Books

The Color of Earth

2009-09-19T12:14:00.000-07:00

The Color of Earth
Kim Dong Hwa

The art was good, the characters were good, the writing good. However, I am not a fan of this style of coming of age story. Perhaps it is a realistic portrayal for some people, especially those who have no sex education in school and parents who don't educate them about puberty, sex, and healthy relationships between men and women.

I was saddened that the mother never told her daughter what was really happening with her body or about how the village boys were developing into men. The mother was so wrapped up in her own life that she rarely expressed interest in her daughter's life, and in fact tells her daughter at the end that she would be lost if she didn't have her daughter to confide in. Who did her daughter have?

The mother rarely asked her daughter questions about what she was doing, thinking, and feeling. Often making observations about what might be going on with her daughter, but never following up by having a conversation about it. The daughter in fact is more aware of what is going on with her mother than her mother is aware about what is going on with her.

This is a story about a mother who needs her daughter to be her friend and confidante, not about a girl whose mother guides, nurtures, and educates her daughter through puberty to be a strong woman.

I would read professional reviews, research to find out if it has won any awards, and assess my collection carefully to find out what else the library owned that expressed this point of view, culture, and style to determine whether it is appropriate for a high school library. I would rarely recommend it to teens. However, I may recommend it to other adults if their reading interests suggested they might enjoy this title or find value in the art, cultural, and point of view expressed.

Hannah's Winter

2009-09-19T11:23:00.000-07:00

Hannah's Winter
Kierin Meehan

I loved this book. Nothing in particular was spectacular, but everything was very well done. The writing was good, the characters were strong, the plot was well developed, the mystery element was not obvious, and I learned about Japanese cultural and Australian turns-of-phrase.

Bread and Roses, Too

2009-09-19T10:59:00.001-07:00

Bread and Roses, Too
Katerine Paterson

Excellent historical fiction for upper elementary and middle school students. The characters were very well drawn, and Paterson does what I believe she does best... develop wonderful, believable friendships between a boy and girl. As a girl who grew up with the boy across the street as one of my two closest friends, I really connect with this, and appreciate that it can be be written with no expectation that anything more than friendship will develop.

In addition to the excellent character development and relationships between friends, family, and caregivers, the history is excellent. I had practically no knowledge about the 1912 labor strike in MA. I did not know where the term bread and roses originated, I did not know children of the strikers were sent away to live with supporters of the strike because the city was too dangerous.

It is important that children learn such things happened in the US. Most believe that such things happened only in Europe or Asia to protect children from war--bombs, guns, gas and certain death. The book also explores ethnic tension and language barriers that are as important and relevant today as they were back then.

Soon I will be Invincible

2009-09-12T17:24:00.000-07:00

Soon I will be Invincible
Austin Grossman

I found this much more serious than I expected. I liked the concept of essentially writing a comic book as a novel, and thoroughly enjoyed reading the exposition that is left out of comic books. I have read novelized versions of comics or comic characters which is different because they try to capture the feeling of a comic. This explores what comic book readers may miss because of a lack of exposition. I thought the author would over dramatize everything with humorous exaggerations, but instead he took a more serious look at the characters, their motivations, their relationships, etc. I think it would be excellent for teens to read during a study of comics or graphic novels.

What Would Emma Do?

2009-09-12T14:38:00.000-07:00

What Would Emma Do?

Eileen Cook

Emma is a teen girl in a small, religious town. She questions the status quo and religion in primarily a healthy way. Conservative parents may be concerned about some of her actions, but she isn't a hardcore rebellious teen and ultimately does the right thing. She is a realistic model for young teens.

The book concept was good, but the writing style and characters didn't really connect with me. However, I did enjoy the plot and wanted to keep reading to learn the truth.

Inkheart

2009-09-12T14:26:00.000-07:00

Inkheart
Cornelia Funke

Inkheart is a well-written, wonderful story. The author creates a strong fantastical world, and good characters. I thoroughly enjoyed the book, but was surprised that I could put it down with relative ease. Many of my friends, relatives, and their kids loved and couldn't put down the first two books of this trilogy so perhaps my expectations were too high.

Twilight Series

2009-09-11T19:41:00.000-07:00

Twilight (the complete series)

Stephanie Meyer

Well, I finally broke down and read (listened to) all 4 books in the Twilight series. They are addictive, they are literary crack. Poor writing, internal dialog that drags, a protagonist doesn't develop or change--her only ambition is to become a vampire to be with her true love forever. Throughout 4 long books this remains the same. Bella is not interested in school except that she gets to see Edward there, she's not motivated to get a job, she has no hobbies to pursue, she doesn't develop friendships outside of the vampire and werewolf groups except to placate her father who is rightfully concerned about her depression and lack of interest in engaging in the world.

Bella is not a good role model... even for girls who aspire to be a good wife and mother. A good wife and mother should be educated (even high school diploma is an indicator of mothers being able to be better providers for their children), have interests to teach and share with their husband and children, a variety of friends both connected to other family members and personal friends for relaxing with and moral support. A good mother and wife should also be motivated to develop new skills or interests and continue learning to strengthen themselves and their families.

That said, I couldn't put the damn books down! Like crack, I knew it was bad. But, the characters got in my head, no matter how much they mooned over each other I had to find out more. The side characters--Jacob, Jacob's dad, the wolf pack, Bella's dad, and Edward's vampire family are more compelling than the protagonist and her fellow. They are more complex, they develop, and most of them serve as better role models than Bella or Edward. Meyer's creates a somewhat new vampire and werewolf lore that I found very interesting to learn about. For these reasons, I like the second and third books the best because they explore the werewolf legend and the greater vampire world. I even found some of the religious symbolism interesting from a literary perspective, and think this would be a good element of the story to discuss with students.

The forth book is horrible. It is the only of the four that I felt the Mormon dogma was being crammed down my throat. A significant part of the book deals with Bella's pregnancy. A fetus that is killing her. The time spent on her obsession of the baby's survival at the cost of her own life is pontificated far too long. I am surprised that even Meyer would sacrifice her writing and story for the sake of the sermon.

If I had a teenager who read this, I would certainly discuss these issues with them. I would like to know what my child thinks about the main characters as individuals, their relationships, and their ideas about love and family. I would also take the opportunity to share my perspectives and connect them with real world issues. Hopefully leaving my teen with a lot more to think about than longing to find romance like Bella and Edward have, and thinking the vampire/werewolf lore is just a neat story.

Two Plays for Voices

2009-09-11T19:08:00.000-07:00

Two Plays for Voices

Neil Gaiman

Two Plays is an audio book produced by the SiFi Channel and Seeing Ear Theater, and is thus a one of the best audio book experiences. The first story, Snow Glass Apples, is a fractured fairy tale that I think High School students will love. You know the kid, the one who has read all of Steven King and that crap. This is written better, and the fairy tale aspect provides an excellent literary element to ponder and discuss. Probably not appropriate for a school reading list, but good to keep in your readers' advisory tool kit when you meet the right teen.

Murder Mysteries is a fascinating story about angels working on building the world, and the first crime is committed. Again, extremely well written, intelligent, and thought provoking... and also not appropriate for a school reading list.

Kids who like serious vampire books, horror, and rather dark stuff should like this. Hopefully, it would serve as a good gateway from craptacular to higher quality.

Note: Never forget we all need craptacular from time-to-time!

Skim

2009-01-25T16:28:00.000-08:00

Skim words by Mariko Tamaki, drawings by Jillian Tamaki

Wow... a downer, with a little hope at the end. Excellent portrayal of a teenage girls thoughts and feelings about stuff.

"All day today I was rubber. My eyes felt like bathtub plugs. I tried to take up as little space as possible. Everyone is watching me."

"I'm like an alien every time I sit at my desk. I don't even know if I'm supposed to have a protractor for math."

