BR 2-18: Huckleberry Finn

"You don't know about me if you have not read a book by the name of The Adventures of Tome Sawyer. But that doesn't matter" (p.1)

 Like this, this book is the continuation of a story. It's interesting! The other day, I've written a book review about The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.  In this book, Huckleberry Finn, Tom's friends, is main character! Of course, Tom appeared on the scene. I feel like they are alive. It's great!

  I chose this book because I've heard that this book is so famous. I'll go to the United States from next summer, so I decided to read a lot of American books. This time, I tried to read this book. The author is Mark Twain. This book is printed from IBC public. These series have word list, and it's kind for readers.

139 words

  Mark Twain. (2005). Huckleberry Finn. Tokyo, Japan: IBC public.

BR 2-17: The Great Gatsby

"Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone, just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had." (p.1)

Jay Gatsby is main character. He lives in a luxurious mansion, west egg alone. Nick Carraway is a narrator. He will tell us a lot of stories about Gatsby. Tom Buchanan is Daisy, Nick's cousin, her husband. Nick and Tom have known each other from their college lives. At first, you should know about these main characters. Except these characters, there are some characters, for example, Jordan Baker, George B. Wilson, and Myrtle Wilson... This story will give you time for thinkng about your lives. It's good chance I think.

 I chose this book because I watched a movie from the original by The Great Gatsby in a class. After watching movies, reading originals is easy I think. This time, that is so. Until I watched the movie, I haven't known about this name. However, this book is so famous. The author is F. Scott Fitzgerelad! This book is printed from IBC public. These series have word list, and it's kind for readers.

186 words

 F. Scott Fitzgerald. (2006). The Great Gatsby. Tokyo, Japan: IBC public.

BR 2-16: Thumbelina

"Here is a magic seed" (p.3)

Thumbelina is pretty and kind, and as tiny as your thumb. Once, there was a woman who wanted a child, and went to a fairy for help. The fairy gave her a magic seed, and inside was a tiny girl, no bigger than a thunn. She is Thumbelina. The woman made here a bed ouf of a walnut shell. It's so fantastic! However, one night, a large, lumpy tad crept throught the open window... she snatched Thumbelina as she slept! What would happen to Tumbelina?!

This is based on a story by Hans Chrisian Andersen, retold by Susanna Davidson, and illustrated by Petra Brown. This is USBORNE FIRST READING: LEVEL FOUR. I think these words are little difficulut, but illustrations will help you guess unknown words. It's good for us to study like that. The story is good, but I wonder where the frist woman goes...

[152 words]

Thumbelina. (2008). Thumbelina. London, England: Usborne.

BR 2-15: The Runaway Pancake

"I'm delicious but you'll never catch me!" (p.25)

When seven hungry children have pancakes for breakfast, one pancake refuses to be eaten... That is unbelievable. Just kidding, but the pancake jumped right out of the pan and rolled out of the door. The family, they all went running after runaway pancake. Can the runaway pancake escape from the whole family, the dog, the rabbit, the duck, the cat, the goat, the fox and a cunning pig!?

This is retold by Mairi Mackinnon, and illustrated by Silvia Provantini. This is USBORNE FIRST READING: LEVEL FOUR, but I don't think too difficulut. The illustration is so funny, so you can also enjoy them. Anyway, I recommend you to read this book when you are disappointed. This book maybe make you funny.

[149 words]

 Mairi Mackinnon. (2006). The Runaway Pancake. London, England: Usborne.

BR 2-14: Percy and the Pirates

"I've found a treasure map" (p.38)

Percy Pike and his family lived on a farm by the sea, and spent all day working in their tiny filed. However, there was never enough to eat. Early one morning, Percy came up with a plan, that is, fishing trip, but it runs into trouble. He's captured by pirates, but the capatain was terrible I thikn. Can Percy escape before he's forced to walk tha plank?!

 I chose this book because this book has really cute illustrations. This is written by Russell Punter, and illustrated by Kate Sheppard. It's USBORNE FIRST READING: LEVEL FOUR, but is easy to read. It has about 50 pages, but hasn't too many words. I recommend you to read this! After reading this, you maybe think about doing good things is very important!

[134 words]

Russell Punter. (2007). Percy and the Pirates. London, England: Usborne.

BR 2-13: Sonny Gets Lost

"Most of all, Sonny likes cats" (p.6)

Sonny, a big, black, shaggy dog, lives with Sandy. He really likes to sleep everywhere like in the sun, on the mat, and on the chair... also he likes men, for example, Greg, Mark, Dave, Dean and so on. Most of all, Sonny likes cats. He likes to run after cats! He runs after big cats, little cats, black cats, white cats, and so on. One day, Sonny ran after a black cat. The cat ran away down the road, so he did so. He did not come back, so Sandy, his owner, went to look for him. Where did he go? Could she find Sonny?

