The Tiger Rising

Title: The Tiger Rising

Author: Kate Di Camillo

Genre: Realistic Fiction

# of Pages: 116

Books Read: 21/50

Don't read this book if you're looking for a happy read. As the wise Willie Mays points out, Rob is sad and Sistine is angry, so they really do make quite the pair of friends. In the same spirit as Bridge to Terribithia, the boy is quiet and cautious, and the girl is more adventurous and stands up to the bullies at school.

At first, I didn't really understand how the tiger is "rising" in this book. You do meet the tiger right away, when Rob discovers the cage hidden as he's waiting for the school bus. And the story does revolve around his dilemma over whether or not to let the tiger go. But it makes sense in the end, again explained by Willie May. I really enjoyed the book. The characters are so real, and their raw emotions really come alive. Even if it is more sad than happy.

The Last Olympian

Title: The Last Olympian

Author: Rick Riordan

Genre: Fantasy

# of Pages: 

Books Read: 20/50

I really appreciate how consistent the author has been throughout this series. Sometimes, you end up loving one book more than all the rest, or there's one that just isn't as impressive. I think, for the most part, I have sped through reading and loved all 5 in this series. I also like how he ties all the books together. I think if I went back and read them again, I would see foreshadowing of the end in the earlier books. It's pretty awesome.

I was reading this one on my break from lifeguarding at the beach, while sitting in the concession stand. A group of young boys (elementary school age) came up to buy candy from me. When they noticed my book sitting on the counter, they got all excited and exclaimed about how good of a book it is! I was excited, too, to be able to reply, "I know, I love it!" 

Also, if anyone can explain to me the "spaghetti" rule for the ball game 500, I would love it. (That's what these boys were playing at the beach when I was lifeguarding today)

How to Train Your Dragon

Title: How to Train Your Dragon

Author: Cressinda Cowell

Genre: Fantasy

# of Pages: 

Books Read: 19/50

I absolutely am in love with the movie version of this book! It's one of my favorite feel-good on a quiet Friday night and cuddle up with a blanket and popcorn and giggle, giggle, giggle until all the stress of the week just melts away movies! Earlier this spring, I had several students in my class assure me that the books were way better. I believed them, so I was excited to read and find out for myself!

I think I didn't enjoy the first part of this book as much as I could have, because what I was reading seemed to really conflict with the Hiccup character and plot I knew from the movie. They certainly changed a lot! So since I saw the movie before reading the book, I had to put in the extra effort to let my imagination do it's job and draw the world the author describes! But once I could let go and really got into the story of the book, I really did love it! So funny, and I love the pictures and captions sprinkled throughout the chapters. The messy, scrawled handwriting and doodles are just so perfect for the Viking characters. I almost love the book Toothless, too, because he really is just a normal, common dragon, and is special because Hiccup loves him. 

Definitely a fun read, and like I said, I loved the pictures! 

The Battle of the Labyrinth

Title: The Battle of the Labyrinth

Author: Rick Riordan

Genre: Fantasy

# of Pages: 

Books Read: 18/50

I just tore through this book the other night. I was so excited to get the request in at the library, with this one and The Last Olympian at the same time. I have loved reading this series! I finished this book in one night. (Part of the fun of being an adult is there's no one to come in at 1am or whenever and force me to turn out the lights if I don't want to, but on the other hand, I suffer the consequences when I'm tired for work the next day!)

A Bear Named Trouble

Title: A Bear Named Trouble

Author: Marion Dane Bauer

Genre: Realistic Fiction

# of Pages: 120

Books Read: 17/50

Based on a true story, this book narrates the incident in Alaska where a 3-year old bear cub from the wild broke into the Anchorage Zoo! Why did he do it? What was going through this wild animal's mind and what instincts drew him towards people and the animals at the zoo? 

On the other side of the story, 10-year-old Jonathan is an animal lover who struggles between his fierce loyalty to "Mama Goose," who is accidentally killed by the bear, and his loving curiosity about the bear cub. The narrative is a great opportunity to practice making inferences, as well as character development and making connections. I also love this book for its Minnesota connections: Jonathan's family moved to Alaska from Duluth, Minnesota! 

Catherine Called Birdy

Title: Catherine Called Birdy

Author: Karen Cushman

Genre: Historical Fiction

# of Pages: 212

Books Read: 16/50

The bi-line on the cover, "She's not your average damsel in distress," sums up the tone of the book fairly well. Catherine is a 14 year old ambitious dreamer stuck in the medieval era. She's expected to take small steps, sit silently, sew elaborate embroidery, know which herbs cure headaches, and most importantly, marry whomever her father needs her to marry to form a good match or alliance. But "Little Bird," as she is affectionately nicknamed by her family, doesn't want any of these things. She wants to be a puppeteer, or a traveling minstrel, goat herder, monk, crusader, artist... anything to escape her beastly father and indulge her yearning for adventure. 

