The Francis Tucket Series by Gary Paulsen

This is a great historical series that has been
kid-parent-and-teacher tested and approved.

I've reviewed the first book in the Francis Tucket series yesterday (click here) and I will to talk about the rest of the series below. But right now I'm want to cut to the chase and tell you to buy this one volume --Tucket's Travels -- which includes all of the stories.

At $8 bucks, it is deal when you consider that just one of the other books is $5.50.

At this price it definitely ought to be considered for the home shelves.

Tucket's Travels - Books 1-5 (the entire series)

Accelerated Reading level : 5

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Yearling
  
• ISBN-10: 0440411335
• Take-a-Peek

(*don't read this if you haven't read Book #1... Possible SPOILER ALERT*)

In the first book, "Mr. Tucket", Francis was separated from his family while they were on their way to Oregon. Pawnee Indians took him captive right after his 14th birthday, and he kept as their slave until a one-armed trapper named Jason Grimes appeared in the camp and helped him escape. While Francis liked aspects of Mr. Grimes, and certainly learned a lot from the man, Francis eventually forced himself to walk away from that relationship. And this brings us up to this volume, where Francis has joined a wagon train heading west with the hopes that he might eventually catch up with what is left of his family.


In this book, Tucket comes into his own. He still makes some tremendously huge mistakes, which almost get him murdered, but he responds with suitable brutality and savvy, which makes for one heck of an adventure.

I won't say more except that this is certainly a story that doesn't demonstrate the best of mankind. Even some of the not-so-bad people don't come over as that-good.

Talking Points:::
Call Me Francis Tucket is written at on the 5th Grade level and is suitable for Tweeners, Middle-schoolers (MG) on up.

Personally, I liked it even better than the first book. Thumbs Up.

Call Me Francis Tucket

Accelerated Reading level : 5.0

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Yearling
  
• ISBN-10: 0440411335
• Take-a-Peek

(*don't read this if you haven't read the previous books... SPOILER ALERT*)

Book #3 starts with Francis and the children riding south as winter deepens in the northern plains. As in the other volumes in this series for juveniles, Paulsen wastes no time but throws the reader back into the gritty western setting that he has created -- one where the bad side of human nature isn't glossed over.

I won't give away more of the plot, but will say that Tucket's Ride is adventure from start to finish, and that while it ends pleasingly, I couldn't wait to get onto the next volume, Tucket's Gold.

Tucket's Ride

Accelerated Reading level : 5.0

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Yearling
  
• ISBN-10: 0440411475
• Take-a-Peek

(*don't read this if you haven't read the previous books... SPOILER ALERT*)

Book #4, Tucket's Gold, starts with Francis, Lottie and Billie in the desert plains, on foot and without food and water. They are moving as fast as they can, hoping to evade the Comancheros who still hope to take them captive so they can sell them to the Comanches.

This book, for a change, is a little slower paced than it's siblings. Not that there isn't excitement, but it's time for Lottie and Billie to 'come into their own', and for the reader to learn a little more about the Pueblo Indians.

For myself, I really enjoyed this book; and I thought the ending was fantastic.


Tucket's Gold

Accelerated Reading level : 5.0

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Yearling (February 13, 2001)
• ISBN-10: 0440413761
• Take-a-Peek

Tucket's Home is the last book in the Francis Tucket series.

Although there is some action, it is mostly about tying up loose ends and getting to the final destination.

As in the other books, Gary Paulsen has done an excellent job of making it crystal clear that the western journey wasn't easy. If it wasn't disease and starvation trying to get the better of you, there were the elements, and worse, the kinds of wild men that gravitate to areas were the law isn't present.

This is a short quick read and good ending to the series. I highly recommend these kid-parent-and-teacher approved books.


