22. Monte Carlo (Film)

MONTE CARLO (Fox 2000 Pictures, 2011)

Directed by Thomas Bezucha

GENRE: Romantic Comedy

HONORS: Nominated for Teen Choice Award for Choice Summer Movie

REVIEW:

Following her high school graduation, Grace Bennett cannot wait to go on her trip to France with her best friend Emma Perkins.  That is until she learns that her uptight stepsister Meg will be coming along with them.  When the girls get to Paris, they discover that the trip Grace booked is not as amazing as the brochure indicated, complete with drive-bys of famous sites and a cramped hotel room.  However, their luck changes when Grace gets mistaken for a famous British heiress and the girls find themselves on a private jet to Monte Carlo.

OPINION:

Being swept away to a foreign land with your friends, along with glamorous clothing and huge hotel rooms, is a really fun idea and viewers are able to live vicariously through the girls in the film.  When Grace, Meg, and Emma go to their first ball, they each wear gorgeous dresses and jewelry, urging viewers to look on with envy.  Because the girls all come from middle class families in Texas, they are just as astonished by the decadence of Cordelia’s life as the audience is, making them much more relatable than if they were born into such extravagance.  Although there are some tough topics, such as Meg’s mother’s recent death, the majority of the film is lighthearted and plays to the emotions of the mostly female audience.  I really enjoyed the film and I think that many tweens will enjoy it, as well, especially with the casting of Wizards of Waverly Place star Selena Gomez as Grace and Glee’s Cory Monteith as Emma’s boyfriend.

IDEAS:

This film would be great for a movie night at the library, as well as a library display for light-hearted, adventuresome tween movies.

21. Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

DIARY OF A WIMPY KID by Jeff Kinney (Amulet Books, 2007)

GENRE: Humor

HONORS: 3 Apples Book Award, Books I Love Best Yearly Award, Borders Original Voices Award, Buckeye Children’s Book Award, Colorado Children’s Book Award, Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children’s Book Award, Garden State Children’s Book Award, Golden Archer Award, Indian Paintbrush Book Award, Kentucky Bluegrass Award, Maine Student Book Award, National Parenting Publications Award, North Carolina Children’s Book Award, West Australian Young Readers’ Book Award, Young Reader’s Choice Award

REVIEW:

When Greg Heffley’s mother wants him to express his feelings through writing in a diary, he specifically asks for her to buy one that DOES NOT say “diary” on the front.  No such luck.  Ah well, he’ll just have to make sure to hide it from the jerks at school.  Greg chronicles his first year in middle school, illustrating many of the humiliating things that happen to him.  As one of the smallest kids in his grade, Greg tries his best to avoid the bullies and distance himself from the geeks, hoping to move higher up in the popularity chart from his current status as “52^nd or 53^rd most popular.”  However, his best friend Rowley isn’t any help in that department.  In addition to the social scene at school, Greg deals with his annoying younger brother, hateful older brother, and overly involved parents.  Of course, there’s also the case of the Cheese.

OPINION:

This is a hilarious book, filled with the misadventures of a middle school boy to which many tweens will be able to relate.  Because a lot of Greg’s plans go awry, tweens will enjoy laughing at his failings and the similarities they see to their own experiences in middle school.  Themes, such as overprotective parents, issues with siblings, school bullies, and friendships, will resonate with tweens, increasing the likelihood that they will identify with Greg.  Accompanied by cartoon drawings, many of the punch lines are described through the drawings, adding greatly to the humor.  I found this book to be a very good quick read, perfect for reluctant readers looking for a hilarious book.

IDEAS:

This would be a great book to include in library displays for humor novels and books about surviving middle school.  Also, it would make for a fun library program with tweens creating their own diary entries, complete with magazine cut-outs and illustrations to add to their writing.

20. From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg

FROM THE MIXED-UP FILES OF MRS. BASIL E. FRANKWEILER by E.L. Konigsburg (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 1967)

GENRE: Mystery

HONORS: John Newbery Medal Winner, ALA Notable Book, “Best of the Best” School Library Journal, The Horn Book Fanfare List, William Allen White Children’s Book Award

REVIEW:

Bothered by the injustice that being the oldest child and only girl brought, Claudia Kincaid decides to run away from home, bringing along her second youngest brother, Jamie, for company and financial support after reasoning that he is the most responsible with his money.  Hating any type of discomfort, Claudia plans to run to someplace warm and comfortable, as well as beautiful—the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  After hiding in the museum’s bathrooms and then keeping under the radar, Claudia and Jamie find a nice 16^th century bed and make it their home.  Once the kids learn about the Angel statue rumored to be one of Michelangelo’s creations, they embark on a journey to discover the true sculptor, taking them right to Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler’s door.

