FEBRUARY 28, 2010
The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis
This is the story of Diggory and Polly, who discover Narnia, long before the Pevensie children have their adventures through the wardrobe. Through the use of magic rings, courtesy of Diggory’s Uncle Andrew (a magician), the children enter other worlds. In these worlds, they discover the great empress, Jadis, an evil queen. By accident, she is brought back to London with the children. Polly and Diggory return her to the quiet wood, however, in their haste, Uncle Andrew, a cabby, and a horse accompany them.
As the horse drinks from a pool of water, Diggory and the others are thrust into yet another world. This world is very silent and very dark. However, ever so slightly, it starts to come to life. There is light, and plants and trees, and glorious singing. Eventually, there are animals, ones who can talk, and all kinds of mythical creatures. The one doing the creating is the mighty King Aslan, a lion. He has created the land of Narnia. How will Aslan, react to the witch? What will he do with Uncle Andrew, the cabby, Polly and Diggory? Read this book and the rest of the books in the series to find out. Beautifully written, this is a series that can be read again and again. Highly recommended for students in grades 4-7.
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FEBRUARY 26, 2010
Eleanor, Quiet No More: The Life of Eleanor Roosevelt by Doreen Rappaport
"Do something every day that scares you."
This picture book biography of Eleanor Roosevelt is chock-full of important information about the woman who would become First Lady. Eleanor grew up in a wealthy but unloving household as a shy and unhappy girl, but her world was turned upside-down when she was sent to England to study with a teacher who encouraged her to think for herself. Her marriage to Franklin Roosevelt was a happy one, and it was at the time that she began her own political activities - teaching history and government, giving public speeches, and encouraging women to vote and participate in politics. Her activities increased as First Lady - visiting unemployed workers during the Great Depression, speaking out against segregation, and visiting soldiers fighting in WWII. She was an humanitarian with strong beliefs that others were not always happy to hear. But she never stayed quiet. After her husband died, she went on to work at the United Nations and continued to speak out on subjects in which she believed. It's a strong testament to the achievements of women in politics and introduces a wonderful role-model to young children. The sparse text makes this easy-to-read, although the vocabulary reaches a fourth-grade level. The accompanying illustrations by Gary Kelley show everything the text does not, and each of Eleanor's quotes added on each 2-page spread perfectly complement the topic being discussed. A timeline is included at the end of the book along with additional sources and web sites for further study. Highly recommended for Women's History Month, biography reports, and anyone looking for a strong female role-model.
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FEBRUARY 26, 2010
Moonshot: The Flight of Apollo 11 by Brian Floca
With sparse text and beautiful illustrations, this picture book provides an excellent introduction to the moon landing. Beginning with the three astronauts being clicked into their space outfits and squeezed into their seats high above the rocket, until they land again with a splash, the now familiar journey to the moon and back is explained while a family on earth watches in front of their television set. The large format also provides details about the rocket design and separation of the stages, as well as the entry and quarantine of the astronauts inside the front cover. Inside the back cover is detailed information of President Kennedy's goal to land a man on the moon and return him safely to earth, and the work by engineers to make this happen. This was awarded a 2010 Sibert Award Honor for best information book, among numerous other honors and awards. Highly recommended for kids ages 5 and up. This would also be good to read aloud, and shouldn't be missed.
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FEBRUARY 26, 2010
Peace, Locomotion by Jacqueline Woodson
This is the sequel to
Locomotion, continuing the story of Lonnie Collins Motion, but unlike the first book which was written in poems, this one uses letters written by Lonnie to his sister Lili who lives with a different foster family. He's decided that he will write as much as he can about the time before they are able to live together again, as the "rememberer" as Lili called it. One reason for the lack of poems is because his new 6th-grade teacher has told Lonnie that he is not a poet until he has something published. These words not only effect his poetry writing, but his overall school grades as well. But when another teacher takes over for his pregnant teacher, he is once again encouraged to write his poetry. As a backdrop to Lonnie's school troubles, where he is terrible at math, the story of Miss Edna's son Jenkins is brought to the forefront. He has been fighting in a war and is missing. Lonnie thinks a lot about peace and begins to end his letters to his sister with "Peace, Locomotion". Also, Miss Edna's other son, who returned home at the end of
Locomotion, is back and studying to become a teacher which makes Lonnie laugh because Miss Edna has told him stories about how bad Rodney was in school as a child. He provides wise words to Lonnie, though, about how kids are really smart but sometimes don't know that they are. A lot of tough issues, including the recovery of Jenkins who has lost a leg, how Lonnie fits into his changing foster family, and the fact that Lili is now calling her foster mother "Mom" are covered in very few words. This book is excellent on CD and won a 2010 Odyssey Honor for recorded books. Highly recommended for grades 4-6.
