skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Regarding the Fountain:
A Tale in Letters, of Liars and Leaks
Written by Kate Klise
Illustrated by M. Sarah Klise
If you're looking for fiction that's written in a little different style, this book is perfect for you. Rather than just writing a story in words, Regarding the Fountain is a series of letters, telegrams, memos, receipts, and newspaper clippings. It is a truly unique way to tell a story.
In the town of Dry Creek, the middle school is in need of a new water fountain to a replace a leaky, old one. When the principal asks for information from Florance Waters of Flowing Waters Fountains, Etc., he gets a lot more than he requested. Rather than just delivering a new water fountain, Florence Waters begins corresponding with the students of the school about designs and their "dream fountain." Needless to say, when talk begins of slides, wading pools, statues and fish for a water fountain, things are a little out of control.
Additionally, when the students begin to conduct research on the school and why the town of Dry Creek, originally called Spring Creek before the creek went dry, things begin to look a little...fishy. It seems that Sally Mander, the owner of the town pool, and Delbert "Dee" Eel, the owner of the water company, have something to hide. But what are they trying to cover up? And why don't they want anyone to fix the leaky fountain? A little research goes a long way in discovering why the town is the way it is today.
Ask Me No Questions
by Marina Budhos
Fourteen year-old Nadira and her family moved to New York City from Bangladesh (a country near India in Asia) when she was a young girl. Originally, they were in this country on a tourist visa, but that expired long ago, and now they reside in the United States illegally. Fearing being sent out of the country, they try to seek safety in Canada, but are refused at the border. When Nadira's father is put into jail for being in the U.S. illegally, her world is turned upside down and she now feels like she doesn't belong in a country that she has considered home for most of her life.
This novel by Marina Budhos says a great deal about how immigration has changed since September 11th. For those that want to come to America, the experience can be very frightening and unwelcoming. Nadira is forced to deal with many issues that someone her age should never have to think about. However, she learns to deal with challenges that are normally left to adults and accomplishes great things for herself and her family.
From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
by E.L. Konigsburg
Claudia isn't enjoying her life at home. In fact, she is downright unhappy and is planning to run away. But, unlike most children that only run away from home when they're mad at their parents, Claudia plans her escape carefully...and invites along her little brother, Jamie (but being the planner that she is, she's really bringing him along because he's good with money)! Not only that, but she runs away to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Figuring it's the perfect place to hide out for a while, Claudia loves the elegance and learning the come with living in an art museum. Although, she and Jamie find there are some difficulties - like where do you wash your clothes?
Just as they are settling in, a new statue arrives at the museum that some think was sculpted by Michelangelo, but no one's really sure. Claudia and Jamie begin a quest to hunt down the identity of the true sculptor, and it eventually leads them towards Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, a nutty, rich lady with too much time on her hands and mischievous way of keeping secrets. She's the original owner of the statue and she might no who made it, but she's not telling. Will Claudia and Jamie be able to solve the mystery before they get caught on their runaway caper? Or will they return home never knowing about the statue's creator and the many secrets kept in the mixed-up files of the unique, elderly woman?
Book review by
Mr. DiScala, Media Specialist
Earthborn
By Sylvia Waugh
Say you're from Hyattsville, Maryland, and you've lived here all your life. You've never known anything else, so you assume that's the truth. Now, imagine if your parents told you that you are actually from India or Russia. It'd make you feel kind of strange, right? Now, imagine that your parents told you that you aren't even from Earth...how frightening would that be?
That's just what's happened to Nesta. She's lived in England all her life as a human. Then, suddenly, her parents tell her that she's actually an alien from the planet Ormingat. For a young girl, this is a shock that she simply can't handle. But it gets worse. Not only is Nesta not from this planet, but her parents say that it's time for them to go back to her home planet (which Nesta thinks is ridiculous because Earth is her home planet!). Now Nesta doesn't know what to do. She loves her parents, but Earth is where she belongs and she doesn't want to leave. Should she stay with them and travel galaxies away...or stay here on Earth?
Earthborn is a story of family, whether they are from this planet or not. Nesta's family proves that, know matter where you're from, the bond you share with some people is greater than anything else.
This book is part of the Ormingat Series written by Sylvia Waugh. Here is a list of the complete series:
Book One: Space Race
Book Two: Earthborn
Book Three: Who Goes Home?
Book reviewed by
Mr. DiScala, Media Specialist
