Rapunzel's Revenge

 Hale, S., & Hale, D. (2008). Rapunzel's Revenge. New York, NY: Bloomsbury Children's Books.

This hilarious comic book story about a young girl, Rapunzel, is an enchanting tale full of adventure, suspense, and a golden egg. Our young princess was taken from her real parents and when our princess finds out the truth her evil stepmother holds her hostage in a giant tree that acts as a prison. Rapunzel is trapped up high in her tree tower and as the years past her hair grows so long she uses it to escape her prison. Who needs a prince when you have long hair to save yourself. During the story, Rapunzel meets a boy named, Jack, who offers to help Rapunzel get back to her stepmother's villa to rescue her real mother. As they journey back to Rapunzel's home they experience many adventures and meet new people who they help along the way home. Does Rapunzel make it home and rescue her mother, or does she get stopped along the way by her evil stepmother's henchmen? Read to find out what our princess does.

I enjoyed reading this graphic novel and see a different version of Rapunzel's story. The use of color really brings the story to life and I believe many young readers will enjoy reading this story.

Babymouse: Queen of the World!

 Holm, J. L., & Holm, M. (2005). Babymouse: Queen of the World! New York, NY: Random House Children's Books.

This delightful-comic style about a girl mouse known as Babymouse, and she really wants to go to the popular girl's sleepover. Babymouse tries everything to get an invitation to the slumber party, but nothing works until its time to turn in their book report. The most popular girl, Felicia Furrypaws, didn't do her assignment and she's asking Babymouse if she can have her report. At first Babymouse isn't sure if she should until Felicia says she'll invite her to the slumber party, and soon as Babymouse heard that she gave Felicia her report. Even though, Babymouse got in trouble she was still excited about the sleepover until her best friend mentions that he'll be seeing her tonight at his house for cupcakes and movies. What is Babymouse going to do? Will she go to Felicia's slumber party or go to her friends house? Read to find out what Babymouse does.

I liked how the story was written in a comic-book style and I think young readers will enjoy a story like this, because of how easy it is to read. The one thing I would have liked to see is more color instead of the pink, white, and black which made it kind of dull after awhile.  

The Legend of the Bluebonnet

 DePaola, T. (1983). The Legend of the Bluebonnet: An Old Tale of Texas. New York, NY: Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers.

This is a folktale is about how the great state of Texas came to have bluebonnets and some believe that it was the sacrifice that created a sea of bluebonnets that we see in the early spring time. It all started with a group of Native Americans who are experiencing a terrible drought and many of the people are dying of thirst and starvation. It's during this time a little girl, She-Who-Is-Alone, is observing the hardship of her people and she thinks about her parents and grandparents who died because of the drought and famine. She listens to the Shaman of the tribe explaining that the Great Spirits say the people have been selfish and they must make a sacrifice their most valued possessions in order to end the drought and famine. The members of the tribe seem reluctant to do what the Great Spirits have asked except She-Who-Is-Alone knows she must sacrifice her one and only doll that her parents made for her in order to end this drought and famine. She bravely makes the sacrifice and prays that the Great Spirits will expect her offering. Find out if the Great Spirits accepted the offering and what happened afterwards.

This story has been one of my favorites since I was a little girl, and now that I'm a teacher I keep a copy of this story for my students to read. It's quite special and many young readers will enjoy this tale. Another aspect that I liked is the illustrations that Tomie DePaloa does to tell the story. 

Out of My Mind

 Draper, S. M. (2010). Out of My Mind. New York, NY: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. 

Out of My Mind is a story about a young girl, Melody, who can't talk or walk at all but she can remember anything she sees and hears. Melody was diagnosed with a serious case of cerebral palsy, but that doesn't stop her from trying to be like the other students. At a early age, a helpful neighbor and babysitter taught Melody that being different is okay, and it's from that very moment that Melody believes that with all her heart. Her neighbor, Mrs. Valencia aka Mrs. V, begins to  teach Melody all sorts of words, phrases, numbers, and so much more. Melody absorbs it like a sponge want to learn more, and even though she can't talk which can drive anyone crazy who just wants to be heard must learn to be patient when using her talking board. Melody gets lucky enough to get a computerized talking machine which allows her to finally to talk and be understood by others. Read and find out about Melody's journey.

