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

From the February 4, 2005, meeting
Edited by Sandy Michlich

Next Meeting

The next meeting will be held on Friday, April 1, 2005, at the Neptune Public Library from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

• Meetings Schedule: The meeting schedule is as follows: June 3, 2005, and August 5, 2005.
   
• Award Winners: The 2005 winner of the Newbery Award is Kira-Kira by Cynthia Kadohata. Kitten’s First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes won the Caldecott Medal. The Garden State Books Awards went to Get Ready for Second Grade, Amber Brown, by Paula Danziger; Biscuit Goes to School, by Alyssa Capucilli; Loser, by Jerry Spinelli; and Bury the Dead, by Christopher Sloan.

Secrets of the Sphinx
Giblin, James Cross
Ibatoulline, Bagram (illus.)
Scholastic, 2004
Gr.3 & up, Fry 5

This is a very readable history of the building of the sphinx and ancient Egypt in general. Recommended by Carolyn Gishlick.

The Ancient Romans
Lassieur, Allison
Franklin Watts, 2004
Gr.4–8, Fry 10

A well-written text, colorful pictures and research aids combine to give the reader a window into what made the Romans emerge and dominate the world. Carolyn Heuser feels that this outstanding look into the ancient Roman civilization belongs on all library shelves.

Pyramids & Mummies
Simon, Seymour
Seastar Publishing Co., 2004
K-Gr.3, Fry 5

Patricia Dobbins recommends this book which provides an easy-to-read overview of Egyptian pyramids and the burial practices associated with them.

Fight For Freedom: The American Revolutionary War
Bobrick, Benson
Atheneum, 2004
Gr.5 & up, Fry 12

This outstanding account of our war for independence includes two-page spreads beginning with events leading up to the war through the election of Washington as President. Organization and clarity bring the conflict into focus and some original source material is woven into the text. Given an outstanding recommendation by Carolyn Heuser.

When Washington Crossed the Delaware
Cheney, Lynne
Fiore, Peter M. (illus.)
Simon & Schuster, 2004
Gr.2–4, Fry 4

Beautiful paintings illustrate the crossing of the Delaware with General Washington and his men. Denise Geier feels that it should be a part of New Jersey collection.

O, Say Can You See? America’s Symbols, Landmarks and Inspiring Words
Keenan, Sheila
Boyajian, Ann (illus.)
Scholastic, 2005
K–Gr.3, Fry 3

While this book probably does not contain enough information for reports, Barbara Mason states that it is a book that kids will pick up and read. Filled with national trivia and highlighted with amusing cartoon illustrations, children and adults will look again at familiar objects.

Life in the Thirteen Colonies: New Jersey
Sterngass, Jon
Children’s Press, 2004
Gr.5–8, Fry 6

The fascinating story of colonial New Jersey is capably presented in this illustrated book that is part of a series. Few states have a more complicated story to tell than that of New Jersey and Patricia Dobbin recommends this account.

Ella’s Big Chance: A Jazz-Age Cinderella
Hughes, Shirley
Simon & Schuster, 2004
K–Gr.3, Fry 4

Ella Cinders has a happy life as a dressmaker in her father’s dress shop. Karen Stuppi says much of the story stays true to the original, but the happy ending has a twist.

Bound
Napoli, Donna Jo
Atheneum, 2004
Gr.5–9, Fry 7

14 year-old Xing Xing, an orphan, lives in a cave home with her stepmother and half sister. In this captivating retelling of the Cinderella tale, readers will get a taste of Chinese culture during the Ming dynasty, including housing, religious beliefs, marriage arrangements, sexism and the practice of binding the feet. Elaine Pollak says this is a great read for fans of Napoli’s other fairy tale retellings.

Well at the End of the World
San Souci, Robert
Walsh, Rebecca (illus.)
Chronicle Books, 2004
K–Gr.3, Fry 4

Princess Rosamond is a heroine with courage and intelligence in this retelling of an Elizabethan tale loosely based on "The King of Colchester’s Daughter’s". Darwin Page feels the contemporary spin will appeal to kids.

High as a Hawk: A Brave Girl’s Historic Climb
Barron, T. A.
Lewin, Ted (illus.)
Philomel Books, 2004
Gr.1–4, Fry 2

In 1905, 8 year-old Harriet Peters fulfills her dead mother’s dream by climbing Longs Peak in Colorado with the help of an old mountain guide. Monika Sisbarro calls this a compelling tale that will have you holding on to every word as the story unfolds.

The Cats in Krasinski Square
Hesse, Karen
Watson, Wendy (illus.)
Scholastic, 2004
Gr.3–6, Fry 4

Two Jewish sisters, escapees from the Warsaw Ghetto, devise a plan to prevent an attempt by the Gestapo to intercept food bound for starving people behind the dark wall. Narrated by a 10 year-old girl, she describes her visits with the abandoned cats and how they came to be helpers in a food smuggling scheme. Recommended by Patricia Dobbin.