Tucket's Home

Accelerated Reading level : 5.0

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Yearling
  
• ISBN-10: 0440415586
• Take-a-Peek

Pam
Somewhere in the X-burbs

Related Posts:::

• Our Master Gary Paulsen list
• Mr. Tucket by Gary Paulsen (Book 1 - Tucket Series)
• Review of Woods Runner audiobook
• Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
• See our post on the 2 new Gary Paulsen books that are coming out in 2011

Mr. Tucket - (first book in the series; reviewed here)

Accelerated Reading level : 5.0

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Yearling
  
• ISBN-10: 0440411335
• Take-a-Peek

Mr. Tucket by Gary Paulsen

This is the first book in a great historical series.

The year is 1848, and the place is west of Missouri. Francis Alphonse Tucket and his family are a part of a wagon train heading west to Oregon. It's Francis' 14th birthday and to his surprise and delight he receives not only a cake --it's near impossible to bake on the trail -- but also a 'sweet' rifle, just right for a boy.

Unfortunately, that's the last good thing that happens to Francis for some time, because while he is out practice shooting, he is taken captive by Pawnees.

What follows is the adventure of a lifetime as Francis escapes slavery, hitching up with Mr. Grimes, a one-armed trapper. The old man teaches him much, but in the end Tucket finds he has to take his own path to becoming a man.

Talking Points:::

This is a fantastic series for youngsters -- and really anyone who likes KidLit. Like Paulsen's other books, it includes a fascinating mix of history and survival tips. But unlike his series for Young Adults -- The Hatchet/Brian books-- this one's a 'lighter read' with less self-reflection and internal drama.

The entire 4th Grade of our school read these books, but my librarian friends tell me that they are just as popular with Middle-Schoolers-- particularly boys.

Those who are concerned with how Native Americans are handled should know that Paulsen is very even handed. Individuals might be bad, but not everyone in a particular culture.

I thoroughly enjoyed "Mr. Tucket". There was lots of action and, of course, Paulsen has done his research and has included some information about trappers and how captives were treated by western Indians. It's enough for younger readers to get the flavor of the times without going into some of the more horrendous experiences.

Finally, this is a series worthy of investing in for the home shelves. Sooo, I highly suggest you get Tucket's Travels which contains the entire 5-books.

Pam T
Somewhere in the X-burbs


MR. TUCKET
Word Count: 29,783
Page Count: 192
Accelerated Reading Level: 5.0 / points: 4.0
AR quiz: 11481
Lexile: 830L
--sample pages available

Related Posts:::

• Our Master Gary Paulsen list
• Call Me Francis Tucket by Gary Paulsen (Book 2 - Tucket Series)
• Tucket's Ride by Gary Paulsen (Book 3 - Tucket Series)
• Tucket's Gold by Gary Paulsen (Book 4 - Tucket Series)
• Tucket's Home by Gary Paulsen (Book 5 - Tucket Series)
• Tucket's Travels by Gary Paulsen (Books 1 thru 5 in a collection - Tucket Series)

• Review of Woods Runner audiobook
• Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
• See our post on the 2 new Gary Paulsen books that are coming out in 2011

2009 Top YA/mg Book Picks

This year it was SciFi and Fantasy that caught my attention and praise. The sole exception was Clay Carmichael's "Wild Things", which is just a good story, well told.

Here are my picks for The Best YA Fiction Books for 2009.

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins — This sequel to the Hunger Game steps up the action as Katniss finds herself the figurehead for the movement against the Capitol's control.

It's received high praise from reviewers and at Amazon it has garnered an amazing 4.5 Star ranking with 312 reviews (as we go to print).

• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Press; 1 edition (September 1, 2009)
• ISBN-10: 0439023491
• Look Inside
  

Farwalker's Quest by Joni Sensel — After the Blind Wars people discovered 'talents' that allowed them to survive. With the return of vision in subsequent generations, these abilities remained and formed the center of existence in isolated villages across the world.

