The Mysterious Mr. Ross 

Summary: Clumsy Felicity becomes a hero after saving Mr. Ross from drowning. Mr. Ross soon becomes the topic of interest in the small seaside town where Felicity lives. Who is Mr. Ross? Felicity investigates to solve the mystery of Mr. Ross.

Comments: This novel suggests many issues for discussion: class structure, family relationships, joblessness, alcoholism, and the effects of gossip and rumour. Real courage is also addressed. An allusion to "The Ancient Mariner" by Coleridge may encourage children to read this classic text.  Back to: 5-6x List | 7-9x List

BAUER, Marion Dane

Summary:  Caitlin goes on a camping trip with her older sister Pam (who has been away at college for a year.) Caitlin is impatient to get to their destination to start all the fun activities and to have her sister all to herself. Pam, however, has other ideas. She plans to meet her boyfriend Alex at a museum along the way in order for him to join the camping trip. At the museum Caitlin sees a ghost and Pam disbelieves her. This leads to an unpleasant first meeting with Alex. Caitlin resents his taking up all of Pam’s attention and feels betrayed, forgotten and lonely. This experience is like Frank’s, the ghost’s, loneliness. Frank’s appearance frightens Caitlin. Pam is upset with what she sees as unreasonable behaviour. This drives the sisters further apart. Once the crisis is over, Pam believes her and the pent up feelings have been resolved.

Comments:  Told in forthright prose, the text appeals to reluctant female readers for extensive reading. Suspense is developed around the ghost. Conflict and feelings of resentment between the two sisters can be readily empathized by girls.  Back to List

Summary:  Brian, a grade six student, is a member of the "Joker’s Club", a club of boys who don’t like school and make attempts to tell jokes for points. A new grade six teacher takes a special interest in Brian and helps him deal with his learning difficulties. With tutoring, Brian learns to deal with his problems which leads to a change in his attitude towards school and a realization that his friends are headed in the wrong direction.

Comments:  The author brings her own learning disability to Brian’s story. This book can be used to give students insight into tolerance for individual differences, self-acceptance and peer pressure and how these insights can relate to their everyday lives. Back to List

Summary:  During World War 11, an ‘armada’ of small English coastal ships help ferry Allied soldier from Dunkirk to the safety of Dover. Told from the perspective of a disguised school-aged girl who helps on her father’s boat. Both father and daughter are hoping to rescue her older brother along with other soldiers. The reality of war is given form through the details in the poetic language and the sensitive watercolours illustrations.

Comments:  The theme that through bravery and cooperation great things can be accomplished has universal relevance. This incident is built on a historical event from World War II and connects to issues of world peace, cooperation and Remembrance Day activities.  Back to List

BOSSLEY, Michele Martin

Summary:  Abby moves to a new city with her parents and enrolls in the local gymnastics club. She feels fortunate to meet an aspiring Olympic gymnast. Soon she discovers that her talented, new friend has a serious eating disorder. She promises not to tell but forsakes her promise as a true sign of her love and concern.

Comments:  True friendship is making difficult decisions to help friends who do not know that they need help. The issue of bulimia is treated sensitively and can be worth exploring with girls as they begin to struggle with their self-images. The realistic ending makes the straightforward plot believable. This could appeal to reluctant girl-readers.  Back to List

Summary:  This book is the legend of how the Zodiac symbols, or Chinese years originated. It also gives the different personality types connected to each symbol and concludes with an explanation of the Chinese years.

Comments:  The illustrations in this book are described as remarkable and the vocabulary is extremely rich. This vocabulary could be useful in writing projects to help students describe personality types. The subject of personality traits and how these traits affect decision making can lead to interesting discussion points. This book supports Grade 6 social studies curriculum and studies of cultural diversity, in particular the Chinese New Year.  Back to List

The Eighteenth Emergency 

Summary:  12-year-old Mouse Farley has a plan for any type of emergency. Now he has an emergency that he does know what to do. He has enraged Marv Hammerman, the school bully by adding Marv's name to a drawing of the Neanderthal man. Unfortunately, Marv is standing right behind him while Mouse is inscribing. His problem is whether he should run or be killed by the school bully.

