Book Review of "The Champion of Merrimack County"

The Champion of Merrimack County, by Roger Drury

4 stars

Description: Whoever heard of a mouse that could ride a bicycle? Certainly not the bicycle repairman. Or the blacksmith. Or the watchmaker. Or the doctor. Or the dentist! But all of these folks are roped into helping fix the damage when an extraordinary mouse who CAN ride a bicycle takes a spectacular crash in young Janet Berryfield's bathtub! Will this unlikely collection of fix-its be able to repair the embarrassed mouse's bicycle and dislocated tail before the championship race? And what will happen when professional mice exterminators are called in by Janet's unsuspecting father?

Concerns: The Dad is the grouchy "villain" of the story, which is annoying.

Summary: An un-apologetically silly romp through the shops, medical offices, and bathtubs (!) of Merrimack county, this little tale is both amusing and intriguing -- and it must be admitted, the death-defying bicycle rides around the rim of the bathtub sound wonderfully exciting! If you've read and enjoyed anything by Dick King-Smith (Babe, Smasher, A Mouse called Wolf, etc.), you'll love this one. So fly me to Jupiter on a bumblebee, let's go!

Book review of "In Grandma's Attic"

In Grandma's Attic, by Arleta Richardson

4.5 stars

Description: Growing up in the early days of America -- complete with horse and buggy, one-room schoolhouses, and a barn full of cows -- sounds idyllic. Not so for young Mabel. Unhappily for her but luckily for us readers, her growing up years were chock-full of mistakes, mishaps, and just plain embarrassing moments. As the grown Mabel recounts tales of her growing-up years, she treats her readers to a riotous romp through the fields, forests, and schoolhouses of yore in this series of short stories. Who knew hoop skirts could cause such horrors in church, of all places???

Concerns: None.

Summary: If you set down the irrepressible Anne from Green Gables into the setting of Little House in the Big Woods, you would be rewarded with something like this book. The series is wonderfully funny, none the less so because our hapless heroine just never quite seems to come out on top. But although the stories usually feature the embarrassing consequences of her own silly choice, "Grandma" takes the lesson  in stride, and can even laugh at her old mistakes. If you've ever wondered how to lose a buggy, bake a cake, or even bake your clothes (yup!) don't miss these humorous but sweet tales from yesteryear.

Book Review of "Escape to Murray River"

Escape to Murray River, by Robert Elmer

4 stars

Description: Patrick McWaid isn't looking for trouble. Neither is his family. But when Patrick's father is accused of a crime he didn't commit, the entire family is thrown into an adventure that will take them half-way around the world to the prison colony in Australia! From desperate attempts to communicate with his jailed father to a lost-at-sea brush with sharks, Patrick's escape to Murray River is an adventure he never could have imagined ... and it only gets worse when he realizes he is being followed by his family's worst enemy.

Concerns: None.

Summary: The first in an eight-book series, Escape to Murray River is a enthralling journey. The time and place aren't familiar topics in children's literature, and the snippets of Australian life can catch you off guard (um, no, those tasty things aren't almond sausages!). It was a favorite when I was younger, and I remember being sad to see it end. It takes the author some time to hit his stride in this book, but once he does it is high adventure all the way.

Book Review of "The Cabin Faced West"

The Cabin Faced West, by Jean Fritz

4.5 stars

Description: The West might be a land of opportunity, but Ann Hamilton isn't impressed. For her, the West is ... lonely. Ann longs for the comfort of her Gettysburg hometown, the companionship of her cousin Margaret, for any occasion special enough to use a tablecloth and real china -- highly unlikely in a forsaken wilderness. As time progresses, Ann's attitude begins to change; even though she understands the lure of western promise for her parents and brothers, which "home" has a stronger pull on her heart when she has the opportunity to make her own choice?

Concerns: None.

Summary: The trials and tribulations of Ann's everyday life on the frontier make for a fascinating read. Although readers aren't likely to find themselves in a quandary over fetching a coal from the neighbors to start a fire or fighting a monster-storm to bring in food from the garden, Ann's own personal failures and triumphs are still easily relatable to today. This is a fast read and a rewarding one, so join Ann as she stumbles and grumbles her way to discovery of... contentment!

Book Review of "Princess Academy"

Princess Academy, by Sharon Hale

4 stars

Description: Miri is a small girl growing up in a tough mountainside village. Winters are hard and life isn't always easy; but Miri loves the unbounded freedom of the mountain -- except for one thing. While her father, sister, and neighbors contribute useful work in the village quarry, Miri is always the one left behind to tend the goats. When the girls of the village are coerced into joining a Princess Academy, Miri begins to wonder... is there more to life than goats and pickaxes?

Concerns: Quarry-speech is somewhere between an innocent fantasy along the lines of the-dog-can-talk... and something a little more supernatural. Hard to tell.

Summary: It's a little formulaic, but formulas are around because they work, right? Miri lives a tough life, but the challenge makes her stronger, and it's fun to see her grow and learn to use her wits to better the lives of herself and her village. It's not an idyllic journey; the Princess Academy challenges everything Miri has ever known, and her new-found confidence is tested when she comes face with a life-and-death situation for her and her classmates. This is a fun read for those who enjoy stories of discovery, family and friendship with a little adventure mixed in.

Book Review of "Charlotte's Web"

Charlotte's Web, by E. B. White

4 stars

Description: Although it may seem like a spring pig should have known better, Wilbur is horrified to discover he is bound for the dinner table! The world looks like a hopeless and heartless place to live in, but the game isn't over yet; led by the brains and resourcefulness of a remarkable spider named Charlotte, all Wilbur's barnyard friends pitch in to hoodwink the farmers and give their favorite pig a second lease on life. Even the scurrilous rat Templeton gets in on the effort, and from the barnyard to the fairgrounds, crafty creativity reigns!

Concerns: None.

Summary: It's amusing to see the quirks and foibles of humanity brought out and exaggerated in animal characters. Poor Charlotte is endlessly exasperated by her less-than-brilliant accomplices, but in the end -- just like in real life -- they need each other to achieve their goal. From Wilbur's hopelessly comical efforts to spin a web to Charlotte's lucky escape through the help of a rotten egg, the story manages to handle a heavy subject matter in an entertaining way. For those who like animals, this book is a solid win.

Book Review of "Number the Stars"

Number the Stars, by Lois Lowry

5 stars!!!

Description: The year 1943 was a dangerous time to be a Jew. Especially in Nazi-controlled Denmark. The war has taken so much from young Annemarie; food is scarce, pink frosted cupcakes are a distant memory, and the only "fireworks" that the five-year-old Kristi has seen are the explosions from the harbor. But cupcakes suddenly aren't important anymore when Annemarie realizes that her friend Ellen is Jewish -- and the Nazi "relocation" of Jews has just begun. Will the war take her best friend, too?

Concerns: Ethical questions about lying in wartime; a kitten is named "Thor, the God of Thunder"; one swear word towards the end.

Summary: Annemarie, Ellen, and Kristi are everyday girls living in a world of uncertainty, but even though that war-time tension is stark on every page, there is also warmth and laughter of humanity. The story is a fast and suspense-heavy read, but this is no cheap thriller; Annemarie's choice sends a message about life and loyalty, even when things looks hopeless. Lois Lowry has created a beautifully written story of true bravery  in a time when standing up for what was right could -- and often did -- cost that person their life.