I Love You Dude

by V. Radunsky Published by Gulliver Books/Hartcourt 2005 46 Pages Genre: Modern Fantasy Summary: Dude was born, right on a wall of fresh paint. A little girl had drawn him there. Dude was a thin elephant with shoes. Dude realizes that he doesn't belong on the wall, so he jumps off and looks for a new home. He finds himself a home on a mug, with others like him. I love NY, and I love Lucy. His mug is bought and he goes to live with a little girl who drinks milk out of the mug every day. Until her aunt was horrible to Dude and called him names. So he ran away, and tried living a few other places, but was sadly disappointed. Soon, Dude finds himself laying on the sidewalk wishing to just be washed away. An artist sees him and takes him to a museum. He loves his new home. People come to see him and say how much they love him. My Reaction: This book was quite inspiring. How fun to have a sidewalk drawing have such an adventure. I really enjoyed the genius of the mug he lived on. I thought the illustrations were so fun. He was a skinny little elephant, with big brown shoes. I think I would read this book to my kids for sure. Potential Problems: He is looking for someone to love him, so a little depression. Recommendations: I think this is a wonderful book for kids that are trying to start reading chapter books. It's a great switch over book. Lots of words, but still pictures.

The Mighty Asparagus

by v. Radunsky Published by Harcourt books 2004 28 Pages Genre: Humor!!! Picture Book Summary: There once was a king, who lived in a palace. He got very upset when he woke up to find a might asparagus had grown in his court yard. He hated it! But everyone else loved it. His wife wanted to bring it home. But no matter what they did they could not get it to move. So the king cried until his mom gave him some advice to get a little bird to help. And they did as she said and the asparagus fell easily. Then everyone was glad and the court jesters wrote a song about it that everyone loved! My reaction: This was probably the second funniest picture book I have ever read. There tends to be a lot of unexpected things in it. Such as at one point the writer says oh yes I forgot he has a daughter, right as he started talking about her. Or the fact that some of the print was so small, you really had to check the page before you turned the page or you would miss something very important. Potential Problems: Children that don't like Veggies! Recommendations: Parents who like to laugh with their children. Anyone who has a good sense of humor will love this book.

Little Monkey Says Good Night

by Ann Whitford Paul Published by Melanie Kroupa Books 2003 30 pages Genre: Picture Books Summary: Little Monkey is called to bed, but he decides he wants to say good night to the whole circus first. He causes quite the ruckus. He bumps things over and get thrown all over the place. As he travels through the air all through the circus the bright colors swirl around him. Red, Blues, and bright yellows. Finally his mother catches him from her perch on a high swinging bar. He says good night and she tosses him down to his dad. He says good night, and slips into bed. This book as a fun way of showing movement through it's wording. It curls all over and the little monkey flies of the big angled words at every corner. My Reaction: What a fun bed time story. I really love the movement it brought throughout the whole book. So many colors and lots to talk about with a child. Potential Problems: None Recommendations: I think this is a wonderful bed time story. Then you can take turns saying good night to things in your life. And end with You.

Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed

by Mo Willems Published by Hyperion Books for Children 2009 34 Pages Genre:Picture Book Summary: Wilbur is a naked mole rat... well he is a mole and a rat. He actually likes to wear clothes. All the other naked mole rats try to get him to be normal and be naked with them, but he will not! They tell him that if he is not going to be naked he needs to just open a clothes store, being sarcastic of course. But he does, but he has no customers. So they decide he is now a problem. So they take Wilbur to see Grand-pah. They tell him that Wilbur said why not wear clothes? So Grand-pah brings everyone together to make an announcement. When everyone comes in they see that Grand-pah is wearing a suit. He says why not wear clothes? So Wilbur reopens his shop and does quite well. My Reaction: How stinkin funny is that! I think this book is a very funny way to get around saying, don't be like everyone else! It's okay! Just put some clothes on!!! Potential Problems: Everyone is naked! recommendations: This is a great book for a laugh. I would almost want to use this as an after bath-time story.

Moses

by Carole Boston Weatherford Published by Jump at the Sun 2006 38 Pages Genre: Historical picture book Summary: This is the story of Harriet Tubman's spiritual journey to lead her people to freedom. Through the most beautiful pictures, we see that Harriet is lead by the Lord to safety out of the south. The picture portray the mood as Harriet moves through the night. The world seems very dark around her. Like a shield. It's a beautiful color choice to go with such dark colors, and as the day comes and her next gift, the sun and the amazing blue sky light up the book. As Harriet makes it to safety the book gets brighter and brighter. Even when she goes back for her family and many others, it's not so dark, because she has the light with her, and she has no fear, because the Lord is with her. My Reaction: This was the most beautiful book i have ever laid eyes on. The illustrations were breath taking. I found such hope and piece in it's pages. What a miraculous thing. Potential Problems: Slaves are what this whole book is based on, and the underground railroad. Recommendations: I think this is a wonderful for teaching about the underground railroad and slavery. I think that is fifth grade. But any time you want to teach about the Lords hand in our lives, this is a magnificent book to illustrate that concept.

