Written by Tedd Arnold

A great beginnig chapter book. Great pictures. A cute story about being a friend. Fly gets to play football. It is a fast reading book that keeps your focus.  

Written by Jeri Freedman

This book has good information on obesity, covering both physical and psychological effects. It covers the causes of obesity and stresses that weight is not always an acurate determination of obesity. It also covers the necessity of eating healthy and exercising, with surgery or other drastic means to lose weight as a last resort. It includes a glossary (explaining words also in the text), further reading information, and an index.  

Written by Jeri Freedman

This book includes the history of autism and the research done on the disorder. It does a good job of explaining the genetic causes and the sharp rise in cases. It points out that the rise in cases could be explained by the better diagnostic proceedures available today. Interesting that Freedman includes the possiblity that famous people of the past might also have suffered from varying degrees of autism, though they were undiagnosed; including Einstein and Andy Warhol. Freedman does a good job of explaining the techniques for diagnoses and the research being done on both children and adults and includes a lot on the genetic work being researched now. Included is a history timeline showing discovery and landmark changes in diagnoses and studies. The glossary is very helpful and it has a good bibliography. It also includes an index.  

Written by Anne Wendorff

Paintball is more then just a fun game. Its an action sport. It was very interesting to read about some of the rules and equipment used for paintball. The book goes over some on the terms used for the sport. Did you know that there are actually paintball tournaments?  

Written by Amanda Miller

For an easy book it really goes into a lot of detail about swimming. I like the book hunt words at the beginning. It was fun and interesting to read and I learned a lot.  

Written and Illustrated by Colin McNaughton

Here come the aliens! This is an entertaining book with fun pictures of different aliens that are going to attack the earth. What will we do? At the end something scares them away, and it will surprise you just what it is. I really enjoyed reading this book and will love reading it as a read-aloud.

Irene Taylor, Vista Elementary Library Media Assistant
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades K-3

The Aliens Are Coming!
Candlewick Press
24 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7636-3904-4
Release Date: September 2008


 

Written by Katie Frank

I like how in this book it tells about Miley and her journey to become the star the she is today. It tells how important her family is to her and how they support her. I also like that they say how Hannah Montana and Miley Cyryus are able to be good role models for young girls.

Nancy Jenkins, William Penn Elementary Library Media Assistant
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 3-6

Miley Cyrus
Rosen Publishing Group
24 pages
ISBN: 978-1-40424-467-2
Release Date: September 2008
 

Scholastic

They weren't kidding when they said mixed-up facts!
It was fun and interesting to read about many different things. I really enjoyed the nerd words.

Kathleen Okelberry, Woodrow Wilson Elementary Library Media Assistant
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 3-6

Zany Miscellany: A Mixed Up Encyclopedia of Fun Facts!
Scholastic, Inc.
112 pages
ISBN: 978-0-545-05333-4
Release Date: November 2008
 

Written by Judy Blundell

The story ended well but I felt it was slow in developing. The story is post-World War II and most of the story takes place in Florida. There are social issues that Evie, the main character, learns to deal with. The characters were believable and sympathetic.

Review by Warren Child, Cyprus High Library Media Instructional Technology Specialist
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: High School
Winner of the National Book Award for Young Adult Literature (2008)

What I Saw and How I Lied
Scholastic
288 pages
ISBN: 978-0-439-90346-2
Release Date: November 1, 2008  

Written by Jenny Nimmo

Charlie Bone is pitted against his evil school administration and Grandmother.  This time he endangers the lives of his best friend and the dog, Runner Bean. This 7th in the series flowed well. Keeping track of who was related to who was a little confusing. These doesn't seem to be any foreseeable ending to the series.

Review by Shannon Bishop, Academy Park Elementary
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 3-6

Charlie Bone and the Shadow
Scholastic
427 pages
ISBN: 978-0-439-84669-1
Release Date: September 2008



 

Written by Tom Becker

This is the story of Jonathan Starling. Jonathan's father is frequently ill and in the hospital. Jonathan has never known his mother and his father refuses to talk about her. When his father is hospitalized yet again with his dark and incapacitating condition Jonathan begins to have questions about what is causing the illness. He looks through books and papers that he finds in his father's office looking for clues about the illness and his own past. Strange people are also following him around and trying to kidnap him. Mrs. Elwood, a neighbor and a friend of the family, tries to help Jonathan. On his final visit to his father's hospital room, he hears a terrible fight in the next room and discovers a knife lying on the floor. He takes the knife as protection against the people who are following him. His father decides to send him to Darkside to seek out his friend Carnegie. Carnegie is a 'wereman' and a private detective. Darkside has many dangerous people as well as vampires and other dark creatures. Jonathan and Carnegie must unravel the reason people are chasing him. Jonathan discovers that he is part Darksider, since his mother was from Darkside. Why are people from Darkside after him? What has caused his father's illness? Jonathan must work through these problems in order to save himself and his father.

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

Darkside
Orchard Books/Scholastic
294 pages
ISBN: 978-0-545-03739-6
Release Date: February 2008  

Written by Cari Meister, Illustrated by Burak Senturk

This book has great illustrations--very colorful and inviting for younger grades...and adults, too! Text contains rich vocabulary that would be great to use with advanced learners of grades k-3. The rhyming patterns make it fun for students to read and contain funny phrases like....when the stinkbug lost his fancy pants. The drawback of this book is the ending. There is no finality to the story and it ends abruptly. Page numbers at the bottom are handy and provide for quick access when using it with small groups of students.

Review by Brooke Deardorff, Bennion Elementary 3rd Grade Teacher
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Preschool-Grade 3

Bug Race
Picture Window/Capstone Press
24 pages
ISBN: 978-1-40484-746-0
Release Date: October 2008
 

Written by Adrienne Mason, Illustrated by Pat Cupples

Two best friends, Lu and Clancy, who also fancy themselves as dog detectives, find information one day in Aunt Izzy's attic and try to solve the mystery about Aunt Izzy being a spy.

For children who are reading with help, this book is excellent. The storyline is a little longer, with varied sentence lengths, repetition and visual clues. The illustrations are colorful and soft and help to move the story along.  

Review by Renee Larsen, Hillside Elementary Library Media Assistant
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades K-2

Secret Spies
Kids Can Press
32 pages
ISBN: 978-1-55453-276-6
Release Date: September 2008
 

Written by Nick Dowson, Illustrated by Jane Chapman

The read-along CD included with the book makes it come alive for the children to explore with the tigers.

Review by Catharine Armstrong, Jim Bridger Elementary Library Media Assistant
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades K-2

Tigress
Candlewick Press
29 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7636-3872-6
Release Date: August 2008  

Written by Tera Johnson, Illustrated by Tania Howells

A short, cute story about a barn owl getting ready to leave the nest and make it on her own in the world.

Review by Kim Liston, Woodstock Elementary Library Media Assistant
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades K-2

Berkeley's Barn Owl Dance
Kids Can Press
29 pages
ISBN: 978-1-55453-263-6
Release Date: September 2008
 

Written by Zachary Pitts

This book is inviting for younger readers interested in learning descriptive information about a variety of horses. The pictures are great and very eye-catching. The author has included pronunciation guides for unusual breeds.

Review by Marsha Clark, Granger Elementary Library Media Assistant
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades K-2

The Pebble First Guide to Horses
Capstone Press
32 pages
ISBN: 978-1-42961-708-6
Release Date: August 2008  

Written by Don Brown

It was a good depiction about what life would be like during the depression if you had no home. The boy, who is in search of his brother, jumps from train to train to make his way across the U.S. He knows he needs to get to Denver. It covers some of the problems that people ran into during the Depression. The chapters are short and capture your attention.

Review by Erin Tanner, Cyprus High Social Studies Teacher and School Technology Specialist
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 4-7

The Train Jumper
Roaring Brook Press
ISBN: 978-1-59643-218-5
Release Date: August 2007
 

Edited by Marc Aronson and Patty Campbell

The mix of literature in this book is the strongest point. It contains both fiction and nonfiction. This book was touching and thought provoking. Do we really need war? Is it necessary? What price are people paying for it? It really makes a person wonder what we are really trying to accomplish and save.

Erin Tanner, Cyprus High Social Studies Teacher and School Technology Specialist
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 9-12

War Is...: Soldiers, Survivors and Storytellers Talk About War
Candlewick Press
194 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7636-3625-8
Release Date: September 2008

 

Retold by Blake A. Hoena, Illustrated by Ricardo Tercio

Classic "Jack and the Beanstalk" retold in graphic style. Good illustrations. Nice balance of text and pictures. I thoroughly enjoyed it...kids will love it. I'd get the rest of the Fairy Tale set for my school library.  Includes glossary, reading group discussion questions, author/illustrator biographies and the history of "Jack and the Beanstalk."

Review by Becky Wakefield, John C. Fremont Elementary Library Media Assistant
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 3-6

Jack and the Beanstalk: The Graphic Novel
Stone Arch / Capstone Press
40 pages
ISBN: 978-1-4342-0766-1
Release Date: July 2008  

Written by Elaine Landau

Everything in this book is based on true facts. It tells us how important the sense of touch is. Some of the facts were new to me.  For example, your skin is an organ and is the only sense that covers the whole body. If it wasn't for the sense of touch, we could be seriously hurt from a hot stove or freeze to death from the cold.  The book will hold the students' interest very well.

Review by Kaye Derrick, Fox Hills Elementary Library Media Assistant
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 3-6

The Sense of Touch (A True Book)
Scholastic Children's Press
48 pages
ISBN: 978-0-531-16874-5
Release Date: September 2008  

Written by Ellen Weiss

This is a very good book about the sense of smell. It tells some interesting facts about how smell can even save your life, like if you have a gas leak in your home. This book also shows how the brain receives your sense to tell you what the thing you are smelling smells like. It is a very good book for students who are doing a report on the five senses.

Review by Kaye Derrick, Fox Hills Elementary Library Media Assistant
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 3-6

The Sense of Smell (A True Book)
Scholastic Children's Press
48 pages
ISBN: 978-0-531-016872-1
September 2008
 

Written by Jill Santopolo, Illustrated by C.B. Canga

This is a different kind of mystery book. I was not familiar with the Alec Flint series, but it seems to be appropriate for elementary students. The code in the book could offer a fun challenge for students as they try and figure out what the two main characters are communicating to each other. The black and white pen and ink illustrations add detail to the story. Afterall, when you're trying to figure out who stole items from the museum's Christopher Columbus exhibit, you need all the help you can get. Try this series, if you haven't already. You might find a winner for your students!

Review by Kathy Loewy, Twin Peaks Elementary Library Media Assistant
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 4-6

The Nina, the Pinta, and the Vanishing Treasure (Alec Flint, Super Sleuth)
Orchard Books / Scholastic
183 pages
ISBN: 978-0-439-90352-3
Release Date: July 2008
 

Written by Jessica Gunderson, Illustrated by Caroline Hu

This book is an easily digestible way for children to learn a slice of Chinese History. It is also easy to empathize with the main character. He always comes in last no matter what he does. When a beautiful young princess helps him understand that it's what's inside that counts, his life turns around. I highly recommend this chapter book, especially to those who are looking for a tie-in text to their character education lessons. The only thing that would enhance it would be the addition of Chinese watercolor illustrations.

Review by Kathy Loewy, Twin Peaks Elementary Library Media Assistant
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 2-4

The Jade Dragon: A Story of Ancient China
Picture Window / Capstone Press
64 pages
ISBN: 978-1-4048-4735-4
Release Date: October 2008  

Written by Ellen Weiss

The eyes are the organs of sight. They may blink 40,000 times in one day. This is an interesting fact you will find in this book. The interesting thing about this book is that it covers all kinds of facts about the eye, and the sense of sight. There is a section on people who have lost their sight also, and how they rely on their other senses. Most of this book would be good for upper grades.

Review by Kaye Derrick, Fox Hills Elementary Library Media Assistant
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 3-6

The Sense of Sight (A True Book)
Scholastic Children's Press
48 pages
ISBN: 978-0-531-16871-4
Release Date: September 2008
 

Written by Ellen Weiss

Our sense of taste is closely related to our sense of smell. The information from taste is very important. It tells you what you are eating, drinking, and swallowing. It can also tell you if something is bad. There are a lot of interesting facts that would help a student do a report on the sense of taste. I found it very factual with good examples about all of our senses in our taste buds.

Review by Kaye Derrick, Fox Hills Elementary Library Media Assistant
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 3-6

The Sense of Taste (A True Book)
Scholastic Children's Press
48 pages
ISBN: 978-0-531-16873-8
Release Date: September 2008  

Written by Katie Speck, Illustrated by Paul Ratz de Tagyos

Maybelle is a cockroach with manners. As she obeys the rules of cockroach life, "when it's light, stay out of sight," she takes the reader and a few buggy friends on an adventure of tea time table manners. This is a great chapter read which sets up a cast of likable bug friends, creates a tumbling tea party, and teaches a lesson on friendship.

Review by Amy Gerritsen, Stansbury Elementary Library Media Assistant
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 1-3

Maybelle Goes to Tea
Henry Holt
60 pages
ISBN: 978-0-8050-8093-3
Release Date: August 2008
 

Retold by Max Eilenberg, Illustrated by Niamh Sharkey

Another Cinderella Story with cute pictures.

Review by Stefanie Meier, Valley Crest Elementary Library Media Assistant
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 3-5

Cinderella
Candlewick Press
53 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7636-3856-6
Release Date: September 2008
 

Written by Connie Colwell Miller

This interesting nonfiction book tells how garbage and trash have been discarded throughout history and what happens to the trash that is put into dumps. One of four titles in the "Sanitation Investigation" series, it is illustrated with wonderful photographs and includes a glossary, index and fun facts and lists throughout.

Review by Dian Morrison, Woodstock Elementary Library Assistant
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 3-8

Garbage, Waste, Dumps, and You: The Disgusting Story Behind What We Leave Behind
Capstone Press
32 pages
ISBN: 978-1-4296-1996-7
Release Date: 978-1-4296-1996-7  

Written by Allan Ahlberg, Illustrated by Andre Amstutz

A man catches a falling baby in his hat. He goes off to sea, starting as a cabin boy and working his way up to be the captain. Back home, he marries a beautiful girl (the falling baby) and she becomes the captain's mate! Honest!

Review by Kathleen Okelberry, Woodrow Wilson Elementary Library Media Assistant
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 1-4

The Baby in the Hat
Candlewick Press
32 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7636-3958-7
Release Date: September 2008  

Written by Li Cunxin

This is the story of a young Chinese peasant boy, Li Cunxin, who is chosen to attend Madam Mao's dance academy. He spends part of his time learning dance and a good portion studying Mao's Little Red Book, thus becoming a staunch Communist and developing a great love for Mao and his teachings. His family, including his seven brothers, remain at home depending on him to succeed to help them rise above their starvation level poverty. Li is driven and advances slowly in the dance world. The book starts out quite slow, but I couldn't put it down for the last quarter of the book. Amazing things happen to Li during these pages!

Review by Fay Mason, Churchill Jr. High Library Media Teacher
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 6-12

Mao's Last Dancer
Walker and Company
288 pages
ISBN: 978-0-8027-9779-7
Release Date: July 2008  

Written by Amanda Doering Tourville, Illustrated by Andi Carter

This book introduces children to the fun and responsibility of owning a guinea pig. One in a series of six books on pet care, it includes information on feeding, grooming, play time, visiting the vet, loving and cleaning the cage. The book includes cute illustrations, some of which appear a little blurry. Also included are a glossary, index, close-up (with labeled parts) and guinea pig life cycle diagram. This simple book has good information and is a good addition to the popular pet section of the library.

Review by Dian Morrison, Woodstock Elementary Library Media Assistant
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 1-4

Scurry and Squeak: Bringing Home a Guinea Pig
Picture Window / Capstone Press
24 pages
ISBN: 978-1-4048-4859-7
Release Date: July 2008  

Written by Amanda Doering Tourville, Illustrated by Ronnie Rooney

If you are looking for a cute way to tell children how to keep themselves clean this is the book for you. As a read-aloud this book would be a very appropriate way to lead into a discussion on hygiene for grades K-3. From a series called How to Be Healthy!  Another great Picture Window book.

Review by Keri Crane, James E. Moss Elementary Librarian
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades K-3

Go Wash Up: Keeping Clean
Picture Window / Capstone Press
24 pages
ISBN: 978-1-4048-4808-5
Release Date: July 2008
 

Written by Frankie Stout

Bats, part of the mammal family, are an interesting animal, and children are especially attracted to information on them. This series, Things with Wings, is written in a simple format, with highlighted words that can be found with definitions and pronunciations in the glossary. The full-page color photographs support the text. This is written on a lower level, great for the younger grades.

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

Bats: Nature's Night Flyers
Rosen / PowerKids Press
24 pages
ISBN: 978-1-40424-496-2
Release Date: September 2008  

Written by Michael P. Spradlin, Illustrated by Ard Hoyt

This biography is based on a short portion written in Boone's autobiography, when he is captured by Shawnee Indians. They are furious because settlers have killed their chief. Boone somewhat befriends them and lives with with them for several months. He then escapes before they are able to carry out a plan to attack his fort. Much of this book seems like a Hollywood tale, including the illustrations, but it is based on a true story and will most likely get and keep students' attention with the adventure.

