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

From the June & August 2004 meetings
Edited by Sandy Michlich

Next Meeting

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

• This edition of the newsletter is a two meeting combination due to your editor taking family leave during the summer.
   

• Meetings Schedule: The meeting schedule is as follows: December 3, 2004; February 4, 2005; April 1, 2005; June 3, 2005; and August 5, 2005.

Just Like Josh Gibson
Johnson, Angela
Peck, Beth (illus.)
Simon & Schuster, 2004
K–Gr. 3, Fry n/a

A young girl’s grandmother recalls her love of the game, back in the 1940s, when Negro League great Gibson played. She could practice with the boys, but not play on their team, until one day… Judy Casagrande calls this a delightful story of good memories, family and baseball that its young audience should enjoy.

Mighty Jackie!
Moss, Marissa
Payne, C.F. (illus.)
Simon & Schuster, 2004
Gr. 1–4, Fry 7

Jenny Mischner recommends this wonderful story about Jackie Mitchell, the 17 year-old female pitcher who struck out both Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig on April 2, 1931.

Diamond Life: Baseball Sights, Sounds and Swings
Smith, Charles R. Jr.
Orchard Books, 2004
Gr. 3–6, Fry 5

The author shows his love of the game with a series of poetic observations. Colorful language, graphics and photographs combine to form a fun tribute to baseball that all fans will enjoy according to Karen Stuppi.

Holding at Third
Zinnen, Linda
Dutton Children’s Books, 2004
Gr. 5–8, Fry 6

Matt, a 13 year-old top baseball player on a top baseball team, finds himself on the other end of the stick when he and his family move to another town. This novel is recommended by Alice Burnett.

Looking for Sleepy
Boelts, Maribeth
Pons, Bernadette (illus.)
Albert Whitman, 2004
PS–K, Fry n/a

Little Bear and his father look for “Sleepy” in all the usual places. They find it when father spends a little extra time in Little Bear’s bedroom. Adorable illustrations make this a good bedtime choice according to Carolyn Heuser.

Good Night Engines
Mortensen, Denise Dowling
Iwai, Melissa (illus.)
Clarion Books, 2003
PS, Fry n/a

Jennifer Salt feels that this lullaby for vehicle lovers is sure to circulate widely. The art will grab the attention of toddlers and parents alike.

Ten Sleepy Sheep
Root, Phyllis
Gaber, Susan (illus.)
Candlewick, 2004
PS–K, Fry 2

This is a sleepy bedtime book that might be able to become a child’s favorite. Ten sheep reluctantly fall asleep in the barnyard as the story progresses. Jenny Mischner reviewed this soothing book.

The Noisy Way to Bed
Whybrow, Ian
Beeke, Tiphanie (illus.)
Arthur A. Levine Books, 2004
PS–K, Fry 3

A little boy finds himself inviting various animals to bed as he travels along. Denise Geier says that this rhyming bedtime story seems to beg for participation.

Charged Up: The Story of Electricity
Bailey, Jacqui
Lilly, Matthew (illus.)
Picture Window Books, 2004
Gr. 3–7, Fry 4

This informative book explains how hydroelectric power provides electricity to one town. Laurie Mason feels that the book provides enough information for reports, but will also satisfy the curious reader.

Electricity: Bulbs, Batteries, and Sparks
Stille, Darlene
Boyd, Sheree (illus.)
Picture Window Books, 2004
K–Gr. 3, Fry 4

Also part of the Amazing Science series, this book with simple text and brightly colored illustrations introduces young children to the science of electricity. Karen Enggren recommends this entry.

Tinka
Dohaney, Rainy
Atheneum, 2003
PS–Gr. 2, Fry 4

Tinka, made fun of by the other sheep because she’s only the size of a cupcake, has an adventure which makes her big in the others’ eyes. Her only friend is a crow who takes her for a ride over the hill. Elaine Pollak describes the pastel watercolor and colored pencil illustrations as soft, warm and cute.

