Written and Illustrated by William Bee

Review
Mrs. Collywobbles, a little old lady who lives at the edge of the woods, has nothing but a little frog to protect her from the heinous creatures that trundle out from the forest.  As the story progresses, the reader will see that the front porch frog performs this security detail surprisingly well.  Young kids will get a rise out of seeing the goblin and other baddies gulped down by the frog in full-page glory.  The writing and rhymes are not extremely engaging; rather, most of the interest in the book comes from the illustrations, design, and the pacing that these provide.  Bee’s vibrant and colorful illustrations are notable for the incorporation of digital artwork. (The title page states that, “illustrations were done in pen, ink and Macintosh.”)  Throw in an absolutely shocking ending and, all in all, this is quite a fun book that would be great to read aloud to youngsters.  They will gobble it up.

Joshua Whiting, G.S.D. Library Media/Instructional Technology

 

 

Written by Chris Alexander

Review
This is simply a book that provides well illustrated instructions for eight different origami projects. Children who enjoy this sort of thing will really enjoy this book; students who don't may learn to if they will check it out. This book may require some adult help.  

Written by Allan Ahlberg, Illustrated by  Bruce Ingman

One day, a single, solitary pencil decides it would like some company--and so begins to draw. A boy, dog, and cat appear and immediately start making demands. The pencil uses much ingenuity in its attempts at solving everyone's problems, but has it drawn itself into a sketchy situation?

The Pencil is a quick, funny read that is "drawn -out" in the best possible way. It encourages the imagination and the reader to anticipate what will happen next as well as showing the value of creative solutions. The pen, or pencil in this case, once again proves to be mightier than the sword!  

Various Authors, Edited by David Levithan

This book pushes many typical boundaries. It is edgy, unexpected, and modern. Its themes are generally dark, but they do make you wonder. The short stories are not for younger students. They deal with more mature themes. There is explicit language throughout the book.  

Written by Dick King-Smith, Illustrated by Nick Bruel

A fun story about life from a mouse's point of view. This is a mouse story that deals with life and teaches lessons in a fun mouse way.

Review by Jodie Uriarte, Library Media Assistant, Copper Hills Elementary School
Interest Level: Grades 1-4


Janet and John Robinson are about to have their first horde!  John worries about the cat and naming the babies.  They find a new home where they are safe.  Bill Blake raises mice!  The mouse family Robinson fits safely into the new household.

Review by Debbie Robinson, Arcadia Elementary Library Media Assistant
Rating: ★★★½✩
Interest Level: Grades 2-3

The Mouse Family Robinson
Roaring Brook Press
71 pages
ISBN: 978-1-59643-326-7
Release Date: August 2008  

Written by Nathan Olson

Simple text and colorful photographs describe various aspects of Egypt, its people and culture,
the blue Nile, the golden lanterns of Ramadan, etc.  

Written by Laura Purdie Salas

Cute poems about pets and different types of animals. I thought the best poems were "Slobbery," "Come In Come In," and "Say Yes!"

Stephanie Meier, Valley Crest Elementary Library Media Assistant
Rating: ★★★½✩
Interest Level: Grades K-3

A Fuzzy-Fast Blur: Poems About Pets
Capstone Press
32 pages
ISBN: 978-1-42961-704-8
Release Date: July 2008

 

Written by Sally Morgan

This book describes how people use plants for food, including cereals, vegetables, fruits, seeds and oils. It also provides information on preserving plant food and keeping these food items fresh. The book includes photographs and sidebars on every page, along with an index, glossary, useful table of contents and instructions on making sun-dried tomatoes. Experiments with food are suggested (How long will lettuce leaves stay fresh under different conditions?) and questions are posed that are answered at the end of the book. The vivid pages really do catch the reader's interest. (One of four books in the series "How We Use Plants.")

Review by Dian Morrison, Woodstock Elementary Library Media Assistant
Rating: ★★★½✩
Interest Level: Grades K-4

How We Use Plants for Food
PowerKids Press
32 pages
ISBN: 978-1-4042-4421-4
Release Date: September 2008  

Written and Illustrated by Bob Kolar

Biggie Bear accidentally wins the game! Biggie hasn't played soccer before, but he is willing to try to help the Mighty Giants. Colorful pictures help tell the story.   We are not all soccer layers or stamp collectors, but we can help each other and make new friends.  

Review by Debbie Robinson, Arcadia Elementary Library Media Assistant
Rating: ★★★½✩
Interest Level: Grades K-2

Big Kicks
Candlewick Press
32 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7636-3390-5
Release Date: August 2008
 

Written and Illustrated by John Nelson

This graphic book about the shrinking of the polar ice caps is presented in a way that appeals to elementary students. Causes and outcomes are presented, as well as suggestions to help prevent further damage. Included at the end are a glossary and facts about Antarctica and the polar ice caps. I think students in the lower grades will find it very interesting.

Review by Marilyn May, Monroe Elementary Library Media Assistant
Rating: ★★★½✩
Interest Level: Grades 2-5

Polar Ice Caps in Danger: Expedition to Antarctica
Rosen / Powerkids Press
24 pages
ISBN: 978-1-40424-227-2
Release Date: September 2008

 

Written by Scott Westerfeld

The saga continues from Uglies, with Tally Youngblood trying to correct her tragic mistake of the betrayal of her friends in the Smoke. She tries to play both sides by hanging out with her friends and placating the controlling leadership of the community.  Things get even dicier when her two boyfriends end up meeting each other.  This is a great continuation of the saga. Enjoy!