Review by Sandy Brigman, Robert Frost Elementary Library Media Assistant
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 2-5

Daniel Boone's Great Escape
Walker and Company
32 pages
ISBN: 978-0-8027-9581-6
Release Date: July 2008
 

Written by Philip Brooks

This book is one volume in the series A Wicked History. The format is very appealing and visual with classical art, maps and charts. The text is compact and easy to read. This book will appeal to the most reluctant reader interested in warfare and battle. A good introduction to ancient civilizations. Includes an index, glossary and suggested books and web sites for more information.

Review by Carol Burmester, Evergreen Jr. High Library Media Specialist
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 5-9

Hannibal: Rome's Worst Nightmare (A Wicked History)
Scholastic
128 pages
ISBN: 978-0-531-18553-7
Release Date: September 2008  

Written by Terri Dougherty

This book was very informative, as it explained perhaps the most important and critical battle of the Civil war. The two generals, George B. McClellan (Union Army) and Robert E. Lee (Confederate Army), were extremely intelligent and different in their concepts of fighting. From being meticulously organized, afraid to lose a battle, and bold enough to win, McClellan was lucky as one of his soldiers found Lee's plan of attack in Maryland. Lee, who always would take risks, was surprised as thousands of soldiers were killed in the battle, ultimately a huge turning point of the war. Never knowing about the battle at Antietam, I enjoyed learning more history of the Nation. Student friendly and well written. Some photographs are graphic and not for Elementary students.

Review by Lyn Cheney, Evergreen Jr. High Library Secretary
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 7-9

America's Deadliest Day: The Battle of Antietam
Capstone Press
32 pages
ISBN: 978-1-42961-935-6
Release Date: July 2008
 

Written and Illustrated by Shaun Tan

Not so much a traditional graphic novel as it is a collection of short stories saturated with mysterious illustrations, author/illustrator Shaun Tan’s new book brings magical realism, fantasy, allegories, and absurdities to the subdivisions and strip malls of the postmodern suburban landscape (the Australian suburban landscape, to be precise).   In one story, two boys find a man in an antiquated deep-sea diving suit wandering around their neighborhood park and lure him to their mean neighbor’s house as a trick.  In another, the government distributes ICBMs to the backyards of everyday households, where homeowners eventually paint them bright colors, converting them into birdhouses, flower pots, and dog kennels.
   
The illustrations and text are on equal footing – at times, plots are advanced and key details provided solely through the images.  A prime example of this text/image tag team is “Grandpa’s Story,” in which a grandpa recounts the preparations for his marriage ceremony as a complex and nightmarish scavenger hunt/epic quest for various items required for the ceremony.  The grandpa’s narrative is broken midway by a series of plates depicting portions of the young couple’s quest, such as being chased by televisions with legs and teeth, getting stuck in a traffic jam of wind-up toys, and sitting on top of their car together in a flood as the rain continues to fall.  “Distant Rain,” another stellar text/image fusion that postulates upon what happens to all the poems that people write and never show to anyone else, is presented as a collage of torn slips of paper covered with handwritten words and sketches. 

The illustrations are beautiful, diverse and detailed, and the stories intriguing.  To a certain extent, this book does for graphic novels and young adult literature what Selznick ‘s The Invention of Hugo Cabret did in blurring the line between a picture book and a children’s novel.  Recommended to anyone who enjoys beautiful illustrations and fascinating stories, and especially recommended to would-be graphic artists, writers, illustrators and graphic novelists as a place to find some great new ideas for their craft.

Review by Joshua Whiting, Granite School District
Rating: ★★★★½
Interest Level: Grades 8-12

Tales from Outer Suburbia
Arthur A. Levine / Scholastic
92 pages
ISBN: 978-0-545-05587-1
Release Date: February 2009
 

Written by Mari Schuh

This book talks about poodles. It has fun pictures that show different kinds of poodles.

Review by Stefanie Meier, Valley Crest Elementary Library Media Assistant
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 3-5

Poodles
Bellwether Media / Scholastic
24 pages
ISBN: 978-0531216064
Release Date: September 2008



 

Written by Suzanne Buckingham

This book is all about iguanas. It has great pictures and easy to read text.

Review by Stefanie Meier, Valley Crest Elementary Library Media Assistant
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 3-5

Meet the Iguana
PowerKids Press
24 pages
ISBN: 978-1-40424-499-3
Release Date: September 2008
 

Written by Olivia Brookes

This books ask questions such as, "How do birds fly?" and "What do bats eat?" Fun questions and fun pictures go along with the answers.

Review by Stefanie Meier, Valley Crest Elementary Library Media Assistant
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 3-6

Ask an Animal
Powerkids Press / Rosen Publishing
32 pages
ISBN: 978-1-43582-512-3
Release Date: September 2008  

Written by David Acer, Illustrated by Stephen MacEachern

This book shows kids how to fool their friends into thinking that these 18 hoaxes and myths are true. Doubting Dave is the "author" of this book. By helping kids set up these tricks, he give them facts that will help them decide if these myths really exist. Each trick is creatively presented. The illustrations are humorous and eye catching. I think this book will be a hit!

Review by Vala'dee Tanner, Rosecrest Elementary Library Media Assistant
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 3-7

Gotcha! 18 Amazing Ways to Freak Out Your Friends
Kids Can Press
48 pages
ISBN: 978-1-55453-194-3
Release Date: September 2008
 

Written by Michael Leach

This book talks about where badgers live, what they eat, their birth and growth, threats, and other facts.

Review by Stefanie Meier, Valley Crest Elementary Library Media Assistant
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades K-3

Badger (Animal Neighbors)
Rosen / PowerKids Press
32 pages
ISBN: 978-1-43584-994-5
Release Date: September 2008  

Written by Terry Collins, Illustrated by Kelly Brown

This is a book that is in the Cartoon Nation series. It is one of the Graphic Library Series. This book tells about the beginning of the FBI and how it came to be. It also tells about the changes it has undergone over the years. I think elementary children would enjoy this book and the information it gives them.

Review by Debbie Woolsey, Westbrook Elementary Library Media Assistant
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 4-6

The FBI (Cartoon Nation Presents)
Capstone Press
32 pages
ISBN: 978-1-4296-1982-0
Release Date: July 2008  

Written by Doris Orgel, Illustrated by Meilo So

This is an interesting book about how and why the years were named for animals. It is told by a cat to his young caretaker. He was actually at the race where this took place. The Jade Emperor of China decided to have a race with all of his favorite animals. The order in which they finished the race was the order of the animals for the years. There was much competition between the animals. The cat was betrayed by his friend and was never able to finish the race. The only part I did not like was the disrespect the young girl had for her grandmother who was tending her.

Review by Karen Manning, Lincoln Elementary Library Media Assistant
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 1-6

The Cat's Tale: Why The Years Are Named For Animals
Roaring Book Press
40 pages
ISBN: 978-1-59643-202-4
Release Date: December 23, 2008  

Written by Peggy Hock

This book is in the Our Earth series. It is a good book that teaches children about saving energy. It also gives them good ideas to help them understand how they can save energy. It has a "Word Hunt" to help them with vocabulary.

Review by Debbie Woolsey, Westbrook Elementary Library Media Assistant
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades K-3

Saving Engery (Our Earth)
Scholastic Children's Press
24 pages
ISBN: 978-0-531-13835-9
Release Date: September 2008  

This book is in the Our Earth series. It is a good book that teaches children about saving water. It also gives them good ideas to help them understand how they can save water. It has "Word Hunt" and "Your New Words" sections to help them with vocabulary.

Review by Debbie Woolsey, Westbrook Elementary Library Media Assistant
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 1-3

Saving Water (Our Earth)
Scholastic Children's Press
24 pages
ISBN: 978-0-531-13836-6
Release Date: September 2008


 

Written by Peggy Hock

This book is in the Our Earth series. It is a good book that teaches children about clean energy. It teaches them five ways to get clean energy. It has a "Word Hunt" to help them with vocabulary.

Review by Debbie Woolsey, Westbrook Elementary Library Media Assistant
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 1-3

Clean Energy (Our Earth)
Scholastic Children's Press
24 pages
ISBN: 978-0-531-13833-5
Release Date: September 2008
 

Written by Peggy Hock

This book is in the Our Earth series. It teaches children how they can help out our Earth. It is a simple book and puts it in simple terms. It gives them ideas of how to help out the planet. It also has a "Word Hunt" and "Your New Words" to help with vocabulary.

Review by Debbie Woolsey, Westbrook Elementary Library Media Assistant
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 1-3

Helping Out (Our Earth)
Scholastic Children's Press
24 pages
ISBN: 978-0-531-13831-1
Release Date: September 2008  

Written by William Shakespeare, Adapted and Illustrated by Gareth Hinds

This graphic novel was a refreshing delight to read. Shakespeare is not always the most friendly to understand; but to start the book in modern-day English and end with pure Shakespeare writing was amazing! Good job, Mr. Hinds.

Review by Lyn Cheney, Evergreen Jr. High Library Clerk
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Junior High / High School

The Merchant of Venice
Candlewick Press
68 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7636-3025-6
Release Date: May 2008



 

Written by Roni Schotter, Illustrated by Terry Widener

This book begins with a little girl who has a wonderful life with her parents and neighbors. Her parents are always doing things to help other people. She loves her life. However, she has a hard time when she will have to share her parents with a baby. It takes her awhile before she comes to terms and realizes that everything will be great and she will get to share wonderful things and times with her little brother or sister.

Review by Karen Manning, Lincoln Elementary Library Media Assistant
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 1-4

The House of Joyful Living
Farrar, Straus and Giroux
32 pages
ISBN: 978-0-374-33429-1
Release Date: October 2008  

Written by Patrick Carman

This is the 4th book in the Land of Elyon series, but upon reading, my suggestion is to read "Into the Mist" as the 4th book. This continues Alexa's journey into the Lonely Sea to the Five Stone Pillars, where await new dangers, mysteries, and maybe even love.

This is a very good series book although it would be too confusing to read without the previous books. I love the characters and the fantasy world that has been created.

Review by Shannon Bishop, Academy Park Elementary
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 3-12

Stargazer (Land of Elyon Series #4)
Scholastic
233 pages
ISBN: 978-0-439-89951-2
Release Date: September 2008
 

Written by Patrick Carman, Illustrated by Jim Madsen

Haunted Hike is the second in the series of Elliot's Park. This is a fun, easy chapter book about a bunch of squirrels that live in a park. They have all sorts adventures, but Elliot always figures out just what is really happening. In Haunted Hike the squirrels are going on a Squirrel Scout hike on Halloween. They think they see a ghost and Elliot comes to the rescue to figure out what is going on.

Review by Irene Taylor, Vista Elementary Library Media Assistant
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 2-4

Haunted Hike (Elliot's Park Series #2)
Orchard Books / Scholastic
79 pages
ISBN: 978-0-545-01931-6
Release Date: August 2008



 

Written by Tom Becker

This is book two in the Darkside series. Jonathan Starling is hanging out in Darkside with Carnegie, a Private Detective. Darkside is ruled by a powerful family that has descended from Jack the Ripper. The ruler is chosen in a process called the Blood Succession in which family members fight to the death. Because of this process, family members live in Darkside under false identities until the time of the Blood Succession. Suddenly, people in Darkside are being murdered, and Carnegie and Jonathan are asked by the local paper, The Informer, to investigate. Jonathan discovers that his mother worked for the newspaper and was working on a big story at the time of her disappearance. As Jonathan and Carnegie investigate and get closer to the truth, both their lives are in danger. This is a fun story with many great twists and turns. The characters are interesting and the story line keeps you reading. This book answers some of the questions about Jonathan and his personal connections to Darkside from book one. I am sure that another great story is in the waiting.

Review by Robin Larsen, Matheson Jr. High Library Media Specialist
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Jr. High / High School

Lifeblood (Darkside Series #2)
Orchard Books / Scholastic
279 pages
ISBN: 978-0-545-03742-6
Release Date: September 2008  

Written by David Ward

This is the story of young slaves that are held captive by a group that they call the Spears. The children are paired male and female by their captors. Corki and Pippa are one such pair. Each day they go out to a large beach/plain area where they collect baskets of shards. At night the ocean reclaims this area and the slaves must be taken into the mountains or drown. Pippa and Corki meet two recently captured slaves called Tia and Bran. Most of the slaves speak many different languages and so it is rare that a pair of slaves speak the same language as Pippa and Corki. Pippa and Corki take Tia and Bran under their wing and teach them what they will need to know to survive as slaves of the Spears. The children are also aware that the Spears seem worried and preoccupied by some other problems. As time goes on they realize that war is coming and they are fearful about what will happen to them. When the attack comes, some of the slaves work together to save themselves and the others. Now comes the challenge, how will they live when they are no longer slaves, and what became of all the Spears. The answers are surprising and lead to the next story in the trilogy, Beneath the Mask.

Curriculum Ties: This book could be used by social studies teachers to discuss slavery, and how to create a new society.

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

Escape the Mask (The Grassland Trilogy #1)
Amulet Books
195 pages
ISBN: 978-0-8109-9477-5
Release Date: April 2008  

Written by Kim Platt

This book was published posthumously and has a forward by Kin Platt's son, Christopher Platt. This story takes place in Concord in the late 1840s. Sixteen-year-old Oliver Puckle helps his uncle run the local newspaper, Concord Freeman. The story is rich with the historical events of this time period and includes important historical figures. Oliver roams the town gathering news for his uncle's newspaper. During one of his outings he runs into Hetta Bird, a local lady that is considered not-right-in-the-head. She chants a vision that she had concerning a death that will involve Oliver. Although shaken, Oliver dismisses the idea. With his uncle out of town, Oliver is running the paper and must get it ready for print. Henry Thoreau has been arrested for non-payment of his poll tax. Oliver has interviewed both Thoreau and Sheriff Staples and is writing an article. As he is working, a beautiful young lady enters and wishes to place an ad for employment. She has recently arrived from Boston and gives her name as Margaret Roberts. Oliver suggests that she find a room with the Thoreaus. Later, when he discovers that she is not at the Thoreaus he becomes concerned for her safety. The next morning, a horrible murder has taken place and Oliver believes it must be Margaret Roberts. However, it is the unfortunate Hetta Bird. As Oliver investigates the murder he seeks the help of Henry Thoreau and Charley, a local Indian boy that he grew up with. Together they work to solve the murder and find the missing girl. The story is interesting and weaves the local events of the day along with important historical and literary figures.

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

A Mystery for Thoreau
Farrar, Straus and Giroux
162 pages
ISBN: 978-0-374-35337-7
Release Date: September 2008  

Written by James Preller

Spider has been Trey's friend for years. When his 5th grade classmates start to question why Spider would even think of being friends with someone as weird as Trey, a conflict happens. How do you keep new friends if they don't like your "real friend?" This would be a good book for teachers to read aloud to classes if they have an autistic student in their class. It might help with the sensitivity needed to manage "differences."

Review by Kathy Loewy, Twin Peaks Elementary Library Media Assistant
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 4-6

Along Came Spider
Scholastic, Inc.
131 pages
ISBN: 978-0-545-03299-5
Release Date: September 2008

 

Written by Steve Watkins

This is the story of Dewey Turner -- a misfit seventh grader. In Florida in the 1960s race is an issue that most people want to ignore. So, when Dewey paints his face black with shoe polish to practice for next year's minstrel show he sets himself up for all kinds of misery. The polish will not come off completely and so Dewey must begin school with his face still black. His classmates want to ignore him and the older students try to keep him out of the restrooms by making signs that read "whites only." Dewey has a hard time making friends and relating to others, but he finds a friend in Darla Turkel. Darla is a dancer and an actress who also does not fit in. Dewey, Darla, and Wayne (Dewey's older brother) begin to investigate a ghost story in the downtown area. The answer turns out to be one that neither Darla or Dewey expect. Also, Dewey and Wayne spend part of their time helping their father run for city council. Sand Mountain turns out to be a pile of sand tailing left over from mining. People in the area use the mountain like a snowboarding hill, riding down the mountain on pieces of cardboard. This book explores the racial issues of the South, as well as issues facing Vietnam veterans. The book contains sexual content that may not be appropriate for younger readers.

Curriculum Ties: Historical issues about the Southern United States and Vietnam Veterans.

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

Down Sand Mountain
Candlewick Press
327 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7636-3839-9
Release Date: October 2008
 

Written by Helen Orme

This book discusses renewable and nonrenewable resources. We learn that the challenge for people in our day is to use fewer nonrenewable resources so we don't run out!  Using the nonrenewable resources as we do is causing problems for the earth: pollution & global warming.  Suggestions are offered throughout the book on ways we can make lifestyle changes to protect the earth and preserve our natural resources.  Excellent book. Will the students check it out? Does the subject interest them?

