Lego Batman


Lego Batman. Burbank, CA: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment Inc., 2008. $19.99 ISBN 993929020720

Plot Summary: Batman and Robin must save Gotham City from the villains recently escaped from Arcane Asylum.

Critical Evaluation: This game was pretty fun, but after about thirty minutes I was confused about what I was supposed to accomplish. I couldn't figure out how to defeat Clayface and soon gave up. If I was a better video game player I may have kept going, or looked up what I was supposed to do. It would be a better game if playing with a friend, which it has the option of doing. I will probably give it another try.

Reader's Annotation: Legos and Batman come together for an action packed video game to follow Batman and Robin as they defeat the villains from Arcane Asylum.

Author Bio:

Genre: Science Fiction, Comic, Adventure

Curriculum Ties:

Booktalking Ideas: Show some legos, preferably Batman themed Legos, and a few Batman comic books and smash them together (carefully) to illustrate the fusion of Batman and Legos in the action packed video game.

Reading Level/Interest Age: Ages 9 and up

Challenges: The violence may be an issue.

Reason for including: I love Batman and Legos, so this was a great combo. It says E (for everyone), but I felt that it best suited the tween group because it is in between the kid world of Legos and teen world of action packed comic books.

Written in Bone: Buried Lives of Jamestown and Colonial Maryland by Sally M, Walker


Walker, Sally M. Written in Bone: Buried Lives of Jamestown and Colonial Maryland. New York: Carolrhoda Books, 2009. 144 pages. $22.95 ISBN 9780822571353

Plot Summary: Written in Bone describes the work of archaeologists, scientists, forensic anthropologists, and archivists (among many more) as they uncover the history of the Chesapeake Bay region between Maryland and Virginia. They find many clues in to the life and death of the nations earliest European settlers, as well as the first facial reconstruction of an early "American colonist of African ancestry". The book is full of detailed information and many illustrations and photographs.

Critical Evaluation: This book is full of information but is presented in an engaging way, with lots of pictures and illustrations. The layout of the book breaks up the descriptive text with detailed pictures and up-close photos of the action. It is interestingly written, presenting the information in a way that will keep a reader reading, but also sounds authoritative.

Reader's Annotation: Fascinating look into the bones and lives of colonial Jamestown, VA and around the Chesapeake in Maryland.

Author Bio: Sally is the author of over 50 books on science topics for kids and young adults. She lives in De Kalb, Illinois but worked with archaeologists, scientists, forensic anthropologists and archivists in Jamestown, VA and around the Chesapeake in Maryland. She won the Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award Medal in 2006 for Secrets of a Civil War Submarine: SOlving the Mysteries of the H.L. Hunley and was also on the ALA Notable list with Fossil Fish Found Alive.

Genre: Non-Fiction, Archaeology, History

Curriculum Ties: Great addition to archaeology discussion or East Coast/settlement history from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.

Booktalking Ideas: Talk about the early American settlers. Discuss the fact that still not much is known for sure about how the settlers lived and died. Show some pictures of the digs featured in the book.

Reading Level/Interest Age: Ages 9 and up, Grades 4 and up

Challenges: The photos of the skeletons and graves may cause some concern.

Reason for including: Living in Maryland, I thought this book was very interesting. I am also very interested in archaeology, so history on Maryland archaeology was a plus.

Lines, Vines and Trying Times by Jonas Brothers


Jonas, Kevin, Joe Jonas and Nick Jonas. Lines, Vines and Trying Times. Hollywood Records, 2009. 47.8 minutes. $11.99 (iTunes).

Plot Summary: The latest album by the Jonas Brothers is a catchy pop album featuring collaborations with rapper Common and fellow Disney-ite Miley Cyrus.

Critical Evaluation: Great album for dancing and singing along to, the pop trio have created another hit. The sound is very similar to their past albums, but the themes are more "mature." There isn't one terrible song on the album, although their Common collaboration is a little off from their usual.

Reader's Annotation: Jonas Brothers hit it again with another power chord driven pop album featuring collaborations with Common and Miley Cyrus.

