Blogger Book Club

A Friendship for Today by Patricia C. McKissack

noreply@blogger.com (turnerpage) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 23:54:00 +0000

Rosemary Elizabeth Patterson is one of those kids who enjoys friendship. Just make sure that you don't call her Rosie. She has to say farewell to some old friends when she is assigned to a new school. This is the first year (1954) when the Supreme Court puts an end to separate schools for blacks and whites. She is one of the few black students assigned to Robertson Elementary School. Rosemary has to put up with a lot, but she knows how to handle herself. She has been taught independence and justice from her mother and love from her father. However, her father isn't there when she really needs him and eventually her mother and father divorce.

Rosemary learns that there are many types of friendships. She shares a rare kind of friendship with a person of the opposite gender. Her friend since kindergarten is struck with polio and he misses the entire year of sixth grade. Wait until you see how Rags, a cat, helps her cope and wait until you see the dedication of the book. Don't read the dedication until you have finished the book or go back and read it again. I only read this book because it was written by Patricia C. McKissack. I will always remember this book because it it was written by (and about) Patricia C. McKissack.

Fablehaven by Brandon Mull

noreply@blogger.com (daisymaisy) — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:08:00 +0000

Kendra and Seth are forced into a vacation with grandparents they have hardly ever seen. Grandpa Sorenson, persuaded by their parents, is reluctant at best to have children stay at Fablehaven.

Unknown to the family, Fablehaven, has been a sanctuary for mystical creatures for centuries, a stronghold of true magic in a changing world. Grandpa and Grandma Sorenson, caretakers for the refuge, never had anyone come to stay.

Kendra and Seth are not sure about what they are about to encounter. It appears that they are going to stay in the attic playroom. Expecting it to be full of dust and cobwebs, they find they will be sharing the space with a chicken!

Grandpa Sorenson, has a long list of rules about what they can't do and while Kendra is prone to follow them, Seth is just as determined to break them. Day 1 he sets off for the woods where Grandpa Sorenson told them never to go.

Before the week is out, strange things begin to happen, and as Grandpa Sorenson learns to trust them, they begin to learn about the unusual creatures who live at Fablehaven...

(rated Young Adult grades 5 and up)

The Boy Who Dared by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

noreply@blogger.com (daisymaisy) — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 19:24:00 +0000

Day 264, Tuesday...the executioner works on Tuesday. Shivering, trembling, lying awake waiting a thin, huddle figure Helmuth. He listens for the footsteps coming closer, closer, towards his cell, and wonders if this is the day...

In the beginning his patriotism is unwavering, but eventually his world is turned upside down. How can Helmuth keep silent? He devises a plan to defy the German government, by printing pamphlets that tell the truth. He regrets that Karl, Rudi, and Gerherd are drawn into his plan.
Suddenly he knows what he must do to keep his friends safe...at any cost, no matter what.

Book is written in flashback, a heroic German youth who dares to go up against the regime.
(rated Young Adult, 6 grade and up)

Book Lovers News... The 100-Year Old Secret, Video Review

noreply@blogger.com (shadowpuppy) — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:34:00 +0000

A new Book Talkers "Book of the Week" video has been posted to the Library's website and to the Library's channel on YouTube.

Tracy Barrett's The 100-Year Old Secret, the first book in The Sherlock Files series, is the selection for February's Books 'n' Pizza book discussion group. Books 'n' Pizza, a book discussion group for kids in grades 3-5, is coming up on Feb. 22nd. Register now and then pick up a copy of the book at the Ask Me Desk in Youth Services.

**Watch for more video reviews from the staff of Roselle Public Library. Coming Soon!**

Be the first to see the Library's new video reviews by subscribing to the Library's YouTube channel; just click on the yellow Subscribe button!

Clover Twig and the Magical Cottage by Kaye Umansky

noreply@blogger.com (daisymaisy) — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 22:04:00 +0000

WONTED.

STRONG GRIL TO CLEEN.

Just an ordinary girl, Clover Twig is about to embark on an unusual adventure. She stands staring at the witches' cottage, the cottage stares right back. The windows look like eyes, sunken, black, with the ivy hanging like droopy eyelids. Not to mention that when she tries to open the gate it begins talking back to her. Who would guess that gate could have it's very own bossy personality?

