"Becoming Naomi León" by Pam Muñoz Ryan

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).

Becoming Naomi Leon
Author: Pam Muñoz Ryan
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 10-12 years

SUMMARY
Naomi and her younger brother, Owen, live with their great-grandmother in a trailer park in Lemon Tree, California. They have their own set of issues, but are generally quite happy due primarily to Gram's emphasis on positive thinking. Then one evening they get a surprise visit from their mother who had abandoned them seven years previously. At first, the children, particularly Owen, are excited about becoming reacquainted with their mother. Unfortunately, their mother is not the nurturing type and has plans for Naomi that leave her feeling scared and insecure. Gram comes to the rescue with a desperate flight to Mexico in an attempt to find the children's missing father.

CRITIQUE
This was a very well-written, moving story. The characters were extreme, yet believable. I also enjoyed the introduction to Mexican culture. However, I was surprised that this was assigned to 3rd-5th grade students. In my opinion, the subject matter was too mature, and frankly a bit frightening, for younger children. Therefore, while I would recommend this book for its great storytelling, parents need to be aware that there are difficult themes they may want to discuss with their children.

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

SPECIFIC CONTENT
Disrespectful/Bad Attitude:
-Naomi rolls hers eyes at something her grandmother has said.
-Other students at school call Naomi "trailer trash" and Owen a "retard."
-Owen's mother calls him a "blem" (with flaws).

Frightening/Suspenseful:
-Naomi is so scared of being kidnapped by her own mother that when someone knocks on their door, she runs to the kitchen and begins to cry.
-Naomi wakes up and thinks that they are experiencing an earthquake.

Substance Use:
-Mother is an alcoholic. She is seen with beer in the back of her car and taking sips of rum from a bottle she keeps in her purse.

Mature Themes:
-Child neglect and abandonment.
-Custody battle.

Violence:
-Naomi's mother yanks her hair, slaps her hard across the face, grabs her arm digging her nails into her skin.
-Skyla makes vague threats about harming Gram.

"Charlotte's Web" by E.B. White

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). At first I thought that most people would already be familiar with this title, but then I decided that perhaps I assumed too much, so here is my review.

Charlotte's Web
Author: E.B. White
Genre: Fantasy
Age Level: 8-12 years

SUMMARY
Wilbur was raised by Fern who refused to allow her father to kill the runt pig. Now Wilbur lives on the farm of her uncle, Mr. Zuckerman, and at first he is quite lonely without his playmate. But then Wilbur becomes friends with Charlotte, the spider who lives in a corner of the barnyard door. When Wilbur discovers the terrible fate that awaits him in the fall, Charlotte vows to save his life. She concocts a clever plan to convince the Zuckermans that Wilbur is no ordinary pig and should be spared.

CRITIQUE
I loved this story as a child and appreciate it still as an adult. In this classic tale, E.B. White addressed serious themes of friendship, loyalty, and death in a manner that is accessible to children. His descriptions of the countryside and barnyard bring these places to life for the young reader who may not otherwise be familiar with these settings. He filled the story with memorable characters whom we love despite their various faults. As always, the illustrations by Garth Williams are wonderful.

Although this book is probably written to an elementary-aged audience, I think it is an enjoyable read aloud for younger children as well. Also, don't forget to check out Stuart Little and Trumpet of the Swan, found in this E. B. White Box Set.

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

SPECIFIC CONTENT
Disrespectful/Bad Attitude:
-A lamb tells Wilbur, "Pigs mean less than nothing to me."
-Templeton says, "Let him die" when he hears that the others are trying to come up with a plan to save Wilbur.

Substance Use:
-One mention of Lurvy smoking a pipe.

Mature Themes:
-Death.
-Killing of animals for food.

Violence:
-Mr. Arable heads to the barn with an ax to kill a runt pig. He doesn't go through with it when Fern begs him not to.
-Charlotte describes to Wilbur how she kills the fly and drinks its blood.
-Goose threatens to give Templeton "the worst pounding a rat ever took" if he goes near the goslings.
-Wilbur learns that Mr. Zuckerman plans to kill him and eat him.
-Avery tries to knock Charlotte out of her web with a stick.
-Charlotte tells a story of a struggle to the death between her cousin and a fish.
-Wilbur has a dream that "men were coming to get him with knives and guns."
-Templeton tells Wilbur that Mr. Zuckerman "will take the knife to you, my boy."
-Templeton bites Wilbur's tail to revive him from his faint.

