-
Seuss, Dr. HORTON AND THE KWUGGERBUG AND MORE LOST STORIES
Seuss, Dr. HORTON AND THE KWUGGERBUG AND MORE LOST STORIES New York : Random House, 2014 IL K-3, RL 2.4 ISBN 0385382987 Do you think you have read all the Dr. Seuss books? Well this is a new one! These stories first appeared in magazines many years ago. Now they are in a book for you to enjoy. You'll find stories about your favorite characters and places. Horton the Elephant is back. Marco, Mulberry Street and even a grinch. Enjoy these stories about your favorite Dr. Seuss friends.
Saturday, October 31, 2015
Book of the day 10/31/2015
Friday, October 30, 2015
Book of the day 10/30/2015
-
Robertson, Rachel. WHEN YOU JUST HAVE TO ROAR!
Robertson, Rachel. WHEN YOU JUST HAVE TO ROAR! St. Paul, MN : Redleaf Lane, 2015 IL K-3, RL 3.5 ISBN 1605543624 "It was just one of those days in Ms. Mya's classroom." Kids were kicking. Kids were running. Kids were making a mess. And one was roaring. Ms. Mya decided that it was time to take action. She gathers the children on the carpet and talks to them about classroom expectations. Can you think of some good classroom expectations that would work in the class?
Thursday, October 29, 2015
Book of the day 10/29/2015
-
Ko, Sangmi. A DOG WEARING SHOES
Ko, Sangmi. A DOG WEARING SHOES New York : Schwartz & Wade Books, 2015 IL K-3, RL 2.9 ISBN 0385383967 When Mini and her mother spot a stray dog, they decide to take it home and try to find the owner. Even though he has no collar, he must belong to someone. You see, he is wearing shoes! That's right. He is wearing four very yellow shoes. Will Mini be able to keep him forever? Or will he real owner be found?
Sunday, October 25, 2015
Book of the day 10/25/2015
-
Worthington, Michelle. NOAH CHASES THE WIND
Worthington, Michelle. NOAH CHASES THE WIND New York : Redleaf Lane, 2015 IL K-3, RL 3.9 ISBN 160554356X Noah sees the world differently from most children. He can see patterns in the dust that flies through the air. He can feel a storm coming long before the trees even begin trembling. He loves to read and he loves to find out about the world around him. But he hasn't been able to figure out where the wind goes. Travel with Noah and he explores the world around him.
Thursday, September 24, 2015
Book of the day 09/24/2015
-
Whitby, Adele. CAMILLE'S STORY 1910
Whitby, Adele. CAMILLE'S STORY 1910 New York : Simon Spotlight, 2015 IL 3-6, RL 5.1 ISBN 1481439898 Camille is the daughter of the cook at Rousseau Manor. Her father had been the groundskeeper until he passed away a few years before. Now Camille's mother is trying to teach her to cook even though Camille is not that good at it. Although she is in service at the manor, the Rousseaus treat her well and she sometimes forgets that she is the help. When the family learns that a young relative from the States will be coming to live with them, Camille does her best to prepare for the arrival. But she will find that there are secrets in the Manor.
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
Book of the day 09/22/2015
-
Seuss, Dr. WHAT PET SHOULD I GET?
Seuss, Dr. WHAT PET SHOULD I GET? New York : Random House, 2015 IL K-3, RL 1.5 ISBN 0553524267 Long after his death, a new book by Dr. Seuss has been found and released. Such a thrill to get to read a new Dr. Seuss book! In the story, the children are told that they can have a pet. But what pet should they get? A dog? A cat? Or something more unusual? What pet would you choose if you could have only one?
Thursday, September 17, 2015
Book of the day 09/17/2015
-
There's No Such Thing as Little by LeUyen Pham
Pham, LeUyen. THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS LITTLE New York : Alfred A. Knopf, 2015 IL K-3, RL 0.9 ISBN 0385391501 Even though something seems little, it doesn't mean that it is. A little fish can be very brave. An little idea can be something fantastic. Pick this book up to see how some things that seem little when you first see them, are really big.
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
Book of the day 09/15/2015
-
Caterina and the Best Beach Day by Erin Eitter Kobo
Kono, Erin Eitter. CATERINA AND THE BEST BEACH DAY New York : Dial Books for Young Readers, 2015 IL K-3, RL 1.6 ISBN 0803741316 Caterina and her brother are going to spend the day at the beach. And she is determined to make this the best beach day ever. She starts making lists and planning the whole day out. They will collect shells, fly kits and build a sand castle. And so much more. But when they get to the beach, will Caterina find that sometimes plans need to change?
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
Book of the day 09/09/2015
-
Hank Has a Dream by Rebecca Dudley
Dudley, Rebecca. HANK HAS A DREAM New York : Peter Pauper Press, 2014 IL K-3, RL 1.4 ISBN 144135721 Hank is back in a new book. He is telling his friend about a dream he had. He's all alone in the dream but not afraid. And then he starts to fly. But he is not afraid. Come along in to Hank's magical forest and listen to him tell all about his dream.
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
Book of the day 09/08/2015
-
Home Tweet Home by Courtney Dicmas
Dicmas, Courtney. HOME TWEET HOME New York : Doubleday Books for Young Readers, 2015 IL K-3, RL 2.0 ISBN 0385385358 Pipi and Burt don't like living with so many brothers and sisters. Those of you from large families will certainly understand their feelings. The house is so crowded and noisy. They decide to run away and see what is out there. But what they find is not what they expect. Can their life in a large, rowdy family be as bad as they thought?
Monday, September 7, 2015
Book of the day 09/07/2015
-
The Safest Lie by Angela Cerrito
Cerrito, Angela. THE SAFEST LIE New York : Holiday House, 2015 IL 3-6, RL 3.9 ISBN 0823433102 Nine year old Anna Bauman knows that it is not safe to be a Jew in Nazi occupied Poland. The family has been forced into the Warsaw ghetto and it is a very hard life. But her parents are determined to save Anna even if they can't save themselves. She is to become Anna Karwolska, an 8 year old Catholic girl. She is smuggled out of Warsaw and is taken to a Catholic orphanage. She must never reveal her true name or the fact that she is Jewish. The story follows Anna's three years in hiding and the changes she goes through as she tries to live as Anna Karwolska while not forgetting Anna Bauman.