Comments:  Mouse's solutions to his problems demonstrate how imaginative he is. Many readers can identify with Mouse's fear and avoidance behaviour. Readers are engaged by Byars' lighthearted, humourous treatment of Mouse's story.  Back to List

BYARS, Betsy

Summary:  Lennie, a 10-year-old boy, loves watching TV and drops everything to watch it. TV is better than real life until Lennie gets bitten by a rattler. Then he realizes that life is what is real, not what is on TV.

Comments:  The theme of the influence of TV on the lives of children can lead to some worthwhile discussion. It may have appeal to boys who have an interest in TV. However, the book is dated by the TV shows mentioned. These shows may not be familiar to young readers today.  Back to List

Summary:  John Mida, a young boy, loves chocolate and would do ANYTHING to get chocolate. He trades an old coin for a box of chocolates, eats the only chocolate in the box and strange things happen. John has lots of troubles because everything he touches turns to chocolate.

Comments:  This story, like King Midas and the Golden Touch, is based on the idea that too much of a good thing can cause problems. The vocabulary is excellent and contributes to student appeal.  Back to List

The Midwife’s Apprentice 

Summary: Brat, a poor orphaned girl struggles to find her identity. She renames herself Alice and finds food and shelter by scrounging and travelling from village to village. An unkindly midwife takes her in, feeds her and gives her a warm shelter. In her first attempt to assist a birth, Alice is unsuccessful so she runs away and turns her hand at many other jobs. Older, she returns to the midwife, confident in her new role as the midwife’s apprentice.

Comments: This unique story of medieval life features an excellent model of character growth. Students identify with the title character’s struggles with social adjustment. This text supports religion and health curriculum as children learn ways of developing a positive self-image. Readers learn much about medieval medical understanding, education, and gender roles in the context of this novel.  ***This novel won the Newbery Award for 1996.  Back to: 5-6x List | 7-9x List

Michelle

Summary:  This story is set in the late 1800’s in France. In the household of Vincent van Gogh, a mother and her young daughter are housekeepers. The young girl is in awe of van Gogh’s use of vibrant colour which bring life to his paintings. When the townspeople turn against him, the young girl assures him of her loyalty and is rewarded with his sunflower painting. Saddened because he is going away, she is filled with strength and hope because of this gift.

Comments:  The book’s theme is that it is difficult to be accepted when you are different and that you must stand up for what you believe to obtain inner peace. The language relies heavily on the use of metaphor and simile for its beautiful descriptions. Illustrations come to life in vivid colours. This text could be used as a reference to support art curriculum such as to model the use of colour and to study the life of Vincent van Gogh.   Back to List

FINE, Anne

Summary:  A group of English teenage boys have been streamed into a class of non-academic, poorly motivated students. As a project for the Science Fair, they have "flour babies" to parent (much to their disgust). The novel focuses in on one of the boys, Simon Martin, who experiences emotional growth as a result of this experience. His newfound understanding of the pressures of parenthood allow him to empathize with his father who abandoned him in babyhood. Eventually he accepts that he is not to blame for his father’s leaving.

Comments:  Many of today’s children experience abandonment issues and guilt when living in single-parent families with absentee fathers. The sophisticated, typically English vocabulary can be problematic for some students.

*** There is some vulgar language in this book that fits the context of the setting and characters, "damn" and "for God’s sake". One reviewer finds other sarcastic and derogatory remarks even more offensive.  Back to List

FOGGO, Cheryl

Summary:  13-year-old Roxanne’s summer is off to a difficult start. Problems with her parents, her brother Joel, her best friend, along with conflicting feelings about an older boy contribute to her confusion. After her parents reveal that Joel has been adopted, her life as she knew it falls apart. Joel takes off and Roxanne is left to pick up the pieces. Eventually, she assumes the role of peacemaker and convinces Joel to come home. She learns that she can find her way again after times of difficulty.

