Move! by Steve Jenkins & Robin Page

Each doublespread in this book features an action word, presented in a large font along with one or two animals created with collages of cut and torn paper and a sentence with the animal and the action word. The page turns are action packed themselves. For example an armadillo swims and then quickly leaps on the next page to avoid a crocodile. I plan to use this for a lesson on action words in the context of a first grade unit on motion. Notes about the animals and how they move follow the body of the text.

Grades 1-4

The Princess and the Pea, by Lauren Child

A king and queen "did all the traditional fairy-tale things in order that their son might be bowled over by the right girl," but nothing quite works. One night a girl slides on her favorite "pea green" dress and goes out into the moonlight where she is lost in a storm and wanders to a palace door. The queen tests her with a pea and stack of mattresses to determine if she is a real princess, the prince falls in love with her, they marry and peas are not served at the reception. This retelling is quirky and fun but the most fascinating aspect of this book are the illustrations. The characters are cut-outs of paper drawings and are placed in settings built with dollhouse in a miniature three dimensional world. The back endpapers detail the creation and photography of the sets.

Grades 1-4

Hush, Little Baby, by Brian Pinkney

The illustrator places the familiar Southern Appalachian lullaby in the context of an African American family in the early 1900s with Papa left to watch the children. The verses have been changed slightly and they swirl across the bright pages along with the loving illustrations of father and children. I've shared this with kindergarteners who begged to sing it again and to check it out.

PreK-1

George Crum and the Saratoga Chip, by Gaylia Taylor.

Illus. by Frank Morrison.

Part Native American and part African American, George Crum lived at a time when it was difficult for people of color to be taken seriously in school or the workplace. His skills at preparing the fresh fish and game he catches lands him a job in a fancy restaurant where his sister is a waitress. Easily frustrated by the wealthy, fussy customers, one day George responds to a complaint that his french fries are too thick by slicing them very thinly. Soon everyone wants his "Saratoga chips." An author's note situates the story within the known and debated facts. The illustrations are lively and expressive. This would be a fun addition to units on inventors or food.

Grades 1-5

So Sleepy Story, by Uri Shulevitz

Everything has a face, and everything is sleepy: trees, house, chairs, dishes, and the moon. Then music drifts in and everything begins to shake, then wake, and then dance until drifting back to sleep again. The text begins and ends with one long sleepy sleepy sentence while the wide awake middle is more choppy and noisy. Young children will respond to the personification of everything through the expressive illustrations: even the curtains have faces.

A Dog for Life

John Hawkins and his older brother Tom come up with a scheme to save their dog, Mouse from being sent to a shelter after Tom was diagnosed with a life-threatening disease. Their mother was afraid that Mouse would bring in germs. However, Tom felt that he couldn’t survive without this special dog who shared the brothers’ gift of communicating with each other by reading each other’s thoughts. That’s how John and Mouse’s adventure begins. In spite of a naively created plan and a few unexpected, strange, and sometimes disturbing challenges, John and Mouse remain determined to reach their destination. Recommend this one to students who request adventure or family stories. Booklist starred review.

Grade 4-8

Wildfire, by Taylor Morrison

This is not a read aloud. It provides a great deal of details about the business of fighting wildfires. The page layout is sometimes confusing, but there is a wealth of information on each page. The paintings are perfect for conveying the heat of the fires. A central theme in the book is how our forests actually need fires and how fires are a part of nature's plan for healthy growth. Overdevelopment and people's general aversion to fire are putting our western forests in an ever more volatile and dangerous situation. This will be very popular with students interested in fires, disasters, and how things work.

Grades 4 - 8

Duck and Goose, by Tad Hills

A delightful primary book about a duck and a goose squabbling over a large spotted egg - in reality a rubber ball. Both birds claim the egg and become friends while waiting for it to hatch. A cute book about friendship and sharing, not to mention showing the difference between geese and ducks. I am already looking forward to Duck, Duck, Goose by the same author.

PreSchool - Grade 2

Solomon and the Ant, retold by Sheldon Oberman

Here are forty-three clever, witty, and illustrative stories sure to delight students of all ages. This collection is a goldmine for storytellers. Oberman has gathered stories from many Jewish traditions - trickster tales, riddles, King Solomon, and the prophet Elijah. Each is short and told so clearly that the jewel at the heart of the story shines through every time. It is recommended for grades 5 and up....but many of the stories have delighted younger audiences at my school. The seven page introduction was a little long. Surely the material before and after each story would have sufficed. A simple "Sheldon Oberman did not live to actually hold this book in his hands; nevertheless, he held the stories in his heart" would have been more in keeping with the spirit of these fabulous folktales.

