Enchantment by Orson Scott Card

Reviewed by: Kimball, age 15

This book was a good read. The message is very pro-family, if not family-appropriate. I can tell there was a

lot of research put into this book, and the trivia was interesting. The story had lots of twists and surprises, and the characters were well-developed. I would recommend this book highly to anyone over 15. There are also a lot of different elements in this book; Blogger wouldn't me put in all the labels that applied.

Genre: Fantasy

Setting: Present day/ancient Russia

Introduction:

Ivan is a non-practicing Jewish boy in communist Russia. His family wants to go to America, so they pretend to be practicing Jews to get passports there. Before they leave, they stop at the home of their cousin Marek and live there until they can go to America. Ivan finds a mysterious part of the forest where there is a circular clearing of leaves, covering thin air and a sleeping princess on a pedestal, with some guardian rustling beneath them. Ivan flees, and the memory does not go away.
Now an adult in America, as well as a professional athlete, Ivan has a good life; he is engaged to a Jewish girl named Ruth, has a career in running and also archaeology. Ivan decides to go to Russia to write a comprehensive book on Russian legends, leaving his family behind until he can publish his book. While researching, he again finds the woods near his cousin Marek's home and the place from his childhood. Suddenly, Ivan finds himself fighting a giant bear, betrothed to a princess he doesn't want to marry, stranded in a land he knows next to nothing about with not even his clothes, and forced to prepare to battle a witch whom he has only heard of in legends.

Themes: bravery is more than not running away, know the meaning of true love, marriage is sacred

Recommended Age: 15 and up

Full Disclosure:

There are a lot of sex references and some nudity, as well as a sex scene (that describes the sensations rather than the actions, it's not completely graphic) and a near sex scene. There is also language.

Rating: 4 stars

Here Lies the Librarian by Richard Peck

Reviewed by: Mom (does age really matter?)

Richard Peck had me laughing and engaged from the first chapter of this charming book. We listened to the audio version in the car and everyone enjoyed it (except the 2 year old, who likes to scream for music whenever we turn on our book). I loved that PeeWee wanted to be just like her big brother and yet could see glimpses of herself in the librarians who took her under their wing. Great message about girls being equal without being overbearing and insulting to men. Also lots about cars and racing to keep the boys engaged!

Genre: Historical Fiction

Setting: 1914 small town Indiana

Introduction:

 This delightful story of a young tomboy coming of age at the dawn of WWI, the automobile era, and the suffrage movement. Comedy abounds as their hick town in Indiana becomes the focus of 4 young heiresses who all want to be the town librarian and reform the citizens with books. Throw in a race that is an early version of the Indianapolis 500 and you have a book for everyone.

Themes: Women's rights, family, books inspire change, cars, Indianapolis 500

Recommended Age: 9 and up, but younger will enjoy the read aloud

Full Disclosure: The neighborhood bullies are violent and there may be a few parts that are scary to younger kids, but Peck keeps everything peppered with humor to lighten the mood.

Rating: 4 stars

Other Books:  

All-of-a-Kind Family Downtown by Sydney Taylor

Reviewed by: Bronwen, age 8

I enjoyed this book even more than the first book in the series, and I read it faster. I think that the characters and their personalities came through and I began to feel like they were people that I know. 

Genre: Historical Fiction

Setting: New York City, early 1900s

Introduction:

All-of-a-Kind Family is a family with five little girls, their mama and papa. They live in New York City and they are Jewish. They are kind to one another. Now they have a baby brother and they are all one year older than the first book.

Themes: loving families, working with each other, doing service, living your faith

Recommended Age: 7-9 years old, 5 and up for read-aloud

Rating: 5 stars

Other Books:  All-of-a-Kind Family, All-of-a-Kind Family Uptown, More All-of-a-Kind-Family, Ella of All-of-a-Kind Family

The Great Brain series by John D. Fitzerald

Reviewed by Ian, age 10

I thought it was an entertaining book full of crazy deals that only Tom could pull off.

Genre: Memoir/autobiography

Setting: rural Southern Utah, early 1900s

Introduction: J.D.'s brother, Tom, can swindle a man of anything. when a new teacher beats Tom for no reason, everyone knows he will regret it... Stories here from John D. Fitzgerald's childhood with a large family. Tom charges all the kids in town to come see their new flushing toilet and finds other ways to live up to his nickname, The Great Brain.

Themes: Kid power, family, smart is good, country life

Recommended Age: 9-13

Full Disclosure: Nothing objectionable

Rating: 5 stars

Other Books: More Adventures of the Great Brain, Me and My Little Brain, The Great Brain at the Academy, The Great Brain Reforms, The Return of the Great Brain, The Great Brain Does It Again, The Great Brain is Back.          

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

Reviewed by: Kimball, age 15

This book is a classic that changed America. Mark Twain is a very effective satirist, and in this book he has a variety of caricatures (including the protagonist, Huck!) This book is a sequel to his other book, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, but they do not have to read together.

Genre: Fiction

Time Period: Pre- Civil War

Introduction:

Huck Finn is a boy who lives with a widow and her sister, who have adopted him. The sister, Miss Watson, owns a slave, Jim. Jim and Huck are friends. When Huck's Pap shows up and kidnaps him, Huck escapes and pretends to be dead, when he runs into Jim who fled from the prospect of being sold downriver. Huck promises to help Jim escape and the two friends go off on a marvelous river adventure filled with con men, feuds, murderers, racism, and Huck's friend Tom Sawyer's wacky plan to aid Huck in helping a slave earn his freedom.

Themes: all men are created equal, do what is right not what society says is right, lead an honest life

Recommended Age: 12 and up, younger okay as as read aloud

Full Disclosure:

A common anti-black racial slur is employed frequently as this book was written at a time when such expressions were not considered offensive. This book is NOT racist. That would contradict the book's message (which the author satirically claims is nonexistent).

Rating: 4 stars

Other books: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (previous book), Tom Sawyer Abroad

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

Reviewed by: Michal, the mom (does age matter?)

This exquisite book was one that I wanted to immediately re-read once it was finished. It tells the story of its two main characters so beautifully and poignantly. The ending wasn't what I had hoped for, but did feel like the right ending, if that makes any sense. I am glad to have read it.

Genre: Historical Fiction

Time Period: World War II

Introduction:

The book tells the story of two people who seem completely unconnected, but artfully connects them throughout their experiences. One is an orphan boy growing up in Nazi Germany, the other a blind girl in Paris. The author jumps around in time and between the two characters, but it works.

Themes: family, light, overcoming, racism, war, 

Recommended Age: 14 and up

Full Disclosure:

There is occasional swearing and one minor character who makes a few crass (sexual) comments. There is some violence, although not as much as you would expect for a book about war. Some heavy content, thus the older recommendation.

Rating: 5 stars

The Courage of Sarah Noble by Alice Dalgliesh

Reviewed by: Bronwen, age 8

Sarah Noble had faith in God that she would safely find a home with her father for their family. If you have courage and faith, you can be led the right way. Even though Sarah was only 8, she went to help her father. I liked that because I am 8. I also learned that it takes bravery to do hard things. Sarah had to trust and look up to others to help her while she waited for her father to return with their family. I hope you read this book.

Genre: Historical Fiction

Time Period: Pre-Revolutionary War (1707)

Introduction:
Eight year old Sarah Noble goes to the woods with her father to build a house on land that they bought from the Indians. Her mother and siblings stayed behind while they built the house. Sarah makes friends with the Indian children. Based on a true story.

Themes: faith, courage, family, friendship, we can love people who are different

Recommended ages: 7 and up, 4 and up as a read-aloud

Rating: 4 stars