Reviewer: Carol Steen, Columbia Valley Gardens Elementary
Laybourne, Emmy TITLE: Monument 14 RATING: R PUBLISHER: Feiwel and Friends, 2012 PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 978-0-312-56903-7 INTEREST LEVEL: 9 - 12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA PAGES: 294
The Apocalyptic Monument 14 starts out with one hail of a storm (pun intended). One minute Dean is on his way to school chauffeured by an irascible bus driver, and the next a hail storm on steroids creates massive destruction and only the no-nonsense Mrs. Wooly—driver of the elementary school bus—is able to rescue the students. Crashes, explosions, and near-death experiences are enough to daunt the youngsters, but those experiences will be nothing like their world once Mrs. Wooly crashes the bus into the fictional equivalent of a Wal-Mart, shuts the metal gate behind herself, charges them to let no one in, and then goes off to get help. With remarkable resourcefulness, Dean proceeds to become a leader. The young people—ranging in age from elementary to high school—are faced with the necessity of setting up their own microcosm of society. The plot is not outstandingly original. After all, there have been a plethora of books that have melded survival with the end of the world combined with a little Lord of the Flies action thrown in. Some of the characters step up, and their trial by fire refines them. Other characters choose debauchery and the slow, emotional death that accompanies poor decision-making. The story’s appeal is augmented by an ordinary beginning that rapidly descends into a man versus nature versus man conflict with very few down-times. If young readers expect a nice, tidy closure, they won’t be getting it in this tale. The first novel ends with a clear set-up for a sequel.
REVIEWER: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School, http://krusereviews.wordpress.com
Lester, Helen TITLE: All For Me and None For All RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2012 PRICE: $
ISBN: 978-0-547-68834-3 INTEREST LEVEL: K-3rd
ILLUSTRATOR: Munsinger, Lynn PAGES: 30
This was a great book with compelling illustrations! Gruntly the pig is just that……….a real hog! He doesn’t like to share and always takes for himself. When the Parks Department offers a treasure hunt, Gruntly is pleased. As he joins the others, he doesn’t even listen to the entire clue being read before he is off to look. He eventually finds the treasure, but not before everyone else has already found it. Gruntly is touched and pleased that they left his portion of the treasure intact. This is something that he would never have considered doing, but because of their example, he changes and decides to share! This is a great opportunity to teach children about good manners!
This book is designed to encourage children to reach for their dreams and ignore the nay-sayers. The one issue that I have with the books concept is that Diva Duck is striving to be famous and if fame in and of itself is something that can be achieved with hard work and arrogance. The text was haughty and left me feeling cold. The Diva did not make the world a better place, but was self promoting. There are better books out there that help children with self-confidence and strengthen their place in community to betterment of the world around them. The illustrations were digital and cold just like the text. Am I the only one who doesn’t want “a piece of duck?”
REVIEWER: Tyra K. Smith, Head Start/EHS/ECEAP
Lewis, J. Patrick and Yolen, Jane TITLE: Take Two! A Celebration of Twins RATING: M
At 71 pages you really get your money’s worth in this book all about twins. The poems are well done with humor and compassion and really focus on some of the issues that are unique to twins. This book probably will not find its way to our shelves because of the frequent nude or in utero illustrations. These would alert our ever diligent students on the watch for inappropriate pictures.
Rhonda Lowe, Castle Rock Elementary
Lindeen, Mary TITLE: The Story of Corn RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Capstone Press, 2012 PRICE: $15.99
ISBN: 978-1-4296-8641-9 INTEREST LEVEL: K-2nd
ILLUSTRATOR: PAGES: 16
This non-fiction book shares with young reader how corn grows, its place in history, and ways it is used today. Lots of actual photographs help the reader to visualize the information being shared, and there is an extension activity suggested at the back of the book.