She tries to open the gate but it refuses to budge. Clover is not about to take this from a rusty, falling down gate, so after much arguing, she manages to convince the gate she is here to see Mrs. Eckles about a job. Clover coming from a large family needs the money this job will provide. She isn't about to be put off by a rusty old gate. Growing tired of the gate she gives the gate a swift kick, that makes it fly open with a loud squeal.

Clover is about to get a job, find a friend, along with a chance to live in a magical cottage. What is the secret about the cottage, who keeps leaving cake on the porch, and where is Mrs. Eckles crazy cat, Neville? When Mrs. Eckles decides to take a trip to fair, she leaves Clover Twig in charge. Now things really begin to happen.

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

noreply@blogger.com (turnerpage) — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 23:28:00 +0000

* Newbery Medal Winner 2010 *

Miranda lives in New York City in the 1970's. This twelve-year-old gets mysterious notes. They are really hard to figure out. She finally discerns that the notes have something to do with time travel. She is instructed not to tell anyone about the notes. She is not even suppose to tell her mom. Her mom is quite busy with work and is practicing to be a game show contestant. Miranda tries to make sense of everything while maintaining a normal friendship with Colin and Annemarie.

One day, Sal, her life-long friend, gets punched by Marcus. The punch was so forceful, unexpected, and unexplainable. Also, she is part of a group that is accused of stealing special two-dollar bills. These are just a few things that she has to solve.

The story starts out slowly, but purposely. It is amazing how the details intertwine by the end of Rebecca Stead's great book. Do not consider reading the book all at one time. There are too many details to digest and savor. It's all here: science fiction, time and space, school, friendship ...

Rebecca Caudill Award Nominees for 2011 Announced

noreply@blogger.com (shadowpuppy) — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 19:00:00 +0000

Although the voting has just begun for the 2010 Rebecca Caudill Award winner, the nominees for the 2011 award have just been announced! See the list here!

The Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award is an Illinois award for outstanding literature for young people and is sponsored by the Illinois Reading Council, the Illinois School Library Media Association, and the Illinois Association of Teachers of English.

Each year, twenty books are nominated by children in grades 4-8. Children then read the books and vote for their favorite. The winner is announced in March. Voting is currently going on for the 2010 winner. Check with your teacher or school librarian to find out how you can participate in this year's vote. Then stop in the library and start reading the nominees for 2011!

Book Lovers News... Newbery & Caldecott Medals Announced

noreply@blogger.com (shadowpuppy) — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 14:45:00 +0000

Yesterday, the American Library Association announced this year's award-winning titles!

The major awards went to:
Newbery Medal: When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
Caldecott Medal: The Lion & The Mouse by Jerry Pinkney

Plus there were a bunch of other awards:
- Coretta Scott King Author Award: Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U.S. Marshal by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson
- Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award: My People by Langston Hughes, illustrated by Charles R. Smith Jr.
- Michael L. Printz Award: Going Bovine by Libba Bray
- Robert F. Sibert Medal: Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream by Tanya Lee Stone
- Theodor Seuss Geisel Award: Benny and Penny in the Big No-No! by Geoffrey Hayes
- Schneider Family Book Award, Children's: Django by Bonnie Christensen
- Schneider Family Book Award, Middle School: Anything but Typical by Nora Raleigh Baskin
- Mildred L. Batchelder Award: A Faraway Island by Annika Thor
- Pura Belpre Author Award: Return to Sender by Julia Alvarez
- Pura Belpre Illustrator Award: Book Fiesta!: Celebrate Children’s Day/Book Day; Celebremos El día de los niños/El día de los libros by Pat Mora, illustrated by Rafael López.
and others...

If you like reading books award-winning books, you've got your work (or play!) cut out for you! Enjoy!

Tango:The Tale of an Island Dog by Eileen Beha

noreply@blogger.com (turnerpage) — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 19:31:00 +0000

Tango, a Yorkshire Terrier, is on a boat when a storm washes him onto the the shores of Prince Edward Island. Augusta Smith, a retired school teacher, takes care of the dog. The dog survives, but he has a strong desire to be back in Manhattan. A runaway child, McKenna, finds Tango's collar and uses it as an ankle bracelet. She temporarily lives next to Augusta. McKenna has been in seven different foster homes. She is still on the run.