Shelly

by Margie Palatini Published by the Penguin group 2006 30 Pages Genre: Picture Book Summary: Shelly has three sisters. They all came out of their shells right away, and worked hard, and were very good at their talents. His sisters began when he was going to be ready. He didn't know. They tried to teach them all of their talents, but he didn't like any of them. He just stayed in his shell. One day, as they all decided to go out, he stayed in and enjoyed himself. He really came out of his shell. And then they came back. The Shell went back on. They asked again when he was ever going to come out of his shell. He said Wednesday! so they circled the date and danced around happy as can be. But then he tells us, he never said which Wednesday! My Reaction: What beautiful illustrations. They have lots of bright yellows, blues and pinks making the fun just pop off the page. The characters where very fun and quite hilarious. I loved this book because Shelly represents us all. We all hide before we come out with our talents and such. We all have been a Shelly. So we can't help but laugh as we watch his reactions. Potential Problems: None Recommendations: I think this is a wonderful book for all elementary students. They all can relate, and it is an easy read for learners.

You Are Special

by Max Lucado Published by Crossway Books 1997 32 Pages Genre: Picture Book Summary: We come into a small town made of wood people made by the great wood carver Eli. They were called Wemmicks. The wemmicks did the same thing all day every day. They gave each other stickers which were told to determine their worth. So once they were put on, they didn't come off. Those who were beautiful received stars and those who were not and made mistakes, got dots. Punchinello received only dots. He have never received a star. One day he was so upset with himself and his dots. He ran into a Wemmick like he had never seen before. She didn't have any stickers! They wouldn't stick! So Punchinello wanted to know how she was able to do this. With her chearful smile, she explained she went to see Eli every day. So Punchinello after a long night of self doubt, wondering if the creater would really want to see him, he climbed the hill to meet Eli. Eli welcomes him in an teaches him self worth. Once it doesn't matter what others think of you, what the creater thinks becomes most important. My Reaction: What a wonderful book. How up lifting and inspiring. I think this book will become a personal favorite that will go into my stach of special books. This is a fantastic book for all. Potential Problems: None Recommendations: I think everyone should read this book at least once. It can be realated to anyone's life. Whether they believe in a suprime being or not. Someone's opinion is most important, whether it is God's, your parents, or your spouses. There is always someone who will be our Eli, but must importantly Heavenly Father is our Eli.

Poems That Sing To You

Selected by Michael R. Strickland Published by Wordsong 1993 55 Pages Genre: Poems Summary: This book of poems are so fun. It teaches us different sounds and feels of poems. We start with Poems that dance. Each poem has a different kind of dance to it from a different country. We learn some from Russia, the boogie, and such. Next we have poems that have sound. These poems have a lot more rhyming sounds. Most of them are even about things that make sounds, like instruments and and parties! Next we have poems that make melodies. These are poems that could actually be songs. The book continues with poems that sing the happies and the blues, and poems that sing to you. These all have their own twists of rhyming or melodies. My Reaction: This was a really fun book to read. I could read the same poem over and over and make it different every time. Great interactive book. Potential Problems: None Recommendations: I think these could be used in a class with many students at once. These would make for fun short plays or group activities.

Magic Tree House #7 Sunset of the Sabertooth

by Mary Pope Osborne Published by Scholastic 1996 68 Pages Genre: Fantasy Summary: Annie and Jack are thrown into another adventure. This time it is in their swimming suits into the dead of winter. As the enter the land before time. As the read over the research book they were given, they contimplate what they would do if they met any of the people from this time. They find themselves looking for protection from the cold, the find a cave which the soon discover is the home of a great bear! Running out of the cave they spot a cave with a glowing light inside. They go inside to find no one is home but find some warm skins to dress in. Before they know it, their mouse peanut runs away, following it they find him but get stuck in a hole. A man comes and helps them out and they ride away on a Mammoth. However a Sabertooth corners them. They are able to play the mammoth bone flute the aquired and it runs away. So realize they were here for the flute and head home. My Reaction: I have always loved these books. They are so fun. What an adventure. I guess i am on an adventure kick. I always imagened me as Annie and my brother as Jack. I could read these for hours! Potential Problems: They "borrow" clothes. Recommendations: All Elementary students.

