Book Reviews:

This week I started reading the kids books in our little home library.  It has been a joy, and it makes me want to expand our home library.  A teacher once told me that if a book written for children is good that people of all ages will enjoy it.  That is so true!

I have done this before, in the mid 90's when I had my home childcare center.  I found that it helped me remember what it was like to be a child, to see the world through their eyes.  It helped me to remember what made a child happy, proud, sad, scared and worried.  I recommend this.

Beverly Cleary and Judy Blume are really good about getting inside a kid's head and explaining the world through their eyes.  So are many other authors.  This is Monday. Since last Thursday, I have read the following books, and am currently reading The Watsons Go go Birmingham --- 1963:

Carolina Crow Girl
by Valerie Hobbs, c. 1999

This is a story about an 11-year-old named Carolina.  She lives with her mom (who has never been married) and baby sister in a school bus.  They find a piece of property to park the bus in a new town on the West Coast and she finds a baby crow and a best friend, Stefan.  Carolina makes some big decisions.  I enjoyed this book.
  

Because of Winn-Dixie

by Kate DiCamillo, c. 2000.  Newberry Winner

This book is just like the movie, if you have already seen it.  It is about a wise and kind little girl, Opal, who is new to town, finds a dog and together they make friends during their first summer there. There is a lot of wisdom written into this book.  It shows how everybody has issues, a story of their lives, and that and everybody is important.  So is having a community.

Harriet Spies Again

by Helen Ericson, c. 2002

Harriet the Spy was written a long time ago by Louise Fitzhugh.  It was one of my favorites when I was a little girl.  Harriet Spies Again is a follow-up book written by somebody else, about Harriet when she is 11 and 12.  Her nanny, Ole Golly, returns to their home for several months after leaving her new husband.  This book is really well written and captures Harriet to a tee.

Ramona's World

Beverly Cleary, c. 1999

I love Ramona Quimby and know that I am not the only one!  In this book, Ramona's baby sister, Roberta has just been born and Beezus just started high school.  Ramona is just beginning 4th grade, meets a new best friend, has her first crush, and really has a good year, all in all.