A Bad Case of Stripes

Written by David Shannon


Video of the book

ISBN: 978-0439598385
Description:
Camilla Cream loves lima beans, but she never eats them. Why? Because the other kids in her school don't like them. And Camilla Cream is very, very worried about what other people think of her. In fact, she's so worried that she's about to break out in…a bad case of stripes!

My Comment:
Camilla Cream, who is a little girl, always do things as her classmates do. She is always worried about how people think about her. She tries 42 clothes at night before school. She finds which cloth she wants. But she gets in trouble. Her body has lots of stripes with many colors. Her mom finds many doctors to check her out. They could not cure her. It gives us two points of view. We don't worry about how other people think of us too much. What professors told is only for reference. Only you really understand yourself. You must be yourself. You can watch to video skimming the book.
Author uses crazy story and vivid drawing to show his idea for kids, even adult. It is a nice book for all of us.

The Dancing Bear

Written by Michael Morpurgo
Illustrated by Christian Birmingham

ISBN: 978-000674511

Description:

A gentle and deeply moving story of a young girl and her bear, told with great charm by a master storyteller. High in the mountains, in a tiny village, an abandoned bear cub is adopted by a lonely orphan child. Soon they are inseparable, beloved by the whole village -- safe, until the arrival of a glamorous film crew who need a dancing bear!

My Comment:

The story featured an orphaned bear cub. And Roxanne(7-year-old) who lives alone with her 'dour and unloving' grandfather in the French Pyrenees. Life is ruled by the mountains, sheep, snow and drought there. She finds and adopts the bear cub(his name is Bruno). Her fatger opposed initially that she want to keep Bruno the bear cub. One person who has a different idea thinks keeping the bear cub will bring some positive benefits. So her father was convinced by that.

Years later, Roxanne who a sweet girl sings like an angel. Finally, the media find and interest, the outside world intervenes: Bruno is to become a performing, dancing bear and Roxanne a singing star. This a very moving tale.

Change of Heart

Change of Heart:A Novel
Written by Jodi Picoult

ISBN: 978-1845070830
Description:
The acclaimed #1 New York Times bestselling author presents a spellbinding tale of a mother's tragic loss and one man's last chance at gaining salvation.

Can we save ourselves, or do we rely on others to do it? Is what we believe always the truth?

One moment June Nealon was happily looking forward to years full of laughter and adventure with her family, and the next, she was staring into a future that was as empty as her heart. Now her life is a waiting game. Waiting for time to heal her wounds, waiting for justice. In short, waiting for a miracle to happen.

For Shay Bourne, life holds no more surprises. The world has given him nothing, and he has nothing to offer the world. In a heartbeat, though, something happens that changes everything for him. Now, he has one last chance for salvation, and it lies with June's eleven-year-old daughter, Claire. But between Shay and Claire stretches an ocean of bitter regrets, past crimes, and the rage of a mother who has lost her child.

Would you give up your vengeance against someone you hate if it meant saving someone you love? Would you want your dreams to come true if it meant granting your enemy's dying wish?

Once again, Jodi Picoult mesmerizes and enthralls readers with this story of redemption, justice, and love.

The author was talking about this book.

My Comment:
Jodi Picoult's the book (Change of Heart) around an “angelic” (not really) death row, he has a deep desire is to donate his heart to his victim's sister. Is it challenge for the victim? Yes, for the victim that agrees or not is kind of inner torment. Death row wants to create a miracle in this way, and want to achieve the purpose of inner atonement himself. Is it really good way from a prisoner to the Messiah in this way? How does the mother of a dying sister make decision? She asked herself whether they could put away hatred and accept the executed the donated heart of a prisoner who killed her other child.
Jodi Picoult is good to use the short chapters explaining her point of view. She shows up that a new ethical issues - the death penalty. This book describes the situation of both parties in court, it is full of dramatic plot, and an unbelievable result in the end of the book. Even thought I am not interested in the law and religion, I love this book.
If you like philosophy, religion or law, you can try to read this book!

Looking After Louis

Written by Rita Marshall
Illustrated by Etienne Delessert

ISBN: 978-1845070830

Description:

"There's a new boy at school called Louis. Louis sits next to me and I look after him. He's not quite like the rest of us. Sometimes I wonder what he's thinking about. He often just sits and stares at the wall. If I ask him what he's looking at he says, 'Looking at' and carries on looking." This introduction to the issue of autism shows how - through imagination, kindness, and a special game of football - Louis's classmates find a way to join him in his world. Then they can include Louis in theirs.

Comment:

I haven't know the autistic students. When I read this book, I realize what is Autism and which symptoms they have. This is a good book for class. People have to know how to treat the other and care how other people feel not being selfish. When Louis who has autism goes to a school his classmates try very hard to understand him. They want to include him in their activities but they don't know how. One girl offers him crayons, and suggests he draw. Sooner Louis could draw pictures and play football with his classmates. This book is a valuable leason for young readers. I recommand it!

Pond Life (Cycles of Life)

Written by David Stewart & Mark Bergin
Illustrated by Carolyn Scrace

ISBN: 978-0531148433

Description:
Explore the world of a pond from the plants that provide food and shelter to the many different creatures that develop, breed, and hunt beneath the water.

Comment:
I think it is good book for classroom. It will bring you going through the life cycle of frogs from sping to winter. It is not only for children, also for adult. We live on the earth, and must know some knowledge about it.

I Still Hate to Read!

Written by Rita Marshall
Illustrated by Etienne Delessert


ISBN: 978-1568461748
Description:
Victor Dickens hates to read! Alway has. Or at least, that's what everyone but his faithful dog Paige has been led to believe. But Victor has a secret....In this sequel to the popular I Hate to Read!, young Victor Dickens, who publicly claims to hate reading, continues his imaginative literary adventures while accompanied by his dog Paige.

Comment:
The book's title is "I Still Hate to Read" that is about a little boy (Victor) do not like reading books, but it does not really mean Victor is not like to read. In fact, Victor just do not like to do homework, do not like following his mother's book list. This mentioned he has the secret friends, such as a rabbit, crocodile, parrot and mouse. The only one to share feelings with him is his pet - lioness, its name is Page.
One day the teacher gave them assignment to bring lion's stuff to aid reading class, then read a book about a lion, Victor decided to take Page to class; Finally his reading score is A+; we take a look at him how he's done.
The book's style is very special, very lively, imaginative content of the story!