Pictures of Hollis Woods 2003 Honor Book ****

Hollis Woods is a foster child that tends to run away. She finally finds a place where she feels like staying put. Interspersed between the chapters are different pictures of Hollis Woods. These pictures give us glimpses into her life before she met her new guardian Josie. As Josie's memory begins to deteriorate, Hollis must find a way to keep them together. Her solution? To runaway of course, only this time bringing Josie with her. Her destination is the one place she once felt like she was truly a part of a family, the Regan's summer home. As worried "Mustard woman" the social worker looks for her, Hollis for the first time begins to find herself.

This book is very reminiscent of The Great Gilly Hopkins only much more somber. I enjoyed reading it, and found myself looking forward to the next picture. While I enjoyed Gilly Hopkins more because of it's humor and colorful characters, I found this book interesting with a much more likeable protagonist and found myself rooting for her to find the family so has long desired.

Crispin: The Cross of Lead 2003 Medal Winner *****

Crispin: The Cross of Lead is a story set in 14th century England when the Feudal system was common among the villages. When Asta dies her son inherits a cross made of lead with words that he cannot read. He then accidentally overhears a conversation that changes the course of his life. Father Quinlen tells him his name is actually Crispin and promises to reveal the identity of his father but is murdered. With the cross as his sole possession and a half year's salary as bounty for his head he escapes the only place he has ever known and tries to make his way to a place where over 30,000 people live called a town. On his way he meets a tall large man, Bear who forces him to pledge Crispin's allegiance to him for the rest of his life. Together Bear and Crispin unravel the truth about Crispin and who he really is.

Avi is becoming one of my new favorite authors. He has this uncanny ability to transport you to another time and you actually think you are reading about a person who truly lived on this earth. When Avi talks about Crispin's experience climbing a set of stairs for the first time I was riveted. It never dawned on me how that would truly feel to someone who had never been higher than the ground. The story is compelling and moves very quickly. You don't want to skim a single paragraph. A great book for ages 4th grade and higher, even adults will have a difficult time putting this one down. The only reason I didn't give it 6 stars is because I was disappointed with the ending.

Hoot 2003 Honor Book *****

Hoot is the story of Roy Eberhart who has just moved from Montana to Florida. Immediately the bully singles him out as an easy target. While trying to avoid Dana's punches he becomes fascinated with a boy he sees running through the streets who should obviously be in school. Meanwhile, Officer Delenko struggles to find out who the vandals are messing up the empty lot and delaying the building of another Mother Paula's Pancake House. Soon Roy discovers something even more helpless than he whose lives are in danger.

Any book that mentions both Bozeman, Montana (where I was born) and Las Cruces, New Mexico (where I was raised) has got to be good! I listened to this book on CD read by Chad Lowe. He did an amazing job. I would listen to a book read by him any day. Roy is a likeable character without being too goody goody. The stories are sweet but real and with lots and lots of humor. I recommend this book for all young ages. Even my 13 year old son asked to take the CDs into his room so that he could listen to them as fell asleep. Great read aloud book!

The House of the Scorpion 2003 Honor Book ***

The House of the Scorpion is a science fiction based in the future. Mexico no longer exists, there is now Opium a country that borders the U.S. and Aztlan. Just as many people are immigrating to Aztlan as the U.S., but get caught in the middle in Opium. Matt is a clone of El Patron the leader of the country. Unlike other clones, his brains haven't been ruined and he's able to learn, communicate and even play the piano. As he ages he slowly comes to understand his real realtionship with the 148 year old leader of the country and what he must do to make a life for himself.

As a former molecular biologist, I really like genetic thrillers. Having created plant clones myself, I love to think about how our world would be different if we could make human clones. Not that I think we should, but some days I wish I had a clone to clean the bathrooms! I think this book would be hard for younger children to followalthough those in junior high or school would really like it. The last section of the book does seem to drag on a bit, I wish the author hadn't spent so much time with the Keepers.

An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793 2004 Honor Book ***

An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793 is an account of the events during the plague that hit the nation's capital at the time, Philadelphia. This plague was so devastating that it essentially shut down the federal government. The author Jim Murphy chronicles the events using documenations, pictures and vivid descriptions.