Saturday, September 5, 2015
Book of the day 09/05/2015
-
A Passion for Elephants by Toni Buzzeo
Buzzeo, Toni. A PASSION FOR ELEPHANTS : THE REAL LIFE ADVENTURE OF FIELD SCIENTIST CYNTHIA MOSS New York : Dial, 2015 IL K-3 ISBN 0399187251 Cynthia Moss was not afraid of big things. Or big challenges. I didn't know much about her before I read this biography but I am glad that I read it. After graduating from college, Cynthia decided to travel to Africa to see the big continent. While she was there, she got a job photographing elephants. They were big but Cynthia was not afraid. Day after day, Cynthia spent time with the elephants. And with each day, she learned more and more about their behavior. Would you like to find out what Cynthia Moss learned?
Friday, September 4, 2015
Book of the day 09/04/2015
-
Ruby on the Outside by Nora Raleigh Baskin
Baskin, Nora Raleigh. RUBY ON THE OUTSIDE New York : Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2015 IL 3-6, RL 4.4 ISBN 1442485035 Eleven year old Ruby Danes has a secret. And she has been keeping it for a long time. Her mother is in prison. Ruby just doesn't want anyone to know. She hasn't really had any friends who she feels close enough to who she wants to risk letting them know. But things may be changing. There is a new girl at the condo complex who is Ruby's age. Throughout the summer, Ruby and Margalit become close friends. Ruby is wondering if she can trust Margalit with the truth but then she learns some disturbing details about her mother's crime. Can it have something to do with Margalit?
Wednesday, August 5, 2015
Book of the day 08/05/2015
-
The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer L. Holm
Holm, Jennifer L. THE FOURTEENTH GOLDFISH New York : Random, 2014 IL 3-6, RL 4.4 ISBN 0375870644 When her mother picks her grandfather up from jail, Ellie’s sixth grade year takes a drastic turn. Her grandfather is a scientist and, in his latest experiment, has discovered the fountain of youth. He is now a teenage version of himself and will be attending her middle school! How will she survive having her cantankerous grandfather at school every day? Is the world ready for this scientific breakthrough? (Booktalk by Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Award Committee)
Tuesday, August 4, 2015
Book of the day 08/04/2015
-
The Castle Behind Thorns by Merrie Haskell
Haskell, Merrie. THE CASTLE BEHIND THORNS New York : Katherine Tegen Books, 2014 IL 3-6, RL 3.9 ISBN 0062008196 Sand, short for Alexandre, wakes up in an abandoned castle where everything is broken. A wall of thick, dangerous thorns makes escape impossible. Trained as a blacksmith, Sand begins to repair objects in the castle, awakening the castle’s magic. A girl appears and together they must find a way to escape before it is too late! (Booktalk by Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Award Committee)
Monday, August 3, 2015
Book of the day 08/03/2015
-
Death by Toilet Paper by Donna Gephart
Gephart, Donna. DEATH BY TOILET PAPER New York : Delacorte Press, 2014 IL 3-6, RL 4.9 ISBN 0385743998 Fact: Each day, 83,048,116 rolls of toilet paper are produced worldwide Fact: Prior to the invention of toilet paper, Eskimos used snow and tundra moss. Fact: World Toilet Day is celebrated on November 19. Fact: The most expensive toilet is found at the international space station. NASA paid nineteen million dollars for a Russian built toilet system. Fact: If Ben’s family can’t come up with the money, they will be evicted from their home. Ben’s dad died a year ago and things are tight. Ben tries to help by selling candy, entering sweepstakes and other contests. The latest contest is making up a new slogan for The Royal T Bathroom Tissue. How do Ben and his buddy, Toothpick, an aspiring horror movie make-up artist and Grandpa Jake save the day? Find out other amazing facts about toilets and toilet paper. Even with Ben’s serious family problems, this book will tickle your funny bone. (Booktalk by Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Award Committee)
Sunday, August 2, 2015
Book of the day 08/02/2015
-
Code Name 711 by F. T. Bradley
Bradley, F. T. DOUBLE VISION : CODE NAME 711 New York : Harper, 2013 IL 3-6, RL 4.6 ISBN 0062104403 One minute Lincoln Baker is playing video games with his friends, and the next minute the CIA needs his help. An assassin is plotting to set off explosives at a White House costume party. With spies around every corner, it’s hard to know who to trust. Linc will have to team up with the President’s daughter to stand a chance at beating the clock, the assassin, and Ben, a junior secret agent who looks just like Linc. Can Linc find the Dangerous Double of George Washington’s Revolutionary War coat before it’s too late? (Booktalk by Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Award Committee)
Tuesday, July 28, 2015
Book of the day 07/28/2015
-
The Blossoming Universe of Violet Diamond by Brenda Woods
Woods, Brenda. THE BLOSSOMING UNIVERSE OF VIOLET DIAMOND New York : Nancy Paulsen Books, 2014 IL 3-6, RL 4.6 ISBN 0399257144 Eleven-year-old biracial Violet has a loving family – Mom, sister Daisy, Gam and Poppy – but she often feels out of place in Moon Lake, Washington, a mostly white community. Her African American father died before she was born and she has never met his side of her family, until her grandmother has an art exhibit in Seattle. Can she convince her mother to take her to the art exhibit? And will her grandmother accept her if she does? (Booktalk by Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Award Committee)
Monday, July 27, 2015
Book of the day 07/27/2015
-
The Menagerie by Tui Sutherland
Sutherland, Tui. THE MENAGERIE New York : Harper, 2013 IL 3-6, RL 5.1 ISBN 0060780649 When seventh grader Logan Wilde wakes up in his new home in rural Xanadu, Wyoming, he spots large golden feathers on the floor. He soon discovers they belong to a hungry baby griffin hiding under his bed. Logan learns the baby griffin comes from a secret place called the Menagerie, a large habitat set up for the protection of mythical beasts. It contains unicorns, dragons, and phoenixes, and many other magical beasts. Who let the baby griffin out and is sabotaging the safety of all the magical beasts? Can Logan and his friends save the Menagerie? (Booktalk by Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Award Committee)
Sunday, July 26, 2015
Book of the day 07/26/2015
-
Winter Bees and Other Poems of the Cold by Joyce Sidman
Sidman, Joyce. WINTER BEES AND OTHER POEMS OF THE COLD New York : Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2014 IL K-3, RL 5.1 ISBN 0547906501 You can feel the air get frostier as you open this book of poetry. Journey through the snow-covered forest to learn about how different animals experience winter. The page about snakes will curl your toes! (Booktalk by Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Award Committee)
Saturday, July 25, 2015
Book of the day 07/25/2015
-