Review by Lori Draney, Library Media Assistant, Gourley Elementary School
Rating: ★★★½✩
Interest Level: Grades 5-12

Pretties
Simon & Schuster
384 pages
ISBN: 978-0-689-86539-8
Release Date: November 2005  

Written by Scott Westerfeld

Continuing the Uglies trilogy with Tally Youngblood and Shay, her friend, they continue to cause concern and havoc for the community leaders. There is so much contention that a war ensues to correct the loss of the rebellious deserters. The leaders of their society declare war on the community where the deserters have gone, due to a mix-up, once again by Tally and Shay. Through it all, they are deemed responsible for not only starting the war, but the safety and death of some of their friends. This is a great read, but I wasn't comfortable with the acts of the cutters, actually cutting themselves. Other than that, it was a great book, and a great finale for the trilogy.

Review by Lori Draney, Library Media Assistant, Gourley Elementary School
Rating: ★★★½✩
Interest Level: Junior High

Specials (Uglies Series #3)
Simon & Schuster
372 pages
ISBN: 978-1-41694-795-0
Release Date: 2006  

Written by Rupert Kingfisher, Illustrated by Sue Hellard

 

Written by Elizabeth MacLeod, Illustrated by John Mantha

Part of the Kids Can Read series, level 3, read alone, this biography simply states the life of Marie Curie. Some of the information helps the reader to understand the struggles of women in the 1800s and the rights they did not have. Other information is not precise enough, although the three statements at the end of the book help somewhat. Each page is illustrated with supporting text. It is difficult to write an easy read biography and get all the pertinent facts. This is satisfactory.

Review by Sandy Brigman, Library Media Assistant, Robert Frost Elementary
Rating: ★★★½✩
Interest Level: Grades 2-4

Marie Curie
Kids Can Press
32 pages
ISBN: 978-1-55453-296-4
Release Date: February 2009  

Written by Jim Aylesworth, Illustrated by Barbara McClintock

Written with the words from a song that was popular during Abraham Lincoln's campaign for presidency, each two page spread has the words for one verse and accompanying illustrations. It is illustrated as if a lower grade is acting out a play to the words. This book was published to celebrate the 200 year anniversary of Lincoln's birth. The illustrations are fun to look at, but this book should be viewed more as entertaining rather than a biography. The last page has more information for each verse of the song.

Review by Sandy Brigman, Library Media Assistant, Robert Frost Elementary School
Rating: ★★★½✩
Interest Level: Grades K-3

Our Abe Lincoln
Scholastic
32 pages
ISBN: 978-0-439-92548-8
Release Date: January 2009  

Written by Matt Doeden

This is an informational book about war weapons. The photographs are good, but it lacks facts and information. I know a student would enjoy the pictures, but I'm not sure if they would really read the book to extract information. It has a good library binding.

Review by Kristen Hunt, Library Media Assistant, Whittier Elementary School
Rating: ★★★½✩
Interest Level: Grades 3-5

Weapons of the Cold War
Capstone Press
32 pages
ISBN: 978-1-4296-2332-2
Release Date: January 2009  

Written by Laren Baratz-Logsted, Illustrated by Lisa K. Weber

This is a cute story, but it's on the order of The Boxcar Children. The difference is you have eight identical octuplet girls living on their own and doing very well without their missing parents. (Do children still wish their parents would just go take a hike and never come back?) The whole book is "sugary sweet" and it may be dated like The 5 Little Peppers. It's a little long for a chapter book, but not quite long enough for most fiction books. It's hard to put a finger on the problem - but it just doesn't quite fit. I'll reserve further judgment until I see what our students think about it. Their tastes do vary.

Review by Kathy Loewy, Library Media Assistant, Twin Peaks Elementary School
Rating: ★★★½✩
Interest Level: Grades 3-5

Durinda's Dangers (The Sisters Eight, Book 2)
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
120 pages
ISBN: 978-0-547-13347-8
Release Date: December 2008  

Written by Rosemary Wells, Illustrated by P. J. Lynch

I didn't care for the washed out illustrations. (Okay, I know they are supposed to represent pictures or photographs from that time period, but they are still not appealing). The "Civil War Artist" book we have is better in this respect. Biographies are also very difficult to get students to read. They remain the hardest sell in our library. Giving an account of Lincoln's life through his son's eyes was an interesting perspective, though.

Review by Kathy Loewy, Library Media Assistant, Twin Peaks Elementary School
Rating: ★★★½✩
Interest Level: Grades 3+

Lincoln and His Boys
Candlewick Press
96 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7636-3723-1
Release Date: January 2009
 

Written by Chris Mould

The book will be good for boys who like ghostly, supernatural, scary things. It shows how you can figure out how to accomplish a task if you just think about it.

Review by Judy Mitchell, Library Media Assistant, Calvin Smith Elementary School
Rating: ★★★½✩
Interest Level: Grades 3-5

The Icy Hand (Something Wickedly Weird #2)
Roaring Brook Press
174 pages
ISBN: 978-1-59643-385-4
Release Date: September 2008

 

Written by Zoe B. Alley, Illustrated R.W. Alley

This author has included five fairy tales, all with a wolf as one of the characters. At the end of each story the wolf heads down the road to the next story, a clever way to weave the various stories together.