Comments:  Set in Calgary, students will find many local landmarks to connect with. Children struggle with family relationships and finding one’s own identity during adolescence. Beginning boy-girl relationships are dealt with sensitively.

*** Teen drinking and sexuality are mentioned in context with no disturbing description. Parental and peer abusive relationships are presented in a realistic, yet inoffensive manner. Back to: 5-6x List | 7-9 List

FOX, Paula

Summary:  When Clay’s father loses his job, Clay and his mother move into a welfare hotel. Later his mother leaves, and Clay ends up living with the homeless. Two homeless men befriend Clay and help him survive.

Comments:  This story deals with the plight of the homeless, the impact of unemployment on families, foster care and survival on the streets.  Back to: 5-6x List | 7-9x List

Summary:  Sho, a young pure-hearted girl repeatedly outsmarts the evil demons haunting her neighbour’s dreams. She teaches the children to expose their dreams to the light of day. When one child draws pictures of his dreams and attaches them to a long string, the first kite is designed.

Comments:  Like in this Japanese legend, today’s children learn to release their bad dreams to blow in the wind. Pages are bordered in gold bands and the multi-coloured illustrations create a mystical mood which appeals to students of all age.  Back to List

GREER, Gery

RUDDICK, Bob

Summary:  Steve picks up a time machine at a neighborhood garage sale. He gets his friend, Max, to help pay for it and get it ready for an adventure. The two boys set the dial for the year 1250 in medieval England. Steve arrives there in the body of Sir Robert Marshall. Max arrives as his horse. They find a rival in Sir Bevis, and a love in Lady Elizabeth. Will they get back to Flat Rock, Mississippi in one piece?

Comments:  This book is a good alternative for kids that liked the time warp series by Jon Sczieska. The reading level is more advanced but the tone is similar. Humor is incorporated into the story, endearing the main characters, Steve and Max, to the reader.  Back to List

Summary:  Old McGinty, a Newfoundland fisherman, is forced to leave his home when all the fish disappear from the Atlantic. McGinty decides to go to the West Coast where his granddaughter Mollie lives. His decision and his journey complete the text.

Comments:  The plight of the east coast fishing industry and how change affects one’s life are basic to the story. The geography of Canada and the expanse of our country are highlighted by the journey. The language contains some words pertinent to the fishing industry. Illustrations add to the enjoyment of the book. This book could be used as a reference for the study of environment and communities.  Back to List

-ATTARD,

Barbara

Summary:  In 1914, thirteen-year-old Arthur is a "home child" sent to Canada from an English orphanage to work on a Canadian farm. Arthur is virtually ostracized by everyone except Sadie, the young daughter of the farm family. Sadie surreptitiously develops a friendship with Arthur and finally convinces her family to treat him in a more humane manner.

Comments:  This historical fiction text is based on a black period in Canadian history when orphaned children were placed on farms to work and in return received cruel, inhumane treatment. It deals with how one boy dealt with cruelty and pain with the help of a friend. The story also gives insights into the lives of the Canadian pioneers and the hardships they endured. This book is a true example of stereotyping and prejudice.  Back to List

Sun and Spoon 

Summary:  Spoon is afraid of losing what little is left of his grandmother. As his memories of her being to fade, he dreams of her less often. While helping Grandfather clean out the garage, Spoon searches for a memento of Grandmother and leaves with a deck of playing cards. This packaged memory leads to Spoon’s real discovery, himself.