Grades 5 - 8

Counting on Grace, by Elizabeth Winthrop

A story just like this one could have taken place in any mill town in North Carolina. It is a gripping narrative of a spunky heroine named Grace Forcier. She lives in a textile mill town in Vermont and works with her mom as a doffer in the spinning room. The author describes the many hardships of the textile workers while weaving Grace's story of self-discovery and growth all the while. She and her friend Arthur are the best readers in school and Miss Lesley their teacher wants to keep them out of the dangerous mill. She is fired for her meddling and Grace is given the substitute teaching position. The Lewis Hine photo on the dusk jacket is of a real mill rat from 1910 - an "anemic little spinner in North Pownal Cotton Mill." In this book Grace writes a letter to Mr. Hine about working conditions for children in the mill and he arrives and takes pictures to document the terrible conditions . You will remember Grace long after you put this book down - she is the star among many wonderfully drawn characters. This book will be an excellent companion to Bread and Roses by Katherine Paterson and of course, Kids at Work: Lewis Hine and the Crusade Against Child Labor. SLJ starred review.

Grades 5 - 8

Weedflower, by Cynthia Kadohata

A powerful story of a Japanese internment camp during World War II. Before Pearl Harbor Sumiko works with her uncle's family on a flower farm in southern California and dreams of owning her own flower shop. When the war starts Sumiko's family is split apart and she is moved to a camp in Arizona - a camp located on a Mojave reservation. There she works with a neighbor, Mr. Moto, to grow an award-winning garden and she befriends Frank, a young Mojave. Through her friendship with Frank, she sees the injustices perpetrated on the Native Americans and tries to reason out the very difficult decisions her family has to make. Students will relate to and understand Sumiko's feelings at each step of her amazing story. The author's father was interred at the Poston camp and she writes a moving and well written testimony to the courage and perseverance of Japanese Americans during this dark period in American history. SLJ starred review.

Grades 5 - 8

Ivy and Bean by Annie Barrows

Here is a great new book for fans of Junie B., Amber Brown and Judy Moody. Large font and lots of humorous black and white illustrations will appeal to students wanting to move from easy readers to chapter books. Ivy and Bean are seven year old neighbors who dislike each other even though they have never spoken. When they finally do meet, they team up to cast a "witches spell" which sends Bean's bossy older sister into a wormy mud hole and makes them friends forever. This is a fun book to read which also reinforces the lesson that you shouldn't prejudge others.

Use with grades 1-3.

Jazz by Walter Dean Myers

Great jazz poetry along with a history of jazz. The beat of the poems mimic jazz music and different instruments are highlighted by having their own poems. The introduction gives a history of jazz and a timeline of jazz does the same but in a more kid friendly format. There is also a glossary of jazz terms. The vivid illustrations are perfectly matched to the poetry.

I just finished Bud, Not Buddy with my fourth grade reading group and I can't wait to share these poems with them. One of the reading skills we are to focus on this month is inference and poetry is a great way to teach that skill in an interesting way.

I can see using this with grades 3-8.

Dizzy, by Jonah Winters

Credited with inventing "bebop," Dizzy Gillespie started out poor, with an abusive father, and in trouble for fighting. In a jazzy, poetic text, the author shows how his trumpet became an outlet for anger and trouble, and how Dizzy took fun and laughs and turned them into something new and creative. An author's note fills out the biography of this musical great.

Grades 2-5

Adventures of Marco Polo by Russell Freedman

This is a superior piece of bookmaking and a story well worth reading. Freedman's account of Marco Polo's daring adventures should hold the attention of even the most reluctant readers of non fiction. He writes simply but never condescendingly. The book's pages look like parchment paper and every double page spread contains at least one illustration. There are lush paintings by the illustrator and many colorful images from historical illuminated manuscripts. Perhaps the most valuable chapter is the last, titled "Did Maro Polo Go to China?" In it the author discusses current scholarly theories about the Polos and whether they ever actually made it all the way to China. This could engender a lively discussion about how we decide what to believe about the past. The topic fits well into both 6th and 7th grade social studies curricula. Starred reviews in Booklist and SLJ.

Bringing Asha Home by Uma Krishnaswami

Eight-year-old Arun is delighted when his parents tell him they are adopting a baby girl, Asha, from Dad's native India; but the paperwork and procedures require a long wait, during which Arun pretends his paper airplanes are bringing Asha from India. Krishnaswami (say Krish-na-swa-mee) uses the North Indian Hindu Rakhi Day (Rakshabandhan), which celebrates the bond between sisters and brothers, to frame the story. Arun explains the custom to his best friend, and Asha arrives clutching a rakhi (bracelet) for her brother. Jamel Akib's warm, realistic illustrations in soft colors enhance the text: Mom is white, family and friends are diverse, home life and activities are inviting.
Loving preparations for adoption, a less well-known but very special Hindu tradition, and subtle diversity make this book an excellent choice for all elementary collections. An author's note provides more information on Rakhi Day and adoption. Hindi words (such as "rakhi") are explained above the CIP information.
Grades K-3.

