Follow the Force (Star Wars: The Clone Wars) by Rob Valois- ADVISABLE

Valois, Rob.  Follow the Force (Star Wars: The Clone Wars), 32 pgs.  Grosset and Dunlap, 2011.  $3.99.  Outside cover: “Learn the secrets of the Force from Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker and Padawan Ahsoka Tano as they take you along on their most epic adventure.”  This book covered the basics of the Force.  It was a great informational book.  It was easy to read and taught me what I needed to know about the Force.  I enjoyed reading it.  EL (K-3)  EL.  ADVISABLE.  Student Reviewer: ML- age 12.

Attack of the Vampire Weenies by David Lubar- ADVISABLE

Lubar, David. Attack of the Vampire Weenies, 224 pgs.  Starscape, 2011.  $15.99.  Outside cover: “A boy steals a ticket to an amusement park and gets the roller-coaster ride of a lifetime- literally.  The first day of middle school turns into a free-for-all when the gym teacher offers the class a get-out-of-gym-free card.  Sick of his sister’s vampire wanna-be friends, a kid decides to teach them a lesson at their next party.  But the tables are turned when some surprise guests show up.  Watch out for the vampire weenies!” I liked this book. This book is made up of many different unique stories in one book.  The stories weren’t too scary, but enough to give some people the chills.  EL. ADVISABLE.  Student Reviewer: ML- age 12. 

My Life as a Stuntboy by Janet Tashjian- ESSENTIAL

Tashjian, Janet. Tashjian, Jake. My Life as a Stuntboy,  272 pgs.  Henry Holt and Co., 2011.  $13.99.  A boy named Derek gets to be a stunt boy in a movie.  He has to wear a wig and he is worried about what his friends will think.  Life gets bad when his friend makes a video of him.  I loved this book!  I liked that it had a lot of real life brands (like Disney Channel).  I liked that he had a monkey for a pet.  It was really funny.  The illustrations were stick figures and fun to look at.  I would really like the author to write another book in this series!  EL.   ESSENTIAL.  Student Reviewer: JL- age 9. 

Tales of Prehistoric Life: Ankylosaur Attack by Daniel Loxton-OPTIONAL

Loxton, Daniel.  Smith, Jim W.W. Ankylosaur Attack (Tales of Prehistoric Life), 32 pgs.  Kids Can Press, 2011.  $16.95. Back cover:  “Crraaaaash!  A Tyrannosaur smashes through the branches and bellows- RAAAARRRRRR! Her teeth glisten.  Slobber flies from her mouth.  The attack is on!  Soon an old, battle-scarred ankylosaur is fighting for his life- until a young ankylosaur comes to the rescue.”    I liked the fact that the underdog won.  The pictures were cool.  The images made it look like you were looking at real photos.  I liked the informational page at the end of the book. EL (K-3).  EL. OPTIONAL.  Student Reviewer:  ML- age 12. 

Grammar Girl Presents: The Ultimate Writing Guide for Students by Mignon Fogarty –ESSENTIAL

Fogarty, Mignon Grammar Girl Presents: The Ultimate Writing Guide for Students, 304 pgs. St. Martin's Griffin, 2011. $8.08. Non-Fiction.
This was the book I needed in junior grade English!! If we had worked our way through this book, I would have learned more, and maybe even enjoyed myself.
Includes all the technical stuff, but makes learning about it interesting, fun, and quirky. It includes illustrations, tips, explanations, and hints.
If you can talk your English teachers into using this as a textbook, you have just won some points with all the students. Older students might even pick this up and learn a lot, I know I did!
MS, HS – ESSENTIAL Reviewer: Stephanie MLS graduate.

Guys Read: Funny Business edited by Jon Scieszka - ADVISABLE

Scieszka, Jon (editor).  Guys Read: Funny Business, 256 pgs. Walden Pond Press (Harper Collins), 2010. $16.99. Language-PG (no swears, but some might find a few things crude); Violence-G; Sexual Content-G.  This book is a compilation of short stories.  The only common ingredient is that they are supposed to be funny.  In the stories, everyone wants to be friends with a nerd, a boy learns if he has super powers, we all discover how Artemis Fowl was created, and a father wishes his boy could be more like the turkey in the back yard.  I enjoyed reading these stories.  Some were, obviously, better than others, but I still am glad to have read this book.  I think maybe the best way to read this book is not necessarily cover to cover, but rather have the readers choose the stories they want to read out of it.  Therefore, if you have this book on your shelf, I recommend that you do not do any sort of assessment on it, but just let the books be enjoyed.  Because some of the stories are so funny I couldn't stop laughing.  MS, HS – ADVISABLE.  Brent Smith, Reading Teacher.

