Geo Librarian

Nonfiction Monday: We've Got a Job by Cynthia Levinson

2012-03-05T09:50:00.000-08:00

We've Got a Job: The 1963 Birmingham Children's March
written by Cynthia Levinson
Peachtree, 2012
ISBN: 978-1-56145-627-7
176 p.
Grades 3 and up
Reviewed from purchased copy.

BLURB: We ve Got a Job tells the little-known story of the 4,000 black elementary-, middle-, and high school students who voluntarily went to jail in Birmingham, Alalama, between May 2 and May 11, 1963. Fulfilling Mahatma Gandhi s and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. s precept to fill the jails, they succeeded where adults had failed in desegregating one of the most racially violent cities in America. Focusing on four of the original participants who have participated in extensive interviews, We ve Got a Job recounts the astonishing events before, during, and after the Children's March.

Levinson has done an incredible job with this book. Not only does she give an account of the events leading up to and including the Children's March but she merges comments from some of the participants. This is how narrative nonfiction should be done. The book is beautifully organized with complementary photographs. I almost felt like I was there while reading this book.Clearly, the author has done her research, but more than that, she has made it understandable for the young reader.

I think what makes this account so powerful is the sense of immediacy that Levinson has created. It felt like it was happening as I was reading about it rather than almost fifty years ago. It was amazing to read about the courage of the children who participate, ages 9 to 18 with a few adults mixed in. The story in the prologue starts the book off with a bang. The idea of a nine-year-old child telling her parents that she wants to go to jail hit me hard. The descriptions of hundreds of children crammed into jail cells meant to hold many fewer occupants was also full of impact. I think the part though that really got me was when fire hoses were turned on the marchers.

I highly, highly recommend this book for any reader who wants to see the power of unity or the power of children to make a difference. This would be a great book to use in teaching about civil rights or just plain courage.

Head on over to 100 Scope Notes for today's Nonfiction Monday and some more great nonfiction recommendations.

Bloggiesta

2012-03-03T19:43:00.001-08:00

With my one year blogiversary coming up, I've decided it's time for some improvements. So this year I've decided to participate in Bloggiesta, which is being hosted by There's A Book and It's All About Books, in hopes for getting some great advice on some nice ways to improve my blog and to make some new friends of course. One can never have to many of those.

Here's what I am looking to work on:

creating a banner and a button for my blog.
creating a rating system (maybe little globes?)
create tabs for giveaways, etc.

If I have more time I may try a different design. Here's hoping to a great weekend (March 30-April 1, 2012).

Here are the goals for Bloggiesta:

to spend time that weekend (as much or as little as your schedule allows) working on your blog
to create a to do list to share on your blog and link up with other participants
to hopefully participant in several mini challenges and learn something new
to connect with other participants through blog hopping or twitter
to make new blogging friends!
to come away at the end of the three days with a spiffed up blog!

Leap into Books Giveaway Hop

2012-02-29T00:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my Leap into Books Giveaway.

For this giveaway I am offering:

$20 Young Adult or Middle Grade Book from Book Depository.

To Enter:

Leave a blog comment about a book you read and loved as a child. Please include an email where I can reach you. You do not need to be a follower to enter. Everyone has an equal chance to win.
You must be 13 or over to enter.
The winner will be chosen using random.org. I will notify the winner on March 6th. You will have 48 hours to respond before I pick another winner.
This giveaway will run from February 29th through March 5th.

Check here for more great giveaways.

2012 Debut Author Challenge: Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen

2012-02-28T09:48:00.001-08:00

SCARLET
written by A.C. Gaughen
Walker Children's, 2012
ISBN13: 9780802723468
292 p.
Grades 9 and up
Reviewed from personal copy.

BLURB: Many readers know the tale of Robin Hood, but they will be swept away by this new version full of action, secrets, and romance.

Posing as one of Robin Hood’s thieves to avoid the wrath of the evil Thief Taker Lord Gisbourne, Scarlet has kept her identity secret from all of Nottinghamshire. Only the Hood and his band know the truth: the agile thief posing as a whip of a boy is actually a fearless young woman with a secret past. Helping the people of Nottingham outwit the corrupt Sheriff of Nottingham could cost Scarlet her life as Gisbourne closes in.

It’s only her fierce loyalty to Robin—whose quick smiles and sharp temper have the rare power to unsettle her—that keeps Scarlet going and makes this fight worth dying for.

One of the things I find interesting about the book world is the fact that there are books for every sort of taste and temperament. There are books that others connect to that I don't like and books I like that other readers do not. This book falls into that category. For example, one of my favorite bloggers, Charlotte at Charlotte's Library didn't particularly like this book, but I find myself unable to stop thinking about it, something that only occurs with books I connect with in a strong way.

I'm not sure why I connected with Scarlet and Robin so much. Maybe because I've always loved stories about Robin Hood. Maybe because Scarlet and Robin seem so real, flaws and all. Maybe because I love stories about courageous people trying to help others. Whatever the reason, I did find this book compelling. I stayed up way too late to finish the book, something I try not to do these days.

In any case, I found Scarlet a character I could really root for. She's far from perfect but she's got a good heart which she does her best to hide. After suffering a devastating loss just before meeting Robin, she tries not to get too attached to the band, unwilling to admit for the longest time that she would die for them, especially Robin. She and Robin are kindred spirits who suffer from great feelings of inadequacy, unwilling to forgive themselves for past sins, but who have dedicated themselves to helping others hoping to atone for their mistakes. John provides some of the lighter moments in the book (of which there are only a few) with his boisterous ways and Much is the gentle caregiver who wants to become a fighter like the others. As in the original stories, Gisbourne is a strong villain, the kind who deserves to die.

Plotwise the book moves along quickly yet provides thoughtful moments also. I am impressed with the way Gaughen kept the story moving while still providing for character development. There are several twists near the end that are gut-wrenching in their intensity. I am hoping there will be a sequel because the ending leaves several plot threads untied. Scarlet is left in an uncomfortable situation that I want to see her out of before I will be completely satisfied with the story.

NOTE: Some of the content makes this book more appropriate for older students. There is a moderate amount of swearing and profanity that I wish hadn't been included the story would have been just as strong without it. This language made the book seem not quite medieval. Also there is sexual innuendo, no graphic encounters, but the implications are definitely there. There is also a good amount of violence, which while realistic, gets graphic at times.

Nonfiction Monday: All the water in the world by George Ella Lyon

2012-02-27T08:40:00.003-08:00

ALL THE WATER IN THE WORLD
written by George Ella Lyon, illustrated by Katherine Tillotson
Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2011
ISBN: 978-1-4169-7130-6
32 p.
Grades K-2
Reviewed from personal copy.
Illustrations come from Amazon.com and are copyrighted material.

BLURB: All the water in the world is all the water in the world. We are all connected by water, and this message is beautifully, lyrically delivered from poet-musician-author George Ella Lyon. Where does water come from? Where does water go? Find out in this exploration of oceans and waterways that highlights an important reality: Our water supply is limited, and it is up to us to protect it. Dynamic, fluid art paired with pitch-perfect verse makes for a wise and remarkable read-aloud that will resonate with any audience.

This is a wonderful book, full of poetic language and gorgeous illustrations. In fact, the book flows rather like its subject, water. I love the way the water cycle is introduced, "Water doesn't come. It goes. Around." The wording is deceptively simple, but the design of the book makes the words come alive as the words seem to move like the illustrations. The illustrations match the flowing nature of water. The use of color highlights the importance of water and the fact that water is not evenly distributed through our world. Some places get too much water and others not enough. I highly recommend this book, not just as a book about water, but as a work of art.

Here are a few of the illustrations, they show more clearly than I can the beauty of this book. I plan to use this with my first graders this week to help introduce the water cycle. I'll update this entry after I've seen how the students react to this book. I read the book to my first graders. They seemed to like it for the most part, the illustrations went over great. They did what they usually do when I read a nonfiction book, they all tried to share everything they knew on the topic. This is a little frustrating as it makes it difficult to finish the book in a timely way, but on the other hand it means the kids are connecting with the book.

Head on over to The Children's War for today's Nonfiction Monday.

Fantastic Friday: Albrek's Tomb by M.L. Forman

2012-02-24T12:05:00.002-08:00

ALBREK'S TOMB (Adventurers Wanted, book 3)
written by M.L. Forman
Shadow Mountain, 2012
ISBN: 978-1-60908-892-7
491 p.
Grades 5-8
Reviewed from personal copy.

BLURB: Two thousand years ago, the dwarf Albrek went looking for new mines in the land of Thraxon in the hopes of becoming rich-and vanished. Now the dwarves must find Albrek's magical Ring of Searching before their mines run dry, a possibility which threatens the livelihood of the entire dwarf realm.

Alexander Taylor joins a familiar company of adventurers on a quest to discover what happened to Albrek, find his mythical tomb, and locate the lost talisman.

But finding the ring may be the least of the adventurers' problems once they cross paths with an ancient, wandering paladin, Bane, who warns of a great evil working in all of the known lands. Following in Albrek's footsteps, Alex and his friends travel to the haunted Isle of Bones, where a mysterious creature lurks in a deserted village, to the cursed city of Neplee, where the dwarfs are hunted by the undead hellerash, and through the shadow of an empty oracle's tower, where a whispered legend is about to come true.

This is one of my favorite series. For me this is a series that I could read over and over again and still not have enough. I love the way Forman sets things up plotwise. His characters feel real, almost like real friends. I like how the characters learn and grow and develop throughout the story. It would be nice if there was more information about some of the secondary characters, but overall Forman does a nice job with his characters. The plots follow a quest format, but the things that Alex and his friends encounter are presented in such a novel way that the book feels fresh and new. The fact that Alex keeps facing more and more difficult challenges mirrors an adolescent's growth to adulthood. My favorite parts of the book were when Alex, a wizard, changed himself into a creature that could fly. I read these parts wishing I too could turn myself into an eagle (or other flying creature) and experience the freedom and beauty of flight. Some of my other favorite parts revolve around a plot twist that I didn't see coming and which I won't mention specifically here, I don't want to spoil the book for you, just know that it is an awesome plot twist. I was sad to see this book end. I wanted it to go on forever. It was like saying goodbye to dear friends. Unfortunately, I'll have to wait another year or more to read more about Alex and his friends. Luckily I have other great books to read in the meantime. I highly recommend this book to fans of high fantasy, especially quest related stories.

Book Review: Cold Cereal by Adam Rex

2012-02-23T09:52:00.001-08:00

COLD CEREAL
written by Adam Rex
Baltzer + Bray, 2012
ISBN13: 9780062060020
432 p.
Grades 3-6
Reviewed from ebook provided by publisher through NetGalley.

BLURB:
Cold Cereal Facts Serving size 1 chapter Number of servings 40
Primary human characters: Scottish Play Doe, aka Scott, possible changeling Erno Utz, genius Emily Utz, supergenius

Magical creatures at least 3: Mick Leprechaun (or Clurichaun), Harvey Pooka (rabbit-man), Biggs indeterminate origin (hairy, large)
Evil organizations 1: Goodco Cereal Company Purveyor of breakfast foods aspiring to world domination Adventure 75%
Diabolical Schemes 40%
Danger 57%
Legend 20%
Magic 68%
Humor 93%
Puzzles 35%
Mystery 49%

Not a significant source of vampires.
May contain nuts.

Daily values based on individual interest. Reader's estimation of value may be higher or lower, depending on your tolerance for this sort of thing.

It's taken me a while to get this review written up, primarily because I'm not completely sure what to make of this book. If I had to describe it in one word it would be: odd. This book is very odd. To be sure it has adventure and humor and continuously pokes fun at the role that advertising and big corporations play in the lives of children. I am not particularly a big fan of odd books, but at the same time, Rex pulled me into the story enough that I wanted to finish it. And I will definitely be reading the sequels (this is the first book in a trilogy). Despite the oddness of the book, I found myself getting attached to some of the characters, Scott (with the unusual name who is convinced that his migraines make him hallucinate and see strange things like a rabbit-man or a leprechaun who claims to be a clurichaun), Emily (a genius with a serious lack of social skills), and Erno (who never seems to live up to his sisters' genius, but has great social skills). Other characters made me chuckle and roll my eyes, like Mike the Leprechaun or Harvey Pooka the rabbit-man.

Plotwise this story isn't particularly believable, but I don't think it's supposed to be. The fun thing about not worrying about believability is that the author is free to take the story wherever he wants and Rex does so. The strange twists and turns are almost impossible to predict which makes the story quite compelling. I think I'm going to share this with my students just to see what they think. I'd recommend this book to readers who enjoy a fun romp but are not particularly concerned about the story making sense.

Read to Me Picture Book Challenge 2012: Spot the Plot by J. Patrick Lewis

2012-02-22T08:11:00.000-08:00

Spot the Plot: A Riddle Book of Book Riddles
written by J. Patrick Lewis, illustrated by Lynn Munsinger
Chronicle Books, 2009
ISBN: 978-0-8118-4668-4
36 p.
Grades 1-5
Reviewed from personal copy.

BLURB: Thirteen witty and wacky poems pose riddles that challenge readers to Name That Book. With a glass slipper here and a spider web there, Munsinger's adorable illustrations lead young readers to the solutions.

I love this book. Not only does this book have clever riddles, but also cute illustrations. I enjoy sharing these with my students and having them try to guess what book is being described. For the older students I wait to show the pictures until they've had a few guesses because the illustrations really give some great clues. Several of the books highlighted have been made into movies so the younger students have a good chance at guessing most of the titles. Some of the books included are: The Wizard of Oz, Madeline, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Cinderella, Rapunzel, Where's Waldo, Goodnight Moon, and Pinnochio. Interestingly, the one that students consistently don't know is The Story of Ferdinand. I remember loving that story when I was younger, but I guess fewer kids are exposed to it these days. Anyway, this book provides lots of book-related fun. My only complaint? I wish there were more riddles included. :)

Read to Me Picture Book Challenge: Valentine's Day

2012-02-21T08:50:00.000-08:00

Mr. Prickles: A Quill-Fated Love Story
written by Kara LaReau, pictures by Scott Magoon
Roaring Brook Press, 2012
ISBN: 978-1-59643-483-7
32 p.
Grades K-3
Reviewed from purchased copy.

BLURB: Mr. Prickles was not a particularly friendly fellow. He was tough to get close to . . . because he was a porcupine.
"You're not cute like us," said Raccoon.
"Or cuddly like us," said Chipmunk.
"Or playful like us," said Skunk.
"I am," said Mr. Prickles. "On the inside."
Poor Mr. Prickles was very lonely-until the day he met Miss Pointypants. Could she be the perfect prickly companion for moonlit strolls and midnight feasts? Was love in the air for even the sharpest of sorts?