Wolves, by Emily Gravett

Rabbit checks out a book about wolves from the library and reads, about a second too late, that they sometimes eat -- rabbits! Oops! Well the author assures us this is a work of fiction and "no rabbits were eaten during the making of this book," but nevertheless she provides an alternative (vegetarian) ending. Tongue in cheek humor abounds in the small details and clever design of this book about a book. This could be a fun introduction to fiction & non-fiction and maybe book care (the wolf book gets a bit chewed up!).

Grades K-2

Keep Climbing, Girls, by Beah E. Richards

A young girl climbs a tree in defiance of Miss Nettie, who hands on hips, tries demands, shame, and fear to bring her down. The message rings loud and clear for all girls, particularly girls of color, to climb higher, forge a path upward, and defy expectations. Besides it's such a great view from the tree top! R. Gregory Christie's angular and expressive swatches of color capture the spirit of this inspirational poem. Grab a girl or two and read this one aloud! An introduction provides background on the author, an actress featured in the documentary: Beah: A Black Woman Speaks.

All ages.

Freedom Riders : John Lewis and Jim Zwerg on the Front Lines of the Civil Rights Movement

By focusing on two participants in the historic Freedom Rides, one black and one white, this account of a landmark civil rights movement is at once personal and universal. Lewis, now a Congressman from Georgia, and Zwerg, a retired preacher and businessman, came from different worlds. Their paths crossed in Nashville, Tennessee, when, as young college students, they were part of the sit-in movement there. They became dedicated to demonstrating to the nation the injustice and brutality of segregation. Both risked their lives and became victims of violence. Readers will be able to relate to the experiences of each, making the history more lively and understandable. The story is clearly told in a chronological account that uses many photographs to illustrate the text. Back matter includes a time line, a roster of many of the riders, an index, and a resource guide. The guide lists some excellent books for young readers, music and videos, and places to visit both in person and online. This is an excellent nonfiction book for middle school where it can be used for black history units and for eighth grade social studies .

Escape! : The Story of the Great Houdini

This is a great account of the life of Erich Weiss, alias Harry Houdini. In clear, often cleverly worded prose Fleischman conveys a sense of what made this average magician so famous. Told with a heaping dose of skepticism, the story of Houdini's life emerges as the tale of a self-made man with a tremendous ego and a penchant for stretching the truth. Several long-standing myths are dispelled here. Fleischman himself had a brief career in his younger years as a magician, so he has considerable knowledge of the world of magic. As a biography for reluctant (but not slow) readers, this title fills a great need at the middle school level. The design of the book is very reader friendly, with double spaced text and a lot of spectacular pictures. The front and back covers feature actual advertising posters for Houdini's performances. A bibliography and an index are included.

Alexander the Great Rocks the World by Vicky Alvear Shecter

This biography details the life and times (or escapades) of Alexander the Great.

Peppered with casual comments directed toward the reader, it offers both an intimate and a broad view of Alexander's upbringing, education, military campaigns and leadership as ruler of Macedonia, Greece, Persia, Egypt, etc, etc, etc. The author is able to imbue a sense of Alexander's power, charisma, and progressive thinking.
Humorous text and the common threads of adolescence (pre-and early adolescents being the target audience) are employed to draw in the reader. Of course, the subject matter is pretty interesting, too.

Shecter includes a timeline, a bibliography, chapter end notes, and a decent index. Illustrations, photographs of artifacts, maps and other visual aids, and quotes from famous dead guys help make the book a breezy read.

My favorite quote, from pages 51-52, "After uniting Greece, he had a new obsession-Perisa. He wasn't alone. The Greeks, in general, shivered in ther tunics whenever the subject of Persian aggression came up. They especially feared the powerful Persian ruler, King Darius III. Why? Because King Darius served the Dark Lord Sauron and sought the One Ring that would give him power over the hobbits and Middle Earth. Oh, wait. Wrong story."

4th grade - 8th grade

The Moon, by Robert Louis Stevenson

Illustrated by Tracey Campbell Pearson.

Stevenson's classic poem "The moon has a face like the clock in the hall," is here given a beautiful and very child-friendly treatment. Wide double-spreads depict a father and child on a late night adventure that includes a moonlight cruise. It's the small details: binoculars and stuffed animal, family dog and cat, mom at home with a baby, and the child asleep in the car seat on the drive home that invite, comfort, and welcome young listeners into this poem. Grandmothers pay attention! This is a book for the youngest on your list. At the same time, I think the poem is so accessible that it might make a nice accompaniment to the third grade earth-moon-sun unit.