The Mysteries of Angkor Wat: Exploring Cambodia's Ancient Temple by Richard Sobol - OPTIONAL

Sobol, Richard.  The Mysteries of Angkor Wat: Exploring Cambodia's Ancient Temple.  Candlewick Press, 2011. $16.99.  NONFICTION.  Photographer Richard Sobol went to Cambodia to visit the temple of Angkor Wat.  This religious monument, the largest in the world, is all that remains of the Khmer Empire.  Sobol set off to explore the ruins and see what mysteries he could uncover.  "Over the next few weeks, [he] crawled, climbed, and meandered through the ruins...."  The book tells of his explorations and it contains pictures of much of what he saw.  But the book does not tell too much about Angkor Wat.  Rather, it tells a lot about the Cambodian children around the temple.  Probably, the biggest problem with it is the title says it will share the mysteries of Angkor Wat.  But there are no real mysteries discussed.  If a reader is not expecting to learn all of these new mysteries of this ancient temple, then this book is an interesting book with fascinating pictures.  But it's not what it says it is.  EL, MS - Optional.  Brent Smith, Reading Teacher

The Monstrous Book of Monsters by Libby Hamilton - ESSENTIAL

Hamilton, Libby.  The Monstrous Book of Monsters, illustrated by Jonny Duddle and Aleksei Bitskoff.  Templar Books (Candlewick), 2011. $17.99. LIFT-THE-FLAP PICTURE BOOK.  Dr. Thomas Jelly has written this book to help young readers understand how to recognize monsters, avoid them, and dispose of them (perhaps by eating them if they are of the tasty variety).  It is a book jam-packed with information about many types of monsters.  The book is written as if it is nonfiction loaded with pictures and information to help readers in their quest to not get eaten by the scary beasts.  This is a very good book.  There is so much to read on every page, what with all of the flaps to lift and all.  It is full of delightfully grotesque pictures that young readers will love.  My three year-old daughter flipped through it repeatedly for over a half hour...even without knowing what the book said.  My family really enjoyed the book.  Pre-K, EL(K-3), EL - ADVISABLE.  Brent Smith, Reading Teacher

Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull and Kathryn Hewitt - OPTIONAL

Krull, Kathleen and Kathryn Hewitt.  Lives of the Presidents: Fame, Shame (and What the Neighbors Thought).  Harcourt Children's Books (Houghton Mifflin), 2011. $21.00.  NONFICTION.  Language: G; Adult Content: some parents might not want their children to know about the extramarital exploits of our president.  This is an updated edition, now including details about even Barack Obama.  While some presidents receive only a paragraph or two written about them, many get up to three full pages.  This book tries to give information that others might not necessarily have already known (like what type of music President Obama has on his iPod or which president ate bran flakes for breakfast).  I started off hating this book, but by the end I found many entries interesting.  Perhaps the book rubbed me the wrong way because I felt it was obviously anti-John Adams (the founding father who is most neglected).  Then, my complaint was that because the book had such a short time to convey information about these presidents, I felt that the authors often chose to tell us what to think about the president rather than show us about him and let us form our own opinions about him.  I did not feel this way so much about the entries concerning the later presidents.  Maybe that is because they had more material to help them show the presidents more clearly.  I still don't think that this book is a must have because I bet that there are some short biographies about the presidents individually that would be a better alternative.  But I am not going to throw my copy away or anything.  EL, MS, HS - Optional.  Brent Smith, Reading Teacher

Those Rebels, John & Tom by Barbara Kerley - ESSENTIAL

Kerley, Barbara.  Those Rebels, John and Tom, illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham.  Scholastic Press, 2011. $17.99. PICTURE BOOK.  John Adams and Thomas Jefferson worked hard to create our nation.  And this book talks about their differences, but how they were able to come together to unify the colonies and stick it to King George.  The book tells about the former presidents, briefly discussing their childhood and their main characteristics.  Then, of course, it leads the reader through the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  This was a very good book.  The illustrations were excellent and the book does a great job of teaching about two of the most influential founding fathers.  It's a great book to have on the shelf for any grade--even older readers can learn or at least be reminded of something.  Pre-K, EL(K-3), EL, MS, HS - ESSENTIAL.  Brent Smith, Reading Teacher

Chanukah Lights by Michael J. Rosen - OPTIONAL

Rosen, Michael J.  Chanukah Lights, pop-ups by Robert Sabuda.  Candlewick Press, 2011. $34.99.  INTERACTIVE BOOK.  

