Animals by Miranda Smith - ADVISABLE

Smith, Miranda. Animals. Kingfisher Press. 2009. Pgs. 43.

EL,MS - ADVISABLE

Animals inhabit every nook and cranny of the earth. Some are mammals, some are amphibians, some are reptiles, some are bird, some are fish, and some are invertebrates (animals without a backbone). All, however, use various methods for attack, defense, mating, self-protection, traveling, raising young, etc.

This book introduces readers to the world of animals and what it means to be an animal. Although this guide it very basic, readers will enjoy the unusual insights it provides as well as the accurate illustrations and photos the author provides as well as the text they complement so well.

Reviewer: Jessica, Librarian, Olympus Jr. High.

The Odd Egg by Emily Gravett - ADVISABLE

Gravett, Emily. The Odd Egg, 32 pgs. MacMilan UK, 2009

EL (K-3)  – ADVISABLE

All of the birds have an egg except for duck, that is until he finds one! Then all of the birds’ eggs hatch except for Ducks, but they are all in for a surprise. 

This story is sure to hold the attention of young children with its graduated cut pages to the sweet illustrations. The end is sure to create giggles with a spectacular hatching.

Jennifer Rodriguez - YA Librarian

Welcome to the Zoo by Alison Jay - ADVISABLE

Jay, Alison. Welcome to the Zoo, PICTURE BOOK 32 pgs. Dial, 2008. 

EL (K-3) – ADVISABLE. 

This amazing picture book is sure to start a fabulous tale, but it will be one that you create since there is not a single word in it. Each page is loaded with fanciful images involving human visitors and busy zoo animals. The illustrations alone are reason enough to include this in your library. Young children will delight in finding new stories to create each time they open the book.

Jennifer Rodriguez - YA Librarian

Moxy Maxwell Does NOT Love Practicing Piano (but she does love being in recitals) by Peggy Gifford - OPTIONAL

Gifford, Peggy Moxy Maxwell Does NOT Love Practicing Piano (but she does love being in recitals), 177 pgs. S&W, 2009. 

Content: G

EL - OPTIONAL 

Moxy Maxwell and her sister are playing a duet for an upcoming recital, but as the day approaches, Moxy's recital attendance is questioned, and her mom realizes she can't play her part. 

I personally loved this book. It was very cute. Moxy to me is almost like I was for my first recital. Though it was short and far below my level, I'm glad I read it. 

Student Reviewer: CRH

The Dead End by Mimi McCoy - ADVISABLE

McCoy, Mimi The Dead End, 174 p. Poison Apple (Scholastic), 2010. $6 

Content: G.

EL – ADVISABLE

12yo Casey Slater has awesome plans for her New York City summer. All of them are dashed when her parents drag her to a creepy old house in the middle of nowhere. No friends, no fun, and no rest – because something seems out to get Casey, torturing her with dreams of fear and fire. Maybe with the help of her new neighbor, Erik, they will be able to put together the puzzle pieces before someone gets hurt. 

If your students like Betty Ren Wright or Mary Downing Hahn, then they will really enjoy this new imprint from Scholastic. I hope that the Poison Apple books keep rolling on. 

Cindy, Libray-Teacher.

Carolina Harmony by Marilyn Taylor McDowell - ESSENTIAL

McDowell, Marilyn Taylor, Carolina Harmony. Delacorte Press. 2009 pgs. 323.

Content: G

EL - ESSENTIAL

It’s 1964 and Carolina has had a rough couple of months. After losing her family in a terrible accident, she goes to live with her grandmother, Auntie Shen. Her life becomes pretty happy until her grandmother suffers a stroke and can’t come home from the hospital for a while. Good intentioned church ladies find her a place to live with Reverend Sanctum, but she’s unhappy there. He’s strict and she constantly feels like she’s a charity case. After that, she’s sent to live with Lily Jean, but her husband doesn’t like her very much and she feels crowded having to live in a house with so many other foster kids, so she runs away and meets Miss Latah, Ray, and Lucas. After living for a couple of weeks with them, the place begins to feel like home. Everything start to feel hunky dory again until trouble comes calling. A boy from the second foster home is running away, but keeps pulling pranks that get Carolina into trouble. A man named Mr. Simms, a relative of Lilly Jean, comes to help out with the sheep shearing, but is not a nice man. When things finally get too bad and she’s forced to run away again, she longs to go back, but can she ever face her newfound family again? Will Auntie Shen get better? Will Carolina be able to find a place to call home?