Author Bio: Joseph, Kevin and Nick Jonas grew up in Wyckoff, New Jersey with very musical parents. Their parents encouraged the boys to pursue music careers from early on. The brothers hit it big when featured on the Disney movie Meet the Robinsons soundtrack and were soon big Disney stars. They have five full length albums, It's About Time (2006), their self titled Jonas Brothers (2007), A Little Bit Longer (2008) and Lines, Vines and Trying Times (2009) as well as a live album. The brothers have appeared in several Disney shows and movies, including their own comedy series Jonas, and TV movie Camp Rock. Kevin recently became engaged and Nick branched off to form a new band called Nick Jonas and The Administrators.

Genre: Pop

Curriculum Ties:

Booktalking Ideas: All you have to say is "Jonas" and tween girls will be eager to listen to anything you have to say.

Reading Level/Interest Age: Appeals to ages 8 and up.

Challenges: Some themes on this album are becoming more "adult," so some parents may take issues with lyrics.

Reason for including: I'm a sucker for the Jonas brothers. I watched every episode of their Disney series, and laughed hysterically as my husband shook his head with disgust. I'm a fan of their albums and know quite a few tweens who are big fans like I am.

Math Doesn't Suck: How to Survive Middle School Math Without Losing Your Mind or Breaking a Nail by Danica McKellar


McKellar, Danica. Math Doesn't Suck: How to Survive Middle School Math Without Losing Your Mind or Breaking a Nail. New York: Plume, 2008. 296 pages. $15.00 ISBN 9780452289499

Plot Summary: Math Doesn't Suck is packed full of step-by-step math instruction geared toward the tweenage girl. Danica covers topics such as factors, multiples, fractions, decimals, percentages, word problems and algebra. She uses real life examples to illustrate her points, cute drawings and easy to follow guidelines and practice problems. The book is a girl friendly, tween engaging way to help struggling students succeed in math.

Critical Evaluation: This book is fantastic. Not only is it a great math help book, but it is also fun and encouraging. Danica is an amazing woman, moving between acting and mathematics. The book is full of great step-by-step directions for solving all sorts of math equations encountered during middle school. The book is geared towards girls, with cute illustrations, real-life examples like choosing a party outfit, and quotes from tween girls about math.

Reader's Annotation: Learn how to survive middle school math with actress and mathematician Danica McKellar.

Author Bio: Danica McKellar is most famous for her role as Winnie on The Wonder Years with Fred Savage, Josh Saviano and Dan Lauria. After The Wonder Years, Danica graduated summa cum laude from UCLA with a degree in mathematics. She is a firm supporter of promoting math education for girls and spoke before Congress about the importance of women in math and science professions. She recently starred as Elsie Snuffin on The West Wing, but continues to focus on math and published her second math book, Kiss My Math: Showing Pre-Algebra Who's Boss, in 2008. She also coauthored a mathematical physics theorem called The Chayes-McKellar-Winn Theorem.

Genre: Non-Fiction, Mathematics

Curriculum Ties: A great suggestion for math help.

Booktalking Ideas: Discuss the value of math and that it doesn't have to "kill" you in middle school. Talk about how Danica used to be a TV star when she was their age and is now a successful author and mathematician.

Reading Level/Interest Age: Ages 12 and up, Grades 6-9

Challenges: None!

Reason for including: I was a fan of The Wonder Years. A few years ago my dad sent me an article about Danica and her life work in mathematics. It was shortly before this book came out and she was talking about how she wants to get girls more interested in math and science. I was very interested in the book and thought it would be a great addition to tween materials.

Meet Addy by Connie Porter


Porter, Connie. Meet Addy. Middleton, WI: Pleasant Company Publications, 1993. 78 pages $6.95 ISBN 9781562470753

Plot Summary: Addy and her mother escape from the plantation on which they are slaves after Addy's father and brother are sold to another master. Addy, only nine-years-old, and her mother must leave Esther in the care of other slaves in order to escape. Separated on their way to a safe house, Addy worries she will never see her mother again and whether they will make it to Philadelphia.

