This is a wonderful analogy book It has you decide what goes with what. For example Bat is to ball as hockey stick is to? Then it gives three choices and you are to choose which answer is correct. This is a great way to learn analogies, and to have students come up with their own.
REVIEWER: Tracy Robinson, Kessler Elementary
McDaniel, Lurlene TITLE: Red Heart Tattoo RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Delacorte Press 2012 PRICE: $16.00
ISBN: 9780385734622 INTEREST: 9-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA PAGES: 216
This could be the scenario at many high schools. Students at the top of the “social chain” having no desire to communicate with those out of their circle. The “Nerds”, “Techies” and anyone else not fortunate enough to be popular are left to defend themselves and forever be on the outside. Morgan Frierson and her boyfriend Trent Caparella have no need to seek out popularity. They are at the top. Morgan intrigues Stuart Rothman and her boyfriend doesn’t like it. Everything changes when “The Watchers”, an outside group, plan something bigger than the illegal fireworks show at the pep assembly. A bomb goes off in the atrium at school. Trent is dead, Morgan blinded and everyone blames Stuart. Soon, Morgan realizes that Stuart is a nice guy and her life must go on even though she can no longer see. Through a traumatic flash back of the day the bomb went off, her sight is restored and Morgan sees the students around her in a different light. I am delighted to have a new book from Lurlene McDaniel on our library shelf.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
McKay, Hilary TITLE: Lulu and the Duck in the Park RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Albert Whitman and Company PRICE: $13.99
What do you do when a duck is hatching in your sweater while you are wearing it? This is the predicament Lulu faces in this cute novel about a young girl who finds a duck egg on the class field trip through the park. Lulu uses her sweater as nest for the egg, but it starts hatching in the middle of class! Youngsters will love this funny tale and will understand Lulu’s struggle between secretly taking care of this duck and following directions in class. With its simple wording and fun illustrations, this book is great for young readers!
Wiglaf and his friends set off on a quest to find Worm the dragon. When they return, they discover that the Dragon Slayers Academy may close its doors forever to become a gambling casino. I enjoyed this #20 of the series which had lots of action and adventure. The clever language and humor make this a fun book to read. The dragon theme and middle ages references delight and inform at the same time. I recently had the fortune of meeting Mrs. McMullan and found her to be as charming as her many books.
The charm of this book explodes on every page as the reader discovers apple facts A-Z. The suggested Dewey numbers is 634.1. And as if the alphabet pages aren’t enough, there are apple activities in the back to whet your appetite. If you turn to the “V” pages you will find numerous apple varieties and they are in alphabetical order. Scholastic has come up with a winner at a time when nonfiction reading is becoming more and more important in school districts across the United States.
Reviewer: Carol Steen, Columbia Valley Gardens Elementary
Meister, Carl TITLE: The Price and the Sphinx RATING: R PUBLISHER: Picture Window Books PRICE: $18.49:
This the story of Thutmose IV who was a great Egyptian pharaoh. When he was young his younger brothers were mean to him because their father favored them.. When he became pharaoh his brothers begged him to forgive them for the way that they treated them which he did.. Beautiful pictures and the story is written in an easy to understand way, for children of all ages to enjoy.
REVIEWER: Tracy Robinson, Kessler Elementary
Melton Crow, Melinda TITLE: Mud Mess RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Stone Arch Books PRICE:
ISBN: 978-1-4342-3777-4 INTEREST LEVEL: K-1 ILLUSTRATOR: Ronnie Rooney PAGES: 31
Mud Mess is a great bilingual book with simple wording that can help English/Spanish students learn to read in their own language as well as a second language. This book is also a great tool to use with second language learners at beginning/intermediate levels to aid in their comprehension skills. Young boys will especially love this book about trucks and their adventures. A great book to get them interested in reading!
REVIEWER: Rachel Kerker, St. Helens Elementary
Meredith, Christina TITLE: Kiss, Crush, Collide RATING: R
PUBLISHER:Greenwillow, 2012 PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 978-0062062246 INTEREST: 9 up
ILLUSTRATOR: PAGES: 313
There are few surprises in this --rich girl fall for the poor bad-boy and nobody understands-- plot. However, I was surprised by how much I liked it. The romance scenes were well done, and Leah, does seem to fall in love not to spite her family, but because she really does like Porter. The two meet when he is parking cars at the country club. Leah is the youngest of three sisters; all prom queens, valedictorians and athletes. All perfect. If the ending is predictable, so are the romantic sighs from the reader. Good fluff.
Reviewer: Patti Tjomsland, Mark Morris High School
Messner, Kate TITLE: Capture The Flag RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Scholastic Press 2012 PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780545395397 INTEREST: 6-8
ILLUSTRATOR: Whitney Lyle PAGES: 231
Who would steal the famous flag, known for inspiring the “Star Spangled Banner”? Three kids stuck in the airport, waiting out a snowstorm, begin to realize that the thief might be one of their fellow travelers. With a little sleuthing and asking a lot of questions, Anna, Jose, and Henry begin to unravel the mystery. The mysterious owner of an airport restaurant, with a snake tattoo and a candidate running for President are their prime suspects. If they don’t find the flag before the snowstorm abates, the flag could be lost forever.
Best of all, Anna, Jose and Henry realize that each of their parents are members of the secret Jaguar Society that are sworn to protect America’s National Treasures. The chase ensues and soon they are in desperate need of someone to rescue them from those who stole the flag. All is well, the flag is recovered and their family’s secret is safe.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Michalak, Jamie TITLE: Joe and Sparky, Superstars! RATING: A+
PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press, 2011 PRICE: $4.99
ISBN: 978-0-7636-6059-8 INTEREST LEVEL: K-2nd
ILLUSTRATOR: Remkiewicz, Frank PAGES: 42
Joe wants Sparky to see something fun, but Sparky isn’t so excited. They view a TV and think the tiny people are speaking directly to them and encouraging Joe and Sparky to participate in a partner show sharing their talents. Sparky claims to have no talent and Joe sets out to prove him wrong. The two friends have quite an experience together. These two are memorable characters. The illustrations stay true to those characters which are featured in several different books.
