Tag archives for Classics
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BOOK NAME: Animal Farm
AUTHOR: George Orwell
Animal Farm by George Orwell depicts true events through a group of animal’s fight for power.
Mr. Jones, the owner of Manor Farm shows apathy towards his farm animals. Soon, Old Major, a respected pig on the farm gathers all the animals on the farm and brings about the idea of rebellion. Even after Old Major dies, the rebellion continues and the animals overthrow Mr. Jones. Three pigs, Napoleon, Snowball, and Squealer, expand on Old Major’s preachings and come up with the Seven Commandments of Animalism, stating that all animals are equal and that humans are enemies. At first, all the animals are proud to follow these Commandments. However, Napoleon and Snowball soon get into heated arguments and Napoleon expels Snowball from the farm. This is the beginning of Napoleon’s absolute power and torturous rule over the animals. Slowly, the Seven Commandments change and the pigs begin acting as humans, thus betraying Old Major’s principles.
Animal Farm is an amazing book for all ages. The animal story will touch the hearts of young kids. But, actually this book uses animals as an allegory to depict the Russian Revolution of 1917. All the characters in the book have actual human counterparts such as Napoleon who represents Joseph Stalin and Snowball who represents Leon Trotsky. I enjoyed comprehending the events to understand the Russian Revolution. For example, when Snowball is banished from Animal Farm by Napoleon, it symbolizes Trotsky’s exile from Russia by Stalin. To thoroughly enjoy this book, I suggest keeping a list of all the characters’ human counterparts.
Posted by BOOK NAME: The Invisible Man
AUTHOR: H. G. Wells
Invisible, twisted, and evil, that’s the Invisible Man! Once a physicist named Griffin, he is now an invisible terror! The problems started when Griffin turned himself invisible during one of his physics experiments, and it was no accident! Once he was invisible, he burned down a house, ransacked, and robbed from several homes and stores. However, major issues did not begin until he arrived in a village known as Iping. During his stay in Iping, he revealed himself to the citizens as an invisible man and mass hysteria began. The Invisible Man physically beat people in Iping and in surrounding villages and towns. He also broke into houses and banks and stole money. That’s not all! The Invisible man hopes to establish a reign of terror! Can he possibly be stopped?
This book was one of the most spine chilling novels I’ve ever read. This book is different from other horror novels because it is believable. Griffin’s explanation of the anatomy of human beings and their potential for transparency seemed possible! It made the idea of an invisible criminal seem achievable! This book was packed with suspense, and I just had to find out what happened on the next page. For example, the Invisible Man mailed a letter to a man named Dr. Kemp that stated that Kemp was to be the first victim of the reign of terror…It really makes you want to find out what happens next, doesn’t it? I also liked the way that the book ended because it left you with questions, but I won’t spoil it for you. Read the book yourself!
Posted by BOOK NAME: Turkish Delight & Treasure Hunts
AUTHOR: Jane Brocket
This book is unique from all the rest of the books I have reviewed, but yet includes books that I have read and may have even reviewed. This is one of those activities books that list things to do and how to do them. What’s special about it is that the activities come from the stories themselves such as Little House on the Prairie, Anne of Green Gables, and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe among others.
What I like about this book is that it’s fun to do activities, but it’s even more fun when you recognize them from books that you have read. Many recipes are given and not all of them are that difficult to follow. I was able to make some yummy hot chocolate by following the “Campfire Cocoa” recipe from the chapter on The Secret of Spiggy Holes book. Some chapters include instructions on how to do something such as “master the art of breakfast in bed”. But I’m not sure if I’ll follow Paddington Bear’s advice that states “leftover bacon can be put in a suitcase and eaten later.”
I can’t wait to try making a rope swing like the one Fern had in Charlotte’s Web. I can imagine Fern swinging on a rope under the shade of a tree. I think I’ll have to wait until next spring to give it a try though!
It’s also nice that you don’t have to read this book chapter by chapter. You can simply look through and stop on the stories or activities that interest you. I’m sure you’d find some things to share with your siblings, parents, or friends. I’d say it’s a great book to have on hand for a rainy day!
The Mother-Daughter Book Club: Summer
Posted by BOOK NAME: The Mother-Daughter Book Club
AUTHOR: Heather Vogel Frederick
Welcome to the book club meeting!
This week we finished reading The Mother-Daughter Book Club by Heather Vogel Frederick. Thanks so much to everyone who joined us for this book, as well as the others this year. This will be the last meeting of the Book of the Month club.
If you have finished the book, click “See More” to go to the book club meeting.
