Embedded Files
Starred
ELEMENTARY
Don't Throw it to Mo!
Author: Adler, David A.
Illustrator: Sam Ricks
Penguin Young Readers, 2016
ISBN: 9780448480091
P - K,Grades 1 - 2: Penguin Young Readers Level 2, paperback edition. Young Mo is the youngest and smallest member of his football team. He rarely sees any playing time. Coach Steve puts butter on a football and has Mo practice catching it on the sidelines of a game. The other team sees him and quickly decideds that he's no good as he just drops it. However, Mo is put in and wins the game by making a great catch! The text includes a wide variety of basic words and the cartoon-like illustrations help make the reader root for Mo. Young children will relate to Mo as they are often overlooked just because they are little. Verdict: Purchase a hardcover edition for your library as this one will get a lot of use by parents, teachers and young readers.
Curricular Use: Could be used with units on self-esteem, believing in yourself, and/or football with young children.
Reviewer: Debby Iverson, Library Media Specialist, Coweeman Middle School
Glow: Animals with Their Own Nightlights
Author: Beck, W.H.
Illustrator: NA
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-544-41666-6
P - K,Grades 1 - 3: W.H. Beck brings the topic of bioluminescence, living things that make their own light, to life with photographs that capture the details of each animal in more than life-size proportions. The text in large print explains where, how and why animals glow. The smaller print includes the names of the creatures and more detailed descriptions. Children and adults alike are drawn to this book by its amazing photography. Verdict: I highly recommend the book for a preschool and elementary audience as the text lends itself to both. The simpler text can be read to preschoolers or read by young readers themselves and the small print adds valuable information for teachers and older students.
Curricular Use: The book would enhance a science lesson.
Reviewer: Sonja Sample , Child and Family Liaison , Lower Columbia College Head Start
Book Scavenger
Author: Bertman, Jennifer Chambliss
Illustrator: Watts, Sarah
Henry Holt, 2015
ISBN: 978-1-62779-115-1
Grades 4 - 5,Grades 6 - 8: Emily's family moves to San Francisco where she participates in a unique treasure hunt along with her new friend from upstairs. Suspense builds as they work their way through puzzles and friendship and challenges. The author has a straightforward writing style, good vocabulary, interesting characters, humor, and enough complexity to keep the story interesting. Verdict: Touching on the value of friendship and thinking outside the box, this book was one of the better titles I have read (whether for kids or adults) in a long time.
Curricular Use: Book Scavenger is a good book to hook kids on reading.
Reviewer: Mars Datura, Guest Reviewer, Cathlamet Public Library
Blocks
Author: Dickson, Irene
Illustrator: Dickson, Irene
Nosy Crow, an imprint of Candlewick, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-7636-8656-7
P - K: In simple language, this hard cover book presents a common scenario among young children, not wanting to share their toys. The illustrations include the colors red and blue, the children's skin and hair color and black for the children's pants.
A girl named Ruby wearing a red and white striped shirt builds with red blocks. A boy named Benji wearing a blue sweatshirt comes along and builds next to Ruby with his blue blocks. When Benji takes a red block, without asking, Ruby gets upset. As they fight over the block, their block creations crash to the ground. The blue and red blocks became mixed together and now each child has both colors. They start building together. A new problem presents itself as Guy comes along with green blocks. The story ends with the question: "What will they do now?"
The story shows the continuous development of young children as they move from parallel play to sharing and playing together. It encourages children to come up with their own solutions to a problem. Verdict: The book encourages problem-solving and would be a great addition to every preschool room as children learn to collaborate.
Curricular Use: Problem-solving
Reviewer: Sonja Sample, Child and Family Liaison, Lower Columbia College Head Start
One Day, the End : Short, Very Short, Shorter-than-ever Stories
Author: Dotlich, Rebecca Kai
Illustrator: Fred Koehler
Boyds Mill Press, 2015
ISBN: 9781620914519
Grades 1 - 3: Written in simple sentence patterns such as, "One day I went to school. I came home. The end." The whole book has short stories in three or four sentences. Yet, each story has a beginning, a middle, and and end. The illustrations are colorful, cute and active. Verdict: Buy this book and share with your Kindergarten and first grade teachers to teach sentence writing and story writing. Kids will love this little girl and her stories.
Reviewer: Debbie Johnson, Library/Media Specialist, Wallace Elementary School
A Big Surprise for Little Card
Author: Mericle Harper, Charise
Illustrator: Raff, Anna
Candlewick Press, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-7636-7485-4
P - K,Grades 1 - 3: The book introduces the different functions of cards, for example a traveling post card, a price tag, a raffle ticket, and a folder. The characters of the book include Little Card and Long Card that are waiting for their special assignments to determine their function. Excitedly, Little Card is trained to be a birthday card until he finds out from Long Card that he did not receive the correct assignment. Without training, Little Card is sent to his assignment and learns that he is Alex's, a girl's, library card. Along with Alex, he spends the day at the library and learns what the library has to offer and what the rules are. Little Card even invents a library song. I like the book's creativity to bring a card alive. Unique illustrations help the reader to follow the story. The text is simple yet has a nice flow. Verdict: I highly recommend this book. It is a refreshing story illustrating how exciting a library can be in these technology-driven times.
