"The Castle Corona" by Sharon Creech

I chose to review this book because it is included on the 3rd-5th grade list for the 2012-13 Oregon Battle of the Books (OBOB).

The Castle Corona
Author: Sharon Creech
Genre: Fairy Tale
Age Level: 8-12 years

SUMMARY
Once upon a time, there was a royal family who lived in a castle high on a hill. King Guido and Queen Gabriella had three children: Prince Gianni, the aspiring poet; Prince Vito, the swordsman; and Princess Fabrizia, the spoiled. Below the castle lay a village where two young peasants named Pia and Enzio lived a miserable existence with their master. The two youngsters would dream of a better existence, but were always brought abruptly back to reality. One day, however, the peasants do meet adventure when they discover a stolen pouch bearing the King's seal. The pouch, and its contents, ultimately lead them to the castle where they find their lives suddenly intertwined with those of the royal family.

CRITIQUE
I wanted to like this book, but it was ultimately a big disappointment. The beginning was promising, but I kept waiting for something to happen, and it never did. The plot was predictable and full of holes, while the climax of the story was anything but captivating. I assume that this novel was supposed to be about self-discovery, but the only character who genuinely seemed to learn something and change was the Queen. Like the story, the illustrations were promising, but then the reader realizes that many of the images are recycled throughout the book. I appreciated that there was very little objectionable material (see below) and, therefore, did not regret reading it. Overall, though, this fairy tale was disappointing and forgettable.

RATINGS
Disrespectful/Bad Attitude: Mild
Frightening/Suspenseful: Mild
Profanity: Mild
Sex: None
Substance Use: Mild
Mature Themes: None
Violence: Mild

SPECIFIC CONTENT
Disrespectful/Bad Attitude:
-The master calls Pia and Enzio 'dirty beetles,' 'idle hogs,' and 'lazy turnips.'

Frightening/Suspenseful:
-Pia and Enzio are kidnapped by the King's Men and taken to the castle. They believe they are going to be thrown in the dungeon.

Profanity:
-One use of the word 'idiot.'

Substance Use:
-Several of the characters drink ale or wine.
-Pia says the master will come home drunk. "He'll be wobbling and stumbling and cursing."
-The Count sleeps soundly after drinking "too much wine."

Violence
-Pia and Enzio talk about what will happen if the King's Men catch the thief saying, "If they catch him they will slice off his head and chop him to bits!"
-Pia and Enzio realize that daydreaming may do you harm, "especially if your master is impatient with such daft dreams and will whack you on the back of your knees with a leather strap."
-The Wordsmith tells a story where a young servant boy dies after tasting the king's poisoned soup.
-The Wordsmith tells a story where the young prince captures a thief, "throwing him to the ground and stabbing through his tunic."

"The 39 Clues: The Maze of Bones" by Rick Riordan

I chose to review this book because it is included on the 3rd-5th grade list for the 2012-13 Oregon Battle of the Books (OBOB).

The Maze of Bones (The 39 Clues, Book 1)
Author: Rick Riordan
Genre: Mystery/Adventure
Age Level: 9-12 years

SUMMARY
When Grace Cahill dies, her relatives are invited to the reading of her will where they are each given an unusual choice: to walk away with one million dollars or to be given the first in a series of clues that will eventually lead them to a mysterious treasure. Grace's grandchildren, Dan and Amy Cahill, decide to accept the challenge. What begins as an intriguing treasure hunt soon becomes a perilous adventure as Dan and Amy soon realize that some of the other teams will stop at nothing to win.

In this first novel (in a ten-book series written by a variety of authors), Dan and Amy follow the initial clues left by their forefather Benjamin Franklin. The two orphans travel with their college-aged au pair to Paris where a string of clues and adventures finally leads them into the Catacombs where they find the second big clue.

CRITIQUE
I am sure that many children in the targeted age range will enjoy this book, but don't expect this book to be great literature. The characters were not very well-developed nor, in my opinion, were they even very likable. I wearied quickly of the sibling protagonists' acrimonious relationship. The plot was very predictable and the clues were not very sophisticated. It was a fun adventure for the younger reader, but nothing at all deep or thought-provoking. If you are looking for a good mystery for your child to read, I would instead recommend The Westing Game or even The Mysterious Benedict Society (see my other blog - link below - for reviews of these books).

