Teacher Book Reviews - Wellington Middle School

Teacher Book Reviews
Wellington Middle School
Please use this Table of Contents to navigate to the book
reviews you wish to read.
Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan – slide 4
Math doesn’t Suck by Danica McKellar – slide 5
Vampirates: Demons of the Ocean by Justin Somper – slide 6
The Sacrifice by Kathleen Benner Duble – slide 7
Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment by James Patterson – slide 8
Through My Eyes: a Quarterback’s Journey by Tim Tebow with Nathan Whitaker – slide 9
Distant Waves: A Novel of the Titanic by Suzanne Weyn – slide 10
Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen – slide 11
More than a test Score by Robert A. Schultz., James R. Delisle – slide 12
One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia – slide 13
Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen – slide 14
Witches! The Absolutely True Tale of Disaster in Salem by Rosalyn Schanzer - slide 15
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins – slide 16
On the Wings of Heroes by Richard Peck – slide 17
The Essential 55 by Ron Clark – slide 18
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins - slide 19
Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer – slide 20
The Giver by Lois Lowry – slide 21
Code Orange by Caroline B. Cooney – slide 22
Beastly by Alex Flinn – slide 23
Chocolate for a Teen's Dreams by Kay Allenbaugh – slide 24
Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson – slide 25
Please use this Table of Contents to navigate to the book
reviews you wish to read.
The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen – slide 26
Who Was First? Discovering the Americas by Russell Freedman – slide 27
Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool – slide 28
USKids History: The Book of the American Revolution by Howard Egger-Bovet and Bill Sanchez–
slide 29
Treacherous Beauty: Peggy Shippen, the Woman behind Benedict Arnold's Plot to Betray
America by Stephen H. Case and Marc Jacobs - slide 30
Woods Runner by Gary Paulson – slide 31
Bystander by James Preller – slide 32
Of Sound Mind by Jean Ferris – slide 33
A Brief History of American Sports by Elliott J. Gorn and Warren Goldstein – slide34
The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis – slide 35
Iqbal by Francesco D'Adamo – slide 36
IraqiGirl Diary of a Teenage Girl in Iraq Edited by Elizabeth Wrigley-Field Developed by John Ross – slide 37
Holes by Louis Sachar – slide 38
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins – slide 39
Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys – slide 40
Assassin by Anna Myers – slide 41
HAUNTED U.S.A. by Charles Wetzel – slide 42
Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan
The Son of Neptune is full of action, humor, and
history. The story continues Percy Jackson's
adventures but with a Roman twist. The story
connects Greek mythology to its lesser known
Roman counterparts. New heroes are introduced
and solid friendships are made. The humor that is
splattered throughout the book makes the story
even better. Several references to modern places
and technology are made that poke fun at ancient
history. I would highly recommend this book to any
reader who enjoys an adventure and doesn't mind
learning a little history along the way.
Math Doesn’t Suck by Danica
McKellar
Do you struggle in math? Do you do well in math?
Do you wonder how you are going to use these
math concepts in real life? How does it apply to you
right now? How does math relate to boys, talking
on the phone, and lip gloss? If you have asked any
of these questions, then you must read this book.
Danica McKellar is a TV star and a mathematician.
She shows you how to use things like fractions,
ratios, and algebra in your world today. She also
shares her own stories of struggle and gives you tips
on how to overcome them. If you have ever
struggled in math, you will want to read this
amazing and funny book so that you will never
struggle again.
Vampirates: Demons of the Ocean
by Justin Somper
Vampirates: Demons of the Ocean is the first in a series
of stories about orphans, Connor and Grace Tempest.
It is full of action, adventure, and mystery. The plot is
intriguing and keeps the reader asking questions
throughout the book. The reader will want to keep
reading until the end. Whereas questions are
answered in the end, it leaves the reader with more
questions that will be answered in the sequel to this
book. I would highly recommend this book to anyone
who likes action and adventure. You will dive in and
not want to come up for air!
The Sacrifice by Kathleen Benner
Duble
In The Sacrifice, the title
summarizes the story. Taking
place in the late 17th century,
The Sacrifice accounts for the
experiences of the Faulkner
family and the Salem witch trials.
What is the ultimate sacrifice one
can make for their family? Read
The Sacrifice, and experience all
the twists and turns as the author
accounts for a real life personal
tragedy that affected her
ancestors. This book is a quick
read for all types of readers and
a book that you will not want to
put down.
Maximum Ride: The Angel
Experiment by James Patterson
Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment is an
easy read that you will not want to put
down until you are done. It is about a
groups of kids whose DNA was manipulated
at birth, and they were born with wings. As
you can imagine, this brings on a whole
new set of problems in life. On top of
having to hide their secret, the kids are
fighting to save one of their own and learn
about the secrets of their past and how
they came to be. This a is a must read and,
luckily, has many more books in its series.