In their own little modest village, Ariel imagines that she will become a healer, while her best friend is determined to become a tree-singer. Their expectations are destroyed though when two strangers turn up looking for the mysterious pre-Blind War dart that the two youngsters discovered one day. Ariel tries to hide the discovery, but the truth that some unknown entity sent them a missive in the old technology cannot be kept quiet, and the children are catapulted on a life changing adventure.

I'm hoping this is the beginning of a series as I've just finished them book and I have nothing but praise for it. Tight plotting, wonderful characters, and good writing makes this a fine choice for tweeners on up.

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's Books (February 17, 2009)
• ISBN-10: 1599902729
  

Fire by Kristin Cashore — The prequel to the highly acclaimed "Graceling", this story is about Fire, a human monster. Rather than being hideous, in this world monsters, at least human ones, are so beautiful that they can drive regular humans insane with either lust or a hunger to kill them. Very imaginative. Filled with romance and adventure.

• Hardcover: 480 pages
• Publisher: Dial; First Edition edition (October 5, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803734611
• Look Inside
  

Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan — This imaginative book takes a different approach to zombies. In Ryan's world a genetic weapon from the last war got out of hand. It turns bitten individuals into unthinking creatures whose only desire is to infect others. (Very creepy)

While it may seem that this is heavy scifi/fantasy, to call it that would be to short change this work. Forest of Hands and Teeth has it's share of mysteries and a very internal and personal dialog. The heroine is wracked with quilt and conflict as her affections are divided. This is another book that is the beginning of a series.

• Hardcover: 320 pages
  
• Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers; First Edition edition (March 10, 2009)
• ISBN-10: 0385736819
• Look Inside
  

Monstrumologist by Rick Yancy — This is a scary one that's not going to be for everyone. But if you are up for an exciting and gruesome romp, don't wait to pick it up. (Hopefully, Rick Yancy will follow this one up with another book.)

• Hardcover: 448 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing; 1St Edition edition (September 22, 2009)
• ISBN-10: 1416984488
• Look Inside
• My Review
  

The Last Olympian (Percy Jackson & the Olympians, Book 5) by Rick Riordan — This series is just awesome. It's funny as well as action packed. Soon to be a movie.

• Hardcover: 400 pages
  
• Publisher: Disney Hyperion Books for Children (May 5, 2009)
• ISBN-10: 1423101472
• Look Inside
  

Ring of Fire by Pierdomenico Baccalario — This book unfortunately suffered from a mis-description by Amazon which lead adults to believe it was not kidlit. In fact, it's a book most suited to middle-school aged kids. I thought it was well plotted and exciting. Sort of like John le Carré for middle-schoolers-- if le Carré was into magic.

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (September 8, 2009)
• ISBN-10: 0375858954
• Look Inside
• My Review
  

Squiggle by B.B. Wurge — Nobody writes like BB Wurge. His books are funny and definitely off-the-wall. And while I loved his previous book, "Billy and the Birdfrogs", I do believe that Squiggle is even better. My husband I read this aloud to our children (boy and girl; 7 and 9) and they loved it. Good for any age if you love an imaginative romp. Middle-schoolers and younger otherwise.

• Paperback: 178 pages
• Publisher: Leapfrog Press (October 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0981514898
• Look Inside
• Don's Review
  

Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson — Not marketed as YA, Warbreaker is a must read for Sanderson fans. Wonderfully plotted fantasy. Good world-building.

Starred Review from PublishersWeekly.

• Hardcover: 592 pages
  
• Publisher: Tor Books (June 9, 2009)
• ISBN-10: 0765320304
• Look Inside
• My Review
  

Wild Things by Clay Carmichael — My only non-fantasy/scifi choice. Tight plotting, great characters and chapters from a cat's point of view, make this book a wonderful read. (Adults, YA and more mature MG's)

• Hardcover: 241 pages
• Publisher: Front Street Press (May 1, 2009)
• ISBN-10: 1590786270

Note about MG: YA is now being divided into YA and MG. MG books are those suitable for younger teens. They tend to have fewer 'adult situations' and no extreme violence and cursing. I've noted books below that I think fall into this category.


