Author Archives: Simon H.

Annie and the Old One by Miska Miles

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Annie and the Old One is a Newbery Honor award-winning book by Miska Miles. Annie is a young Native American girl who is very close to her grandmother. Sometimes, when they are laughing together, Annie’s grandmother seems quite young. Other times, when her grandmother is quiet and still, Annie realizes that her grandmother is very old.

One day, Annie’s grandmother announces that she will “go to Mother Earth” when Annie’s mother finishes work on a new rug. Annie is deeply saddened at the thought of her grandmother passing away, so she decides that she must stop the rug from being completed. She does everything she can to delay her mother’s work on the rug. She even attempts to unweave the rug when her mother is not looking. Annie’s grandmother takes her to a quiet place in the desert, so that she can teach Annie about the meaning of life. Annie learns an important lesson from her wise grandmother that she will never forget.

This book is quite short, but I found it to be very poignant and meaningful. I especially liked the relationship between Annie and her grandmother. Annie’s behavior after learning that her grandmother would die seems understandable. I think most children would react in such a way to the death of a loved one. It was very touching to see how much Annie did not want to lose her grandmother. I was also impressed by the way Annie learned to cope with her feelings, out of respect for her grandmother’s teachings. I believe that this is an excellent book for children or anyone else to read about dealing with family death and finding purpose in life.

Annie and the Old One by Miska Miles is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library.

26 Fairmount Avenue by Tomie dePaola

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26 Fairmount Avenue is the first book in an autobiographical series by Tomie dePaola.  This book won a Newbery Honor award in 2000. Tomie dePaola was a renowned writer and illustrator of fictional children’s books, but this book is about his real-life childhood. This was his first chapter book. He tells the story of his childhood growing up in New England in the 1930s. His parents decide to build a house at 26 Fairmount Avenue in the small town of Meriden, Connecticut. However, construction is repeatedly delayed for various reasons. For example, his parents decide to fire the original builder before the house is completed, because he was not building the house in the way that Tomie’s parents wanted. Also, construction is delayed because town workers scraped away dirt on Fairmount Avenue, making the street lower. As unexpected challenges come up, Tomie wonders whether his family will ever be able to move from their small apartment into the new house.

This book is enjoyable to read because the story is told from the perspective of a child. I was surprised by how young Tomie dePaola was at the time of the events of this book. He was only between four and five years old, yet he has a vivid memory of that time. He shares many amusing stories from that period in his life. I especially enjoyed learning about his family and his Irish and Italian heritage. Tomie seems very respectful of his family members. For example, I appreciated his relationship with his great-grandmother. Tomie loved his family and enjoyed spending time with them. This book describes the value of a loving family and a happy home.

I have appreciated Tomie dePaola’s books since I was a child, so it was nice to learn about his childhood. This is a very short book, but I enjoyed it very much. The story is quite charming, and the illustrations by Tomie dePaola are excellent as always. 26 Fairmount Avenue would be a great choice for someone who is just beginning to read chapter books, but I would recommend it to anyone.

26 Fairmount Avenue by Tomie dePaola is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

The Light at Tern Rock by Julia L Sauer.

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The Light at Tern Rock is a Newbery Honor award-winning book by Julia L Sauer.  A man named Byron Flagg asks an eleven-year-old boy named Ronnie and his aunt, Martha Morse, to take charge of the Tern Rock lighthouse while he is away for two weeks.  The lighthouse is on a small island that is only accessible by boat.  The month is December, so Ronnie is concerned about getting back to the mainland in time for Christmas.  However, Mr. Flagg promises that he will return in time to take Ronnie and Martha home before Christmas day. 

Ronnie and Martha are excited when they first arrive at the lighthouse.  They understand that they have an important responsibility to keep the lighthouse lit to protect the ships at sea.  The living conditions are comfortable, and Ronnie enjoys spending the time with his aunt.  After two weeks, however, there is no sight of Mr. Flagg.  Ronnie becomes worried that Mr. Flagg may have broken his promise.  When Ronnie realizes that he might be stranded at the lighthouse, he becomes very anxious and upset that he may not be able to spend Christmas with his family.