The ebb and flow of friends. Finding the right "weirdo" you can connect with just when the last one you connected with drifts off to join the club and you felt yourself starting to fall into, as Anne of Green Gables would say, the "depths of despair".

When recommending this book to a teen, know the book and know the person. There is suicide, a girl kissing her female teacher, Wicca, teens smoking, fairly absent parents, an Asian girl called "Skim". No violence, no sex.

It's excellent!

WARNING: Right when I finished reading this I had to listen to Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson.

Madapple

2009-01-01T16:04:00.000-08:00

Madapple by Christina Meldrum

Wow, where to begin! This is certainly an interesting read that was difficult to put down. No one in this story seems to have any grounding in reality. The protagonist is raised isolated from humanity in a house without electricity, they forage for food essentially. At age 15 she goes to live with her aunt and cousins who are part of a cult-like religion. This is the first time she has ever been around a male, she has never really talked with anyone other than her mother. I was a little disappointed in the ending because it was executed in such a sudden way that did not seem to mesh with the flow of the book, but I think it would make an excellent discussion.

There is a lot of science, nature, religious, and mythological references that I found somewhat long-winded, but that I think others will be much more interested in. The religious discussions among characters may be particularly interesting to young people who are trying to figure out what they believe and why. And, a lot of great vocabulary.

I wouldn't recommend this to the masses, but there are certainly a lot of teens who will be fascinated and appreciate something a little different.

My Most Excellent Year

2008-12-18T18:05:00.000-08:00

My Most Excellent Year: A Novel of Love, Mary Poppins, and Fenway Park by Steve Kluger

This is not a literary masterpiece, but it certainly stole my heart and I was sad to say goodbye to my friends at the end. Having read so many serious books lately, this was refreshing--hell, Mary Poppins (sort-of) is in it!

This is good for teens who want light reading, but not crap. The format of pieces from a writing assignment to write a journal, instant messaging, and emails is very well executed and may be appealing to reluctant readers. Readers have to be able to and enjoy suspending belief in an apparently realistic story. Character development is outstanding, and the dialog just makes me smile. There are positive adult role models of all kinds: parents, teachers, and social workers. And, hopefully someday life will be so easy for gays, Latinos, and people with disabilities.

While this is certainly written as a teen book, there is nothing in it that is inappropriate for 'tweens. I think this would also be good for adults to see that teens do like happy things too, and for those adults that think teens are always up to no good. Ha, they're wrong!

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks

2008-11-18T10:38:00.000-08:00

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart

This was fabulous! I haven't sat down and spent the day (about 5 hours) reading an entire book in practically one sitting since Harry Potter. This is a book that teens can relate to. A geeky girl wanting to date one of the popular boys, what is she willing to do to get the boy, balancing her own friendships and identity with that of the popular boys, and the whole clique issue. And, there is the lure of secret societies to draw people in and give it more adventure.

At first I was thinking this was just another Fly on the Wall which I also couldn't put down, but it was primarily about the teen relationships. This on the other hand really gets you thinking about several things:

Words and language: Frankie plays with words, creating what she calls "neglected positives". Mathew comes from a family of newspaper editors so is always correcting everyone's misuse of language creating a juxtaposition that really gets you thinking about words and language. Plus, there are a lot of great rare words throughout the book making it great for vocabulary development.
The Cities, Art and Protest Class Frankie takes introduces a lot of great philosophy, like panopticon, that is perfect for teens to start thinking about as they form their ideas about themselves and the world they live in. And, the author ties in real news events, articles, and books that at first one may think are fictitious like Santarchy.
Feminism and the patriarchal establishment.
Analyzing why we do things. Is it for power, acceptance, revenge, to help other, loyalty, or schadenfreude (happiness at the misfortune of others). This explores a lot more motivations than than the typical teen novel, but within the typical teen experience.
The author "made use of Fugitives and Refugees: A Walk in Portland, Oregon by Chuck Palahniuk."
Secret societies are fascinating! What is the driving force: the ritual, loyalty, friendships/alliances, the mission? Why do people join them, how do they impact members' lives, how do they impact others?

There is practically no sex, violence, or bad language that some people find objectionable. But, there is a lot of ideas about rebellion and great ideas for pranks. While most kids will probably think about the motivations of those who are rebellious and pranksters and the effects of those behaviors on others, some kids may use it as a handbook.

I, Coriander

2008-11-11T20:49:00.001-08:00

I, Coriander by Sally Gardner

I was enchanted by Coriander, a new fairy tail. It draws elements from classic fairy tales such as wicked stepmothers, fairies, shape-shifting, and magic shoes. Yet Coriander has her own, unique story to tell. The setting and character development was excellent, which is really what hooked me. And, there is something to it that reminds me of Sally Lockhart for some reason--is it the writing style, the setting, or what?

The book description and the School Library Journal review say it is for 6th-8th grade, but I think it may have broader appeal. I would have enjoyed it when I was in high school, perhaps others would too. Particularly struggling readers, reluctant readers, or just teens who like fantasy and imagination.

Below is the book description from Gardner's website:

"The story is told by Coriander, daughter of a silk merchant in 1650s London. Her idyllic childhood ends when her mother dies and her father goes away, leaving Coriander with her stepmother, a widow who is in cahoots with a fundamentalist Puritan preacher. She is shut away in a chest and left to die, but emerges into the fairy world from which her mother came, and where time has no meaning. When she returns, charged with a task that will transform her life, she is seventeen.

This is a book filled with enchantments -- a pair of silver shoes, a fairy shadow, a prince transformed into a fox - that contrast with the heartbreaking loss and cruelty of Coriander's life in the real world. With its brilliantly realized setting of old London Bridge, and underpinned by the conflict between Royalists and Puritans, it is a terrific page turner, involving kidnapping, murder and romance, and an abundance of vivid characters."

Shift

2008-11-11T20:08:00.000-08:00

Shift by Charlotte Agell

This is a high-interest, fairly easy read. I think this is perfect for reluctant teen readers, particularly boys. There is a lot of action and a lot of fun things that hook you in like the technology, the penguin, and that his sister is something of a precog. Like good science fiction it plays on current events and asks "what if." The authors presents higher level ideas about religion, government, ethics, and free-will that people can really delve into for a great book discussion. A great way to start conversations about separation of church and state, global warming, evolution/creationism, the PATRIOT Act, weapons of mass destruction, and genocide.

Hush: An Irish Princess' Tale

2008-10-30T20:29:00.000-07:00

Hush: An Irish Princess' Tale by Donna Jo Napoli

Such great potential. I liked the bare-bones of it, an Icelandic tale of a slave who didn't speak until they found her speaking Gaelic to her son. She then told them that she had been an Irish princess. I liked the idea of telling the story of how she got to be in Iceland and why she refused to speak. But, the telling of it was rather passive. Even the potentially exciting parts the kidnapping, the rape, being sold, the storm seemed rather rather dull. There are some good discussion topics such as the slave trade.

Summer Reading

2008-10-09T18:36:00.000-07:00

I've been terrible about keeping up my blog! I've decided I have to start posting somewhere so I've decided to briefly report on what I've read and listened to this summer. I admit, some of these I don't remember too many details about any more. But, I'll give you my impressions looking back on them. Hopefully, this will get me back in the habit of posting again.

Revolution Is Not a Dinner Party by Ying Chang Compestine
Historical fiction about the cultural revolution. I really liked this story, and I felt it was told in a way that teens with no concept of what it might be like to live without constitutional rights and without 100 shops to go to for clothes, food, and other things can relate to and begin to understand. I think some 'tweens could handle this, but it's primarily teen.