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

by J.K. Rowling book on tape Number of Pages 652 Genre: Fantasy Summary: Harry Potter is growing older, among his other close friends. The dark Lord is getting more powerful. People begin disappearing. As Harry falls for the lovey Ginny Wisley, his best friends sister, he finds himself in loads of action. Especially as he is the captian of his quiditch team. He recieves a mission from Dumbledore to recieve memories from one of the professors. This memory will help them destroy the Dark Lord and all seven of his horcruxs. He finds himself using potions to make this happen. Late one night he finds himself with Dumbledore looking for a horcrux. They magiclly transport to a cave that Voldermort had visited as a child, with his orphanage. Here he hid a locket which nearly cost Dumbledore his life. As they return to the school they find the dark mark waiting for them mencingly waiting for them in the sky. Dumbledore immobilizes Harry in hidding while Draco steps out of the darkness. Draco has been given the task of murdering Albus. Howeven, being a big, fat, coward, he finds himself unable to accomplish this thing sent from the Dark Lord. This be seen as strength or cowardis. As Draco is unable, others arrive through a vanshing cabinet that Draco had mended for this purpose. As the arrive Snape steps out to accomplish the task as he was given if Draco was unable. So Snape, as Dumbledore pleads, casts the curse which ends Albus forever! As Albus falls dead off the astronomy tower, Harry is freed from the spell and duels unsucessfully with Snape as he realizes he is dueling with that who created the spells he so freely used. Snape tells Harry to stay put, and runs into the darkness with Draco and the others. As the school morns Albus, Harry realizes the trip that made him so weak was worthless. The locket they believed to have captured was not Lord Voldemorts at all, but someone's by the name of R.A.B.. Harry, Ron, and Hermionie decide to ditch the next coming year, and save the world. My Reaction: I always hate that Dumbledore is killed but I really love this book. It is very well writen and the character development never seems to amaze me! I find myself sucked in each time, reading for hours at a time. Possible Problems: Teen Love! and Murder! Recommendations: Anyone one who wants a good adventure should read Harry Potter.

Junior Worldmark Encyclopedia of World Holidays: Volume 1

Published by U.X.L, and imprint of Gale Group 2000 135 Pages Genre: Non-Fiction Reference Book Summary: This encyclopedia covers Buddha's Birthday, Carnival, and Christmas. The pictures are very well fit with the text to the point where masks started to freak me out. In the front we find a couple different guides. Including how the modern calendar developed. How through the years, and different countries have evolved with a calendar. After we have glossary where we learn words we may not know related to these holidays. Then we finally get to the actual holidays. We learn about the different kinds of head-dresses and costumes are worn at different times of the year. We also learn that our Mardi Gras matches 5 other countries traditions. My Reaction: This was fairly interesting. I really found some the traditions unexpected. Such as in Germany, they dress up as witches for Carnival. How scary looking the are! Potential Problems: Some of the pictures are a little scary for younger kids, but good information. Recommendations: Good reference book. If a child was interested in learning about other countries and what they do for Christmas and such. These are a great group of books.

Olympism: A basic guide to the history, ideals, and sports of the olympic movement

An Official U.S. Olympic Committe Sports Series Published by Griffin Publishing 2001 152 Pages Genre: Non-Fiction Reference Book Summary: In this book we learn everything we need to know about the Olympics and being an Olympian. It's filled with pictures from Ancient Greece, to the current fields, and such, that we use. The beginning of the book explains what being an Olympian means, right down to the athlete's creed. "The most important thing int the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well." After that we learn about how the Olympics came about and how the past continues. The following things we learn is quite fasinating. Olympic Sports! It has everything in here from Bithlon to Water Polo! If you don't know what Bithlon is, it's a mixture of cross-country skiing and rifle shooting. My Reaction: How interesting! I really liked learning some random things about being an Olympian. This is something I would have loved to read when I was younger. It has everything in it. Potential Problems: None Recommendations: Any child who is interested in sport. And those who are not as well!

Rosa

by Nikki Giovanni and Illustrated by Bryan Collier Published by Henry Holt and Company 2005 34 Pages Genre: Non-fiction picture book Awards: Coretta Scott King Ward, and Caldecott Honor Summary: As we learn the story of Rosa Parks, we see in beautiful pictures how her mother had been sick at the time of this experience. We learn that she had been sent home early that day, from work. On December 1. She was so tired of life not changing that she wouldn't stand for it any more. We learn that the funeral of Emmett Till. His mother had an open casket after he was viciously lynched. Right after Rosa was arrested, 25 women went and borrowed the stencil maker and printer of Alabama State without permission. They didn't worry though, because if Rosa could stand up, they would stand up with her. The words the printed inspired the colored community to walk, and abandon the buses for a full year until a law was passed that changed the circumstances with the segregated buses. My Reaction: This was a wonderful book about Rosa Parks. I learned a few new things I had no idea about. I had no idea that so many women were in on the idea to keep everyone of the buses and print posters. I was really impressed. Potential Problems: This book does talk about murder and segregation a bit. Recommendations: I think this would be wonderful for kids to use as a reference book. Not technically as good as a biography but very good for basic facts.