More books in the same series
Through My Eyes: a Quarterback’s
Journey by Tim Tebow with Nathan
Whitaker
This is a great book to read. We often think that famous people
never struggle and are given everything on a golden spoon. This
book tell the story of Tim Tebow's life and all the struggles he has
overcome to become what he is today. It has a positive message and
encourages those want to give up, to keep trying. It is great to see
"real" struggles of a famous person.
Distant Waves: A Novel of the Titanic by Suzanne Weyn
I stayed up until 3:00 a.m. finishing this book because I have a hard time
putting down suspenseful books. I have to know what happens, and as a
result, I could not put this book down until I knew how it ended. It kept me
guessing until fairly close to the end. Then, I did predict the ending, but I
also enjoy doing that as well. :) I would highly recommend this book to
anyone who enjoys reading historical fiction, suspense, and/or fantasy
(spirit world). It also has some elements of romance and science fiction.
Don't let some of the advanced vocabulary words and historical terms turn
you off from reading this book. A dictionary and/or some online searching
will provide you answers in no time and will be worth it because this book is
a great read. What I really enjoyed about this book is that it was historically
accurate, and, at the end of the book, the author clarified and verified all
of the facts and people who were a part of the story. With this, the author
really made you feel like you were a part of this place and time and gave
you a strong sense of the who's and what's that were a part of this period in
history. The actual events once on the Titanic and its sinking were not the
entire setting of this book, so if that is what you as a reader are looking for,
you will only get a feel for this during the last 1/3 of the book. What
happened to the 5 sisters once they boarded the Titanic? Did Jane and her
love interest end up together? Did the predictions from those who
envisioned the tragedy of the Titanic help change the course of events?
You'll have to read to find out!
Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen
I believe middle school students will love Touching Spirit Bear.
Ben Mikaelsen creates a vivid picture of an angry, violent, rage
filled, teenage boy. Cole, the angry main character, is from
Minneapolis and has lived his life stealing, fighting, and getting
in trouble. When he is caught, he blames his troubles on his
alcoholic mom, his disconnected and abusive dad, and everyone
else in the world, but never himself. Cole finally goes a step too
far and beats a young high school student savagely. As
punishment, Cole opts for what he thinks will be an easier form
of punishment, “circle justice.”
Cole is sent to a remote Alaskan island and must live alone for a
year. The Native American form of justice is supposed to get
Cole to look inside himself, seek a way to end his anger, and
reach some form of forgiveness for his actions. While on the
island, Cole encounters a “Spirit Bear,” and he, himself, is
mauled to near death.
Mikaelsen has created a story of survival, redemption, and selfreflection. It is a realistic look at a teenager’s anger, and his
struggle to overcome it.
More Than a Test Score by Robert A.
Schultz., James R. Delisle
Teachers can benefit from reading this book by hearing from a wide range and age of gifted
students. It helped me to understand where these kids are coming from in terms of their
abilities, how they feel about having these abilities, how others view them, and obstacles
they face in school. Furthermore, there are some great questions and reflection/connection
prompts within the various topics discussed that may be of use for gifted students in your
class to journal about, write narratives about, etc. For students themselves, this book is
beneficial in that there are brief summaries of topics that the authors address that they may
relate to. In addition, the wide range of gifted students and their own thoughts and feelings
could help a gifted student in knowing that others feel and/or have experiences similar to
their own. However, there is not practical advice or real-life applications from the authors
that are suggested for students to put into practice. If this is the type of book you are looking
for as a gifted student, you will not find it here. However, you may benefit from hearing how
other gifted students have approached and dealt with the various topics discussed and is
what I would recommend the book for use as a gifted person. As a teacher and adult, it was
a useful book to further understand students with giftedness and how to better come
alongside them. I would recommend this to any teacher that teaches advanced classes and
gifted learners, as well as other adults who work with or parent them.
One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia
One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia is an interesting
story of three young girls trying to get to know their mother, who
abandoned them when they were very young. On top of that,
they are also trying to understand where they fit in a society full of
racial hate. They are continually struggling with how they can
connect with a mother who won't let them eat in the kitchen and
sends them to a Black Panther youth center every day. The author
appeals to young readers in her choice of language and explaining
the emotions of the three girls in the story. Students who enjoyed
reading Warriors Don't Cry would probably like this book because
of the shift in perspective of the main characters. These girls live
in New York and know about what's happening in the South, but
they don't really understand it. So, it's neat to read about their
discovery of the positive things people all over the country are
doing to try to end racism toward blacks. Their innocence is
refreshing.
I think middle school students would enjoy this book,
especially female students, since it's told from the view of a girl.
Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen
I believe middle school students will love Touching Spirit Bear. Ben
Mikaelsen creates a vivid picture of an angry, violent, rage filled,
teenage boy. Cole, the angry main character, is from Minneapolis,
and has lived his life stealing, and fighting, and getting in trouble.