I read this book to a group of kindergarteners. I enjoyed it and I think they enjoyed it as well. But it's not one of my favorites. It didn't have as much humor as I expected. In addition, the puns pretty much go over the head of young children. Even older elementary students don't always understand puns. The kindergarten teachers enjoyed the puns though. I did think that the book is a good lead in to discussions of unkindness and anger issues. Mr. Prickles gets really angry when the other animals exclude him because he is different. It isn't until he meets Miss Pointypants that he begins to realize that letting others determine how he feels leads to unhappiness. I did find the illustrations expressive and appealing and the story does point out how nice a friendship with the right person can be. And every time I read Miss Pointypants name I felt like giggling. Overall, a nice read-a-loud.

Hokey Pokey: Another Prickly Love Story
written by Lisa Wheeler, illustrated by Janie Bynum
Little, Brown and Company, 2006
ISBN: 0-316-00090-6
32 p.
Grades K-3
Reviewed from personal copy.

BLURB: Cushion the porcupine and Barb the hedgehog, the adorable pair from "Porcupining: A Prickly Love Story," are back for another adventure. Barb loves to dance, but Cushion has two left feet, and usually ends up prickling someone with his quills. How will he ever learn to dance?

I really enjoy reading anything by Lisa Wheeler. She just manages to capture childlike humor so perfectly. Her books also have a good deal of expression and rhythm which makes them fun to read out loud. I especially like this book, maybe because like Cushion, I'm a bit of a klutz. Cushion tries to find someone to teach him to dance so he can dance with his good friend, Barb, but no matter how hard he tries he keeps injuring his dance instructors. In the end though Cushion finds the perfect teacher and learns to dance.

I read this book with a group of kindergartners who enjoyed the book. When we got to the part with the Hokey Pokey, the students eagerly joined in on the few lines from the song. If I had had more time, I would have put on the music and actually danced (I don't think the kindergarten teachers would have appreciated my getting the students all hyped up however). A fun book for sharing, one of my all time favorites.

Stop Kissing Me!
written and illustrated by Ethan Long
Little, Brown and Company, 2007
ISBN13: 9780316001434
32 p.
Grades PreK-1
Reviewed from personal copy.

BLURB: In this hilarious sound chip book, a pet poodle is disgusted when the duck gives her a friendly kiss. Despite her pleas for him to stop, the duck keeps the kisses coming, until the poodle decides to give the duck a taste of his own medicine. With a kissing sound chip that makes the sound of a big smackaroo, this animal pair will provide endless giggles for kids and adults alike.

The kindergartners that I read this book to loved it. The juicy kisses both illustrated and auditory made the kids giggle. While there isn't much character development or plot here, it makes for a fun read and could lead to discussions on appropriate displays of affection and the importance of respecting other people's boundaries. But mostly the book is just silly and fun.

Read to Me Picture Book Update:

Growing Level: 21 of 120 completed.

Nonfiction Monday: President's Day

2012-02-20T18:10:00.000-08:00

Those Rebels, John & Tom
written by Barbara Kerley, Illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham
Scholastic Press, 2012
ISBN: 978-0-545-22268-6
48 p.
Grades 2-6
Reviewed from personal copy.

BLURB: A brilliant portrait of two American heroes from the award-winning creators of The Extraordinary Mark Twain (According to Susy)!John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were very different.John Adams was short and stout. Thomas Jefferson was tall and lean.John was argumentative and blunt.Tom was soft-spoken and polite. John sometimes got along with almost no one.Tom got along with just about everyone. But these two very different gentlemen did have two things in common: They both cared deeply about the American colonies, and neither cared much for the British tyrant, King George. With their signature wit, impeccable research, and inventive presentation style, award winners Barbara Kerley and Edwin Fotheringham masterfully blend biography and history to create a brilliant portrait of two American heroes who bravely set aside their differences to join forces in the fight for our country's freedom.

I found this book delightful in both pictures and words. I enjoyed how Kerley presents both main characters side by side and then merges them together after they met. This technique allows the reader to see just how different John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were as well as the commonalities that brought them together. Fotheringham does a fantastic job with the illustrations. The cartoonish nature of the illustrations adds humor and emotional expression. I especially liked the maps that showed the connections and distance between Great Britain and the colonies. I appreciated the appropriately placed quotes from both Adams and Jefferson. Overall, I'd say this is a great book for introducing the people and events that lead to the creation of the United States of America.

Worst of Friends: Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and the True Story of an American Feud
written by Suzanne Tripp Jurmain, illustrated by Larry Day
Dutton Children's Books, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-525-47903-1
32 p.
Grades 2-6
Reviewed from library copy.

BLURB: John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were good friends with very different personalities. But their differing views on how to run the newly created United States turned them into the worst of friends. They each became leaders of opposing political parties, and their rivalry followed them to the White House. Full of both history and humor, this is the story of two of America's most well-known presidents and how they learned to put their political differences aside for the sake of friendship.

I always find it interesting to read several books on the same topic. Even when the same ground is covered, I find that the writers/illustrators include different details. This book covers some of the same material as the book reviewed above. But it does it in such a way that I did not feel like I was reading the same material, plus the details included by each author and illustrator were different.

This book provides a brief overview of the relationship between Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. The two men were different in many ways, physical size, temperament, etc. But they shared a passionate belief in America's right to form her own government. But they differed greatly on presidential power and centralized government. This lead to the feud mentioned in the title. In this book, I think the details that I found the most interesting were the different ways Adams and Jefferson described each other both during their years of conflict and afterwords. During their conflict, Jefferson called Adams, "vain, suspicious, irritable, stubborn, and wrong." Adams called Jefferson ,"weak, confused, uninformed, and ignorant." After their years of conflict, Adams said, "I always loved Jefferson" and Jefferson said Adams was, "honest" and "great." This book does a great job of indicating that people change over time and things that seem so very important at one point can become less important over time. I also enjoyed the humorous elements that the illustrator chose to include. For example, the picture of John Adams jumping on his wig is very amusing as our the pictures of Jefferson and Adams with their own respective grandkids (Jefferson's grandkids are throwing snowballs, Adam's grandkids are throwing pudding all over his living room). This book provides a great way to introduce two of America's founding fathers, along with the fact that while they did great things, they were far from perfect.

Check out this week's Nonfiction Monday at Lori Calabrese Writes for more great children's nonfiction.

Fantastic Friday: Museum of Thieves by Lian Tanner

2012-02-17T10:27:00.000-08:00

Museum of Thieves (The Keepers, book 1)
written by Lian Tanner
Delacorte Books for Young Readers, 2010
ISBN13: 9780385739054
256 p.
Grades 4-8
Reviewed from ARC provided by publisher.

BLURB: Welcome to the tyrannical city of Jewel, where impatience is a sin and boldness is a crime. Goldie Roth has lived in Jewel all her life. Like every child in the city, she wears a silver guardchain and is forced to obey the dreaded Blessed Guardians. She has never done anything by herself and won’t be allowed out on the streets unchained until Separation Day. When Separation Day is canceled, Goldie, who has always been both impatient and bold, runs away, risking not only her own life but also the lives of those she has left behind. In the chaos that follows, she is lured to the mysterious Museum of Dunt, where she meets the boy Toadspit and discovers terrible secrets. Only the cunning mind of a thief can understand the museum’s strange, shifting rooms. Fortunately, Goldie has a talent for thieving. Which is just as well, because the leader of the Blessed Guardians has his own plans for the museum—plans that threaten the lives of everyone Goldie loves. And it will take a daring thief to stop him. . . .
Museum of Thieves is a thrilling tale of destiny and danger, and of a courageous girl who has never been allowed to grow up—until now.

While I am not normally a big fan of dystopia stories, I found the premise of this book intriguing. I mean a museum with shifting rooms, a boy named Toadspit, and a runaway girl?! What is there not to love. And I did find myself really enjoying this story. The museum wasn't exactly what I was expecting but it provided lots of things to think about. I think the theme that spoke to me the most was the power of freedom of choice. Goldie ran away because she wanted to be able to choose how to live her life. Ironically, she is forced into thievery by choosing to run away. Of course she is manipulated into it, but she really didn't have many options. Goldie learns that while she has the freedom to choose once she has escaped Separation, she doesn't have the power to choose the consequences of those choices. This book would make a great book for class discussions about right and wrong, choice and consequences, and the power of the past to determine our future.

I appreciated the fact that Goldie and Toadspit have adult mentors. Many fantasies these days have young people facing challenges and horrible circumstances on their own. Unfortunately this may be true in the real world to some extent, but as a teacher I always hope that somewhere along the way, every child will find an adult to help and mentor them into adulthood.

NOTE ON CONTENT: There is a moderate amount of violence in this book as Goldie and Toadspit and their mentors try to stop the Guardians from unleashing great evil, but there is no swearing or profanity or anything else inappropriate.

Book Review: December 1941 by Craig Shirley

2012-02-16T09:51:00.000-08:00

December 1941: The Month That Changed America and Saved the World
written by Craig Shirley
Nelson, Thomas, Inc. 2011
ISBN13: 9781595554574
656 p.
Grades 9 and up
Reviewed from e-book copy provided by BookSneeze for free.
All opinions expressed are solely my own. Book provided for honest review.

BLURB: December 1941: 31 Days that Changed America and Saved the World traces, day-by-day, the most important 31 days in the history of America's participation in WWII, which snuffed out the lives of millions and changed history forever.
      From December 1, 1941, until the morning of December 7, 1941, America was at peace and-with the exception of the stubborn and persistent high unemployment of the Great Depression-was a relatively happy country. By the afternoon of the December 7 attack on Pearl Harbor, America was a radically changed country, forever. Its isolationist impulses evaporated, and both major political parties became more or less internationalist. The month also introduced food and gas rationing, Victory Gardens, scrap drives, a military draft, and the conversion of Detroit into an "arsenal of democracy." From the moment of America's entry into World War II, people of all kinds, but mostly women looking for work, flooded into the city. Instant apartment buildings sprang up, as did eating and drinking, salons, all to the advantage of the massive increase in spending generated by the federal government.
      December 1941 is a fascinating and meticulously researched look at the American home front-her people, faith, economy, government, and culture-during a month that radically changed the American way of life.

I quite enjoyed reading this book. I appreciated the incredible amount of detail that the author included. I can only imagine the weeks, months, and even years he must have spent working on this. I would have to read the book a dozen times to even begin to appreciate everything that happened during that brief month. It was fascinating to read about what it was like experiencing the profound events of December 1941. Ironically, it reminded me somewhat of the things that happened after 9/11. The panic, the anger, the confusion, backlash, fear, etc. I guess while time and technology continue to change, people and their behaviors don't.

I learned a lot about FDR and Churchill while reading this book. My admiration for their leadership in the face of tragic circumstances has increased. While I don't agree with everything they did, I do admire the courage and determination they demonstrated.

One thing I found especially interesting about this book was the emphasis on information gathering from the media of the time, newspapers, magazines, presidential documents,etc. This gave a much more immediate feel to the book. It also demonstrated how difficult it is for the media to be accurate in the information they provide. With a limited amount of space and time, it becomes very easy to print inaccurate, even false, information. I also found it fascinating that each chapter began with some of the headlines from newspapers. Each writer took a different approach to the events rapidly unfolding and the information they provided to the public. It reminded me that no matter how hard they try, writers, editors, and news anchors simply cannot be completely objective. We all see things through our own unique set of ideas and experiences. The focus on the information provided by the media means that the information in the book may not be completely accurate. I haven't read enough about that time to be able to recognize factual and editorial errors which others have pointed out in other reviews, especially the political aspects, but I did notice that the author tried to make it clear when a source was expressing something that had not been verified.

I also appreciated the inclusion of cultural events occurring during this time, it helped provide immediacy as I read. It brought the time and people more to life for me. Overall, I thought it was a thoroughly researched and readable account of a fascinating period in United States history.

Follower Love Giveaway Hop Winner

2012-02-15T09:46:00.000-08:00

I have to say, I received a lot more entries than I ever expected. I appreciate all of you who stopped by. I wish there could be more than one winner, but one is all I can afford for the time being.

The winner of MY FOLLOWER LOVE GIVEAWAY IS...

Mervi Mustonen!

CONGRATULATIONS!

Wild & Wonderful Wednesday: Star of the Sea by Janet Halfmann

2012-02-15T08:50:00.000-08:00

Star of the Sea: A Day in the Life of a Starfish
written by Janet Halfmann, illustrated by Joan Paley
Henry Holt and Company, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-8050-9073-4
unp.
$16.99
5 stars
Grades K-5
Reviewed from library copy.

BLURB: With the ocean her home, an ochre sea star hunts for her morning meal. She folds over her rays and grips the rocky shore with sticky feet as she feasts on shellfish. When she takes too long, the tide flows back without her and Sea Star becomes easy prey. But she is built to survive and eventually makes her way back to the sea, although with one less ray than before. This inspiring story informs young children about the important role of a small but fascinating sea creature.

Not only is this book gorgeously illustrated but very informative as well. The book follows a single day of a sea star struggles to survive as both predator and prey. The reader watches as the sea star makes her way out of the water toward a group of mussels. The details about how the sea star moves and senses the world were fascinating. I appreciated learning about how sea stars eat by inserting her stomach into the mussel, not many creatures eat like that. Details like this make this book perfect for sharing one-on-one or in a classroom situation. I liked the fact that though the author includes lots of details, these details do not bog down the story in any way.

The illustrations are gorgeous cut paper-collage. The illustrator does a wonderful job of matching the illustrations to the text. It bothers me when illustrations don't match the text, thankfully that is not a problem here. The bright contrasting colors make the book very appealing. Overall I'd say this is a great book for sharing and I recommend it highly.

Book Valentine's

2012-02-14T10:44:00.000-08:00

Shannon over at Book Dreaming has shared some "book valentines." I like the idea so I'm repeating it here. I have so many favorites that I have several overflowing bookshelves at my house, I have a bunch more at school. But here's what I'm going with today:

Best Loved:

Book(s) Currently Reading and Loving:

Book(s) I love to share:

(I love to share any Elephant & Piggie Book.)

Favorite humorous book:

Book I didn't think I'd like, but ended up loving:

Favorite Graphic Novel:

Favorite Book that I wish had the whole series out now!:

Best Plotted Series I've ever read:

Favorite YA Book:

I think I'll stop here, I could of course go on and on, but these are a few of my favorites. I'd love it if you would share some of your favorites as well! Happy Valentine's Day!!

Also of great note the 2011 Cybil's winners have been announced and I am very excited to see some of my favorites listed.

Me...Jane by Patrick McDonnell (Picture Fiction)
I Feel Better with a Frog in My Throat: History's Strangest Cures by Carlyn Beccia (Picture Nonfiction)
I Broke My Trunk by Mo Willems (Easy Readers)
Have Fun, Anna Hibiscus by Atinuke (Early Chapter Books)
Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke (Graphic Novel)
The Cheshire Cheese Cat: A Dickens of a Tale by Carmen Agra Deedy & Randall Wright (Fantasy & Science Fiction)
Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart by Candace Fleming (Nonfiction)

Nonfiction Monday: How I learned Geography by Uri Shulevitz

2012-02-13T09:18:00.000-08:00

How I Learned Geography
written and illustrated by Uri Shulevitz
Farrar Straus Giroux, 2008
ISBN: 978-0-374-33499-4
unp.
Grades 2-5
Reviewed from library copy.