Reviewer: Nikki Williams, Castle Rock Elementary
Mitton, Tony TITLE: The Jungle Run RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Orchard Books PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 978-0-545-39256-3 INTEREST LEVEL: PreK-K ILLUSTRATOR: Guy Parker-Rees PAGES: 24
The Jungle Run is a fun rhyming story about animals in a race through the jungle. Everyone thinks cub is too small to join the competition, but he just might surprise everyone! The bright illustrations and sing-song rhyming draws young readers into the story and will capture their attention throughout. Youngsters will love this story!
REVIEWER: Rachel Kerker, St. Helens Elementary
Murdock, Catherine Gilbert TITLE: Wisdom’s Kiss RATING: A
Some characters are from Princess Ben, but isn’t a true sequel. This story is told in alternating chapters, short plays and diary entries from many different character’s points of view. Trudy (Fortitude) is saddened when her close friend, Tips, is taken as a soldier’s apprentice. The pair write each other for years, professing their feeling for each other. Meanwhile Princess Wisdom, who dreams of a life of excitement, is on her way to marry a Duke from a neighboring land. Along the way, she begins to dread the upcoming wedding as she begins to figure out it won’t be the life she desires. On their way to the wedding, the travelers get sick and Trudy ends up being a lady in waiting for Princess Wisdom so that she can get to the city where Tips is and see him. Things go horribly wrong and Tips and Princess Wisdom meet and fall in love, pushing Trudy out of the equation. This is a story for readers with some tenacity as the interesting vocabulary and sometimes waning storyline can make it challenging. Those who complete the read will enjoy the fitting ending.
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
Murphy, Julie TITLE: Whose Home is This? RATING: R+
Who builds a nest in a jungle canopy? Who has a bedroom with six sides? Who enters their home from under water? All of these questions are posed in this informational story about the homes of various animals. This book quizzes readers on their knowledge of how and where animals build their homes. Wonderful pictures illustrate this book portraying visions of both animals and their homes. On one page a home is shown and on the corresponding page are pictures of four animals. Readers are then to decide which of the four animals belongs to each habitat. The answers are shown at the end of the book building suspense and providing fun for readers in seeing which matches they answered correctly. This is a wonderful informational read for young students.
REVIEWER: Rachel Kerker, St. Helens Elementary
Murray, Julie TITLE: African Animals: Cheetahs RATING: R
PUBLISHER: ABDO Publishing Company PRICE: $
ISBN: 978-1-61783-217-8 INTEREST LEVEL: 2-5
ILLUSTRATOR: PAGES: 32
This is a non-fiction work about the African cheetah. The book begins with an overall look at life in Africa. It then goes into facts and surprises
about the African cheetah throughout the book. It is full of pictures and information for a child to use to complete a report or just for interest.
Fifth grade Abby and her younger brother are sucked into the mirror in their basement and land right in the middle of the story of Snow White. In the style of a fractured fairy tale, Abby and her brother have many adventures in their efforts to put Snow back on the road to her “happily ever after” and get themselves home. The voice of Abby is perfect for todays ‘tween’ girls. She is spunky and sassy, but cares greatly about protecting her brother and doing the right thing for Snow. I presume that this is the first of a series and will be looking for the next installation.
Reviewer: Rhonda Lowe, Castle Rock Elementary
Na, Il Sung TITLE: Hide & Seek RATING: R PUBLISHER: Random House ã 2012 PRICE: $15.99
ISBN: 978-0-375-87078-1 INTEREST LEVEL: Pre-K ILLUSTRATOR: same PAGES: 30
Hide and Seek is just that a game that is played with all the animals in the rain forest. There is a new number on each page until you reach ten and then it is called out “Ready or not here I come.” The elephant searches until everyone is found except the chameleon. So elephant calls out “Come out come out where ever you are.” There he is in the tree. This simple story can be a fun way to introduce the game of hid and seek, numbers, or counting.
REVIEWER: Tyra K. Smith, Head Start/EHS/ECEAP
Nardo, Don TITLE: Destined for Space: Our Story of Exploration RATING: R PUBLISHER: Capstone Press PRICE: $25.49
ISBN: 978-1-4296-7540-6 INTEREST LEVEL: 2nd-6th ILLUSTRATOR: NA PAGES: 64
The dream to reach beyond our planet has inspired many scientists and this book will be another inspiration. The book narrates the history of space exploration from early astronomers to human flight. What I liked was the pictures were awesome and the book ends with possibilities of bases on the moon, Mars, and intergalactic space travel. More for the imagination to dream about!
REVIEWER: Vicki White, Cascade Middle School
Newman, Nanette TITLE: What Will You Be, Grandma RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Templar @ 2011 PRICE: 15.99
ISBN: 9780763660994 INTEREST LEVEL: Kdg-2nd
ILLUSTRATOR: Emma Clark PAGES: UNP
Here is another offering from England where author Nanette Newman and illustrator Emma Chichester Clark call home. Lily begins one day asking her grandmother what she wants to be when she grows up. The grandmother counters with the fact that most people think she is already grown up. But Grandma being sweet and a good sport plays along as they go through a long list of career choices. The solution comes at the end where Grandma puts Lily to bed. The illustrations add to the charm of this book.
