September Picks

It's that time of year again! As summer changes into fall, we are changing our routines and getting into the back-to-school mode. Here are some new materials in the library that your students (or you) might enjoy. Take a look and come check them out!

With a Name With Like Love by Tess Hilmo (Grades 4-6)
Grade Stone Face Nominee

One of School Library Journal’s Best Fiction Books of 2011
When Ollie’s daddy, the Reverend Everlasting Love, pulls their travel trailer into Binder to lead a three-day revival, Ollie knows that this town will be like all the others they visit— it is exactly the kind of nothing Ollie has come to expect. But on their first day in town, Ollie meets Jimmy Koppel, whose mother is in jail for murdering his father. Jimmy insists that his mother is innocent, and Ollie believes him. Still, even if Ollie convinces her daddy to stay in town, how can two kids free a grown woman who has signed a confession?  Ollie’s longing for a friend and her daddy’s penchant for searching out lost souls prove to be a formidable force in this tiny town where everyone seems bent on judging and jailing without a trial. ~Goodreads

Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes by Jonathan Auxier (Grades 4-6)
Great Stone Face Nominee 

What begins Dickensian turns Tolkien-esque in this quest replete with magic and mystery. Peter Nimble is an orphan. Blinded by ravens in infancy and made to steal for the town’s beggar-monger (think Fagin), Peter becomes an expert thief and pickpocket. His wretched existence changes when he steals a box containing eggs that are actually three pairs of magical eyes. When Peter drops the first pair into his eye-sockets, he’s instantly swept away. Thus begins a perilous adventure wrought from a riddle found in a bottle. After much travail, Peter learns that the mysterious eyes are not always dependable. He seeks and eventually finds a vanished kingdom, where he faces a tyrannical king. The king has brainwashed all the adults and enslaved all of their children, who are controlled by a horde of bloodthirsty apes. Solving the riddle and embracing his destiny are just the beginning of Peter’s problems. In the end it’s Peter’s true talents, not magic, that prove most reliable. ~Kirkus Review

Theodore Boonne: The Accused by John Grisham (Grades 5-6)

Theodore Boone is back! And he's ready for his next big case. Theo Boone might only be thirteen, but he's already uncovered key evidence in a groundbreaking murder trial and discovered the truth behind his best friend's abduction. Now with the latest unfolding of events in Strattenburg, Theo will face his biggest challenge yet.Filled with the intrigue and page-turning suspense that made John Grisham a #1 international bestseller and the undisputed master of the legal thriller, Theodore Boone's adventures will keep readers enthralled until the very last page. ~Amazon

From Artemis Fowl: The Last Guardian / Book 8-we now have them all! (Grades 4-6) 

Seemingly nothing in this world daunts the young criminal mastermind Artemis Fowl. In the fairy world, however, there is a small thing that has gotten under his skin on more than one occasion: Opal Koboi. In The Last Guardian, the evil pixie is wreaking havoc yet again. This time his arch rival has reanimated dead fairy warriors who were buried in the grounds of Fowl Manor. Their spirits have possessed Artemis’s little brothers, making his siblings even more annoying than usual. The warriors don’t seem to realize that the battle they were fighting when they died is long over. Artemis has until sunrise to get the spirits to vacate his brothers and go back into the earth where they belong. Can he count on a certain LEPrecon fairy to join him in what could well be his last stand? New York Times best-selling author and comic genius Eoin Colfer will leave Artemis Fowl fans gasping up to the very end of this thrilling finale to the blockbuster series. ~Amazon 

Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke (Grades 3-6)
Great Stone Face Nominee 

Zita’s life took a cosmic left turn in the blink of  an eye.