When he is caught, he blames his troubles on his alcoholic mom, his
disconnected and abusive dad, and everyone else in the world, but
never himself. Cole finally goes a step too far, and beats a young high
school student savagely. As punishment, Cole opts for what he thinks
will be an easier form of punishment, “circle justice”.
Cole is sent to a remote Alaskan island, and must live alone for a year.
The Native American form of justice is supposed to get Cole to look
inside himself, and seek a way to end his anger, and reach some form
of forgiveness for his actions. While on the island, Cole encounters a
“Spirit Bear”, and he himself is mauled to near death.
Mikaelsen has created a story of survival, redemption, and selfreflection. It is a realistic look at a teenager’s anger, and his struggle
to overcome it.
Witches! The Absolutely True Tale of
Disaster in Salem by Rosalyn Schanzer
Although this book is a factual account of the witch trials
and hunts that occurred during the late 1600's in Salem,
MA, it reads like a captivating story. It effectively recounts
the accusations made against women, who were
completely innocent, and is written in such a way that,
even though I know the end result of the trials, I was on
the edge of my seat while reading it. Because of this, I
would highly recommend this book to middle school
students. In fact, I will when kids are asking me for help
in choosing a non-fiction book. The compelling
illustrations also add depth to the story.
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
It seemed natural to read the sequel to The Hunger Games, since I enjoyed the first book so much. I
even enjoyed the movie enough to launch my interest in the story further. This second book definitely
took the story to another level, as far as the ridiculousness of President Snow's actions and the
continuing of the country's Games. We find out that every 25th Hunger Game is predetermined to be
elevated in some way. We find out that 25 years ago, Haymitch fought in one of these "special"
Games in which there were double the amount of tributes. This 75th-Annual Hunger Games is
definitely a special one for sure, as well.
I found it tough to predict what was going to happen during Catching Fire's story arc, and any twists
and turns that Suzanne Collins threw at me were very surprising. It was enough for me to want to
read more to see how it all played out, and even the end of the book leaves you guessing.
As there are introductions to many new characters, I did find myself only truly following and caring
about the exploits of characters from the first book. I did, however, find the elderly Mags amusing.
Also, Finnick was always keeping me on my toes.
I am sad to say, though, that I think I'll skip the third and final book. Catching Fire was slower, and at
times, somewhat tedious and redundant trapped inside the mind of the adolescent female
protagonist. Katniss is a very strong character, and I'm rooting for her all the way, but I think I'll hold
off for the movie to come out. I think I just had a tomato thrown at me.
On the Wings of Heroes by Richard Peck
The lack of conflict and a mystery to solve, was a huge evident elephant in On
the Wings of Heroes. I really liked Davy. He has qualities I respect: a sense of
adventure, honesty, hard-working, and true. His brother goes off to fight the
Germans in airplanes, which sends Davy into fighting his own war from
home. Davy collects milkweed, which is packed into life-vests, and copper.
Whatever hobbies Davy had before the war, were obviously put on hold for
the "duration."
It was interesting how Davy's life changed during the duration. There was a
teacher shortage at school. Holidays were cut back. Everyday staples were
taken away. The mob was still operating and was still attempting to make a
profit. Relatives seeked each other out (look for a somewhat humorous visit
from Grandma and Grandpa).
This book would be good for students to see how life was like 70 years ago.
It would be good for students to learn about sacrifice. It's not a good book
for a student seeking a good mystery, sadly enough.
The book's ending was satisfying, though. A good ending, with some late
character development.
The Essential 55 by Ron Clark
At times, Ron Clark seemed to go a little too far with his rules:
"Claps should be of at least three seconds in length with the full
part of both hands meeting in a manner that will give the
appropriate clap volume.“ Other times, he is very reasonable:
"During discussions, respect other students' comments,
opinions, and ideas." Some of his rules made me laugh out
loud: "Do not bring Doritos into the school building." Many of
his rules had to do with field trips. One in particular I liked:
"When we go to a movie theater, there will be no talking
whatsoever. I don't care how good the movie is or what you
want to say to the person beside you, you will not so much as
whisper!" He does a good job at describing in detail how these
rules have helped him teach, and provides very good and well
thought-out experiences. This book helped me think about my
own personal values on manners and etiquette and how they
might play a part in my classroom routines. I highly recommend
this book to any teacher.