An endearing story that will touch the hearts of those who read it. Although the historical references are scattered throughout the book, they add a certain touch to the book that only makes it better. Readers will easily relate with Carolina and will enjoy reading about her experiences and her unique look on life. Readers who enjoy historical fiction, realistic fiction, and/or adventure books will enjoy reading this. 

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

Eragon's Guide to Alagaesia by Christopher Paolini - ADVISABLE

Paolini, Christopher Eragon’s Guide to Alagaesia, 27 p. Alfred Knopf (Random), 2009. $25 

EL, MS – ADVISABLE

Like the -OLOGY books before it, Paolini mixes illustrations, background information and all kinds of little extras all into an engaging look at the culture of Alagaesia.

The Eragon-lovers at my school were already trying to take this right off of my desk before I could review it. Yes, something will probably get lost or ripped, but how can you resist! 

Cindy, Library-Teacher.

Rocks and Minerals by Dan Green - ADVISABLE

Green, Dan Rocks and Minerals, 128 p. Kingfisher, 2009. $9 

EL, MS – ADVISABLE

Quirky little personifications accompany excellent basic information about 60 rocks, minerals, crystals, gemstones and fossil types. 

Now I have to go back and buy the rest of the books in the series (Astronomy, Periodic Table, Biology, Physics). If they are half as well-written, they will be valuable introductions to my collection. 

Cindy, Library-Teacher

Pet Trouble: Runaway Retriever by T.T. Sutherland - ADVISABLE

Sutherland, T.T. Pet Trouble: Runaway Retriever, 164 pgs. Scholastic Inc., 2009. 

Content: G 

EL - ADVISABLE 

Parker just got a new dog named Merlin. Merlin can get out of any gate, lock, fence, or pretty much anything. The only problem is, he doesn’t know when he should escape. 

I absolutely loved this book, but it wasn’t the best book I have ever read. I would recommend it to people who love reading about funny, entertaining animals. This book is really well written and has very good word choice. 

Student Reviewer: HW.

Wormell, Chris. Ferocious Wild Beasts! - ESSENTIAL

Wormell, Chris. Ferocious Wild Beasts! PICTURE BOOK Alfred A. Knopf, 2009. $17

EL (K-3) – ESSENTIAL

A bear comes across a distressed boy in the forest and asks him what’s wrong. The boy replies that he has disobeyed his mother who said not to go in the forest because of the ferocious beasts. The boy tells the bear that the beasts pounce and gobble you up. The bear asks to accompany the boy and together they meet an elephant, a lion, a crocodile, a wolf, and a python. All the animals are scared of the ferocious beasts and they run when they hear the sound of a ferocious mom. 

Boys especially will appreciate the humor of the story. The illustrations are expressive and set the tone of the book. 

Samantha, Public Librarian

How Do You Wokka-Wokka? by Elizabeth Bluemle and Randy Cecil - ADVISABLE

Bluemle, Elizabeth, How Do You Wokka-Wokka? Illustrated by Randy Cecil. PICTURE BOOK Candlewick Press, 2009. $16.

EL (K-3) – ADVISABLE 

An urban picture book with a rap beat. A boy says “HEY!” to his neighbors on the “blocka” and asks how they “wokka.” Each child “wokkas” in their own way. Then children wokka together and dance in their “socka-socka[s]” and enjoy their differences. 

A tongue-twisting read aloud that will have you shaking, hopping, and flopping. The illustrations are as energetic and original as the text. 

Samantha, Public Librarian.

Play with Me by Michael Elsohn Ross and Julie Downing - ADVISABLE

Ross, Michael Elsohn Play with Me, illustrated by Julie Downing.  PICTURE BOOK.Tricycle Press, 2009. $13

EL (K-3) – ADVISABLE

Author Michael Elsohn Ross highlights how both animals and people play; from doggy tug-of-war to elephants squirting to a parent cooking with a child.

The end of the book includes a page of “Play Tips” teaching parents the importance of different types of play for children and sharing which animals play that way. For example, “Let’s Pretend” discusses the importance of creativity and how young female monkeys “play house” by pretending to nurse younger siblings. The diverse and colorful illustrations compliment the text.

Samantha, Public Librarian.