The Witches

 The Witches, by Roald Dahl, 224 pages

I am continuing to read Roald Dahl books as my family has dictated. I remember watching this movie when I a kid and the book is pretty close to the film, except for the ending. I'm noticing a running theme in a lot of Dahl's work: orphaned children and awful parents. There is definitely a grown-ups versus adults feel to a lot of them, which I think is one of the reasons whey they remain so popular with kids. I wonder if he lost his parents when he was young. They also make great intros to children's fantasy, since there's some magic and whimsy in each of them. I do remember the movie being at the end of the era of 80's kids movies that were also kind of scary. But the book also scared me! Some of Blake's illustrations are a little hideous, but they do the job. But this might one of my favorites so far. Kids being turned into something even smaller but still winning the day--you gotta love it. Great book to read around the Halloween season. Next up: James and the Giant Peach. Recommended for kids and adults. 

Matilda

 

Matilda by Roald Dahl, 240 pgs.

What a fun book. My daughter started reading this one night, finished it in a day, and declared it as her favorite book of all time. I've seen most of the early movie versions of of Dahl's books but I'm just starting to read them now and really wished I'd experienced them as a kid. Matilda is one of those kids who is born to neglectful, awful parents and who don't encourage her natural abilities so she develops them herself. I love that this is basically a kid experience some massive trauma and ends up developing a superpower as a result to counteract all the bad people in her life. Books that feature kids who develop a power over grown-ups is always a good read, it's nice to see mean adults get their comeuppance at the hands of someone so small. Kids and adults. 

Fantastic Mr. Fox

 Fantastic Mr. Fox, by Roald Dahl, 81 pgs                                                                                                                                                  

My daughter is reading Roald Dahl books and is loving them so much that she's demanding that I read them too. So here we are! I brought Matilda home for her to read and she loved it so much, she said it was one of the best books she's ever read. I miss reading the illustrated kids books now, since she's getting older but I'm learning to love some of the chapter books she's reading. 

    I've never actually read any of Dahl's books but this was a great one to start with. Mr. Fox outwits three mean, ugly farmers and saves not only his wife and family but the families of other animals living underground in the hill. I loved that he gets his tail shot off--so violent. They don't put violence in kids stories like they used to. Just when you think the three mean farmers will capture Mr. Fox, he comes up with an even better plan to rob the farmers of all of their supplies. This is an easy read and the illustrations by Quentin Blake are fun and whimsical. 

Flora & Ulysses

Flora & Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo  233 pp.

I reread this Newbery Award winner in preparation for the Treehouse Book Club. Flora Belle Buckman is a self-described "natural born cynic" who lives with her mother, the author of romance novels. Flora hates romance novels but instead is a fan of the "Incandesto" comics. When the next door neighbor's super powerful vacuum cleaner (think Dyson with a supercharger) runs amuck a squirrel gets sucked up. Flora rescues the animal and revives him only to discover the animal has now gained incredible powers and is incessantly hungry. Flora names him Ulysses (after the brand of vacuum cleaner) and sneaks him home. Ulysses understands human speech and has the ability to type, poetry in particular. Mischief and mayhem ensue involving Flora's father, and the neighbor's great nephew, William Spiver, who claims to be suffering from temporary traumatic blindness. The character of Flora is somewhat reminiscent of Roald Dahl's Matilda in that she seems to be much smarter than the adults in her life. This is a thoroughly enjoyable book.

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein  291 pp.

This chapter book is in the running to be a selection for my kids' book club. It's a fun story that anyone working in a library would enjoy reading. Not only is Mr. Lemoncello's library an amazing place, there are lots of references to a wide variety of books, and some very intelligent kids playing a challenging game. Twelve children in the small town of Alexandriaville, Ohio are chosen to be part of a lock-in at the town's brand new library. The town's original library closed many years earlier. The book is an homage to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Before the kids can leave the library they must follow clues to figure out how to escape from the building. The main character, Kyle, is a fan of all types of games and just an all round good kid who idolizes master games maker, Luigi Lemoncello.  Of course, there's  Kyle's nemesis, a pretentious rich kid named Charles Chillington who will do anything to win. This is a fun one.

Secrets at Sea by Richard Peck 238 pages

Newbery winning author tries an animal fantasy tale. Richard Peck is known for his fine historical fiction and young adult novels. This is totally different, as Peck spins a charming tale about a mouse family's adventures. A mouse family follow social climbing humans on their venture to try to marry their elder daughter in England. The shipboard journey is full of danger for the mice (a ship's cat). Peck slips in period details and lots of humor. Fans of Avi's Poppy series will especially enjoy this story.

Clementine and the Family Meeting by Sara Pennypacker 162 pages 9781423123569

Newest in the cheerful Clementine series opens with Clementine obsessing about what she has done wrong to cause a Family Meeting. Her parents are mum, telling her to wait for the meeting. Surprisingly, the topic has nothing to do with her past misdeeds. Instead, her parents announce that there will be a new member of the family (and it is not going to be the baby gorilla that she would like to have). Clementine feels dejected, that her parents are not satisfied with the perfection of their family of four. Together the family come up with ways to prepare for the baby and reassure Clementine that she is an important member of the family. This is a great family to get to know. The dialog rings true and the day to day dramas are believable. The parents are loving, thoughtful and communicate well.