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
I usually do not read books that fit into this genre or with a dystopian
theme. However, I was decently surprised with all three books in the
series. I thought Collins did a wonderful job in painting a picture as to
what her characters were going through on a regular basis. It was as if
the reader was part of the "Games" and the situations that composed
the plots of all three stories. The overall storyline flowed smoothly and
transitioned well from book to book. It was my opinion that Mockingjay
seemed to be a bit on the "darker" side in terms of character
development and plot. As a person who is a sucker for a happy ending, I
was disappointed with the end of the book; however, I was certainly
pleased with the overall text from cover to cover. I think that this book
might fit a more "mature" reader at the middle school level based on the
fact that there seemed to be more violence and a more complicated plot
compared to the first two books. It is certainly a book/series that I
would recommend to an adult, as well as a middle school reader, but I
would caution a sixth, seventh, or eighth grader to the content of the
third book.
Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer
As someone who enjoyed reading Into The Wild, this book was
equally--if not more--enjoyable. Krakauer did a spectacular job of
depicting what it was it was like to be stuck in a life or death situation
at high altitude--a situation that I personally do not think could be
replicated by someone who did not experience it on a personal level.
From the perspective of someone who does not do a significant
amount of climbing on any level, I thought it was interesting to learn
about the intricate details that go into the planning--on a monetary,
mental, physical, and emotional level--of an expedition of this
magnitude. Although reaching the summit of a 29,000 foot peak is a
monumental task, I was able to draw some parallels between the
efforts of the teams involved in that trek and what I do as part of my
profession. I would recommend this book for a mature middle school
reader. There were certain points where there was some adult
language and innuendos that may not be suitable for early teenage
students, but I feel as though there may be some students who might
enjoy Krakauer's descriptive ability.
The Giver by Lois Lowry
This book ended up being much better than I initially thought it would
be when I first started reading it. I kept hearing that The Hunger Games
was similar in theme to The Giver, which peaked my interest. However,
the beginning of this book was difficult to get into, and it seemed to
have a little less action than The Hunger Games. After I started getting
into the book, I stopped comparing it to The Hunger Games and started
enjoying it more. While the book wasn't what I expected, it really got
me thinking. While a controlled Community like Jonas‘ has many
benefits, it was really interesting to think about what I would dislike
about living that way. This book is an easy and quick read, which I think
would appeal to middle school students. However, for those who wish
to think about what they are reading, this is also a good book because
of the thought-provoking themes within it. I would recommend this
book to my students, especially those who liked The Hunger Games,
and I would also recommend it to those who like books about a
controlled society.
Code Orange by Caroline B. Cooney
Have you ever thought how much more exciting school
work could be if you actually got to experience it for
yourself or be a part of the discovery process? Well, an
underachieving boy, Mitty Blake, gets to do just that in this
page-turner. While doing research, which he rarely does,
for a science report on infectious diseases, he comes
across an envelope that captures his interest. As Mitty
continues his research, the thrill of experiencing his topic
becomes more like a threat on his own life. The author
keeps you reading and wanting to know what will happen
to Mitty, especially as additional outside factors get
introduced. If you are looking for a fast-paced, edge of
your seat book, Code Orange by Caroline B. Cooney, is the
right pick for you.
Beastly by Alex Flinn
So before I write my review I just wanted to say that this book was great! I
definitely enjoyed reading it.
If you like the tale of Beauty and the Beast, you will find yourself lost in
Beastly. The imagery that the author, Alex Flinn, creates makes you feel as
though you are in the story itself. Beastly brilliantly combines the fairy tale
aspects of the story with an ordinary life of a high school boy, Kyle. When he is
confronted by a witch at school, his life suddenly goes into a tailspin, and his
entire world gets turned upside down. Kyle is forced to deal with his
transformation and must face his perceptions of the ideal life and love head
on. The book is a quick read that has you continually wondering what is in
store for Kyle. You will keep asking yourself if Kyle will be able to change his
idealistic views and eventually find the true love he desperately needs. Beastly
is a wonderfully intriguing story that I would recommend for mature students
simply due to some language and adult-themed situations early on in the book.
Chocolate for a Teen's Dreams by Kay
Allenbaugh
Have you ever felt as if what you are going through is the first
time EVER that someone has gone through it? Are there things
you would like to experience but not sure how? Are you a young
lady who hasn't quite found their place in life yet? Do you have
dreams that you just aren't sure you can achieve? If you said
yes, then Chocolate for a Teen's Dreams is the book for you.
This book is a collection of 50 true stories from women whose
tales occurred during their teenage years. Some stories will
make you laugh, others cry, but all of them will have you realizing
your potential as a young woman in today's society. The stories
are inspirational, and the book, as a whole, is a quick read. The
author, Kay Allenbaugh, does an excellent job of grouping the
stories into broader categories as well as arranging them in a
strategic fashion to keep you wanting to read more. Although
women of all ages will learn from this book, it is specifically
designed with teenage girls in mind. If you want an uplifting book
to read, pick up Chocolate for a Teen's Dreams, you will not be
disappointed!
Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson
Chains, by Laurie Halse Anderson, takes place during the American Revolution.
