Penguin Cha-Cha

Penguin Cha-Cha

Author: Kristi Valiant

ISBN: 9780375870729

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers

Age: 3-7

Grade level: Preschool - 2

Genre: Picture book

Summary: When penguins at a theme park become fascinated by the dancers who perform there, the typical penguin shuffle turns into a dance-floor extravaganza.  And when Julia, a curious little girl, becomes fascinated by the penguins and their new hobby, she is determined to join in the fun.

Personal Thoughts: Such a cute picture book!  The illustrations are fantastic and the story is cute and quick.  Definitely a keeper!

Miss Moore Thought Otherwise: How Anne Carroll Moore Created Libraries for Children
Author: Jan Pinborough 
Illustrator: Debby Atwell
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 978-0547471051
Age: 6-9 years
Grade Level: 1-4
Genre: Picture Books

Summary: Once upon a time, American children couldn't borrow library books.  Reading wasn't all that important for children, many thought.  Luckily Miss Anne Carroll Moore thought otherwise!  This is the true story of how Miss Moore created the first children's room at the New York Public Library, a bright, warm room filled with artwork, window seats, and most important of all, borrowing privileges to the world's best children's books in many different languages. 

Personal Thoughts: This book is so inspiring!  It is fun to read about the history of children's library services, but it is also amazing to see the difference one dedicated person can do.  Anne Carroll Moore wasn't the only woman pioneer in the library field, but she was one of the better known, and it's fitting that she's being honored.  

George Washington, Spymaster: How the Americans outspied the British and won the Revolutionary War
Author: Thomas B. Allen
Publisher: National Geographic, 2004
ISBN: 0792251261
Age: 8-12 years
Grade Level: 3-7

Summary: In George Washington, Spymaster you are about to enter the shadowy world of double agents and covert operations, of codes and ciphers – a world so secret even the spymaster himself doesn’t know the identities of all his agents. Meet members of the “Culper Ring”, help uncover a “mole” in the Sons of Liberty, and see how invisible ink and even a clothesline were used to send secret messages, as you follow the successes and failures of the Americans in their War of Independence.

Standard(s): Utah Social Studies Core Curriculum U.S. History I Standard 5: Students will understand the significance of the American Revolution in the development of the United States.

Annotation: George Washington, Spymaster is a very unique look at the history of spies and intelligence operations during the Revolutionary War. The readers learn of Washington’s history of intelligence gathering during the French and Indian War which began his career and eventually led to him becoming the leader of the Continental Army and master of an extensive spy ring. Numerous pen and ink sketch illustrations by Cheryl Harness are included as well as archival art from that time period which makes this unique journey into history not only a visual delight, but a great learning experience.

Subjects/Themes: American Revolution, George Washington, spy networks

Awards:
· ALA Best Book for Young Adults (2005)
· James Madison Book Award (2005)
· Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Award (2006)
· Garden State Teen Book Award (2007)

Reviews:
· Booklist
· School Library Journal
· Library Journal

High Interest Annotation: The captivating story of the successes and failures of George Washington’s spy network during the Revolutionary War.

Witnesses to War: Eight True-Life Stories of Nazi Persecution.
Author: Michael Leapman
Publisher: Viking 1998
ISBN: 0670873861
Age: 10 & up

Summary: Joseph Steiner and his sister were eight and eleven when the Jews were rounded-up from the Warsaw ghetto. They survived by hiding in abandoned warehouses until they could escape. When Alexander Michelowski was ten, he was taken from his home in Poland by the Gestapo and sent away for “Germanization” and later to a Hitler Youth Camp. Beata Siegel was sent from Germany to England on the Kindertransporte. It was to be nine years before she saw her mother again. Witnesses to War tells the story of how these children and others from across Europe endured persecution at the hands of the Nazis. Award-winning journalist Michael Leapman provides valuable background and insight into their histories, but it is the stories themselves vivid, unembellished and utterly compelling that stand as the finest testimony to the courage of the children of the Second World War.

Standard(s): Utah Social Studies Core Curriculum World Civilizations Standard 5: Students will understand the interaction of peoples in the global integration of the 20th century.

