CJRLC's Book Evaluation Committee's "Book Notes"

From the October 3, 2003 meeting
Edited by Sandy Michlich

Next Meeting

The next meeting will be held on Friday, December 5, 2003, at the Neptune Public Library from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Meetings Schedule: Meeting dates for 2004 are February 6, April 2, June 4 and August 6. Please mark your calendars now!

Z Goes Home
Agee, Jon
Hyperion, 2003
PS-Gr.2, Fry n/a

Marianne Schumann calls this a wonderful combination of an alphabet and shapes book. Browsers travel from alien to zowie as Z makes its way home from the zoo.

The Alphabet Keeper
Murphy, Mary
Alfred A. Knopf, 2003
Gr.1-3, Fry 4

One day while the keeper is cleaning their cage, all the letters fly out the window. As the keeper tries to capture them, they foil her plans by changing the words. Elaine Pollak says this is an imaginative work that may inspire kids to come up with their own word-play stories.

G is for Goat
Polacco, Patricia
Philomel, 2003
PS-Gr.3, Fry 3

The author delights us with beautiful, energetic pictures of a little shepherd girl and her goats in a story told through the alphabet and rhyme. Recommended by Frances Myers O'Brien.

POP! Went Another Balloon: A Magical Counting Storybook
Faulker, Keith
Tyger, Rory (illus.)
Dutton Children's Books, 2003
PS-K, Fry n/a

Toby the turtle buys 10 balloons for his friend's birthday, but a flock of pesky birds follows him popping his balloons one by one. Penelope Conway says that children will be sure to enjoy chanting the refrain.

The Amazing Air Balloon
Van Leeuwen, Jean
Ventura, Marco (illus.)
P. Fogelman Books, 2003
K-Gr.3, Fry 4

Based on a true story, this beautifully illustrated picture book highlights a time in history when America's first manned hot-air balloon was launched. Georgia Thatcher calls this an interesting addition to your aviation collection.

Grumblebunny
Harman, Bob
Clark, David (illus.)
Putnam, 2003
K-Gr.3, Fry 4

Attitudinally impaired Grumblebunny is the only rabbit who recognizes the danger of Bad Wolf Peter the Rabbit Eater. A cute twist with delightful illustrations according to Barbara Mason.

Why Do Rabbits Hop?
Holub, Joan
DiVito, Anna (illus.)
Dial Books for Young Readers, 2003
K-Gr.3, Fry 3

This book contains lots of good information about rabbits and other rodents. A must-have for an easy nonfiction collection raves Maggie Hanley.

Davy, Help! It's a Ghost!
Weninger, Brigitte
Tharlet, Eve (illus.)
North South, 2002
K-Gr.3, Fry 4

This is ninth in the German series about Davy the Rabbit and his siblings recommended by Barbara Mason.

The Bravest Mouse
Barbero, Maria
Kazeroid, Sibylle (trans.)
North South, 2002
PS-Gr.1, Fry n/a

Sasha is different from the other mice with a black circle around one eye. He is bothered by it until he becomes a hero by coming up with a winning solution about the neighborhood cat. Carolyn Heuser says that wonderful illustrations make this a winner.

Busy, Busy Mouse
Kroll, Virginia
Kosaka, Fumi (illus.)
Viking, 2003
PS-K, Fry n/a

The story follows a mouse and the family living with it as they do things throughout the day and night. Maggie Hanley highly recommends this book for the very young.

Mouse by Mouse: A Counting Adventure
Noonan, Julia
Dutton Children's Books, 2003
PS-Gr.2, Fry n/a 

Each scene in this counting book adds one more mouse each referred to by number. Jennifer Salt tells us not to let the fact that we own numerous counting books stop us from adding this title.

In Defense of Liberty: The Story of America's Bill of Rights
Freedman, Russell
Holiday House, 2003
Gr.7 & up, Fry 7

Typical of what we have come to expect from tow time Newbery Honor and one time Newbery winner Freedman, this is a comprehensive, readable and well-illustrated presentation. Mimi MacMullen feels that middle school, high school and public libraries will want to purchase this title.

Yankee Doodle
Owen, Ann (editor)
Ouren, Todd (illus.)
Picture Window Books, 2003
Gr.3-6, Fry 4

This is part of the Patriotic Song series that is sure to delight both music and social studies teachers. The music is included, as well as interesting facts, web sites, and a craft. A good addition to your collection, according to Barbara Mason.

Stars and Stripes: The Story of the American Flag
Thomson, Sarah L., Dacey, Bob & Bandelin, Debra
Harper Collins, 2003
Gr.2-4, Fry 4

A simple, yet well documented tribute to our flag, which traces its history and changes through the years. Denise Geier says that the colorful full-page illustrations coordinate nicely with the text.

