Monday, March 8, 2010

Call it Courage by Sperry Armstrong

Sperry Armstrong (1897-1976)

Adventure Genre

Call it Courage Wiki Page

95 Pages





Main Characters
Mafatu
Uri (Dog)
Kivi (Bird)
Mother
Father
Step-mother
Kana
Timi
Tapu
Viri

Settings
Hikueru
The Island
The Ocean

Summary
Mafatu seeks to couquer his fears and goes off to a strange island with his trusty companion, Uri.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

When Zachary Beaver Came to Town by Kimberly Willis Holt

Kimberly Willis Holt (1960-Present)

Realistic Genre

Sorry, no Wiki Page or Sparknotes

227 Pages





Main Characters
Toby Wilson
Opalina Wilson
Otto Wilson
Cal McKnight
Kate McKnight
Charlie McKnight
Billy McKnight
Wayne McKnight
Zachary Elvis Beaver
Judge
Miss Myrtie Mae
Sheriff Levi
Paulie Rakin
Scarlett
Tara
Ferris
Juan Garcia
Malcolm

Settings
Antler, Texas
The Trailer
Home
Lake Kiezer
Scarlett's House
Gossimer Lake
The McKnight's
Bowl-a-Rama

Summary
When the "World's Fattest Boy" arrives in a quiet town in Texas, life in that town will never be the same.

Themes
Family
Friends
Abandonment
Bullings
Self-Discovery
Rudeness

Media
When Zachary Beaver Comes to Town-Movie (2003)

Awards
When Zachary Beaver Comes to Town-National Book Award
When Zachary Beaver Comes to Town-ALA Notable Book for Children
When Zachary Beaver Comes to Town-ALA Top Ten Books for Youngs Adults
When Zachary Beaver Comes to Town-School Library Journal Best Book
When Zachary Beaver Comes to Town-Horn Book Fanfare (1999)

Monday, February 15, 2010

Rascal by Sterling North

Sterling North (1906-1974)

Non-Fiction and Animal Genre

Rascal Wiki Page

189 Pages





Main Characters
Rascal (Racoon)
Sterling North
Theo North
Jessica North
Reverend Hooton
Wowser (Dog)
Oscar Sunderland
Herman Sunderland
Mrs. Sunderland
Pat Delaney
Slammy Stillman
Herschel North
David Wilard North
Elizabeth Nelson North
Uncle Justus

Settings
The Church
The Backyard
The Sunderland's
The Tree (Racoon Nest)
Earl's Hill
1918

Summary
Sterling discovers a baby rocoon and names him Rascal. They share fine moments together and create great memories.

Media
Rascal-Disney Movie (1969)
Rascal (Araiguma Rasukau)-Japanese Anime TV Show

Awards
Rascal-Newbery Honor (1964)
Rascal-Young Reader's Choice Award (1966)
Rascal-Sequoyah Book Award (1966)

Wait Till Helen Comes by Mary Downing Hahn

Mary Downing Hahn (1937-Present)

Fantasy/Supernatural Genre


184 Pages





Main Characters
Molly
Michael
Heather
Helen
Dave
Jean
Mr. Simmons
Miss. Wiliams

Settings
The Church-House
Harper House
The Pond
The Woods
The Graveyard

Summary
When Molly's mother gets re-married move into another house with their bratty step-sister Heather. She  becomes obsessed with a graveyard of a ghost that may lead her to her death.

Themes
Supernatural Things
Family Relationships

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Mossflower by Brian Jacques

Brian Jacques (1939-Present)

Adventure/Fantasy Genre

Mossflower Wiki Page

429 Pages





Main Characters
Martain the Warrior
Gonff the Mousetheif
Bella of Brockhall
Blacktooth
Splitnose
Tsarmina
Gingivere
Verdauga
Fortunata

Settings
Mossflower
Kotir Cell
Kotir Castle
Verdauga's Bedchamber

Summary
Martin the Warrior and his friend Gonff begin a great quest to defeat and kill the evil Queen Tsarmina.

