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Announcements
The next meeting will be held on Friday, June 1, 2007,
at the Neptune Public Library from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Upcoming
Meeting Date is August 3, 2007.
Book Notes
Adoption
Three Names of Me
Cummings, Mary
Lin Wang (illus.)
Albert Whitman & Co., 2006
Gr. 2-6, Fry 3
Ada, a young Chinese-American girl, explains why she has three
names in this sensitive story about adoption. Lorri
Ann Wahlgren calls this book a fine addition to an elementary
collection.
When Heaven Fell
Marsden, Carolyn
Candlewick Press, 2007
Gr. 3-6, Fry 5
9-year-old Binh, who lives in Vietnam, discovers that her
grandmother has a daughter who was fathered by an American soldier
and was sent to the U.S as part of Operation Babylift to be adopted
by an American family. Now 35, Di comes to Vietnam to visit her
birth family. Vietnamese and American culture intertwines in this
interesting book reviewed by Michele Cooper.
Alphabet Books
Gone Wild: An Endangered Animal Alphabet
McLimans, David
Walker & Co., 2006
K-Gr. 3, Fry n/a
Large black alphabet letters extend into symbolic shapes
representing endangered or vulnerable species. Brief notes on each
creature are included. This book is recommended by Jean
MacMillan.
Marimba! Animals From A to Z
Mora, Pat
Cushman, Doug (illus.)
Clarion, 2006
K-Gr. 3, Fry 3
Animals in a zoo party after the zoo keepers fall asleep. The
author creates a bi-lingual alphabet book in English and Spanish
that succeeds according to Alice Di
Nizo.
Cats and Dogs
Moi and Marie Antoinette
Cullen, Lynn
Young, Amy (illus.)
Bloomsbury, 2006
PS-Gr. 3, Fry 3
This is an interesting tale of a few years in the life of Marie
Antoinette as told by her dog. Kathleen
Chapman feels the message of love for
family and dogs as well as the beautiful illustrations make it
something that children will enjoy.
Mr. Pusskins: A Love Story
Lloyd, Sam
Atheneum, 2006
PS-Gr. 1, Fry 1
Emily adores her fat, cranky Garfield-like cat, Mr. Pusskins, but
he hates being fussed over and runs away. Eventually they are
reunited. Sharon Rawlins
calls this a fun read-aloud.
Counting Puppies and Kittens
Murphy, Patricia
Enslow, 2008
K-Gr. 3, Fry 2
Norah Magrini
recommends this book that teaches how to count to 10 and other
counting concepts.
One Smart Cookie
Nez, John
Albert Whitman & Co., 2006
K-Gr. 2, Fry 2
Cookie is a dog who can read and write and demonstrates this
amazing ability during a school pet day. The colorful, lively
illustrations bring humor to the story and will engage non-readers
according to Susan Brozena.
Fantasy & Sci Fi
The Looking Glass Wars
Beddor, Frank
Dial Books, 2006
YA, Fry 13
Alyss Heart, the heir to the throne of Wonderland, is forced to
leave her kingdom when her rebellious Aunt Redd overthrows her
parents. Alyss lands in Victorian London and is adopted by the
Liddell family. No one in her new family believes her stories of
Wonderland even when she tells them to Charles Dodgson. The first of
a trilogy, this story is enjoyable while based on Lewis Carroll's
concepts and characters according to Terrie
Katz.
Mickey Moonbeam
Brownlow, Mike
Bloomsbury, 2006
PS-Gr. 2, Fry 2
Mickey Moonbeam receives an S.O.S. from his friend Quiggle who
lives on another planet. Tara Sullivan
calls this a quick moving, engaging book which is ideal for young
children who dream of space travel.
Wind Tamer
Morrison, P. R.
Bloomsbury, 2006
Gr. 3-6, Fry 5
On his 10th birthday, Archie finds out that he is the recipient
of a centuries old curse. With the help of his mysterious uncle,
Archie overcomes the hurricane that traditionally brings the curse. Barbara
Mason says this is an original twist
for young lovers of fantasy.
Larklight: A Rousing Tale of Dauntless Pluck in the Farthest
Reaches of Space
Reeve, Philip
Wyatt, David (illus.)
Bloomsbury, 2006
Gr. 6-10, Fry 8
Art, the young protagonist, and his sister, Myrtle, are loyal
British subjects who find themselves thrust into what is ultimately
an interplanetary war. The language, humor and dry British wit
utilized make this a particularly fun read according to Kathy
Mulholland.
Groundhog Day
Groundhog Day!
Gibbons, Gail
Holiday House, 2007
K-Gr. 3, Fry 4
Gail Gibbons has another winner in this informative book which
was given an outstanding by Michele Cooper.
Substitute Groundhog
Miller, Pat
Ember, Kathi (illus.)
Albert Whitman & Co., 2006
K-Gr. 3, Fry 2
When the groundhog becomes ill, he seeks a replacement. All of
the applicants are unsuitable for a variety of delightful reasons.
The substitute that he finds results in the beginning of a wonderful
friendship. Barbara Mason
notes that this is a charming book.
