Freddy the Politician (Hardcover)
by Walter R. Brooks
ISBN: 1585670804

Price: —
10 used & new available from USD 49.88

The Beans are going on a trip to Europe, so the farm animals decide to form a republic and elect a president who can run things in the Beans’ absence. It seems like a good idea, but a couple of newcomers to the farm are scheming to be elected and seize control — not only of the Bean farm, but of the surrounding farms as well. And when Simon and his gang of rats are discovered to be in on the plot, things do not bode well for the election. The Bean animals must stick together and solve this problem.

This is one of the earlier Freddy books, so some of the characters aren’t developed as much as they are later in the series. Nevertheless, I found this a quite enjoyable read. Sadly, though, this book is hard to find now-a-days.

Hittite Warrior (Living History Library) (Paperback)
by Joanne Williamson
ISBN: 1883937388

Price: USD 10.04
48 used & new available from USD 6.48

After the death of his father, Uriah the Hittite journeys from his hometown and eventually comes to the hill country, where Barak and Deborah are mustering the tribes of Israel to fight against Sisera.

I was assigned to read this book for school. It was interesting enough to keep me reading, but it didn’t really grip me. Parts of it seemed a bit cliché, and the author seems to favor blatant foreshadowing. I categorized this book as all ages, but I would suggest using discretion as there is a lot of pagan gods and such in the story. Overall a relatively interesting book, but I think it could have been better.

Flap Your Wings (Beginner Books(R)) (Hardcover)
by P.D. Eastman
ISBN: 0375802436

Price: USD 8.99
54 used & new available from USD 0.24

One day, a boy finds an egg lying in the path. He sees a nest nearby and decides to put the egg into it. Later, Mr. and Mrs. Bird are quite surprised when they come back to find a very large egg in their nest. Nevertheless, they take care of the egg until it hatches into… Well, you’ll find out.

A humorous tale, accompanied by P. D. Eastman’s excellent illustrations. I found it rather difficult to read aloud, as the sentences tend to be very short, but it would probably be enjoyable for a beginning reader. Overall, a fun book, but I think I like The Best Nest better.

Papa’s Daughter (Mass Market Paperback)
by Thyra Ferre Bjorn
ISBN:

Price: —
12 used & new available from USD 1.50

Button Franzon is not quite ten years old when she decides that she’s going to be a writer. As she grows older, however, the dream begins to fade as she marries and has two children to raise. But finally, she pulls out her old dream and begins to write again.

This is a neat book, based on a true story. It was interesting to read, especially because I’m a writer myself. I wouldn’t base my theology on it, but it’s still an interesting book.

Frog and Toad Are Friends (I Can Read Book 2) (Paperback)
by Arnold Lobel
ISBN: 0064440206

Price: USD 3.99
486 used & new available from USD 0.10

This book contains five stories about Frog and Toad, in which spring comes and Frog tries to wake Toad up, Toad tries to think of a story to tell Frog, Toad loses a button, Frog and Toad go swimming, and Toad is unhappy because he never gets any mail.

Light-hearted tales that are fun to read aloud. My favorite is the one where Toad tries to think up a story, perhaps because I myself am a writer. If you enjoy this book, you may want to also read Frog and Toad Together.

Swallowdale (Godine Storyteller) (Paperback)
by Arthur Ransome
ISBN: 0879235721

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25 used & new available from USD 4.86

John, Susan, Titty, and Roger return to the lake with high hopes. But everything seems to go wrong. Nancy and Peggy have a very prim and proper great-aunt with them, so they can hardly get out to play. Then the Swallow wrecks and must be sent off to Rio to be fixed. However, the explorers find a hidden little valley and decide to move in.

I didn’t like this book as much as the first one. There isn’t as much boating what with the Swallow wrecked, and it isn’t quite the same without Nancy and Peggy there all the time. Also, Titty performs some kind of magic to make the great-aunt go away, which I didn’t think needed to be in there. But setting these things aside, it can still be an enjoyable read. I just didn’t like it as much as the first one, Swallows and Amazons.

A Little Princess (Signet Classics) (Paperback)
by Frances Hodgson Burnett
ISBN: 0451525094

Price: USD 6.95
41 used & new available from USD 0.22

Sara Crewe is one of the richest girls in her school, but her kind heart and vivid imagination are what wins her some special friends. Little does Sara know that hard times are around the corner, when it will be harder than ever to remain a true princess inside.

Mainly I rated this book three stars because it didn’t really appeal to me personally. I tend to be more of a fantasy/adventure reader, and this isn’t either of those. Also, there is one point where Sara makes some things up about heaven—but otherwise it’s a fairly wholesome story. So if you like stories set in 1900s England, then this book is for you.

The Gammage Cup: A Novel of the Minnipins (Paperback)
by Carol Kendall
ISBN: 015202493X

Price: USD 6.95
67 used & new available from USD 0.10

Years ago the hero Gammage had led the Minnipin people to safety in The-Land-Between-The-Mountains. Now the Minnipins have grown soft and won’t listen when five of the villagers tell of seeing campfires on the supposedly impassable mountains. One thing leads to another, and the five are finally outlawed from the village. It is up to Muggles, Mingy, Gummy, Curley Green, and Walter the Earl to save the very ones who have cast them out.

I very much enjoy this book. The characters are well-portrayed, and the story itself makes you pause and reflect. There is not much adventure until the end, but it doesn’t come across as slow. Overall it is an excellent read.

Ryan Watters And The King’s Sword (The Annals of Aeliana) (Hardcover)
by Eric Reinhold
ISBN: 1599792885

Price: USD 14.03
33 used & new available from USD 1.99

One night Ryann Watters is visited by the angel Gabriel and assigned the task of finding the king’s sword. He is given three objects to help him in his quest: a ring, a horn, and a staff. However, that same night Drake Dunfellow, a boy living in the same town, is visited by a dark angel who charges him to stop Ryann. Join Ryann and his friends Liddy and Terell as they travel to and from the world of Aeliana; meet new friends; discover the powers of the ring, horn, and staff; and eventually are swept into a clash of good and evil where only one side can be victorious.

I enjoyed this book. At the climax I didn’t want to put it down! Figuring out how to handle the parent characters in stories like these can be a challenge for an author (I know from experience) and I think Eric Reinhold pulled it off nicely. Overall a good read, and I am looking forward to when the sequel, Ryann Watters and the Shield of Faith, comes out! (As a note, I went ahead and categorized this book for all ages, but I would recommend it for readers somewhere around 10 and up.)

If You Give a Moose a Muffin (If You Give…) (Hardcover)
by Laura Numeroff
ISBN: 0060244054

Price: USD 9.35
195 used & new available from USD 0.10

One day a moose comes to visit and the little boy gives him a muffin, starting a whole chain of events including puppet shows, sweaters, and more.

The “if you” books are so much fun! The illustrations for this one are great. There is one reference to Halloween, which we usually skip over, but it’s still a great book.