This book is a quick read, being only about sixty pages long, but I still enjoyed it.  I was not expecting it to be so much of a Christmas story.  The Christ-centered focus turned out to be my favorite part of this book.  I appreciate the symbolism used by the author to describe some of the lessons learned by Ronnie.  He learns about the importance of responsibility and about the actual meaning of the Christmas holiday.  I wish that this book were a little bit longer, but I still find it enjoyable to read and deserving of the Newbery Honor.

The Light at Tern Rock by Julia L. Sauer is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library.

The Wright Brothers: How They Invented the Airplane by Russell Freedman

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The Wright Brothers: How They Invented the Airplane is a Newbery Honor award-winning book by Russell Freedman. This book is about the true story of Wilbur and Orville Wright, who are credited with inventing the first practical airplane. 

The Wright brothers were curious about flying machines since they were young, but their first business venture was a printing press, followed by a bicycle shop. When they heard about Otto Lilienthal’s gliding experiments in Germany, their interest in human flight grew. Wilbur wrote that “insects, reptiles, birds and mammals were flying every day at pleasure, it was reasonable to suppose that man might also fly.” Within just a few years, Wilbur and Orville developed a flying machine and became two of the most famous brothers in history.

I did not know much about the Wright brothers before reading this book, so I found it to be very interesting and informative. One of the main things that I learned from this book is how much trial and error the brothers went through. I was also unaware that many people had already tried to make flying machines before the Wright brothers. I was fascinated by the science involved with making an airplane.

I was also impressed by the Wright brothers’ childhood experiences. Wilbur and Orville were very close to each other. Wilbur said that from the time he was a little child, “my brother Orville and myself lived together, played together, worked together and, in fact, thought together.” They did not have any special training in science or engineering. They did not complete high school or attend college. They learned more by teaching themselves than by formal schooling.

Another thing that I enjoyed about this book is that it contains many photographs that were taken by the Wright brothers themselves. The brothers had taken up photography as a hobby long before they invented airplanes. As they experimented with different flying machines, they took many photographs to help them learn from their mistakes. They also wanted to record a photographic history of their work. As a result, we now have many beautiful photographs of their airplanes.

This is an inspiring book because it tells a true story of making something that seems impossible into reality. Through patience and hard work, the Wright brothers became two of the most famous inventors in history. I would recommend this book to anyone.

The Wright Brothers: How They Invented the Airplane by Russell Freedman is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library.

The Tower Treasure by Franklin W. Dixon

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The Tower Treasure, by Franklin W. Dixon, is the first book in his popular Hardy Boys series. The main characters are Frank and Joe Hardy, the teenage sons of a detective named Fenton Hardy.  Frank and Joe are amateur detectives, following in the footsteps of their father. Throughout the series, the Hardy boys solve mysteries and help bring criminals to justice.

In this book, Frank and Joe are riding their motorcycles when a speeding car suddenly approaches them from behind and narrowly misses them. The car is traveling too fast for them to read the license plate number. However, they are able to notice that the driver had a “shock of red hair.” A little while later, the Hardy boys find out that their friend’s car has been stolen, and they suspect that the thief is the same person who nearly hit them on their motorcycles. Soon afterward, they learn that forty thousand dollars has been stolen from a place called the Tower Mansion. The Tower’s owner strongly believes that its caretaker, Henry Robinson, committed the crime. Henry Robinson’s son is a friend of the Hardy boys, and they believe that Henry Robinson is innocent. The Hardy boys believe that the man who stole their friend’s car must have also stolen the forty thousand dollars. They need to prove their theory to clear Henry Robinson’s good name.

I have not read all of the books in the Hardy Boys series, but so far this is one of my favorites. Like the other books in the series, The Tower Treasure is relatively short, especially for a mystery novel. Despite this, it is full of suspense and action. It has cliffhangers at the end of almost every chapter, which makes the whole book very exciting. I have read more than ten of the books in this series so far, and I have enjoyed them for the most part. My only complaint is that the books tend to follow a certain formula that seems repetitive after a while. As a result, I found the books to be less suspenseful as I went along. These books are not as complex and well-written as some other mystery novels, such as Agatha Christie’s books. However, I would recommend the Hardy Boys to anyone who enjoys a good mystery, and especially to young readers.

