Author: John Fleischman
Genre: Non-fiction - Biography
# of pages: 86
Summary: Phineas Gage was a young man who was in charge of blasting through mountains to build railroads. One day in 1848, there was a terrible accident when the rod that he used to place explosives shot through his head, leaving a huge hole. Somehow, Phineas survived, but he became like a different person. He started using rude language, and he had trouble relating to other people. This change in Phineas taught scientists a great deal about how the brain works.
Notes: This book does an excellent job of explaining what happened to Phineas through words and pictures. In the back, there is a glossary of scientific terms that the reader might not know.
Recommend/Not Recommend: I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to know more about how the brain works, as long as they are not upset by descriptions of gruesome injuries.
-Ms. Berens
Monday, May 12, 2008
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Rules
Author: Cynthia Lord
Genre: Drama
# of pages: 200
Summary: Catherine is excited for the summer – her new next-door neighbors have a daughter her age, and she hopes that they will have lots of fun together. She is a little worried, though, about what the new girl will think of her family, especially her younger brother David who has autism.
Catherine sometimes feels that her parents forget about her because David needs so much attention, but she loves her brother. One of the ways that she shows her love for him is by making a list of rules to help him understand how he should act:
-If someone says “hi,” you say “hi” back.
-Sometimes people laugh when they like you. But sometimes they laugh to hurt you.
-No toys in the fish tank.
Not only does she teach David the right way to act, but when she runs into some surprises over the summer, she has to think about how she should act herself.
Rules is a book that is often funny, sometimes sad and uncomfortable, and definitely worth reading.
-Ms. Berens
Genre: Drama
# of pages: 200
Summary: Catherine is excited for the summer – her new next-door neighbors have a daughter her age, and she hopes that they will have lots of fun together. She is a little worried, though, about what the new girl will think of her family, especially her younger brother David who has autism.
Catherine sometimes feels that her parents forget about her because David needs so much attention, but she loves her brother. One of the ways that she shows her love for him is by making a list of rules to help him understand how he should act:
-If someone says “hi,” you say “hi” back.
-Sometimes people laugh when they like you. But sometimes they laugh to hurt you.
-No toys in the fish tank.
Not only does she teach David the right way to act, but when she runs into some surprises over the summer, she has to think about how she should act herself.
Rules is a book that is often funny, sometimes sad and uncomfortable, and definitely worth reading.
-Ms. Berens
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Hanging On To Max
Author: Margaret Bechard
Genre: Drama
# of pages: 176
Summary: Sam Pettigrew is a high school senior. He has a lot on his mind – whether to go to college or get a job next year, how he no longer sees his best friend very much, and most important, how to take care of his 11-month-old son, Max. Max’s mom moved away, and Sam has sole custody. Can Sam have a successful life and also be a good father to Max?
Notes: This book is a quick read with short chapters.
Recommend/Not Recommend: Anyone – male or female – who wonders what it would be like to take care of a baby would enjoy reading it.
-Ms. Berens
Genre: Drama
# of pages: 176
Summary: Sam Pettigrew is a high school senior. He has a lot on his mind – whether to go to college or get a job next year, how he no longer sees his best friend very much, and most important, how to take care of his 11-month-old son, Max. Max’s mom moved away, and Sam has sole custody. Can Sam have a successful life and also be a good father to Max?
Notes: This book is a quick read with short chapters.
Recommend/Not Recommend: Anyone – male or female – who wonders what it would be like to take care of a baby would enjoy reading it.
-Ms. Berens
trying something new
For the rest of the year, Ms. Berens will be using this blog to talk about books that she reads and thinks that you might enjoy. She hopes that this will be fun for you! If you still want to write about books that you have read, please let her know and she will show you where to post.
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