Suggested Age Range: 10 +

Annotation: Witnesses to War takes the reader on a very personal journey with eight children from concentration camps to the Kindertransporte and the Warsaw Ghetto to kidnapped children who were selected for “Germanization”. This book gives a very detailed, and yet brief, glimpse into many of the atrocities of World War II, and how they affected the children of Europe. This book is a chilling reminder of Hitler’s poison and his drive to take over Europe and create the “perfect” race, at the expense of millions of people.

Subject / Themes: World War II, concentration camps, biography

Reviews:
· Publisher Weekly
· School Library Journal
· Booklist
· Voice of Youth Advocates

High Interest Annotation: Eight true life accounts of life during World War II from eight different children of various race and cultural backgrounds.

Something Might Happen

Author: Helen Lester

ISBN: 9780618254064

Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers

Age Level: 4-8 years

Grade level: Preschool-3^rd

Genre: Picture books

Summary: Little lemur Twitchly Fidget is afraid of everything. He refuses to wash his fur because the shampoo bubbles might not rinse out. He's afraid to put on his sneakers because he might put them on the wrong feet. Worst of all, he's afraid to leave his house to join his friends. Then bossy Aunt Bridget arrives, and when she scrubs Twitchly's fur and puts his sneakers on his feet, Twitchly can't believe that nothing bad happens. Emboldened, he strides out to try all the things that he used to dread.

Personal Thoughts: I love this book! I have loved this book for years, but couldn’t remember the name, and I recently re-found this book!  This is a great story for helping little readers in overcoming fear of the unknown.  Super fun wording, awesome illustrations, and a cute message delivered by Aunt Bridget Fidget.

National Geographic Kids: Everything Battles

Author: John Perritano & James Spears 
ISBN: 9781426311000 
Publisher: National Geographic 
Series: National Geographic Kids Everything Series

Age: 8-12

Grade level: 3-7

Genre: Informational

 Summary: NG Kids Everything Battles captures all of the action and valor of the battlefield, as well as the trappings that go with it. Kids will browse eye-popping photographs and illustrations, as they peruse fascinating facts and information about armor, weapon, uniforms, technology, military jets, battleships, military technology, top secret intelligence and more. Topics will include five ultimate battles, the greatest commanders of all time, and an entirely interactive chapter, in which kids will decipher a secret code, develop their own battlefield strategy, and more. Throughout this dynamic book, layers of authoritative information and fun sidebars and facts make historic events accessible and fascinating for young readers.

Personal Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. It’s not overly long or really in depth, but gives a good overview of the history of battles as well as current day information. The pictures are engaging, the layout is fantastic and not overwhelming. It’s easily approachable information for any child.

New Life!

It has been a good long while since I've posted anything on this blog, and I have decided to be a better person and give new life to this blog by sharing all the books I've been reading.  I might change the style of postings now that I'm not posting for a school class, but the information will still be pretty much the same.

I'm going to keep this blog all about kids books, but if you're interested, I will be posting about all other types of books on my other blog: Kat's Corner (fairladykat.blogspot.com).  So feel free to visit at both locations!

Reflections

As I’ve reflected back over the semester of reading I’ve done for my professional reading postings I’ve noticed that through these postings I’ve had to delve deeper into topics and issues that previously were just words or surface issues.  But having read more about bullying and cyberbulling, image issues, standardized testing, etc I’ve solidified thoughts and feelings on the subjects and viewed each topic through the lens of librarianship rather than just an impersonal observer, and have come to conclusions and come up with ideas on how to combat some of these issues in my professional life.  All of the topics discussed figure prominently in the lives of tweens, their peers and even their parents (all of whom can be library patrons at some point), and it is beneficial to know about, understand and even have an opinion on these topics so that when/if someone comes looking for information or help we are prepared to provide it.  After reading some of the articles I did, I looked at my nieces and nephews through a new lens, and found myself asking them questions about their reading tastes, interactions with their peers, bullying/cyberbullying, and many other topics, and gained valuable insight into how very changed the world is today from when I was in their shoes not so many years ago.  As librarians, and possibly parents, we need to know about and be willing to be open to the changes in the lives of our tweens rather than dismissing their concerns because “that’s not the way it was when I was a kid.” 

