Sam's New Friend by Thierry Robberecht and Philippe Goosens - ADVISABLE

Robberecht, Thierry, Sam’s New Friend, illustrated by Philippe Goossens. Unpaged. Clarion Books, 2007.

EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

Sam is tough and brave and he only likes playing with the boys. But his mom brings her friend’s daughter over for the evening and the night and Sam has to play with her and share his room with her. When she cries in the night, it is Sam who helps. Sam is still strong and brave, but he plays with his new friend, Ellie. Great illustrations.

Several good topics for discussion like divorce, sharing, and playing with girls! The same message could be conveyed a little more subtly.

Susan Huff, Area Library Media Specialist.

Sam is Not a Loser by Thierry Robberecht and Philippe Goossens - ADVISABLE

Robberecht, Thierry. Sam is Not a Loser, illustrated by Philippe Goossens. Unpaged. Clarion Books, 2008.

EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

Sam likes to play but he doesn’t like to lose. Sometimes he throws fits when he loses. He likes to play games with grandma because he ALWAYS wins. He chooses to skip a soccer game because the other team is bigger and his team will probably lose. Grandma convinces him that if he doesn’t play, he doesn’t have a chance to win and he ends up playing.

The illustrations are bold and bright with color, but the story seems preachy.

Reviewer: Susan Huff, Area Library Media Specialist.

Climbing Rosa by Shelley Fowles - ESSENTIAL

Fowles, Shelley Climbing Rosa. Frances Lincoln Children’s Books, 2008. PICTURE BOOK

Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL

Rosa loves to climb. This is a good thing, because her evil stepmother and stepsister make her sleep on the roof. Everything changes, however, when word gets to her about a bookworm prince that is looking for a wife. The king of the kingdom decrees that whoever can make it to the top of the tallest tree in the kingdom and bring down with them some seeds from the tree, will win the prince’s hand in marriage. Rosa doesn’t just face the challenge of climbing the tree, though, she must also outwit one of her stepsisters. Will she make it to the top of the tree? Will she get to marry the prince or forever be stuck sleeping on the roof?

The text and illustrations are funny and are enjoyable to look at. The illustrations complement well the text. Children of all ages will enjoy reading about a Cinderella who’s not your typical damsel in distress and a prince that has a rather unusual personality.


Reviewer: Kira, Children's Librarian-HUN Public Library

Treasure Fever by Andy Griffiths - ADVISABLE

Griffiths, Andy. Treasure Fever, 198p. Scholastic- 

Language: G, Sexual Content: G, Violence: G

EL- ADVISABLE 

Henry McTrottle thought it was just going to be his everyday substitute. What he didn't expect was Mr. Brainfright. His class went from learning math to falling out of windows! Not only did they learn that, they also learned how to eat a banana, fly, and make history. While learning the weirdest things, Henry and his friends are looking for treasure... and about thirty other kids. Will they beat everyone to the chase? What is in the treasure? 

Treasure Fever was a random and funny book. A good book, but not one that you had to absolutely read. 

Student Reviewer: CW

Chasing Normal by Lisa Papademetriou - ADVISABLE

Papademetriou, Lisa Chasing Normal, 193 p. Hyperion, 2008. 

EL - ESSENTIAL, MS - ADVISABLE

Mieka, 12, and her father, have been summoned to the side of Mieka's paternal grandmother, as she seems close to death. Never mind that Mieka and her dad are closer to her maternal grandmother and that Mieka has never even met Grandma Baker in her life. Now she is spending three weeks with her cousins and a surly old woman, and wondering the grass really is greener on this side of the fence. 

Three weeks may seem short, but it may be just enough time for Mieka to figure out what it is she wants. All in a nice, neat package that doesn't include one swear word even! 

CINDY

The 100 Year old Secret by Tracy Barrett - ADVISABLE

Barrett, Tracy The 100 Year Old Secret (The Sherlock Files #1), 157 p. Henry Holt, 2008. 

EL - ADVISABLE

Xena and Xander Holmes have moved to London with their parents. Almost immediately they are contacted by a Society for the Preservation of Famous Detectives and informed that they truly are descendants of the famous detective Sherlock Holmes. They children, with the reluctant help of a descendant of Dr. Watson, take on a case from Holmes' unfinished files, tracking the whereabouts of a missing painting. 

Actually, the mystery is fairly clever and kind of reminds me of a more in depth Encyclopedia Brown. The twins use their brains, get in a little danger, and don't have to resort to superpowers or pretending that all adults are stupid in order to solve their crime. 