"Calvin Coconut" by Graham Salisbury

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).

Calvin Coconut: Trouble Magnet
Author: Graham Salisbury
Illustrator: Jacqueline Rogers
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Level: 9-11 years

Calvin Coconut, who lives in Hawaii with his mother and sister, is about to start fourth grade. He is really looking forward to being in Mr. Purdy's class, but he just can't seem to stay out of trouble. For one, he has managed to catch the attention of the middle school bullies. Then he gets off to a bad start with Stella, the teenage girl who has come to live with his family for a while. To top it all off, after letting loose a giant centipede in the classroom and disrupting the class in a variety of ways, Calvin is in trouble with Mr. Purdy.

This book is certainly not great literature. There is not much character development, and the story is more episodic than plot-driven. However, Calvin is likeable and, although he frequently gets into trouble, seems to be a well-intentioned boy. Also, there is plenty of local color which is an enjoyable variation. I do think it is unfortunate that so many authors of children's books today feel it necessary to make disrespect the basis of their humor. Whatever happened to comedy based on irony or even slapstick?

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

SPECIFIC CONTENT
Disrespectful/Bad Attitude:
-Characters use the following words to refer to each other: dork, knuckleheads, doof, fool, buster, dumb, loser, punk, and twerp.
-On the first day of school, Julio tells his younger brothers to "scat" and find their own classrooms.
-Mr. Purdy, the fourth grade teacher, tells one of his students: "Looks like you got a little smarter since I saw you last."

Frightening/Suspenseful:
-Calvin is chased by bullies and is forced to hide in a dumpster until they go away.
-Mildly suspenseful scene when Calvin searches for his younger sister whom he forgot to walk home from school.

Profanity:
-Words and phrases used include idiot, dang, stupid, butt, and "shut your yaps."

Mature Themes:
-Calvin's father has abandoned his family to pursue his music career.
-Stella, a teenage girl, is sent to live with Calvin's family because she and her mom need a break from each other.
-Bullying.

Violence:
-Calvin is dragged along the sand by a kiteboard until he is cut and bleeding.
-Tito threatens Calvin by saying he would "mess you up."
-Students push and shove each other in the lunch line.
-Students start a food fight.
-Tito shoves Calvin a couple of times then, when he realizes a teacher is watching, he bangs past him, bumping Calvin with his shoulder.
-Stella says to Calvin, "You're going to pay for this." and When I get out of here, you're dead."
-Tito tells Calvin, "I owe you a broken face."
-Tito slams Calvin in the chest with the palms of his hands.

"The White Giraffe" by Lauren St. John

I chose to review this book because it is included on the 6th-8th grade list for the 2011-12 Oregon Battle of the Books (OBOB)

The White Giraffe
Author: Lauren St. John
Genre: Fantasy
Age Level: 10-14 years

SUMMARY
When Martine's parents are killed in a house fire, she is sent away to live with a grandmother she never knew on a game reserve in South Africa. Martine senses that her grandmother does not desire her presence and is keeping secrets from her. Nor does Martine feel that she fits in at school, particularly when she inadvertently discloses her strange gift of healing. Martine is very lonely. Then one night she meets the white giraffe, whom everyone has insisted is only a myth. Martine quickly falls in love with her new friend, Jemmy, and is troubled when it becomes obvious that Jemmy is being hunted by poachers. Martine must learn to make the right choices in order to save her friend.

CRITIQUE
With regard to the writing style, this is probably one of the better children's books I have read in recent years. The author uses wonderfully descriptive language to make the African bush and its inhabitants come alive for the reader: Pale spike thorn trees and ragged shrubs dotted the long yellow grass, which glowed beneath the blazing summer sun as if it was lit from underneath.

Unfortunately, I was disappointed with the character development. The characters and their relationships would have benefited from further elaboration. When I compare this novel to other books that involve an attachment between a child and an animal such as Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls or The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, the bond between Martine and Jemmy is not nearly as powerful.

The plot, also, was underdeveloped. On the one hand, it was fairly predictable. On the other hand, several occurrences were left unexplained or were inconsistent within the story and with reality. The reason appears to be that the author intends for us to read the sequel. This is the fourth children's book I have read recently that does not have an intact ending. The author leaves the plot unresolved so that one has to read the sequel in order to obtain an explanation. With a few exceptions, I find this strategy rather unappealing.

Overall, I would say this was a good book, but could have been much better. While many children may enjoy it and not be bothered by the plot and character deficiencies, I believe the sophisticated reader will not be impressed.

