Worst of Friends by Suzanne Jurmain - ESSENTIAL

Jurmain, Suzanne Tripp Worst of Friends: Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and the True Story of an American Feud.  PICTURE BOOK.  Dutton (Penguin), 2012.  $17.  At the beginnings of America, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams were best of friends.  Somewhere along the way, however, the two’s differences became magnified and they quit speaking to each other about the time John was elected President.  When Tom ran against him and won, that sealed the enmity for more than a decade.  

Read about these two friends-enemies-friends who were so important to the founding of our country.  A great look at a bit of American history.  EL, MS – ESSENTIAL. Cindy, Library Teacher

A Leaf Can Be... by Laura Purdie Salas- ADVISABLE

Purdie Salas, Laura.  A Leaf Can Be…, illustrated by Violeta Dabija.  $17.95.  Content: G.  PICTURE BOOK.  This rhyming book explores the many roles that leaves play in nature.  From “snake concealer” to “rain stopper” the illustrations and simple words explore the world of leaves.  We enjoyed the illustrations and the variety of uses in this book. Some of the animals and characters are absolutely adorable!  The book ends with, “A leaf is a leaf- a bit of a tree.  Now go and discover what else it can be!”  Obviously teachers could use this to further student imagination and discovery of leaves and their uses. Pre-K.  EL (K-3).  ADVISABLE.  Reviewer: SL. 

Something to hold by Katherine Schlick Noe –ESSENTIAL

Noe, Katherine Schlick Something to hold, 256 pgs. Clarion Books, 2011. $11.55. (Language-G Violence-PG; Sexual Content-G).
Set in the 1960’s on an Oregon Native American Reservation, the reader experiences a year in the life of 6th grader Kitty. She mostly just wants to make friends. When Kitty starts to notice some racial tension and injustices, she can’t help but speak up and take action. Gradually she wins the trust and respect of the native students and is able to help out when someone is needed the most.
This was a great book! The setting was an essential component of the story and really added to it (Unlike a few I could grumble about –where the time period only contributes to making an incredibly dull read for students). I like the gradual realization of Kitty to the treatment of the Native Americans and her ability to be brave enough to take action. The story itself manages to be action packed and interesting, with tidbits of native culture, and even a well developed setting. (I think I can still smell the fields of sage!).
Elementary – ESSENTIAL Reviewer: Stephanie MLS graduate.

Big Hugs, Little Hugs by Felicia Bond-ADVISABLE

Bond, Felicia.  Big Hugs, Little Hugs. $16.99.  Content: G.  PICTURE BOOK.  Perfect for celebrating Valentine’s Day, Felicia Bond creates a colorful book celebrating the wonder of hugs.  Each page is simple and beautiful.  With very few words, Bond explores hugs in winter and summer, in day or night, and even upstairs and downstairs. We loved the illustrations.  This is a perfect book for preschoolers or anyone in love!  Pre-K.  ADVISABLE.  Reviewer: SL. 

Elmer and Super El by David McKee-ADVISABLE

McKee David.  Elmer and Super El. $16.95.  Content: G.  PICTURE BOOK.  Elmer is a beloved patchwork elephant who is always willing to help a friend.  When Super El is in need of Elmer’s help, Elmer is quick to respond.  Together, Elmer and Super El travel through the jungle encountering an array of animals and creatures as they go on a quest to find Aunt Zelda.  With humor and bright, bold colors, McKee tells a fun and captivating story to preschoolers everywhere. This book could be used while teaching about colors, jungle animals and friendship.   Pre-K. ADVISABLE.  Reviewer: SL.    

