Cinnabar, the One O’Clock Fox

Our rating: ***

Cinnabar is a fox who dearly enjoys to participate in fox hunts. So much so, that he is known as the One O’Clock Fox who always shows up at One O’Clock and will run until night-fall. The historic chase that takes place in this book is between Cinnabar (affectionately called “Cinny”) and a party of men including George Washington.

This book is great! It’s so amusing to read about Cinny and his wife, Vicky, and their four children, Rascal, Pascal, Merry, and Mischief. The copy I read had great illustrations in it, but I don’t know what you’ll be able to find, as this book is out of print. It’s perfect for a chuckle or two.

The Circus Escape

Our rating: ***

Terry Youngun thinks his father is unfair because he gives him work as punishment. Reverend Youngun finally comes to the end of his rope when Terry drives a car that they’re supposed to be taking care of. Terry is put to work picking his least favorite vegetable (carrots), and it doesn’t take long for him to run away with hoboes Railroad Jack and Skeeter, who have decided to follow Adam Cole’s Circus Freak Show. However, Adam Cole is not the nice guy he seems to be, and has certain crimes that he’d love to pin on Jack and Skeeter…

A page turner. Terry’s antics are great, and the ending is very exciting. You’ll laugh part of the way through, and be on the edge of your seat for the rest. Unfortunately, this book is out of print, but you might find it at your library.

The Story of Helen Keller

Our rating: *****

Since two years old, Helen Keller had been blind and deaf. She could not speak, either. Her mother and father have tried several places, but it seems impossible that she will ever be let out of her unhearing, unseeing, and unspeaking world. Finally, Perkins Institution for the Blind sent a young woman — Miss Anne Sullivan. Will Miss Sullivan be able to help Helen? With discipline, love, trials, and break-throughs, this is the story of Helen Keller.

I like this book a lot. There are a few parts that may be startling or sad to some of you, but I don’t think I had much trouble at all the second time through. I’m not sure if I was upset or sad at those parts the first time I read it, because that was a long time ago. Helen Keller wrote an autobiography called The Story of My Life. I haven’t read it, but I think we own it. Well, The Story of Helen Keller is a great book! The summary may not sound very interesting, but please read this book! Lorena A. Hickok does a good job. Tired of me talking about how good this book is? Then please read it!

Dirk’s Dog, Bello

Our rating: ***

A boy named Dirk lives in the town of Weirom. One day, an English ship wrecks and Dirk saves a dog, whom he names Bello. Bello then belongs to him by the right of the sea. But how will he and his family afford to feed the enormous dog? And will the English come and claim the saved timbers of their ship — and Bello?

A pretty good book. At one point I was a bit confused as to whether Dirk was running on land or sea, and if he was running in the sea, how he had gone out so far… but I got it figured out. Dirk’s Dog, Bello is written somewhat like a movie script — mostly in present tense. Also, if you take a look at the first couple pages, or the first one, you may think it is probably somewhat boring. However, there is adventure in this book! Though it’s probably not as adventureish as a Narnia book, it still has some action. I’m not sure whether this book would be All Ages or Younger Readers (which is <13). I went ahead and rated it All Ages. This is a rather long review for me, isn’t it? Enjoy!

A Little Oven

Our rating: ***

Genevieve came to Connecticut from France. Helena came from California. The two became friends and often played together. Every day, when Helena was tired, her mother would pick her up and say, “I guess what you need is a little loving and a little hugging.” When Genevieve went home, she would ask her mother for “a little ‘ovin’ and a little ‘uggin.” Her mother thought Genevieve meant a little oven, so one day she takes her to different stores to shop for a little oven.

A pretty good book. At one point, Helena, who’s from California, says she chews in French, and Genevieve, who’s from France, says she chews in English. Hmm. Well, you can see our Book Tips page for tips on how to find out of print books. Enjoy!