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90-81 of SLJ's Top Chapter Book Poll

No books in today's 10 that I haven't heard of. I am happy to say I have heard of every single one of them. Even if I haven't read them all. Again I have linked to Betsy Bird's descriptions of each book posted at Fuse 8. You should really click through and read them if you haven't yet. She does a fantastic job discussing each book.

90.  The Children of Green Knowe by L.M. Boston
This is one I haven't read because I don't typically go in for these type of books. Since it has made the list twice now I suppose I need to go ahead and read it. Sigh.

89. The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary
Not my favorite Cleary book but who can resist that cute little mouse on his motorcycle. I actually think this book works best as a read aloud for the 4-6 year old range because it hits right at their level of development.

88. The BFG by Roald Dahl
This is actually tied with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory as my favorite Dahl book. In fact I can do without all the others.

87. The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger
What a delightful surprise! This book is super current. So current I have a review for it. (It's here.)  It is the funniest book I've read in recent memory. It also has a delightful sequel in Darth Paper Strikes Back, and I can not wait to read the to be released in August third installment The Secret of the Fortune Wookie.

86. Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie
I'm not a big fan of Victorian fantasy. Peter Pan is an exception to that. It is one I can tolerate. The book. Not the animated Disney movie. The book. If you haven't read the book you are missing out on the true experience. (Though I actually like the 2003 live action movie better than the book. Hides head in shame. Jason Isaacs is made of awesome.)

85.  Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
One of my favorite books of all time. I taught it every year I taught fifth grade. I taught it to my 4-6 literature class at our homeschool co-op this year. It is the standard by which I judge all other fairy tale retellings. I have a review of this one too that Bit and I did when I read it to her. (It's here.)

84. The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Oh-kay. This always bored the socks off me. I think I only made it through the whole thing once-the first time I read the series at age seven. While I reread all the other books several times I never made it through this one a second time.

83. Ozma of Oz by L. Frank Baum
Again: ?????? Of course, this coming from a person who would rather have her eyebrows plucked than read The Wizard of Oz again. I'm certainly not going to read its sequels or prequels or whatever. I don't care how many of them make the list.

82. The Cricket in Times Square by George Selden
This another one I was unimpressed with as a child and just as unimpressed with as an adult. Then again, it is an animal story and I think I've made my views on animal stories clear in the couple years I've had this blog.

81.  The Witches by Roald Dahl
Eh. See #88.

Comments

Betsy said…
Oh, come on, friend. The Children of Green Knowe and Ozma should now be at the top of your list! I, on the other hand, must finally read The BFG and The Witches, eh?

I should get The Mouse and the Motorcycle for our next car ride.... hm....
April said…
I will do an interpretative pantomime of The Children of Green Knowe for you. It will be much more entertaining than reading it. :-)
Brandy said…
My sister's review of The Children of Green Knowe effectively convinced me I didn't want to read it. Here it is.

And no to Ozma Just no. I wasn't kidding about the eyebrow plucking. One at a time rather than reread The Wizard of Oz.

Too many books out there I want to read.

You should totally read The BFG.
Brandy said…
Just a couple weeks until you're here. Start practicing.

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