Burger Boy

by Alan Durant and illustrated by Mei Matsuoka Published by Clarion Books 2005 24 Pages Genre: Picture Book Summary: Benny only liked to eat burgers. He didn't like to eat veggies, or fruit, just burgers. He mom told him if he only ate burgers he would become one. One day his mom told him out to his favorite burger chain, Bigga Burgers. As he walks out, feeling nice and full, he turns into a burger! This was amazing how the illustration took is clothes and turned them into a burger. I loved that they already had the potential as a sweater and shorts to make him look like a burger. Next thing he knows, he is being chased by hungry dogs, mad cows, and starving boys. The owner of Bigga Burgers saves him, and then puts him on display. Benny's mom rushes in to save him and when they get home, has him eat lots and lots of fruits and veggies. Benny eats so many he turns back into a boy. He claims he will never eat any thing else, and his mom warns him... if you eat to many you will... My Reaction: I loved the illustrations in this book! They were so creative. The colors really popped him out as if he was on a dinner plate. It was fun to see the counting that was Incorporated and just see his issue become the towns issue. How fun! Potential Problems: None Recommendations: I think this is a great interactive book for kids in kindergarten through second grade. So fun!

The Host

by Stephenie Meyer Published by Hachette Book Group 2008 619 Pages Genre: Science Fiction Summary: As we begin this book we find ourselves inside a human. Yes, a human. We are an alien. They call her wanderer because she has been on so many worlds, but now she is part of Melanie Stryder. Well, she is trying to stay apart from Melanie. She seems to take over some times. But she would never tell anyone she might have a human that can control her. As she tries to figure things out, she decides to take a trip to see the doctor that put her in this body. But to get rid of the woman who is tailing her, looking for Melanie's family, who is still out there somewhere, she drives instead of flying like the seeker. She never was really planning to go see her doctor, she was going to try to make sense of the map that kept flashing through melanie's mind. Wanderer was attached to Melanie's spinal cord, under the skin. This is why they were able to go undetected for so long. The only way to check to see if someone was still human, was to check for the thin cut line down the back of the neck and the silver around the pupil of the eye. Wanderer searches for days, but finally finds the location of the hidden reble group. They come out to get her and then blind fold her so she is unsure how to get out. All she knows is that she is underground, and she has found Jared, and Jamie. Jamie is Melanie's little brother, and Jared is her boy friend. However now that Wanderer and Melanie are somewhat the same person Wanderer is also in love with Jared. But Jared just wants her out so he can have Melanie. Once they decide that Wanderer wants to help them and isn't a hostle, they let her become part to the community. They hope she will help them detach the aliens from their people. So the devise a plan. While they are putting this plan into action, they accidently kill one of Wanderer's kind and she almost loses it. However, this means they also killed a human, so they are both frusterated. Mean while, Wanderer has fallen for another one of the humans named Ian. He too is in love with her and has saved her from the others multiple times. Eventually as they continue working on their plans Wanderer has to take them out to get supplies. They are able to detach the aliens, but find that is has left some of the humans brain dead. When they learn this, they decide it's to risky to take Wanderer out of Melanie. Because they are both present in the body still. But they think this may be why some of the humans make it. Because they are still aware in the body. So they take Wanderer out as she has decided this to be her last world, and to die in this world, she was ready to pass on. Twist! Wanderer wakes up to Melanie's face looking at her. She is alive! They had taken a body that was brain dead and put Wanderer in the body. This way she could live out the human experience with Ian and then pass on. The book ends as they decide to go out and find other humans. My Reaction: I loved this book. It was fantastic! I spent a lot of time reading late into the night! I liked this book so much better than the twilight saga because it was not so physically driven. This book was more about emotions. It was Wanderer's first experience with emotions and all five senses. She couldn't get enough of it, and it made me think of all the things we experience on a daily basis as humans that makes us so much more aware than the other things that inhabit our earth. Potential Problems: It could be a little scary with the fact that aliens have taken over the world, and that there is a lot of fear drivin issues. Recommendations: I really like this book for older kids. It's not quite a tween book, but it may be appropriate if they can allow themselves to be engaged and interested. It's quite the thinker.

