It was a dream come true - Florence was really leaving the orphanage in London and heading for the countryside to live with her great-uncle who had been searching for her. The walk up the drive was long and she was a bit weary when she arrived at the door of the manor. Although she was expected, however not till the next day, her great-aunt was far from welcoming. In fact, she was completely against Florence being brought into the home. And that was just the beginning of the troubles that enveloped Florence. There is her cousin who is ill and does not leave his room, nor may she go visit him. The servants are skitish and won't talk with her about the strange happenings. And then there is Sophia, her other cousin who is very much around Florence all the time - creeping up on her, whispering mean things, and trying to make her do things Florence knows are wrong. By the way - Sophia is DEAD.

Reviewed by: adf

Date read: 4/5/2011

ISBN-10: 9780547385600

ISBN-13: 9780547385600

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Captain Van Buren Bates has been searching high and low for the perfect town for he and his wife to live. He decides to try out the quaint town of Seville, Ohio. But there is only one problem, the Captain is a GIANT! He towers seven feet and eleven inches tall and his wife is a giant too! In the book, 'The Giant of Seville, A 'Tall' Tale Based on a True Story' by Dan Andreasen, Captain Bates and his wife have retired from the circus and just want a place to settle down. But the Captain has not had any luck. So far, due to his extensive travels, the Captain has discovered that there is no bed long enough to fit his frame, no table tall enough to get his legs under, and certainly no floor strong enough to withstand his toe-stompin' dancing. But the citizen of Seville know the true meaning of hospitality. To welcome Captain Bates into their community they build him a 'giant size' house showing the Captain that the town has a heart that is just as big as he is.

Similar authors: Steven Kellogg; Deborah Hopkinson; Paul Robert Walker

Similar books: American Tall Tales by Mary Pope Osborne; Big men, Big Country: A Collection of American Tall Tales by Paul Robert Walker; Short and Tall Tales; Moose County Legends by James Mckintosh; Mike Fink: A Tall Tale by Steven Kellogg; Sally Ann Thunder, Ann Whirlwind Crockett: A Tall Tale by Steven Kellogg; Peggony Po: A Whale of a Tale by Andrea Davis Pinkney

Reviewed by: mb

Date read: 7/30/2010

ISBN-10: 081090988X

ISBN-13: 9780810909885

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Laurie tells good stories. So it is only natural that when she visits her friend Dickie in the hospital that she tells a story. An enchanting story unfolds about a very young and very small boy whose destiny is to slay Collosso the giant. Soon, many children in the hospital are listening to the tale that seems to be about them ' but in a different world and time ' than the real world of being treated for polio. The power of story linked with the bond of friendship creates an emotionally fulfilling tale. Giant-Slayer brings you into the day-to-day reality of having polio in 1955. The author portrays the hospital scenes with a blend of gentleness, humor, seriousness, and hope.

Reviewed by: adf

Date read: 6/28/2010

ISBN-10: 0385733763

ISBN-13: 9780385733762

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Quila, age twelve, lives with her father in a lighthouse during the mid 19th century. After a shipwreck, they rescue a baby named Cecelia, who floats to the lighthouse trapped between two mattresses. Soon after, Quila and her father struggle to keep the child when Cecelia's aunt comes to stay.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/13/2009

ISBN-10: 0440419700

ISBN-13: 9780440419709

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In ancient Sparta, a girl is sold as part of her father's rent. Her life changes when she takes on the appearance of a dead princess.

Reviewed by: St. Charles Reader

Date read: 11/12/2009

ISBN-10: 0385729456

ISBN-13: 9780385729451

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