NOVEMBER 29, 2011
Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick
Illustrator and author, winner of the 2007 Caldecott award for The Invention of Hugo Cabret, Brian Selznick presents a unique combination of mystery and historical fiction in Wonderstruck - over 600 pages of carefully wrought intrigue. Set fifty years apart, yet subtly intertwined, words narrate the odyssey of an eleven-year-old deaf boy who runs away from an aunt and uncle's home in Minnesota to New York City in search of the father he has never known, after the accidental death of his mother. The companion story is told wordlessly using detailed illustrations which allow the reader to watch a deaf girl living during the silent film era as she flees from an unhappy home, first wanting to be reunited with her film actress mother and then when rejected, with her older brother in New York City. Both tales merge as the two cross trails in the American Museum of Natural History allowing the drawing together of the threads which surprisingly bind the two lives together. Readers in grades 5 - 9 should not be daunted by the heft of the book. Double page illustrations and lively prose carry the novel swiftly forward.
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NOVEMBER 23, 2011
Basketball Belles: How Two Teams and One Player Put Women's Hoops on the Map by Sue Macy
Agnes Morley grew up on a ranch in New Mexico, where she was more at home wrestling cattle, than being all prim and proper in a skirt and parasol. Her mother wanted her to become more of a lady, so she was sent to Stanford University. To her mother’s chagrin, she joined a women’s basketball team at Stanford. Agnes felt that a women could play sports and still be a lady. A teacher from Smith Colllege, Senda Berenson, had restructured basketball, so that women didn't have to play quite as roughly as the men. On April 4, 1896, Stanford University played Berkley, in the first ever women’s collegiate basketball game. Agnes was a guard, and despite the basket having to be put back up on the board, Stanford won the game 2-1. Additional information regarding Agnes, and women’s basketball is provided at the end of the book. The beautiful illustrations really capture the women at play. Recommended for grades 3-5.
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NOVEMBER 14, 2011
Jim Henson: The Guy Who Played With Puppets by Kathleen Krull
From listening to “Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy,” on radio, to watching “Kukla, Fran, and Ollie,” on the new television set, Jim Henson always had an interest in puppets. In high school, he got a job working with marionettes at a local tv station. In college, he studied puppetry. During college, Jim was offered his own show, called “Sam and Friends.” This show was on for 6 years, and Jim earned enough money to drive to graduation in a Rolls-Royce. After graduation, Jim travelled to Europe to paint and to study puppetry, from the great puppet masters. Jim returned to the United States, where he formed his own company, “Muppets Incorporated.” In 1969, Jim was asked to use his muppets to help children learn. It was for a new show, called “Sesame Street.” From then on, it was a whirlwind, from “Sesame Street,” to “The Muppet Show,” to feature films, Kermit the Frog and friends were household names. It was a sad day in 1990, when Jim Henson died after a short illness. Illustrated with soft, quiet paintings, this book provides a nice, brief overview of Jim Henson’s life. Recommended for grades 3-5, this could also be used as a read-aloud with younger children.
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NOVEMBER 8, 2011
Lucky for Good by Susan Patron
If you enjoyed the Newbery winner, The Higher Power of Lucky, and/or its sequel, Lucky Breaks, you will surely find even more to admire in this final book in the trilogy, Lucky for Good. All the characters we've come to know and love are here again: adopted mom, Brigitte - who is making a go of her cafe until the health inspector, Stu Burping, intervenes; best friend, Lincoln, with whom a bit of budding romance appears - but who has won an all-summer trip to London, England; and dear precocious six-year-old Miles - who is trying to accommodate his advanced scientific knowledge with his just-released-from-prison mom's born-again religion. Added to the mix is trouble-making junior high skateboarder, Ollie Martin. When he insults the people of Hard Pan and Brigitte as well, Lucky is sent to the principal's office to receive a punishment for attacking him. Being told to research and create a family tree seems an insurmountable task since her dad has never had anything to do with her and her birth mother is dead. Trust author, Susan Patron, to see that all is resolved as Lucky prepares for entrance into junior high with some unexpected help from a friend. This will be of special interest to middle school students.
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NOVEMBER 3, 2011
Missing on Superstition Mountain by Elise Broach
Legends of gold mines, missing people and a mysterious mountain in a small Arizona town is the setting of the new home for the Barker family. Three brothers named Simon, age 11, Henry, age 10, and Jack, age 6, have just moved from Chicago with their parents to their new house. Their father inherited the place from "Crazy Uncle Hank" who was a former wrangler, gambler and scout for the U.S. Cavalry. Henry had been named for Uncle Hank.
It was an adjustment to move to Arizona from Chicago for the boys. However, intrigued by a mountain with all its legends near their new town kept the boys from being bored. One day their cat, Josie, wondered off from their new home. As the brothers searched for her, they did go up into the "off limits" mountain and found three human skulls. This sends them on an investigation for some answers. They made friends with a neighbor girl, Delilah, who is interested and knows more about the town's history than the Barker brothers. Off they all four went to the library to learn more of their local history and find out why people went up into the mountain and whose skulls those could be. This book is a delightful mystery and will appeal to readers in grades 2-5 who are ready for a good adventure!
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NOVEMBER 3, 2011
The Bravest Woman in America by Marissa Moss
Ida Lewis loved the sea. Her father became a lighthouse keeper for the Lime Rock Lighthouse in Newport, Rhode Island. Ida followed him around and knew the job as well as her father. Ida could row a boat very well even over the rough seas. When Ida's father became very ill, Ida actually took over his job but due to Ida's young age, her mother was given the title of the lighthouse keeper. Ida could scan the waves and watch for any ship in trouble. One winter evening, Ida spotted a small boat in trouble on rough water. Ida headed out to help. She did rescue three boys and got them to the lighthouse to rest and dry out their clothing. This true story is based on the life of a remarkable young lady. In the "Author's Note" in the back of the book more details are given about Ida. She was known as the "Bravest Woman in America" and by the Act of Congress in 1874 was recognized and given the Congressional Life Saving Medal. Ida was, also, awarded the American Cross of Honor in 1907 and became the first woman to receive this award.
Truly inspiring to young girls, I would recommend this book for readers in grades 1-3.
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NOVEMBER 3, 2011
The Big Fat Cow Kapow by Andy Griffiths
This book is humorous and delightful to the early reader coming into the genre of children's fiction. The rhyming text and the illustrations can keep one "in stitches" with laughter. Each chapter in its simple text shares the story of a character in funny situations. Questions presented to the author and illustrator at the end of the book let you know the keen sense of humor each posses and bring to their books. This book is an excellent recommendation for reluctant readers in grades K-1. It makes a splendid read aloud for preschoolers.
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