Title: Oddest Yet: Even More Stories to Chill the Heart
Author: Steve Burt
Illustrator: Jessica E. Hagerman
Publisher and/or Distributor: Burt Creations
Pages: 130
ISBN: 0-9741407-1-6
Price: $14.95
Publishing Date: 2004
Reader: Bob Spear
Rating:
This YA collection of eclectic scary stories was created by an award-winning author (Ray Bradbury three times and a Silver Ben Franklin), and it shows. These are finely crafted tidbits meant to titillate the mind and disturb the soul. He creates believable scenarios, which makes them even scarier. Revenge, retribution, sacrifice, and redemption are common themes in his stories. They are crafted well enough to invite discussion after they’re read. We rated this book five hearts.
Title: Legend of the White Wolf
Author: Max Elliot Anderson
Illustrator:
Publisher and/or Distributor: Baker-Trittin Press
Pages: 118
ISBN: 0-9752880-3-2
Price: $10.95
Publishing Date: 2005
Reader: Bob Spear
Rating:
Brian and his friend Tommy live near the north entrance to Yellowstone National Park. Brian’s father is the head game warden in the Gallatin National Forrest. His father is busy trying to nab some poachers who have been stealing wolves from the preserve. Brian frees an all white wolf pup from a steel trap and from that day, the wolf watches Brian from hiding. Brian’s Native American friend, Windwalker, says the wolf may now consider him a brother. This idea seems probable when the now-grown white wolf saves the boys from a mountain lion attack. Will Brian be able to do the same when wolf-nabbers capture his white guardian with the intent to cremate him?
This is an excellent reluctant-reader’s chapter book for ages 8-12. All of the books in the author’s series are exciting. This is certainly true for the white wolf book. The author always manages to build in a good values lesson based on Christian ethics without being preachy about it. We rated this book five hearts.
Title: Upside Down and Backwards / De cabeza y al revés
Author: Diane Gonzales Bertrand
Translator: Karina Henández
Publisher and/or Distributor: Arte Público Press
Pages: 64
ISBN: 1-55885-408-8
Price: $9.95
Publishing Date: 2004
Reader: Bob Spear
Rating:
Upside down is a back-to-back printed bilingual chapter book printed in English from one end and in Spanish from the other. This 8-12 chapter book is a collection of short stories. Each includes fun, excitement, a bit of the Hispanic culture, and a values lesson. Each story stands along and often shows the importance of the extended family in the Hispanic culture. We rated this book four hearts.
