The Emperor's New Clothes - Hans Christian Andersen & The Starbright Foundation

Summary: Sure, you may know the story of The Emperor's New Clothes. But have you ever heard it from the point of view of the Emperor's underwear? Or from the Imperial Mirror? Or the honest boy's mother? An all-star cast retells and illustrates Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale about the foolish king who is too vain to admit he can't see his sumptuous new clothes, which, according to the dastardly weavers, can only be seen by "visionaries gifted with true taste and imagination." Twenty-three celebrities and 23 acclaimed illustrators donated their time and creativity to this project sponsored by the Starbright Foundation, which develops products and programs that enable seriously ill children to confront the mental and emotional challenges beyond their medical conditions. From Madonna to General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, from Robin Williams to Dr. Ruth Westheimer, these well-known personalities each take on a different perspective of the fairy tale, creating a riotous retelling that will have everyone in the family bent double with laughter (Calvin Klein himself tells the royal underwear's version of the story!). But that's not all. Award-winning artists like William Joyce (who did the cover), Chris Van Allsburg, Kinuko Y. Craft, Maurice Sendak, Quentin Blake, and S. Saelig Gallagher lend their imaginative skill to each chapter, depicting two dozen fabulous and unusual angles to the story. Winner of a 1999 Hans Christian Andersen Award, this amusing version of a classic will keep readers in stitches, as it were. The accompanying CD of this new paperback edition brings the story to vivid life. (Summary and image from Amazon.com)

My Review: Instead of being 4 separate stories like the other Starbright Foundation book, Once Upon A Fairy Tale, this is one, long story. It feels far longer than the other as well. The illustrations alone would make this book worthwhile. The compilation of various famous artists give the book such a unique appeal. The accompanying CD adds to the novelty. While the book can be enjoyed without it, the CD showcases famous celebrities at their best: donating their talents (voice acting in this case) to help sick children.

When I use this in the classroom I focus on teaching the difference between first person and third person. The book actually offers both examples. Most of the story is told from different characters' points of view (first person) with the additional insight of a kingdom moth (please enjoy the irony because of the emperor's invisible clothes) who buzzes in and out of the story (third person objective). Another aspect I teach is personification. There are many added characters to this version of the Emporer's New Clothes: take his underwear for example. My favorite character is Robin Williams. He plays the court jester. My students love this book, despite it being a children's book that usually they'd say they're too old for, and ask me to share it again and again.

Again, I think what adds the cherry on top is the fact that all the proceeds go to helping sick children. It is definitely worth checking out.

Rating: 5 Stars

In a phrase: Hilarious, vivid artistry, and a great CD all included with the story of a classic fairytale.

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Once Upon A Fairy Tale - Starbright Foundation

Summary: This collaborative production, a fund-raiser for the Starbright Foundation, which helps seriously ill young people, takes readers on a romp through four familiar folktales: "Little Red Riding Hood," "The Frog Prince," "Goldilocks and the Three Bears," and "Rumplestiltskin." Celebrities such as Barbra Streisand and Nicolas Cage speak as characters from the stories, each using a distinctive voice, which readers can hear on the accompanying CD or read on a single page. A picture executed by a well-known illustrator faces each page of text. Children who know the classic versions of the stories will appreciate the way the retellers cleverly insert motivation and new contexts, giving old tales a distinctively modern spin. (Summary and image from Amazon.com)

My Review: I LOVE this book. I was introduced to it during college in one of my reading endorsement classes. The illustrations are beautiful, even some of the abstract and odd ones. The CD that accompanies the book with famous actors and actresses reading the characters is fantastic, and the idea of breaking the fairy tale into separate parts for each character adds a new twist on old favorites. In this book (there is another Starbright Foundation book I'll review soon) my favorite parts are Rumpilstilskin read by Michael Myers and the Wolf (Little Red Riding Hood) read by Robin Williams. Lisa Kudrow does a great job with Little Red Riding Hood as well.

As a side note for any educators: I use this to teach both Theme and Point of View. The themes for each story are easily discerned and can make a fast post-test on a theme unit. The Point of View (1st person) and character development are fun and the kids seem to grasp the concepts quickly.

What I love most is that people of all ages can enjoy this book. My 3 year old daughter loves the stories, my 14 year old middle school students love humor from their favorite actors/actresses, and as an adult it is fun to listen to your old favorites with distinctly different illustrations on every page. Bonus: proceeds go to help sick kids! Books, fun, helping kids: what could be better?

Rating: 5 Stars

In A Phrase: A new, very fun, take on old classic fairy tales.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society - Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows

Also reviewed by Kari and Anne, one of our guest reviewers.