Lincoln: A Photobiography

by Russell Freedman Published by Clarion Books 1987 150 Pages Genre: NonFiction Summary: In this book we learn all kinds of things about Lincoln. We learn that he grew up in very humble beginnings. In his whole life he only received about 1 year of public schooling, the rest was all self taught. He was able to read that that is what really started off his political efforts. He was able to teach himself law so he could pass the bar and practice law. Lincoln and his wife were married against her parent's wishes and they spent a lot of time fighting, though they loved each other very much. At one point he was running for president and a young woman wrote him and told him he had better grow so facial hair because all the women were making fun of him and telling their husband's not to vote for him. So he grew a beard and it never left his face again. Lincoln was president and the Civil War began and many unexpected loses came to him in office. The first battle the towns people actually went out with picnics to watch and they saw their men slaughtered. Lincoln while in office actually studied war tactics worried he may have to lead his men into battle. Lincoln's life was cut short one night as he was out at the opera with his wife. Actor John Wilkes Booth killed him shooting him in the back of the head. My Reaction: I really liked this format. I also learned a lot of things I didn't know about Lincoln's life. I really enjoy history and this was very well done. Potential Problems: It's history so some of the pictures, murder, and politics. Recommendations: I think this book is wonderful for anyone above 5th grade.

Love that Dog

by Sharon Creech Published by Harper Trophy 2001 86 Pages Genre: Poetry Summary: Jack does not like Poetry! He thinks it's for girls. But he has to write it in class. Through his poems we see him develop from this closed little boy, to an open writer. He shows us what his whole life depends on. A blue car splattered in mud. We find out this car killed his dog and he still hurts and misses him. As Jack continues to grow he is able to meet his favorite poet and learn first hand from him and loves it. By the end, we see everything that inspires Jack in a beautiful poem. My Reaction: I really liked how creative this book was. It really caught me off guard. The style is so different from anything I have ever read before. I just really enjoyed the twist on this children's book. Potential Problems: Death Recommendations: I think this is a great book for any ages. Even adults will get a kick out of this hilarious book.

Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy

by Gary D. Schmidt Published by yearling 2004 217 Pages Genre: Historical Fiction Summary: Turner Buckminster has just moved into Phippsburg, Maine and hates it. The local boys play baseball all wrong. They make fun of him for not jumping off a cliff with them into the ocean. And the plain are just not excepting. He is finally turned around when he meets Lizzie. She shows him a whole new world of Maine. He decides not to run away, and he and Lizzie do great things. They even see a whale up close and touch it. As Turner has befriended Lizzie the town has been trying to clear the Island on which she lives. Turner is so upset by this that he tries to get his father to help him stop the people. But by the time his father realizes he is on the wrong side it's too late. They are hungry and when Turner's father gets in the way his is pushed off a cliff and killed. All the people on the island are either forced to move or are put in an institution for the ill minded. Lizzie gets put in this institution and dies there. My reaction: This book was just to dang sad. At ever turn it just got worse! I guess that's life for ya, it's just hard to read a book that takes you from your world to somewhere worse. Potential Problems: All kinds! Murder, Hate, abuse, racism, etc. Recommendations: I would have older kids read this book. I wouldn't think elementary school would be the best setting.

A Single Shard

by Linda Sue Park Published by Yearling 2001 148 Pages Genre: Historical Fiction Summary: Tree-ear lives with Crane Man under a bridge in twelfth-century Korea. As the book begins we find Tree-ear watching a man with a bag of rice on his back. Tree-ear decides to let the man know his pack is leaking a large amount of rice onto the ground, but not until it leaks a little more. But for his honesty he is rewarded with the rice that was dropped on the ground. Tree-ear finds himself very interested in pottery and he goes to a potters and watches his work from the bushes. As he does so one day, the man walks away so Tree-ear sneaks up and while admiring his work, brakes and intrecite box that was made by the potter, Min. The potter catches him and tells him he must work for him for 9 days because it took him 3 days to make the box, and he says Tree-ears time is not as valuble as his own so he must work even longer for him. He does a lot of manual labor and works hard. He secretly wishes that he will be taught how to make the beautiful pottery. Min tells him no because he will only teach his son the craft, but Min's son passed away. So eventually Tree-ear begins to work for Min for food and he really works hard, as they have been presented with the challenge to make their best pottery to show to the king's court. Tree-ear spys on some of the other potters to see what they are doing. Min tries to do some intricate work but they fail. So Min works hard until it is time to take his peaces to the King's Court. Tree-ear is elected to do this. On his trip robbers steal his money and brake every last of the pots. Tree-ear is able to find one shard that he is able to show to the King's Court, which is very impressive. When he returns home, he finds his good friend has died. The bridge they were living under colapsed and he died. Min then is able to adopt Tree-ear and he teaches his son how to make the beautiful pottery. My Reaction: I read this is elementary school, and I love it just as much now as I did then. It is unlike the other books out there. It really has a solid story line and it's interesting. I really like historical ficiton. Potential Problems: We have some very distinct classes that people are living in at the time. Also robbery. Recommendations: This is a wonderful book, I think boys may really enjoy this book as Tree-ear is quite the example of following your dreams.

