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Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on Friday, June 6, 2003,
at the Neptune Public Library from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Announcements
Future Meeting Date: August 1, 2003. Mark
your calendars now!
Welcome new reviewers! We have had several new reviewers
come on board in the last few months. Welcome to Alice
Burnett (M. L. King Middle School, Trenton), Schenell
Agee (Lincroft & River Plaza Elementary Schools), Heather
Daniel (Wall High School), Karen
Stuppi (Harmony School, Middletown), and Elizabeth
Bergslien (Cove Road School, Hazlet).
Congratulations to Daina Lucs
of Matawan-Aberdeen Public Library on her retirement. Daina's last
meeting was in April. Other long-time reviewers who are retiring
are Joan Schneider, Wall Twp. High
School; Sandy Horowitz, Raritan
School District; and Arleen Carlson,
East Dover Elementary School. We will certainly miss reading their
reviews, but wish them well in the future.
Award Winners for 2003 -- The Newbery medal went to Crispin:
the Cross of Lead by Avi; Eric Rohmann, illustrator and author
of My Friend Rabbit won the Caldecott medal. Postcards
from No Man's Land by Aidan Chambers won the Michael L. Printz
Award. Coretta Scott King Awards went to Nikki Grimes, author of Bronx
Masquerade, and E.B. Lewis, illustrator of Talkin' About
Bessie: The Story of Aviator Elizabeth Coleman. Garden State
Children's Book Awards were given to Henry and Mudge and the
Perfect Pet by Cynthia Rylant, Tiny Goes to the Library
by Cari Meister, Judy Moody by Megan McDonald and So You
Want To Be President by Judith St. George. Garden State Teen
Book Award winners were Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli; Angus,
Thongs & Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison and The
Worse Case Scenario Survival Handbook by Joshua Piven.
Book Notes
Apples
Apples Here!
Hubbell, Will (author & illus.)
Whitman, 2002
PS-Gr. 3, Fry 4
With glistening, color pencil double-page spreads featuring
ethnically diverse children, this book takes us through the year
and the development of apples. Frances Myers
O'Brien tells us that this is a great companion to Gail
Gibbons' Apples.
Ten Red Apples: A Bartholomew Bear Counting Book
Miller, Virginia
Illustrated by the author
Candlewick Press, 2002
PS, Fry n/a
A counting book with a story about Bartholomew Bear and the
apple tree. We have zero apples by the last page and a hot apple
pie. Recommended by Denise Geier.
Immigration
Tenement: Immigrant Life on the Lower East Side
Bial, Raymond
Photographs by the author
Houghton Mifflin, 2002
Gr.3 & up, Fry 10
The author paints a portrait-history of immigrant life in the
tenements. Carolyn Gishlick
says there are good history lessons to be learned here but of
interest to browsers as well.
Behind the Mountains
Danticat, Edwidge
Orchard/Scholastic, 2002
Gr.6-9, Fry 7
The author weaves her own experiences leaving her native Haiti
into this first offering in a new series called "First Person
Fiction" reviewed by Catherine Miller.
Katie's Wish
Hazen, Barbara Shook
Dial, 2002
K-Gr.4, Fry 4
In this picture story of the Irish potato famine from a child's
point of view, youngsters gain insight into this time of Irish
suffering. Highly recommended by Frances
Myers O'Brien.
Dear Emma
Hurwitz, Johanna
Garrison, Barbara (illus.)
Harper Collins, 2002
Gr.4-6, Fry 5
In letter format, Dossi Rabinowitz tells her story of life on
the Lower East Side to her Vermont friend, Emma. Denise
Geier says the poverty and
difficulties faced by immigrants are woven into the story.
Mice
If You Take a Mouse to School
Numeroff, Laura
Bond, Felicia (illus.)
Laura Geringer Books, 2002
PS-Gr.2, Fry n/a
After Mouse has gone to so many other places, he finally gets
to go to school. Michele Cooper
calls this book as wonderful as all the others.
One Little Mouse
Chaconas, Dori
Pham, LeUyen (illus.)
Viking, 2002
PS, Fry n/a
The full-size colorful illustrations take one little mouse on a
search for a new home. The mouse returns home by counting
backwards. Ann Perrone
calls this an excellent read-aloud counting book for children.
Sumo Mouse
Wisniewski, David (author & illus.)
Chronicle Books
K-Gr.3, Fry 5
If you crossed a picture book with a comic book this would be
the result. If kids go for Pokemon, they're sure to love this. An
original according to Faith Yim.
September 11
There's A Big, Beautiful World Out There
Carlson, Nancy
Viking, 2002
PS-Gr.2, Fry 1
This is a very positive book written in response to 9/11. The
author tries to reassure children that the world is not as scary
as it seems. Sandy Horowitz
calls this a springboard to meaningful discussions.
This Place I Know: Poems of Comfort
Heard, Georgia (editor)
Candlewick, 2002
PS-Gr.2, Fry n/a
This collection is an effort to provide support for the
conversations of New York City classes following 9/11. The images
of hope and solace will assist in discussions of grief and loss
according to Catherine Miller.
Fireboat: The Heroic Adventures of the John J. Harvey
Kalman, Maira
Putnam, 2002
K-Gr.3, Fry 7
Saved from the scrapyard by a group of enthusiasts, this
fireboat was restored and returned to the harbor for fun. On 9/11
the crew raced to the boat to offer assistance. This excellent
source balances the horror of the event with the dedicated, hard
work and resilience of the heroes who answered the call. Cindy
Heinlein feels this is a valuable
addition to most collections although not an easy read.
