Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Review by Nathan:
This book tells the story of a poor boy, Charlie Bucket.  In his town is the famous Willy Wonka chocolate factory.  No one has been allowed in the factory for a long time but now 5 lucky people will be able to go in if they find a golden ticket in a Wonka chocolate bar.  Charlie is not able to go out and buy five hundred like everyone else. But after he finds a dollar on the ground, he buys a chocolate bar with a golden ticket in it.
Charlie goes into the factory with the other four children.  The other children all get into some sort of trouble and soon only Charlie is left.  Mr. Wonka was hoping only one kid would not get into trouble so when he got older he could give the factory to him.

This is a very funny book.

Age Range: 8-~13   Book Category: Fiction

A Family Apart

Review by Nathan:

This book tells the story of six children who lived in New York with their mother (their father had died.)  Their mother eventually decids that a better life awaits her children out west.  So she sends them out on an Orphan Train.  This devastated the children and some were very angry.  Ma makes Frances the oldest promise to stick with Petey (the youngest) so Frances pretends to be a boy in hopes of being picked together.  They soon travel out west with a few adventures on the way.

Once there, they are broken up and taken to several families.  Frances in able to stay with Petey and all the children but Mike (oldest boy) find a good home. 

This is the first book in Orphan Train Adventures.  

I enjoyed this book especially since I like historical fiction.

Age Range:11+    Book Category: Historical Fiction

Daughter of Venice

Review By Nathan:

This book tells the story of Donata, a daughter of a nobleman in Venice.  She is hidden from the outside world going veiled through the canals on gondolas and not being able to see the true Venice.  One day after seeing a map of Venice, she decides to try to see the real Venice.  She later sneaks out multiple times disguised as a boy.  After a turn of events, she is told she will marry. But her parents confuse her abilities for those of her identical twin sister, Laura,  and only one of them will be able to marry!  She sets out on a daring plan to let her sister marry but if Donata succeeds, she will be sent to a convent like almost every other unmarried noble girl in Venice-and she is not sure she can stand that.

When Donata sneaks out she not only sees the best of Venice but the worst of Venice.  This includes run ins with bullies and a couple mentions of the prostitution that plagued Venice.  She also develops a crush on a Jewish printer coworker.

Age Range:  11/12+   Book Category:Historical Fiction