I chose this book because this book is good for children I think. This story is written by Josephine Selwyn, and illustrated by Stella Yang. This is MACMILLAN. Its YL is 0.5, so it is written only about 200 words (about 16 pages). I really recommend you to read this book to children. OR I recommend you to read this book as warm-up.

[176 words]

Josephine Selwyn. (2004). Sonny Gets Lost. South Yarra, Australia: Macmillan.

BR 2-11: The Cup in the Forest

"Look at this old cup, Nina!" (p.3)

Per and his girlfriend, Nina are on holiday in the country. While driving, they find beautiful forest. They stop the car and walk in the forest. But the forest is very dark and quit, so they are about to go back to the car. On the way to the car, he sees some old stones and they find an old cup. It's beautiful and very expensive! The forest is very dark and cold. They go... At that time, Per looks a man into the trees!?!? But, Nina can't see a man... Who is he?!

I chose this book because reading this book is good for me I think. This story is retold by Anne Collins. This is in the Penguin Readers and written in British English. Its YL is 0.8, so it is written only 980 words (about 15 pages). This story is little scary, so I recommend you to read this book as a warm-up.

[179 words]

Anne Collins. (2003). The Cup in the Forest. Essex, England: Penguin.

BR 2-10: Dick Whittington

 "Please give me your cat." (p.7)

This story is about a boy, Dick Whittington, 12, likes stories. One day, he goes to London, and he looks at the children in there. They have got sad faces. Dick is hungry, and he sits down next to beautiful house and goes to sleep. When he wakes up to find this house is Mr Smith's house. Maybe he has money I think. He has a friend who is the king's friends, and he goes to dinner at the king's castle. But something happens! The time, the key is cat. What is it??

I chose this book because illustrations look cute. This story is retold by Marie Crook. This is in the Penguin Young Readers and written in British English. Its YL is 0.5, so it is written only 360 words (about 14 pages). This story is fun, and I recommend you to read this book if you had free time. For your information, this book is too easy for English learners, so I recommend you to read this book as a warm-up.

[179 words]

Marie Crook. (2000). Dick Whittington. Essex, England: Penguin.

BR 2-09: The Elves and the Shoemaker

"Beautiful shoes!" (p.25)

This story is about a shoemaker. Until late night, He is making shoes. He is sad because his shoes are not beautiful. However, his wife says "Let's sleep now." In the morning, the shoemaker finds there are some beautiful shoes on the table. He is so happy. He puts the shoes in his shop, and a man who comes in says "Beautiful shoes!" The shoemaker finds some beautiful shoes on the table again in the morning. One day, the shoemaker and his wife don't go to bed and see something. What they see???

I chose this book because illustrations look cute and I don't know the word, elves. This story is retold by Marie Crook. This is in the Penguin Young Readers and written in American English. Its YL is 0.5, so it is written only 332 words (about 14 pages). This story is fun, and I recommend you to read this book if you had free time. For your information, this book is too easy for English learners, so I recommend you to read this book as a warm-up.

[183 words]

Marie Crook. (2000). The Elves and the Shoemaker. Essex, England: Penguin.

BR 2-08: Girl Meets Boy

"My plan worked, you see." (p.25)

This story is made up there points of view, that is, the girl, the boy and the town. (I can't understand it. haha Why is there the town's story???) At first, it is Donna's story. Her story starts in late July. It was the first day of her holiday. While having good time on the boat, she found him. He was really good-looking. She likes him. Second story is Mark's story. There were hundreds of people on the boat, but he found her. She is really good-looking with nice brown eyes and black hair. After that, what will they? What is my plan? Who said that?

I chose this book because I thought reading books from this level is good for present me. This story is retold by Derek Strange. This is in the Penguin Readers Beginner and written in British English. Its YL is 1.0, so it is written 1900 words (about 26 pages). Though there are more pages than usual, maybe you can read this book as usual. This story is little fun, and I recommend you to read this book if you had free time. For your information, this book is a black-and-white book.

[203 words]

Derek Strange. (1999). Girl Meets Boy. Essex, England: Penguin.

BR 2-06: Amazon Rally

"You're champions too." (p.15)

David and Brian are at Heathrow Airport in London. They are motorcycle racers from Enfield, a small town in England. They usually race in England, and in European countries, but this time they are going to Brazil. Racers from many countries are going there, too. They are all going to race across the Amazon jungle. A motorcycle rally in the Amazon jungle is a difficult race, you know... What will they? The Amazon Rally starts! The first day is OK. On the second day, the roads are not very good. On the third day, the racers are in the jungle. And then, second day in the jungle, a difficult day starts. The rain never stops and the road is very bad! What will they???