Themes
Friendship
Good over Evil
Fairness
Freedom
Series
The Redwall Series
Lord Brocktree (2000)
The Legend of Luke (Part 2, 1999)
Martain the Warrior (1993)
Mossflower (1988)
The Legend of Luke (Part 1, 1999)
Outcast of Redwall (1995)
Mariel of Redwall (1991)
The Bellmaker (1994)
Salamandastron (1992)
Redwall (1986)
Mattimeto (1989)
The Pearls of Lutra (1996)
The Long Patrol (1997)
Marlfox (1998)
The Taggerung (2001)
Triss (2002)
Loanhedge (2003)
Rakkety Tam (2004)
High Rhulain (2005)
Eulalia! (2007)
Doomwyte (2008)
The Sable Quean (2010)

Media
Redwall -Audiobook
Mossflower-Audiobook
Mattimeo-Audiobook
Mariel of Redwall-Audiobook
Salamandastron-Audiobook
Martin the Warrior-Audiobook
The Bellmaker-Audiobook
Outcast of Redwall-Audiobook
The Long Patrol-Audiobook
The Taggerung-Audiobook
Triss-Audiobook
Loamhedge-Audiobook
Rakkety Tam-Audiobook
High Rhulain-Audiobook
Eulalia!-Audiobook
Doomwyte-Audiobook
Redwall-Opera (1996)

The Green Book by Jill Paton Walsh

Jill Paton Walsh (19370-Present)

Science Fiction Genre

(Sorry, no Wiki Page)

69 Pages





Main Characters
Pattie
Sarah
Joe
Father
Mary
The Giant Moth People
Jason
Jason's Father
Malcolm
Arthur
The Guide

Settings
Boulder Valley
Shine
The Spaceship
Earth

Summary
Pattie and her family escape a dying earth to another planet. They make discoveries and learn new things, as Pattie records every happening in the jornal she brought with her.

Themes
Survival
Cooperation and Callaboration

The View From Saturday by E.L. Konigsburg

E.L. Konigsburg (1930-Present)*

Realistic Genre

The View From Saturday Wiki Page

160 Pages





Main Characters
Mrs. Olinski
Nadia Daimonstein
Ethan Potter
Julian Singh
Noah Gershom
Mr. Singh
Dr. Rhomer
Mr. Fairbrain

Settings
Back-Stage
Knightsbrudge Middle
Epiphany Middle
The Bus
Sillington B and B
Room 12
Florida Beach

Summary
Four unlikely students (Julian, Noah, Nadia, and Ethan) become friends and go on to be an amazing academic bowl team.

Themes
-Friendship
-Perserverance
-Manners

Awards
The View From Saturday-Newberry Medal (1997)
*The only author to win a medal and an honor in the same year

Sunday, February 7, 2010

The Moves Make the Man by Bruce Brooks

Bruce Brooks (1950-Present)





280 Pages

Zlata's Diary by Zlata Filipovic

Zlata Filipovic (1980-Present)*

Autobiography Genre

Zlata's Diary Wiki Page

200 Pages





Main Characters
Zlata Filipovic
Malik Filipovic
Alicia Filipovic
Nedo
Mirna
Bobar Family

Settings
The Basement
1991-1993
Sarajevo
The House

Summary
An 11 year old girl writes in her diary about the horrors of a war going on in her country.

Themes
Relationships and Family
Zlata as a Role Model

*Zlata continued to write after the war in Sarajevo and was moved to Paris by UNICEF with her family. She was often called 'The Anne Frank of Sarajevo', though she did not like the term.

Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko

Gennifer Choldenko (1957-Present)

Realistic/Historic Genre


240 Pages





Main Characters
Moose Flanagan
Natalie Flanagan
Piper
Annie
Jimmy
Scout
Theresa
Onion (AZ105)
Mrs. Kelly
Al Capone

Settings
Alcatraz Island
1935
The House
School

Summary
When Moose's father gets a job on Alcatraz Island, he tries to fit in. But that can be pretty hard when he has an autistic "little" sister who seems to be rejected from every school she goes to. Can Moose make the school take her in?

Series
Al Capone Series
-Al Capone Does My Shirts
-Al Capone Shines My Shoes


Awards
Al Capone Does My Shirts-Newberry Honor (2005)

Friday, February 5, 2010

Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick

Rodman Philbrick (1951-Present)

Realistic Genre

Freak the Mighty Wiki Page

160 Pages





Main Characters
Maxwell Kane
Grim
Gran
Kenny "Killer" Kane
Keven Avery
Gwen Avery
Tony "Blade" D
Loretta Lee
Iggy

Settings
The apartment
The basement
Home
Kevin's house
The pond

Summary
It's hard for Max to make friends because his father was a murderer, but he meets a disabled kid named Kevin and they become friends.

Themes
-Friendship

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Patterson

Katherine Patterson (1932-Present)

Realistic Genre

Bridge to Terabithia Wiki Page

144 Pages





Main Characters
Jessie Oliver Aarons Jr.
Leslie Burke
The Aaron Sisters
Janice Avery
Miss. Edmunds
Prince Terrien (dog)
Mrs. "Monster Mouth" Meyers
Lesley's Parents

Settings
Terabithia
School
The Funeral Home
The Art Museum

Summary
When Jess meets a strange tomboy, they become friends and create a kingdom which they are the rulers of. Suddenly, Leslie dies and Jess has to deal with the sadness.

