Tanya's Reunion Book Review

Tanya's Reunion is a story about a girl named Tanya whose Grandma teaches her things about life.  The story starts in Tanya's family's kitchen.  While they were eating, Grandma said something uncalled for.  " I would like to go to the farm early before the Family Reunion."  Tanya's Mom was not so sure that this was a good idea because just a little while ago Grandma was very ill.  Grandma sees her fear so she says, "If it makes you feel any better I'll take Tanya ahead with me to make sure that I'm okay.  Tanya looked excited and hopeful.  To her surprise, her parents let her go with Grandma.  On the trip to the farm, Tanya has lots of fun on the buses but she wanted to know what the farm looked like.  When they finally got to the farm Tanya looked at it closely.  She was very disappointed.  It wasn't anything like she imagined.  That night when Tanya laid her head on her pillow she wanted to go home.  Will Tanya's visit to the farm get any better?  Find out in the book Tanya's Reunion.
~Hope Katherine   

A Pocket For Courduroy Book Review

A Pocket For Corduroy is a book about a stuffed bear who is owned and loved by a little girl named Lisa.  When Lisa and her mother go to the laundromat to wash their clothes Lisa takes Corduroy with them.  When they get there Lisa wants to help her mother with the laundry so she sits Corduroy on a chair and tells him to wait there for her.  Corduroy was waiting for them to be done when he heard Lisa's mother tell Lisa to take everything out of her pockets.  "I wish I had a pocket." Corduroy thought to himself.  He slid off of his chair and went to look for one.  Will Lisa and her mom have to leave without him?  Find out in the book, A Pocket For Corduroy.
~Hope Katherine

Saint Patrick and the Peddler Book Review

Saint Patrick and the Peddler is a story about a peddler who is very poor and no one is buying anything from him so he is going hungry.  One night, Saint Patrick came to him in a dream and told him to go to Dublin which was very far away and told him to stand on the bridge and he would hear what he needed to hear.  "To Dublin!" He thought. "That is such a long ways away."  So he didn't go.  The next night he had the same dream.  Again he refused.  The next night it came again.  Would the peddler ever listen?  This is a good book for kids of all ages.  The pictures are very well drawn.  I really liked this book.
~Hope Katherine

Saint George and the dragon Book Review

Saint George and the Dragon is a story about a knight who comes with a princess named Una to help try to slay the dragon that is hurting Una's people. When George gets to the kingdom he is attacked by the dragon. After a big fight, George is badly wounded and can't get back up. Will he survive? I recommend this book for kids nine and up because the pictures are a little gruesome in some areas. This book is nicely written and has good pictures.
~Hope Katherine

The Patchwork Quilt Book Review

The Patchwork Quilt is a story about a girl named Tanya and her Grandma. Grandma was cutting out squares of fabric one day and Tanya asked her what she was doing. They worked on it together for a year and when it was done, Tanya found writing on the bottom of the quilt that said, "To Tanya from her Grandma." This is a very good story. I recommend this book for everyone. It has pretty pictures and it is well written. I hope you read this book!
~Hope Katherine

How Many Days to America? Book Review

How Many Days to America is a book about Africans who are going to be taken as slaves so they get on a boat in the middle of the night and escape from the mean men. when the boat's engine gives way, the women knot clothes together to make a sail. When they finally reach land three men jump off of the little boat and swim to shore. There are men on the land but they do not look happy to see the boat. The men bring the dark skinned men back to their little boat with food but say that the boat could not land here. Will they ever reach America? I recommend this book for kids ages seven and up because kids younger than seven may not understand what the story is about.
~Hope Katherine

Train to Somewhere Book Review

Train to Somewhere is a book about fourteen orphans who get on a train with their teacher to see if anyone wants to adopt one or more of them. A girl named Marianne is hoping that her mother will be at one of the stops waiting for her. During the trip, Marianne and her friend Nora get separated. In the end, Marianne gets adopted by an older couple who she knows will love her. It didn't end the way I thought it would. I recommend this book for kids ages seven and up because the story is kind of sad.
~Hope Kate

Thee, Hannah Book Review

Thee, Hannah is about a Quaker girl who has a neighbor who has lots of pretty things like flowers on her bonnet. Hannah cannot have pretty things because her parents are Quakers. This is a very good story. Hannah is constantly getting into trouble by doing something that Quakers should not do. I recommend this book for girls of all ages.
~Hope Kate

Robin Hood Book review

Robin Hood is a very good book. The thing I like about it is that it tells the whole story. Before I read this book I had only herd a little of the story. Now I know the whole story. I would recommend this book for 8 and up because there are a few gory pictures and words. The book Robin Hood is a very suspenseful book.