Segel, Jason. NIGHTMARES! New York : Delacorte, 2014 IL 3-6, RL 4.3 ISBN 0385744250 Eleven-year-old Charlie Laird is absolutely convinced that his stepmother Charlotte is a witch. Charlie's dad, little brother, and friends all like Charlotte and think Charlie's still grieving for his mom. He's also suffering from terrible nightmares. His nightmares and his real life begin to become one and the same. Then his nightmares take a bold step into his waking world. Will Charlie learn to overcome his fears and stop the nightmares? (Booktalk by Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Award Committee)
Friday, July 24, 2015
Book of the day 07/24/2015
-
Frank Einstein and the Antimatter Motor by Jon Scieszka
Scieszka , Jon. FRANK EINSTEIN AND THE ANTIMATTER MOTOR New York : Amulet, 2014 IL 3-6, RL 5.9 ISBN 1419712187 Frank Einstein, a kid genius inventor, is eager to create contraptions to figure out how the world works. Read this book with or without your safety goggles but be prepared for an action packed science fiction adventure with cool science facts, silliness, some sign language and lots of detailed diagrams throughout. Frank tries to build a SmartBot in his garage but believes he has failed. Surprisingly, overnight a bolt of electricity from a lightning storm zaps the bot’s brain to life, it self assembles and makes another robot. Unfortunately, Frank now has Klink, a smart robot full of wisecracks that’s able to learn and then there’s Klank, a robot who really just wants to hug. Nevertheless, the three of them try to work together to perfect Frank’s Antimatter Motor to win prize money so that Frank’s Grandpa won’t have to lose his Fix-It Shop. Frank’s best friend, Watson, is also always there to help. But, will this antimatter idea fall into the wrong hands of Frank’s evil arch nemesis, T. Edison? You’ll have to read this book to find out why it’s important to never give up and that when it comes to science how the failures can be just as important as the successes. (Booktalk by Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Award Committee)
Thursday, July 23, 2015
Book of the day 07/23/2015
-
The Secret Box by Whitaker Ringwald
Ringwald, Whitaker. THE SECRET BOX New York : Katherine Tegan, 2013 IL 3-6. RL 3.9 ISBN 0062216147 On her 12th birthday, Jax receives a package in the mail from her great-aunt Juniper. Just another boring gift, she imagines. But when her mother anxiously snatches the mysterious package away, Jax’s curiosity is ignited. She must find out what’s inside! With the help of her shy, younger cousin Ethan and his obnoxious, older, tech genius, video gaming brother, Tyler, she begins the task of surreptitiously stealing her package back from the Post Office, where her mother has taken it to be returned to sender. Tearing the package open, Jax finds a box which can’t be opened. In order to find out what’s inside, the three learn they must unravel clues to lead them to the only location in which it will open. They are not the only ones who crave the secret box. Dangerous criminals will do anything to steal it. Will they be able to hold onto the powerful box? Are they clever enough to solve the clues in time? Told in the alternating voices of Jax and Ethan, this suspenseful mystery is full of intrigue and danger. (Booktalk by Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Award Committee)
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Book of the day 07/22/2015
-
Space Taxi : Archie Takes Flight by Wendy Mass
Mass, Wendy. SPACE TAXI : ARCHIE TAKES FLIGHT Boston : Little, Brown, 2014 IL K-3, RL 3.6 ISBN 0316243191 It's not every day a regular kid like Archie gets to wake up at midnight. But today is Take Your Kid to Work Day, and Archie is finally allowed to ride along in his dad's taxi cab. He has been waiting eight years, eight months, and eight days for this moment to arrive. But he's about to discover his dad is no ordinary cab driver...In fact, he drives an intergalactic space taxi! All night long, he shuttles aliens from one corner of the universe to another. And being a space taxi copilot is no easy task. Archie must steer them into wormholes, keep them from crashing into planets, deal with a very unusual cat...and save the universe from an evil mastermind! (Booktalk by Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Award Committee)
Wednesday, July 15, 2015
Book of the day 07/15/2015
-
Lord, Cynthia. HALF A CHANCE New York : Scholastic, 2014 Twelve year-old Lucy is not happy to move again. This time she is moving to a remote lake in New Hampshire, but her nature photographer father will not be there. He will be traveling to Arizona for work. Moving for Lucy means new friends, new school, and lots of new experiences. Lucy handles her loneliness by entering a photography contest. She loves taking photographs. Because her father is the judge of the contest she enters under a false name. She uses the identity of her new neighbor Nate. Nate has spent all his summers at the lake with his grandmother, Lilah who is now losing her memory. Nate and Lucy try to help Lilah by working with her on her loon count. Will Nate be able to accept his grandmother’s loss of memory? Will Lucy tell her dad about deceiving him in the contest? Will Lucy and Nate’s friendship survive these challenges? Reading Half a Chance will give you some surprising answers. (Booktalk by Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Award Committee)
Monday, July 13, 2015
Book of the day 07/13/2015
-
Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch by Anne Isaacs
Isaacs, Anne. MEANWHILE, BACK AT THE RANCH New York : Schwartz & Wade, 2014 In 1870, widow Tulip Jones packs up her twelve pet tortoises: January, February, March, and so on, and boards a ship traveling from England to By-Golly, Texas, where she inherits a ranch, along with thirty-five million dollars. Amazed at how fast and big things grow, she discovers that even her smallest pet tortoise grows six feet long in a month. His large size makes him move even FASTER; soon, he can outrace the fastest racehorse. When word of widow Tulip Jones and her inheritance spreads across the prairie, all the bachelors in Texas, (which is every cowboy, even some nasty ones) wish to marry her. Before long, Tulip Jones is overwhelmed with unsuitable suitors. Calico, one of her three ranch hands, comes up with a clever idea. She proposes that Tulip Jones put a notice in every newspaper in the U.S. stating, “Brides wanted! 1,000 cowboys available! Free to good homes! Lariats and hats included!” Tulip Jones does exactly that. Before long, the brides come, garbed in their finest wedding dresses. Read to find out if every bride gets her cowboy, and if widow Tulip Jones finds happiness in By-Golly. (Booktalk by Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Award Committee)
Sunday, July 12, 2015
Book of the day 07/12/2015
-
Mountain Dog by Margaret Engle
Engle, Margaret. MOUNTAIN DOG New York : Henry Holt and Company, 2013 Are you seeking a new adventure to take you away from your own backyard? Then you’ll want to put Mountain Dog by Margarita Engle in your backpack today and head west. This book is a compelling realistic fiction novel set in the remote Sierra Nevada Mountains of California. It’s filled with struggles and celebrations, relationships and rescues. And what’s even cooler is this story is told through two alternating perspectives. Meet Tony, the resilient 11 and a half year old boy who’s mom has been sent to jail for running pit bull fights and Gabe, the loyal chocolate lab rescue dog who becomes his trusted companion. After reading this book you’ll also be amazed at how much you will have actually learned about rescue dogs, tracking wild animals, hiking, making new friends, adapting to a new home, and even some interesting facts about bears and elephants. You’ll even manage to learn a few new Spanish phrases along the way. But more importantly, you will definitely learn the value of trust as you journey through life. (Booktalk by Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Award Committee)
