Language Arts

Grade / Age level:

1956

Review:

Beany now sixteen, is a junior and busy with the school paper. More than anything else she wants the editor to pick her to go the school paper convention. Norbett Rhodes has moved to Ohio and suggested that Beany could date others. Devastated at first, Beany has made friends with Andy Kern who thoughtfully likes to keep things light (in the dating department). After promising her nice mother, Beany reluctantly befriends a new girl at school, Dulcie, who is a showoff and very flirtatious with the boys. Dulcie soon makes enemies with lots of the girls in school - including the editor of the paper. Beany is caught between a rock and a hard place because, while disapproving of Dulcie's behavior, she sees that underneath the tough exterior, Dulcie is a insecure girl without the benefit of the supportive family Beany has been blessed with. Meanwhile, Norbett Rhodes shows up, mysteriously seeking Beany's help. Martie Malone and his new wife are understanding through all of these escapades, but definitely not clueless. In the end intregrity wins out over trying to be popular for Beany and Dulcie's flirtatious ways cause her to lose the friendship of the one boy she really cared about. This story more seriously tackles issues about dating than the previous books do - especially the dangers of "going steady". The author subtlely (and at times not-so-subtlely) encourages good friendships and fun double-dating in the high school years rather than intense romantic relationships.

Publisher:

Image Cascade Publishing

Series:

Beany Malone

Number of pages:

285 pages

Additional notes:

This book was donated for review by Image Cascade

Review Date:

4-3-02

Sample Pages

Reviewed by:

TitleSort:

Make a Wish for Me

Meet the Malones

Author(s):

Lenora Mattingly Weber

Subject(s):

Grade / Age level:

1943

Review:

This is a charming and engaging story of a Catholic family living in Denver during World War II. The Malones - Beany (13), Johnny (15), Mary Fred (16) and Elizabeth (19) lost their mother several years before the story begins. Their father, Martie, is a respected newspaperman whose column is often assigned reading in the local schools. Mr. Malone is a loving father who frankly explains to his children that he's glad he doesn't have the means to spoil them, as he knows it's better for them to take initiative and responsibility for themselves. This first story focuses on Mary Fred and her adventures as a high school junior and the owner of a new horse. Mary Fred, Johnny and Beany all want to earn money for some pet projects, as so they decide to share the chores of cooking and cleaning rather than hire a new maid when "Mrs. no-complaint Adams" quits. When Mr. Malone is called away to Hawaii for several months, their grandmother Nonna, a fashionable interior-decorator, arrives with lots of nice things for the children...and her own ideas about how the family should live. Meanwhile, the most popular boy in school takes a sudden interest in Mary Fred. When Father sends three orphan children for the Malones to care for and Nonna wants to send them to an orphanage, some important decisions have to be made. Mary Fred eventually comes to a greater appreciation for her family and the things that matter most.

Publisher:

Image Cascade Publishing

Series:

Beany Malone

Binding:

Softcover

Number of pages:

195 pages

Review Date:

3-13-02

Reviewed by:

TitleSort:

Meet the Malones

Pick a New Dream

Author(s):

Lenora Mattingly Weber

Subject(s):

Grade / Age level:

Review:

Beany is disappointed in a newspaper job falling through and begins work at the Community Center with Carlton Buell.

Series:

Beany Malone

TitleSort:

Pick a New Dream

Something Borrowed, Something Blue

Author(s):

Lenora Mattingly Weber

Subject(s):

Grade / Age level:

Review:

Beany is offered the dream wedding by her step-grandmother who is a fashionable wedding consultant. Tempers flare and personalities clash as these dreams conflict with other, more important things.

Series:

Beany Malone

TitleSort:

Something Borrowed, Something Blue

Tarry Awhile

Author(s):

Lenora Mattingly Weber

Subject(s):

Grade / Age level:

Review:

Beany has a long engagement and is jealous of friends who marry quickly and hassle her about it.

Series:

Beany Malone

TitleSort:

Tarry Awhile

The More the Merrier

Author(s):

Lenora Mattingly Weber

Subject(s):

Grade / Age level:

Review:

Beany takes in boarders and deals with the guilt of a petty theft.

Series:

Beany Malone

TitleSort:

More the Merrier

Welcome Stranger

Author(s):

Lenora Mattingly Weber

Subject(s):

Grade / Age level:

Review:

Beany sympathizes with Tony Lombard who is dealing with guilt from a hit-and-run accident.

Series:

Beany Malone

TitleSort:

Welcome Stranger

A Boy and His Pony

Author(s):

C.W. Anderson

Subject(s):

Literature

"Bridge" Books A

Grade / Age level:

Grades K-2

1936

Review:

This book is about a boy and his horse. The boy and his horse like to go riding together. He got his horse for his birthday. And later on he saw a dog in the woods and brought it home. My four year old brother likes the story and so do I. I am six years old and I can read it. The other book that we have in the series is called "Blaze and the Indian Cave".

Publisher:

Aladdin Paperbacks

Series:

Billy and Blaze

Binding:

Softcover

Number of pages:

56 pages

Additional notes:

Reviewer age six

Review Date:

1999

Reviewed by:

Ria Van Hecke

TitleSort:

Boy and His Pony

Blaze and the Forest Fire

Author(s):

C.W. Anderson

Subject(s):

Literature

"Bridge" Books A

Grade / Age level:

Grades K-2

1938

Review:

My children have really enjoyed these simple stories about the adventures of a boy and his horse. Best for first through third graders - especially those who become proficient at reading when very young and not able to deal with more complex or mature themes. My oldest daughter fell in love with these books when she was six. She gobbled them up and they were a great bridge for her between easy readers and chapter books. My son, whose reading proficiency grew much more slowly, enjoyed them much later on. Here is a sample of the language:

In a flash Billy had his feet in the stirrups again; and they were off as fast as the faithful pony could go. Blaze was breathing hard now, but the farmhouse was near.

The length is significantly longer than the "easy reader" type books - with approximately 8-12 lines of text per page (charming black-and white illustrations are on every-other page).

In this story, Billy and Blaze discover a forest fire while taking a ride through the woods. They give it their all to go find help - jumping high walls and wide rivers and courage and determination save the day.

Publisher:

Aladdin Paperbacks

Series:

Billy and Blaze

Binding:

Softcover

Number of pages:

50 pages

Review Date:

5-23-05

Reviewed by:

TitleSort:

Blaze and the Forest Fire

Blaze and the Lost Quarry

Author(s):

C.W. Anderson

Subject(s):

Literature

"Bridge" Books A

Grade / Age level:

Grades K-2

1991

Review:

Billy visits with a friendly old neighbor who tells him of a quarry he used to visit as a boy the location of which had been lost to the townspeople for many years. With some clues, he and Blaze find the old quarry - a beautiful spot and a great place for swimming. They rescue and befriend a dog.

Publisher:

Aladdin Paperbacks

Series:

Billy and Blaze

Binding:

Softcover

Number of pages:

48 pages

Review Date:

5-23-05

Reviewed by: