Ivan discovers a magical clearing in the forest when he returns to his homeland in Russia. Inside this clearing, he finds a sleeping woman. They travel back in time, living out what Ivan believes might be the origin of all Russian fairytales. I liked this book because it is inventive and different. I recommend this book because it is exciting.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Orson Scott Card's Enchantment: A Review by Elsa!
Ivan discovers a magical clearing in the forest when he returns to his homeland in Russia. Inside this clearing, he finds a sleeping woman. They travel back in time, living out what Ivan believes might be the origin of all Russian fairytales. I liked this book because it is inventive and different. I recommend this book because it is exciting.
Labels:
Adventure,
AR Level 6.1-7.0,
Fantasy,
Historical Fiction
Friday, October 16, 2009
Isis' Book Reviews!
Tiger Reviews will now be featuring posts exclusively written by the Longfellow Library's very own Isis, an 8th grade student assistant from IWE (Independent Work Experience) program! Look for her reviews throughout the year by checking out the posts labeled with "Isis'_picks."
Here's a brief biography of Isis:
Hello, my name is Isis. I'm writing to give you a little info about myself to let you know the true me. I am a 13 year old girl who loves to dress to impress and write to spill my heart out. Also I love reading too. I mainly read drama books, but I have learned to widen my horizons and step out of my comfort zone and read books like: Dear Ellen Bee by Mary Lyons and Muriel Miller Branch, Copper Sun by Sharon M. Draper, and Road to Paris by Nikki Grimes.
Here's a brief biography of Isis:
Hello, my name is Isis. I'm writing to give you a little info about myself to let you know the true me. I am a 13 year old girl who loves to dress to impress and write to spill my heart out. Also I love reading too. I mainly read drama books, but I have learned to widen my horizons and step out of my comfort zone and read books like: Dear Ellen Bee by Mary Lyons and Muriel Miller Branch, Copper Sun by Sharon M. Draper, and Road to Paris by Nikki Grimes.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice: A Review by Lana!
Labels:
AR Level 11.1-12.0,
Historical Fiction
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Banned Books Week: Celebrate Your Freedom to Read!
The American Library Association has declared the last week of September of each year as "Banned Books Week" or BBW which celebrates the freedom to read. Every year the Longfellow Library celebrates Banned Books Week by prominently displaying books that other communities have attempted to ban from schools and libraries. We encourage you to take a look at our display of "Banned" Books and learn about the importance of guarding intellectual freedom. According to the ALA website on BBW: "BBW stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of unorthodox or unpopular viewpoints for all who wish to read and access them."
If you suppress or silence the views of one person, then it makes it okay for someone else to silence the ideas and views you want to share! Check out this article and list of Banned Books for Young Adults and then check one out from the Longfellow Library. Tell us what your favorite banned book is and celebrate your freedom to read!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin: A Short Review by Jade!
Tom is an honest man who is the slave of a kind slave master who goes in debt and has to sell his favorite slaves, Uncle Tom and Harry. The mother of Harry overhears this, tells Tom and his wife, and together they run away. During their escape, Tom refuses to run away and is taken by the slave trader who purchased him. While Tom is separated from his wife and children he hopes someday he will return home to his family. I liked this book because of all the figurative language and all the beautifully developed characters. I recommend this book because it teaches you about the horrors of slavery and how it broke up and separated families.
Book Title & Author: Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe
Accelerated Reader points: 32.0
Labels:
AR Level 9.1-10.0,
Historical Fiction
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
George Orwell's 1984: A Review by Jenny!
In this story a guy lives in 1984. In this world there are three big countries and they have been at war for a long time. Also in this world, the government controls everyone to love the government. I liked this book because it made me think about how much freedom we truly have and how we take it for granted. You should read this book because it's insightful and it makes you think.
Book Title & Author: 1984 by George Orwell
Accelerated Reader points: 17.0
Labels:
AR Level 8.1-9.0,
Science Fiction
Monday, February 9, 2009
Suzanne Fisher Staples' Shabanu and Haveli: A Short Review by Hina!

Shabanu is the second daughter in a family with no sons. She lives in Pakistan. She has been allowed freedom that is usually forbidden to a Muslim girl. Shabanu has to marry the 55 year-old-man, Rahim, but she tries to run away. I like this book because it is about a Muslim girl who has to marry an old man. You should read this book because it is kind of sad and realistic.
Book Title & Author: Shabanu by Suzanne Fisher Staples
Accelerated Reader level: 5.9
Accelerated Reader points: 9.0
*spoiler alert for Suzanne Fisher Staples' Haveli*
Shabanu is the youngest of Rahim's four wives. Shabanu has a five year old daughter, Mumtaz. Shabanu falls in love with Rahim's nephew, Omar. I like this book because it is an interesting story of a Muslim woman who becomes a fourth wife. This is very different from an American Muslim marriage! You should read this book because it tells about a teenage girl married who is married to an old man--a common tradition in other countries.
Book Title & Author: Haveli by Suzanne Fisher Staples
Accelerated Reader level: 6.7
Accelerated Reader points: 12.0
*spoiler alert for Suzanne Fisher Staples' The House of Djinn*
Shabanu's daughter, Mumtaz is now 15 years old. She has been brought up to believe that her mother is dead, but Shabanu has been living in a different home for ten years. Shabanu's sister-in-law and servant have been keeping this a secret from all the people. You should read this book because it is about a girl who believes that her mother is dead, but discovers the truth.
Book Title & Author: The House of Djinn by Suzanne Fisher Staples
Accelerated Reader level: 6.2
Accelerated Reader points: 8.0
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