Review by Debbie Robinson, Arcadia Elementary Library Media Assistant
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 3-5

Living Green
Bearport Publishing
32 pages
ISBN: 978-1-59716-728-4
Release Date: August 2008
 

Written and Illustrated by David Macaulay

This book is just as delightful and insightful as Macaulay's other books. I enjoyed the illustrations, however, I realize that for a book about the human body some would like more photography. I thought the format was well planned and laid out in an easy to follow method.

Curriculum Ties: Health and Life Science, 7th/8th Grade
Review by Jean Hagen, Library Media Specialist, West Lake Jr. High
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 5-8

The Way We Work is very well organized and has a lot of great information that is easy to understand.  The illustrations are frequent; they are simple and informative as well.  The glossary is a great additional feature.  There is an incredible amount of really good information in just one book.

Review by Connielyn Perkins, West Lake Jr. High Library Clerk
Rating: ★★★★★

The Way We Work
Houghton Mifflin
336 pages
ISBN: 978-0-618-23378-6
Release Date: October 3, 2008  

Written by Trisha Speed Shaskan, Illustrated by Esther Loopstra

This story is about three best friends who each have different talents. They work together to use their talents for a citizenship project at Green Park. This was a fun, easy to understand story about citizenship and working together even if you have differences. The illustrations were very good and really added to the story.

Review by Vicki Lewellyn, Pleasant Green Elementary Library Media Assistant
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades K-2

Green Park
Picture Window / Capstone Press
30 pages
ISBN: 978-1-40484-232-8
Release Date: July 2008

 

Written by Charles R. Smith Jr., Illustrated by Noah Z. Jones

This was a cute picture book with chunky pages about dancing. Fun verbage.

Review by Lori Draney, Gourley Elementary Library Media Assistant
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Pre-Kindergarten - 2nd Grade

Dance with Me
Candlewick Press
20 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7636-2246-6
Release Date: September 2008  

Written by Rachael Hanel

This was an interesting and informative book, and I love the interactive options to choose different people and the consequences of their choices.

Review by Lori Draney, Gourley Elementary Library Media Assistant
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 4-6

Mexican Immigrants in America: An Interactive History Adventure
Capstone Press
112 pages
ISBN: 978-1-4296-2013-0
Release Date: July 2008  

Written by Elizabeth Raum

This book gives different characters and choices for things that were verified, but seen through the eyes of characters unfamiliar to the circumstances. I really enjoy the interactive options of this book and the series. Very informative and intriguing.

Review by Lori Draney, Gourley Elementary Library Media Assistant
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 4-6

The Boston Massacre: An Interactive History Adventure
Capstone Press
112 pages
ISBN: 978-1-4296-2012-3
Release Date: July 2008  

Written by Kathleen Benner Duble, Illustrated by Alexander Farquharson

The story of a Norwegian seal-trapping ship named the "Samson," as told by a man who sailed on the ship to his grandson. This ship had several places in history -- as the ship that allegedly saw but ignored the distress flares sent up by the Titanic, as the ship that rescued Shackleton's men from their ill-fated voyage, was bought and sailed by Admiral Richard Byrd, and later used in the Chicago World's Fair in 1933. It's an intriguing story; the only drawback was that I found it a bit disjointed as it keeps jumping back and forth from the grandfather's story to the factual information. Includes a timeline for the Samson, resources, author's note, a simple illustrated map of eastern Canada, and photographs of the ship. Very lovely illustrations.

Review by Cathie Cox, Plymouth Elementary Library Media Assistant
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 2-6

The Story of the Samson
Charlesbridge Publishing
48 pages
ISBN: 978-1-58089-183-7
July 2008  

Written by Anne Wendorff

Learning about penguins is one of the popular subjects studied in Kindergarten and First Grade. This simple, easy to read book gives all the basic information young students need. The photographs are colorful and go well with the text on each page. There is more information in the back; a glossary, internet sites and index. This is a great easy non-fiction book about penguins.

Review by Renee Larsen, Hillside Elementary Library Media Assistant
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Pre-K - 2nd Grade

Penguins (Oceans Alive)
Bellwether Media / Scholastic Inc.
24 pages
ISBN: 978-1-60014-206-2
Release Date: August 2008  

Written by Kristi Johnson

This is book has fun and healthy recipes to make that are delicious and meatless. The book has a comfort cooking level using stars as the guide for easy, medium and advanced. Each recipe has a colorful picture of the finished product with step by step instructions, ingredients listed and pictures of the tools you will need. A tool glossary, as well as a term glossary, are included in the back of the book.

Review by Debbie Singer, Bacchus Elementary Library Media Assistant
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 3-6

Grilled Pizza Sandwich and Other Vegetarian Recipes
Capstone Press
32 pages
ISBN: 978-1-4296-2018-5
Release Date: July 2008  

Written by James Howe, Illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay

Friends Houndsley and Catina learn to enjoy a day of quiet activities while it snows all day long. Catina does not enjoy being snowed in and is anxious about the concert they are to have that evening. Houndsley assures her it will be all right and to enjoy the quiet the snow brings.

Review Debbie Springer, Bacchus Elementary Library Media Assistant
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades K-2

Houndsley and Catina and the Quiet Time
Candlewick Press
42 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7636-3384-4
Release Date: September 2008
 

Written by Nahoko Uehashi, Translated by Cathy Hirano, Illustrated by Yuko Shimizu

Balsa, a women who hires herself out as a bodyguard, saves young Prince Chagum from drowning. The Queen asks Balsa to protect her son from his own father because he has tried to assassinate Chagum. The Star Readers, advisors to the Emperor, have detected a spirit creature in the Prince, and believe that it will harm the kingdom. Balsa, Tanda, and Master Torogai work to solve the puzzle surrounding the water spirit. If they cannot piece the puzzle together in time, Chagum may die, and the people will suffer a terrible drought.

Review by Robin Larsen, Matheson Jr. High Library Media Specialist
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 7-12

Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit
Arthur A. Levine / Scholastic
248 pages
ISBN: 978-0-545-00542-5
Release Date: June 2008
 

Written by Janet S. Wong, Illustrated by Genevieve Cote

This book is a very easy book to read because it is written in poetry format, so the pages go by really fast. The story moves quickly and has lots of characters. In the book there are many lessons to be learned from how to treat your friends to doing the right thing for the right reasons. I really enjoyed reading this book.

Review by Susan Seegmiller, Roosevelt Elementary Library Media Assistant
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 3-6

Minn and Jake's Almost Terrible Summer
Frances Foster Books / Farrar, Straus and Giroux
99 pages
ISBN: 978-0-374-34977-6
August 2008

 

Written and Illustrated by Jim Arnosky

This is a good book for children to learn about the food chain and some of the eating habits of the Raccoon, the Crocodile, the Great White Shark, a Whale, and a Panda. The text is fun because of the rhyming and sing-song type rhythm of the words.   It helps children understand how all living creatures need to eat to survive, including them.

Review by Marjorie Briggs, Library Media Assistant, Oquirrh Hills Elementary
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades K-4

Gobble It Up!  A Fun Song About Eating!
Scholastic
29 pages
ISBN: 978-0-439-90362-2
Release Date: September 2008  

Written by Ingrid Lee

Dog Lost is a tale of two lost souls: a 10-year-old boy named Mackenzie, and Cash, a pit bull Mackenzie's father brings to him after winning a card game. Mackenzie and Cash grow to take care of each other until Mackenzie's father loses his temper and turns Cash loose. Their town has growing political opposition to owning pit bulls as pets, and the story follows many twists and turns as this amazing dog proves her worth. Cash brings several people together who need each other, and she is ultimately reunited with Mackenzie (and his older half-brother) to form their own unique family.

This story was sparsely told, and it is the terseness of the description that helps paint the bleakness of Mackenzie's life. He desperately needs that dog, and it was heartbreaking to read about his father taking Cash away. As an adult reader/teacher, it was a reminder that so many of the children I may come in contact with come from less than perfect situations. I felt the author powerfully described the characters through carefully worded observations of their actions.
 
However, some students readers might take offense to some of the language and the dramatic elements might be a little too intense. I am not sure that I would use this as a read-aloud-- it would depend upon the group of students. But, I do think that there are interesting questions of ethics in how people and animals should be treated that could lead to writing assignments and class discussions with a very mature group of upper elementary students.

Curriculum Ties: 6th Grade Writing -- The town debate concerning whether pit bulls should be allowed as pets could be a great springboard for a persuasive writing assignment. Interestingly, this book is based on a true story.

Review by Yamira Hart, 6th Grade Teacher, Bennion Elementary
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Mature 5th-6th Grade

Dog Lost
Chicken House / Scholastic
197 pages
ISBN: 978-0-545-08578-6
Release Date: September 2008  

Written by Kim Antieau

I think this book is easy to read and easy for the reader to relate to it.  I believe it would be good to have in our library.  This book is appropriate for nearly all age groups.  It starts out sort of slow and boring, but gets really good.  I would recommend that people read it.

Review by a student, West Lake Jr. High
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Junior High / High School

Ruby's Imagine
Houghton Mifflin
201 pages
ISBN: 978-0-618-99767-1
Release Date: September 2008
 

Written by Sally Nicholls

This is a touching book about an 11 year old boy named Sam who has Leukemia. It's told from the boy's point of view and in diary form. There are drawings and other things included throughout the story to bring this boy to life. Sam lives in England, so the language in the book might be difficult to understand. I would recommend this book for upper grade reading levels.

Review by Kathy Horne, Library Media Assistant, Redwood Elementary
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 5-6

Ways to Live Forever
Arthur A. Levine / Scholastic
203 pages
ISBN: 978-0-545-06948-9
Release Date: September 2008


 

Written by Lewis Trondheim, Illustrated by Eric Cartier

Two aliens, Kaput and Zosky, are trying to take over the universe. They love to shoot their blasters and are dedicated to evil. As they go to different planets, they face different circumstances. They are so dumb they don't know what to do but run away. All of their big plans keep getting foiled because they don't understand what is going on.

Review by Karen Manning, Library Media Assistant, Lincoln Elementary
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 3+

Kaput and Zosky
First Second / Roaring Brook Presss
75 pages
ISBN: 978-1-59643-132-4
Release Date: April 2008




 

Written by Martin W. Sandler

Great Photos. I found many things in this book that i did not know about Lincoln and events surrounding his life. I think it has a great feel to it, the reading is very easy to understand, and it utilizes the photos to enhance your understanding of his life.

Review by Dean Bressler, Library Media Specialist, Brockbank Jr. High School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: 978-0-8027-9666-0

Lincoln Through the Lens
Walker & Company
96 pages
ISBN: 978-0-8027-9666-0
Release Date: September 2008  

Written by Adam Rubin, Illustrated by Daniel Salmieri

Mr. Fookwire likes birds and tries to feed them so they will stay all winter, but the squirrels love the bird seed too and eat it all. Mr. Fookwire tries to devise ways so the squirrels can't get the food.

Review by Kathy Horne, Library Media Assistant, Redwood Elementary
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades K-1

Those Darn Squirrels!
Houghton Mifflin
32 pages
ISBN: 978-0-547-00703-8
Release Date: September 2008
 

Written by Jake Maddox, Illustrated by Sean Tiffany

This is a great book for boys or girls who want to get a thrill. Amir loves to climb things. A policeman catches him trying to free climb the side of a building. The policeman takes him, along with his nephew, to a rock climbing wall and gives him lessons. Amir then attends a summer camp for climbers. The policeman's nephew keeps getting into trouble trying to free climb a very dangerous cliff. One night he doesn't come home and Amir and the police officer go looking for him. Amir has an idea where he is. He has now acquired the right gear to climb safely. He climbs up the cliff and helps get the other boy down. This is a good book because it explains some of the basics of climbing and goes over the dangers of not doing it correctly. It teaches you the importance of doing it right.

Review by Karen Manning, Library Media Assistant, Lincoln Elementary
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 4-8

Free Climb
Stone Arch / Capstone Press
63 pages
ISBN: 978-1-4342-0784-5
Release Date: July 2008
 

Written by Dick King-Smith, Illustrated by Anita Jeram

A cute story with facts about all kinds of pigs, showing ways in which they are so much like humans. Includes a Read-along CD With music and facts.

Review by Kathy Horne, Library Media Assistant, Redwood Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades K-2

All Pigs Are Beautiful
Candlewick Press
28 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7636-1433-1
Release Date: May 2001  

Written by Louise and Richard Spilsbury

Good information on natural disasters. The case studies proved very good. 

Review by Joy Brown, Language Arts Teacher, Granite Peaks High School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 8-12

Hurricanes and Tornadoes in Action
Rosen Publishing Group
48 pages
ISBN: 978-1-40421-863-5
Release Date: September 2008
 

Written by Anna Myers

This is a fictional account of Nathan Hales' decision to join the patriots and eventually become a spy. The story is told through the eyes of Nathan Hale and a fictional character Jonah Hawkins. The story begins in New London where Nathan Hale has accepted a position as a teacher. Jonah is one of his students whose tuition is being paid by Nathan's cousin Samuel Hale. Jonah and his sister Mercy are living with Samuel Hale because both of their parents are dead. Samuel Hale has taken them in because their father was one of his employees.  Nathan enjoys teaching and finds life in New London pleasant. He has two love interests, his step sister Alice and Betsy Lawrence, the niece of the man he boards with in New London.   It is 1774 and heated debates are taking place about the taxes that have been placed on tea and other items by the English Parliament. Torys, or loyalists, are under a great deal of pressure as patriots begin to rise in numbers. Nathan finds himself at the opposite end of his cousin Samuel, who is a determined loyalist. After Lexington and Concord, Nathan decides he must join the patriot army. He is offered a captains commission in the army and so he returns home to enlist the help and support of his friends in Coventry, Connecticut.   Samuel has taken his family and fled to New York, where he accepts a position as a pay master for the English army. As soon as he can afford it he plans to take his family, including Jonah and Mercy to London, England.

This was a fun book to read and it is well written. The author presents the story from Nathan's point of view and also from Jonah's. The final chapters of the book give a personal look at what may have happened to Nathan Hale after he accepted his mission as a spy.

Curriculum Ties: This would be a good book to read with students in a social studies class as they study the Revolutionary War. It would also be a good book for English teachers to recommend if they want students to read historical fiction.

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

Spy!
Walker and Company
211 pages
ISBN: 978-0-8027-9742-1
Release Date: September 2008  

Written by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

This is the story of Helmuth Hubener, a young boy growing up in Nazi Germany. The beginning finds Helmuth in prision awaiting execution. Prisoners are not told their execution date and must wait from day to day for their death. Helmuth is reflecting on his life and the path that has lead him to prison. You see glimpses of his youth with his mother (Mutti) and his grandparents (Oma and Opa). He does not know his father and his mother never even married his father. He has two older brothers, Gerhard and Hans, from her first marriage. They are Mormons living in Hamburg. The story depicts the rise of Hitler and the lies he used to increase his power and authority. Because of the poverty in Germany, Helmuth is at first torn between his fear of Hitler and the promise of a better life. He hates the way Jews are treated and fears the new ideas of turning in your neighbors and family for unpatriotic behavior. Who can you trust in this new Germany?

In middle school he joins the Hitler Youth because it is expected and he does not want his family to stand out. He writes papers he does not believe in to get the grade he must have to graduate. His mother's new boyfriend, Hugo, is in the SS. He spouts Nazi propaganda and pressures the boys to be good Germans. Gerhard and Hans have moved out and returned to live with Oma and Opa. Hans helps to build submarines and will not be drafted, but Gerhard will be drafted as soon as he finishes school. Gerhard is sent to France with a work group and returns with a ham radio. The only stations that Germans are allowed to listen to are the German stations like the RRG. When Gerhard is drafted, he locks the ham radio in the closet and tells Helmuth he must not listen to it because he will get the whole family in trouble. Helmuth cannot help himself and he breaks into the closet. At night he listens to the BBC news in German. The BBC news is nothing like the German RRG. Helmuth becomes more and more disturbed about the lies he now knows the people are being told. Helmuth has read the works of Heinrich Mann and believes he must share his knowledge with others. He prepares a pamphlet called, "Who is Lying," to get the word out. Now he faces death. People are trying to save his life because of his age and his past works. Will they be successful?

Curriculum Ties: This would be a good book to read with a class about Nazi Germany, or even about the choices citizens must make when a government is hurting people. The reading level makes it easy for all students to appreciate.

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

The Boy Who Dared: A Novel Based on the True Story of a Hitler Youth
Scholastic Press
202 pages
ISBN: 978-0-439-68013-4
Release Date: February 2008  

Written by Johanna Hurwitz, Illustrated by Anik McGrory

This is a sequel to the book called Mostly Monty. Montgomery Gerald Morris, known as Monty, is a first grader who is a mighty smart kid. Monty has asthma and has to learn to still have fun and fit in with his friends at school. He knows that having asthma prevents him from doing some things but he learns that there are a lot of other things he can do instead. Mighty Monty is a book that would be enjoyed by boys and girls.