Preschool-grade 3

The Story of Salt, by Mark Kurlansky

A really interesting journey into the history and importance of a rock we all take for granted. The book begins with an explanation of what it is, followed by its impotance to our bodies and how it is used. The book continues with how to make salt the four most common ways. While 'Make" is not an exact term as minerals cannot be made--it does explain how salt is released from water. Political and economic uses are discussed including salt's role in the great Wall of China and it's use in preservation from mummies in Egypt to food products. Words in our language that have developed based on salt are included. Lots of information in child-sized bites with text boxes on every other page.
The format causes some difficulty in reading--black text on dark washes, but the information is top notch and it ties salt in across a variety of subject areas. Great ties to the 4th Grade curriculum. Notables.

Grades 4-6

An Island Grows, Lola M. Schaefer

A simple , clear treatment of a complicated subject. Cut paper illustrations follow the developement of an island from magma flow, through the coming of plants, insects, animals and people. Clear text and pictures make it easy to trace the development of the island from magma flow to populated island. A great candidate for sequencing lessons. A few more details are available in the back as well as a suggested bibliography.

Grades K-3

Clementine, by Sara Pennypacker

Clementine conquers all sorts of disasters with spunky persistence and unflagging optimism. She tries her best to help--but things do not always go as planned. For example, Clementine's best friend Margaret's extreme haircut. She tried to help her friend by evening it up--by cutting the other side. The result wasn't good so they agreed to cut it all off. Then they drew it back in permanent flame colored marker. The Principal and Margaret's mother were less than pleased with the results. Clementine is forever getting in trouble for not paying attention--but she is paying attention and seeing lots of things no one else would ever see.
A wonderfully humorous look into a child's world of life, school, and friends with superb dialog and fabulous pen and ink drawings that capture the spirit of the characters. A laugh out loud uplifting read and a wonderful addition to early chapter books. Notables SLJ Best Books and PW .

Grades 2-4

Did You Say Pears? by Arlene Alda

Colorful photographs pair homonyms or homophones (and a page at the back explains the difference) while the text plays off the sound and meanings. Sometimes the text surprises like "blew" for candles and "blue" for a swath of sky and other times it's the striking photographs: a spiral staircase for "stair" and a carved wooden face for "blank stares." A delightful choice for language arts and perhaps a model for creative writing.

Grades 2-4

Turtle Crossing, by Rick Chrustowski

Follow a female painted turtle from hatching throughout seasons and years until she mates and lays eggs. The bright-colored illustrations feature pond life while the factual text shows the life cycle of this common reptile. As the title implies, there is also a message here about turtles crossing roads often to lay eggs or return to water. This is an attractive introduction to one of the animals frequently seen in our state.

Grades 1-3

John, Paul, George & Ben, by Lane Smith

John Hancock, Paul Revere, George Washington, Ben Franklin, and Tom Jefferson are introduced as school lads: John writes his name too big, Paul is very loud, George is honest, Ben is very clever, and Tom is independent. Most behaviors are not appreciated by their teachers or class mates. "Say you want a revolution," well these are the lads to do it! The American Revolution, of course. From the endpapers, title page, and throughout till the CIP there are small humorous details referencing American history. The illustrations are done on textured paper and handmade parchment; the font is Early American, and photographs include classic portraits of the "lads". Throughout this very tongue-in-cheek and humorous portrayal is great attention to detail and facts with a page following the text, "Wherein we set the record straight with ye olde True or False section."

Grades 4-8

Strange Happenings: Five Tales of Transformation by Avi

A bored boy trades bodies with a cat who once was also a boy, a princess is born invisible because of her mother's wish for a flawless daughter, a curious boy realizes too late that the identity of the team mascot is better left unknown, a shoemaker reneges on a bargain with his cat and discovers that the devil will have his due, and a selfish hunter finds forgiveness and a new life from the golden bird he killed. The five short stories in this slim volume show versatility in style and tone, with some reading like timeless folktales ("Babette the Beautiful", "The Shoemaker and Old Scratch", "Simon") and others like present-day fantasy ("Bored Tom" and "Curious"). Although the amount and density of symbolism varies from story to story, each tale has at least one moral to teach. It would be exciting to read and discuss this title with fifth-graders or middle-schoolers.

Hattie Big Sky, by Kirby Larson

Sixteen-year-old Hattie Brooks sees an unexpected inheritance of her uncle's homestead claim in Montana as a chance to stake out a life for herself after being sent from distant relative to distant relative following the death of her parents. The requirements to own the claim seem overwhelming: build and fence and cultivate 40 acres within the ten months remaining plus pay the final fees. With the help of neighbors and against the background of World War One, Hattie sets out with determination and a feisty spirit to do what needs to be done to own her own piece of land and sky. The strength of this story is the clear-headed and sometimes poetic narrative as well as the intricate weaving of plot themes: letters to an uncle and a "friend" fighting abroad, the wartime mistrust and fear of sedition and Hattie's courage to stand up against it, and the strength of Hattie's character.