Keena Ford and the Secret Journal Mix-up by Melissa Thompson 118 pages

Keena loves writing in her journal her most private thoughts. One day her journal is accidentally left in the apartment of a not-so-nice classmate, Tiffany. Tiffany, of course, reads the journal. She threatens to spill the beans unless Keena becomes her personal slave. What is Keena to do? Keena is sassy and sweet in the same vein as Junie B. This will be enjoyed by young chapter book reading girls who will appreciate the high drama -- what would happen if Tiffany carried out her threat!! Thank goodness Keena has a good friend Eric who agrees to go on a secret retrieval mission. The author admits that she used to be a second grade teacher and found inspiration in the experience.

Tall Story by Candy Gourlay 296 pages

A brother and half-sister who had never met and were separated by oceans are reunited when the brother finally gets his government approved travel papers. Bernardo, the brother must leave the only home he has known with his aunt and uncle in a small Philippine village. There are a lot of complications. The village has a superstition that his presence will prevent a devastating earthquake (so his aunt and uncle try to sneak him out). He is also afflicted with a condition called Gigantism which has shot him up in height past eight feet (hence the book title). On the way to his new home he has a seizure and his mother fears that he has even more medical problems. It is a good thing that his mother and step-father are both nurses, but it also means that they work all the time and his young half-sister, Andi is reluctantly forced to take care of him. Andi is passionate about basketball and her dream is to play point-guard for her new school's all male basketball team. Bernardo's best friend, Jabby was also crazy about basketball. Bernardo would seem to be a natural because of his height, but he is very physically awkward. There is a bit of magic in this warm family story which has humor and heart.

Bless this Mouse by Lois Lowry 151 pages

Two time Newbery winner has written a light chapter book starring church mice rather than people. Their days of comfortable living in Saint Bartholomew may be numbered. After parishioners complain about mouse sightings, an exterminator is scheduled to take care of the problem. Even more disturbing, the annual Blessing of the Animals is fast approaching -- which means cats and dogs will be descending on the church,too. Is this the time for a mouse to have a new litter?? Unfortunately, a new litter arrives and Hildgeard, self-appointed Mistress of the Mice tries to cope. Fans of Graham Oakley's Church Mice books will be in heaven!

Julia Gillian (and the Dream of the Dog) by Alison McGhee 327 pages

It has been a while since I have wept over a children's book or any book. I am warning you to have the tissues close at hand when you near the ending of this book. Julia's pet St. Bernard is old. His slight cold turns out to be the warning that his heart is damaged. Julia tries to reject the words of the veterinarian the way she often impulsively reacts to negative situations. She tries to alter their daily routines to keep Bigfoot safe. She has a big problem at school also. Her third grade reading buddy, Fergus hates reading as does she. Somehow they have to create a huge literary project. Another problem involves Julia's fear of upperclassmen in general, and the seemingly perfect, Ms. Caravaggio, eighth grade basketball star. Julia has great friends of all ages, supportive parents and caring school personnel. I am not a dog lover and am more partial to small canines, but McGhee creates a wonderful pet in Bigfoot. You don't have to be a dog loving, sixth grade girl to enjoy this book -- her best friend is a boy and Julia who has a goal of claiming fame by being the youngest person to get 300+ free shots through the basketball hoop is no girly-girl.

Elvis and Olive Super Detectives by Stephanie Watson 277 pages

Natalie and Annie are best friends despite many background differences. Natalie attends a private school; Annie attends public school. She lives with a foster mother after her mother abandoned her and her brother also left. Natalie's dream is to win a school election and become Secretary and run the school store possibly with her "crush", Albert. Annie tries to help Natalie reach her goal. Annie dreams of finding her mom. They start their own detective agency and start helping in the neighborhood with small problems. By the end, their sleuthing has a major impact on the lives of their neighbors. Some serious issues, banned books, Alzheimer's, child abandonment, are raised and dealt with in an almost gentle way. Their is no easy answer for Annie, but the conclusion feels right. Their friendship survives a few bumps and even Natalie gets her "dream" even though she loses the election. This has heart and a lot more depth than most children's mysteries.

Penny Dreadful by Laurel Snyder 304 pages

This seems to be almost a throwback in tone to Little Orphan Annie. Penelope is a bored, rich girl who wishes for something interesting to happen. You know that line, be careful what you wish for? Before you know it, her parents lose their fortune, their mansion and end up just about broke and move to a ramshackle house filled with eccentric people. Of course, they learn what is truly important in life and lonely, Penelope makes her first friend. A bit old-fashioned, but somewhat charming. Lots of unique characters.

The other Half of my hearat by Sundee Frazier 294 pages

Minerva and Keira King are twin sisters that made headlines around the world on the day they were born. You would never think that they were even related because Keira was born black like her mom and Minerva was born white like their Dad. Minni is particularly confused about who she is during the summer they visit their maternal grandmother who enrolls them in the Miss Black Pearl Preteen of America contest. Is Minnie black and does she have a right to participate in the contest? Does their grandmother prefer Minnie because of her appearance? This unique look at biracial twins explores loyalty, conflicts and the power of families to transcend racial boundaries.

The last leopard by Lauren St. John 199 pages

Marine, an 11 year old South African girl, experiences a third vision involving a legendary giant leopard. An accident to her grandmother's friend interrupts her vacation. The friend runs a hotel in a remote part of Zimbabwe and desperately needs help. Marine is reluctant to leave her beloved white giraffe but is allowed to bring her best friend, Ben on the trip with her grandmother. Ben also has a vision and he becomes her ally. They have a great adventure preventing treasure seekers from illegal poaching. St. John vividly describes the exotic location. This is a companion book to The White Giraffe and Dolphin Song. These books are delightful read alouds for bedtime, car trips or the classroom.