Curricular Use: I like that the highlights how exciting a library can be when many families don't utilize the library as a resource and rely on TV and computer games as an educational resource. The book can help children see the library as a fun place to be.
Reviewer: Sonja Sample, Child and Family Liaison, Lower Columbia College Head Start
This Is My Dollhouse
Author: Potter, Giselle
Illustrator: Potter, Giselle
Schwartz & Wade Books, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-553-52153-5
P - K,Grades 1 - 3: A girl plays with her dollhouse that she created out of a cardboard box. The house features an elevator made out of a dixie cup and string, a roof top swimming pool made out of a bowl, wallpaper made with markers. The characters are the the girl, the girl's doll house family, Sophie and her doll house and dollhouse family. The story is written in the first person. At Sophie's, the girls play with a store-bought doll house with matching furniture and a TV that only has one picture and nameless children. As they play, the girl shares her ideas, but Sophie does not like them. When Sophie visits the girl, Sophie discovers the hidden cardboard dollhouse, and the girls play creatively accepting each other's ideas.
This book captures that handmade things are valuable and that they spark children's imagination. The back of the jacket cover contains instructions on how to make a cardboard dollhouse. Verdict: The book includes hands-on instructions for making a dollhouse that can be used for a buildings study for which boys and girls alike can use their imagination creating a house or building themselves with all kinds of props and materials.
Reviewer: Sonja Sample, Child and Family Liaison, Lower Columbia College Head Start
Oliver and the Seawigs
Author: Reeve, Philip
Illustrator: Sarah McIntyre
Random House, 2013
ISBN: 9780385387880
Grades 4 - 5,Grades 2 - 3: Oliver and his parents have been explorers for as long as Oliver can remember. They finally decide to go home to find new islands in the bay. Only this islands aren't really islands, they are the tops of the heads of Rambling Isles - stone beings that wander around collecting all sorts of things on the tops of their heads for their annual "seawig" competition. Oliver's parents have been captured by a boy on a Rambling Isle and Oliver must rescue them. Along the way he is befriended by a mermaid named Iris, a seagull named Mr. Culpeper and a Rambling Isle who Oliver names Cliff. Together the group gets back Cliff's stolen seawig and saves Oliver's parents. This is a great bridge to longer chapter books for younger readers. The numerous illustrations really makes this one a hybrid chapter book/graphic style novel. The story is also engaging for older readers needs a bit lower reading level. Verdict: Buy it! Your students will thank you for it!
Reviewer: Debby Iverson, Library Media Specialist, Coweeman Middle School
Anything but Ordinary Addie
Author: Rockliff, Mara
Illustrator: Bruno, Iacopo
CANDLEWICK PRESS, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-7636-6841-9
P - K,Grades 1 - 3,Grades 4 - 5: The story is based on the life of the first female magician Adelaide (Addie) Hermann, the Queen of Magic. Adelaide Hermann was born in 1853. She died in 1932. The book is based on Addie's memoirs, which had been lost and then recovered. The memoirs were published in 2011. The text builds young readers vocabulary introducing words, such as ordinary, astonish and dazzle. The varying font sizes add to the effect of the words themselves. The story shows that anything is possible, that things that had not been done before can be done, especially by a girl or woman. The book describes Addie's childhood dreams and inspirations as she defies society's expectations of what a girl is supposed to do. It includes how she met her husband, her life as magician assistant and shows how she kept the magic going after her husband's death. The bold and colorful illustrations also add to the story. Verdict: This biography is worth buying for its rich text, illustrations and the topics of discussions that could result from reading this book.
Curricular Use: Biography, the role of girls/women
Reviewer: Sonja Sample, Child and Family Studies, Lower Columbia College Head Start
Dorothea's Eyes
Author: Rosenstock, Barb
Illustrator: Gerard DuBois
Calkins Creek, 2016
ISBN: 9781629792088
Grades 1 - 3: This oversized nonfiction picture book tells the life story of the photographer, Dorothea Lange, who overcame polio and female stereotypes to tell peoples' stories through pictures. She became famous for her photographs of people taken during the Great Depression. The book ends with some of her most famous photographs, which include captions. Also included is information for older readers, a bibliography and a timeline. Simple illustrations depecit much emotion that further draws the reader into the story. The story is also interesting enough that it could be used as a read aloud for middle school students. Verdict: This is a must have for elementary libraries. A great addition to your biography section.
Curricular Use: Use with biographies and the history of some famous photographs.