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
This is a fantastic book. I listened to it on CD, my house has never been so clean because I couldn't turn it off. Well written, unique, and really thought provoking. Take care with who you recommend it to. This is thirteen reasons why a girl killed herself, she does go through with it and explains how other people's actions caused her to do it. I think this is a great book for boys and girls, the protagonist is a boy who receives cassettes from the girl and his journey dealing with how his actions affected her. But, it is also about a girl, a girl I think almost every girl can relate too. Again, be careful... this is a girl who kills herself who girls who read this will probably see themselves in. But, it really hits you how subtle things you do may cause a ripple effect in the way it impacts the lives of others. Teen.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
By far the best book I've read in ages, and now my favorite by Alexie. The characters are so rich, the description of contemporary life on a reservation is clear and real. I listened to this on audio too, it is read by the author. At first I was worried, he sounded very monotone. But, after 20 minutes I was hooked! He is a natural storyteller. This could be a teen read for some adults, but there is a lot of teen boy humor and perspective which some adults just don't tolerate. Teen.

A Brief Chapter in My Impossible Life by Dana Reinhardt
I really enjoyed this a lot. I found the story and character compelling. Don't ask me why I liked this better than Olive's Ocean, I think a lot of folks out there would disagree with me. I think I just connected better with Reinhardt's writing style and characters, particularly her adult characters. Teen.

Peter and the Starcatchers by Ridley Pearson and Dave Barry
I loved this, it was enchanting and fun. One of the better fractured fairy tale or parallel novel in chapter book format. Upper elementary, 'tween.

Ten Cents a Dance by Christine Fletcher
I loved this book--the history, the characters, the setting were so rich. I had never known about taxi dancers, I think teen girls will be absolutely fascinated. I know I was. And, this is loosely based on a relative of the author. A great teen read for adults, I recommended it to several of my friends who typically don't read teen literature. Teen.

Olive's Ocean by Kevin Henkes
I liked this book, but it really didn't do that much for me. Perhaps it was built up too much for me by friends who loved it. It was a good story, well-written. But it didn't strike me as anything particularly unique or special which is what I thought I was going to get. Upper elementary, 'tween.

Someday this Pain will be Useful to You by Peter Cameron
This is one I read about in a newsletter and just had to read. It was like a summer movie, enjoyable, but nothing to really wow me. That said, I was compelled to keep reading. Teen.

Whales on Stilts

2008-05-10T10:49:00.000-07:00

Whales on Stilts by M.T. Anderson

'On Career Day Lily visited her dad's work with him and discovered he worked for a mad scientist who wanted to rule the earth through destruction and desolation.'

Really, I don't know if there is anything left to say after reading this line from Whales on Stilts. It is GREAT! It is very stylistic, like the other M.T. Anderson books I've read. I think this book has a wider appeal than say Octavian Nothing. Mad scientists, kids who are adventure book authors, secret masks (masks you where when you don't want anyone to hear you discuss your plan to stop an evil plot to take over the Earth, duh!), laser eyes. At the end of the book the author has book discussion questions, my favorite goes something like: Many stories end in a love match, this story ends with robots. If it ended in a love match, where would they get married? And, Jasper Dash wore electric pants. If you could electrify any piece of your clothing, what would it be?

This book sparked my imagination to work in a way it hadn't since I was about 10 years old. I would electrify my gray hoodie with the pockets so that it could regulate my body temperature, have a light when I need one, and have a little freezer in the pocket to keep a popsicle because I love popsicles!

Look out pirates and robots, mad scientists are taking over!

Life As We Knew It

2008-04-19T12:38:00.001-07:00

Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Life As We Knew It is a post-apocalyptic book for young adults. The premise is that an asteroid hitting the moon is going to be visible from Earth. Everyone is excited, the teachers in all subjects assign homework related to the event, astronomers are all over the news talking about the phenomenon. When the time for the event comes everyone goes outside to watch, but something unexpected happens. The asteroid is so large, the impact so great that it knocks the moon into a different orbit closer to Earth. Tides change drastically, wiping out the coasts. Thunder and lightening storms wreak havoc, earthquakes begin, and volcanoes begin erupting. The story is about Miranda, a high school sophomore, and her family as they struggle to survive!

This is in the same vein as Dies the Fire by SM Stirling, but it is better suited to younger folks as it isn't quite as frightening. Tt tells the story through developing Miranda's character and her relationship with her family, friends, and other people which creates a much gentler approach to this subject. Although, many teens are ready for, and would prefer the more mature Dies the Fire so know your kids well before making a recommendation!

This is an excellent book club book for 'tweens and teens. Kids can discuss what they would have done in Miranda's situation, what they would do if a similar event happened here. Whether they think such an event is possible. You could talk about how global warming is changing our world. Endless possibilities!

The companion book, The Dead and the Gone, is due out in June 2008 and will examine the event from the perspective of a 17 year old boy in New York. I look forward to reading it!

Uprising

2007-12-27T20:07:00.000-08:00

Uprising by Margaret Peterson Haddix

This is gripping historical fiction that you will not be able to put down! Three teenage girls, two immigrants and one society girl, who through odd turn of events during the 1909-1910 shirtwaist strike become friends. The history of the shirtwaist strike and the shirtwaist factory fire of 1911 are fascinating, and the story of the three girls is heart wrenching. This is a story of the past and of today. Haddix does not pontificate, she doesn't need to. The parallels between immigration and exploitation of workers (and outsourcing to countries where labor laws don't exist or aren't enforced) then and now are clear. This is a great read, but it is also an important read. It is an opportunity to discuss the most pressing issues in politics and our global economy. The author's note points out that the fire of 1911 was the worst workplace disaster in American history until September 11th. What has changed, what hasn't changed?

My folks and I listened to this on a long drive. Dad reads mostly non-fiction, an occasional mystery, and everything by Jon Hassler. He couldn't wait to get back in the car to hear what happened next. He was impressed by the writing and thinks it's something everyone young and old should read.

PS: This story also brought us all to tears so have tissues ready!

Fly on the Wall

2007-12-16T09:39:00.001-08:00

Fly on the Wall: How One Girl Saw Everything by E. Lockhart

There is nothing spectacular about this book, but I couldn't put it down and I keep thinking about it. It's about a teen girl who I think most teen girls will relate to in one way or another. She only has one good friend, she likes this boy who is in a clique she isn't in, her folks are getting a divorce, her one friend is starting to get distant, her art teacher is getting on her case, and so forth. Then, she becomes a fly on the wall of the the boys locker room.

Her first day on the wall is mostly about naked boys and sexuality. I think it is done appropriately for the average teen, but some parents will be shocked and appalled. Frankly, I'd rather have a child of mine reading this book than trashy romance novels or looking at porn that perpetuate stereotypes, make sex more mysterious, and are simply unrealistic. This doesn't glamorize nudity or sexuality, it tries to demystify it as much as possible. There is kissing and making out, but no actual sex.

Aside from that, our girl really learns to see things from other people's perspectives for the first time. She doesn't emerge as this totally changed, new person. But, she does make a few positive changes that help her reconnect with her friend, initiate a friendship with one of the boys in the clique she realizes is a lot like her, stand her ground with her art teacher, and ask the boy she likes out.

Another well-done aspect of this book is the side story about homosexuality. Like kids will do, two of the teen boys tease other boys by calling them gay and making other terrible remarks. Some kids don't mind, those that do shrug it off as teens being teens. But, one boy finally confronts the others. He tells them that it isn't okay. And, it comes out that his father is gay. It is a side story that is handled very well. This is a different, good approach to talking about homosexuality.

I think there are a lot of good things in this books for teens and their parents to talk about. I would recommend parents of teens read this too. They may not like it, but there is a lot of truth in this book about what many teens are going through.

Fuzzy bee and friends

2007-11-23T08:26:00.001-08:00

Fuzzy Bee and Friends by Roger Priddy

Fuzzy Bee is E.B.'s favorite book. Great Grandma read it to him for 45 minutes! He loves the textures, the sounds, and the big bright pictures. He's starting to grasp and try to turn the pages (print awareness). And, he goos and gaws when he "reads" the story to Great Grandma (narrative skills). This is a big accomplishment for a 3 month old. He's already becoming a great reader!

