Ryan, P. M. (2000). Esperanza rising. Carmel, CA: Hampton-Brown.

On the eve of her thirteenth birthday, Esperanza has it all. She lives in a wealthy family, as her father owns a vineyard, and she has servants to care for her. When her father is killed, she quickly falls into poverty. Esperanza’s transition from a privileged girl, to a competent young woman, happens as she moves into California to work in the agricultural industry in the 1930’s. Winner of the Pura Belpré Award.

Highly Recommended ****

Stewart, M. (2009). Movie blockbusters. Pleasantville, NY: Gareth Stevens Pub.

This book reviews the top ten movie blockbusters! From Titanic, to Jaws, to The Wizard of Oz, and The Lord of the Rings, this book has plot outlines, quick facts, and other information about these popular movies. Students will enjoy being able to read about some of the most well known books of all time!

Highly Recommended *****

Curtis, C. P. (2007) Elijah of buxton. New York :Scholastic Press.

Elijah is famous for two things: first, he is the first freeborn child in Buxton. Second, when he was a baby, he threw up on Frederick Douglas. When Elijah finds out that the preacher swindled money from his friend, he decides to go to United States to get it back. Elijjah transforms from a child into a young man in this story, as the first freeborn child in Buxton finally learns what it means to be freeborn.

Highly Recommended *****

DuPrau, J. (2003). The city of ember. New York: Random House.

This story takes place in the city of Ember. This is a dire time for ember, a city in total darkness. Supplies are running low, along with the light bulbs. Regularly now, the cities lights flicker, and everyone holds their breath hoping that the lights will stay on. Twelve-year-old Doon Harrow and Lina Mayfleet, join together to try to decipher a torn up letter, in the hopes of saving the city. As their search grows, they find corrupt politicians and citizens desperate for survival.

Highly Recommended *****

Perrault, C. (1954). Cinderella or The little glass slipper. (M. Brown, Trans.). New York: Atheneum Books for Young People.

Cinderella, as translated by Marsha Brown, is the classic French Cinderella story. Cinderella is a young girl, and when her father gets remarried to a harsh stepmother with two cruel daughters, Cinderella has a positive attitude and helps her sisters prepare for the King’s Ball. When Cinderella wishes to attend the ball, her fairy godmother appears and magically transforms her into a beautiful princess. Cinderella is then able to go to the ball two nights in a row, where she accidentally looses her slipper as she runs away (due to loosing track of time). The prince finds her by having all of the ladies around to try on the lost slipper. In the end, Cinderella marries the prince, and graciously forgives her cruel stepfamily. This book was awarded the Caldecott Medal in 1955. The illustrations are lacking in interest and dated. It is the simple classic story of Cinderella. Can be used to compare other Cinderella stories to, but this version is very dull

Not really recommended at all *

Gaiman, N. (2008). The graveyard book. New York: HarperCollins Publishers.

Nobody Owens’ family has been murdered. In an attempt to protect him from the same fate, the inhabitants of a nearby graveyard decide to raise him. Nobody (or Bod, as he is affectionately known by his family of ghosts) lives in the graveyard as he grows into a young man, and takes part in many otherworldly adventures when he ventures out of the graveyard. Gaiman, also known for his bestselling book Coraline, creates a world that has a “Nightmare Before Christmas” feel, and intrigues the reader.

Highly Recommended ****

Selznick, B. (2008). The invention of hugo cabret. New York: Scholastic Press.

A young boy named Hugo, finds himself in the most dire situation: alone and left to care for a series of clocks in the city of Paris, France. He finds himself stealing food and gadgets for himself, as he attempts to fix a man made out gears in order to find a message from his deceased father. Through the use of vivid illustration and text, Selznick creates a fantastic adventure, as we follow Hugo’s encounters with a young girl, a man with one eye, and an old man. Readers will loose track of time as they loose themselves in this award-winning book.

Highly Recommended *****