Reviewer: Nikki Williams, Castle Rock Elementary
Linenthal, Peter TITLE: Look Look Outside! RATING: R PUBLISHER: Dial Books ã 2012 PRICE: $6.99
ISBN: 978-0-8037-3729-7 INTEREST LEVEL: infants-toddlers ILLUSTRATOR: same PAGES: 18
Look at the negative and positive space designed just for babies. With the black and white and touch of green, this is bound to get your babies attention. The green writing pops from the page and the contrast is perfect for young children. This is a great book for my library teachers are bound to use this to extend learning in the inspiration of art for toddlers and paint play.
REVIEWER: Tyra K. Smith, Head Start/EHS/ECEAP
Lord, Michelle TITLE: The Quick Quarterback RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Stone Arch Books, 2012 PRICE: $17.49
ISBN: 978-1-4342-3281-6 INTEREST LEVEL: 1st-3rd
ILLUSTRATOR: Harpster, Steve PAGES: 32
Introducing kids to graphic novels using a story about football is the purpose of this book. Before the story begins, the reader receives a quick lesson on how to go about reading a graphic novel. After the story, there are several extension activity suggestions. The illustrations are bright and focused! In this book, Andre is excited to be on the football team. An unfortunate accident keeps him away for several weeks, and then he must regain his strength and flexibility in order to play the game. An unexpected training regime helps him overcome some of his limitations from the accident.
Reviewer: Nikki Williams, Castle Rock Elementary
Losure, Mary TITLE: The fairy ring, or Elsie and Frances fool the world RATING: A PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press, 2012 PRICE: $16.99
I am your reader and you are my author. What a sweet author you are, too! This book has heart and it is a beautiful heart. The teacher in me sang for joy and the words “I am your calm you are my thunder.” How many times have I been that over the years and how many times have I failed at doing that in my home. The simplicity of the writing is leads to a quiet read aloud and sense of relationship once the story is finished. At the end of the book I called them all my wonders and I think I will keep that up. This book could be used in so many ways in the classroom. The illustrations are sweet and all of the characters look like homemade stuff animals so precious.
REVIEWER: Tyra K. Smith, Head Start/EHS/ECEAP
Low, William TITLE: Machines Go to Work in the City RATING R
PUBLISHER: Henry Holt PRICE: $ 16.99
ISBN: 978-0-8050-9050-5 INTEREST LEVEL: ILLUSTRATOR: William Low PAGES: NA
This book talks about various machines that work together helping everyone in a city, such as a garbage truck, vacumn truck, bucket truck, airplane, etc. In the end of the book It shows each machine and gives a brief description of what they do.
REVIEWER: Tracy Robinson, Kessler Elementary
Lusted, Marcia Amidon TITLE: APPLE RATING: R
PUBLISHER: ABDO Publishing 2012 PRICE: $25.00
ISBN: 9781617833311 INTEREST: 10-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA PAGES: 112
Apple, a company that has introduced cutting edge technology to the world was founded by a man who struggled in a normal school setting and dropped out of college his freshman year. Steve Wozniak was the brains behind building the computers and Steve Jobs saw them as a money maker. Apple grew out of “Homebrew Computer Club” started in Menlo, California, on March 5, 1975. Apple Computer became the official name on April 1, 1976. Now, they needed to find customers to sell their circuit boards to for $50. Steve Jobs resigned from Apple on September 17, 1985, because of conflicts with the new CEO. He returned on September 16, 1997, as the permanent CEO. Apple continues to grow and introduce new products to keep up with the demand from its customers. Steve Jobs resigned from Apple in August 2011, due to poor health. He passed away October of that year.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Lyon, George Ella TITLE: Holding on to Zoe RATING: A PUBLISHER: Farrar Straus Giroux, 2012 PRICE: $17.99
ISBN: 978-0-374-33264-8 INTEREST LEVEL: 9 - 12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA PAGES: 166
