“The Mouse and the Motorcycle,” by Beverly Cleary

“The Mouse and the Motorcycle,” by Beverly Cleary is a pleasant tale for young readers.

Ralph is a young mouse who lives with his family in an old hotel. Ralph, like any young one halfway between childhood and adulthood, desires to be more independent from his family. His tale begins when he discovers a toy motorcycle that belongs to a young guest at the hotel. Ralph and the young boy become friends, and soon Ralph is enjoying many adventures, all of which involve the wonderful toy motorcycle.

“The Mouse and the Motorcycle” teaches important lessons about being responsible. Ralph learns that the freedom that the motorcycle gives him does not come without responsibility. “The Mouse and the Motorcycle” was first copyrighted in 1965, and since then this book and its two sequels have been enjoyed by children of all ages. I would recommend this book as a great gift for kids.

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“A Part of the Sky,” by Robert Newton Peck

“A Part of the Sky,” by Robert Newton Peck is a sequel to the best-selling “A Day No Pigs Would Die.”

Before Rob Peck’s father dies, he leaves his son with an important job:

“Come spring, you aren‘t the boy of the place. You‘re the man. Because there‘ll be nobody else, boy. Just you.”

Now Rob must struggle to deal with the many forces in his life. The family farm is not yet paid off, and mortgage payments must by made to the town bank, but drought, dying livestock, and the Great Depression make money scarce.

Rob’s determined spirit helps him to deal with loss of his father and the work that he must now take on as he is propelled into manhood.

I enjoyed reading “A Part of the Sky.” This sequel doesn’t have the sad ending as its predecessor, but the plot is realistic. It wonderfully portrays the experiences of thousands of farm families who were affected by the Great Depression. “A Part of the Sky,” is a must read sequel.

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“Red Planet,” by Robert A. Heinlein

“Red Planet,” by Robert A. Heinlein is a wonderful science fiction novel about a boy on Mars.

Jim Marlowe is a young colonist who has a unique pet, a round furry creature that is a native Mars inhabitant. “Willis” is not only a cute pet, but he can also function as an accurate recorder of all that happens around him.

One day Willis records a conversation that was not meant to be heard. A treacherous plot is being planned that might threaten the lives of all the colonists on Mars. Soon Jim and Willis are on the run, being chased by authorities that want to stop Jim and Willis from telling others.

The main aspect of “Red Planet” that I liked was the vivid descriptions of Mars. Heinlein’s attention to detail is remarkable, giving his story a rich depth that makes it notable. The story’s plot is not very unique, but the landscape, characters, and details that Heinlein uses breathe new life into a storyline that would otherwise be cliché.

I would recommend “Red Planet” to all science fiction and Heinlein fans.

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“Runner,” by Carl Deuker

“Runner,” by Carl Deuker is a young adult novel about a boy who becomes involved in an illegal smuggling ring.

Chance Taylor and his father live on a battered sailboat docked at the local marina. Because his father’s alcoholism keeps him jobless Chance must worry about money in ways that most kids don’t. Chance is ashamed of his poverty and constantly worried about where the grocery money and dock fees will come from. Then a mysterious person offers Chance a job.

“You‘re in trouble, and I can get you out of that trouble. I‘m offering you a job, kid. Very good pay, very short hours. When somebody offers you easy money, you should at least hear him out.”

All Chance has to do is pick up small packages and deliver them to another place where the man can pick them up. Chance knows that he’s probably doing something illegal, helping to smuggle drugs or something else illegal, but he is desperate for the money.

Then Chance’s job takes a deadly turn and it seems that he may not be able to get out of it alive…

“Runner,” by Carl Deuker explores themes of poverty, smuggling, and terrorism. It offers an in-depth look into the life of a young boy who gets involved in illegal activity because he needs money.

I think that Carl Deuker did a good job writing “Runner” because the characters are very well thought out.  Their realistic emotions, fears, and strengths add much to the plot.  I definitely recommend “Runner” by Carl Deuker as a thrilling read with an important lesson behind it.

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“The Seer,” by David Stahler Jr.

“The Seer,” by David Stahler Jr. continues the marvelous science fiction fantasy that started with “Truesight.”