Reviewer: Debby Iverson, Library Media Specialist, Coweeman Middle School
The Fog Diver
Author: Ross, Joel
Illustrator: NA
Harper, 2015
ISBN: 9780062352934
Grades 4 - 5,Grades 6 - 8: The Fog Diver book 1. The fast-paced science fiction adventure is set in a futuristic world where nano robots that were once created to stop pollution have evolved to created a fog that stops humans. Chess and his rag-tag group of a children's savage crew is on a mission to save Mrs. E., from the deadly fog sickness. The group looks for salvage below the fog. Chess "fog dives" off the raft to the land below in hopes of finding items to sell. Chess has an eye that has fog particles in it and the evil Lord Kodoc is looking to enslave him as his personal fog diver. The rag-tag group gets help along the way and makes it to Port Oro where it is rumored they can treat the fog sickness. The abrupt ending will leave readers eagerly awaing the next installment. Verdict: A great adventure for upper elementary and middle school readers. The wide variety of characters appeals to a wide audience.
Curricular Use: Pleasure reading.
Reviewer: Debby Iverson, Library Media Specialist, Coweeman Middle School
Hedgehugs
Author: Wilson, Steve and Tapper, Lucy
Illustrator: Wilson, Steve and Tapper, Lucy
Henry Holt and Company, LLC, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-62779-404-6
P - K: The hedgehogs Horace and Hattie are best friends.
Their obstacle to hugging each other is that they are too spiky. During their search to a solution to hugging each other, they try different things, such as hugging each other wrapped in snow or from inside a hollow log or with strawberries on their spikes. Hugging in these ways was either too cold, too bumpy, too sticky or too scratchy until they discovered a sock, which made for a soft cushion to their spikes. Verdict: This is a great story with wonderful illustrations. Children can learn about hedgehogs and share their own experiences with hugs and friends.
Curricular Use: This story touches on social-emotional topics, such as friends and hugging. It could lead to many discussions. Preschool classrooms can explore how to be a friend and appropriate hugging/touching and children can practice their own problem-solving.
Reviewer: Sonja Sample, Child and Family Liaison , Lower Columbia College Head Start
SECONDARY
Flawed
Author: Ahern, Cecelia
Illustrator: NA
Feiwel and Friends, 2016
ISBN: 9781250074119
Grades 9 - 12: I have been relieved to see fewer dystopia plots, so the bar for this entry from the UK was set pretty high. Cecelia Ahern delivers beautifully in the story of Celestine North. In a riff on Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter", imperfection is worn publicly in the form of a "F" that is branded onto the body part that is associated with the offense. The Flawed are a class of individuals who are to be avoided at all cost, and the rules surrounding their existence in society are myriad and complex. Celestine North has spent her life working toward perfection. She is beautiful, logical and develops a strength that is admirable. It is that logical thinking that ultimately brings her into conflict with her society. As she is riding the bus, she comes to the aid of a Flawed man who is being treated unjustly. When she refuses to lie or transform her motivation into a corrupted version of the actual events, she is branded an unheard of six times. There are many reasons this book is noteworthy. Celestine is biracial. Celestine grows as a character and becomes a role model. The machinations of politics and power are unflinchingly explored. Finally, this book highlights the common social issues and concerns that many Western cultures are confronting. Ahern does not shy away from the portrayal of violence and inhumanity which makes the book all the more powerful and credible. The abrupt ending is a foreshadowing of the sequels that are, no doubt, to come. Verdict: This is a must-have title not only for its popular appeal, but also for its opportunities to elicit discussion and deep thought in its readers.
Curricular Use: This book would be an excellent adjunct to social studies or English classes. The original rationale behind creating the Flawed designation is grounded in the kind of political misconduct that is responsible for the 2008 recession in the U.S. Issues of personal rights versus collective rights as well as the freedoms associated with public and personal behavior are explored.
Reviewer: Jodi Kruse, Teacher Librarian, R. A. Long High School
Ask Me How I Got Here
Author: Heppermann, Christine
Illustrator: NA
Greenwillow Books, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-06-238795-0
Grades 9 - 12,Adult: Ask Me How I Got Here is a quick read, as it is told in verse. The use of verse works well for this particular story. There are many complex layers to this book. Addie, a star runner on her Catholic high school's cross-country team, is pregnant. She and her boyfriend Nick agree to an abortion, but Addie must get her parents' permission, per Minnesota law. They agree, Addie has the procedure, and life is supposed to go back to normal. Addie keeps her abortion a secret from everyone, but finds it difficult to go back to normal. She has to create a new normal for herself. She does so in part by distancing herself from her former life, and by writing poignant, thought-provoking poetry (about the Virgin Mary). Addie stops running and lies, telling everyone that she is still running. Her grades go downhill. In class, she must listen to her classmates' judgment of guilt, sin, and shame during discussions of abortion and capitol punishment. Addie ends her relationship with Nick. Her friendship with Claire stalls out, as they no longer have running and competitions in common. Addie is struggling, but everyone around her fails to see this, especially her parents and Nick. Addie befriends Juliana, a former cross-country runner who no longer runs, and their friendship grows into a relationship. Juliana has her own issues she is dealing with. A botched suicide attempt. A failed relationship. Addie decides in order to heal, in order to forgive herself, in order to move forward with her life, she will tell Juliana what she has gone through. The ending is left wide open, which is good. Not everything can or should be wrapped up in a nice, tidy package. Addie struggles and suffers silently after the abortion. It's not something that can just be forgotten and dismissed. Author Christine Heppermann handles a heavy topic in such a way that is concise, yet full of depth, spot-on with the pain and conflicting emotions, yet not preachy or condescending. Verdict: Well-written book about the after affects of a teen abortion that is handled in a realistic, thought-provoking manner.