On a non-book related note: Grandpa got E.B. to giggle for the first time yesterday!

An Abundance of Katherines

2007-11-03T20:21:00.001-07:00

An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

This is Green's second novel, it was a 2006 Michael L. Printz Award finalist. After reading the summary and hearing rave reviews about this book I still wasn't interested in it because it sounded like another humorous teen coming of age/romance book. But, after reading Green's first novel, Looking for Alaska, I thought I'd give it a listen on one of my long car trips.

Green seems to really have a knack for character development. Within 30 minutes the characters already seemed like old friends. Green is great at dialog. He knows how to balance serious and touching with humor. And, the journey his characters go on rings true of the adolescent experience... as I remember it. My favorite scene was when Collin and Lindsey are in her secret cave the second time. It is so dark they can't see each other, they are having an extremely personal conversation, and the dialog is perfect.

This book has a great message about the value of local, oral history. It teaches Collin and the reader how to tell a story and why it is important to tell our own stories. It introduces the ideas of how truth is relative, memories evolve.

New Socks

2007-10-17T17:22:00.000-07:00

New Socks by Bob Shea

This is me as a child when I got something new or was excited about something. Wait, it's still me. I just typically have this dialog in my head now that I'm an adult... come to think of it, I just introduced my new bathroom night-light to ninjahq, nerdygirl, and clutchplate. You can meet him too, his name is Hammy. Damn, I haven't out grown this yet! This personal connection I have to the story makes me love it, help kids see how their lives relate to this story and they'll love reading it too!

This is a great book for print motivation and dialogic reading. There are a lot of activities you could do with kids while reading this story to get them up and moving--have them slide (or stride) across the floor in their socks, use their sock as a phone, pretend to call someone, introduce their socks to other kids, and so on until you just can't stand it anymore. You can ask them a million related questions that tie the story to their own lives. You must go to Bob's website and check out all the cute drawings kids have done and posted on his website!

PS: My favorite color to wear is ORANGE. I have solid ORANGE socks and stripey ORANGE socks. My ORANGE socks are good for hop, hop, hopping around the house. What color are your favorite socks? What are your favorite socks good for?

Splash!

2007-09-21T21:01:00.001-07:00

Splash! by Flora McDonnell

This is a lovely, simple book about animals cooling off on a very hot day. The illustrations develop the relationship between the baby elephant, its mother and the other animals. They create a warm, safe, loving, and fun mood perfect for parents to share with their little ones. The use of onomatopoeia is great fun--good for developing phonological awareness. This is also a good book to use dialogic reading to focus on vocabulary development. It's available in board book and hard cover. It is also available in almost a dozen different languages!

Antonio Rubio y Oscar Villan

2007-09-21T20:22:00.000-07:00

Luna and Cocodrilo by Antonio Rubio and illustrated by Oscar Villan

These are two titles in a series of Spanish board books that are all excellent for developing early literacy skills. The minimal text is perfect for vocabulary development and phonological awareness. They are a model for other books that want to focus on building early literacy skills. The illustrations are exceptional, giving life and sometimes even humor to the simple, repetitive text. The text is simple enough that if you took a year or two of Spanish in high school you'll do just fine with these--remember you don't have to read perfectly, you just have to have fun reading with your kids! Bottom line: these are beautiful, fun books to have in your collection. Icing on the cake: they are educational too.

Check out Villan's website, he's got wonderful art for all ages.

Label Disclaimer

2007-09-06T20:02:00.000-07:00

I have added labels. I hesitated to add them because too often have I run across people who live and die by them. For example, today I was explaining to a woman that beginning chapter books are typically for 7 or 8 year olds who already know how to read and are ready to move up to something longer with a more complex story. She asked: "What should I do if a 4 or 5 year old wants to check out a beginning chapter book?" Rip it out of their hands, it'll cause brain damage! Oh, my where do I even start.

Everyone reads at their own ability and interest level. These labels are not set in stone nor are scientifically determined. I am adding them for purely selfish reasons. I found that I frequently refer to my own blog and hate digging through the archives. Usually, I'm looking for books based on the readers' age so that is how I've decided to organize them.

E.B. First Books

2007-09-02T13:46:00.000-07:00

I'm an aunt! The first thing my nephew E.B. needed was The Real Mother Goose. It is not politically correct, in fact some of the rhymes are rather shocking! But, this is the REAL Mother Goose, published originally in 1916. These are the traditional rhymes that millions of American children grew up with, this is culture!

Next, I had to get E.B.'s mom's favorite book, Richard Scarry's Busy, Busy World. It's out of print, it was terrible trying to track down a copy that was less than $60 that Sister would feel comfortable letting E.B. chew on and love forever! This is the book Grandma S read over, over, and over again. I read this with Sister and Mountain Man's mother the night before E.B. was born. As we read our favorites we noticed we'd picked up quite a lot from this book. We heard some of the expressions we use, saw where some of our sense of humor may have come from, and saw some of our ideas about the world. I recommend going back and reading your favorite books when you were a kids, see if you recognize any characteristics of your adult self in there.

Who's Hatching is just too cute to pass up and there is a turtle on the first page!

White on Black is one of the best books for new born babies because there are no words and it is most appropriate for babies eyes that are starting to develop.

Ruby in the Smoke

2007-08-31T21:22:00.000-07:00

The Ruby in the Smoke by Philip Pullman

"Historical thrillers, that's what these books are. Old-fashioned Victorian blood-and-thunder. Actually, I wrote each one with a genuine cliché of melodrama right at the heart of it, on purpose: the priceless jewel with a curse on it – the madman with a weapon that could destroy the world – the situation of being trapped in a cellar with the water rising – the little illiterate servant girl from the slums of London who becomes a princess … And I set the stories up so that each of those stock situations, when they arose, would do so naturally and with the most convincing realism I could manage." --Philip Pullman

I enjoyed The Ladies No. 1 Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith and The Maisie Dobbs Mysteries by Jacqueline Winspear. They aren't too scary, you learn something about the time/place the stories take place, there's a mystery to solve, and they have engaging characters. Sally Lockhart has all those qualities, but the writing is smarter. You'll be on the edge of your seat, but you won't be scared to turn off the light when it's time for bed.

In typical Pullman style, he weaves in ideas about religion, politics, and culture, but he is more subtle about it than in His Dark Materials. This leaves you more wiggle-room to develop your own ideas and opinions.

These are teen books that adults should be reading too. There is a bit of sex and violence some parents may object too. But the most objectional element of these books are that they encourage the reader to ask questions, think freely, and to take action.

PS: I'm a sucker for strong female protagonists and great book covers. Yes, I judged a book by its cover and it was damn good!

I'm a Pill Bug

2007-08-19T22:00:00.001-07:00

I'm a Pill Bug by Yukihisa Tokuda

Who knew pill bugs could be so cute and personable? This great little non-fiction book tells the life story of pill bugs--including a scene about mating and reproduction which, while tasteful and appropriate, may make some uncomfortable reading this in a storytime. This book also lends itself to dialogic reading, in fact there are some questions posed to the reader in the text that may be helpful to beginners of dialogic reading.

Did you know pill bugs eat rock and cement? There is a page that explains where to look for pill bugs and how to keep one as a pet for a short time. Then, reminds the reader to put the pill bug back where you found it after a few days.

In reading this non-fiction book I smiled, sighed, and became rather attached to these little critters as if they were fictional characters brought to life!

Face to Face with Caterpillars

2007-08-19T21:49:00.000-07:00

Face to Face with Caterpillars by Darlyne A. Murawski

Apparently, I'm on a non-fiction published by National Geographic kick. It's about time that the number of high quality non-fiction books for children is increasing. Caterpillars is for kids reading to learn, not kids learning to read. It has beautiful photos and clear, concise text. The book will capture your attention and your child's. You will see photos of creatures you never dreamed of, both beautiful and creepy are represented.

