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

From the December 5, 2003 meeting
Edited by Sandy Michlich

Next Meeting

The next meeting will be held on Friday, February 6, 2004, at the Neptune Public Library from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

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

Award Winners:

• Newbery Medal: Tale of Despereaux by Kate Dicamillo
  Newbery Honor Books: Olive's Ocean by Kevin Henkes & An American Plague by Jim Murphy
   

• Caldecott Medal: The Man Who Walked Between the Towers by Mordicai Gerstein
  Caldecott Honor Books: Ella Sara Gets Dressed by Margaret Chodos-Irvine, Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems, & What Do You Do With a Tail Like This? by Steve Jenkins
   

• Coretta Scott King Award: The First Part Last by Angela Johnson
  Honor Books: Days of Jubilee by Patricia McKissack, Locomotion by Jacqueline Woodson, & The Battle of Jericho by Sharon Draper
  New Talent Awards: Hope Anita Smith & Elbrite Brown
   

• Printz Award: The First Part Last by Angela Johnson
  Honor Books: A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly, Fat Kid Rules the World by K. L. Going, Keesha's House by Helen Frost, & The Earth, My Butt and Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler
   

• The Margaret A. Edwards Lifetime Achievement Award went to Ursula K. LeGuin.

Mama's Coming Home
Banks, Kate
Bogacki, Tomek (illus.)
Frances Foster, 2003
PS-Gr.1, Fry 2

This sing-songy celebration of Mom's eagerly awaited return home at the end of the workday revs up listeners. A nice purchase, according to Jenny Mischner.

Where is My Mommy?
Downing, Julie
Harper Collins, 2003
PS, Fry n/a

In turn, a series of baby animals ask the question, "Where is my mommy?" Ending with a human child playing peek-a-boo, Cindy Heinlein calls this a good choice for one-on-one sharing.

At the End of Words: A Daughter's Memoir
Stone, Miriam
Candlewick Press, 2003
Gr.6 & up, Fry 6

Through journal entries and free form poetry, the author honestly expresses the pain, sorrow, bereavement, and guilt she experienced her senior high school year when her mother died of breast cancer. Cindy Heinlein feels this eloquent book would be especially useful as bibliotherapy.

Wake Up, Mama!
Vestergaard, Hope
Courtin, Thierry (illus.)
Dutton, 2003
PS, Fry n/a

Cheryl Otten says this is a sweet story of a young toddler's climb up "Mama Mountain" to wake his sleeping parent.

The Winter People
Bruchac, Joseph
Dial, 2002
Gr.6 & up, Fry 4

Set in 1759 during the French and Indian War, the author tells the story of a historically significant raid on an Abenaki village, and how Saxo, a 14 year-old Abenaki Indian, rescues his mother and sisters. Sara Maleski feels that this historical fiction book would be a good supplement to classroom activities.

Hold Up the Sky: and Other Native American Tales from Texas & the Southern Plains
Curry, Jane Louise
Watts, James (illus.)
Margaret McElderry Books, 2003
Gr.3-7, Fry 4

Susan Brozena recommends this wonderful collection of 26 Native American tales collected from 14 tribes of the Southern Plains area.

Night is Gone, Day is Still Coming: Stories & Poems by American Indian Teens & Young Adults
Ochoa, Annette Pina
Candlewick Press, 2003
Gr.7 & up, Fry n/a

This anthology of poems and stories contains selections written by Native American youth from across the United States and Canada. A strong purchase according to Janet Birckhead.

Welcome to Kaya's World 1764: Growing up in a Native American Homeland
Raymer, Dottie
Pleasant Company, 2003
Gr.2-5, Fry 9

This companion to the American Girl Kaya series is intended to help readers understand the Nez Perce culture in which Kaya lived. Elaine Pollak calls this a fun, painless way to absorb a little historical knowledge.

Snowboarding For Fun!
Gruber, Beth
Compass Point Books, 2004
Gr.3-6, Fry 5

This book reviewed by Nicole Midura is a great introduction to the sport in which full color photographs enhance the easily digestible prose.

The Boy Who Saved Baseball
Ritter, John H.
Philomel Books, 2003
Gr.5-8, Fry 6

The author presents an intriguing story about a small town whose citizens are at odds over potential land development and the decision is to be made by a baseball game. Karen Stuppi recommends this good story with broad appeal.

Hoop Queens
Smith, Charles R.
Candlewick Press, 2003
Gr.4-8, Fry n/a

Twelve poems pay homage to WNBA stars on double-paged spreads with photograph collages. A worthy contender for any sports poetry section according to Judy Casagrande.

Losing is Not an Option: Stories
Wallace, Rich
Knopf, 2003
Gr.8+, Fry 9

This book contains nine stories focusing on key moments in the life of young Ron, an athlete and poet, most about his involvement in various sports. A well-written coming of age book with teen appeal says Cecelia Ruegsegger.

Prairie Train
Chall, Marsha Wilson
Thompson, John (illus.)
Harper Collins, 2003
K-Gr.3, Fry 4

A nostalgic look at train travel in days gone by, narrated by a little girl on her first train trip alone on a trip to the city to meet her grandma. Denise Geier calls this a nice story and recommends it.

Orphan Train
Kay, Verla
Stark, Ken (illus.)
G.P. Putnam, 2003
K-Gr.4, Fry 7

This picture book takes a complex social issue the transporting and placement of up to 150,000 orphans from East Coast cities to western states between 1854 and 1929 and makes it accessible to younger readers. Recommended by Faith Yim.