For each of the eight nights of Chanukah, this book depicts a time in Jewish history when Jews might have celebrated the miracle of the lamp burning for eight days in the Temple.  Unfortunately, I do not know how to begin reviewing this book.  As a non-Jew who grew up in the New York Metropolitan Area I always felt as if I am not Jewish illiterate, but I still did not know very much about each of the stories depicted on the pages.  I didn't have enough background knowledge to get much out of the book.  I do not know for sure, but it appears to be written specifically to a Jewish audience, who would know about the stories discussed.  And yet, it is an absolutely beautiful book.  The text is understated and great, and the pop-ups are absolutely spectacular.  I could look at each page forever, to see the intricacies and attention to detail.  However, perhaps I appear ignorant but I do not know for sure if it is a good choice for a gift, but I do know for sure it does not have a general audience that belongs on every library shelf in the world.  But it is something to consider as a gift for a very specific family or group of people.  

Pre-K, EL (K-3), EL, MS - Optional.  Brent Smith, Reading Teacher

A Zeal of Zebras by Woop Studios - ESSENTIAL

Woop Studios.  A Zeal of Zebras.  Chronicle Books, 2011. $17.99.  PICTURE BOOK.  This is an A to Z book, with each letter of the alphabet starting with a collective noun for a group of animals.  For example, the book starts with "An Aurora of Polar Bears...A Bale of Turtles...[and] A Caravan of Camels" and goes on from there.  After each collective noun and animal group, Woop Studios has written a few sentences about the animals themselves.  And nearly every page is filled with clever wordplay.  This was a great book.  But when I first read it, I wasn't sure what the book was.  I had heard of an ostentation of peacocks, but I had no idea that a group of cobras was a quiver.  However, before writing this review, I did look in a few websites and found that they are true.  Therefore, I love this book because I can learn a ton from it.  It was quite clever and has great illustrations.   Even older readers can learn something.  Pre-K, EL(K-3), EL, MS, HS - ESSENTIAL.  Brent Smith, Reading Teacher

Prudence Wants a Pet by Cathleen Daly - OPTIONAL

Daly, Cathleen.  Prudence Wants a Pet, illustrated by Stephen Michael King.  Roaring Book Press, 2011. $16.99.  PICTURE BOOK.  Prudence wants a pet...but her parents are not interested.  She decides a branch would be a good replacement.  When that doesn't work, she decides a twig might work better.  This cycle goes on and on because her branch and her twig and whatever else she chooses to fill the void of a missing pet doesn't work out very well.  This is not an essential book, and it's not a terrible one.  But it's funny how she has random items as her pets.  And yet, it is not all that memorable.  This is what I would call a typical book.  But when my kids ask me to read to them, I doubt they are going to cry out for me to read this one.  Still, some people might enjoy it.  Pre-K, EL(K-3) - OPTIONAL.  Brent Smith, Reading Teacher

Little Pig Joins the Band by David Hyde Costello - ADVISABLE

Costello, David Hyde.  Little Pig Joins the Band.  Charlesbridge, 2011. $14.95.  PICTURE BOOK.  Little Pig and his siblings went to Grandpa's house, and they all got out his instruments to play.  Unfortunately, he was too little to play the drum, the trombone, and many other instruments.  Will he find one to play and will he join the band?  Or will he end up left out?  I enjoyed this book.  It did contain a little bit of foreshadowing, but still it was not completely predictable.  It would be a good choice to have on the shelf, but it is not so good that it is a must-have.  Pre-K, EL(K-3), EL - ADVISABLE.  Brent Smith, Reading Teacher

