Geo Librarian

LINDBERGH: THE TALE OF A FLYING MOUSE by Torben Kuhlmann NorthSouth, 2014 Releases on April 1, 2014 ISBN: 9780735841673 Picture Book Grades 1 and up Reviewed from copy provided on ISSUU by publisher. ABOUT THE BOOK A story of toil and triumph—inspired by Charles Lindbergh’s solo flight! These are dark times . . . for a small mouse. A new invention—the mechanical mousetrap—has caused all of the mice but one to flee to America, the land of the free. But with cats guarding the steamships, trans-Atlantic crossings are no longer safe. In the bleakest of places . . . the one remaining mouse has a brilliant idea. He must learn to fly! Torben Kuhlmann’s stunning illustrations will capture the imagination of readers young and old with the death-defying feats of this courageous and persistent young mouse. REVIEW Lindbergh is the inspiring story of a mouse determined to reunite with his fellow mice in America.  After the advent of mouse traps, the mouse fin...

Welcome to my blog post celebrating multicultural children's literature. I've read many great books in this genre due to my love of geography and learning about other cultures.  Unfortunately it's an area of children's literature that still lags behind other genres, which is why this celebration was created, to bring attention to the issue and encourage readers of all kinds to read more of this kind of book. Special thanks to Lee & Low for my review book! Please enjoy looking around and I hope you join us in this celebration! CO-CREATORS and HOSTS The co-creators of this unique event are Mia Wenjen from Pragmatic Mom and Valarie Budayr from Jump Into a Book /Audrey Press.  Valarie Budayr of Jump Into a Book is a best-selling children’s author of The Fox Diaries: The Year the Foxes Came to our Garden and The Ultimate Guide To Charlie and The Chocolate Factory. She is passionate about making kid’s books come alive and is proud to be a play and reading ad...

THE SCAR BOYS  by Len Vlahos Egmont, 2014 ISBN: 9781606844397 Young Adult Contemporary Grades 9 and up ABOUT THE BOOK A severely burned teenager. A guitar. Punk rock. The chords of a rock 'n' roll road trip in a coming-of-age novel that is a must-read story about finding your place in the world...even if you carry scars inside and out. In attempting to describe himself in his college application essay--help us to become acquainted with you beyond your courses, grades, and test scores--Harbinger (Harry) Jones goes way beyond the 250-word limit and gives a full account of his life. The first defining moment: the day the neighborhood goons tied him to a tree during a lightning storm when he was 8 years old, and the tree was struck and caught fire. Harry was badly burned and has had to live with the physical and emotional scars, reactions from strangers, bullying, and loneliness that instantly became his everyday reality. The second defining moment: the day...

BABY PENGUINS LOVE THEIR MAMA! by Melissa Guion Philomel, 2014 ISBN: 978-0-399-16365-4 Picture Book Grades PreK-1 Review copy provided by publisher in return for honest review. All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK When you're a mama penguin with lots (and lots) of little ones to take care of, the days can melt together in a blur. Monday: swimming lessons. Tuesday: sliding. Wednesday: waddling. And on and on. Mama loves her babies so much. Do they know, she wonders, just how much? As it turns out, they do--because they love her just as much! And to show it, they surprise her with a thoughtful gesture of their own on Sunday. In her companion to Baby Penguins Everywhere! Melissa Guion offers another adorable book for sharing between mother and child. A perfect Valentine's Day, Mother's Day—or any day—gift for the person who is always there for us. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Melissa Guion's first picture book, Baby Penguins Everywh...

GREAT BEAR RAINFOREST Travels with Gannon & Wyatt #2 by Patti Wheeler & Keith Hemstreet Greenleaf Book Group Press, 2014 ISBN: 978-1-60832-588-7 Middle Grade Adventure Grades 4-8 Reviewed from purchased copy. ABOUT THE BOOK Gannon and Wyatt can't wait to trek into the Great Bear Rainforest in search of the mythical spirit bear, but surviving in this unforgiving wilderness proves more challenging than they could have ever imagined. When members of the expedition go missing, the brothers bravely set out on a search-and-rescue mission. Soon they find themselves lost in a forest teeming with grizzlies, wolves and mysterious gunmen. Guided by the wisdom of the First Nation people, the Gannon and Wyatt uncover a sinister plot and must risk everything to save those who are missing and restore balance to the Great Bear. In the tradition of the historic journals kept by explorers such as Lewis and Clark, Dr. David Livingstone, and Captain James Cook comes the...

THE CASE OF THE TIME-CAPSULE BANDIT Randi Rhoades, Ninja Detective #1 by Octavia Spencer Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2013 ISBN13: 9781442476813 Middle Grade Mystery Grades 4-8 Reviewed from purchased e-book. ABOUT THE BOOK Meet Randi Rhodes, the world's first ninja detective! Mystery abounds in this delightful new middle grade series from Academy Award-winning actress Octavia Spencer. Deer Creek is a small town whose only hope for survival is the success of their Founder's Day Festival. But the festival's main attraction, a time capsule that many people believe hold the town's treasure, has gone missing. Randi Rhodes and her best friend, D.C., are Bruce Lee-inspired ninjas and local detectives determined to solve the case. Even if it means investigating in a haunted cabin and facing mean old Angus McCarthy, prime suspect. They have three days to find the treasure; the future of their whole town is at stake! Will these kids be able...

ROSE by Holly Webb Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, 2013 ISBN: 9781402285820 Middle Grade Fantasy Grades 3-6 Reviewed from purchased copy. All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK The grand residence of the famous alchemist, Mr Fountain, is a world away from the dark orphanage Rose has left behind. For the house is positively overflowing with sparkling magic—she can feel it. And it’s not long before Rose realises that maybe, just maybe, she has a little bit of magic in her, too. . . . The first book in an exciting, get-lost-in-the-world series about orphans, alchemy, magical powers and sinister child-catchers. REVIEW When Rose discovers that she may have magical capabilities she's quite unhappy about it.  All she wants is to have a position where she can take care of herself and enjoy a little free time.  But when she's taken away from the orphanage where she's spent her whole life and ends up in the house of a fully trained magici...

CLARK THE SHARK DARES TO SHARE by Bruce Hale, illustrated by Guy Francis HarperCollins, 2014 ISBN: 978-0-06-227905-7 Picture Book Grades K-3 Reviewed from purchased copy. All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK Join Clark the Shark as he discovers the true meaning of sharing and caring in this colorful read-aloud picture book written by Bruce Hale and illustrated by Guy Francis. In Clark the Shark Dares to Share, our favorite boisterous shark learns that sharing is caring--but sometimes the lesson is a little confusing. Clark shares his funky shark dance with the class, but Mrs. Inkydink tells him he has to wait his turn. Clark shares his reef-hockey skills, but his teammates would rather Clark share the puck. With help from his friends and with his trademark lively rhythms and rhymes, Clark learns how to share in this follow-up to Clark the Shark. REVIEW Clark the Shark is one of my new favorite characters. His intentions are good but he does...