The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

by Washington Irving
4 Stars
Children's Classic
Historical Fiction
Setting: Sleepy Hollow, NY
112 pages
Published 1819

Ellie's Review
To bring out the Halloween spirit (or spirits?), I read this classic American tale for the first time even though I've heard the retelling countless times and ways.  This short story was a quick and entertaining read and something people should read at least once in their lives.  I had never really known the truth about what happened between the Headless Horseman and Ichabod Crane.  (But does anyone really know?)

Book Summary
Since this story's first appearance in 1819, generations of readers, young and old, have thrilled to the Headless Horseman galloping through the haunted woods of Sleepy Hollow.

Note on Editions
While many editions of this classic tale are available, I recommend finding an illustrated copy to make reading it that much more fun!  I enjoyed the illustrations of Arthur Rackham who focused on the haunting spirits that the inhabitants of Sleepy Hollow saw in everything.

Gregor the Overlander (Underland Chronicles #1)

by Suzanne Collins
3 Stars
Children's Fantasy
Setting: NY
320 pages
Published 2003

Ellie's Review
This was a fun kids' book about a NYC brother and sister who fall through a laundry grate into the Underland where rats, bats, roaches, and spiders are huge and warring with each other. While I probably won't read any more in this series, I will recommend it to 8-year-olds, especially if they've ever been in a big city with those pests.

Book Summary
When eleven-year-old Gregor follows his little sister through a grate in the laundry room of their New York apartment, he hurtles into the dark Underland beneath the city. There, humans live uneasily beside giant spiders, bats, cockroaches, and rats—but the fragile peace is about to fall apart.  Gregor wants no part of a conflict between these creepy creatures. He just wants to find his way home. But when he discovers that a strange prophecy foretells a role for him in the Underland's uncertain future, he realizes it might be the only way to solve the biggest mystery of his life. Little does he know his quest will change him and the Underland forever.

Author Information
Gregor the Overlander is the debut novel from Suzanne Collins who is now best known for writing The Hunger Games series.

Read Ellie's 5-star review of The Hunger Games.

The 101 Dalmatians

by Dodie Smith
4 Stars
Children's, Classic
Setting: England
184 pages
Published 1956

Ellie's Review
The 101 Dalmatians is a splendid story from dogs' perspective.  Even though I pretty much have the Disney movie memorized, this plot had enough differences to keep my attention. It's very witty and enjoyable especially if you fancy dogs.

Book Summary
Pongo and Perdita have a litter of 15 dalmatian puppies. Cruella De Vil takes a fancy to the puppies and tries to buy them from their human owners, Roger and Anita. Cruella wants to get ahold of those puppies, as well as more puppies, to make herself a lovely dalmatian skin coat. Cruella hires some thugs to kidnap the puppies and hold them at an abandoned mansion. Now Pongo and Perdita must use an animal communication system to help find all the puppies.

See Ellie's review of I Capture the Castle, also by Dodie Smith.

Inkheart (Inkheart #1)

by Cornelia Funke
3 stars
Children's, Fantasy
Setting: Italy
548 pages
Published 2003

Ellie's Review
I was excited about the book in the beginning and the middle, but by the end I was ready for my next book. It was nice, but I don't think I'll read the others in the trilogy.

Book Summary
Twelve-year-old Meggie learns that her father, who repairs and binds books for a living, can "read" fictional characters to life when one of those characters abducts them and tries to force him into service.

A Christmas Carol

by Charles Dickens
4 stars
Children's, Classic, Fantasy
Setting: England
86 pages
Published 1843

Ellie's Review
I have seen the play many times but enjoyed the book even more! If you can find an illustrated copy, read that version. This was a help to get me into the Christmas Spirit.

Book Summary
A miser learns the true meaning of Christmas when three ghostly visitors review his past and foretell his future.

Holes (Holes #1)

by Louis Sachar
3 Stars
Children's
272 pages
Published 1998

Ellie's Review
Holes is a fun juvenile book to read - I saw the movie quite a while ago and liked it too. This has some good messages on crime and punishment and racism. I loved the Sideways Stories from Wayside School series also by Louis Sachar when I was younger.

Book Summary
Stanley Yelnats is unjustly sent to Camp Green Lake where he and other boys are sentenced to dig holes to build character. Stanley learns the warden has them digging holes for something else- but what?

Winner of the Newbery Medal 1999

The Phantom Tollbooth

by Norton Juster, illustrated by Jules Feiffer
4 Stars
Children's Fantasy
272 Pages
Published in 1961

Ellie's Review
I just read this book for the first time as an adult (how did I miss it growing up?). While many compare the tale to "The Wizard of Oz" or "Alice in Wonderland", I think of it as what Roald Dahl would come up with if writing a novel for School House Rock. I enjoyed the funny characters and the constant play on words. I now know what to have my kids read if they complain they're bored.

Summary
Ten-year-old Milo goes on an adventure though lands beyond to learn a few things after he's complained too long that he is bored.