BLURB: Having fled from war in their troubled homeland, a boy and his family are living in poverty in a strange country. Food is scarce, so when the boy’s father brings home a map instead of bread for supper, at first the boy is furious. But when the map is hung on the wall, it floods their cheerless room with color. As the boy studies its every detail, he is transported to exotic places without ever leaving the room, and he eventually comes to realize that the map feeds him in a way that bread never could.
The award-winning artist’s most personal work to date is based on his childhood memories of World War II and features stunning illustrations that celebrate the power of imagination. An author’s note includes a brief description of his family’s experience, two of his early drawings, and the only surviving photograph of himself from that time.

Being fascinated with geography I found this book very enjoyable. The author includes enough detail to give the reader a glimpse into his childhood experiences with war and hunger without being graphic or inappropriate in any way. I found the illustrations very expressive. The red and black for war, the sand for homes, and the bright colored clothing for the people. The way Shulevitz used neutral colors to represent the he his family was living before they got the map makes a nice contrast to the brightly colored imaginary journeys he took based on the map. I also liked the note at the end which explained how the story came from his memories and are likely not completely accurate. I also liked the inclusion of a map he drew at age ten and the market scene he drew at age thirteen. This book makes a great introduction to geography and the power it plays in our lives. I highly recommend this book for older elementary students.

Note: I used this book with first graders, but I don't think they understood a lot of it and they didn't fully appreciate the challenging circumstances depicted in the book. Next time I'll use this with older students.

Head on over to Wrapped in Foil for this week's Nonfiction Monday recommendations and reviews.

Fantastic Friday: Lawn Mower Magic by Lynne Jonell

2012-02-10T11:20:00.000-08:00

Lawn Mower Magic
written by Lynne Jonnell, illustrated by Brandon Dorman
Random House Books for Young Readers, 2012
ISBN13: 9780375866616
112 p.
To be released on February 28, 2012.
Grades 2-4
Reviewed from copy provided by publisher through NetGalley.

BLURB: With a POP! and a puff of smoke, the Willows' lawn mower calls it quits. A new mower will cost their parents a lot of money, money Derek had hoped to borrow for a train ticket to visit a friend. Luckily Derek and his brother and sisters find a rusty push mower tucked away in the shed. It doesn't look like much, but it turns out that it's been soaking up magic for years. And it's hungry for grass!

Can Derek earn his ticket? Maybe . . . if he, Abner, Tate, and Celia can keep the magic mower under control!

Not having read Hamster Magic, I didn't understand the references to Derek's family's previous experience with messed up magic. However, I still managed to follow most of the story. The story does focus on one day's events with the children running into a magically empowered lawn mower. I found the idea amusing and the book did not disappoint in that area. The scenes with the lawn mower running amok were funny and entertaining.

There is little character development as the book focuses on the events of a single day. The magic is also not really explained. Derek and his siblings are, however, appealing and their interactions realistic. The plot moves along at a brisk pace that is perfect for children making the switch to chapter books. The illustrations are delightful (I love Brandon Dorman's work!) and add a nice note to the book (I do so like illustrations in middle grade chapter books). I recommend this for children who want a light, fun, fast read, who aren't ready for 300 page tomes.

Book Review: Persuasion: A Latter-Day Tale by Rebecca H. Jamison

2012-02-09T08:49:00.000-08:00

Persuasion: A Latter-Day Tale
written by Rebecca H. Jamison
Cedar Fort, 2012
ISBN: 9781599559476
240 p.
Grades 8 and up
Reviewed from copy provided by publisher through NetGalley.

BLURB: When Anne broke off her engagement seven years ago, she thought she'd never see Neil Wentworth again. But when Neil's brother buys the house she grew up in, it seems fate has other plans in store, and Anne is woefully unprepared for the roller coaster of emotions that accompanies Neil's return. Fans of Persuasion will love this fast-paced, modern retelling of Jane Austen's most romantic novel.

Persuasion by Jane Austen is one of my favorite adult books, so I was naturally intrigued when I heard about this book. I was rather skeptical as I read the first few chapters, after all, Austen's books are considered classics for a reason. But as I got more involved in the story and stopped comparing it to the original, I found myself enjoying it more. By the time I got to the part where Lily (Louisa) ignores a warning sign and gets herself injured, I was fully invested in the story and finding out how the story would play out. I knew how the story would end of course, having read the original story, but I wanted to see how Anne and Neil got to that point. There were several twists and turns that kept the story moving and were quite different from the original, but that was nice in that it allowed the story to progress on its own rather than things happening just because they were in the original story.

I didn't feel like there was quite as much character development here as there is in the original, but it still makes for an entertaining read. Jamison inserts enough changes to create a story that stands on its own. The change from Victorian England to modern America creates some interesting changes as well. I did appreciate that the religious aspects of the book were woven quite naturally into the story. I found the flashbacks a bit jarring, but they did give insight into Anne's feelings and actions. I also think that making Neil a police officer and Anne's struggles to accept that dangerous profession added a unique touch and additional source of conflict.

Overall, I found the book quite enjoyable and have no problem recommending it to others as a pleasant and diverting romance.

2012 NetGalley Reading Challenge

2012-02-08T09:23:00.000-08:00

I wasn't planning on doing any more challenges, but since I will be reading as many NetGalley ebooks as I can, I figure that since I will be doing this any way, I might as well do it as a challenge.

My goal will be the Gold Star Level (30+ NetGalley books).

Thanks to Red House Books for sponsoring this challenge.

Wild & Wonderful Wednesday: The Humming Room by Ellen Potter

2012-02-08T08:43:00.000-08:00

The Humming Room
written by Ellen Potter
Feiwel & Friends, 2012
ISBN: 9780312644383
192 p.
$16.99
To be released on February 28, 2012
Grades 3-6
Reviewed from ebook provided by publisher through NetGalley.

BLURB: Hiding is Roo Fanshaw's special skill. Living in a frighteningly unstable family, she often needs to disappear at a moment's notice. When her parents are murdered, it's her special hiding place under the trailer that saves her life.

As it turns out, Roo, much to her surprise, has a wealthy if eccentric uncle, who has agreed to take her into his home on Cough Rock Island. Once a tuberculosis sanitarium for children of the rich, the strange house is teeming with ghost stories and secrets. Roo doesn't believe in ghosts or fairy stories, but what are those eerie noises she keeps hearing? And who is that strange wild boy who lives on the river? People are lying to her, and Roo becomes determined to find the truth.

Despite the best efforts of her uncle's assistants, Roo discovers the house's hidden room--a garden with a tragic secret.

Inspired by The Secret Garden, this tale full of unusual characters and mysterious secrets is a story that only Ellen Potter could write.

When I found out that The Humming Room was inspired by The Secret Garden, one of my favorite books, I had mixed feelings. First, I was intrigued, then wary. I wasn't sure any book could live up to The Secret Garden, but I decided to give it a try anyway and I'm glad I did. While The Humming Room isn't as good as The Secret Garden, it comes closer than I expected it to.

Roo as a character is much more likable than Mary Lennox is at first. Roo has clearly been neglected most of her life, but she's found a way to cope. Her love of and connection to the earth is clear from the beginning. I immediately felt empathy for Roo as she does her best to hide from the tragic changes that come her way. Her confusion and suspicions when she first arrives at her new home are almost tangible. I found myself cheering for her stubbornness in trying to find answers to the many questions that she has about her new home. I also found myself connecting with the other children in the story, Jack (the Dicken character), and Philip (Colin). Jack is a fascinating character, similar to Dicken in some ways, very different in others (the long hair, the mysterious background, and homelessness). Philip engenders both sympathy and annoyance much as Colin does in the original story. The Martha character provides a nice humorous touch to the story.

I think my favorite part of this story though is the setting. With a geography background, setting is for me a very important part of the books I read. Potter does a good job creating an interesting setting, I mean an island out in the St. Lawrence River, a garden hidden within an old sanitarium. How could Roo not be curious about such a place. As Roo comes to love her new home, so does the reader. I really wanted to be with Roo as she explored her new home and took trips with Jack on the river. The addition of Philip's mother being from Brazil adds a nice spice to the story as well.
The book is well done in most respects. There were a couple of things that could have been done better. The character development of Philip and his father for example could have been stronger. Just as I started to really get to know them as characters, the book ended. I would also have liked to see more about Jack and his background. Reading this, I didn't feel the depth of story that I feel reading The Secret Garden, but overall the story is well done and I feel comfortable recommending it.

Book Talk Tuesday: Theme--Being Different

2012-02-07T08:54:00.000-08:00

Today I am highlighting three books that look at what life can be like when one is different in significant ways from those around them or how to deal with the changes that happen to all of us.

The Splendid Spotted Snake (A Magic Ribbon Book)
written by Betty Ann Schwartz, illustrated by Alexander Wilensky
Workman Publishing, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-7611-6360-2
Unpaged
$13.95
Grades PreK-1
Reviewed from personal copy.

BLURB: It's a marvel Every time you turn the page the little snake grows bigger. And it's a book that teaches colors: with every page his spots change color. Amazing "But how does it work "Using a unique Magic Ribbon format invented by the authors, "The Splendid Spotted Snake" follows the adventures of a little spotted snake made out of sturdy, polka-dotted cloth ribbon. "When Yellow Snake was born, he had bright red spots. But then he grew . . . His new spots were blue."Not only does the little snake double in size, his spots also change color Red to blue to purple to orange and more, it's an enchanting lesson in learning colors. And for little kids and parents alike, a true page-turner--because with every turn of the page the little snake grows and changes.And look for it: a wonderful, gratifying surprise ending.

I used this book with my kindergarten students to introduce the idea of being different. I especially like it because it addresses changes that come with growing up. The simple text compliments the bright illustrations beautifully, allowing the deceptively simple art to speak for itself. The students got a really big kick out the growing snake and the different colors. The ending was a nice surprise as well. I definitely plan to use this book again in the future (not least of all because I get a kick out of the growing snake also).

It's Okay to Be Different
written and illustrated by Todd Parr
Little, Brown & Company, 2001
ISBN: 978-0-316-15562-5
Unpaged
$9.99
Grades PreK-1
Reviewed from personal copy.

BLURB: It's okay to be a different color. It's okay to dance by yourself. It's okay to wear glasses. It's okay to have a pet worm.... It's okay to be different!

Not only do I love the bright, colorful, cartoonish illustrations, but I appreciate how easy this book is to relate to. All of us feel different in one way or another, sometimes in good ways, sometimes in not so good ways. Parr does a nice job pointing out that most differences are okay, that these differences don't need to be hidden or run away from. He refers to things that children experience on a regular basis, things such as size differences, feelings, likes and dislikes, appearance, etc. I enjoyed using this book and I hope it helped the children to realize that being different is okay.

Perfect Square
written and illustrated by Michael Hall
Greenwillow Books, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-06-191513-0
Unp.
$16.99
Grades K and up
Reviewed from personal copy.

BLURB: A perfect square is transformed in this adventure story that will transport you far beyond the four equal sides of this square book.
I love this book. Hall has created a masterpiece with this one. Everything about the book works beautifully. The story and theme about dealing with the challenges that life can throw at you is spot on. The design of the book suits the story to a tee. The way the colors compliment each other and the creative illustrations add so much to the appeal of the book. Often one doesn't find a lot of character growth in a picture book, the story is often too short, especially if the characters aren't human. But here the square does grow and realize that change and challenge can bring joy. I highly, highly recommend this book. My students also really enjoyed the book. This could lead to some great art activities as well as a great read-a-loud.

Head on over to The Lemme Library for some more great book talks.

Follower Love Giveaway Hop

2012-02-06T23:25:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Geo Librarian's Follower Love Giveaway.
This giveaway hop is being hosted by
I Am A Reader, Not A Writer & Rachael Renee Anderson.

For this giveaway I am offering...

...up to $20 in Middle Grade/Young Adult book(s) from Book Depository.

This giveaway is open internationally, as long as The Book Depository delivers to you.

To enter:

You need to be a follower for this giveaway.
Leave a comment with an email address where I can contact you should you win.
Tell me about a great middle grade/young adult book you've read recently.

One entry per person, I like everyone to have an equal chance to win. This giveaway ends February 15th at 12:01 a.m. I will email you if you win and I will need a response within 48 hours or I will use random.org to choose someone else.

Thanks for stopping by and good luck!

Be sure to visit I Am a Reader, Not A Writer for more great giveaways to enter.

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED! Thanks to all those who participated.

Nonfiction Monday: For the Love of Music by Elizabeth Rusch

2012-02-06T10:39:00.000-08:00

For the Love of Music: The Remarkable Story of Maria Anna Mozart
written by Elizabeth Rusch
paintings by Steve Johnson & Lou Fancher
Tricycle Press, 2011
ISBN: 978-1-58246-326-1
Grades 1 and up
Reviewed from book borrowed from public library.
Reviewed for Beehive Book Awards

BLURB: By the time she was 12, she was considered one of the finest pianists in Europe, but today few people know her name. Maria Mozart, like her famous brother Wolfgang, was a musical prodigy. The talented siblings toured Europe, playing before kings and empresses, were showered with gifts and favors, and lived in a whirlwind life of music and travel. They were best friends, collaborators, and confidantes. As they grew older, Wolfgang was encouraged to pursue his musical ambitions, while Maria was told she must stop performing and, ultimately, marry. But she was determined to continue playing the piano every day, for the love of music . . . .

I'll say up front that I loved this book, so much so that I bought myself a copy. Not only are the illustrations a gorgeous combination of fabric collage, paper, and oil and acrylic on canvas, but the writing follows the parts of a piano sonata. Even those who do not particularly care for classical music know who Mozart is, but I did not realize that at first, his sister was as famous as he was. Clearly Maria had a gift for playing the piano. Unfortunately for her she lived in an era when women were expected to marry and have children, not have a career. What I especially admired about her was that she continued to play and nourish her gift and passion despite having the opportunity to share her gift with the world taken away.

This book provides a glimpse into the mind and heart of a brother and sister who not only shared a love for music, but love for each other. A great story about finding a way to pursue one's dreams whatever the limitations life puts on you. I highly recommend this book.

Head on over to Capstone Connect for today's Nonfiction Monday.

Fantastic Friday: Cinder by Marissa Meyer

2012-02-03T09:56:00.000-08:00

Cinder
written by Marissa Meyer
Feiwel & Friends, 2012
ISBN: 9780312641894
390 p.
$17.99
Grades 7 and up
Reviewed from purchased ebook.

BLURB: Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . .

