Saturday, May 14, 2011

Charlie Bone and the Time Twister by Jenny Nimmo

Nimmo, J. (2002). Charlie Bone: the time twister. New York: Orchard Publishing. 
Summary
Charlie discovers new dimensions of his magical powers as he helps Henry Yewbeam, a magically transported relative from 1916, escape from the Red King's wrath. Just as in the first book, Charlie can hear voices in paintings and now he has discovered that he can enter them as well. Old characters are present as well as new ones like the jealous Ezekiel who uses the time twister to his evil advantage,
Review
I started reading this series after finishing the Potter books but it is still not doing much for me. The story and characters are eerily familiar to the Harry Potter series but always seems to fall a little short. Even re reading this book for the second time, I am still more confused then ever. 
Genre
Fantasy
Reading Age/Interest Level
10-13 years/Tween
Similar Books
Charlie Bone series by Jenny Nimmo
Keys to the Kingdom- Garth Nix
Bartimaeus Trilogy- Jonathan Stroud
Characters

  • Charlie Bone: Descended from the Yewbeams and a Welsh magician that was friends with the red king, Charlie can hear voices of people in photographs or go into photographs.

  • Manfred Bloor: A student at Bloor's Academy, he is a hypnotizer.

  • Asa Pike: A student at Bloor's, Asa can change into a beast at dusk.

  • Billy Raven: Also a student, Billy can understand and talk to animals.

  • Lysander Sage: A student, he can call on his spirit ancestors.

  • Emma Tolly: Until recently, her name had been Emilia Moon. Emma can become a bird. She turns into a fictional bird called the tollroc and saves Olivia and Henry. She has a crush on Tancerd Torrson.

  • Fidelio Gunn: An unendowed student, although he is the lead violinist at Bloor's and a good friend of Charlie.

  • Olivia Vertigo: An unendowed student at Bloor's, she's in drama and is one of Charlie's friends.

  • Tancred Torsson: A student, he can make, bring, or change the weather.

  • Paton Yewbeam: A power-booster, he is the only Yewbeam that favors Charlie.

  • Mr. and Mrs. Onimous: Together, they run the Pet's Cafe on Frog Street. Their 5-year-old niece, Una, is endowed.

  • Cook: The friendly cook at Bloor's Academy who helps Henry when he was at Bloor's after the Time Twister stopped.

  • Henry: Charlie's unendowed great-great uncle. Henry is transported forward in time by his cousin, Ezekiel Bloor.

  • James:Charlie's unendowed great grandfather. Brother of Henry and Daphne, who died of diphtheria.

  • Readers Annotation
    Just when Charlie is trying to live with his newly discovered magical powers, he is thrown for a loop when a simple marble can change destiny. 

    The Pricker Boy by Reade Whinnem

    Whinnem, R. (2009). The Pricker Boy. New York: Random House Books for Young Readers.
    Summary
    14 year old Stucks and his best friends Pete live year round at a sleepy lakeside community and await the summers when all the "summer kids" come and hang out. Stucks and Pete love listening to ghost stories around the campfire, especially one about The Pricker Boy. Legend tells a tale of a boy who was lured by a mean joke into the dark woods and got caught in an animal trap. When he didn't return, searchers found only blood and ripped clothes laying about, there was no sign of the boy. Now, Pricker Boy seeks revenge and he has found the perfect group of boys to seek it on. 
    Review
    Author Whinnem is great at making the hairs on the back of your neck stand up and his silence between words is scary and believable. I was constantly looking over my shoulder while reading this and I would sleep with all of the lights on for a whole week after reading this book. Tweens will devour this book the same way they devour anything written by R.L Stine. 
    Genre
    Horror
    Reading Age/Interest Level
    10-13 years/Tween
    Similar Books
    Monstrumologist- Rick Yancey
    Coraline- Neil Gaiman
    Fear: 13 Stories of Suspense and Horror- R.L Stine
    Readers Annotation
    Not your typical ghost story around the campfire! You will need all the lights on for this one!

    Do Something: A Handbook for Young Activists by Nancy Lubin

    
    Lublin, N. (2010). Do something: a handbook for young activists. New York: Workman Publishing Company.
    Summary
    The organization Dosomething.org has put together a great resource for kids to get out in their community and "do something". Readers will become motivated after reading through hundreds of ideas to better themselves and the world around them. The book breaks down ideas by age, organization, and even ideas on how to come up with their own ideas.
    Review
    This book really brings to light how easy it is for kids to really make a difference. It is a great motivator and encourages kids that they are needed, important, and valuable. As a volunteer coordinator for the library where I work at, I use this book to motivate my volunteers and to offer suggestions for other places in case I am full. My favorite part is the quiz section that helps pin point their "thing". It is written in a hip and down to earth way and it will encourage kids to think outside of the box.
    Genre
    Non-Fiction
    Reading Age/Interest Level
    9-16 years/ Tween/Teen
    Similar Books
    The Kids Volunteering Book- Arlene Erlbach
    Kids Volunteering Book- Arlene Erlbach
    Readers Annotation
    After reading this book, everyone will be able to look beyond requirements and want to help out for the better good.