Curricular Use: Independent Reading Project.
Reviewer: Debbie Rock, Library Media Specialist, Kelso High School
The Nameless City
Author: Hicks, Faith Erin
Illustrator: Faith Erin Hicks
First Second, 2016
ISBN: 9781626721562
Grades 6 - 8: The Nameless City book 1. This fabulous paperback graphic novel finds Kaidu on his first day of training as a Dao in the Nameless City. Kaidu left his mom and his homeland to join his father, whom he doesn't remember, to join the Dao. Kaidu is not a fighter at heart and strikes up a unique friendship with a local girl, Rat, who secretly teaches him needed agility skills. Kaidu learns about the repeatedly coquered city's native peoples from Rat and he understands that they need a voice in their own city. Rat learns that an assassination attempt will be made on Kaidu's father and tries to warn the palace. She is shot at by guards and falls into the river and she can't swim. When she doesn't meet Kaidu in the morning, he goes looking for her. He finds her injured in the sewers and she tells him of the assassination plot. Kaidu races back to the palace just in time to avoid a massacre. This is a brilliant storyline with everything that middle school readers enjoy. Verdict: This is a must have for middle school graphic novel collections. Your students will thoroughly enjoy it!
Curricular Use:
Reviewer: Debby Iverson, Library Media Specialists, Coweeman Middle School
The Fall of Butterflies
Author: Portes, Andrea
Illustrator: NA
HarperTeen, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-06-231367-6
Grades 9 - 12,Adult: Willa Parker, 16, is the narrator of The Fall of Butterflies by Andrea Portes. She speaks directly to us, the reader, in a self-deprecating, sardonic manner. Her acerbic wit and humor make Willa a likeable character. I enjoyed her easy banter. It gave authenticity to Willa and made the story flow in a fast-read sort of way. Willa is being raised by her dad in What Cheer, Iowa, population 646. Willa’s mother, a big mucky-muck in the economic world, lives in France. Due to an incident Willa was involved in at school, her mother transfers her to Pembroke, an elite private school on the East Coast. Her mother is prepping her for Princeton. Willa has no desire to attend Princeton. Willa has a two-prong plan: “1) Move to the East Coast. And. . .2) Kill myself.” Upon arriving at Pembroke, Willa is befriended by rich and popular Remy Taft (a distant relative of President Taft). Everyone is in awe of Remy. Willa can’t quite figure out why Remy wants to be friends with her and room with her, but they hit it off and Willa becomes a member of the in crowd. Through Remy, Willa starts to feel like she fits in and her thoughts of suicide taper off. Ms. Ingalls, Willa’s Contemporary Literature teacher, sees Willa’s potential and encourages her to apply to the colleges she wants to attend. Ms. Ingalls believes in Willa, and wants Willa to believe in herself, to become the person she wants to be, not the person her mother thinks she should be. Through Remy, Willa is introduced to drugs (Ecstasy, Molly). Willa goes along with popping pills with Remy and Milo (Remy’s FWB). Even though they are roommates, Willa is naïve and slow to catch on to Remy’s drug addiction, until Remy ODs twice in a short period of time. Remy’s life is spiraling out of control, while Willa’s finally getting some semblance of her life together. Remy seduces their theater teacher, in order to be Lolita to his Humbert Humbert. Of course there are disastrous results. The theater teacher is fired, Remy’s heroin use continues, even though she lies to Willa and tells her she is attending NA meetings and not using. Willa realizes she can’t save Remy and she also can’t be part of her destructive lifestyle. Willa gives herself an “F” in friendship. She also gives herself an “F” in suicide. With Ms. Ingall’s help, Willa is accepted into Berkeley. When Willa goes home to Iowa for Christmas break, she realizes she is not going back to Pembroke. She realizes just being herself is not so bad after all. Verdict: The Fall of Butterflies will resonate with Young Adult readers because they are at that particular age and stage of their lives where they are trying to fit in, or don’t know where or how to fit in. Acceptance is not always easy, and for many teens, comes at a very high price. Sometimes it takes someone else believing in you for you to finally start, kinda, sorta, maybe, believing in yourself.
Curricular Use: Independent Reading Projects
Reviewer: Debbie Rock, Library Media Specialist, Kelso High School
Wolf Hollow
Author: Wolk, Lauren
Illustrator: NA
Dutton Children's Books, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-101-99482-5
Grades 4 - 5,Grades 6 - 8: Rich prose, vivd descriptions, you can feel the taut emotions as characters struggle with their internal conflicts. A powerful story about secrets, lies, bullying, bigotry, judgment, injustice, friendship, and family. Set in rural Pennsylvania during WWII, Annabelle learns that keeping secrets and telling lies has adverse consequences that will impact her and her community for years to come. It is not fair to compare Wolf Hollow to To Kill a Mockingbird, as noted reviewers have done. Each book is different and each book resonates in its own way. Wolf Hollow is an excellent debut novel by Lauren Wolk. However, it is not Pulitzer Prize caliber, as To Kill a Mockingbird. At 11 years old, Annabelle's insightfulness and intuitiveness is a little unbelievable. Toby is such a sad character. I just wanted a better outcome for him. He reminded me of Smoky Lonesome in Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe. Betty, the incorrigible bully, seemingly gets what she deserves for being such a bad girl. I look forward to reading more novels by Lauren Wolk. Wolf Hollow definitely leaves you thinking about the story long after it has ended. Verdict: Easy to read, the story moves along at a good pace.