The Tower Treasure by Franklin W. Dixon is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library.

The Apple and the Arrow by Mary and Conrad Buff

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The Apple and the Arrow is a Newberry Honor award-winning book by Mary and Conrad Buff. This book is about the legend of William Tell, from the perspective of his son, Walter. The story is set in medieval Switzerland. Walter enjoys a happy childhood, but his family’s freedom is threatened by a tyrannical Austrian governor named Gessler. Walter’s mother reveals that Gessler is building a castle so that he can exert power over the people. The castle would enable Gessler to imprison anyone who defies him. Walter’s father, William Tell, is planning a daring revolt against Gessler and his soldiers.

One day, Walter and his father go to the town of Altdorf. Soon after they arrive, they see a pole with a hat on top of it.  The hat is the ducal hat of Austria. The townspeople bow to the hat, as a sign of loyalty to their Austrian rulers. A soldier commands William to bow to the hat, but William refuses. This gets the attention of other soldiers, who threaten to harm William if he does not bow to the hat. Despite their threats, William boldly proclaims that he will never bow before the ducal hat of Austria. 

Just then, Gessler himself appears. Gessler learns of William’s rebellion, and he becomes extremely angry. He notices William’s son, who is clinging to his father and hiding his face. In his anger, Gessler commands his soldiers to place Walter against a tree with an apple on his head. If William can use his bow and arrow to shoot the apple from his son’s head, then he and his son will go free. Otherwise, they will both die.

I had heard about the legend of William Tell before I read this book, but I was unaware of the details of the story. Before reading this story, I thought that William Tell shot the apple from someone’s head merely to show off his skills. I was unaware of the bravery of William Tell and his son. The story of William Tell is really a story about the courage to fight for freedom.  I was glad to learn more about this famous legend. This book felt much like a Robin Hood type of story, and I enjoyed it very much. I would recommend it to anyone.

Lord Brocktree by Brian Jacques

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Lord Brocktree, by Brian Jacques, is part of his popular Redwall series. This was the thirteenth book published in the series and it would be the first book chronologically. It is a prequel to Redwall, a fantasy novel based in a world of human-like woodland creatures. The story revolves around Lord Brocktree, the son of Stonepaw, the great Badger Lord. Brocktree is on a quest to find Salamandastron, the mighty mountain of the Badger Lords, where his father Stonepaw lives. Along the way, he befriends many creatures, including a young haremaid called Dotti, and a clever otter known as Ruff. These friends will prove to be vital to Lord Brocktree’s success.

Unbeknownst to Brocktree, Stonepaw is under siege by the army of Ungatt Trunn, a villainous wildcat who serves as the main antagonist of the story. Age has been catching up quickly to Stonepaw and his hare companions, so they are not able to defend themselves as well as they could in the past. Because of his ailments, Stonepaw is increasingly worried about the safety of Salamandastron. Brocktree and his friends must help Stonepaw to reclaim the mountain, so that they can restore peace to the land.

I enjoyed this book very much. The setting is vast and the storyline is highly engaging. Like other Redwall books, the characters are interesting and memorable. However, this book has some downsides compared to other books in the series. There are a few sections that seem too slow-paced, and some of the characters seem to have been a little less developed than they could have been. Still, the story is quite exciting and action-packed for the most part. This was the first book in the Redwall series that I read, so I have a certain feeling of nostalgia for it. Now that I have read other books in the series, I have a bit less regard for this one, but I still think that it is very good. I would recommend it to almost anyone, but I think some of the other books in the Redwall series are even better.

Lord Brocktree by Brian Jacques is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Mossflower by Brian Jacques

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Mossflower, by Brian Jacques, is part of his popular Redwall series. This was the second book published in the series and would be the third book chronologically. It is a prequel to Redwall, a fantasy novel based in a world of human-like woodland creatures. Martin, the great mouse warrior, is traveling to Mossflower Woods. The residents of Mossflower are living under the tyrannical reign of Verdauga, the wildcat. Martin is captured and brought to Kotir, Verdauga’s castle, where he is imprisoned. Soon afterward, Verdauga’s daughter Tsarmina poisons her father and claims that her brother Gingivere is the murderer. She then imprisons Gignivere and usurps the throne, becoming the main antagonist of the story.