How far will the mind go to protect the body? In Jules’ case, it will go as far as it needs to in order to protect her baby, Zoe. At sixteen, Jules knows she is too young to be a mother. She sees how hard her own mother—raising Jules on her own—must go in order to keep food on the table and a roof over their heads. When Jules discovers that her liaison with her “boyfriend” has ended in pregnancy, she makes the decision to keep her baby regardless of how difficult the consequences of that decision may be. When a trip to the doctor’s office reveals that Jules’ pregnancy is an ectopic pregnancy, Jules determines that she will keep her baby safe through the sheer force of her will. Jules doesn’t remember much about the delivery, but she does name the baby “Zoe,” and finds a job at a Toyota factory that has employee housing and a day care. She misses her own mother, but she is determined to do whatever it takes to keep Zoe safe and loved. When she quits the Toyota factory, Jules is mystified at her best friends’ determination not to see Zoe and her own mother’s seeming inability to accept Zoe’s presence. When Jules finally has a breakdown, she begins to get help from a woman who, little by little, counsels Jules back to reality. The prose is sparsely written, and the emotions of the characters are genuinely raw interspersed with a common thread of deep love—even amidst the exhaustion that Jules’ mother endures and that Jules’ endures vicariously during her fantasy life in the Toyota factory, which readers eventually discover is a mental institution. Zoe is a figment of Jules’ imagination, constructed in an effort to protect her from the memories of being sexually abused when she was much younger. The story is convincing and will be compelling to young women who are drawn to books about teen mothers and mental illness. While the thinness of the book may be enticing to more reluctant readers, Jules’ breaks with reality may prove challenging for less sophisticated or patient consumers.
REVIEWER: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School, http://krusereviews.wordpress.com
Mack, Jeff TITLE: Good News Bad News RATING: R PUBLISHER: Chronicle Books ã 2012 PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 978-1-45521-0110-1 INTEREST LEVEL: Pre-K-K ILLUSTRATOR: same PAGES: 28
The only words you need to be able to read are “Good News, Bad News.” However, the illustrations are the star in this book. How do you view the world? Is it through the lens of an optimism or pessimism? Rabbit and mouse define their personalities through their illustrated experiences. Is it good news…or is it bad news. Well…yes I am going to type the age-old saying “It all depends on your point of view.”
This book is for youngsters with a love of football! Filled with facts about football rules, safety, and equipment, this book shares the basic fundamentals of one of America’s most beloved sports. Colorful illustrations and bilingual text will help second language learners comprehend the information, as well as a glossary in the back. Perfect for those with a love of sports!
REVIEWER: Rachel Kerker, St. Helens Elementary
Malaspina, Ann TITLE: Heart on Fire, Susan B. Anthony Votes for President RATING: R
This is a simple biography using free verse that clearly underscores the sentiment of the time towards the rights of women. It portrays Susan B. Anthony’s determination as well as her bravery in exercising her right to vote. I feel that this book can be the prompt for classroom discussions on many and varied topics.
Reviewer: Rhonda Lowe, Castle Rock Elementary
Maning, Maurie TITLE: Laundry Day RATING R
PUBLISHER: Clarion Books PRICE: $
ISBN: 978-0-547-24196-8 INTEREST LEVEL: K-2nd
ILLUSTRATOR Maning, Maurie PAGES: NA
This picture has beautiful pictures and can tell a story without hardly any words. A young boy finds a red blanket and travels all over the city trying to find out who the blanket belongs to. He finally finds the owner She thanks him but then gives the boy the blanket for himself.
REVIEWER: Tracy Robinson, Kessler Elementary
Manning, Jane TITLE: Millie Fierce RATING: R PUBLISHER: Philomel Books ã 2012 PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 978-0-399-25642-4 INTEREST LEVEL: Pre-K-2nd ILLUSTRATOR: same PAGES: 29
All the wallflowers stand up and be identified! Yeah right! Millie the wallflower had her chalk flower trampled by a number of girls who didn’t even notice. She had it, so instead of a wallflower she becomes MILLIE the FIERCE! She compels you to give her attention through outright determination until her antics begin to exclude her from the group. Everyone then begins to purposely ignore her behavior. Finally she does the unspeakable act of taking the birthday boy’s piece of cake for herself and she becomes the outcast of the class. Her shame compels her to turn back into Millie once again. The illustrations are a perfect fit and Millie’s hair is it’s own character. Must read for all your children, but especially for your wallflowers and your ferrous beasts that are in your classroom. However, the last page is most apropos because we can never give up the little goddess that cries to be noticed, but we learn to control her and lead her to compassion.