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FEBRUARY 24, 2010
Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reaves, Deputy U.S. Marshal by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson
This biography just won the 2010 Coretta Scott King Award which goes to an African American author for a distinguished book about the African American experience. Although born a slave, Bass Reaves became the first Deputy U.S. Marshal west of the Mississippi River and gained a reputation as a brave and respected lawman during his 30 years of catching outlaws in the Indian Territories. He was feared by outlaws because he always found a way to capture the ones on his list. He was clever (often using disguises), he was a sharp-shooter, and he couldn't be bribed. And although he captured over 3000 men and women during his career, he only killed fourteen men, while never getting wounded himself. Though this is in picture book format with only 32 pages, sparse text, and illustrations by Coretta Scott King Honoree R. Gregory Christie, this book is full of interesting information and high vocabulary suitable for readers through grade 6. This is also a good choice for reluctant readers. Highly recommended as a read-aloud during Black History month as well as for supplemental information for biography reports. Additional information provided at the back includes Western words, websites and books for further reading, and a timeline for Bass Reaves.
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FEBRUARY 23, 2010
When the Whistle Blows by Fran Cannon Slayton
Using seven interconnected stories set on seven successive Halloweens, new author Slayton recounts tales of the growing-up years of Jimmy Cannon, starting when he was twelve years old. Against the oft-expressed wishes of his father, life-long railroader William Cannon, Jimmy's ambition in life is to follow his brothers' and father's footsteps into employment by the B & O Railroad in Rowlesburg, West Virginia. Through the war years until slightly after - 1943 to 1949 - readers follow Jimmy's path to adulthood. From almost getting caught masterminding a major Halloween prank through being involved in a closely-fought high school football game to a near-deadly confrontation with a diesel train, we witness Jimmy's growth toward adulthood and his developing awareness of his father's wisdom. Boys grades five through eight will find much to enjoy in this quickly read novel.
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FEBRUARY 23, 2010
Calvin Coconut: The Zippy Fix by Graham Salisbury
Calvin Coconut is a fourth grade boy who lives in beautiful Kailua, Hawaii. Life is pretty good living on this tropical island for Calvin, his sister, Darci, and Calvin's mom. His dad, Johnny Coconut lives on the mainland with his new wife. He is a singer and entertainer.
Being a single mom, Calvin's mother has a teenage girl live with them. Stella is the daughter of a friend of mom's who came out to help with Calvin and Darci. Stella is from Texas. Life would be just peachy except for Stella. She is always calling Calvin names, like stump and pygmy. This really bothers Calvin. Calvin decides to "fix" Stella and give it back to her.
Stella is highly allergic to cats. Calvin brings in his neighbor's cat, Zippy, and puts it on Stella's pillow when no one is at home. Stella comes home and has a serious allergic reaction and is miserable. Stella has to cancel her date with Clarence. It takes some time for Stella to recover. Stella and Calvin's mom are trying to figure out how this happened since they have no cat.
Calvin feels extremely bad. He decides to try to make it up to Stella by buying her a CD of her favorite performer for her birthday. One problem is Calvin has no money. Read to find out all the ways Calvin tries to earn the money needed and if Calvin makes it in time for Stella's birthday.
The book is most suitable for readers in grades 2-4.
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FEBRUARY 23, 2010
Locomotion by Jacqueline Woodson
"This whole book's a poem 'cause every time I try to tell the whole story my mind goes Be quiet!"
