Beast

Beast

Donna Jo Napoli

Simon Pulse 2004

Summary

This unique fairy tale is "Beauty and the Beast" told from the Beast's perspective. It's nothing like Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" though. This story is set in Persia, and because of that the reader learns about Persian customs and beliefs. The beast, himself, is the prince of Persia. After making a foolish choice he is turned into a lion. He must learn to survive as a lion, think as a lion, eat as a lion, behave like a lion. Yet at the same time he knows that this curse can be broken, so he must therefore hang onto his human self as well, thus allowing Belle to fall in love with him. This is his story.

Personal Review

This is a creative story--nothing like I've ever read. I love reading different versions of "Beauty and the Beast" and this is the most different one I've come across. I love how the reader gets to see into the beast's head, think and feel what he's thinking and feeling. The reader comes to find out that the beast isn't as bad as other tales portray him. This tale captivated me entirely.

Cautionary Notes:
There is slight violence when Prince Orasmyn (the beast) must kill animals and eat them.

kira-kira

kira-kira

Cynthia Kadohata
Kadohata 2004

Summary:

Katie, a Japanese-American, has a best friend--Lynn, her sister. Lynn is everything to her. With Lynn, Katie sees the world, differently. It's more beautiful when Lynn is with her. Katie must learn how to coop with life when Lynn makes new friends as school, and doesn't include Katie in everything she does. It becomes even harder to find beauty in the world when Lynn falls ill one day, and doesn't get better.

Personal Review:

For me, kira-kira didn't have a strong story line. It seemed to be telling what life was like for a Japanese-America in Georgia. The story talked about the little things going on the day, and some of it didn't hold my interest. Kadohata, however, did make Katie's and Lynn's friendship very strong. As a reader I couldn't help but feel as if Lynn was my sister, my sister who I loved and didn't want to ever say good-bye to. The characters were very real as well. I believe that this is what made me keep reading; I fell in love with Katie and Lynn.

Cautionary Notes:

There are a few references to "making babies," as well as a few swear words.

she said yes

she said yes
Misty Bernall
Pocketbooks 2000

Summary
Cassie Bernall, daughter, friend, and victim of the Columbine shooting, died on April 20 1999--this is her story. Her mother, Misty Bernall tells of the tragic day Cassie died and what it was like for her, and what it must have been like for Cassie. Misty also tells the world that even though Cassie believed in God and wanted nothing else but to live for him, she had her troubled times as well. A part from listening to bad music, swearing and hanging out with the 'wrong crowd,' Cassie also plotted to kill her parents, run away, and commit suicide. This biography tells of her story from the dark side when she was Satan's grasp, to her coming to the light and uttering her final word, "Yes."

Personal Review
I saw this book on my YA literature teacher's desk, and all I could see of it was the spine, "'she said yes' Misty Bernall." I knew that I wanted that book, even though I didn't know what it was about. When Sister Soper asked who wanted it, I raised my hand. I couldn't put it down. A few days later I was sitting in one of campus buildings when a guy sitting next to me asked me if I was engaged. I was confused and said no. "Oh, I just wondered, since you were reading a book called, "She Said Yes." I laughed and explained what the book was about and how good it was. Not only does Misty Bernall focus on the good girl that Cassie was, but shows that Cassie, like many other teens, had a hard, trouble life, and how she turned that around. This book has left such an impact on me. And like Misty Bernall mentions several times, I ask myself, "What would I do if I was Cassie's position, with a gun pointed to my head?" "Do you believe in God?" they asked her? "Yes."

Cautionary Notes
There is some swearing, mentioning of drugs and a few references to sex. There is also violence as Misty, with the help of others, recounts April 20 1999 and the months that followed. There is also mention of Satanic worship, and lyrics to a violent song. None of the things mentioned, however, are put in a good light.

The Iron Ring

The Iron Ring
Lloyd Alexander
Dutton Children's Books 1997

Summary
Set in India, Tamar, king of Sundari is challenged to game of dice by the powerful kind Jaya. He looses and in payment travel to Jaya's kingdom, Mahapura. On the way he meets the king of the monkey's, Hashkat, who loves to make sport of people and stretches the rules, Mirri, a feisty gopi who helps Tamar in more ways than one and many others who befriend Tamar in his journey. The Iron Ring is filled with humor and bravery as Tamar realizes that caste isn't everything, but what you do with your life and the people you can help along life's journey.