The Face on the Milk Carton

Book trailer for Caroline B. Cooney's The Face on the Milk Carton

Before Midnight

Book trailer for Cameron Dokey's Before Midnight

The BFG

Book trailer for Roald Dahl's The BFG

Among the Hidden

Book trailer for Margaret Peterson Haddix's Among the Hidden

The Giver

The Giver

Author: Lois Lowry

ISBN: 0440237688

Publisher: Laurel Leaf, 2002

Age: 9-12

Genre: Science Fiction

Summary: Jonas’s world is perfect.  Everything is under control.  There is no war or fear or pain.  There are no choices.  Every person is assigned a role in the Community.  This is a world in which the old live in group homes and are “released” – to great celebration – when the time is right; the few infants who do not develop according to schedule are also “released,” but with no fanfare.  When Jonas turns twelve, he is singled out to receive special training from The Giver. The Giver alone holds the memories of the true pain and pleasure of life.  Now it’s time for Jonas to receive the truth.  There is no turning back.  He discovers the disturbing truth about his utopian world and struggles against the weight of its hypocrisy, and after learning more he decides that he cannot pay the price. 

Read A-Likes: Messenger; Gathering Blue; Number the Stars; and The Boy Who Dared.

Personal Thoughts: I have to be completely honest…this book disturbs me greatly.  Has since the very first time I read it, and that hasn’t changed after reading it several times.  After reading 1984, and other books similar in theme I realized that this book is pretty much the “youth” version of those others, and highlights the good and bad in the popular idea of a utopian society. Not a book I would suggest to just anyone, but it does serve its purpose in showing what can happen when things are taken just a bit too far, and how some people will react.

Inkheart

Inkheart

New Line Cinema

2009

Rated PG

Summary: When Mo Folchart spends his time looking for a book. Not just any book, but one specific book.  Inkheart.  Nine years ago he learned that when he reads a story, the characters leap off the page.  Literally.  And that’s a problem because when he reads someone out, someone must go in…and his wife, Risa, disappeared the last time he read out loud.  Now Mo, along with his daughter Meggie, is on the hunt for the last copy of Inkheart to read his beloved Risa back out again.  With the help, and interference, of other characters from Inkheart, and even the author himself, Mo must somehow use his special powers to send the interlopers back to their world and save ours.

Similar Movies: The Chronicles of Narnia; The Golden Compass; The Spiderwick Chronicles; and Nim’s Island.

Personal Thoughts: This movie was fabulous!  Not having read the book myself I understand that it does not exactly follow the story line of the book, but is a cute movie all the same.  An imaginative story that literally “bring to life” books. 

The Girls' Book of Glamour: A Guide to Being a Goddess

The Girls’ Book of Glamour: A Guide to Being a Goddess

Author: Sally Jeffrie

ISBN: 0545085373

Publisher: Scholastic, 2009

Age: 9-12

Genre: Non-fiction

Summary: Transform yourself from drab to fab with this nifty guide to all things glamorous!  Whether you want to have the shiniest hair or convince people you’re a celebrity, this book will show you how.  Being a glamour goddess has never been so easy.  Inside this handy guide you’ll find instructions on how to host a spa party, create your own style, exit a limo gracefully, make your own body glitter, persuade your best friend to lend you her clothes, put on a fashion show, make your own jewelry box, and so much more.

Read A-likes: The Double Daring Book for Girls; The Girls’ Book of Friendship; The Girls’ Book: How To Be the Best At Everything; and The Daring Book for Girls.

Personal Thoughts: This book is not only for little girls, but has some really fun ideas for girls of any age!  A fun idea would be to take some of the easier ideas and use them for a girl’s only library programming night!  My sister’s, nieces and mom are already planning a girl’s night with some of the fun ideas in this book! 