Summary: January 1946: London is emerging from the shadow of the Second World War and writer Juliet Ashton is looking for her next book subject. Who could imagine that she would find it in a letter from a man she'd never met, a native of Guernsey, the British island once occupied by the Nazis. He'd come across her name on the flyleaf of a secondhand volume by Charles Lamb. Perhaps she could tell him where he might find more books by this author.

As Juliet and her new correspondent exchange letters, she is drawn into the world of this man and his friends, all members of the Guernsey Literary and the Potato Peel Pie Society, a unique book club formed in a unique, spur-of-the-moment way: as an alibi to protect its members from arrests by the Germans.

Juliet begins a remarkable correspondence with the Society's charming, deeply human members, from pig farmers to phrenologists, literature lovers all. Through their letters she learns about their island, their taste in books, and the powerful transformative impact the recent German occupation has had on their lives. Captivated by their stories, she sets sail for Guernsey, and what she finds there will change her forever.

My review: I expected a lot of this book. So many people have been going off about it's greatness that I was hoping it would be really good (and fearing it would one of those books that gets so built up in my mind that it turns out to be a big fat flop - like Atonement).

It took me a while to get into the story because I've been busy with other things and wasn't able to sit down for more than two minutes at a time. The good news is, since this book is composed almost entirely in letters, it was easy to read in short bursts. It wasn't, however, very good that way. I couldn't figure out what all the fuss was about or connect with the story, emotions, and characters. I thought it was interesting, but not particularly extraordinary.

However, once I was actually able to sit down and dedicate a good chunk of time to this book, I found myself devouring letter after letter--promising myself that each one would be the last --and then reading just one more. I stayed up well past 2 AM to finish because I couldn't bear not knowing how it was going to end.

And so it turns out that I loved this book! From Juliet's defiant spirit and the unusual beginnings of the literary society, to it's vivid and quirky members -- each letter was an absolute treat. The authors' interjections of humor, horror, history, and romance in to the storyline were aptly placed and, when I closed this book, I was sad to lose the company of such thoroughly engaging characters. I highly recommend it to anyone that is looking for a book that will make them sigh when they finish it and think about it long after.

My rating: 5 Stars

Sum it up: A fascinating piece of historical fiction that needs to be consumed to be truly appreciated.

The Outsiders - S.E. Hinton

Summary: Ponyboy can count on his brothers. And on his friends. But not on much else besides trouble with the Socs, a vicious gang of rich kids whose idea of a good time is beating up "greasers" like Ponyboy. At least he knows what to expect--until the night someone takes things too far. (Summary from back of the book and image from Powells.com)

My Review: I cannot believe I didn't read this while in school. How I escaped my teen years without reading this book is beyond me. I did, however, pick it up as an adult. I consumed it. It's short (only 180 pages) and despite having dated vernacular, dated fads and styles, it hits home. You can't help but feel for Ponyboy and his brothers. No one should have their parents taken from them so young. S.E. Hinton so easily throws the reader into understanding why a group of boys would become family to a teen. And at first, you can't help but side completely with the greasers. That is, until the end of the book when you realize the opposite perspective. S.E. Hinton crafts this book so well, you don't even realize you're seeing the Socs side until the end.

I love how this book transcends generations, speaks to the young, and brings to light issues that all teens see and feel but cannot seem to talk about. After reading this book with my 7th and 8th graders you'd be amazed at the discussions my students are able to have when before they could hardly speak to one another. Any book that can attack prejudice and stereotypes, forcing teens to change their thinking, is a powerful book.

What I do find sad is that despite time, this book's issues are still around. It's sad that we, as a society, haven't moved past the same struggles that the kids 50 years ago struggled with. It's great that there is literature out there that can move people to break barriers and create dialogue, but it's sad that despite that progress, nothing has changed. Maybe it's because we all seem to need to learn the hard way about some things.

If you haven't read this book, please pick up a copy. It's a quick read and you won't be sorry.

Rating: 5 Stars--Everyone should read this book at some point in life.

In a phrase: A timeless book about universal struggle.

Vampire Kisses - Ellen Schreiber

Summary: In her small town, dubbed Dullsville, sixteen-year-old Raven — a vampire-crazed goth-girl — is an outcast. But not for long...

The intriguing and rumored-to-be haunted mansion on top of Benson Hill has stood vacant and boarded-up for years. That is, until its mysteriously strange new occupants move in. Who are these creepy people — especially the handsome, dark, and elusive Alexander Sterling? Or rather, what are they? Could the town prattle actually ring true? Are they vampires? Raven, who secretly covets a vampire kiss, both at the risk of her own mortality and Alexander's loving trust, is dying to uncover the truth.

