Literature Circles - Out of the Way! Out of the Way!

Summary

In this story there is a boy who finds a tree in the middle of a path.  This story takes place in a very crowded village.  But the tree is in the middle of a path so on every page it says, “Out of the way!  Out of the way!”  That’s why the book is called Out of the Way! Out of the Way!  Even though those words sound annoying it’s actually not. 

Theme

I think the author is trying to establish that a little thing can make a big difference.

Character

A nice and helpful little boy seems to like nature so much he plants a tree in a path were everyone walks.  The little boy has been yelled at so many times but the tree still grew.  He is a little boy with black hair and usually wears different cloths.

Review by Lily 
I really like this book Out of the Way! Out of the Way! a lot because it’s a little crazy in the town in the story.  It’s a little crazy in the town because it’s crowded everywhere.

My favorite part is when the boy in the story saw the tree and put rocks around it.  It’s my favorite part because he likes the tree a lot.  And also he’s helping it grow.  I like trees to, that’s why it’s my favorite part. 

I think this would be a good book for beginner readers since it only has 3-4 sentences per page.

Review by Alex (3)

I really recommend this book for kids that like to read.  My favorite part is when the boy brings nice things to the path.  I really like the book because one boy turned a regular town into a happy place.

Literature Circles - Yuko-chan and the Daruma Doll

Summary

Yuko-chan wants to help rebuild her village.   The volcanic eruption of Mt. Asama made some people die and a lot of people sick.  Can Yuko-chan save her village?  Or will it be too late?

Theme

Helping your village and believing in yourself are the themes of this book.

Character

Yuko-Chan is a very caring girl because she feed fishes when the fishes are hungry.  Her name means Warm Water girl.  She has shiny black hair.  Yuko-chan lives in Japan.  She lives in an orphanage with Osho-san.   Yuko-chan is blind and has an eye-seeing dog named Shiba.  Yuko will try to help and recover her village from the volcanic eruption.

 

Review by Hannah

I like the book Yuko-chan and the Daruma Doll because the author makes you feel like you are really in Japan.  If you like stories about believing in yourself then you should read this.  Sunny Seki is a talented author and illustrator and she writes amazing adventures.  I recommend the book Yuko-chan and the Daruma Doll because it is the best story ever.

Review by Ryan (22)

I like the part when they saved the village from the volcano because it’s interesting that they can save the village by selling the doll to raise money.  I recommend this book because it has a lot of action such as falling off a cliff and making the daruma doll.

Review by Aliza

I like Yuko Chan and the Daruma Doll because it means to believe and never give up.  Sunny Seki is a great author and if you like adventures books she’s the correct author for you.  I recommend it because it’s a good book because it gives lots of details I hope you enjoy it too!

Review by Tsubasa

I like Yuko-chan and the Daruma Doll because Yuko-chan is an adventure girl.  I recommend this book for people who like adventure books.   My favorite part is when Yuko-chan catches the thief because she’s like a police and catches the thief.  I think you should read this book because it is an awesome book.