I Got a Chicken for my Birthday

Title:   I Got a Chicken for my Birthday
Author:   Laura Gehl        Illustrator:   Sarah Horne
Series:   —
Recommended for:   children in kindergarten and early elementary school
Pages:   unpaged
Call Number/Link:   E GEHL, L.

Rating:   ****

 

Synopsis:

A girl is disappointed when she receives a chicken as a birthday gift from her abuela, until she realizes the chicken is planning a bigger present for her special day.

Comments:

Cute book!  I must admit that I didn’t figure out what the chicken and other pets were up to until the very end of the book.  What a surprise for the girl – and me!

 

Book Scavenger

Title: Book Scavenger

Author: Jennifer Chambliss Bertman

Series: Book Scavenger

Recommended for: Grades 4-6

Pages: 354

Call Number/Link:  J Fiction Chambliss Bertman, J.

Synopsis: I love mysteries and this is a hoot. You are forever guessing what is going on and the best part is that there is actually a book scavenger site where you can find and hide books.  How great is that. A great read aloud in a classroom over time and a good paced book for any child to read in late elementary to early middle school.

For twelve-year-old Emily, the best thing about moving to San Francisco is that it’s the home city of her literary idol: Garrison Griswold, book publisher and creator of the online sensation Book Scavenger (a game where books are hidden in cities all over the country and clues to find them are revealed through puzzles). Upon her arrival, however, Emily learns that Griswold has been attacked and is now in a coma, and no one knows anything about the epic new game he had been poised to launch. Then Emily and her new friend James discover an odd book, which they come to believe is from Griswold himself, and might contain the only copy of his mysterious new game.

 

Greenglass House

 

Title: Greenglass House

Author: Kate Milford

Series: Greenglass House

Recommended for: Grades 5-7 

Pages: 376

Call Number/Link:  J Fiction Milford, K.

 

 

Synopsis: I loved this book, it was so intriguing and full of twists and turns that I could not put it down.  A total page turner.  It did take awhile to read but worth the wait.  A good book to read over a period of time for a class and for older readers that are capable of understanding the older english words used throughout the book. I can’t wait to read the next book.

It’s wintertime at Greenglass House. The creaky smuggler’s inn is always quiet during this season, and twelve-year-old Milo, the innkeepers’ adopted son, plans to spend his holidays relaxing. But on the first icy night of vacation, out of nowhere, the guest bell rings. Then rings again. And again. Soon Milo’s home is bursting with odd, secretive guests, each one bearing a strange story that is somehow connected to the rambling old house. As objects go missing and tempers flare, Milo and Meddy, the cook’s daughter, must decipher clues and untangle the web of deepening mysteries to discover the truth about Greenglass House—and themselves.

 

Real Sisters Pretend

 

Title: Real Sisters Pretend

Author: Megan Dowd Lambert

Series: N/A

Recommended for: 4-8 yrs old, K-5

Pages: 32

Call Number/Link:  E Lambert, M.

Synopsis: This warm, engaging story, which unfolds entirely through the conversation of two adopted sisters, was inspired by the author’s own daughters, whom she overheard talking about how adoption made them “real sisters” even though they have different birth parents and do not look alike. I like how this shows the different type of parenting families that exist and that the sisters are from different cultures as well.  A great read aloud in a classroom or for a family to read together.

 

I’m Afraid Your Teddy Is in Trouble Today

Title:   I’m Afraid Your Teddy Is in Trouble Today
Author:   Jancee Dunn     Illustrated:  Scott Nash
Series:  —
Recommended for:  students in grades K-5, either as a readaloud or independent reading.  This would be a great choice for parents who are looking for a book to read to a classroom.
Pages:   unpaged  (probably 32 p.)
Call Number/Link:   E DUNN, J.

Rating:   ****

 

 

 

Synopsis:

When a teddy bear invites his stuffed animal friends to a party at his house while the humans are away, they have a wild time and the police arrive on the scene.

Comments:

There I was, thinking that stuffed animals spent their days resting, just waiting for their owners to come home from school.  Thanks to this expose, I now know the truth.  I did NOT imagine that the empty house had gotten more messy during the day.  It seems that teddy bears and their stuffed animal companions make pancakes, jump on the bed, and even (gasp) play dress-up with their owner’s clothes.

Children who are old enough to “get” this book will find it very funny.  First, just the idea of “stuffed animals gone wild” is funny.  Second, the animals’ activity choices make total sense.  With the exception of bathing in chocolate syrup, this could be a child’s dream party – and the activities make total sense for stuffed animals too.

I imagine this book being read in a very straightforward understated “just the facts ma’am” manner.  I think the deadpan delivery would be a good counterpoint to the story’s chaos.  However, I can also imagine it being read in a more excited, “can you BELIEVE what they just did?” way.  That could also be very effective.

Or the reader can just read it without any thought of presentation or delivery and it still would be fine.  It’s that funny a book.

