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

From the June 3, 2005, meeting
Edited by Sandy Michlich

Next Meeting

The next meeting will be held on Friday, August 5, 2005, at the Neptune Public Library from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

The Shot Heard ‘Round the World
Bildner, Phil
Payneatt, C. F. (illus.)
Simon & Schuster, 2005
K – Gr. 3, Fry 6

The year is 1951 and all of New York has come to a halt as the Giants, Yankees and Dodgers all vie for the pennant. Recommended by Barbara Mason.

Ballpark: The Story of America’s Baseball Fields
Curlee, Lynn
Atheneum, 2005
Gr. 3 – 6, Fry 6

The author offers an engaging history of baseball parks in words and pictures according to Karen Stuppi.

Out Standing in My Field
Jennings, Patrick
Scholastic Press, 2005
Gr. 3 – 6, Fry 6

Ty loves baseball, but it is not really his game. However, his dad is the coach and he is forced to play every inning while more talented players warm the bench. A good father/son story which was reviewed by Patricia Dobbin.

Roberto Clemente: Pride of the Pittsburgh Pirates
Winter, Jonah
Colon, Raul (illus.)
K – Gr. 3, Fry 5

This inspiring biography is about baseball Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente who played in the 1960’s and early 1970’s. Rated outstanding by Karen Stuppi.

Biographies

Jump! From the Life of Michael Jordan
Cooper, Floyd
Philomel, 2004
K – Gr. 5, Fry 4

A young boy develops into a basketball superstar through his determination, perseverance and a friendly rivalry with his older brother. Judy Casagrande calls this book inspirational.

Mother Teresa
Demi
Margaret McElderry Books, 2005
Gr. 3 – 6, Fry 7

This is a picture book biography about Mother Teresa with detailed text suitable for older students. Darwin Page says the author’s fondness for the subject is reflected in the telling.

Saint Francis of Assisi
Kennedy, Robert F. Jr.
Nolan, Dennis (illus.)
Hyperion, 2005
Gr. 3 – 8, Fry 3

Jennifer Salt feels that this book is perfect for the Saint reports that many libraries have requests for.

Albert Einstein: Genius of the 20th Century
Lassieur, Allison
Scholastic Press, 2005
Gr. 4 +, Fry 8

A thorough and well organized biography of Albert Einstein that tells the story of his life from birth to death. Sara Imranyi says this book is good for both assignments and fun reading as well as to inspire respect and curiosity for the genius and his work.

Books for Boys

Mindmaster
Gifford, Clive
Usborne, 1996
Gr. 3 – 6, Fry 5

This is a quick, high interest read aimed at middle school boys. Part of the Spinechillers series and is recommended by Catherine Miller.

Travel Team
Lupica, Mike
Philomel, 2004
Gr. 5 – 8, Fry 6

The hero of this book is a short 7th grader with basketball dreams. Catherine Miller says it’s a great sports story.

Cryptid Hunters
Smith, Roland
Hyperion Books, 2005
Gr. 5 – 8, Fry 6

Fast moving adventure novel involving twins (or are they?) who are shipped off to live with their mysterious uncle after their parents are missing from a plane wreck. Pham Wolfe calls this a great book for boys with a great storyline and amazing plot twists.

Civil War

Photo by Brady
Armstrong, Jennifer
Atheneum 2005
Gr. 4 – 8, Fry 4

Photographs document this book filled with information about the Civil War. Pham Wolfe feels that the pictures will draw kids in to this very informative book.

The Battle of Gettysburg
Elish, Dan
Children’s Press, 2005
Gr. 4 – 7, Fry 7

Part of the Cornerstones of Freedom series, this book presents a simple, yet thorough, description of the Battle of Gettysburg. Recommended by Elaine Pollak.

Billy and the Rebel
Hopkinson, Deborah
Floca, Brian (illus.)
Simon & Schuster, 2005
K – Gr. 3, Fry 3

Billy and his mother are left alone on their farm as the Battle of Gettysburg takes place. A young Rebel soldier has run away from the war and asks them for help. Karen Enggren says the soft watercolor and ink illustrations perfectly compliment this easy to read tale of the Civil War.

Great Women of the Civil War
Raatma, Lucia
Compass Point Books, 2005
Gr. 5 +, Fry 7

This is a collective biography which includes Harriet Beecher Stowe, Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Clara Barton and assorted women spies. This information packed book was given an outstanding by Monika Sisbarro and is part of the We the People series.

Dragons

There’s a Dragon Downstairs
McKay, Hilary
Harvey, Amanda (illus.)
Margaret McElderry Books, 2005
PS – Gr. 3, Fry 2

Every night little Sophie bravely tries to confront the dragon that she hears downstairs. Add this to Mercer Mayer’s There's A Nightmare in My Closet to soothe bedtime fears for young children recommends Frances Myers O’Brien.

