Cousins': Ben Franklin of Old Philadelphia

Perhaps because so much is known about Benjamin Franklin through his prolific writings that Margaret Cousins' is able to give such an authentic portrait of this important American. In very accessible language, the text seems to be written at a 4th grade level, but would be appropriate up through middle grades especially for struggling readers. The chapters of the book are organized somewhat by different aspects of Franklin's life: school boy, inventor, statesman, etc. The book also includes an index for quick research reference and a list of accomplishments.

Avi's: Crispin: The Cross of Lead

From the day I finished reading the Newbery Medal winning Crispin: The Cross of Lead I've reached for it every time I've led genre discussions in our library. Not only is this book a very good example of historical fiction, it's a very good book. A highly enjoyable action adventure from Avi who seems to know this time period well and knows how to make it accessible for the middle school reader. The story follows a recently orphaned thirteen year old peasant in 14th century england. After news of his Lord's death, Crispin is suddenly the center of attention and thrust into a series of dangerous events which force him to flee the only home he's ever known. He carries around his neck the answer to his mysterious past and the cause of all his misfortunes. He later meets his mentor in the form of a great mountain of a man called Bear. The two cross the country making friends and facing deadly enemies. I look forward to reading the other books in this trilogy.

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Paulsen's: Hatchet

A story of a young teen learning to survive his parent's divorce quickly turns into a story of true wilderness survival for the boy and his one tool, a gift from his mother, a Hatchet. Gary Paulsen's Newbery Honor Book bumps along clumsily, in and out of a what passes as a teen voice back and forth between first and third person. What will capture the reader are the passages of problem solving and near disaster-avoiding adventure. Run-ins with wild life, trial and error lessons in the search for basic necessities, and face-to-face interaction with the force of nature are enough to make this a satisfying quick-read. Oh yeah, and a plane crashes. Although Paulsen's main character learns completely on his own, he is not quite as engaging as Jean Craighead George's Sam Gribley.

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3 Picture Books for Older Readers

Paul Fleischman's: Weslandia fuses 6th grade social science concepts with some fantasy to create a young gifted outcast's utopia named for its main character Wesley. Wesley's parents would even stoop to bribery to get their son to be more like the cookie cutter-type children of the very repetitively styled suburban neighborhood in which they reside. Wesley has other plans after learning about civilizations in school, including creating his own civilization complete with staple crop, counting and lettering systems, and clothing. Wesley's summer project gently shows the reader how being different could be an asset while Kevin Hawkes' colorful acrylic illustrations offer many supporting details.

Patricia Polacco writes an autobiographical piece: Thank you, Mr. Faulker. Her story relates the tragedy of Trisha experiencing what so many children have experienced in our educational system. Trisha has the fortune of being assigned to Mr. Faulker who recognizes her problem and finds the help she needs. Polacco's illustrations help to convey the joy and angst of Trisha's childhood experiences. Any teacher who has spent any decent amount of time in a crowded classroom may find it difficult not to shed a tear while reading this simple, endearing story.

Some authors are able to paint with words in a way that sends the reader into a story. The economy of language necessary for a well-told picture book is so artfully employed by Kim L. Siegelson's: In the Time of the Drums. Siegelson's text has a rhythm like the drums of the African homeland and could stand alone without illustration, but the reader will be glad they don't. Brian Pinkney's illustrations tell the magical legend of the Ibo people all by themselves as if they don't need the words. The scratchboard paintings have a movement and rhythm all their own.

Joe Craig's: Jimmy Coates: Target

A few weak plot points and references to the first volume won't keep young teen readers new to this series from enjoying Joe Craig's Jimmy Coates: Target. The young adult title keeps up the action from chapter to chapter as a part human teen part robot assassin tries to evade his own government agents from killing him while trying to save his family and friends at the same time. The multi-talented, multi-lingual, super strong, super fast, computer cross-breed races across two countries in a not too distant future while struggling with his identity and secrets from his past. Craig is able to build tension and suspense without a barrage of expletives and minimal blood spatter delivering a safe yet fun teen action thriller appropriate for 5th grade and up. Enough of the story lines are completed for a satisfying ending while still leaving much open for at least another volume.

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Avi's: The Book without Words

I chose this book to read for two reasons: the title intrigued me, and Avi is a Newbery Medal winning author. There weren't a great many words in the story, but perhaps more than one might expect with a book of such a title. None of the words were very difficult to read but then none of the words were very interesting either. This book might prove that not every piece an awarding winning author writes is of award winning quality. Very little happens in the first 100 pages (of the 200 page edition) to the handful of characters in the story. Very shallow characters in a somewhat claustrophobic setting in an ultimately predictable plot gave this reader not much to recommend in this book except a quick easy read. A race is on to read a book of magic which can only be read by those with green eyes. A group of green-eyed children try to decipher the contents of the book for different reasons before an evil wizard completes a series of spells making him immortal by taking the life of his innocent young assistant.

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