CINDY

Julia Gillian by Alison McGhee - OPTIONAL

McGhee, Alison Julia Gillian and the Art of Knowing, 288 p. Scholastic, 2008. 

EL - OPTIONAL

Julia Gillian usually adores summer time with her doting parents, but this year Mom and Dad are both pursuing higher degrees, which leaves them very little time for their ten year old daughter. Instead, Julia Gillian is stuck walking a nine block area of downtown Minneapolis with her faithful dog Bigfoot, and feels very alone as she confronts challenges and questions that seem very important for a little girl. 

Julia Gillian is very much a typical little girl, not a souped up, over mature pre-teen. Little girls who read well and like thick girly books will like Julia Gillian. 

CINDY

Carmine: A LIttle More Red by Melissa Sweet - ESSENTIAL

Sweet, Melissa Carmine: A Little More Red. Houghton, 2005. PICTURE BOOK.

EL - ESSENTIAL

This abecedarian (alphabetically arranged) version updates the Red Riding Hood story in an art format that mimics the art journal of a precocious child. Vocabulary words are highlighted, defined, and used in sentences that advance the plot. In a nonviolent twist at the end, Sweet manages to make this a satisfying individual read for any age.

Reviewer: Beverly Stout, Elementary Library Specialist.

HORSE by Libby Hamilton - ADVISABLE

Hamilton, Libby Horse: The Essential Guide For Young Equestrians. Candlewick Press, 2008. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK.

EL (K-3), EL - ADVISABLE

This horse book is chuck full of the usual facts such as the breeds of horses, what to feed a horse, how to tell a horse's size and age. But it goes beyond the ordinary by giving advice on how to braid a tail, how to contact the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and the secret art of horse whispering. It has great additions like pull outs and pop-ups, including a flip book that are fun for an individual reader, but may not hold up in a library setting.

Reviewed by Susan Huff, Area Library Media Specialist

Night Shift by Jessie Hartland - ADVISABLE

Hartland, Jessie Night Shift. PICTURE BOOK. Bloomsbury, 2007.

EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

What is going on around the city while you are sleeping? All sorts of things - street sweeping, bridge painting, donut baking, window dressing to name a few.

This book cleverly details the jobs of fourteen different night workers, and each description leads to the next topic through a clue in the illustration and a question in the lower right of the page spread. Adding to the fun of her quirky illustrations, Hartland makes sure to place at least one cat in each picture. Further unifying the book, each night-time job depicted is represented as fourteen workers gather at the end of the shift for refreshment and sociality at an all-night diner.

Reviewer: Beverly Stout, Elementary Library Specialist.

Running Shoes by Freserick Lipp - ESSENTIAL

Lipp, Frederick Running Shoes, illustrated by Jason Gaillard. Charlesbridge, 2008. PICTURE BOOK. 

EL - ESSENTIAL; MS - ADVISABLE (for TA program). 

From the book cover, "Sophy and her mother are poor. They live in a small village with no doctor, hospital, or school. But Sophy has a secret wish - a wish for something that will change her life forever. With the help of a pair of running shoes, Sophy might just be able to make her wish come true." Sophy's wish is to attend school eight kilometers away through the jungle and over streams and sharp, red rocks. On his current visit, the government census taker learns of Sophy's dream, measures her foot, and promises to send a surprise. With new running shoes Sophy proves herself not only by braving the distance alone, but also by courageously attending an all-boy school and outrunning every single fellow student. 

Through lyrical text and beautiful paintings, "author Fredrick Lipp and illustrator Jason Gaillard create an empowering story of hope and determination set in the countryside of Cambodia." This book is for everyone; it made me cry. 

Reviewer: BS

My Chocolate Year by Charlotte Herman - ESSENTIAL

Herman, Charlotte My Chocolate Year, illustrated by LeUyen Pham. 163 pgs. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. 

Language-G; Sexual Content-G; Violence-G; 

EL-ESSENTIAL 

Dorrie is a 5th grader and her teacher is having a baking and essay contest. When her cousin Victor comes to America for the first time, he shows her how precious her family and a free country are, while teaching her a few tricks from his family's bakery. 

Because this book is set in 1945 and Dorrie's family is Jewish, you get a lot of history about the holocaust. It gave just the right amount of history while having fun and hearing about all of the desserts she makes. There are even recipes for a lot of the things they make in the story. It is perfect for any elementary school library. 

Student Reviewer-KD