Rapunzel's Revenge

by: Shannon and Dean Hale

illustrated by: Nathan Hale
Published by: Bloomsbury USA Children's Books
Copyright 2008

Summary: Traditional Fairy tale takes a unique turn in heroism

Strengths: There are colorful illustrations. I also like how the story is broken up into parts and the story itself is easy to understand. I like how the author starts out with a fairy tale that we all know and love.

Concerns: They imply femministic ideals which can be a hard concept for children to grasp. It is also a very dark book which can be scary for children to read.

Age level: Elementary (3-4), Upper (5-6)

Classroom Use: It is a different twist on a traditional tale which brings another perspective for children to see.

The Plain Jones

by: Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg
Published by: DC Comics
Copyright 2007

Summary: A girl deals with the problems of moving to a new city

Strengths: There are good illustrations, an easy read, and a very good concept.

Concerns: I really do not enjoy the setup of graphic novels and the fact that it was all in black and white.

Age level: Elementary (3-4), Upper (5-6)

Classroom Use: We can relate easily with our daily lives and problems we encounter.

Tokyo MewMew

by: Mia Ikumi
illustrated by: Reiko Yoshida
Published by: Kodansha Ltd
Copyright 2002

Strengths: There are many detailed illustrations and displays much multiculturalism.

Concerns: There are many scattered pictures and text in which it is extremely hard to follow. It is also hard to relate because it is in a different language and displays a different culture.

Age level: Elementary (3-4), Upper (5-6)
Classroom Use: It displays diversity and multiculturalism.

Hannah Montana

Published by: TokyoPop
Copyright 2007

Summary: The typical, daily life of Hannah Montana/Miley Stewart

Strengths: I like how in the beginning of the book, it explains who is who. The presentation is very well done by using clips from the hit TV show. The dialogue is easy to understand and it is portrayed in bubble captions.

Concerns: The pictures are scattered and hard to distinguish the order in which it is happening.

Age level: Elementary ( 3-4)

Classroom Use: Its a fun book to read for pleasure

Who Made God and Other Things We Wonder About

by: Larry Libby
illustrated by: Corbert Gauthier
Published by: Zonderkidz
Copyright 1996

Summary: Learning about creation and who God is.

Strengths: There are many detailed pictures. I like how the questions that set off and are answered in description. It also brings inadvertently a religious aspect and this books simplifies potentially difficult areas of study.

Concerns: Although I like how it teaches children a religious aspect, quoting from the the Bible, I feel, is putting too much emphasis for children at such a young age. I feel young children would find it difficult to grasp and the book would be just as strong without this emphasis.

Age level: Upper (5-6), Middle
Classroom Use: Teaches children about God, creation, and his importance in our universe.

Little Town on the Prairie

by: Laura Ingalls Wilder
illustrated by: Garth Williams
Published by: HarperTrophy
Copyright 1971

Summary: Winter ended and spring arrives with new events for the Wilders.

Strengths: The characters are of a family in which children are a part of. I like how there are some pictures on pages which break up the text and the text itself is big and easily visible. Also, I like how the chapter headings are not in numbers.

Concerns: It is a little too long with not a whole lot of action going on.

Age level: Elementary (3-4), Upper (5-6)
Classroom Use: Children are able to learn what life was like in a different time period with families just like theirs.

Number the Stars

by: Lois Lowry
Published by: Yearling
Copyright 1989

Summary: Two girls living in the time of the war and the Nazi invasion.

Strengths: The characters are easy to relate too which makes the novel an easy read and very understandable. Each chapter title gives a basic idea of what the chapter is about and it is not just labeled with numbers. This is one of my favorite books when I was little and I feel that it definitely deserved its honor award. The chapters are not too long or short and the captivated my attention.
Concerns: I was very sad when it ended and I wanted to keep reading and it to prolong.

Age level: Elementary ( 3-4)

Classroom Use: To teach about the horrors of the Holocaust and Jewish history.