Ellen Schreiber's spooky and stirring romance tells the story of two outsiders who fall in love in a town where conformity reigns, and ends with a shocking surprise. (Summary and image from Powells.com)

My Review: I stumbled across this book because of my students. They were raving about Vampire kisses after needing another fix from reading Twilight. I found a cheap copy through Scholastic book clubs and bought one for my classroom. I try to preview the books I buy and read this in a few short days.

Despite being 'another vampire novel' this book took me by surprise with it's humor and rejection of high school's need for conformity. I enjoyed how from the very start you're captivated by Raven's strange, dark take on life. She bucks the system from the moment she's exposed to life outside her parents' hippy home.

The book is about Raven's love of the new boy (vampire) in town, but my favorite parts revolve around Raven's rivalry with the town's rich and mean boy, Trevor Mitchell. She is ruthless and hilarious. She pulls the pranks all girls have wanted to play on the biggest jerk in her school. And even though she's an outcast from the social scene, everyone loves seeing her best Trevor. That's about where my positive review ends.

The writing isn't very good. Many phrases and nicknames of the characters are cliche. And the ending leaves the reader hanging for what's really going to happen to Raven and her new love interest--the rumored vampire. It's cut short for a good novel. I wouldn't recommend this to an adult. But, my students love it.

Rating: 3 stars--for adults I'd give it 2 stars.

In a phrase: Another take, albeit dark and witty, on vampire love.

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The Nursing Mother's Companion - Kathleen Huggins

Summary: Breastfeeding may be natural, but it is not always instinctive. The 20th Anniversary Edition of this classic guide to breastfeeding, beloved by a generation of women, has been completely revised and updated to provide even more practical, reassuring advice and support for today's expectant and nursing mothers. Easy-reference survival guides help identify and resolve problems at each stage. An appendix on drug safety is a unique feature among breastfeeding books. (Summary and image from Powells.com)

My Review: I reread this book right before having my second daughter. I read it the first time as I was struggling to get my first baby girl to latch. That never happened. And I'm sure many of you are thinking that this book would then become obsolete for a mother whose baby didn't latch. On the contrary. Thankfully this book includes more than just your run of the mill nursing mother situations.

With my first daughter she had an injury at birth and after 4 months of trying to get her to latch, I realized I had to throw in the towel on my hopes of breastfeeding. There was a big problem with this though. I had started pumping in the hospital, built up a milk supply for triplets (because of some bad info from a well-intentioned nurse), and was then fighting off mastitis. Add to this that my first baby had problems digesting food, specifically breastmilk, which is the easiest form of food for babies to digest. Giving her formula was out of the question--she couldn't even digest breastmilk! I was trapped. Too much milk, infection after infection, and a baby who could only digest breastmilk. This book came to my rescue. It isn't a long section, but it does contain a section for the pumping mother. Everyone I ever talked to said pumping couldn't be done, especially for an entire year. This book testified differently. It gave me tips and helps on how to be a working mom and pump for my child.

With my second daughter this book was more of your typical breastfeeding go-to manual. And I was grateful for it. Truthfully, I don't think you can ever replace the one-on-one help of a lactation consultant. But when you're at home, struggling through learning a process that's supposed to be so 'natural,' this book was extremely helpful.

There are sections that are, to say the least, surprising. I learned a lot of about nursing that I had never had the interest to know. Still, it was informative and helpful. It really does empower a mother with all the facts of nursing, how to build up your milk supply, how to deal with extenuating circumstances, and pumping for your baby.

An aspect of this book that I really liked was how easy it is to navigate. If you have a problem, a special situation, you can find the help you need quickly and easily. It goes month to month with what to expect while nursing. For a mom in hormonal crisis after giving birth, scared you won't be able to feed your tiny baby, you cannot be more thankful for quick help when you're sleep deprived and not thinking straight.

My only regret with this book is that I didn't read it sooner with my first baby. If you're interested in nursing your baby, this is a wonderful resource to have on hand.

Rating: 4.5 Stars. I didn't give it 5 stars because it felt wrong to say it is the perfect guide: nothing compares to hands on help when learning to nurse a baby.

In a phrase: For a new-to-nursing-mom: a great reference book.

