The False Prince
Posted by: literacious on: May 23, 2012
The False Prince written by Jennifer A. Neilsen is an exciting new book, the first in a trilogy ( The Ascendance Trilogy), that stars characters so well written, it feels like you know them in real-life. The book is described by Booklist as a action-oriented fantasy, but it’s less fantasy and much more action. There isn’t any magic, made up animals, or wizards, but it is packed with pirates, a plot to overthrow a kingdom, and an orphan named Sage who has a secret all his own.
When a nobleman, Connor, begins gathering a few boys from orphanages around the country, he has a plan to prevent civil war and to become more powerful, but there is always another layer to the story, which keeps it interesting and very fast-paced.
This is a great story for both boys and girls in older elementary school and middle school. With a fast-paced, action plot and characters that are so life-like you might expect to meet them on the street – this is a great book to start off summer vacation! Scholastic has a great book trailer and an “Are You the False Prince?” quiz.
Title: The False Prince
Author: Jennifer A. Nielsen
Publisher: Scholastic
Page Number: 352 pgs.
May B.
Posted by: literacious on: May 21, 2012
May B. by Caroline Starr Rose is a sparsely written story in verse that conjures pictures of the rolling prairies and the vast emptiness that they used to be. May B. is a 12-year old girl sent to a neighboring homestead 15 miles away “just until Christmas” as her Pa promises her. Sadly, she must leave school in order to help out the family. But when things go wrong and May B. is abandoned, she must learn how to run a household by herself and be prepared for the winter blizzards that are soon to strike.
This is a beautifully written coming of age story that is reminiscent of the stories of Laura Ingalls Wilder. Another aspect of the story is May B.’s struggle with her school work and when the book is over the author provides a short note about dyslexia, which was unknown in the 19th century. It was a very quick read because it is written in verse with 151 short poems that truly paint pictures in your mind as you read. This would make a great discussion book for middle school students with themes such as dyslexia, responsibility, and history.
The author’s website has a teacher’s discussion guide as well as a book trailer that can be helpful in a classroom or at home. Visit Caroline Starr Rose’s website.
Title: May B.
Author: Caroline Starr Rose
Publisher: Schwartz & Wade
Page Number: 225 pgs.
The Lions of Little Rock
Posted by: literacious on: May 16, 2012
The Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine is a story about two young girls growing up in the late 1950s during the time of the Little Rock Nine. Marlee, a white girl, meets Liz on the first day of school and they become friends almost right away. Liz is the only person who Marlee is comfortable talking to outside her family. But, soon as tensions begin to rise, Marlee is forced to think about what race means and what her role in the time period is.
This is a very interesting, historical fiction story that goes to show that race is not what’s important; what is important is friends and family. I really liked reading this book because this story is during the school year after the Little Rock Nine were integrated into the high school. It’s amazing that there was still so much hostility and ignorance happening at the time. History books discuss the Little Rock Nine and then move on to other major events of the Civil Rights Movement, but there was still a lot occurring in regards to the integration of schools.
This is a great book to share with middle school readers about finding the strength within yourself and being true to what you believe. A great historical fiction story about an important time during American history. There is not much on the author’s website about the book, but it was just published in January so it’s a fairly new book. Check out Kristin Levine’s website.
Title: The Lions of Little Rock
Author: Kristin Levine
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Page Number: 304 pgs.
