Reading Abounds

Title: A Tale Dark and Grimm Series:  The Grimm Series Author: Adam Gidwitz Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 51063 Description: Follows Hansel and Gretel as they walk out of their own story and into eight more tales, encountering such wicked creatures as witches, along with kindly strangers and other helpful folk. Rubric Rating: Level 3 - Laud It Why I Read It: A fantastic title and a love for all things Grimm! Lori's Notes: A re-writing of a few fairy tales to include Hansel and Gretel (including their own). These two children run away from home, have adventures including a rescue, a trip to hell, and outwitting a murderer.  Some of the stories are dark - just as the Grimm stories were - and bloody.  The narrator who interjects throughout the stories is funny and sarcastic.  I really enjoyed this book and having read many of the original Grimm tales I liked the return of the more grisly parts! Recommended Readers: This book would be a great read aloud for ...

Title: Just Ella Author: Margaret Peterson Haddix Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 167305 Description: In this continuation of the Cinderella story, Fifteen-year-old Ella finds that accepting Prince Charming's proposal ensnares her in a suffocating tangle of palace rules and royal etiquette, so she plots to escape. Rubric Rating: Level 1: Leave it. Why I Read It:  The premise of the story sounded quite interesting.  What happens once Cinderella moves into the castle. Lori's Notes: A slow read, starting after Ella has moved into the castle.  Happily ever after is not everything she dreamed it would be.  The prince isn't so charming, life isn't so good, she's bored and repressed, and falling in love with her tutor.  The action in this novel is a long time coming and not worth the read.  I was happy when the book ended. Recommended Reader: If you have a girl who is a budding feminist and enjoys fairytales this would be a good selection.  Grade 6 a...

Title:  Breadcrumbs Author:  Anne Ursu Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 72009 Description:  Once upon a time, Hazel and Jack were best friends.  But that was before he stopped talking to her and disappeared into a forest with a mysterious woman made of ice. Now it's up to Hazel to go in after him. Rubric Rating:  Level 4: Love It Why I Read It:  I'm a fan of reimagined Fairy Tales.  I liked the pink skies of the cover -- it reminds me of the saying "Pink Skies at Night, Sailor's delight; Pink skies at Morning, Sailor's take Warning" so my question became -- what is this book's warning. Lori's Notes:   I loved this book.  I love that the main character Hazel has been adopted from India (so she has brown skin, brown hair and brown eyes - not the atypical blue-eyed blond-haired girl of most fairy tales).  Living with her mother, her father is soon to be remarried and is absent in her life.  Her best friend Jack lives next door wit...

Title: 13 Treasures Series: 13 Treasures Trilogy Author: Michelle Harrison Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 44457 Description: Bedeviled by evil fairies that only she can see, thirteen-year-old Tanya is sent to stay with her cold and distant grandmother at Elvesden Manor, where she and the caretaker's son solve a disturbing mystery that leads them to the discovery that Tanya's life is in danger. Rubric Rating: Level 3: Laud It Why I Read It: My son picked this book as our read aloud and read together novel. Lori's Notes:   Tanya is horribly troubled by fairies.  She's been able to see fairies all her life.  Unfortunately, her mother doesn't seem to sense them at all, so Tanya is blamed for much (or all) of the mischief the fairies have caused.  Having had enough of her "pranks" Tanya's mother sends her to stay with her grandmother at Elvesden manor.  Tanya knows that her grandmother doesn't like her and dreads the stay but she eventually fi...

Title: The Secret History of Tom Trueheart Author: Ian Beck Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 13542 Description:  When young Tom Trueheart's seven older brothers all go missing during their adventures in the Land of Stories, he embarks on a perilous mission to save them and to capture the rogue story-writer who wants to do away with the heroes. Rubric Rating: Level 2: Like It Why I Read It: Selected by my son for a read aloud and read together. Lori's Notes:  Young Tom is just about to turn 12 and can't wait to start his own story adventure.  All of his older brothers have been in their own stories (and all have "Jack" names - Jack, Jake, Jacquot, Jacques, Jackie).  Each brother receives a letter from the story bureau to enter the land of stories.  Tom expects them home in time for his birthday but when none of them return, Tom and his mother start to worry.  Tom receives his own letter from the story Bureau instructing him to start his own adventure b...