 

 

 

Hooked

Title:   Hooked
Author:   Tommy Greenwald   Illustrator:  David McPhail
Series:   –
Recommended for:   older preschoolers (as a readaloud), grades K-4 as a readaloud or independent reading.  Especially recommended for fathers or grandfathers to read to their offspring.
Pages:   unpaged  (approximately 32 p.)
Call Number/Link:  E GREENWALD, T.

Rating:   ****

 

 

Synopsis:

A boy and his dad discover all they have in common on a fishing trip in this sweet picture book about father-son bonding.

Comments:

This would be such a nice book for a father and his children to read together.  It would also work well for storytimes with a father or family theme.  I especially appreciated the way that spending time fishing together strengthened the family bond.

 

 

 

The Tea Dragon Society

Title:   The Tea Dragon Society
Author:   Katie O’Neill
Series:   —
Recommended for:  readers who like sweet, cute graphic novels.  Could also work well as a readaloud for one-on-one sharing.
Pages:   unpaged
Call Number/Link:  GN J O’NEILL, K.

Rating:  *****

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

The Tea Dragon Society is a charming all-ages book that follows the story of Greta, a blacksmith apprentice, and the people she meets as she becomes entwined in the enchanting world of tea dragons.

Comments:

The world can be a harsh, violent place.  I wish it were more like the world of The Tea Dragon Society.  Peaceful and serene.  The characters (of all ages) treat each other with kindness and respect.  No one notices (or cares) that one of the characters is a talking llama wearing clothing.  The dragons are adorable.  I wish I could spend time in a place this lovely, especially if I could hang out with baby dragons.

 

 

The Great Art Caper

Title:   The Great Art Caper
Author:   Victoria Jamieson
Series:   Pets on the Loose
Recommended for:   early chapter book readers, reluctant readers, children ages 4 and up as a readaloud, kids who love art
Pages:   62 p.
Call Number/Link:    GN J Jamieson, V. 

Rating:   *****

 

 

 

Synopsis:

A cuddly class hamster, GW endeavors to make a gift for his new human friend to show support for her participation in a school art show before hearing about a dastardly mouse plot to sabotage the event.

Comments:

This book is the second book in the Pets on the Loose series.  As much as I liked the first book, I thought The Great Art Caper was even better!  Rather than trying to plot their escape from the elementary school, the pets went on an adventure to the art room so that GW could make a piece of art for his human friend.  They thought the art room was such a wondrous place…  until they saw the library.  Ooooh.  Ahhhh.

Once again, GW and his friends defeated Delores and her mouse minions and saved the day.  Hurray!

 

 

 

 

Not So Different

Title: Not so different : what you really want to ask about having a disability
Author: Shane Burcaw
Recommended for: Grades 1-4
Pages: 40
Call Number/Link:  E 362.43 BUR

Synopsis: Shane Burcaw was born with a rare disease called spinal muscular atrophy, which hinders his muscles’ growth. As a result, his body hasn’t grown bigger and stronger as he’s gotten older—it’s gotten smaller and weaker instead. This hasn’t stopped him from doing the things he enjoys (like eating pizza and playing sports and video games) with the people he loves, but it does mean that he routinely relies on his friends and family for help with everything from brushing his teeth to rolling over in bed.

Comments: This is a great book to start a conversation about disabilities with grade school kids. The photographs by Matt Carr are funny and engaging, which perfectly matches the text by Shane. The book is both realistic and lighthearted. My favorite story is about how he flipped out of his chair while playing soccer with friends (remember to always strap in!) and my favorite picture is the side view of his motorized wheelchair with labels like “joystick” and “rocket boosters.” 

 

Cici’s Journal

Title:  Cici’s journal : the adventures of a writer-in-training
Author: Joris Chamblain (Author),‎ Aurélie Neyret (Illustrator)
Series: Cici’s journal
Recommended for: 8-12 year olds
Pages: 160
Call Number/Link:  GN J CHAMBLAIN, J.

Synopsis: Cici dreams of being a novelist. Her favorite subject: people, especially adults. She’s been watching them and taking notes. Everybody has one special secret, Cici figures, and if you want to write about people, you need to understand what’s hiding inside them. But now she’s discovered something truly strange: an old man who disappears into the forest every Sunday with huge pots of paint in all sorts of colors. What is he up to? Why does he look so sad when he comes back?

Comments: This book is gorgeous. I was immediately drawn to the cover. On the inside, there are a couple of journal style pages with drawing and clippings done in a childlike style, then the story unfolds in graphic novel format. The book is about a 10-year-old girl who is maybe too into “mysteries” that she notices around her. Prompted by her friendship with an elderly local author, she takes notes and follows people until she figures out what’s going on in their lives, in hopes of becoming an author herself. Besides the beautiful illustrations, the best part of this book is the relationships explored. Cici has two close friends her own age, lives with her mother, and is friends with an elderly woman. When she gets obsessed with the mysterious people in her town, it starts to strain all her other relationships. I would recommend this book to anyone who has ever wanted to be a writer or loved mysteries.