The Mystery of Darwin’s Frog by Martha Crump - ADVISABLE

Crump, Martha L.  The Mystery of Darwin’s Frog, 38 p. Boyds Mill Press, 2013.  $17.  Content: G.  NONFICTION.  

During his world travels, Darwin found a frog that no one in his scientific world had ever recorded.  Through the decades, many scientists have added bits of information to the body of work about these frogs, including the author of this book.  Besides being a child friendly look at the frogs, this is also an great example of scientific method, resource sharing and working to protect an endangered species.  Teachers should look at this to add to their science curriculum.  

EL, MS – ADVISABLE.   Cindy, Library Teacher

Breath by Jackie Kessler - ADVISABLE

Kessler, Jackie Morse Breath, 318 p. Graphia (Houghton), 2013.  $9.  Language: PG-13 (27 swears, 0 ‘f’); Violence: G; Mature Content: G.  

Xander Atwood is living the best time of his life.  He has the hottest girl in school as his girlfriend and they are totally connected – life is good.  Until the day he meets Death – and Death is depressed – suicidal even.  Who is the First Horseman of the Apocalypse?  What is his origin?  What happens when it is time for him to change – or die?  Sorry.  I’m throwing up a lot of questions and handing back no answers.  Just read the final book in this series and enjoy.  

MS, HS – ADVISABLE.  Cindy, Library Teacher

Toys in Space by Mini Grey - ADVISABLE

Grey, Mini Toys in Space.  Knopf (Random), 2013.  $17.  PICTURE BOOK.  Content: G.  

When the toys are left outside overnight for the very first time, Wonder Doll tells them a story to keep them from becoming scared.  In the story, the toys are taken up into space by a little alien who has lost his favorite toy and who needs comfort and distraction – and a toy that is always in the very last place you look for it.  

I was a little skeptical at first, but then was really taken in by the story of the forgotten  lost toys.  Definitely for young listeners, but a lot of fun!  

Pre-K, EL (K-3) – ADVISABLE.  Cindy, Library Teacher

The Caged Graves by Dianne Salerni - OPTIONAL

Salerni, Dianne K. The Caged Graves, 329 p. Clarion (Houghton), 2013.  $17.  Violence: PG (threats, some blood).  

At 17, Verity is finally coming back to her hometown.  Since her mother died when she was 2, she has lived with relatives.  Now she has come back to marry a young man, Nate, who courted her through his letters.  Her first day, however, is filled with heartache and mystery, when Nate takes her to the town graveyard and she sees that not mother’s grave and her aunt’s grave are not only outside the cemetery walls, in unconsecrated soil, but they are also in cages – beautiful cages, but cages nonetheless.  Its been less than 100 years since the War of Independence from Britain (what we now call the American Revolution) and the town abounds with rumors of gold stolen from General Washington’s troops, plus Verity’s beautiful, dead, aunt was born into a family that seems to be cursed with illness and death.  Verity’s life might be in danger, but her heat is also at risk – she’s not so sure about Nate – does he want her, or just her father’s land?  And there is a handsome young doctor in town who is so easy to talk to.  When the danger comes, it is from both foreseeable and unforeseeable directions.  

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.  I don’t think that it will be a big seller, however. Not because of the author’s lack, but because of the audience’s lack of sophistication.  Historical fiction is a hard sell and the cover doesn’t really evoke the depth and danger within its pages.  

MS, HS - OPTIONAL.  Cindy, Library Teacher

Miss Moore Thought Otherwise by Jan Pinborough - ESSENTIAL

Pinborough, Jan Miss Moore Thought Otherwise: How Anne Carroll Moore Created Libraries for Children, illustrated by Debby Atwell.  Houghton, 2013.  $17.  PICTURE BOOK.  NONFICTION.  Content: G. 

 Modern children would probably be surprised to learn that there was a time when children weren’t allowed to checkout books from the library.  Miss Moore’s story is indicative of the pioneering work done by women around the country to bring libraries to children by building their collections and making special rooms just for them to read, listen and enjoy.  She and these other woman did herculean work to bring the importance of children’s librarianship to the attention of the world.  While this book is of particular interest to librarians, of course, it is also a very excellent opportunity for a lesson.  

EL (K-3)  - ESSENTIAL.  Cindy, Library Teacher