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Lunge-Larsen, Lise. GIFTS FROM THE GODS : ANCIENT WORDS AND WISDOM FROM GREEK AND ROMAN MYTHOLOGY
Lunge-Larsen, Lise. GIFTS FROM THE GODS : ANCIENT WORDS AND WISDOM FROM GREEK AND ROMAN MYTHOLOGY New York : Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2011 IL 3-6, RL 6.9 ISBN 0547152299 Did you know that Hypnos, the god of sleep, was so powerful he could put anyone to sleep whenever he desired? In one story from Gifts From the Gods, Hera wanted Zeus, who supported the Trojans, put to sleep so she could help the Greeks battle against the Trojans in the Trojan War. Hypnos reluctantly agreed and sprinkled sleep onto Zeus. While Zeus slept, Hera helped her Greek heroes drive out the Trojans in battle. The word hypnotize, putting someone into an artificial sleep, comes from the myth of Hypnos. There are many more stories just as entertaining about your favorite Gods and Goddesses. You will also discover how the Greek & Roman Gods inspired words in our language derived from their gifts. (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
Monday, January 20, 2014
Book of the day 01/20/2014
Saturday, January 18, 2014
Book of the day 01/18/2014
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Kerley, Barbara. THOSE REBELS, JOHN AND TOM
Kerley, Barbara. THOSE REBELS, JOHN AND TOM New York : Scholastic, 2012 IL 3-6, RL 4.8 ISBN 0545222680 Thomas Jefferson is tall, shy, a good student, an impressive dresser, and likes to solve problems by writing about them. John Adams is short, a talker, an outdoorsman, dresses plainly, and likes to solve problems by arguing about them. Two men – very different in appearance and character - but the same when it comes to how they feel about King George (from England) and their country (the American colonies) In the summer of 1775, Tom and John meet with others in Philadelphia to talk about the problems the colonies are having with King George and what they should do. How do two men, so very different, approach the problems facing the soon-to-become United States of America? Will they agree on anything? (Review by Sue Dahlstrom, Wayne Elementary School) (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
Friday, January 17, 2014
Book of the day 01/17/2014
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Horvath, Polly. MR. AND MRS. BUNNY - DETECTIVES EXTRAORDINAIRE!
Horvath, Polly. MR. AND MRS. BUNNY - DETECTIVES EXTRAORDINAIRE! New York : Schwartz & Wade, 2012 IL 3-6, RL 5.9 ISBN 0375867554 12-year-old Madeline is shocked when she receives a ransom note stating that her hippie parents have been kidnapped. Worse still, the note is written in a secret code she can’t even read. When a car swishes by with many pairs of staring red eyes, Madeline thinks she spotted a fox driving the vehicle. Luckily, she meets a team of bunnies wearing fedora hats, who happen to be detectives. With the help of the bunny detectives, she chases marmots, states her case in front of the scary Bunny Council, and even questions a pack of evil foxes, as she searches for her parents. Will Madeline and Mr. and Mrs. Bunny solve the “Case of the Missing Parents?” (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Book of the day 01/05/2014
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Healy, Christopher. THE HERO'S GUIDE TO SAVING YOUR KINGDOM
Healy, Christopher. THE HERO'S GUIDE TO SAVING YOUR KINGDOM Walden Pond Press, 2012 IL 3-6, RL 5.0 ISBN 0062117432 Rejected by their princesses, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Snow White, and Rapunzel, four princes must set out on quests to impress their ladies with their bravery and knightly skills. In their travels, each of them discovers an evil plot that will destroy their respective kingdoms. The problem is that the bards who spread the news around all of the kingdoms through their songs often leave out important details such as the prince’s names and heroic deeds. So all four princes (Prince Liam, Prince Frederick, Prince Duncan, and Prince Gustav) are called “Prince Charming,” and not one of them gets credit for their daunting feats against trolls, bandits, dragons, witches and other evil beings. The other problem is that the princesses are all very brave and clever and don’t “think” they require the lackluster abilities of the princes to save their kingdoms. Will these four princes manage to sharpen their wits and hone their fighting skills enough to save their kingdoms and become real heroes? (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Book of the day 12/03/2013
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Fishman, Cathy Goldberg. WHEN JACKIE MET HANK
Fishman, Cathy Goldberg. WHEN JACKIE MET HANK New York : Marshall Cavendish, 2012 IL K-3, RL 3.8 ISBN 076146140X Have you ever heard of Jackie Robinson? He was the first African-American baseball player to play in the major leagues. Although this event took place over 50 years ago, When Jackie Met Hank, reminds us that black baseball players weren’t the only ones that had challenges. Hank Goldberg was a Jewish player. People called him names and were prejudiced against him, too. On May 17, 1947, Jackie and Hank collided during a baseball game. The fans in the stadium began to chant, “Fight, fight, fight.” What do you think happened? You will have to read the book to find out! (Review by Sue Dahlstrom, Wayne Elementary School) (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
Monday, December 2, 2013
Book of the day 12/02/2013
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Applegate, Katherine. THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN
Applegate, Katherine. THE ONE AND ONLY IVANIvan is a gorilla living in a steel and glass cage in a roadside zoo. His friends are an elephant named Stella, Bob, a stray dog, and Julia, the daughter of the custodian. After living at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade for 27 years, Ivan has grown used to having humans watching his every move. But his world changes when Stella has a baby named Ruby. Ivan makes a promise to Stella and wants to help make Ruby’s world better than the dirty, trash-filled, ill-kept place where they live now. Read this touching story of friendship and human/animal interaction (which is based on true events) to see if Ivan and Ruby’s life can change. (Review by Sue Dahlstrom, Wayne Elementary School) (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Book of the day 12/01/2013
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Angleberger,Tom. FAKE MUSTACHE, OR, HOW JODIE O'RODEO AND HER WONDER HORSE (AND SOME NERDY KID) SAVED THE U.S. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION FROM A MAD GENIUS CRIMINAL MASTERMIND New York : Amulet Books, 2012 IL 3-6 RL 4.6 ISBN 1419701940 Fake mustaches are all the rage among the seventh grade boys of Hairsprinkle. The best one is the Heidelberg Handlebar Number Seven made with real human hair.. Casper receives $400 for a birthday gift and decides to buy the mustache and a first-class man about town business suit. That very night, banks in Hairsprinkle begin to be robbed and the suspect wears a man about town business suit and a handlebar mustache each time. Feeling suspicious, Sven decides he has no choice but to turn in his best friend to the FBI. Read to find out what happens to Casper and Sven. (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)