This was one of my favorite reads that I immensely enjoyed with all my heart. Sharon M. Draper really developed the character Melody and everything that happened in the story. I believe this is a great teachable story that has a great lesson to share to students and other readers. I will just say this story did make me cry, because I developed such a connection with the character. So, be prepared and keep Kleenex close by.   

The Crossover

 Alexander, K. (2014). The Crossover. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 

 This story is about twin brothers Josh and Jordan who are both great basketball players and enjoy playing the game. The story is told from Josh's perspective and he uses a free verse form of poetry to illustrate his story. Josh begins to tell how their dad is their inspiration in basketball, because their father was a great international basketball player who was all-star in the states. During the story Josh and his brother begin to notice their father seems to be sick and not himself, but their dad refuses to see the doctor. Not only is Josh worried about his dad but at the same time his brother is dating a girl that Josh happens to like too. Talk about being between a rock and a hard place, but Josh tries to focus all his energy into basketball and not his brother's girlfriend. Josh and his family unfortunately end up in some sad and hard times when their father ends up having a massive heart attack. Even though, Josh is upset by what's happening to his dad he still goes to the basketball final without his brother who rather stay with there dad, and while Josh is playing his heart out their father ends up having major complications and dies before Josh can get back to see him again. Do you think Josh blames himself for leaving his dad to play a basketball game, or do you think Josh is selfish? Read and find out the outcome of the story.

This was tear and heart jerking kind of book which you feel for each character. The free verse form of writing was well done, and even though I had to reread a few passages to understand the textual meaning it was worth it. I feel like older readers in the middle to high school range will enjoy this story.

The Unfinished Angel

 Creech, S. (2009). The Unfinished Angel. New York, NY: Joanna Cotler Books an Imprint of HarperCollins. 

This angelic tale is about a helpful angel who watches over a tiny a little village in the Swiss Alps. This angel has had a simple life filled with easy going work of watching her charges in the village, and at times it seems like nothing will wake the sleepy village or its villagers. One day a girl, Zola, and her father come to the sleepy village in hopes of opening a school for children and live there. It's when Zola sees the angel that everything starts to change in the sleepy village and for the angel too. The angel helps Zola when they discover orphaned children who are in need of a good home and love. The discovery of the children brings life into the once sleepy village and neighbors come to help with the children. Read to find out what happens to the angel and the children.

The story started out kind of a slow pace, but I eventually moved passed it to the good parts. Sharon Creech is a very good author and the tale offered some unusal Italian insights in the way she wrote and how the characters spoke. For example, the angel would use the word peoples instead of people and I had to get use to the way the characters spoke. I found one older neighbor to be quite funny with her Italian antics and her need to make delicious ravioli. 

George

 Gino, A. (2015). George. New York, NY: Scholastic Press. 

This creative story is about a boy who's name is George, but George has a secret that no one knows. On the outside everyone sees George as a boy, but George sees himself as a girl. This story is about a young boy who appears to have an identity crisis but George truly believes he is really a she on the inside. For such a young character to know that they should have been a girl since they were born is truly something amazing to witness and read. George feels like he will never be able to tell anyone his secret until there's a chance to play Charlotte in Charlotte's Web. He believes that if he plays Charlotte that everyone will begin to see him as a girl instead of boy. Read to find out if that outcome happens and how people feel about George after the play.

I believe this story can be somewhat controversial due to that issues of gender identity and the transgender issues that may confuse young readers and parents may be offended. Personally, in the society we live in I believe this book may help those confused children who may feel like how George felt. It's always something to ponder about.