Review by Debbie Singer, Library Media Assistant, Beehive Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 1-3

Mighty Monty
Candlewick Press
106 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7636-2977-9
Release Date: October 2008
 

Written by Kelly Link, Illustrated by Shaun Tan

In her first book marketed to young adults, Kelly Link compiles a collection of quirky short stories with teen/child protagonists, each introduced by an illustration from illustrator/author Shaun Tan (The Arrival, Tales From Outer Suburbia).   Although the stories fall into the fantasy/sci-fi/magic realism/horror genres, many have a knowing satirical or postmodern edge to them.  For example, "The Faery Handbag" almost seems to be a fun spoof/homage to the Eastern European immigrant magic realism of J. S. Foer's novels, telling the story of a teenage girl whose grandmother immigrated to America from a nation that no longer exists, carrying her former village with her in a magical handbag in which they created a world to live in so as to avoid a war that threatened to destroy their village.  The bag is confiscated from the grandmother at the library when she is caught dropping library books into it for the people of her old village,  and the girl now searches for it in thrift stores.  The title story spoofs on teen vampire/werewolf/romance books with mixed results.  Many of the stories are very strong and there are funny moments throughout, but it is a slightly uneven collection that doesn't always deliver.  This book probably isn't for the Stephenie Meyer crowd, nor serious sci-fi/fantasy purists, but more for the kids who make fun of them.  Readers looking for a fun, contemporary teenage American take on the style of writers like Franz Kafka or Gabriel Garcia Marquez (like I was when I was a teenager), or a more young adult friendly Salman Rushdie, will also find much to like here.

Review by Joshua Whiting, GSD Library Media/Instructional Technology Dept.
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 8-12

Pretty Monsters: Stories
Penguin / Viking
400 pages
ISBN: 978-0-670-01090-5
Release Date: October 2008  

Written by Antonia Michaelis, Translated from the German and Illustrated by Anthea Bell

This compelling book tells the story of a young Indian girl so beautiful that a rich man (a Rajah) pays her father to take her away and make her the eighth wife in his harem. While she waits to be summoned to the Rajah's rooms, she befriends one of the male servants and tells him a story about a thief who becomes a hero as he takes the "Bloodstone" to a wealthy man to save a princess.  The story the princess tells is a weaving of Indian mythology and real-life Indian culture during the time of the British Empire.  The wily thief/hero has many adventures as he makes his way to the desert city on a white tiger.

Curriculum Ties: This could be used for a unit on World Mythology.

Review by Linda Douglas, English Teacher, Cyprus High School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Middle School and High School

Tiger Moon
Amulet Books
448 pages
ISBN: 978-0-8109-9481-2
Release Date: November 2008
 

Written by E.D. Baker

Millie is a princess that cannot help but turn into a dragon when she becomes upset or mad. She goes with Zoe, a friendly bat, and Francis, who is her cousin, to see the Blue Witch. The Blue Witch will help her learn to control this dragon magic. It takes courage for her to rescue herself and her companions but in the end she is so happy that she has a choice of whether she will change into a dragon or not. Choice is so important in life. This is a fun story. It can stand alone or as the last book in the Tales of the Frog Princess series.

Review by Ruth Porter, Library Media Clerk, Matheson Jr. High
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 5-8

The Dragon Princess
Bloomsbury
218 pages
ISBN: 978-1-59990-194-7
Release Date: October 2008
 

Written by Celia Rees

This is the story of Sovay, a young English girl who is searching for her father. John Middleton has gone missing, and there is a warrant for his arrest. Sovay must figure out who is trying to ruin her father while she searches for him. She poses as a highwayman, at first on a whim to discredit her fiance, and then later to seize letters and information about her father. She meets the daring highwayman Capitan Greenwood. He is captivated by the daring young girl and becomes a protector of her in her search for her father. She is also helped by Virgil Barrett, an American spy. As Sovay searches for her father in London, she meets Toby, a young boy trapped in a house of prostitution. He is also good at opening locks. Sovay learns that a powerful Englishman is behind her father's problems. Dysart is after more than the ruin of her father. If his plan works, England would be thrown into a violent revolt, and he would seize power with a group of like-minded men. In order to put a stop to Dysart's plan, Sovay must travel to France to gain information against him, and to recover her father. In Paris, Sovay faces the danger of arrest as a spy. She finds that her father is in prison awaiting the guillotine. But, she has a supporter and protector, the handsome Leon. Will she be able to save the people she loves? This story takes place in England and France during the French Revolution. The characters in this book are interesting and the story is interesting and compelling. However, this is a romance story, and it may not be for every school.

Review by Robin Larsen, Library Media Specialist, Matheson Jr. High School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 9-12

Sovay
Bloomsbury
404 pages
ISBN: 978-1-59990-203-6
Release Date: August 2008  

Written by Lucia Raatma

This is a good historical overview of the people and events concerning the peaceful civil rights march that took place on March 7, 1965. It is well organized with compelling pictures and commentary. The layout and information provide readers with a good general knowledge of what transpired in Alabama during this time period.

Social studies teachers would find this a good book to read out loud to students. It would provide good discussion points. The book provides a glossary, timeline, important people, and other resources.

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

Selma's Bloody Sunday
Compass Point Books
48 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7565-3847-7
Release Date: October 2008
 

Written by Jack D. Ferraiolo

Matt knows that middle school is one nightmare after another. At Franklin Middle School, crime is as organized as the Mob. The Mob boss, Vinny, offers Matt a detective job to find out who "took out" Nikki Fingers with a squirt gun of cat urine.  Countless hitmen have created a whole group of the Outs, for whom school has become their worst nightmare.  Matt is not happy about accepting a job from Vinny, but he has his own reasons for pursuing the identity of the lowlife who turns a topnotch hitman (girl) into a notorious member of the Outs.

Curriculum Ties: This book belongs to the category of Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing. It could be read aloud to an English class, but would just as easily be a great choice for a high interest novel.  It has use for social studies, English, even some Community of Caring reading.

Review by Linda J. Douglas, English Teacher, Cyprus High School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 7-12

Big Splash
Amulet Books
277 pages
ISBN: 978-0-8109-7067-0
Release Date: September 2008  

Written by Beth Levine Ain

Sixteen-year-old Sabine Durand, daughter of aristocrats, thinks of nothing but donning exquisite ball gowns and being seen at all the right parties in Paris. When she secretly rekindles a forbidden friendship with Michel, he spirits her away to her first salon and she meets the revolutionary Ben Franklin. Fueled by ideas of change, Sabine is determined to take control of her life as it spins toward an arranged marriage to a salacious aristocrat. But how can she break free of her social-climbing mother's cruel grasp? Perhaps the secret lies in her portrait, recently painted by Fragonard, and her new understanding of love.

I thought the story was interesting about love and how she wasn't supposed to have these feelings. I would hate to have an arranged marriage so I can feel for her situation. It wasn't so great to be an aristocrat because of all the rules. I am a free spirit like she is so that would be terrible.

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

The Revolution of Sabine
214 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7636-3396-7
Release Date: September 2008
 

Written by Bruce S. Glassman

Talks about citizenship responsibilities and ethics and what it means to be a good citizen.

Review by Joy Brown, Language Arts Teacher, Granite Peaks Alternative High School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 3-8

Citizenship
Bearing Books
48 pages
ISBN: 978-1-60108-502-3
Release Date: September 2008


 

Written by Ron Fridell

Talks about water problems and pollution. Addresses solutions and conservation. Good glossary and index.

Review by Joy Brown, Language Arts Teacher, Granite Peaks Althernative High School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 6-9

Protecting Earth's Water Supply
Lerner Publishing Group
75 pages
ISBN: 978-0-8225-7557-3
Release Date: October 2008

 

Written by Jeanne M. Lesinksi

Bill Gates has been the leader of one of the most successful companies for nearly 30 years. This biography uses stories from USA today to highlight both his public and personal triumphs and challenges. It gives interesting insight into his childhood and how he discovered his interest in computers at such a young age. Beyond his business and technology savvy, Bill Gates and his wife Melinda have created a vast charitable foundation that gives billions of dollars to help support people all around the world by impacting health care, education and poverty issues.  Gates' legacy has been remarkable and it still continues today beyond the office walls of Microsoft.

Review by Lorraine Wyness, Library Media Specialist, Taylorsville High School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 7-12

Bill Gates: Entrepreneur and Philanthropist
Twenty First Century Books
112 pages
ISBN: 978-1-58013-570-2
Release Date: September 2008  

Written by Steven Brezenoff, Illustrated by Tiffany Prothero

This book was very good chapter book mystery. It has girls that are sleep walking and it has to do with the museum. The Girls sleep walk at midnight.

Review by Diane Scott, Western Hill Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 2-4

The Mummy at Midnight
Stone Arch / Capstone Press
80 pages
ISBN: 978-1-43420-797-5
Release Date: August 2008


 

Written by Megan McDonald, Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds

Another great andventure for Judy Moody. She is having problems with math at school. He parents gets her a tutor who is a college student. Judy gets into the spirit of college. It is a funny, well illustrated story.

Review by Diane Scott, Western Hills Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 2-4

Judy Moody Goes to College
Candlewick Press
130 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7636-2833-8
Release Date: July 2008  

Written by K. M. Grant

A Blue Flame was lit at the moment of Christ's death. It has become more important than the Holy Grail to the knights of the 13th Century. Parsival's son is charged with keeping the Flame safe until such time as it is needed. He kept it for forty years.

Yolanda and Raimon, young friends from different social classes, have complete freedom to roam the countryside outside Castelneuf. They are aware of the legend of the Blue Flame and its power, and believe that it will save their country from being laid siege against by France.

As these two friends discover there is more than friendship between them, they become entangled in the historical events of the Inquisition, the problems between the Cathar and the Catholic religions, and their own desires to save their country, remain loyal to it and each other, and to stay alive.

Review by Linda Douglas, English Teacher, Cyprus High School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 6-12

Blue Flame (Book One of the Perfect Fire Trilogy)
Walker & Co.
241 pages
ISBN: 978-0-8027-9694-3
Release Date: October 2008
 

Written by Jason Porterfield

Interesting information about war tactics. Gives information about special operations in the Korean and Vietnam wars and in current conflicts. Also provides information about equipment, gear, and types of aircraft used. Good index.

Review by Joy Brown, Language Arts Teacher, Granite Peaks Alternative High School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 7-12

USAF Special Tactics Teams
Rosen Publishing Group
64 pages
ISBN: 978-1-40421-753-9
Release Date: September 2008
 

Written by James Todd Cochrane

Twelve-year-old Max goes to stay with his grandfather and finds himself in the middle of a battle between good and evil. Fantasy fans will enjoy this book as Max finds a gateway in his father's house to other worlds. It is fast paced with all kinds of twists which make the story unpredictable. A good read!

Review by Cindy Moyle, Granite School District Library Specialist
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Jr. High

Max and the Gatekeepers
Dark Moon Publishing
288 pages
ISBN: 978-0979720208
Release Date: 2007



 

Written by Justine Larbalestier

In this wacky tale, everyone has a fairy, although some don't believe. The fairies have unique talents they share with their host. For example, Charlie, the main character and a girl, has a "parking fairy." She always is assured of a great parking space even though she doesn't drive. She is walking everywhere, determined to get rid of her fairy. Others have shopping fairies, a fairy that makes all the guys like you, etc. Charlie goes to an exclusive school, but is constantly gathering demerits because of her walking campaign. It's a fun read...and interesting, this author is the wife of Scott Westerfeld of the Uglies series. They live part-time in Australia, so there is a lot of Australian lingo in the book.

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

How to Ditch Your Fairy
Bloomsbury
307 pages
ISBN: 978-1-69990-301-9
Release Date: September 2008
 

Written by Charles R. Smith Jr.

A series of motivational short stories about athletes and their ability to overcome some difficulty with their sport. There is a series of wonderful photography shots that accompany each story.

Review by Fay Mason, Library Media Specialist, Churchill Jr. High School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 4-7

Winning Words: Sports Stories and Photographs
Candlewick Press
73 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7636-1445-4
Release Date: July 2008
 

Written by Donna Freitas

Antonia is obsessed with saints. She wants to name a saint and, actually, she would like to be one herself.  She keeps a diary of saints, writes to the Pope to suggest saints and, perhaps she is one herself. Some of her suggestions include a fig tree saint, a saint for first kisses and more. This is a fun romance and would be especially fun for anyone who has attended a Catholic high school.

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

The Possibilities of Sainthood
Farrar Straus and Giroux
272 pages
ISBN: 978-0-374-36087-0
Release Date: August 2008
 

Written by Clive Gifford, Illustrated by David Cousens

A somewhat graphic look at the lives of ten explorers who made a difference. Each explorer is given about six pages, which include basic information about the explorer, some facts about their time, and interesting sidelights. The book includes first explorers, Marco Polo, Christopher Columbus, Ferdinand magellan, Samuel de Cahmplain, James cook, Alexander von Humboldt, Mariwether Lewis, Richard Burton, Roald Amundsen, Jacques Yves Cousteau and other famous explorers.

Review by Fay Mason, Library Media Specialist, Churchill Jr. High
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 5-8

10 Explorers Who Changed the World
Kingfisher
63 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7534-6103-7
Release Date: October 2008  

Written by R. L. LaFevers, Illustrated by Yoko Tanaka

Theodosia has some magical abilities from ancient Egypt. In a past episode she saved England from some kind of catastrophe and now is again working against an evil organization known as the Serpents of Chaos. Her family owns and operates a museum where Theodosia finds an ancient staff. By placing a golden orb in the staff she activates the staff and all the mummies in London begin coming towards that staff. The authorities think that somehow her father is causing the problem and arrest him. The staff is stolen by the Serpents of Chaos and it's up to Theodosia to find the staff and stop them and clear her father. The book is quite an adventure and includes some interesting characters including Theodosia's Grandmother Throckmorton, who is trying desperately to reform Theodosia and make a respectable child out of her. She goes through numerous strange governesses in this process. A fun read, if a bit transparent.

Review by Fay Mason, Library Media Specialist, Churchill Jr. High
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 5-8

Theodosia and the Staff of Osiris
Houghton Mifflin Co.
387 pages
ISBN: 978-0-618-92765-7
Release Date: November 2008  

Written by Cynthia Leitich Smith

The is about Miranda, a teenage girl, and her guardian angel Zachary. In Zachary's effort to save Miranda from falling into an open grave he makes the mistake of showing himself, which lands him on the earth without his wings or his power. Zachary's mission now is to save Miranda from something much worse than an open grave. He needs to save her from the head vampire and the house of Dracula.

Review by Cindy Moyle, Granite School District Library Specialist
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: High School

Eternal
Candlewick Press
307 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7636-3573-2
Release Date: February 2009

 

Written by Guillaume Prevost, Illustrated by William Rodarmor

This is the second book in the Book of Time series. Sam's father is missing and Sam is hiding in the museum waiting to steal coins from the coin collection that enable him to travel back in time. Sam discovers that someone else also knows the secret to time travel. This books ends with the mystery unsolved and prepares you for the third book.

Review by Cindy Moyle, Granite School District Library Specialist
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 5-8

The Gate of Days (The Book of Time Series #2)
Scholastic
249 pages
ISBN: 978-0-439-88376-4
Release Date: October 2008

 

Written by Marie Rutkoski

This book tells the story of a 12 year old girl named Petra, growing up on an old family farm in Russia. Her mother passed away when Petra was born and she was raised by her father, who has magical abilities.  In fact all the people in the village of Okno had been given some special gift. Her father can build metal objects and then bring them to life.  The metal objects only need a special oil called Brassica to live. this oil is taken from the Brassica flowers that grow in abundance on the hills surrounding their farm.

Prince Rodolfo, who rules over the people surrounding Prague, hears about Petra’s father and commands him to come to the castle and build him a clock, a magical clock that when the right instruments are put inside, would be able to control the weather. After Petra’s father builds the clock his eyes are removed so that he will not be able to build another clock like it. The story is very interesting as Petra goes to Prague on a journey to retrieve her fathers’ eyes.

This book is definitely for very good readers, because of the many characters and places it talks about. I don’t know if you would consider parts of this book historical fiction, but at the end the author tells a little about her own Czech family relatives and some of the landmarks and legends she had seen and heard about before writing this book.

Review by Marjorie Biggs, Library Media Assistant, Oquirrh Hills Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 5-8

The Cabinet of Wonders (The Kronos Chronicles, Book #1)
Farrar Straus Giroux
253 pages
ISBN: 978-0-374-31026-4
Release Date: August 2008  

Written by Catherine Jinks

Babylonne is a miserable sixteen year old girl living in exile with female relatives who are anything but normal.  Because of the religious beliefs of the "Good Christians," all the women of the household hate and even revile anything associated with the Catholic church.  When Babylonne plots her escape from her abusive relatives, she ironically must accept help from a learned Catholic priest who can tell her about her parents who, she thinks, are long dead.  The Priest attempts to get Babylonne to safety in Campostele, but there is a vicious war going on between the French and the Good Christians, making it a deadly trip even with the protection of the priest.  Babylonne has a venomous tongue, and she curses those she fears and hates in creative, sometimes vulgar ways. Her sense of humor and identity make her a heroine who is real and yet admirable.