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A Different Kind of Hero - Leah Beth Evans

Summary: The rainforest is under attack. One monkey is determined to save it. His name is Tomagochi. He’s brown. He’s small. He’s plain. But when a group of men enters the rain forest armed with bulldozers and axes, Tomagochi the monkey springs into action to defend his natural habitat. While larger animals like Peshe the tiger run and hide, Tomagochi charges into battle. Will he be victorious? Will the rain forest be saved? Join Tomagochi as he fights to protect his home and discovers just how special he truly is. (summary from tribute books - image from barnesandnoble.com)


My review: This book starts out well enough. A little monkey living in the rain forest is uncertain of himself and just what makes him important and special. I think many of children (and adults) can relate to that. Then, mean men with their backhoes come and try to tear up his home. So what does the he do? (I'm going to actually SPOIL a book ON PURPOSE) The monkey goes ape. He attacks the equipment and he attacks the men and chases them away. At the end, the monkey is applauded by his friends for his stellar use of violence in solving his problems. I think I might have been okay if the monkey had stuck to sabotage instead of engaging in outright assault but I felt that this book sent the WRONG message(s): "Violence is a useful tool for problem solving" and "Join Your Local Eco terrorist Group Today."


And now -NOW-after I've written my review, I looked at a few others and found out that the author of this book is a 7th grader. I'm going to hell. I was tempted to take all this back and not post, but instead I decided to stand by my statement. It's great that she wrote this book and I'm proud of her for being able to get it published but I feel this book didn't quite send the message it was meant to.


My rating: 2 Stars.


Sum it up: A book that had great potential, but missed the mark.

Moloka'i - Alan Brennert

Summary: Young Rachel Kalama, growing up in idyllic Honolulu in the 1890s, is part of a big, loving Hawaiian family, and dreams of seeing the far-off lands that her father, a merchant seaman, often visits. But at the age of seven, Rachel and her dreams are shattered by the discovery that she has leprosy. Forcibly removed from her family, she is sent to Kalaupapa, the isolated leper colony on the island of Moloka'i.

In her exile she finds a family of friends to replace the family she's lost: a native healer, Haleola, who becomes her adopted "auntie" and makes Rachel aware of the rich culture and mythology of her people; Sister Mary Catherine Voorhies, one of the Franciscan sisters who care for young girls at Kalaupapa; and the beautiful, worldly Leilani, who harbors a surprising secret. At Kalaupapa she also meets the man she will one day marry.

True to historical accounts, Moloka'i is the story of an extraordinary human drama, the full scope and pathos of which has never been told before in fiction. But Rachel's life, though shadowed by disease, isolation, and tragedy, is also one of joy, courage, and dignity. This is a story about life, not death; hope, not despair. It is not about the failings of flesh, but the strength of the human spirit.
(summary and cover photo from barnesandnoble.com)

My Review: Inside the beautiful cover of this book is a story based on some ugly facts from Hawaiian history. It's the story of families torn and shamed when a member develops leprosy and must be sent to Kalaupapa, the quarantined society living on the island of Moloka'i. The focus of this novel is on one young girl, Rachael, who at the age of seven is diagnosed with the disease. Over the next six decades this courageous girl's journey is followed, full of both triumphs and tears.

Rich in history, this story starts out fascinating, full descriptive scenery and engaging characters. The early characters draw the reader in making this an emotional read. About half way through the book, nonessential characters begin being introduced rapidly making it is difficult to keep personalities straight or connect with them. At this point the story loses much of the emotional draw. It is also at this point that the story becomes bogged down with history, losing focus on the story line. It seems the author neglected his main characters in favor of cramming in as much fact as possible.

The storyline takes many unbelievable turns before coming to a simple close. I did, however, enjoy all the facts and history but felt that it would have been better told in two completely seperate novels. I wish the author would have chosen to focus on Moloka'i and stayed away from all the World War II information. I realize that these events coincided but the turn the story took with this new material was unconvincing. This resulting in being one of those books that I was glad to have read and learned quite a bit from but that I walk away from pondering what the book could have been if the author had stayed course.

My Rating: 3 Stars

If I had to sum it up in one sentence: A novel that attempts to encompass too many decades of Hawaiian history at the expense of the storyline.

The Breadwinner - Deborah Ellis

Summary: Young Parvana lives with her family in one room of a bombed-out apartment building in Kabul, Afghanistan. Because Parvana's father has a foreign education, he is arrested by the Taliban. Women cannot appear in public unless covered head to toe, go to school, or work outside the home, so the family becomes increasingly desperate until Parvana conceives a plan. (Image and summary from Powells.com)

My Review: This book was recommended to me by another educator. I think her recommendation actually built it up too much. I was slightly disappointed. The reading level is quite low for Young Adult literature. I wouldn't put it above a 6th grade reading level. It's short, doesn't have much depth, and the descriptions do not give much imagery. Because of that, it fell short in my mind. But, if I had gone into the book knowing it was for a more inexperienced reader, I might have given it more of a chance.