Tango is a very small dog, but he can manage himself with the other animals on Prince Edward Island. He rescues Augusta from a rat when she falls in the creepy basement. Anthropomorphism is not a problem in this book. It highlights the balance Tango has to make communicating between humans and animals.

This book is not so much about being rescued as it is about finding peace. There are many quotes from this book that could make a nice small book or booklet.
"Hope is the first step on any significant journey"
"Without hope ... nothing is possible"
"It seemed as if she'd started reading two books, both in the middle, without knowing how either story began"
"The first step in getting what you want is naming it - knowing what it is you want in the first place"

Oh there's more - much more!

The Sherlock Files: The 100 Year Old Secret by Tracy Barrett

noreply@blogger.com (Lucky72) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 03:44:00 +0000

The 100 Year Old Secret is the first book in the Sherlock Files series written by Tracy Barrett.

When their parents are offered an employment opportunity in London, England, Xena and her younger brother, Xander Holmes, move from their sunny Florida home to cold and wet London. Xena and Xander find that life in England is dull and boring. Both siblings pass the time by sitting on the steps in front of their hotel playing their favorite game where they use their powers of observation to guess a passerby’s occupation based on their appearance.

One day, while Xena and Xander are playing “The Game,” a strange man approaches them and gives them a mysterious note written in disappearing ink. The note tells the children to go to the Dancing Men Pub. Feeling a sense of curiosity and adventure, both children go to the pub where they are given a series of tests.

After successfully passing each test, Xena and Xander are introduced to a secret society called the “Preservation of Famous Detectives.” They learn that they are the great-great-great grandchildren of the famous detective, Sherlock Holmes. As the decedents of the great detective, they are given a casebook containing Sherlock’s unsolved mysteries.

Immediately after they are given the casebook, both children find themselves solving the case of a missing portrait by Nigel Bathelson, whose other works are being displayed in a local gallery.

Book Lovers News... Rowan of Rin, Video Review

noreply@blogger.com (shadowpuppy) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 22:17:00 +0000

A new Book Talkers "Book of the Week" video has been posted to the Library's website and to the Library's channel on YouTube.

Emily Rodda's Rowan of Rin is the selected title for January's Books 'n' Pizza book discussion group. Books 'n' Pizza, a book discussion group for kids in grades 3-5, is coming up on Jan. 25th. Register now and then pick up a copy of the book at the Ask Me Desk in Youth Services.

**Watch for more video reviews from the staff of Roselle Public Library. Coming Soon!**

Be the first to see the Library's new video reviews by subscribing to the Library's YouTube channel; just click on the yellow Subscribe button!

Rowan of Rin by Emily Rodda

noreply@blogger.com (Flame) — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 22:26:00 +0000

Rowan of Rin is the exciting fantasy adventure of a boy's unexpected quest to save the village of Rin and his beloved herd of bukshah animals. The people of Rin are hardy, brave and strong, but Rowan doesn't really fit in with them. His job is to take care of the bukshah herd, like a shepherd, even though it is supposed to be a task for younger children. These animals provide the village with milk, cheese, wool for cloth, and help plow the fields, but they can only drink the water of the stream that comes from the nearby mountain.

When the stream dries up, the people of Rin decide to send a party up the mountain, where no one has ever gone, to find out what is blocking the stream. The bravest and strongest people in the village volunteer to go on this quest, but they have to ask the scary old witch Sheba for a map. Rowan is terrified, but sent along to carry a gift for her anyway. She refuses to help, only offering up a riddle:

"Seven hearts the journey make,
Seven ways the hearts will break.
Bravest heart will carry on
When sleep is death and hope is gone.
Look in the fiery jaws of fear
And see the answer white and clear,
Then throw away all thoughts of home,
For only then your quest is done."

This is a frightening foretelling of what may come, but Sheba snuck a map to Rowan which only he can read. Trying to be brave and to save the bukshah, Rowan decides to go with the six adults from the village to climb the mountain. Will Rowan be brave enough during the journey to save his village? Seven hearts are going up the mountain: what will they face if their seven hearts will also break?

Book Lovers News... The Magic Thief: Lost, Video Review

noreply@blogger.com (shadowpuppy) — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 20:09:00 +0000

A new Book Talkers "Book of the Week" video has been posted to the Library's website and to the Library's channel on YouTube.