Saturday, July 11, 2015
Book of the day 07/11/2015
-
Handle With Care by Loree Griffin Burns
Burns, Loree Griffin. HANDLE WITH CARE : AN UNUSUAL BUTTERFLY JOURNEY New York : Millbrook, 2014 IL 3-6, RL 3.7 ISBN 0761393420 Have you been to a live butterfly exhibit at a museum or at a zoo? Where do these lovely exotic butterflies come from? Come visit a butterfly farm in Costa Rica in Central America. Follow the life cycle of the Blue Morpho Butterfly from a tiny egg to a voracious larva (caterpillar) to pupa or chrysalis to finally a beautiful adult butterfly. Raising a butterfly or moth is not easy. The farmers must find the special plants for their food and keep them safe from predators like frogs, birds or snakes! When the caterpillars become chrysalises, the farmers send them, carefully packaged, to museums and zoos all over the world. (Booktalk by Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Award Committee)
Friday, July 10, 2015
Book of the day 07/10/2015
-
Bell, Cece. EL DEAFO Amulet Books, 2014 In this semi-autobiographical graphic novel, Cece, a bunny, gets sick and loses most of her hearing. She then goes to a school for the deaf for one year. After that first year, she goes to regular school where she is the only deaf student. She has to wear a device called the Phonics Ear, which allows her to hear what the teacher is saying, and often more than she wants to hear if the teacher forgets she is wearing the microphone part of the Phonics Ear and goes to the bathroom. Cece imagines herself as a superhero, El Deafo, who is accepted by classmates. This is a good story about friendship and about accepting who you are. (Booktalk by Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Award Committee)
Thursday, July 9, 2015
Book of the day 07/09/2015
-
Loki's Wolves by Kelley Armstrong
Armstrong, Kelley. LOKI'S WOLVES Boston : Little, Brown, 2013 IL 3-6, RL 4.4 ISBN 031620496X Matt always knew that he was the modern day descendent of Thor, but he never guessed that he would be selected as Thor’s representative to try to prevent Ragnarök, a series of events foretold to result in the end of the world as we know it. Teamed up with his cousin Laurie and classmate Fen, Matt must find Thor’s hammer and shield to prepare for impending battle. His journey of preparation leads him and his friends into encounters with a series of monsters from Norse mythology. If you enjoyed the Percy Jackson series, you will love this adventure into lesser-known mythology from Scandinavia! (Booktalk by Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Award Committee)
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
Book of the day 07/08/2015
-
Three Bears in a Boat by David Soman
Soman, David. THREE BEARS IN A BOAT New York : Dial Books for Young Readers, 2014 IL K-3, RL 3.4 ISBN 0803739931 When young bears Dash, Charlie and Theo “did something they really shouldn’t have,” they accidentally break their mother’s blue seashell. Their quest to make amends takes them on a remarkable journey across the sea where they meet new friends and encounter danger. Will they make their way home again? Will they find a seashell for their mother? Read to find out! (Booktalk by Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Award Committee)
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
Book of the day 07/07/2015
-
Buddy and the Bunnies in Don't Play With Your Food by Bob Shea
Shea, Bob. BUDDY AND THE BUNNIES IN DON'T PLAY WITH YOUR FOOD! New York : Disney Hyperion, 2014 IL K-3, RL 1.6 ISBN 1423168070 Buddy is a very grumpy monster who has no time for niceties. When he stumbles upon some bunnies, he knows he must eat them! But the bunnies have another idea. You will giggle and cheer as the bunnies find trick after trick to keep Buddy distracted from his dinner plans! (Booktalk by Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award Committee)
Monday, July 6, 2015
Book of the day 07/06/2015
-
The Noisy Paint Box by Barb Rosenstock
Rosenstock, Barb. THE NOISY PAINT BOX New York : Knopf, 2014 Vasily Kandinsky was a pioneer of abstract painting, but as a child he was encouraged to be serious about his studies. He studied to become a lawyer and put his childhood hobby of painting aside. He had an unusual condition that allowed him to experience music and sounds visually: in addition to hearing sounds, he also saw them as colors. Read The Noisy Paint Box to find out how this condition led him to return to his childhood interest and invent a whole new style of painting. (Booktalk by Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Award Committee)
Sunday, July 5, 2015
Book of the day 07/05/2015
-
A Baby Elephant in the Wild by Caitlin O'Connell
O'Connell, Caitlin. A BABY ELEPHANT IN THE WILD New York : Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2014 IL K-3, RL 4.6 ISBN 0544149440 Meet adorable Liza, a baby elephant with strikingly pink ears, toenails, and tummy. Born in Namibia, Africa, she shares her scrub desert habitat with giraffes, zebras, antelopes, and lions. As a newborn weighing 250 lbs., Liza has tons of growing to do, since her mother weighs 8,000 lbs. Within a few hours of birth, Liza must travel with her extended family, covering up to 20 miles a day, to reach food and water. All of the family-oriented elephants stick together to protect Liza and the other young from attacks by prides of lions or hyenas. Read about Liza and her elephant family and discover many fascinating elephant facts, such as, they are the largest mammal on earth with the largest teeth (tusks). Elephants pass down their wisdom from generation to generation. That must amount to a lot of knowledge, since they come from the Proboscidea order, which has been on earth for 55 million years. (Booktalk by Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Award Committee)
Saturday, July 4, 2015
Book of the day 07/04/2015
-
Poem-Mobiles by J. Patrick Lewis
Lewis, J. Patrick. POEM-MOBILES New York : Schwartz Wade, 2014 Two of children’s poetry’s most prolific and entertaining writers pair up to bring you a collection of wild and wonderful poems about cars. But you won’t see these cars on the highway! The poets and illustrator Jeremy Holmes have created a fantastical world full of imaginary automobiles like the bathtub car, the banana split car and the eel-ectric car. Filled with word play, rollicking rhymes and illustrations that are even wackier than the poems that inspired them, this book is impossible to read only once! (Booktalk by Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Award Committee)
Friday, July 3, 2015
Book of the day 07/03/2015
-
Little Red Pencil by Joan Holub