Personal Review
I LOVED this book! I honestly couldn't put it down. My 6th grade teacher read it to us, and I was eager to read again. I loved the characters, especially Hashkat. You love him and and shake your head at him at the same time. It's definitely a page turner and worth the read. The part that I enjoyed the most was perhaps when Tamar was taught by the Chandala and everyone else coming to realize that it's not who you were born as, but who you become and what you do with your life that really matters. If you read closely you can find that someone in the book acts a Christ-like figure to some degree.

Cautionary Notes
There is violence, but nothing extremely graphic. (They are fighting a battle). There is also one swear word.

DIARY of a Wimpy Kid

DIARY of a Wimpy Kid
Jeff Kinney
Amulet 2007

Summary
Greg is your average middle school kid, who doesn't exactly fit in with any crowd but his own--which is made up of him and his best friend Rowley, who let's admit, is not completely there and still living in elementary school. Greg tells his story by writing in, not a diary, but a journal. If any of the kids found out that he had a diary they would all make fun of him. DIARY of a Wimpy Kid captures the life of middle school life--the fears that some kids face, the challenges they face and the question of either choosing what's easy, or what's right.

Personal Review
I thought that this book was kinda humerus. It was very well done and extremely creative, with all the little cartoons to illustrate what Greg was experiencing. It probably wasn't my favorite book, but I'd recommend it to middle school kids.

Cautionary Notes
Some of the kids in the book act a little crude and at times slightly violent.

Across Five Aprils

Across Five Aprils
Irene Hunt
Berkley Books 2002

Summary
Jethro is nine years old, living in southern Illinois when the Civil War breaks out. Even as a young boy Jethro understands the significance of the war. Through listening to the adults discuss the war he gains his own opinions about politics and the war. This book covers the entire Civil War, and throughout the book as tragedy and disappointment strike Jethro's family he grows to be a man and comes the realization that life isn't fair, but if he can deal with it then there will be happy times.

Personal Review
I loved this book, although it did read a little differently than most YA books. It was first published in 1965, so the style of it is different than today's style. There is a lot of summary in it, but the Hunt does an excellent job of balancing it out with having the characters tell the readers about what's going on in the book.
The history is extremely accurate as well, and Hunt has some characters believe one thing while others believe another--to balance it all out.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes historical fiction.

Cautionary Notes
The only thing that I would caution readers about is slightly violent acts and reports of death (although it is the Civil War, what else do you expect?) But some of Jethro's neighbors don't like his father, so they torment him on some occasions, but in my opinion it's nothing to worry about.

Artemis Fowl

Artemis Fowl
Eoin Colfer
Hyperion 2001

Summary
Artimis Fowl is a genius. Instead of putting his brain to helping the world, however, he uses them to get gain for his own family. After quite awhile of searching, he find a fairy, which most people don't believe in. This book is the key that will unlock the door to riches untold. He soon devises a plan to capture a fairy. He ends up catching Captain Holly Short of the LEPrecon Unit--which was probably one of the last fairies he would have wanted to do. Holly's boss, Comander Root goes great leanghts to rescue Holly, which is was Artims Fowl wants. Will Commander Root keep playing into Artimis's hands, or will Artimis fail for the first time?
Eoin does an excelent job in telling this Science Fiction tale from many points of view, capturing all the character's thinking and linking it all together for a big bang ending--literally.

Personal Review
I personally enjoyed this book. It was engaging and the characters were simple--something that middle-school kids could relate to. I instently fell in love with Holly. She's got a rebelious streak in her, and at the same time a willingness to prove herself to Commander Root. Artimis Fowl, on the other hand. I think that his last name pretty much sums him up--Fowl. He's not that bad, but some things he says and does are selfish, and things that I personally don't agree with.
Colfer has an amazing imagination to come up with things that haven't even been invented. His magical creaters are very intersting too, and I saw some things that were perhaps taken from Harry Potter. However for the most part Colfer sticks to creating his own world for Artimis and his 'friends.'

Cautionary Notes
Near the end there are swear words, but no one takes the Lord's name in vain. There is also slight violence near the end as well.