Grades 5-9

Andy Warhol: Pop Art Painter, by Susan Goldman Rubin

In a format befitting his pop-art style, the early life and work of Andy Warhol is presented against large blocks of bright color. Photographs and reproductions of his work fill the pages along with numerous quotes many from this nephew, James Warhol who authored Uncle Andy's (2003) a great companion to this work. The timeline is a particularly creative example of the form employing bold patterns and colors and filling in the later years of his life and work. The "back" material in this book: glossary, source notes, bibliography, illustration credits, and a list of museums where one can view his work including the Ackland in Chapel Hill are particularly strong. While this book is suitable for elementary school readers, it's hard to put an upper limit on its appeal.

Grades 4 - up.

The King of Attolia.

TURNER, Megan Whalen. HarperCollins/Greenwillow. Tr $16.99. ISBN 0-06-083577-X; PLB $17.89. ISBN 0-06-083578-8.

Gr 7 Up –In a slick political and personal maneuver, the former Thief of Eddis has married the Queen of Attolia and must convince her court and her countrymen that he is a competent and caring ruler. This rich and multilayered novel, the third about Eugenides, is told with verve, and will create legions of fans for the newly minted and largely misunderstood monarch. (Feb.) SLJ Best List

Great romance and adventure in one title. Sequel (THE THIEF, THE QUEEN of ATTOLIA) we have been waiting for. The series has grown with our readers.
KP

Meow Ruff: A Story in Concrete Poetry by Joyce Sidman

A little tan dog zooms out of the front door of his home; a white kitten is pushed from a car by the side of the road. Through the magic of concrete poetry, their stories meet and merge in the park during a thunderstorm. The poet and the illustrator/designer combine talents to create a book full of verbal and pictorial imagery that is charming and inventive. Spiky-topped green letters form the grass in the park and read "PATCHWORK, RABBIT-NIBBLED, MOWER-CROPPED, WIND-WHISPERED GRASS". On the "nosetrail" of the cat, the dog's singlemindedness is momentarily waylaid: "catcatcatcatcat...catcatcatcatCHIPMUNK! The clouds grow from "WISP" to closely layered "SNOW-WHITE ROLLS AND DOLLOPS STUPENDOUSLY SWELLING". The multiple fonts and perfect color palette make this digitally-created book a treat. The poet has had experience teaching children how to write concrete poetry; this amazing little book will inspire others to creativity.

Sky Boys: How They Built the Empire State Building by Deborah Hopkinson, ill. by James Ransome

This picture book tells two stories: one of a young boy and his father living in NYC during the depression; and one of the men that built the Empire State Building. Hopkinson's narrative from the boy's point of view as an on-looker is balanced with Ransome's paintings of the progress. Included in the story are facts about the construction. Hopkinson includes a note at the end and information on her sources. The end papers offer photographs of the construction.

My students enjoyed the book, especially the pictures of the workers eating their lunch on the contruction site, high above the city.

edit Recommended for 2nd-5th grades.

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo

Edward is the much-adored and pampered china bunny of 10-year-old Abilene. However, the life that he seemed to take for granted takes some interesting turns when he is lost at sea, recovered, and lost again several times. He experiences life with an array of people from various walks of life, but of all the lessons he learns the greatest of these is love. Ibatouilline‘s acrylic gouache illustrations are stunning and at times haunting. DiCamillo’s multi-layered story is skillfully written.


School Library Journal Best Books, Booklist Editor's Choice

Team Moon: How 400,000 People Landed Apollo 11 on the Moon by Catherine Thimmesh

Who knew that the space suits worn by Apollo 11 astronauts included 22 layers of fabric? Probably the 500 designers and seamstresses who constructed them! They are just part of the group of behind-the-scenes workers who helped make this historic space mission possible. Thimmesh takes a new approach to a story that is familiar to many by including information from personal interviews and oral histories as well as other authoritative sources. Text and vivid photos invite the reader to study the book (not necessarily in order) from cover to cover. White text on some photos might be a bit hard to read, but the student who is fascinated by space will be motivated to continue. Also included is an extensive source list, chapter notes, additional suggested sources to consult, a descriptive list of the other Apollo missions, an index and a glossary.

Yellow Star by Jennifer Roy

In free verse form Roy tells the story of her aunt's life and her family's survival in the Lodz ghetto in Poland during World War II. Her Aunt Syvia entered the ghetto at the age of four and was liberated the day before her 10th birthday. She was one of twelve children to survive the ghetto. Through a child's voice we learn the horrors of living in the ghetto and picture of survival for those 800 of 270,000 who lived to tell this story.
It is amazing the compassion and passion Roy evokes in such spare text.
Recommeded for 4-7 grades.