The book is written as a first-person journal, which makes it so real and relatable. Little Bird's mini-rants made me laugh so many times while reading this on my deck, 21st century smoothie in hand. A great book for any independent young lady who'd rather find her own way than be told what to do! 

Touch Blue

Title: Touch Blue

Author: Cynthia Lord

Genre: Realistic Fiction

# of Pages: 186

Books Read: 15/50

This is a new book from Cynthia Lord, author of Rules. I got it through the Scholastic Book Orders last winter for my classroom library, but just now have had the chance to read and find out what the story is really about. 

As the cover shows, the setting is an island town on the East coast. Tess is the main character, and she and her family have lived on the island their whole lives. She loves to go lobster fishing with her dad, and more than anything she doesn't want her life to change. Her mom is the teacher at their one-room island school. The state is threatening to shut down the school, saying it's not worth keeping open for so few kids. This would force Tess's family and others to have to leave the island and move to the mainland, but the reverend comes up with a win-win idea that can save them! Five families on the island take in foster kids, to replace the five students who moved away last year. 

Red-haired, 13-year-old Aaron is one of these foster kids. Tess and her family try to make it clear to Aaron that they really do want him as a part of their family, but on a small island the gossip travels faster than the ocean wind. Who can blame him from feeling bitter that he had to leave his school and jazz band to start in a new place just to be a number to keep the one-room school open? In spite of a rocky beginning, Aaron and Tess manage to form a friendship, and over time, Aaron even agrees to play his trumpet for the town. Aaron is a gifted jazz musician and plays both trumpet and piano. 

The heartwarming story has all the themes of belonging, family, as well as some anti-bullying with Eben, who drives Tess crazy and picks on Aaron until they show him what's up. I enjoyed this quick read at the beach on a fittingly rainy, foggy day.

Pictures of Hollis Woods

Title: Pictures of Hollis Woods

Author: Patricia Reilly Giff

Genre: Realistic Fiction

# of Pages: 

Books Read: 14/50

I'm reminded of The Great Gilly Hopkins, but with a little bit older and more mature character. Hollis is a foster child struggling with feeling like she doesn't belong anywhere. She loves to draw and is an amazing artist, but she skips school a lot and struggles when she does attend. 

The book weaves in a series of flashbacks to Hollis's memories of the Regan family, where she was happy for a summer. Now, Hollis is living with Josie, an older lady who is starting to forget some things. I think what Hollis most likes about Josie is that Josie needs her. And like the Regans, Josie celebrates what Hollis is good at, rather than criticizing her faults. This story is one of family, love, and belonging, in a beautiful and intriguing way. I enjoyed it!

The Titan's Curse

Title: The Titan's Curse

Author: Rick Riordan

Genre: Fantasy

# of Pages: 

Books Read: 13/50

Number 3 in the series. This one I read in less than 2 days! Percy is now an 8th grader, and this time, the book takes place during the school year. It's winter on Camp Half-Blood Hill, but it's not a break or vacation for the busy heroes. I think my favorite new twist in this book is the way the author alludes to Percy developing crush-like feelings for Annabeth. Will they end up dating? Will they just stay friends? Nothing is revealed, yet, but I liked wondering! 

Sea of Monsters

Title: Sea of Monsters

Author: Rick Riordan

Genre: Fantasy

# of Pages: 279

Books Read: 12/50

It's official. I am in LOVE with this series! Seriously, I'm hooked! I know that I'm supposed to be blogging about a variety of genres, but I can't not read all the Olympians books. 

I liked seeing Percy grow as a character in this book. He learns not to assume things, and he realizes that he can't give up hope when things get hard. Tyson, Percy's half-brother, is easily my favorite character in this book. He's so loyal and just loves his friends unconditionally. In addition, he's gone through so much hardship, but refuses to let everyone assume he's bad just because he's a Cyclops monster. Instead, he uses his talents for good! 

The Lightning Thief

Title: The Lightning Thief

Author: Rick Riordan

Genre: Fantasy

# of Pages: 400

Books Read: 11/50

This is the book I chose to read-aloud at TOPS this summer. It's full of adventure, and I think the idea of a sixth-grade boy finding out he's a hero is pretty intriguing. Plus, the series is based on Greek mythology, which students do learn more about in sixth grade.

It's a pretty long book, so my class didn't get to finish it, but I took it home and finished the book on my own. My favorite aspect of this series is the chapter titles. Each one gives a little preview of the action to come, but in a bizarre way that makes me laugh and wonder, "What the heck?" 

I got the movie to watch, too. It's pretty good, but I don't like that they cast older teenagers as Percy, Grover, and Annabeth. I think it takes away some of the coolness when the teenage heroes are high school students, because they're older and it's not quite as exciting as 13 year olds defeating evil and saving the world.