Children Just Like Me

by Barnabas and Anabel Kindersley DK Publishing 1995 80 Pages Genre: Non-Fiction Summary: This book is unlike any I have read before. It begins by showing all kinds of children all over the world and where they live. Then it goes into detail about each continent. Each child that is featured shows you their clothing, their parent's, home, and what they enjoy doing. We get to learn about to sisters who love to dance from Russia. We learn what it means to be from the Americas. We even get to meet a brother and sister from Ethiopia. How wonderful to see what it's like all around the world and what makes us like other children. My reaction: I really enjoyed how informational this book was. I was able to really enjoy every word. It was not to much but there were lots of pictures and this could be for many age groups. No one was left out. We saw some children of every categorie. Tall, short, dark skinner, light skinner, wheels chair and hockey player. It was all there. Possible Problems: I really didn't see any. Recommendations: I think this is a wonderful reference book for all children.

Gathering Blue

by Lois Lowry Published by Walter Lorraine Books 2000 215 Pages Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction Summary: As we enter the scene, Kira, a young girl of about 16 is sitting in the field with her mother's body. The field of leaving is where the dead are laid and watched for four days until their spirits leave. As Kira returns after 4 days, the women of the community have decided they want the property where her cott or home was. It was set on fire to kill what ever disease had killed her mother. Now the women wanted it, and they wanted her dead. So Vandara, the town bully takes her to the council to she what they had to say. With her twisted leg, the women believed her an incapable member of the community and because of this, she should be sent to the field to die. However, the council decides to keep her because of her talent with sewing. She makes beautiful patterns. They want her to work on the robe that is worn at the yearly cerimony every year. She is given a wonderful living space, with running water which she has never seen before. As she begins work she must go into the woods to see the old dyer woman, who would teach her to dye the threads that she sewed with. One day as she is going to the old woman's home, she believes that she is being followed by a beast and she gets to Annabella home as quickly as possible fearing for her life, but unable to run with her leg. As she tells the old dyer what she tought had happened, the woman laughed and told her not to fear, because there were to beasts in the forest. This confused Kira because her father was killed by a beast just before she was born. So when she went home that night she told her caretaker what Annabella had said. Jamison her caretaker, says that Annabella is crazy and that she is old. He says nothing else about it. The next day Kira gets up to find a horribly windy and rainy day. So she does not venture to Annabella's again. The next morning Kira gets up early to go to the dyers, but she runs into her friend who tells her that Annabella had been taken to the field that morning, and Jamison had been there. Kira beings to wonder why this happened. Kira has a friend that lives down the hall from her in housing she was given. His name is Thomas and he was also given a place to live when his parents died when he was just a little boy. One night Thomas hears crying and so he and Kira discover that yet another child was brought to live with them when her parents suddenly died. Kira starts to notice things are starting to get a little hairy. All three of them had wonderful talents and their parents all were killed by freak accidents. Then they were brought here to live with large work loads weighing on their talents. The young girl Jo who had just been brought in didn't even know her parents had died. As the annual celibration comes around they go to watch the singer, which Jo is training to be, sings the song of their past. As Kira watches, she notices that the singer is held by chains around his feet. It was at this point she realized that they were all prisoners to the council. That night her good friend Matt who had been missing for over a week reapeared. He brought Kira gifts. The first was the plant that made it possible to create blue, which did not grow anywhere near their community. The second was her father. Jamison had tried to kill him on a hunting trip. Her father had been taken to the field believed to be dead. He was only blind and he woke to strangers taking him off through the forest. They brought him to a community where those who were broken could heal. He healed but didnt' have any memory for a while. Once he remembered his wife and child it was too late, and he didn't know how to get back, until Matt stumbled into their community. So Matt had brought him back to save Kira. Instead of going with her father that night, they plan to meet in the future, so Kira can bring Thomas and Jo to saftey as well. Her father leaves and she returns to the community that secretly is holding her a slave. My Reaction: I loved this book. My 6th grade teacher read it to us and I have loved it ever sense. I really enjoy the twists and turns of the story line. I couldn't stop reading. The character development is very well done and the setting is very easy to follow. I think it is very well written. Potential problems: there are higher and lower classes in this book. Also, murder and plots are all over this book. Recommendations: I think anyone who likes a good adventure would love this book. It's a fast read becaues it's impossible to put it down. This will get kids reading.