School for Bandits by Hannah Shaw - ESSENTIAL

Shaw, Hannah.  School for Bandits.  Alfred A. Knopf, 2011. $16.99.  PICTURE BOOK.  Ralph Raccoon was not your typical bandit raccoon.  He was well behaved, clean and tidy, and polite.  When his parents got tired of his good behavior, they decided to send him off to Bandit School.  But Ralph did not really fit in there because he did not like to burp, throw food, or make bombs.  However, Mrs. Mischief then decided to hold a Best Bandit in School competition, and Ralph must choose what he will do.  When I first started reading this book, I was delighted.  The illustrations are delightful.  Every page has so much to look at.  Near the end of the book, I started being afraid that the book would let me down.  But it didn't.  I loved the ending.  It was an overall wonderful read...a great picture book experience.  Pre-K, EL(K-3), EL - ESSENTIAL.  Brent Smith, Reading Teacher

Scaredy Squirrel Makes a Friend by Melanie Watts- ESSENTIAL

Watt, Melanie. Scaredy Squirrel Makes a Friend, 32 pgs. Kids Can Press, 2011.  $7.95.  

Back cover: “Everyone is nuts about Scaredy Squirrel!  Scaredy Squirrel doesn’t have a friend.  It’s way too dangerous.  He could bet BITTEN.  But when he spots a perfectly safe candidate for a friend, he’s prepared with a name tag, mittens, a mirror and a lemon to make the PERFECT FIRST IMPRESSION. All goes well until his PLAN takes a surprising turn, and suddenly he’s pursued tooth and tail by a four-legged individual!”

We loved this book and read it again and again!  The illustrations are equally as incredible as the text.  We would choose to read a Scaredy Squirrel book over any other picture book!  

Pre-K - EL (K-3)  ESSENTIAL  

Reviewer: SL

Light Up the Night by Jean Reidy- OPTIONAL

Reidy, Jean.  Chodos-Irvine, Margaret.  Light Up the Night,  40 pgs.  Hyperion Book CH, 2011.  $16.99.  Inside cover:  “When it’s time to sleep, it’s nice to know there’s a place that’s safe.  In a cozy house, in a comfy bed, under a blanket that’s white and red, under stars so bright they light up the night, in your own little piece of the universe.”  This is a fun bedtime story that explores the world in which we live.  The illustrations are great. This book is a lot like “The Bag I’m Taking to Grandma’s” by Shirley Neitzel in the fact that it has cumulative verses.  Students will enjoy reading aloud the story as they remember prior pages and verses.  Pre-K.  EL (K-3).  OPTIONAL.  Reviewer: SL. 

Happy Pig Day by Mo Willems-ADVISABLE

Willems, Mo.  Happy Pig Day!, 64 pgs.  Hyperion Book CH, 2011.  $8.99.  Outside cover:  “Gerald is careful.  Piggie is not.  Piggie cannot help smiling, Gerald can.  Gerald worries so that Piggie does not have to.  Gerald and Piggie are best friends.  In Happy Pig Day! Piggie celebrates her favorite day of the year!  But will Gerald the Elephant be included in the festivities?”  We enjoyed this book.  We especially loved the surprise ending.  This book could be used in a unit on friendship and feelings/emotions.  Pre-K.  EL (K-3).  ADVISABLE.  Reviewer: SL. 

The Dragon in the Volcano by Kate Klimo - OPTIONAL

Klimo, Kate. The Dragon in the Volcano (Dragon Keeper's #4), 231 pgs. Random House, 2011. $15.99.

Content - G

Cousins Jessy and Daisy are dragon keepers, but they are back in school. Their dragon Emmy is lonely and getting too big for the garage. Then one day Emmy disappears and they follow her socks into a volcano where Fire Fairies and Dragons live. Emmy has her own home and a new crush. The dragon keepers are only allowed to stay a few days. Can they convince Emmy to come home? Does their foe St. George have something to do with this?

Purchase only if the series is popular at your library.

EL – OPTIONAL. Samantha, Public Librarian.

Solitary by Alexander Gordon Smith - ADVISABLE

Smith, Alexander Gordon Solitary: Escape From Furnace 2, 232 pgs. Farrar Straus Giroux, 2009. $16.00. Language: PG (14 swears); Mature Content- PG; Violence: PG13; In this second book of the Escape From Furnace series, Alex Sawyer is condemned to solitary confinement. There he must face his own fears as well as the monsters (wheezers) and the giant rats that are always after him. Alex must do whatever it takes to survive—including trusting and relying on others. The story was hard for me to read because Smith’s descriptions were so vivid I felt like I was fighting for my life right along with Alex. This book is dark and creepy (and not for every reader), but is great for horror fans who like to be scared. MS HS-ADVISABLE. Reviewer: M. Mathews School Librarian