The River

Written By: Gary Paulsen
Pusblisher: Delacorte Press in 1991
Fiction - Novel - Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Summary: "We want you to do it again."

These words, spoken to Brian Robeson, will change his life. Two years earlier, Brian was stranded alone in the wilderness for 54 days with nothing but a small hatchet. Yet he survived.
Now the government wants him to go back into the wilderness so that astronauts and the military can learn the survival techniques that kept Brian alive. Soon the project backfires, though, leaving Brian with a wounded partner and a long river to navigate. His only hope is to build a raft and try to transport the injured man a hundred miles downstream to a trading post--if the map he has is accurate.

It is always fun to caught up in reading sequels of books. It makes the main character almost a real person, because as a reader, you constantly want to know what is going to happen next. As soon as you are done, you want to read the next book in the series.This book is both boy and girl friendly and full of adventure. It does a very good job at putting the reader in the setting and making them feel a part of it. I definitely want to read more books by Gary Paulsen. 

***

3 and a half stars out of 5

20 points

Running Out of Time

Written By: Margare Peterson Haddix
Published By: Aladdin Paperbacksin February of 1997
Fiction - Novel - Contemporary Realistic Fiction/ Historical Fiction

Jessie lives with her family in the frontier village of Clifton, Indiana, in 1840 -- or so she believes. When diphtheria strikes the village and the children of Clifton start dying, Jessie's mother reveals a shocking secret -- it's actually 1996, and they are living in a reconstructed village that serves as a tourist site. In the world outside, medicine exists that can cure the dread disease, and Jessie's mother is sending her on a dangerous mission to bring back help. 

WOW!!!.... I absolutely loved this book!! As I was reading it, I realized I read this in elementary school and just fell in love with it all over again. This is definitely my new favorite book. It keeps you on edge the entire time and it is very engaging. I probably told about 10 different people about this book and how great it was. I would love to read this to a fifth or sixth grade class. It teaches perseverance and love. It also makes you think about what you have and how it may not be as important as you thought it was. 

*****
I give this book 5 stars out of 5!!!!! 
22 points

The Watson's Go to Birmingham

Written By: Chistopher Curtis
Publisher: Yearling 1995
Fiction - Novel - Historical Fiction

A wonderful middle-grade novel narrated by Kenny, 9, about his middle-class black family, the Weird  Watsons of Flint, Michigan. When Kenny's  13-year-old brother, Byron, gets to be too much trouble,  they head South to Birmingham to visit Grandma, the  one person who can shape him up. And they happen to  be in Birmingham when Grandma's church is blown  up.

I did not enjoy this book as much, because it was slow and did not grasp my attention. I think it illustrates what the African Americans had to go through during this time period, but not until the end. I didn't feel like it taught a good lesson, because it talked about how terrible Byron was all the time.  The last three-quarters of the book caught my interest, because it was interesting and created an image of what it was like to live in that time period. I don't think I would choose to read this book again.
**
                                                         2 stars out of 5

22 points

Hatchet

Written By: Gary Paulsen
Publisher: Bradbury Press on September 30th, 1987
Fiction - Novel - Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Brian Robeson, a thirteen year old boy is traveling in a small airplane to Canada to spend the summer with his father. He is involved in a plane crash in an uninhabited part of the Canadian woods after the pilot dies of a heart attack. Brian then must find a way to survive and in the process, discovers much about himself and becomes a man.

The main theme that I got from this novel is to never give up. Without hope, Brian was helpless and meaningless.  Brian continually learns how to keep a positive attitude and to persevere through all of the struggles that are thrown his way. This book reaches out to kids in so many ways. It is suspenseful, helps those kids who may be going through a divorce in their family, teaches to have a positive outlook on life, and it teaches good things about survival that they can take with them. I would love to read this book out loud to my students. This was my favorite book in elementary school.
*****
I give this book 5 out 5 stars
22 points

Because of Winn-Dixie

Written By: Kate DiCamillo
Publisher: Candlewick Press on 2/10/2000
Chapter Book - Fiction - Contemporary Realistic Fiction
Age: 9 and up 
Newbury Honor

Ten-year-old India Opal Buloni's mother walked out on her seven years ago, and she's been asking about her ever since so that she won't forget her. But when she moves to Naomi, Florida, and befriends a lively stray dog, the canine helps her meet some unusual characters who teach her about love, life, and forgiveness.

I remember reading this book in elementary school and being so drawn into the story. After reading it again, I realized this would be a great book to read out loud in class for students who may feel alone. The theme teaches values of friendship and love. It also teaches that it is important not to judge others, because you do not know what they are going through. 

****
I would give this book 4 stars out of 5
20 Points

Hummingbird Nest: A Journal of Poems

Written By: Kristine O'Connell George

Illustated By: Barry Moser

Publisher: Harcourt's Childrens book in 2004

Picture Book - Nonfiction

Ages: 8 and up

For two glorious months, one lucky family gets an intimate peek at the daily activities of a mother hummingbird and her babies. Nest building, egg hatching, flying lessons--the family sees it all unfold on the back patio. Share the experience through this poignant journal of poems filled with funny observations, fascinating hummingbird facts, and unforgettable moments.

I enjoyed this book, because Kristine was able to use bigger words that rhymed with each other and were similar, so the kids could understand what they meant. This is a good nonfiction book to read to kids to help encourage them to keep a journal of their life or something else and then try to write a story about it. It is a great way to write a nonfiction book.

***

                    I would give this 3 stars out of 5

8 points

Stargirl

Written By: Jerry Spinelli
Published: August 8th, 2000 by Laurel Leaf
Chapter Book - Fiction - Contemporary Realistic Fiction
Age 11

She's as magical as the desert sky. As mysterious as her own name. Nobody knows who she is or where she's from. But everyone loves her for being different. And she captures Leo's heart with just one smile. STARGIRL is a classic of our time that celebrates being true to ourselves and the thrill of first love.

I really enjoyed this book, because the theme of it is to relay to kids that it is good to be unique. It is good to be yourself and love who you are. I know it made me rethink who I shape myself to be to fit in with society. 

***

I give this book 3.5 stars out of 5

22 Points

I Face the Wind

Written By: Vicki Cobb
Illustrated by: Julia Gorton
Published: April 15th, 2003 by Harper Collins
Picture Book - Nonfiction
Robert Sibert Honor
Ages 4-8

"Ever lose your hat in a strong wind? Ever feel the wind pushing you from side to side? Know why you can feel the wind, but never see it? You will!"
The combination of words and illustrations in this book fit together perfectly. The words were drawn in the way they were written and there were lots of bright colors. The book was very engaging and gave the kids activities to help them understand better. This would be a great book to read in a 1st grade class for a science experiment.
***
I would give this book 3 out of 5 stars

8 points