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Announcements
The next meeting will be held on Friday, April 13, 2007,
at the Neptune Public Library from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Upcoming
Meeting Dates are June 1 and August 3, 2007.
Garden State Book Awards: Loose Tooth by Lola M. Schaefer
(Easy-to-Read), Second Grade Rules Amber Brown by Paula Danziger
(Easy-to-Read Series), The Last Holiday Concert by Andrew Clements
(Fiction, Gr. 2-5), and Actual Size by Steve Jenkins (Non-fiction,
grades 2-5).
Book Notes
African American Titles
Tyrell
Coe, Booth
PUSH/Scholastic, 2006
YA, Fry 4
The author's
first novel is set in the gritty streets of the South Bronx. Tyrell
is torn between his dreams of a future with his girlfriend and his
attraction to another resident in the homeless shelter. Frances
O'Brien recommends this book for libraries serving impoverished,
stressed urban teens. There is a caution about the frank talk about
sex, however.
The Other Mozart: The Life of the Famous Chevalier de Saint-George
Brewster, Hugh
Velasquez, Eric (illus.)
Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2007
Gr. 4 & up,
Fry 4
This is a fascinating
biography about an obscure composer in the 18th century. Jennifer
Salt feels this is great for Black History month assignments.
Freedom Ship
Rappaport, Doreen
James, Curtis (illus.)
Hyperion
Books for Children, 2006
Based on a true incident during the Civil
War, a crew of enslaved men take over the Confederate ship Planter
and deliver it to the Union side, complete with ammunition and
cannons. Patricia Dobbin says this is a compelling story and an
exciting adventure.
Perfect Timing: How Isaac Murphy Became One
of the World's Greatest Jockeys
Trollinger, Patsi B.
Lagarrigue, Jerome (illus.)
Viking, 2006
Gr. 4-6, Fry 5
Denise Geier highly recommends this biography
of Jockey Isaac Murphy which brings horse racing to life with
beautiful illustrations that capture the time period. The author's
note explains that had Murphy raced 20 years earlier, he would have
been a slave and not entitled to any of the rewards.
Dear Mr. Rosenwald
Weatherford, Carole Boston
Christie, R.
Gregory (illus.)
Scholastic, 2006
PS- Gr. 3, Fry 3
Told in free
verse from a child's view, this is the story of how a poor
African-American community is given seed money to build a new school
and meets the challenge to raise additional funds and build it
themselves. Linda Meuse calls this an inspiring story.
Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her
People to Freedom
Weatherford, Carole Boston
Nelson, Kadir (illus.)
Hyperion,
2006
K- Gr. 3, Fry 3
This fictionalized account of Harriet Tubman's life captures
her intense spirituality, courage and fatigue. Barbara Mason calls
this book powerful and wonderful.
American History
Kids Make History: A New Look at America's Story
Buckley, Susan
Jones, Randy
(illus.)
Houghton Mifflin, 2006
Gr. 5-8, Fry 6
Twenty stories in U.S. history are told through the eyes of
children. Starting with Pocahontas in 1607 and going through the
tragedy of September 11, 2001, this book is a great, informative
read which leaves you with a thirst for more. Karen Enggren
recommends this fourth in a series.
Everybody's Revolution: A New Look at the People Who Won America's Freedom
Fleming, Thomas
Scholastic, 2006
Gr. 4-6, Fry 6
Illustrated by period paintings and pictures of war artifacts, the
author looks at the contribution of a variety of people to the
Revolutionary War. Denise Geier calls this a very readable and
attractive volume.
Into the West: From Reconstruction to the Final Days of the American
Frontier
McPherson, James
Atheneum, 2006
Gr. 5-8, Fry 9
Covering a tremendous number of subjects, this book's 39 chapters
provide not just an overview but a genuine feeling of the complexity
of the time period. Barbara Mason says this book is written for
today's young readers.
Elephants
Just for Elephants
Buckley, Carol
Tilbury House
Publishers, 2006
Gr. 3-6, Fry 5
At the Carol Buckley Elephant Sanctuary in
Tennessee, two elephants are reunited after 22 years of separation.
Maggie Hanley calls this an amazing recounting which is great for
kids.
Ella Sets the Stage
D'Amico, Carmela
D'Amico, Steven (illus.)
