Are You there God? It's Me, Margaret.

Title: Are You there God? It's me, Margaret.
Author: Judy Blume
Reading Level: 4th grade
Interest Level: 4-7th grade
Plot Summary: Margaret is a 12 year old that recently moved from New York City to the suburbs and wants to fit in at her new school. Her neighbor and classmate soon invites her to join a secret club of girls but Margaret soon finds out that the secret club is the girls talking about getting bras, if they've gotten their period and boys. They do things like write down their secret boy crush and do exercises to increase their bust. Margaret's issues don't end there, she also has the question of religion looming over her head. Her parents are not religious but her Jewish grandmother is pressuring her to chose Judiasm over Christianity. Having a Jewish and Christian parent has Margaret torn over what religion is the right choice and she starts to explore both options. Margaret confides to God about her problems and questions in an attempt to work out what is the right answer. Growing up isn't easy but talking to God seems to help Margaret.
Review: Judy Blume's classic is a must read for all tween girls. The book doesn't have much appeal to tween boys but tween girls can relate to the ups and downs of Margaret as she tries to navigate new friendships and religion. I think that Blume does a great job at touching on religion without venturing into uncomfortable discussions. Instead she shows a girls honest questions about religion. Margaret is searching for answers and her honest discussions with God are very revealing about how Margaret feels.
Reader Annotation: Margaret has a new town, new friends and a big religious question, so who does she go to for help? God of course.
Themes: puberty, religion, school
Read Alikes: Eleven by Lauren Myracle
Why for Tweens? This book deals with a lot of tween girl issues like boys, friendships, first periods, bras and figuring out your identity. I also think the addition of religion appeals to tweens who are starting to ask questions about their own faith and beliefs.

Hatchet

Title: Hatchet
Author: Gary Paulsen
Published: 1988
Awards: Newbery Honor Book
Reading Level: 6th grade
Interest Level: 5-8th grade
Genre: adventure, survival
Other Books in the Series: The River, Brian's Winter, Brian's Return, Brian's Hunt
Characters: Brian
Plot Summary: Brian's parents have recently divorced and Brian is now splitting time between his parents. Brian is sent to Canada to spend the summer with his dad but when his pilot suffers a heart attack and their single engine plane goes down in the Canadian wilderness Brian finds himself alone with only his hatchet. Stranded in the woods with no way to get help Brian learns to scavenge and hunt. Brian has to survive on the land around him but can he survive long enough to be rescued?
Review: The story highlights a boys fight for survival and how with will and determination a young boy can survive on his own. Considering that Brian is alone for most the story with very limited dialogue the story is still interesting. You wonder how long Brian will be trapped in the woods and if he will ever be rescued. The book makes you question whether or not you yourself could survive in Brian's situation. Watching Brian grow through the story is also really interesting. You see him become more confident in his own skills for survival. You also see him breakdown and struggle.
Reader's Annotation: Brian crash lands in the Canadian wilderness with only his hatchet for survival. Will he make it in the wilderness and will anyone find him?
Themes: survival, family
Read-alikes: Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen
Why for tweens? This book has huge appeal to tween boys with Brian fighting for survival in the woods. He has to hunt and scavenge for food which boys will enjoy reading about.

A Wrinkle in Time

Title: A Wrinkle in Time
Author: Madeleine L'Engle
Published: 1962
Awards: Newbery Medal (1963)
Reading Level: 4.7
Reading Interest: 5-8th grade
Genre: Classic, Science Fiction
Other books in the Series: A Wind in the Door, Many Waters, A Swiftly Tilting Planet, An Acceptable Time
Characters: Meg Murry, Charles Wallace Murry, Calvin O'Keefe
Plot Summary: Meg Murry is the only daughter in a very quirky family, lead by two brilliant scientist parents. But Meg doesn't fit in, she isn't successful at school and to make matters worse her father has been gone for over a year on some top secret mission for the government. Meg and the family are trying not to worry but when the letters stopped coming the family started to become concerned. Then a strange visitor, Mrs Whatisit shows up in Meg's home and soon she and her brother Charles Wallace as well as newly befriended Calvin are off on time traveling adventure with Mrs Whatsit, Mrs Who and Mrs Which to save Meg and Charles father and fight the darkness that threatens the world and the universe. The trio quickly learns that the universe is a large and dangerous place and that rescuing Meg and Charles' father will not be easy.
Review: The book is a classic and has stood the test of the time through wonderful and endearing characters, interesting storyline and relatable themes of good vs evil, love and family and courage against all odds. The book combines fantasy, philosophy, science fiction into one great story. The book has so many levels that a reader can dive into. It isn't a one dimensional story but instead deals with some complex and intricate themes of time travel and philosophy. The story challenges readers with ideas, vocabulary and story line. I did find parts to be a bit creepy, especially when Charles is possessed by the IT. I thought that Mrs Whatsit, Mrs Who and Mrs Which were great characters. They were strange and funny and obviously not part of this world. Le Guin obviously has a great imagination to create this story.
Reader's Annotation: Meg knows her father is still alive and on top secret mission despite what others may think. But Meg soon discovers that she has to be apart of her father's mission by traveling through space.
Themes: good vs evil, courage, individuality, family, love
Readalikes: Harry Potter, The Phantom Tollbooth, The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe
Why for tweens? This is a great book for tweens who are looking for a challenge. This fantasy series is complex and interesting twist and turns. Meg is the perfect awkward role model who in her own way still manages to be the hero.