A Nation Challenged: A Visual History of 9/11 and Its
Aftermath
Lee, Nancy (editor)
New York Times, 2002
Gr.4-9, Fry 7
All of the emotions that the memory of 9/11 elicits are
represented visually and in text in this book. Recommended by Cynthia
Cordes.
September 11, 2001
Santella, Andrew
Children's Press, 2002
Gr.4-6, Fry 8
A factual account of 9/11 with well selected pictures for
children. Part of the Cornerstones of Freedom, Second Series, this
book is recommended by Denise Geier.
Sled Dogs
Togo
Blake, Robert (author & illus.)
Philomel Books, 2002
Gr.2-5, Fry 1
In 1925, Togo, a Siberian husky who loves being a sled dog,
leads a team that rushes to bring diphtheria antitoxin from
Anchorage to Nome, Alaska. Arlene Parker
says this book is an outstanding depiction of a heroic dog that is
based on a true story.
The Great Serum Race: Blazing the Iditarod Trail
Miller, Debbie S.
Van Zyle, John (illus.)
Walker, 2002
Gr.2-5, Fry 7
This beautiful book brings the event to life clearly,
methodically, and without unnecessary hype and is an excellent
addition to most history collections according to Cindy
Heinlein.
Special Kids
Because of Anya
Haddix, Margaret Peterson
Simon & Schuster, 2002
Gr.3-6, Fry 5
This is a story about a 10 year-old girl who has the autoimmune
disease alopecia areata and the difficulty in accepting her hair
loss. Given an outstanding recommendation by Michele
Cooper.
Quit It
Byalick, Marcia
Delacorte Press, 2002
Gr.4-8, Fry 7
This book focuses on a 7th grade girl who shows honesty and
courage in dealing with Tourette Syndrome at a time in her life
when what she desperately wants to do is fit in. Novels dealing
with Tourette Syndrome are largely missing from library shelves
and Catherine Miller
feels that this would be valuable for most collections.
Disappointments of the
Day
The Changing Face of the Caribbean
(The Changing Face of.....series)
Brownlie, Ali
Matthews, Jenny (photographer)
Raintree Publishers, 2002
Gr.4-6, Fry 6
Marianne Schumann
feels that this book could be interesting but is useless. Facts
such as the names of the islands making up the Caribbean are
missing.
Native American Crafts (series)
Corwin, Judith Hoffman
Franklin Watts, 2002
Gr.3-8, Fry 7
Both Carolyn Heuser
and Carolyn Gishlick
agree that this series, while well intentioned, is a marginal
purchase at best. Young elementary children will have difficulty
with the crafts.
Birthdays Around the World
Lankford, Mary D.
Harper Collins, 2002
K-Gr.3, Fry 9
A one-page description of a country's birthday celebration
hardly does justice to the customs and traditions observed. Faith
Yim observes that the illustrations
appear as if the children in different parts of the world all
dress and look alike.
The Toilet of Doom
Lawrence, Michael
Penguin Books, 2002
Gr.4-6, Fry n/a
Nicole Midura
calls this the worst book she ever read. The dialogue is forced,
the scenarios are insulting and the characters shallow.
Goodnight, Baby Monster
Leuck, Laura
McMullen, Nigel (illus.)
Harper Collins, 2002
PS-K, Fry n/a
Denise Geier
notes that monsters, goblins and ghosts don't make the best
bedtime stories.
Rave Reviews
The Sea Chest
Buzzeo, Toni
GrandPre, Mary (illus.)
Dial, 2002
K-Gr.3, Fry 6
Oil based illustrations positively illuminate this dramatic
Maine legend of a shipwrecked foundling washed ashore and raised
by a loving lighthouse keeper's family. Barbara
Mason rates this an outstanding.
Double Dutch: A Celebration of Jump Rope, Jive and
Sisterhood
Chambers, Veronica
Hyperion, 2002
Gr.3-8, Fry 6
The author offers a history, an informational introduction to
Double Dutch, as well as autobiographical insights to her
experiences growing up with jumping. Maggie
Hanley says this book would make a
great addition to any library.
What Came From Spain
Davis, Kevin Look
Franklin Watts, 2002
Gr.2-5, Fry 3
Bright, colorful pages will entice readers to this book, which
provides a nice introduction to the culture of Spain according to Karen
Stuppi.
The Signers: The 56 Stories Behind the Declaration of
Independence
Fradin, Dennis Brindell
McCurdy, Michael (illus.)
Walker & Co., 2002
Gr.4 & up, Fry 6
After a short introduction, this book contains a two to three
page biography of each of the 56 signers of the Declaration of
Independence, organized by the colonies which they represented. Mimi
MacMullen recommends buying a copy
for the reference shelf as well as for circulation.
The Spider and the Fly
Howitt, Mary
DeTerlizzi, Tony (illus.)
Simon & Schuster, 2002
Gr.1 & up, Fry n/a
The famous 1829 cautionary tale has been done up to resemble a
black and white, 1920's silent screen movie complete with
wide-eyed ingenue fly and typical oily villain spider. Daina
Lucs calls it a must purchase. |
