INSIDE THE STORY: A New Beginning on a Gray Island: After Daniel’s parents pass away, he’s sent to live with his grandfather on a remote, gray island off British Columbia. Picture a place so isolated it makes a hermit crab look like a social butterfly. Daniel’s new home is a cozy cottage surrounded by misty, […]
Book Summary: Hoot By Carl Hiaasen
INSIDE THE STORY: A New Kid in Town: Roy Eberhardt is not exactly thrilled about moving from the cool, crisp air of Montana to the steamy, unpredictable weather of Florida. As if the sweltering heat wasn’t enough, Roy quickly learns that his new school is full of bullies and awkward social situations. Just when he […]
Book Summary: Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
INSIDE THE STORY: The Dream That Began It All: In the hilly, forested Ozarks, where the trees seem to whisper old secrets and the critters are always up to something, a young boy named Billy Colman is dreaming big. He’s not just daydreaming about comic book heroes or the latest gadgets; no, Billy’s heart is […]
Book Summary: The Incredible Journey by Sheila Burnford
INSIDE THE STORY: A Trio of Adventurers: In a cozy Canadian town, three pets—Luath the Labrador, Tao the Siamese cat, and Bodger the bull terrier—are living their best lives with the Morrison family. Everything’s perfect until the Morrisons need to move temporarily to a distant city, leaving the pets in the care of the Hunters, […]
Book Summary: Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
INSIDE THE STORY: Setting the Scene: Brian Robeson is deep in the wild, and by Chapter 6 of “Hatchet,” he’s in a bit of a pickle. With no time to waste, he knows he needs to build a shelter to keep himself safe from the elements. But before he can get his hands dirty with […]
Book Summary: The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles by Julie Andrews Edwards
INSIDE THE STORY: The Unlikely Adventure Begins: Ben, Tom, and Lindy aren’t your typical siblings. They’re the kind of kids who can turn a rainy day into an epic adventure without leaving their backyard. So when Professor Savant, a peculiar man with a beard that could probably start its own fan club, shows up at […]
Book Summary: Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George
INSIDE THE STORY: The Daring Escape: Meet Julie, a brave 13-year-old Inuit girl with a name that’s as cool as the Arctic breeze—Miyax. Julie’s life is a whirlwind of trouble when she decides to leave her village after her husband does something truly awful. Instead of a nice, cozy escape, she’s plunged into the icy […]
Book summary: Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell
INSIDE THE STORY Life on the Island: On the picturesque Island of the Blue Dolphins, shaped like a playful dolphin frolicking in the Pacific Ocean, lived a young girl named Karana. This serene and beautiful place was home to her close-knit tribe. Karana’s days were filled with adventures alongside her father, Chief Chowig, her lively […]
Book Summary: Paddle to the Sea by Holling C. Holling
INSIDE THE STORY: The Creation of Paddle-to-the-Sea: Imagine a young Indian boy, wielding a carving knife like a master sculptor, sitting by the edge of a river or a quiet lake. Instead of crafting a mere wooden figure, he’s busy creating a miniature canoe with a tiny wooden man inside. This isn’t just any little […]
Book Summary: The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
INSIDE THE STORY: Peter’s Snowy Awakening: One frosty morning, little Peter woke up to a city blanketed in snow. His eyes widened in amazement as he saw the rooftops and trees dressed in fluffy white. With a heart full of excitement, Peter hurried to get dressed, his red mittens becoming the stars of a quick […]