Ready or Not: Kid Lit Reviews

Wizzil by William Steig (author) and Quentin Blake (illustrator). New York: Square Fish, 2015. Summary:   Wizzil tells the story of a bored witch named Wizzil and her parrot Beatrice, who decide to torment the Frimp family on a nearby farm. The book follows a series of humorous antics to a surprising ending. Awards:  2000 Booklist Starred Review Target Audience:  Ages 4-8 Strengths:  Humorous story and engaging watercolor illustrations; fun and colorful language; introduces young readers to complex characters through relatable situations Weaknesses:  Some language may be too advanced for the recommended age group (examples: "incognito" and "lit on his bald pate"); problematic character arc wherein the mean, nasty witch is transformed into a nice, feminine lady through the love of a man Meaningful/Creative Uses:  This book would be a good option for teaching metaphors, similes, alliteration, and other figures of speech. It might also generate a discussion on...

The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain by Peter Sis. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2007. Summary: The Wall is a 56-page memoir of the author's childhood behind the Iron Curtain. Through a mix of annotated illustrations, journals, and maps, Sis shares a wondrous vision of the world only possible through the eyes of a child, but he also explores the struggle of adolescence that comes with questions, doubts, and a new, more skeptical sense of reality. While the book addresses a period and place in history that might seem unfamiliar to young readers, the personal journey Sis undertakes is one any child would recognize. Awards: 2007 New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Book of the Year 2008 Caldecott Honor Book 2008 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year 2008 Boston Globe - Horn Book Award for Nonfiction Nominee for the 2008 Eisner Award for Best Publication for Kids Target Audience: Ages 8-12 Strengths: Colorful and engaging artwork; introduction ...