Holub, Joan. LITTLE RED WRITING New York : Chronicle Books, 2013 IL K-3, RL 3.4 ISBN 0811878694 Little Red Writing is a story about Little Red in Pencil School, where Ms. 2, her teacher, instructs the class on how to write a story. The other pencils, Birthday pencil, State pencil, and Basketball pencil, can’t wait to write their happy, nonfiction “Great State of Pencilvania,” stories. Ambitious Little Red truly wants to write an adventure story about a brave and courageous character, who journeys through the school, fighting evil to “save the day.” Little Red begins by traipsing through the gym, bouncing, boogieing, and finally cartwheeling into the “deep, dark, descriptive forest,” the school library, on the next page. Hearing growling, the suspense intensifies as she spots a tail, and follows it into Principal Granny’s office, where Little Red meets Wolf 3000, showing his big sharp teeth instead of her Principal. Big Red musters her courage and bravery to combat the fierce pencil sharpener. Read to find out if she saves Principal Granny, now a short stub of a pencil, before it’s too late. (Booktalk by Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Award Committee)
Thursday, July 2, 2015
Book of the day 07/02/2015
-
Dory Fantasmgory by Abby Hanlon
Hanlon, Abby. DORY FANTASMAGORY New York : Dial Books for Young Readers, 2014 IL K-3, RL 2.1 ISBN 0803740883 If you laugh at Junie B. you’ll laugh out loud when you meet lovable six-year old Dory Fantasmagory in this new beginning chapter book series. Everyone calls her Rascal but all that Dory really wants is attention and she has just enough wild imagination and endless energy to never stop trying. She’s the youngest in the family and unfortunately, her older brother, Luke, and older sister, Violet, only roll their eyes and invent scary sharp-toothed Mrs. Gobble Gracker to try and stop their little sister from being such a pest. After all, Rascal is supposed to be ready to go to first grade and it’s about time she stopped acting like a baby by asking so many annoying questions. Dory won’t quit outsmarting monsters and you’ll be surprised when she actually proves her bravery in real life! The hilarious illustrations will also help you to see her antics more clearly, and you can watch her grow in the second Dory story, Dory and the Real True Friend due out later this year. The author/illustrator, Abby Hanlon, is already thinking about her third Dory book too! (Booktalk by Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Award Committee)
Wednesday, July 1, 2015
Book of the day 07/01/2015
-
The Princess in Black by Shannon Hale
Hale, Shannon. THE PRINCESS IN BLACK Somerville, MA : Candlewick, 2014 IL K-3, RL 3.2 ISBN 076366510X While young Princess Magnolia entertains an unexpected guest with hot chocolate and delicious scones in her majestic castle, her monster alarm rings. Her guest, Duchess Wigtower, enjoys visiting unsuspecting friend’s homes to uncover their secrets. Oh no, the princess does have a big secret, and, hearing the alarm, she scurries into the broom closet, secretly changing from her frilly pink gown and tiara into her black dress, tights, and cape. Clad in her Princess in Black outfit, she slides down the secret chute of her castle, climbs upon her unicorn Frimplepants, and scoots off to Monster Land. Will she reach Monster Land before the big, hungry Blue Monster gobbles up two tasty goats? Read to find out if the Princess in Black saves the tender goats and returns to her castle before nosy Duchess Wigtower figures out her true identity. (Booktalk by Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Award Committee)
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Book of the day 06/30/2015
-
DiPucchio, Kelly. GASTON New York : Antheneum Books for Young Readers, 2014 IL K-3, RL 2.8 ISBN 1442451025 Gaston by Kelly DiPucchio, is the story of four puppies: Fi-Fi, Foo-Foo, Ooh-La-La, and Gaston. Three of these puppies are French poodles and no bigger than teacups but Gaston, who is actually a French bulldog, is the size of a teapot! As you get to know Gaston, you’ll want to give him credit for trying to be such a proper pooch just like his sisters. One day, Gaston’s family meets a bulldog family in the park with roundish faces and three brothers named Rocky, Ricky, Bruno, and their dainty poodle sister named, Antoinette. Gaston and Antoinette quickly realize there must have been a mix-up between the families and decide to switch places. The new families look right…but they just don’t feel right. You’ll have to read this book to find out where these two adorable dogs find their rightful place and happiness. (Booktalk by Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Award Committee)
Monday, June 29, 2015
Book of the day 06/29/2015
-
Leroy Ninker Saddles Up by Kate DiCamillo
DiCamillo, Kate. LEROY NINKER SADDLES UP Somerville, MA : Candlewick Press, 2014 IL K-3, RL 4.2 ISBN 0763663395 The tiny thief, Leroy Ninker, who tries to steal the toaster in Mercy Watson Fights Crime, has mended his ways and returns in this spinoff series. Still planning on a career as a cowboy, Leroy, the drive-in movie concession salesman, makes plans to fulfill his dream. His coworker, Beatrice, informs him that he needs a horse, handing him a “Horse for Sale” advertisement. Leroy can’t wait to find the horse of his dreams and soon locates Maybelline, an old horse with a velvety damp nose and only four teeth. After hearing her former owner’s advice (firstly, be kind to her, “you got to talk sweet to Maybelline,” secondly, give her lots of grub, and, thirdly, never leave her alone), Leroy and Maybelline gallop away faster and faster across the fields. He has never been happier! But when he forgets an important tip about Maybelline, he fears his cowboy dreams are over. Read to find out what hair-raising adventure occurs, AND if Leroy and Maybelline ever run into some old friends. (Booktalk by Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Award Committee)
Sunday, June 28, 2015
Book of the day 06/28/2015
-
The Chicken Squad : The First Misadventure by Doreen Cronin
Cronin, Doreen. THE CHICKEN SQUAD : THE FIRST MISADVENTURE New York : Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2014 IL K-3, RL 3.1 ISBN 1442496762 J.J. Tully, a dog, has his paws full. He is in charge of protecting the Chicken Squad and their mother, Moosh. Dirt, Sugar, Poppy and Sweetie (the members of the Chicken Squad) are trying to solve the mystery of what BIG, SCARY, ENORMOUS, FRIGHTENING, HUGE, TERRIFYING, ROUND, SHINY thing has scared the squirrel, Tail. You won’t believe what it is! Read The Chicken Squad and discover along with Tully what has gotten the chickens’ feathers ruffled. (Booktalk by Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Award Committee)
Saturday, June 27, 2015
Book of the day 06/27/2015
-
Elizabeth, Queen of the Seas by Lynne Cox
Cox, Lynne. ELIZABETH, QUEEN OF THE SEAS New York : Schwartz & Wade Books, 2014 IL K-3, RL 4.2 ISBN 0375958886 Elephant seals belong in the ocean, but Elizabeth is different. No one knows what draws her to settle in a busy intersection in the middle of Christchurch, New Zealand, but she makes it clear that is where she wants to be. This true story of love and determination will warm your heart! (Booktalk by Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Award Committee)