I found this book to be fascinating but not appropiate for children. Some of the accounts are graphic and disturbing. I think a high school student could handle the information, but I wouldn't go much younger than that. Interestingly former slaves from Africa and West Indies were immunized because they had had it children in their homeland. This put them in the perfect position to truly serve the community and try to help the sick and dying. How they were treated after the epidemic is truly tragic.

A Corner of the Universe 2003 Honor Book ***

A Corner of the Universe is about 11 year-old Hattie Owen. Its summer in 1960 and Hattie is shy with few friends and just like to be at home with her parents. She's shocked to discover that she actually has a 21 year-old uncle, Adam, who no one has ever told her about. He's coming home for the summer because the school where lived has shut down. Adam is mentally challenged and needs to find a new school. Hattie learns much from Adam as she's able to look past his challenges and see his heart inside.

This is actually a very touching story with flavorful characters and stories. I listened to it on CD and Judith Ivey did a fantastic job as the various people. Her interpretation of Adam made me stop whatever I was doing to listen. This book does have some deep subjects however and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone under 12 and think it would be best for an older teenager.

Surviving the Applewhites 2003 Honor Book ****

Jake Semple's parents are both in jail, he burned down a middle school and now as a last resort has to live with the Applewhites, a free-thinking family who run the Creative Academy. The Creative Academy is unlike any other school Jake has ever seen. No homework, no teachers, and you write your own curriculum. E.D. is supposed to share her curriculum with Jake. E.D. is nothing like the other Applewhites, she likes order, routine and predictability, certainly hard to come by living at Wit's End, the Applewhite's farm. Pretty soon chaos moves to catastrophe when the father decides to direct "The Sound of Music" and tries to break out of the norm by casting every race and color as the von Trapp family. Soon both Jake and E.D. discover even they have talents that can be appreciated in an extremely unconventional family.

What a unique and fun book. Definitely a great classroom read for 4th grade and up. The chapters alternate between E.D's and Jake's point of view. The author did a great job with dialog, I could hear the different voices and fluctuations automatically. I found it difficult to put down and finished in a just few days. A great story for any teenage boy or girl to read that is headed down the path of "goth".

Everything on a Waffle 2002 Honor Book ******

Primrose Squarp's parents are lost at sea and everyone believes they have died, except Primrose. Her mother left behind a recipe for apricot glazed carrots and a grocery list, so Primrose decides to begin a recipe collection, and collect many amazing experiences along the way.

I absolutely loved this book. Definitely the perfect read aloud for a classroom. At first when it mentioned the death of Primrose's parents, I thought, "Oh no! not again." But the style is more like Junie B. Jones, only her spelling and grammar has improved. I can't wait to run to the bookstore to buy a copy of this book, if for just the recipes alone! It's been a very long time since I've gotten so excited about a book. You can't help but fall in love with Primrose and everyone at Coal Harbour.

Olive's Ocean 2004 Honor Book ***

Martha spends her summer vacation visiting her grandmother just after the death of a school mate she hardly knew, Olive. Just before the vacation Olive's mother drops off a page from her journal where she mentions Martha and her wish to see the ocean. As Martha spends her summer pondering death and life she decides to try to help Olive fulfill her wish.

As soon as I heard one of the first sentences, "Olive Bristow was dead." I thought "Oh boy, another book about death and despair, a popular theme for this decade." Thankfully I was wrong. It is a sweet coming of age story about 12-year-old Martha. The writing is beautiful and very descriptive. While she doesn't waste her time describing outfits and hair color, I feel that I can picture each character in my mind. I listened to this story on CD read by Blair Brown who did a wonderful job. Definitely a good read for children ages 12 and up.

Joey Pigza Loses Control 2001 Honor Book *

A single mother drops her son off at his father's house for 6 weeks. Because he's hyperactive, he must be on constant medication and very quickly his alcoholic father convinces him to remove the patch that administers the medication. Joey continues to spiral down out of control as his medication wears off, until finally he's able to steal money out of a fountain at a mall and call his mom to come get him.

I really didn't like this book. I found it frustrating and depressing. What grandmother takes money from her grandson just to buy cigarettes? An addicted woman I guess. I just wanted to slap Joey's grandmother and father up side the head. Definitely not a book any child needs to read.