OPINION:

The library copy of this book that I checked out includes this on the back: “Thirty years, two motion pictures, and millions of devoted fans later, From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler remains a modern classic, a favorite of children and adults alike.”  Having never heard of the novel prior to taking this class, I wanted to see what I had been missing.  Although there are a few dated references, this book stands the test of time and I found it really enjoyable and interesting.  Because Mrs. Frankweiler narrates the story, I was interested to find out how she knew about the kids and I was very satisfied with the way that she is finally brought into the story.  Also, I really enjoyed living vicariously through the children as they explored the museum after hours and slept in the gorgeous 16^th century bed.  Tweens will especially enjoy the relationship between Claudia and Jamie, with many recognizing themselves and their siblings in the characters.

IDEAS:

This book would be perfect for library displays about Newbery winning books and tween mystery novels.  It would also be a fun book for a library program on different museums around the country, helping fuel discussion about what tweens would do if they could stay overnight in a museum.

19. Phineas and Ferb (TV Show)

PHINEAS AND FERB (on Disney Channel)

“BAD HAIR DAY/MEATLOAF SURPRISE”

GENRE: Animated / Humor

HONORS: Nominated for 2011 Kids Choice Award for Favorite Cartoon, Won 2010 Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing in Animation

REVIEW:

Phineas and Ferb is an animated television series that focuses on Phineas and his British stepbrother, Ferb, during their summer vacation.  The boys work on a new project every day, much to the annoyance of their sister, Candace, who always goes to tell on them to their mother.  However, as in this episode, when she finally gets to their mother, there is no longer any evidence of their project.  Each episode also features a subplot with the family pet, a platypus named Perry, fighting against the evil scientist, Dr. Doofenshmirtz, as secret agent in an all-animal spy organization.  The first segment of this episode, “Bad Hair Day,” begins when Candace tries a new hairstyle in preparation for a date, only to create a horrendous result.  To help fix her hair, Phineas and Ferb invented a machine that stimulates hair growth, but when Candace instructs her friend to turn up the speed, she finds herself completed covered in hair and needs Phineas and Ferb to help.  In the second segment, Phineas and Ferb create a giant bouncy castle that flies over the city.  When Candace sees the boys and their friends in it, she grabs on to an attached rope so she will definitely have proof of her brothers’ antics.  Meanwhile, their mother is a judge in the town’s meatloaf contest and Dr. Doofenshmirtz plans to sabotage other entrants’ meatloaves in order to win.

OPINION:

I have a friend who is a fifth grade teacher and she recommended this series to me, stating that all of her students love it.  After watching an episode, I can see why.  The interactions of Phineas and Ferb with their sister are very funny and close to the brother-sister conflicts to which many tweens can relate.  Also, there is a high amount of creativity in the show as the boys invent something new each day.  In addition, the writing is witty and delivered with great comic timing.  I noticed a running gag in the two segments I watched in which characters ask, “Hey, where’s Perry?”  This is something that would especially connect with fans of the show as they laugh with the knowledge that Perry is off on a secret mission yet again.  This subplot about Perry the Platypus is entertaining as he secretly transforms from a boring pet into a skilled spy.  Overall, I really liked the show, which was probably helped by the fact that it is an animated show that adults can watch along with kids.  While younger tweens may find humor from the gags, older tweens and teens will be able to catch the wordplay and sarcasm in the dialogue.

IDEAS:

This show would be good in a library display featuring materials about summer vacation or humor.  The youth librarian could also set up a Phineas and Ferb themed library program to screen episodes and play games related to the show.

18. The Miraculous Journey Of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo (Audio Book)

THE MIRACULOUS JOURNEY OF EDWARD TULANE by Kate DiCamillo (Listening Library, 2006)

Audio Book read by Judith Ivey

GENRE: Fantasy

HONORS: Beehive Award, Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Excellence in Children’s Literature, Charlie May Simon Children’s Book Award, Christopher Award, Cochecho Readers’ Award, Grand Canyon Reader Award, Indian Paintbrush Book Award, Kentucky Bluegrass Award, Parents’ Choice Award, Prairie Pasque Award, Sunshine State Young Reader’s Award, Young Reader’s Choice Award

REVIEW:

Edward Tulane is a china rabbit that is loved more than anything by a little girl named Abilene.  She’s made sure that Edward has a vast collection of clothing to keep him looking dapper.  However, the love is one-sided as Edward only feels love for himself, looking down on many of the humans he meets.  When on a trip on the Queen Mary, Abilene has Edward ripped out of her hands by two boys and, in the scuffle, Edward flies overboard.  Thus begins Edward’s journey of love and loss.  Just when Edward begins to feel that love only leads to pain, his faith in love is restored when a happy young girl and her mother come into his doll shop.