The Great Gilly Hopkins

by Katherine Paterson Published by Harper Trophy 1978 Contemporary Realistic Fiction 178 Pages Summary: Our dear eleven year old Gilly has been through a few foster homes that were unable to tame her crazy brash life style. She find herself being taken to yet another foster home as we open the book. She thinks it's another home she can cross off her list. She is very proud, racist, and quite the handful. She thinks she will just write her birth mother and tell her about all the horrid things that she is living through, like eating dinner every night with their colored blind neighbor, or the fact that her teacher at school is fat, or that Trotter is quite a large woman. However, our dear Trotter is able to find something in her she doesn't even know is there. At first Gilly can only think of toruring her dear little foster brother. The poor thing is scared to death of her. But as they grow together, she teaches him to fight and stand up for himself. As Gilly starts loving her new family and understanding the importance of a good family, he birth mother sends her lawyer sending for Gilly. So Gilly is taken to live with her Grandmother. Her Grandmother buys a ticket for Gilly's mother to come for Christmas, and Gilly learns that her mother wants nothing to do with her. So she decideds she wants to go back to live with Trotter, so she calls and Trotter tells her she must be strong and be there for her grandmother. So she stays. My Reaction: It's always sad to not see a happy ending, but this book was quite a thinker. I liked that it ended with a wonderful lesson. I really enjoyed getting to know Gilly and how she affected the others in her life. How funny! Possible Problems: This book does bring up abandonment, and a lot of racism and prejudice. This could be a little for some parent's to swallow, but it is very good, and worth it for the lessons. Recommendations: I think this is a wonderful book for anyone probably 5th grade and up.

Star Girl

by Jerry Spinelli
Random House Children's Books 2000
186 Pages
Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Summary:
Leo Borlock is one of the top dogs at Mica High until, that is, Star Girl came to town. She is the new girl in school and she turns everyone ones life around. She plays her guitar in the cafeterias, and sings to people, especially on their birthdays. She cheers for both sides in sports and wears the most bazaar clothes. But Leo falls for it, the problem is no one else does. When Star Girl is asked to be on Leo and his friends TV show, she excepts. However, the episode is never viewed because the kids were so terrible to Star Girl. However, Leo doesn't care. He has fallen hard. So they start dating. But as the love blindness wears away, Leo realizes that no one talks to him anymore. So he begs Star Girl to be normal. So she is. She comes to school completely different. And Leo loves it, but no one else likes her any more than they did before. So, Leo brakes up with her, and she goes to the last school dance on her own. She was beautiful and everyone loved her. But after the dance, she disappeared never to be seen again.

My Reaction:
This is was a pretty wonderful book. It really brings to light that it doesn't matter how you dress, or what you do to change your apperience, you are who you are. I really love the story line. It is a little out there at times, but high school kids are quite mean.

Recommendations:
All students, both in the role of Star Girl and those who where in the roles that made Star Girl who she is.

A Year Down Yonder

by Richard Peck
Puffin Books 2000
130 Pages
Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Summary: Mary Alice's family has fallen on some hard times with it being 1937 and her family can't afford to live together any more. So she is sent off to live with her Grandmother. As she arrives her Grandma takes her straight to school. Before she gets a chance to put her things down she is pushed into a school room where she spends the day being pestered by the school's bully. The girls says she owes her a dollar for looking at her so she follows Mary Alice home to collect her money. Of course Mary Alice's Grandma invites the girl in and feeds her. After which she lets the girls horse loose with her shoes tied around the horses neck. Mary Alice learns that the horse had not been the girls at all, and was stolen. So full of food, without shoes, the girl must walk miles and miles home. Which takes care of Mary Alices problems with the bully. As Mary Alice spends time with her Grandmother she learns many new things, from canning jam to fox hunting. She learns how to make home made glue and use it against your enemies. She learned how to give service to those who deserved it as well as those who do not. As her time at her grandmothers comes to an end and is able to return to live with her family, Mary Alice falls in love. As she is leaving she tells her Grandmother she doesn't want to leave and of course her Grandmother tells her that the door is always open. As the book closes, Mary Alice is getting married to the boy that she had fallin for. The decided to get married in her Grandmother's home. Neither of their families were able to make it, but that wasn't the most important thing.

My Reaction:
I loved this book. It was one of my favorites I have read up to this point. Mary Alice's Grandma made me think so much of my own. She is so smart and knows how to do so many things. I love learning from her, and it really made it easy to connect to this book. Not to mention it was funny beyond all reason!

Recommendations:
Young girls who are interested in adventure. Anyone could love this book.

I SPY A to Z: A Picture Book of Riddles

By Jean Marzollo and Photographs by Walter Wick
Cartwheel Books 2007
48 pages
Genre: Riddle Picture Book

Summary:
This is actually an alphabet book. We learn the alphabet through riddles. Each riddle highlights the letter that page represents. Each page has a few riddles and a picture. Each riddle is something you need to find in the picture. This is a fun book that is the most interactive you can possibly get. You don't only have to look for the riddle items but there are lots of things that children can regonize in each photo and the colors are bright and not to over powering. The pictures are in many different locations and have many different lightings, great encouragement for deep discussion.

