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

From the April 2, 2004 meeting
Edited by Sandy Michlich

Next Meeting

The next meeting will be held on Friday, June 4, 2004, at the Neptune Public Library from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Meetings Schedule: The next meeting will be on August 6, 2004.

American Boy: The Adventures of Mark Twain
Brown, Don
Houghton Mifflin, 2003
Gr. 2–6, Fry 8

This biography focuses on the childhood of Samuel Clemens, specifically the stories and experiences that provided the inspiration for his most famous novels. Recommended by Sara Maleski.

Ben Franklin’s Almanac: Being a True Account of the Good Gentleman’s Life
Fleming, Candace
Atheneum, 2003
Gr. 5 & up, Fry 7

The author presents the life of her subject if a form reminiscent of Poor Richard’s Almanac. All libraries will want to purchase this title according to Mimi MacMullen.

Harvey Theodore Roosevelt: Champion of the American Spirit
Kraft, Betsy
Clarion Books, 2003
Gr. 5–8, Fry 7

Catherine Miller says that this fully illustrated biography is good enough to be recommended for every library.

J.R.R. Tolkien: Creator of Languages and Legends
Lynch, Doris
Franklin Watts, 2003
Gr. 5–8, Fry 7

This short biography is beautifully written and will appeal to fans according to Alice Burnett.

Froggy’s Baby Sister
London, Jonathon
Remkiewicz, Frank (illus.)
Viking, 2003
K–Gr. 3, Fry 4

In this latest installment in the series, Froggy awaits the birth of his sibling. Karen Stuppi calls this brightly illustrated book a welcome addition to family collections.

A Frog in the Bog
Wilson, Karma
Rankin, Joan (illus.)
Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2003
PS–K, Fry n/a

This popular folklore motif begins with a frog that eats many smaller creatures. Jennifer Salt feels children will enjoy this story.

Mr. Tanen’s Tie Trouble
Cocca-Leffler, Maryann
Albert Whitman & Co., 2003
K–Gr. 3, Fry 4

Mr. Tanen, school principal, has a collection of 975 ties, which he auctions off to raise money for a new playground. Maggie Hanley calls this book an inspirational story, which shows ways to show caring.

I Am Not Going to School Today!
Harris, Robie H.
Ormerod, Jan (illus.)
Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2003
PS–K, Fry 4

After packing his backpack and putting out his new clothes for the first day of school, a little boy has second thoughts. Denise Geier says the message is a good one for those jittery little ones just starting school.

Smartypants (Pete in School)
Kalman, Maira
G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2003
K–Gr. 3, Fry 4

In this sequel to What Pete Ate From A to Z, Pete the dog gets bored being home alone and decides to join Poppywise and her brother at school. Karen Stuppi calls this a fun read-aloud.

The Twelve Days of Kindergarten: A Counting Book
Rose, Deborah Lee
Armstrong-Ellis, Carey (illus.)
Abrams, 2003
K–Gr. 3, Fry 5

Set to the tune of “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” this cumulative tale shows all of the activities that always put kindergarten on Barbara Mason’s short list for sainthood. If you can sing, sing this book!

Bus-a-Saurus Bop
Shore, Diane Z.
Clark, David (illus.)
Bloomsbury USA, 2003
K–Gr. 2, Fry 2

This book, reviewed by Natalie Shinn, is about a boy who likes to pretend his school bus is a big yellow monster that gobbles up students and takes them to school. Her students rolled with laughter, especially when the bus burped.

C is for Construction: Big Trucks and Diggers From A to Z
Caterpillar Chronicle Books, 2003
PS–K, Fry n/a

This is a terrific book for preschool truck lovers raves Carolyn Heuser. She gives the book 2 years max before it begins to disintegrate from wear. A must for preschool libraries.

Tough Trucks (Amazing Machines)
Mitton, Tony
Parker, Ant (illus.)
Kingfisher, 2003
PS–K, Fry n/a

Fun, rhythmic verse gives general information about trucks and drivers and also highlights specific kinds of trucks. A satisfactory addition to truck collections according to Elaine Pollak.