The Snail and the Whale
Donaldson, Julia
Scheffler, Axel (illus.)
Dial Books, 2003
PS–Gr. 3, Fry n/a

The tale of small saves big is well done here in rhyme with nicely supporting illustrations. Maggie Hanley calls this a good read aloud or one on one.

Evie and Margie
Waber, Bernard
Houghton Mifflin, 2003
K–Gr. 3, Fry 5

Evie and Margie are best friends who try out for the school play together. Karen Enggren calls this another winner from the author.

Shampoozel
Anholt, Laurence
Robins, Arthur (illus.)
Compass Point, 2004
Gr. 2–4, Fry 6

This fractured fairy tale sets Rapunzel in the hair-dressing world. Originally published in England, this entry in the Seriously Silly Stories series is fun, says Jenny Mischner.

Ghostyshocks and the Three Scares
Anholt, Laurence
Robins, Arthur (illus.)
Compass Point, 2004
Gr. 3–6, Fry 5

Another in the Seriously Silly Stories series, this modern day retelling of the classic Goldilocks tale is clever and fun, according to Darwin Page.

Goldie and the Three Bears
Stanley, Diane
Harper Collins, 2003
PS–Gr. 1, Fry n/a

Goldie is out-of-synch with many things in life, but when she gets off the bus at the wrong stop and wanders into an empty house, she ends up making a friend. Carolyn Heuser calls this a fun version of a classic tale.

Falling for Rapunzel
Wilcox, Leah
Monks, Lydia (illus.)
G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 2003
K–Gr. 3, Fry 3

This adorable play on words is sure to delight. Rapunzel, at the top of her tower, is enthroned in a room complete with hair dryer, computer and cell phone. A fun book that is highly recommended by Denise Geier.

Wonders and Miracles: A Passover Companion
Kimmel, Eric A.
Scholastic, 2004
All ages, Fry 7

Marianne Schumann calls this a perfect book for sharing the history and practices of Passover. It belongs in every library.

This is the Dreidel
Levine, Abby
Billin-Frye, Paige (illus.)
Albert Whitman, 2003
PS–Gr. 3, Fry 4

This seemingly simple family story of Hanukkah using the House that Jack Built rhyme scheme, leads us through a very thorough explanation of the holiday. Frances Myers O’Brien found the illustrations accurate and appealing.

It’s a Miracle! A Hanukkah Storybook
Spinner, Stephanie
McElmurry, Jill (illus.)
Atheneum, 2003
PS–Gr. 3, Fry 4

This story follows 6 year-old Owen, the new Official Candle Lighter, through the eight nights of Hanukkah in his home with special events and visitors. Very kid-friendly, according to Elaine Pollak.

Snow

Snowed in With Grandmother Silk
Fenner, Carol
Harvey, Amanda (illus.)
Dial, 2003
Gr. 2–4, Fry 4

When Ruddy’s parents go on a cruise, he is stuck staying with his grandmother. During his stay a snowstorm comes that leaves them stranded with no electricity and no water. Karen Enggren calls this a great intergenerational story with a sense of humor.

The Snow Ghosts
Landry, Leo
Houghton Mifflin, 2003
PS–Gr. 3, Fry 3

Simple, spare text blend with pencil and watercolor illustrations to form a beautiful winter package showing snow ghosts in their day-to-day activities. An exercise in imagination, according to Jenny Mischner.

The Snowflake Sisters
Lewis, J. Patrick
Desimini, Lisa
Atheneum, 2003
PS–Gr. 2, Fry n/a

In this story told in verse, two little snowflakes named Crystal and Ivory tag along with Santa, celebrate New Year’s Eve in Times Square and hang out with a snowman in Central Park. Elaine Pollak says the collage illustrations distinguish this work from other books about snow and winter.

The Emperor’s New Clothes
Gill, Vince
Newsom, Carol (illus.)
Dutton Children’s Books, 2003
K–Gr. 3, Fry 6

This retelling of the Andersen’s classic tale, with the “Emperor” as a CEO with a country twang, falls flat and is uninspiring, according to Barbara Mason.

