Little Blog on the Prairie by Cathleen Bell - ADVISABLE

 Little Blog on the Prairie, by Cathleen Davitt Bell, 288 p. Bloomsbury, MAY 2010. $16.99. 

Content: G

EL, MS – ADVISABLE

Usually family vacation consists of beautiful beaches and lush reorts – Gen, her brother and her father should have paid better attention when Mom was making this year’s plans. Now the whole family is stuck in 1890 – well, almost. How about a horribly icky recreation site, where they live without electricity, conveniences, and lots of back-breaking chores. And Gen’s family aren’t the only ones being thus tortured – meet Caleb, a hottie, Ka, a 12 year old goth and Rebecca – the camp directors’ daughter, who has lived this way since she was small. Well – almost. Gen snuck in a cell phone and Rebecca has access to electricity and the internet. How much trouble can Gen cause this summer? Plenty! Gen, her family and her friends are entertaining and exasperating all at the same time. 

I can’t imagine voluntarily going to such a place for the summer – but I certainly enjoyed reading about this group! 

Cindy, Library Teacher

The Lost Children by Carolyn Cohagan - OPTIONAL

Cohagan, Carolyn The Lost Children, 313 p. Aladdin (Simon), 2010. $16.99. 

Violence: PG (shades of child abuse). 

Josephine Russing owns 387 pair of gloves. Why? Because wearing gloves in mandatory in her town – and it’s all her father’s fault! Friendless and lonely, Josephine is surprised when a strange boy appears in her front yard. When she tries to find him later, she instead falls through the wall and into another universe. There she finds the town of Gulm, ruled by a terrible person called The Master. Josephine can either be a slave for life or she can work with Fargus (the boy) and Ida (his friend) and find a way back to her own world. 

While this story was just fine, I actually enjoyed The Ever Breath much more. If your school checks out loads of fantasy, however, it is well worth your time. 

EL – OPTIONAL. Cindy, Library Teacher.

London: From Roman Capital to Olympic City by Richard Platt.

-->

Platt, Richard, London: From Roman Capital to Olympic City. Kingfisher Press. 2009. Take a detailed look at London through the ages. Readers will get a chance to explore the lifestyles, cultures, and beliefs that different eras shared and how they’ve changed over the years. With cross-sections that are fun to look at and artwork that is detailed and extraordinary to look at, this book would make a good selection for libraries. The text is interesting and well-researched. Readers who like cross-section DK eyewitness-type books, civilization non-fiction, and the You Wouldn’t Want to Be history series will probably enjoy reading this book, but, in general, this book would be too narrow of a focus for most research reports. EL/MS (4 to 7). OPTIONAL. Reviewer: Jessica, Librarian, Olympus Jr. High.

Our World of Water by Beatrice Hollyer

Hollyer, Beatrice, Our World of Water. Henry Holt and Company. 2008. Everyone around the world needs water for drinking , animal, cooking, going the bathroom, and washing clothing. Around the world, however, people have different ways of finding water and making it useable. Some have to go find water by donkey while others get it from the river and purify it right in their house. The author does a great job of bringing together different cultures and a resource we all have in common. The text is well-researched and the real-life pictures of the people in other countries are amazing and fun to look at. Readers who enjoy unusual fact books, recreational information reading, or need to do a research project of water will like reading this book. EL/MS(4 to 7). ADVISABLE Reviewer: Jessica, Librarian, Olympus Jr. High.

The Yellow Tutu by Kirsten Bramsen

Bramsen, Kirsten. The Yellow Tutu. Random House. 2009. When Margo gets a beautiful yellow tutu for her birthday, she decides to start wearing it as an accessory on her head, because it makes her look like a daisy. When kids at school see it, they make fun of her and try and ruin her beautiful tutu. With the help of a kind girl in her class, however, she learns that it only matters what you think and it’s important to be yourself. A fun story filled with characters that kids will enjoy reading about. The text is perfect for reading aloud and the pictures complement the story well. Fans of Fancy Nancy, Purplicious, ballerina, and princess books will enjoy reading or hearing this story. PreK/EL (PreK-K). ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Kira, Youth Services Librarian, HUN Public Library.

Big Cat Pepper by Elizath Partridge - OPTIONAL

Partridge, Elizabeth. Big Cat Pepper.

PreK/EL (PreK-K). OPTIONAL.

A boy and his cat, Big Cat Pepper, have been best friends since he was a kitten. Lately, however, Pepper hasn’t been acting like himself. He won’t eat, drink, or purr. When Pepper dies one day, the boy feels sad and misses his cat deeply. Will the boy find peace and come to acceptance about his lost best friend?

An endearing book that is easy to read and understand for young children. The pictures are well done a complement that book well. Although this book is rather hard subject to read about, this book would be good for any child that is dealing with the loss of a beloved pet or loved one.

Reviewer: Kira, Youth Services Librarian, HUN Public Library.