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

I don't read a lot of young adult books, I guess I just prefer middle grade and younger. However, when I heard about this book, I knew I had to read it. The premise was so unique that I was intrigued. I was delighted to discover that the book lived up to its hype. Not only is the story well told, but the characters are interesting and easy to relate to, despite the fact that Cinder is part machine, I found it easy to care about her and her struggles. I liked how Meyer made Prince Kai very human with flaws and emotions and struggles. I appreciated how Meyer made it clear that being a ruler is not fun and games and carries very real burdens with it. He seemed very much like a normal young man placed in very extraordinary circumstances.

There were a couple of things that weren't as well done as they could have been. For example, Meyer foreshadows a major plot point fairly early in the book, but I enjoyed reading about Cinder and her struggles with her identity so much that it didn't bother me very much. Also, Queen Levana and her entourage (all evil, all the time) as well as Kai's advisor seemed a bit one dimensional, I didn't have a problem with Levana's desire to conquer Earth. Our real world has after all seen many with the same desire. It would have been nice to get more detailed glimpses of the culture that Cinder lives in and just why cyborgs are so despised. The story is supposed to take place in a future Asia, but there isn't really a strong Asian flavor to the book.

However, despite the few flaws, I did really enjoy reading this and highly recommend it to those who enjoy a little science fiction with their retold fairy tales.

My Sparkling Misfortune Giveaway Winners

2012-02-03T08:25:00.000-08:00

The winner of the paperback copy of My Sparkling Misfortune by Laura Lond is...

Rea!!!

The winners of an ebook copy are...

Vinni and Catherine!

Congratulations!!

Many thanks to all who participated.

Be sure to check back on February for a great Followers giveaway of a middle grade/young adult book(s) of up to $20 from The Book Depository.

The Year of the Picture Book: The Sniffles for Bear by Bonny Becker

2012-01-31T10:18:00.000-08:00

The Sniffles for Bear
written by Bonny Becker, illustrated by Kady MacDonald Denton
Candlewick Press, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-7636-4756-8
Grades K-3
Reviewed from school library copy.

BLURB: The relentlessly cheery Mouse pushes a cold-suffering Bear to new heights of melodrama in a hilarious new adventure starring the unlikely pair. Bear has a terrible cold. In fact, Bear is quite sure that no one has ever been as sick as he is. So when Mouse comes tap, tap, tapping on his front door eager to make Bear "as good as new" by reading a sunny story, singing a rousing chorus and plinking a twangy tune on her banjo, the pitifully coughing Bear - growing weaker by the minute - is convinced that his tiny friend does not appreciate the gravity of the situation. Can there be any saving Bear from his certain demise? Welcome the world's most lovable curmudgeon and his endearing, unstoppable sidekick in a wry new comedy sure to have even red-eyed, sniffly-nosed readers rolling with laughter.

A fun addition to the Bear and Mouse series perfect for sharing. The text works well as a read-a-loud providing for lots of expression on the part of the reader. In fact the more expression used the funner the read-a-loud experience will be. Both characters are delightful in their own way, grumpy Bear and cheerful Mouse. A delightful homage to the value of friendship even when things get hard. The illustrations add the perfect touch of humor through body language and facial expressions. Highly recommended for both group and individual sharing. The other books in this series are delightful as well.

Additional books in the series:
A Visitor for Bear
A Birthday for Bear
A Bedtime for Bear

Nonfiction Monday: Kubla Khan, The Emperor of Everything by Kathleen Krull

2012-01-30T09:46:00.000-08:00

Kubla Khan: The Emperor of Everything
written by Kathleen Kroll, illustrated by Robert Byrd
Viking, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-670-01114-8
Grades 3-6
Reviewed from purchased copy.

BLURB: Always cast in a supporting role in the many books about Marco Polo, the great Kubla Khan now takes center stage in a splendid picture-book biography. He is a wonderful subject-a man who liked to live large, building the imperial city of Beijing from scratch, siring a hundred children, throwing birthday bashes for 40,000 guests. He ruled over the greatest empire of the time, one that was lightyears ahead of Western civilization in terms of the arts, sciences, and technology. With astonishingly beautiful and detailed illustrations by Robert Byrd and a clever text by Kathleen Krull, this portrait finally gives Kubla Khan his due.

I enjoy reading books about the past, but most of what I've read in both children's and adult books has focused on the American experience. So I was thrilled to hear about this book. Kubla Khan was a man of contradictions. A just ruler under most conditions, his armies destroyed many villages, massacring any who refused to become part of Khan's growing empire. It was interesting to read about Kubla's mother who was determined to have her children make a mark in the world and did everything in her power to provide them with a chance to do so.

Clearly a man of great intelligence and leadership ability, Khan left a mark that can still be seen in Asia today. One thing I found especially fascinating was how involved in his life, his mother, and second wife were. In a time where women were seen as inferior and incompetent, these women had a big impact on Khan's life, personal and professional. The book is too long for a short read-a-loud, but there is plenty of detail for discussion.

The illustrations are very detailed as well as colorful and bright. The illustrations compliment the text beautifully. I highly recommend this book for those who enjoy reading about the world.

Head on over to Wendie's Wanderings for more great Nonfiction Monday recommendations.

Fantastic Friday: My Very UnFairy Tale Life by Anna Staniszewski

2012-01-27T11:32:00.000-08:00

My Very UnFairy Tale Life
written by Anna Staniszewski
Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, 2011
ISBN: 978-1-4022-5946-3
Grades 3-6
Reviewed from ebook copy provided by publisher through NetGalley.

BLURB: "You know all those stories that claim fairies cry sparkle tears and elves travel by rainbow? They're lies. All lies."—Twelve-year-old Jenny has spent the last two years as an adventurer helping magical kingdoms around the universe. But it's a thankless job, leaving her no time for school or friends. She'd almost rather take a math test than rescue yet another magical creature! When Jenny is sent on yet another mission, she has a tough choice to make: quit and have her normal life back, or fulfill her promise and go into a battle she doesn't think she can win.

Things I enjoyed: The premise of this book I found quite enjoyable. A girl who travels to other worlds to help fairy tale like kingdoms solve problems. The situations were definitely unique, not like any others I've ever read. Jenny tendency to quote cliches is amusing, yet rather appropriate. I did enjoy the one world she visited that was ruled by a sheep, which I found ironic, since sheep tend to wander when left to their own devices. The various secondary characters that Jenny interacts with added to humor, especially, Anthony, the Gnome.

Things I didn't enjoy: Jenny comes across as a bit of a complainer which I found annoying. Not that she doesn't have great reason to complain having lost her parents and not being supported in her adventures the way she would like. The lack of understanding from the adults Jenny works with also irritated me. Jenny is only twelve after all. Certainly, Jenny's desire to have a normal life is understandable, but I didn't find Jenny particularly likable until the end. I also prefer books with more depth. Most of the secondary characters weren't developed as much as I would have liked either.

However, the book makes for a light fun read with interesting twists and turns. And certainly young readers will understand Jenny's desire for friendship and normalcy. The cover is very intriguing and bound to attract readers, especially girls. I don't think I'd have a problem recommending this book as a entertaining, hard to predict read.

Picture Book Challenge: Dogs

2012-01-26T09:55:00.000-08:00

Bark, George
written and illustrated by Jules Fieffer
HarperCollins Publishers 1999
ISBN: 978-0-06-205185-1
Grades PreK-2
Reviewed from personal copy.

BLURB: Bark, George is a delightfully silly picture book about a dog who can't seem to bark right; for some unknown reason, he makes all sorts of other animal sounds.

This is delightful book, perfect for sharing with preschoolers or kindergartners. I have found that it inevitably elicits giggles. I enjoy reading this book with great emotion, shock, frustration, and a surprising twist at the end. I find that I like to pause before turning that final page. The illustrations are deceptively simple yet convey every emotion. This book reminds me of Mo Willem's Elephant and Piggie and Pigeon books. How these authors convey so much in so few words and simple lines amazes me. I highly recommend this book, it's great for read-a-loud time.

Dogs
written and illustrated by Emily Gravett
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 978-1-4169-8703-1
Grades PreK-2
Reviewed from personal copy.

BLURB: Gorgeous canines of every shape, size and color are bounding through this irresistible book. Can you choose one dog to love best of all? With playful pencil and watercolor illustrations to delight children and adults alike, everyone will long to bark along with the Chihuahua and tickle the Dalmatian's tummy. This is a wonderfully satisfying book with a twist in the tail.

The children I shared this book with really enjoyed it. Not only are the illustrations adorable and appealing, but the text is short enough to share with the youngest child. In addition to being just fun to read, the book can be used to talk about different kinds of dogs, as well as opposites. The twist at the end is amusing. I wasn't sure the kindergartners would get the ending but they did. They were also more than happy to talk about their own experiences with dogs. A fun read-a-loud on a perennially popular topic.

Read to Me Picture Book Challenge 2012

Growing Level: 120 books read with child(ren)

Completed: 8

Book Review and Interview: Hans My Hedgehog by Kate Coombs

2012-01-25T09:17:00.000-08:00

Hans My Hedgehog: A Tale from the Brothers Grimm
retold by Kate Coombs, illustrated by John Nickle
Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2012
ISBN: 978-1-4169-1533-1
Grades 1-5
Reviewed from copy received from publisher for review.
Opinions expressed are solely my own.

BLURB: A classic tale of love and acceptance from the Brothers Grimm is beautifully rendered in this magical retelling. Hans is an unusual boy. Born a hedgehog from the waist up, he knows what it’s like to truly be an outcast. Even his amazing fiddle playing can’t help him fit in. So Hans flees to the forest with his herd of loyal pigs and only his music to keep him company. But then a most unusual thing happens: When Hans crosses paths with two kings with two lovely daughters, his luck starts to change. Will this lonely soul find true love after all? This lively and lyrical retelling of the classic Grimm’s tale, paired with lush, detailed illustrations, reminds us of the power of music, the importance of belonging, and the transformative effect of love.

I enjoy a good folktale, but I generally read adapted versions. The Grimms Brothers fairy tale versions are usually too dark for my taste and they seem to revolve around justice and violence. I prefer stories that are uplifting and positive. That's not to say that I don't see the need for consequences when characters behave badly, I just don't like gruesome justice. Kate Coombs has taken the original story and tweaked it enough to make it one I feel comfortable sharing with my students.

Hans is a sympathetic character wanting to be loved and accepted by those around him. He has a great talent in creating music with his fiddle. I appreciated the fact that he had to work hard to develop this talent. When he is rejected he leaves home to live in the nearby enchanted forest with a herd of pigs and a beautiful, flying rooster. The kings, the one who intends on keeping his promise and the one who doesn't (see above summary) provide the moral in this fairy tale. Appropriately, the king who breaks his promise is punished (loses have his fortune) and the king, who keeps his promise receives a very talented son-in-law. I liked the fact that Hans broke his own curse through the beauty of his music. A well-told fairy tale worth adding to most fairy tale collections (makes for a great comparison with similar stories, like Beauty and the Beast).

I was not really excited about the illustrations when I first read the story. But in looking at them a second time, I've decided that they suit the story quite well. I liked the way the illustration integrated musical notes into the pictures to capture the importance of Hans's music in the story. Nickle also added some nice humorous touches. For example, the bad king, his daughter, and guards all wearing pink, definitely funny. Also, the picture where Hans is wearing only underwear and the reader sees for the first time the contrast between Hans's hedgehog half and his human half. The mention of underwear is almost always a laugh getter for children. The picture of the pigs wearing crowns and pearls is also amusing. I found it interesting that we don't actually see the face of the second princess until we see Hans as a complete human. The only problem I had with the illustrations was the leafless trees in the forest. This seemed odd to me. Otherwise I enjoyed the book.

Interview:

Tell us about yourbook.

Hans is the story of a boy who is born human from the waistdown and hedgehog from the waist up. Needless to say, he doesn't have a lot offriends—just the herd of pigs he takes with him to live in the forest when hegoes off with his fiddle, riding on a rooster. But in time, kings and promisesand the magic of Hans's music bring him a happy ending.

Please provide afavorite excerpt from your book.

Each note slipped between the trees like a spell. The pigs,listening below, were steeped in magic.

Where can readersfind you and your book?

The library, I hope! Barnes and Noble is carrying it in atleast some stores that I know of, but their turnover is often rather quick, soyou can always go to Amazon. I hope your local independent has it—for me that'sThe King's English in Salt Lake City, Utah.

What was yourfavorite book when you were a child/teen?

I had so many favorites! One I really loved (and still love)is The Silver Curlew by EleanorFarjeon. It's a middle grade retelling of "Rumpelstiltskin" (orrather "Tom Tit Tot," as the British version is called). The bookalso brings in elements of a nursery rhyme. It's funny and adventurous! I read a lot of fairy tale collections, too.

Can you share 5random facts about yourself?

I collect seashells and frog princes.

I write teachers' guides for state history books for 3rd/4thand 7th/8th graders.

I drew the portrait (of a younger me!) on my blog headermyself.

I avoid super-serious grown-up movies because they make mesad for days.

I have 15 bookshelves in my house.

I doodle a lot, mostly adding decorative serifs to letters,but also swirls and fancy bullet points.

What is your favoriteflavor of ice cream?

Ah, the decadence! My favorite is Ben and Jerry's PhishFood.

What do youespecially like about folktales? dislike?

I like the way they have definite shapes and types, butstill manage to surprise. I like that they are a haiku (and often superior) versionof those sprawling fantasy novels. I like that the tales from differentcountries are so different. For example, Japanese fairy tales are less likelyto have the kind of happy ending expected in a traditional European tale.

Dislike? If you get really into folktales and read theolder, complete collections, you'll find some boring ones. And I'm lessinterested in tales about a cast of animals interacting in humorous ways thanin the ones with dragons, princesses, and enchanted boys who are half-hedgehog.

Be sure to visit Kate's blog for a complete list of locations for Hans the Hedgehog's blog tour.

2012 Read to Me Picture Book Challenge

2012-01-24T10:03:00.000-08:00

There's a Book is once again sponsoring the Read to Me Picture Book Challenge. Since I really enjoyed participating last year and received some great books as prizes, I'm going to participate again this year. I am going to up my goal since I will be participating throughout the whole year rather than only a part like 2011. There are three levels of participation, Reading with a Child, Reading on Your Own, and Reading with child or on own with only a wrap up post at the end of the month. Since I work in a school library and see children every day, here is what I have decided to do. There are various goals to chose from based on how many books you think you can complete. I have decided to be daring this year and chose a more difficult goal. (Note: I did meet my goal for last year, I just didn't review all the books read on my blog.)

Reading with a Child (Children)

Growing Level (Read 120 books with a child during the year.)

Already completed: 8 books read (check back later this week for the official reviews).

I know this is ambitious, but it will help remind me how important reading aloud with children is. Sometimes I get so busy trying to cover everything I'm supposed to cover (I do have an assigned curriculum to teach) that I sometimes neglect this, my favorite part of being a school librarian.