Sister Trickster: rollicking tales of clever females by Robert San Souci

Eight amusing and lively trickster tales with females as the central figure are retold from Anne Virginia Culbertson's out-of-print book At the Big House. Featured characters are Molly Cottontail, Mistah Slickery Sly-Fox, Mistah Rooster and Mistah Bear, Mis Grasshopper, Mis Duck and Mis Goose. Using dialet these tales show that females are more adept at thinking than the male counterparts. Reminiscent of Joel Harris' Uncle Remus tales.
The San Soucis have recaptured these tales for our modern day students.

illustrated by Daniel San Souci, Recommended grade levels:3-6.

London Calling by Edward Bloor

The odd but compelling novel teeters somewhere between fantasy and historical fiction, SLJ calls it "magical realism". Martin time travels through his dreams to the blitz era of London to assist another boy in finding the truth to a personal mystery. The mystery reveals delicate secrets in England's war efforts and makes Martin question how history is written.

In the present, Martin is a student at fancy private school but after a bullying incident, he has been granted a semester off to do an extensive research project. His research is intertwined with the events in his dreams but is all pulled together in a fascinating conclusion for the present time conflicts as well as the events he is involved with in the war dreams.

Could be used as classroom discussion for WWII as well as more general discussion about how historical events are recorded and remembered.

Runaway by Wendelin Van Draanen

Holly is a 12-year old homeless child (she prefers the term "gypsy") of a dead drug addicted mother. After a caring teacher gives Holly a journal, we join her for five months in her unsuccessful efforts to find a stable environment in which to live. Through her angry but often very amusing journal entries, the reader experiences a gritty, physically, and emotionally painful way of life living on the streets of "beautiful Los Angeles, CA".

Holly is a tempermental but sensible, real and believable twelve year old girl. The ending is plausible but possibly a bit too tidy.

Van Draanen shows a new but powerful rough edge to her writing.

Look! Look! Look! by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace

A playful look into the intricacies of art. Three fashion-conscious mice (I guess this from their dapper wardrobes) pilfer a postcard from their human homeowners. Its a portrait of a lady in fancy Elizabethan finery, but the mice don't know this. They just have all sorts of fun looking at the pretty lady's clothes and jewelry. They carefully but simply examine pattern, line, color and shapes - all part of the K-1 art and math curriculums. As most of Wallace's books, this one also includes activities and some follow up inf. in the back. This is a clever alternative to the art books that try so hard to hook small children into more formal art. By focusing all the attention on a single painting, this one just might work!

This would also be a great pairing with Mouse Paint from years ago.

Grades K-3

The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron

Ten year old Lucky, who lost her mother due to a senseless accident and whose father disappeared shortly after that, lives with her French guardian Brigitte in Hard Pan California, (pop. 43) She becomes consumed with the notion that Brigitte, who happens to be her father's first wife, will decide to return to France and leave Lucky to be raised in an orphanage.

Lucky secretly listens to discussions of various anonymous 12-step groups as she does her job of clearing debris from the patio of the Found Object Wind Chime Museum and Visitor Center. After listening to their stories, she decides that like many of them she needs to find her own higher power. She also decides that she must run away from Hard Pan, even though it means losing her close friend, Lincoln, who may be the most talented knot-tier in the world and turning her back on five-year-old Miles who just seems to want cookies and be read to, Are you My Mother?

Patron paints characters whose feelings seem genuine and easy to relate to. Even though Lucky faces tough problems she has a refreshing innocence.A few Internet references, such as e-bay and online correspondence courses are the sole things that reminded this reader that the story is a contemporary one. Maybe it’s the small town of 43 that makes Hard Pan and its citizens seem like a story from the past.

A Drowned Maiden's Hair: A Melodrama by Laura Amy Schlitz

The story opens with 11-year old Maud Flynn singing in the outhouse of the Barbary Asylum for Female Orphans. Attracted by her beautiful voice and small size, elderly Hyacinth Hawthorne adopts Maud and takes her home to the other old maid Hawthorne sisters. Soon Maud learns that she will be expected to participate in the family business of duping the bereaved through sham seances. At first Maud has little problem with this arrangement, eager as she is for Hyacinth's love and approval. Later, she meets a wealthy victim of her deception and begins to feel guilty. A near-tragic fire reveals who really loves "plain, clever, and bad" Maud, and the happy ending is assured. As promised in the title, melodramatic touches abound, but so do charming turns of phrase. The strong, likeable heroine and the remorseless villainess and their story are well worth the time it takes to read the 389 pages.