Curricular Use: Pair this book with discussions about bullying, bigotry, judgment, social injustice, and the impact of keeping secrets and telling lies. Good independent reading book, as well.
Reviewer: Debbie Rock, Library Media Specialist, Kelso High School
Recommended
ELEMENTARY
Fairy Tales for Mr. Barker
Author: Ahlberg, Jessica
Illustrator: Ahlberg, Jessica
Candlewick, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-7636-8124-1
P - K: Lucy is reading to her dog Mr. Barker. Mr. Barker doesn't listen to the story and leaves through the window. The two of them embark on an adventure participating in parts of different fairy tales along the way. First, they meet Goldilocks, who joins them as the three bears will probably be mad at her as she has been in their house using their things and eating their porridge. An actual opening in the page leads the three of them to the three little pigs. As the wolf approaches and the current house is only made of straw, the three little pigs follow Lucy, Mr. Barker and Goldilocks. Jack from the Bean Stalk story and Sleeping Beauty follow along, too, as everyone is running from the bad fairy tale characters to the safety of Lucy's bedroom, where Lucy reads them a story without fairies, giants, bad wolves or bears. Verdict: Adorable illustrations enrich this book as new fairy tales are being told.
Curricular Use: The book sparks children's imagination and could help them write their own (fairy tale). It encourages problem-solving for happy endings.
Reviewer: Sonja Sample, Child and Family Liaison, Lower Columbia College Head Start
A Kiss Means I Love You
Author: Allen, Kathryn Madeline
Illustrator: Futran, Eric (photographer)
Albert Whitman & Company, 2012
ISBN: 978-0-8075-4189-0
P - K: This board book introduces feelings and meanings of gestures and facial expressions. The photographs represent children and parents from multi-racial backgrounds. The photos capture the emotions well. Verdict: This book can be used to introduce feelings from an early age on. I would recommend it more for infants and toddlers than older children.
Curricular Use: Naming and validation of feelings
Reviewer: Sonja Sample, Child and Family Liaison, Lower Columbia College Head Start
Count on It
Author: Blevins, Wiley
Illustrator: Kreloff, Elliot
Red Chair Press, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-63440-081-7
P - K: The book introduces numbers 0 to 10 in a fun and interactive way. Gigi plans her birthday party and the reader is involved by helping her double-check her numbers as she starts her planning needing one cake, setting two tables etc
She chooses Goldilocks and the Three Bears as her party theme. Verdict: Children love parties and this book will help them to plan their own.
Curricular Use: Early Math, Counting and the concept of zero
Reviewer: Sonja Sample , Child and Family Liaison , Lower Columbia College Head Start
Fable Comics
Author: Duffy, Chris [editor]
Illustrator: Multiple
First Second, 2015
ISBN: 9781626721074
Grades 4 - 5,Grades 6 - 8: A hardcover graphic novel collection of 28 classic fables from Aesop and around the world retold by a wide variety of graphic novel authors/illustrators. The illustrations are as diverse as the collection of stories. Students will appreciate the short stories and morals that still are true today. This will appeal to students interested in fables as well as those interested in graphic novels. Verdict: A worthy addition to elementary and middle school libraries!
Curricular Use: A fun addition to units on classic and/or twisted fables.
Reviewer: Debby Iverson, Library Media Specialist, Coweeman Middle School
Foreman Frankie is Handy
Author: Goebel, Jenny
Illustrator: Steve Mack
Grosset & Dunlap, 2015
ISBN: 9780448480992
P - K: This fun paperback book is set to the tune of Yankee Doodle and describes how Foreman Frankie builds roads with his crew and their multiple construction vehicles. Young fans of "work trucks" and construction will surely enjoy this one! I do wish there was a note about "Yankee Doodle" on the title page as it did take me a minute to catch on to the verse. It is noted on the back cover. Verdict: Libraries will want a hardcover edition for their collections. Early childhood folks will definately want this one!
Curricular Use:
Reviewer: Debby Iverson, Library Media Specialist, Coweeman Middle School
Firebears: The Rescue Team
Author: Greene, Rhonda Gowler
Illustrator: Andreasen, Dan
Henry Holt and Company, LLC, 2015, 2005
ISBN: 9781627792400
P - K: This board book follows a group of bear firefighters on their calls throughout the day. They rescue kittens, save homes and buildings, as well as a Mom and her child trapped in a burning house. They are humble heroes. Verdict: This was a cute story and students enjoyed it.