Never Smile At A Monkey by Steve Jenkins: And 17 Other Important Things To Remember

Jenkins, Steve. Never Smile at a Monkey: And 17 Other Important Things To Remember. Houghton Mifflin Books for Children. 2009. Most people know to avoid certain animals that are dangerous such as a rattlesnake, a tiger, or a crocodile. There are, however, other animals that’s danger is not so obvious. For example, there is a certain type of monkey called a rhesus that you should never smile at for it might take your show of teeth as a sign of aggression and attack you. Readers who like books about unusual animals, grossology, and unusual facts will enjoy reading this book and will get a good laugh out of it and learn something useful or useless depending on how you look at it. Would recommend for an elementary read aloud or for parents to share with their kids. EL (K-3) ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Kira, Youth Services Librarian, HUN Public Library.

Rubin, Adam, Those Darn Squirrels. Clarion Books. 2008. When Old Man Fookwire builds bird feeders in order to keep the birds he likes to paint from leaving for the winter. Some pesky, clever squirrels, however, are determined to steal Fookwire’s seeds for themselves. Will Old Man Fookwire find a way to keep his birds from leaving for the winter or will those pesky squirrels ruin his plans? Will the squirrels and Fookwire find a way to get along? The book is a little cheesy, but the story is humorous and entertaining picture book. A great read aloud for storytime and bedtime stories as well as for early elementary teachers. PreK/EL (PreK-1). ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Kira, Youth Services Librarian, HUN Public Library

Funny Business: Conversations with Writers of Comedy compiled and edited by Leonard S. Marcus

Marcus, Leonard S., ed. Funny Business: Conversations with Writers of Comedy, 209 pgs. Candlewick Press, 2009. $21.00. Questions you’ve always wondered about your favorite children’s authors are answered. Editor Leonard S. Marcus asks personal and literary questions to each author in their own section in a Q & A format. Photocopies of manuscripts and pictures of the authors as children and current photographs are interspersed and give a personal flair to the sections. My favorite photograph was of Lieutenant John Scieszka as a high school senior. The authors included are (in order): Judy Blume, Beverly Cleary, Sharon Creech, Christopher Paul Curtis, Anne Fine, Daniel Handler, Carl Hiaasen, Norton Juster, Dick King-Smith, Hilary McKay, Daniel Pinkwater, Louis Sachar, and John Scieszka. This multi-author biography would be an excellent choice for students writing reports about authors. EL – ADVISABLE. Samantha, Public Librarian.

The Life and Times of Corn by Charles Micucci

Micucci, Charles The Life and Times of Corn 32 pgs. Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2009. NON-FICTION. $16.00. Did you know that if corn were a separate state, it would be the fifth largest state in America?! Wow! Students reading this book will learn this and many other unique and interesting facts about corn. This book covers it all from the very basics of naming each part of this grain to its different uses around the world. It discusses how corn is planted and harvested, how it is used in a variety of products (not just food), and the seasonal activities associated with corn. In short, it is really just a biography about corn! Coupled with the colorful and attractive illustrations, the bubble facts and short paragraphs make this an easy and interesting read. EL-ESSENTIAL. Whitney, Library-Teacher.

Clot & Scab: Gross Stuff About Your Scrapes, Bumps, and Bruises by Kristi Lew

Lew, Kristi Clot & Scab: Gross Stuff About Your Scrapes, Bumps, and Bruises illustrated by Michael Slack, 48 pgs. Millbrook Press, 2010. NON-FICTION. $21.95. This is one gross and disgusting book that will have kids crawling all over it! What kid doesn't love to learn and look at all of the gory details of scabs, bumps, and bruises?? (o.k. so I can think of a few:)) At any rate, this book is fantastic with its detailed, real-life illustrations of the different processes your body goes through as it heals its own wounds. The book provides factual information about blood, blood clots, scars, bruises, and scabs along with 10 gross facts about blood and healing. Also included at the back is a glossary of terms along with a bibliography, further reading, and index. This is a must in any elementary and even middle school library! Don't look too long at the pictures though or you might start feeling queasy! EL-ESSENTIAL. Whitney, Library-Teacher.

Princess of Glass by Jessica Day George

George, Jessica Day Princess of Glass, 288 p. Bloomsbury, JUNE 2010. $16.99. Content: G (two swears that don’t really fit).

Princess Poppy, originally one of the 12 Dancing Princesses, is off on a royal exchange program. Her new friend Marianne and her family have been very kind, though Poppy is reluctant to attend any balls (for fairly obvious reasons). When she meets Prince Christian, the possibility of finding actually seems real. But enter a mysterious girl who has a hold of some sort on the young men of the kingdom – and who seems to want Christian for her own. Poppy must again break through a magical enchantment in order to find her way out of this tangle.