    The Jumbo Duct Tape Book by James Berg

    
    Berg, J. (2000). The jumbo duct tape book. New York: Workman Publishing Company.
    Summary
    The all and all of everything duct tape. This book is pure genius and author Berg tells readers, "if it ain't stuck, and its supposed to be, duct tape it" and he is not kidding. Readers learn how to use duct tape for ordinary handy work, awesome fashion, wallets, hairbands, and even flowers for Mothers Day. Instructions are easy to follow, ideas are popular for tweens, and this is a great book to bring together whole families and friends as they create wacky things out of duct tape.
    Review
    Who knew that duct tape could be so easy to use and manipulate into something awesome? Tweens will have a blast using mom and dad's duct tape and their own imagination to create awesome craft ideas. These ideas are easy, cheap, and great for those who lack creative juices!
    Genre
    Non-Fiction
    Reading Age/Interest Level
    9-18 years/ Tween/Teen
    Similar Books
    Stick It!: 99 DIY Duct Tape Projects- T.L Bonaddio
    Ductigami: The Art of the Tape- Joe Wilson
    Readers Annotation
    Duct tape is no longer for just fixing things....

    Guysread.com

    Scieszka, J. (2010). Guysread.com. Retrieved from http://guysread.com/.
    Summary
    Awesome author Jon Scieszka along with other fellow authors of boy books came together to create a website dedicated to all of those reluctant boy readers. Users can access lists of books for boys, books of the month, blogs and news just for boys. Parents and educators will also benefit from advice on starting programs for boys, facts on boys and reading and links to other websites that brings books and boys together. 
    Review
    As a parent and librarian bringing together books and boys us a huge feat and a huge accomplishment. I have used this website in the past for program ideas and reproducible book lists. It is a shame that this website hasn't been updated since 2010 but I decided to still include it in this blog because the book lists and facts are still as popular as ever. 
    Genre
    Website
    Reading Age/Interest Level
    8-13 years/Tween
    Similar Websites
    Scary, Gross, and Enlightening: Books for Boys- www.kn.att.com
    Boyslife.com
    Readers Annotation
    Just when you thought boys and books don't mix, popular funny man Jon Scieszka will prove you wrong. 

    www.nick.com

    Nickelodeon. (2011). Nick.com. Retrieved from http://www.nick.com/.
    Summary
    Nick.com is a website owned and developed by Nickelodeon. It showcases updated information on the newest shows, stars, music, games, and events. Users can easily navigate show schedules, news on their favorite stars, and message boards where they can share their questions and comments with one another. The best part is that users can watch their favorite shows and any episodes that they may have missed. 
    Parents must be give permission for their tweens to access the message boards and any inappropriateness is taken down immediately. 
    Review
    I figure if I am forced to watch these shows with my tweens, I should be aware of what exactly this station is all about. It is easy to use, safe for my tween, and a great way for tweens to get better at technology and programs like message boards. When tweens want access to the message boards parents must give permission and by doing so, get daily updates on their child's actions. 
    Genre
    Website
    Reading Age/Interest Level
    9-13 years/Tween
    Similar Websites
    Nickjr.com
    Cartoonnetwork.com
    Awards
    Beacon Award
    Broadcast Designers Association 2001-2002
    Judge's Choice Webby Award
    Readers Annotation
    Can't get enough of Selena or Big Time Rush, turn to Nick.com and get even more of your favorite starts and shows. 

    Guinness World Records 2011: Gamers Edition

    
    Guinness Book of World Records. (2011). Guinness book of world records 2011: gamer's edition. New York: Brady Games
    Summary
    A gamers paradise! From world records of highest scores, biggest tournaments, and largest cash prizes won ever, readers will spend more time reading these awesome facts than playing their game systems! This book also includes detailed game strategies, codes, bizarre facts, and incredible game trivia.
    Review
    Anything that gets my tween to put down her controllers is great by me! Tweens will go nutso for the hundreds of gaming facts, trivia, and insane world records that are in this book. Just like the other Guinness Books, not one space is left uncovered with fun facts and crazy pictures and tweens will devour cover to cover in one read!
    Genre
    Non-Fiction
    Reading Age/Interest Level
    8-13 years/Tween
    Similar Books
    Guinness Books of World Records series
    The Ultimate History of Video Games- Steven Kent
    100 Most Awesome Things on the Planet- Steven Kent
    Reading Annotation
    From record breaking games to a detailed review of 2011 in the gaming world, tweens will finally get off of the couch!