I chose this book because it looks fun. This story is retold by Eduardo Amos and Elisabeth Prescher. This is in the Penguin Readers Beginner and written in British English. Its YL is 1.0, so it is written 1900 words (about 15 pages). Maybe you can read this book for minutes. This story is interesting, and I recommend you to read this book.

[191 words]

Eduardo Amos and Elisabeth Prescher. (2000). Amazon Rally. Essex, England: Penguin.

BR 2-05: Mike's Lucky Day

"Can we start again? I'm going to be at the Broadway Coffee House this evening at 8:00. Can you meet me there? Please!" (Dunkling, 2000, p.15)

Mike, a new assistant to a van driver, and Bill are going to Morgan's now. Mr. Morgan's daughter, Jennifer, is always in the shop. First day, Mike and Jennifer made a favorable impression on each other (I think) and he likes her very much. Next Monday, Bill, the van driver, says to Jennifer "Jennifer has got beautiful eyes! And Mike likes your hair." Mike telephoned her later and she is going to the cinema with him. However... the date day, Mike gets a lot of problems, for example, no cars or buses in the street are moving... so he is very late and Jennifer isn't at cinema. What will he do after the bad day?

I chose this book reasonably but for the first time I thought I would like to choose this book as book reviews so I'm writing now. This story is retold by Leslie Dunkling. This is in the Penguin Readers Beginner and written in British English. Its YL is 1.0, so it is written 1900 words (about 15 pages) but this book is far shorter than I expected. Maybe you can read this book for minutes. This story is interesting, and I recommend you to read this book.

[228 words]

Leslie Dunkling. (1998). Mike's Lucky Day. Essex, England: Penguin.

BR 2-04: The Last Photo

"Now I can buy a very good new camera." (Smith, 1998, p.15)

Martin and his sister Pam are in Cambridge. They are looking at the beautiful old buildings of this University City. She has a camera and she likes taking photos. Sometimes they are very good but sometimes they are not good and Martin laughs at them. Before leaving, she decides to finish the film in her camera and tries to take a photo of Martin but... she can't. The last photo turns out to be very helpful for the police. What did she take???

I chose this book because I like taking photos. This story is retold by Bernard Smith. This is in the Penguin Readers Beginner and written in British English. Its YL is 0.8, so it is written 900 words (about 15 pages). Maybe you can read this book easily. I was able to read it in 4 minutes. This story is interesting, and I recommend you to read this book.

[164 words]

Bernard Smith. (1998). The Last Photo. Essex, England: Penguin.

BR 2-03: Marcel goes to Hollywood

"Of course they are happy. It's hot... The sky is blue... And they are in Hollywood." (Rabley, 2000, p.15)

Main characters of this story are French mice whose name are Marcel and Celine. Marcel is a detective and Celine is a painter. She is his friend. They are on holiday in Los Angeles and staying in the home of Arnold Waldmans. He is a famous film director, and his wife Claudia comes from Italy. On the first night, Marcel and Celine saw Arnold's daughter Lois were taken by kidnappers. What will Marcel and Celine do?　  　

I chose this book because I like this library. This story is retold by Stephen Rabley. This is in the Penguin Readers Beginner and written in British English. Its YL is 1.0, so it is written 700 words (about 15 pages). Maybe you can read this book in a few minutes. This story is interesting, and I recommend you to read this book. For your information, this book is comic.

[165 words]

Stephen Rabley. (2000). Marcel goes to Hollywood. Essex, England: Penguin.

BR 2-02: The Battle of Newton Road

"Battles aren't good. Let's say "no" to battles!" (Dunkling, 2000, p.15)

This is the story of a road, and a battle. The road is Newton Road, and this road is a happy road. Sally Robson who is a teacher lives there, near her school. One day, a civil engineer, whose name is Wood, said to want to knock down the houses and build a new road for you (= the people of Newton Road) but they are very angry because they think friends are most important, and started a battle. What will Sally, her friends and her students do...?

I chose this book because title looks so fun. This story is retold by Leslie Dunkling. This is in the Penguin Readers Beginner and written in British English. Its YL is 1.0, so it is written 1300 words (about 15 pages). Maybe you can read this book in some minutes. This story is heartwarming, and I recommend you to read this book.

[161 words]

Leslie Dunkling. (2000). The Battle of Newton Road. Essex, England: Penguin.

BR 2-01: The Blue Cat Club

"What's wrong? I don't understand. I... I'm sorry!" (Smith, 2003, p.13)

James and Chantal who live in a small town near Cannes, in France go to the Blue Cat Club. There's a cabaret. She loves magic, and they sit at a table at the front. Chantal is enjoying seeing Merlin, the Man of Magic but James is unhappy because the man is very friendly. Now two men bring a big, heavy box on to the stage. There are five holes in the front of the box and five long swords in the holes. The man wants a volunteer... What will James do?