OPINION:

This book sends readers on a wonderful journey of discovering what love is, with all of the bumps and bruises along the way.  Abilene’s grandmother tells Edward, “If you have no intention of loving or being loved, then the whole journey is pointless.”  This statement carries readers through by emphasizing the importance of love in human existence.  Although the book could have easily gone overly sentimental, DiCamillo does not go this route and instead uses Edward’s relationship with each of the people he meets to build upon his character, slowly introducing him to love.  Also, the audio book is especially wonderful, with Judith Ivey creating distinct voices for each of the characters.  With some adventure thrown in, tweens will enjoy this tale of a rabbit that learns what it truly means to love.

IDEAS:

This book would be great for a library display of fantasy books, as well as a display of Kate DiCamillo’s award-winning novels.  Also, this would be a great book to include in a read-aloud program and tweens can design their own Edwards to reflect the numerous outfits he wears throughout the novel.

17. Criss Cross by Lynne Rae Perkins

CRISS CROSS by Lynne Rae Perkins (Harper Trophy, 2005)

GENRE: Contemporary

HONORS: John Newbery Medal Winner

REVIEW:

A series of short chapters chronicle how a group of fourteen-year-olds spend their summer, crisscrossing with each other along the way.  Debbie wishes for something good to happen to her soon to break the monotony that her life has become.  Hector has a summer of self-discovery as he becomes aware that he is changing, but he has no idea into what.  The book tells of the everyday kind of experiences of Debbie and Hector, along with their friends Patty and Lenny.  While telling of the ordinary things that happen, Criss Cross highlights the social awkwardness that accompanies this age, as well as the burgeoning romance that lies beneath.  Just as in real life, the characters do not understand all of the opportunities shown to them, but they continue to grow in the process.

OPINION:

Being aware of the controversy surrounding this novel, with some reviewers loving it and others hating it, I started reading it with the expectation that I would be among those that did not understand why it was awarded the Newbery.  However, I found myself really enjoying the novel and genuinely interested in the lives of the characters.  There is a sort of dreamy quality to the book that I appreciated.  Also, I was not bothered by the lack of adventure, but rather embraced the ordinary feeling of the characters’ lives.  I can definitely understand how others could feel negatively about this, though, depending on their tastes.  For that reason, I can see some tweens putting down the book without a concrete storyline to lead them through the story or with very little drama to hold their attention.  This is especially true for reluctant readers.  I would recommend this novel to older tweens that enjoy books about self-discovery and lean toward the more contemplative works of fiction.

IDEAS:

This book would obviously go well in a library display for Newbery Medal Winners, as well as a display showcasing books about tweens on summer break.  It would also be a good book to include as part of a summer reading program for older tweens, allowing them to follow the experiences of other tweens as they maneuver through summer break.

16. Nightmare Hour: Time for Terror by R.L. Stine

NIGHTMARE HOUR: TIME FOR TERROR by R.L. Stine (Parachute Publishing, 1999)

GENRE: Horror

HONORS: Children’s Choices Award, Disney Adventures’ Kids’ Choice Award for Best Horror/Mystery Book

REVIEW:

Nightmare Hour is a collection of ten short stories designed to terrify young readers.  Tales include curious children being trapped inside a mysterious pumpkin patch, werewolves running a deserted inn that a young girl’s mother plans on purchasing, a boy that discovers a real reason to be afraid of clowns, and a young girl that wants nothing more than to be a witch, among others.  One particular story, “I’m Not Martin,” will give the heebie geebies to any reader that stayed overnight in a hospital.  A short introduction by the author precedes each of the stories, giving insight into his inspiration for the scary tales. 

OPINION:

This collection contains some great scary stories by one of the greatest authors in the genre, R.L. Stine.  There are so many twists and turns that it is nearly impossible to predict how many of the stories will end, keeping it interesting and suspenseful.  The book is a fast read, with the vivid illustrations on the title page for each story giving readers a teaser about the next tale and encouraging them to keep reading.  Tweens will love reading these terrifying stories about kids close to their age and the thrilling and entertaining twists and turns will especially interest reluctant readers.