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Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves review by Anya (and Mom)

Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves is a fictional book that is suspenseful, yet unrealistic. In the book Ali Baba, a salesman in the marketplace, uncovers a mystery of a secret cave. The setting of the book is very different than here. There aren't thieves where I live. There is a marketplace and it's not called ShopRite or Walmart. Also, they carry around swords and daggers and do a lot of killing.

I would recommend this book for ages 9 and up because it has a lot of gory things. It was pretty easy reading but there are a lot of words on each page. The story is about girls and boys and could be enjoyed by both, but in the end, a girl is the hero.

You should check out this book and read it. But once you've read the ending, the mystery is over, so you'll probably only want to read it once.

***NOTE*** Hope read the book and said NO ONE should read it. Too much killing. So, reader: beware!

The Lion,the Witch, and the Wardrobe chapter two, narraration

Chapter two is about how the faun asked if she wanted to go to his house and warm up with a cup of tea and some cake. Lucy hesitated to accept the kind offer but she finally gave in. so they walked arm in arm through the snow to the faun's house. Very soon they came upon a snug cave. They went into the cave and sat down at a little table and had a great time. But soon the faun started to cry. He was crying so hard that he would not stop. "Oh Mr. Tumnus! Don't cry." Lucy told her new friend. Mr. Tumnus stopped crying long enough to tell her that the White Witch had told him that she would turn him into stone if he did not bring her the first human he saw. He also told her that he had been trying to lull her to sleep so he could hand her over to the Witch. He told her that he would take her back to her home. Will the Witch hurt poor Mr. Tumnus? Find out for yourself!
~Hope Kate

By the Shores of Silver Lake, chapter two narraration

Chapter two of By the Shores of Silver Lake is about how Laura helps her Pa load the wagon so he could go west with Aunt Docia to get a new job. Laura tries to get Jack their old Bulldog to go with Pa because he could not come with them on the train, but Jack was too old to make such a long journey. Laura did not want to leave him. When scarlet fever went around, Jack could not help them. Now Laura realized that she had neglected him. Before the family had gotten sick, Laura had made sure that Jack's bed was aired and comfortable, but she had not done that in a long time. That night she made sure that his bed was comfortable. He was pleased that she had remembered. The next morning when Pa called Jack, he did not come because he was stiff in his bed. They buried him by the Indian hunting grounds where he used to chase rabbits. It was that day that Laura decided to be grown up. With pa and Jack gone, Laura needed to help Ma and Carrie to go west again.
~Hope Kate

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe narraration

Chapter one of The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe is about how Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy come from London to live with an old professor in his mansion. On the second day that the children were there, Lucy found an old wardrobe and stepped inside to feel the long, fur coats, when she heard something crunching beneath her feet ad instead of coats she felt pine needles against her face. Then she realized that she was in the woods. She had just stepped into the snow when she heard something coming closer. Out of a clearing stepped a man who's upper half was human but his lower half was goat. In Narnia (for that is where Lucy is) they call this type of animal a Faun. Is he friend or foe? Find out for yourself!
~Hope Kate

By the Shores of Silver Lake, narraration

Chapter one of By the Shores of Silver Lake is about how Scarlet Fever was going around and Ma, Mary, Carrie, and Baby Grace all got it. When it left them, Mary's sight was getting dimmer and dimmer every day. Now she is completely blind. One day Laura was looking out the window while holding Grace, when she saw a wagon approaching. She called ma and told her that there was a lady in the wagon dressed very neatly. When the wagon stopped at their door, they went out to see who it was. It just happened to be their Aunt Docia. She told Pa that her husband needed help with his job and would pay him to help. Pa considered the question. Will they move? Find out in Laura Ingalls Wilder's fifth book in the Little House series, By the Shores of Silver Lake.
~Hope Kate