The Wondrous Whirligig: The Wright Brothers First Flying Machine
Glass, Andrew
Holiday House, 2003
Gr. 2–3, Fry n/a 

The author’s drawings are full of joy and humor, capturing the creative spirit and vitality of a family, which would make history. Carolyn Gishlick says this tall tale is based on a true incident.

Race for the Sky: The Kitty Hawk Diaries of Johnny Moore
Gutman, Dan
Simon & Schuster, 2003
Gr. 5–9, Fry 6

Marianne Schumann calls this book a fascinating work of historic fiction. The characters are based on actual people who lived in the area during the Wright Brothers successful flight in 1903. An interesting read.

This Vast Land: A Young Man’s Journal of the Lewis and Clark Expedition
Ambrose, Stephen E.
Simon & Schuster, 2003
Gr. 9–12, Fry 8

This is a fictional account of the 1803 expedition of Lewis and Clark told through the journal kept by the youngest member of the group. Josephine Mahoney is concerned about the coarse, racist language as well as the occasional explicit sexual experience, which makes it unsuitable for school libraries.

Franny K. Stein, Mad Scientist: Lunch Walks Among Us
Benton, Jim
Simon & Schuster, 2003
Gr. 2–4, Fry 3

Cartoon illustrations supersede this silly story of a young girl, who tries to fit in with her classmates. Susan Brozena feels this is not suitable for library purchase as several illustrated pages are meant to be cut and used as a flipbook.

Prep
Coburn, Jake
Dutton, 2003
Gr. 9–12, Fry 8

This is a would-be tale of owe about the rich Manhattanite preppies “forced” into gang activity. The poor little rich kids characters are cardboard cutouts. Kathy Devonshire says what could have been an intriguing look at the underbelly of the rich falls flat.

The War On Terrorism: The First Year
Downing, David
Raintree, 2003
Gr. 6–8, Fry 6 

The most useful part of the book is the chronology of events in the appendix according to Marianne Schumann. Much of the information is already out of date.

Anacondas
Ring, Susan
Raintree, 2004
Gr. 5–8, Fry 7

One title in a series, the information in this book is repetitive. Penelope Conway gives this a marginal.

Aesop’s Fables
Sneed, Brad
Dial Books for Young Readers, 2003
K–Gr. 3, Fry 5

While the illustrations are outstanding, the author interjects modern slang within the traditional language of these old tales and it doesn’t work, according to Barbara Mason.

My Thirteenth Winter: A Memoir
Abeel, Samantha
Orchard Books, 2003
Gr. 5 & up, Fry 7

In painful and emotional detail, Abeel tells her life story form kindergarten to college, and how she copes with a learning disability (dyscalculia), which was undiagnosed until 7th grade. Carolyn Gishlick feels that all teachers need to read this book. Inspirational and instructive.

The Essential Worldwide Monster Guide
Ashman, Linda
Small, David (illus.)
Simon & Schuster, 2003
K–Gr. 3, Fry 4

Take a trip around the world in a hot air balloon and discover 13 monsters to beware of. Delightful monster rhymes coupled with Small’s energetic watercolors add up to one scarily-ious book, raves Barbara Mason. Use this book in April for poetry month, in October for Halloween, and the endpapers for a geography lesson.

Vote!
Christelow, Eileen
Houghton Mifflin, 2003
Gr. 2–4, Fry 4

The author has written a lively, colorful and entertaining book covering the election and voting process for children. This is reminiscent of the successful “Magic School Bus” series and Susan Brozena rates it an outstanding.

The Great Art Scandal
Nilsen, Anna
Kingfisher, 2003
Gr. 5–8, Fry 7

In this clever book, the reader is asked to solve an art mystery using clues found within fine art reproductions. The book is extremely intriguing and encourages the reader to really study the paintings of the masters to solve the mystery. Great fun, raves Denise Geier.

The Dot
Reynolds, Peter H.
Children’s Press, 2003
K–Gr. 3, Fry 3

This is a quick tale about a girl who feels she can’t draw, yet ends up in an art show. Maggie Hanley feels this is a hopeful book of inspiration.

Restless: A Ghost’s Story
Wallace, Rich
Viking, 2003
Gr. 9–12, Fry 9

Set in Pennsylvania, this sports action blends with a ghost story. What better combination to get your readers attention? Cecelia Ruegsegger reports that her local library can’t keep the book on the shelves.