Breaking Stalin's Nose by Eugene Velchin - ESSENTIAL

Velchin, Eugene Breaking Stalin's Nose, 151 p. Henry Holt and Company, 2011. $15.99 Language: G (0 swears, 0 'f') Violence: G, Mature Content: G.  This is a 2012 Newbery Honor.  10-year old Sasha Zaichik can hardly wait to join "The Pioneers" and show that he is a true and loyal Communist like his Father.  He even writes a letter to Stalin,  thanking him for the opportunity and promises to be useful.  On the night before the ceremony, Sasha's father is arrested and Sasha finds himself alone and out in the cold.  Can he still be a loyal communist with a Father in prison? There are spies everywhere, even at school.  No one can be trusted if they find out his secret.  Is Sasha brave enough to denounce his father?  

This book, written and illustrated by a former resident of the Soviet Union catches the reader immediately in the frenetic and fearful world of communist Russia.  Sasha's perfect world falls completely apart in less than 24 hours.  This quick read will be easily understood by upper elementary students, while older readers will be drawn in by the message, the writing, the illustrations and the ride.  I couldn't put it down.  EL/MS/HS - ESSENTIAL.  Lisa, Reading Teacher

Lala Salama by Patricia MacLachlan - ADVISABLE

 MacLachlan, Patricia Lala Salama: a Tanzanian Lullaby, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon.  Candlewick, 2011.  $17.  PICTURE BOOK.  Content: G.  The life of a child in Tanzania is unimaginable for the little children of the USA – except that MacLachlan’s words and Zunon’s illustrations paint a vivid picture for them.  Whether during story time or in a multicultural unit, children should enjoy learning about a faraway land – and maybe creating a soft rhythm of their own to accompany it.  PRE-K, EL(K-3) – ADVISABLE. Cindy, Library Teacher

Around the World by Matt Phelan - ADVISABLE

Phelan, Matt  Around the World, 235 pages.  Candlewick Press, 2011. $24.99.  Language G; Mature Content G; Violence G.  GRAPHIC NOVEL.  Following the printing of the novel, Around the World in Eighty Days, three different adventurers decided to give it a go themselves.  The three stories in this book are about Thomas Stevens, Nellie Bly and Joshua Slocum.  Each story captures the personalities of the adventurers and their thoughts and emotions.  The art work is more telling than the words used.  Thomas Stevens traveled by bike, Nellie Bly by trains and cruise ships and Joshua Slocum by a sail boat.  The author pulls the reader into their lives so much that when I was done reading I found myself looking for different versions of their stories.  EL, MS-ADVISABLE.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.