During his stay in prison, Martin is joined by Gonff the mousethief, who had been caught stealing food from Kotir. Gonff tells Martin about the Council of Resistance in Mossflower, known as the “CORIM,” and their active rebellion against Tsarmina’s evil reign. With the help of the CORIM, Martin and Gonff eventually escape from prison. Martin embarks on a quest to find Boar the Fighter, a badger who is believed to be the only creature capable of challenging Tsarmina. Defeating Tsarmina is the only hope for freedom in Mossflower, and Martin is determined to conquer the evil queen.

Redwall is one of my favorite books, so I was eager to read this prequel. Mossflower does not disappoint.  This book is filled with action and adventure. The large cast of woodland creatures and vast geographical setting create an exciting atmosphere, which made this delightful to read. The main character is just a small mouse, yet I found his bravery and determination to be noble and inspiring. The story is thoroughly immersive and engaging, and very dramatic. I would recommend this book to anyone.

Mossflower by Brian Jacques is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library.

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis

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The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, by C.S. Lewis, is part of his much-loved Chronicles of Narnia series.  This was the third book published in the series, but it would be the fifth book chronologically. This book mainly features the two younger Pevensie children, Edmund and Lucy. They are visiting the home of their cousin, Eustace. One day, the three children notice an interesting picture in Lucy’s bedroom. The picture depicts a ship in the midst of large waves. To their amazement, the children realize that they are being pulled into the picture. Within just a few moments, they find themselves swimming in the middle of an ocean. They are rescued and brought on board the ship. To the delight of Edmund and Lucy, the captain of the ship is their old friend, Caspian. They have returned to the land of Narnia.

Caspian is now the king of Narnia. His ship is named the Dawn Treader. King Caspian has built the ship to embark on a rescue mission. His quest is to find the men who had been banished from the kingdom by his evil uncle, Miraz. The children join King Caspian on this voyage, and they experience many dangers as they find themselves sailing toward the End of the World.

This book is filled with adventure and contains many exciting moments. A few of my favorite episodes include a transformation into a dragon, a battle against a sea monster, and an escape from a land of nightmares. A mouse named Reepicheep might be my favorite character. He has an endearing personality, and his loyalty to King Caspian is admirable.   

One of the important elements of this book is the change in Eustace’s attitude and behavior. He is quite bitter and rude in the beginning of the story, and he does not want to stay in Narnia. However, his heart gradually changes. By the end of the story, he is almost like a new person.

I love the Chronicles of Narnia. The books are in this series are rich in magical adventure and meaningful symbolism, and this book is no exception. Just like the other books in the series, this book is a wonderful story of redemption. I would highly recommend this book and the rest of the Chronicles of Narnia to anyone.

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C. S. Lewis is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

The Stones of Ravenglass by Jenny Nimmo

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The Stones of Ravenglass, by Jenny Nimmo, is the second book in the Chronicles of The Red King trilogy. The books in this trilogy are prequels to the Children of the Red King series. The events of this book occur at a time when the Red King is a young boy named Timoken. The story is set one year after the events of the book’s predecessor, The Secret Kingdom. In this book, Timoken believes that he has finally found his true home in a castle in Britain. However, everything changes when the steward of the castle, Osbern D’Ark, seizes control. Timoken must escape the castle and embark on a perilous adventure to find a new home.

This book was quite gripping and exciting, and I enjoyed many of the characters. er than Timoken himself, some of my favorite characters include an old wizard named Eri and his pet dragon, Enid. I admired their loyalty to Timoken once they met him. I was a little disappointed that Zobayda, Timoken’s sister, was not as prominent in this book as she was in The Secret Kingdom. I was also disappointed that the viridees were not included at all. Still, this book is filled with action and adventure. I found it difficult to put this book down once I started reading it.

As a fan of the Children of The Red King series, I am very pleased that Jenny Nimmo decided to write this trilogy of prequels. I enjoyed this book very much, and maybe even more than the first book in the trilogy. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy or adventure stories.

The Stones of Ravenglass  by Jenny Nimmo is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.