Paddington Helps Out Chapter three - by Anya

Padington Helps Out is a very funny book. My mom told me about when she was a kid. She said, "I remember laughing so hard when my mom read it to me." I hope you have a good time reading. 8)

Paddington at Work Book Review

Paddington is a bear who is constantly getting into mischief. Paddington doesn't try to get into mischief, but when he tries to do something right, mischief just sort of follows him wherever he goes. He lives with the Browns who found him in Paddington Station. Now they live in a house with a big, green front-door. This book is a funny chapter book because of the adventures he has. Every chapter is a different story. I recommend this book for all ages.
~Hope Katherine :)

Paddington Helps Out Chapter One - by Anya

Paddington is a funny, mischievous bear who loves surprises. In Paddington Helps Out, he wakes up early one morning to hear a lot of noise coming from the garden. He jumps out of bed to make sure he isn't missing anything. He was surprised to see the Browns all gathered around a picnic basket and Mrs. Bird carrying out a large plate, piled high with sandwiches! Paddington decided he would go out because he didn't want to miss any fun. They were surprised to see him up so early because he usually slept later. They told him they were going to have a picnic on the river.

When they got to the river, Mr. Brown announced that Paddington would steer the boat. They set sail and they hit a wave. One moment Paddington was standing in the boat and the next moment he was not. Where is Paddington? Is he in the river? Will he drown?!?!?! To figure out what happens- read the exciting book of Paddington Helps Out!

~Anya

Mom's note: These original Paddington chapter books are really funny to read aloud to early elementary aged kids. I remember laughing to tears as my mother read these aloud to me. Don't miss an opportunity for sharing lots of joy with your kids! :D Also, though in Reading for the Heart this is listed as a Picture Book, the originals have only a few black and white illustrations. I would classify it as Children's Fiction I think. Still- largely for late preschool/early elementary ages. ~Katherine

Jo's Boys Book Review

Jo's Boys is a book in the Little Women series about four sisters and their families. In this book, Jo's boys have grown up and scattered across the world. They still come home sometimes to tell her all their troubles and ask if she can help them out of scrapes. This is a good book for ages 9+. Parents, you may want to preview this book before you let your children read it because it has things that you may not want to introduce to your child to yet. I highly recommend this book and I've always liked the Little Women series and I hope you like them too.
~Hope Katherine:)

Book Review of Black Beauty by Anya

Black Beauty is a well-tempered, handsome horse that loves kids. I liked this book because it is about horses and everyone knows that I love horses. Black Beauty is sold four or fives times. After working hard all his life, where will this old, weak horse end up? Read Black Beauty to find out.

William Tell, illustrated and retold by Margaret Early

This is a good, classic story about a mean man who took over William Tell's homeland and ruled the people harshly. One day, the mean man told the people to bow down to his hat that he put on a pole. Tell did not hear of this law because he lived on a mountain. So when he went into the village where the hat was to visit his father with his son, he didn't bow. One of the guards saw that he hadn't bowed and told the ruler. The mean ruler was very angry and knew that Tell was a good shot with his bow and arrows. He told Tell that his punishment for not bowing was that he, the mean ruler, would put an apple on his son's head. Tell would have to shoot an arrow through the apple. Would William Tell be able to shoot it without accidentally killing his son?!?!

Misty of Chincoteague, a Book Review by Anya

I would recommend Misty of Chincoteague for horse-lovers because I am one, and I loved it. My favorite part was when the mustangs swam the channel on Pony Penning Day. On Pony Penning Day the horses are rounded up off an island, forced across the channel, and sold at an auction. In the book our main characters earned enough money to buy a pony of their choice. The day before the auction, the main characters, Paul and Maureen, find out that they have to earn twice as much money as they already had- in one day. Would they have enough money? And what did they need the extra money for? To find out what happens you'll have to read the exciting book, Misty of Chincoteague!