Snow White and Rose Red

Snow White and Rose Red

Author: Patricia C. Wrede

ISBN: 0142411213

Publisher: Firebird, 2009

Age: 9-12

Genre: Fairy Tales, Fantasy

Summary: The Queen of Faerie has two half mortal sons.  Hugh is content to stay in Faerie, but John feels compelled to roam mortal lands, returning home to visit between Hallowe’en and May Eve.  Then, because the beautiful but willful spirit Madini wishes to see all ties between Faerie and mortal lands severed forever, he is forbidden to leave home again.  Snow White and Rose Read live on the edge of the forest that conceals the ever-shifting, elusive border of Faerie.  They know enough about Faerie lands and mortal magic to be most concerned when they find two human sorcerers setting spells near the Faerie border on the day of All Hallows.  And when the kindly, intelligent black bear wanders into their cottage some months later, they do not realize the connection between his plight and the sorcery they saw in the forest. 

Read A-likes: A Matter of Magic; Princess of the Midnight Ball; The Thirteenth Child; The Seven Towers; and Princess of Glass.

Personal Thoughts: An interesting, fun, and complex adaptation of a familiar fairy tale.

Demeter & Persephone: Spring Held Hostage

Demeter & Persephone: Spring Held Hostage

Author: Justine & Ron Fontes

ISBN: 0822559668

Publisher: Graphic Universe, 2007

Age: 9-12

Genre: Graphic novel

Summary: The goddess Demeter is loved by all for her warmth and bounty.  But no one is closer to Demeter’s own heart than her beautiful daughter, Persephone.  When Persephone disappears one day, Demeter searches everywhere.  She discovers that Persephone was kidnapped by Hades, the god of the Underworld.  Demeter is filled with sorrow, and a permanent winter falls on the land.  Can Demeter rescue her daughter from the Underworld?  Can the gods and goddess of Mount Olympus convince Demeter to bring back spring and summer?  Demeter and Hades finally settle on a compromise: Persephone will spend 1/3 of the year in the Underworld with Hades and the rest with her mother, which is where the four seasons come from.  It is winter when Persephone is with Hades in the Underworld.

Read A-likes: Atalanta: The Race Against Destiny; Hercules: The Twelve Labors; The Trojan Horse: The Fall of Troy; Jason: Quest for the Golden Fleece; and Psyche and Eros: The Lady and the Monster.

Personal Thoughts: These graphic novels, while not award worthy writing, are a fun and interesting way to learn the Greek myths.  The illustrations are very much in the popular style and are bright and fun.  My 10 year old niece has now read every one of this series of graphic novels and it’s helped her understand better “The Lightning Thief”, which she is also reading. 

The Boy Who Dared

The Boy Who Dared

Author: Susan Campbell Bartoletti

ISBN: 0439680131

Publisher: Scholastic Press, 2008

Age: 9-12

Genre: Historical fiction

Summary: Just as the Nazis are rising to power, Helmuth Hubener, a German schoolboy, is caught up in all the swashbuckling bravado of his time.  The handsome stormtrooper uniforms, the shiny jackboots and armbands, the rousing patriotism – all serve to draw him into this bright new world full of promise and hope.  In the beginning his patriotism is unwavering.  But every day the rights of people all over Germany are diminishing.  Jews are threatened and their businesses are being destroyed.  The truth has been censored, and danger lurks everywhere.  Anybody can turn on you.  The world has turned upside down, Patriotism means denouncing others, love means hate, and speaking out means treason.  How much longer can Helmuth keep silent? Written in flashback style as 17 year old Helmuth awaits his execution in 1942 for resistance to the Nazi’s.

Read A-likes: Yellow Star; The Diary of Anne Frank; and Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler’s Shadow.

Personal Thoughts: This book is a gripping read based on the true life story of Helmuth Hubener, a Hitler Youth during World War II Germany.  This is the story of a young boy that, even at the threat of death, could not remain silent and do nothing to stop what he knew was wrong.  A good book for all, but especially for boys as it shows the friendship between boys, and teaches about hard decisions.  A good book for teaching young readers how to stand up for what they know is right even when the world says different and consequences can be severe.  Included in the back of the book are pictures of Helmuth Hubener, his family, friends and even the execution chamber where he was executed; as well as historical information about Nazi Germany and World War II in general.