IDEAS:

This book would be perfect for a library display about scary books around Halloween.  Also, it could be used in a program with tweens reading the collection and developing their own scary stories to share with each other.

15. Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson

CHAINS by Laurie Halse Anderson (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2008)

GENRE: Historical

HONORS: Cybil Award, National Book Award Finalist, Parents’ Choice Award, Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction

REVIEW:

Born slaves, Isabel and her younger sister Ruth feel some hope when their master dies, knowing that her will indicated their freedom.  However, when their master’s nephew decides to sell them to a couple in New York, the Locktons, Isabel and Ruth are subjected to much harsher treatment than they have ever received.  Discovering that Ruth has epileptic fits, Mrs. Lockton tells Isabel that she sold her to a plantation owner in the Caribbean.  With the year being 1776, New York is in the middle of the Revolutionary War, forcing Americans to declare allegiance either to the Loyalists or the Patriots.  Believing that a Patriot general will help get her freedom, Isabel agrees to spy for the Patriot side, but soon finds that the general cannot deliver and Mrs. Lockton subjects her to a horrific punishment.  However, not even Mrs. Lockton can hold Isabel down as she takes off to search for her sister.

OPINION:

Just as with Anderson’s other novels that I’ve had the pleasure to read, Chains is a wonderful book written in first-person, allowing readers to feel the main character’s emotions.  This book is an eye-opening account of the acceptance of slavery during a time when Americans were fighting for their own freedom.  While there have been many stories detailing the treatment of slaves in the South, Chains brings awareness of the existence of slavery in the North, as well, supported by both Loyalists and Patriots.  Anderson includes quotes from the time at the beginning of each chapter, connecting the story to real-life events.  One particular quote by Thomas Jefferson seems to sum up the general opinion about slavery: “But as it is, we have the wolf by the ear, and we can neither hold him, nor safely let him go.  Justice is in one scale, and self-preservation in the other” (p. 141).  This quote helps identify the troubles that Isabel experiences as she tries to find someone to help her.  Because the Americans would surely have self-preservation as a greater priority, Isabel is very much left on her own and readers are drawn in to her story, hoping that she will be able to find her sister and gain freedom.

IDEAS:

This book would be perfect for library displays about the Revolutionary War and slavery, as well as a display featuring historical novels for tweens.

14. R.L. Stine's The Haunting Hour (TV Show)

R.L. STINE’S THE HAUNTING HOUR (on The Hub channel)

“THE RED DRESS”

GENRE: Horror

HONORS: N/A

REVIEW:

Working at the snack shack at the local country club, Jamie has to deal with the rude comments that some of the rich girls make, but her day always becomes a little brighter when Zach comes over to order something.  When he invites her to the club’s dance, she is thrilled, but soon feels nervous about how her clothing will look in comparison to the extravagant dresses of the other girls.  While walking to work, Jamie passes a new store and decides to take a look, instantly spotting a gorgeous red dress.  The blind owner of the store introduces herself and tells Jamie the price, which Jamie cannot afford on her snack shack salary.  However, walking back home after work, Jamie stops by and sees that the store is closed, but when the door opens in front of her, she is drawn to the red dress.  Jamie tries it on and falls in love with its glamour.  When the blind woman hears her in the store, Jamie runs out of the door, still holding onto the dress.  However, when Jamie sees the woman in her bedroom, she knows that it is not over.

OPINION:

As someone that watched Are You Afraid of the Dark? on Nickelodeon, this television show reminded me of the love/hate relationship I had with that show.  With a new story in each 30-minute episode, the stories would always keep me interested and made me wonder how the central character was going to get out of the situation.  However, I would always watch with the lights on and still get creeped out by the scary elements.  In judging from this one episode, The Haunting Hour seems to do the same thing and it is produced quite well.  I enjoyed that the episode did not wrap everything up with a nice, happy ending, keeping the spookiness going straight on through.  Also, the episode taught a bit about morals; the blind woman only begins stalking her because Jamie stole the dress.  Even when Jamie goes to do the right thing and return the dress, she thinks about the dance and impressing Zach, allowing her selfishness to overpower her and she takes the dress straight back home.  Although I missed the nostalgia of the Are You Afraid of the Dark? campfire, I am certain that The Haunting Hour would be an adequate replacement and bring tons of entertainment to tweens.

IDEAS:

This television series would be great to show during a Halloween-themed program.  It would also be good for library displays about either the works of R.L. Stine or one involving scary materials.

13. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

THE HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins (Scholastic, 2008)

GENRE: Science Fiction / Dystopian / Adventure

HONORS: Charlotte Award, Colorado Blue Spruce Young Adult Book Award, Cybil Award, Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children’s Book Award, Evergreen Young Adult Book Award, Garden State Teen Book Award, Golden Archer Award, Grand Canyon Reader Award, Heartland Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature, Red House Children’s Book Award, School Library Journal Battle of the Kids’ Books, Silver Inky Award, Thumbs Up! Award, Virginia Readers’ Choice Award, West Australian Young Readers’ Book Award, Young Readers’ Choice Award

REVIEW:

Where North America once existed, the country of Panem is divided into twelve districts with the Capitol ruling over them.  Because of a previous rebellion against the government, the Capitol holds a televised competition every year as a demonstration of their power called the Hunger Games, requiring one boy and one girl from each of the districts between the ages of twelve and eighteen to fight in an outdoor arena until only one is alive.  When sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen’s younger sister is chosen for District 12, she immediately offers herself up instead.  Paired with the baker’s son, Peeta Mellark, Katniss knows that she cannot get too close to him if she wants to win.  In addition to relying on her survival skills, Katniss realizes that she must abandon her reverence for humanity in order to save her own life.

OPINION:

I absolutely loved this book, but it took me a few chapters to get hooked.  Having heard about this book from both friends and reviewers, I had high expectations from the start, so this may be the reason that the beginning seemed a bit slow.  However, The Hunger Games is one of those books that it is impossible to put down once Katniss is thrown into the arena.  Because Katniss spends a lot of time hiding by herself, readers are able to experience things from her perspective, keeping them on their toes and constantly wondering what will happen next just as Katniss is doing in the novel.  In this way, readers can identify with Katniss and understand her decisions when she is forced into moral dilemmas.  There is a slight presence of a love triangle with Katniss wondering if Peeta’s feelings are genuine or for show and questioning her own feelings for her hunting partner back at home.  Because Gale has a very small role in this novel, I imagine that the second and third books will bring this love triangle to the forefront.  Although there is obviously violence in the novel, I did not strike me as too gory for tween readers, but I would not recommend this book to readers that are sensitive to violence and death.

IDEAS:

Because the film version is due to release early next year, this would be a great book to include in a library display featuring tween novels that have been adapted into films.  Also, this could be used for a science fiction display, showcasing the several different subgenres for tween readers.

12. Hoot by Carl Hiaasen (Audio Book)

HOOT by Carl Hiaasen (Listening Library, 2002)

Audio Book read by Chad Lowe

GENRE: Contemporary

HONORS: ABC Children’s Booksellers Choices Award, Golden Archer Award, John Newbery Medal Honor Book, Maud Hart Lovelace Book Award, Nutmeg Children’s Book Award, Pennsylvania Young Readers’ Choice Award, Rebecca Caudill Young Readers’ Book Award, SEBA Book Award, White Ravens Award

REVIEW:

Used to moving from town to town, Roy Eberhardt knows what it’s like to be the new kid in school.  However, he loved his last home in Montana, making the move to Coconut Cove, Florida even worse.  Well, that and the biggest bully, Dana Matherson, makes it his mission to torture Roy every day on the school bus.  On one of these trips, Dana presses Roy’s face up against the bus window when Roy spots a boy running down the street with no shoes on.  Finally noticing some excitement in the sleepy town, Roy leaps out of the bus and follows him.  Over time, Roy becomes friends with the boy, known only as Mullet Fingers, and his tough sister, Beatrice.  Together they try to save an environmentally protected colony of burrowing owls whose homes are on the construction site of a Mother Paula’s All-American Pancake House, sabotaging the equipment and setting poisonous snakes loose.  When the company plans to go ahead with their groundbreaking ceremony, Roy and his friends must find a way to bring their injustices to light.

OPINION:

This audio book was a pleasure to listen to on my drive to and from work.  Although I know that the book is just as wonderful, I can advocate for the audio book and Chad Lowe great performance in voicing so many different characters.  There have been some audio books that I had a difficult time distinguishing between the characters on sound alone, but Chad Lowe is able to give unique accents to the characters.  The book itself is also a fun read with its mixture of mystery, suspense, and humor, turning a story about saving wildlife into an exciting tale about three children standing up to big business and fighting for what they believe in.  Also, Hiaasen has developed a unique bunch of characters that will stick with readers long after they finish the book.  Many tweens will identify with Roy and take pleasure in Mullet Fingers’ rejection of expectations and brave spirit.