Here's an Addition to my list of great 2009 Reads. Maze Runner definitely deserves a place on this list.


The Maze Runner by James Dashner — Heart pounding adventure in words. Dashner starts off on a run and never slows. Innovative with a great mystery. (Adults, YA and more mature MG's)

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (October 6, 2009)
• ISBN-10: 0385737947
• Peek Inside
  

updated 12/21/09

Squiggle by B.B. Wurge

This is one of our "Best of the Year 2009 Books"

Well I have to say that this was one fun read! B.B. Wurge has a quirky sense of humor, quirky outlook on live and a wonderful imagination. Add these factors to the further fact that he can write and writ well, and you come up with a winner.

Now I will say right off that I was put in mind of the Lemony Snicket series right from the start and I can assure fans of those books that if they like them, then they will certainly enjoy this one. I happen to be a Lemony Snicket fan so I was quite in my element here. We have the same smooth crisp writing that is the Snicket trade mark and also the sudden and unexpected turns that make you think of the author "did he really say that?" All in all, this entire book is an absolute hoot.

Very briefly, we are introduced to a really, really rotten and spoiled little girl. We are actually talking beyond rotten. This kid had no redeeming features what so ever. That being said, we also have a set of parents that, to say the least, have few if any parenting skills. Anyway, our rotten and obnoxious little girl is setting in bed, where she spends most of her life, chugging soda (Coconut Bacon Cheddar Cola) and eating her favorite snack (Salami Surprise Deluxe Potato Chips) while doing the only thing she ever does which is watching T.V. and throwing temper tantrums while her parents cower in another room. Hey, the kid throw stuff at them. Anyway, she is visited by a magical creature, a Mr LeFuzz who is NOT an ELF, but rather a Lesser Spotted Pickfloo. He has been sent by the department of magic and lives on top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Will the transformation from girl to monkey make our obnoxious child a better child? Will she be able to recover her headless body? And what about the evil villain? Is the half mad professor who takes her home from the zoo all that he seems to be? Are his bearded wife and nine year old boy all they seem to be? What do you feed a artificially stuffed toy monkey who is constantly hungry? Will her parents who are actually quite thrilled of being rid of her change their minds?

You can see the hilarious silliness this book is taking right from the beginning. Anyway, Mr. LeFuzz gives Lobelia (that is the little girl's name, although her parents often refer to her as "Lobotomy.") a magic formula which is to make her happy. Lobelia misuses the magic potion and her head blow off and her soul or life force is immediately transferred to a small stuffed monkey.

And so the adventure begins. We are taken through the streets and zoo of New York and on to Paris France! Along the way we are treated to an entire cast of very, very strange and wacky characters; each stranger than the one before. I will give you a spoiler here and tell you the book has a happy, if bizarre and unexpected ending, but that is it...for the rest you will simply have to read this work yourself.

This work will appeal to its targeted age group and will appeal to grown up little kids (like myself). The word play, surprise twists and off beat humor will have the kids laughing out loud and you chuckling to yourself. I found very little, if anything, to dislike about this work.

Like another reviewer here, I was a bit concerned over the little girl's head exploding and did raise by eyebrows a bit over the reference to such things as eyeball collections, but surprisingly the author has been able to pull this off and this is actually a rather gentle book with very little violence and the sequence of events leading up the exploding head are actually rather hilarious.

This is a good read and I strongly suspect that we will be hearing more from this author.