Review by P. Jensen, Teacher, Hillsdale Elementary School
Rating: ★★★½✩
Interest Level: Grades 2-3

There's a Wolf at the Door: Five Classic Tales
Roaring Brook Press
34 pages
ISBN: 978-1-59643-275-8
Release Date: September 2008

 

Written by Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan

This book is about a huge art project: 7,503 panels of fabric hung in New York's Central Park. The story is told from concept to implementation. It goes into the story behind the artists' background and how they came to the place in their lives where they had the ingenuity and courage to create such a massive art project.  The story helps young people understand the public's connection with art and also what drives artists to create.

Review by Jean Hagen, Library Media Specialist, West Lake Jr. High
Rating: ★★★½✩ 
Interest Level: Grades 5+

Christo and Jeanne Claude: Through the Gates and Beyond
Roaring Brook Press
50 pages
ISBN: 978-1-59643-071-6
Release Date: October 2008   

Written by Roald Dahl, Illustrated by Quentin Blake

This is an entertaining little story about how a man overcomes being so shy with the help of his friend's turtle. He was able to get better acquainted with the lady by being interested in her turtle.

Review by S. Hiskey
Rating: ★★★½✩ 
Interest Level: Grades 3-6

Esio Trot
Puffin / Penguin Group
62 pages
ISBN: 978-0-14-241382-1
Release Date: Jan 2009 (reprint)



 

Written and Illustrated by Paul Hoppe

A book on the order of The Little Prince. A hat that Henry and his mother find on a bench could serve many purposes. Very few words in the story, but it comes across well. Illustrations are just pen and ink and there's not a lot of detail to them. Henry decides to leave the hat because others may need it, so it has a nice message/tone of empathy.  I probably wouldn't buy the book, but it does have value.

Review by Kathy Loewy, Librarian, Twin Peaks Elementary School
Rating: ★★★½✩ 
Interest Level: Grades K-3

Hat
Bloomsbury
32 pages
ISBN: 978-1-59990-247-0
Release Date: Mar 2009

 

Written and Illustrated by Carin Berger

Playful pictures made from recycled paper portray cars polluting and wasting resources as they zoom across several pages. Someone has an idea of "going green," which soon depicts some good concepts of conservation. This is not a story time book but could enhance any "Earth Day" collection. 

Review by Amy Gerritsen, Librarian, Stansbury Elementary School
Rating: ★★★½✩ 
Interest Level: Preschoo-Kindergarten

OK GO
Greenwillow / HarperCollins
20 pages
ISBN: 978-0-06-157666-9
Release Date: Apr 2009 
 

Written and Illustrated by Lacy Cousins

A very easy book about Maisy's first day at preschool.  Although simple, this book is good for schools that have preschools in their buildings. Our preschool teachers are going to be surprised when they find we actually have a book for them! Maisy is a winner!

Review by Kathy Loewy, Librarian, Twin Peaks Elementary School
Rating: ★★★½✩
Interest Level: Pre-K - K

Maisy Goes to Preschool
Candlewick Press
26 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7636-4254-9
Release Date: Jun 2009
 

Written by Joy Behar, Illustrated by Dave Silaber, Colored by Gene Barretta

Max goes to doggie day care. He is sad and scared at first, but helps all the dogs learn to work together.

Review by Stefanie Meier, Library Media Assistant, Valley Crest Elementary School
Rating: ★★★½✩ 
Interest Level: Grades K-6

Sheetzucacapoopoo: Max Goes to the Dogs
Dutton / Penguin Group
28 pages
ISBN: 978-0-525-42081-1
Release Date: Mar 2009
 

Written by Margaret Muirhead, Illustrated by Lynee Avril

Mabel is the only kid on her street and has to find adults to do things with her. When all the adults are busy, she and her dog find a box and pretend they go into outer space.

Review by Stefanie Meier, Librarian, Valley Crest Elementary School
Rating: ★★★½✩ 
Interest Level: Grades K-6

Mabel One and Only
Dial / Penguin Group
30 pages
ISBN: 978-0-8037-3198-1
Release Date: April 2009
 

Written by Bruce Hale

This is the first Chet Gecko mystery I've read. Chet and his friend Natalie try to find out why students at their school are acting weird. I'm afraid I couldn't relate to these animals as main characters. Chet tries to act like an edited version of an old "Dragnet" star, but it didn't "hook" me.  I've heard that some students are really into this series, so I'm willing to see how my students react. It's always interesting to see what they will read.

Review by Kathy Loewy, Librarian, Twin Peaks Elementary School
Rating: ★★★½✩
Interest Level: Grades 3-5

From Russia with Lunch
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
112 pages
ISBN: 978-0-15-205488-5
Release Date: Jan 2009

 

Written by Tracy Berrett

Xena and Xander are related to Sherlock Holmes and have his unfinished case book. They are in England trying to solve the mystery of a beast that terrifies a quiet English village at night. If you have students that like Sherlock Homes, they may get into this series. On the other hand, I found the plot and the characters rather predictable. Unless I have high interest in these books, I probably won't buy them, especially in such tight budget times.

Review by Kathy Loewy, Librarian, Twin Peaks Elementary School
Rating: ★★★½✩ 
Interest Level: Grades 4-6

The Beast of Blackslope (The Sherlock Files Series)
Henry Holt
174 pages
ISBN: 978-0-8050-8341-5
Release Date: May 2009

 

Written by the Brothers Grimm, Retold and Illustrated by Rachel Isadora

Readers will find this classic fairy tale looks quite different from the European version, as it is set in Africa. Paper collage tells the story of the two small, brave children facing the evil witch (and her oven) in the forest. Jungle animals and lush plant life will capture the imaginations of the reader.