Mr. Peabody’s Apples
Madonna
Long, Loren (illus.)
Callaway, 2003
K–Gr. 3, Fry n/a

Cheryl Otten calls this another perfect example of celebrities who shouldn’t write books.

Ray Bradbury: Master of Science Fiction
Mass, Wendy
Enslow, 2004
YA, Fry 7

Part of the Authors Teens Love series, students may have a hard time keeping their eyes open long enough to get through this book. Not recommended by Nicole Midura.

Riddles
Rosenberg, Pam
Girouard, Patrick (illus.)
Child’s World, 2004
K–Gr. 3, Fry 2

Barbara Mason says that there is no reason not to buy this book. Unfortunately, there is no compelling reason to buy this book either. The riddles are oldies.

Little Vampire Does Kung Fu!
Sfar, Joanne
Simon & Schuster, 2003
Gr. 3–6, Fry 5

In this French import, comic book panels tell the bizarre story of a boy’s dreamlike adventures as he tries to get revenge against a school bully. Jean MacMillan found the conversations tasteless and the illustrations hard to decipher.

Whuppity Stoorie
Stewig, John Warren
McDaniels, Preston (illus.)
Holiday House, 2004
K–Gr. 4, Fry 6

The typeface of this book makes it a marginal purchase according to Laurie Mason. It will be a shelf sitter.

Above the Rim (Midwest Division)
Walters, John
Child’s World, 2004
Gr. 3–7, Fry 5

Laurie Mason gave this book a marginal as it was printed after changes made in the NBA and is no longer accurate.

God and His Creations: Tales from the Old Testament
Williams, Marcia
Candlewick, 2004
K–Gr. 3, Fry n/a

Eleven stories from the Old Testament are told using cartoon strips. If the illustrator had stopped there, all would be well, however the cartoon characters make very silly remarks that have little to do with the story. Carolyn Heuser feels there are better materials available.

The Trial
Bryant, Jennifer
Alfred A. Knopf, 2004
Gr. 3–6, Fry 7

This is the story of the trial of Bruno Hauptmann as told through the eyes of 12-year-old Katie. Told in free verse, this spare novel manages to weave a picture of small town life and major historical events. Rated outstanding by Barbara Mason.

William Shakespeare’s Hamlet
Colville, Bruce
Gore, Leonid (illus.)
Dial, 2004
Gr. 3–6, Fry 5

This picture book format retelling of Hamlet is perfect for the elementary school library according to Darwin Page.

Firmament
Fowler, Tim
Simon & Schuster, 2002
Gr. 8+, Fry n/a

Luke, 14, a musical genius, joins a gang of bad boys after the death of his father. This is a fascinating coming-of-age story with deeply developed characters which Cecelia Ruegsegger calls a gripping page-turner.

The Princess Knight
Funk, Cornelia
Meyer, Kerstin (illus.)
Scholastic, 2004
PS–Gr. 3, Fry n/a

Princess Violetta is the only girl in a family of boys and trains to be a knight with them. She is a feisty, inspiring young heroine who belies the stereotype of what a medieval knight should be. Girl power lives, raves Judy Casagrande.

Clorinda
Kinerk, Robert
Kellogg, Steven (illus.)
Simon & Schuster, 2003
Gr. 1–3, Fry 2

This clever rhyming book is about a cow named Clorinda who defies the odds by following her dreams to become a ballet dancer. Natalie Shinn’s class thoroughly enjoyed it.

Montmorency: Thief, Liar, Gentleman?
Updale, Eleanor
Scholastic, 2003
Gr. 8–11, Fry 8

This is the first book in what is to become a series about a convict turned gentleman in late 19^th century England. This fast-paced suspenseful tale will win over even the most reluctant readers according to Cecelia Ruegsegger.

Steam Locomotives
Zimmermann, Karl
Boyds Mills Press, 2004
Gr. 3–6, Fry 9

This book contains every piece of information a child could possibly want to know about steam engines. A list is included about where you can still go to see and ride these trains. Cheryl Otten calls the photographs stunning.