If you haven’t gotten that far yet, stop here!
The Mother-Daughter Book Club: Spring
BOOK NAME: The Mother-Daughter Book Club
AUTHOR: Heather Vogel Frederick
Welcome to today’s book club meeting!
This week we read the Spring section of The Mother-Daughter Book Club by Heather Vogel Frederick. The girls had a lot of new experiences during this season. Let’s head over to the meeting and talk about them!
If you have read through Spring, click “See More” to go to the book club meeting.
If you haven’t gotten that far yet, stop here!
The Mother-Daughter Book Club: Winter
BOOK NAME: The Mother-Daughter Book Club
AUTHOR: Heather Vogel Frederick
Welcome to today’s book club meeting!
This week we read the Winter section of The Mother-Daughter Book Club by Heather Vogel Frederick. It has been freezing cold here at DogEared headquarters, so we think that it was VERY appropriate to read that section this week!
If you have read through Winter, click “See More” to go to the book club meeting.
If you haven’t gotten that far, or if you’re still looking for a copy, stop here!
BOOK NAME: The Mother-Daughter Book Club
AUTHOR: Heather Vogel Frederick
Welcome to today’s book club meeting!
This week we read the Fall section of The Mother-Daughter Book Club by Heather Vogel Frederick.
If you have read through Fall, click “See More” to go to the book club meeting.
If you haven’t gotten that far, or if you’re still looking for a copy, stop here!
BOOK NAME: The Mother-Daughter Book Club
AUTHOR: Heather Vogel Frederick
December’s book is The Mother-Daughter Book Club by Heather Vogel Frederick. It’s the story of four sixth-grade girls who join a book club with their moms. Thanks for suggesting this book, Learn more about this month’s book on the Book of the Month page.
Look for a copy of the book in the local library, or ask your parents to help order it online. We will read the first three chapters of the story for our meeting on Wednesday, December 8. See everyone there!
-DogEared
BOOK NAME: Little House on the Prairie
AUTHOR: Laura Ingalls Wilder
Little House on the Prairie is a classic book that takes you to the wide-open prairie where a clear sky seems to completely surround you. Now I am sure that many of you have read this book or series before. And the reason you read the series is usually because your mother read it as a kid and insisted that you too read it. When I finally gave it a try, I was intrigued by the story and how it was written by a woman who actually went through these hardships, joys, and events. I was amazed at the little things like how white flour and sugar were such a big luxury when now we use it in everything.
In the story Laura and her family leave their cozy log cabin in the Wisconsin woods to go southwest and live on the prairie. Pa says that the woods are too crowded and they have to leave their family behind including cousins, aunts, and uncles. Can you imagine wondering if you would ever see your family again? Laura has to stand the roughness and boredom of the long journey to the prairie in a covered wagon. Then they face the challenge of building a house, barn, well, and fireplace. They are in Indian Territory so they face a hostile environment, and the prairie fires and illnesses don’t help either. After many disasters and joys they finally have the perfect little house and most importantly, each other. This book is a classic that will continue to be passed down through the generations (meaning that mothers will keep nagging their daughters to read it). And hey, you might even learn something about pioneer life!
BOOK NAME: The Magician’s Nephew
AUTHOR: C.S. Lewis
Just mentioning Narnia sends me into a wonderland full of adventure and magic. This book is the first in The Chronicles of Narnia series and proves to be an engrossing beginning. There is some confusion about this book because most people may think that The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe was the first book, but actually this book is the first. Because it is written by an English author, you’ll find that they spell “Hello” like “Hullo” and other spellings that seem odd to us. This book is absolutely beautiful in every aspect. I don’t always envision the illustrations the same as the artist (done by Pauline Baynes), but overall she still captures the scenes very well. I think it may have been hard to illustrate this book because honestly, Narnia is different for everyone.
The main character, Digory, is a boy who lives in London with his very strange uncle, a frail mother, maids, and an absent father (he’s away in India). So, really he can wander where he pleases. Very soon he meets a girl named Polly Plummer who lives next door to him. Since Polly and Digory’s houses are connected, they venture to the attic that connects the houses and find a door. Behind this door just happens to be Digory’s strange uncle. His uncle is making magical rings that will eventually lead them to Narnia where they bring an evil force that will haunt Narnia for hundreds of years. I can promise that Narnia will enchant you for years to come. It is a trip for your imagination and will inspire you. Whenever I have a bad day I just pick up one of these books and escape to Narnia. You should pay a visit too!
(NOTE: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe was the first Narnia book published, but The Magician’s Nephew is the first book if you are reading in chronological order. -DogEared)