Comments:  A support to resolving grief, a family life theme, this story deals sensitively with Grandmother’s death and the adjustments that Spoon and his family must make to move on. Conflict is created through the depiction of the family’s daily struggles.  Back to List

Letters from Rifka 

Summary:  Rifka and her family have fled Russia’s brutal treatment of the Jews for a new life in America. In letters to her cousin, Rifka chronicles her family flight from Russia in 1919. The journey is full of terrible obstacles, the humiliating scrutiny of doctors and soldiers, and deadly typhus that strikes the entire family. When it seems the family has triumphed over every possible hardship, the doctors refuse to let Rifka board the ship for America. Her family flees without her.

Comments:  Rifka is an unforgettable character. Courageous, ingenious, and perseverant, Rifka is a worthy character for discussion. This novel supports social studies curriculum.  Back to: 5-6x List | 7-9x List

Summary:  Jessie, a young Jewish girl, leaves her grandmother to sail to America to begin a new life working in a dress shop. Her close ties with her grandmother unite them at the end, with a happy prospect of marriage in sight.

Comments:  Family ties, separation from family and hard work which results in success are featured in this book. The illustrations are exceptional. A variety of writing formats are featured such as letters, interviews and descriptive paragraphs. This exceptional picture book appeals to students in Division II. Back to List

HOWE, James

Summary:  Sebastian and his friends, David and Corrie, discover a body in an abandoned inn. Once the police arrive, the body is gone. Suspense builds and it soon becomes clear that the real subject of this book is the plight of the homeless – not whodunit. A well-constructed, well-intentioned, if slightly didactic mystery.

Comments:  This mystery keeps students interested and they are able to relate to the characters. The story is less violent than ‘Goosebumps’, but just as engaging. The themes of homelessness and finding justice can lead to good discussions on current social issues.  Back to List

The Seven Magpies 

Summary: Set in World War II England, Maureen’s new boarding school is everything she worried about- crowded, cold and cliquish. Not long after her arrival, she senses something weird and sinister at the boarding school. The girls who belong to the Seven Magpie secret society sneak out at night to visit the woods surrounding the school. While exploring a strange stone, Maureen discovers the real danger.

Comments: Sustained suspense engages the reader’s sense of wonder and dread. The central character is self-reliant and capable of solving the mystery of the Seven Magpies. Maureen’s discomfort at being different is common to the experiences of many students. Back to: 5-6x List | 7-9x List

HUGHES, Monica

Summary:  An old man who runs the fair carousel takes in an orphan boy. The boy feels there is something special about the carousel but the old man will not tell him the secret. One night while the old man lies ill, Billy jumps on the carousel and is transported 75 years into the future. His only way home is the carousel, which has long been forgotten.

Comments:  This novel is a good beginning time travel book as time shifts only a few times. There is interesting information included about the 1800s and the old art of carousels. Perspectives of life in the different time frames may be of interest to students.  Back to:  5-6x List | 7-9x List

Summary:  The Iron Woman is a large robot-like being, who befriends a girl named Lucy. The Iron Woman is upset with a waste factory polluting the water and threatens to destroy the factory if the workers don’t stop this pollution. With superhuman powers, she transforms all the men in town which leads them to a massive clean-up attempt.

Comments:  This modern myth looks at the effects of not caring for the environment. It is a cautionary tale which has relevance for our society. This novel supports science units on environmental awareness. Vivid descriptors are used to create mental pictures and move the plot along quickly.  Back to List

LAWSON, Julie

Summary:  12-year-old Karin is fascinated by her mother’s goldstone pendant, a magic stone for dreaming the future. She is intrigued and bewildered as her dreams foreshadow disturbing events involving her parents. Adventure and suspense abound. This historical novel is based on an actual avalanche that threatened Donald, B.C. in a C.P.R. community during the building of the railroad.

Comments:  Students can relate to the beauty and challenges of a Canadian setting in a mountainous location. The author uses descriptive language and the plot moves quickly from one adventure to the next.  Back to List

LAWSON, Julie

Summary:  12-year-old Jo feels that she is all alone as her friends have moved on, her older neighbor who she idolizes is using her and a new friend appears to turn against her. Added to this turmoil is the accidental discovery of Jo’s adoption.