Pretty Penny Cleans Up by Devon Kinch-ADVISABLE

Kinch, Devon.  Pretty Penny Cleans Up, 40 pgs.  Random House for Young Readers, 2012.  $16.99.  Inside cover: “The Sassy Pants concert is only one week away, and Penny’s best friend, Emma, has spent her whole allowance.  It’s Pretty Penny to the rescue with another of her big ideas- La Perfect Pup Salon!  Local pups will come away with such hilarious styles as the Punk and the Regal, and the girls will earn enough money for their tickets.  And with the Pretty Penny Saving Setup, they’ll save for charity and for future needs, too.”  This book could be used in a unit on money management, jobs/trades, and friendship.  We liked how Pretty Penny chose to give some of her money to charity and to save some as well.  This is a lesson many children struggle to learn.  The illustrations are bold and bright.  The story is interesting and easy to follow.  Pre-K.  EL (K-3). ADVISABLE.  Reviewer: SL. 

Half-Pint Pete the Pirate by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen- OPTIONAL

Bardhan-Quallen, Sudipta.  Valerio, Geraldo.  Half-Pint Pete the Pirate, 32 pgs. $16.99.  Inside cover:  “Half-Pint Pete the Pirate sailed half the seven seas with a patch hiding half his eyes.  But with only half a treasure map, he’d never find his prize!  Until one day when he meets Belle-a female pirate with an incomplete map of her own.  When they combined their halves to make a whole, they find that working together is the best way to find buried treasure.”  This is a cute story with a cute ending.  It could be used in a unit on fractions or friendship.  Other than that, we don’t have anything exciting or negative to say about it.  Pre-K.  EL (K-3).  OPTIONAL. Reviewer: SL. 

The Third Gift by Linda Sue Park- ADVISABLE

Park, Linda Sue. Ibatoulline, Bagram.  The Third Gift, 32 pgs.  Clarion Books, 2011.  $16.99.  Inside cover: “As sons have been doing throughout the ages, a boy is learning his father’s craft- recognizing the trees that release valuable resin and gathering the round drops, which look almost like pearls.  Or tears.  Today is a proud turning point for the boy.  They have found a “tear” of unusual size, big enough to fill his two hands.  And in the marketplace, three strangers-foreigners- have their own surprising reason for wishing to buy the day’s harvest.”  The story and illustrations in this book are touching and expressive.  We enjoyed the book from beginning to end, but were pleasantly shocked when we realized it is a story of The Nativity. We didn’t realize that the setting for this story was two thousand years ago until the very ending of the book.  This will be a favorite Christmas story for years to come.  EL (K-3).  EL.  ADVISABLE.  Reviewer: SL. 

Beep and Bah by James Burks-ADVISABLE

Burks, James.  Beep and Bah, 32 pgs. $16.95. Inside cover: “Beep is a robot who hungers for adventure.  Bah is a goat who wants to stay out of trouble.  When Bah discovers a single sock, Beep knows there’s only one thing to do: Find its match!  Together, Beep and Bah begin a winding journey that takes them up high hills and deep into the ocean.  On the way, they’ll meet monkeys, whales, and angry bears- but will they find the missing sock?”  This is a cute comic type book that has a hilarious ending!  Much of the story is in looking at the drawings.  The illustrator does an incredible job bringing the characters to life.  We enjoyed reading this book!  There are a lot of animals and animal sounds in this book that could be used in a unit. EL (K-3).  EL. ADVISABLE. Reviewer: SL.

A Boy Called Dickens by Deborah Hopkinson-ADVISABLE

Hopkinson, Deborah.  Hendrix, John.  A Boy Called Dickens, 40 pgs.  Schwaratz & Wade, 2012.  $17.99.  Inside cover: “Step back in time to the winding, crowded streets of old London… We are here to search for a boy called Charles Dickens.  Who is he? A skinny, hungry child with patched sleeves?  Yes.  A worker in Warren’s rat-infested blacking factory?  That too.  But he’s also an imaginative boy who yearns for books, and who longs to create stories of his very own.  And he is a boy whose dream will come true: Charles Dickens will grow up to become one of the greatest writers of all time.”  We were fascinated while reading this book.  Learning about the young Dickens made us appreciate his later work!  After reading this story, we discussed how people can and do overcome trials and rise to greatness.  There are a lot of life lessons packed into this great book.  Pre-K,  EL (K-3). EL.  ADVISABLE.  Reviewer: SL. 

