Rooftoppers by Katherine Rundell is my favorite book of all time. It’s an absolute must read for anyone who likes adventure, amazing details, incredible plots, and beautiful metaphors. The story is about a twelve-year-old girl, Sophie, who is being raised by a man in Victorian times. Charles finds Sophie, a shipwreck survivor, in a cello case floating in the middle of the sea. He raises her to be a smart, bookish, inquisitive girl—and allows Sophie to write on the walls and wear pants. The child authorities do not approve, to say the very least. So Sophie and Charles run away to Paris to find Sophie’s long-lost mother, who is believed to be dead. In Paris, Sophie meets Matteo and his band of rooftoppers, a group of kids who live secretly on the rooftops of Paris. The rooftoppers help Sophie in her quest to find her mother. The book has very complex humor. There’s the occasional piece of dialogue that I find rather funny. For example, when Sophie is saving some food for Matteo and she tells Charles that she’s stuffed, his reply is, “Really? You’ve already hidden your bread roll in your pocket. And if I’m not mistaken, there’s an apple in your sock. What are you stuffed with?” Charles has interesting ideas about life, for instance he says, “Organizations, Sophie, are much less clever than human beings. Especially when that human being is you. Remember that.” One of the best parts about the book is that I’m pretty sure we can all identify with at least one of the characters. Some of us are like Sophie, and believe in something nobody else believes in. Some are Charles, who love to read and have a unique outlook on life. Some are Matteo, who “do not want too much human in their life.” And some of us know a dreaded Miss Eliot, who inspects Sophie and Charles’ house and makes commentaries on how they live, and crushes Sophie by telling her that her mother is dead, time and time again. Rooftoppers rotates around multiple themes. One theme is the true meaning of love. Even though Charles isn’t technically Sophie’s parent, he still loves her like he would have had she been his own kid. He protects her and sacrifices for her even though they aren’t related. Another theme is perseverance. Even though everyone contradicted her, Sophie goes on believing that her mother is still alive, and is determined to find her. The rooftops of Paris play an important role in the story. Rooftops brought Sophie and Matteo together. Rooftops will lead Sophie back to her mother, if she is still alive. And, most of all, the rooftops are the place where Sophie has all her life-changing adventures. Every single time I read it, I want to be one of the characters. Rooftoppers is so well-written that I can’t stand not being able to experience the story for myself. I highly recommend it, and all the other books by Katherine Rundell. I guarantee you as soon as you read the first word, you’ll be hooked on the world of the rooftoppers. Rooftoppers by Katherine Rundell. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2013. Buy the book here and support Children’s Art Foundation-Stone Soup in the process! Have you read this book? Or do you plan on reading it? If so, comment below!
Book Reviews
Wonder, Reviewed by Grace Dotson, age 9
Wonder, by R. J. Palacio, is a story about a fifth grade boy named August Pullman (Auggie for short). Auggie has a craniofacial difference, which means he was born with a face that is different than most. He had to go through a whole bunch of surgeries to reconstruct his face, he had a breathing tube, and a tube in his stomach for eating. Auggie’s mom homeschooled him because he spent so much time in the hospital. Now Auggie is going to public school for the first time, and on top of that it is the beginning of Middle School. He’s worried about being made fun of because of his face. The author divides the book into eight sections, each told from a different perspective of someone whose life intertwines with Auggies. This helps us, as readers, find out how each character reacts to having August at Beecher Prep. Auggie’s first weeks at school are a bit rough. When all the kids see him they quickly look down and then avoid eye contact. This makes him feel upset, but he’s used to it by now. As the year goes on Auggie makes some true friends (and enemies). Summer Dawson and Jack Will prove to be on his side from the start and they stand up for him with kindness. On the other hand, Julian, Henry, and Miles are rude from the complete start and bully Auggie through the whole school year. For example, Julian writes notes like “Yo Darth Hideous. You’re so ugly you should wear a mask every day.” He puts these in Auggie’s locker to make him feel bad about himself. Some of the nicknames that Auggie was