Review by Karen Migacz, Librarian, Howard Driggs Elementary School
Rating: ★★★½✩ 
Interest Level: Grades K-3

Hansel and Gretel
Putnam / Penguin Group
32 pages
ISBN: 978-0-399-25028-6
Release Date: Apr 2009


 

Written and Illustrated by Oliver Jeffers

An odd book that offers plenty of grins and a message about not wasting paper. Forest dwellers don't know why their trees are disappearing, and are blaming one another when they notice the bear is the culprit. He wants to enter the paper-airplane contest and has used all the paper trying to perfect its design.

Review by Karen Migacz, Librarian, Howard Driggs Elementary School
Rating: ★★★½✩ 
Interest Level: Grades K-2

The Great Paper Caper
HarperCollins
40 pages
ISBN: 978-0-399-25097-2
Release Date: Jan 2009

 

Written by Stephanie Fitzgerald

We don't usually think of the part women played in the Civil War. Mary Walker went against all norms and was eventually awarded the Medal of Honor in the face of great prejudice as a surgeon. I didn't enjoy this "Signature" biography as much as others I've read. Mary was just too eccentric, but I have teachers that will love this book. Interesting students in it will be more difficult.

Review by Kathy Loewy, Librarian, Twin Peaks Elementary School
Rating: ★★★½✩ 
Interest Level: Grades 5-7

Mary Walker: Civil War Surgeon and Feminist
Compass Point Books / Capstone Press
112 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7565-4083-8
Release Date: Jan 2009

 

Written by Jean Fritz, Illustrated by Margot Tomes

I thought this book was okay.  It had some interesting facts about Ben, his life, some of his inventions, and a little bit about how he helped write the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and what he did to help fight in the war.  While this book was interesting it did not have enough information for a report on Ben Franklin.

I did not appreciate the sketches of him swimming. It showed his bare bottom.

Review by Elizabeth Walton, Diamond Ridge Elementary School
Rating: ★★★½✩ 
Interest Level: Grades 4-6

What's the Big Idea, Ben Franklin?
Paper Star / Penguin Group
47 pages
ISBN: 978-0-698-11372-5
Release Date: 2009 (Reissue)


 

Written by Carolyn Marsden and Philip Matzigkeit

Eban is a white American living in 1960s Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). His parents are Methodist missionaries and pacifists. While they live on a black mission, Evan attends an all white school in town. Evan is torn between his friends at the mission and his friends in town and what he is being taught at school. When the school mandates that all students must become cadets and fight against the black uprising, Evan must decide which side he is on.

Having just read the Kite Runner I was a little bit leary to read this book. There were some of the same kinds of themes, but they were handled on a level that is appropriate for an elementary child to read.

Review by Jane Walton, PTA Board Member, Diamond Ridge Elementary School
Rating: ★★★½✩ 
Interest Level: Grades 4-8

Sahwira: an African Friendship
Candlewick Press
189 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7636-3575-6
Release Date: Apr 2009


 

Written by

This is the first book in the Animalia series, based on the TV show Animalia. Alex and Zoe go to the library, open a book, and find a passage way that leads to Animalia. Only animals live here and they view the children as stink bugs and try to capture them. Some other animals come to the rescue and help them return to the library.

Reviewed by a Student, Diamond Ridge Elementary School
Rating: ★★★½✩ 
Interest Level: Grades K-3

Animalia: Hello, We Must Be Going
Grosset & Dunlap / Penguin Group
24 pages
ISBN: 978-0-448-45075-9
Release Date: Jan 2009


 

Written by Rebecca O'Connell, Illustrated by Majella Lue Sue

About a girl who has some problems with Hanukkah. She doesn't feel at times that her parents are fair.

Review by Stefanie Meier, Library Media Assistant, Valley Crest Elementary School
Rating: ★★★½✩ 
Interest Level: Grades 4-5

Penina Levine Is a Potato Pancake
Roaring Brook Press
135 pages
ISBN: 978-1-59643-213-0
Release Date: Sep 2008





 

Written by Judith Viorst

Judith Viorst has written several delightful books. If you're looking for a funny Erma Bombeck book - you'll be disappointed in this one. There are a few four letter words that don't add much to the story, nor does the mention of a poem about Pimps. Living with sons and daughters and their children when they move back home temporarily has been addressed better in other books. As you can tell, I wasn't too impressed with the book. Unless you're looking for a fast read, you could use your time better reading something else. Ms. Viorst's first books are more entertaining.

Review by Kathy Loewy, Library Media Assistant, Twin Peaks Elementary School
Rating: ★★★½✩ 
Interest Level: Adult

Alexander and the Wonderful, Marvelous, Excellent, Terrific Ninety Days

113 pages
ISBN: 978-1-41655-005-1
Release Date: Oct 2007


 

Written by Scott Mebus

Rory Hennessy is being protected by the M'Garoth clan and a spirit dog named Tucket.  After Manhattan suffers a great earthquake, the balance between the Real City and the Spirit City begins to crumble.   Rory realizes that he must open the Trap that separates the two cities, but to do that Rory needs to find his missing father.

This book is a delightful adventure for grades 5 to 8, but does have small amounts of violence. I would recommend this book, but would advise the reader to read Volume 1 first.