Friday, June 26, 2015
Book of the day 06/26/2015
-
My Teacher Is a Monster by Peter Brown
Brown, Peter. MY TEACHER IS A MONSTER! (NO, I AM NOT) Boston : Little Brown, 2014 IL K-3, RL 1.7 ISBN 0316070297 A young boy named Bobby has the worst teacher. She's loud, she yells, and if you throw paper airplanes, she won't allow you to enjoy recess. She is a monster! Luckily, Bobby can go to his favorite spot in the park on weekends to play. Until one day... he finds his teacher there! Over the course of one day, Bobby learns that monsters are not always what they seem. (Booktalk by Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Award Committee)
Thursday, June 25, 2015
Book of the day 06/25/2015
-
Bloom, C. P. THE MONKEY GOES BANANAS
Bloom, C. P. THE MONKEY GOES BANANAS New York : Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2014 IL K-3 ISBN 1419708856 Monkey spies a banana tree. What will he do to get his hands on them? Monkey cleverly finds a way to outsmart a shark and get to the bananas. This mostly wordless picture book is truly hilarious! (Booktalk by Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Award Committee)
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Book of the day 06/24/2015
-
Barnett, Mac. SAM AND DAVE DIG A HOLE
Barnett, Mac. SAM AND DAVE DIG A HOLE Somerville, MA : Candlewick, 2014 IL K-3, RL 1.9 ISBN 0763662291 Sam, Dave and their dog have a challenge. They want to dig and dig and dig until they find something spectacular – something huge – something thrilling. They seem unsuccessful. But are they really? Pay close attention to the illustrations and you’ll discover what Sam and Dave found. This book won a Caldecott Honor Medal for outstanding illustrations. (Booktalk by Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Award Committee)
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Book of the day 06/10/2015
-
Touch the Brightest Star by Christie Matheson
Matheson, Christie. TOUCH THE BRIGHTEST STAR New York : Greenwillow Books, 2015 IL K-3, RL 1.7 ISBN 0062274473 What happens when the sun goes down? The night becomes magic. “Magic happens every night. / First wave good-bye to the sun’s bright light.” Come along on a journey through the night. Tap the firefly to make it light. Pat the deer. Swipe the sky. Rub the owl heads. And when the night is over, a new magical day begins.
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Book of the day 06/09/2015
-
Watson, Jude. LOOT : HOW TO STEAL A FORTUNE New York : Scholastic, 2014 IL 5-8, RL 4.2 ISBN 0545468027 Advice from Alfie McQuin to his son, March: *Never trust a guy who says “trust me”. *If you think nothing can go wrong---you’d better think again. *Panic doesn’t get you anything but arrested. March McQuin has led an “interesting” life so far. Being raised by his widowed dad, who also happens to be an international jewel thief, has resulted in many moves to many countries and countless transfers from one school to another. Through it all, though, they’ve always had each other, and Alfie has passed on his wisdom as well as “homeschooling” March in the art of burglary. But Alfie’s latest heist has gone terribly wrong. Now March is on his own, and he’s being followed. He’s going to need all of the skills and wisdom his father gave him just to survive, let alone to solve the mystery of Alfie’s last request---“Find jewels…” What jewels? Or, maybe, who is Jules? March will find friends and allies where he least expects them, but there are enemies out there, too. And they’re all trying to be first to find….the loot. This high-speed adventure will have you hooked from the first chapter to the last. (Booktalk by the NH Great Stone Face Committee)
Monday, June 8, 2015
Book of the day 06/08/2015
-
Lord, Cynthia. HALF A CHANCE New York : Scholastic, 2014 IL 3-6, RL 4.3 ISBN 0545035333 When you take pictures do you just point and shoot? Do you frame your picture? Do you consider the “story” the photo will tell? Lucy’s family has just moved into a year round home on a lake in New Hampshire, her third move in her twelve years. Lucy’s Dad, a famous photographer, never stays in one place too long, and truth to tell he will be taking off within a day for a summer long assignment in Arizona leaving Lucy and her Mom to sort out the move and settle into this new life. Even before unpacking her first box Lucy is driven to grab her own camera and, with her dog Ansel (after Ansel Adams), “capture a first New Hampshire photo, so that in time she will feel the relief and comfort of looking back at this first one and remember how brave and scary everything was then, and realize she ‘made it’ once again. Like creating a memory in reverse.” Memory and photography intertwine in the telling of this story. Very quickly, Lucy meets Nate, the boy next door, and his family who are summer residents in the cottage owned by his Grandma Lilah. Grandma Lilah is passionate about participating with the Loon Preservation Society’s annual egg count and hatchings. However, she can no longer manage daily kayaking to the loon nesting island and enlists the help of Nate, his sister, and “Lucy of the Loons” as she dubs Lucy on her first venture. Sometimes another neighbor Megan, who sees Lucy as a rival, participates as well. As you will discover, Grandma Lilah is having more trouble managing other things as well this summer. Through a desire to help Grandma Lilah and a secret longing to have her photography skills measure up to her father’s highly demanding standards, Lucy, with Nate’s interest and help, work to gather samples for a Photo Scavenger Hunt run by a magazine, nine photos reflecting a creative approach to nine words or phrases. Ethical issues arise when Lucy has to enter the contest under Nate’s name since her father is one of the contest judges. But even more difficult ethical, friendship, and creative choice issues arise over the use or non-use of a particular photo of Grandma Lilah that “reveals a story, show me why I care?” but one that Nate cares too much to want to see. (Kathleen Fencil, NH Great Stone Face Committee, 2015)
Friday, June 5, 2015
Book of the day 06/05/2015
-
Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
Hunt, Lynda Mullaly. FISH IN A TREE New York : Nancy Paulsen, 2015 IL 5-8, RL 4.2 ISBN 0399162593 Ally Nickerson spends a lot of time in the Principal’s office. She does not always understand what she did wrong to get there. She has also had to move a lot, seven schools in her twelve years. Her father is in the military and is currently deployed overseas. Ally demonstrates unique brightness and interesting drawing capabilities as she doodles in her “Sketchbook of Impossible Things,” but at other times her good intentions lead to disastrous consequences, all because she cannot tell the absolute truth, not to her principal, not to her teacher, not to her Mom, not to her friends. Ally still cannot read, no matter how hard she tries. And she does try, but reading for Ally is “still like trying to make sense of a can of alphabet soup that’s been dumped on a plate. She just doesn’t get how other people do it. Ally Nickerson + reading = Impossible! To say that Ally stands out is stating the obvious, but she is not totally alone. She develops friendships with a couple of other class misfits; “Tell–it-like-it-is Keisha and science and fact obsessed Albert who wears the same “Flint” shirt to school everyday and is often seen with mysterious bruises. In the course of their school year they get a new teacher, Mr. Daniels who sees the child first, before the student. There are heroes in this book and they are not only the adults. This book is a “Silver Dollar” read. The Fish in a Tree title comes from a quote often misappropriated to Albert Einstein; “Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” The truth of a quote has nothing to do with who it came from, but it would be fine and fitting had it been Einstein. (Kathleen Fencil, NH Great Stone Face Committee)