Arthur A. Levine, 2006
K- Gr. 2, Fry 3
Ella's school is having a
talent show, but Ella isn't sure she knows what her talent is. This
sweet elephant looks up the word in the dictionary and explores
possibilities. She finds that her talent is helping people
accomplish what they need to perform. Jenny Mischner says this is
Ella's third book and it is good to have her back.
Journaling
Please Write in This Book
Amato, Mary
Brace, Eric (illus.)
Holiday House, 2006
Gr. 3-6, Fry 4
This book is a blank canvas for
the children of Mrs. Wurtz's class to write their feelings, poems,
drawings and everyday antics. Mrs. Wurtz has hidden this blank book
in the writing center for the children to discover. Michele Cooper
sees this book as a jump off of an activity in any classroom.
Dream Journal
Schreck, Karen H.
Hyperion, 2006
YA, Gr. 10
This is
the story of Livy, a 16-year-old dealing with the impending death of
her mother who is dying of breast cancer. Each chapter begins with
an excerpt from Livy's dream journal which is a reflection of her
feelings. It is a must read, according to Cecelia
Ruegsegger.
4 Kids in 5-E & 1 Crazy Year
Schwartz, Virginia F.
Holiday House, 2006
Gr. 5-8,
Fry 4
When 4 kids are sent to room 5E on their
first day of fifth grade, they believe they have been sent to the
room of doom. What they don't know is their teacher is about to
change them. Told in journal entries of each of the 4 students, the
author is able to show the characters' subtle growth. Recommended by
Patricia Dobbin.
Fairy & Folk Tales, Some Fractured
What Could Be Better Than This?
Ashman, Linda
Wingerter, Linda S.
(illus.)
Dutton Children's Books, 2006
PS- Gr. 2, Fry 6
A king and
his queen realize something is missing until baby's arrival which
completes their family. This rhyming fairy tale is perfect for one
on one sharing, according to Denise Geier.
Beauty and the Beast
Eilenberg, Max
Barrett, Angela (illus.)
Candlewick, 2006
Gr. 3-6, Fry 4
Kathleen Chapman says the author
and illustrator have done a truly excellent job bringing new life to
an old classic.
Can't Catch Me
Hassett, John & Ann
Houghton
Mifflin, 2006
K- Gr. 3, Fry 2
In this fractured folktale, an ice cube escapes from
the freezer when a little boy ignores his mother's warning not to
open the door. This story puts an entertaining spin on the classic
gingerbread boy tale. Lorri Ann Wahlgren calls this an enjoyable
addition.
Noah's Mittens: The Story of Felt
Lunge-Larsen, Lise
Tureman,
Matthew (illus.)
Houghton Mifflin, 2006
PS- Gr. 4, Fry 3
This book
blends legend and tall tale to give us the origin of felt. Frances
O'Brien refers to this book as a winner.
Peter Pan in Scarlet
McCaughrean, Geraldine
Fischer, Scott
(illus.)
Margaret K. McElderry, 2006
Gr. 3-6, Fry 6
Kathy
Mulholland reviewed this "only authorized sequel" to Peter
Pan. The author uses new themes with an old style voice to make this
work enjoyable, moving, frightening and altogether impractical and
marvelous adventure in Neverland.
Belinda and the Glass Slipper
Young, Amy
Viking, 2006
PS- Gr. 3, Fry 4
Belinda with her perfect, but giant, feet auditions for
the part of Cinderella and wins, much to the dismay of the tiny
footed competitor Lola. The story of this ballet battle mimics the
plot of Cinderella with enough added plies and pirouettes to please
any little ballerina according to Sara
Imranyi.
Little Red Cap
Zwerger, Lisbeth
Minedition, 2006
K- Gr. 3, Fry 4
This book is the Brothers Grimm version of Little Red Riding Hood
complete with the wolf being cut open by the huntsman to let the
grandma and girl out. While there is nothing new to this story,
Norah Magrini notes that it is a beautiful version.
Sea Life
The Best Book of Whales and Dolphins
Gunzi, Christiane
Kingfisher, 2006
K- Gr. 3,
Fry 4
Penelope Conway recommends this book full of
interesting information about whales and dolphins.