REVIEWER: Tyra K. Smith, Head Start/EHS/ECEAP
Marillier, Juliet TITLE: Shadowfell RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Knopf/Random, 2012 PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 978-0375869549 INTEREST: 6 up
ILLUSTRATOR: PAGES: 410
Neryn and her father are constantly on the move, hoping that the King and his soldiers don’t find her, because she has a special ability that few have, the ability to call the fey. When her father is enticed by the gambling on a river boat, and when he loses all their money, puts his daughter up for the bet. When he loses, a stranger, Flint, buys her for three silver pieces. On the trail afterward, the soldiers arrive, burning the boat and killing townspeople. Neryn wants to help her father, but knows it is useless. Even though Flint tells her he is not interested in her, she decides to take off on her own and try to get to Shadowfell, where it is rumored a rebel force is growing. Her path keeps intersecting that of Flint, who comes after her, rescuing her at several points. She keeps her ability to see the fey from him since she isn’t sure he can be trusted. He seems to be hiding something, but then so is she. Politics, romance, intrigue and fey, with a protagonist who isn’t sure who to trust except herself make for a satisfying first book in a new series. There is a flavor of Tamora Pierce about Marillier’s book, so direct those readers to this one.
This bilingual read teaches youngsters about classifying money and challenges them to come up with different ways to sort a set of items. This is an important math skill that is taught throughout and accentuated by photographs of coins and different groupings of money. The use of Spanish and English will aid in the comprehension of second language learners and help readers identify different coins and bills.
REVIEWER: Rachel Kerker, St. Helens Elementary
Mass, Wendy TITLE: Beauty and the Beast RATING: R PUBLISHER: Scholastic Press PRICE: $16.99
This is a story of Beauty and the Beast that has never been heard before. Beauty, in this story, is not beautiful, graceful or even stylish. She likes to read and search for different items that people have dropped or lost. Beauty has a large nose, likes to wear pants and has an older sister who is stunning, graceful, and almost perfect! The Beast in the story is actually a prince named Riley who was turned into several different kinds of animals by a witch. Although Riley is the prince, he doesn’t act like one. He would rather play the bagpipes, study the stars, and do all kinds of experiments with different chemicals. Riley is trying to invent the Forever Young potion. Riley has an older brother who would make a better prince. Since Riley was turned into the Beast and his family became invisible, he must find someone who loves him or the curse will be with him and his family forever. Beauty’s life is suddenly turned upside down by a fire and her father’s bad fortune. When she travels to the castle to meet the Beast she is treated like a princess, much to her surprise. Beauty thought she would be a servant. After meeting the Beast and getting to know him, Beauty finds herself caring for him and the Beast cares for her. Together they trick the witch and free the witch’s kingdom and everyone lives happily ever after.
Boo was a young ghost. He finally was old enough to stay up late and go exploring with the other ghosts. When he came home he was too excited to go to bed. Momma ghost had him lay down and listen to all the sounds he heard in the house, and then he fell asleep. Good bedtime story, the ghosts are not scary, and the illustrations are beautiful.
REVIEWER: Tracy Robinson, Kessler Elementary
McCaughrean, Geraldine TITLE: Nutcracker RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Chronicle @ 2012 PRICE: 19.99
ISBN: 9781452106694 INTEREST LEVEL: Kdg
ILLUSTRATOR: Kristina Swarner PAGES: UNP
This version of Nutcracker would not be considered a pop-up but a coming together of images on a stage. Ms. Swarner uses linoleum prints, watercolor and colored pencils to reach her desired creations. Her intricately cut figures, that travel back and forth across the page, deserve a standing ovation. Not meant to be a library book; this rendition makes an excellent Christmas gift or a librarian’s favorite to share with students over the holidays. The text is well-written.