Comments:  This is the second book of Julie Lawson’s Goldstone trilogy, but is satisfying to read on its own. A goldstone necklace is a link to characters from one generation of a family to another. This historical fiction is true to the late 1950s and issues of teenage pregnancy and secretive adoptions are dealt with realistically and with sensitivity. Early boy/girl friendship is dealt with honestly and with no sexual tension. Children of adoption may relate well to this text. The subject matter of the novel might be more appropriate for mature sixth graders and junior high students.  Back to List

Summary:  Kenji is compelled to do nothing more than draw cats. Because his family is impoverished, he is given to a monastery to develop the skills of meditation in all he does. Unsuccessful as an acolyte, he is sent out into the world with the good wishes and gifts of Art materials from Takada. Through his ability to draw cats, the village is rid of Goblin Rat.

Comments:  The theme is that everyone must follow their passion and share their gifts with the world. The story which takes place in Japan, is illustrated with Japanese-like watercolours and uses Japanese characters which help students predict what will come next. There are lots of puzzles to solve in the illustrations. Strong descriptive language evokes mental images.  Back to List

LEVY, Elizabeth

Summary:  Bobby Garrick, a fifth grade student, has not experienced much success in school. He turns his poor performance in tests, his lack of productivity in assignment completion and his worries about his family into jokes that win him the title of class clown. Although Bobby spends much of his time poking fun, he is troubled inside. Bobby is in danger of expulsion from school because of his continual joking. A first-year teacher challenges Bobby to use his talent for comedy to create a competition – The Great Laugh-Off. The competition produces interesting results and Bobby learns a lot in the process.

Comments: The experiences and introspection of the main character is of interest to many students in grades 4 and 5. Many children also experience put-downs by sarcastic individuals who use humor as a means of distancing themselves from what they really want to say. There is a lot of humor as indicated by the title. This book could be offered during a humor theme for independent reading.  Back to List

Summary:  During the Great Depression, Dorothy’s father loses his job. The family borrows a car and drives to Idaho to pick potatoes where they work during the day and are able to pick potatoes for themselves at night. Taking the potatoes back home to eat and sell enables the family to live until father gets another job.

Comments:  Kate Lied, who wrote this story when she was eight years old, recounts tales her Aunt Dorothy told her about the Great Depression. While students may have difficulty relating to the concept of a depression, they can relate to family financial problems. The idea of family stories being passed down through generations and written down by an eight-year old catches children’s interest immediately. While the story is set in the US, it readily adapts to Canadian history.  Back to List

Summary:  Thirteen-year-old Arduino does not want to be a tailor like his father and brothers. His wish comes true when he is apprenticed to Cosimo di Forli, a renowned painter in Renaissance Florence. Maestro Cosimo is jealous and manipulative. When Cosimo is taken ill and unable to complete an important commission, it is up to Arduino to solve the problem.

Comments:  This story has the message that it is best to hold out and work for your dreams. Similar to Catherine Called Birdy, the novel has a male protagonist. This text would require a teacher’s or librarian’s recommendation because of its unfamiliar setting and context.  Back to List

Summary:  Each child in Sally’s class in a Canadian school is asked to give a meaningful gift that is "just like new" to be sent to a child in England during World War II. Sally chooses to give one of her dolls, which she misses very much. When she hears from the girl who received the doll, Sally is happy knowing that someone else loves and cares for her doll.

Comments:  A gift given from the heart makes both the giver and the receiver happy. Children related it to sending "shoe boxes" to Croatia for needy children, food hampers, white gifts, etc. Coloured "Canadian" illustrations along with black and white "English" illustrations set the mood for the bleakness of war.  Back to List

Summary:  Lucy Maud Montgomery had a special relationship with her cat Daffy. Daffy was with her through the most important times of her life; her rise to fame as the author of Anne of Green Gables, her marriage and the birth of her children. As the years passed, he became her "last living link" to her old life and her beloved Cavendish home.