A Poem of Her Own: Voices of American Women
Clinton, Catherine (editor)
Alcorn, Stephen (illus.)
Abrams, 2003
Gr.6-9, YA

This wonderful poetry collection captures the voices of American women from the 1600's to the present. A good purchase for most libraries according to Georgia Thatcher.

Rabble Rousers: 20 Women Who Made a Difference
Harness, Cheryl
Dutton Children's Books, 2003
Gr.3-6, Fry 7

This title provides 20 biographies of women throughout history who have fought for rights for African Americans, women and laborers. Karen Stuppi calls this a worthy addition to women's history collections.

Girl Wonder: A Baseball Story in Nine Innings
Hopkinson, Deborah
Widener, Terry (illus.)
Atheneum, 2003
K-Gr.4, Fry 4

This cleverly organized book in nine "innings" chronicles the life of Alta Weiss who pitched for the Vermillion Independents, a semi-pro all male team, in 1907. Denise Geier highly recommends this enjoyable read.

Gilbert & Sullivan Set Me Free
Karr, Kathleen
Hyperion, 2003
Gr.6-10, Fry 4

This novel is based on an historical event in a women's prison in 1914. Kathy Repko-Devonshire says the book has an infectious plot and quirky characters.

The Women Suffrage Movement, 1848-1920
Keller, Kristen Thoennes
Bridgestone Books, 2003
Gr.5-8, Fry 7

This basically clear overview of the women's suffrage movement touches on the major events during the 80-year struggle and the contributions of the leading women involved. Cindy Heinlein feels that this is an acceptable introduction to use when encyclopedia articles are not permitted.

Rivers, Lakes, Streams, and Ponds
Beatty Richard
Raintree Steck Vaughn, 2003
Gr.4-6, Fry 5

Part of the Biomes Atlases series, this title is not well organized and many of its photographs are irrelevant to the subject matter according to Marianne Schumann.

Battle Ready: Colonial Troops 1610-1774
Chartrand, Rene
Osprey Publishing, 2003
Adult, Fry 10

This title gives the development of the militia and their uniforms in Colonial America in seven states. Susan Brozena says that the cumbersome format makes this useful only for military buffs.

Flower Girl
Furgang, Kathy
Viking, 2003
PS-Gr.2, Fry 3

Anna overhears that she will be the flower girl in her aunt's wedding and is reluctant and angry until she dreams of her own wedding. Sara Maleski says that the story loses its focus and gives it a marginal.

Who Moved My Cheese? For Kids
Johnson, Spencer
G.P. Putnam, 2003
K-Gr.3, Fry 4

The author has adapted his adult fable for children. Nancy Cornell's 4th grade class didn't get it and neither did she.

Who Shares
Lipniacka, Eva
Dial Books, 2003
K-Gr.3, Fry 3

Karen Stuppi feels that while the design of the book is advantageous for story time, the author does not get across the idea of good sharing. Rather, this serves as more of a "how not to share" manual.

Daddy Says
Shange, Ntozake
Simon & Schuster, 2002
Gr.5-8, Fry 7

Two sisters have trouble relating to their father and his new girlfriend as they cope with the death of their mother. The character development suffers, many issues are never fully treated or resolved and the story does not have focus, according to Susan Brozena.

The Best Kind of Gift
Appelt, Kathi
Johnson, Paul B. (illus.)
Harper Collins, 2003
K-Gr.2, Fry 2

A young boy tries to understand how to give the perfect gift of welcome in this outstanding title reviewed by Brenda Johnson.

Prairie Whispers
Arrington, Frances
Tusa, Tricia (illus.)
Philomel, 2003
Gr.9-12, Fry 10

With a pioneer prairie setting, this is the story of young 12 year-old Colleen who makes a promise to a dying woman to protect her baby from an abusive father. With careful plotting and well-defined characters, this is a real page-turner according to Cecelia Ruegsegger.

Johnny Appleseed
Balcziak, Bill
Compass Point, 2003
K-Gr.3, Fry 4

Told with tall tale verve, this picture book stands well alongside other notable Johnny Appleseed books as those by Aliki and Steven Kellogg. Faith Yim calls this a winner.

A-Tisket, A-Tasket
Fitzgerald, Ella
Eitan, Ora (illus.)
Philomel, 2003
PS-Gr.2, Fry n/a

This unusual visual interpretation of the children's song features an urban cast of characters in a contemporary setting. Cynthia Cordes feels it should be on someone's "best" list.

The Perfect Pet
Palatini, Margie
Whatley, Bruce (illus.)
Harper Collins, 2003
PS-Gr.2, Fry 3

This is a new twist on the old theme of wanting a pet. Susan Brozena found it hilarious and gave it an outstanding review.

Locomotion
Woodson, Jacqueline
Putnam, 2003
Gr.5-8, Fry 7

A torrent of emotion is unleashed as a young African American boy learns to express himself in poetry. Barbara Mason calls this an outstanding book with an uplifting message.