Don Blankenship
The Ozarks

Squiggle

• Accelerated Reading level : none found
  
• Paperback: 178 pages
• Publisher: Leapfrog Press (October 1, 2009)
• ISBN-10: 0981514898

related posts: Billy and the Birdfrogs by Wurge


This is one of our "Best of the Year 2009 Books"

My Name is Chicken Joe CD and Book by Trout Fishing in America

I don't know how it is with your children, but my two –– boy and girl, currently 7 and 9 –– have reached the stage where Barney and the Wiggles are beginning to fail as entertainment. They don't mind even Barney as background music, but the songs aren't always catching their attention enough to stop them from squabbling in the backseat (a point which is very important to me and my sanity).

I've tried other music but it's either too old for them (Kidz Bop) or just not that great. BUT THEN CAME My Name is Chicken Joe. Oh my gosh, something for the whole family... real music! The instrumentals are tight and professional, and whichever of the guys is singing, he/they has a marvelous voice. Best of all, the songs are catchy and fun and as a result EVERYONE, including dad, likes this album.

The My Name is Chicken Joe CD comes with a sturdy book. Or perhaps it's the sturdy book that comes with the CD. In any case, it's a hard cover with thick shiny pages filled with sunny artwork by Stephane Jorisch.

The first song/story is fully illustrated and tells the tales of critters that can't be judged by their names. Chicken Joe, for example, is a cat; and King Kong is a parakeet. Subsequent lyrics have an illustration but are mainly there so that kids can read along and sing along with TFiA– which mine have certainly done. (TFiA = Trout Fishing in America. And here's their site.)

I mentioned before that the melodies were catchy. Certainly something that's a must-have for kids. The other thing that the songs have are clever lyrics, themes that children can relate to, such as "Why I Pack My Lunch" (“The lunch bell tolls, we go bravely, To chicken knuckles with toxic gravy, Cream of tea bags, wombat pelt...”) and “Fill It Up” (about filling up an ice cream cone 'all the way to the bottom').

Wrap-Up:::
Good music for adults and kids. Children younger than 5 will most likely like the melodies, but might not get all the school references.

This CD and Book combination shut down all arguments and struggles in our backseat and so gets my rave review. Dad and I like the word-play and the fact that there are lessons tucked into the verses. We will definitely be checking out other CD's by Trout Fishing in America. They are awesome.


Pam
Somewhere in the X-burbs

My Name is Chicken Joe

• Accelerated Reading level : unknown
• Hardcover: 36 pages
• Publisher: Secret Mountain; Har/Com edition (April 25, 2009)
• ISBN-10: 2923163494

Related Posts:
Sunday in Kyoto


Song Titles:

Chicken Joe
My Best Day
I Can Dance
Something Sweet
It's a Puzzle
Fill It Up
Why I Pack My Lunch
LALA Land
Boiled Okra and Spinach
Hard Ball
Count on Me

Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson

Warbreaker is not a simple book to sum up. It's one of those set in a world unlike our own, with a host of characters who aren't simple by any means. There are two princesses, for example, who start out with their natural differences --one austere, one rebellious-- who find themselves thrust into entirely different roles than they thought they would play in life, and in fact, in entirely different environments. And there are gods in this world. Or just awful powerful folk, depending on how you view them. They have their own agendas, particularly one named Lightsong, who doesn't even believe he's a god-- despite what his worshippers say.

Now mix politics into this concoction and you'll soon see a plot that weaves and unweaves, drawing you into the danger and intrigue. To tell you the truth, some authors might not be up to such a creative challenge, but Sanderson does a darn fine job. The world building is top notch. No flaw that I could detect and I'm pretty particular. Sanderson balances the narrative between the characters successfully, you find yourself liking them, even worrying about them, and wanting to know what so-and-so is doing while your reading about another character.

If I have any complaint it would be that the plotting is not tight, but that is a personal opinion. I know the current preference is to have long involved stories that really "flesh out" a world; but at nearly 600 pages this is a whopper for which you have to plan to set aside enough time.

Considerations:::
Sanderson's style is engaging. He's talented and skilled and the book is a very good read. If you like fantasy I highly recommend you check it out.