Comments:  The text is based on a true story, compiled from the many references to Daffy in the journals of Lucy Maud Montgomery. The words that Maud speaks are her own thoughts as expressed in the journals. The illustrations add to the wonderful text. Animal lovers, as well as fans of Lucy Maud will find this book particularly appealing.  Back to List

Anne E.

Summary:  At the turn of the century, girls in Korea were not allowed to go to school. Induk’s mother is determined to have her only child educated, so dresses her as a boy and sends her to the village school. The story focuses on Induk’s experiences in gaining an education and her later work to improve the accessibility of education for girls and women in Korea.

Comments:  The book is a biography told in the first-person, with the message that you can succeed at something if you really try. Insights into Korean culture which is in strong contrast to our lives is a highlight of this book.  Back to List

Summary:  Mrs. Frisby is a widowed mouse who is raising four small children. She must move her family immediately to summer quarters but her youngest child is too ill to be moved. She meets the rats of NIMH who help her solve her problems. Mrs. Frisby returns the rats’ favor in an exciting adventure.

Comments:  The text is detailed and vivid descriptions evoke strong mental pictures. The animal characters are well-developed. Although the adventure engages young readers, the length of this novel limits its general appeal for a class or small group.  Back to List

PALERMO, Sharon Gibson

Summary:  Ten-year-old Rennie Trannie lives in Nova Scotia during World War 11. Her family is of Italian descent and her father is a much-loved member of the community. He is detained as a political prisoner because he was born in Italy. Her family, as well as other Italian families, are rejected by the community. Rennie’s friend begins to hate her because she is Italian. This young girl tries to understand how an entire community is able to turn so hurtfully against its Italian population.

Comments:  The novel can lead to journal writing and reflection on themes such as peer pressure, racial discrimination, family relationships, childhood during war times.  This novel could be used in a literature circle study. Other novels suggested with similar themes include Child in Prison Camp by Shizuye Takahima, Zlata’s Diary: A Child’s Life in Sarajevo by Zlata Filipovic, Sadako by Eleanor Coerr, I Dream of Peace: Images of War by Children of Former Yugoslavia by James Grant, The Sky is Falling, The Lights go on Again, and Looking at the Moon, a trilogy by Kit Pearson, and The Diary of Anne Frank. The novels could be used in a Remembrance Day theme.  Back to List

PAULSEN, Gary

Summary:  Nightjohn is the story of a free black man who returns to the south as a slave and is sold to the Waller Plantation. It is Nightjohn's intention to teach the slaves how to read. Although the punishment for reading is dismemberment, Nightjohn continues on his mission and begins to teach the alphabet and reading to a young female slave, Sarny. Through Sarny's lack of caution and immaturity, the plantation owner learns that Sarny can read and that Nightjohn is responsible for teaching her. Nightjohn manages to escape from the plantation and continues to teach slaves in the area.

Comments:  Students who are interested in historical fiction might be drawn to read this book even though they may not be familiar with American history. This story deals with slavery and black oppression in the United States. Perhaps the novel could complement the social studies program in a study of the slavery and the escape of slaves to Canada. Underground to Canada by Barbara Smucker is another novel that deals with this subject.  Back to: 5-6x List | 7-9x List

Summary:  Eldon and his family work hard on the farm throughout the year. Each season brings different sights, sounds and smells. Eldon’s family is kept very busy caring for the animals and land. Winter is the time when the family gathers at night to listen to Uncle David’s tales. One new tale threatens to pull the family apart.

