Children's and Adolescent Literature by Topic
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The following reviews cover at least two books in each of several categories from children's or adolescent literature. Siblings
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Blume, Judy. Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing New York: Doubleday, 1972. 120 pages Nine-year-old Peter Hatcher has an active, unruly younger brother nicknamed Fudge (the family features in other Blume novels such as Superfudge and Fudge-a-mania). The book documents several episodes between the polite, well-behaved older brother and the uncontrollable younger. Very cute. Contains nice illustrations by Roy Doty.
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O'Dell, Scott. Island of the Blue Dolphins New York: Random House, 1960. 184 pages An Indian girl is left alone on an island when her tribe sails to a new home. The story covers several years of Karana's life on the island with only animals and a very rare visitor for company. There is small interaction between Karana and various family members before she is eventually left alone for the majority of the book.
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Mayer, Mercer. The New Baby New York: Golden Books, 1983. 23 pages This nicely illustrated children's book helps create expectations of how an older sibling can interact with a new baby. The main character learns the new baby cries a lot and is not interested in grown up toys, but learns you can cuddle the baby, rock it to sleep etc.
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Paterson, Katherine. Jacob Have I Loved New York: Harper Collins, 1980. 244 pages Sara Bradshaw has lived her life in the shadow of her talented and adored twin sister. The book follows Sara as she deals with WWII, puberty, and a family situation that includes an increasingly senile grandmother. The story includes strong bitterness toward the sister and is quite depressing in many aspects. The book is written in 1940s language with hefty Biblical allusion.
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Byars, Betsy. The Pinballs New York: Harper Collins, 1977. 136 pages Three foster children with very different backgrounds enter a new foster home together at the same time. Each of the three has unique issues to deal with, and they eventually bond. Solutions are a little simple, but the characters are very distinctive and well written.
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Paterson, Katherine. The Great Gilly Hopkins New York: Harper Collins, 1978. 148 pages A sixth-grade girl is placed in a new foster home with a widow and a younger boy also in foster care. Gilly is bitter over her foster situation and is experienced in manipulating teachers, parents, and her social worker. The story includes a good lesson on consequences as Gilly's manipulations backfire.
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Paulsen, Gary. Hatchet New York: Aladdin, 1987. 195 pages While going to visit his parents, the private plane carrying Brian Robeson crashes in the Canadian wilderness. He has no gear except the clothes on his back and a small hatchet his mother gave him. During his time alone, Brian quickly deals with his parents' divorce and becomes "a new person" as he sheds his city attitudes.
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Sobol, Harriet Langsam. My Other-Mother, My Other-Father New York: Harper Collins, 1978. 148 pages Andrea's parents are divorced and remarried. In this picture book, Andrea acknowledges the challenges she and her family face. The story lists problems and admits a couple of advantages to the family situation. Andrea basically says her family has gotten used to their plight and must live with the rest.
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Lowry, Lois. The Giver New York: Doubleday, 1993. 180 pages ...
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Mayer, Mercer. Just Me and My Dad New York: Golden Books, 1988. 23 pages ...
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Gilbreth, Frank B. Jr. Cheaper by the Dozen New York: Doubleday, 1948. 180 pages ...
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