AR book level = 4.6 AR points = 8 232 pages
I've read Ella Enchanted a few times growing up, and when the movie came out, I watched it and liked it a lot. However, the movie breaks away from the story penned by Levine. In the book, Ella is of course still "blessed" with obedience from Lucinda and spends much of her time trying to figure out how to break this blessing. However, she and Prince Charmont have been friends since her mother died. Sadly, the ogres remain enemies of humans, but Lucinda has a change of heart at the end--but perhaps not how you expect her to change. The end is where the Grimm Brothers' tale of "Cinderella" comes into play as the inspiring fairy tale is quite clear. If you haven't read this book (or even if you have), I suggest this for a fun, fantastical read. Also, if you liked this story, check out more of Levine's works!
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Not Currently AR Testable
The Light of the Midnight Stars is based on a few Romanian fairy tales as well as some legends from the Hassidic Jewish tradition. The story follows three Jewish sisters of the Solomnars, a branch of Jewish people with magical powers. At first, the girls are preoccupied with their own challenges as they grow up in the community. However, after a tragic event uproots them from their home, they must make their way to a new home and blaze a new path together as a family. I caution that this book contains some minor adult themes; it also had me crying towards the end (it's not a happy one...). I love the inclusion of a glossary in the back of the book, which contains Hebrew, Hungarian, Romanian, and Bulgarian words and phrases that Rossner uses within the story as well as Rossner's note in which she explains some of the tales of inspiration behind the book. AR book level = 4.3 AR points = 11 356 pages
With the economy of the Depression, Ellie's family moves onto Echo Mountain and must adapt to living in the wilderness. Ellie and her father fit into the outdoors well while her mother and sister fight the "wildness" of the mountain. However, when Ellie's father is hurt, Ellie learns just how much more she has to learn about living on the mountain--and healing others. I suggest this book for anyone who is interested in a 1930s girl finding her way through the Depression and her place in her family. Not Currently AR Testable
This was an unexpected, delightful book! The story centers on Edyth, a daughter of a sheep farmer and former royal servant, from 1348 to 1349. This time period is in the heart of the Middle Ages and covers the beginning of the bubonic plague that wiped out around 40% of Europe's population when all was said and done. Besides the plague, however, Edyth is sent to the Priory of Saint Christopher where she learns to make pigments for the illustrators and calligraphers creating manuscripts in the scriptorium. For people who do not know already, this hits close to home as I took a class called "The Book in the 15th Century" while in college; although that time frame comes after this book, I learned how to do calligraphy and illuminate my own assigned manuscript pages during that semester. Therefore, I connected a lot to that portion of the story. Besides containing a great story, Stamper was an illustrator long before a writer, so she includes illustrations throughout the book. They are absolutely gorgeous and complement the story wonderfully! |
These are books I've read recently. Please ask me about them!
March 2024
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