Review by Linda Douglas, Language Arts Teacher, Cyprus High School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 8-12

Babylonne
Candlewick Press
382 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7636-3650-0
Release Date: November 2008  

Written by Lauren Child

A Charlie and Lola book. Lola learns about recycling when she tries to clean Marty's bedroom. She learns what recycling is, how to do it and why. Very cute illustrations. A poster is included that works well in a classroom or for an individual. A fun book that explains the need for recycling with a solution that encourages each of us to be responsible. Lots of great tips included.

Review by Terrie Bishop, Library Media Assistant, Academy Park Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades K-6

We Are Extremely Very Good Recyclers (Charlie and Lola Series)
Penguin
32 pages
ISBN: 978-0-8037-3335-0
Release Date: March 2009  

Written by Justin Richards

Another vampire story...which proves for popular reading. In this tale a mummy is unwrapped, and as the ceremony proceeds, some blood is dripped on the mummy which then comes to life and exits the building. Vampires are all over London and people are disappearing or turning up drained of blood. Vampires are everywhere, especially in places high in government and more. It's up to a very few of the main characters to find out how to stop them. It's quite an adventure and dangerous time as they try to win against a literal army of vampires.

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

The Parliament of Blood
Bloomsbury
358 pages
ISBN: 978-1-59990-140-4
Release Date: November 2008
 

Edited by Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling, Illustrated by Charles Vess

A collection of stories and poems about tricksters such as Coyote, Anansi, Brer Rabbit and more by noted authors. Each tale includes a brief note by the author of that tale indicating about the piece they have written. The tales are entertaining and indicative of cultures and traditions from all over the world.

Review by Fay Mason, Library Media Specialist, Churchill Jr. High
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 5-10

The Coyote Road
Firebird / Penguin
518 pages
ISBN: 978-0-14-241300-5
Release Date: January 2009
 

Written by Jennifer Richard Jacobson, Illustrated by Abby Carter

Andy and Dolores are best friends and do everything together until Lark Alice Bell moves in. Now Andy is doing all the things with Alice that he used to do with Dolores.  Andy learns that having a new friend is fun but also that he needs to think about his old friends. Andy is teased that he is love with Alice but Dolores soon finds out that it is not the new girl's initials but the breed of dog he wants.  At the end all three learn that they can all be friends with each other.

Review by Nancy Jenkins, Library Media Assistant, William Penn Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 1-2

Andy Shane Is Not in Love
Candlewick Press
58 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7636-3212-0
Release Date: December 2008

 

Written by Nick Fauchald, Illustrated by Ronnie Rooney

This book is a really good recipe book for younger kids who are interested in cooking Italian dishes. It also has a section for an intermediate group of students who want to try something a little more challenging. It has great animated pictures to also catch their interest.

Review by Kaye Derrick, Library Media Assistant, Fox Hills Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 1-6

Roly-Poly Ravioli And other Italian Dishes
Picture Window Books / Capstone Press
32 pages
ISBN: 978-1-4048-5186-3
Release Date: January 2009
 

Written by Adria F. Klein, Illustrated by Mernie Gallagher-Cole

This book is about a boy named Max and the fun and exciting facts that he learns while taking a field trip to the fire station. A strong feature of this book is that it is a great marriage of fiction and informational genres of text. It contains excellent illustrations that are very colorful and kid friendly. This book would be ideal for an educator to use while conducting guided reading instructional groups of students. It would also serve as a wonderful support to many items of social studies curriculum, especially those that cover communities-- specifically the job of a fireman.

Review by Brooke Deardorff, 3rd Grade Teacher, Bennion Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades K-3

Max Goes to the Fire Station
Picture Window Books / Capstone Press
24 pages
ISBN: 978-1-40485-266-2
Release Date: January 2009  

Written by Tony Bradman

This book tells the tale the big bad wolf and family life following the events of the previous fairy tale, "The Three Little Pigs." The wolf runs into financial hard times and struggles to support his wife and family. The plot unfolds into a realistic problem/modern conflict involving a financial crisis. The book is also very engaging because it examines a differing and enlightening perspective of the big bad wolf. Students see a very sensitive side of the wolf that is not portrayed in the original fairy tale. The book emphasizes the power of change that is possible for many that have chosen a less than delightful life path when he chooses to become a sheep protector instead of a consumer of them. The only improvement that could make this a more appealing book would be for the illustrations to be colored. That would enhance the book's appeal.

Review by Brooke Deardorff, 3rd Grade Teacher, Bennion Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 2-5

Mr. Wolf Bounces Back (After Happily Ever After)
Stone Arch / Capstone Press
56 pages
ISBN: 978-1-4342-1306-8
Release Date: January 2009  

Written by Johanna Hurwitz, Illustrated by Anik McGrory

This book is about a boy named Monty that has many insecurities about himself and his abilities. He faces the challenge of going to school and learns to accept others into his life and by so doing learns to accept himself. This book has a high relatability factor. While reading this book, students have many opportunities to make personal connections with the character and life events of Monty. One of its assets is that it contains more pictures than typical chapter books, adding to its appeal to a reader. This book tackles sensitive issues in appropriate ways such as a touch on the subject of death and other emotional issues that many elementary aged children face, can relate to, or just have questions about. The highlight of the book is when Monty experiences his friends rally around him and help to dispel his insecurities about himself. This book would be perfect for an educator to utilize in literature circles. There are many poignant places in the book to spur on deep discussion among peers and opportunities to reflect on the consequences of good moral character and also those when better choices could have been made. The book also contains subtle connections to the life cycle of a caterpillar, which could be a small support to the science curriculum of certain grade levels.

Review by Brooke Deardorff, 3rd Grade Teacher, Bennion Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 2-5

Mostly Monty
Candlewick Press
86 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7636-4062-0
Release Date: October 2008
 

Written by Susan Kuklin

As I read this book, I felt remorse and regret for those young men in this book. It opened my eyes to the hardships of death row, and the eventual end of their life. Each man described his feelings in a way that I could relate to him. I am currently volunteering at the Utah State Prison, and this gave me a much needed insight as to their feelings about life in prison, how they changed as a convict, and eventually having to face the inevitable death sentence. Also, how their family felt, even years after the execution.

Review by Connie Taney, Library Media Secretary, Taylorsville High School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Young Adult

No Choirboy: Murder, Violence, and Teenagers on Death Row
Henry Holt
212 pages
ISBN: 978-0-8050-7950-0
Release Date: August 2008  

Written by Judith Hope Blau and Ellie O'Ryan, Illustrated by Paul E. Nunn

In this book the authors do a great job explaining how the earth gets ready for fall and everything has its part. I think that the younger grades would really enjoy this.

Review by Nancy Jenkins, Library Media Assistant, William Penn Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades K-2

The Search for Autumn (Treetures Series)
Penguin
32 pages
ISBN: 978-0-448-45057-5
Release Date: September 2008


 

Written by Sonia Sander, Illustrated by John Huxtable

In this story, a good lesson is taught about respect for other people and their property through the story of "Goldilocks and The Three Bears."

Review by Nancy Jenkins, Library Media Assistant, William Penn Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades K-3

Goldilocks and the Three Bears
Penguin Group
32 pages
ISBN: 978-0-448-45069-8
Release Date: February 2009


 

Written and Illustrated by Lizi Boyd

Teaches children that you can have fun doing chores with someone and play time comes faster. You can enjoy being together and unconditional love is always there.

Review by Judy Mitchell, Library Media Assistant, Calvin Smith Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Kindergarten

I Love Grandpa
Candlewick Press
24 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7636-3727-9
Release Date: March 2009  

Written by Diane Swanson, Illustrated by Kathy Boake

This book describes strange aspects of the human body, "peculiar parts and funny functions."  The text is very simple to read and understand.  Including the Freaky Facts in the book lets the reader in on little-known-facts as well. The illustrations are eye-catching.  Children will enjoy reading about themselves.

Review by Judy Mitchell, Library Media Assistant, Calvin Smith Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 3-6

You Are Weird: Your Body's Peculiar Parts and Funny Functions
Kids Can Press
40 pages
ISBN: 978-1-55453-282-7
Release Date: March 2009  

Retold by Lisa Trumbauer, Illustrated by Aaron Blecha

This new graphic version of the classic tale is a bit crude and sinister looking, but hey, all three little pigs live! The last and smartest pig helps his brothers build a better house. Alas, the wolf still lives near town to come back another time as well...
Those students who enjoy the graphic style novels will enjoy this book. There is also more reading, since the original story is embellished with more lines as well as more illustrations.  I personally prefer the "cute" illustrations, but it's fun to see something different.

Review by Leanna Griffiths, Library Media Assistant, Crestview Elementary
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 3-8

The Three Little Pigs: The Graphic Novel
Stone Arch / Capstone Press
40 pages
ISBN: 978-1-43421-195-8
Release Date: January 2009  

Written by Lori Ries, Illustrated by Frank W. Dormer

Through the angst of training a puppy, there is a story to be told. I should send this book to my daughter who has a new puppy, and show her there is hope for training. Or maybe I should send it to my two other daughters who have new babies- lessons take time to learn.  The line drawings, while simple, add to the humor of the story. Children will be delighted with this story and relate to all the characters.

Review by Leanna Griffiths, Library Media Assistant, Crestview Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Pre-K and up

Good Dog, Aggie
Charlesbridge Publishing
48 pages
ISBN: 978-1-57091-645-8
Release Date: February 2009  

Written and Illustrated by Janice Poon

Claire and Jet are excited to start a new school year. Jet wins a new digital camera, which becomes an annoying obsession for Claire. Claire makes friends with Sky from a nearby lake community.  Sky reveals how pollution in the lake is making people sick. The girls find adventure as they stumble onto a reason for the pollution...

This is a fun and quick read for girls, especially reluctant readers. The graphic format keeps interest going. They'll be asking for more.

Review by Leanna Griffiths, Library Media Assistant, Crestview Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 2-4

Claire and the Water Wish
Kids Can Press
118 pages
ISBN: 978-1-55453-381-7
Release Date: March 2009  

Written by Beth Kanell

Molly Ballou lives in Vermont in the 1920s. She hates April because the river fills with water. The river took her sister Gratia years earlier and is now forcing her family to leave their home due to the dam being built. Racial issues in Vermont wanting to rid the state of "poor citizens" makes Molly nervous because of her Abenaki/ French lineage. Her mother becomes ill and loses the baby, and eventually her life, under the supposed "care" of the government nurses. Molly relies on her inner strength and the support of friends and a fellow Abenaki friend Harry to get her through her loss. I thought this was an interesting book, quick paced and a great story! I will recommend it as a good read.

Review by Jennifer Merkley, Library Clerk, Churchill Jr. High School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 7-12

The Darkness under the Water
Candlewick Press
304 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7636-3719-4
Release Date: November 2008  

Written by Etta Kaner, Illustrated by Jeff Szuc

This book answers the question, "Why don't Animals need clothing?" A great way to learn about animals and how they care for themselves and their habitat. Great illustrations and colors.

Review by Ruleen Maxfield, Library Media Assistant, Lake Ridge Elementary
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 2-4

Have You Ever Seen a Duck in a Raincoat?
Kids Can Press
32 pages
ISBN: 978-1-55453-246-9
Release Date: March 2009  

Written by Dianne Danzig, Illustrated by Debbie Tilley

Great book to help a kid understand what is going to happen when the new baby comes home. Not sure I will put it in the library just for anyone. I think a few boys would point and giggle too much at a few of the pictures.

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

Babies Don't Eat Pizza
Dutton / Penguin
32 pages
ISBN: 978-0-525-47441-8
Release Date: January 2009  

Written by Matthew Murrie & Steve Murrie

This book gives a comprehensive look at the earth. I liked the question-and-answer magazine format. The sections named "Did you know" and Earth facts" are very informative. They provide an overview of the different areas of the earth and how they compare. I learned a lot by reading the section "Shallow Seas."

Review by Janice Hastings, Library Media Assistant, South Kearns Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 4-6

Planet Earth: Guide to the Planet
Scholastic
80 pages
ISBN: 978-0-545-10356-5
Release Date: April 2009  

Written by Toni Buzzeo, Illustrated by Amy Wummer

Annie looks forward to each Saturday so that she can become Adventure Annie. But today her Mom needs to go to work, so Annie goes with her. She still makes it an adventure as she looks for a report her mom has misplaced.

Review by Stefanie Meier, Library Media Assistant, Valley Crest Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 2-4

Adventure Annie Goes to Work
Dial Books for Young Readers / Penguin
30 pages
ISBN: 978-0-8037-3233-9
Release Date: February 2009
 

Written by Laura McGee Kvasnosky

Two fun-loving fox characters who are sisters play and learn together. The book is set up with three short stories that are just right for students with developing attention spans. The story flows well, with a light and airy tone. The colorful illustrations top off a beautiful little storybook.

Review by Janice Hastings, Library Media Assistant, South Kearns Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 1-3

Zelda and Ivy: Keeping Secrets
Candlewick Press
42 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7636-4179-5
Release Date: March 2009



 

Written and Illustrated by Barney Saltzberg

"What CAN Baby do?" is what Cornelius wants to know. He learns about what baby can't do and then he figures out what baby can do.

Review by Stefanie Meier, Library Media Assistant, Valley Crest Elementary
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades K-3

Cornelius P. Mud, Are You Ready for Baby?
25 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7636-3596-1
Release Date: March 2009
 

Written and Illustrated by Yuri Morales

This is a story about a skeleton going to Grandma Beetle's birthday party. As he heads over, a ghost stops him and reminds him he needs a present. He starts to find things with the Spanish alphabet to give her. After a mishap, he finally decides what the present is that she would love the most is. It is Grandpa!

Review by Karen Manning, Library Media Assistant, Lincoln Elementary
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 2-6

Just in Case: A Trickster Tale and Spanish Alphabet Book
Roaring Brook Press
28 pages
ISBN: 978-1-59643-329-8
Release Date: October 2008  

Written by Jessica Gunderson, Illustrated by Caroline Hu

This is a delightful "historical" chapter book. If you can get 2nd & 3rd graders to read books without colored pictures, they'll enjoy it. A few of our student's have really gotten into these books. These books do need color illustrations on the inside, though. Why not carry the book's exterior illustrations throughout the book? Visual appeal seems to be everything these days. I recommend it, but you'll have to know your students and whether they'll read it or not before you purchase it.

Review by Kathy Loewy, Library Media Assistant, Twin Peaks Elementary
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 2-4

The Elephant Dancer
Picture Window / Capstone Press
64 pages
ISBN: 978-1-4048-5219-8
Release Date: January 2009  

Written by Jody Sullivan Rake

This is a great book for younger grades or low-level readers. The book presents facts, but in a palatable way so students will enjoy it. Since some of our students have been able to swim with dolphins, this book will be popular. It fills a "hole" in our 599 Dewey shelves. If you're looking for something different than the "checkerboard" series - look no further!

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

Bottlenose Dolphins Up Close
Capstone Press
24 pages
ISBN: 978-1-4296-2264-6
Release Date: January 2009
 

Written by Barbara Todd, Illustrated by Patricia Storms

Edward finds out how hard it is to make three wishes without goofing up, only to find his three wishes have expired. Read the fine print! Funny read.

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

Edward and the Eureka Lucky Wish Company
Kids Can Press
32 pages
ISBN: 978-1-55453-264-3
Release Date: February 2009  

Written by Sharon M. Draper

This story is about a girl named Sassy, who has a "Sassy Sack" which is like a backpack. This sack has everything in it to help those around her. It is an average read in the beginning and then at the end it got better and I just wanted to know what happens.

Reviewed by a student at South Kearns Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 3-6

Sassy: Little Sister Is Not My Name!
Scholastic
102 pages
ISBN: 978-0-545-07151-2
Release Date: March 2009  

Written by Laurie Faria Stolarz

Camille has a near death experience when a mysterious boy saves her. He disappears before she can thank him. Then someone starts leaving her gifts, and breaks into her room. She thinks that she is being stalked. This book has suspense and is a little eerie.

Review by Cindy Moyle, Library Media Specialist, Granite School District
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: High School

Deadly Little Secret (Touch Series #1)
Hyperion
288 pages
ISBN: 978-1-42311-144-3
Release Date: December 2008  

Written by Walter Wick

Entertaining way to support the beginning reader. Read the word and find the picture. Word list at the back of the book helps the reader review what they have read.

Review by Kim Jensen, Library Media Assistant, Diamond Ridge Elementary
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Pre-Kindergarten - 1st Grade

100 Fun Finds Can You See What I See?
Scholastic
29 pages
ISBN: 978-0-545-07888-7
Release Date: January 2009
 

Written by Lewis B. Montgomery, Illustrated by Amy Wummer

Milo must solve a real case to join Dash Marlowe as a real detective. He and Jazz try to find out who stole the star pitcher's lucky, stinky socks.  I thought the characters were believable and had just the right amount of suspense and humor for young readers. Enjoyed very much.

Reviewed by Laura Schmidt, Library Media Assistant, Fox Hills Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 2-3

The Case of the Stinky Socks (The Milo & Jazz Mysteries)
The Kane Press
88 pages
ISBN: 978-1-57565-288-7
Release Date: February 2009
 

Written by Pat Flynn

This book begins with an Australian teen who plays rugby. He then moves on to the United States and begins playing football. As he moves to the U.S., he not only has to adjust to the new type of game, but to the new type of life. It is a big adjustment for him. He also has to adjust to growing up and the pains that brings. Out of his League touches on both the honor and the pain of becoming a champion.