Review by Jessica Moody, Library Specialist, Olympus Jr. High School
Rating: ★★★½✩ 
Interest Level: Grades 5-8

Gods of Manhattan: Spirits in the Park
Dutton / Penguin Group
372 pages
ISBN: 978-0-525-42148-1
Release Date: May 14, 2009
www.godsofmanhattan.com


 

Written by Aimee Friedman

Miranda was a city girl who, with her mom, returned to Selkie Island. Her grandmother had left them the old mansion where her mother had spent a lot of her growing up years.

The story has a fair amount of mystery, with Miranda wondering about fable creatures, especially merpeople, made all the more interesting by the fact that when she was born she actually had webbed feet that had to be corrected by surgery.  The story follows Miranda as she meets and finds a young man that she becomes romantically involved with.

I think older adolescent girls would enjoy the story, my only concern is with the inuendos that referred to the fact that sex was just a normal part of meeting boys, even though the story itself doesn't have any real sex encounters. There was quite a graphic makeout session, though.
Review by Brent Woffinden, Technology Specialist, Granite School District
Rating: ★★★½✩ 
Interest Level: Grades 9-12

Sea Change
Point / Scholastic
290 pages
ISBN: 978-0-439-92228-9
Release Date: Jun 1, 2009
www.aimeefriedmanbooks.com

 

Written by Cat Weatherill

Follow the piper to paradise. What is the piper looking for? Is paradise as good as it seems? Join Marianna and Jakob as they discover a new world. This story is told through multiple viewpoints which adds to the story.

Review by Jessica Moody, Library Media Specialist, Olympus Jr. High School
Rating: ★★★½✩ 
Interest Level: Grades 4-9

Wild Magic
Walker / Bloomsbury
278 pages
ISBN: 978-0-8027-9799-5
Release Date: September 16, 2008
www.catweatherill.co.uk


 

Written by Peter Nelson, Illustrated by Rohitash Rao

Peter's parents have rooted for their ten year old son Alex to win his Alien-Slayer 2 game so they can have some peace; he promised them that once he was victorious he would spend the rest of the summer outside, if they would buy him the game. When he wins, his parents rejoice as he has been driving them crazy over the first half of the summer.

His parents send their six-grader to their brilliant neighbor Herbert Skewg for a playdate. Herbert shows Alex his latest invention that creates a wormhole shortcut through the space-time continuum. The pair journeys a century into the future to find their hometown run by the kind six tentacle G’Daliens who needs a lesson on cosmotology. The humans and the G’Daliens welcome the time travelers in a friendly way, though the latter’s diction sounds somewhat Aussie. Herbert and Alex soon become embroiled with preventing a scheme to take over by an outraged G’Dalien Gor-Don whose trouble is that he was rejected by a human woman.

Filled with numerous drawings on almost every page by Rohitash Rao, HERBERT’S WORMHOLE is an enjoyable older elementary school science fiction novel with a fun story line. Fast-paced once the dynamic duo meet the G’Daliens and the future humans, young readers will enjoy this exciting futuristic thriller.  At times the illustrations distract from the plot, especially when they depict something different than the prose on the same page. Still, this is a fun story that will have the audience traveling back to the future with Alex and Herbert.

Review by Cathie Cox, Library Media Assistant, Plymouth Elementary School
Rating: ★★★½✩ 
Interest Level: Grades 4-6

Herbert's Wormhole 
HarperCollins
293 pages
ISBN: 978-0-06-168868-3
Release Date: May 5, 2009


 

Written by David A. Adler

There are three short mysteries in this book. Each mystery involves a sport - racing, soccer and baseball. Cam always has an interesting way of solving mysteries and these stories are no exception.  I think the readers will enjoy the memory games in the back of the book.  I would recommend this book for a newly independent reader. It would hold their interest.

Review by Dianne Sonzini, Library Media Assistant, Pioneer Elementary School
Rating: ★★★½✩ 
Interest Level: Grades 1-3

Cam Jansen and the Sports Day Mysteries
Viking / Penguin Group
118 pages
ISBN: 978-0-670-01163-6
Release Date: Apr 2, 2009


 

Written by Joanne Mattern

This is a simple book with beautiful photographs of nocturnal animals. The text includes simple facts such as length, weight, and what the animal eats. Early readers will mainly enjoy the photographs. While it's not very appealing to me, I can see emergent readers liking it and checking it out. I'm not sure I would buy it since it's about average.

Review by Kathy Loewy, Library Media Assistant, Twin Peaks Elementary School
Rating: ★★★½✩ 
Interest Level: Grades K-2

The Pebble First Guide to Nocturnal Animals
Capstone Press
32 pages
ISBN: 978-1-4296-3307-9
Release Date: Aug 15, 2009



 

Written by Jenny Tripp, Illustrated by John Manders

Cute story about Pete, a poodle, and Rita, a chimp. Pete thinks he is the star of the circus, but Rita wants to be a star too. A terrible storms provides them an opportunity to run away. They disappear from the circus and have a wild adventure saving Baby and Quackers. Friendship is important to these animals.

Review by Debbie Robinson, Library Media Assistant, Arcadia Elementary School
Rating: ★★★½✩ 
Interest Level: Grades 3-4

Pete's Disappearing Act
Harcourt Children's Books
168 pages
ISBN: 978-0-15-206177-7
Release Date: Jan 26, 2009


 

Written by John R. Erickson, Illustrated by Gerald L. Holmes

Hank is tricked by Pete the cat again. Enter two lost pelicans who even the score for Hank. While this is a cute story, it does ramble at times. It also has many misspelled words, since Hank isn't too bright. They are part of the story - but do you want your students exposed to many wrong spellings? If you have other Hank books, you may want to get this one.

