Geo Librarian

A PLACE FOR TURTLES written by Melissa Stewart, illustrated by Higgins Bond Peachtree, 2013 ISBN: 978-1-56145-693-2 Picture Book Nonfiction Grades K-5 Reviewed from copy received in publisher giveaway. Thanks! All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK In simple yet informative language, A Place for Turtles introduces young readers to the ways human action or inaction can affect turtle populations and opens kids minds to a wide range of environmental issues. Describing various examples, the text provides an intriguing look at turtles, at the ecosystems that support their survival, and at the efforts of some people to save them. At the end of the book, the author offers readers a list of things they can do to help protect these special creatures in their own communities. REVIEW Turtles are endangered throughout the world. There are many reasons for this, pollution, alien species of plants or animals, loss of habitat, fishing nets, and hunting.  S...

THE CENTER OF EVERYTHING by Linda Urban Harcourt Children's Books, 2013 ISBN: 978-0-547-76348-4 Middle Grade Contemporary Grades 3-6 Reviewed from purchased copy. ABOUT THE BOOK For Ruby Pepperdine, the “center of everything” is on the rooftop of Pepperdine Motors in her donut-obsessed town of Bunning, New Hampshire, stargazing from the circle of her grandmother Gigi’s hug.  That’s how everything is supposed to be—until Ruby messes up and things spin out of control. But she has one last hope. It all depends on what happens on Bunning Day, when the entire town will hear Ruby read her winning essay. And it depends on her twelfth birthday wish—unless she messes that up too. Can Ruby’s wish set everything straight in her topsy-turvy world? REVIEW  I think one of the most fascinating things about this book is how the author slipped back and forth between the past and present so easily.  She shows us how Ruby is feeling in the present and then slowly goes ...

LIKE BUG JUICE ON A BURGER by Julie Sternberg Amulet Books, 2013 ISBN: 978-1-4197-0190-0 Middle Grade Contemporary Grades 3-5 ARC provided by publisher in return for honest review. All opinions expressed are solely my own. ABOUT THE BOOK I hate camp. I just hate it. I wish I didn’t. But I do. Being here is worse than bug juice on a burger. Or homework on Thanksgiving. Or water seeping into my shoes. In this sequel to the critically acclaimed Like Pickle Juice on a Cookie , Eleanor is off to summer camp. At first she’s excited to carry on the family tradition at Camp Wallumwahpuck, but when she gets there she finds icky bugs, terrible food, and worst of all: swim class, where she just can’t seem to keep up with everyone else. But as the days go on, Eleanor realizes that even the most miserable situations can be full of special surprises and that growing up is full of belly flops. REVIEW I admit I am not the biggest poetry fan and I'm always a little bit caut...

ZEKE MEEKS VS. THE BIG BLAH-RIFIC BIRTHDAY by D.L. Green, illustrations by Josh Alves Picture Window Books, 2013 ISBN13: 9781404876378 Grades 1-3 Primary Humor (Early Chapter Book) Reviewed from e-galley provided by publisher through NetGalley. ABOUT THE BOOK When Zeke's birthday party falls near Grace Chang's and Owen Leech's big bashes, he decides to cancel his party. After all, even he would rather go to their over-the-top parties than his simple celebration. But Zeke and his classmates are in for a surprise. Bigger doesn't always mean better. REVIEW As an elementary librarian I am always on the lookout for fun books to recommend to my students who are still learning to read (K-2).  There are a ton of books available but some have more kid appeal than others.  The series I'm talking about today has a ton of kid appeal, especially for boys who are reluctant readers.  Zeke Meeks hates bugs, loves bloody, gory video games, and is terrified of Gra...

STARRING JULES (AS HERSELF) by Beth Ain, illustrated by Anne Keenan Higgins Scholastic Press, 2013 ISBN: 978-0-545-44352-4 Grades 2-5 Middle Grade Contemporary Reviewed from purchased copy. ABOUT THE BOOK Lights! Camera! Action! A hilarious chapter book debut from a fabulous new talent! Things to Know About Me by Jules Bloom 1. I am a scrambled-eggs-and-chocolate-milk type person. 2. I have an audition for a TV commercial (which would be great if I were a tall-icy-drink type person.) 3. I am in between best friends right now. 4. I am worried that the audition will be a disaster. (See #1 and #3!) Jules doesn't want to ruin THE OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME, and she's willing to turn to anyone for help--even her know-it-all ex-best friend! If only that lovely new girl in class would turn out to be the new best friend of her dreams, maybe, just maybe, Jules will be ready for her close-up.... REVIEW I'm always on the lookout for fun early chapter books that I c...

WHO SAYS WOMEN CAN 'T BE D OCTORS? The Story of Eli zabeth Blackw ell by Tanya Lee Stone, illustrated by Marjorie Priceman Henry Holt and Company, 2013 ISBN: 978-0-8050-9048-2 Picture Book Biography 1st and up Reviewed from purchased copy. ABOUT THE BOOK In the 1830s, when a brave and curious girl named Elizabeth Blackwell was growing up, women were supposed to be wives and mothers. Some women could be teachers or seamstresses, but career options were few. Certainly no women were doctors.   But Elizabeth refused to accept the common beliefs that women weren’t smart enough to be doctors, or that they were too weak for such hard work. And she would not take no for an answer. Although she faced much opposition, she worked hard and finally—when she graduated from medical school and went on to have a brilliant career—proved her detractors wrong. This inspiring story of the first female doctor shows how one strong-willed woman opened the doors for all the female doc...

STARRY RIVER OF THE SKY by Grace Lin Little Brown Books for Young Readers, 2012 ISBN: 9780316215534 Middle Grade Fantasy/Folktales Grades 3-6 ABOUT THE BOOK The moon is missing from the remote Village of Clear Sky, but only a young boy named Rendi seems to notice! Rendi has run away from home and is now working as a chore boy at the village inn. He can't help but notice the village's peculiar inhabitants and their problems-where has the innkeeper's son gone? Why are Master Chao and Widow Yan always arguing? What is the crying sound Rendi keeps hearing? And how can crazy, old Mr. Shan not know if his pet is a toad or a rabbit? But one day, a mysterious lady arrives at the Inn with the gift of storytelling, and slowly transforms the villagers and Rendi himself. As she tells more stories and the days pass in the Village of Clear Sky, Rendi begins to realize that perhaps it is his own story that holds the answers to all those questions. Newbery Honor author...