There's a Wolf at the Door

This creative and lively book is a retelling of five classic fairy tales by Zoe Alley with illustrations by R.W. Alley.  The illustrations are set up like a graphic novel that is easy to follow.  The dialog is updated and quick witted. It made me giggle several times with the sarcastic comments of the sheep exposing their point of view.  I started to feel sorry for the wolf by the end of the book.  This is a fun read for second through fifth graders with a good sense of humor.

Lost and Found is the latest book from Andrew Clements. It is the story of identical twins, Jay and Ray Grayson, trying to find their individuality. They have moved to a new school, so when Jay goes to school while Ray is at home sick, Jay feels like a real individual.  But when the school makes a mistake and only Jay is enrolled and not Ray, the plan begins. They decide to share the identity of Jay. The twins switch days going to school but soon begin to face complications.

Clements writes a well paced story with lots of kid appeal. This would be a great book for third to sixth graders.

Dog Gone

Dog Gone by Cynthia Chapman Willis is a touching story of a young girl, Dill, dealing with the loss of her mother. Everything has changed around her house. Her special attachment to their dog, Dead End, becomes stronger because he was her mother's dog. Then, Dead End runs off and is suspected to be part of a dog pack attacking livestock in their rural town. Her grandfather is seriously ill while her father is busy trying to keep the family business running. With her friend, Cub, they try to catch Dead End to hide him from the townspeople. Through these events, Dill must face head on her loss.  

This is a nicely paced story that will touch readers' hearts. I would recommend if for 4th graders and above.

Turtle's Penguin Day

Turtle's Penguin Day by Valeri Gorbachev is a story of a turtle who wants to pretend to be a penguin after his father reads him a book about penguins. He goes to school and all of the students want to become penguins after the teacher reads the book. This book encourages reading and how it stimulates knowledge and imagination.  It would be great as a focus when engaging kids to become information literate.

Texas Bluebonnet Nominees

With great anticipation and excitement, the new 2009-2010 Texas Bluebonnet Book Nominee List was announced on Saturday. Here it is: TBA

Being on this committee has been an wonderful experience with some great people.  This is a fantastic list of books for Texas children to read.

Now, I will begin reading books for the next year's list.  Hopefully, I can blog about some more great books.

The Gollywhopper Games

The Gollywhopper Games

by

Jody Feldman

If you want fun and lighthearted adventure, please choose this book to read!  It is a cross between  Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Chasing Vermeer. Gil, the hero of our story, wants to win the Gollywhopper Games held by the Golly Toy Company. He wants to win enough money for his family to move out of town because the last year of his life has been miserable.  He father was falsely accused for stealing money for the Golly Toy Company, thus hurting the character of him and his family.

This story is full of puzzles, contests, teamwork, and friendship! Will Gil get what he wants?  You must read it to find out!

Help Me, Mr. Mutt!

Okay, it's been awhile since my last post!  I have been so busy reading books for the TBA committee, that I haven't taken the time to blog!

However, I just had to write about this new book by Stevens and Crummel, Help Me, Mr. Mutt!  I just loved it!  I can't lie - I am a dog lover so I am always compelled to read any "dog" books.  This book is funny, lively, and an excellent use of  voice in the dog (and cat) characters!  It is a collection of letters from dogs written to Mr. Mutt (the dog version of Dear Abby) asking for advice with various people problems.  Even if you don't have a dog, you will have a "laugh out-bow wow" time reading this book!  

The Postcard

The Postcard is Tony Abbott's newest book.  After reading Firegirl, I was excited about reading his newest book.  These books have quite different plots but both are filled with strong writing.  

The Postcard is a mystery that will keep you turning pages.  It involves a family on the brink of falling apart, filled with secrets, with clues in a mysterious magazine story.

Fourth - Sixth graders who loves mysteries, will find this book a winner!

  

Birmingham, 1963

History and poetry rolled together in one touching book is Birmingham, 1963 by Carole Boston Weatherford.  This is a fictional story of an actual event in history told with poetry and the use of authentic photographs.  The powerful words describe the church bombing of Sixteenth Street Baptist Church on September 15, 1963. Four young girls lost their lives.  The author gives a beautiful tribute to each girl at the end of the book.

What a great book to share with older elementary, junior, or senior high kids about the struggle for equality during the time of the civil rights moment.  It love how the author told the story from the view point of an innocent child putting you there in the middle of this shocking event in history.  I would highly recommend it. 

Swindle

Swindle by Gordon Korman was a big hit at my bookfair last week.  So I had to read it. I found myself enjoying it and think that most kids from 3-6th would love it.  It has action and excitement that will lure students to want to keep reading and not put it down.

The story is about a boy named, Griffin Bing, who finds a Babe Ruth baseball card and is lied to by S. Wendell Palomino claiming it's worthless when it's actually worth a million dollars. Palomino swindles him out of the card.  Upon finding the card's real value, Griffin is determined to get it back.  He is "the man with a plan" and forms a team of kids to get his baseball card back.  Thus the adventure begins.  This will be one book you can't keep on the shelf!

It was fun to see my students so excited about buying books and I'm glad this one was a good choice for them.

Not Afraid of Dogs

There are times when children are fearful and this book is a story that children will relate to.  Not Afraid of Dogs by Susanna Pitzer tells the story of Daniel who says he's not afraid of dogs but just doesn't like them.  His family is taking care of their aunt's dog, Bandit, and Daniel is afraid to be anywhere that Bandit is. However, when a thunderstorm scares Bandit, Daniel understands and comforts Bandit. He now states that he likes dogs.  Young children will enjoy this story.

Texas Bluebonnet Award

I have been a little busy lately and not blogging.  I found out a few weeks ago that I have been appointed to the Texas Bluebonnet Awards Selection Committee.  I am one of 10 Texas librarians who will be reading, reviewing, and selecting 20 books for the Master List starting in 2008-2009.  I am so excited to serve on this committee for the next 3 years.  What an honor and fantastic opportunity for me to learn more about great literature!  I will get to share more great books to get kids hooked on reading!

TBA Website

 

ALA Awards

The ALA Awards were announced Monday and I was happy to see two books I really loved on the list:
Elijah of Buxton - Newbery Honor
The Invention of Hugo Cabret - Caldecott
Here's the complete list.

Orange Pear Apple Bear

WOW! It's already 2008!

I am trying to get back into the blogging mode for this New Year but having a slow start. I hope to read and discuss many books this year which will encourage more children to read. There are several Best of Lists in the blog world and I just wanted to mention one book I enjoy.



Orange Pear Apple Bear by Emily Gravett has been mentioned on several "best of 2007" lists for picture books. It's soft and muted illustrations are just right for the simple text of five words throughout the story! The illustrations express the joy and fun of this book which is appealing to young children. It's a winner!