A headstrong young girl makes a hasty decision and finds herself in a galaxy far, far away in this graphic-novel shining star. Confident Zita finds a strange device in a meteor crater while playing with her more timorous best friend, Joseph. Impetuously, she accidentally activates the device, and before they can say “lift off,” the duo ends up on an ill-fated planet, with Joseph about to be sacrificed by an alien doomsday cult and Zita determined to save him. Hatke’s skill shines: His characters are richly imagined and portrayed, from the loyal, bumbling Strong-Strong (resembling a cross between a golem and an Uglydoll) to the menacing Screeds, an arachnid-like mechanized device that serves an evil purpose. The giant speechless Mouse, who communicates via ticker tape, is especially ingenious. Hatke takes a page from epic adventures like Jeff Smith’s Bone and Kazu Kibuishi’s Amulet and throws in a dash of intergalactic zest for a winning combination, sure to captivate young graphic-novel aficionados. Be prepared to blast off; this debut is truly out of this world. ~Kirkus Review

Bink and Gollie: Two for One by Kate DiCamillo (Grades 2-4)

The state fair is in town, and now Bink and Gollie — utter opposites and best friends extraordinaire — must use teamwork and their gray matter while navigating its many wonders. Will the energetic Bink win the world's largest donut in the Whack-a-Duck game? Will the artistic Gollie wow the crowd in the talent show? As the undaunted duo steps into the mysterious tent of fortune-teller Madame Prunely, one prediction is crystal clear: this unlikely pair will always be the closest of pals. Get ready for more laughs in this wry, warmhearted sequel to the New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Book Bink and Gollie.  ~Amazon

Cork and Fuzz: Finders Keepers by Dory Chaconas/ Book 5- we now have 6 books in the series! (Grades 2-4)

Cork is a short muskrat who likes to find things. Fuzz is a tall possum who likes to keep things. Fuzz wants to keep Cork's lost stone when he finds it. But a chipmunk runs away with it. Who will say "finders keepers" now? ~Amazon

Ivy and Bean: No News is Good News by Annie Barrows/ Book 8- we now have the whole series! (Grades 2-4)

Ivy and Bean need some money. Ten dollars, to be exact. Never mind what for. Okay, it's for low-fat Belldeloon cheese in a special just-for-one serving size. Don't ask why. But how are Ivy and Bean going to make ten dollars? Hey, maybe they should write a newspaper about Pancake Court and sell it! Great idea! And easy, too. All they have to do is nose around the neighborhood. Wow—it's interesting what comes out when snoops start digging. It's even more interesting when the neighbors read about it in the newspaper. ~Amazon

Animal Masquerade By Marianne Dubuc (Grades K-3)

For kids who never tire of driving one joke into the ground, this is the perfect book -- and for their adults, there are enough surprises to make that one joke tolerable for repeated readings. There are fifty-three animals headed for a costume party, each one disguised as the next animal in line. Six additional party guests/disguises include Little Red Riding Hood, a three-headed monster, a unicorn, a poppy, and a chocolate cake. Of course, it s funny to see a mouse disguised as a flamingo, a flamingo disguised as a giraffe, and a giraffe disguised as a millipede -- suffice it to say that none of the disguises are going to fool anyone -- but a little of this goes a long way. Just when you think you've had enough, the text breaks the pattern: for example, the bear chases Little Red Riding Hood (disguised as a chocolate cake) before he puts on his own snail costume. The dromedary is roundly criticized for disguising himself as a camel (too easy!), and the hen is simply too stupid to participate. The pencil crayon illustrations show each animal before and after they don their disguises, and they all march from left to right across the page, headed to a party that's shown in a final wordless double-page spread. 'Welcome to the masquerade!'" --The Horn Book Magazine (starred review)

 

Barnums Bones by Tracey Fern (Grades 1-3)

Barnum Brown's (1873-1963) parents named him after the circus icon P.T. Barnum, hoping that he would do something extraordinary--and he did! As a paleontologist for the American Museum of Natural History, he discovered the first documented skeleton of the Tyrannosaurus Rex, as well as most of the other dinosaurs on display there today.An appealing and fun picture book biography, with zany and stunning illustrations by Boris Kulikov, Barnum's Bones captures the spirit of this remarkable man. ~Amazon

