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Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on Friday, December
2, 2005,
at the Neptune Public Library from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Announcements
Future meeting dates are February 3, April 7, June 2 and August 4, 2006. Mark your calendars
now!
Book Notes
Bibliotherapy
The Pink House at the Seashore
Blumenthal, Deborah
Houghton Mifflin, 2005
Gr. 1 & up, Fry 3
A family goes to check on their special beach house after a big
storm, finding it a total loss. The theme of rebuilding is timely
according to Maggie Hanley.
Brianna Breathes Easy: A Story About Asthma
Kroll, Virginia
Cho, Jayoung (illus.)
Albert Whitman, 2005
K - Gr. 3, Fry 3
Through Brianna's story, readers are shown symptoms, triggers and
treatments of asthma. Karen Stuppi
calls this a nice story for children who suffer from asthma as well
as their friends who may not understand what asthma is.
Red, White, and Blue Good-bye
Tomp, Sarah
Barrow, Ann (illus.)
Walker & Co., 2005
K - Gr. 3, Fry 2
This story depicts a young girl dealing with her father, who is
in the Navy, as he is called out to sea for 6 months. Many children
across our country are experiencing having a parent in the military
and the long separation. Recommended by Darwin
Page.
Civil Rights
A Wreath for Emmitt Till
Nelson, Marilyn
Landy, Philippe (illus.)
Houghton Mifflin, 2005
Gr. 8 +, Fry n/a
This sonnet tells the story of the lynching of Emmitt Till, a
teen who whistled at a white woman in the south. Maggie
Hanley recommends this for older students or teacher use.
The School is not White! A True Story of the Civil Rights Movement
Rappaport, Doreen
Curtis, James (illus.)
Hyperion, 2005
Gr. 3 - 6, Fry 6
This story simply and effectively relates the story of the Carter
family children as they are sent to attend an all-white school
during the middle of the civil rights movement. Karen
Enggren calls this an excellent addition to your collection.
Freedom on the Menu: The Greensboro Sit-Ins
Weatherford, Carole Boston
LaGarrigue, Jerome (illus.)
Dial, 2005
K - Gr. 4, Fry 3
A young Black girl experiences daily activities in the Jim Crow
south. A visit from Dr. Martin Luther King inspires her family to
become members of the NAACP and participate in sit-ins at the lunch
counters. Rated outstanding by Dianne Smith.
Food
Pizza for the Queen
Castaldo, Nancy F.
Potter, Melisande (illus.)
Holiday House, 2005
K - Gr. 3, Fry 3
In 1889 in Naples, Italy, Raffaele Esposito prepares a special
pizza for the Queen. Based on a true story and includes a recipe
which kids will need help with. Reviewed by Nancy
Cornell.
Eat Your Peas, Ivy Louise
Landry, Leo
Houghton Mifflin, 2005
PS - K, Fry n/a
Ivy Louise, in her highchair, watches her spoonful of peas
perform acrobatic moves. When they all form together on her spoon,
she hits it and the peas fly out the window. Carolyn
Heuser recommends this as an additional purchase for the
preschoolers.
Pino and the Signora's Pasta
Pedersen, Janet
Candlewick Press, 2005
PS - Gr. 3, Fry 2
Pino, a large homeless cat of Rome, becomes tired of the faithful
Signora's pasta every night and sets out to find better food. After
many adventures, Pino decides he prefers Signora's pasta served with
love. Recommended by Fran O'Brien.
Music & Dance
Pecorino's First Concert
Madison, Alan
Cantone, AnnaLaura (illus.)
Atheneum, 2005
K - Gr. 3, Fry 4
On his first trip to a concert, Pecorino Sasquatch, the silliest
boy in the world, just cannot resist all of the unattended
instruments on stage. Barbara Mason
calls this a rollicking, silly book with great pictures, great
made-up words and great fun to read.
Soon, Baboon, Soon
Horowitz, Dave
Putnam, 2005
K - Gr. 3, Fry 2
Music is everywhere while following these primates performing
"Percussion of the Apes." Baboon waits to play his triangle and
feels satisfaction when he finally makes his contribution. Linda
Mattison reviewed this title.
Jose! Born to Dance: The Story of Jose Limon
Reich, Susanna
Colon, Raul (illus.)
Simon & Schuster, 2005
K - Gr. 3, Fry 3
This picture book biography beautifully depicts the early life of
dancer and choreographer Jose Limon who was born in Mexico. The text
sparkles with short sentences that capture the essence of this
vibrant personality according to Karen Enggren.
Pirates
Pirate's Eye
Priest, Robert
Houghton Mifflin, 2005
K - Gr. 4, Fry 11
This is a sophisticated, different pirate story about Captain
Black's glass eye and the pauper, Sandpiper, who finds it and learns
of the adventures of the pirate to whom it belongs. When the Captain
regains his eye, he learns about Sandpiper and is inspired to
reform. Jenny Mischner calls this a
kind story that doesn't feel moralistic, and is fun. She rates it an
outstanding.
Dead Reckoning: A Pirate Voyage with Captain Drake
Lawlor, Laurie
Simon & Schuster, 2005
Gr. 9 +,
Fry
6
Emmet Drake is unknowingly convinced to join a pirate voyage lead
by his cousin, Sir Francis Drake. Although it is not the typical romanticized view of pirates, the story will still captivate readers
and teens may identify with Emmet's struggle to do what is right or
go along with the crowd. Highly recommended by Sara
Imranyi for historical fiction or adventure fans.