This review of Book 2 in Sarah Prineas' The Magic Thief series, is Mrs. A's first Book Talkers review.

**Watch for more video reviews from the staff of Roselle Public Library. Coming Soon!**

Be the first to see the Library's new video reviews by subscribing to the Library's YouTube channel; just click on the yellow Subscribe button!

The Witches Guide to COOKING with CHILDREN by Keith McGowan

noreply@blogger.com (daisymaisy) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 16:02:00 +0000

"I love children. Eating them, that is. I have eaten quite a few children over the centuries." Ever wonder where I may have gotten them??? From their parents, in the most traditional way, don't you see. Don't need to lure them to the woods anymore, parents bring them right up to the front door or write me letter begging me to take them. If only the children knew...

Moving to the small town of Grand Creek, Sol and Connie where just the kind of children who were always questioning things. That is why on the very first day they realized their new neighbor was strange, odd, weird, not to mention evil. Her dog, although he seemed normal, was carrying a very strange bone. Sol playing tug of war with the dong's bone realizes something is odd about the shape of it. This leads to the local library where Sol tries to find more information.

Meanwhile, Mr. & Mrs. Blink have a very strange secret, they are not who they say they are. It is up to Sol and Connie to figure out who they are, what they are up to, along with checking up on their neighbor before it is too late for them.

Murder At Midnight by AVI

noreply@blogger.com (daisymaisy) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 15:42:00 +0000

Mangus the Magician but never seems to be able to please him. The old man insists daily that he does not need the boy. No matter how hard he tries his master seems unhappy with him.

One day Mistress must go to visit her sister and she tells Fabrizio, to make himself available to Master Mangus and prove that he is useful. Barely a day after Mistress leaves Fabrizio sets out to solve the mystery of who is trying to kill King Claudio. Meanwhile his master, Mangus is arrested, marked as a scapegoat, for the true traitor lurking in the King's court.

Will he be able to prove his master innocence before the stroke of midnight or will his master be put to death...sending Fabrizio, homeless, out on the streets once more.

Well done, AVI!

Ways to Live Forever by Sally Nicholls

noreply@blogger.com (turnerpage) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:35:00 +0000

Sam McQueen has leukemia. Sam is blunt; perhaps he is being realistic and just trying to work through things. This is his third bout with cancer and he knows that he is going to die. His father has a hard time dealing with it to the extent that he won't even talk about it. His mom tries to keep things normal for his little sister.

This book is a "book" written by Sam during his last three months. Sam really likes books and making lists. It starts when Sam is being home schooled with another sick friend, Felix. Felix dies first and Sam reacts very maturely - more so then some others.

Sally Nicholls has this book set in England, her own country. Fun words such as "mum", "sledging", and "tinned peaches" add to the positive tone. She also intersperses several "wow" facts in this fiction book. This female author gives an impressive voice to an eleven year old boy. The thoughtfulness and humor of a typical boy shines through. This book is not about dying; it is about living. Boys and girls ages eight to eleven will gain insight and empathy relating to any serious illness.

Rebecca Caudill Award Nominees for 2010

noreply@blogger.com (shadowpuppy) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:37:00 +0000

Are you reading the Rebecca Caudill Award nominees? Not sure what that is?
The Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award is an Illinois award for outstanding literature for young people and is sponsored by the Illinois Reading Council, the Illinois School Library Media Association, and the Illinois Association of Teachers of English.

Each year, twenty books are nominated by children in grades 4-8. Children then read the books and vote for their favorite. The winner is announced in March.
This year's nominees are listed here, or you can see a great video introduction to the list here!

You can also check out reviews of fifteen of the twenty nominees right here on the Blogger Book Club!
All the Lovely Bad Ones reveiwed by daisymaisy and by Pat's Comments;
Crooked Kind of Perfect reviewed by daisymaisy and by flame;
Elephant Run review by shadowkitty;
Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree reviewed by turnerpage;
First Light reviewed by daisymaisy (video review by Michelle);
Freedom Walkers reviewed by turnerpage;
Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life reviewed by daisymaisy;
The Mozart Question reviewed by turnerpage;
The Naked Mole-Rat Letters reviewed by turnerpage;
Shark Girl reviewed by daisymaisy;
Shooting the Moon reviewed by shadowkitty;
A Small White Scar reviewed by daisymaisy;
The Thing About Georgie reviewed by daisymaisy;
The Wednesday Wars reviewed by shadowpuppy, Pat's Comments and flame (and a video review by Michelle);
The White Giraffe reviewed by daisymaisy