While the premise is very attractive – Cinderella as the villain? – the execution is lackluster. George tries very hard to make Ellen/Ella/Eleanora both evil and sympathetic simultaneously, while never giving enough of her backstory or detail to make you feel anything for her, except for the fact that she is very whiny. I couldn’t really tell who was supposed to be the leading lady in this tale. After George’s two other fairy tale books, I was so looking forward to this. And the cover is drop dead gorgeous. But the contents will only satisfy unsophisticated readers. I would stick with Simon and Schusters’ Once Upon a Time series and give this one a pass. 

EL – OPTIONAL. Cindy, Library-Teacher

Cashay by Margaret McMullan

McMullan, Margaret Cashay, 163 pgs. Houghton Mifflin, 2009. Language - PG (19 swears, 0 "f"), Sexual Content - PG; Violence - PG; Cashay and her sister Sashay are walking home from school and Sashay gets shot. Cashay misses her sister a ton and now she doesn't know what to do with her life. Cashay is a strong and smart person and I love how it shows. I love Sashay's carefree way of life and how close the sisters were. ES, MS - ADVISABLE. Reviewer: CH

Good Fortune by Noni Carter

Carter, Noni Good Fortune, 489 pgs. Simon & Schuster, 2010. Language-G, Sexual Content-G; Violence-PG; Ayanna Bahati is captured from her village in Africa, and is shipped to America to become a slave. She feels threatened by the life on a plantation, and is now planning to escape to the north, where it’s free. Will she make it? This book is very descriptive, and makes sure you understand everything clearly. It is very good, considering it’s the author’s first book she has written. EL, MS-ADVISABLE. Student Reviewer: HW

The Healing Spel by Kimberley Little

Little, Kimberley Griffiths The Healing Spell, 354. Scholastic press, 2010. Language- G (1 swear, 0 “f”) Sexual Content- G; Violence-PG; With her mother in a coma, eleven-year-old Livie feels she is responsible for the accident. To relieve her guilt, she travels deep into the bayou and receives a spell to help her mother wake up – but something else is needed to cure her feelings and broken family. I thought this book was very heartwarming and funny, but sad and a little tragic at the same time. I enjoyed the the whole book through way up to the ending, and I learned a very valuable lesson from it. EL-MS – ESSENTIAL. A.W.

Jim Copp, Will You Tell Me a Story? by Jim Copp

Copp, Jim Jim Copp, Will You Tell Me a Story? pg. 54. Harcourt Inc. $17.95. Language-G; Sexual Content-G; Violence-G; This book holds the clever stories of Jim Copp. From a young girl who is as wild as a monkey and another girl who loses her homework, to a terrible teacher who has a gorilla in her class, these are tells for the young reader. I would have any young person read these stories as a starter book. And I would tell others to read it just for fun. ES-ADVISABLE. Student Reviewer-MP

Go Speed Racer, Go! by Sophia Kelly

Kelly, Sophia Go Speed Racer, Go! pg. 28. Penguin Group.$3.95. Language-G; Sexual Content-G; Violence-G; Speed Racer is a boy with a mind for only one thing. His family is a racing family and he doesn't see why he has to go to school and his brother gets to race. But his goal is to become as good as his brother. Will he be able to do it? This is a really good book to get a young boy to start reading. The book is well written and depicts the movie really well. ES-ADVISABLE. Student Reviewer-MP.

Eve of the Emperor Penguin by Mary Pope Osborne - ESSENTIAL

Osborne, Mary Pope Eve of the Emperor Penguin. pg.109. Random House.$11.99.

Content-G

The tree house is back again and this time Jack and Annie get to travel to Antarctica. They run into a few disasters but nothing will keep them from reaching their goal.

I am a fan of these books. They are good for young readers and older readers looking for a short book. They are adventurous and very informational too. I would recommend this book to just about anyone. 

EL-ESSENTIAL

Student Reviewer: MP

The City in the Lake by Rachel Neumeier

Neumeier, Rachel The City in the Lake, pg. 294. Alfred A. Knopf (Random). $15.99. Language -PG; Sexual Content-G; Violence-PG-13; Neill is a prince, but there is one problem - he is a bastard. Instead of his becoming king, his younger brother will. Or so it seems until his brother goes missing. Timou is a young girl in a small village learning to become a mage like her father. But when her father leaves for the city for a short time, he never comes back. Timou becomes determined to find him. Timou and Neill will meet in the most unlikely way and learn things that will change their lives forever. This book had an amazing story line. It is one that will surprise you even if you have read it before. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes fantasy and adventure. MS, HS-ESSENTIAL .Student Reviewer-MP

The Glass Word by Kai Meyer - ADVISABLE

Meyer, Kai The Glass Word (Dark Reflections #3), pg.282. Simon Pulse. $8.99. 

Language-PG-13; Mature Content-PG; Violence-PG

Merle's world is devastated because of a war - a war that has affected her more than any other person in the world. She has traveled many places but where she is and what is happening is the most unlikely scenario ever. Egypt and it's freezing cold. 

I absolutely loved this book. I will read the rest of the trilogy. I would recommend this book to the fantasy and action readers. 

HS, MS - ADVISABLE

Student Reviewer: MP