Banned books are a wide and can be a very general genre. They incorporate all other genres of books, but what sets them apart is that there is challenge against their circulation. The challenge can be for any many reasons, but the most common are for violence, sexual content, racial issues, religious confrontations or not being suitable for an age group.
And Tango Makes Three
By: Justin Richardson
Illustrated By: Henry Cole
Tracings By: Peter Parnell
Reviewer: Brandon Berrey
Grade Level: K-3
Reading Level: 2.6
Central Park has many wonderful things like a pond, a carousel, and even a zoo. Every day many families visit this zoo, which has families of its own. There is one family that is unlike any other however. It is a family of penguins that started with Roy and Silo, who just happen to both be boys. Roy and Silo did everything the other penguins did and they were inseperable. One thing they couldn't do was hatch a baby penguin of their own. Mr. Gramzay, the zookeeper, noticed this and found an egg that needed care. They cared for this egg just like any other penguin couple and one day it hatched! Tango would be the new penguin that they would care for. Is this book true? Can you visist Silo, Roy and Tango in Central Park Zoo today? Only 2 ways to find out, read the book or visit the zoo.
The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things
By: Carolyn Mackler
Reviewer: Mike Slowinski
Grade Level: 9
Reading Level: 4.5
Sophomore year in high school sucks for Virginia Shreves. Not only does she have to worry about being the black sheep of her "oh-so-perfect" family, but her best friend left town for an entire year so her crazy dad could write a book about onions. Oh, and not to mention the other BIG thing she has to deal with...her weight. It's tough enough being a high school girl, but when your toothpick mom and ripped big brother continue to rag on you about your weight, it is almost too much to deal with! Follow Virginia as she faces many of the same struggles as today's adolescent girls: weight, cattiness, mothers, and, oh yeah, love. This is a great read for any girl who has ever struggled with body image or self-confidence.
Bridge To Terabithia
By: Kathrine Patterson
Reviewer: Joseph Diefenthaler
Grade Level: 5-8
Reading Level: 5.0
Jessie and Leslie are two students who are outsiders at school. The two become great friends after Leslie moves in as Jessie's neighbor. The two create an imaginary land called Terabithia in a nearby woods which is only accessable by a rope in a tree which they use to swing across a creek. While in Terabithia, they pretend they are being attacked at their castle. This "land" is a place where they can get away from the real world. Jess tries to go alone but he finds out that it just ins't the same. Leslie makes the magic happen. This is a great book about friendship.