Max's Words, by Kate Banks

Pictures by Boris Kulikov.

Max decides to collect words: small words, bigger words, words that make him feel good, things to eat, favorite colors, and words he doesn’t know. Unlike his brothers’ stamp and coin collections, his words can form thoughts and once he has a story started, his brothers want to join in the fun. Words that appear cut out of newspapers and magazines take shapes on the pages: pancakes, crocodiles, alligators, and iguanas and build into stories. It will be hard not to give students scissors and magazines and let them find their own words and stories.

Grades 1-4

Blood On the River: James Town 1607, by Elisa Carbone

The story of the first permanent English settlement at Jamestown is told from the point of view of twelve-year old Samuel Collier who serves as a page to Captain John Smith. The harsh circumstances of the journey and settlement, the controversial character of John Smith, and the relationships with the native Americans are seen through the eyes of the young Samuel.

This is an outstanding example of historical fiction including a map, afterword, Author's Note as well as sources for each chapter. Actual quotes introduce each chapter.

Many of the descriptions of the harsh conditions, illness, and violence are quite visceral. Grades 5-8.

Visit the author's website for more information and a study guide:
www.elisacarbone.com

Sea Horse: The Shyest Fish in the Sea by Chris Butterworth

Illustrated by John Lawrence

A beautifully written description of the life of a male Barbour's sea horse evolves into a description of the life of one of his daughters. Additional facts about sea horses are provided in blue ink against a lighter blue water background. Includes index.

The illustrations are incredible. The backgrounds are woodcut prints with vinyl prints for the foreground. The simple color scheme, drawn from the colors of a coral reef (blue, aqua and red) portrays the richness of the underwater scenery.

Children will find the facts of the sea horse's life very interesting. The index is comprehensive for such an artistic picture book.

starred SLJ, starred Booklist

One Green Apple by Eve Bunting

Illustrated by Ted Lewin

This first person narrative describes a field trip to an apple orchard that Farah takes on her second day of school in her new country. Farah understands much more of what she sees than her teacher and classmates give her credit for. They don't understand why she chooses a green apple when the others are picking ripe red apples, and one classmate tries to stop her from adding her apple to the cider press. The apple becomes a metaphor for aculturation and a symbol of triumph when she says her first "outside myself" word.

I've been a foreign student without any knowledge of the language and this book rings true. Bunting is a master at packing a lot of meaning and depth into sparse language. The beautiful watercolor illustrations capture the expressions of the students superbly.

Recommended Levels: 1-6

SLJ, starred in Booklist.

Bats at the Beach by Brian Lies

On a full-moon night, the bats in the attic go to the beach, taking with them everything that human beach-goers do: towels, beach bags, books and plenty to eat. The fun is in how the bats adapt our notion of a beach trip to their own situation and preferences--Bain de Lune moontan lotion, toasted marshmallows with protruding insect legs, sand caves, and much, much more. The story is told in rhyme. The superb illlustrations are detailed and add gentle humor to a story with which any family beach-tripper can identify.

Quest for the Tree Kangaroo: An Expedition to the Cloud Forest of New Guinea by Sy Montgomery; photographs by Nic Bishop

This latest entry in the excellent "Scientists in the Field" series tells of a scientific expedition to study the elusive tree kangaroo. High resolution, brilliantly colored photographs pair well with a beautifully written narrative. The author accompanies scientists and native guides on an arduous trip into the isolated cloud forest of Papua New Guinea to search for, capture, and study these rare and endearing creatures. Montgomery has a knack for knowing just the sorts of details that will fascinate young readers. There is much here to entice students to think of science as an exciting adventure. The book has a place in all science classes from grades 5-8 for its demonstration of how the scientific method works in the field. Its Asian setting also lends itself to use in 7th grade social studies classes.

El Lector by William Durbin

El Lector is an historical novel set in the hispanic community of Ybor City in Tampa, FL in 1931. The story revolves around a family steeped in cigar rolling business that was a crucial part of Tampa's economy. Central to the story, and the culture, is The Lector, a man whose job it was to read to the cigar rollers all day as they worked. Bella, the teen-aged granddaughter of the current Lector, is coming of age in a tumultuous era. The advent of the radio seems to pose a threat to her family and the culture of the Lector, while labor issues are wreaking havoc in the community, as well.
Durbin does an excellent job of painting a picture of the hispanic immigrant community in Depression Era Tampa, as well as tell an engaging story of family, culture, and the need and ability to change.

Recommended grade levels: 4th-8th.

Winter is the Warmest Season, by Lauren Stringer

A young child shares how winter is the warmest season: hats with earflaps and fuzzy boots, grilled cheese and hot chocolate, and hot baths and pajamas with feet. Ice and snow frame the warm inside scenes of fireplaces, friends, and curled up cats in bright acrylic doublespread illustrations. The rich descriptive language contrasts the warmth of winter with summer cool downs. A delightful seasonal choice for sharing. Classrooms could use the book for a model for another book: "Summer is the coolest season," or other creative fun with opposites.