Critical Evaluation: Rereading this book as an adult I am even more drawn to Addy's character. The book is so powerful and emotional, even when geared towards younger readers. I forgot that they have to leave Esther, Addy's baby sister, with other slaves in order to escape. This really caught me and I was surprised by the tragedy of the book. Although the subject is intense and tragic, it is necessary that kids learn about this time in our history.

Reader's Annotation: Nine-year-old Addy and her mother make the perilous journey from their plantation in the south to Philadelphia on foot.

Author Bio: Connie Porter grew up in a housing project, the second youngest of nine kids. She earned degrees from both SUNY Albany and Louisiana State University and has taught English and creative writing at Milton Academy, Emerson College and Southern Illinois University. Connie has published several books for children and young adults including the Addy Walker series for American Girl/Pleasant Company, and modern day fiction. Connie currently lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Genre: Historical Fiction

Curriculum Ties: A great choice for pairing with Civil War/Slavery studies.

Booktalking Ideas: Talk about not only the dangers and hardships of traveling hundreds of miles on foot, but also the terror of being caught and brought back to slavery.

Reading Level/Interest Age: Ages 8 and up, Grade 2 and up.

Challenges: The subject matter is very intense and emotional, and may be too much for some kids to handle.

Reason for including: I was a BIG American Girl fan when I was a kid, and Addy was one of my favorites. I still have my Addy doll. This seemed like an essential pick for tweens, at least tween girls. I read the books until I was thirteen.

The Bad Beginning: Book the First by Lemony Snicket


Snicket, Lemony. The Bad Beginning: Book the First. New York: HarperCollins Publishers Inc., 1999. 176 pages $12.99 ISBN 9780064407663

Plot Summary: Newly orphaned Violet, Klaus and Sunny Baudelaire are moved from the terrible Mr. Poe house to the even more terrible Count Olaf house. The children try to move back to the slightly less terrible Poe house, but Mr. Poe will not here any of it. They know Count Olaf is evil, and just wants their money, but have no help in stopping him. Ultimately their fate is in their own hands.

Critical Evaluation: This is quite a quirky book. If I thought a book about orphans would be depressing, a book about rich orphans whose only relatives don't want them and just want their money is even more depressing. And yet, I found myself giggling through much of the book. The book is very clever and I'm interested in how much worse the lives of the Baudelaire children will get through the rest of the series.

Reader's Annotation: Violet, Klaus and Sunny Baudelaire fight for their right to the family inheritance and fair treatment in the shadow of mean Count Olaf.

Author Bio: Lemony Snicket is the author of the Series of Unfortunate Events, the picture books The Composer is Dead, The Lump of Coal and The Latke Who Couldn't Stop Screaming as well as Horseradish: Bitter Truths You Can't Avoid and Unfortunate Events tie-ins. Lemony Snicket is a pen name for author Daniel Handler. Handler has published three books under his own name, The Basic Eight, Watch Your Mouth and Adverbs. Handler graduated from Wesleyan University in 1992 and married Lisa Brown, whom he met in college. The couple lives in San Francisco with their son Otto.

Genre: Modern Fairy Tale, Drama

Curriculum Ties: None.

Booktalking Ideas: Reading the first chapter would be a great way to lure students into reading the series.

Reading Level/Interest Age: Ages 9-12, Grades 3-6

Challenges: The murder of the parents may be an issue, but the author doesn't go into detail.

Reason for including: I have been intrigued by this series for a while, but had only seen the movie until this semester. I know it is very popular, probably among younger tweens.

Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld


Westerfeld, Scott. Leviathan. New York: Simon Pulse, 2009. 440 pages. $19.99 ISBN 9781416971733

Plot Summary: In 1914, The Great War begins between the Darwinists and the Clankers. Aleksandar Ferdinand is prince of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, son of royalty and a commoner. He is disturbed one night by his tutor Otto Klopp and fencing master Count Volger. They take him out in a walker, a large walking machine, only to tell Alek that his parents were murdered. Deryn just wants to be an airman in the British Air Service. Unfortunately she's a girl and they only take on boys. However she is determined, and disguises as a boy in order to join. Alek and Deryn, from completely different worlds and different sides of The Great War, are forced together on board the great ship Leviathan.