In just 100 pages, this collection of poems tells the story of fifth grader Lonnie Collins Motion (Locomotion) following the death of his parents in a fire. His teacher, Ms. Marcus, has the class write poetry and it is through this that Lonnie is able to grieve and talk about the situations troubling him. For instance, he and his younger sister, Lily, have been separated, and he misses her very much. And though she has been adopted, Lonnie lives in a foster home with Miss Edna who has two grown sons, and he isn't sure he likes her. He talks about a new kid at school who is from the country. He expresses his feelings when a classmate goes to the hospital for sickle cell anemia. And the love he feels for his little sister is unmistakable as he devises a way to spend time with her. This would be especially recommended for inner-city kids who could identify with the environment portrayed, but it is good for reluctant readers too due to the low word count. Though geared towards grades 4-6, older readers will appreciate the various types of poetry presented as well. This title won a Coretta Scott King Honor in 2004.
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FEBRUARY 7, 2010
The Crow-Girl by Bodil Bredsdorff
Written originally in Danish, this is the first book in the Children of the Cove series. A young girl is left orphaned in a cove by the sea when her grandmother dies. With only a house next door with a hole in its roof, and another with only a foundation, there is no one else left where she lives, so she leaves and walks for days until she comes upon a small hamlet with a dozen or so houses farther down the coast. Quickly the girl finds work with an old woman who calls her Crow-Girl due to her resemblance to the bird. Crow-Girl collects driftwood, cooks, and cleans in exchange for her hammock in the attack and food, but all is not as it seems in the house. She discovers the woman's father living in a room on the other end of the house with no fire and very little food. And she also overhears the woman tell her husband of a plot to take advantage of her. Sensing only trouble, Crow-Girl escapes during the night and travels farther away. The heart of the story is the people Crow-Girl gathers along the way - others like her without family or homes - who help each other out with what little they have. As they return to Crow-Girl's house by the sea the reader is left with hope that this mish-mash of people will be able to survive and form a new family or community together. Highly recommended for readers in grades 4-6 who enjoy quiet adventures with a fairy tale flavor, full of details from unspecified times past.
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FEBRUARY 5, 2010
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
This is an exquisite tale of Minli, who sets out to seek her family’s fortune, by travelling far away. She is seeking out the Old Man in the Moon, who has all the answers of the world. Minli ‘s village, Fruitless Moutain, is a dark and somber place. It is a poor village. Minli and her Ma and Ba work hard in the fields for their meager bowls of rice. At nighttime, however, Minli brightens as she listens to Ba’s stories of the Magistrate Tiger and the Old Man in the Moon.
One day, Minli buys a goldfish from a mysterious goldfish man. She uses one of her two precious coins to pay for the fish. Ma is furious that Minli has purchased such a frivolous item. The next day, Minli releases the fish into the river. To her surprise, the fish speaks to her and says “thank you,” for freeing him from his bowl. The fish gives Minli advice about her upcoming journey. In her travels, Minli encounters and befriends a dragon, a king, a buffalo boy, and a set of twins. Will Minli find her fortune from the Old Man in the Moon? Beautifully illustrated and well-written, this 2010 Newbery Honor winner will be sure to delight readers in grades 3-6. Highly recommended.
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FEBRUARY 2, 2010
The Milo & Jazz Mysteries: The Case of the Stinky Socks (Book 1) by Lewis B. Montgomery
Milo decides to become a detective and has received his detective's kit in the mail. His friend, Jazz, joins him as they try to solve their first case. Jazz's brother, Dylan, is missing his lucky socks. Dylan is the star pitcher on the Westview Wildcats baseball team. Who would want a pair of socks, especially stinky socks? Dylan was afraid to wash those lucky socks because it might wash the luck right out of them. Could someone from the rival team of the Eggleston Eagles have stolen them? Dylan just can't seem to pitch the ball as well without those socks. The big game is coming up and Milo and Jazz must help Dylan find his lucky socks. Read this book to find out how the case is solved.
The Case of the Stinky Socks is most suitable for readers in second through fourth grade.
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