My Reaction:
I have always loved these books. I would spend hours with my mom and my siblings just pouring over these books. They are very educational in a sneaky way, and encourage reading and discovery.

Recommendations:
EVERYONE! all ages.

Chester

by Melanie Watt
Scholastic 2007
32 Pages
Genre: Picture Book

Summary:
The book says that Melanie Watt wrote this book, but Chester says he wrote this book. As we start this book, we find a little mouse sitting in his home as the story begins. Then we see red marker all over the page. One drawing showing the mouse getting on a plane, and it reads that he was never seen again. Of course the mouse is apposed to this. This is his story. Through out the book Chester marks up all the pages with his red marker until he is allowed to have his own story. So he draws himself a world with his marker, after which it rains and is washed way. Eventually the mouse wins and is able to get back to his story.

My Reaction:
I love this book. It is so clever. Writing a book about a story that has been ruined. It was fun to get to know Chester even though he wasn't supposed to be in the story. I love the fights he causes, he always has such clever counters to the accusations that the mouse makes. This is a fun interactive book.

Recommendations:
EVERYONE... EVERYWHERE!

The Perfect Pet

by Margie Palatini and Burce Whatley
Harper Collins Publishers 2003
30 Pages
Genre: Picture Book

Summary:
Elizabeth REALLY wants a pet. Her parents decided she could have a plant instead. A nice little cactus she called Carolyn. But she still REALLY wanted a pet. So she tried everything. She would wake her parents up in the middle of the night, bother them in the shower, at breakfast, any time. Every animals she asked for, they said no. So she made friends with a bug which she feeds and takes care of. It grows to be quite large and her mother almost smashes little Doug. So Elizabeth saves him and tells her parents that he is exactly what they had described when telling her why she could not have any of the other pets she wanted. So they let her keep it and Doug becomes part of the family.

My Reaction:
This is one of my favorite picture book writers. She is so fun and always keeps the audience busy with interaction. The art is beautiful. My favorite page is where Elizabeth is sitting on her parents with a flash light in the middle of the night and everything is dark blue like the night and they the flash light is on their faces so they are flooded with color. Genius.

Recommendations:
Every child that wanted a pet and couldn't have one.

The Boy Who Was Raised by Librarians

by Carla Morris and illustrated by Brad Sneed
PeachTree Publishers 2007
30 Pages
Genre: Picture Book

Summary:

Melivin grew up loving the Livingston Public Library. He spent most of his time with his three favorite ladies, Marge, Betty, and Leeola. After school he would always stop by the library after he went school and look up something he had learned that day. At one point it's snakes and his friends help him find everything there is to know about snakes. Another day he brings in a big jar of bugs he collected. On his way in he trips and the jar opens and the ladies help him find ever single bug and label and give him books on every single one. As he grows older and older, the ladies help him with each of his interests. They even help him get ready for a play, and eventually a spelling bee. As the ladies grow old and he graduates they are still very close friends. Next we see the three ladies bent over the reference desk looking at a new little boy. Melivin also helped him as he loved his job in the library.

My Reaction:

I really enjoyed this book! I spent a lot of time in the library as a child. I just love reading and sitting for hours with a good book. I felt like I connected with this book a lot. The illustrations in this book are not like other books. The people have personality and I really like how they are all different. The pictures really portrays the library as a place of safety and I think that is wonderful!


Potential Problems:

None


Recommendations:

I think every child should read this book because it shows that books can teach you anything you want to learn. How wonderful.

Tuesday

by David Wiesner

Clarion Books 1991
30 pages
Picture Book
Summary:

This book is unlike many of the picture books that are circulated these days. There is not a single word in this story. All we get are pictures. The story begins in a small pond, full of frogs, a magical adventure beings. A group of frogs fly through the air into town. Throughout the night, told in beautiful illustrations, we see them drift in and out of homes, through laundry, and then eventually the magic wears off and they fall to the ground. Hopping back into the pond, they find boredom waiting for them. As the people of the town try to figure out where all the lilly pads, that were leftbehind, came from, we catch a glimps of a pig flying. The colors in this book are so fun. The theme seems to stay with blues as if they never left the pond.

My reaction:

I thought this book was interesting. It could be fun to analyze with a child, but other than that, it was only okay for me. I thought if they were going to play on the fact that these frogs were flying through the town, they could have had them do some really fun things. I did like the laundry scene but the rest was just kind of boring.

Potential Problems:

It might be boring for kids unless they are looking for specific things. Maybe if it was used in an art class or something where it could be used as an example.

Recommendations:

I think students who get frustrated with reading would enjoy it, and maybe art students.