Themes*
-Friendship
-Childhood
-Imagination
-Individuality
-Terabithia
-Gender Roles
-The Creek
-The Rope

Awards
Bridge to Terabithia-Newberry Medal (1978)

Media
Bridge to Terabithia (PBS Television Film, 1985)
Bridge to Terabithia (2007)

* Here's a more specific view on some of these Themes:
Terabithia:
Terabithia is a symbol of a perfect world where children rule without the responsibilities of an adult.
The Creek:
The creek is a symbol of the imaginary world of Terabithia, and the hard, real world. When Leslie died in the creek trying to get to get to Terabithia, it showed that there is a large diffrence between the real world and an imaginary one.
The Rope:
The rope over the creek was the only way to get into Terabithia, and when the rope snapped, it symbolized the imaginary world, whiched died along with its queen when the rope broke.
Gender Roles:
Jessie's love of drawing was teased and his hobby is called a "girl's pastime". In his father's point of view is that as a male, he has to be brave and the responsible one in the family. When Leslie comes, all that changes. She is a true tomboy and plays sports and is nothing like the other girls.

Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech

Sharon Creech (1945-Present)

Realistic Genre

Walk Two Moons Wiki Page

288 Pages





Main Characters
Sal
Phoebe Winterbottom
Gramps
Gram
Mr. Winterbottom
Mrs. Winterbottom
Ben

Settings
The car
The house
The hospital
The bus

Summary
While on a road trip with her grandparents to find her missing mother, Sal tells her mother's story.

Themes
Memory of the past
Empathy as a source of understanding

Awards
Walk Two Moons-Newberry Medal (1995)

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle

Madeline L'Engle (1918-2007)

Fantasy Genre

A Wrinkle in Time Wiki Page

230 Pages





Main Characters
Meg Murray
Charels Wallace Murry
Calvin O'Keef
Mrs. Whatsit
Mrs. Which
Miss. Who
IT
Aunt Beast

Settings
Uriel
Camazotz
Lxchel
Cavern in Orion's Belt
An unnamed 2-D Planet

Summary
Meg, Charles Wallace, and Calvin are led by the three mysterious "Mrs. W's" to rescue Dr. Murray, Meg and Charles Wallace's missing father.

Series
Time Quartet
-A Wrinkle in Time
-A Wind in the Door
-A Swiftly Tilting Planet
-Many Waters
-An Acceptable Time

Awards
A Wrinkle in Time-Newberry Medal (1962)
A Wrinkle in Time-Sequoyah Book Award
A Wrinkle in Time-Lewis Carroll Shelf Awards
A Wrinkle in Time-Runner-Up for the Hans Christian Anderson Award

Media
A Wrinkle in Time (Television Movie, 2003)

No More Dead Dogs by Gordon Korman

Gordon Korman (1963-Present)

Realistic Genre

No More Dead Dogs Wiki Page

180 Pages





Main Characters
Wallace Wallace
Mike "Feather" Wrigly
Rick Falconi
Steve Cavanaugh
Mr. Fogelman
Rachel Turner
Dylan Turner
Trudi Davis
Other Cast

Settings
Wallace's House
The Set
School

Summary
For Wallace Wallace, honesty isn't the best policy, it's the only one. His "policy" gets him into a detention to help out school production of Old Shep, My Pal. When he joins the cast, changes are made and things happen.

Themes
-The show must go on!
-Friendships and Relationships
-Choices
-Truth and Honesty

Invitation to the Game by Monica Hughes

Monica Hughes (1925-2003)

Science Fiction Genre

Invitation to the Game Wiki Page

192 Pages





Main Characters
Lisse
Scylla
Karen
Trent
Benta
Alden
Katie
Rich

Settings
2154 A.D.
The Designated Area
The Games
Prize
The Club

Summary
Lisse and her 7 friends are unemployed after graduation when they discover The Game. It takes over them. They sleep, eat, and live for The Game.

Themes
Surival
Cooperation and Teamwork

Monday, February 1, 2010

The House of Dies Drear by Virginia Hamilton

Virginia Hamilton* (1936-2002)

Adventure/Historical Genre

The House of Dies Dear Wiki Page

244 Pages





Main Characters
Thomas Small
Mr. Pluto
Mac Darrow
Mayhew
Billy and Buster Small
Pesty

Settings
North Carolina
Ohio
The House
The Church

Summary
When the Smalls move into an old house in Ohio, strange things begin to happen.

