Every page uses the term, dog, to tell the story of a canine friend. This dog starts out happy, but soon is in trouble when he chews a toy. He wanders out into the world alone and seems lost. His boy looks for him and they are very happy to be reunited. This is a cute play on the phrase, “Dog gone!” and repeats simple terms often. The young reader will enjoy this book.
This is a very simple non-fiction book about how people are all different, and how that makes life interesting. “We are each one of a kind” This would be a great book to introduce diversity to students. I love the photos of the different children.
REVIEWER: Tracy Robinson, Kessler Elementary
Hile, Lori TITLE: Getting Ahead: Drugs, Technology, and Competitive…. RATING: R
Ethics of Sports series. This non-fiction text discusses multiple aspects of getting an advantage in sports. It looks at why athletes need or want advantages and what might be consider by others as cheating. From state of the art technology to drug testing, many of the darker sides of sports are examined. It does a good job of providing multiple sides and aspects for discussion, leaving the reader to come to his/her own conclusions. The colorful photos are engaging and relative to the text. Includes glossary, sources and index. This is a great tool for upper middle school and high school students researching this topic.
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
Hills, Tad TITLE: Duck & Goose Find a Pumpkin RATING: R PUBLISHER: Random House ã 2012 PRICE: $10.99
ISBN: 978-0-307-98155-4 INTEREST LEVEL: Toddler-Pre-K ILLUSTRATOR: same PAGES:18
What a great board book for fall. Duck and Goose see a friend go by with a pumpkin. They want a pumpkin too, but where does one find a pumpkin? They search until a friend gives them a hint. The oil painted illustrations is very well done and are perfect for the young readers.
REVIEWER: Tyra K. Smith, Head Start/EHS/ECEAP
Hills, Tad TITLE: Rocket Writes a Story RATING R
PUBLISHER: Schwartz & Wade PRICE: $17.99
ISBN: 978-0-373-87086-6 INTEREST LEVEL: K-3rd ILLUSTRATOR Hills, Tad PAGES: NA
Rocket wants to write a story so he travels all over finding words for his story. He finally decides to write about an owl. Everyday he would read what he had written to his owl friend, This story has the same warmth and humor as Tads fir book How Rocket Learned to read.
REVIEWER: Tracy Robinson, Kessler Elementary
Hoberman, Mary Ann TITLE: I Like Old Clothes RATING: R PUBLISHER: Alfred A. Knopf 2012 PRICE: $16.99
Old clothes have a story to tell, and this little girl wants to listen to that story. What a breath of fresh air! This book doesn’t preach “green living” but makes old clothes interesting and desirable. Hand me downs are clothes with a story. The poetry in the text makes this a great read aloud, and the illustrations are developed in way that adds dimension and the pages themselves almost look like old clothes. This is a great reboot of an old text and a great addition to any library.
REVIEWER: Tyra K. Smith, Head Start/EHS/ECEAP
Hogan, Edward TITLE: Daylight Saving RATING: R PUBLISHER: Candlewick Pres PRICE: $16.99
This is a gripping ghost/thriller story. Daniel is an overweight teen whose parents are separated, causing Daniel’s father to be depressed and drink. Daniel’s father decides to take him on vacation to Leisure World Holiday Complex, which is a sports complex, and Daniel hates sports. Once there the dad starts drinking and Daniel sees and meets a mysterious girl swimming in the lake. There is something strange about Lexi, her watch runs backwards, she’s covered with bruises and cuts, and she is invisible to everyone but Daniel. Daniel discovers that Lexi is a ghost and was murdered during the hour the clocks turn back for fall and the murder repeats itself every year. He is determined to break the cycle and free Lexis’s ghost. So if he breaks the cycle, will Lexi be safe and able to go home? I found this book hooks you and the ending was not what I expected to happen.
REVIEWER: Vicki White, Cascade Middle School
Holm, Jennifer L. TITLE: Babymouse for President RATING: A
Being a first time reader of Babymouse, I struggled with this graphic novel at first. I was confused with the storyline, until I clued in that the pink illustrations seemed to focus more on Babymouse’s daydreams rather than what was actually going on in her life. I liked that the ending was a bit of a surprise with neither Babymouse nor mean girl, Felicia, winning. The underdog in the polls came out with the most votes and that was great! I love that the author/illustrator is a sister/brother team! At the recent WLMA Conference, Matthew Holm was recommended as a superb guest speaker for kids and he is fairly local (Portland). It is time to look grants or something to pay for a visit with him! The kids love these books!
Reviewer: Nikki Williams, Castle Rock Elementary
Holm, Jennifer TITLE: Eighth Grade is Making Me Sick RATING: R
Companion to Middle School is Worse than Meatloaf. Ginny is ready to conquer her list to accomplish in eighth grade. She is very excited after making the cheerleading team and it seems like it will be the best year ever. Then her mom gets pregnant and quits her job, her older brother Henry gets into trouble and her stepdad loses his job. This leads to much stress for Ginny and she is eventually diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. After her baby brother is born her mom gets a job in California, meaning the family must get ready to move there from Pennsylvania. This powerful story is told without traditional chapters. Rather it’s told through various notes, letters, text messages, and assorted memorabilia. A great read for girls, especially reluctant readers.
REVIEWER: Debby Iverson, Coweeman Middle School
Holub, Joan TITLE: Ballet Stars RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Random House, New York, 2012 PRICE: $3.99
ISBN: 978-0-375-86909-9 INTEREST LEVEL: PreK-1st
ILLUSTRATOR: McNicholas, Shelagh PAGES: 24
A cute rhyming story about young ballet friends preparing for a big show is what you’ll find in this book. My 5 year old girly-girl niece adored this book! The pink tutus and little ballet stars make for a cute, simple read for Step 1 readers.
Reviewer: Nikki Williams, Castle Rock Elementary
Holub, Joan TITLE: Pumpkin Countdown RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Albert Whitman @ 2012 PRICE: 16.99
ISBN: 9780807566602 INTEREST LEVEL: Pkdg-1st
ILLUSTRATOR: Jan Smith PAGES: 20
It’s time for Ms. Blue’s class to go on a field trip to the pumpkin patch. From nametags to the bus trip home there is a pumpkin countdown beginning with 20. The bright illustrations add to the fun of the day. Facts fill the end papers. There are many opportunities for discussion. Pages 17 & 16 give the children more thoughtful tasks. The reader will notice the numbered pages count backwards. All the details are appreciated.