Cloudette By Tom Litchenheld (Grades K-3)
Ladybug Picture Book Award Nominee 

Reminiscent of the determination and courage of The Little Engine That Could, this title delivers its message with charm. A petite cloud believes that she is not big enough to accomplish what the big clouds can: provide enough rain to water crops or replenish a flowing waterfall or river. She is inspired by the accomplishments and "good-natured" acts of her larger kin and wants to have a positive effect on the Earth. She floats over a dried-up pond with one little frog hoping for enough rain to revive it. Can Cloudette move beyond what she believes are her limitations and do great things? Lively illustrations in ink, pastels, colored pencils, and watercolors create engaging spreads and characters that tell a story above and beyond the narrative. For example Cloudette's eyes and mouth grow tighter and her color changes from white to gray to black as she builds up enough steam to form that much-needed cloudburst. A few themes emerge for discussions in this multifaceted book, and there are plenty of details for children to discover. An excellent choice for a storytime or classroom. Well done.-Anne Beier, School Library Journal

Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons by James Dean (Grades K-3)

Pete the Cat is wearing his favorite shirt—the one with the four totally groovy buttons. But when one falls off, does Pete cry? Goodness, no! He just keeps on singing his song—after all, what could be groovier than three groovy buttons? Count down with Pete in this rocking new story from the creators of the bestselling Pete the Cat books. ~Amazon

May Picks

April is over (along with vacation, sadly) and May is finally here! This month I will highlight some new technological materials in addition to new books. Come to the library and check out something new!

AV

Wireless Keyboard

A wireless keyboard is exactly the same as a normal computer keyboard except for one major difference: Wireless keyboards transfer typing data to the computer via infrared beams. A beam of information is sent from the keyboard, as you type, to a receiver, which is plugged into the computer. This allows for a cordless experience, which eliminates the potential for another tangled cord behind your computer. ~wisegeek.com

Belkin Rockstar Splitter (all iPods, iPhones, and iPads)

Connect up to five headphones and your iPod—then start sharing or adding another iPod to mix songs and listen together. Five jacks for attaching headphones or an iPod. One hard-wired connection for your MP3 player. Mixing and fade-ins controlled by each player's standard controls. Also works with all MP3 and portable DVD players. ~apple.com

iPad Camera Connection Kit

The iPad Camera Connection Kit gives you two ways to import photos and videos from a digital camera: using your camera’s USB cable or directly from an SD card. iPad and the Camera Connection Kit support standard photo formats, including JPEG and RAW, along with SD and HD video formats, including H.264 and MPEG-4.  ~apple.com

Books

The Secret Lives of Princesses by Philippe Lechermeier and Rebecca Dautremer (Grades 2-6)

One thing is certain: these ain't no Disney princesses! Au contraire, this French import features about 30 royals who are quirky to a fault. There's Princess Hot-Head, a study in fiery red, who “prefers brandishing a sword to practicing the piano.” And Princess Molly Coddle, cousin to the fussy girl of “Princess and the Pea” fame, who “never hesitates to demand the impossible.” A detailed, imaginative guide—more akin to titles like Wizardology (2005)—this novelty book also features pages devoted to elaborate, witty commentary on proper cradle etiquette; each character's coat of arms; and various palace types. Dautremer's illustrations are perfectly attuned to the mood of each princess' prose portrait, by turns sophisticated and witty and full of odd angles and bizarre details. Princess Do-Re-Mi has the body type of a curvy violin; Princess Oblivia (“She forgets everything”) wears a hat full of holes that leaves blow through. A book to pore over.  ~Karen Cruze, Booklist

Time to Sleep Sheep the Sheep! by Mo Willems (Grades PreK-2)

