FEBRUARY 25, 2008
Billy Creekmore by Tracey Porter
Set principally in West Virginia in the early 1900's, this historical novel follows Billy through his days on the work farm called the Guardian Angels Home for Boys. Nearly starved and harshly worked, when he is ten years old he narrowly avoids being indentured to a cruel master who owns a glassworks. Rescued at the last instant by an uncle that he didn't know he had, he happily leaves the orphanage and goes to live in a coal town with his kindly aunt and her husband. Billy accepts without question that he will become a mine worker. He joins his uncle in attempting to seek better working conditions by joining the United Mine Workers Union. When his activity is discovered, he has to take to the road again - leading to his employment with a traveling circus. Time and again just when events seem to be favoring Billy, another crisis looms on the horizon giving his life story a distinctly Dickensian flavor. Young readers will finish this tale with an improved understanding of how vital were the child labor laws passed to protect the "real" Billy Creekmores.
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FEBRUARY 25, 2008
The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain by Peter Sis
This unusual picture book autobiography is made up equally of Sis's uniquely detailed illustrations and his interesting, supporting prose. Born in Brno, Czechoslovakia, during the early years of the Cold War between the Soviet Union and the free countries of the Western World, Sis begins by sharing simple words and images depicting his preschool years. Upon entering school, he finds that rather than being free to draw anything, he is strictly limited as to his choices. As he grows toward adulthood, there is a gradual lessening of compulsory behavior. Sis is allowed to become a dj and to travel around Europe, but he is always told when to return. Soon however, hope for a better life dies, although not his growing determination to somehow escape. This winner of the Robert F. Sibert Award for the best informational book of 2008 fills an important niche, as it clearly describes for young readers (grades 5-8) what it means to live under an unimaginably repressive government all the while longing for artistic freedom..
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FEBRUARY 25, 2008
The Secret of Priest's Grotto: A Holocaust Survival Story by Peter Lane Taylor
This is a both caver's story of discovery and the true story behind several Jewish families who hid in caves for over a year while hiding from the Nazis during WWII. Cavers Chris Nicola and the author Peter Taylor return to Priest's Grotto in the Ukraine in 2003 where traces of human habitation were originally discovered in 1993 including old shoes, buttons, and a hand-made millstone. An internet search for the original occupants leads Taylor to Brighton Beach, New York where the first of 38 survivors is located. Many of the other family members are located in Montreal, Canada. After interviews with them, Taylor is able to write the story of their survival in caves without light, little food, and little support from anyone living outside. It is an amazing story considering it seems there can be few stories left to hear that haven't already been told. This is a short book with numerous photographs, side-bars and quotes from the survivors. Suitable for children and adults in grades 4 and up who are interested in the Holocaust and/or caving. Some sophisticated vocabulary is used that might be a challenge for readers.
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FEBRUARY 20, 2008
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg
Here is a classic story that is full of fun and adventure. This is the story of Claudia, the oldest of four children, and the only girl. Claudia longs for adventure, as she is tired of the same old routine of school, chores, and looking after her younger brothers. She enjoys school well enough, and doesn't necessarily mind all of her responsibilities, but she wants something more, something where she, Claudia, can be noticed for more than just making straight As. Claudia's plan is to run away. She isn't going to really run away, where she just goes off and no one ever hears from her again. No, Claudia is going to run away to an exciting place. She is running away to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. She is also going to be accompanied by her younger brother, Jamie. He is very resourceful when it comes to money, and he won't squeal on her the way her other brothers would. Claudia's plan is well-thought out and it works, including using her violin case as a suitcase for clothes, and even taking care of sending her parents a letter, so that they won't worry. The Metropolitan proves to be a fascinating place to run away to, and it is quite an amazing place to look at all of the art, sleep on an old-fashioned bed, and even taking a bath in the fountain! All of this proves to be great fun, but then, Angel appears. Angel is a statue, and it is the highlight exhibit of the museum. Angel is highly regarded as he/she has supposedly been sculpted by Michelangelo. It is quite the mystery. Jamie and Claudia decide to solve the mystery. Will they solve it? Who is this Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler whose name is in the title? Will Claudia and Jamie make it back home? Read this Newbery Award winning title to find out. A great read for those students in grades 4-6.