Stop the Train
McCaughrean, Geraldine
Harper Collins, 2003
Gr.5-8, Fry 6

Homesteaders in Oklahoma fight for their tiny new community when the owner of the railroad decides the train will never again stop there. Filled with humor and winning characters, the author's latest is a winner, according to Catherine Miller.

Hitler's Rise to Power and the Holocaust (The Holocaust in History series)
Altman, Linda Jacobs
Enslow, 2003
Gr.5-8, Fry 5

A basic introduction to the subject written at an easier reading level than the materials your library may currently have. Mimi MacMullen feels it is useful for middle school students.

The Orphans of Normandy: A True Story of World War II Told Through Drawings by Children
Amis, Nancy
Children's Art
Atheneum, 2003
Gr.3-6, Fry 5

Children's illustrations tell the true story of 100 orphan girls, the invasion of Normandy, and their own journey to safer ground. Recommended by Denise Geier.

Hanna's Suitcase
Levine, Karen
Albert Whitman, 2003
Gr.5-8, Fry 5

Based on a radio documentary, this is both the story of a determined young museum curator's search for information about the owner of a suitcase, and the story of a young Jewish girl who lived half a century ago and who died in Auschwitz. Barbara Mason feels this book provides an age appropriate introduction to the Holocaust.

Who Was the Woman Who Wore the Hat?
Patz, Nancy
Dutton, 2003
Gr.3-6, Fry 3

This book is a meditation on a woman's hat on display in the Jewish Historical Museum in Amsterdam. Subtle, yet powerful, historical and personal, this book will have a lasting impact on everyone who experiences it. Monika Sisbarro rated it an outstanding.

Little Scraggly Hair: A Dog on Noah's Ark
Cullen, Lynn
Rogers, Jacqueline (illus.)
Holiday House, 2003
Gr.2-4, Fry n/a

This hillbilly account of how wild dog got to be a pet of Noah's is extremely far-fetched. Carolyn Heuser says that it is too confusing and does not recommend it.

Miss Smith's Incredible Storybook
Garland, Michael
Dutton, 2003
K-Gr.3, Fry 3

While the author's aim is to impart on children the adventures one can find through reading books, he fails to do so in Karen Stuppi's opinion.

Izzy's Place
Kornblatt, Marc
Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2003
Gr.3-6, Fry 5

There is nothing special about this story of 10 year-old Henry who is shuffled off to his grandmother's house while the family deals with many difficulties. Barbara Mason feels that perhaps the lesson is supposed to be how to handle pain, or perhaps the lesson is don't get up in the morning.

Where is Little Reynard?
Oates, Joyce Carol
Graham, Mark (illus.)
Harper Collins, 2003
PS-Gr.1, Fry n/a

This children's picture book written by the prolific adult author is predictable and bland. Although the illustrations are excellent, Judy Casagrande advises Oates to stick with adult books.

Don't Let Go
Willis, Jeanne
Ross, Tony (illus.)
Putnam, 2003
K-Gr.1, Fry 3

Although the story begins with Megan learning to ride a bike, it is really more focused on Dad who is worried about Megan becoming independent and leaving. More of a story for grown ups, says Denise Geier.

The Curse of the Raven Mocker
Youmans, Marly
Farrar, Straus, Giroux, 2003
Gr.6-9, Fry 8

It is unfortunate that the author of prize winning adult novels does not deliver in this first novel for young adults. Laurie Mason feels this is a marginal purchase at best.

America, the Beautiful
Bates, Katharine Lee
Minor, Wendell (illus.)
Putnam, 2003
K-Gr.3, Fry 5

This is a beautifully illustrated version of the well-known patriotic song. The artist explains the reason for each choice of illustration with the locations marked on a map. This beautiful book is really a treasure raves Denise Geier.

The Shape Game
Browne, Anthony
Farrar, Straus, Giroux, 2003
K-Gr.3, Fry 4

This is a combination of fine art and the story of a family that unwillingly accompanies Mom to the art museum. Once there, they become drawn into the pictures, literally and figuratively. Barbara Mason calls this book more than "I Spy", it's an inspiration.

Getting Away With Murder: the True Story of the Emmett Till Case
Crowe, Chris
Phyllis Fogelman Books, 2003
Gr.8 & up, Fry 8

A thorough, factual account of the murder of young Emmett Till in 1955 and the subsequent acquittal of his accused killers galvanized the budding civil rights movement in our nation. Rated outstanding by Kathy Devonshire.

What a Hat!
Keller, Holly
Greenwillow Books, 2003
K-Gr.2, Fry 3

This story is a comforting one where the characters come to appreciate each other and their feelings. Maggie Hanley calls it a must have for young students and character education studies.

Ruler of the Courtyard
Khan, Rukhsana
Christie, R. Gregory (illus.)
Viking, 2003
PS-Gr.2, Fry 1

The universal concept of fear is tackled in this gem of a picture book set presumably in Pakistan. The primitive style art in vibrant, warm colors support the text convincingly according to Faith Yim.

Bizarre Bugs
Wechsler, Doug
Boyd Mills, 1995/2003
Gr.4-6, Fry 4

An informative text and color photographs present some very unusual insects, focusing on their appearances, shapes, life cycles and adaptations for survival. Monika Sisbarro's students thought this book was very cool.