A progressively dark and soothing nighttime blue backs up Willems’ cartoon critters in this get-ready-for-bed picture book starring Cat the Cat, with cameos by among others, Pig the Pig, Giraffe the Giraffe, Crab the Crab, etc. Cat tells each of the animals, who are engaged in various nighttime pursuits (reading a book, washing up, brushing teeth, going potty), that it’s time to sleep. A perfectly well-timed joke arrives courtesy of the pop-eyed owl one assumes to be Owl the Owl. He definitely isn’t ready for bed, but his arrival caps off this smiles-all-around, understated tour of pre-bedtime activities. ~Ian Chipman, Booklist

The Last Apprentice: Clash of the Demons (Book 6) (Grades 5-6)

The Last Apprentice series continues to be one of the best written of the last several years. Here, in the sixth entry, Tom, the Spook’s apprentice, must face up to several things he’d rather not: his friend Alice being the daughter of the Devil, his mother returning to her feral roots, and the notion that sometimes you must form alliances with enemies. As in previous books, the writing is direct, and the plotting and characters, most not of the human variety, are smart and believable. Naturally, fans of the series are the best audience, but this is accessible even to those just jumping in. ~Ilene Cooper

I Survived Series (5 titles) by Laren Tarshis (Grades 3-6)

I Survived the Bombing of Pearl Harbor, 1941

I Survived Hurricane Katrina, 2005

I Survived the San Fransisco Earthquake, 1906

I Survived the Shark Attacks of 1916

I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1914

History's most terrifying moments are brought vividly to life in this exciting historical fiction series. Nonstop action, occasional illustrations, and relate-able characters. Each title includes two pages of nonfiction extras and will inspire kids to find out more about the disasters and the history of the times. ~Amazon

April Picks

I am starting to, "turn over," our AV collection to include more DVDs and weed out some of those pesky VHS tapes! This issue picks up where the last one left off and highlights some new AV materials in our library. Also, it showcases some new and noteworthy books added to the library within the last few months.

Reading Rainbow DVDs

*How Much is a Million?

*If You Give a Mouse a Cookie

*The Wall

*Perfect the Pig

*Ox-Cart Man

*Little Nino's Pizzeria 

*Amazing Grace

*The Purple Coat

*The Paper Crane

*Gila Monsters Meet You at the Airport

*Desert Giant: The World of the *Saguaro Cactus 

*Bugs

*Berlioz the Bear

*Barn Dance

Other Videos (all DVDs!)

*Swimmy...and More Classics  by Leo Lionni

*So You Want to Be President?...and More Stories to Celebrate American History

*Mr. Popper's Penguins

*Follow the Drinking Gourd 

*Making the Thirteen Colonies (3 video set: The Middle Colonies, New England Colonies and Southern Colonies)

*Where the Wild Things Are...and More Stories by Maurice Sendak

*King Lear

*All About Health and Hygiene

*All About Magnets

*All About Electricity 

Books

 Fireflies at Midnight by Marilyn Singer (Grades preK-4)

A robin cheerfully greets the day at dawn.

A horse nibbles grass under the heat of the midday sun.

A rabbit stands still, disappearing into the grass at dusk.

As evening falls, a frog tells the world that he's the king of the pond.

During one summer day, these and other creatures tell their tales, celebrating their ordinary -- but extraordinary -- lives in verse. Young readers will be entranced by the many voices created by renowned poet Marilyn Singer. They will be encouraged to look more closely at the surprising world around them -- morning, noon, and night. ~Amazon

The Sea Chest by Toni Buzzeo (Grades 1-4)

Aunt Maita tells her great-grandniece about her wonderful but lonely young years as the only child of a lighthouse keeper and his wife on a rocky Maine island. Then comes a terrible storm that frightens the family and bodes disaster for any ship at sea. The following day, Maita and her father find a bundled mattress, obviously washed ashore from a sunken ship. Unfolding it, they discover a leather sea chest with a baby inside, accompanied by a note from her despairing parents. The family adopts the child and they raise her as their own. Together Maita and Seaborne spend their days together-first on the island and later on the mainland where they live close by. At the end, readers learn that Aunt Maita, now an old woman, is telling the story to her niece as the child is waiting for her own adopted sister to arrive from overseas. ~Barbara Buckley, School Library Journal