Isabel, and her five year old sister, Ruth, should have been freed slaves upon the
death of their previous owner. Tragically, the will is not adhered to and they are,
instead, ripped from their quiet country home, sold to cruel owners, and shipped
off to chaotic New York. Isabel stays amazingly strong, even though she lives in a
war zone, is beaten, cruelly overworked, emotionally crippled, and horribly
disfigured. There are many parallels drawn between the courage and sacrifices
of a young nation fighting for its freedom and Isabel’s fight to be free of the
Locktons. To secure her freedom, Isabel agrees to take huge risks spying for the
Patriots. Yet, when she most needs their help, they will not go against
convention and protect her. It seems that Curzon, a fellow slave who joins the
Patriot cause, is one of the only people she can trust. When he is imprisoned
and dying, she, once again, takes great risks to help keep him alive. The book’s
storyline, character development, and short chapters keep the reader compelled
to stay with Isabel through all her struggles. The author also goes to great
lengths to make the reader really feel connected to the time period. One can tell
she researched well, as her descriptions of the clothes, food, city layout, speech,
etc. all are very accurate and detailed. Actually, those details may discourage
some middle school readers who don’t appreciate the kind of detail that doesn’t
add to the plot. Even given that, I would recommend Chains to students who
like pulling for a hero and working through nerve wracking action, while learning
about history.
The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen
The medieval kingdom of Carthya has had its royal family murdered and is on the brink
of a civil war. Conner, one of Carthya’s noblemen, devises a treasonous plan to prevent
a war and to keep enemy countries from invading by placing a false prince on the
throne. Conner buys and plans to train four orphan boys to pretend to be the long lost
and presumed dead prince Jaron. Unfortunately for the boys, he will only choose the
best one and will dispose of the three who don’t make the cut. Sage is one of the
orphans. He is clever, has a great sense of humor, and is also the narrator of the story.
The boys are taught how to fight with swords, dress as nobleman, act with all the
courtesies of the time, and read. The boys go in and out of favor with Conner and each
other as they struggle through “lessons,” fear, and pain. Sage questions and argues and
challenges Conner every step of the way, which earns him beatings and torture. Sage
says he won’t be broken and owned by Conner, but Conner sees in Sage the right kind
of attitude to pull off being the false prince. The last third of the book moves really
quickly, the whole time keeping the reader engaged and cheering for their reluctant
hero to survive. Parts of the book are pretty predictable, but the author did such a
great job developing her characters’ personalities, that the reader will overlook that
flaw just to continue spending time with them. This book would be a great read for
students who like action mixed in with some intrigue. The pitting of kids against each
other will be a familiar theme that some students will clamber after. (Hunger Games)
Who Was First? Discovering the Americas
by Russell Freedman
Who Was First? Discovering the Americas by Russell Freedman is a great read for middle school students and
adults. Freedman starts with the familiar story of Columbus and then takes the reader on a suspenseful and
interesting ride through history, where the reader will find herself pondering and questioning all the evidence
compiled in solving the mystery of who was first to “discover” the Americas. Freedman starts with Columbus
where we learn about the mutinies and mistrust of that adventure. Then he moves to the Chinese, who
probably had the most advanced naval force of the time. The rock discovered on the east coast of the U.S. with
the Chinese inscriptions dating back to around 1405 was pretty fascinating. I was most impressed by Viking
explorers, as they had no written language, compasses, or charts to help them. Yet, evidence shows that there
were Viking villages in the Americas 500 years before Columbus.
The most illuminating part of the book was when Freedman takes the reader to the world of the natives who
were living in the Americas thousands of years before the other explorers “discovered” them. The natives of
North America were diverse in their customs, appearance, and language. Yet, the Europeans who came later,
labeled them all as “Indians.” The readers will also see that the Americas were not the untamed wilderness that
it is often portrayed in history books. There were villages, farms, and a people who were committed to personal
liberty and social equality. (Perhaps this is where our founding fathers got inspired to write our constitution.)
Freedman also leaves North America and explores Central and South America. The Aztecs had 25 million
civilians, a complex system of writing, and accurate calendars. They had clean cities with aqueducts carrying
fresh water. The Incas had extensive road systems and used binary codes long before the Europeans. Both of
these populations were wiped out by European attacks and diseases.
After describing the native people, Freedman ends the book by exploring where these natives came from. Here
the reader is introduced to the theories of land bridges and ancient sailors from 20,000 to 50,000 years ago. The
students will love the DNA evidence that shows humans were in the Americas side by side with the wooly
mammoths. The maps, charts, and photos are an added plus to this book. I would highly recommend it.
Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool
If you are looking to meet some interesting characters, set in a
sleepy Midwest town, then Moon Over Manifest is for you. Abilene
Tucker is sent to the tiny town of Manifest, Kansas, the town where
her father lived when he was a boy. She stays with one of her
father's friends, Shady, in a run down old bar. She feels abandoned
and alone. She is certain she is just staying for the summer, but we
are never quite sure. She meets Miss Sadie, a diviner, who tells her
stories from the past. Through these stories, Abilene connects the
Manifest of her father's day, with the new Manifest she is
discovering.
The mix of history from the two time periods is wonderful. The
story jumps back and forth from 1917 to 1936. We get to know
many characters as youngsters and adults, and we learn about the
town's history, and some of its secrets.
This book has wonderful character development, and enough
suspense to keep middle school students reading.
USKids History: The Book of the American
Revolution by Howard Egger-Bovet and Bill Sanchez
USKids History: The Book of the American Revolution is not a
book to be read in its entirety by students. There are
sections of this book that students would enjoy reading,
however, students will really like doing the activities and
games in this book. A game called Brother Benjamin, for
example, is a interesting way for students to learn the names
and locations of the 13 original colonies. Students toss
pennies onto a large drawing of the colonies and get points
for having the penny land in the colonies. A reading that
would be interesting for students is about James Armistead
Lafayette, a slave who earned his freedom by being a spy for
the colonists. This book will enhance the activities that I
already do with my students in U.S. History class.
Treacherous Beauty: Peggy Shippen, the Woman behind Benedict Arnold's Plot to
Betray America by Stephen H. Case and Marc Jacobs
Benedict Arnold was a traitor. Or was he? Until new letters
and research was done on Peggy Shippen, people believed that
Benedict Arnold acted alone in his plot to allow the British to
take over our most famous and most strategic fort in the
American Revolution. The British spy he gave the information
to was caught and hanged. Benedict Arnold escaped. Had they
been successful, it is likely that the United States would still be
part of Great Britain. This book takes the reader into the lives
of Arnold, his wife, Peggy Shippen, and other key people during
the American Revolution. Key people involved in the American
Revolution come to life in this well-written book. The plot may
not have been Arnold's idea. Perhaps Peggy Shippen was the
real traitor. Read this page turning book and find out. Was she
simply a dutiful wife or was she the mastermind behind
America's most famous act of treason? Read Treacherous
Beauty, and make your own conclusions.
Woods Runner by Gary Paulson
Woods Runner by Gary paulsen is a fast paced story of a
13 year old boy who is searching for his parents who
were kidnapped by British soldiers at the start of the
American Revolution. I recommend this book to anyone
who likes action, adventure, and history. The author
includes short pieces of historical information so that
the reader can understand better what is going on in
the story and why the characters are doing what they
do. These pieces are helpful. I learned that more
American colonists died in British prisons than in battle.
The story line follows that of a hero's journey. By the
end of the book, the main character has changed
because of his experiences along the way. I highly
recommend this book!
Bystander by James Preller
This was a quick and interesting read. The story not only
revolved around the complexities of middle school drama but
also the importance of what happens to victims of bullying.
In some ways, it was a little predictable, but at the same time,
it had some new twists and turns that were unexpected. I
enjoyed the book a lot, and I think that middle school
students would find it interesting. The writing was very quick
and smooth, so it was easy to really get into what was
happening. There was a nice mix of character development
and real life situations. Overall, I would definitely
recommend this book.
Of Sound Mind by Jean Ferris
Of Sound Mind is an extremely interesting book. It takes you into the
world of deafness through a variety of different characters. Told from
the perspective of Theo, he takes you into the life of someone who
deals with being the only hearing person in his family. He has always
felt a little bit like an outsider, until he meets Ivy. She helps him see
sign language as a gift. They develop a close bond, and she and her
father develop good relationships with Theo's father and brother.
Theo's mom is a famous sculptor and is very eccentric. She depends on
Theo to interpret everything for her and relies on him to do all her
business. She doesn't trust interpreters; she only wants Theo. He is
torn between being the son that she needs and wanting a life of his
own. Things all change when Theo's father has a stroke, and life is
never the same. Palma, Theo's mother, relies on Theo even more, and
he starts to feel suffocated. I highly recommend this book for anyone
who wants to learn more about what it's like to be in a world where
you cannot hear. Theo tells the story from his family's perspective, as
well as his own. It is full of emotional twists and turns and is hard to
put down. Living in a world where others don't understand you must
be frustrating, and this is just a tiny glimpse into one family and how it
affects them.
A Brief History of American Sports by Elliott J.
Gorn and Warren Goldstein
Overall, I can't recommend this book.
Although it was filled with interesting
information about the evolution of sports in
America, the writing is very dry, and it is very
slow reading. The vocab level is too high for
most middle school students, and I think they
would have a hard time getting through it.