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

SPECIFIC CONTENT
Disrespectful/Bad Attitude:
-When Martine is informed by the family lawyer that she is to go and live with her grandmother, she responds by saying, "I'm not going and you can't make me."
-Martine rolls her eyes at an adult.
-Martine is rude (speaks "cheekily") to her grandmother and argues with her.
-Grandmother calls Grace a "crazy old magic woman."
-Children at school are mean to another child and call him "Bonkers Ben."
-Martine speaks rudely to Alex, the game warden. Alex is cruel in return by saying to her, "My girl, you are playing with fire now...and you know what happens to people who play with fire."

Frightening/Suspenseful:
-Martine has a frightening dream from which she wakes up screaming.
-Martine wakes up to discover that her house is on fire. She escapes through the window, but her parents perish in the blaze.
-Suspenseful scene where Martine walks through the game reserve at night and narrowly avoids being bit by a Cape cobra.
-Kids chase Martine, threatening to "eliminate her" because she is a "witch."
-Suspenseful scene when Martine rides on the giraffe's back to escape the poachers.
-Suspenseful scene when Martine goes onto the ship by herself to find Jemmy and rescue him.

Profanity:
-Children call others: stupid, witch, nutcase, loony, freak, mongrel, idiot.

Mature Themes:
-Violent deaths.

Violence:
-Martine's grandfather is killed in an encounter with some poachers.
-Lucy gives Martine a "friendly punch that almost knocked her over."
-Tendai tells Martine the story of being beaten with a rhinoceros hide whip until he lost consciousness.
-Tendai pushes Martine back "so hard that she slipped and grazed her bare knee" in order to prevent her from stepping into a nest of adders.
-Alex shoots a kudu in the throat. "Blood spurted from his neck in a fountain and he dropped to the ground and lay still."
-Tendai has "two ugly gashes on his face caused by ricocheting splinters" when Alex shoots the tree right above Tendai's head.
-Martine finds cave paintings depicting bloody giraffes laying dead on the ground.
-Martine imagines horrible fate for Jemmy: "being skinned and used as a rug...or being whipped and made to perform tricks in a circus, or even freezing to death in some Siberian zoo."
-Martine fights back when Ben unexpectedly grabs her from behind and they both fall to the ground.
-Martine finds Jemmy and "his white and silver coat was covered in cuts and matted blood. He seems to be dead."
-Jemmy gives Alex a "glancing blow with his hoof" as he runs across the deck of the ship.

"Tiger" by Jeff Stone

I chose to review this book because it is included on the 6th-8th grade list for the 2011-12 Oregon Battle of the Books (OBOB).

Tiger (The Five Ancestors, Book 1)
Author: Jeff Stone
Genre: Action/Adventure
Age Level: 12-14 years

SUMMARY
Fu (which is Catonese for "tiger") is one of five young monks who have been trained in the secret Cangzhen Temple under the strict guidance of the Grandmaster. The story begins with an attack on the temple by the emperor's army led by their traitorous brother, Ying. After Ying and his soldiers slaughter all the monks, including the Grandmaster, Yu and his brothers must find a way to defeat Ying and recover the sacred scrolls that he has stolen. This is the first book in a planned five-part series. Click here to watch an interview with the author.

CRITIQUE
This is a fast-paced, exciting adventure to read. The main characters, who each take on the persona of a different animal, are well-developed and the reader will be anxious to discover whether the young monks can defeat the powerful and sinister Ying. Although the setting of the book is 17th century China, it is not historical fiction and does not feel very authentic, particularly with regard to the dialogue. Also, please be aware that this book is inundated with violence that was often quite graphic (see Specific Content below for examples).

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

SPECIFIC CONTENT
Disrespectful/Bad Attitude:
-Characters call each other "lizard face," imbecile, fool, "fat boy," "ignorant oaf," and "monkey brains."

Frightening/Suspenseful:
-Yu nearly drowns inside the water barrel with his brothers piled on top of him.
-Description of Ying: toenails and fingernails sharpened into points, like talons; deep grooves and intricate scales carved into his face and filled with green pigment; teeth ground to a sharp point; forked tongue.

Profanity:
-Words/phrases used include stupid, butt, idiot, and "shut up."

Mature Themes:
-Death.
-Use of violence.