Levi Strauss Gets a Bright Idea by Tony Johnston  (Grades 2-6)

What’s a California miner to do when gold dust sifts right out of his holey pockets? With such a raggedy wardrobe, he may as well be mining in the vanilla (that is, his birthday suit)! Good thing Levi Strauss is out west, ready with his needle and a head full of bright ideas. With some quick thinking, quicker stitching, and handy arithmetic, Levi keeps all the gold rushers clothed—and becomes a modern American hero. A Wild West tall tale, Levi Strauss Gets a Bright Idea celebrates creativity, innovation, and the ubiquitous item that fills the closets of grateful jeans wearers worldwide.~Amazon

Hound Dog True by Linda Urban (Grades 4-6)

Do not let a mop sit overnight in water. Fix things before they get too big for fixing. Custodial wisdom: Mattie Breen writes it all down. She has just one week to convince Uncle Potluck to take her on as his custodial apprentice at Mitchell P. Anderson Elementary School. One week until school starts and she has to be the new girl again. But if she can be Uncle Potluck’s apprentice, she’ll have important work to do during lunch and recess. Work that will keep her safely away from the other fifth graders. But when her custodial wisdom goes all wrong, Mattie’s plan comes crashing down. And only then does she begin to see how one small, brave act can lead to a friend who is hound dog true. ~Amazon

King of the Mound by Wes Tooke (Grades 4-6)

Nick was going to be a star baseball player, no doubt about it. People for miles around talked about the twelve-year-old boy with the golden arm. And then Nick is diagnosed with polio—a life-threatening disease in the 1930s. Everyone is devastated, especially Nick’s father, who copes by closing off from his son. When Nick finally leaves the hospital he wants nothing more than to get back in the game, but he seems to be the only one who thinks it’s possible. But after he begins working for Mr. Churchill, the owner of a minor league team, Nick meets Satchel Paige, arguably the best player in baseball. Satchel faces obstacles of his own—his skin color prevents him from joining the major leagues—and he encourages Nick to overcome the odds and step out of the dugout. ~Amazon

Keeping Score by Linda Sue Park (Grades 4-6)

Park opens this thoroughly researched novel in Brooklyn with the 1951 baseball season half gone. Nine-year-old Maggie likes to hang out at the fire station, where she listens to Dodgers games with the firemen. The new guy, Jim, teaches Maggie how to score a game, and after Jim is drafted and sent to Korea, Maggie writes him letters. When she learns that he has been traumatized and sent home unresponsive and unable to function on his own, Maggie works on a plan to bring Jim back to himself and his old life. To her credit, Park doesn’t make Maggie’s goal seem easy or even realistic. The involving story spans several years with only a glimmer of hope for Jim’s recovery. Still, readers will find plenty to root for as they get to know determined, persistent Maggie, who feels that the first words she ever learned must have been “Wait till next year.” ~Carolyn Phela, Booklist

Come to the library and check them out today!

March Picks

Come to the library to check out some new and noteworthy materials!

With more than 16 Emmys to its credit and legions of fans, it's easy to see why the Bill Nye the Science Guy show is one of the most popular educational series of all time. Beloved by teachers and students alike, Bill Nye and his unique brand of Way Cool Science make complex science principles accessible for all learners. 







These are our new Bill Nye DVDs:

*Space Exploration
*Heart
*Bones and Muscles
*Garbage
*Forests
*Brain
*Atmosphere
*Balance
*Magnetism
*Simple Machines
*Blood and Circulation
*Climates
*The Moon
*Germs
*Flight
*Farming
*Fossils
*Outer Space
*Comets and Meteors 

Press Here by Herve Tullet  (Grades K-6)