Bud, Not Buddy 2000 Medal Winner *****

Bud, Not Buddy is the story of a boy who lost his mother when he was six and goes on a search to find his father. The only information he has is a flyer of a band with the lead singer "Herman E. Calloway" printed on it. He's sure that this is who his father is. So runs away and begins an adventure trying to find him.

Finally, a book about the depression that isn't depressing! I loved Bud. This little 10 year old has such spunk and guts. I wish he could be friends with my own kids. I listened to this on CD read by James Avery (the dad on Fresh Prince of Bel-Air) and he did a fantastic job. Kudos to Christopher Paul Curtis for writing such a wonderful book for children that teaches, inspires and doesn't depress. I hope he has many more books coming. I highly recommend this book for all children, especially to encourage discussions about the Depression Era in America.

Because of Winn-Dixie 2001 Honor Book ****

Because of Winn-Dixie is about a girl name India Opal who moves with her father a preacher to a small town and finds a dog in the local Winn-Dixie. She able to make friends and have lots of adventures because of Winn-Dixie.

I really enjoyed the movie and the book is very close to the movie. It's so fun to listen to the stories, makes me wish I could go to Fanny's library and listen to her while sucking on lozenges. I wonder what my sorrow would taste like.

Hope Was Here 2001 Honor Book ****

Hope is a girl without a father and mother and raised by her aunt moving from place to place. They leave bustling New York to go to a rural town in Wisconsin to run a diner. There she waitresses and gets involved in city politice helping the diner's owner fight the corrupt mayor. She also must deal with her past and that she had a father who left and mother who wouldn't raise her. Spoiler: There is a death at the end.

I listened to Hope Was Here on CD and the cover said for 10 and up. Ummm.... I'm not so sure about that. I would probably say 14 and up. I don't know how much a 10 year old would be interested in teenage love, city politics and fighting leukemia. I did find the story intriguing and touching and liked the development of characters. I feel as though if I were to walk into Welcome Stairways I could sit right down and tell Flo that I'd like the meatloaf and apple pie which is Addie's speciality.

Kira Kira 2005 Medal Winner ***

Kira Kira is a story of a Katie and Lynn two Japanese sisters living in prejudiced Georgia. Katie adores her sister and struggles as Lynn gets sicker and sicker and doesn't know why. Spoiler: Lynn dies of lymphoma.

Let's see a Newberry book medal winner written in the 2000's that's depressing and sad- what a shock! I listened to this book on CD and the cover said for children 8 to 14. I really don't think 8 year old children need to hear a sad story about a little girl dying of cancer. I would probably put this book more at ages 14 and up. While I enjoyed the story and found it very well written and beautifully read by Elaina Erika Davis I think the message was too deep and too sad for little children. At the beginning of the book the relationship between the two sisters is so sweet and innocent, reminds me of the my two girls' relationship. But I think that if either of my two girls were to read this book they would put themselves in their shoes and it would be too heart-wrenching for them.

A Year Down Yonder 2001 Medal Winner *****

Mary Alice's parents have hit hard times during the Depression and so she must spend a year living with her Grandmother. Its never a dull moment with Grandma. Mary Alice learns how to steal pecans, make the perfect pie crust, and valentines. She even learns the value of having a snake living in your attic. Most importantly she learns how to love her Grandma even when she seems so unlovable.

This book was great! I can see why Richard Peck the author has won so many awards. Reading this book reminded me of the many times I spent with my two grandmothers. It was fun to revisit the same characters from A Long Way From Chicago. I also enjoyed reading a book told by Mary Alice instead of Joe. This would be a great book for every grandmother to have on the nightstand in the guest bedroom when their grandchildren come to visit.

The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread 2004 Medal Winner *****

Tale of Despereaux is a wonderful fairy tale set in a castle. Desperaux is a brave little mouse that isn't willing to accept conventional wisdom and loves a princess.

I really enjoyed the book. I think Kate DiCamillo is becoming my new favorite author. This is a great story for children who need to be inspired to think outside of the box and follow their aspirations and dreams. My 12 year old son read it in one day!

A Single Shard 2002 Medal Winner *****

A Shingle Shard is set in ancient Korea and tells of a poor boy who becomes an apprentice to a childless potter.

I loved this book! I couldn't put it down. It's written in such a way that I felt like I could see, hear and smell ancient Korea. It reminded me of Young Fu but much more riveting. My 9 year old son is reading it right now and loves it.