Being a sports buff, I loved the history behind
the games that we have. I'm an avid reader
and usually have no problem getting through
books, but this one was tough. I do think the
history of sports is extremely important. If you
are interested in seeing the progression of
sports in America, this is a good book to flip
through to the parts that are interesting. They
could have definitely shortened this book to
make it a true brief history.
The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis
I think this was a great book, that provides details about
the life of a Refugee from Afghanistan.
In looking at this book for 7th graders, I think it was on
the simple side as far as literature elements, vocabulary,
sentence structure. It may be a good fit for struggling
readers. They would still have the opportunity to read
about and relate to a person of a different culture going
through a very challenging time in their own country,
without having to struggle through complex subjects
such as political agendas, foreign policy, challenging
vocabulary.
I also liked the element of gender bias. I think this could
lead to a really productive socratic circle. I think it could
also challenge kids to think about human rights that are
often taken for granted in the United States.
Iqbal by Francesco D'Adamo
Iqbal is the story of a real person, a 13-year-old boy who spoke up
against child labor. The story is told from a fictional point of view, of a
girl who worked with him, named Fatima. The story begins in a carpet
factory where young children work from dawn until dusk, some chained
to the looms. If they act up, they are put in the “Tomb”—an old
cistern—and left there without food or water, sometimes for days.
The children think that someday they will pay off their family’s debt, but
when Iqbal comes, he points out that the debt is never paid. No one has
ever left because they have paid off their debt. Throughout the novel
the children show rebellion, companionship, courage, determination
and heroism.
Iqbal brings hope to the children that someday they can escape their
drudgery.
This is a powerful story of a child with courage to speak up for those
who cannot speak for themselves. It’s written from the point of view of
a child, but its message will speak to people of all ages.
IraqiGirl Diary of a Teenage Girl in Iraq Edited by Elizabeth Wrigley-Field Developed by
John Ross
Iraqi-Girl is a must read! More than just a book – it’s a 21st century journal of blog posts written by
Hadiya. She published her first post on July 29, 2004 at the age of 15. Her writing focuses on her
family and school than on the politics and the war around her. The blog is still live today and could be
used as a tool for teaching younger generations in the United States and around the world about
what it's like to live with war surrounding you.
The daily trauma of war is illuminated in nearly every blog post. Hadiya writes, "At the beginning of
the war, when we heard an explosion we called all the family to make sure that they are fine. But
now because the explosions don't stop all day, we stopped calling each other."
As the war goes on, the writing and story lines remain a constant. Hadiya worries about school, her
family, and her friends. I kept reading hoping to see a change in the outlook of Iraq. One of Hadiya's
most repeated phrases of the book is that "things are getting worse." Indeed, even in her final few
posts in November 2007, she writes, "The basic fact is that we are still insecure and in danger even
when we are in our own homes.” She puts the basics that many take for granted into perspective.
"When I was a little girl, I once asked my mother if there is any country where there is electricity all
day? I couldn't imagine that! How could they have electricity all the time when we only had four to
seven hours of it? And many days, we didn't have any electricity at all."
Hadiya doesn't write about hope in her posts, but she continually displays it. Her dedication to her
schooling (pursuing pharmacy school at the University of Mosul) and in her continued posts are
strong indicators that she, like most Iraqis, believes that the future will be better.
Holes by Louis Sachar
I really enjoyed the book Holes. I can see now why it was
such a popular book when it was first published and why it is such a
great story for young readers.
The book was easy to read and follow. The story of Stanley
Yelnates' life and how it intertwines with the history of his family and
the "curse" add a curious and interesting twist. The book also seems to
be something of a "coming of age" story, which is very popular among
teen fiction novels. The main character begins with an attitude about
himself that is somewhat low, as he is a picked on at school and
describes himself as "soft and fleshy." By the end of the book, he has
saved the life of a new friend and recovered the lost family treasure.
Therefore, it seems a boy who lacked a strong sense of self esteem and
worth ends up gaining in the end.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone as a
curious and heartening novel that is fun to read. I also can understand
why middle school students would enjoy it, and I would recommend it
to any of my students. Now I just need to see the movie!
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
This was an enjoyable book that was exciting and easy to read. The
main characters are the friends and family of Katniss Everdeen. She heads into the
Hunger Games as a replacement for her 12 year old sister. The Hunger Games are
a brutal competition where one tribute from each of the country's 12 districts
must compete to the death.
Once in the Games, Katniss makes friends and enemies. She finds her
own strength as she falls back on the skills she learned hunting and foraging in the
woods around her home. The story easily projects the internal conflict of her own
selfish need to survive and her desire to help others that are less skilled and
vulnerable.
I did not especially care for the teenage "love" saga of the book. This
theme is carefully woven into the plot as it closely involves a fellow district 12
tribute. This sub-theme takes a more major role in the second half of the book as
Katniss is forced to use her relationship with this boy to win favor with the crowd,
which can send wanted supplies, to help keep both of them alive. Her acts of love
come to a peak at the end of the Games where she and the boy threaten suicide if
either one dies. Thus, they defy the capital, which can only have one winner.