The True Gift, A Christmas Story by Patricia MacLachlan

noreply@blogger.com (Pat's Comments) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 18:06:00 +0000

"The True Gift " is a very short story about the true meaning of Christmas. This timely book tells the story of a young boy and his older sister who go to spend the holidays with their grandparents. While there , they notice that "White Cow" as they call her, seems sad. They find out that the donkey that used to be in the pasture with White Cow is no longer there.
At first Lily thinks her brother is mad and is going to ruin Christmas with his moodiness about the cow. He doesn't want to do the things that they normally do when they visit their grandparents and this makes Lily angry. She tells her brother not to ruin Christmas for everyone, after all a cow does not get sad. Liam, the younger brother proves to Lily that indeed cows have feelings. He also convinces her that it is up to them to fix the situation.

Heart of a Shepherd by Rosanne Parry

noreply@blogger.com (Pat's Comments) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:23:00 +0000

This short heartwarming story is about a boy who lives on a ranch with his grandparents, dad and brothers. Life is simple until his father is deployed to Iraq along with the rest of his unit. Then Brother as he is called, takes it upon himself to run the ranch with his grandparents until his father gets back home. Because his brother is also in the service and another brother goes away to school, Brother feels that he must fill their shoes.
All is well until lightening stikes and fires move closer to their land. He and his grandfather try to protect the animals and bring them all to safety. It is then that Brotherfaces another trial in his young life. His grandfather has a heart attack and they are all alone on the land. His grandfather tells him how proud he is of him and that he need only search his own heart to find his true destination in life and then he passes away. Brother is not about to leave his grandfather's body behind, so with the help of his father's horse he gets his grandfather's body to the clearing where his grandmother and other redidents of the community went for shelter.
His father and brothers return home for the funeral. Everyone is quite proud of the way that Brother handled himself and the caring of his grandfather. To everyone's surprise, a bus full of people pulls up to their house. Many have come to help start the rebuilding of their barn that was destroyed in the fire. It is then that Brother learns of the care and guidance his grandsfather had given to so many. He also learns what really matters to him and how that will shape his future.

Book Lovers News... The Ravenmaster's Secret, Video Review

noreply@blogger.com (shadowpuppy) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:24:00 +0000

A new Book Talkers "Book of the Week" video has been posted to the Library's website and to the Library's channel on YouTube.

This review of Elvira Woodruff's The Ravenmaster's Secret, is Nicole's first review in the Book Talkers series. She recommends this book for anyone who likes historical fiction stories about friendship and adventure.

**Watch for more video reviews from the staff of Roselle Public Library. Coming Soon!**

Be the first to see the Library's new video reviews by subscribing to the Library's YouTube channel; just click on the yellow Subscribe button!

Book Lovers News... Lemony Snicket, Free Online!

noreply@blogger.com (shadowpuppy) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:08:00 +0000