If you have some great picture books that you think I should share, please let me know by email or in the comments. I'm always looking for great new books to share. I like to have a variety to choose from.

Nonfiction Monday: Soar, Elinor! by Tami Lewis Brown

2012-01-23T08:48:00.000-08:00

Soar, Elinor!
written by Tami Lewis Brown, pictures by Francois Roca
Farrar Straus Giroux, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-374-37115-9
Grades 2-5
Reviewed from purchased copy for Beehive Book Awards.

BLURB: Elinor Smith was six when she first went for a ride in a rickety "flying machine," and she was just sixteen when she earned her aviation license in 1928. But not everyone thought that girls should fly. When male pilots and newspapermen mocked her, Elinor decided to perform an aerial maneuver they thought was impossible: flying under all four bridges that span New York City's East River. Gorgeous sweeping illustrations by François Roca show how Elinor pulled off this risky feat skillfully and with style.

I really enjoyed this book. The combination of gorgeous illustrations and great text pair nicely in this title. I am also a big fan of books about people following their dreams and passions. I appreciated how Elinor's parents encouraged her in her dreams despite their unconventional nature. And one can't help but admire Elinor's courage and spunk in proving to herself and the world that women pilots were just as good as men. The longer text does make it more appropriate for older children, but the topic makes for a great sharing book. The topic would fit beautifully into discussions of American or women's history. The information at the end about the interviews with the real Elinor and the photographs are a great addition. I appreciated that the author went right to the source for her information (she interviewed Elinor herself). I highly recommend this book for curricular or personal use. The story can be enjoyed by anyone who appreciates courage and determination as well as the power of dreams.

Head on over to Shelf-Employed for today's Nonfiction Monday. You'll find some great nonfiction highlighted.

Fantastic Friday: Forbidden Sea by Sheila A. Nielson

2012-01-20T08:59:00.000-08:00

Forbidden Sea
written by Sheila A. Nielson
Scholastic Press, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-545-09734-5
Grades 5-8
Reviewed from copy borrowed from library.

BLURB: Yet, when the islanders find out about Adrianne's encounters with the mermaid she is scorned, for this small and superstitious community believes the mermaid will bring devastation to the island if Adrianne does not give herself to the sea. When Adrianne comes face-to-face with the mermaid of Windwaithe Island, of whom she has heard terrible stories all her life, she is convinced the mermaid means to take her younger sister. Adrianne, fierce-willed and courageous, is determined to protect her sister from the mermaid, and her family from starvation. However, the mermaid continues to haunt Adrianne in her dreams and with her song. A powerful and lyrical story of one girl who must choose between having everything and having those she loves.

I came across this book while doing reading for the Beehive Book Awards. The premise didn't appeal to me much, I am not a big fan of mermaids. But Adrianne has such a strong voice and I found myself rooting for her from page one. It quickly becomes apparent that Adri is the strong one in her family of four. Her younger sister is adorable but unequipped to take care of herself. Adri's mother is likewise too weak of spirit to even defend her daughter from the malicious attacks of her aunt. Her aunt is so bitter and angry about the past that she rarely has anything nice or helpful to say. While reading this I seriously felt at times like giving Adri's aunt a serious shake. That's one way I know I'm reading a good book, when I get emotionally invested in the characters.

The writing is superb and the setting clearly depicted. I could see the island in my mind. My favorite parts of the book however were the parts with the beautiful stallion, Dartemore. I'm a horse lover myself, so I especially liked Adrianne's special connection to horses. There is a taste of romance but nothing inappropriate. The depiction of mermaids is an interesting one. While the mermaid seems like an enemy at first, Adrianne's view of her changes over time and in the end she has to make a difficult choice. I highly recommend this book for those who enjoy a good fantasy, but like a strong dash of real life thrown in.

My Sparkling Misfortune Interview and GIVEAWAY

2012-01-19T08:35:00.000-08:00

I would like to welcome Laura Lond and Lord Arkus to my blog today. They have both graciously agreed to answer a few questions. (Well, one more graciously than the other, I'll let you figure out who.) For more information about the book and Lord Arkus check out my review of My Sparkling Misfortune. Also be sure to enter the giveaway at the end.

Questions for Lord Arkus:

Q. What made you decide to become a villain?

A: Everyone seems to want to know this; understandable curiosity, I suppose. It happened when I was very young. I had lost a close friend, and on top of that I had found myself accused of things I had not done. People tend to be cruel and unfair, as I’m sure you know. I figured it was not worth it to try to prove them all wrong -- and I enjoyed their fear of me. So I had embraced this path and proceeded to build my reputation as a villain.

Q. What is life like as a villain?

A: It’s a lonely profession, and you always have to watch your back. On the other hand, it’s a lot of fun. Enemies, for example, can provide just as much entertainment as friends -- if they are dealt with properly and timely, of course.

Q. What is your favorite part of being a villain?

A: You get to set your own rules!

Q. What advice would you give someone who wants to catch a gormack vs. a sparkling?

A: I wouldn’t advise trying to catch a sparkling… for several reasons. As to catching a gormack, you have to make sure you’re physically strong, that’s the first thing, because if you grab one but fail to hold him long enough, you’re doomed. There’s no second chance in this game. Also, don’t forget to properly seal the deal, to ensure his full submission. Otherwise, he’ll promise to serve you then rip off your head as soon as you let him go.

Q. What is it like living in a castle? What do you like best about your castle?

A: I like the atmosphere. A dark and dreary place like mine sets the right mood, not to mention helps to establish the right image. Here in my realm, everyone knows what Arkusville is like -- and knows to stay away. Well, except for heroes wishing to fight me, of course, but that’s a different story.

Taking care of the castle is a lot of work though. I need to be personally involved if I want things to run smoothly. Shork isn’t the brightest of servants, I can’t fully rely on him. And goblins can be quite troublesome, too, they tend to make mischief when they think I’m not watching.

Q. How do you spend your free time or what are your hobbies?

A: I am a busy man, I don’t have that much free time… But when I do, I like swordplay, and horse riding. I have discovered that I enjoy writing, too. With two books out and well accepted by readers, I am thinking about writing the third one. I’m also having a lot of fun recording the first two as audiobooks.

Q. Who is your most dangerous foe?

A: It used to be the accursed monster charged with the mission to kill me... I had spent several years running and hiding from him. Now that I’ve finally got that thing off my back, I’d have to say it’s Ragnar, the gormack. He is a powerful spirit, there’s not much I can do against him. And he’s mad at me. Very mad.

Q. What do you think of your new name, Lakeland Knight?

A: It’s detestable. It sounds *heroic* -- that says it all.

Author Questions:

Q. Tell us about the self-publishing process.

A: When the book is written, the first thing I do is celebrate. Writing a book is often compared to going on a long and difficult journey, and it is very true. Completing it deserves a moment to pause and simply enjoy it. Then I get to work preparing the release. I work with beta readers and cover designers, contact book reviewers, prepare the files for both ebook and paperback release. This takes time, but not nearly as long as traditional publishing takes, and having full control over the process is priceless. I usually release the ebook version first; a paperback follows shortly after that. Some of my books are being made into audiobooks, too.

Q. What inspired you to write the story?

A: Lord Arkus had entered my world and insisted that his story needed to be told. I did not see it all at the beginning, but one thing was clear: he was a villain who wanted a chance. So, together with the kind-hearted Jarvi, I gave it to him.

Q. Finish the sentence - one book I wish I had written is...

A: The Chronicles of Narnia.

Q. Tell us your most rewarding experience since being published.

A: Hearing from my readers. Receiving a letter from someone telling me that my book has brightened their day brightens mine.

Many thanks to Laura Lond and Lord Arkus for visiting with us today.

GIVEAWAY: One paperback copy and two ebook copies.

One entry per person. Please leave a comment below including an email address where I can contact you and which you would prefer, ebook or paperback.

This giveaway will run from January 19th to January 31st 11:59 p.m. I will announce the winners on February 1st. Winners will need to respond to an email with in 48 hours or another winner will be chosen.

Thanks for participating.

Middle Grade and Young Adult Giveaways

2012-01-17T08:02:00.000-08:00

There are some great giveaways going on right now. The Book Cellar has a couple of great ones, here (Kindle with 4 ebooks from Coliloquy) and here (Promise the Night by Michaela MacColl).

I am a Reader, Not a Writer currently has several giveaways going, check here. The Dreaming of Books Giveaway Hop ends January 18th, so don't forget to enter. There are lots of great giveaways to enter.

Books: A True Story is giving away a signed copy of Cinder with postcard.

I will be adding more listings throughout the week, if you know of others for me to add, please let me know. I will also be adding a giveaway of my own tomorrow so be sure to check back.

Nonfiction Monday: Miles to Go For Freedom by Linda Barrett Osborne

2012-01-16T12:47:00.000-08:00

Miles to Go for Freedom: Segregation & Civil Rights in the Jim Crow Years
written by Linda Barrett Osborne
Published in associate with The Library of Congress
Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2012
Grades 5 and up
Reviewed from purchased copy.

BLURB: Told through unforgettable first-person accounts, photographs, and other primary sources, this book is an overview of racial segregation and early civil rights efforts in the United States from the 1890s to 1954, a period known as the Jim Crow years. Multiple perspectives are examined as the book looks at the impact of legal segregation and discrimination on the day-to-day life of black and white Americans across the country. Complete with a bibliography and an index, this book is an important addition to black history books for young readers.

There are many books available for children and young adults about the Civil Rights Era, some are naturally better than others. But in order for children and young adults to truly understand the Civil Rights Era, they need to understand what came before. This book beautifully tells that story. The fabulous design adds greatly to the power of the story Osborne has to tell. With access to the Library of Congresses large collection of materials, Osborne gives the reader a glimpse into a time not so long ago through both general explanations and individual experiences. Reading about those who suffered so much and yet kept fighting is inspiring to say the least.

One of the things that I found fascinating and heartbreaking at the same time, was the account of what was going on in the North at the same time as Jim Crow came into being in the South. I learned a lot about the treatment of those who moved North hoping for better conditions. Conditions were better, but not by much, discrimination was still the order of the day, even if it wasn't specified by law. Even the federal government tried to keep African Americans down. It's also a story about the power of a single voice and the power of collective voices. I highly recommend this title for any and all American History classes and for those interested in where are country has been and how far we've come through the efforts of many, black and white.

Head on over to The Swimmer Writer for Nonfiction Monday.

Fantastic Friday: My Sparkling Misfortune by Laura Lond

2012-01-13T09:35:00.000-08:00

My Sparkling Misfortune
written by Laura Lond, illustrated by Alla Alekseyeva
self-published, 2011
ISBN: 9781460922361
Grades 7 and up
Reviewed from ebook sent by author for review.
All opinions expressed are solely my own.
No compensation was received for this review.

BLURB: Lord Arkus of Blackriver Castle readily admits that he is a villain and sees no reason why it should stop him from being the protagonist of this book. After all, Prince Kellemar, an aspiring hero, has defeated him in a rather questionable way.

Bent on revenge, Arkus attempts to capture a powerful evil spirit who would make him nearly invincible, but a last-minute mistake leaves him with a Sparkling instead—“a goody-goody spirit that helps heroes, watches over little children, and messes up villains’ plans.”

Bound to Lord Arkus for five years of service and sworn to act in his best interests, the Sparkling is not easy to get rid of, and of course his understanding of “best interests” is quite different from what Lord Arkus has in mind.

I'll state up front that I loved this book. It was delightfully humorous and entertaining. One of the most entertaining books I've read recently. Lord Arkus's determination to be a villain despite distinctly hero-like tendencies provides a funny plot point, especially with Kellemar as a foil. Kellemar is determined to be a hero, but he behaves in villain-like ways. The addition of the sparkling (Arkus was trying to catch a gormack) adds more humor as Jarvi (as Arkus names the sparkling), 'helps' Arkus in ways that Arkus does not desire. One of my favorite parts was where Arkus is trying to kidnap the local princess in order to obtain funds to return to his castle and get revenge on Kellemar, but things do not go according to plan. I highly recommend this book and the sequel, My Royal Pain Quest, which I, of course had to read because of the way the first book ends. The sequel is just as delightful and entertaining. Both books provide a relaxing and fun way to spend one's time.

Note: Check back next week for a giveaway involving this title.

Book Review: Dumpling Days by Grace Lin

2012-01-12T08:31:00.000-08:00

Dumpling Days
written and illustrated by Grace Lin
Little, Brown and Company, 2012
ISBN: 978-0-316-12590-1
Grades 3-6
Reviewed from purchased copy.

BLURB: There was no day that dumplings couldn't make better.

Pacy is back! The beloved heroine of The Year of the Dog and The Year of the Rat

As the month passes by, Pacy eats chicken feet (by accident!), gets blessed by a fortune teller, searches for her true identity, and grows closer to those who matter most. has returned in a brand new story. This summer, Pacy's family is going to Taiwan for an entire month to visit family and prepare for their grandmother's 60th birthday celebration. Pacy's parents have signed her up for a Chinese painting class, and at first she's excited. This is a new way to explore her art talent! But everything about the trip is harder than she thought it would be--she looks like everyone else but can't speak the language, she has trouble following the art teacher's instructions, and it's difficult to make friends in her class. At least the dumplings are delicious...

I'll confess right now that Grace Lin is one of my favorite authors. I've really enjoyed everything she has written. I really enjoy reading books about other places in the world and Lin introduces Taiwan beautifully. While I've never been in a country where I did not speak the dominate language, I sympathized with Pacy's confusion and frustration in trying to communicate with those she met. I've had students at my school who speak no English and I'm often baffled at how to communicate with them, especially when I have a whole class full of students to help or instruct. This book gave me a glimpse at the other side of things.

Lin's writing is so down-to-earth and flowing, it is easy to read her stories and feel like you are listening to someone in the same room. I would call her writing, comfortable and pleasant. The illustrations provide a nice touch, giving the reader a glimpse into Pacy's world and point-of-view. Highly recommended.

Wild & Wonderful Wednesday: War and Friendship

2012-01-11T08:45:00.000-08:00

The Friendship Doll
written by Kirby Larson
Delacourte Press, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-385-73745-6
Grades 3-6
Reviewed from purchased copy.
Utah Children's Beehive Book Award Nominee

BLURB: I am Miss Kanagawa. In 1927, my 57 doll-sisters and I were sent from Japan to America as Ambassadors of Friendship. Our work wasn't all peach blossoms and tea cakes. My story will take you from New York to Oregon, during the Great Depression. Though few in this tale are as fascinating as I, their stories won't be an unpleasant diversion. You will make the acquaintance of Bunny, bent on revenge; Lois, with her head in the clouds; Willie Mae, who not only awakened my heart, but broke it; and Lucy, a friend so dear, not even war could part us. I have put this tale to paper because from those 58 Friendship Dolls only 45 remain. I know that someone who chooses this book is capable of solving the mystery of the missing sisters. Perhaps that someone is you.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked up this book. This is the first book I've read by Kirby Larson and while I've heard great things about her writing and she does have a Newbery Honor book, Hattie Big Sky, to her credit, that doesn't always mean I will enjoy the book. There are plenty of award winning books that I have not enjoyed. But this book presents an interesting concept, similar to Hitty, Her First Hundred Years, except here, the doll in some magical way manages to communicate when she chooses to do so. While there is the fantasy element here, the book feels very much like historical fiction. I liked the fact that the author chose to write about a rather unknown topic, the Japanese Doll Ambassadors sent to the United States in 1927 representing the friendship between the two countries. Ironically, in just over ten years time, the United States and Japan were at war with each other and some of the dolls were lost, others put away.