George Washington's Birthday: A Mostly True Tale by Margaret McNamara-ADVISABLE

McNamara, Margaret.  Blitt, Barry.  George Washington’s Birthday: A Mostly True Tale, 40 pgs.  Schwartz & Wade, 2012.  $17.99.  Inside cover: “When George Washington woke up on Saturday, he was seven.  It’s my birthday, he thought.  Happy Birthday to me.  But everyone in his family was so busy they didn’t even notice.  Would anyone ever remember George’s birthday?  Full of facts about the first president-as well as many myths, debunked!- this is a partly true and completely funny birthday celebration.”  We loved this book!  The illustrations are fun and exciting.  Each page has either a myth or fact about George Washington. The storyline is fun to read.  This book could be used in a unit on celebrating President’s Day. Pre-K.  EL (K-3).  ADVISABLE.  Reviewer: SL. 

My Heart Will Not Sit Down by Mara Rockliff-ESSENTIAL

Rockliff, Mara.  Tanksley, Ann.  My Heart Will Not Sit Down, 40 pgs.  Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2012.  $17.99. Inside cover: “When Kedi hears about America’s Great Depression from her teacher, her heart will not sit down.  Men and women are unable to find work.  Children are going hungry.  In her teacher’s village of New York City, people are starving because they do not have money to buy food.  But can one small girl in Africa’s Cameroon make a difference all the way across the “great salt river” in America?  Inspired by true events, Mara Rockliff brings to life the remarkable story of one child’s vision, passion, and dedication to making the world a better place.”  This was one of the most heart-felt, wonderful books we have ever read.  My son and I had many discussions after reading the story.  What a great springboard to further classroom discussions/units on emotions, service, compassion, history and culture (and much more!).  We simply loved this book! The illustrations are unique.  Teachers might want to read the “Author’s Notes” at the end of the book before sharing it with their students in order to familiarize themselves with the story.  They will also want to explain that although the illustrations make one think that there is only a small river separating Africa and New York City, the two are actually separated by the Atlantic Ocean! Because it is based on true events, this book can and should be used in grades K-12!  EL (K-3).  EL. Middle School.  High School.  ESSENTIAL.  Reviewer: SL.

Suppose You Met a Dinosaur: A First Book of Manners by Judy Sierra-ADVISABLE

Sierra, Judy.  Bowers, Tim.  Suppose You Meet a Dinosaur:  A First Book of Manners, Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2012.  $16.99.  Inside cover: “In this fantasy, a well-mannered little girl and an equally well-mannered dinosaur know all the right words, like “please” and “thank you” and “excuse me.”  With its humorous text that’s ideal for reading aloud, the incomparable Judy Sierra’s rhyming romp will make any young child enjoy learning- and using- his or her manners.”  This is one of the best rhyming books I have read.  The author nailed it perfectly.  The story is a perfect read-aloud and would be great for any unit on manners.  One warning: There is mention of the little girl needing to use the bathroom and the text says, “You have to pee!”  This might cause some raised eyes in adults or giggles in your students.  The illustrations are bold and bright.  We enjoyed this picture book!  Pre-K.  EL (K-3).  ADVISABLE.  Reviewer: SL. 

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-fantasy genre 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.

Belle, the Last Mule at Gee's Bend by Calvin Alexander Ramsey and Bettye Stroud - OPTIONAL

Ramsey, Calvin Alexander & Bettye Stroud Belle, the Last Mule at Gee's Bend illustrated by John Holyfield 32 pg. Candlewick Press, 2011. PICTURE BOOK. $15.99. During pivotal moments during the Civil Rights era, the people of Gee's Bend and their steady mules proved their worth over and over again. Alex, a young boy waiting outside a store front for his mother, meets an old lady who shares one of these stories with him. Alex learns of the people of Gee's Bend determination to vote despite the opposition. He also learns that after Dr. King's death, two mules from Gee's Bend pulled his casket through the streets of Atlanta.
I loved that this book highlights just a tiny scrap of history.The illustrations are so rich and add good detail to the story. EL-OPTIONAL. Whitney, Library-Teacher.