Themes
Families and Friendships
Self-discovery and self-acceptance
Don't judge a book by its cover

Series
The Dies Drear Chronicles
-The House of Dies Drear
-Mystery Of Drear House


* Hamilton died of breast cancer in 2002. During the author's lifetime, she received numerous awards, including the Edgar Allan Poe Award, the Coretta Scott King Award, the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, and the Hans Christian Andersen Award.

Loser by Jerry Spinelli

Jerry Spinelli (1941-Present)

Realistic Genre

Loser Wiki Page

218 Pages





Main Characters
Donald Zinkoff
Andrew Orwell
Polly Zinkoff
Hector Binns
Claudia
Gary Hobin
Miss. Meeks
Mrs. Biswell
Mr. Yalowitz

Settings
School
Home

Summary
Donald is branded as 'diffrent' and a 'loser' right away at school, but he is unsuspecting and kind to everyone anyway.

Themes
Don't listen to what other people say about you
Live life without a care

Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis

Christopher Paul Curtis (1953-Present)

Historical/Ethnic Genre

Bud, Not Buddy Wiki Page

245 Pages





Main Characters
Bud Caldwell
Todd Amos
Herman E. Calloway

Settings
The Orphanage
Flint, Michagan
The Amos'
Owosso, Michigan
Grand Rapids, Michigan

Summary
Bud runs away from the orphange in search of the father that left him when his mother died.

Themes
Family and Relationships

Awards
Bud, Not Buddy-Coretta Scott King Award (2000)
Bud, Not Buddy-Newberry Medal (2000)

The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros

Sandra Cisneros (1954-Present)

Realistic/Ethnic Genre

The House on Mango Street Wiki Page

110 Pages





Main Characters
Esperanzo Cordero
Nenny Cordero
Sally
Rachel
Lucy
Mama

Settings
The House
In the Street

Summary
Esperanza moves into a new neighborhood and fares the influences and experiances that come in vignettes*.

Themes
Eseranza as a Role Model for readers
Self-Definition and Coming-of-Age

Awards
The House on Mango Street-The American Book Award

* Vignettes are short peices of writing that are not quite long enough to be stories, but too long to be poems

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Frances Hodgson Burnett (1849-1924)

Classic Genre

The Secret Garden Wiki Page

234 Pages





Main Characters
Mary Lennox
Archibald Craven
Colin Craven
Mrs. Medlock

Settings
The Secret Garden
The Manor

Summary
Mary and Colin discover a secret garden, along with the meaning of life.

Themes
-The healing powers of the mind
-The healing powers in living things (The garden plants)

Media
The Secret Garden (Movie, 1919)
The Secret Garden (Movie, 1949)
The Secret Garden (Movie, 1993)
The Secret Garden (Television Series, 1952, 1960, 1975)
The Secret Garden (Television Adaption, 1987)
The Secret Garden (Broadway Musical, 1991)
The Secret Garden (Theater Adaption, 2007)*
The Secret Garden (Japanese Animated Movie, 1991)
The Secret Garden (Television Animated Movie, 1995)

* This play was in the point of view of The Garden Tree (the tree Lilias Craven fell off of and died)

The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander

Lloyd Alexander (1924-2007)

Fantasy Genre


217 Pages





Main Characters
Taran
Hen Wen (Pig)
Princess Eilonwy
Flewddur Fflam
Gurgi

Settings
The Forest
Caer Dathyl
Spiral Castle

Summary
Taren meets new friends in a wild chase for a run away oracular pig.

Series
Chronicles of Prydain
-The Book of Three
-The Black Cauldron
-The Castle of Llyr
-Taran Wanderer
-The High King
-The Foundling and Other Tales from Prydain

Media
The Black Cauldrun (Movie,Walt Disney)
The Black Cauldrun (Video Game)

Awards
The High King-Newberry Medal
The Black Cauldron-Newberry Honor
Chronicles of Prydain-American Book Award

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Welcome

Welcome to the Pink Panthers Blog Site made for Pink Panther BoBers! I will start posting stuff about the 2009-10 books soon. Each post is about a book on the list, and the list is according to the order of the book
I have read so far, I am sorry for the inconvenience though.

Each post will have:
-The author's name, birth date and death date, if there is one (I put it in because I thought it would be   intresting to know what era they lived in)
- The title
-A list on main charactors
-A list of settings
-The summary (written by me)
-The name of the series and other books in that series if there is one
-Media information (television shows, movies, video games, plays, ect.)
-Awards the book/series may have won
-Any major themes of the story
-A picture of the book
-The number of pages in that book
-a link to wikipedia or sparknotes

Oh, and I think SparkNotes.com is a great source for book reports and stuff like that, it has helped alot with this blog. Visit and look around

Thank You! I hope you enjoy the site.