I chose this book because illustrations looks so fun. This story is retold by Bernard Smith. This is in the Penguin Readers Beginner and written in British English. Its YL is 0.8, so it is written 900 words (about 15 pages). Maybe you can read this book in a few minutes. This story is exciting, and I recommend you to read this book.

165 words

Bernard Smith. (2003). The Blue Cat Club. Essex, England: Penguin.

I was a cat!?

　One day, I woke up to find that I’m not a human being.  I wasn't in my room.

“Oh my goodness! Where is here?”

“Unbelievable! Who am I?”

I was upset, but I who am not a human being was recovered my presence of mind unexpectedly early.

Because I felt as if I were in a dream!

But! Several minutes later, a black man entered the room and walked up to me.

He held me in his arms and said to me.

“Kitty! Kitty! How a cute you are!”

I tried to say “I’m not Kitty” to him, but the voice that came out from me was a cry.

“Mew. Mew. ”

I couldn't understand the situation, but I was a cat called Kitty.

At the time, a housekeeper entered the room and said him.

“Mr. Revels, there’s a telephone call for you!”

He responded “OK.” And he went out the room.

In the room, there are only two people, the housekeeper and I.

Then, the housekeeper talked to me.

“Kitty. Mr. Revels has a hard time to become the senator. His happiness is only playing with you! Please look after him.”

And the housekeeper went out the room too.

Several minutes later, he came and walked up to me.

He held me in his arms and said to me.

“I have a hard time now. But this hard time is to my family and black peoples in the world.”

First of all, I could understand the situation.

I’m a cat called Kitty. My owner is Mr. Revels who has a hard time to be the senator.

I began to pretend Kitty for the time being.

When he called Kitty, I cried.

When he talked to me, I cried too.

He had a wife and five daughters, but he didn't complain to them, because he didn't want them to worry about him.

He was a kind person.

Such one day, the day was an election day, he run into our room and said to me

“I became the first black senator! Thanks to you! Kitty! ”

He cried for joy.  I cried for joy too.

Just then, my body began to shine. “Mew. Mew. … Myuu”　

“Eh?”

“Oh!”

I began to speak language.

He was surprised at looking at me. 

I was surprised at too! But I could understand the situation.

I would return me, a human being. I said to him “Thanks to you! Good luck!”

(*I made this fiction story as my homework from American Affairs. How was it?)

455 words

BR 1-04: The Baobab Tree

"The Baobab tree talked a lot." (Stowell, 2009, p.8)

This story is based on a South African tale about a tree known as the baobab.
The baobab tree looks as if its roots are in the air, so people came up with stories to explain its strange shape.

A long, long, long, time ago African gods made the world.
One day, they made a talking tree that is called Baobab tree.
The baobab tree talked a lot.
"I don't like this soil."
"It's too hot."
"I'm cold."
"I'm thirsty..."
One day, the gods cried "Stop!"
What happen to the tree?
Why is the tree strange shape?

This story is retold by Louie Stowell. This is in the Usborne First Reading series.
It's a level 2 book, so it is short story (about 25 pages) and easy to read.
This story is interesting, and I recommend that you read this book.

Stowell, Louie. (2009). The Baobab Tree. London, England: Usborne.

[159 words]

BR 1-03: Stone Soup

"I can make soup from a stone" (Sims, 2009, p.6).

This story is based on an old folktale from Europe.
In some countries, it is called Nail Soup and a nail is used instead of a stone.

Once, there was a poor man.
He came to a cottage.
An old woman opened the door.
"May I rest here for a while?"
"No! Go away."
"I can make soup from a stone," said the man.
"You can?"...
What happens to her?
I though that if a poor man came to my cattage, what would I do.

This story is retold by Lesley Sims. This is in the Usborne First Reading series.
It's a level 2 book, so it is short story (about 30 pages) and easy to read.
I recommend that you read this book.

Reference

Sims, Lesley. (2009). Stone Soup. London, England: Userbone.

[142 words]



BR1-02: The Boy Who Cried Wolf

"I could make something happen." (p)

Every day, Sam takes the same old sheep up the same old mountain.
What can he do to make life a little more exciting?
Find out in this lively retelling of the classic story by Aesop.

This story is about Sam, some sheep, the villagers and (maybe) a wolf.
Every day was some for Sam.
Sam was lonely and he was so bored.
One day he had an idea.
"I could make something happen."

Probably everyone knows the story of this book, probably form Aesop. This story is based on a story by Aesop, retold by Mairi Mackinnon.

This version is in the Usborne First Reading series. It's level 3 book, so it is little long (about 50 pages) but easy to read.

151 words

Mackinnon, Mairi. (2008). The Boy who cried Wolf. London, England: Usborne.