If you Live Here -Houses of the World by Giles Laroche –ADVISABLE

Laroche, Giles If you Live Here -Houses of the World, 32 pgs. Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2011. $~14.07. (Rating: G in all)
This picture book offers a selection of home styles from around the world. From dwellings like log cabins, to Chalets to Pueblo’s. It features stunning collage illustrations and a large informational component.
This book does a great job to help pull students out of the typical egocentric world view by showing them a variety of world homes. The wording is well designed to draw a child in. There are also interesting tidbits and facts, including a map. Might be useful for cultural curriculum connections.
EL, Elementary -ADVISABLE Reviewer: Stephanie MLS graduate.

Mouse and Mole: A Perfect Halloween by Wong Herbert Yee-ADVISABLE

Yee, Wong Herbert.  Geisel, Theodor Seuss.  Mouse and Mole:  A Perfect Halloween, 48 pgs.  Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2011.  $14.99. Inside cover: “Mouse likes Halloween.  In fact, with only a few days to go before the big day, Mouse has a lot to do.  There are decorations to hang and pumpkins to carve-especially for the big pumpkin-carving contest!  Mole does not like Halloween nearly as much.  It is scary.  It is creepy.  Thankfully a pumpkin-carving contest is not too scary.  But the contest is just the beginning of Mouse and Mole’s Halloween adventures.  Even the trip home could be a spooky one.  Mole is just not having a happy Halloween. What’s Mouse to do when her best friend has turned into a big Scaredy-Mole? All it takes is a little creativity (and Mouse has a lot of that) and a bedtime story to have the perfect Halloween.”   I thought this was a great book. The story is fun and exciting.   I like how the characters changed at the end of the story. The illustrations are bright and colorful. It would be a great Halloween story.  EL (K-3). ADVISABLE.  Student Reviewed:  JL- age 9.

Step Into Reading: Francis Scott Key's Star-Spangled Banner by Monica Kulling

Kulling, Monica.  Walz, Richard.  Step Into Reading: Francis Scott Key’s Star-Spangled Banner, 48 pgs.  Random House for Young Readers, 2012.  $3.99.  This is a great condensed version of the true story our national anthem.  The story details the life of Francis Scott Key and how the War of 1812 influenced his writing America’s most beloved song.  The end of the book details the whereabouts of that infamous flag and it’s current home at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. EL (K-3). ESSENTIAL.  Reviewer: SL

Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet-ADVISABLE

Sweet, Melissa.  Balloons Over Broadway, 40 pgs.  Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2011.  $16.99.  Inside cover: “Every Thanksgiving morning for more than eighty years, mammoth-size balloons have risen to the skies to wobble and sway, sally and shimmy, up and down the canyons of New York City.  Just how did this beloved tradition come to Broadway?  Who first invented these wonderful “upside-down marionettes”?”  I liked reading this book.  I liked that it was a true story.  I liked the colorful pictures and learning about the parade. I like history books. This book could be used when talking about traditions and maybe Thanksgiving. Pre-K.  EL (K-3).  EL.  ADVISABLE.  Student Reviewed:  JL- age 9.

First Garden: The White House Garden and How It Grew by Robbin Gourley - ADVISABLE

Gourley, Robbin First Garden: The White House Garden and How It Grew 48 pg. Clarion Books, 2011. NON-FICTION. $16.99. In 2009, Michelle Obama initiated the First Garden project. Her goal was to encourage healthful eating so the White House kitchen garden was born. With the help of a class of twenty-three 5th graders and other White House staff, the garden was planted and harvested and now produces more than a thousand pounds of food and one hundred and thirty-four pounds of honey. Interspersed throughout the story is a brief history of the White House gardens and grounds. Also included at the end are some favorite White House recipes.
This was a very interesting book that had a good mixture of historical and current information. The watercolor illustrations add good visual interest to the story. Overall I think it was a political/green book with an encouraging message to become more self-sufficient and healthy. EL-ADVISABLE. Whitney, Library-Teacher.