I enjoyed meeting the girls in the story, Bunny, who so desperately wants to win more attention from her distracted parents, Lois, who must choose between pursuing a personal desire and getting a gift for her best friend, Willie Mae, who leaves home to help support her struggling family, and Lucy, who searches for a new home after she and her father lose not only her mother, but their farm. Each girl is different, but finds her life touched by the doll. A well-told tale of loneliness, hope, love, and persistence, I recommend this for those who enjoy strong historical fiction with a magical twist.

If you are interested in more information about these dolls, be sure to visit this website.

Eddie's War
written by Carol Fisher Saller
namelos llc, 2011
ISBN: 978-1608981090
Grades 4-8
Reviewed from ebook provided by publisher through NetGalley.

BLURB: World War II. Hitler is threatening to take over the world. Eddie Carl thinks America should stop him-it's just plain right. But Eddie's just a kid, and the farm in Ellisville, Illinois, is a long way from the fighting. Ellisville: where the big news stories are gophers in the graveyard and the new bank alarm. But then America joins the war and Eddie's brother Thomas goes off to fly a bomber. Suddenly the war doesn't seem so far away. And Eddie faces more grown-up problems at home: A fire at the Strothers' place, and his gypsy friend accused of arson. Grampa Rob, all stubborn and mean. Grama Lucy with her secrets. And that redhead Sarah, who definitely likes him-unless maybe she hates him. Somehow Eddie's in the middle of it all, trying to figure out what's right. Let Thomas fight World War II. Eddie's war is right here in Ellisville. Eddie's War is a lyrical collection of prose vignettes linking Eddie, his family, and a small-town cast of Ellisvillians. Poignant and funny, this World War II story tells how a distant war affects the life of one boy in the Heartland.

I quite enjoyed this book. I confess I didn't used to read much poetry, not that I hate it, but there were just other genres I liked better. As I've grown older though, I've branched out, willing to try things I haven't read before. I've been lucky so far, in that, the verse novels I've read have been especially good ones. This book joins that list. I think one of the things I enjoyed the most was the way Saller put her words together. Each line created a picture in my mind as I read, each additional line simply added to the picture created by the very first line of each poem. Each poem tells a story in its own right while at the same time, each poem added to my understanding of Eddie and his friends and family.

I greatly admire those writers who can so fully create characters that are easy to relate to and that I care about from page one. Writers who can do this with a minimum of words and in what could be a limiting format amaze me. Saller definitely goes on that list for me. She does a fantastic job of creating setting and plot. I enjoyed seeing Eddie grow up, the mishaps and excitement of youth, and the confusion that often accompanies growing up and realizing that life in many cases is not black and white, but gray. Thanks, Ms. Saller for allowing me the privilege of watching Eddie grow up. Highly recommended.

NOTE: There is some swearing and reference to spousal abuse in the book, so it's more appropriate for upper middle grade students.

GIVEAWAY WINNER!

2012-01-07T18:17:00.000-08:00

And we have a winner!

CAROL T., commenter 22 is the winner of

the $20 Book Depository giveaway.

Thanks to all who participated.

I will be posted another giveaway in a couple of weeks.

Marvelous Middle Grade Read-a-thon #2

2012-01-05T09:42:00.000-08:00

I've been pretty busy the last couple of days with school and the numerous things that need to be done, but I have finished another book. I'm also about a third of the way into The Secret Life of Ms. Finkleman. I also plan to start Grace Lin's Dumpling Days about which I have been hearing many good things. Miles to Go for Freedom is on my list as well. I need at least one good nonfiction read. head on over to Just Deb for some Middle Grade fun.

The Familiars
written by Adam Jay Epstein and Andrew Jacobson
HarperCollins, 2010
ISBN: 978-0061961106
Grades 3-6
Reviewed from purchased ebook.

BLURB: Is the kingdom's fate in the hands of an orphan cat? Running fast to save his life, Aldwyn ducks into an unusual pet store. Moments later Jack, a young wizard in training, comes in to choose a magical animal to be his familiar. Aldwyn's always been clever. But magical? Jack thinks so and Aldwyn is happy to play along. He just has to convince the other familiars the know-it-all blue jay Skylar and the friendly tree frog Gilbert that he's the powerful cat he claims to be. Then the unthinkable happens. Jack and two other young wizards are captured by the evil queen of Vastia.On a thrilling quest to save their loyals, the familiars face dangerous foes, unearth a shocking centuries-old secret, and discover a destiny that will change Vastia forever. Their magical adventure an irresistible blend of real heart, edge-of-your-seat action, and laugh-out-loud humor is an unforgettable celebration of fantasy and friendship.

I quite enjoyed this book despite the predictability and common fantasy elements. For one thing the main character is a cat (I like cats), which provides a different perspective. The end was not real hard to figure out, but getting there was enjoyable and exciting enough that I had a hard time putting the book down. I liked the fact that the focus is on the animals rather than the humans. While the book did present fairly typical fantasy motifs such as chosen ones, prophesies, evil wizards, quests, etc. There is an interesting twist at the end that I did not see coming. I definitely will be reading the sequels. Recommended for readers who enjoy animal fantasy.

Dusty Bookshelf Challenge 2012

2012-01-03T21:40:00.000-08:00

I've found another fun challenge to join for 2012. I have stacks of books sitting in my room waiting to be read. Some of them have been waiting for years. I am hoping to get some of these books read this year.

I am going to go for the Grungy Level (20+ books). Here are a few of the books I am considering for this challenge:

Disasters: Natural and Man-Made Catastrophes Through the Centuries by Brenda Z. Guiberson
The Sixty-Eight Rooms by Marianne Malone
Into the Land of the Unicorns by Bruce Coville
Keepers of the School: We the Children by Andrew Clements
The Case of the Gypsy Good-bye by Nancy Springer
Unraveling Freedom: The Battle for Democracy on the Home Front During World War I by Ann Bausum
A Savage Thunder: Antietam and the Bloody Road to Freedom by Jim Murphy
Palace Beautiful by Sarah DeFord Williams
Drita My Homegirl by Jenny Lombard
Lowji Discovers America by Candace Fleming
Syren (Septimus Heap) by Angie Sage
The Boy Sherlock Holmes His 3rd Case: Vanishing Girl by Shane Peacock
Young Samurai: The Way of the Dragon by Chris Bradford

I may substitute if I come across one I want to read more, but for now these are my choices.

Marvelous Middle Grade Read-a-Thon #1

2012-01-03T08:33:00.000-08:00

With Monday off of work I managed to get more reading done than I expected I would. I finished two books. I won't be able to get as much reading done for the rest of the week, but I hope to finish at least two more.

Jake
written by Audrey Couloumbis
Random House Books for Young Readers, 2010
ISBN: 978-0375856310
Grades 3-6
Reviewed from purchased e-book.
Nominated for Beehive Book Award Fiction.
Opinions expressed are solely my own.

BLURB: A heartwarming holiday story from Audrey Couloumbis, the Newbery Honor–winning author of Getting Near to Baby. With beautiful writing and an endearing young narrator so honest and full of hope that you can't help but fall in love with him, Audrey Couloumbis tells a story, of a young boy and the grandfather that he’s just getting to know, that will make readers laugh and cry and, most of all, appreciate the gift of family.

It's a few days before Christmas when ten-year-old Jake's mom breaks her leg, ending up in the hospital. For as long as Jake can remember, it's been just him and his mom. So with no one else to look after him, the hospital contacts the gruff granddad that Jake only knows through awkward twice-a-year phone calls. When Granddad shows up, he's nothing like Jake expected. And he brings a dog with him—a nightmare dog, Jake thinks at first. But as Jake gets to know his grandfather and a makeshift family of friends and neighbors comes together around him and his mom, he realizes that this might not be such a bad Christmas after all.

I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would based on the premise. When it first came out I chose not to read it because it didn't sound interesting to me. But I've changed my mind. It turns out that Jake is a sympathetic character, a boy who's had to grow up faster than most kids because of his single mother's personal struggles. When his mother gets injured, Jake is faced with changes in his universe, the most significant of which is the arrival of the grandfather he doesn't know. I liked the theme of accepting people by learning to see their good traits, even if you can find only one at first. This would make a thoughtful read-a-loud. Recommended.

It's Raining Cupcakes
written by Lisa Schroeder
Aladdin, 2010
ISBN: 978-1416990857
Grades 3-6
Reviewed from purchased copy for Beehive Book Award Fiction consideration.
Opinions expressed here are solely my own.

BLURB: Twelve-year-old Isabel is dying to get out of Oregon. She spends her free time in the library, reading and dreaming about faraway places. When her mom decides to open a cupcake shop in their little town of Willow, Isabel feels just like buttercream frosting to a cupcake-stuck. It seems as if it will be another disappointing summer, until Isabel learns of a baking contest. If she can come up with a winning recipe, she might have a chance of competing in the bake-off in New York City! But Isabel's best friend, Sophie, is also entering the contest, and things always seem to go Sophie's way. To make matters worse, Isabel and her mom don't exactly see eye-to-eye on the type of recipe Isabel should enter. In this sweet treat by popular teen author Lisa Schroeder, Isabel discovers that maybe it's not about where you go in life as much as it is about enjoying the view from wherever you are.

I am not much of a cook, so I wasn't sure how much I would enjoy this book. Turns out, I enjoyed it quite a bit. Isabel is sympathetic character, who is trying to figure out her world. Her struggles to cope with her mother's lack of gumption and her best friend's perfections are realistic and I rooted for her to find her way. Each chapter is named after a kind of cupcake and they sounded so good they made me hungry. I immediately went out and bought me some red velvet cupcakes, which I am thoroughly enjoying. I also purchased the sequel about Isabel's best friend, Sophie, hopefully it will be just as good.

Marvelous Middle Grade Readathon

2012-01-02T11:53:00.000-08:00

I love middle grade books, in fact, I think they are my favorite genre. So, of course, I have to participate in this fun readathon. Since I go back to school this week I won't be able to read as much as I'd like, but I hope to finish at least a few books. Here's the list I will be reading from:

It's Raining Cupcakes by Lisa Schroeder
The Secret Life of Ms. Finkleman by Ben H. Winters
The Familiars by Adam Jay Epstein & Andrew Jacobson (e-book)
Jake by Audrey Couloumbis (e-book)
Miles to Go for Freedom by Linda Barrett Osborne (nonfiction)
Glory Be by Augusta Scattergood
Dumpling Days by Grace Lin

Depending on my mood, there are a bunch of others I will consider as well, books I need to read for the Beehive Book Awards (Children's Literature Association of Utah).

Nonfiction Monday: Interesting History

2012-01-02T11:01:00.000-08:00

Big Wig: A Little History of Hair
written by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Peter Malone
Arthur A. Levine Books, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-439-67640-3
Grades 1-5
Reviewed from copy borrowed from library.

BLURB: History has never been hairier. Did you know that kings AND queens wore fake beards in Ancient Egypt? Or that hair was used in medicine at the height of the Incan Empire? Or that Queen Elizabeth I had more than 80 wigs in various shades of red? Kathleen Krull and Peter Malone start at the dawn of history and bring us up to contemporary times, using incredible bits and bobs of hair fact and lore to show us just how much things have changed (and how they haven't!). This is a perfect way to introduce young readers to the idea of a longitudinal study. And it's also an irreverant and playful look at what funny fashion victims we humans have always been!

As I read this book, I confess, there were parts where I wrinkled my nose and went, ewwwh. I found it kind of gross to read about the use of animals droppings in one's hair. I thought to myself, well, it's a good thing we don't do that now. And then the humbling thought came, are we really any different in the amount of time and effort we put in to fixing up or caring for our hair? I would have to say no. All one has to do is walk down the hair care aisle at a store to realize that we are just as fussy about our hair, dying, shampooing, conditioning, highlighting. The products we use may be different, but we are just as vain as those who came before. This book would be fun to share with students. I am always looking for history books to use with my students that demonstrate how interesting history can be. This one makes a good addition to that list. Recommended for students who enjoy learning about some of the odd behaviors of the past.

A Boy Named FDR: How Franklin D. Roosevelt Grew Up to Change America
written by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Steve Johnson & Lou Fancher
Alfred A. Knopf, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-375-85716-4
Grades 2-5
Reviewed from copy borrowed from library.

BLURB: Franklin D. Roosevelt was born into one of the wealthiest families in America, yet this ultimate rich kid grew up to do more for ordinary Americans than any other president. This appealing picture book biography shows how, from childhood on, FDR was compassionate, cheerful, determined, and enormously likable. Though he had private tutors as a young boy and later attended an elite boys' school, he played pranks and had down-to-earth fun just like any boy today. Kathleen Krull's animated picture book biography focuses on FDR's childhood years through his entry as a young man into politics and his battle with polio. A summary of his achievements as president and a chronology of his life are included. The well-researched text and the evocative illustrations by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher provide an inspiring introduction to one of our greatest presidents.

Picture book biographies are a great way to introduce real people to the younger crowd. However, when using them, one needs to realize that they are not complete in any way (as if any biography could be), and they often tend to focus on the good points of the subject. Such is the case here. Krull does a nice job of giving the reader a look at FDR's privileged childhood. As an only child, FDR usually got what he wanted. His determined nature helped him weather rejection. I appreciated the writing which was easy to read and would be great for a read-a-loud. The illustrations help place the story in its historical setting. The timeline at the back is great for reports, as is the list of additional references. Overall, a good introduction to a very influential man and the characteristics and experiences that helped make him the man he became. Recommended.

These books were reviewed for consideration as finalists for the 2013 Beehive Book Awards Informational.

Head on over to The Nonfiction Detectives for more great nonfiction recommendations as part of Nonfiction Monday.

GIVEAWAY Winner of Razzle-Dazzle Ruby

2012-01-02T10:51:00.000-08:00

The winner of the Razzle-Dazzle Ruby book is...

ELIZABETH at Book Attict!

Congratulations!

Read to Me Picture Book Challenge: Cats for Christmas

2011-12-29T11:57:00.000-08:00

A Bad Kitty Christmas
written and illustrated by Nick Bruel
Roaring Brook Press, 2011
ISBN: 978-1-59643-668-8
Grades 1-5
Reviewed from purchased copy.