IDEAS:

The book and audio book would both work in a library display about Newbery Honor books.  They would also be perfect for displays about environmental issues and realistic tween heroes.

11. Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

NUMBER THE STARS by Lois Lowry (Bantam Doubleday Dell, 1989)

GENRE: Historical

HONORS: Charlie May Simon Children’s Book Award, Charlotte Award, Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children’s Book Award, Golden Archer Award, John Newbery Medal Winner, Maine Student Book Award, National Jewish Book Awards, Rebecca Caudill Young Readers’ Book Award, Sydney Taylor Book Awards

REVIEW:

Racing home from school, ten-year-old Annemarie Johansen and her best friend, Ellen Rosen, are stopped by a couple of Nazi soldiers who warn them that running makes them look like “hoodlums.”  Living in Denmark in 1943, Annemarie runs across soldiers like these nearly every day for the past three years, along with the poverty and lack of food that the Nazi-occupation has caused.  When the Germans begin closing Jewish stores, Annemarie’s family takes in Ellen, who is Jewish, and her parents go into hiding.  That night, the family is visited by soldiers demanding to know the whereabouts of the Rosens and a quick thinking Mr. Johansen shows the soldiers a baby picture of his deceased daughter to halt their questions about Ellen.  Mrs. Johansen takes Annemarie, her younger sister Kirsti, and Ellen to her brother’s house.  Once there, Annemarie discovers that her uncle has arranged to get several Jews to safety in Sweden, including Ellen and her parents.  However, when a package necessary for the journey is accidentally dropped, Annemarie must summon up all of her courage to rush through the woods and take it to her uncle in order to save her best friend’s life.

OPINION:

This book is a compelling story of a young girl’s courage and strength as she risks her own life to save the lives of others.  Although considered a novel about the Holocaust, it focuses more on the Danish Resistance and the people, like Annemarie’s family, that helped save many Jewish lives.  In this way, the novel serves to remember the true bravery of Danes during World War II, even when faced with a seemingly insurmountable force of evil.  Lowry writes in the afterword that there are parts of the novel based on her friend’s experience growing up in occupied Copenhagen, making the terror that much more real to readers.  There are also moments of suspense that will keep tweens reading to find out what happens, such as when Annemarie thinks her little sister is going to give them up when stopped by soldiers on the train.  Also, tweens will identify with the strong friendship between Annemarie and Ellen, even leading them to imagine how far they would go to help a friend. 

IDEAS:

This novel would be a welcome addition to library displays about Newbery Award winners, World War II, the Holocaust, and the people that fought in the Resistance.  Also, it would be a great book for classroom discussion about World War II.

10. Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan

SARAH, PLAIN AND TALL by Patricia MacLachlan (Harper Trophy, 1987)

GENRE: Historical

HONORS: Charlie May Simon Children’s Book Award, Christopher Award for Ages 8-10, Garden State Children’s Book Award, Golden Kite Award, International Board on Books for Young People Honor List, Jefferson Cup Award, John Newbery Medal Winner, Judy Lopez Memorial Award for Children’s Literature, Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction

REVIEW:

Ever since their mother died shortly after Caleb’s birth, Anna and Caleb have lived alone with their father on the prairie.  When their father places an ad in the paper for a wife, he receives a letter from a woman named Sarah Wheaton.  Hoping that Sarah will bring back the laughter and singing that disappeared with their mother’s death, Anna and Caleb write letters to her, asking questions about her life.  After a short time, Sarah sends a letter that she will come visit for a month and describes herself as “plain and tall.”  With Sarah quickly becoming part of the family, Anna and Caleb worry that she will leave when the month is up and return to Maine.

OPINION:

This book is a simple story about a widowed father and his search for a wife and mother to his children.  I enjoyed reading a book that does not have a lot of drama, but still conveys the emotions of the characters.  I especially liked the realistic way the children were portrayed as they inquired about various aspects of Sarah’s life.  With Anna not having a mother for many years and Caleb having no memory of one, their need of a mother is palpable.  The worry they feel when Sarah goes into town is heartbreaking because I hoped along with them that she would return.  The story may be a little bland for children in the older tween range that expect adventure and drama in their novels, but its position as a classic may interest some.

IDEAS:

This novel would fit in a library display of Newbery Award winners, as well as a display of classic children’s literature.  Also, it could be placed in a display dedicated to literature about blended families.