Carbon Diaries 2015 by Saci Lloyd

Laura Brown, a teen age girl in London during the decade of the 2010's, chronicles the year of England's experiment with carbon rationing.  Unfortunately for Laura and her friends, the rationing is not phased in but rather a major jump all at once making the learning curve steep and difficult.  No one is truly prepared for the changes that occur as rationing and the ripple effects progress through the early months of hte year. 

Laura's family does not cope well during 2015 but in her neighborhood, this does not appear to be unusual.  Several families struggle to survive as carbon rationing leads to other forms of rationing, food shortages and a host of other problems.   One of Laura's favorite forms of relaxing, playing in the band she has with her friends, costs so many carbon credits that they can't practice as often as they used to which adds to her stress.  But life goes on.  

Lest one think Saci Lloyd has written a completely depressing and negative story about 2015, there are funny stories, and high points to Laura's life during the year.  Boys come and go, school goes on albeit in different ways, concerts are still an option and life still includes parents, teachers, friends and sisters.  

This novel provides an insightful look into the possible reality we all may face in the future.  The only thing worse is that it is a youth that is facing this new future.   Reading this novel can certainly shed light on how we can prepare for what might be coming.  And it is a good read over all. 

Ms. Lloyd has definitely written an intriging and thought provoking book.

Age range: 12 to 16 years old

Lloyd, S. (2009). The carbon diaries 2015 . New York: Holiday House.

Avalon High: A Disney TV movie

This delightful, made for television movie, based on Meg Cabot's book, Avalon High is an inviting twist on a traditional tale.  Ms. Cabot does an incredible job of pulling tweens into the story of King Arthur and his court using a modern high school and the dramas of "normal" high school life. 

Allie is the new kid in school once again.  The only child of professors who specialize in medieval history and literature, her world is routinely thrown into chaos as her parents move from university to university.  Imagine the joy when she gets to history class to find out her text book was written by her parents- ouch!  But life isn't all bad.  She makes the track team, meets the football star, Will,  and settles in quickly only to be startled when her parents spring another surprise.   Luckily for Allie, this time, her parents have been offered a multi-year contract so she can actually stay for 3 years and graduate from Avalon High School. 

As the fall progresses, lessons in history bring to light some interesting theories and myths about King Arthur and his possible return.   Can Allie, Will and their friends figure out all the clues before the time comes?  Can they determine who the evil Mordred is and how he will act?

Or are the myths just that?  Is anything going to happen at all? 

This movie, although set in high school is clearly geared toward the 10 to 14 year old age group.  There are sub-plots that twist and turn throughout the movie making it fast paced and enjoyable.  It debued on Disney Channel on November 12th and can be seen via reruns on Disney Channel or by checking http://www.disney.com/. 


Cabot, M. (2006). Avalon High. New York: HarperCollins Publishers.

Gillard, S. (Producer).  (November 12, 2010). Avalon High.  California.

Betti on the high wire by Lisa Railsback

What happens when a young orphan girl living in a war torn village of a foreign country is suddenly thrust into a new, American family?  Well, Babo is about to find out whether she likes it or not.  For her rough life in the old circus campground may seem wonderful to her but that is only because she does not remember any better. 

Babo's current life revolves around gathering food, keeping the younger kids safe and out of trouble and watching out for soldiers.  For the country is still in the midst of a war and everyone must be careful, even the orphans. But when the visitors come and pick Babo (soon to be know as Betti) and George, she is stunned and fearful.  What will life be like in America and how will her real parents find her if she is gone?  

Once Betti gets to America and sees her new parents again, life becomes even more scary.  She doesn't speak or understand the language, people want to take away her most precious possesions, and she is supposed to go somewhere called "camp"  with her new sister, Lucy.  Plus, to punish people who are bad, they are locked up in the box thing called television and forced to perform "shows".  The new country is very scary and Betti just really wants to go back to her little circus camp with her friends. 

Perhaps if she is bad enough, her new parents will send her back?  When Lucy gets injured while the girls are being naughty, Betti things maybe this is the ticket home.... but will it be?   Only time will tell.

This novel captures the fears and concerns of all children facing tough new living situations, whether it be a new step parent, an adoption, or even the fears of moving or a new child.  Some of each of those fears can be found in this heart renching story.

age range: 9 to 14

Railsback, L. (2010). Betti on the high wire . New York: Dial Books.

