Roly the Railroad Mouse
by Ruth Ainsworth
Illustrator: Jean Winslow
Genre: Fantasy / (not AR)
Roland, called Roly, is a small, brown mouse that lives in the train station with the rest of his family. They must scrounge for crumbs and keep quick watch out for multiple dangers, including a one-eyed cat, spring traps, and poisened sandwiches. Until, one day... the mice manage to scare away all the unsympathetic station workers who are replaced with a kindly sibling pair that somehow don't mind mice. The talking animals are one reason this book is considered a fantasy, but I find the friendly relationship between the brother and sister and the mice much more difficult to believe!
The black and white drawings are worth a closer examination. There is so much detail drawn in to these otherwise simple images. I can definitely see myself using them to teach students about the importance of light, shadows, and dimensions in drawing.
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A Lantern in Her Hand
by Bess Streeter Aldrich
Genre: Historical Fiction / AR 6.4
This work spans the lifetime of Abbie Mckinzie Deal and her husband, Will. It is above all a love story, or actually three love stories. The first, is the story of Abbie and Will's love. The second is the love of a mother for her children. The third, is the love of the prairie by the pioneers. Tieing all of them together is the theme of sacrifice, delayed rewards, and the unflinching devotion that comes from patience and duty through it all. This book is beyond the reading level of most of our students. I confess, it's hard to imagine how our young students could ever fully appreciate the depth of Abbie's character. I don't think it will hinder their enjoyment of the story, if they can only be convinced to give it a try. Aldrich pens many beautifully written passages filled with a charity of spirit and hopefulness that all should be able to respect.
The entire text can be read online courtesy of the Gutenberg project. One of my favorite passages is near the end. In this scene, Abbie's youngest daughter has invited her to travel abroad to Europe. When Abbie refuses, Grace accuses her mother of having lived a "narrow" life.
Unwittingly, as so often she did, Grace had hurt her Mother's feelings. For a moment Abbie nursed her little hurt, and then she said quietly, "You know, Grace, it's queer, but I don't feel narrow. I feel broad. How can I explain it to you, so you would understand? I've seen everything . . . and I've hardly been away from this yard. I've seen cathedrals in the snow on the Lombardy poplars. I've seen the sun set behind the Alps over there when the clouds have been piled up on the edge of the prairie. I've seen the ocean billows in the rise and the fall of the prairie grass. I've seen history in the making . . . three ugly wars flare up and die down. I've sent a lover and two brothers to one, a son and son-in-law to another, and two grandsons to the other. I've seen the feeble beginnings of a raw state and the civilization that developed there, and I've been part of the beginning and part of the growth. I've married . . . and borne children and looked into the face of death. Is childbirth narrow, Grace? Or marriage? Or death? When you've experienced all those things, Grace, the spirit has traveled although the body has been confined. I think travel is a rare privilege and I'm glad you can have it. But not every one who stays at home is narrow and not every one who travels is broad. I think if you can understand humanity . . . can sympathize with every creature . . . can put yourself into the personality of every one . . . you're not narrow . . . you're broad."
I've added the bold because I think it expresses such an elegant idea so simply. This book has a slow beginning and some sluggish parts (to me), but with writing like this throughout it is worth the time. I only hope I can convince some of our more advanced readers to give it a try.
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Ghost Brother
by C.S. Adler
Genre: Realistic Fiction / AR 5.8
Wally's older brother, Jon-o, was the coolest kid in town and an even better big brother. When he dies abruptly trying to save the life of a drowning boy, the loss hits Wally hard. The family already lost their father a few years earlier. Wally's mother is weakened by grief and his Aunt Flo's domineering and unsympathetic view of grief doesn't provide any comfort or counsel. It's little wonder that Wally begins to believe he can see and talk to Jon-o's ghost. Jon-o generally appears when Wally needs his advice and guidance. But, will he appear in time to save Wally from a reckless skateboard stunt that he is determined to conquer in honor of Jon-o's memory?
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The Wreck of the Zephyr
by Christopher van Allsburg
Genre: Fantasy / AR 3.7
How did a small sailboat wind up ship wrecked on cliffs high above the sea? With stunning illustrations and an equally fanciful tale, van Allsburg explains the mystery of the Zephyr. The name of the boat provides some clue to a possible answer. Zephyr: a gentle, mild breeze (Dictionary.com, which also has an audio file for each word, so you can hear it pronounced, if needed).
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That Horse Whiskey
by C.S. Adler
Genre: Realistic Fiction / AR 4.8
Lainey Cobb wakes up on her 13th birthday expecting to find the horse her dad has promised to her. Instead, she learns that her parents not only cannot afford the promised horse, but are facing bankruptcy and foreclosure if things don't improve for her father's housing development. Though Lainey's relationship with her father is often strained, the bonds that tie them are symbolized in the way she emulates his entreprenurial spirt when she becomes determined to earn the money on her own. Mr. Dodge, the stable owner, gives her two challenging responsibilities... train a stubborn horse to trust a rider and teach an equally recalcitrant New York boy to work instead of spending all his time reading. If Lainey can do both jobs, she knows she will be able to earn a horse and her father's respect once and for all. Read this book to find out what happens.
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