Bridge to Terabithia

Paterson, K. (1977). Bridge to Terabithia. New York, NY: Harper & Row, Publishers Inc.

Plot Description:
As an escape from the world around them, new friends, Jesse and Leslie, create the land of Terabithia in the woods near where they live. As bad as school or home life becomes these friends will always have their roles as king and queen of Terabithia. It is there that their friendship grows making all the bullies at school or Jesse's bossy sisters seem insignificant. Through his relationship with Leslie, Jesse begins questioning and challenging all of his fears, making him capable of dealing with the terrible tragedy he eventually must face.

Review:
This is a great book about friendship, fear, and loss. Jesse and Leslie, outcasts among their peers, take comfort in their friendship and their imaginative world of Terabithia. It is easy to identify with Jesse through his awkwardness with his peers, arguments with his sisters, and many fears common to someone his age. Everyone has most likely encountered someone like Leslie in their life, a fearless friend who pushes you to reach outside of yourself and overcome your fears.

Genre:
Realistic Fiction

Reading Level:
Ages 9 - 12

Similar Books:

Subjects/Themes:
Friendship, Loss, Death, Imagination

Awards:
Newbery Medal, ALA Notable Children's Books, School Library Journal Best Book of 1977, Lewis Carroll Shelf Award, Colorado Blue Spruce Young Adult Book Award

Character Names/Descriptions:
Jesse Oliver Aarons, Jr. (Jess): Jess is in the fifth grade, his parents struggle financially to raise he and his four sisters. Jess has an awkward time of fitting in at school and longs to be good at something so that everyone will recognize him. He becomes best friends with his new neighbor, Leslie, who likes him just as he is.

Leslie Burke: Leslie is the new girl at school, she doesn't fit in, but doesn't seem to mind. She befriends Jesse and takes him to the imaginary land of Terabithia, where they have no fears or worries.

Annotation:
As an escape from the bullies, bossy sisters, and fears of their world, Jesse and Leslie create the world of Terabithia, where they are king and queen. Through this imaginary world, the friends learn to deal with the fears and loss that life has in store for them.

The Case of the Missing Marquess

Springer, N. (2006). The Case of the Missing Marquess: An Enola Holmes Mystery. New York, NY: Puffin Books.

Plot Description:
Raised by her aristocratic, yet unconventional mother, the fourteen year old Enola Holmes has led a life untouched by the rules of young ladies of her day. But when her mother goes missing, Enola's brothers, Mycroft and Sherlock (the great detective), whom she has not seen since she was a little girl, find the lifestyle Enola and her mother have been living unsuitable for their young sister. With the threat of boarding school looming over her, Enola flees the control of her brothers and sets out to find her missing mother. Enola becomes entwined in another missing person mystery encountering her own adventures and proving to her brother Sherlock that he is not the only detective in the family.

Review:
The Case of the Missing Marquess: An Enola Holmes Mystery is a wonderful mystery led by the witty and adventurous Enola Holmes. The reader is captivated by the author's descriptive writing style, being able to visualize the damp English countryside and almost smell the slums of London. In addition, the reader is encouraged to solve the mystery along with Enola through the questions she poses and the ciphers she must solve. This book was a great read and the author cleverly does not solve all the mysteries laid out in the book making the reader long for the next book in the series.

Genre:
Mystery

Reading Level:
Ages 9 - 12

Similar Books:

Subjects/Themes:
Missing Persons, Single-Parents, Mothers, Mystery, History

Character Names/Descriptions:
Enola Holmes: With her mother missing, Enola facing boarding school, runs off in search of her mother encountering additional mysteries she must solve along the way. She is master of disguise, clever with ciphers, and very talented at drawing caricatures. She is also the sister of the famed detective, Sherlock Holmes.

Sherlock Holmes: Sherlock is the great detective and sister to Enola.

Viscount Tewksbury, Marquess of Basilwether (Tewky): Tewky is a well off twelve year old boy who runs away to work on a ship. He leads his family to believe that he has been kidnapped, thus attracting the attention of Enola Holmes.

Annotation:
When her mother goes missing, Enola Holmes, sister of the great detective Sherlock, runs off to find her. On the quest to find her mother, Enola encounters other mysteries which command her attention and lead her off on dangerous adventures. Through her skills of disguise, solving ciphers, and drawing caricatures Enola proves that Sherlock is not the only great detective in the family.

Because of Winn-Dixie

DiCamillo, K. (2000). Because of Winn-Dixie. New York, NY: Scholastic, Inc.

Plot Description:
One summer, India Opal Buloni (Opal) and her father move to Naomi, Florida because her father has taken on the position of preacher at a church in town. Opal soon befriends a stray dog, named Winn-Dixie, who she feels a special connection to, having been left by her mother when she was a baby. Opal is lonely in this new town, having left all of her friends behind. Through her own kind demeanor and Winn-Dixie's friendly spirit Opal befriends an interesting mix of friends who, along with Winn-Dixie, teach her about love, loss, and friendship.

Review:
Because of Winn-Dixie had me laughing and crying the entire way through. As the reader, I was immediately drawn to Opal through her kindness of spirit. Anyone who has ever been the new kid in town could easily identify with her struggles at leaving behind her old life and trying to make a new one. I enjoyed the odd mix of friends Opal meets and the lessons learned from each. The characters were all very well developed making the reader feel as if they were experiencing these lessons of love, loss, and friendship right along with Opal.

Genre:
Realistic Fiction

Reading Level:
Grades 4 - 7

Similar Books:

Subject/Themes:
friendship, relationships, loss, single-parent

Awards:
Newbery Honor Book, Josette Frank Award

Character Names/Descriptions:
India Opal Buloni (Opal) is a preacher's daughter new in town who immediate befriends a stray dog, Winn-Dixie. She and her dog befriend an interesting mix of friends.

Winn-Dixie is a stray dog taken in by India Opal Buloni. Through his friendly demeanor and toothy smile, he gives Opal the courage to make new friends.

Annotation:
Being the new girl in town has Opal feeling lonely and missing her absent mother more than ever. Through the friendship of a stray dog, Winn-Dixie, Opal is able to make new friends who learn from one another the lessons of love, loss, and friendship.