Critical Evaluation: This is a fantastic book, full of crazy plotlines, interesting characters and beautiful illustrations. Westerfeld collaborated with illustrator Keith Thompson to move back to the time when all books were illustrated. The novel is perfectly accented by Thompson's detailed pen and ink illustrations. This alternate history is fascinating blend of steampunk, Eastern European history and adventure.

Reader's Annotation: In an alternate 1914, Alek and Beryn are forced into each others' lives by the great war and the magnificent Leviathan.

Author Bio: Scott Westerfeld is the author of many books for young adults and adults including the Uglies series, Midnighters series and now the Leviathan series. His wife is Australian, so he spends his time alternating between New York City and Sydney, Australia.

Genre: Fantasy

Curriculum Ties: Not sure if this would go well with modern Eastern-European history.

Booktalking Ideas: Show the book trailer. It is one of the most extravagant book trailers I have seen and sure to spark many tweens interests.

Reading Level/Interest Age: Ages 11 and up

Challenges: None.

Reason for including: I read Uglies over the summer and loved it. As a fan of steampunk I was very excited to find out that Westerfeld was publishing a YA steampunk alternate history, with illustrations! I felt this book would appeal to tweens because of the action, sci-fi and illustrations.

Swords: An Artist's Devotion by Ben Boos


Boos, Ben. Swords: An Artist's Devotion. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press, 2008. 88 pages. $24.99 ISBN 9780763631482

Plot Summary: Swords is a book about just that, swords. Boos illustrates swords of different time periods and types giving background information and folklore about the people who used the swords. He illustrates how to hold the swords, how they were used and most importantly the beautiful detail of the swords.

Critical Evaluation: This book is beautifully illustrated. If it is only enjoyed for the illustrations it would be worth it, but there is also a lot of interesting information on the history of swords as well.

Reader's Annotation: Follow the history and use of swords in this elaborately illustrated book.

Author Bio: Ben Boos lives in California with his wife and 3 (almost 4) children. He worked for Blizzard North as an illustrator and graphic designer for computer games. He is currently working on his second book.

Genre: Non-Fiction, Folklore

Curriculum Ties: This book can span many periods of history, which makes it a good classroom resource to pull out and examine swords of different time periods.

Booktalking Ideas: I think just showing a few pages of the book and talking about how many different kinds of swords there are would be an effective booktalk.

Reading Level/Interest Age: Ages 9 and up

Challenges: None.

Reason for including: I saw this book at the library and was taken away with the gorgeous illustrations. I love swords (former fencer), so a book full of the history of swords with such amazing illustrations was a fantastic find.

Mouse Guard: Belly of the Beast by David Petersen


Petersen, David. Mouse Guard: Belly of the Beast. Keamy, NJ: Archaia Studios Press, 2006. 24 pages. $3.50 ISBN 1932386149

Plot Summary: Mice Lieam, Kenzie and Saxon leave on a quest to find a missing peddler. They find the peddler's rice cart, but no peddler. The trio encounter a snake, the beast that killed the missing peddler. After battling the beast, Lieam, Kenzie and Saxon learn a dark secret about their missing peddler.

Critical Evaluation: This short comic packs some punch! The illustrations are simple yet beautiful. The story flows smoothly and dialog is easy to follow and read. Although the characters are small creatures, the close up illustrations and rich colors make the mice and snake seem epic. With the interesting pictures, brief dialog and exciting story this comic is sure to be a hit among tweens, and tweens at heart.

Reader's Annotation: Warrior mice Lieam, Kensie and Saxon set off on a quest to find a missing peddler, but find more than they bargained for.