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FEBRUARY 15, 2008
Mostly Monty by Johanna Hurwitz
Monty Morris is a first-grade boy who is struggling with making friends. It is difficult to make friends when you are six years of age and can't run or ride your bike without having to stop and use your inhaler. Monty has asthma. Monty cannot have pets or even stuffed animals without finding it difficult to breathe. At school the kids all know each other from their play in the neighborhood. Monty has not been a part of this. Monty can do one thing very well. He is an excellent reader. He loves to read and has gotten his reading level the highest in the class. Monty loves to read informational books. The school librarian often wants to get Monty books that are boring or to easy for him. His teacher, Mrs. Meaney (who is not mean at all) let the librarian know Monty's interests. In Monty's reading adventures, he reads about kangaroos and becomes fascinated with these animals. He forms a kangaroo club and the kids want to join the club! They meet at Monty's house on the front porch. This opens up a way for Monty to make friends. This book is most appropriate for readers in first and second grades.
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FEBRUARY 7, 2008
The Golden Dream of Carlo Chuchio by Lloyd Alexander
After finding a treasure map in a book given him by a strange bookseller, Carlo Chuchio wants nothing other than to seek the treasure he is sure awaits him. He gets his wish after his merchant Uncle throws him out for his constant daydreaming. After a sea-sickening passage to Campania, Carlo is ready to follow the legendary Road of Golden Dreams to find his treasure, but is convinced that he needs to hire a camel-puller by the quick talking Baksheesh. Not that he has a camel. Carlo also quickly picks up another traveler, Shira, who wants to return to her family's caravanserai from which she had been kidnapped and her parents killed. They set out together joining a caravan that is attacked and Carlo mistaken for both a prince and a great warrior. Baksheesh never does pull a camel, although at times he is a camel pusher. Mostly though, he is a complainer. Shira is out for revenge on the man who killed her parents. At one point in the journey, they each receive a dream by a dream merchant. The dream Carlo receives is not the dream of finding the treasure he seeks, but it may be the treasure he his truly searching for. This book is the author's last book written before his death last year. Full of adventure, fighting, quick thinking, and humor, it will appeal to readers ages 10 and up.
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FEBRUARY 6, 2008
Raleigh's Page by Alan Armstrong
Written as an account penned by a twelve-year-old boy, Andrew St. Leger,
Raleigh's Page describes the first years of English exploration of what is now Roanoke and Virginia. While training as a page in the London household of Sir Walter Raleigh, Andrew is challenged to perform the difficult task of drugging a French wine merchant with opium so that he and an accomplice can steal a valuable map needed for an expedition to America. Having proven himself capable, Andrew sails for America when the ships embark. Because a storm results in the loss of most of their provisions, the explorers are forced to depend upon the Native Americans for food. Instead of developing a cordial relationship with the chief who is supplying them, the captain in charge of the explorers remains fixated on trying to find gold. His avarice brings about the first armed conflict between the Europeans and the native people. When Sir Francis Drake and his ships appear to take the men back to London, Andrew sails homeward but is determined to return to America. Well-researched historical details abound in this lively novel. It will be of interest to those in grades 4 - 6 who enjoy action-packed adventures.
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FEBRUARY 1, 2008
Soupy Saturdays with the Pain and the Great One by Judy Blume
"Sometimes I think Mom and Dad love her more than me." "Sometimes I think Mom and Dad love him more than me." These are the thoughts of older sister, Abigail, who is in the third grade and her younger brother, Jake, who is in the first grade. Abigail is referred to as the "Great One." Jake is referred to as the "Pain." Seven funny stories depict the rivalry between this brother and sister. This is a great read for those who have a brother or sister. The competition between them is to determine who knows more about anything and everything. This book is most appropriate for readers in grades 1-3.
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