Review by Erin Tanner, Teacher, Cyprus High School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 7-12

Out of His League
Walker & Co.
298 pages
ISBN: 978-0-8027-9776-6
Release Date: June 2008

 

Written by Jessica Wollman

Two sixth grade girls, Tanna and Molly, discover an antique in the basement that tells people who they are going to marry. Molly hates her soon-to-be new mother, and tries everything to not let this marriage happen with her father.  This is one book that students would like to read and could relate to.

Review by Kaye Derrick, Library Media Assistant, Fox Hills Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 3-6

Tell Me Who
Dutton / Penguin
261 pages
ISBN: 978-0-525-42087-3
Release Date: January 2009
 

Written by Sandra Markle

This is the life story of being a spider.  It starts out with an egg and shows how the baby spider develops and is protected by its mother as it grows to maturity. The book tells how spiders can also be a good thing and help us. The pictures are very well done and show details of a spider in its shell and after it is born.

Review by Kaye Derrick, Library Media Assistant, Fox Hills Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 2-6

Sneaky, Spinning, Baby Spiders
Walker & Co.
31 pages
ISBN: 978-0-8027-9697-4
Release Date: October 2008  

Written by Lori Shores

This is a book written in the form of a field guide about butterflies. There are pictures that show the butterflies, where in the world you would find them and bullets with information about them.

Review by Sara Justet, Library Media Assistant, Carl Sandburg Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 1-4

The Pebble First Guide to Butterflies
Capstone Press
32 pages
ISBN: 978-1-4296-2241-7
Release Date: January 2009  

Written by Jim Whiting

If you need straightforward facts about chain mail, shields, swords, helmets, spears, longbows, battle-axes, or barding, this is a book you could use. Students can quickly find the information they need here. Capstone and it's authors have given students an easy way to learn about Medieval weaponry. As funds allow, I'll purchase the rest of this set.

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

Medieval Arms and Armor
Capstone Press
24 pages
ISBN: 978-1-4296-2270-7
Release Date: January 2009  

Written by Marcie Aboff, Illustrated by Nathan Lueth

Best friends Ashley and Jordan work together to create a poster for school. They find out that if they keep things even, the project seems to work out better. The simple, bold illustrations set a grown-up setting and help teach about odd and even numbers.

Review by Janice Hastings, Library Media Assistant, South Kearns Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 1-3

Color Me Even, Color Me Odd
Stone Arch / Capstone Press
32 pages
ISBN: 978-1-40485-254-9
Release Date: January 2009  

Written by Lucia Raatma

I love the "We the People" series. I wish our budget allowed us to have all of them. The format is so easy to read, even slow readers can finish the book and feel a sense of accomplishment. Our 5th grade teachers were excited about the addition of this book to our library. There's enough information for "Biography" reports, as well as great factual information on the Revolutionary War. Students can gain an appreciation for the signers of the Declaration of Independence. If your library doesn't have this book, I'd advise you to purchase it.

Review by Kathy Loewy, Library Media Assistant, Twin Peaks Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 4-6

A Signer for Independence: John Hancock
Compass Point / Capstone Press
48 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7565-4122-4
Release Date: January 2009  

Written by Meg Cabot

This is about 4th grade girls. The main character is Allie and she is so excited about a new girl at school from Canada. The new girl is a real drama queen and tells everyone what to do. The story flows well and is an average read.

Reviewed by a 6th Grade Student at South Kearns Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 3-6

Best Friends and Drama Queens (Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls Series #3)
Scholastic
202 pages
ISBN: 978-0-545-04043-3
Release Date: March 2009


 

Written Jill Kalz, Illustrated by Benton Mahan

Tuckerbean, a furry white dog, is told to stay inside while his friend/owner goes to a music lesson. Tuckerbean goes to the movies instead. This is a fun leveled reader with bright, eye catching illustrations. All lower grades will enjoy it. There's at least one more Tuckerbean book available and I'd like to purchase it.

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

Tuckerbean at the Movies
Picture Window / Capstone
24 pages
ISBN: Tuckerbean at the Movies
Release Date: January 2009  

Written by Amanda Doering Tourville, Illustrated by Chris Lensch

This is a nice, easy to read book. It introduces behavior that is acceptable in the lunch room. It teaches, then gives an example. The pictures are wonderful to look at. It could be a great learning instrument for the classroom.

Review by Irene Taylor, Library Media Assistant, Vista Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades K-3

Manners in the Lunchroom
Picture Window / Capstone
24 pages
ISBN: 978-1-4048-5308-9
Release Date: January 2009  

Written by Deborah Nuzzolo

This is a very well done beginner nonfiction book on sharks. The pictures are wonderful and the text is very simple, but informative. Includes a glossary, index and Internet Sites for more information.

Review by Irene Taylor, Library Media Assistant, Vista Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades K-2

Zebra Shark
Capstone Press
24 pages
ISBN: 978-1-4296-2262-2
Release Date: January 2009  

Written by Tim O'Shei

This is an interesting and helpful book on how to survive in the wilderness. It has good information and photographs. This book would help a student learn good information on wilderness survival.

Review by Kristen Hunt, Library Media Assistant, Whittier Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 4-6

How to Survive in the Wilderness
Capstone Press
32 pages
ISBN: 978-1-4296-2281-3
Release Date: January 2009  

Written by Janet Riehecky

This is an informational book on Cobras. It has great photographs, but brief information. It has a strong library binding.

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

Cobras: On the Hunt
Capstone Press
32 pages
ISBN: 978-1-4296-2317-9
Release Date: January 2009


 

Written and Illustrated by Rohan Henry

It’s time to go to bed but Baby Ruby does not want to sleep. Is she playing with Kitty or hiding in a closet? This is a short and sweet story time book for preschool kids.

Review by Amy Gerritsen, Library Media Assistant, Stansbury Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Preschool

Good Night, Baby Ruby
Abrams Books for Young Readers
31 pages
ISBN: 978-0-8109-8323-6
Release Date: March 2009  

Written and Illustrated by Polly Dunbar

Tilly and her friends play a hide and seek game with Tumpty, a fun loving elephant. Great for preschoolers.

Review by Amy Gerritsen, Library Media Assistant, Stansbury Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Preschool

Where's Tumpty? (A Tilly and Friends Book)
Candlewick Press
30 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7636-4273-0
Release Date: February 2009


 

Written by Jen Jones

The girls loved the pictures and the explanation about how to fix their hair. It was simple and easy to understand, and they loved the subject matter.  Includes suggestions for which products to use and how easy it is to do, with instructions for both long and short hair.

Review by Barbara Sagers, Hillsdale Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 3+

Updos: Cool Hairstyles for All Occasions
Capstone Press
32 pages
ISBN: 978-1-42962-313-1
Release Date: January 2009  

Written by Karen Tayleur, Illustrated by Brann Garvey

A few of our students like these David Baxter books. The outside of the book "hooks" them pretty fast. David's a pretty typical boy. When he and some other friends are stranded by a blizzard on a school ski trip, they must entertain themselves. Several games are detailed in the book, so it would be easy to try them at parties, etc. Perhaps the story could have been developed a little more, but it's still a book you might like to have in your library.

Review by Kathy Loewy, Library Media Assistant, Twin Peaks Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 3-6

Stranded! (David Mortimer Baxter)
Stone Arch / Capstone Press
88 pages
ISBN: 978-1-43421-199-6
Release Date: January 2009  

Written by Nancy Krulik, Illustrated by John & Wendy

We have just received our first Katie Kazoo books in the library. This is the first chance I've had to read one. It's a girl's version of the "Time Warp Trio," but not as humorous. Switching places with a pony is a stretch, but Katie seems to manage it pretty well. Just don't have sugar cubes in your pocket. This will be a nice addition to our other Katie Kazoo books, if only it were a hardback!

Review by Kathy Loewy, Library Media Assistant, Twin Peaks Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 2-4

Horsing Around (Katie Kazoo, Switcheroo Series #30)
Grosset & Dunlap / Penguin
76 pages
ISBN: 978-0-448-44677-6
Release Date: January 2009
 

Written by Jennifer L. Marks

This is a great spot-it challenge book for preschool and kindergarten aged children with a good variety of challenges.

Review by Marilyn May, Library Media Assistant, Monroe Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Preschool/Kindergarten

School Times (A Spot It Challenge)
Capstone Press
32 pages
ISBN: 978-1-42962218-9
Release Date: January 2009  

Written by Philippa Pearce, Illustrated by Helen Craig

The illustrations are soft pen and ink type drawings. Some of them are in soft pastels. They are reminiscent of earlier styles and really quite lovely. My question is: will today's student's enjoy them? I had the same question re: the story. It's style and language are from an earlier time, somewhat akin to Little Women. I enjoyed the story, but since our students seldom pick up Little Women or The Five Little Peppers, how will they respond to this one? At the same time, I kept thinking, wouldn't it be nice if the things we've lost came back so easily?

Review by Kathy Loewy, Library Media Assistant, Twin Peaks Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 4+

A Finder's Magic
Candlewick Press
121 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7636-4072-9
Release Date: March 2009
 

Written by Pamela F. Service, Illustrated by Mike Gorman

Excellently written and keeps the reader's interest. It will keep the boys interested and readers that like different characters.

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

Camp Alien
Lerner Publishing Group
153 pages
ISBN: 978-0-8225-8656-2
Release Date: March 2009


 

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

This is a series about eight sisters whose parents have mysteriously disappeared. Each girl is to find her power and gift.  Annie finds her power and gift in the adventures and near disasters the sisters encounter as they pretend their parents have not disappeared.  This is a fun adventure story.

Review by Debbie Robinson, Library Media Assistant, Arcadia Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 3-5

Annie's Adventures (The Sisters Eight, Book 1)
Sandpiper / Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
136 pages
ISBN: 978-0-547-13349-2
Release Date: December 2008
 

Written by Cathy Hapka

It's time for the Animalia talent show but who will be the star? Zoe and Allegra bring their talents together as they try to win the contest. Nice chapter book for a beginning reader.

Review by Amy Gerritsen, Library Media Assistant, Stansbury Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades K-3

Talent-O-Topia (Animalia)
Grosset and Dunlap / Penguin
48 pages
ISBN: 978-0-448-45078-0
Release Date: January 2009



 

Written by Nicholas M. Hardy, Illustrated by Sara Gray

A very good informational book for elementary students in grades 2 through 4. The reader will learn the importance of using periods while reading or writing. The "Period" is like a stop sign. It tells you to stop, take a breath and then continue. It makes it easy for people to understand what you say and write. This book has very nice and simple full color art work. The story is written in simple text for the younger students to read, and gives examples of other ways to use periods on each page. At the end of the book there is a quick review on the use of periods, a glossary, and other related activities encouraging more word fun. This is a very informative book to have in the library to help the students with their grammar skills. I will be adding this book to the library shelf, along with some of the other titles that I have in this same grammar series, If You Were a               !

Review by Bonnie Prime, Library Media Assistant, Taylorsville Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 2-4

If You Were a Period
Picture Window / Capstone Press
24 pages
ISBN: 978-1-4048-5332-4
Release Date: January 2009  

Written by Natalie Lunis

Did you know that dachshund means "badger dog" because they were bred to hunt badgers. This is just one of the fun facts in this book about these long dogs. The photos are bright and interesting.  The text is arranged in an eye appealing format (some of the text is within the shapes of dog tags).

Review by Kay Thomas, Library Media Assistant, Eastwood Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 2-4

Dachshund: The Hot Dogger
Bearport Publishing
32 pages
ISBN: 978-1-59716-744-4
Release Date: January 2009  

Written by Anne Levine MacDonald

This novel takes place in Nova Scotia. At first I thought it might be too "regional" for a broader U.S. audience. As I finished the novel, I could see the appeal to teens in the U.S. A 13 yr. old boy, Frankie, and a 13 yr. old girl, Maura-Lee learn to confront fears and trauma from their past. (Frankie has a fear of horses and has nightmares about events he feels he controls in the future. Maura-Lee, on the other hand, burnt their home to the ground after lighting a candle as a child). Students who enjoy "horse" books would enjoy this one. Since p.135 has a flippant remark about Frankie's male sexual parts, I would recommend this book for Junior High and above. It is well written and you might want it for your library.

Review by Kathy Loewy, Library Media Assistant, Twin Peaks Elementary
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 7-12

Seeing Red
Kids Can Press
220 pages
ISBN: 978-1-55453-291-9
Release Date: February 2009
 

Written by Bonnie Dobkin

This novel is slightly similar to the novel Lord of the Flies in that it explores the idea of what happens when a group of children have to govern themselves after all the adults are taken away after a disaster.

A plague that kills only people over 13 empties a theme park of adults. Suddenly older children are left with younger children to care for and the job of making an orderly society out of chaos.

The older children soon sort themselves into a kind of social hierarchy that attempts to govern fairly, but soon deteriorates into a kind of dictatorship, complete with a goon squad and the people in charge getting special treatment.

The innocence of some of the kids is shattered, but they soon realize what is happening to the majority of them and devise a way to topple the dictators and make a safe place for those who want to stay at the park.

The fact that they are at a theme park makes the prospect of food and shelter easier to figure out, but the logistics of taking care of and educating the young and keeping the park clean and the electricity running, makes for great problem solving for kids.

Review by Linda Douglas, Teacher, Cyprus High School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 6-12

Neptune's Children
Walker & Company
272 pages
ISBN: 978-0-8027-9734-6
Release Date: April 2008  

Written by Barry Lyga

This book is about a young man who comes across a girl who is being attacked by a man. He saves her and the man is caught. It turns out he is a serial killer. The town makes the young man into a hero. There are awards and ceremonies and the car dealer gives him a car. When he picks up his car there are support our troops stickers all over it. That evening he is caught removing the stickers from his new car and now he is labeled anti-American. The town turns against him. He has to deal with the bad sentiment of the town. It was a good read and it gives an opportunity for discussion about war and hate and misunderstanding.

Review by Warren Child, Library Media Specialist, Cyprus High School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: High School

Hero Type
Houghton Mifflin
304 pages
ISBN: 978-0-547-07663-8
Release Date: September 2008
 

Written by Marion Dane Bauer, Illustrated by Ivan Bates

This is the story about a bunny who went out to find a friend who'd like to play. This is a wonderful story that helps teach counting, colors, and rhyming. The pictures really added to the story. The students love the book!

Review by Vicki Lewellyn, Library Media Assistant, Pleasant Green Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades K-2

One Brown Bunny
Orchard / Scholastic
24 pages
ISBN: 978-0-439-68010-3
Release Date: February 2009  

Written by Robert Marsh, Illustrated by Marcelo Baez

This book provides a really good depiction of the Challenger Space Shuttle Disaster from a child's point of view. I like the way the book is small but broken up into chapters. This would give great time for discussion in the classroom or with a parent. I also enjoy that it is written in regular text and also in graphic novel style. The story is told in regular text, while the characters' thoughts are in graphic novel format. Lastly, I liked the way the author told about this disaster in a heartfelt way, not too explicit.

Review by Susan Seegmiller, Library Media Assistant, Roosevelt Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 2-4

After the Challenger
Stone Arch / Capstone Press
56 pages
ISBN: 978-1-43421-161-3
Release Date: January 2009  

Written by Carolyn Hennesy

This is the first Pandora book I have read. I found it to be high on adventure and have a pretty fast pace, which I enjoy.  I like the Greek Mythology which is mixed in, including a glossary in the back to help the reader with the different gods. The characters are young in their teens, a great way for teenagers to realize that young people have power and determination and skills. I would love to get the other books in the series for our library. A Good Find.

Review by Susan Seegmiller, Library Media Assistant, Roosevelt Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 4-6

Pandora Gets Vain
Bloomsbury
273 pages
ISBN: 978-1-59990-197-8
Release Date: August 2008  

Written by Catherine Jinks

Jinks takes a different approach to what a vampire's life is really like. They're DEAD. They're not romantic and powerful, "and unless they want to end up staked, they have to give up fanging people, admit their addiction, join a support group, and reform themselves."  The support group finds one of their members staked and they set out to find the mysterious slayer. A fun read. However, it does have a few swear words.

Review by Cindy Moyle. Granite School District Library Media Specialist
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 6+

The Reformed Vampire Support Group
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
368 pages
ISBN: 978-0-15-206609-3
Release Date: April 2009

 

Written by Zachary Rau

The worlds in the universe must choose sides whether to join the peaceful republic forces or the separatist forces. Yoda is going to meet with King Katuunko of Toydaria. Yoda wants them to join the Republic. The evil forces of Count Dooku get there before Yoda and try to get King Katuunko to join the Separatists. They agree to let Yoda and the Jedi fight the Separatists and King Katunnko will support the winner. Yoda is very successful in ambushing the Separatists, in spite of the few Jedi he has with him. Toydaria chooses to support Yoda. This is fun in graphic novel format.