Tullet's brilliant creation proves that books need not lose out to electronic wizardry; his colorful dots perform every bit as engagingly as any on the screen of an iPad. "Ready?" the voiceover-style narration asks on the first page; it shows a yellow dot on a plain white background. "Press here and turn the page," it instructs. When the page is turned, there's a second yellow dot beside the first one. "Great!" it says. "Now press the yellow dot again." The fun continues as the dots proliferate, travel around the page, grow and shrink in response to commands to clap, shake, or tilt the book, etc. The joy is in the tacit agreement between artist and reader that what's happening is magic. ~Publisher's Weekly

Children's Cookbook by DK

DK Books is known for the graphically strong and compellingly designed releases. The Children's Cook Book Quick and Tasty Recipes for Young Chefs includes easy to follow recipes along with oodles of full color photographs with basic cooking fundamentals like how to boil an egg and how to cut the tops of strawberries. The 50 recipes include such tempting choices like Sausage Popovers, Blueberry Pancakes, Chicken Curry. --Babble.com

Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes, by Eric Litwin 

Bright, childlike illustrations show the long-limbed feline regularly altering his footwear but continuing not to watch where he's walking. The moral of the story keep going no matter what happens to you in life may sound like good advice, but it doesn't instill any sense of power in children it just tells them to accept their fate. The downloadable song might help spark interest, but there's not much here to get excited about. ~Maryann H. Owen, School Library Journal 

Dealing With Dragons Series, by Patricia C. Wrede 

The independent princess has been well established in modern children's books, but there can't be a dandier example than Princess Cimorene. Rangy, curious, energetic, matter-of-fact, she rolls up her sleeves and gets the job done with a happy disregard for the traditions of her role. Although her parents want her to stifle her improper interests in fencing, Latin, and cooking, the princess is not about to be forced into marriage with the vapid prince they have chosen. She throws herself wholeheartedly into a career as a dragon's princess, a respectable role, although not one for which one usually volunteers. As she fends off nosy wizards, helps out hysterical princesses, and turns away determined rescuers, Cimorene makes a firm place for herself in the dragon world. ~Sally T. Margolis, School Library Journal 

The Romeo and Juliet Code, by Phoebe Stone

Because of the bombing of London, 11-year-old Felicity is taken by her parents to live with relatives in Maine in 1941. She slowly adjusts to her new family, including Uncle Gideon, who teaches sixth grade at the local school; Aunt Miami, who lives and breathes Shakespeare; “The Gram,” Felicity’s grandmother; and Derek, a 12-year-old adopted orphan whose dreams of military service have been dashed by a bout with polio. Felicity’s engaging personality and curiosity about letters arriving from Portugal written in code “stir up the soup” of life in the Bathburn household, but only time will tell if that’s a good thing. ~ Melissa Moore, Booklist 


Small as an Elephant, by Jennifer Jacobson  

Ever since Jack can remember, his mom has been unpredictable, sometimes loving and fun, other times caught in a whirlwind of energy and "spinning" wildly until it's over. But Jack never thought his mom would take off during the night and leave him at a campground in Acadia National Park, with no way to reach her and barely enough money for food. Any other kid would report his mom gone, but Jack knows by now that he needs to figure things out for himself - starting with how to get from the backwoods of Maine to his home in Boston before Social Services catches on. With nothing but a small toy elephant to keep him company, Jack begins the long journey south, a journey that will test his wits and his loyalties - and his trust that he may be part of a larger herd after all. ~Amazon 

February Picks

After predicting the Newberry and Caldecott winners for 2012, this edition of my blog will be to reveal who the winners are. The winners were announced at the American Library Association mid-winter conference on January 23rd. We have most of these books in the library, and the ones we do not currently have are on thier way! Please come in to the library and check them out!

Newberry Winner

Dead End in Norvelt, by Jack Gantos

Gantos sets his hero, Jack Gantos, in the town of 1962 Norvelt, PA, a planned community created in the 1930s and named for its biggest booster, Eleanor Roosevelt. After being grounded by his parents, Jack is loaned out to a local librarian who sets him to work typing obituaries of the town's residents. Soon, he's launched on a strange adventure involving molten wax, Eleanor Roosevelt, twisted promises, a homemade airplane, voices from the past, Hells Angels, and even a possible murder. ~Laura Weiss, School Library Journal

Newberry Honors

Inside Out and Back Again, by Thanhha Lai (I knew this one would do well!)