Jacob Manford grew up in Harmony, a colony of people who have made blindness a way of life. But when he gains the power of sight he chooses to leave the colony rather than give up his new sense. Jacob has two goals: Keep his sight, and find Delaney, a blind girl who left Harmony because she wanted sight.

The community of Harmony was a shallow deception, with blind people ignoring the problems and bad things around them. But there is another colony on Jacob’s world: Melville, the futuristic city of the sighted people. Jacob soon learns that sight can be just as misleading as the blindness.

I would recommend “The Seer,” to science fiction fans who want an enjoyable book to read. The plot is interesting, the world unique, and the characters memorable. If you’ve read “Truesight,” then you’ll want to continue the experience with this marvelous sequel.

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The Circle of Four

Growing leaves and flower buds,
The world basks in green.
The wind will blow, the plants will grow,
Then Summer comes again.
Yes, Summer comes again.

Cloudless sky, and sun above,
A quiet, heavy heat.
The longest day will slip away,
Then Fall will come again,
Yes, Fall will come again.

Whistling wind, and frozen dawn,
The leaves all spiral down.
The cold will near, and when its here,
Then Winter comes again,
Yes, Winter comes again.

Chimney smoke, and frigid air,
A frequent fall of snow,
The cold will rend, the year will end,
Then Spring will come again.
Yes, Spring will come again.

“Sea Star, Orphan of Chincoteague” by Marguerite Henry

"Sea Star, Orphan of Chincoteague” is the second book in the Misty of Chincoteague series by Marguerite Henry.

In “Sea Star” the Beebe family has reluctantly sold their beloved foal Misty to movie producers because they needed the money to send a family member to college. They are slightly comforted by the fact that Misty will now be making thousands of children happy, but Misty has left an empty place in her wake. Discovering and helping an orphaned colt helps the children to cope with their loss.

This sequel to “Misty of Chincoteague” focuses on Paul and Maureen’s efforts to help the orphaned colt to survive. It is a good sequel to the first book, though I didn’t find it to be quite as gratifying as its predecessor.

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Read an excerpt from "Sea Star"

Warmth Amidst the Cold

When winter comes upon the world and spreads its snow white cape,
Then cold will stalk among the trees, a frigid, lonely shape.

Yes, warmth means life and love and home, but cold must stand apart,
Looking on at all these things that melt an icy heart.

Winter is a lonely time, when life must stay inside,
or cold will grab each beating heart, and soon be satisfied.

People are like candle flames that flicker in the night,
And in the end, its cold that comes to take away the light.

So be a warmth amidst the cold, and give the world hope,
Winter soon will melt away, you simply have to cope.

“The Virtual World of Lexie Diamond,” by Victoria Foyt

“The Virtual World of Lexie Diamond,” by Victoria Foyt is a very strange science fiction novel about a girl with a wild philosophy about computers.

Lexie Diamond is a girl who spends a lot of time with her computer. She has developed rather unique ideas about her relationship with computers:

“Sometimes as she surfed the waves of the Web, she thought of herself as a musician picking up the beat. It wasn’t just lines of banal conversation thrown out into some abysmal, free-wheeling, atmospheric junk pit. No this was great jazz. There was rhyme and reason to it. There was syncopation. When she was in really top form she became one with the beat.”

For Lexie, computers are the key to finding the meaning of life. She believes that the essential truth about life is to be found of the internet. But when her mother dies, Lexie finds that the truth about life may be far different than what she had originally imagined. Lexie has distinguish between what is real and what is virtual, because she holds the key to something that will change her life forever.

“The Virtual World of Lexie Diamond” is an interesting book because of its strange technological ideas and different points of view. I wouldn’t rate it as one of the best books that I ever read, but its not bad either.

There was only one Google hit for this book, so you may find it difficult to locate.

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A Flower of Love

Once I thought that our love
Would bloom like a flower,
Unfurling like a leaf from its bud,
After the harsh winter months.
And our love was like a flower,
Opening in the spring,
With gaily painted colors,
Our thoughts were close,
A beating heart of the earth,
As the summer months passed.
But the days grew shorter,
The sun no longer warmed us,
No longer kept our love alive.
The fall came too soon,
And a cold crept across our hearts,
Like frost across a window,
And distance spread between us,
A darkness of despair,
A thought no mind created,
A word that no ear heard.
The flower faded that fall,
By winter it was dead.

