne and Diana learn what it means to "grow up", and that their childhood notions were far from reality. The series must be read in chronological order, but it will always retain the timeless strength.

Mary Kay

Title: Miracles Happen

Author: Mary Kay Ash

Rating: ****

Review: This book was given to me when I tried to sell Mary Kay products several years ago. If I'd read the book at that time, I probably would have been a more successful associate. I love the concept of Mary Kay cosmetics, I just had a hard time selling them. I lacked the necessary inventory to start a good business. This book is extrememly motivational, and helpful for new retailers.

Do-Re-Me-Fa-Sol-La-Ti-Do

Title: The Story of the VonTrapp Family

Author: Maria VonTrapp

Rating: ****

Review: I've wanted to read this since I first saw the movie at age ten. The Sound of Music was my introduction to adult musicals. I loved it! As far as I was concerned, it was the best musical ever (until I saw Phantom in 2005). Liesl was instantly my favorite, followed closely by Gretl. When I learned there was a book it was based on, I had to read it.

I was lucky enough to pick this copy up at a library booksale in August. It would've sat on my shelf longer if someone had not contacted me for a swap. I quikly read it and was only slightly disappointed. The book is rather dry in some parts. I found some of the antics humorous, but others were unnecessary. The movie is wonderful, but the book is better in some ways. In others, the movie is better. I still like them both. : )

Left Behind: The Kids

Title: Left Behind: The Kids: 1: The Vanishings

Authors: Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins

Rating: ****

Review: According to the copyright dates, the two Left Behind series debuted about the same time. I had trouble deciding between the kids' and adult books when I found them in high school. I ultimately chose the adults, because they were longer and looked more interesting. The characters were decades older than me, but I found them easy to relate to.

A couple of years ago my aunt started reading the kids' books for fun. She was amazed at how the stories entertwined. Given the current world state, I decided to re-read the original series on audiobook. I also decided to read the kids' books at the same time, and see if they fit together. I skipped Left Behind when I first read the series, and I skipped it again, so I don't want to use this first book as an example. However, there are links to the other characters.

I gave this book four out of five stars for two reasons. First, it is not clearly targeted at any age group. It falls into the same trap many books about high schooler's face. It tries to make the "bad" kids loveable and turn them "good". It's just not written in a way high schoolers would appreciate. The larger downfall is there is no set audience. Young teens might pick up the book. Older teens, who form the primary cast, scoff at the small size and Kids' marketing.

Left Behind

Title: Left Behind: Tribulation Force

Authors: Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins

Rating: *****

Review: When I started to read these books in high school, I made it halfway through the first book before getting bored. I finally watched the movie and decided to start with the second book. I NEVER replace a book with a movie, but I found the first one boring. Anyway, I decided to re-read the series on audio book, and I couldn't order the first book from my library! So I started with the second book again. Funny how things work!

I was pleased to discover how much of Tribulation Force I remembered. I'm also happy to say the book still holds the same appeal it did eight years ago. I connect even better with the characters now that I'm older than Chloe and have shared many of her experiences. I'm also more knowledgeable about the End Times and what it has to do with the world we live in today. This book is still just as amazing as ever. I love it.

Dig It!

Title: Holes

Author: Louis Sachar

Rating: *****

Review: I dragged two of my little sisters to see Holes the week it premiered. I've been in love with Shia Lebouf since he was the annoying Louis on Even Stevens. I've always had a thing for the curly-headed boys, it's ironic that I've never dated one...

Anyway, if you've already seen Holes and you're not a reader, you've pretty much read the book. If you are a reader, READ IT! It's a great addition to the movie. It is just as funny, and just as enjoyable. The biggest difference is Shia is not as overweight as Stanley. Also, the movie goes into different details about the origins of the Yalenats fortune, and I prefer that information. Overall, read it and laugh at any age.

ESCAPE!

Title: Escape: Teens Who Escaped the Holocaust to Freedom

Author: Sandra Giddens

Rating: *****

Review: This is part of a series about people in the Holocaust. Everyone's heard of the Franks and the TenBooms, but these people are unknowns. It was refreshing to read their stories, and hear how they survived and escaped Nazi terrorism. I think these books are a great resource to accompany "The Devil's Arithmatic" or "Number the Stars".

Number the Stars

Title: Number the Stars

Author: Lois Lowry

Rating: *****

Review: I was given this book in middle school and read the first part of it. I read more of it on googlereader earlier this year, and decided it was worth adding to wishlists. I received this copy from bookmooch.com earlier this week. It took about two hours of reading to finish what was left of it. I liked the book, especially the author's note at the end. It's nice to see how much research was put into it.

I would reccomend fourth through sixth graders to read it in a classroom setting. The characters are all enjoyable, the settings are realistic and well described. The narration is superb! I wish I'd finished this earlier, it probably would have seemed even better. This would be a great introductory read to a study on the Holocaust for young middle schoolers. Older students would find it boring. It doesn't explain anything about the Holocaust, but it does offer a picture of life in Denmark during the war. It also addresses the youth resistance, a topic we rarely hear about.

I've read The Giver, and I intend to read its sequels. I think it is better than Number the Stars. I doubt if I'll read many more of her books, as the rest have little appeal to me.

Speak up!

Title: Speak

Author: Laurie Halse Anderson

Rating: *****

Review: The worst part about this book is that there's not a sequel. This is an amazing book. Moms & daughters should read it together before the girls start high school. I read in the back that its being used in classrooms, and I think that's great. Teens need to talk about it. Teens need to understand where each other are coming from. Teens need to know its okay to speak.

After you read the book, watch the movie. From what I remember, its surprisingly close to the book. When I was married my friend urged me to watch it with her, and told me the book was way better (I agree). I watched the movie with my then twelve-year-old sister, and we talked about it. Great movie, great book, what more can I ask for? : )

The Wind in the Willows

Title: The Wind in the Willows

Author: Kenneth Graham

Rating: ****

Review: This was pretty good. I've been trying to read it for years, and I finally finished by listening to it online. I loved the antics of Rat, Mole and Toad. It's a charming story, and it would make a good bedtime read for 1st-3rd graders.