Based in Lai’s personal experience, this first novel captures a child–refugee’s struggle with rare honesty. Written in accessible, short free–verse poems, Hà’s immediate narrative describes her mistakes—both humorous and heartbreaking; and readers will be moved by Hà’s sorrow as they recognize the anguish of being the outcast. ~Booklist

Breaking Stalin's Nose by Eugene Yelchin 

Sasha Zaichik has known the laws of the Soviet Young Pioneers since the age of six. But now that it is finally time to join the Young Pioneers, the day Sasha has awaited for so long, everything seems to go awry. He breaks a classmate's glasses with a snowball. He accidentally damages a bust of Stalin in the school hallway.  And worst of all, his father, the best Communist he knows, was arrested just last night. This moving story of a ten-year-old boy's world shattering is masterful in its simplicity, powerful in its message, and heartbreaking in its plausibility. ~Amazon

Caldecott Winner

A Ball for Daisy by Chris Raschka (I predicted this would win an honor, but it did better than I expected!)

A gray-and-white pup and her red ball are constant companions until a poodle inadvertently deflates the toy, taking the air out of Daisy as well. Raschka’s nuanced illustrations brilliantly depict joy, shock, disbelief, sadness–and, with the gift of a blue ball–renewed contentment. ~School Library Journal

Caldecott Honors

Blackout by John Rocco

On a summer night in the city, the youngest member of a family finds that everyone is too busy to play with him. But when the lights go out, and everything shuts down, suddenly there’s time for games and impromptu street and rooftop parties. Luminous, fluid artwork, filled with visual gags that extend the charming story, glows with warmth and humor. ~School Library Journal

Grandpa Green by Lane Smith

A boy tells the story of his great-grandfather’s life as he gives readers a grand tour of the man’s glorious topiary garden. Verdant shades predominate but graceful pen-and-ink drawings and colorful accents lend interest and whimsy to the towering constructions. ~School Library Journal

Me...Jane by Patrick McDonnell

In his characteristic heartwarming style, Patrick McDonnell tells the story of the young Jane Goodall and her special childhood toy chimpanzee named Jubilee. As the young Jane observes the natural world around her with wonder, she dreams of "a life living with and helping all animals," until one day she finds that her dream has come true. ~Amazon

January Picks-Special Prediction Edition!

As a librarian, this is one of my favorite months of the year. On January 23rd, at the ALA Conference, the two most famous children's book awards, the Caldecott and Newbery Awards, will be announced. I am hoping to watch a live webinar at 7:45 AM to find out who the winners are in real time! As the date draws closer I have decided to put my predictions out into the air waves. It's time to test my literacy evaluating skills! Below are my predictions for the 2012 Newbery and Caldecott winners. I am keeping my fingers crossed!


Newbery Winner Prediction:

Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt

As a fourteen-year-old who just moved to a new town, with no friends and a louse for an older brother, Doug Swieteck has all the stats stacked against him. So begins a coming-of-age masterwork full of equal parts comedy and tragedy from Newbery Honor winner Gary D. Schmidt. As Doug struggles to be more than the “skinny thug” that his teachers and the police think him to be, he finds an unlikely ally in Lil Spicer—a fiery young lady who “smelled like daisies would smell if they were growing in a big field under a clearing sky after a rain.” In Lil, Doug finds the strength to endure an abusive father, the suspicions of a whole town, and the return of his oldest brother, forever scarred, from Vietnam. Together, they find a safe haven in the local library, inspiration in learning about the plates of John James Audubon’s birds, and a hilarious adventure on a Broadway stage. In this stunning novel, Schmidt expertly weaves multiple themes of loss and recovery in a story teeming with distinctive, unusual characters and invaluable lessons about love, creativity, and survival. ~ Amazon  
 

Newbery Honor Predictions:

