Jackson and Bud’s Bumpy Ride by Elizabeth Koehler-Pentacoff and Wes Hargis - ADVISABLE

Jackson and Bud’s Bumpy Ride: America’s First Cross-Country Automobile Trip by Elizabeth Koehler-Pentacoff, illustrated by Wes Hargis. Millbrook Press (Lerner), 2009. $17. PICTURE BOOK.

EL – ADVISABLE

The automobile was still pretty new – well out-numbered by horse-drawn conveyances – when Horatio Jackson, his mechanic and their acquired stray dog Bud, work their way across the USA from West to East, all for a $50 bet that Jackson never collected. With only 150 miles of paved road in the entire country, no such things as road maps and with the help of a few friendly horses, the trio drove their way in to the history books.

Kids are used to cars today that this is a great way for them to get a look at the auto in the 1900’s. It’s extremely cute.

CINDY

Sword of Waters by Hilari Bell - ESSENTIAL

Sword of Waters (The Shield, Sword, and Crown #2) by Hillari Bell, 363 pgs. Simon and Schuster

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

EL, MS- ESSENTIAL

The Falcon has just recovered the shield and is now lord commander of the army. Arisa, the Falcon’s daughter, is thrown into palace life. Usually every girl loves to be pampered; not this girl. Her life before was one of a bandit’s. How could her mother change from leader of bandits to lord commander of the army? Arisa could hardly believe it herself. Now Arisa is put in charge of finding the sword that goes with the legendary shield. But, that is not her only mission. She has to get to know Prince Eldoran, who she thinks is obnoxious, and figure out what is really going on with the conspirators around the kingdom. Can Arisa do it all?

This book was a great thrill throughout the entire book! IT was juicy with mystery and had a ton of twists and turns. What happened towards the end surprised me so much; the author really made it suspenseful. A great trilogy for anyone who likes a little treachery. The first book is Shield of Stars.

Student Reviewer: CW

One Beetle Too Many by Kathryn Lasky and Matthew Trueman - ADVISABLE

One Beetle Too Many: The Extraordinary Adventures of Charles Darwin, by Kathryn Lasky, illustrated by Matthew Trueman. Candlewick, 2009. PICTURE BOOK. $18

EL, MS – ADVISABLE

Fun, quirky illustrations complement the text in this short bio on Charles Darwin. While pictures would be fun to show to a class, any teacher would want to choose which text to read, as there is more detail than you might expect. If I were still in elementary, this is the kind of bio that I would want to read.

Cindy, Library-Teacher.

The Way of the Warrior by Chris Bradford - ESSENTIAL

The Way of the Warrior (Young Samurai #1) by Chris Bradford, 353 p. Hyperion, 2009. $16.99.

Violence: PG

EL, MS – ESSENTIAL

First a young boy is murdered in his bed by an evil ninja to make his father tow the line. Now, a young English boy, Jack, on a journey to Japan with his father, is the only survivor when a horde of pirates attacks their boat, kills almost everyone on board and then sets the ship on fire. The father of the murdered boy rescues Jack and adopts him into his household and finds in Jack the makings of a samurai, even if it causes his remaining son extreme jealousy. But, Dragon Eye, the ninja mastermind, wants something that Jack has and will stop at nothing to get it. The book is based in Japan of the 1600’s, before most white peoples knew of its existence.

I was sucked in from the first scene and remained enthralled to the end. It’s a perfect companion to the Moribitu series or Hoobler’s novels.

Cindy, Library-Teacher.

Just How Long Can a Long String Be?! by Keith Baker - ESSENTIAL

Just How Long Can A Long String Be?! by Keith Baker. PICTURE BOOK. Arthur A. Levine Books 

EL (K-3), EL – ESSENTIAL 

A ant encounters a LONG piece of string and asks his friend Bird the question, “Just how long can a long string be?!” Bird takes ant and the reader along as he describes how it depends on what your perspective is and what the string is used for. 

This delightful picture book will entertain all ages. The illustrations deserve their own applause.

Allison Madsen~Teen Librarian-SJO Public Library

Footprints on the Moon by Mark Haddon - ESSENTIAL

Footprints on the Moon by Mark Haddon. PICTURE BOOK. Candlewick 

EL – ESSENTIAL 

“Years ago, a little boy gazed at the moon, dizzy with the thought that he was looking at a world 200,000 miles away.”—excerpt from front flap hardcover edition

In his eloquent prose, Mark Haddon (Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time) recalls how as a young boy he longingly gazed at the moon and dreamed of one day becoming an astronaut. Then on July 20,1969 man took a monumental step into history. 

The beautiful illustrations by Christian Birmingham make the picture book memoir’s ambiance complete.

