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Announcements
The next meeting will be held on Friday, December
1, 2006,
at the Neptune Public Library from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Garrett
Book Sales will be attending this meeting with discounted books.
Upcoming meeting dates are February 2, April 13, June 1 and August 3, 2007.
Congratulations to Dianne Smith who retired
from the Bangs Avenue Elementary School, Asbury Park. Karen
Stuppi is now at Port Reading School #9 and Alice DiNizo
is now at Drum Point Elementary School, Brick. Welcome to new
reviewer Sharon Rawlins of the Library for the Blind &
Handicapped and welcome back to Michelle Cooper, Franklin
Elementary School.
Book Notes
Birthdays
Andy Shane and the Pumpkin Trick
Jacobson, Jennifer
Candlewick Press, 2006
K-Gr. 2, Fry 2
Andy Shane does not want to go to Dolores Starbuckle's birthday
party. Of course, the party turns out to be great fun, according to Penelope
Conway who recommends this title.
Cowboy Ned and Andy
Stein, David Ezra
Simon & Schuster, 2006
K-Gr. 3, Fry 3
Tomorrow is Cowboy Ned's birthday and he is far from home on a
cattle drive with his trusty horse Andy. Jean
MacMillan feels that the vivid descriptions engage young
readers in this simple tale about friendship being the most
important thing.
Books & Reading
Charlie Book's Favorite Book
Donaldson, Julia
Scheffler, Axel (illus.)
Dial Books, 2005
PS-Gr. 3, Fry n/a
Charlie Cook loves to read stories about pirates. This colorful,
well-drawn story brings us all around the world and the solar
system. Recommended by Alan Drake.
Miss Malarkey Leaves No Reading Behind
Finchler, Judy
O'Malley, Kevin (illus.)
Walker, 2006
K-Gr. 3, Fry 4
Principal Wiggins will dye his hair purple if the students read
1,000 books by June. This book supports the love of books every
librarian and teacher wants to instill in youngsters. Rated
outstanding by Darwin Page.
Miss Smith Reads Again!
Garland, Michael
Dutton Children's Books, 2006
K-Gr. 3, Fry 2
Miss Smith's incredible story book takes Zack and the other
students anywhere the story she reads happens. Maggie
Hanley found the illustrations the best part and highly
recommends this title.
Wolves
Gravett, Emily
Simon & Schuster, 2006
K-Gr. 3, Fry 3
This is a cleverly written and illustrated story about a rabbit
who goes to the library and checks out a book about wolves. Rabbit
is so engrossed in his book; he does not notice the real wolf in
front of him. Rated outstanding by Karen
Stuppi.
Library Lion
Knudsen, Michelle
Hawkes, Kevin (illus.)
Candlewick Press, 2006
PS-Gr. 3, Fry 2
This is a feel-good story about a lion who is allowed to hang out
in the library, doing various chores and enjoying story time, until
he breaks the rules. Kathleen Chapman
calls the text delightful and the illustrations warm and comforting.
Here Lies the Librarian
Peck, Richard
Dial, 2006
Gr. 5-7, Fry 5
After the death of its librarian, the Beulahland Library was
closed. It might have remained so forever had not a tornado struck
the cemetery and brought four lovely library science students to the
scene. Similar in tone to The Teacher's Funeral, Catherine
Miller believes this book should find a ready audience.
Book Fair Day
Plourde, Lynn
Wickstrom, Thor (illus.)
Dutton Children's Books, 2006
K-Gr. 3, Fry 4
In this fourth book about Mrs. Shepard's class, the students are
excited about the book fair being held in the library. Denise
Geier calls this an enjoyable read.
First Day
Miss Mingo and the First Day of School
Harper, Jamie
Candlewick Press, 2006
K-Gr. 3, Fry 2
Miss Mingo, possibly the best kindergarten teacher since Miss
Bindergarten, leads the way in this story that combines animal
information with the theme of individuality. Barbara
Mason calls this a nice mixture of fact and story.
Mr. Ouchy's First Day
Hennessy, B. G.
Meisel, Paul (illus.)