Much of the story is the everyday life of a girl pretending to be a boy in order to keep her family alive with money and food. While this is heroic and noteworthy, I do wonder how real it is. How long could she really have kept up such a facade anyway? And, if this is the case for young girls there whose fathers have been killed and do not have brothers to take care of their families, what do they do when they can't pretend any more? There were many unanswered questions. I realize that a young reader wouldn't be thinking these questions, but I felt it could have added more depth. That's something the story seemed to lack: depth.

It is accurate--as far as I've been educated--as to the brutality and living conditions for people in Afghanistan. This, I felt, was a great teaching tool for students who have no idea what life can be like outside of the United States.

The story seems to end short. While I understand that to be accurate the author cannot tie it all up with a happy ending, it felt like the story should have more to it. We have no idea how her sister's upcoming wedding came off, or even if it happened. We don't even know if her mother and siblings are alive. It felt like the author threw us a bone by bringing her father back to her.

Overall it's a good little--and fast because of easy readability--read. Would I recommend it to everyone? No. But as an easy reader and one that informs about the world, it's worth reading once.

Rating: 3 stars. Probably deserves a higher rating for a younger audience.

Sum it up in a phrase: Based on facts, this book informs on the war-torn life and land of Afghanistan.

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A Kiss in Time - Alex Flinn

Summary: Talia fell under a spell....Jack broke the curse.

I was told to beware the accursed spindle, but it was so enchanting, so hypnotic...

I was looking for a little adventure the day I ditched my tour group. But finding a comatose town, with a hot-looking chick asleep in it, was so not what I had in mind.

I awakened in the same place but in another time--to a stranger's soft kiss.

I couldn't help kissing her. Sometimes you just have to kiss someone. I didn't know this would happen.

Now I am in dire trouble because my father, the king, says I have brought ruin upon our country. I have no choice but to run away with this commoner!

Now I'm stuck with a bratty princess and a trunk full of her jewels....The good news: My parents will freak!

Think you have dating issues? Try locking lips with a snoozing stunner who turns out to be 316 years old. Can a kiss transcend all--even time? (image from harpercollins.com - summary from bookjacket)

My review: I couldn't help but love the above summary when I read it. It's so nice when the two romantic characters obviously loathe each other (hello, can you say Pride and Prejudice!). Okay, admittedly, this book is about as deep as one of those infant kiddie pools, but it was fun to read.

Jake is a sarcastic, hormonally driven teenage boy who is coming to terms with his own familial dysfunctions and Talia is a perfectly snobby princess (as anyone that spoiled is undoubtedly destined to be) and yet humorously so. Talia, of course, has no idea how spoiled she is and her expectations upon waking up 300 years in the future are hysterically unrealistic. Jake isn't about to put up with her royal attitude no matter how stunning she is and doesn't cater to her one bit....okay, maybe a little bit. She's hot, after all.

As in Beastly, a novel we reviewed by the same author that retells Beauty and the Beast from the male perspective, I loved the collision of a well-known fairytale with the modern world. It allowed for Talia to be confused and shocked by present day American customs and for Jake to be exasperated with Talia's royal expectations and naivete.

The first half of this book was amusing with all Jack and Talia's bickering and her observations of modern behavior. When Talia meets Jack's family, she begins to work her diplomatic magic on the family with positive results. Soon Jack is seeing his family in a whole new light and wondering if he really can have all that he wants out of life.

As for what I didn't like. I realize it's a bit bizarre to say that parts of this book weren't believable. I mean, its' about a 300 year old princess who wakes up after being kissed by a no-so-princely young man and is, subsequently, haunted by the witch who cursed her in the first place. So why, with all that "reality" coursing through the book, do I have a problem with Jack's father's unbelievably sudden change of character?. I don't know why. It just didn't work for me at all.

The ending for me was a bit off with Jack having to pass various dream-state game show questions in his "quest" to rescue the princess once again. Everything just seemed to tie up too nicely and sweetly to be a proper fairytale. Someone needed to get the ax. Anyway, I just felt like the ending got boring (for an adult), but I can still see this book being a big hit with the 13 to 14 year old crowd.

My rating: 3.5 Stars. I probably won't read it again, but enjoyed many aspects of the book. While Jake is your average teenage boy, his internal musings on all things female usually land on the side of funny more often than on the side of perverted.

Sum it up: A modern, male twist on a classic fairytale.

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