RATINGS
Disrespectful/Bad Attitude: Mild
Frightening/Suspenseful: Mild
Profanity: Mild
Sex: None
Substance Use: None
Mature Themes: None
Violence: Moderate

SPECIFIC CONTENT
Disrespectful/Bad Attitude:
-Dan says his sister "has a face like a baboon butt."
-Dan tells Jonah, "If your head was any bigger, we could use it as a hot air balloon."
-Amy says to Dan, "Why don't you go fly a kite in a storm and see if you get electrocuted?"

Frightening/Suspenseful:
-Suspenseful scene where Dan and Amy are trapped in the secret, underground library when someone sets fire to the mansion. They manage to escape unharmed.
-Paragraph describing how creepy the Catacombs are with all the human bones stacked like firewood.
-Suspenseful scene where Dan is nearly run over by an express train. Amy pulls him to safety at the last moment.

Profanity:
-Words/phrases used include stupid, dweeb, idiot, weirdo, loser, git, shut up, fool, wimp, dummy, creep, doofus, poop.

Violence
-Madison and Reagan drop Dan on his head.
-Dan wants to "kick Ian in a soft spot" but doesn't.
-Dan tries to trip Ian and Natasha, but they step over his leg.
-Amy boxes Dan on the ear.
-Dan finds a stone dagger. Grace describes how the Aztecs would use it for ritual sacrifice. "They would cut off the parts of their enemies that they believed held the fighting spirit."
-Amy considers strangling Dan, but doesn't follow through.
-Amy is tempted to whack Dan with a book. She doesn't do it.
-Amy wants to hit Nellie with the jewelry box, but doesn't.
-Natalie is carrying a poisoned silver dart gun and points it at Irina's chest.
-A bomb explodes and part of the ceiling collapses. Dan and Amy are upset because they believe the Starlings have been killed in the blast. Later Dan and Amy learn that no one was killed, but there were serious injuries that sent the Starlings to the hospital.
-Dan and Amy hear that Alistair Oh has been attacked. He ends up with a black eye and cracked ribs.
-The Holts are "strangling each other" fighting over the ice cream.
-Eisenhower Holt remembers how he "accidentally Tasered himself in the rear end."
-Holt family fights a group of thugs that were trying to bury Dan and Amy alive.
-Dan throws a concussive grenade that knocks everybody out.
-Amy electrocutes two thugs by charging a metal fence with a battery.
-Nellie "whopped Alistair Oh upside the head with her backpack."

"The Circuit" by Francisco Jiménez

I chose to review this book because it is included on the 3rd-5th grade list for the 2011-12 Oregon Battle of the Books (OBOB).

The Circuit: Stories From the Life of a Migrant Child
Author: Francisco Jiménez
Genre: Autobiography
Age Level: 10+ years

SUMMARY
This collection of autobiographical short stories tells of a Mexican family's continual migration between labor camps as they search for enough work to support their growing numbers. It is told from the perspective of Panchito, a young boy, who struggles with the competing desires of wanting to help his family and wanting to attend school.

CRITIQUE
I have experience teaching the children of migrant workers and found this book to be both captivating and heart-wrenching. Sr. Jiménez was able to highlight the extreme challenges faced by these families without sermonizing. It was tender to witness this family hold onto hope and cherish one another in the midst of despairing circumstances. I would highly recommend this book.

RATINGS
Disrespectful/Bad Attitude: Mild
Frightening/Suspenseful: Mild
Profanity: Mild
Sex: None
Substance Use: Mild
Mature Themes: Mild
Violence: Mild

SPECIFIC CONTENT
Disrespectful/Bad Attitude:
-Neighbor boy refuses to let Manuelito, younger brother, play because he is "too slow."
-Kids make fun of Panchito because of his strong accent.

Frightening/Suspenseful:
-Disturbing scene when Torito, the baby, is very sick and eventually has to be taken to the hospital.
-Scene where stove bursts into flames and sets fire to entire house.

Profanity:
-Words/phrases used include 'tonto' (stupid), 'mocoso' (snotty), 'idiot', 'damn'.

Substance Use: 
-Several mentions of cigarettes and chain smoking.