Author Bio: David Petersen grew up on comics, cartoons and boyhood adventures and learned to turn that love into a passionate job. He created Mouse Guard based on his love of fantasy, folklore and comics and has made three Mouse Guard series: Fall 1152, Winter 1152 and Black Axe. David lives with his wife Julia and their dog Autumn in Michigan. David's won awards for his Mouse Guard series including the 2007 Russ Manning Award for Most Promising Newcomer, and two 2008 Eisners for Best Publication for Kids (Mouse Guards Fall 1152 and Winter 1152) and Best Graphic Album-Reprint (Mouse Guard Fall 1152).

Genre: Fantasy, Folklore, Comic

Curriculum Ties:

Booktalking Ideas: Since the books are dependent on the illustrations, reading the book aloud isn't a feasible option. However, showing a few pages while giving a very brief summary either of one book or the volume as a whole would entice tweens and get them wanting to really look at the illustrations and find out what happens.

Reading Level/Interest Age: Ages 8+, Grades 3 and up

Challenges: The fighting may be two graphic for the younger tweens, and the sensitive ones may have issues with animals fighting and killing each other.

Reason for including: When I first saw this series I was hooked. First of all I love mice (all small rodents), second I love the medieval era. Combine them and I'm in heaven. I think this series will appeal to all ages, not just tweens, seeing as I'm 24 and the person I lent them from is 27.

Monsters vs. Aliens


Letterman, Rob and Conrad Vernon, directors. Monsters vs. Aliens. Dreamworks Pictures, 2008.

Plot Summary: After being hit by a meteor the day of her wedding, Susan's molecular structure explodes and she grows into an enormous woman. The government gets a hold on her and sends her to a secret prison where she meets other fugitive monsters B.O.B., The Missing Link, Dr. Cockroach and Insectosaurus. While Susan comes to terms with her size and being away from her family and fiance, she finds friendship in the other outcasts. The city of San Francisco needs the monsters help, however, when Gallaxhar sends a robot, and eventually comes himself to get the substance that transformed Susan. It is up to the monsters to save the world and for the world to respect the monsters.

Critical Evaluation: Monsters vs. Aliens was hilarious. I laughed from beginning to end. There was just enough "adult" humor throughout for this to be enjoyed by parents and kids together. There was so much going on throughout the movie, so many characters to follow, it seems like a better fit for older kids, like tweens. There were no sing-a-longs, which is rare in many cartoons and will appeal to the tween age-group. A cartoon, but not a baby cartoon.

Reader's Annotation: Shut away from the easily frightened populace, a group of monsters are called out of hiding to save the world from alien invasion.

Author Bio: The voices behind Monsters vs. Aliens come from an all-star cast. Reese Witherspoon is the voice of Susan, and has been in many starring roles including Legally Blonde, Sweet Home Alabama, and Vanity Fair. Hugh Laurie may be most popular in the states for his role on TV as House, MD and as Stuart Little's dad, but Laurie has been big in the British comedy scene since Blackadder and his many projects with Stephen Fry. Will Arnett may be most recognized for his roles in Arrested Development and Blades of Glory, but has also lent his voice for Ice Age: The Meltdown, Ratatouille, Horton Hears a Who, G-Force and the upcoming Despicable Me. Seth Rogen got his start as a laid back freak in the show Freaks and Geeks and has teamed up with the Judd Apatow team several times since. He's also been a voice in quite a few animated/semi-animated features including Shrek the Third, The Spiderwick Chronicles, Horton Hears a Who!, Kung Fu Panda and an upcoming Kung Fu Panda sequel. Other notable voices include Keifer Sutherland, Paul Rudd, Stephen Colbert, Rainn Wilson, and Amy Poehler.

Genre: Science Fiction

Curriculum Ties: Great for a half day movie day.

Booktalking Ideas: Talk about what super powers they would want if they were hit by a meteor. Then talk about Susan's growth spurt and the isolation she feels, and then her mind opening friendship with the other monsters.

Reading Level/Interest Age: Ages 8 and up

Challenges: Some parents may have issues with some of the adult humor, however it isn't significant enough to be a major problem.