I just received this totally private correspondence from Lemony Snicket... (and I'm only sharing it with YOU!)

~~~

Dear Reader,

Something terrible has happened.

The entire text of THE BAD BEGINNING, the first book in A Series of Unfortunate Events, has been made available online. For FREE. Open to anyone. Including horrible villains, innocent readers, and you.

PLEASE DO NOT FORWARD THIS LINK TO FRIENDS, FAMILY, OR PEOPLE WITH COMPUTERS.
SHARING THE UNABRIDGED FREE VERSION OF THE BAD BEGINNING WITH SOMEONE WHO HAS NEVER READ IT IS COMPLETELY IRRESPONSIBLE. "Completely irresponsible" is a phrase which here means no one will be able to prove you did it.

Click here to access the FREE ONLINE EDITION.

The sudden appearance of the uncoded text online may be a horrible mistake. Hopefully, it will be corrected as soon as possible.

With all due respect,

Extra Credit by Andrew Clements

noreply@blogger.com (turnerpage) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:47:00 +0000

When a student is told that she will be held back for another year, things start to get serious. Abby Carson signs an agreement that she will get at least a "B" in every sixth grade class for the rest of the year and do an extra credit project. Abby really is a smart person, but her priority has always been doing her favorite thing - climbing. She would rather be outdoors than anyplace else. She is lucky her gymnasium at school has a climbing wall.

It is hard to find any mountains in her cornfields of Illinois. Her extra credit involves writing to a pen pal in a foreign country. She has three choices, but Afghanistan has the most mountains. She makes the decision based on the mountains of Afghanistan. She thinks that she is writing to a girl. The village elders insist that it is proper for a girl to correspond with another girl. Sadeed Bayat is in sixth grade and has the best English. Sadeed is asked to be the pen pal. However, they want it to appear as if his sister, Amira, is writing the letters.

Andrew Clements writes this book without the gory details of the war. He focuses on the lives of these two individuals in Illinois and Afghanistan. Their perspectives grow due to the pen pal experience. The cornfields are no longer boring for Abby. They appear to be "like a smile of God". The world opens up for both Sadeed and Abby. This is a modern realistic fiction for boys and girls of the ages nine to eleven.

Book Lovers News... A Crooked Kind of Perfect, Video Review

noreply@blogger.com (shadowpuppy) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 22:25:00 +0000

A new Book Talkers "Book of the Week" video has been posted to the Library's website and to the Library's channel on YouTube.

This review of Linda Urban's A Crooked Kind of Perfect, is Michelle's third review in the Book Talkers series. She recommends this book for third to sixth grade girls.

**Watch for more video reviews from the staff of Roselle Public Library. Coming Soon!**

Be the first to see the Library's new video reviews by subscribing to the Library's YouTube channel; just click on the yellow Subscribe button!

The Case of the Cryptic Crinoline: An Enola Holmes Mystery

noreply@blogger.com (shadowkitty) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 23:40:00 +0000

This is the fifth book in the Enola Holmes Mystery series written by Nancy Springer. In The Case of the Cryptic Crinoline Enola is still on the run from her older brothers, Sherlock and Mycroft. This time there is a code to crack, a visit with the famous Florence Nightingale, and a landlady to save.
Enola returns one evening to find her landlady, Mrs. Tupper, had been kidnapped! All the rooms of the house, except Enola's, had been ransacked. The young girl who was employed by Mrs. Tupper to help with the housekeeping was tied to a chair. Enola has to act fast to find where her landlady is, to find clues to who took her and where.
As Enola searches the house for clues, she pieces together her landlady's life story. The clues lead to a past encounter Mrs. Tupper had, as a young bride, with Florence Nightingale during the Crimean War.
This story is one of mystery and political intrigue. Once again Enola out manuevers her older brother, Sherlock, and gains the admiration and respect of one of England's leading historical personages, Florence Nightingale, as she retains her independence. Enola solves the mystery, decoding the cipher meant to bring those profiteering during the Crimean War to justice, while protecting the career, and family name, of a new member of the House of Lords. An interestingly developed mystery with a strong female character, The Case of the Cryptic Crinoline is a fast moving adventure sure to keep mystery lovers enthralled. Hopefully Nancy Springer will bring us more of these mysteries featuring this likeable character, Enola Holmes.

The Dog Days of Charlotte Hayes by Marlane Kennedy

noreply@blogger.com (turnerpage) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:12:00 +0000

What would you do with a Saint Bernard that is constantly drooling on you? What would you do for a Saint Bernard that is constantly chained up ( I mean 24/7)? Charlotte Hayes has to face reality. Her father and mother do not allow the dog in the house. She gets no help watering or feeding the dog from her drama-queen older sister. Certainly there is no help from her baby brother.
She has to formulate a plan for her dog, Beauregard, to be rescued by a suitable family. Her first plan does not work out too well. Another time, she tries to raise money to buy the dog from her father. She tries to apply for a job at a beauty shop, but she is only twelve years old. However, the hairdresser is in need of help checking in on her eighty-three year old aunt who has had a stroke. Charlotte is apprehensive about dealing with someone who has had a stroke. Charlotte accepts the responsibility and it is this aunt who helps Charlotte in more ways than just with her dog problem.
Charlotte never thinks of herself as a dog person. She stands out as the most caring person in this excellent book. This is a great book for girls ages nine to twelve with a growing sense of moral responsibility. Oh, by the way, my favorite word in this book is "passel". I am confident that you will find it. I don't know who will enjoy this book more, girls with pets or girls whose parents won't let them have pets.