Lunch-Box Dreams by Tony Abbott

Bobby and his family are visiting Civil War battlefields on the eve of the war’s centenary, while inside their car, quiet battles rage. When an accident cuts their trip short, they return home on a bus and witness an incident that threatens to deny a black family seats. What they don’t know is the reason for the family’s desperation to be on that bus: a few towns away, their child is missing. Lunch-Box Dream presents Jim Crow, racism, and segregation from multiple perspectives.  In this story of witnessing without understanding, a naïvely prejudiced boy, in brief flashes of insight, starts to identify and question his assumptions about race. ~Amazon 

Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhhai Lai

"No one would believe me but at times I would choose wartime in Saigon over peacetime in Alabama" For all the ten years of her life, HÀ has only known Saigon: the thrills of its markets, the joy of its traditions, the warmth of her friends close by . . .and the beauty of her very own papaya tree. But now the Vietnam War has reached her home. HÀ and her family are forced to flee as Saigon falls, and they board a ship headed toward hope. In America, HÀ discovers the foreign world of Alabama: the coldness of its strangers, the dullness of its food, the strange shape of its landscape . . . and the strength of her very own family. This is the moving story of one girl's year of change, dreams, grief, and healing as she journeys from one country to another, one life to the next. ~Amazon

The Mostly True Story of Jack by Kelly Barnhill

When Jack is sent to Hazelwood, Iowa, to live with his crazy aunt and uncle, he expects a summer of boredom. Little does he know that the people of Hazelwood have been waiting for him for a long time. When he arrives, three astonishing things happen: First, he makes friends-not imaginary friends but actual friends. Second, he is beaten up by the town bully; the bullies at home always ignored him. Third, the richest man in town begins to plot Jack's imminent, and hopefully painful, demise. It's up to Jack to figure out why suddenly everyone cares so much about him. Back home he was practically, well, invisible. The Mostly True Story of Jack is a tale of magic, friendship, and sacrifice. It's about things broken and things put back together. Above all, it's about finding a place to belong. ~Amazon

Caldecott Winner Prediction:

Blue Chicken by Deborah Freedman

In this deceptively simple picture book, author-illustrator Deborah Freedman has created an irresistible character that springs to life and wreaks havoc in a farmyard with a pot of blue paint. The innocent chicken just wants to help, but things get worse and worse-and bluer and bluer--the more she tries. Playing with colors and perspective, and using minimal text, this richly layered story reveals new things to see and laugh about with each reading. ~Amazon

Caldecott Honor Predictions:

A Ball for Daisy By Chris Raschka 

Here's a story about love and loss as only Chris Rashcka can tell it.  Any child who has ever had a beloved toy break will relate to Daisy's anguish when her favorite ball is destroyed by a bigger dog. In the tradition of his nearly wordless picture book Yo! Yes?, Caldecott Medalist Chris Raschka explores in pictures the joy and sadness that having a special toy can bring.  Raschka's signature swirling, impressionistic illustrations and his affectionate story will particularly appeal to young dog lovers and teachers and parents who have children dealing with the loss of something special. ~Amazon

A Nations Hope by Matt de la Pen, Illustrated by Kadir Nelson  

On the eve of World War II, African American boxer Joe Louis fought German Max Schmeling in a bout that had more at stake than just the world heavyweight title; for much of America their fight came to represent America's war with Germany. This elegant and powerful picture book biography centers around the historic fight in which Black and White America were able to put aside prejudice and come together to celebrate our nation's ideals. ~ Amazon 

Queen of the Falls by Chris Van Allsburg 

Annie Taylor, a short, plump and fussy sixty-two year old widow, runs a charm school, right by Niagara Falls. When this starts to fail, she resolves to find fame and fortune by being the first person ever to go over the thundering waters of Niagara Falls in a barrel. Readers of all ages will warm to this inspiring story of bravery, as they take the roller coaster ride of a lifetime over the falls. ~ Amazon

Come and check out one of these books today! We'll see who wins on January 23rd!