Review by Karen Manning, Library Media Assistant, Lincoln Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 3-8

Ambush (Star Wars: The Clone Wars)
Grosset & Dunlap / Penguin
96 pages
ISBN: 978-0-448-45039-1
Release Date: February 2009
 

Written by Michael Dahl, Illustrated by Yap Kun Rong

I would like a little more information and plot in the story, but other books I have like this the kids seem to love. It is written on a very easy level and is a little scary. When a bloodmobile driver realizes that a donor has lizard blood in him, he goes over to his house to talk to him. He sees a man go out into the back yard to a tower. The man has guns with him. He hears something moving and making noises in the tower. As he gets closer, he realizes that a boy is in chains. Suddenly he starts turning into a dragon. Then a large dragon flies over and tries to get him. The man with the gun and the driver try to protect the boy , who is now a dragon. When the large dragon flies off, the boy returns to his original form.

Review by Karen Manning, Library Media Assistant, Lincoln Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 3-8

It Screams at Night (Dragonblood Series)
Stone Arch / Capstone Press
32 pages
ISBN: 978-1-4342-1261-0
Release Date: January 2009
 

Written by Elizabeth Raum

World War II: An Interactive History Adventure puts the reader in the middle of the action. There are three different story lines that are based on actual events in the war. As the events unfold, the reader chooses a scenario and is then told to turn to a certain page to continue the story. At the end of the book there is a time line so the reader can see how the events in the book related to each other. I had my son, who loves books about war heroes, read this book and he really liked it.

Review by Vala'dee Tanner, Library Media Assistant, Rosecrest Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 3-7

World War II: An Interactive History Adventure
Capstone Press
112 pages
ISBN: 978-1-4296-2344-5
Release Date: January 2009

 

Written by Carrie Golus

This book describes the different types of bullying, including cyber bullying, and offers the reader ways that they can try to prevent it or deal with it. The book contains lots of colors, fonts, styles of illustrations and divisions of content that will make it useful for the younger readers in a junior high.

Review by Althea Bennett, Library Media Specialist, Wasatch Jr. High School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grade 7

Take a Stand: What You Can Do About Bullying
Lerner Publications
64 pages
ISBN: 978-0-8225-7554-2
Release Date: September 2008
 

Written by Emily Sohn, Illustrated by Cynthia Martin and Barbara Schulz

This book follows the path of food through the digestive system. It is a graphic novel which children will really enjoy. There is a lot of good information, given in a great way.

Review by Debbie Woolsey, Library Media Assistant, Westbrook Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 5-8

Journey Through the Digestive System with Max Axiom, Super Scientist
32 pages
ISBN: 978-1-4296-2336-0
Release Date: January 2009  

Written by Anne Sibley O'Brien, Illustrated by Perry Edward O'Brien

The authors trace the non-violent movement, as epitomized by Mohandas Gandhi, and highlight the worldwide history of nonviolent resistance. There are portraits, pictorial and biographical, of several people such as Rosa Parks, Nelson Mandela, and Vaclev Havel. This was a very interesting book to read and I think it could fit in a class where students learn about how to solve their own individual problems nonviolently by showing them how it can work on a larger scale.

Curriculum Ties: Conflict Resolution in Teen Health classes

Review by Althea Bennett, Library Media Specialist, Wasatch Jr. High School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 7-10

After Gandhi: One Hundred Years of Nonviolent Resistance
Charlesbridge Publishing
181 pages
ISBN: 978-1-58089-129-5
Release Date: February 2009  

Written by Allegra Goodman

Honor and her parents have been assigned to live on Island 365. Everything is controlled, including the weather. Everything is predictable, everyone fits in except for Honor. Honor and her friend Helix uncover a terrible secret about the island. The people that don't fit in disappear and they never come back!

Review by Cindy Moyle, Granite District Media Specialist
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grade 7+

The Other Side of the Island
Razorbill
279 pages
ISBN: 978-1-59514-195-8
Release Date: September 2008

 

Written by Laurie Friedman, Illustrated by Jennifer Kalis

Mallory goes on a class field trip to Washington D.C. and this book is a journal of her trip.
The book was very fun, written from a child's point of view. Fun little captions are interjected throughout the book along with lingo that kids would love.

Review by Laura Schmidt, Library Media Assistant, Fox Hills Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 3-4

Red, White, and True Blue Mallory
Lerner Publishing Group
183 pages
ISBN: 978-0-8225-8882-5
Release Date: April 2009
 

Written by Emma Clayton

Mika and Ellie are twins recently separated by Mal Gorman, the overlord of the Youth Development Project.  Everyone has been told she is dead, but Mika knows she is not.  Gorman has a diabolical plan to exploit Mika and Ellie and other mutant children born thirty years after the Animal Plague. The Plague has forced the earth's population into the top third of the world, surrounded by a monstrous wall. Mika and Ellie must find each other and save the thousands of other 12 and 13-year olds from being used as soldiers in a future war.

This book may remind you of Ender's Game, but it has its own identity because of the characters and plot turns.

I liked the book a lot and it surprised me many times. It read very quickly and kept my attention the entire time.

Curriculum Ties: Science Fiction, future studies, problem solving

Review by Linda Douglas, English Teacher, Cyprus High School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 7-12

The Roar
Chicken House / Scholastic
481 pages
ISBN: 978-0-439-92593-8
Release Date: April 2009
 

Written by Clive Gifford

From start to finish, a great book about competitive swimming. The reader is made aware of the essential training and equipment needed to get started. Each stroke is analyzed with text and colored illustrations. Common faults are explained and factual tidbits of interesting information are highlighted. This book has a glossary, index, and web site information.

Review by Dayanne Coombs, Library Secretary, Granite Peaks High School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 4-8

Swimming (Personal Best)
PowerKids Press
32 pages
ISBN: 978-1-40424-443-6
Release Date: September 2008  

Written by Howard Whitehouse, Illustrated by Bill Slavin

This is the third installment in the series of "the strictest School in the World." This new adventure takes place at the home of Emmaline Cyley and her family. We are introduced to a newly adopted family member, the ferocious Princess Purnah of chiligrit who attended the terrible school for girls with Emmaline. They are going on a 'holiday' traipsing across Scotland, having hilarious misadventures with pirates, a robot called Angus and are forced to help lunatic inventors with even more lunatic inventions. This fun-filled adventure is illustrated with great pen and ink drawings. A great read-aloud book for the elementary student.

Review by Dayanne Coombs, Library Secretary, Granite Peaks High School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 3-6

The Island of Mad Scientists
Kids Can Press
262 pages
ISBN: 978-1-55453-236-0
Release Date: September 2008
 

Written by Michael Carroll

This was a good, quick read and I found it interesting. It is a well written sci-fi book and has a good plot with plenty of twists and suspense.  I would recommend this book to anyone who likes sci fi books.

Reviewed by a student at Cyprus High School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Young Adults / High School

The Gathering (Quantum Prophecy, Book 2)
Puffin / Penguin
279 pages
ISBN: 978-0-14-241339-5
Release Date: April 2009 (paperback)  

Poems Selected by Paul B. Janeczko, Illustrated by Chris Raschka

This book is a third in a series of books that are composed of poems selected by Paul Janeczko, the others being "A Poke in the I" and "A Kick in the Head." It is divided into sections by the type of poetry: ie. one person, sharing, tongue twisters, group poetry, bilingual, etc. This is a great book to be shared in the classroom.

Review by Sandy Brigman, Library Media Assistant, Robert Frost Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades K-6

A Foot in the Mouth: Poems to Speak, Sing, and Shout
Candlewick Press
61 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7636-0663-3
Release Date: March 2009  

Written by Eric Stevens, Illustrated by Gregg Schigiel and Lee Loughridge

Billionaire Bruce Wayne is asked to support a new top secret weapon. When the weapon is stolen during a demonstration, it is up to Batman to recover the stolen hardware before his enemies do too much harm. This book is a classic comic book story told in chapter book format with nearly every other page being a colorful comic book illustration. I think students will love the look and format of this book and the story is fun too.  I am going to checkout the new Super Heroes series being offered by Stone Arch.

Review by Keri Crane, Library Media Assistant, Moss Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 3-8

The Revenge of Clayface (Batman)
Stone Arch / Capstone Press
50 pages
ISBN: 978-1-4342-1149-1
Release Date: January 2009  

Written by P. J. Haarsma

On their way to Orbis 3, the ship that Johnny Turnbull and his friends are on is attacked by wormhole pirates. This marks the beginning of Johnny's adventures on Orbis 3, where one of the wormhole pirates is looking for him. This makes an exiting read for anyone, and is the third in The Softwire series.

Reviewed by a student Cyprus High School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: High School

Wormhole Pirates on Orbis 3 (The Softwire, #3)
Candlewick Press
378 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7636-2711-9
Release Date: April 2009



 

Written by Dori Chaconas, Illlustrated by Lisa McCue

This was a cute book about a muskrat and possum that were friends, but one had lost a treasured stone, and the other had found it. Cute read!

Review by Lori Draney, Library Media Assistant, David Gourley Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades K-2

Cork and Fuzz: Finders Keepers
Viking / Penguin
32 pages
ISBN: 978-0-670-01113-1
Release Date: February 2009






 

Written by Neil Gaiman, Illustrated by Dave Mckean

Disclaimer: I found this book a somewhat surprising choice for the Newbery medal, which is one of the reasons I chose to read it.  I tend to seek out the unknown and route for the underdog, which may have colored my reading of this book, as it and its author were already quite popular and hyped before even winning the award. 

I listened to and enjoyed the audio recording of the majority of this book.  However, reading the closing third without the audio, I began to be obsessed with the unanswered questions that began to pile up in my mind (the vague motivations behind the Jacks and their murder of Nobody’s family being just the foremost head-scratcher).  I have to wonder to what extent the charisma of Gaiman’s reading performance caused me to overlook the actual words of the book as I listened to the opening chapters.

That being said, the world Gaiman has created is fascinating and includes some incredible details.  Honestly, this book had a remarkably familiar feeling to it from the outset, and seems to draw upon and mash-up elements of children’s literary works both old and new, sometimes with subtlety and sometimes too obviously.  I am tempted to re-read this book to see if my prejudice caused me to miss something, or unfairly dismiss what may be clever allusions to other works as unoriginal borrowing.  In particular I am tempted to read Kipling’s Jungle Book (a book that’s been on my to-read list for a long time anyway; the Disney cartoon just isn’t going to cut it) to see if it brings any additional resonance to this book.  Shared roots in British folklore could also account for many similarities between this and other books.

All in all, there is much of mystery, magic, character and humor in this book , and I’m sure that many young readers will be able to overlook the supposed shortcomings that I felt a need to notice in my vain attempt to humble it.

Review by Josh Whiting, Library Media/Instructional Technology, Granite School District
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 4+

The Graveyard Book
HarperCollins
312 pages
ISBN: 978-0-06-053092-1
Release Date: September 2008
Winner of the 2009 Newbery Medal  

Written by Charlotte Agell

Adrian is a fifteen year old living in a very changed time. His father disappeared years ago and his mother is off working on some top-secret project. The government and religion have mixed and life in our country is rapidly changing. Adrian and his sister decide to join an expedition to save some penguins and the adventure proves to be more than they expected.

This is a gripping and captivating story. It is well-written, with characters that are formed quickly and fantastic descriptions of the setting. I would classify this as sci-fi, but it also has a futuristic fantasy feel to it. It may give food for thought to all those that spend a lot of time gaming and living in virtual worlds. The story did feel a bit rushed at the end, but did really pull the reader in.

Curriculum Ties: This would provide for great discussions on why government and religion should not be mixed.  You could also use it in a sociology class to discuss the effects that technology has had on society.

Review by Cindy Dunn, Library Media Specialist, Olympus High School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 6-12

Shift
Henry Holt
230 pages
ISBN: 978-0-8050-7810-7
Release Date: September 2008  

Written by Barry Lyga

Kross, or Kevin Ross, is making it into all the headlines. It all begins when he became a hero for saving Leah from a murder and rapist.  Kross gets all kinds of recognition and awards for his heroic act. His father, a military man, encourages him to get rid of all the ribbon and awards because that is not what being a hero is about.  Unfortunately that is caught by the media as well. It doesn’t turn out in Kross’ favor.

This story will make readers contemplate what is meant by real heroism and patriotism. This would be a great book to use for literature circles because it provides for great discussions. The author does a great job of not letting the story become or feel too political.

Review by Cindy Dunn, Library Media Specialist, Olympus High School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 7-12

Hero Type
Houghton Mifflin
304 pages
ISBN: 978-0-547-07663-8
Release Date: September 2008  

Written by Heather Tomlinson

A group of four friends, including a princess, a drac, a boy and a girl are given the gift of sight by the drac. They are able to see the Fae (fairies and the like). But they are never to let anyone know. When Netta recognizes another drac, she is blinded because the drac says a mortal should not be allowed to see him.  The boy, Garin, returns to his own country, where his own family is being ruined by the Inglis family. The princess, Aurelie, is sent there on a mission to try to negotiate a peace treaty. Through trickery, the negotiations are halted and princess Aurelie returns unsucessful.   Through twists and turns the four finally get back together and try to work out a solution. There is intrigue, a battle and lots of magical creatures.  The book has a slow start and then is quite interesting. Each of the characters have chapters where they tell the story from their point of view.

Review by Fay Mason, Library Media Specialist, Churchill Jr. High School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 5-8

Aurelie: A Faerie Tale
Henry Holt
184 pages
ISBN: 978-0-8050-8276-0
Release Date: September 2008  

Written by Tucker Shaw

This book talks about five girls: Mary, Sylvia, Amber, Crystal, and Peggy. Mary is a rich girl but not the snotty kind, a good friend, and beautiful. Sylvia is a rich girl but the opposite of Mary; she is nasty, mean, and likes to hear good gossip. Amber is the barista at at the hottest coffee shop and likes to hear and spread gossip. Crystal works at Mod Jeans and has a thing with Mary's boyfriend. Peggy is Mary's best friend and has no idea how to deal with all these girls.

This book talks about backstabbing, cheating, and whole lot of deceit.  When the girls come back from winter break, Peggy hears a rumor about Mary's "perfect" boyfriend. It is said that Stephen is cheating on her with a girl that works at Mod Jeans and is a townie named Crystal. Of course, Sylvia is the one getting the scoop from Amber knowing that Peggy is near enough to hear. When Peggy can't handle it any longer, she runs out and heads to her room. When she sees Mary, she doesn't know what to do; should she tell or not tell? She is really confused and decides to wait until she knows for sure that the rumor is real and not a lie. Sylvia on the other hand decides to take action and tells Mary. Mary can't believe it and starts to find out the truth. Peggy is stuck in the middle with all of the mess. At the end, you discover there are many problems going on and the truth comes out.

In conclusion, this book had everything; drama, mystery, and a couple of fights. I liked this book because it showed friendship, honesty, and also that a rumor has a little truth to it. It also showed that there is no such thing as a perfect boyfriend or girlfriend.

Reviewed by a student, West Lake Jr. High School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 9+

Girls
Amulet / Abrams
204 pages
ISBN: 978-0-8109-8348-9
Release Date: April 2009  

Written by Charles R. Smith, Jr.

This book is a guy book, really.  It has some great insight on a lot of things.  It makes you think about life and how guys think. It was weird when it talked about guy things, but other than that it's about this guy whose name is Shawn Jr.  He is going though changes and choices in his life.  He hangs out with his friends; they play basketball everyday. He has three houses where he "lives."  First he lives with his mother and during the day he goes to his aunt (she's a drunk), then on some weekends when he can he goes to his dad's.  This story is all about change as he goes from one thing to another.

Review by a student at Cyprus High School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Junior High / High School

Chameleon
Candlewick Press
377 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7636-3085-0
Release Date: September 2008

 

Written by A.R. Schaefer

If you like fast cars this is a book for you. This book tells all about the history of the Maserati car. There is a great time line that shows the development and change in the car's design over time. This particular book is a bilingual book in both English and Spanish. The way they separate the English version and Spanish version is a little confusing. I really liked the that vocabulary words were printed in light blue and then defined right on the page down at the bottom.

Review by Michelle Asay, Granite District Media Specialist
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 3-4
Bilingual: English / Spanish

Maserati
Capstone Press
32 pages
ISBN: 978-1-42963-270-6
Release Date: January 2009  

Written by Susan Blackaby, Illustrated by Susan DeSantis

Water Wise is a fiction book published by Picture Window Books and, as always, it is a great early reader about why we need to take care of dripping water faucets. This book also mentions the water cycle and how it works. For an easy reader informational book it is a great book.

Review by Michelle Asay, Granite District Media Specialist
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 1-3

Water Wise
Picture Window / Capstone Press
32 pages
ISBN: 978-1-4048-5260-0
Release Date: January 2009  

Written by Linda Bailey, Illustrated by Bill Slavin

Stanley’s Beauty Contest is a story about a dog whose people enter him in the neighborhood dog show. The only problem is they forget to feed Stanley breakfast before they leave the house, and when the prizes are fresh-baked dog biscuits, you know trouble awaits. This is a cute story with great illustrations.