Curricular Use: Rhyming words can be found throughout the story. It can also be used during Fire Prevention Week with the little ones.
Reviewer: Nikki Williams, Creative Learning Center Teacher, Castle Rock Elementary
River Story
Author: Hooper, Meredith
Illustrator: Willey, Bee
Candlewick Press, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-7636-7646-9
P - K,Grades 1 - 3: Rich descriptions of the river spark the interest of the reader. Poem-like, the text flows like water. The book includes notes to parents and teachers, an index and a glossary defining words like source, tributary and erosion. Verdict: The book highlights language describing where the river goes and could enhance an English lesson.
Curricular Use: The book enhances studies of water and nature.
Reviewer: Sonja Sample, Child and Family Liaison, Lower Columbia College Head Start
Basketball's Greatest Players
Author: Kramer, S. A.
Illustrator: NA
Random House, 2015
ISBN: 9780553533941
Grades 2 - 5: This book provided in-depth coverage of six of the greatest basketball players of all-time. Then it featured an additional four greats and one to keep your eye on as he is destined to be ranked among the best! Verdict: This was a Step Into Reading Step 5 book and will be enjoyed by emerging readers.
Curricular Use:
Reviewer: Nikki Williams, CLC Teacher, Castle Rock Elementary
Boy, Were We Wrong About the Weather!
Author: Kudlinski, Kathleen V.
Illustrator: Sebastia Serra
Dial Books for Young Readers, 2015
ISBN: 9780803737938
Grades 4 - 5: Beginning with the Sumerian warriors being frightened by the wild storms through to the explorers who talked about the hurricane storms, to the scientists who believed cold areas on earth will always stay cold, each has been proven all wrong.
This book has cute and creative pictures but packed with tons of informational text about beliefs of the weather causes. Many theories were stated and as we progress and learn and observe more and more on our earth, scientists are becoming more and more accurate about weather causes and predictions. But, then man goes and creates unnatural events causing the changes in predictions.
Written so the basic adult and especially kids can understand, the book will be a great addition to the weather and climate science kit. Verdict: This book seems silly from looking at the cover, but is packed with information that kids will grasp.
Curricular Use:
Reviewer: Debbie Johnson, Library/Media Specialist, Wallace Elementary School
The Stratford Zoo Midnight Revue Presents: Romeo and Juliet
Author: Lender, Ian
Illustrator: Zack Giallongo
First Second, 2015
ISBN: 9781596439160
Grades 4 - 5,Grades 6 - 8,Grade 3: The Stratford Zoo Midnight review book 2. This paperback full color graphic novel is a retelling of Romeo and Juliet as performed by the zoo animals. In this version Romeo is a rooster in the petting zoo and Juliet is a wild bear from the woods. All the duo wants is something different and a real friend. The story follows the basics of Romeo and Juliet and makes this classic tale very accessible to younger children. Its colorful and entertaining illustrations make this story complete. A great read for students of all ages. Verdict: Buy it. Your students will thoroughly enjoy it!
Curricular Use: Could be used with older students studying different versions of classis tales or Shakespeare.
Reviewer: Debby Iverson, Library Media Specialist, Coweeman Middle School
B. Bear and Lolly Off to School
Author: Livingston, A. A.
Illustrator: Chou, Joey
HarperCollinsPublishers, 2014
ISBN: 9780062197887
P - K,1-2: This was a cute story combining elements of other stories, such as Goldilocks and the Three Bears, The Three Little Pigs, and Puss and Boots, amongst others. B. Bear and Lolly are best friends and have so much in common. A mishap occurs on the way to school and B. Bear loses all his school supplies. He realizes after getting to school that the only thing he really needs is his friend. Verdict: This is a cute story referencing other beloved tales, and sends a good message.
Curricular Use:
Friendship is a subject in this book that is powerful. It also is a good book for the first days of Kindergarten as B. Bear is worried about starting school and making friends.
Reviewer: Nikki Williams, CLC Teacher, Castle Rock Elementary
The Dino Files, A Mysterious Egg
Author: McAnulty, Stacy
Illustrator: Boldt, Mike
Random House, 2016
ISBN: 0553521918
Grades 1 - 3: Book one of the Dinosaur Files introduces us to nine year old Frank Mudd, his cousin Sam, and their grandparents who run the Dinosaur Education Center of Wyoming. Frank is a dinosaur expert and when his grandmother finds a rare dinosaur egg he is very excited. When the egg hatches a baby dinosaur, he takes care of it while keeping it a secret. Verdict: I thoroughly enjoyed reading this low level chapter book. It has humor and heart and is every young dinosaur-lovers dream.
Curricular Use: Vocabulary words associated with dinosaurs are given in the glossary in the back of the book.
Reviewer: Rhonda Lowe, Librarian, Castle Rock Elementary
Lola Knows a Lot
Author: McCarthy, Jenna
Illustrator: Palacios, Sara
Balzer + Bray, an imprint of Harper Collins Publishers, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-06-225017-9
P - K: Lola is confident and brags about what she knows and she thinks she is ready to go to school until her older sister sparks some doubt in her. Her Mom teaches her to focus on all of the things she already knows. The book is written in the first person and the presented questions and scenarios a preschoolers or Kindergardener can easily relate to. The books addresses anxiety about going to school and helps children to grow confident in their abilities and teaches them to be ready to learn the things they don't know yet. Verdict: A great read and confidence-booster for children starting school.