Thursday, June 4, 2015
Book of the day 06/04/2015
-
Durham, Paul. LUCK UGLIES New York : HarperCollins, 2014 IL 3-6, RL 5.5 ISBN 0062271504 Rye O’Chanter and her best friends Quinn and Folly know well the history of Village Drowning, a village said to be “built on a foundation of secrets, rules, and lies but mostly just mud.” The children have heard tell of the hideous Bog Noblins–creatures who wear human feet as necklaces–and the bands of lawless men known as Luck Uglies, both thought to be long-gone from the village. But when Rye herself has a horrible encounter with a Bog Noblin late one night and a mysterious cloaked and tattooed man appears in the village, Rye and her friends learn that things aren’t always what they seem and what becomes history isn’t always true. The author creates a multi-layered, rich world inhabited by characters that sparkle with life and practically leap from the pages. Readers will be thrilled to know that this engrossing fantasy is the first book of a series. (Booktalk by the NH Great Stone Face Committee)
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
Book of the day 06/03/2015
-
Where I Belong by Mary. Downing Hahn
Hahn, Mary Downing. WHERE I BELONG New York : Clarion, 2014 IL 5-8, RL 5.3 ISBN 0544230205 “If only I had someplace to go besides home. A safe place where I’d belong and nobody would call me names or beat me up or laugh at me. No school. No teachers. No mean kids. No Mrs. Clancy. Just me, Brendan Doyle”. (p. 13, Where I Belong) No one is nice to sixth-grader Brendan Doyle: his foster mother, his teachers, his classmates, and especially the teens who bully him. He escapes in books, drawing, carving, and daydreaming. When Brendan meets an old man near his treehouse in the Virginia woods, he believes that this is the Green Man, the magical spirit guardian of the forest. Brendan builds a treehouse and retreats into his fantasy world. With the help of another new friend, a girl named Shea with secrets of her own, Brendan just might find a place where he belongs. (Booktalk by the NH Great Stone Face Committee)
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
Book of the day 06/02/2015
-
The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Bradley, Kimberly Brubaker. THE WAR THAT SAVED MY LIFE New York : Dial Books, 2015 IL 3-6. RL 3.9 ISBN 0803740816 From the moment you meet Ada, the main character, you are going to not want to let her go. She’s imperfect, impertinent, smart, and strong. Ada lives with her younger brother Jamie and flat out evil mother in a tiny London flat on the eve of World War II. Ada has a club foot. She’s never walked, and she’s never left the apartment. Her mother shames her and punishes her in deplorable ways. Jamie is Ada’s only lifeline to the world, and when Ada hears that Jamie will be evacuated to the countryside due to the impending bombings, she secretly teaches herself to walk, and very painfully escapes with Jamie in the evacuation. What happens to Ada, and Jamie, and Susan, the woman who has to care for them, is transformative both for the characters and every reader who meets these characters. This book will have you thinking about Ada long after it ends, waiting impatiently for the sequel to be able to spend more time with her. (Booktalk by the NH Great Stone Face Committee)
Monday, June 1, 2015
Book of the day 06/01/2015
-
The Terrible Two by Mac Barnett
Barnett, Mac. THE TERRIBLE TWO New York : Amulet Books, 2015 IL 3-6, RL 4.9 ISBN 1419714910 It was the first day of school, and Miles Murphy faced it with a sense of dread; he had just moved to the cow town of Yawnee Valley from his beloved home town back in Florida. Miles looked around and saw all the typical school stuff: typical marquee, typical flagpole, typical bunch of kids milling around, typical school entrance blocked by the typical principal’s car high up on the steps…huh? Wait a minute…what a fantastic prank! The only trouble was, it wasn’t his prank! Back at his old school, he was known as the master of pranks…who was the mastermind here at Yawnee Valley Science and Letters Academy? He had to find out! The one person he was sure it couldn’t be was Niles Sparks, the designated School Helper. Every school has one: the suck-up, the do-gooder, the snitch… Can Miles be out-pranked? This book is funnier than a rubber chicken… and contains some interesting facts about cows! Hilarious for all ages…fun illustrations. (Booktalk by the NH Great Stone Face Committee)
Sunday, May 31, 2015
Book of the day 05/31/2015
-
Lovejoy, Sharon. RUNNING OUT OF NIGHT
Lovejoy, Sharon. RUNNING OUT OF NIGHT New York : Delacorte, 2014 IL 3-6, RL 5.2 ISBN 0385744099 Her mama died in childbirth when she was born, and her pa and older brothers didn’t think enough of her to give her a name. They simply called her “Girl”. She grew up in fear of them, suffering their unspeakable abuse and serving as their slave, guarded by two vicious bloodhounds. The day Zenobia knocked at her door, Girl’s life began to change. Zenobia was a runaway slave, whose family had all been separated and sold away to cruel plantation owners. The two girls, of disparate color and background, forged an unlikely bond of friendship. Zenobia gave her a new name: Lark, because she sang like a bird. Together, they made their escape by night, using just their wits and a great deal of courage. They endured many hair-raising close calls, even as they received assistance from some Quaker families on the Underground Railroad. Did they successfully elude their pursuers and make it to freedom? A gritty, well-told historical novel, filled with high adventure. (Booktalk by the NH Great Stone Face Committee)
Saturday, May 30, 2015
Book of the day 05/30/2015
-
Murphy, Gold Rush Dog by Alison Hart
Hart, Alison. MURPHY, GOLD RUSH DOG Atlanta : Peachtree Publishers, 2014 IL 3-6 RL 5.5 ISBN 1561457698 Nome, Alaska, 1900. The end of the earth, where gold lies waiting on the beaches, and people race to the lawless town to stake a claim. Young Murphy, a sled dog cruelly abused by Carlick his owner, arrives in Nome bloody and battered with his team. There, he escapes to the streets and meets eleven-year-old Sally and her mother who’ve come north to build a new life together. Needing a protector in that dangerous town, the two take Murphy in. But Carlick hasn’t given up searching for his dog. And when Sally, who falls in love with Nome and the wilderness, decides to run off and hunt for gold on her own, it’s Murphy who must live up to his role of protector. Murphy tells this solid story, filled with adventure, history, a feisty outdoor-loving girl, and one very brave dog. The short chapters and artwork, as well as the happy ending make this a good choice for younger readers. (Booktalk by the NH Great Stone Face Committee)
