Miri is sent to a Princess Academy with hopes of proving to her father that she is capable of something worthwhile. However, once there, she learns it maybe wasn't quite what she thought it would be.
Hale, S. (2005). The princess academy. Bloomsbury Children's Books. ISBN: 978-1599900735
Impressions: Hale creates a magical and lyrical story with great characters and a happy-ending story line. This is a great book to read out loud in a classroom or as a book-club read!
Review:
Rebecca Moreland, Teen Reviewer (VOYA, August 2005 (Vol. 28, No. 3))
Princess Academy is a delightful read with everything you need in a good fantasy book: action, adventure, romance - and a good kidnapping. Although many people who read this book will not have any connection to Miri's way of life (people usually don't tend goats high on a mountainside their whole lives), Hale's writing places you in the book, so you feel you can relate. The plot seems predictable, like any other book of its genre, but it has a twist that sets it apart and makes it all the more enjoyable. VOYA CODES: 4Q 4P M J (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapes; Broad general YA appeal; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9). 2005, Bloomsbury, 300p., $16.95. Ages 11 to 15.
(Retrieved from Children's Literature Reviews, Children's Literature Comprehensive Database)
Rebecca Moreland, Teen Reviewer (VOYA, August 2005 (Vol. 28, No. 3))
Princess Academy is a delightful read with everything you need in a good fantasy book: action, adventure, romance - and a good kidnapping. Although many people who read this book will not have any connection to Miri's way of life (people usually don't tend goats high on a mountainside their whole lives), Hale's writing places you in the book, so you feel you can relate. The plot seems predictable, like any other book of its genre, but it has a twist that sets it apart and makes it all the more enjoyable. VOYA CODES: 4Q 4P M J (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapes; Broad general YA appeal; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9). 2005, Bloomsbury, 300p., $16.95. Ages 11 to 15.
(Retrieved from Children's Literature Reviews, Children's Literature Comprehensive Database)
Suggestions for classroom/library use:
This book is an adaptation of an old fairy-tale. Reading the original version then comparing the two would be great for a book club or English class.
James escapes from his evil aunts and finds friends living in a peach that grew to enormous sizes due to a mishap with magic. The friends include a giant ladybug and spider. They have great adventures together!
James escapes from his evil aunts and finds friends living in a peach that grew to enormous sizes due to a mishap with magic. The friends include a giant ladybug and spider. They have great adventures together!
Dahl, R. (1961). James and the giant peach. Puffin, ISBN: 978-0142410363
Impressions:
This is a classic children's book that is a great read-aloud as well. The illustrations, both in the original version, and new illustrations from Lane Smith, complement the storyline of fantasy and imagination. I love this book!
Review:
Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, 1996)
This newly illustrated edition of an avowed children's favorite has all the makings of a classic match-up: Milne had Shepard, Carroll had Tenniel, and now Dahl has Smith. Yes, there is a movie tied in to all of this, but more importantly, author and illustrator were mde for each other, and it's of little consequence that it took almost 35 years for them to meet. 1996, Knopf; Puffin/Penguin, $16.00 also available in paper; $4.99. (C) 1996 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.
(Retrieved from Children's Literature Reviews, Children's Literature Comprehensive Database)
Suggestions for classroom/library use:
It would be fun to do a movie/book comparison, either for a family night at the library or on a school day in the classroom!
No comments:
Post a Comment