Violence:
-Grandmaster smacks Fu on the head.
-Malao remembers the time Ying broke Fu's arm because he woke him up.
-Cangzhen Temple is full of lifeless bodies and fallen horses. "He could see orange robes everywhere, filled with dead monks. Hundreds of armor-clad soldiers lay flat on their backs with long spears extended straight up into the air from their throats. Fu choked on smoke and the stench of burning bodies..."
-Soldier reports that one hundred monks have been killed.
-Ying's "long fingernails pierced the soldier's skin, and he ripped his hand away with a brutal, flesh-stripping twist...four streams of blood ran down his forehead, into his eyes."
-Grandmaster kills a soldier with a "knife-hand chop to the back of the soldier's neck."
-Ying has fingernails with "bits of bloodstained flesh dangled from their tips."
-Grandmaster knocks Ying over with a vicious leg swipe.
-Extended fight scene between Yu with tiger-hook swords and soldier with straight blade.
-Fu bites Ying's arm to break his grip on his robe.
-Ying swipes Fu's face with his chain whip and "blood poured across his jaw, down the side of his neck."
-Ying shoots Grandmaster with a qiang. "There was a terrific BOOM! and Grandmaster stumbled backward as a hole opened in his chest. He slumped to the ground, dead."
-Ying beheads Grandmaster. "The sword dug deep into the earth, and Grandmaster's head rolled away from his lifeless body."
-Young kung fu fighters receive bamboo whacks as punishment.
-Yu remembers how he would wake Ying with a "powerful punch or kick."
-Ying attacks soldier. "The fist clamped down on the man's throat. Four long fingernails sank deep along one side of his larynx. A razor-sharp thumbnail sank in on the opposite side. The fist squeezed until sound no longer came from the soldier's mouth..."
-Ying shoves Commander Woo to the ground.
-Description of tiger traps: "It would fall into the pit, landing on the spikes, impaled and stuck at the bottom...hunters would slash tiger repeatedly with the razor-sharp metal tips of their long spears, tormenting the tiger for hours until it slowly bled to death."
-Extended scene where Fu attacks tiger hunters.
-Ma throws rocks and spits at Fu while he is in the cage.
-Ma playfully punches one of Ho's arms.
-Horse tramples on villagers' legs and feet.
-Governor "kicked Ma in the backside as hard as he could, sending him flying out of harm's way."
-Governor is "beaten down by the second mob of ruthless soldiers and left barely conscious."
-Drunkard crushes a soldier's shoulder.
-Ma kicks a villager square in the knee.
-Drunkard is hit with shot from qiang.
-Fu fights with soldier while escaping from cage: "There was a sharp crack as the soldier's nose shattered against a large stone...ripped his head away and screamed as a fistful of his hair remained in Fu's hand. A chunk of scalp dangled from the clump of hair."
-Monkeys attack soldiers; clawing, scratching, and biting.
-Fu breaks soldier's collarbone with spear, then pins him to the ground by his throat until he is unconscious.
-Ying grabs Malao's neck with his eagle-claw grip and paralyzes him temporarily.
-Ying orders Tonglong to kill the monks.
-Tonglong slaps Yu on side of head.
-Extended fight scene between young monks and soldiers.
-Tiger cub attacks soldiers.

"Dying to Meet You" by Kate Klise

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).

Dying to Meet You
Author: Kate Klise
Genre: Mystery/Humor
Age Level: 9-12 years

SUMMARY
Mr. I.B. Grumply, a famous children's book author, has not published a book for twenty years. In an attempt to overcome his writer's block so that he can finally complete the next installment of his Ghost Tamer series, he rents an old Victorian mansion where he hopes to find some peace and quiet. He is thwarted, however, by a young boy, Seymour, and a ghost named Olive who already occupy the house and are not happy about his presence. As the three main characters interact with one another through letters and notes, they each learn something about themselves and what they must do to alter their life (and death) circumstances.

CRITIQUE
This was the first book by Kate Klise that I have read and, honestly, I was not all that impressed. The letter format was an agreeable variation, the illustrations were enjoyable, and the character's names were clever; but the plot was uninteresting and predictable. At the conclusion, Mr. Grumply supposedly recognizes his selfishness and changes his ways, but his character transformation was completely unconvincing. While young readers may enjoy stories where the characters demonstrate contempt for one another, I can't condone a book that models this type of mutually disrespectful humor.

