July 4th- Fractured Fairytales, Romance, and Chick-lit

The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs by: Jon Scieszka. Grade level: K-3.


This spin on the classic Three Little Pigs fairytale, tells the Big Bad Wolf's version of events. From his point of view, he describes how he travels to the three little pigs house to get sugar to bake a cake for his grandma. He claims that he had a dreadful cold, which caused his great big sneezes. Those ultimately let to the deaths of two of the pigs, and he was taught not to waste a good meal. He then stated that the last pig insulted his grandmother and that's when the police found him, he said that he was framed! I think that this is a great story to use alongside the original fairytale in order to teach kids about point of view. I thought this was a great version and I enjoyed it!



The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig by: Eugene Trivizas. Grade level: K-3.

After reading the above book, I decided to read another twist on the Three Little Pigs. In this twisted version, there are three little wolves that are attacked by a bad pig! Every house that they build, the pig tries to blow their house down! However, a new friend gives them flowers, and when the pig tries to blow down their latest house, he smells the flowers, suddenly becomes nice, and they all live happily ever after. I think that this is another great story for kids to compare to the original version of the story.



Confessions of a Shopaholic by: Sophie Kinsella. Grade level: 9-12.

 This story is about Becky Bloomwood and the tremendous amount of debt that she gets into due to her shopping addiction. Even when she knowingly gets herself into more debt, she convinces herself that she's buying things that are necessary. She even must begin lying about relatives dying in order to cover up the shenanigans that her debt has caused her. I found this story tremendously entertaining, because I am not a shopaholic at all. I would recommended it to any girl and definitely want to read the rest of the series now!

Ella Enchanted by: Gail Carson Levine. Grade Level: 3-5.

After someone in our class read this story and described it, I really wanted to read it! This story is about Ella who has been cursed to obey anyone that gives her any sort of command. She must then go on an adventure to try and break the curse so she can truly be herself and be happy! I think that this inverted fairytale was so funny and a really enjoyed the storyline. I think that this book would be great for young girls, who enjoy fairytales but are looking for something that's a little different, but a lot of fun!

The Notebook by: Nicholas Sparks. Grade level: 9-12.


I really wanted to read this story ever since I saw the movie, even though its a little different. This is the story about Noah and Allie, who reunite after being separated for fourteen years. They reminisce about how much they really loved each other even though they only had a summer romance. Allie discovers that her mother hid letters from Noah from her for years, and she soon must choose between Noah and her fiance Lon. The reader soon discovers that an older Noah is reading to his wife Allie, who suffers from Alzheimer's. This story really one believe in the power of true love, and i think i liked it more than the movie!


Something Borrowed by: Emily Giffin. Grade level: 9-12.


Yet another book that was turned into a movie, which i really did not like, but decided to read the novel to see how it was! The story is about a reliable Rachel, who always does the right thing for her sometimes obnoxious best friend Darcy. On her thirtieth birthday, Rachel finally confesses to Dex, Darcy's fiance, that she has feelings for him! The two begin an affair that forces Rachel to decide between what is right and what she really wants. I liked the book better than the movie, but I still wish that Rachel had handled it better somehow! I'm still deciding if I should read the rest of the series!


The Devil Wears Prada by: Lauren Weisberger. Grade Level: 9-12.


This story is about Andrea Sachs and her drive to break into the publishing world. She decides to take on the world of fashion, by becoming the personal assistant to Miranda Priestly, a high-maintenance fashion editor. She begins to sacrifice her family, friends, and her boyfriend in order to please her boss and further her career goals. By the end of the story, she finally realizes what she is giving up, gets fired and tries to repair her damaged relationships. I really liked this book and would recommend it!






Remember Me? by: Sophie Kinsella. Grade Level: 9-12.


I decided to read another book by Kinsella! This book follows Lexi Smart, who got in a car accident and her most present memories are from three years ago. While she is trying to connect the dots, she finds that she has changed a lot, has lost some friends, and married a very wealthy man. While she is trying to put together her present she finds out that it might not be picture perfect, when she meets a man who claims the two were having an affair. I really liked the book because you're trying to put the pieces together with her! Overall I really liked it!