Egg

In addition to Flotsam and Moses, I really like An Egg Is Quiet.

Max's ABC by Rosemary Wells

Most ABC books illustrate letters of the alphabet around a theme. This one takes the genre a step further and tells a story. Ants escape from Max's ant farm, so he and his sister Ruby devise ways to eliminate them. Unfortunately, the ants enjoy each attempt. G is for "Go away ants," while S is illustrated in part by "We are Smarter than those ants." Each page features bright colors, large letters, and pictures large enough for sharing with a group. There is a typo on the M page where a word has been left out, but over all this is a funny and clever approach. Kids will love it when Max gets ants in his pants. This book is tailor made for preschool and kindergarten classes.

The Extraordinary Adventures of Ordinary Basil by Wiley Miller

Miller's first book for children holds their attention with classic archetypes. There's the naif-becoming-hero, Ordinary Basil, bored with his snowy Maine existence. It's 1899 and Basil lives in a lighthouse. He knows some kids would find that alone exciting, but he feels there's something missing in his life. Enter his new guide and mentor, Professor Angus McGookin. McGookin introduces Basil to Helios, a city in the clouds that represents the best of human acheivement. Formerly known by names like Eden and Atlantis, Helios must be protected from earth-dwellers who would exploit the technology for evil ends. Basil meets Louise, a strong, intelligent girl who nonetheless becomes a damsel-in-distress. And eager readers are thrilled when the vanquished villain, Professor Von Rottweil declares "I vil haf my revenge!" (My son cheered and said, "That means there'll be another one!")

Miller's illustrations have been compared to Edward Gorey, but his characters lack that certain "creepiness" found in Gorey. (My 4-year-old did find the faces to be a little disturbing--I don't think it would be a problem for Elementary-aged children.) The pen and ink drawings are very evocative of the late nineteenth century.

NCSOS tie-ins are in Elementary English Language Arts and the Technology strand of the Elementary Social Studies curriculum. It makes a great read-aloud. You can also give it to those upper elementary readers who are having trouble sustaining interest in longer fiction. Reading Level: 5.6 (Follett) 128 p. Color Illustrations.

Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom, by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Kadir Nelson

A fictionalized account of Harriet Tubman's real and spiritual journey North to freedom. Weatherford's prose flows like poetry. A foreword offers background information on slavery and the author's note at the end gives factual information about Tubman's life. Nelson's illustrations vary from hazy silhouettes to detailed scenes in a way that gracefully enhances the text. NCSOS tie-ins are at Second, Third and Eighth Grade Social Studies. There's enough sub-text here for it to be appropriate at all those grade levels, and even through high school. SLJ starred review.

Marvelous Mattie: How Margaret E. Knight Became An Inventor, by Emily Arnold McCully

As a child, Mattie Knight loved to play with tools and invent toys and other useful devices for her brothers and widowed mother. Her mechanical abilities and perseverance also led to other inventions most notably a machine to produce square-bottomed paper bags. The story underscores the difficulties the inventor faced as a woman as well as her ingenuity and perseverance. Watercolor illustrations and small sketches of many of the inventions further illuminate the text.

Rules, by Cynthia Lord

Twelve-year old Catherine tries to manage her brother's autism with rules such as, "It's fine to hug Mom, but not the clerk at the video store," while her growing friendship with Jason, a paraplegic she meets at her brother's occupational therapist's helps her to see beyond their disabilities. Light humor, an ocean-side setting, and Catherine's artistic talents support a well-rounded inclusion of characters with disabilities.

Comments

I think this is a great idea! I look forward to learning how to use it and reading the reviews. This could ease the time restraint that so many folks feel about Best Books and ultimately include more participants. It is definitely worth considering.

Libby

Flotsam, by David Wiesner

A young boy discovers a camera in the surf at the beach and when he develops the film, he finds fantastic images of underwater creatures. But the most amazing photo is the last one that shows a boy holding a photo of another child holding a photo and so on until a microscopic examination reveals the original boy on a beach decades ago. Completely wordless, the amazing illustrations, some double-spread convey the story and an imaginative journey underwater and back in time.

http://www.amazon.com/Flotsam-David-Wiesner/dp/0618194576/sr=1-1/qid=1166110744/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-5407193-2823855?ie=UTF8&s=books

This Blog does have a tag feature. When you are in compose, it's called "labels." We could use as subject headings. See the bottom of this post.

Welcome!

I thought I would create a BLOG for us to use for Best Books this year. Invited members can post to the BLOG and others would be welcome to read the BLOG.