What the Junior Room Is Reading2008 Archive2007 Archive2006 Archive

July

J/F/BINGHAMShark Girl2007, 276 p.Grades 6 – 9
Life changes in an instant for 15-year-old Jane Arrowood when a shark attack at her local beach results in the amputation of her right arm.  Jane loses more than her arm in the attack, she also loses her spirit.  She had previously won many art contests and now she can’t even crack an egg.  She struggles to define herself, not by what she lost but by what she still has – a loving family, a close circle of friends, and daydreams about the cute boy in school.

Miss Kelly says, “This title is a lightning-fast read, with news clippings, emails and letters interspersed throughout the prose.  Jane follows a realistic progression through her healing process.  Readers will find this gripping, from the drama of the shark attack through her subsequent personal journey to accept her new self.”

J/F/CREECHThe Castle Corona2007, 320 p.Grades 4 – 6
Pia and Enzio are siblings who live in a village near the Castle Corona, a spectacular castle on a hill.  They are peasants and work for a grouchy man.  Their lives change in a mysterious way when they happen upon a pouch that has apparently been stolen from the castle. 

Alternate chapters describe the lives of the pampered royal family… a ditsy (yet good-hearted) king, a queen who yearns for something more from life, a haughty princess, and two very different princes.  The royals have a hermit who gives advice to the king, and when the queen gets her own hermit, Pia and Enzio are whisked from their home into the Castle Corona.  Mysteries abound:  Who is the thief?  What was stolen from the castle?  Who has been poisoned?  Does the queen’s hermit hold the key to all of these questions? 

Miss Suzanne says, “This book is written in a tongue-in-cheek, farcical style. How can one royal family really be so empty-headed?   The peasant children are appealing, and everything is tied up nicely in the end.  Although it looks long at 320 pages, it moves quickly and is printed with a large font and wide margins.”

J/F/GEORGESun and Moon, Ice and Snow2008, 328 p.Grades 7 – 9   
Our main character, only girl and youngest child in a poor family, is disliked so much by her mother that she is not given a name at birth; she is simply called “the lass.”  After experiencing a magical event when she was young, she becomes able to understand animals.  Her only friends are her beloved wolf-dog Rollo and her oldest brother, Hans-Peter.  So, when a huge white polar bear (called an Isbjorn) comes for her with a magical deal, she doesn’t hesitate to leave with him.

This deal seems easy enough to the lass; all she has to do is stay in a castle with him for a year and a day, and then her family will become rich!  If her family becomes rich, everyone – especially her mother – will love her!  This would be the best thing to ever happen to her.  But, of course, nothing is what it seems to be…

Miss Sarah Ellyn says, “This author has combined Norse myths and fairy tales to create a magical, adventurous, suspenseful, and romantic story.  This book would be a good read for those who enjoyed fairy tales when they were young and for those who simply enjoy good stories.  It is fast-paced and sure to carry readers away into a magical world where animals can talk and dreams can come true.”

J/F/HOLTPiper Reed, Navy Brat2007, 146 p.Grades 3 – 4
Piper Reed isn’t happy that her family is planning to move again.  She’d just gotten used to life in San Diego.  She will miss her home, her tree house, and all her friends that had joined her Gypsy Club.  Yet, duty calls, and Piper Reed knows moving is part of the life of a Navy brat.  This time, the family is moving to Pensacola, Florida.  After a cross-country journey with her family and a visit with her grandparents, Piper finally arrives at her new home.  With the addition of a family dog and a special visit to the Naval Aviation Museum, Piper realizes that new adventures can be found anywhere.

Miss Rachel says, “Piper Reed is spunky and full of life.  I enjoyed her spirit and her close-knit and loving family.  Piper’s reluctance to move, squabbles with siblings and trouble with reading are issues that can be understood by many readers.  This easy-to-read chapter book will be especially appreciated by readers who enjoyed the Judy Moody and Junie B. Jones books.”

J/F/LUPICAThe Big Field2008, 243 p.Grades 5 – 8
Hutch had always played shortstop until Darryl joined his team and took his position.  Darryl walks on the field like he owns it and takes every chance he can to put down Hutch.  Now, on the youngest team to reach the state championship in years, Hutch and Darryl have a score of their own to settle.  As captain, Hutch needs to hold his team together and keep winning.

Miss Amanda says, “The play-by-play action of the games leading up to and in the championships will keep baseball fans riveted.  Hutch’s struggle against Darryl’s bad attitude and his efforts to do whatever it takes to get his team to the state championship keep the plot rolling.  Hutch’s relationship with his dad who has turned away from baseball after washing out of the minor leagues also figures prominently.  Highly recommend to middle schoolers looking for sports fiction!”