Reason for including: My niece and nephew were watching it one day after it came out on DVD. My nephew, age four, said he didn't like it and it was boring. My niece (9) was enjoying it. So, I thought, "Yay! A cartoon for older kids!"

The Rifle by Gary Paulsen


Paulsen, Gary. The Rifle. San Deigo: Harcourt Brace, 1995. 112 pages. $5.95 ISBN 9780152928803

Plot Summary: The story follows the life of a rifle created in 1768. After the death of the original owner the gun is passed on through more than two centuries until it falls into the hands of a mechanic. Richard is just an innocent bystander in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Critical Evaluation: This book mesmerized me when I read it in 1995. I was amazed at the detail Paulsen went into about the creation of the gun and then the events leading up to the tragic shot. Reading it again years later I can definitely see where Paulsen pushes "guns don't kill people, people kill people" but still feel that it is a moving book. I'm not sure though that a two hundred year old gun would fire without exploding on the holder, or would fire at all.

Reader's Annotation: Since 1768 the rifle has changed hands, not one checking to see if the gun was loaded.

Author Bio: Gary Paulsen is the author of several young adult novels including Hatchet, Nightjohn and The Winter Rooms. He has won several awards including a Newbery Honor. He lives in La Luz, NM with his wife Ruth. He also runs 40 acres of land north of Willow, AK where he breeds and trains sled dogs for the Iditarod.

Genre: Realistic Fiction, Historical Fiction

Curriculum Ties: This could be tied into Revolutionary history, but also with any study of gun laws.

Booktalking Ideas: Talk about the history of prized objects and how one object can pass through so many lives without the people realizing all the history behind the object.

Reading Level/Interest Age: Ages 12 and up

Challenges: The fact that it is about a gun may cause issues, as well as the graphic scene at the end of the novel about Richard being shot.

Reason for including: For some reason this book has stuck with me over the years. I remember reading the scene at the end when the boy gets shot a few times, each time amazed that Paulsen went into all that detail and disgusted at the same time. I think it is a good book for tweens to read, if not for anything else then for them to realize guns are dangerous.

Mick Harte was Here by Barbara Park


Park, Barbara. Mick Harte was Here. New York: Apple Soup Books, 1995. 89 pages. $15.00 ISBN 9780679870883

Plot Summary: Phoebe tells the story of her brother, younger by ten months, who was killed in a bike accident. The story alternates between flashbacks and present day where Phoebe and her family are dealing with Mick's death.

Critical Evaluation: When I read this book in elementary school I remember crying quite a lot, and I always wore my helmet after that. Although the subject matter is very grim, I think it is an essential read if merely to reinforce the use of bike helmets. Barbara did an excellent job balancing the mourning of Mick's family and the humorous flashbacks.

Reader's Annotation: Phoebe wants you to learn one thing from her brother's death, always wear a helmet.

Author Bio: Barbara Park is the author of several children's books including Beanpole, Dear God, HELP!!! Love, Earl and the Junie B. Jones series. Barbara Park lives in Arizona with her husband and has two grown sons, David and Steven.

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Curriculum Ties: This is a must read for any upper elementary or middle school reading list.

Booktalking Ideas: Talk about the necessity of wearing a helmet.

Reading Level/Interest Age: Ages 8-12

Challenges: None.

Reason for including: While I wouldn't say this is one of my favorite books, it is definitely on the top of my list of books that have affected me at one point. I think this is a great book, very thought provoking.

Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World by Isa Chandra Moskowitz



Moskowitz, Isa Chandra and Terry Romero. Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World: 75 Dairy-Free Recipes for Cupcakes that Rule. Cambridge, MA: Da Capo Press, 2006. 144 pages $15.95 ISBN 9781569242735

Plot Summary: This small cookbook is packed with delicious recipes for cupcakes and frosting including classic vanilla, chocolate, carrot cake, and even chai. All the recipes are vegan, which means they do not contain and animal products.

