Book Reviews By & For Kids

The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo (2009)

6/3/2015

- by Piranha T.

When Peter Augustus Duchene finds a fortune teller's tent in the market square in the cold northern City of Baltese, Peter asks her if his younger sister is still alive. The fortune teller says, mysteriously, that she is alive - and that an elephant will lead him to her. Peter could not believe her. An elephant in Baltese? Nonsense! And his master has always told him that his sister died in childbirth. Who was lying - the fortune teller, or his master Vilna Lutz? Then, the next day, Peter overhears one of the market vendors talking about an elephant who has mysteriously appeared in Baltese. Could the fortune teller be right after all?

I like this book because it has some magic, but not too much. I also really like the characters, and the story in general. I recommend The Magician's Elephant to readers.

Note from Mamma: this book is incredibly well read on audiobook - if you have the opportunity to listen to it instead of reading, it's magical!

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Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan (2000)

6/3/2015

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- by Super Kitty

It seems to Esperanza that her life on El Rancho de las Rosas in Mexico - full of beautiful clothes, a lovely house, Papa, Mama, and Abuelita - will be perfect forever. But when tragedy strikes, Esperanza and her Mama must flee to a farm worker camp in California. Esperanza is not prepared for the hard working and living conditions that the camp provides. But when her Mama falls ill, Esperanza realizes she must rise above her worries.

I like Esperanza Rising because it is a wonderful book. It is a very good audiobook to listen to, as well. The beginning is rather sad, it it gets much better. Piranha T did not like it at first, but at the end she liked it a lot. It is great for book clubs. I recommend Esperanza Rising to all readers.

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A Barrel of Laughs, a Vale of Tears by Jules Feiffer (1995)

6/3/2015

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- by Piranha T.

Once up one a time there was a prince named Roger, and everyone near him always laughs - uncontrollably. So the King's Wizard sends Prince Roger on a mysterious Quest, telling Roger he will know when he finds his quest, because he won't laugh. Does the prince have any idea what his quest is? No! Any idea where it is? Yes - sort of. The Wizard tells him that he must go to these places: the Forever Forest, the Dastardly Divide, the Valley of Vengeance, the Sea of Screams, and the Mountain of Malice. In one of these places he will find his Quest. Does the Wizard tell him anything else? Nope!

I like this book because it is hilarious. I also like the characters, and how it's like the author is telling the story, and the characters are misbehaving. I recommend A Barrel of Laughs, a Vale of Tears to readers.

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Spettecake Holiday by Edith Unnerstad (1958)

6/3/2015

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- By Super Kitty

When Pelle-Goran's mother falls ill, it is decided that he should stay at his grandmother's house. At first he is reluctant to leave his mother at home. But once his older cousin, Kaja, arrives with his grandmother, and they have taken him to the farm where his grandmother lives, he decides that it is quite nice there. Indeed, Pelle-Goran loves it so much that he barely wants to go home!

I like this because it is about children having very possible fun (playing in the hay, fishing, swimming, etc.,) but is written so that it is very interesting. If you have read Betsy-Tacy [by Maude Hart Lovelace] you will know what I mean. I also like how the author put in stories that Mons the Thatcher told. I recommend this Spettecake Holiday to readers of all ages.

Note: this book was translated from the Swedish by Inger Boye

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Book Reviews By & For Kids

Everyone knows that Rapunzel spent her early years locked up in a tower. We’d like to think she read plenty of books to while away the time, and that she’d appreciate our own favorites.

Founded in 2014, our reviews focus on great books for middle grade (MG) readers. Beginning in 2018, we began adding selected Young Adult (YA) books as well, but only if we really love them and think Rapunzel Reads followers will too. Favorite picture books have their own page.

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The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo (2009)

Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan (2000)

A Barrel of Laughs, a Vale of Tears by Jules Feiffer (1995)

Spettecake Holiday by Edith Unnerstad (1958)

Book Reviews By & For Kids

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Check out our favorite books of 2022!

Young Adult Reviews!

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