Review by Vala'dee Tanner, Library Media Assistant, Rosecrest Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades K-3

Stanley's Beauty Contest
Kids Can Press
32 pages
ISBN: 978-1-55453-318-3
Release Date: February 2009
 

Written by Kirstin Levine

This book talks about a 12 year old boy name Dit who lives in Moundville, Alabama in 1917.  When the town's postman leaves, a new postman comes.  Dit is excited because he had heard that the new postman has a 12 year old son. When the train arrives with the new postman, everyone is excited and decides to wait to see him and his family.  The first person to come out is a 12 year old girl.  Dit is shocked because he thought a boy was going to come not a girl. But he wasn't the only one who was shocked; turns out nobody in town thought that the new postman was going to be colored.
During their stay Dit befriends Emma ( the postman's daughter) and her family. He doesn't understand though why some people treat her bad and also call him names because he hangs out with a colored girl. Their friendship is challenged in many ways and leads them to save a condemned man. This book talks about friendship, honesty, prejudice, and trust. Anyone who likes to read about country life or wants to know more about how colored people were treated will appreciate this book.

Reviewed by a Student, West Lake Jr. High School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 7+

The Best Bad Luck I Ever Had
Putnam / Penguin
266 pages
ISBN: 978-0-399-25090-3
Release Date: January 2009  

Written by Ann Burg

I really kind of liked this book.  It was a book about a half-Vietnamese and half-American child who was born during the Vietnam War, whose mother had forced him (out of love) to leave with some American soldiers for a better life. The kid doesn't remember much about Vietnam, I'm sure because he blocked it out, but his american parents encourage him to start talking.  By taking him to a Vietnam Vets club he starts talking and overcomes the adversity in his town.  Apparently he feels responsible for his birth brother's crippling, which is too bad; no matter what he does that seems to hold him back.

Reviewed by a student at Cyprus High School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: High School

All the Broken Pieces
Scholastic
219 pages
ISBN: 978-0-545-08092-7
Release Date: April 2009  

Written and Illustrated by David Lucas

A broken down robot that is thrown in the dump is visited by a tired bird trying to fly south for the winter. The robot lets him rest inside his chest and the robot feels like he is alive again. The bird is too tired to fly south so the robot takes him. This is a cute, sweet story that children of all ages will like.

Review by Susan Wilkerson, Library Media Assistant, Beehive Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades K-6

The Robot and the Bluebird
Farrar, Straus and Giroux
26 pages
ISBN: 978-0-374-36330-7
Release Date: October 2008  

Written by Michelle Knudsen

An apprentice mage and a young princess become fast friends as the princess keeps a secret too big for her to handle.  Together, they strengthen each other and face challenges neither of them ever expected.

This book has everything you could want in a fantasy story: mythical creatures, romance, magic, betrayal, heartbreak, friendship and unexpected turns. I couldn't and didn't want to put it down. I recommend it to any fantasy fan who is looking for a fast paced, interesting novel.

Reviewed by a student, Cyprus High School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 4-8

The Dragon of Trelian
Candlewick Press
407 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7636-3455-1
Release Date: April 2009
 

Written by Tanya Lee Stone

This book is very interesting. I really liked how it told about all sorts of tests that astronauts go through. I think the 13 women in this story are amazing. This a great book to read.

Reviewed by a student at West Lake Jr. High
Rating: ★★★★½

This is a very inspiring book about the courage to break new ground. Interesting look at the time and how women were treated. This book describes what was happening in the space program and shows the courage of these women to open new doors for women in the future to be able to go into space.

Review by Jean Hagen, Library Media Specialist, West Lake Jr. High
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades 7-12

Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream
Candlewick Press
115 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7636-3611-1
Release Date: February 2009  

Written by Roald Dahl, Illustrated by Quentin Blake

This is a cute story that is quick and easy. There is a little girl who has a magical finger. She puts a spell on her teacher and turns her into a cat. Her neighbors are hunting ducks and she does not like that so she puts a spell on them. A lesson is learned by all.

Review by Nancy Jenkins, Librarian, William Penn Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩ 
Interest Level: Grades 3-6

The Magic Finger
Puffin / Penguin Group
63 pages
ISBN: 978-0-14-241385-2
Release Date: January 2009 (reprint)



 

Written by Rachel Wright

Lauren Cracknell finds herself in trouble with the school Bully, Tonya Ravonia. An e-mail was accidently sent to a number of students when she thought it would be sent only to her friend Dex. She is trying to avoid Tonya to escape her retribution.  Someone breaks into her room and tries to steal items. She first suspects Tonya. Then she suspects her mother is dating one of her teachers. They find a note that someone is blackmailing.  They think the lady works with her mother. The evidence leads her to believe that the teacher is involved that she thinks is dating her mother. This story has lots of shifts in the mystery.

Review by Todd Francis, Library Media Teacher, Jefferson Jr. High
Rating: ★★★★✩ 
Interest Level: Grades 5-8

You've Got Blackmail
Putnam / Penguin Group
194 pages
Release Date: April 2009  

Written by Nancy Viau

This is an entertaining book. In a humorous and interesting way many facts about things in the earth are learned. There is also a good lesson on controlling your temper and how to get along better. There are good insights about the beauty of the Grand Canyon. It is an enjoyable book.

Review by S. Hiskey, William Penn Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩ 
Interest Level: Grades 3-6

Samantha Hansen Has Rocks in Her Head
Amulet / Harry N. Abrams
178 pages
ISBN: 978-0-8109-7299-5
Release Date: Sep 2008


 

Written by Sarah Harrison

I like how there are things that the reader has to look for.  It teaches them facts about the zoo and what happens there.

Review by Nancy Jenkins, Librarian, William Penn Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩ 
Interest Level: Grades K-3

A Day at a Zoo
Millbrook Press / Lerner Publishing Group
24 pages
ISBN: 978-1-58013-554-2
Release Date: Sep 2008
 

Written by Phyllis Root, Illustrated Jill Barton

When Poppa and the children try to go to the lake, everything goes wrong with their car. Showing creativity, they are able to finally reach their destination. Ms. Root never disappoints us. Early grades will enjoy this Big Book and I am delighted to have it for our story time. Children can help read the book, as it is additive and easy to follow.

Review by Kathy Loewy, Librarian, Twin Peaks Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩ 
Interest Level: Grades Pre-K through 2

Rattletrap Car
Candlewick Press
33 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7636-4139-9
Release Date: Jun 2009 (Big Book reprint)  

Written by Helen Lester, Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger

A delightful new "Tacky" book. Going to camp has never been this much fun. The story has a "turn" at the end that's enjoyable. A great read aloud! The timing on receiving this book could not have better! A great spring or fall book when kids have been to camp or are anticipating going away to camp.

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

Tacky Goes to Camp
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
32 pages
ISBN: 978-0-618-98812-9
Release Date: May 2009
 

Written and Illustrated by Andy Rash

When you get a saddle for your birthday and you have no clue what a horse is, there's a problem. Roy solves this dilemma in a clever way. The twist at the end of the story is rather fun. Classes will love this story. 

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

Are You a Horse?
Arthur A. Levine / Scholastic Inc. 
32 pages
ISBN: 978-0-439-72417-3
Release Date: Mar 2009

 

Written by Marcia Williams

Flossie Albright is a sister book to Archie's War. It is told in a diary/scrapbook format. She writes about her feelings about her father going off to fight the war, while she lives in the countryside.

Flossie's thoughts and experiences give an interesting view of World War II in England. The author uses illustrations, snapshots and paper craft (fold-outs) around the written entries. The book is interesting, but quite long. Much of it is written in cursive, so it takes a bit more effort to read.

Review by Kay Thomas, Librarian, Eastwood Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩ 
Interest Level: Grades 3-6

My Secret War Diary, by Flossie Albright
Candlewick Press
142 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7636-4111-5
Release Date: Nov 2008

 

Written by Joyce Dunbar, Illustrated by Patrick Benson

A Lostlet, a Stragelet, and an Oddlet wonder who they are, what they are and what they wish. When an even stranger, odder, and more lost boy arrives, they all find the answers they are seeking.  Very sweet little story. Great illustrations.

Review by Terrie Bishop, Librarian, Academy Park Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩ 
Interest Level: Grades PreK-3

Oddly
Candlewick Press
32 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7636-4274-7
Release Date: May 2009  

Written by Joan Horton, Illustrated by Kyrsten Brooker

A girl struggles to learn her multiplication facts until her brain explodes. A novel approach to something many of us have struggled to learn. This would be a really fun book to add to your library, if you have funds or need a math book.

Review by Kathy Loewy
Rating: ★★★★✩ 
Interest Level: Grades K-3

Math Attack!
Farrar, Straus and Giroux
32 pages
ISBN: 978-0-374-34861-8
Release Date: Mar 2009

 

Written by Josh Lerman, Illustrated by Greg Clarke

Big Sister teachers little brother how to get what he wants by the things she has learned growing up. I read it to sixth graders and they like it.

Review by Stefanie Meier, Librarian, Valley Crest Elementary
Rating: ★★★★✩ 
Interest Level: Grades 3-6

How to Raise Mom & Dad
Dutton / Penguin
30 pages
ISBN: 978-0-525-47870-6
Release Date: Mar 2009

 

Written by Diane deGroat

Gilbert and Lola are going to the beach with their parents, but Gilbert forgets his bathing suit. He talks his mother into buying one too big for him. The loss of his suit while he is in the water is inevitable. A fun beginning book. Diane deGroat is always a good choice if you need a chapter book!

Review by Kathy Loewy, Librarian, Twin Peaks Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩
Interest Level: Grades K-2

Gilbert, the Surfer Dude
HarperCollins
32 pages
ISBN: 978-0-06-125211-2
Release Date: April 2009  

Written by Kevin Crossley-Holland

Crossing to Paradise is a companion book to Crossley-Holland’s Arthur trilogy. Gatty, a supporting and beloved friend of Arthur, is chosen to accompany Lady Gwyneth and seven others on a pilgrimage from Wales to Jerusalem. Gatty is an unlearned and unrefined peasant girl but she is full of spunk and spirit and possesses a beautiful singing voice. The other members of the pilgrimage find her both exasperating and endearing. The details of medieval life are vividly portrayed as they travel from Wales to London, France, Venice and Jerusalem. The journey is rife with danger and the travelers come to appreciate and depend on Gatty’s courage to survive. Not all on the pilgrimage survive, and Gatty’s return and reunion with Arthur is a satisfying conclusion. This coming of age story will appeal to girls looking for adventure and romance. The current problems of the Middle East are more clearly understood as the reader sees the clash of the Christian and Saracen cultures during the time of the Crusades through the eyes of Gatty on her two-year pilgrimage.

Review by Carol Burmester, Library Media Specialist, Evergreen Jr. High School
Rating: ★★★★✩ 
Interest Level: Grades 7-9

Crossing to Paradise
Arthur A. Levine / Scholastic
339 pages
ISBN: 978-0-545-05866-7
Release Date: Sep 2008  

Written by Kathryn Lasky, Pictures by Ora Eitan

A picture book of a day in the desert for Georgia O'Keeffe in her later years. Touches on the artistic perspectives of how O'Keeffe thought and was inspired. This would be a great picture book to share with students as they study the artist and her methods.

Curriculum Ties: Meet the Masters

Review by Julie Johnsson, Librarian, Oakwood Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩ 
Interest Level: Grades K-6

Georgia Rises: A Day in the Life of Georgia O'Keefe
Farrar, Straus and Giroux
34 pages
ISBN: 978-0-374-32529-9
Release Date: May 2009  

Written and Illustrated by Robert Crowther

A pop-up book that introduces young readers to a number of inventions found around the house, providing facts about each one.

Review by Julie Johnsson, Librarian, Oakwood Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩ 
Interest Level: Grades 3-6

Pop-Up House of Inventions
Candlewick Press
14 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7636-4253-2
Release Date: Mar 2009  

Written by Phyllis Root, Illustrated by Matthew Cordell

Pierre is all alone and would like some friends. He climbs a mountain to find some on the other side. Alas, there is no one on that side of the mountain. He did find a goat, a sheep, and a bear to help repair his car along the way. A cute story that shows we sometimes miss what's right in front of us. Early grades will enjoy this at story time.

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

Toot Toot Zoom!
Candlewick Press
36 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7636-3452-0
Release Date: Apr 2009
 

Written and Illustrated by Steven Kellogg

An elf, Peterkin, comes across a retired witch, Elbavol.  Peterkin fixes up the witch's bedraggled cottage and in return is given a flute. He turns sadness to happiness whenever he plays the flute, including a city besieged with rats. A beautiful new twist on the Pied Piper, with Kellogg's illustrations as a bonus! You can't go wrong putting this book in your library!

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

The Pied Piper's Magic
Dial / Penguin Group
33 pages
ISBN: 978-0-8037-2818-9
Release Date: Apr 2009
 

Written by James Howe, Illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay

Houndsley likes to row in his canoe. Catina likes to bike. With a little help from each other, they learn to enjoy each other's favorite past time. Chapter books have become very popular in our library. I'm always happy to have a good addition for our shelves! This one is simple, yet effective!

Review by Kathy Loewy, Librarian, Twin Peaks Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩ 
Interest Level: Grades K-2

Houndsley and Catina: Plink and Plunk
Candlewick Press
42 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7636-3385-1
Release Date: Apr 2009


 

Written by Kathryn Lasky, Illustrated by Mitch Vane

Three short stories about Hound and Poodle's friendship. In spite of their differences, the two friends learn they can work together. This short chapter book will be well received by students and teachers. Many class discussions are possible if teachers want to involve students in deeper reading levels and deeper meaning. I can recommend this if you need a new chapter book. 

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

Poodle and Hound
Charlesbridge Publishing
48 pages
ISBN: 978-1-58089-322-0
Release Date: Jul 2009 
 

There are three very brief stories about Max and Ruby, characters from an animated TV show. They are "Grandma's Berry Patch," "Max Cools Off," and "Max's Fireflies." The stories are simple and easy to read.

Review by Karen Manning, Librarian, Lincoln Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩ 
Interest Level: Grades K-2

Sunny Bunny Tales
Grosset & Dunlap / Penguin Group
48 pages
ISBN: 978-0-448-45172-5
Release Date: May 2009
 

Written by Mary Rodgers and Heather Hatch

Hadley thinks getting perfect grades and attendance is the answer to measuring up to her beautiful high school sister. Her empathetic new teacher Ms. Pitt just doesn't understand her. When they switch bodies, they each gain a lot of understanding about each other. A nice book for girls that may be going through self-esteem issues, especially as they enter junior high.  A great book to add to your library shelves!

Review by Kathy Loewy, Library Media Assistant, Twin Peaks Elementary School
Rating:  ★★★★✩ 
Interest Level: Grades 4-6

Freaky Monday
HarperCollins
180 pages
ISBN: 978-0-06-166478-6
Release Date: May 2009  

Written by Laurie Halse Anderson

Middle school is awful for animal loving Maggie, until she enters her science class and finds her teacher, Mr. Carlson, is blind and has a guide dog. Maggie has worked with animals all her life and she and her teacher find a way to help each other adjust to their changing lives. If you have animal loving students you will definitely want to put this book on your shelves! It shows a very positive relationship between a student and a teacher! How often do you see or hear of that these days?

Review by Kathy Loewy, Librarian, Twin Peaks Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩ 
Interest Level: Grades 4-8

Teacher's Pet (Vet Volunteers Series #7)
Puffin / Penguin Group
135 pages
ISBN: 978-0-14-241252-7
Release Date: Apr 2009 
 

Written by Michael Teitelbaum, Illustrated by Ron Zalme

The ice rink is the latest setting from Backyard Sports, which brings their video games to life in a fun story line of team work and determination.  Friendship and competition are rivals for a star hockey player who must decide which team to play on. Hockey player or not, this would be a great fiction book for any sports enthusiasts.

Review by Amy Gerritsen, Library Media Assistant, Stansbury Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩ 
Interest Level: Grades 3-6

Inside Edge (Backyard Sports)
Grosset and Dunlap / Penguin Group
78 pages
ISBN: 978-0-448-44700-1
Release Date: Jan 2009

 

Written by Alison McGhee, Illustrated by Scott Menchin

While preparing for her piano recital she practices really hard, but at the recital she forgets what she practiced and just makes up a song. Everyone loves it.

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

Song of Middle C
Candlewick Press
30 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7636-3013-3
Release Date: May 2009

 

Written and Illustrated by Steven Salerno

When Harry gets hunrgy, watch out. The only thing that stops him from eating is sleeping.

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

Harry Hungry!
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
34 pages
ISBN: 978-0-15-206257-6
Release Date: Feb 2009
 

Written by Kersten Hamilton, Illustrated by R.W. Alley

Shows the reader what police officers do and how they can help us.

Review by Stefanie Meier, Library Media Assistant, Valley Crest Elementary School
Rating: ★★★★✩ 
Interest Level: Grades K-3

Police Officers on Patrol
Viking / Penguin Group
29 pages
ISBN: 978-0-670-06315-4
Release Date: Apr 2009

 

Written by Dian Curtis Regan, Illustrated by Doug Cushman

The Olivers wake up to an unusual baby on their porch. By the time he is a month old, he has graduated college. Cute story about a monster baby.

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

Monster Baby
Clarion / Penguin Group
28 pages
ISBN: 978-0-547-06006-4
Release Date: June 2009