Reviewer: Carol Steen, Columbia Valley Gardens Elementary
Kohara, Kazuno TITLE: Ghosts in the House! RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Roaring Brook Press PRICE: $7.99
ISBN: 978-1-59643 INTEREST LEVEL: PreK ILLUSTRATOR: Kazuno Kohara PAGES: 25
What do you do when your new house is haunted!?! That is no problem for this young girl who is actually a witch! Children will delight in discovering how this young witch turns ghosts into useful household items. The illustrations in this board book engage the reader in the witch’s antics and draw youngsters into the story. The wording is simple and easy for toddlers through preschoolers to understand.
REVIEWER: Rachel Kerker, St. Helens Elementary
Koster, Gloria TITLE: The Peanut-Free Café RATING: R
When Grant goes to a new school the children are shocked to learn that he can’t eat peanut butter. Simon really likes Grant and comes up with the idea to create the Peanut Free Café to keep Grant safe. Can Simon give up his favorite food in the whole world for a new friend? A great way to teach kids about students that may have food allergies in their school. Illustrations are lively and colorful and help make this a fun book to read.
Kragel, Kenneth TITLE: King Arthur’s Very Great Grandson RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Candlewick @ 2012 PRICE: 15.99
ISBN: 9780763653118 INTEREST LEVEL: 1st-5th
ILLUSTRATOR: Kenneth Kragel PAGES: UNP
On the day, the great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandson of King Arthur, Henry, turns six years old; he rides his horse Knuckles
over the horizon looking for an adventure. He meets a dragon, a Cyclops, a griffin and a leviathan. None want to have adventures they would much rather play games. Illustrations hit the mark in depicting the text.
Children will love reading this non-fiction book. This book is simple, short, and does a great job at introducing different animal groups and their names. This book is quite enlightening. There were many groupings that I did not know. A streak of tigers, a congress of lemurs, and a leap of leopards are some new groupings that are introduced in this book. This is a great vocabulary for those teachers that are studying tropical jungles, rain forests, or animal groups. My students loved this book and not only the interesting facts that are here, but also the size of the book fits in their hands. The photos were very well done and while the size does not lend to a great read aloud it is great for a small group or reference book at a station in your room.
REVIEWER: Tyra K. Smith, Head Start/EHS/ECEAP
Kyi, Tanya Lloyd TITLE: Seeing Red: The True Story of Blood RATING: R
This paperback non-fiction book investigates the history and science of blood. From blood sacrifices and early horrific medical practices to modern day technology and medicine, this story covers it all and many things in-between. The interesting text and black & red graphic novel style illustrations will engage even reluctant readers, as long as they aren’t easily grossed out. Includes references and index. A fun and engaging read for middle school students.
Tom has put himself into a bind by accidentally burning down the family’s shed. Now the family he’s supposed to stay with while his parents go on vacation won’t take him and no one else in town will take him either. Just when the vacation seems doomed, Tom’s father contacts his brother, Harvey, who agrees to take Tom. After getting dropped off by his parents, Uncle Harvey tells Tom that he’ll be staying in New York by himself as he is flying to Peru on business. Tom protests enough and Harvey takes him along. Tom learns Harvey has found parts of a journal that will lead them to treasure. Unfortunately, Harvey deals in shady business, like stolen/counterfeit artwork , and upon arriving in Peru they are taken captive by an important criminal, whom Harvey has double crossed. Now they are forced to find the treasure to repay the debt and hope to escape with their lives. This is a great action-packed adventure that will surely appeal to adventurous boys. There are many twists and turns and the final outcome isn’t known until the end, which wraps up nicely.
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
LaRochelle, David TITLE: It’s A Tiger! RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Chronicle @ 2012 PRICE: 16.99
ISBN: 9780811869256 INTEREST LEVEL: Kdg-3rd
ILLUSTRATOR: Jeremy Tankard PAGES: UNP
I think it is the brilliant hilarious illustrations that put me over the top the first time I read it. Or perhaps it is the way the print is displayed in many sizes, fonts and colors. All elementary library classes that I shared this book with were on the edge of their seats full of anticipation where tiger would show up next.