When considering this book for children you need to know that there are some adult elements. There is violence, but nothing graphic. There is sexual content, but nothing graphic or nasty. There are busty goddesses, sexual innuendo, and yes a married couple has relations, but nothing is described. Generally pretty mild stuff but certainly not appropriate for all ages.

All in all, I give Warbreaker good marks. It's huge, but well written and well plotted. The characters are interesting, and the story presents a fascinating view of another world.

Same, Same by Marthe Jocelyn & Tom Slaughter

Published in 2009, Same, Same is a wonderful "concept" book by Marthe Jocelyn, Tom Slaughter (illustrator) and Tundra Press. The simple and bold drawings are in baby and toddler friendly colors, and the composition of the book allows for years of use -- older baby thru early-preschool (1 to 3 years) -- which is something I love.

The format is consistent throughout. On the first of two paired pages the space is divided in half and shows two items, while on the opposite page there is one very large drawing. The large item then appears as part of the next set.

If you look at the image to the right you will see the group "round things". For those of you who can't get the image because you've using a text only device, the items that are shown are a red apple, the earth as seen from space, and a tamborine. The tamborine then appears as part of the next group, "things that make music."

It's the grouping and re-grouping that I think really makes this book stand out from other concept books. Having a bee be part of "things that fly", for example, as well as "striped things" gives toddlers something extra to think about-- that things can belong to more than one set or class (A Math Concept!). I think it's a great idea to introduce these concepts to children when they are young, when they can be readily grasped.

Considerations:::
Bright kid-friendly colors are going to be popular with the younger set. The simple, clearly defined images are one's even babies will like, and I'm going to recommend Same, Same as a book for the home shelves. (And you know how few books reach this level of approval.) I recommend it so highly (to those of you with babies and/or toddlers) because I really like the fact that there is so much to learn from this book. You can start out teaching babies about colors and the names of things like apples and fish. Then with toddlers and early preschoolers you can discuss numbers, shapes, 'class, grouping, and classification' --math facts!

The simple words can also be used as practice reading.

The Pout-Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen

I'm a pout-pout fish
with a pout-pout face
So I spread the dreary-wearies
all over the place

Well, spreading the dreary-wearies is fortunately not all that happens in this fun book and I highly recommend it as a Good Read-aloud and good story.

As for artwork, you can see that Dan Hanna's drawings are bright, whimsical, and kid-friendly. And look at our hero . Bless his heart, as soon as I saw him sitting on the library shelf, I knew I needed to take him home to see if the text lived up to the artwork. It surely does.

The story, btw, is about our really glum looking buddy. You see, despite all the efforts of his friends to shake him out of his doldrums, nothing seemed to work. That is, until someone special came along. It's down-right amazing how a kiss can change everything.

Considerations:::
This is classic sort of book which should be considered for the home shelves. With good artwork, good rhyme and lots to talk about, The Pout-Pout Fish ought to appeal to kids as old as 9. Certainly my 7 and 9 year olds enjoyed it.

The Accelerated Reading Level for Pout-Pout is 3.0. Younger children should be able to read the refrain though with some practice.

What's There to Talk About
Folks that read my reviews on a regular basis know I love books that have lots to talk about, and which are rich in language. In Pout-Pout there are many things to discuss. For very young children there are colors and expressions to point out. For older children they are the sea critters to discuss -- clams, jellyfish, crabs, squid, octopuses, starfish, urchins, and puffer fish for examples.

For all children there are the marvelous rhythms and rhymes, and a rich vocabulary. New words might include aghast, statue, astounded, kaleidoscope (of mope), and scowl, amongst others.

One of the benefits of all this syllabic play is that children will be exposed to a variety of letter sounds and phonemes. All of which has been shown to increase reading and language skills.


Check this out at the library. I'd be surprised if you don't end up buying a copy. An excellent choice for a gift.


Destined to be a new classic, The Pout-Pout Fish has delightful illustrations and great rhymes.