The Story of Britain from the Norman Conquest to the European Union by Patrick Dillon - ADVISABLE

Dillon, Patrick. The Story of Britain from the Norman Conquest to the European Union, illustrated by P.J. Lynch, 341 pages.  Candlewick Press, 2010. $21.99.  NONFICTION.So much has happened in England since the Norman Conquest, and this book tries to tell it all.  It includes a brief overview from the Middle Ages, the Tudors, the Stuarts, the Georgians, the Victorians, and the Twentieth Century.  The book has pictures, maps, and timelines.  It is one thousand years of history in a 341 page book.  If you are looking for a brief overview of the history of England, than this is the book for you.  It does not, however, provide many details.  For example, the entire American Revolution spans one page.  That's not very much detail.  Of course, if someone wants to then turn around and learn more about a certain topic, then they can read more details.  I am no England scholar, but I think this is a great volume of British history.  EL, MS, HS - OPTIONAL.  Brent Smith, Reading Teacher

Crouching Tiger by Ying Chang Compestine - ADVISABLE

Compestine, Ying Chang.  Crouching Tiger, illustrated by Yan Nascimbene.  Candlewick Press, 2011. $16.99.  PICTURE BOOK.  This books tells the story of Vinson (or his Chinese name: Ming Da).  Vinson wants to learn martial arts from his grandfather, but he can't wait to hit things.  He is disappointed to have to practice standing still.  Well, that's no fun.  So Vinson gets mad at his grandpa, and he doesn't talk to him.  Then, he is walking in the street with his grandpa, and Vinson watches his grandpa save a pedestrian from a board that is about to whack her.  In one smooth motion, he kicks the board and snaps it in half.  This event teaches Vinson that maybe grandpa knows what he is talking about and he listens and practices more.   I've read so many ho hum picture books recently that I forgot what a good one looks like.  This is a good one.  I really enjoyed reading it.  I loved how Vinson had depth and his grandfather had inner peace.  I recommend this book, but I also understand that not everyone will love it.  Pre-K, EL (K-3), EL - ADVISABLE.  Brent Smith, Reading Teacher

Creepy Mosters, Sleepy Monsters by Jane Yolen - OPTIONAL

Yolen, Jane.  Creepy Monsters, Sleepy Monsters, illustrated by Kelly Murphy.  Candlewick Press, 2011. $14.99.  PICTURE BOOK.  Two monsters have a lot going on: they go to school, run and play on the way home, come home and eat some food, and then they have to get ready for bed.  Unfortunately, they don't want to get ready for bed.  They don't think they're tired.  This book is fine.  There is nothing terrible about it and nothing great about it.  If you want to buy it, feel free.  But it's not a book that needs to be on your shelf.  Pre-K, EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL.  Brent Smith, Reading Teacher

Here Come the Girls Scouts! by Shana Corey - ESSENTIAL

Corey, Shana Here Come the Girl Scouts! illustrated by Hadley Hooper 40 pg. Scholastic Press, 2012. PICTURE BOOK/NON-FICTION. $17.99. Corey has created another masterpiece highlighting a strong female from history. Juliette "Daisy" Gordon Low wanted to make a difference in the world so through a series of events, she founded the Girl Scouts of America. I have never known much about Girl Scouts besides the delicious cookies, but after reading this, I am wishing I was a Girl Scout! The illustrations, layout, and quotes throughout the book perfectly highlight the ideals and values of the Girl Scouts. Included at the back is more information about the Girl Scout era. Girl Scouts would be thrilled to see this in your library! EL-ESSENTIAL. Whitney, Library-Teacher.

Sammy in the Sky by Barbara Walsh - ADVISABLE

Walsh, Barbara Sammy in the Sky illustrated by Jamie Wyeth 32 pg. Candlewick Press, 2011. PICTURE BOOK. $16.99. Even a non-animal lover like myself was touched by this book. It is a sweet story about the loss a beloved pet and the healing that occurs. This would be a good story to share with children who are going through a similar situation. The paintings are soft and gentle much like the message of the story. EL-ADVISABLE. Whitney, Library-Teacher.

The Unforgotten Coat by Frank Cottrell Boyce -ESSENTIAL

Boyce, Frank Cottrell The Unforgotten Coat, 112 pgs. Candlewick, 2011. $15.99. (Rated G in all categories).
It’s Julie’s last year of elementary school and she thinks she has learned all ever will need to know. That’s until she starts learning more as the “Good Guide” for two Monoglian boys who arrive at her school. The older brother, Chingis, is determined to outwit the demon that he thinks is after his younger brother. He has a Polaroid camera that takes some pretty interesting pictures too. Julie starts to discover more about the Mongolian culture and learns some moving lessons about immigration.
I loved this book. If you have read my other reviews you will know I am deathly afraid of bad books that seem deep being used as reading comprehension lessons by teachers. This is one of the good ones!! Use this one!! There are some pretty profound lessons here and more than enough discussion starters about culture and immigration. The format and inclusion of photography is brilliant and adds to the plot. There are very few authors that can inject magic into a non-magical book and this is one of them. I was enthralled and I think students won’t fail to find the same sense of beauty.
ELEMENTARY –Essential Reviewer: Stephanie MLS graduate.

The Adventures of Mark Twain by Huckleberry Finn by Robert Burleigh - ADVISABLE

Burleigh, Robert The Adventures of Mark Twain by Huckleberry Finn illustrated by Barry Blitt 48 pg. Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2011. PICTURE BOOK/NON-FICTION. Written in the voice and style of one of Mark Twain's most famous characters, Huck Finn, this biography is unique and interesting. Huck Finn takes us from the early years of Samuel Clemens (alias, Mark Twain) playing in the Mississippi river to his later years of Steamboat pilot, public speaker, and author extraordinaire.
The fact that this book is written in the voice of Huck Finn gives it such an authentic feel. Readers are able to see the parallels between the lives of Twain and Finn. This was a fun way to highlight big events in Twain's life. I really disliked the illustrations. Huck Finn hovering in the background and the bigger-than-life Twain was weird. EL-ADVISABLE. Whitney, Library-Teacher.