School
Henry's 100 Days of Kindergarten
Carlson, Nancy
Penguin, 2004
PS - K, Fry 5
On the first day of kindergarten, Henry's teacher tells the
students that on each day of school she will put a jelly bean into
the jar. When they have 100 jelly beans, they will eat them and have
a celebration. Denise Geier calls this
a delightful book which is a great introduction to one of the major
kindergarten activities.
Gooney Bird and the Room Mother
Lowry, Lois
Thomas, Middy (illus.)
Houghton Mifflin, 2005
Gr. 2 - 4, Fry 5
The children in Mrs. Pidgeon's 2nd grade class are preparing for
the Thanksgiving pageant and they are in desperate need of a room
mother. Gooney Bird comes to the rescue. The only catch is that this
person wants to remain incognito until the big day. Highly
recommended by Patricia Dobbin.
Once Upon a Cool Motorcycle Dude
O'Malley, Kevin
Walker, 2005
Gr. 3 - 5, Fry n/a
A girl and boy create their own fairy tale for a school
assignment. This book shows the creative process in action as well
as the different styles of the boy and the girl. Highly recommended
by Cheryl Otten.
Miss Bindergarten has a Wild Day in Kindergarten
Slate, Joseph
Wolff, Ashley (illus.)
Dutton, 2005
PS - K, Fry 4
Children will enjoy another romp through the alphabet with the
enthusiastic canine Miss B. and her menagerie of students. Jenny
Mischner calls this a winner.
Disappointments of the
Day
Looking After Little Ellie
Archer, Dosh and Mike
Bloomsbury, 2005
K - Gr. 3, Fry 2
Six small mice have their paws full when they baby-sit one large
baby elephant in this British import. Not recommended by Nancy
Cornell.
Because Your Daddy Loves You
Clements, Andrew
Alley, R. W. (illus.)
Clarion, 2005
PS - Gr. 1, Fry n/a
The daddy in this book gives his child a lot of freedom and never
says anything derogatory. Carolyn Heuser
feels some children may wonder why they don't have a father this
nice.
The Big Race Starring Tommy Tortoise and Harry Hare
Glaser, Shirley
Glaser, Milton (illus.)
Hyperion, 2005
K - Gr. 3, Fry 3
This version of the classic fable has the two characters starting
at the N.Y. Public Library and racing around the world. Karen
Stuppi says this version does not live up to the standard of
the original.
I Wonder Why Columbus Crossed the Ocean & Other Questions About Explorers
Greenwood, Rosie
Various illus.
Kingfisher, 2005
Gr. 3 - 6, Fry 6
This book collects a series of unrelated facts in a way which
will not be helpful to students according to Denise
Geier. She says to save your money for a better book on
explorers.
Where Crocodiles Have Wings
McKissack, Pat
Barner, Bob (illus.)
Holiday House, 2005
K - Gr. 3, Fry 3
In describing a magical place, the author has deeply disappointed
her readers. The rhymes are awkward and difficult to read. It is not
Barbara Mason's first or even second
choice.
The Little Book of Not So
Harper, Charise Mericle
Houghton Mifflin, 2005
PS - Gr. 1, Fry n/a
This is a silly book that illustrates the concept of "not
so"
with cartoonish drawings. Susan Brozena
says this is "not so" special or wonderful.
Rave Reviews
The Ugly Duckling
Andersen, Hans Christian
Ingpen, Robert (illus.)
Penguin, 2005
Gr. 2 - 5, Fry 4
This newly translated version is true to the original and
accessible to younger children. Jenny Mischner
calls this a treasure.
Horse Tales
Crebbin, June (ed.)
Moore, Inga (illus.)
Candlewick Press, 2005
Gr. 3 - 6, Fry 5
The fetching beauty of the cover is just the beginning of the
fondness a horse-loving reader will have for this book which
includes 14 stories from many time periods. Linda
Mattison agrees with Kirkus which called it a blue ribbon
winner.
Taking Wing
Graff, Nancy Price
Clarion, 2005
Gr. 5 - 9, Fry 4
An absorbing novel set in Vermont during World War II in which 13
year-old Gus comes of age. Susan Brozena
calls this an excellent read.
I will Plant You A Lilac Tree: A Memoir of a Schindler's List Survivor
Hillman, Laura
Atheneum, 2005
Gr. 9 +, Fry 11
The author, an Oskar Schindler survivor, tells a disturbing but
objective account of her teenage years in 8 different concentration
camps during the Holocaust. Her narrative is objective and clear,
but never describes the atrocities in a manner that would make this
book inappropriate for schools. Terrie Katz
calls this book perfect.
A Kick in the Head: An Everyday Guide to Poetic Forms
Janeczko, Paul
Raschka, Chris (illus.)
Candlewick Press, 2005
Gr. 3 - 6, Fry 6
Darwin Page feels this is a must for
every school library in multiple copies. It features 29 poetic forms
such as haiku, tanka, cinquain, sonnet, and much more.
Michael Rosen's Sad Book
Rosen, Michael
Blake, Quentin (illus.)
Candlewick Press, 2005
Gr. 3 - 6, Fry 4
The author honestly explores and explains the sadness that
overwhelms him when his son Eddie dies. In poetic prose, he
evocatively describes his feelings. Karen
Enggren says this is an outstanding book that should be in
school libraries and shared with guidance and grief counselors. |