BLURB: A HILARIOUS NEW HOLIDAY PICTURE BOOK ABOUT EVERYONE'S FAVORITE NAUGHTY FELINE "Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the city, not a creature was stirring...Except for BAD KITTY." A greedy Bad Kitty didn't get all the presents she wanted for Christmas, but after she goes on a Christmas caper across town and through multiple alphabets, she makes a new friend, finds an old friend, and learns the true meaning of Christmas. Or not. Nick Bruel's first picture book about Bad Kitty since the uproarious Poor Puppy in 2007 is full of rhyming mayhem... and Christmas cheer.

I have enjoyed all the Bad Kitty books, but I think this one is my favorite. Maybe because Bad Kitty for the first time, thinks of someone besides herself (a temporary fluke I'm sure). Once again, the way Bruel uses the alphabet three times in one book is amazing, but it does slow the book down a bit. I read this to several groups of kindergartners and I think it was a bit overlong. But first and second graders should enjoy it nicely. The Bad Kitty books, both picture books and chapter books (graphic novels?) fly off my library shelves. This would also be a creative way to encourage older students to make alphabet books themselves. A fun addition to the Bad Kitty series, bound to be enjoyed by any cat fan.

Just a note, there is one spot where the old lady is talking about her family and mentions a family with two mothers. I wasn't thrilled to see this because of my own beliefs but at the same time many children are bound to have contact with family situations different than their own and this creates an opportunity for discussion if you so choose, but when I read the book to my students, I don't think the students even noticed it. If they had noticed it I would have simply pointed out that not everyone has the same beliefs or family situation.

Merry Christmas, Splat
written and illustrated by Rob Scotton
HarperCollins Publishers, 2009
ISBN: 978-0-06-083160-8
Grades K-3
Reviewed from purchased copy.

BLURB: It's the night before Christmas, and Splat wonders if he's been a good enough cat this year to deserve a really big present. Just to make sure, he offers some last-minute help to his mom and, in typical Splat fashion, he messes up completely! That night Splat stays awake hoping to see Santa Claus. But when Splat misses him, he's sure his Christmas is ruined—along with his hopes for a really big present. . . .Everyone's favorite furry cat is back in a Christmas story perfect for any child anxiously awaiting Santa's arrival.

I am a Splat fan. I find him amusing and reading any of the Splat books makes me smile. The children that I have shared this and other Splat books with have enjoyed them as well. In this story the part I enjoy the most is when Splat is trying to 'help' his mother to prove how nice he is for Santa. This reminds me of having watched my nephew's attempts to help my sister. I have to admire her patience in letting him help even though she could get things done easier and faster on her own. She is both teaching and allowing him to learn to do things on his own, a challenging part of being a parent or a teacher. Anyway, when I read this to my students they seem to enjoy the part where Splat tries to see Santa but misses him completely. All in all a fun holiday read.

READ TO ME PICTURE BOOK CHALLENGE:
Watering Level: 25 completed of 36

GIVEAWAYS, Yeah!

2011-12-28T13:21:00.000-08:00

I am a big fan of giveaways, so this post is to share some giveaways that I know about. If you know of others I could add, please let me know.

Tiffany at Tiffany's Bookshelf is offering a $50 Amazon gift card.

Kathy at I am a Reader, Not a Writer presents a list every Wednesday highlighting great giveaways. Check out today's list.

As a Part of Got a Great Giveaway, I'm giving away one book from the Book Depository for $20 or less. This giveaway will close on January 6th. The only requirement is that the book needs to be Young Adult or Children's. Please leave a comment below, including some way of contacting you. One entry per person. NOTE: THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.

Reviewing Shelf is also hosting an international giveaway on her blog. This closes on January 7th.

There's a Book also has frequent giveaways.

Thanks for visiting and I hope you have a great holiday season!

Book Blogger Holiday Swap

2011-12-28T13:03:00.000-08:00

I was excited to participate in the Book Blogger Holiday Swap this year. Being my first year, I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but I enjoyed choosing items to send to my person and excited to see what would be sent to me. My secret Santa sent a variety of fun items. One new book (Darwen Arkwright and the Peregrine Pact), an ARC (Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children), a fun desk calendar, a small journal, and two bookmarks (one can never have too many bookmarks, I love to collect them myself). Thanks to Tiffany Harkleroad for being my secret Santa. I must apologize to my secret Santa, I did not put my name and/or blog name on it, I thought it was really supposed to be secret. Oops. Still, I hope Danielle at Mercurial Musings enjoys her gifts.

BLURB: Eleven-year-old Darwen Arkwright has spent his whole life in a tiny town in England. So when he is forced to move to Atlanta, Georgia, to live with his aunt, he knows things will be different - but what he finds there is beyond even his wildest imaginings!

Darwen discovers an enchanting world through the old mirror hanging in his closet - a world that holds as many dangers as it does wonders. Scrobblers on motorbikes with nets big enough to fit a human boy. Gnashers with no eyes, but monstrous mouths full of teeth. Flittercrakes with bat-like bodies and the faces of men. Along with his new friends Rich and Alexandra, Darwen becomes entangled in an adventure and a mystery that involves the safety of his entire school. They soon realize that the creatures are after something in our world - something that only human children possess.

BLURB: A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage. And a strange collection of very curious photographs. It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children who once lived here—one of whom was his own grandfather—were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a desolate island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive.

Fantastic Friday: The Fires Beneath the Sea by Lydia Millet

2011-12-23T10:13:00.000-08:00

The Fires Beneath the Sea
written by Lydia Millet
Big Mouth House, 2011
ISBN: 978-193152071-3
Grades 3-6
Reviewed from purchased copy.
All opinions expressed are solely my own.

BLURB: Cara's mother has disappeared. Her father isn't talking about it. Her big brother Max is hiding behind his iPod, and her genius little brother Jackson is busy studying the creatures he collects from the beach. But when a watery specter begins to haunt the family's Cape Cod home, Cara and her brothers realize that their scientist mother may not be who they thought she was—and that the world has much stranger, much older inhabitants than they had imagined. With help from Cara's best friend Hayley, the three embark on a quest that will lead them from the Cape's hidden, ancient places to a shipwreck at the bottom of the sea. They're soon on the front lines of an ancient battle between good and evil, with the terrifying "pouring man" close on their heels.

There were several things I liked about this book. First, there is a cool villain--the pouring man who is always dripping and attacks through any kind of water. Second, the author's detail about the setting (Cape Cod) created a great picture in my mind, which is useful for someone who has never been there. Third, the use of animals in a location they aren't normally found in, this helps create tension.

Character-wise, I liked the characters okay but I didn't love them by any means. I prefer books with characters I can really care about. The father is the character I found most sympathetic, trying hard to carry on as if things are normal, while missing his wife desperately. I didn't find Cara, Jax, and Max particularly compelling, interesting, but not compelling.

As far as the plot goes, the first half of the book is rather slow, after that it picks up. Once the kids know what they are supposed to do the story moves along a nice clip, much more compelling. The author does a good job of setting the scene, but she takes too long doing it. The most compelling scenes are the ones with the pouring man.

Overall, I liked the book well enough to read the upcoming sequels, but it's not one I'm likely to reread. The book would make a good read for students who like lots of background and scene-setting detail.

Seasons Reading: The Third Gift by Linda Sue Park

2011-12-22T11:44:00.000-08:00

The Third Gift
written by Linda Sue Park, illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-547-20195-5
Grades: All
Reviewed from purchased copy.
All opinions expressed are solely my own.

BLURB: From two extraordinary talents, a beautifully crafted picture book for the Christmas season. The three wise men, or the three kings, are familiar figures in the Christmas tradition. Newbery medalist Linda Sue Park has taken the brief biblical references to the three as the starting point for a new story. In it we meet a boy who is learning his father’s trade; a man who gathers resin from certain trees; a merchant in the marketplace; and three strangers in brightly colored robes who are shopping for a gift for a baby. Illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline with exquisite paintings, this simple, moving tale of ordinary people involved in an extraordinary event brings new resonance to the well-known gift list of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

What do you get when you combine a Newbery winning author and a fabulous illustrator? You get a book like this one. The story is told beautifully in just the right amount of words and illustrations that put you, the reader, into the background of the story. I felt almost like I was there watching the young boy and his father harvest tree resin.

I remember the first time I heard the story of the wise men, I, like many others, had no idea what frankincense and myrrh were. Gold is pretty self-explanatory, but frankincense and myrrh? I had no clue. I admit I just barely learned that frankincense came from trees. This book taught me that myrrh also comes from trees and has symbolic relevance to Jesus Christ beyond being a valuable gift. I had no idea that Myrrh was traditionally used primarily at funerals to show respect and caring to the departed. I appreciated the author's note at the end explaining the origins of the story and the author's interest in the subject.

As for the illustrations, what can I say beyond that they are gorgeous. They show so beautifully the tender story of a father patiently teaching his son the art of harvesting the trees. What a sweet and powerfully symbolic story. I can't recommend this book highly enough. I loved it, definitely one of my favorites this year.

Book Review: Grandpa Hates the BIrd by Eve Yohalem

2011-12-22T11:13:00.000-08:00

Grandpa Hates the Bird: Six Short Stories of Exciting, Hilarious and Possibly Deadly Adventure
written by Eve Yohalem
Telemachus Press, 2011
Grades 2-4
Reviewed from ebook sent by author for review.
No compensation was received for this review, all opinions expressed are solely my own.

BLURB: “Alas, it is true. Grandpa hates me. He has always hated me, even before I used his ear as a swing toy (his lobes are so long and flappy!). I can’t imagine why. I assume Grandpa hates me simply because I am the bird—and he is not.”

Everybody loves Bird. Joseph and Maya, Mother and Father, Humphrey the dog, Slick the snake. Everyone except Grandpa, who will stop at nothing to set Bird free. Forever.

• How does the battle begin when Bird and Grandpa are alone together for a whole week?
• See classroom chaos in Bring Your Pet to School Day!
• Exactly what are they hunting at the Aw Shoot archery range?

Fasten your feathers and warm up your wings—here are six collected short stories in the Grandpa Hates the Bird series!

I believe this is the first book I have ever read where the character telling the story is a bird. This surprises me a little because it really is a fabulous idea. Yohalem brings Bird to life wonderfully. I found myself laughing my way through each of the six stories in this book. One of the things that makes it funny is the fact that Bird himself seems so clueless as to why Grandpa hates him, but the reader figures it out very quickly. The second reason the book is funny is of course the way Bird responds to the situations in which he finds himself, such as playing dead (he is very good at this).

This book would make for a fun read-a-loud and could easily be used to teach point-of-view and visualization. Clearly Bird's and Grandpa's views are very different. While I routed for Bird through all the stories, one can't help but feel compassion for Grandpa (at times).

There were a couple of things that concerned me a little bit. First, the title, the word 'hates' in the title is a little off putting, at least for me. I thought that maybe Grandpa versus the Bird would perhaps be a better title, but that could just be me. Hates doesn't really convey humor to me. Luckily it didn't stop me from reading and enjoying the book. The other thing I noticed was the writing seemed awkward in a few spots, once again it wasn't enough to stop me from reading and enjoying the book. For me, writing becomes awkward when it pulls me out of the story enough that I stop and ponder the word choice or phrasing. Usually once I get used to the phrasing the author likes to use, I can get passed it (not always, but generally), but only if the characters and plot interest me, which in this case they did.

Overall, I recommend this book to those who enjoy humorous stories about pets, I did really enjoy it and plan to share parts of it with some of my students. Take a look at the author's website for more information.

Wild & Wonderful Wednesday: Three Nature Picture Books

2011-12-21T12:10:00.000-08:00

Coral Reefs
written and illustrated by Jason Chin
Roaring Brook Press, 2011
ISBN: 978-1-59643-563-6
Grades K-5
Reviewed from personal copy.

BLURB: During an ordinary visit to the library, a girl pulls a not-so-ordinary book from the shelves. As she turns the pages in this book about coral reefs, the city around her slips away and she finds herself surrounded by the coral cities of the sea and the mysterious plants and animals that live, hunt, and hide there.

This book is gorgeous, that pretty much covers it. The illustrations take the reader on a journey over and around a coral reef. Even without the words, I could easily follow the story. I love the idea of a book taking the reader on a journey to somewhere they may never be able to go in real life. This suits my lifestyle of armchair adventuring. The text does add a great deal of information, a little too much for a read-a-loud I discovered, especially when the students kept interrupting to share things they knew. The students definitely found the bright and colorful illustrations appealing, as did I. It took some of the students a little time to figure out why the coral reef was growing in a building, but once they figured it out they really got into it. This is a great book for sharing, there is so much to share and talk about. I highly recommend it for those who have any interest in the natural world. If you haven't read Chin's Redwoods as well, I recommend that one also.

Swirl by Swirl, Spirals in Nature
written by Joyce Sidman, illustrated by Beth Krommes
Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-547-31583-6
Grades K-3
Reviewed from personal copy.

BLURB: A Caldecott medalist and a Newbery Honor-winning poet celebrate the beauty and value of spirals.What makes the tiny snail shell so beautiful? Why does that shape occur in nature over and over again—in rushing rivers, in a flower bud, even inside your ear? With simplicity and grace, Krommes and Sidman not only reveal the many spirals in nature—from fiddleheads to elephant tusks, from crashing waves to spiraling galaxies—but also celebrate the beauty and usefulness of this fascinating shape.

Swirl by Swirl truly is a perfect merger of words and pictures. The pictures show so clearly what the text describes. I appreciated the fact that the different animals are labeled. This is a book I enjoyed sharing with my students. It was short enough that I didn't get bogged down reading it, but there is enough detail that we had things to talk about. This book makes a great read-a-loud for a larger group as well as one-on-one. I highly recommend this book.

Snow Rabbit, Spring Rabbit: A Book of Changing Seasons
written and illustrated by Il Sung Na
Alfred A. Knopf, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-375-86786-6
Grades K-2
Reviewed from personal copy.

BLURB: What do the animals do when the snow falls to the ground and all the trees are bare? Some fly long distances, while some swim to warmer waters. Some take a long, warm sleep where they live, while others have a thick, cozy coat and can stay in the snow! As with Il Sung Na's previous books, Snow Rabbit, Spring Rabbit is filled with rich illustrations, charming animals, and a simple, lyrical text—all wrapped up in a gorgeous package. It's a gentle introduction to the ideas of adaptation, hibernation, and migration, and an exhuberant celebration of changing seasons.

I enjoyed sharing this book with my kindergarten students. It provides a straightforward and basic introduction to the seasons. The unique illustrations are perfect for discussing illustration and some of the different techniques that are used to create them. The students enjoyed this cute book. I recommend it for teaching about seasons or for just plain enjoyment.