G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2006
K-Gr. 3, Fry 2
Mr. Ouchy is looking forward to his first day as a teacher and,
while he is excited, he is also worried. Jean
MacMillan feels that students will be relieved to know that
their teachers may be having some of the same worries as they do.
Friendship
How to Make Friends With a Giant
Choldenko, Gennifer
Walrod, Amy (illus.)
G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2006
PS-Gr. 2, Fry 1
The smallest kid in the class befriends the biggest, who happens
to be a giant, helping him to adjust to tight situations and
deflecting the teasing of classmates. Children will enjoy having the
little guy take charge according to Linda
Meuse.
Birdbrain Amos: Mr. Fun
Delaney, Michael
Philomel Books, 2006
Gr. 3-6, Fry 6
Birdbrain Amos is a hippopotamus with a bird nest on his head for
his friend, a tick bird named Amoeba. This is a very humorous book
which Karen Enggren calls a winner.
Sofie and the City
Grant, Karima
Montecalvo, Janet (illus.)
Boyds Mills Press, 2006
K-Gr. 3, Fry 3
Sofie has moved to the city from Senegal and is homesick. Soon
Sofie finds a little girl, Kenya, writing with chalk on the
sidewalk. Before long, the two girls become friends which helps
Sofie adjust. Denise Geier calls this
book a good multicultural story combining friendship and the
adjustments of moving.
Herbie Jones and the Second Grade Slippers
Kline, Suzy
Sweeten, Sami (illus.)
G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2006
K-Gr. 3, Fry 2
Herbie's back with a new best friend and some very real second
grade problems. This is a kind and gentle book which is recommended
by Barbara Mason.
Fluffy and Baron
Rankin, Laura
Dial Books, 2006
K-Gr. 3, Fry 2
Fluffy, a duckling, and Baron, a dog, are an unlikely pair of
best friends on the farm. Norah Magrini calls
this a simple friendship story that makes a nice read-aloud.
The New Girl and Me
Robbins, Jacqui
Phelan, Matt (illus.)
Atheneum, 2006
K-Gr. 3, Fry 2
It's not easy being the new kid at school. This lighthearted
story tells about one new girl's experience. Teachers and guidance
counselors will welcome this delightful tale according to Darwin
Page.
Bear's New Friend
Wilson, Karma
Chapman, Jane (illus.)
Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2006
PS-Gr. 2, Fry 2
Bear heads out to play when he hears someone up in a tree. He is
joined by his friends and they try to guess who's making the noise
and hiding. Penelope Conway recommends
this especially for Bear fans.
Wildlife
Rhino Rescue
Hamilton, Garry
Firefly Books, 2006
Gr. 3 & up, Fry 8
This is a detailed look at worldwide efforts to save wild
rhinoceros populations from extinction. Recommended by Carolyn
Gishlick.
Wings of Light: The Migration of the Yellow Butterfly
Swinburne, Stephen R.
Boyds Mills Press, 2006
K-Gr. 3, Fry 4
The yellow butterfly's journey begins in the Yucatan rain forest
and makes its way across the sea to the shores of North America. The
illustrations help to show the hard journey of more than 2000 miles.
Recommended by Patricia Dobbin.
Disappointments of the
Day
Cousin John is Coming
Broach, Elise
Lilly, Nate (illus.)
Dial Books, 2006
K-Gr. 3, Fry 3
As Ben is eating his breakfast, his mom tells him that his cousin
John is coming to visit. Ben and his cat have memories of the last
visit when John was bullying them. When they hear that John is
allergic to cats, they cheer up. Karen Stuppi
did not enjoy this book as its only purpose seems to be enjoying
getting revenge on a bully.
My Best Sweet Potato
Dohaney, Rainy
Simon & Schuster, 2006
PS-Gr. 2, Fry 1
K, a little girl, is devastated by the loss of her favorite toy. Judy
Casagrande thought this is an odd picture book with peculiar
illustrations. Not recommended.
Lucille Lost: A True Adventure
George, Margaret & Murphy, Christopher
Bandelin, Debra & Dacey, Bob (illus.)