Curricular Use:
Reviewer: Sonja Sample, Child and Family Liaison, Lower Columbia College Head Start
Sophie's Squash Go to School
Author: Miller, Pat Zietlow
Illustrator: Wilsdorf, Anne
Schwartz & Wade, 2016
ISBN: 0553509446
Grades 1 - 3: The sequel to Sophie's Squash is just as heart-warming as the original. Sophie's first days at school are difficult as she is unwilling to make new friends and the other students don't understand her friendship with her squash. With time and understanding she manages to become a part of the classroom
Verdict: This is a lovely story that shares real student difficulties. The pictures assist in bringing emotion to the text. Students who have read the first book wit be excited to revisit and expand on the characters.
Curricular Use: Students who may have trouble making friends or accepting others will learn from this gentile lesson.
Reviewer: Rhonda Lowe, Librarian, Castle Rock Elementary
Daylight Starlight Wildlife
Author: Minor, Wendell
Illustrator: Minor, Wendell
Nancy Paulsen Books, Penguin Group, 2015
ISBN: 9780399246623
P - K,Grades 1 - 3: This masterfully illustrated book talks about critters in the daytime and then their counterparts in the nighttime. The pages are often split in half showing the action in the light and the movement in the dark. The back of the book does a thorough job of conveying more information on each animal and compliments it with a picture. Verdict: This is a beautifully illustrated book with great information. Kids love animals and they will enjoy this book.
Curricular Use: This book lends itself very easily to comparing and contrasting. It could be used in a study of nocturnal and diurnal animals.
Reviewer: Nikki Williams, CLC Teacher, Castle Rock Elementary
The Chameleon That Saved Noah's Ark
Author: Molchadsky, Yael
Illustrator: Orit Bergman
Nancy Paulsen Books, 2015
ISBN: 9781101996768
P - K,Grades 1 - 3: Noah is sailing on his animal filled ark and it's time to feed the animals. Noah's family works together to feed the wide variety of animals, but the chameleons will not eat. They try all kinds of foods, but the chameleons don't eat and begin to look ill. Noah's wife discovers worms in the apples and is worried the animals' food will be ruined. The chameleons greedily gobble up the worms and both problems are now solved! The illustrations are rich and interesting. I appreciate that Noah's family is depicted in a wide range of skin tones. Verdict: Primary elementary students will enjoy this new take on Noah's Ark. It is not a religious story and is filled with problem solving strategies.
Curricular Use: This could be used for problem solving or about the needs of chameleons.
Reviewer: Debby Iverson, Library Media Specialist, Coweeman Middle School
Brain Benders: Not So Ordinary
Author: Moore, Dr. Gareth
Illustrator: NA
Hungry Tomato: Lerner Publishing Group Inc., 2015
ISBN: 9781467763479
3rd-6th: This book is super fun! It has lots of different challenges and brain teasers, and they can all be accomplished with everyday items. An answer key in the back of the book helps the reader to understand how and why each challenge works. There are a lot of pictures and examples of each challenge, as well. This is just one book in a series of Brain Bender books including It’s Only Logical, Seeing is Believing and Think Outside the Box. Verdict: These are fun and interesting books which students will find engaging!
Curricular Use:
Reviewer: Nikki Williams, CLC Teacher, Castle Rock Elementary
Jazz Day: The Making of a Famous Photograph
Author: Orgill, Roxane
Illustrator: Francis Vallejo
Candlewick Press, 2016
ISBN: 9780763669546
Grades 4 - 5,Grades 6 - 8: This oversized nonfiction picture book is written in prose and describes how the infamous photo, Harlem 1958, came to be. It discusses how the photographer wanted to gather as many of the famous jazz artists of the time and take their picture together. The illustrations are interesting and bring the reader into the era of the story. Also included are short biographies about the musicians higlighted in the story as well as a detailed bibliography. Upper elementary students will enjoy getting to know these amazing jazz muscians of the past. It's higher reading level (AR 6.1) will make it a read aloud for younger students. Verdict: A great pick for your elementary or middle school library!
Curricular Use: This has a wide range of uses from music history and appreciatio, jazz muscian biographies and poetry.
Reviewer: Debby Iverson, Library Media Specialist, Coweeman Middle School
Abe Lincoln and the Selfie That Saved the Union
Author: Potter, David
Illustrator: NA
Crown Books for Young Readers, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-385-39060-6
Grades 4 - 5,Grades 6 - 8: Casual in style, this slice of history moves more quickly than Mr. Potter's first Left Behind title. This time the same three kids go to first to Abe Lincoln's White House and later to the defining battle of the American Civil War. The research that went into this story makes it more compelling. It includes a nice blend of President Lincoln's personal world and the Civil War crisis. Verdict: I would recommend this title more highly than Potter's previous book, The Left Behinds: The iPhone That Saved George Washington. The writing is more personable and the events depicted are easier to follow.