Review by Kathy Loewy, Library Media Assistant, Twin Peaks Elementary School
Rating: ★★★½✩ 
Interest Level: Grades K-3

The Case of the Dinosaur Birds (Hand the Cowdog Series, #54)
Viking / Penguin Group
123 pages
ISBN: 978-0-670-01155-1
Release Date: Jun 11, 2009


 

Written by Judith St. George, Illustrated by Britt Spencer

The amazing true story of a giraffe that makes a journey from Egypt to Paris, France around 1825.  Zarafa, the giraffe, is to be a gift from the Viceroy of Egypt to King Charles X of France.  This nonfiction book looks, feels, and reads like a picture book.The illustrations are bright and very eye catching.

Review by Dianne Sonzini, Library Media Assistant, Pioneer Elementary School
Rating: ★★★½✩ 
Interest Level: Grades 2-3

Zarafa: The Giraffe Who Walked to the King
Philomel Books / Penguin Group
40 pages
ISBN: 978-0-399-25049-1
Release Date: Jun 11, 2009


 

Written by

This is a future society that is managed by a corrupt business called ChaoSonic. An underground agency called the Deck is fighting to protect the people of the city. Deck agents are organized by the suits of a deck of cards. The hearts are the spies and field agents. Agent Six has been genetically altered and has more strength and agility than a normal human. As Agent Six completes missions for the Deck, he is also interested in finding out more about the program that created him. This is a good book with some interesting twists and turns.

Review by Robin Larsen, Library Media Specialist, Matheson Jr. High School
Rating: ★★★½✩ 
Interest Level: Grades 5-8

The Lab
Scholastic Press
311 pages
ISBN: 978-0-545-06860-4
Release Date: Nov 1, 2008
jackheath.com.au

 

Written by Michael Simmons, Illustrated by George O'Connor

In this story aliens have invaded earth and are eating people down to their feet. (For some reason they do not like feet.)  William comes home to find that the aliens have eaten his step-parents and so he sets off in the family car to find his Uncle Maynard. Uncle Maynard is a famous musician and has taught William how to play the violin. Along the way he finds his good friend Sophie sitting on the curb. Her parents are famous scientists and have been captured by the aliens. The aliens need Sophie's parents because they are suffering from a disease and need help to find a cure. Uncle Maynard promises Sophie that he will try to get her parents back when it is discovered that the mayor has made a truce with the aliens. Uncle Maynard's health is not good and the quest to get Sophie's parents back causes him to have heart problems. As the three track down the location of Sophie's parents they come up with a plan to try and rescue them. This a fun story and many students will enjoy reading it. There appears to be a sequel on the horizon.

Review by Robin Larsen, Library Media Specialist, Matheson Jr. High School
Rating: ★★★½✩ 
Interest Level: Grades 4-8

Alien Feast
Roaring Brook Press
231 pages
ISBN: 978-1-59643-281-9
Release Date: May 12, 2009


 

Written by Nicola Davies, Illustrated by Neal Layton

This book looks somewhat disgusting (especially to adults) but is chock full of facts about parasites. The writing draws you from page to page and before you know it you cannot stop yourself. 

It explains how our bodies are a habitat for parasites both inside (endoparasites) and out (ectoparasites) and how they live and get from host to host. Did you know that plasmodium, the parasite that causes malaria, gives infected people a cheesy smell that attracts mosquitoes so it can get to a new body?

While the illustrations may seem gross, they are in a style that should attract your average 5th grader. They compliment the text very well, adding information and lightening the tone on a topic that, when you think about it, is rather disgusting.

Review by Cathie Cox, Library Media Assistant, Plymouth Elementary School
Rating: ★★★½✩ 
Interest Level: Grades 4-7

What's Eating You?: Parasites -- The Inside Story
Candlewick Press
63 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7636-4521-2
Release Date: Aug 11, 2009


 

Written by Afua Cooper

This story is based on the autobiography of Henry Bibb, who lived from 1815 to 1854. Henry's slavery was in the state of Kentucky. This story emphasizes the cruelty of slavery and the abuses and beatings slaves were subjected to. It focuses on their treatment as property without any rights and how they were often treated with disdain.

Review by Cathie Cox, Library Media Assistant, Plymouth Elementary School
Rating: ★★★½✩ 
Interest Level: Grades 4-7

My Name Is Henry Bibb: A Story of Slavery and Freedom
Kids Can Press
160 pages
ISBN: 978-1-55337-813-6
Release Date: Sep 1, 2009


 

Written by Bruce Hale

This book is about a student gecko taking on the role of school detective to solve some theft crimes occurring on school campus. It is witty, fun, and easy to read. Students will enjoy the great illustrations and surprising turns of events that occur throughout the mystery.

Review by Brooke Deardorff, Teacher, Bennion Elementary School
Rating: ★★★½✩ 
Interest Level: Grades 2-4

Hills Me Deadly (Chet Gecko Series)
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
118 pages
ISBN: 978-0-15-206424-2
Release Date: Jan 1, 2009



 

Written by Laura Whitcomb

 

Written by Dori Chaconas, Illustrated by Josée Masse

This is a cute story about romance and marriage. I thought it would be fun to read to children close to Valentine's Day. The illustrations are colorful and detailed and portray the action of the book very well.