The Great Dragon Rescue
Robertson, M. P.
Dial, 2004
PS – Gr. 2, Fry n/a

Sequel to The Egg, this tale of dragons and witches will hold the interest of children. Cheryl Otten points out that it also fits in with this year’s summer reading club theme.

“Secret” Titles

The Valley of Secrets
Hussey, Charmian
Crump, Christopher (illus.)
Simon & Schuster, 2003
Gr. 6 +, Fry 8

Two stories merge when Stephen Lansbury discovers that although he has been raised in an orphanage, he has inherited a large property in Cornwall from a great-uncle. An intriguing story according to Catherine Miller.

Secret Prince
Love, D. Anne
Houghton Mifflin, 2004
Gr. 4 – 6, Fry 4

Abandoned at birth, Thorn discovers he is a prince and embarks on a journey to overthrow his father, an evil king. Sara Imranyi says this book is a good introduction to the fantasy genre.

The Secret Seder
Rappaport, Doreen
McCully, Emily Arnold (illus.)
Hyperion, 2005
Gr. 2 – 5, Fry 3

This story of hope amid the atrocities of the Holocaust is accompanied by watercolors done in muted dark colors. Carolyn Heuser calls this a meaningful book about celebrating a secret Seder during the Holocaust.

Secret Agent
Spizman, Robyn Freeman &
Johnston, Mark
Atheneum, 2005
Gr. 6 – 8, Fry 7

Kyle knows that his father is obsessed with his novel, but he never imagined that this might be the cause of his parents’ separation. He sets himself up as his father’s agent in order to get the book published and prove to his mother that his father’s work has meaning. Recommended by Catherine Miller.

Disappointments of the Day

A Sweet Smell of Roses
Johnson, Angela
Velasquez, Eric (illus.)
Simon & Schuster, 2005
Gr. 1 +, Fry 2

Jennifer Salt feels this is an over idealized view of the Civil Rights Movement which does not give children an accurate portrayal of the times.

Lucy Rose: Here’s the Thing About Me
Kelly, Katy
Read by Tara Sands
Listening Library, 2004
Gr. 2 – 4, Fry n/a

Ten minutes of this narcissist, high-pitched 8 year-old was about all Carolyn Heuser could take of this CD set. She felt it was not pleasant or enjoyable to listen to.

Surviving Aunt Marsha
Laguna, Sofia
Scholastic Press, 2004
Gr. 3 – 6, Fry 6

When Tina’s parents take a 3 week vacation in Europe, she and her brothers are left in the care of Aunt Marsha. The aunt is a stereotypical undesirable relative who does come around by the end of the book, but Carolyn Bailey feels that it’s hard to care about any of the one-dimensional characters.

Summertime Waltz
Payne, Nina
Swiatkowska, Gabi (illus.)
Frances Foster Books, 2005
Interest level: ???, Fry n/a

This impressionistic romp through the author’s poem about summertime games and pictures as evening approaches will be lost on the intended preschool audience. Carolyn Heuser wants to know who the author knew at the publishing house to get this published.

Eloise’s What I Absolutely Love Love Love
Thompson, Kay
Knight, Hilary (illus.)
Simon & Schuster, 2005
K – Gr. 3, Fry 3

Only dedicated fans will like this slim volume where Eloise comes across as self-centered rather than funny, according to Jean MacMillan.

Hitler Youth: Growing Up In Hitler’s Shadow
Bartoletti, Susan Campbell
Scholastic Press, 2005
Gr. 7 +, Fry 9

Original source material with black and white photos bring us face to face with teenagers in Hitler’s Germany. Carolyn Heuser feels this is a very revealing account that should be read by high school students to make them aware of how easily evil can subvert the truth and destroy a nation.

What Did You Do Today? The First Day of School
Forward, Toby
Thompson, Carol (illus.)
Clarion, 2004
PS – Gr. 3, Fry 2

This book tells the story of a child’s first day of school paralleled with his mother’s similar activities at work. Frances Myers O’Brien calls this book delightful.

Things Left Unsaid: A Novel in Poems
Hemphill, Stephanie
Hyperion, 2005
YA

After a lifetime of conforming to the image of what her parents and high school friends want her to be, Sarah must come to terms with her own identity when her destructive best friend tries to commit suicide. Told in the form of free-verse poems, this was given an outstanding by Josephine Mahoney.

The Cry of the Icemark
Hill, Stuart
Scholastic Press, 2005
Gr. 5 – 8, Fry 6

An epic fantasy novel filled with love and war, evil against good, witty characters and great twists and turns. Pham Wolfe gave it a rave review.

The Cay
Taylor, Theodore
Read by Michael Boatman
Listening Library, 2005
Gr. 4 +, Fry n/a

Denise Geier calls this audio adaptation of the book totally enjoyable with the Caribbean accents giving an air of authenticity and flavor to the story.