Pre-March 2008 books - 14 of them

2007: The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron, illus. by Matt Phelan

Dates read: January 2008

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A few comments: Excellent story of belonging and discovering her place. Found the reference to dog’s anatomy unneeded?

2006: Criss Cross by Lynne Rae Perkins

Dates read: January/February 2008
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A few comments: Enjoyable.

2004: The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread by Kate DiCamillo
Dates read: Fall 2007

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A few comments: Loved it and mouse’s determination and compassion (but then I tend to enjoy rodent stories?!?)

2003: Crispin: The Cross of Lead by Avi
Dates read: um…post 2003?

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A few comments: Loved it! I am usually a fan of historical fiction and this was excellent!

2002: A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park
Dates read: Early 2006

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A few comments: Loved it as well!

1999: Holes by Louis Sachar

Dates read: Spring 2000

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A few comments: I read this for an advanced children’s lit class. I enjoyed it, but I think there was too much hype surrounding it for me to love it.

1997: The View from Saturday by E.L. Konigsburg
Dates read: Late 2007

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A few comments: Loved it—she does an excellent job writing from the perspectives of various students and teacher.

1995: Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech
Dates read: Summer 2007

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A few comments: Loved it! What an incredible story of overcoming grief and discovering oneself!

1994: The Giver by Lois Lowry
Dates read: um…? a few times

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A few comments: How can we not love The Giver? I know there are some that don’t, but I find it terribly insightful and a fabulous reminder that although agency is such a blessing (although on occasion, I assume it feels like a burden).

1991: Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli
Dates read: Early 1993

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A few comments: A fun story, but at the time didn’t completely grab my attention—a runner with a unique ability to untie knots!

1990: Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
Dates read: Early 1993

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A few comments: Loved it! I (almost) always love historical fiction set in WWII Europe.

1979: The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
Dates read: January 2008

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A few comments: This one was surprisingly enjoyable. It took me a while to get into, but once I did I really enjoyed it—so many personalities learning to live and work together.

1969: The High King by Lloyd Alexander
Dates read: December 2007/January 2008

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A few comments: I read/listened to all 5 of the Prydain books (finally) during late 2007. I really enjoyed them (although for me they didn’t have the capturing ability of Harry Potter). I am very glad I did it though—always wanted to but never got around to it.

1968: From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg
Dates read: Early 2003 plus a couple other times

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A few comments: This is a bit of a silly book, but I find it absolutely delightful! It is one that I can pick up to read for light-hearted fun!