Mature Themes:
-Extreme poverty.
-Illegal immigration.

Violence
-Roberto mentions "being hit on the wrists with a twelve-inch ruler" for not following directions in school.
-Panchito fights with a boy on the playground.
-Kids "killed snakes and threw them in the garbage hole when it was burning and watched them sizzle and squirm."
-Father kills pet parrot by hitting it with a broom.
-Contratista pushes worker down and kicks him "in the side with the tip of his boot."
-Neighbor boy pushes Panchito who falls flat on his back.

"Who Were the Beatles" by Geoff Edgers

I chose to review this book because it is included on the 3rd-5th grade list for the 2011-12 Oregon Battle of the Books (OBOB).

Who Were the Beatles?
Author: Geoff Edgers
Genre: Biography
Age Level: 8+ years

SUMMARY
This easy-to-read, illustrated narrative covers the lives of each of the four Beatles. It begins with a description of their childhoods in Liverpool, England. It talks about how they were introduced to Rock 'n' Roll music. It describes Beatlemania and illustrates what it was like to be a rock star. It also explains why they broke up. Scattered throughout the book are brief informational summaries covering many topics including Rhythm and Blues, the Vietnam War, and The Sixties.

CRITIQUE
Parents should be aware that due to the lives of these individuals and the times in which they lived, this book touches on many mature themes. It doesn't go in to a lot of detail, and is dealt with in a very straightforward manner, but be aware that there is content that may be inappropriate for the targeted audience.

RATINGS
Disrespectful/Bad Attitude: Mild
Frightening/Suspenseful: None
Profanity: None
Sex: Mild
Substance Use: Mild
Mature Themes: Heavy
Violence: Mild

SPECIFIC CONTENT
Disrespectful/Bad Attitude:
-John Lennon made fun of his teachers, sometimes to their face.
-Paul McCartney's brother called him "fatty" when he was a young boy.

Sex: -Talks about how Elvis wore his shirt unbuttoned, and his jean tight, and swiveled his hips when he sang and the "girls went crazy."
-Mentions that Paul liked girls and bragged to all his friends when he had his first kiss.
-Explains Yoko Ono's experimental style as an artist by giving the example of how she "made a film of a fly walking up and down a naked person's body."
-Drawing of John Lennon and Yoko Ono kissing.

Substance Use:
-Mention of fans who had "too much beer and got into fights." (accompanied by drawing)
-Mentions LSD as being a drug that some people were using at the time.
-John Lennon "began to drink too much. He also took drugs."

Mature Themes:
-Custody battle.
-Death of parent: John and Paul both had a mother who died when they were teenagers.
-Abandoned by father.
-Extended illness.
-Racism.
-Discussion of how the sixties was a generation filled with anger.
-Vietnam War.
-Political assassinations.

Violence:
-John Lennon got into fights, as a child and as an adult.
-John's mother dies after being hit by a car.
-States that John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, and Martin Luther King, Jr. were all shot and killed.
-George Harrison is stabbed.
-Mentally ill man shoots John Lennon with a gun and kills him.

"Number the Stars" by Lois Lowry

I chose to review this book because it is included on the 3rd-5th grade list for the 2011-12 Oregon Battle of the Books (OBOB).

Number the Stars
Author: Lois Lowry
Genre: Historical Fiction
Age Level: 10+ years

SUMMARY
This historical fiction brings to life the efforts of the Danish Resistance during World War II as they smuggled nearly the entire Jewish population of Denmark (nearly 7,000 people) across the sea to Sweden. Lois Lowry tells this story through the eyes of 10-year-old Annemarie Johansen, whose family harbors her best friend, Ellen Rosen, and then helps Ellen and her family to escape the country.

CRITIQUE
This is another powerful and moving tale set in the context of the horrors of World War II. Ms. Lowry speaks of the pride and courage of the Danish people as they risked their lives to save their friends and neighbors. I appreciated that Ms. Lowry was able to address some difficult themes and yet keep the content appropriate for younger readers. This book certainly deserves its Newberry Medal and I would highly recommend it.

RATINGS
Disrespectful/Bad Attitude: Mild
Frightening/Suspenseful: Moderate
Profanity: Mild
Sex: None
Substance Use: Mild
Mature Themes: Mild
Violence: Moderate

SPECIFIC CONTENT
Disrespectful/Bad Attitude:
-Soldier tears up baby photographs, drops them on the floor, and grinds his boots into them.

