Binocular Books

MY STAR RATING IS OUT OF THE SERIES (as you can see, its not my fav. Harry Potter). Author: J.K. Rowling Chapters: 17 Genre: Fantasy/Adventure Reading Level Grades 2-4 & Ages 7-10 Gender aim: Both Overview: Set in modern-day England, this book is the first in a 7-part series about a British boy name Harry Potter who finds out that he is a wizard “and a powerful one at that.” Harry has grown up with his aunt, uncle and cousin who are not magical, so upon turning 11 years old, he is surprised to learn that he has wizard blood and is invited to go to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Since his home life is not a loving environment, he is relieved and excited to go. Most of the story is set in the sorcery boarding school where we learn all about the world of magic which has been running in parallel to regular society all this time. Harry makes fast friends with Ron and Hermione. Although Harry’s now in a magical world, he still faces everyday problems like schoolyard bullies and unfair teachers. The story plot involves hunting for clues in order to save the Philosopher’s Stone from an unforseen villain. It’s a wonderful escape from real life, but in a realistic way. Challenges: There are a number of made up (magical) words in this book that may make it hard for beginner readers or second language learners to get momentum reading this book. Tips for Parents: As the first book in this series and Harry being so young, it is an age-appropriate topic to read. There is no romance, no violence, little fear of he-who-must-not-be-named, and there are zero references that might conflict with mainstream religion. At the end of the book there is a Highly recommend making your child read this book before they see the movie! It was a requirement at my house and I am grateful for that as I could use my imagination when reading.

MY RATING OF THIS BOOK IS OUT OF THE SERIES (you might notice that it is my fav. HP book). Author: J.K. Rowling Chapters: 18 Genre: Fantasy/Adventure Reading Level: Grades 2-4 & Ages 7-10 Overview: After his first year in Hogwarts, Harry must return to his unloving “family” which have invited guests. While these guests are in the living room, an uninvited one enters Harry’s room. This stranger continuously warns him not to attend Hogwarts that year. When the Platform 9 and ¾ wall doesn’t open for him and Ron, they make an escape in an illegal, flying car. While this is lucky, the house elf continues to warn Harry about the dangers of Hogwarts. Eventually, Harry is suspected of crime, which him and his friends plan to find the truth about. Challenges: There aren’t many challenges in this book if you didn’t have difficulty reading the first one but if you did, then it is around the same. Tips for Parents: This book does involve murder, blood, possession and violence which is why this book is best read before the movie is watched as the movie is more graphic than the book. It doesn’t offend religion as there is no reference to it.

Author: Carole Wilkinson Chapters: 24 Genre: Fantasy Reading Level: Grades 4-6 & Ages 9-12 Gender aim: Both Overview: Set in Han Dynasty China, around 2000 years ago. A nameless slave frees a dragon and is pictured as a sorceress. She learns how to use her qi while still taking care of an ancient dragon. She builds up a friendship with a voice in her head called Long Danzi. To be honest, I thought this book was really interesting and fun to read but it just moved waaaaaay to quickly - there were practically no breaks. Spoilers: So I thought the dragon stone was really suspicious until the end - it was an egg. The fact that Long Danzi abandoned Ping with HIS child was just… RUDE. And the fact that he was planning to force her onto this journey only to dump her at the end and let her walk for months back home, WHILE being a wanted sorceress is just EVIL! NON-SPOILER SECTION: I think that more people should read this book who like dragons. However the ending is VERY questionable when you think about it. Challenges: This book involves a few Chinese words but they are explained at the back of the book. Tips for Parents: This book includes magic/sorcery/alchemy as well as many fight scenes, sacrifices, multiple character deaths, and I guess - Dragon cruelty/mistreatment. This book shows bits of Chinese culture and beliefs 2000 years ago.

Author: Paul Gallico Pages: 240 pages Genre: Adventure Reading Level: Grades 2-5 & Ages 7-11 Gender aim: Both Overview Set in England/Scotland. When Peter Brown is transformed into a cat he must learn the rules and ways to be. With help from the supportive Jennie he learns lessons on friendship, trust and loyalty. I enjoyed this book while I read it but when I looked back on it I saw a lot of confusion in the book, around ⅔ through the book, I found that it dragged on endlessly. Spoilers: I mean Jennie absolutely found Mr Grim a toy and then suddenly she loves him? Paul, did you even plan out your ending before you started? I even had to read the first chapter 3 times in order to kinda understand the chapter! NO SPOILER SECTION: I do think that Paul had a great idea but a third through the book Paul didn’t know what to do with the story. By the end of the book, I think he built up too much tension which made the ending REALLY disappointing. I think that the only way to properly end this book would be ending on a cliffhanger or making a sequel. Challenges: Jennie does include a few words that won’t make sense but it is quite easy to read. Tips for Parents: This doesn’t really describe fights but it speaks about large masses of blood. There is fighting, murder and a coma. Those are the only things that you should note.

Two boys live in the Australian outback where you learn about all their little mischievous deeds. The book is essentially about Fred and George from the Harry Potter books but younger and less interesting. The book had a good antagonist but by the time it reached the point that would have been intense, the author stretched it out so far that it became very forgettable. On the bright side, the story’s characters were quite diverse. But in total, it was pretty forgettable. The two boys aren't very good role models. The novel is pretty easy to read and if you're going to read it I think it's good for 7+ years old.

Author: Katherine Rundell Chapters: 15 Genre: Adventure Reading Level: Writing level grades 2-4 & Ages 7-9. Theme level grades 4-7 & Ages 9-13. Gender aim: Girls (but its pretty even) Overview: Set around a hundred years ago, in Russia. You can usually tell who is a wolf wilder, they are usually missing the tips of a few fingers, toes and an earlobe. Feodora is a wolf wilder and when her mother is taken from her home, Feo is desperate to get her back. Her and a group, consisting of a thirteen year old soldier, a bunch of kids, a revolutionary and, of course, her pack, quest to retrieve her mother before she is executed. I loved this book. It was absolutely hilarious. It should TOTALLY be more known and deserves it. Challenges: Wolf Wilder is fairly easy to read with a couple of Russian word sewn into it. Tips for Parents: There is undescribed fighting, superstition and shootings. It does mention the bible.