called include: Ratboy, Freak, Monster, Freddy Krueger, E.T., Gross Out, Lizard Face, and Mutant. As I read all the horrible things that were done to Auggie by his classmates, I felt terrible for Auggie. I even cried many times throughout the book because I couldn’t stand how his peers treated him. My heart was fractured. As sad as this is, I couldn’t put this book down because I wanted to see what happens next. Mr. Browne, who is the English teacher, would write monthly precepts on the board. Precepts are small pieces of advice to remember throughout your whole life. For example, “When given the choice between being right or being kind, choose kind.” This stuck out to me because the author is trying to persuade the readers to be more kind in this world. I think that’s what this whole book is about. Being kind is close to my heart because I, myself, am a peacemaker. I can’t stand it when people are rude. One of the first things I was taught was to be kind, and you will make a difference in the world. I’ve learned that it is easy to be kind. Last year I stuck up for a classmate that was being picked on, multiple times. I volunteered to make valentines and May Day baskets for elders. I helped raise money for a kid who needs a bone marrow transplant. When I help others it warms my heart, but more importantly it shows other people that somebody cares. That’s what this book is all about, showing kindness to those who need it. I love the character of Auggie and all that he’s taught me. I recommend this book to those readers that are looking for a heartwarming story. This is a book that you will remember for your whole life. Wonder by R.J. Palacio. Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2012. Buy the book here and support Children’s Art Foundation-Stone Soup in the process! Have you read this book? Or do you plan on reading it? If so, comment below!
Hoops: Elle of the Ball, Reviewed by Christine Chang, age 10
In Hoops: Elle of the Ball, Elle is the type of girl who would prefer basketball over dancing. Especially since she’s six feet tall at age twelve. And, for the past few months, this has worked out fine for her. But, when the new school year comes, and her new coach sees her height, she has high hopes for Elle to be a great player in a new position. Unfortunately, Elle isn’t used to being so tall! She keeps on tripping over her feet and stumbling. Not only does she have to amp up her basketball practice, but when the school announces their annual mandatory cotillion, Elle is in for a hard time. Wait, what? She is going to be dancing for a grade with a boy much shorter than her, and she’ll be performing in front of the whole school? Elle must find a way to keep up her passion for basketball and learn to please others as well. I think the author of this book, Elena Delle Donne, WNBA MVP and Olympic Gold Medalist, wrote Hoops: Elle of the Ball because Delle Donne used to be just like Elle and wanted to express how she felt and show how hard she worked to be a professional basketball player. Being a WNBA MVP and Olympic gold medalist, she was predictably very into basketball at Elle’s age. She might have been six feet tall at Elle’s age, and because of this, she could have been upset by people expecting her to rule the court. I wonder if it is a coincidence that Elle’s name is kind of a combination of the author’s name, Elena and Delle? This book gave me insight into different kinds of girls, how the pull of relationships and school struggles affect for girls of all ages and how everyone experiences bullying. I also learned a little about basketball. Delle Donne does her best to bring out the characters and use dialogue to make the book more interesting. However, if you appreciate more in-depth and thought provoking books, this book is most likely not for you because Elle of the Ball did not necessarily have a plot that made you care about the characters, a pronounced climax, and it did not suck me into Elle’s life. Unfortunately, I think Delle Donne’s incredible skill and talent on the basketball court did not translate well to the pages of her book. But, if you really like basketball or are looking for a fun quick-read, perhaps you can give it a shot. However, Elle of the Ball is a fun and entertaining quick read for basketball lovers everywhere, and Elle’s basketball adventures will hopefully continue on in the Hoops series for everyone who wants more books about girls and basketball, which we don’t often see nowadays. Hoops: Elle of the Ball by Elena Della Donne. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2018. Buy the book here and support Children’s Art Foundation-Stone Soup in the process! Have you read this book? Or do you plan on reading it? If so, comment below!