Frightening/Suspenseful:
-German officers storm into the Johansen apartment in the middle of night looking for the Rosens, their Jewish neighbors.
-Germans barge into a "wake" wanting to know why they are all gathered together at night.
-Annemarie hears a growl up ahead on the path.
-Annemarie runs into German soldiers when she is attempting to deliver an important package to her uncle on his boat.

Profanity:
-Words used include 'dumb', 'dope', 'idiot', and 'stupid.'

Substance Use:
-Discussion of smoking and shortage of cigarettes.

Mature Themes:
-War
-Death
-Genocide of Jews

Violence:
-Mention on numerous occasions of German soldiers patrolling with their guns.
-Description of Danish Resistance activities including damaging trucks and cars and bombing factories and railroads.
-Mention that sometimes the Resistance fighters were "caught and killed."
-Annemarie's older sister "dies in an accident" two weeks before her wedding. At the end of the book we discover that she was "run down" by a German military car.
-A soldier slaps Mrs. Johansen across the face causing her to stagger backwards and leaving a mark.
-Peter Nielsen, a Resistance fighter, is captured and executed in the public square.

"On the Wings of Heroes" by Richard Peck

I chose to review this book because it is included on the 3rd-5th grade list for the 2011-12 Oregon Battle of the Books (OBOB).

On The Wings of Heroes
Author: Richard Peck
Genre: Historical Fiction
Age Level: 10+ years

SUMMARY
This story begins with a description of an era when neighbors spent time playing games, telling stories, and pulling pranks on one another. Then their quiet world is shattered by the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Davy Bowman's beloved older brother enlists and soon begins flying B-17s over Germany.

Much of the novel is devoted to a description of what it was like on the home-front during World War II. Davy and his best friend, Scooter, experience food rationing, milkweed collecting, scrap metal drives, black-outs, and substitute teachers. Every aspect of their lives is overshadowed by the fear of being attacked and worry about loved ones who are stationed far away.

CRITIQUE
Although this book includes some mature subject matter, it was a delightful book to read. Mr. Peck has a wonderful sense of humor and weaves his tale in such a way that you find yourself laughing and crying at the same time. In this tender historical novel, he has created some endearing characters and a realistic portrayal of the American home-front during World War II. Although Davy's heroes are obviously his father and his brother, this book invites readers to appreciate the heroism and sacrifice of those on the home front as well.

On the Wings of Heroes is the first book I have ever read by Richard Peck and I look forward to reading others. I would highly recommend this book.

RATINGS
Disrespectful/Bad Attitude: Mild
Frightening/Suspenseful: Mild
Profanity: Mild
Sex: Mild
Substance Use: Mild
Mature Themes: Mild
Violence: Moderate

SPECIFIC CONTENT
Disrespectful/Bad Attitude:
-Boys on Halloween night come out to "soap your windows, shave your cat, pull siding off your house, do something nasty down your mailbox, knock over pumpkins."
-Davy is threatened by the school bully who tells him "at noon you'll be picking up your teeth all over the school yard...and you'll wonder where your nose went."
-Class bullies terrorize the students and the teacher.
-Older boys, including Davy's Cubmaster, steal the paper that Davy and Scooter have collected for the paper drive.

Frightening/Suspenseful:
-Mrs. Hiser, Davy's neighbor, tells a ghost story about a man who is searching for his missing hand. Mr. Hiser plays a practical joke on her and reaches out to her with a wooden arm with a hook on it.
-Miss Mossman, Davy's teacher, tells them of the dangers of the Germans dropping incendiary bombs that could "burn you to a crisp."
-An explosion leaves Davy and Scooter thinking they are being bombed. In actuality, it is buckshot out of a gun hailing down on the roof.

Profanity:
-Words used include 'brat,' 'bozos,' and 'dadburn.'

Sex:
-Mentions a good-looking girl wearing a "real low-cut prom dress."


Substance Use:
-Mention of a still used for making corn liquor.
-Mention of a factory worker being on her "cigarette break."