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

SPECIFIC CONTENT
Disrespectful/Bad Attitude:
-Mr. Grumply calls children "little monsters." He continually refers to Seymour as a "liar" and a "brat."
-Seymour puts up signs around his house that say "Keep Out!" and "Go Away!"
-Mr. Grumply writes to Ms. Sale about her "stultifying ignorance" and states that she is an "illiterate imbecile."
-Behind his back, Ghastly residents call Mr. Grumply "grouchypants" and "grumpy old Grumply."
-The rules that Mr. Grumply and Seymour establish for each other are full of disrespect.
-The Ghastly Times constantly reports people's comments even though they have specifically asked the reporters not to include their remarks.
-Mr. Grumply talks about giving Seymour a spanking.
-Olive refers to Mr. G as an "old coot" and a "dreadful bore" and tells him he has a "sourpuss attitude" and is an "insufferable bore."
-Olive and Mr. Grumply refer to Seymour's parents as "wretched weasels" and "rats."
-Mr. Beans refers to Mr. Grumply as a "poor slob."
-Mr. Grumply calls himself a "very insufferable pig" when apologizing to Olive for his behavior.

Profanity:
-Words/phrases used include "what bunk," stupid, fart, brat, and "what the Sam heck."

Mature Themes:
-Seymour is abandoned by his parents.

Violence:
-Olive causes a chandelier to crash down on Mr. Grumply. He steps on several shards of glass and has to get stitches in his feet.

"Among the Hidden" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

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).

Among the Hidden (Shadow Children #1)
Author: Margaret Peterson Haddix
Genre: Science Fiction
Age Level: 9-12 years

SUMMARY
It is the future and there has been a worldwide famine. The Government, in an attempt to control the population, has passed a Population Law that decrees families can have only two children. However, some families have chosen to disobey this law.

Luke Garner is a "third child" who has spent his entire life hiding from the Population Police. Life hasn't been too bad for Luke since his family lives on a farm where there is no one around to see him. But then the government forces the Garners to sell some of their land, and the woods behind their house are torn down to build a subdivision. Luke is forced into the shadows. He quickly becomes lonely and bored.

Then one day he discovers another "third child" living in a nearby house and he summons up the courage to make contact with her. Unlike Luke, Jen has experience of the outside world and she is committed to changing the status of shadow children like herself. Luke has to decide whether or not to join her cause and risk the potentially serious consequences.

CRITIQUE

I was not impressed with this book. The plot and character development were lacking, and the author failed to construct a believable futuristic society. I would describe this book as a "lazy" attempt at science fiction. The author tried to depict a society in which a totalitarian government reigned supreme, but the scenario was inconsistent with reality as well as overly simplistic. Also, considering the amount of time spent on character development, the characters and their relationships were not very compelling. Furthermore, an effort was made to create moments of suspense, but the plot was too predictable to make this very effective.

It is apparent from the writing style that this book was intended for young children. In my opinion, the author both underestimated the ability of children to understand complex issues if fully explained and, at the same time, introduced material that is perhaps unsuitable for young children.

The bottom line is: If you are looking for a good science fiction book for your upper-elementary-aged child, this is NOT one I would recommend. Try The Giver by Lois Lowry or A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle.

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

SPECIFIC CONTENT
Disrespectful/Bad Attitude:
-Luke's brothers call him a "baby" when he doesn't blow out all the candles on his birthday cake.
-Luke's dad and brothers refer to the barons' style of dress as "sissy clothes."
-Luke briefly considers what would happen if one of his older brothers were to die and wonders if that would mean he could come out of hiding. He feels guilty for having these thoughts.
-Luke tells Jen his brothers talk about bras when they are "being dirty."

Frightening/Suspenseful:

-Suspenseful scene when Luke sneaks across the yard over to Jen's house for the first time and isn't sure what he will discover.
-Suspenseful scene when the Population Police show up at Jen's house and Luke has to hide in a closet.

Profanity:
-Words used include idiot, shut up, dopey, and stupid.

Mature Themes:
-Death and grief.
-Mass infanticide.
-Totalitarian government.
-Luke leaves his family, after obtaining a fake ID, in order to find a way to free the shadow children.

Violence:
-Luke's dad "grabbed Luke by the arm and jerked him back a good three feet" when Luke tried to look out the window.
-Jen "knocked him down. Then she pinned him to the floor, his arms twisted behind his back, his face buried in the carpet."
-Jen's dad points a gun at Luke, a gun "meant to kill humans."
-Jen and forty other children are gunned down outside the president's house. "The blood flowed into his rosebushes."
-Luke and Jen's father wrestle for the gun. Luke points it at Mr. Talbot, but eventually allows him to take it and set it on the desk.