Teresa of Calcutta: Serving the Poorest of the Poor

D. Jeanenne Watson did a masterful job of writing this biography of Mother Teresa, one of the best known nuns in all the world.  Starting with Teresa's youth and progressing through her novitiate, training, final vows and teaching.  But growing up dreaming of helping in India did not include teaching the upper crust girls of India's elite. 

Sister Teresa wanted to help the poor people that lived in the slums of India, those who were ignored everyday and considered less than human.  But to do so she had to break through not just barriers in the Catholic church but also the caste system that existed and still exists in India today.  While not easy to do, she took the steps necessary to create a new order of nuns dedicated solely to the care of the poor. 

While most of us would think starting a charity is not that hard, leaving an order of nuns is definitely not an easy thing to do.  Especially not when one wants to leave a cloister (home for nuns away from the public) and live among the public.  Before the middle 1960's this was simply not a normal situation for nuns and required permission from the Pope.  Although Sister Teresa was hopeful, she could not know for sure that she would be allowed to start her own order until the approval came through.   Eventually the letter came through with strict requirements for the order to grow and retain new members over a 10 year period or the order would be disbanded.   Nothing like serious stress to provide incentive.   Whether it is luck, incentive or just a gift from God, Sister Teresa soon has numerous young women clamoring to join her order and help the poorest of the poor.  

Mother Teresa, as she becomes as the head of the order, sets a wonderful example for the people around her and those who can only read of her great works and gifts.  Nothing was ever impossible for her and she never gave up on something she knew needed to be done.  

This biography is riveting yet at times, emotionally overwhelming.  A choice selection for school work, personal or enrichment reading, everyone can learn something from the story of Mother Teresa, her early years and her determination to make life a little better for the poorest of the poor.

Age range: 9 to 12 years old

Watson, D. J., & Lawson, R. (1984). Teresa of Calcutta: serving the poorest of the poor. Milford, Mich.: Mott Media.

A Little House of Their Own by Celia Wilkins

Caroline Quiner has not always had an easy life but now that she has graduated from teacher school and is starting to teach school back in her home town, she is faced with living at home but being an adult.  Her students also include a few of her siblings which could cause problems during the school day.

But her first day goes well and Caroline loves teaching the Concord school near her home.   Her students are mostly girls as the older boys are needed on the farms to help with the planting and tending the crops.   But it is a good mix for her first school.

So starts the last book of the Caroline Series about the mother of Laura Ingals Wilder, Caroline Quiner.  During the first 6 books, Caroline deals with growing up in town, to moving west and losing her father, optaining a stepfather and growing up.  Now, as a teacher, she is working to help her parents and enjoying it. 

But life is never as easy as that.   When the neighbor boy, Charles Ingals,  comes back from out west, their friendship might be turning into something else.  What should Caroline do?  If she marries, she can no longer teach (yes, that was the reality in the 1800's) and her parents sacrificed a lot to send her to school.  A dilemna that everyone faces: what to do when faced with career versus marriage?  

As Caroline and Charles struggle to determine what is best for each of them individually and together, life continues on with sibling marriages, teaching, farming and eventually make a decision. 

Age range: 9 to 12

Wilkins, C. (2005).   A little house of their own . New York: HarperCollins.

Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls: Stage Fright by Meg Cabot

Meg Cabot has written a great series geared toward tween age girls and the problems they face.  Allie is the oldest child in her family, the only girl and in 5th grade.   She and her friends are excited to learn that their class will be putting on a play for the schools open house.  As they discuss each of the possible parts, some of them seem made specifically for the girls until the big part. Allie and one of her friends, Sophie each wanted to be Princess Penelope. 

What can Allie do?  Should she let Sophie try out without competition?  And what happens when the part is assigned?

Once all the parts are assigned and rehearsals start, life only gets more complicated!   Several of the class members decide to be difficult and cause problems with the play.  Meanwhile, home life at the Finkle's house is getting stranger with Mrs. Finkle's new job as a movie reviewer for the town cable channel.  And Allie is dealing with her little brothers who live to drive her nuts (or so she thinks). 

What can Allie do to help her friends feel good about the play?  Can they pull it off with last minute changes and substitutions?

Overall, Ms. Cabot puts a great twist on typical life events in a 5th grade girls life.   The anxiety, the stress, the hormones, etc can be looked at from a fun angle that help put some not so funny situations in a better light. 

A must read for tween girls for some fun and giggle time.

Age range: 8 to 12 year old

Cabot, M. (2009). Stage fright . New York: Scholastic.