Mature Themes:
-War
-Death

Violence:
-An elderly neighbor tells gruesome stories. She describes the exploding Hisenberg: "passengers burning alive staggered on fleshless feet through its melting steel skeleton." Or again, a nephew who "skidded on his sled...shot under an International Harvester truck and scalped himself." Another story involves a man having his arm ripped off by a cornpicker.
-A snake is "dead in the road with a red smear where a car had run over its head."
-Janis, one of the class bullies, gets her hand caught in a rat trap when she attempts to steal the teacher's pocketbook.
-Beverly, another class bully, knifes the tire on the teacher's Chevy.
-Davy's dad wrings the necks of two chickens.
-Chicago mobsters hit Davy's father in the side of the head with a monkey wrench.

"Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher" by Bruce Coville

I chose to review this book because it is included on the 3rd-5th grade list for the 2011-12 Oregon Battle of the Books (OBOB).

Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher
Author: Bruce Coville
Genre: Fantasy
Age Level: 9-12 years

SUMMARY
Jeremy Thatcher is having problems in school. His art teacher hates him, a girl in his class threatens to kiss him, and the other boys tease him unmercifully. When he stumbles upon Mr. Elives' magic shop, and he leaves with a dragon's egg, Jeremy finds that an entirely new set of problems await him. Where will he keep the dragon? Will he be able to keep his new pet a secret as he has been instructed? How will he feed the dragon? How will he prevent the dragon from disturbing his father's animal patients? And ultimately, how will he bring himself to send the dragon back home when the time comes?

CRITIQUE
A good fantasy author, such as J.R.R Tolkien or J.K. Rowling, creates an entire world into which the characters and their actions come into existence. In this respect, Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher, was a failure. There was an extreme lack of depth and sophistication, not to mention character development. In my reading, I did not get the sense that the story took place within a larger framework. I realize that this book is part of a series, but still maintain that the author did not successfully create a coherent fantasy world.

I was also disappointed with the implicit message of this novel. It would have been more satisfying to watch Jeremy grow into a stronger person - after his adventures with the dragon - who was more equipped to deal with the problems he faced. Instead, to a large extent, Jeremy used his relationship with the dragon as a form of escapism (e.g. midnight flights, dreams, magical connection). While there was some character growth and development, it was very minimal compared to what we see, for example, is C.S. Lewis' The Silver Chair.

The bottom line is that while there is nothing highly objectionable in this novel, it is pretty superficial reading. I wouldn't recommend it.

RATINGS
Disrespectful/Bad Attitude: Mild
Frightening/Suspenseful: Mild
Profanity: Mild
Sex: Mild
Substance Use: None
Mature Themes: None
Violence: Mild

SPECIFIC CONTENT
Disrespectful/Bad Attitude:
-Mr. Kravitz, the art teacher, gives Jeremy a "smug, nasty smile."
-Jeremy calls Mr. Elives an "old fruitcake" behind his back.
-Jeremy calls a cat "rotten" and then sticks his tongue out at him.
-Mr. Kravitz refers to one of his students as a "little weasel."

Frightening/Suspenseful:
-When Jeremy sets out to return Tiamat to her home on Midsummer Night, the fog becomes very dense and neither boy nor dragon know what to expect. Then a hooded figure steps out of the mist toward them.
-On several occasions, Jeremy fells unexpected pain and realizes that he is sensing Tiamat's pain and emotions.

Profanity:
-Words used include 'creep', 'shut up', 'fathead', 'stupid', and 'jerk.'

Sex:
-Mary Lou, a girl in Jeremy's class, writes him a note saying, "I think you are incredibly cute...I am going to kiss you after school today if it's the last thing I ever do."
-On several occasions, the boys in Jeremy's class make "loud, wet, kissing noises" when he walks past them on the playground.
-Students chant "Jeremy Thatcher and Hot-Stuff Hutton - the Ro-o-o-o-mance of the Century" every time they see him.

Violence:
-Tiamat, the dragon, sets fire to Mr. Kravitz's foot.
-A boy torments a cat by tying its legs together and then poking it with a stick.
-A boy gives Jeremy "a ferocious kick" that sends him "sprawling face first into the dirt."
-Tiamat, who is invisible to the boy, begins to claw at him. During the ensuing struggle the dragon becomes entangled in a thorn bush and her wings get scratched.