Survival Secrets of Sea Animals
Rhodes, Mary Jo
Hall, David
(photos)
Children's Press, 2007
Gr. 3-6, Fry 5
Photographs and
easy-to-follow text describe the different defense mechanisms and
survival tactics used by sea animals. A good reference according to
Patricia Dobbin.
Life on a Coral Reef
Rhodes, Mary Jo
Children's
Press, 2007
Gr. 3-6, Fry 6
Maggie Hanley reviewed this book full of great photos
and good information about coral reefs and who lives there.
Sea Turtles
Stone, Lynn M.
Snyderman, Marty (photos)
Rourke
Publishing, 2005
PS- Gr. 2, Fry 2
This is a small book of full-page
photographs that explore sea turtles. Rachel Scalise feels this is a
worthwhile book to get, small and child friendly.
Disappointments of the
Day
The Wicked History of the World: History with the Nasty Bits Left In!
Dreary, Terry
Brown, Martin
Scholastic,
2006
Gr. 3-6, Fry 5
This series is filled with a variety of useless facts and bad
puns, many of which use British slang and so the humor is lost.
While the cartoon format and short bytes of information may be
attractive to some, there is little redeeming value here according
to Barbara Mason.
Hubert the Pudge: A Vegetarian Tale
Drescher, Henrik
Candlewick Press, 2006
K- Gr. 3,
Fry 4
Unless you are a vegetarian and want to
scare your audience out of eating meat products, Michele Cooper does
not recommend this book.
A Very Full Morning
Montanari, Eva
Houghton Mifflin, 2006
PS- Gr. 1, Fry 1
Little Tooth is anxious about her first day of school.
While the illustrations are artful, they conjure up the feeling of a
nightmare. Elaine Pollak does not feel that this is a reassuring
book.
Red River Girl
Sommerdorf, Norma
Holiday House,
2006
Gr. 5-8 Fry 5
This is a story told in diary format by a teenage girl of mixed
heritage, French and Ojibwa. Alice Burnett thinks that it will have
a difficult time finding an audience because the main character
tells the events in her life with no emotion. The cover is boring
and so is the book.
Little Monkey's Big Peeing Circus
Veldkamp, Tjibbe
De Boer, Kees
(illus.)
Abrams Books, 2006
PS- Gr. 3, Fry 2
Bright cartoon double
page illustrations show a little male monkey shooting pee into a
toilet on wheels while the appreciative audience of animals cheers
him on. Definitely not recommended by Frances
O'Brien.
Rave Reviews
Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road?
Agee, Jon & others
Penguin, 2006
PS-
Gr. 4, Fry 3
14 famous children's book artists answer
the age-old question by illustrating their answers with their own
special spin. Judy Casagrande calls this book chock full of fun, a
visual treat and an "egg-cellent" choice for any library.
Snow Sounds: An Onomatopoeic Story
Johnson, David A.
Houghton Mifflin, 2006
K- Gr. 3,
Fry 2
This is a beautifully simple story that
describes the sounds of snow storm clean up. Teachers and librarians
will need this book to enhance a lesson on onomatopoeia. Norah
Magrini says that the snowy illustrations with a simple text will
delight your audience.
Sold
McCormick, Patricia
Hyperion, 2006
YA, Fry 9
Lakshimi lives
a very simple life in her Nepalese village. She is sold by her
step-father to be a prostitute. The author has told the story of
thousands of young girls that suffer this fate. Catherine Miller
feels this book is too important to be ignored.
Flotsam
Wiesner, David
Clarion Books, 2006
PS- Gr. 2, Fry n/a
An
underwater camera washes up on the shore for a boy to examine.
Michele Cooper calls this a wonderful wordless book.
The Rules of Survival
Werlin, Nancy
Dial Books, 2006
YA, Fry 9
This is a haunting portrayal of a dysfunctional family told in
retrospective letters written by Matthew to his younger sister Emmy.
In those letters, he recounts his attempts to free himself and his
sisters from the grip of their emotionally and physically abusive
mother. Josephine Mahoney rates this outstanding.
The Storm Thief
Wooding, Chris
Scholastic, 2006
Gr. 8-12, Fry 8
Rachael Binz raves that, finally, this is the perfect book to
recommend to fans of Garth Nix's Shade's Children. This is a tale of
children struggling to survive in a world turned upside-down.
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