Allison Madsen~Teen Librarian-SJO Public Library

What Bluebirds Do by Pamela F. Kirby - ESSENTIAL

What Bluebirds Do by Pamela F. Kirby. NONFICTION PICTURE BOOK Boyds Mills Press 

Language~G, Sexual Content~G; Violence~G

EL – ESSENTIAL 

Do you have a bird feeder in your backyard? Have you ever wondered how the birds nest and raise their babies?

Pamela Kirby has created a masterful, yet simple to understand book that introduces readers to a bluebird couple and follows them through their first nest and brood. 

Kirby has expertly peppered this engaging story with facts about these birds and includes valuable vocabulary building terms within the text. Unlike many non-fiction books, this title was not text heavy and yet I learned much! Incredible photographs accompany each part of the story. The additional information provided in the afterword is also superb. No non-fiction collection for elementary age children would be complete without this title!

Allison Madsen~Teen Librarian-SJO Public Library

Four Truths and a Lie by Lauren Barnholdt - ADVISABLE

Four Truths and a Lie by Laura Barnholdt, 265 p. Mix (Simon), 2008. $6

Content: G

EL, MS – ADVISABLE

Armed with a secret, Scarlett Northon, 8th grader, starts her new life at an exclusive boarding school. Her roommate, however, seems to be an antagonist instead of a friend. Scarlett is trying to make the best of the situation, but someone is trying to expose Scarlett’s secret and is also trying to get her in trouble. Scarlett needs to sort the truths from the lies before her new life goes down the tubes.

The Mix imprint from Simon and Schuster is full of fun and to the point books perfect for tweens. This is Barnholdt’s second title for the imprint.

CINDY

Watch out For Wolfgang by Paul Carrick - ADVISABLE

Watch out For Wolfgang by Paul Carrick. PICTURE BOOK. Charlesbridge, 2009. $17. 

EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

Once there was a mom robot who created three robots. When the three robots were all assembled she sent them out into the world with a little bit of money to build their own factories. Rod liked things clean and neat and well-kept. Slick was obsessed with himself and liked everything to revolve around him. Dudley made funny sounds when he walked and looked rusty and always had an odd way of doing things. Which one of these characters will be the one to defeat the big bad recycling robot? How will they accomplish it?

This interesting retelling of The Three Little Pigs will grab kids through its unique style of writing and the unusual characters it has in it. With a little bit of humor and a whole lot of robots, this book is perfect for reluctant readers and avid readers. This book would make a great addition to anyone’s collection.

Reviewer-Kira Moody-HUN Public Library

This Little Bunny Can Bake by Janet Stein - ESSENTIAL

Stein, Janet This Little Bunny Can Bake by Janet Stein. PICTURE BOOK. Schwartz and Wade Books (Random), 2009.

Pre-K, EL (K-3) -  ESSENTIAL

A group of animal want to learn how to make dessert, so they sign up for baking lessons at Chef George’s School of Dessertology. From delighting the taster’s senses to adding the right ingredients, these animal learn all there is to know about desserts and making them. Some, however, aren’t quite catching on to the concept of baking. Who will be the best in the class? Will all the animals succeed in making a dessert?

This story is funny and well-written. The illustrations complement well the story and are nothing short of someone with a wonderful imagination. Kids will laugh as they see how the animal mess up, but will delight in seeing what each animal comes up with for a “dessert.” A must read or read-aloud for teachers, parents, and young children.

Reviewer: Kira-HUN Public Library

Rise of the Evening Star by Brandon Mull - ESSENTIAL

Fablehaven: Rise of the Evening Star by Brandon Mull, 456 pages. Shadow Mountain

Language~G; Sexual Content~G; Violence~PG

EL, MS – ESSENTIAL 

Kendra and Seth are thrown back in the world of Fablehaven as they are tricked into helping the evil Society of the Evening Star. Kendra discovers that her encounter with the fairies has given her greater gifts than she could imagine and the Society wants her because of them. 

Readers also meet new characters some of whom are who they declare to be and others are not as benign as they seem. This second installment of the Fablehaven series continues to enthrall young readers who eagerly devour every volume.

Allison Madsen~Teen Librarian-SJO Public Library

Fablehaven by Brandon Mull - ESSENTIAL

Fablehaven by Brandon Mull, 368 pages. Shadow Mountain

Content - G

EL, MS – ESSENTIAL 

Ugh . . . imagine being left with an unknown relative while your parents go on a luxurious cruise! Kendra and Seth are not looking forward to it either. They are dropped off at their grandparent’s house that is surrounded by forests and land. There seems to be a secret that the grown-ups are not sharing with them. When Kendra and Seth discover that their grandparents are actually caretakers of a secret fairy & creature preserve called Fablehaven their time there gets far more exciting! 

This is an excellent fantasy series for young readers! You will not be able to keep it on the shelf.

Allison Madsen~Teen Librarian-SJO Public Library