Tsunamis
Tsunamis
Fine, Jill
Children's Press, 2007
Gr. 4-8, Fry 5
The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami is the focus of this latest book in
the Natural Disasters series. Clear explanations, numerous color
photographs and maps make this an interesting, highly informative
book. Lorri Ann
Wahlgren says this will be helpful for
students researching the topic for reports.
Killing Sea: A Novel About the Tsunami That Stunned the
World
Lewis, Richard
Simon & Schuster, 2006
Gr. 6-9, Fry 7
This novel follows two survivors of the tsunami, one an American
tourist and the other a young boy. The author writes from his
personal experiences of the rescue work he did at that time. Catherine
Miller recommends this title which is
not for the faint of heart.
World War II
The Fighter
Greif, Jean-Jacques
Bloomsbury, 2006
YA, Fry 9
Following his emigration from Poland to Paris, Moshe changes his
name to Maurice and establishes a new life until his world erupts
and he's sent to Auschwitz. This book gives a vivid picture of the
horror of the camps and comes recommended by Alice
Burnett.
Dark Hours
Pausewang, Gudrun
Brownjohn, John (trans.)
Annick Press, 2006
YA, Fry 9
It is just 2 days until Gisel's 16th birthday, but instead of an
idyllic party with family, friends and cake, Gisel must contend with
survival for herself and younger siblings after being trapped in an
air raid shelter hit during bombing at the end of World War II. Marianne
Kerrigan recommends this title.
Tamar
Peet, Mal
Candlewick Press, 2007
Gr. 9+, Fry 9
There are 2 story lines in this winner of Britain's Carnegie
Medal. The first is the tale of Dart and Tamar, members of the Dutch
resistance during World War II. The second is the story of another
Tamar, granddaughter of the first Tamar. After her grandfather
commits suicide, Tamar receives a box of his effects containing
clues and coded messages. She must figure out what they mean. Cecelia
Ruegsegger calls this an absorbing and
complex story of adventure, intrigue and romance.
Disappointments of the
Day
An Abundance of Katherines
Green, John
Dutton, 2006
YA, Fry 8
Rachael Binz
asks if a YA novel can make higher math interesting and prove it has
a purpose in everyday life. Her answer is of course not! Our
reviewer feels that although this is written by an award-winning
author, no self-respecting teen is going to pick this up.
Eleanor Roosevelt: Activist for Social Change
Lassieur, Allison
Franklin Watts, 2007
Gr. 5-8, Fry 5
Readers in search of perceptive insights into the life of Eleanor
Roosevelt will not find it here according to Marianne
Schumann.
Different Like Coco
Matthews, Elizabeth
Candlewick Press, 2007
Gr. 3-6, Fry 4
Nancy Cornell
wants to know why we need a picture book biography of Coco Chanel.
She feels this is a waste of time and money.
Chandlefort: In the Shadow of the Bear
Randall, David
Margaret K. McElderry, 2006
YA, Fry 5
Although well-intended, this fantasy loses steam quickly with
unrealistic characters, distracting, unimportant information, and
confusing, sporadic subplots. Kathy Mulholland
had a high school student read it and agreed it was a marginal
purchase.
Coco All Year Round
Tanen, Sloane
Hagen, Stefan (illus.)
Bloomsbury, 2006
PS-Gr. 2, Fry n/a
Coco, a pompom, pipe cleaner chick, tells about her experiences
throughout the year. Elaine Pollak
calls the verses uninspired and the illustrations chintzy.
Rave Reviews
Sock Monkey Rides Again
Bell, Cece
Candlewick Press, 2007
PS-Gr. 2, Fry 2
This third book about Sock Monkey finds him trying out for the
part of a singing cowboy. The hitch is he has to kiss the leading
lady. Michele Cooper
calls this a must have for the pre-school and kindergarten set.
Diamond in the Snow
Emmett, Jonathan
Cabban, Vanessa (illus.)
Candlewick Press, 2006
K-Gr. 3, Fry 3
Mole, having never seen snow before, goes exploring and finds a
treasure in the snow. He believes he found a diamond, but it
disappears. With his friends' help he discovers it was really an
icicle. When the sun shines in the trees they see many icicles
shimmering in the light. Meg Rosenblum
says this is an enchanting story.
The Cobra King of Kathmandu
Kerr, P. B.
Orchard Books, 2006
Gr. 4-8, Fry 6
This is the third book in the Children of the Lamp series, but it
can stand on its own according to Susan
Brozena. The djinn twins, Philippa and
John, assist their friend in solving a murder mystery. The mystery,
adventure and magical elements along with good character development
are a sure fire hit.
Great Big Guinea Pigs
Roth, Susan L.
Bloomsbury, 2006
K-Gr. 3, Fry 2
The story of a child requesting a bedtime story that is not made
up is the beginning of a wonderful story about prehistoric guinea
pigs that were ferocious and walked on their hind legs. Norah
Magrini rates this title an
outstanding.
Trigger
Vaught, Susan
Bloomsbury, 2006
Gr. 9+, Fry 8
17-year-old Jersey Hatch returns home after a year in a hospital
and brain injury treatment center after an attempted suicide where
he used his father's gun. He sets out to remember the months leading
up to this attempt and tries to solve the mystery of why he did it. Cecelia
Ruegsegger calls this a disturbing, but
compelling, read reminding us how interrelated we all are in this
world and how one person's actions can have heartbreaking
consequences.
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