Friday, May 29, 2015
Book of the day 05/29/2015
-
Korman, Gordon. MASTERMINDS New York : Balzer + Bray, 2015 IL 3-6, RL 5.2 ISBN 0062299964 Your life is perfect- Your town is perfect- Serenity, … New Mexico. Population- 185. Kids-30. No crime, no poverty, no unemployment, what more could anyone want or need? Why would anyone want to leave Serenity? Could they leave even if they wanted to? 13 year old Eli and his friend Randy soon discover mysterious illnesses occur when the kids try to pass the town border. Eli is hit with waves of crampling nausea and paralyzing pain. Memories become vague. Randy doesn’t seem to suffer the same illness, but fate has something else in store. Within days, Randy leaves town. No one has ever left town. What could this mean? As Eli discovers the clues Randy left behind for him, he enlists the help of an unlikely crew of his peers. The clues mount, and evidence is gathered as the kids discover Serenity may not be crime free after all. Slowly they realize the grown-ups they trust might just be the criminals they should fear. Follow the journey of Eli, Malik, Hector and Tori as they slowly find out the town’s secrets and unravel the mystery of the disappearance of their friend Randy. (Booktalk by the NH Great Stone Face Committee)
Thursday, May 28, 2015
Book of the day 05/28/2015
-
Weeks. Sarah. HONEY New York : Scholastic, 2015 IL 3-6, RL 4.8 ISBN 0545465575 Ten year old Melody, lives in Royal Indiana where life has always been simple. It’s been just her and her dad. Then her dad’s mood starts to change. He becomes forgetful and starts singing for no reason. Melody overhears strange calls at night. “Who was on the phone?” she asks. “Wrong number,” her dad says. Even groggy Melody knows she heard her dad say Honey. Does dad have a girlfriend? Who could it be? Why all the secrets? Join Melody and her pal Nick as they start gathering evidence and putting the pieces together. But do the pieces really fit they way they think? (Booktalk by the NH Great Stone Face Committee)
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
Book of the day 05/27/2015
-
The Honest Truth by Dan Gemeinhart
Gemeinhart, Dan. THE HONEST TRUTH New York : Schholastic Press, 2015 IL 5-8, RL 4.0 ISBN 0545665736 We all have our bad days. Days when we feel like we’d love to just walk away from everything—school, family, even friends… Mark is a good kid, but when he finds out that he’s going to have to be admitted to the hospital again, he makes a decision. He’s been fighting this disease for so long---maybe it’s time to walk away…from days in bed, treatments that make him sick, and from everyone who means well but doesn’t understand. He’s always dreamed of climbing nearby Mt. Rainier. Maybe now is the time to make that dream a reality—even if it’s the last thing he ever does. With only his dog for company, Mark sets off on his journey, seeking to evade all the well-meaning people who try to stop him. Only his best friend Jessie has a clue as to his intentions. Will he manage to make a success of this final trip? Will Jessie be able to keep her suspicions to herself, or will she decide to point the searchers in Mark’s direction? The most meaningful journeys teach us something about ourselves. Mark has a lot to learn---if he can just survive. His epic journey will keep you riveted from the first page to the last. (Booktalk by the NH Great Stone Face Committee)
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
Book of the day 05/26/2015
-
Gabriel Finley and the Raven's Riddle by. George Hagen
Hagen, George. GABRIEL FINLEY AND THE RAVEN'S RIDDLE New York : Scwartz & Wade, 2014 IL 3-6, RL 4.8 ISBN 0385371039 Ravens love riddles. This is the way they can tell the good ravens from the bad. Long ago, ravens were our best friends…they watched over us and conversed with us easily. That was before a phantom raven named Corax went rogue and lured some others to the dark side. His new disciples were called valravens… Gabriel Finley knew little about ravens, but was soon to learn a good deal more. When he rescued an orphaned baby raven named Paladin, he discovered his family’s long-kept secret: the Finelys had a special bond with these birds…they could talk with them, receive their protection, and even briefly blend into the bodies of their familiars for adventures in flight. Gabriel loved riddles…his father had been a master of riddles right up until the day he disappeared. Aunt Jaz seemed to know a lot more than she was telling about his dad’s current whereabouts. With the help of Paladin and a very reluctant writing desk, he just might be able to rescue his dad from the clutches of the evil Corax. From Brooklyn to Aviopolis, a thrilling adventure, indeed! (Booktalk by the NH Great Stone Face Committee)
Sunday, May 24, 2015
Book of the day 05/24/2015
-
Larson, Kirby. DASH New York : Scholastic, 2014 IL 3-6, RL 3.2 ISBN 0545416353 The attack of Japan on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii changed the lives of Americans forever. Mitisue “Mitsi” Kashino is 10 years old and living in Seattle, Washington. She is second generation Japanese American, or “Nisei” in Japanese. She experiences the injustice and cruelty of treatment of Japanese Americans and Japanese immigrants following the attack on Pearl Harbor when the fear of the invasion and attack of the west coast of the United States loomed as a possibility. Mitsi is bullied by neighborhood boys and dropped from her circle of friends. The situation becomes much worse when her family along with other Japanese and Japanese Americans are sent away to relocation camps in the spring of 1942. They must give up their homes, and bring only what they can carry to the camp. Mitsi also learns that she will not be able to take her beloved dog Dash along with her to the camp. Based on the true story of Mitsue Shiraishi and her dog Chubby, this book is a personal look back in time exploring the true meaning of friendship both human and canine. (Booktalk by the NH Great Stone Face Committee)
Friday, May 22, 2015
Book of the day 05/22/2015
-
Anton and Cecil by Lisa Martin
Martin, Lisa. ANTON AND CECIL : CATS AT SEA New York : Algonquin Young Readers, 2013 IL 3-6, RL 6.4 ISBN 1616202467 Two Cats, two brothers---night and day. Anton, sleek and grey, enjoys watching the ships as they venture in and out of the harbor. He is content to watch. Cecil, stocky with black and whites patches is thirsty for adventure. He roams the harbor, taking daily trips on the fish boats. Then one day all changes. Anton is swept up and thrown on a vessel to be a ratter. Bound for the seas, will Anton ever see his family and harbor again? His capture does not go unnoticed. Cecil stows away on another vessel determined to rescue his brother. As the two brothers face the unknown, will their paths ever cross? Will their ships survive? Will they? Will Anton and Cecil find safe harbor? (Booktalk by the NH Great Stone Face Committee)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)