Barbara Kerley

2007-08-19T21:37:00.000-07:00

A Little Peace

You and Me Together: Moms, Dads, and Kids Around the World

Barbara Kerley does it again! These two titles are not as unique as A Cool Drink of Water, but they are just as beautiful, simple, and to the point. The photos will capture any child's curiosity, broadening their minds. These are wonderful for dialogic reading.

Looking for Alaska

2007-08-03T23:49:00.001-07:00

Looking for Alaska by John Green

This book is nothing like The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. But, as the book was coming to an end I suddenly thought about The Outsiders and was filled with a similar feeling. This is not as stylized as I am the Messenger, the writing seems nothing special at first. Then, Alaska tells the story about getting her boob honked over the summer and you laugh loud and true and think this John Green fellow's really good. The next thing you know The Colonel, Pudge, and Alaska are real to you. You're in their world and you don't want to leave.

A few if my favorite things: 1) Last words. 2) Their religion class--I learned more from this novel than my high school world religions class (almost). 3)The relationship between The Colonel and his mom. 4) Takumi. 5) Laughing. 6) Listing things in inner monologues.

This book too has adult themes--sex, drinking, and smoking. But, it is clearly a teen book.

I hear Green's book An Abundance of Katherines is even better. I'll have to give it a try. His website/blog have been recommended to me twice since last Friday so check it out too!

I am the Messenger

2007-08-03T22:52:00.000-07:00

I am the Messenger by Markus Zusak

When I worked at The Bookstore I had a customer who came in two or three times. Her son was in JD for a while, a year or more. He was 16 I think. He was one of those kids who was too smart for his own good. The first time she came in she wasn't sure anyone could help her. She was looking for books for her son to read while in JD that were inspirational, that taught values, etc. But, it couldn't be preachy. In fact, her son couldn't suspect that she was giving him books that would influence him to make better life choices.

The first book I recommended was my favorite book, The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay. It's about boys school and boxing, he'll love it! Over her two or three visits to The Bookstore, I recommended 10-12 novels for her son. Mostly science fiction and fantasy, all adult fiction. Mostly things I was currently reading at 28 years old. Well, I wish I am the Messenger had been around then. I would have recommended it.

Stereotypical 19 year old going nowhere fast in a nowhere town. Working as a taxi driver, hanging out with his friends who are going nowhere faster than him. One friend unemployed and still living at home, all spend their time drinking too much and playing poker. Then, the ace of diamonds arrives with 3 addresses and times of day written on it. Almost instinctively he knows what he has to do. He has to help them. But, doing good deeds doesn't always mean reading out loud to a lonely old woman or running with a pretty girl. It means getting beat up. Getting a gun in the mail box that you know you're supposed to use. That's only the first card. What will he have to do when he gets the ace of spades?

This book is about making changes, finding the courage to make changes little and big. It's hard, some have a big impact, some seem to have almost no impact. Some changes actually seem bad at first. It's not over the top, it's going from seeing the glass half empty to seeing it half full. It's about helping and being part of something more than just you, your job, and your friends.

This has sexual references, rape, drinking, and more adult topics so it's not appropriate for all teens. In the library world we often identify adult reads for teens, this is a teen read for adults.

The Astonishing Life of Ocatvian Nothing: Traitor to the Nation

2007-03-18T11:10:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure how to talk about this book. It is like nothing I've read before. This book is not appropriate for all teens and it should be marketed to adults as well as teens. I can't say that I liked or that I didn't like, I know that I will think differently about American history, slavery, the Revolutionary War, capitalism, and freedom. I know I will never forget it and will probably never need to read it again as many of the images are burned in my memory. It is the 2006 winner of the Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in young adult literature and the National Book Award. The following is an excellent review I found that can better tell you about this book.

The mystery behind locked doors

REVIEW BY NORAH PIEHL

M.T. Anderson has become known for novels both playful (Whales on Stilts!) and thought-provoking (Feed). Uniting all his works, though, is a startling originality, a creativity and sensitivity to language that reaches new heights in The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing. The first volume, The Pox Party, is the beginning of a remarkably ambitious two-part work.

Octavian is, on the surface of things, a privileged young man. Dressed in clothing of the finest silks and satins, surrounded by the intellectual and artistic luminaries of 18th-century Boston, Octavian studies classical literature and excels at the violin. As Octavian grows up in the unusual surroundings of the Novanglian College of Lucidity, however, he begins to ask questions that have no easy answers: Why are Octavian and his mother, the foreign princess known as Cassiopeia, the only household members given names instead of numbers? For what purpose do the scholars study all of Octavian's bodily functions? What is the real nature of the experiments conducted behind locked doors?

As Octavian's awareness grows, his insulated surroundings are penetrated by stirrings of revolution. When the college's most ambitious experiment goes horribly awry, an increasingly melancholy Octavian must make his own way in a rapidly changing world.

Set in the earliest days of the American Revolution, Octavian Nothing not only probes the sometimes troubling philosophical and political fixations of the time but also preserves the language of 18th-century literature. Such prose may seem challenging and old-fashioned at first, but make no mistake—this is a thoroughly modern novel. Historically grounded, emotionally and philosophically complex, Octavian Nothing will compel readers to think differently about history and its echoes in the contemporary world.

Moo Cow

2007-02-10T10:15:00.000-08:00

Moo Cow by Sandra Boynton

Every time a friend or family member has a baby I rush out to the bookstore. I always think I'll know exactly what to get. I've studied child development and children's literature. I've been a kindergarten teacher and a children's librarian. Sadly, I stand there like everyone else deathly afraid I'll choose a book that the baby will hate. A book that will sit on the shelf untouched, unloved, and sad because it didn't open that baby's heart and mind to imagination, language, and a love of learning and books. Oh, the pressure!

This is the last book I bought for a baby and she loves it! How could she not? It feels soft as a blanket, handles like a toy, makes noise like a cow, and has rhyming words like a song or poetry. Frankly, she mostly chews on it. But it is loved and has sparked her interest which is perhaps most important early literacy skill.

Fancy Nancy

2007-02-10T10:01:00.000-08:00

Fancy Nancy by Jane O'Connor

Do you have a fancy girl at home? Loves clothes, jewelery, hats, make-up, the works! This is the book for her. But, this fancy Nancy goes beyond appearances, she uses "fancy" language which will strengthen your child's vocabulary. The book also models excellent family values. Nancy is the only fancy person in her family, yet they encourage her to be herself and value each family member. At the end, they even let Nancy help them get fancy for a special outing.

Peek! A Thai Hide-and-Seek

2007-01-20T11:16:00.000-08:00

Peek! A Thai Hide-and-Seek by Minfong Ho

Yesterday, I presented a session on dialogic reading to a group of librarians. In the presentation, there was a small-group activity in which participants practiced the technique. The group who practiced with Peek! had a very hard time because none of them had seen this beautiful book before and they just wanted to read the whole thing straight from beginning to end and delight in the beauty and energy of the story. Right away they noticed that this is an excellent book for vocabulary development and actively engaging children in the story. Children can search for the little girl who is "hiding" on each page and search for/predict the next animal. Also, for those more active children, they can get up and act out the little girl or the animals and practice new animal sounds!

This is what School Library Journal has to say about Peek!: From the rhymed verses and onomatopoeia to the nearly hidden toddler in each spread, this story is brimming with child appeal. Done in watercolor and cut-paper collage, the exuberant illustrations convey the energy of the high jinks and the girl's satisfaction at being found. Children will want to look for each creature in the final cozy scene. Small groups and individuals alike will enjoy this enticing offering.