Escape Across the Wide Sea
Kirkpatrick, Katherine
Holiday House, 2004
Gr.5–7, Fry 6

The story begins in France in 1686 when a 9 year-old boy and his family escape the persecution of the Huguenots and eventually flee to New York to the settlement of New Rochelle. Denise Geier recommends this novel.

No Shame, No Fear
Turnbull, Ann
Candlewick Press, 2004
Gr.8 & up, Fry 8

In 1662, during the time of the religious persecution of the Quakers in England, 15 year-old Quaker Susanna and 17 year-old Anglican William meet and fall in love. Cecelia Ruegsegger calls this a well crafted historical tale, engaging and informative.

Wackiest White House Pets
Davis, Kathryn Gibbs
Johnson, David A. (illus.)
Scholastic, 2004
Gr.3–6, Fry 6

This addition to the genre of presidential collective biography focuses on 15 presidents in terms of the pets they owned while they occupied the White House. Carolyn Bailey says the light-hearted tone and amusing anecdotes are reminiscent of So You Want to be President.

The Best Pet of All
LaRochelle, David
Wakiyama, Hanaka (illus.)
Dutton Children’s Books, 2004
K–Gr.2, Fry 2

In this delightful story, a boy outwits his mother. He begs for a dog, but his mother refuses, until he brings home a dragon for a pet. Denise Geier calls this book clever and lots of fun.

Petropolis
Whayne, Susanne Santoro
Santoro, Christopher (illus.)
Handprint Books, 2004
PS–Gr.2, Fry n/a

Max, the dog, goes out his new dog door into a fabulous pet city instead of his backyard. A cute story which pet lovers will enjoy, according to Maggie Hanley.

Plant Life Cycles

Pumpkin Shivavee
Agran, Rick
Anderson, Sara (illus.)
Handprint Books, 2004
K–Gr.3, Fry 3

The life cycle of a pumpkin is overviewed from seedling to harvest in this picture book which Darwin Page rates as an outstanding. Teachers will find this a wonderful resource.

One Little Seed
Greenstein, Elaine
Viking, 2004
PS–K, Fry n/a

This book follows a seed from the time it is planted until it grows into a beautiful flower. Young children will enjoy acting out the process to dramatize each step. Recommended by Monika Sisbarro.

Piggy Riddles
Hall, Katy & Eisenberg, Lisa
Andriani, Renee (illus.)
Dial, 2004
K–Gr.3, Fry 3

Nancy Cornell feels that while the illustrations are a hoot, the riddles lack the umpf to interest readers.

Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah!
Sherman, Allan & Busch, Lou
Davis, Jack E. (illus.)
Dutton Children’s Books, 2004
K–Gr.3, Fry 4

The 1963 song written by Sherman does not translate well into a picture book according to Karen Stuppi. The music to the song is not included.

Brain Juice: Science Fresh Squeezed! 41 Thirst-for-Knowledge Quenching Poems
Shields, Carol Diggory
Thompson, Richard (illus.)
Handprint Books, 2003
Gr.4–7, Fry n/a

Carolyn Heuser says this poor attempt at humorous scientific poems does little to enhance the reader’s knowledge. Better examples are works by Prelutsky.

I Am A Tyrannosaurus
Wallace, Karen
Bostock, Mike (illus.)
Atheneum, 2003
K–Gr.3, Fry 2

This dinosaur book may be a bit too scary for younger readers, in Denise Geier’s opinion, as it is a graphic account of a hungry tyrannosaurus. She feels that there are better dinosaur books out there.

The Truth About Poop
Goodman, Susan E.
Smith, Elwood H. (illus.)
Viking, 2004
Gr.3–6, Fry 7

A compendium of fascinating, weird and gross facts about poop which Nancy Cornell feels is great for reluctant 5th grade boy readers.

Tripping Over the Lunch Lady and Other School Stories
Mercado, Nancy E. (editor)
Dial Books, 2004
Gr.4–7, Fry 4

An anthology of 10 humorous short stories about life in school written by well-known authors such as Avi, David Lubar, and Sarah Weeks. Monika Sisbarro gave this an outstanding.

John Philip Duck
Polacco, Patricia
Philomel, 2004
K–Gr.4, Fry 6

Jenny Mischner describes this book as a warm fictional story about a boy who trains ducks to march to and from the hotel fountain every day. It is inspired by a true story and will be enjoyed by children and grown-ups alike.

Science Verse
Scieszka, Jon
Smith, Lane (illus.)
Viking, 2004
K–Gr.3, Fry 4

Fans of Sciezka and Smith’s Math Curse know what to expect when a child’s teacher opines “if you listen closely enough you can hear the poetry of science in everything.” Carolyn Bailey says readers will enjoy the parodies of classic poems.