Peter and the Starcatchers (Starcatchers Series #1)

written by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson

illustrated by Greg Call

grades: 4-6

Peter is a lost and lonely orphan who has been put on the ship The Neverland in order to become a servant in the court of the evil King Zarboff. When Peter discovers a mysterious trunk aboard the ship, he takes it upon himself to discover its secret. Little does he know, but the trunk will change his life forever.

The adventurous prequel to Peter Pan is fast paced and exciting. Authors Barry and Pearson answer the questions of how Captain Hook lost his hand, how Peter learned to fly, and how he ended up on an island with mermaids, a group of boys, and pirates. Consider this book only if you have plenty of time and a very comfy chair!

The Trumpeter of Krakow

by Eric P. Kelly
Ages 12+

A fictional story based on the history of Krakow. Joseph and his family are forced from Ukraine to Krakow, Poland in 1461 after their home is burned to the ground by Cossack-Tarters. His family tries to hide in the city but they are hunted by the infamous "Peter the Button Face" (for a birthmark on his cheek). Peter knows Joseph's father is hiding the "Great Tarnov Crystal" and has been asked to obtain it by any means. Joseph settles into his new identity making friends with his neighbors, Elizabeth and her uncle, an alchemist. Joseph's father takes the job of the trumpeter in the evenings to keep his face hidden. The book shares the many attempts by Peter to steal the crystal.

This book won the Newbery Medal in 1929. I was easily confused by this book. It is a great story, but times have changed. I had a hard time keeping focused on what was happening in the story and had to reread many parts again to understand the plot. I think children who have heritage from this part of Europe or interest in Polish history may enjoy this book, not my favorite.

Ella Enchanted

by Gail Carson Levine
ages-11+

It was written in 1997 and a movie made in 2004 with Anne Hathaway. I was nervous about reading this book because I had already seen the movie. I was pleasantly surprised at the differences between the two. THE BOOK IS BETTER!

Ella is given a "gift" of obedience at birth by a fairy named Lucinda. She has to obey all commands. The story is the same as the movie, where Ella tries to overcome her gift and falls in love with the prince during her journey. In the book, the adventures are different. She meets the prince off and on in her adventures. She is forced to attend finishing school, so she can attract a rich husband for her father. She is able to pick up languages of the elves and ogres. The prince and Ella find glass slippers which fit her perfectly. They come into play during a ball where the prince has to pick his bride, after Ella "protects" the prince by refusing his love. She believes her curse could be used against him. How Ella breaks the curse is very inventive? Read the book.

Jack and the Beanstalk

retold by Ann Keay Beneduce and illustrated by Gennady Spirin

ages- K-5

This richly woven fairytale set in Elizabethan times finds Jack and his mother destitute. Jack

goes to market to sell the family cow 'Milky White.' When he brings home magic beans, his mother is deeply troubled and knows that they will soon meet with disaster. Jack plants the beans and in the morning bravely climbs up. It is on the beanstalk that Jack meets a beautiful fairy all dressed in white. She explains that it was she who enchanted the beans and that poor Jack was indeed tricked into trading his cow for worthless beans. Jack presses her for news of his father and she tells him the story of losing her powers and, although she ultimately gains them back, being unable to save his father who is killed by the evil and greedy giant. Upon hearing the story, Jack feels that he must avenge his father and secure his mother's happiness. The clever Jack enters the giants house and, aided by the giant's unknowing but kindhearted wife, is able to retrieve what is so rightfully his family's fortune.

I seem to be on a bit of a Jack and the Beanstalk kick these days; I can't help myself- I love a good fairytale! This tale has a very different feel to it as Jack understands that he has a duty to kill the giant rather than robbing him through trickery. This Jack has a moral compass and feels duty bound to honor his family and the memory of his father. The illustrations are bewitching and beautifully rendered. Don't be put off by the length of the story- children will stay riveted not only to the story but to the intricate illustrations. Share this enchanting version of Jack and the Beanstalk with your children or grandchildren.