Max's Bedtime

2007-01-20T09:47:00.000-08:00

Max's Bedtime by Rosemary Wells

Some of you may be making gaging noises about choosing such a popular author who has a t.v. series for her books about Max and Ruby, but you've got to admit Wells knows kids better than almost any author. The beauty of many of her stories is that she's got kids pegged so well that kids will fall in love with her characters and stories never realizing how true to life they are, and parents will be laughing hysterically. To kids, Max's Bedtime is just about two of their favorite characters. Max can't find his favorite thing to sleep with, Ruby tries to help him out and there is a little silliness in the how Max reacts to Ruby's suggestions. What parents will notice is that the dialogue, body language, and relationship between these two characters is just like the kids they know or themselves when they were little. Unfortunately, the story Wells accomplishes this best in is out of print. But, if you can ever get your hands on Stanley and Rhoda do!

Frogs!

2007-01-20T09:23:00.000-08:00

Red-Eyed Tree Frog by Joy Cowley
It's Mine! by Leo Lionni

My cousin loved A Cool Drink of Water so much I thought I'd stick with some nonfiction books, but his mom also said he's starting to sit still for longer stories now so I threw in a classic story by Lionni too. He's two and a half, from a family of readers who have been giving him books and reading to him since the day he was born. Don't expect most two year olds to sit still and listen to these two books about frogs from cover to cover, even if they have been read to since the day they were born.

Red-Eyed Tree Frog is great for storytimes. If you have learned nothing so far from this blog, remember... don't forgot nonfiction! This has simple, almost lyrical text, and nice repitition. My cousins favorite part is when the frog eats the moth, "Crunch, crunch, crunch!"

It's Mine! isn't Lionni at his best, but his worst is still better than many books you'll find on the shelf at your local bookstore. I admit, I mostly chose it because it has frogs in it and would compliment the nonfiction title I chose for my cousin. But, Lionni's artwork is still masterful and his storytelling is beautiful in its simplicity. Also, my cousin is two and just became a big brother so the message is important in his life right now.

Mock Caldecott Winner and Honors

2007-01-08T13:12:00.000-08:00

Mock Caldecott Medal went to:
Sky Boys: How They Built the Empire State Building by Deborah Hopkinson (an Oregon author!) and illustrate by James E. Ransome

Mock Caldecott Honors were:
Flotsam by David Wiesner
Little Mama Forgets by Robin Cruise and illustrated by Stacey Dressen-McQueen (an Oregon illustrator!)
John, Paul, George, and Ben by Lane Smith

The real winner of the 2007 Caldecott Medal will be announced January 22nd.

Witch Child

2007-01-02T20:07:00.000-08:00

Witch Child by Celia Rees

So now you know, I judge a book by its cover. I often don't read the title or the author. I'll pick out ones that look interesting, read the back or inside cover to decide to check it out or not. Not until this moment did I realize that I was on a Celia Rees reading frenzy! Witch Child is even better than Pirates! I literally could not put it down. Excellent vocabulary, language and imagery. In both books, Celia Rees demonstrates her skill and craft at creating a vivid image of what our past may have looked like. She does not go into detail about the setting, dress, etc. like Tolkien does, but she is still effective in making her reader feel the world is real. The smells, tastes, and feel of the surroundings makes you feel like you are there along side the characters. She doesn't pull any punches, she presents the ugly side of some of the things that happened in our past--prosecution of witches, slave trading, horrible sugar cane plantations, and religious zealots creating a settlement in the new world more restrictive than the old. Here is another website for Celia Rees.

Pirates!

2007-01-02T19:48:00.000-08:00

Pirates! by Celia Rees

Fantastic adventure about how life's twists and turns led one young lady and her slave to become best friends and pirates! The main character seems like an annoytingly weak, naive girl in the beginning of the story which made me think I would lose interest, but her transformation is well written. It starts when she kills her first man to save her friend and kills the second man to end his suffering. This is not for the faint of heart.

The fight scenes and bloody details will keep boys turning the pages and the independence, strength, and determination of the women heroines will keep girls turning the pages. This is probably most suitable for teens--murder, brutality towards slaves, and rape are all part of the story. The writing is wonderful and it was an excellent audio book. Adults will like it as well, perhaps it would make a good audio book for a family car trip for those families with teenagers. It would certainly bring up some important conversations parents should have with their kids.

Alphabet of Dreams

2006-12-15T00:10:00.000-08:00

Alphabet of Dreams by Susan Fletcher

Beware, there is a spoiler.
Susan has done it again! She has an incredible talent of weaving the most incredible stories. I was fortunate enough not to have heard much of anything about Alphabet of Dreams except from my supervisor who simply told me I had to read it. So I'm reading the book, enjoying her wonderful sense of language and storytelling. I admit, even though I found it to be beautifully written and artfully crafted, I was getting a little bored because I am not the best nor fastest reader so I need a little more action. Then, whenI only had about a quarter of the book left to read it hits me full force! This woman has taken one of, if not the (depending on your cultural perspective) most well known story... the birth of Christ. How did I not see it, how did she do it? That sneaky little devil! The way she reveals it is just as it should be. This climax flows with the rest of the story, simple and beautiful. As soon as I finished it I knew I had to read it again. This is not a religious book, in fact some may find it offensive because there is a lot of mysticism in it. Others may appreciate the historical fiction perspective of the what the world Christ was born into may have been like and what may have really compelled some to follow the star.

A Cool Drink of Water

2006-12-10T09:55:00.000-08:00

A Cool Drink of Water by Barbara Kerley

Nonfiction is almost always over-looked, but it shouldn't be. Young children are still learning about the real world around them. When you can't introduce your child to something in real life, like actually taking them to the farm, ballet, or the rain forest, nonfiction books with real photographs can be the best way to introduce them to the world they live in. The books may seem boring or stupid to us, but they open up an exciting new world to children that is invaluable.

We may know about wells, water pumps, fresh water springs, and so forth. But does your child? Have they ever seen a water pump? Have they seen a waterfall or a well? Have they seen how other children get a drink of water? Does your child know that not everyone gets a drink of water the same way they do?

A Cool Drink of Water is an exceptional nonfiction book because of the wonderful, simple photographs (National Geographic of course) and the short, simple text flows lyrically. I have seen this book capture the attention of every child in a stoytime with more than 20 children aged 3-5. I was so excited to actually find it on the shelf at our local children's bookstore, A Children's Place. I bought it for my cousin on his second birthday hoping he would love it too. When he unwrapped his gifts he was much more interested in his new Thomas the Train books. I left a little sad. At Thanksgiving his mother told me that he was so obsessed with "that water book", he wanted it read 2 and 3 times a night before bed. She finally had to hide it because she couldn't take it anymore. Now, if that isn't the best way to rate a children's book I don't know what it. I was pleased as punch. Thomas the Train may have stolen the show at his birthday party, but A Cool Drink of Water outlasted it!

Eragon

2006-11-30T20:40:00.000-08:00

Eragon by Chistopher Paolini

You will notice right away that Eragon is derivative of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, but hopefully you will be quick to forgive when you learn that the author was only in high school when he wrote this book. The characters will touch your heart right away, the descriptions are not as detailed as Tolkien which helps move the plot, and the story is charming. Christopher's writing style is reminisant of Tolkien and CS Lewis. Plus, it has dragons, swords, magic, and friendship. What else does a great story need?

A Sweet Smell of Roses

2006-11-30T20:21:00.000-08:00

A Sweet Smell of Roses by Angela Johnson and illustrated by Eric Velasquez

This book is one of the few picture books that does the civil rights movement justice with minimal text, making it appropriate for the youngest children. Johnson tells a story of two young girls participating in the civil rights movement. I believe that Velasquez should have gotten at least a nod for the artwork in this book, if not a Caldecott.

The City of Ember

2006-11-30T19:56:00.000-08:00

The City of Ember by Jeanne Duprau

This is a fantastic example of what science fiction should be. The author takes what is known about science and the world we live in and asks us, "What if?" What if the the end of the world as we know it really was imminent?

