The People of Sparks by Jeanne DuPrau

The People of Sparks by Jeanne DuPrau continues the story of the people from the city of Ember after they were able to escape their dying city before the lights went out permanently. Led by Lina and Doon, they found their way to the outside world, but having few supplies and no skills in living on the outside, the people are worried.

But after following a path, they come upon the town of Sparks. Some people on the outside did indeed survive the Disaster, a series of plagues and wars, and have been using technology similar to the 1800s to grow crops and survive. They have trucks and other bits of old technology, but don't have the means to use it. When the people of Ember first arrive in Sparks, they are relieved that the people seem willing to help them. The people of Sparks share their food, and provide an old, run down hotel that has not otherwise been used, for their housing. But then tensions begin. There is enough food, but just barely, and differences in cultures and ways of thinking begin to set the two groups at odds against one another. And then when one boy from Sparks and one boy from Ember start playing mean tricks, it might just push things over the edge into an all our battle! Especially when the nephew of one of the town leaders is caught in a tree that was accidentally set on fire by the conflict between the two groups. But will Lina and Doon be able to do something? Will they be able to help their neighbors, save the boy, and bring peace to the two groups of people?

The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau

The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau is a creative and interesting take on the Dystopian genre. Friends Lina and Doon and the rest of their city are starting to worry. Their refuge from the darkness, the city of Ember, is built underground as a desperate attempt to save at least some members of the human race from a coming disaster. This is made clear to the reader through backstory as well as foreshadowing, using the reader's understanding of life above ground.

The two friends and their whole city, not aware of anything else, all live comfortably beneath the electric lamps that give their city light as their ancestors have done for 200 years. But then the lights start to flicker, and they know there are not many supplies left in the once expansive store rooms beneath the city. But surely the Founders didn't leave them with no way to find another city if their supplies of lightbulbs dwindles to nothing? Then one day, after an especially long blackout, Lina finds her little sister chomping on an old piece of parchment that has old writing on it. It came out of a mysterious, old looking box. With Doon's help, and the help of some others, will Lina figure out what it means? And what if it is the instructions for them to find a way out of their slowly dying city?

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, Narrated by Patrick Stewart

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens is an exciting and classic Christmas story, and A Christmas Carol Narrated by Patrick Stewart is especially delightful.

Mr. Stewart shows his great acting skills by showing the emotions, characters, and scenes of the story as vividly in a listener's mind, just with his voice, as if it were played in a movie. He showed the characters of Tiny Tim, Bob Cratchet, Marley's Ghost, and of course Ebenezer Scrooge himself with great skill. And the tone of his voice changed with the scenes, showing the emotions of each. I highly recommend this audiobook for anyone who enjoys A Christmas Carol.

The Importance of Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol

Tiny Tim, one of the most well known characters from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, is a little boy, the son of Ebenezer Scrooge's clerk, Bob Cratchit.

He has an illness that has weakened his legs, and made it impossible for him to walk unassisted, requiring the little boy to use a small crutch wherever he goes on his own. He is a sweet boy who proclaims, "God bless us, everyone!", perhaps the most well known line from the book. As readers of the book know, Tiny Tim, who has either rickets, or likely renal tubular acidosis, though the disease is never named in the story, would otherwise die but for the change of heart Mr. Scrooge undergoes, giving Bob a better salary and therefore enough money to have Tiny Tim treated. The little boy's character is vital to the story in that without him, Scrooge's change would seem to be done only to save himself, and the terrible fate awaiting his soul after death. Because of Tim being there, we witness Scrooge's growing compassion for others, and his need to change to help others as well as himself. Because of this, despite the fact that Tim Cratchit is a fairly minor character, his presence is vital for the message of the story to come across, and for Scrooge to be seen as a truly changed man who has learned to be selfless and giving.

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness is a hauntingly beautiful story about Conor O'Malley and his inner and outer struggles as he deals with the sorrow of his mom's worsening illness and his guilt that he cannot save her, and also wants her pain and his, to end.

He struggles with the unkindness of a school bully, his feelings of betrayal when his best friend told others about his mom's cancer, his grandmother, and a monster made out of a yew tree as it tries to coach the reluctant boy into facing his feelings and acknowledging them for what they are. The story is both sad and beautiful, and young people as well as adults can learn valuable lessons about life, friendship, feelings, thoughts, actions, and knowing when it is okay to let go.

Henry Huggins by Beverly Cleary

Henry Huggins by Beverly Cleary gives us a look into the life of one of her characters, Henry Huggins, and his dog Ribsy, both of whom I was first made familiar with when I started reading Ms. Cleary's Ramona books.

Looking at the world from his prespective was interesting, especially the story of how he and Ribsy first met and became best friends. Henry is an interesting clever character that children, especially boys, can relate to, and the adventures he has are exciting and fun. Kids and adults who enjoy children's stories would enjoy reading or listening to this book.

Tales of a 4th Grade Nothing by Judy Bloom

Tales of a 4th Grade Nothing by Judy Bloom is a fun book about a boy named Peter Hatcher and his trials having to deal with his annoying neighbor Sheila Tubman, and his even more annoying little brother, Fudge.

Fudge does all sorts of annoying things from acting terrible in front of their dad's client and losing his business, to coloring all over Peter's homework. But when Fudge does the most terrible thing of all, will Peter be able to forgive him? This book is fun for kids and adults who enjoy reading books about sibling conflict and growing up.