2008 Books 66-70
66. Lawn Boy by Gary Paulsen - A twelve-year-old boy is given an old mower for his birthday and decides to create a lawn cutting business. Although the book starts off promisingly as a way to educate students about economics, it becomes ridiculous when the boy becomes a millionaire by investing his money in the stock market and sponsors a prize-fighter. I also think it glorified violence as a way to solve conflict. Rating: Not Recommended
67. Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson - I am a huge fan of historical fiction and was so excited to read this book. It is set in New York during the time of the American Revolution and follows the story of Isabel who is sold to a loyalist family after her owner dies. I was thrilled to discover that this is only the first in a series of books about Isabel. Rating: Highly Recommended.
68. The Road to Paris by Nikki Grimes - “Paris has just moved in with the Lincoln family, and isn’t thrilled to be in yet another foster home. She has a tough time trusting people, and she misses her brother, who’s been sent to a boys’ home. Over time, the Lincolns grow on Paris. But no matter how hard she tries to fit in, she can’t ignore the feeling that she never will, especially in a town that’s mostly white while she is half black. It isn’t long before Paris has a big decision to make about where she truly belongs.” - Summary from author’s website. This is an enjoyable story that provides valuable lessons about family, self-identity and racism. Rating: Recommended.
69. Night of the Howling Dogs by Graham Salisbury - A boy scout campout goes awry when an Earthquake hits. Although this story moved kind of slowly and I wasn’t very interested in the topic, the information about Hawaii (where the book is set) and the different kinds of lava (smooth and walkable or jagged, like walking on glass) was interesting. Rating: Additional Selection
70. A Christmas Story by Jean Shepherd - Who doesn’t love A Christmas Story? The screenplay was written from a series of stories Jean Shepherd wrote about his life growing up. This book contains the stories that are relevant to the movie. My favorite is the one about the father’s “major award,” a lamp that is a woman’s leg wearing fishnet stockings. I love how in the movie the father mispronounces the word “fragile.” Rating: Highly Recommended
67. Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson - I am a huge fan of historical fiction and was so excited to read this book. It is set in New York during the time of the American Revolution and follows the story of Isabel who is sold to a loyalist family after her owner dies. I was thrilled to discover that this is only the first in a series of books about Isabel. Rating: Highly Recommended.
68. The Road to Paris by Nikki Grimes - “Paris has just moved in with the Lincoln family, and isn’t thrilled to be in yet another foster home. She has a tough time trusting people, and she misses her brother, who’s been sent to a boys’ home. Over time, the Lincolns grow on Paris. But no matter how hard she tries to fit in, she can’t ignore the feeling that she never will, especially in a town that’s mostly white while she is half black. It isn’t long before Paris has a big decision to make about where she truly belongs.” - Summary from author’s website. This is an enjoyable story that provides valuable lessons about family, self-identity and racism. Rating: Recommended.
69. Night of the Howling Dogs by Graham Salisbury - A boy scout campout goes awry when an Earthquake hits. Although this story moved kind of slowly and I wasn’t very interested in the topic, the information about Hawaii (where the book is set) and the different kinds of lava (smooth and walkable or jagged, like walking on glass) was interesting. Rating: Additional Selection
70. A Christmas Story by Jean Shepherd - Who doesn’t love A Christmas Story? The screenplay was written from a series of stories Jean Shepherd wrote about his life growing up. This book contains the stories that are relevant to the movie. My favorite is the one about the father’s “major award,” a lamp that is a woman’s leg wearing fishnet stockings. I love how in the movie the father mispronounces the word “fragile.” Rating: Highly Recommended