"The city of Ember was built deep underground as a last refuge for the human race. Two hundred years later, the great lamps that light the city are beginning to flicker. When Lina finds part of an ancient message, she's sure it holds a secret that will save the city. She and her friend Doon must decipher the message before the lights go out on Ember forever! This stunning debut novel offers refreshingly clear writing and fascinating, original characters." --taken from Fantastic Fiction.

This is a well written book, it has everything one would hope for: strong characters, vivid descriptions of setting, smooth writing style, but it is a plot driven book and the sequence of events will grab you right away at "The Instructions." This is an excellent opportunity to open up a world of discussion with children. The potential topics are endless! While this is an excellent example of good science fiction, there is also a mystery to be solved.

A Heart for Any Fate

2006-09-29T21:32:00.000-07:00

A Heart for Any Fate by Linda Crew

Written by a woman from my own backyard--Oregon! This story is based on the real life adventure of Lovisa King and her family as they journeyed from Missouri to Oregon in 1845. While there is little information about the King family's personal experiences on the Oregon Trail, Linda has done a wonderful job weaving what she learned from thorough research on others traveling the Oregon Trail in 1845 into what is known about Lovisa and her family. The King family was one of the misfortunate families that trusted Stephen Meek to take them on an ill-fated "shortcut" to the Willamette Valley. Many of Lovisa'a ancestors still live in Oregon. This is an excellent piece of historical fiction. About half way through the book I couldn't put it down.

Leonardo the Terrible Monster

2006-09-18T20:23:00.000-07:00

Your Pall Mo Willems Presents: Leonardo the Terrible Monster

You'll laugh, you'll cry, but you won't have the tuna salad scared out of you! I think this is Mo Willems at his best. He makes it look like anyone could write and illustrate a picture book, but with a good eye you will see that he has a deep understanding of children. His use of space is essential to setting the mood of the story. And the text will make you feel like you in elementary school again.

Invincible

2006-09-17T21:08:00.000-07:00

Invincible by Image Comics

Invincible captures the heart of the golden age of comics, but is modern through and through. You will delight in the way the writers and artists propel the seemingly simple stories and characters into action. In comparison to other comics of the day, this isn't as violent nor is the art as sexy. The characters are in high school so there are some boyfriend-girlfriend relationships, but they are presented appropriately for children who are just starting to become interested or curious about dating. As the story progresses, there are more complex issues of alcoholism and family violence. Again, these are presented appropriately for children who live in a world where they themselves or their friends have first hand experience with alcoholism and broken families.

Owly

2006-09-17T21:00:00.000-07:00

Owly by Andy Runton

Owly will touch your heart. This is an all ages, wordless graphic novel. Reluctant readers rejoice! Wonderful message of friendship. It's just so darn cute you'll find yourself telling everyone about it--even people you know don't appreciate children's material. They may tease you, but just remember you'll be the one with sexy laugh lines when you grow old instead of those nasty worry lines.

Kindred

2006-09-03T21:12:00.000-07:00

Kindred by Octavia Butler

This is classified in libraries as an adult fiction, but I think it is appropriate for mature teenagers. This is an excellent example of historical science-fiction. Dana, a 26 year old living in 1976 get ripped back in time to 1815. She discovers that she is charged with protecting her great, great grandfather. He is white, from a slave holding family. Octavia Butler does a fantastic job weaving in historical aspects of life in 1815 and gave me a greater sense of the complexity of slavery. She delves into the slave culture. She observes children, slaves too young to work, playing "slave trade" as today we would play school or house. The complexity of relationships between slaves and their masters. At times there seems to be friendship and respect, but at other times violent. This would make an excellent bookclub title or book to integrate into curriculum. The genre and writing style makes this book appealing to a wider audience--history fans and sci-fi fans, academics and adventurers.

The Night Pirates

2006-09-03T21:02:00.000-07:00

The Night Pirates by Peter Harris

Do you hear that noise? What could it be? Pirates! Little girl pirates! They are steeling the front of Tom's house. What will he do? Join them of course! This is a fantastic read aloud. Boys and girls will be on the edge of their seats. The lyrical, sometimes repeating text is excellent for vocabulary development. The events in the story lend themselves to dialogic reading. And, the girl pirates (with Tom) kick ass!

Come On Rain!

2006-08-27T20:06:00.000-07:00

Come On Rain! by Karen Hesse

The writing style flows like poetry and makes you feel like you are really in the city waiting for the rain to come. The beautiful watercolor illustrations are incredibly noteworthy. This book is a work of art in adult eyes, but is written with a child's eye in mind.

The Bravest of the Brave

2006-07-11T22:15:00.000-07:00

The Bravest of the Brave by Shutta Crum

Today I heard this story read aloud at a wonderful storytime at Cedar Mill Community Library. The storytime reader did an excellent job. She fluxated her voice to enhance the rhythm of the language and grab the attention of the children. She also asked the children wonderful questions ranging from yes and know, identification, and open-ended questions--dialogic reading in action! This is a counting book. The language is very rhythmic. Clues are provided for children to predict what the brave little skunk will face next. It is also a very charming little story.

This summer Cedar Mill Community Library has a preschool storytime every Tuesday at 10:30. They have a lot of other storytimes and children's programs. I recommend checking them out.

In the Rain With Baby Duck

2006-07-08T11:07:00.000-07:00

In the Rain With Baby Duck by Amy Hest

This is a sweet story about a little duck who doesn't like the rain. She puts up a fuss as she and her parents walk in the rain to her Grandparents' house. Her parents are not very understanding; ducks are made for rain and she should enjoy it! When they get to her Grandparents' house, Grandpa takes her upstairs and pulls out an old umbrella and boots. Guess who they belonged too? Baby Duck's Mom! Baby Duck pulls on the boots and grabs the umbrella and the two head out in the rain. Amy Hest does a wonderful job capturing the nature of a young child's behavior in Baby Duck. Although the story is somewhat long, Kindergarteners and younger children who love storytime will be drawn into this story. This is one you parents will enjoy and find heartwarming too!

Pudgy: A Puppy to Love

2006-06-12T20:43:00.000-07:00

Pudgy: A Puppy to Love by Pippa Goodhart

You will fall in love with Pudgy and Lucy, friends forever. This is a simple, wonderful book. This story short, sweet story engages two year old to listen to it from beginning to end. If you're thinking, "What's so special about that? My two year old sits and listens to stories from beginning to end." Be incredibly thankful! Most two year olds, even those that love books, are not ready to sit still for an entire story. It sounds stupid out of context, but your heart will melt when you get to the part where the two lonely souls find each other and the text reads, "Lucy loves Pudgy. Pudgy licks Lucy."

Weedflower

2006-06-10T22:20:00.000-07:00

Weedflower by Cynthia Kadohata

This is a beautifully written historical novel for young adults. I have read a few things on Japanese internment, but I learned more from this piece of fiction. This particular internment camp is on a Native American reservation and the protagonist befriends a boy from the reservation. The relationship between the two communities is illuminating. The audio version has an excellent interview with the author which is well worth taking the time to listen to. The characters are extremely well developed. The language is fairly simple yet poetic and evokes powerful emotions from the reader... although I do cry, laugh, and get too emotionally involved with characters fairly easily. Reading is not a quiet activity for me.

Napolean and LeRoy

2006-06-04T20:50:00.000-07:00

Napolean (left) and LeRoy (right)

These are my two silly guys. Apparently I have to post their picture in order to use it for my profile. Perhaps there is a better way, but I am not that clever when it comes to computers. I'm sure LeRoy and Napolean would figure it out if only they could reach the keyboard.

Today, Napolean tried to eat a slug in her new outdoor enclosure and got a little rock too. I had to pry it from her mouth with a toothpick. It was very traumatic... for me. And she acts like nothing happened!

