The Midwife's Apprentice

Review by Nathan

The Midwife's Apprentice by Karen Cushman is about a girl and a midwife in the fourteenth century England.  Jane, the midwife, needs a helper and recruits Beetle from a dung heap.  Beetle, a homeless girl, soon gets a job, a roof over her head and a real name.  

I like the knowledge of simple things Beetle has, such as a fresh manure pile can give off heat.  I also liked that even after all she had been through, she still had a kind heart.  This story shows that you can be happy and content with little, which Beetle has learns.

The Magician's Nephew

The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis

Review by Grace

The Magician's Nephew by C. S. Lewis, the first book in the Chronicles of Narnia, is about how Narnia was born. Digery and Polly are sent to Narnia by Digery's Uncle. I like the action, mystery and excitement. The message of this book is that there are consequences for our actions.

A Letter to Mrs. Roosevelt

A Letter to Mrs. Roosevelt by C. Coco De Young

Review by Grace

A Letter to Mrs. Roosevelt by C. Coco De Young takes place during the Great Depression and shows how people suffered.  Mrs. Roosevelt is receiving a lot of letters from people in need.  She wants to respond to all of them.  Eleven year old, Margo Bandini wants to help her family stay in their house in Johnstown, Pennsylvania so she sends a letter to Mrs. Roosevelt.  Will the president's wife respond?  The Bandinis are very brave.  I like that Margo is my age and that I learned what every day life was like during the Great Depression.

Review by Nathan

A Letter to Mrs. Roosevelt by C. Coco De Young is about is about Margo Bandini and her family in Johnstown, Pennsylvania in 1933.They seem safe from the Great Depression but the dominoes are falling in Johnstown.  Papa owns a shoe shop but is often payed in food not in cash. They get behind on the loan payments.  They have two weeks to catch up on payments and Margo is determined to help her family and save her house.

This book gives you a glimpse of the lives of the people during the depression.  It talks a lot about being strong and courageous.  I like Margo's determination and smart thinking.    

Call it Courage

Call it Courage by Armstrong Sperry

Review by Nathan:

Call it Courage by Armstrong Sperry is about Mafatu who lives on an island in the Pacific.  His native Pacific tribe makes fun of him because of his fear of the sea.  He has to face the sea.  He ends up in a storm like the one that killed his mother and almost killed him.  He wrecks on an island which contains a sacred place to some cannibals.

This book talks a lot about courage; basically making it the theme of the book.  I like the survival aspect of the book; how Mafatu made his own canoe, tools and fished/hunted for his own food.  Mafatu's people did worship several gods.  This book is very exciting to read.  

Caddie Woodlawn

Caddie Woodlawn  by Carol Ryrie Brink

Review by Grace:

Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink is about a family that lives out west in the 1860's.  Caddie is 

a tomboy and likes to play with her brothers. The Woodlawns are content with what they have. We all can learn from them. I enjoyed reading Caddie Woodlawn because she reminded me of myself .

Review by Nathan:
Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink takes place out west in the mid-eighteen hundreds.  It tells about Caddie Woodlawn, age twelve and her family.  They live a happy life on a farm.  One day a chance to move and get rich happens.What life will they chose?

I like the simple life they lived and the fun the kids had.  Caddie is a tom-boy which makes the story all the more interesting.  This book, based on a true story,  tells about the Woodlawns' everyday life, encouraging simplicity and contentment.