Review by Marilyn May, Library Media Assistant, Monroe Elementary School
Rating: ★★★½✩ 
Interest Level: Lower Elementary

Mousie Love
Bloomsbury
32 pages
ISBN: 978-1-59990-111-4
Release Date: May 26, 2009


 

Written by Anthony Horowitz

This is a sequel to Groosham Grange. In this book David Eliot finds himself in competition with Vincent King for the school's top award, "The Unholy Grail." David observes Vincent leaving the East Tower and he becomes suspicious.  What is Vincent up to? His friend Jill tells him that he is just jealous, but David is sure there is something phony about Vincent. When David is set up as a thief for the school's Advanced Cursing exam, he is sure that Vincent is the culprit. There are some great twists and turns in this book as David discovers that the "Unholy Grail" is at the heart of the matter. But what David can't figure out is who is behind the plan to steal the "Unholy Grail." David and Jill work together to stop the theft, but will they be in time?

Review by Robin Larsen, Library Media Specialist, Matheson Jr. High School
Rating: ★★★½✩ 
Interest Level: Elementary and Middle School

Return to Groosham Grange: The Unholy Grail
Philomel Books / Penguin Group
214 pages
ISBN: 978-0-399-25063-7
Release Date: Aug 20, 2009


 

Written by Jacquelyn Mitchard

Meredith and Mallory are identical twins born on opposite sides of midnight, one at 11:59pm and the other at 12:01am, on New Year. This means They are identical twins with different birthdays and birth years. However, they share many things. They come from a long family line of telepathic twins. Like many twins they can read each others minds, but they also have the same dreams. The two girls are opposites in personalities: one is popular, outgoing, and a cheer leader, while the other is quiet and a loner. Soon the girls start having separate visions. Meredith sees the future, and Mallory sees the past. Their differences start having an effect on the girls' relationship. This book feels a lot like a horror book.

Review by Cindy Dunn, District Library Media Specialist, Granite Schools
Rating: ★★★½✩ 
Interest Level: Grades 7-12

The Midnight Twins
Razor Bill / Penguin Group
235 pages
ISBN: 978-1-59514-226-9
Release Date: Mar 5, 2009 (paperback)


 

Written by Carl Hiaasen

Scat is a story about an unpopular High School biology teacher and a few of her students who help save an endangered mama black panther and her cubs in the swamps of Florida. Not a very interesting story, really, but what motivated me to keep reading was the bit of intrigue and mystery woven into the theme of helping endangered animals and good overcoming evil. I think upper elementary and junior high students would enjoy this book, even though it is about high school students.

Review by Becky Shaap, School Technology Specialist, Twin Peaks and Woodstock Elementary Schools
Rating: ★★★½✩ 
Interest Level: Grades 6-8

Scat
Knopf
371 pages
ISBN: 978-0-375-83486-8
Release Date: Jan 27, 2009



 

Written by John van de Ruit

Fifteen year old Spud milton is starting his second year at his boarding school in South Africa. With a great girlfriend and great friends, the year couldn't go better. He and the crazy eight are up to their old tricks. From convincing the first years that they needed to go for an illegal nightswim to going on expulsion-worthy adventures, Spud and his friends are as rowdy as ever. When things with his girlfriend get rocky and the first years turn out to be just as ruly and disobedient, Spud realizes things aren't always what they seem and puberty can be a real bear. A funny story filled with mischief and mayhem that reluctant readers will love. Boys who like humor, David Lubar, and other boy school survival stories will love reading about Spud.

Review by Jessica Moody, Library Media Specialist, Olympus Jr. High School
Rating: ★★★½✩ 
Interest Level: Grades 7+

Spud- The Madness Continues . . .
Razor Bill / Penguin Group
337 pages
ISBN: 978-1-59514-245-0
Release Date: Sep 17, 2009



 

Written by Susanne Dunlap

Theresa lives in the time of Prince Nicholas Esterhazy's court in eighteenth century Vienna. Her father is a violinist for the famed composed Franz Joseph Hayden, who is her godfather.  However, her father has been murdered and his valuable violin is missing. Theresa is determined to solve the mystery of her father's death. At first her mother is incapacitated by her husband's death. Then, as she recovers, she is insistant that Theresa, at age 15, now be married and hires a matchmaker for that purpose. The mother is depending on her brother, Theresa's uncle Theobold Wolkenstein, a counselor to the court, to save them from destitution with a dowry for Theresa. The uncle turns out to be the vilain in the story, and Theresa faces several dangerous situations because of him. A good adventure from a historical time and through the eyes of the court musicians.

Review by Fay Mason, Library Media Specialist, Churchill Jr. High School
Rating: ★★★½✩ 
Interest Level: Grades 7-10

The Musician's Daughter
Bloomsbury
317 pages
ISBN: 978-1-59990-332-3
Release Date: Dec 23, 2008



 

Written by Raymond Bial

Ellis Island: Coming to the Land of Liberty is filled with facts that are new and interesting. I really enjoyed that it gave pictures to support the writing. It told the history of Ellis Island, the building, and the people who entered the country through it. Beautiful photography. It told about the culture of the people who entered here.