Critical Evaluation: Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World is a great cookbook for vegans and non-vegans. I've made several recipes in the book and non-vegans have loved them. The recipes are very straight forward and fairly easy to prepare. As long as the baker has permission to use the kitchen and oven, they should be able to create delicious cupcakes.

Reader's Annotation: Learn to make scrumptious cupcakes without using animal products.

Author Bio: Isa and Terry are the authors of several vegan cookbooks and hosts of the web/public access show The Post Punk Kitchen. Both women live in New York City, Isa in Brooklyn in a tiny apartment where they film their cooking show, and Terry in Queens.

Genre: Cookbook, Non-Fiction

Curriculum Ties: This would be great for a home-ec class to teach about alternative diets and how delicious they can be.

Booktalking Ideas: Talk about cupcakes. Take a vote on who loves cupcakes. Also find out if anyone is already vegetarian or vegan. Then tell them what kinds of recipes are in the book. They'll end up drooling.

Reading Level/Interest Age: Ages 9 and up, for kids who are able to use the kitchen and up.

Challenges: The non-dairy, non-egg thing may be tricky for some students to get past, but there shouldn't be any reason for book challenges.

Reason for including: This has been a favorite cookbook of mine since it came out. Cooking should be a skill everyone learns, and that includes baking. The vegan lifestyle is definitely a lot healthier than most, so encouraging that (without being preachy) is worth it. The book is fun and delicious and would appeal to tween girls for sure.

The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman


Pullman, Philip. The Golden Compass. New York: Yearling, 1995. 399 pages. $7.50 ISBN 9780440418320

Plot Summary: Running wild throughout Oxford's Jordan College, Lyra Belacqua loves her life among the scholars, the help and the children of the city. There is word that "Gobblers" are taking children off the streets never to be seen again. Her best friend Roger is taken and she is determined to find him. Lyra learns to use her Alethiometer to figure out her path and the truths in the world, putting her in terrible danger. Lyra and her daemon Pantalaimon end up traveling all over their known world with Gyptians, an aeronaut, and the lair of armored bears.

Critical Evaluation: The Golden Compass

Reader's Annotation:

Author Bio:

Genre: Fantasy

Curriculum Ties:

Booktalking Ideas:

Reading Level/Interest Age:

Challenges:

Reason for including:

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke


Funke, Cornelia. Inkheart. New York: Scholastic, Inc., 2003. 534 pages. $24.99 ISBN 9780439531641

Plot Summary: Meggie and Mo live a content life. Mo is a book doctor and Meggie an avid reader. A man shows up one day calling Mo, Silvertongue. Almost immediately the three travel to Meggie's Aunt Eleanor's to escape the clutches of the evil Capricorn and his gang. Capricorn is never too far behind.

Critical Evaluation: Funke created a fantastic fairy tale within her story that's almost as delightful as the actual novel is. Meggie is a very personable character, at least for someone who loves books and reading as much as she does.

Reader's Annotation:
Inkheart follows Meggy and her father Mo as the run from Capricorn and his men and become entangled in their book, Inkheart.

Author Bio: Cornelia Funke was born and raised in Germany and has published her novels in German. She has published several fantasy novels including Dragon Rider, the Inkheart trilogy and The Thief Lord. She married Rolf Funke in 1981, a printer by trade. They lived in Hamburg with their children Anna (b. 1989) and Ben (b. 1994) until 2005 when they moved to Los Angeles, CA.

Genre: Fantasy

Curriculum Ties: None.

Booktalking Ideas: Talk about the idea of being able to venture into a book they're reading. Would they enjoy it? Or would it just be to weird?

Reading Level/Interest Age: Grades 3-6, Ages 8-12

Challenges: None.

Reason for including: When the book first came out I was very intrigued by the premise and had read The Thief Lord. I was hooked and eagerly awaited Inkspell and Inkdeath when they were published as well. In addition to reading the books, I listened to the audiobooks, Inkheart narrated by Lynn Redgrave, Inkspell narrated by Brendan Fraser, Inkdeath narrated by Allan Corduner.