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Children's Books

Welcome to the Youth Services Children's Books blog. We encourage you to give feedback and share.
MAY 23, 2008
Oggie Cooder by Sarah Weeks

 Oggie Cooder is not your usual 4th grader.  He wears crocheted shoelaces, he has a very odd wardrobe, which consists of clothes from his parents thrift shop, "Too Good to be Threw," and he likes to enter a lot of contests. The kids at school all think Oggie is weird, and even his teachers called him "Unique," and "Quirky." Oggie never seemed to mind. He was content with his life, until one day one of the popular girls, Donnica Perfecto, saw that Oggie had a special talent. Oggie's talent is "charving." "Charving, " is the combination of chewing and carving. Oggie has a talent of "charving," slices of American cheese into different states. Donnica, who has a sneaky plan up her sleeve, asks Oggie to teach her how to charve. After one day of learning how to charve, Donnica goes on to audition for the "Hidden Talent," show. Donnica is a disaster, but the judges see Oggie's charving, and immediately "Oggie Fever," hits the nation. American cheese sales are up, everyone is wearing crocheted cheese slices, and sales at thrift stores are at an all-time high. Will Oggie go on to be rich and famous and become an even bigger star? Will Donnica Perfecto continue to be Oggie's manager? Get the answers to these questions by reading this whimsical book. A good read for students in grades 3-5.

 

Add a comment  (1 comment) posted by Mrs. Rose

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MAY 22, 2008
The Truth About My Bat Mitzvah by Nora Raleigh Baskin
When Caroline's grandmother dies, Caroline receives a gold Star of David necklace that had belonged to her dearly beloved Nana.  Although she has been raised virtually without religion, she begins to wonder if being Jewish (or in her case half-Jewish) isn't an important facet of who she is.  Concerns about the probable reaction of her parents should she decide to become a practicing Jew are aptly described as are various happenings in her life in seventh grade.  As her best friend prepares to become bat mitzvah, Caroline is drawn more and more to introspective wondering about what it means to be Jewish.  Discovery, finally, that "coming of age" happens automatically whether there is a celebration or not allows her to quietly accept herself as she is.  Middle school students will readily share in Caroline's quest to seek her true identity.

Add a comment  (0 comments) posted by Mrs. Bedel

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MAY 15, 2008
We are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball by Kadir Nelson
This is a fantastic book and anyone, child or adult, interested in baseball needs to get their hands on it. Reading it is like listening to an old-time baseball player sitting in a big armchair telling you a story; it's that folksy. It covers the history of negro baseball from the 1880's to the 1900's when the negro league was formed, to 1947 when Jackie Robinson crossed over to the majors. The author is telling you the story like he was one of the players himself. Plus, every other page is a large, beautiful oil painting of a player or a team or some other aspect of a baseball player's life. The Dayton Marcos are mentioned giving the book a local connection as well. It has a 5.9 A.R. level but could easily be read aloud to younger children. It is an exceptional detailed history of a side of baseball that is seldom told. I highly recommend it and fully expect it to receive some awards in the coming year.

Add a comment  (2 comments) posted by Miss Jennifer

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MAY 12, 2008
This is Just to Say: Poems of Apology and Forgiveness by Joyce Sidman

Roses are red, violets are blue. I'm still really pissed off at you.

This touching book began as a 6th grade class assignment where students were required to write a poem of apology. The poems are beautiful and will make you weep, but what makes this especially interesting is that poems were written in response by the people who were being asked for forgiveness. Most of the apologies are sincere, some are not. Some apologies are accepted and others are not. In addition, illustrations were added by a member of the 6th grade class making this class assignment one that is documented for all time. This will appeal to elementary aged students and might inspire teachers to experiment with their own poetry assignment.

Add a comment  (1 comment) posted by Miss Jennifer

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MAY 10, 2008
Jazz by Walter Dean Myers

This energetic and colorful book is illustrated by Myers' son Christopher who won a 2007 Coretta Scott King Illustrator's Honor for his success. Included are 15 poems dedicated to the children of New Orleans with the varying sounds of jazz depicted throughout. You can't help but get caught up in the rhythm.

'Cause the jazz that we're laying, And the licks that we're laying, And the dues that we're paying, And the blues that we're slaying Go screa----min', go screamin', go screa---screa---screamin' to the moon!

A brief introduction to the history of jazz is included in the front of the book with a time line at the back. The book is in picture book format making it appealing to younger children, but the text is better suited for older children with a higher vocabulary. Would make a great read-aloud for starting music discussions.

Add a comment  (0 comments) posted by Miss Jennifer

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MAY 10, 2008
Spiders by Nic Bishop
This beautiful book won an honor for the Sibert Award naming it one of the best informational books of 2007. Geared for younger elementary children, it provides basic information on a variety of spiders, including the black widow, jumping spider, wolf spider and the Goliath birdeater tarantula. Spectacular close-up views of the spiders is one of the biggest attractions of this book, providing the gross factor that kids will love. The reading level is slightly higher at 4.8 but this won't keep 1st and 2nd graders from wanting a look, and parents can read the interesting spider facts aloud. This author has done other similar books including The Red-Eyed Tree Frog, Frogs and Cameleon, Cameleon.

Add a comment  (0 comments) posted by Miss Jennifer

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MAY 5, 2008
Lawn Boy by Gary Paulsen
A summer job of cutting grass turns into some nice cash for a twelve year old boy.  This book is a story that clues young people into principles of entrepreneurship, capitalism, and economic growth through the adventures of a boy's first summer job.  Some investments are not typical but are creative.  This is a simple story that illustrates through prose information and motivation for the right boy or girl to get started in their own business.  This book is most suitable for readers in grades 3-5.

Add a comment  (0 comments) posted by Mrs. G

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MAY 5, 2008
Aunt Nancy and the Bothersome Visitors by Phyllis Root
Four bothersome visitors come knocking at Aunt Nancy's door.  Each visitor believes they are "slick" enough to try her patience and trick her.  However, read how Aunt Nancy cleverly gets them on their way.  This book is written in "homespun" language.  It is written as four tales with endings that reveal whit, humor and a lesson.  This book is best suited for readers in grades 2-3.

Add a comment  (1 comment) posted by Mrs. G

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