“The Tent,” by Gary Paulson

“The Tent,” by Gary Paulson is a very unusual story that focuses on misuse of religion.

When Steve and his father take to the road with an old army tent and a Bible stolen from a hotel room that have intentions that are anything but holy. Steve’s father decides the road to fame and fortune lies with preaching the Word of the Lord.

Soon they are holding revival meetings all over the region, and with the help of two drifters who specialize in faking “healings” they are collecting large “offerings” each night. Steve and his father get carried away by the riches and the things that they can do with their riches. But then Steve and his father start to come to an important realization.

“The Tent,” is a well-written story that skillfully emphasizes the Bible’s important question, “What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his soul?” I would recommend reading this book both for its meaningful message and for Paulson’s wonderful writing style.

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Read an excerpt from "The Tent" at Amazon.com

“Whirligig,” by Paul Fleischman

“Whirligig,” by Paul Fleischman is a powerful novel about the complex interactions that spring from a single tragic event.

The main character is sixteen-year-old Brent Bishop, a young man who is desperate to fit in with the other kids at his school. His life completely changes however, when his drunk driving results in an accident that takes the life of another young person, 18 year old Lea Zamora. When he is charged with drunk driving and manslaughter Brent comes to realize the full implication of his actions. As part of restitution Brent must carry out a rather unusual request that Lea’s mother makes of him:

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Review of "Whirlgig" by Paul Fleischman

“The Railway Detective,” by Edward Marston

“The Railway Detective,” by Edward Marston is mystery story set in 19^th century London.

When the London to Birmingham mail train is robbed it means the loss of a large shipment of mail and gold destined for the national mint, but its just the start of a rash of strange crimes that are being committed against the railroad. A derailed train, a tunnel bombing, and a threat at the Great Exhibition all seem to have been aimed at ruining the railroad’s reputation as a safe and effective method of transportation. Detective Inspector Robert Colbeck must try to find the perpetrators of these crimes before they cause even more damage to the railroad, but to do that he must stay one step ahead of them.

In this action-packed novel Marston does an admirable job of recreating the London of the 1850’s. The mystery is people by lively and memorable characters, and the plots twists and turns will keep you surprised to the very end. “The Railway Detective” is a well-written mystery novel.

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“The Last Dog on Earth,” by Daniel Ehrenhaft

“The Last Dog on Earth,” by Daniel Ehrenhaft is a science fiction novel about a prion disease that causes dogs to exhibit the symptoms of rabies.

The main character is Logan Moore, an angry young man. Logan hates his biological father for abandoning him, his stepfather for trying to control him, and other kids for seeming better than him. It is only when Logan gets a pet dog that he learns to love. In training and working with his dog Jack, Logan learns patience and other virtues.

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Review of "The Last Dog on Earth" by Daniel Ehrenhaft

“A Barrel of Laughs, A Vale of Tears,” by Jules Feiffer

“A Barrel of Laughs, A Vale of Tears,” by Jules Feiffer is an amusing fairytale style story that is as humorous as it is unique.

Prince Roger has the strange gift of inspiring laughter. Every animal and person within a half mile of him falls into uncontrollable laughter. Needless to say this is not a desirable quality for a prince to have. His father, the king, decides that Roger needs to embark on a quest. His hope is that the quest will turn Roger into a sober and responsible individual.

And so Roger sets off, through the Forever Forest, across the Dastardly Divide, through the Valley of Vengeance, and over the Sea of Screams and Mountains of Malice. Along the way Roger learns important lessons about what really matters and although he gets everything wrong, it all turns out right.

I am confident that you’ll enjoy “A Barrel of Laughs, A Vale of Tears.” Feiffer’s writing style is amusing. One of the things that I enjoyed most was his periodic digression into the difficulties that he as a writer has in keeping his characters in line. One of the characters in particular occasionally walks in and out of the book, a feat accomplished through the book’s black and white ink drawings.

I would recommend that you read “A Barrel of Laughs, A Vale of Tears” both for its wonderful storyline and its refreshingly different style.

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Read an excerpt from "A Barrel of Laughs, A Vale of Tears" at Google Books
Read about "A Barrel of Laughs, A Vale of Tears" at Wikipedia.org