Chapter Nine of Little Women, Narraration by Hope

In Chapter Nine of Little Women Jo is still mad at Amy for burning her book. One day, Jo and Laurie were going to skate on the pond together to have fun and make Jo forget about her book. Amy wanted to get right with Jo so she asked Meg what she should do to win Jo's respect again. Meg told her to get her skates and run after them and skate with them. She told Amy that when she got on the ice to do something kind for Jo and Amy would win her respect again. So Amy ran after her them with her skates and yelled for them to wait for her. But Jo ignored her. Amy was so far behind that she didn't hear Laurie warn Jo that the ice in the middle of the pond was not thick enough to skate on and was very dangerous. So when Amy started skating, the ice broke and Amy fell in. Will Amy live? And will Jo be able to live with her conscience?

Chapter Eight of Little Women, Hope's Book Review

Little Women

In chapter eight of Little Women Jo and Meg are putting on their gloves to go somewhere that Amy doesn't know about. Amy asked where they were going and Jo told her to mind her own business and she can't go because she has a cold. Amy guessed that they were going somewhere with Laurie and that she wanted to go too. When Jo tells her that she can't go Amy says, "You'll be sorry for this Jo March!" When Jo comes back Amy looks as tame as a dove so Jo doesn't worry. But when everyone else is going to bed and Jo was going to write more of her story, she couldn't find her manuscript. Instantly, she thought about what Amy had said that afternoon. She ran into Amy's room and jumped on the bed where Amy was. "Where is my manuscript?!!" she asked Amy. Jo looked into the fire and saw papers in the fire. She screamed and yelled at Amy. Would Jo ever forgive Amy?

~Hope

Billy and Blaze, Book Summary by Anya

Billy and Blaze by C.W. Anderson

At the beginning of the book there is a boy named Billy. And Billy loves horses. Whenever he gets a chance to ride a horse he takes it. On his birthday his dad says, "Billy go look on the lawn and you will find your birthday present." So he went out side and looked on the lawn. Then he saw a beautiful bay horse (a bay is a black and brown mix). He could not wait to ride him! That night after dinner was over he went to the barn, said good night to his horse, and went to bed. A few days later he found a name for his horse. The name was Blaze. When he was riding he heard a dog in pain. So he followed the sound. And he found it in a trap that was used for a wild animal. He named it Rex. When he was riding he saw a sign that was taped to a tree that said......????? I guess if you want to find out what happens, you will have to read it your self . : ]

~Anya

Song and Dance Man, Book Review by Hope

The Song and Dance Man is about a grandfather who used to be a song and dance man on stage. One day his grandchildren come over and want him to perform for them in the attic where his tap shoes, vest, cane, and hat are stored away in a trunk. This picture book is appropriate for kids and pretty short. I recommend this book for small children around the age of four because a younger child might not understand it (and it might be boring for an older child).

I read this book to my brothers, aged 6 and 3. They liked the pictures. My three-year-old brother thought grandfather's red nose looked like Rudolph, and he laughed so hard!

~Hope

Anya's Review of Araminta's Paint Box by Karen Ackerman

Araminta's Paint Box by Karen Ackerman

Arminta's Paint Box is a story about a paint box given to a girl named Araminta by her Uncle as her family is moving west. The paint box gets lost several times. Will Araminta ever get her paint box back?

I would recommend this book for all ages. I particularly liked the horse wagons in the story.

~Anya

Chapter 2 Wind in the Willows

In chapter two the reader learns about a toad named Toad that never stays with one hobby. In the past he loved boating. Now he wants to try caravaning. After convincing Mole and Rat to come with him, he sees a motor car, and he wants one! I wonder what his next interest will be? : -1

Chap. 2 of The Wind in the Willows

One fine day, Mole was sitting by the river, wondering about what kind of a person Toad was. At the same time, Water Rat was humming a song about ducks that he had just made up, and he was very absorbed in doing so. So when Mole asked him a question, he didn't answer until Mole had called his name more than once. When Mole finally got through to Rat, he asked if he would take him to see Toad. So they went to Toad's house. When they got to Toad's house, they saw a sign that read: "Private. No landing allowed." When they got to the sign Rat said, "Here is where we will park our boat." When they got out of the boat, they looked for Toad. They found him in a chair thinking about something. They had arrived just in time to see his new thing which happened to be a canary-colored caravan. You see, whenever visitors came to Toad's house he would always like something different than before. This time it was a caravan. It just so happened that Toad wanted them to go along on a trip he was taking. So with much persuading, Rat and Mole went along in his caravan.