The Book Bag: Books for ages 8 to 12, August 2005

Our family reviewers have been VERY busy this summer ... Here is a sampling of the books most recently posted to the Web site. Click the title to see our Profile. They are presented in no particular order.

The Burning Pendulum: Fortune Teller's Club #7 by Dotti Enderle "One of my favorites. I love the fact that the author uses present-day situations regarding book banning and specifically refers to Harry Potter ..." (Llewellyn Worldwide, 2005)

The Ghost of Shady Lane: Fortune Tellers Club #8 by Dotti Enderle. "How can anyone pass up a story about a haunted house?! This would be a great read for a slow reader or a reader moving up levels." (Llewellyn Worldwide, 2005) Note: Go to the Index for Ages 10 and up and you'll find links to all the books in this series.

Rairarubia (Book 1, The Rairarubia Tales) by W. Royce Adams. The book grabs the reader on the first page. The characters are engaging, the plot holds the reader’s/listener’s attention.The chapters are very short making it an excellent bedtime story or read aloud book. This author knows his audience and is superb at his craft.

Galahad 1: The Comet's Curse by Dom Testa. "The reader is engaged immediately. The narrative is crisp and clear, the pace is quick, the characters, mostly teenagers, are presented as responsible and capable young people not Brittany's or Jason's." (Profound Impact Group, 2005)

Moving Heavy Things by Jan Adkins. "This is an informative and enjoyable read. Lots of nascent practical science experiments and fun-filled learning experiences are waiting to escape from the pages of this book. The graphics will stir the curiosity of the readers to go out in the backyard and test some of what they have read." (WoodenBoat Publications, 2004)

Una's Jungle Journey by Fred Otis Gibson. While helping her mother to get water, a little girl gets lost in the jungle and has to find her way back home. She meets interesting characters along the way, each offering special help and ultimately teaching her things about herself, the island and its creatures. It is an excellent little book that most middle school teachers would kill to have available to read aloud in the late afternoons. (Seven Locks Press, 2003)

In The Shadow of the Cathedral: Growing Up In Holland During World War II, by Titia Bozuwa. Though World War II is provides the backdrop, the real story is what is happening to the lives of the people of Breda on a daily basis. "The seven year old telling the story keeps the focus on real day-to-day issues that occupation and war presented the people of Breda. It is an excellent biographical account and one that should grab the advanced reader." (Triple Tulip Press, 2004)

The Dark Dreamweaver (Remin Chronicles, Book 1) by Nick Ruth. "The story is action packed and moves quickly. The characters are unique and the magic and wizardry are believable. Its structure, content, and pace, make this a great book for a middle school /junior high school reader. This is not a one time read. The young reader will find the story exciting and the characters (Thane the exception) to be friends. They will revisit Remin often." (Imaginator Press, 2004)

The Guardians of Ga'Hoole: The Capture and The Journey (Books 1 and 2) by Kathryn Laskey. "Lasky is simply a superb storyteller. She does not need to review her previous installment, choosing instead to touch briefly on the characters, with only short references to the previous book. Lasky simply lets this story unfold and its stands on its own as a book that will quickly capture the imagination of a child." says award-winning author L.J. Davis (Scholastic Paperbacks, 2003)

My Name Was Mary: The Woman Lincoln Loved by Gayle Rogers. "Although the story is fiction, as a history teacher, I found much of the detail is historically accurate." (Sojourner Publishers, Inc., 2003)

The Book Bag: Books for ages 8 to 12, August 2005

http://thereadingtub.blogspot.com/2005/09/book-bag-books-for-ages-8-to-12-august.html