Anne Gutman

2006-06-04T16:51:00.000-07:00

Los banos and Los colores by Anne Gutman

These wonderfully illustrated board books are perfect for babies and toddlers. They fit in little hands, have simple illustrations, and minimal text. You do not have to be able to read the text to be able to have a language rich conversation with your young child. Remember, before your child is able to speak they are able to have a conversation with you. They do this by looking at you, then looking away. When they start to babble they will babble, pause to wait for you to talk as if they were listening to you. It is essential to talk to you baby so they learn the nuances of communicating with other people. These board books are a great way to start those conversations. They are also great for vocabulary development.

2006-05-23T19:43:00.000-07:00

Katy No-Pocket byEmmy Payne and illustrate by H.A. Rey

This weekend I was going through all my things because I am moving. Upon opening a box only labeled "KT" I discovered an old paperback copy of one of my favorite books, Katy No-Pocket. I was terribly excited because recently I had been asked to share one of my favorite books from when I was a child to a group of librarians and explain why it was a favorite.

It took me quite a long time to decide because I loved so many books. My memory is bad, no single title out shone another. I ask my parents and they couldn't remember just one title that they had to read again and again and again. I went to the library just to browse around at many of my old favorites to see if one titles at least sparked a good childhood memory. I was starting to feel doomed, so many good books. But not one really special title from my youth. Then I saw Katy, her yellow cover and the cursive font running down it.

Looking at it with the knowledge I have of several children's literature classes, experience as a kindergarten teacher, and a librarian who presents storytimes I thought... I would never read this aloud to a group of kids. It's way too long and boring. Why did I love it so much? I remember that I did not like that the kangaroo was named Katy because she spelled her name wrong. So I picked it up and started flipping through the pages. And there is it was! The picture of Katy putting her baby and all the other animals into the pockets of the apron the man had given to her. That was what I loved. She was a good mother who wanted to be a better mother and the man was so generous he gave her his apron so she would have a pouch for her baby. I remembered how my anticipation built as I waited for that glorious page! I couldn't find an image of that page so you will have to read it yourself to see how wonderful it is.

Habibi

2006-05-23T19:28:00.000-07:00

Habibi by Naomi Shihab Nye

This is a wonderful novel for junior high students and high schoolers. It covers the typical emotions youth experience when they move, but it adds a twist. Her father was Palestinian and her mother American. Her family lived in America until Liyanne was 14, then they move to Israel. She soon learns about cultural expecitations that dictate how she can or cannot act in certain situations and who she can assosiate with. This is particularly challenging when the first friend she makes is a Jewish boy. It is also interesting to watch her relationships with her family change, grow and deepen, particularly with her grandmother. She and her grandmother literally do not speak the same language. This is a wonderful introduction to the broader world and current events within a context that young adults can relate to. It is beautifully written and is a great audio book to listen to. It brings up many topics for discussion and thus would be great for any book club.

One Frog Too Many

2006-05-23T19:16:00.000-07:00

One Frog Too Many by Mercer and Marianna Mayer

This is one title in a series of 6 books about a boy, a frog, a dog, and their friends. There are my happy books. They sit on my desk and when I feel the need to smile, smile on the inside, I pick them up.

I struggle with wordless books because I feel pressured to come up with words to tell stories that are just as compelling as the illustrations. But with these books I feel the words are already there just waiting for me to open the book so they can fly out. The characters expressions are so rich you will feel like they are your friends too. They are such good friends you know what they are thinking and saying the moment you see them... and they have different things to say and different stories to tell every time you open the book!

Wordless books are wonderful because they naturally start a conversation between you and the child you are reading with. Conversations over books help to develop reading comprehension, narrative skills, and a bond between you and the person you're sharing the book with. Wordless books also go a step further in fostering ones' imagination.

So take a look at these books, smile, and let your imagination take you away!

Ginger Foglesong Guy

2006-05-21T22:41:00.000-07:00

Siesta by Ginger Foglesong Guy.

This is a wonderful, bilingual book about colors. I don't speak Spanish, but I can read this in Spanish. This book is excellent for print awareness and letter knowledge because it has big, bold text and the color words, like "yellow," are in their designated color. This is also a great conversation starter. Ask your kids what they do to get ready for a nap. Before reading each page, ask your child what they think (predict) the kids are going to find on the page. When you are finished build a fort like the characters in the story do. Read stories in the fort or take a nap.

Grace Lin

2006-05-21T22:35:00.000-07:00

Kite Flying by Grace Lin

Grace Lin's work is meaningful to me because I have a friend who is Korean American... actually, she is the most all-American girl I know. It is interesting when so many people glance at her and see a Korean when she does not identify with her Korean ancestry. She knows nothing more of the culture or traditions than I do, a little white girl. Yet when my friend was little she quickly realized that she looked different. She did not see anyone that looked like her in school nor in any of the books she read--and she read a lot!

One day I was making a sample art project for a kindergarten class I was teaching. I made a construction paper girl. I used orange paper. My friend was so happy because I made someone who looked like her. The construction paper was ORANGE! This did not look like her to me, but she was used to looking deeper into things to find something that she could connect with. I was happy that my friend was so excited that she saw herself in my paper girl. But I was also saddened by the fact that children cannot find themselves in the books and art of our society. Our society that we call "melting pot." Where are the faces of Americans? How are our children going to connect with each other and our culture if they do not see themselves represented in our books and arts? So I am happy to find Grace Lin's books on our shelves and happy that Chinese American children can see themselves in the pages of our books.

Runaways

2006-05-21T22:32:00.000-07:00

Runaways by Marvel Comics

If you want something a little more traditional, a little less violent, a little less sexy... try Runaways. It is a kickass book. They take all the stereotypes of superpowers, villains, heroes, evil parents, runaways, and teenage angst and they actually pull it off without it feeling like a cliché. Great writing, great art, and the sarcasm will really get you but good.

X Factor

2006-05-21T22:19:00.000-07:00

X Factor by Marvel Comics

I've been an X-men fan for about 15 years now and have seen a great series go down hill. There have been a few storylines, a few writers, and a few artists who have brought me back from time to time... just enough that I haven't given up on them!

I'm glad I stuck around because they finally hit the nail on the head with the new X Factor. The storytelling and character development it very tightly woven. The art is unique from the typical superhero comic, it is much more edgy. I wasn't sure I liked it at first, but the combination of the art and the writing hits you head on.

The team is small which focuses the storytelling. The plots aren't simple, but the writers do not water them down by including side stories. This is wonderful because they have to be more calculating in how they present the characters so we get enough to develop a connection with them, but without the fat of boring sidelines that other X titles use to develop characters and relationships.

Tracey Campbell Pearson

2006-05-21T22:03:00.000-07:00

Diddle, Diddle, Dumpling by Tracey Campbell Pearson

Tracey has written several rhyme books that are all worth checking out. They are classics with wonderful contemporary watercolor pictures. Have you heard of phonics? Well, if you haven't and you have a child... YOU WILL! There is a great debate on the importance of teaching systematic phonics in school. But, the importance of the connection between identifying the sounds we hear in words and reading is undeniable. Word play such as rhyming is essential in developing the auditory skill of identifying the smaller sounds in words. Knowing that words are made up of smaller sounds is essential to reading. So read a rhyme book today... and every day!

Cornelius P. Mud, Are You Ready for Bed?

2006-05-21T21:11:00.000-07:00

Cornelius P. Mud, Are You Ready for Bed? by Barney Saltzberg

This is one of my favorite books to read aloud right now. It is great for preschoolers and children learning English. Everyone can relate to Cornelius, no matter what your background and experiences are.

Asking questions helps build reading comprehension. What do you do when you get ready for bed? How do you know Cornelius isn't really going to the bathroom?

Help build vocabulary by talking about the different things Cornelius wears to bed. Repeat new words frequently to develop those brain connections.