READ TO ME PICTURE BOOK CHALLENGE:
Watering Level: 23 of 36 completed

Read to Me Picture Book Challenge and GIVEAWAY: Razzle-Dazzle Ruby by Masha D'yans

2011-12-20T09:31:00.000-08:00

Razzle-Dazzle Ruby
written and illustrated by Masha D'yans
Scholastic, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-545-22500-7
Grades PreK-1
Reviewed from copy won in blog giveaway.

BLURB: A regular day becomes a magical adventure in this stunning novelty picture book from an amazing new talent! Ruby can make the ordinary extraordinary! Come skate on a shimmering pond, roll a giant snowball, sled down a snowy hill, and create soaring snow angels with her as she becomes a snow queen and transforms a typical winter day into a gleaming-beaming fairy tale.

When I first saw this book I thought it would be perfect for my kindergarten girls. It has a really cute little girl (Ruby) in a purple dress and flashing stockings. It has glitter on the cover which speaks "girl book" loud and clear. Once I read the book though I realized that the story could appeal to any child, boy or girl. Living in a state that is famous for its winter sports, especially skiing, the children around here have lots of experience playing in the snow. The first test was my four-year-old nephew and the book passed with flying colors. He very much enjoyed the tabs and pulls. Then I decided to try it with my kindergartners. I wasn't sure how well it would work with the tabs and pulls, but it turns out the students really liked it, both boys and girls. The flipping snowman was an especially big hit. I highly recommend this book for both boys and girls who like playing in the snow. It would go great with Ezra Jack Keats' The Snowy Day or Shirley Neitzel's The Jacket I Wear in the Snow for a story time about playing in the snow.

READ TO ME PICTURE BOOK CHALLENGE:
WATERING LEVEL: 20 of 36 Completed (I also read The Snowy Day and The Jacket I Wear in the Snow the same day).

Check out The Lemme Library for more great book recommendations. Book Talk Tuesday occurs every Tuesday, see here for past links.

To celebrate a year that is almost over and a delightful book, I am giving away one copy of this book through Book Depository. This giveaway is open internationally. Please leave a comment below and I will use Random.org to pick a winner on December 30, 2011. Make sure you leave an email address or other method for me to contact you should you win. Good Luck!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED! Thanks to all those who entered.

Nonfiction Monday: What to Expect When You're Expecting Joeys by Bridget Heos

2011-12-19T08:56:00.000-08:00

What to Expect When you're Expecting Joeys: A Guide for Marsupial Parents (and Curious Kids)
written by Bridget Heos, illustrated by Stephane Jorisch
Millbrook Press, 2012
ISBN: 978-0-7613-5859-6
Grades 1-5
Reviewed from copy received in giveaway at http://mymcbooks.wordpress.com/

BLURB: Congratulations, marsupial parents-to-be! You're about to meet your tiny bundles of joy. They're called joeys. Some are as small as a grain of rice when they're born! Read this book to find out how many babies to expect, how to help them find your pouch, and what those little joeys will do in there all day long. Whether you're a possum or an opossum, a kangaroo or a wallaby, a koala or even a shrieking Tasmanian devil, you'll find answers to all your parenting questions here.

I'll say right off the bat that I had no problem with the content. The format is fun and informative. The information was accurate and the question and answer format was interesting. I did learn things I didn't know, for example, I didn't realize that some marsupials such as wombats and koalas have pouches that face down/backwards. Unfortunately, the illustration on page 11 contradicts this. I understand the intention was to create cute illustrations and Jorisch succeeded, but I think they could have been accurate as well.

It also bothered me that the animals depicted were not labeled (no captions) at all. If I hadn't already known what a koala or wombat or wallaby looked like I wouldn't have known what animal was what. I did notice that the illustrator tried to illustrate the animals that the author mentions in the text, but when several animals were mentioned it sometimes created confusion about what animals were being shown. I would have liked to see more precise illustrations, photographs would have been even better. Overall, the information was great but the illustrations provided a light, humorous touch. I would recommend Nic Bishop's Marsupials for a more accurate depiction of different types of marsupials.

Head on over to Practically Paradise for more children's nonfiction recommendations. Nonfiction Monday is a meme hosted each week by a children's literature blogger highlighting children's nonfiction.

Read to Me Picture Book Challenge: Christmas Ducks

2011-12-16T10:02:00.000-08:00

Last week I read some Christmas related duck books to my kindergartners and they really enjoyed them. So here they are.

Have You Been Naughty or Nice?
written and illustrated by Ethan Long
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2009.
ISBN: 978-0-316-01722-0
Grades PreK-1
Reviewed from personal copy.

BLURB: In Have You Been Naughty or Nice? the duck excitedly awaits a visit from Santa Claus until he eats all of Santa's snacks and realizes he just put himself on the naughty list. But never fear, because the duck has a clever plan to get himself back on the nice list. This fourth book in Ethan Long's duck series features a cloth Santa cap on the cover and a fold-out letter to Santa, and is filled to the brim with holiday hilarity that will keep kids entertained for hours.

This book is quite short and makes for a quick read (which is a good thing when you've got squirmy kindergartners). The children quite enjoyed this one. The illustrations are cartoonish and deceptively simple. There are some clever touches such as the duck foot shaped stocking hanging over the fire place and the photo of the duck and poodle on the fireplace (this is humorous if you've read Stop Kissing Me by Ethan Long). One thing I found fascinating was how the kids responded to the duck's eating of the cookies. Every class I read this to pointed out that he could make some more. I explained that he didn't really have time to do that but it was a good idea. I really enjoyed reading this one aloud because of the emotion that duck expresses when he realizes what he has done. This one makes it easy to be expressive while reading it. Recommended for those who want a fun read, but also want a simple moral as well. Duck realizes that sometimes all that is required is an apology, something that many students need to be reminded of.

Santa Duck
written and illustrated by David Milgrim
G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2008.
ISBN: 978-0-399-25541-0
Grades K-2
Reviewed from personal copy.

BLURB: Nicholas Duck loves Christmas, and he is happy to try on the new Santa hat that's mysteriously delivered to his house. But when his friends see him and immediately launch into their Christmas lists, he doesn't know what to do . . . until he runs into Santa himself.

I find this book funny for several reasons. First, the things that the animals ask for, i.e. the chicken asks for a helicopter, a hot air balloon, and a hang glider, and a blimp. Second, the duck's confusion about why the animals are sharing their Christmas lists with him. Third, the ending, which I won't mention here so as not to spoil it, just know it is quite amusing. The children I've shared this with quite enjoyed it. The illustrations are very appealing and suit the story quite well. The duck is surprisingly expressive for a duck. There is a nice message here about giving being better than getting..almost.

Santa Duck and His Merry Helpers
written and illustrated by David Milgrim
G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-399-25473-4
Grades K-2
Reviewed from personal copy.

BLURB: It's Christmastime, so Nicholas Duck puts on his Santa's helper suit and proudly starts gathering wish lists for Santa. But this year, Nicholas's little brothers and sister want to help. Nicholas is not too keen on the idea, and when the overeager ducks try to outdo each other by promising outlandish gifts-the Hoover Dam for the beaver, a castle for the frog- Nicholas gets fed up. And as he tries to explain to his siblings what Christmas is all about, it turns out the kids have a thing or two to teach Nicholas about working together.

This is a cute sequel to Santa Duck. The interactions between the duck siblings are quite amusing. The quarrel is reminiscent of a lot of sibling relationships. What I think is especially funny are the efforts to top one another in promising gifts far beyond what was requested. The children I shared this with seemed to enjoy it. There is a nice reminder that there is far more to Christmas than just receiving gifts. Sharing with family can be the best gift of all.

Seasons Readings Challenge is hosted by Maestra Amanda's Bookshelf.

Read to Me Picture Book Challenge:

Watering Level Goal: 17 of 36 completed

Seasons Reading: A Christmas Tree for Pyn by Olivier Dunrea

2011-12-14T09:42:00.000-08:00

A Christmas Tree for Pyn
written and illustrated by Olivier Dunrea
Philomel Books, 2011
978-0-399-24506-0
Grades K-2
Reviewed from purchased copy.

BLURB: Christmas is coming. In the craggy rocks on the snowy mountainside, tiny Pyn has her heart set on decorating her very first Christmas tree. But, "No Christmas tree," Papa says. Still, Pyn won't take no for an answer. She knows that a Christmas tree is just the thing their cottage needs to make the season festive and cheery. Pyn is determined to find the perfect Christmas tree - no matter what.With this story of the love between a father and daughter, Olivier Dunrea captures the true spirit of Christmas.

I love Christmas stories that focus on the reasons for the season beyond the presents and the spending of money. Not that I don't enjoy that part of the season because I do, I love giving gifts. But sometimes it is good to have a reminder that there are things far more important than the trappings of the season. This book does a sweet job of reminding the reader that one doesn't need big expensive gifts or fancy decorations to enjoy the season.

The things that I especially enjoyed about this book include the darling illustrations. The contrast between tiny Pyn and her "two bunches of hair bouncing off either side of her head" and her father's "loud, booming voice, large, rough hands, and a bristly black beard" were delightful. The words flow beautifully, one could read the story without the illustrations and still have a good picture in one's mind of what's happening. But the illustrations do add a great deal to the story. I think my favorite illustrations is the one where Pyn is in snow up to her waist, carrying a small hatchet, but very determined to cut down the perfect Christmas tree, even if she has to do it herself (which of course she doesn't). I also really like the way Dunrea did the trees in the background, they are beautiful. I also liked the natural things that Pyn used to decorate the trees, proving that one doesn't need really expensive ornaments to have a pretty tree. I highly recommend this book to all who enjoy a great holiday story about family and celebrating.

Wild & Wonderful Wednesday: Wildfire Run by Dee Garretson

2011-12-14T09:02:00.000-08:00

Wildfire Run
written by Dee Garretson
Harper, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-06-195347-7
Interest Level: Grades 4-8
Reviewed from purchased copy.

BLURB: Just once Luke Brockett would like to do something slightly dangerous, but when your father is the President of the United States, that is not an option. Always surrounded by Secret Service agents and kept in a bubble of safety, Luke sees Camp David, the presidential retreat in the woods of Maryland, as the only place where he can almost be normal. For one week in August, Luke's mother has arranged for Luke to have a 'summer camp' experience, if summer camp had only three kids and the counselors carried automatic weapons. The experience comes to a quick end when a forest fire surrounds Camp David. Luke and his friends are trapped inside, left on their own, the Secret Service agents incapacitated, forcing the three to outwit security systems designed to be unbeatable before the fire gets to them.

Reading books like this one encourage me to be grateful for the life I have. I have no desire to live a life as structured and stifling as the one Luke lives. To be followed almost everywhere by bodyguards or the media would drive me bananas. I like my privacy. It would also be so very easy to become dependent on those around you. This kind of book makes me wonder what I would do in the same situation.

In this book, Luke struggles to find a sense of normalcy with his friend Theo which immediately speaks to the reader's sense of empathy. Garretson does a decent job of creating characters that you care about. The focus of the story is on the survival aspects of the children's situation. I appreciated the fact that she doesn't have the kids do things inconsistent with their personalities. In this sort of book that would be easy to do. Survival stories have a unique sort of challenge, the situation needs to be intense without being impossible. There needs to be hope but without making the things the characters do ludicrous. Wildfire Run has a good balance of challenges emotional, physical, and mental. The thing that I found the most interesting was how the children came up with ways to overcome the challenges in front of them. I enjoy reading about people overcoming hard things. The only thing that I didn't find completely believable was the ending. The children would to my mind need awhile to recover from the incredible stress they had been under, yet they seem to be perfectly normal at the end. Other than that however I enjoyed the story and recommend it to all who enjoy a good adventure/survival story.

Book Talk Tuesday: Waiting for the Magic by Patricia MacLachlan

2011-12-13T09:06:00.000-08:00

Waiting for the Magic
written by Patricia MacLachlan, illustrated by Amy June Bates
Atheneum Books for Young Reader, 2011
ISBN: 978-1-4169-2745-7
Interest Level: Grades 3-6
Reviewed from copy borrowed from school library.
The opinions expressed in this review are solely my own.

BLURB:
People may drift apart
But love can hold them together.
Sometimes we find that love through magic –
Sometimes that magic is all around us
This is a story about all of these things.
But it's also a story about how
four dogs
and one cat
help one boy
and his sister
save their family.

This is a rather interesting blurb. I think this is the first blurb I've read that reads like a poem. Yet it fits the rather dreamy, gentle nature of the story. In some ways it reminds me of Kate DiCamillo's work on The Tale of Despereaux, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, or The Magician's Elephant. The writing is certainly as good as DiCamillo's and the illustrations add a nice touch. I really enjoy middle grade books with illustrations.

I'll admit when I started reading this I didn't really like it, it seemed to unbelievable, I mean adopting FIVE animals after the father walks out. How realistic is that? But by the time I finished the story, MacLachlan had won me over. Yes, the book is not necessarily realistic in terms of the practical nature of real life, but at the same time the emotions it projects are very real. The anger that William feels toward his father, the confusion of his younger sister, Elinor, seem all too real.

The talking animals threw me for a loop at first, but gradually the humor and insights of the dogs made me smile. The dogs seem to represent the 'magic' of the title, but not in the way one might think. The talking dogs do of course move this book into the fantasy genre, but it doesn't feel like fantasy. The predominant feeling is one of hope, love, and forgiveness and how people can change when they have the support of loved ones. It's interesting that the book should have such a light, gentle touch considering it's dealing with a hard subject (parental conflict and separation), but the comfort the characters receive through their adopted pets makes the book a good one to share with students not ready for heavier, darker treatments of the same subject.

I recommend this book for students who like slower paced, gentle reads with adorable characters.

Head on over to The Lemme Library for more Book Talk Tuesday.

Seasons Reading: The Perfect Christmas by Eileen Spinelli

2011-12-12T12:42:00.000-08:00

The Perfect Christmas
written by Eileen Spinelli, illustrated by JoAnn Adinolfi
Henry Holt and Company, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-8050-8702-4
Interest Level: Grades K-2
Reviewed from purchased copy.

BLURB: Family one: exquisite pastries, a beautifully trimmed tree, and festive cello music. Family two: an artificial tree, rock hard candy, and custom kazoo carols. Full of silly humor, this cheerful picture book proves that no matter how you celebrate Christmas, it’s the spirit of the holiday that counts the most.

This book is pretty straightforward. It compares the different ways that two families celebrate Christmas. I enjoyed looking at the differences between the two families. The way the two families come together at the end is a pleasant reminder that we can find things in common with each other if we make the effort. There is some humor mixed in (one of the grandmother's cookies breaking someone's toe).

The story is written in rhyme that flows fairly well which makes the book good as a read-a-loud. The illustrations are colorful and pleasing. I liked the way the collage aspects of the illustrations gave them texture (I like texture). Overall, a very friendly, pleasing read.

I plan to use this book with my first graders next week and talk about some of the different ways that people celebrate. The students will undoubtedly be more than willing to share different ways that their families celebrate. I'm always on a mission to help students realize that just because other people do things differently that doesn't make it bad.