Reviewed by a student at West Lake Jr. High School
Rating: ★★★½✩
Interest Level: Grades 7+

Ellis Island: Coming to the Land of Liberty
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
57 pages
ISBN: 978-0-618-99943-9
Release Date: May 18, 2009


 

Written by Jennifer Jabaley

Emily's parents die in a car crash and the only thing she has left is an apology her mother wrote in lipstick that says, "Please Forgive me, Emily." When she moves to New York to live with her aunt she meets two handsome boys: a cute, popular boy and a quirky, chemistry geek.  With the help of some friends, she must choose between the two boys.  She, however, can't forget her mother's apology. Why was her mom apologizing and what for? Which boy will she choose? Will Emily be able to find peace in her new life? A funny, romantic story with a fair amount of mystery. Chic-lit, humor, and mystery lovers will love this book.

Review by Jessica Moody, Library Media Specialist, Olympus Jr. High School
Rating: ★★★½✩
Interest Level: Grades 9+

Lipstick Apology
Razorbill / Penguin Group
321 pages
ISBN: 978-1-59514-231-3
Release Date: Aug 6, 2009




 

Written by Anne Osterlund

Aerin is an escaped prisoner who is given a second chance. She is accepted in to the most prestigious school in the universe, Academy 7. Dane Madousin is also accepted at Academy 7, but his father doesn’t want him there. As the top two students at the Academy, they are very competitive. What will bring them together? What is hiding in both of their pasts? Can they unite and where will they end up?

Review by Jessica Moody, Library Media Specialist, Olympus Jr. High School
Rating: ★★★½✩
Interest Level: Grades 7-12

Academy 7
Speak / Penguin Group
259 pages
ISBN: 978-0-14-241437-8
Release Date: May 14, 2009






 

Written by Cece Bell

This is a fun story about a tiny little dog named Itty Bitty, who makes a home in an enormous bone. He decides that in order to make the bone feel like a real home he will need furniture and the story shows him traveling on a tiny scooter type vehicle to the department store where he find furniture just the right size.
It is fun to see Itty Bitty turn his bone into a home, the illustrations are colorful and fun to look at.

Review by Marjorie Briggs, Library Media Assistant, Oquirrh Hills Elementary School
Rating: ★★★½✩
Interest Level: Pre-school-2nd grade

Itty Bitty
Candlewick Press
pages 22
ISBN: 0763636169
Release Date: June 2009

 

Written by Carrie Jones

This book is slow in the first half. The story line took a little too long to develop for me. For those who like books about vampires this book might be one to add to your list of books to read. Although there are no vampires in this book there is a character similar to a vampire and of course creatures such as werewolves, and weretigers. Read and see what you think.

Review by Michelle Asay, Library Media Specialist, Granger High School
Rating: ★★★½✩
Interest Level: 7-12 grades

Need
Bloomsbury USA Children's Books
pages 306
ISBN: 9781599903385
Release Date: December 2008

 

Written and Illustrated by Nicole Brecke and Patricia M. Stockland

Instructions and illustrations on how to draw different kinds of cats. Also tells about each cat, its disposition, coloring, types of fur, etc. Very informative.

Review by Kathleen Okelberry, Library Media Assistant, Wilson Elementary School
Rating: ★★★½✩
Interest Level: Grades 3-5

Cats You Can Draw!
Millbrook Press / Lerner
32 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7613-4161-1
Release Date: Sep 2009







 

Written by Pat Mora, Illustrated by Maribel Suarez

This is a dual language book with text in both English and Spanish. It is about a boy that comes home with a surprise in his wiggling pockets. As his Dad investigates, out pop two frogs. The frogs lead them through various places. This has cute pictures and is very simple with few words but is cute and I think early readers would enjoy it.

Review by ReNae Hymas, Library Media Assistant, Oquirrh Elementary School
Rating: ★★★½✩
Interest Level: Grades K-1

Wiggling Pockets / Los bolsillos saltarines
HarperCollins
22 pages
ISBN: 978-0-06-085047-0
Release Date: Jun 2009



 

Written by Matt Christopher

Mike and Harry are best friends, such good friends that they can read each others' thoughts. However, Harry is a dog. This is a fun story about how Mike's baseball team wins with the help of Harry.

Review by Jodie Uriarte, Library Media Assistant, Copper Hills Elementary School
Rating: ★★★½✩
Interest Level: Grades 1-3

The Dog that Stole Home
Norwood House Press
42 pages
ISBN: 978-1-59953-352-0
Release Date: Feb 2010







 

Written by Lise Haines

This book was very good. The only part I didn't like was the ending because it didn't end how I wanted it to end. It was not exciting like I thought it would be.

Review by a student, Cyprus High School
Rating: ★★★½✩
Interest Level: High School

Abstract: In Massachusetts, eighteen-year-old Lyn, who has grown up in the public eye as the daughter of seven gladiators, wants nothing less than to follow her mother's path, but her only way of avoiding marriage to the warrior who killed her last stepfather may be to face him in the arena.

Girl in the Arena
Bloomsbury
324 pages
ISBN: 9781599903729 
Release Date: October 2009


 

Written and Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds

This picture book, inspired by the late Rose Fiitzgerald Kennedy, celebrates the true spirit of community and power of nature, beauty, and faith. It also helps a person know that they can make a difference in life.

Review by Judy A. Mitchell, Library Media Assistant, Calvin Smith Elementary School
Rating: ★★★½✩
Interest Level: Grades 2-4

Rose's Garden
Candlewick Press
34 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7636-4641-7
Release Date: Oct 13, 2009