Comments:  This story portrays farm life with vivid description. The reader experiences the uniqueness and hardships of each season on a farm through Gary Paulsen’s powerful writing. Graphic description of animals being slaughtered on the farm in fall may disturb some students. This text supports a genre study of tall tales.  Back to List

Summary:  This adventure story is set in the days when pirates sailed the seven seas. A young girl, Lucy, discovers that her father has been captured by pirates so she boards a ship and sets off on an adventure that leads to the rescue of her father and the capture of the pirate Captain Blacktooth.

Comments:  This rollicking adventure story focusses on travel and overcoming hardships. The girl protagonist makes this an affirming book for girls as well as implying that boys and girls can work together against odds. Vivid colours and intricate designs drawn from a variety of perspectives create outstanding illustrations. The text is excellent for vocabulary development.  Back to List

Summary:  Ellen’s diary tells the story of her life as a conjoined twin with her sister Sheila. The twins try sports and have a loving personal relationship, but Ellen is weak and gets sick often. Ellen makes the decision to have a separation operation. Because of her frail health she succumbs leaving only Sheila alive and full of guilt.

Comments:  This author of this Prism award winning book was ten years old when the story was written. The book provides a wonderful exemplar of children’s writing using an interesting topic. The diary format gives the illusion of it being a personal story.  Back to List

Summary:  Garth, a Grade 7 student, is enamored with learning about medieval times in ancient England. After suffering a severe head injury, he is transported back in time and begins living the life of a young man in 14^th century England.

Comments:  This fantasy story is a good introduction to time travel, as time switches only once to the past and back to the future. Terms used from medieval times require student research.  Back to List

Summary:  A boy named Danny hates school and feels that he does not fit in anywhere. He discovers "the sacred" through his experiences with his native friend Joshua. Learning about native spiritual traditions enables him to learn about himself and to overcome various hurdles that he encounters in his life.

Comments:  Set at Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump, this text supports social studies research into prairie First Nations’ traditions and history. Native Canadian children in the classroom may enjoy this novel because they, too, are searching for their identities.   Back to:  5-6x List | 7-9x List

TURNER, Megan Whalen

Summary:  Set in a mythical time and place which resembles ancient Greece, this first person novel tells of a gifted young thief, imprisoned for life, who is offered one chance to win his freedom. If Gen can steal a legendary stone hidden in a mysterious temple, for the king’s magus, the magus will set him free. Portrayed as a likable rogue, Gen endures the difficult trek to the stone’s hiding place with much complaining and little grace. He finally shows his mettle when he steals the stone twice and risks his life for his companions. The revelation of Gen’s identity surprises the magus (and readers) even more than his deeds.

Comments:  Because of the similarities to Ancient Greece, this text would be a good support for the social studies grade 6 curriculum. Despite the implications of the title, the text explores the morality of what Gen hopes to do. The author purposefully incorporates anachronism into her text. This literary device could be compared to that used in Disney’s Hercules.  Back to:  5-6x List | 7-9x List

The Final Freedom 

Summary: In this unforgettable Wild West adventure, Will makes an unexpected friend, the legendary Apache warrior, Geronimo. The mighty warrior saves Will's life in a deadly ice storm, teaches him how to survive and fight back when bullied. Will learns that sometimes it takes courage to be a friend. Geronimo's lesson is that what is most important in life is to be free in one's heart and spirit to be able to choose one's own path regardless of what others think.

Comments: This novel provides background for Canada's links to other countries. The theme of unexpected friendships in challenging situations and environments is worth discussing with students. Bill Wallace's simple, clear language effectively creates emotional responses in readers.  Back to List

Summary:  This book is a sequel to Castle In The Attic. Thirteen-year-old boys, William and Jason, struggle to prove themselves as young adults even though Jason is bigger and stronger. When they go back to the Middle Ages through the castle, William is able to show his courage and abilities by saving the castle from rats.

Comments:  The theme of adolescent struggling to find oneself is age appropriate. The message is that older, bigger, stronger does not equal better. Rather, we must each maximize the gifts we have. This text could lead to group discussions of the issues presented in the novel.  Back to List