Viking, 2006
K-Gr. 4, Fry 4
This combination of true adventure, anthropomorphized animals,
Native American lore, and tortoise facts never really comes together
as a cohesive work, according to Elaine Pollak.
The Lady in the Blue Cloak: Legends from the Texas Missions
Kimmel, Eric A.
Guevara, Susan (illus.)
Holiday House, 2006
Gr. 3-5, Fry 4
This collection of legends associated with Texas missions
features somewhat lackluster retellings with limited child appeal. Linda
Meuse feels that the topic is too specialized for most
collections outside of Texas.
I'm Big
Schafer, Milton
Lew-Vriethoff, Joanne (illus.)
Dial Books, 2006
PS-Gr. 1, Fry 1
This book is entirely about a boy insisting that he is big and
can do all kinds of things and that's really what it's all about.
The attempts at humor will be lost on preschoolers. Kathy
Mulholland found the text annoying.
Honey Blonde Chica
Serros, Michele M.
Simon Pulse, 2006
Gr. 6-10, Fry 6
Evie's loyalty to her friends is torn when her childhood friend,
Dee Dee, returns to California after living in Mexico City. The book
is peppered with pop-culture references which may eventually leave
it feeling dated. The characters give the impression of being
spoiled brats. Books aimed at Latinas are in high demand, and there
are many good ones available, but Rachael Binz
believes that this is not one of them.
Here Be Monsters!
Snow, Alan
Atheneum, 2006
Gr. 4-8, Fry 7
Evil outlaws in the city of Ratbridge capture Arthur, an orphaned
boy. What follows is a series of goofy adventures involving an
enormous cast of odd creatures. Lorri Ann
Wahlgren says the length and tedium detract from this title's
appeal.
Trollerella
Stegman-Bourgeois, Karen
Long, Ethan (illus.)
Holiday House, 2006
Gr. 2-4, Fry 2
This is a rather poorly done version of the Cinderella story, as
if we needed another, in Kathleen Chapman's
opinion. The illustrations are loud and match the tackiness of the
text and the preposterous storyline.
Rave Reviews
The Curious Demise of a Contrary Cat
Berry, Lynne
LaMarca, Luke (illus.)
Simon & Schuster, 2006
Gr. 4-8, Fry 3
This is the story of a witch with a pet cat who declines to be of
assistance when asked, but in the end gets what's coming to him.
This book is of course good theme material for Halloween, but it is
not frightening and is a fun story for any season, according to Kathy
Mulholland.
Victory
Cooper, Susan
McElderry Books, 2006
Gr. 4-7, Fry 5
In parallel story lines, the author introduces two 11 year-olds
whose lives were separated by more than two hundred years. Cooper
blends the stories of a modern girl and a young sailor in 1803. Told
in alternate voices, Catherine Miller
says this is excellent historical fiction.
Easy Street
Gray, Rita
Bono, Mary (illus.)
Dutton, 2006
PS-Gr. 3, Fry 2
Rhyming text describes the road making process with each step
concluding with the same refrain. Frances
O'Brien gives this title an outstanding.
A Place Called Kindergarten
Harper, Jessica
Karas, G. Brian (illus.)
G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2006
K-Gr. 3, Fry 2
Tommy is starting Kindergarten and everyone at home on the farm
can't wait until he gets home, including the animals in the barn.
They embrace his learning and can't wait to see what he will learn
tomorrow. Norah Magrini's son requested
that she read this title during parent read-aloud day in his
Kindergarten class.
A Young Man's Dance
Knowlton, Laurie Lazzaro
Johnson, Layne (illus.)
Boyds Mills Press, 2006
K-Gr. 3, Fry 3
A touching story about a young boy whose grandmother suffers from
Alzheimer's Disease. Sara Imranyi feels
this book could help readers of any age who are struggling with a
loved one's illness.
Joey and Jet in Space
Yang, James
Atheneum, 2006
PS-Gr. 2, Fry n/a
Joey and his pet dog Jet are exploring in outer space when Jet
spies a bone floating about and takes off. Jet gets lost and Joey
has to find him. Reality sets in when Mom calls Joey for lunch --
back on earth! Judy Casagrande calls
this a fun read out loud story. |