Although I didn't especially care for the teen romance, I can see why
this twist is intriguing for teens. I do enjoy the overall theme of dissidents and
their struggle against tyranny. I also enjoyed the descriptive language as it enlisted
my imagination in trying to the picture this futuristic world. The end of the book
did leave me interested enough that I have started the second book.
Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
Do you think that living in the 21st century is difficult? You might re-think your answer to this
question after you read Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys. The heroine of this book is
Lina, a 15 year old girl, who lives with her parents and her brother, Jonas, in Lithuania before
World War II. She is preparing to attend a summer art school when, one night, her life and the
life of her family, is forever changed. Russian soldiers come to her house, and Lina and her
family are forced to board a train to a prison labor camp. The train ride alone is terrible:
people are dying, families are separated, and hope seems lost. Lina, her mother, and her
brother are transported to Siberia, where they are told to work, digging holes and doing forced
manual labor, working for the soldiers. The one bright spot in her life is Andrius. He is a little
older than Lina and doesn't appear to think much of her until he gives her a book and
encourages her to learn Russian. Lina keeps her own hope alive by drawing pictures of the life
around her so that someday, some way, her father, who is sent to another camp, will find her
drawings and be able to follow the clues to find his family.
Just when Lina believes it cannot get any worse for her or her family, they are moved to the
Arctic Circle, where they are put to work building for the Russian soldiers. She hears that her
father has died in prison, and her mother begins to lose hope. Lina's brother, Jonas, becomes
ill again with his second bout of scurvy, and Lina herself begins to lose hope. Then she
remembers Andrius's last words to her: "I'll see you." She realizes then that she will not lose
hope, even when her mother dies in her arms. She will keep fighting to live so that she can find
Andrius and be the artist she knows she can be as long as she stays alive. "What would I have
left if I gave them my self-respect," Lina thinks, as the soldiers laugh and spit on her as she
walks by them. Someone has to know what is happening to her and her family. But how will
she get her drawings out of the labor camp?
Assassin by Anna Myers
This is a good book! If you like the history of Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War, then this book is for
you! Bella, a teenager, is forced to move in with her grandmother in Washington after her father
leaves her. She believes that he simply didn't want her, but he must leave her for another reason, an
important reason. He does not come back for her, and she learns to be a seamstress from her
grandmother, who works in the White House for the President's family. She has a good friend, Steven,
who must go away to boarding school, but he has introduced her to the President's son, Willie. Bella
enjoys Willie's company and learns a lot about life in the White House, but Willie becomes ill and dies.
She and the President are heartbroken.
"Each day Mr. Lincoln looked older, as if he too led the hard life his soldiers endured. The lines in his
already craggy face seemed to deepen each day, and the sadness in his eyes was too much sometimes
for me to see...I wonder how long a man can live with such agony...". What Bella doesn't suspect is
that the handsome actor she has just met will use her closeness to the President to find out things that
will help him develop a plan to get revenge for the loss of the South during the war. He will stop at
nothing to get what he wants, and he will manipulate Bella into giving him information because he
knows something about her father. How can she not get that information from him?
This book is for those who want to know a story behind the history that you immediately feel like could
very well have happened. Will Bella do the right thing when she risks not getting the information
about her father's absence? Could she stop Booth from carrying out his deadly plans to kill the most
amazing man in American History? Better read to find out!
HAUNTED U.S.A. by Charles Wetzel
Well, I'm sorry to say that I would NOT recommend this book! It looked
interesting, but it was a big disappointment. The book is written by an adult who
does not like to create a real image for his readers. It's more like a poorly written
"comic book" about ghosts in the United States. There is a lot of history here but
not much substance. It seemed to me that having more about individual stories
would really help this book. For example, I have visited the grave of Marie Laveau
in New Orleans, and it was scary! We walked through a huge cemetery filled with
above ground crypts in the evening. We had just heard a story about how many of
the people buried in the cemetery had died from a fever that mimicked death for
some people, that is, they appeared dead but were not. That's why, in Victorian
times, a string was tied to the "dead" person's finger that was attached to a bell
and if someone walking by the cemetery heard the tinkling of a bell, then someone
had been buried alive. I can tell you that walking through this cemetery, everyone
was hoping to not hear a bell, even now! A famous woman is buried in this
cemetery. Marie Laveau was a voodoo priestess, and her tomb was covered with
stones, "X's", feathers, coins, and lots of other "stuff". You could tell that it was
visited by many people, mostly at night. Someone left flowers for her every couple
of days, but no one ever saw who. This story could have been really scary in this
book, instead it says, "the crypt in St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 is covered with X's."
That's it. This book really missed for me. Too bad. It could have been a fun read.
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