Curricular Use: Though the speech patterns of the kids are too contemporary to be correct, this title would make elements of the era of the United States' Civil War more immediate for the targeted audience. I would recommend it as a supplementary title for early American History classes.
Reviewer: Mars Datura, Guest Reviewer, Cathlamet Public Library
Record-Breaking Building Feats
Author: Richards, Jon
Illustrator: Simkins, Ed
Hungry Tomato, Lerner Publishing Group, Inc., 2016
ISBN: 9781467785945
2-6: This is a fascinating record book. It chronicles the Top Ten in several different categories, such as the tallest, most expensive, top theme parks, ancient buildings and many more. The use of infographics gives the book a very contemporary feel and contributes to the fact that it is an interesting read. I do worry that some of the comparisons won’t mean anything to our younger generations as it compares the size of different buildings to blimps and polo fields. Verdict: This is a unique book which I think would be very interesting to students.
Curricular Use: There are lots of implications for this book to be used with math, as well as a study on architecture and design.
Reviewer: Nikki Williams, CLC Teacher, Castle Rock Elementary
Go, Little Green Truck
Author: Schotter, Roni
Illustrator: Kuo, Julia
Farrar Straus Giroux, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-374-30070-8
P - K: The book is written in the third person. It brings the personality of Little Green Truck to life. The green truck was proud to help farmer Gray and his family. One day, Farmer Gray buys a bigger blue truck and starts using it solely for his work and the little green truck is abandoned for a few months until the farmer's daughter Fern has an idea. The family fixes up the truck and Fern draws pictures on the truck and he becomes the vehicle that takes Mrs Gray's pickled goods and the different season's produce to the farmer's market. Verdict: The book may be too wordy for a read-aloud, but could work well in small groups. The book incorporates feelings and promotes family and reusing things.
Curricular Use: The book could be utilized for a study on being green, on reusing and recycling, to promote farmer's markets and healthy eating and living.
Reviewer: Sonja Sample, Child and Family Liaison, Lower Columbia College
Pretty Minnie in Hollywood
Author: Steel, Danielle
Illustrator: Valiant, Kristi
Doubleday, 2016
ISBN: 0553537555
Grades 1 - 3: Minnie, the Chihuahua, goes on a trip to Hollywood and, of course, ends up starring in a movie. It is presented as a low level picture book, but will appeal to a wide audience. Verdict: This sequel to 'Pretty Minnie in Paris' is fun to read. Minnie is girly and fabulous. She loves to dress up and be the center of attention. The illustrations have great color and expression. Our students will enjoy this latest adventure.
Curricular Use: This book is really enjoyable and will promote the love of reading.
Reviewer: Rhonda Lowe, Librarian, Castle Rock Elementary
A Bed for Kitty
Author: Surovec, Yasmine
Illustrator: Surovec, Yasmine
Roaring Brook Press, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-59643-863-7
P - K: Cloe gives her kitty her very own bed. Kitty sniffs the bed, scratches it and rolls around on it but does not sleep on it. She prefers the shopping bag, the chair, the TV, even the litter box and the new kitty bed grows spider webs. Kitty loves sleeping on clothes and other random places like the bathroom sink while Chloe is trying to figure out how to get Kitty to like her new bed until finally she gives up and sleeps on the kitty bed while Kitty sleeps in Chloe's bed.
At last, Kitty joins Chloe in the kitty bed. Verdict: Cute story, especially for cat lovers. It would also lend itself as a read-a-loud for beginning readers.
Curricular Use:
Reviewer: Sonja Sample, Child and Family Liaison , Lower Columbia College Head Start
Edible Colors
Author: Vogel Bass, Jennifer
Illustrator: NA
Roaring Brook Press, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-62672-284-2
P - K: This board book introduces vegetables and fruits and their varying colors. It introduces common and not so common fruits and vegetables. Children learn colors and the book lends itself to have discussions about the shape, size and textures of fruit and vegetables. Vocabulary, such as Redbor kale, Red Dacca bananas and Jersey Supreme asparagus helps children to expand their vocabulary. Verdict: The photos are appealing and help children to become familiar with new fruits and vegetables.
Curricular Use: This book could go hand-in-hand with a nutrition lesson. The beautiful photographs could help to encourage children to try new fruit and vegetables.
Reviewer: Sonja Sample, Child and Family Liaison, Lower Columbia College Head Start
Edible Numbers
Author: Vogel Bass, Jennifer
Illustrator: NA
Roaring Brook Press, 2015
ISBN: 978-1-62672-285-9
P - K: The author introduces numbers 1 to 12 using photographs of unique vegetables, such as Golden Sweet Snow Pea Pods, Dragon's Egg cucumbers, and Hen of the Woods mushrooms. The number of one vegetable is compared to a higher number of the same type of vegetable. Verdict: The photographs introduce children and adults to a whole new world of vegetables. The book introduces counting in a unique way.
Curricular Use: Early Math
Reviewer: Sonja Sample, Child and Family Liaison, Lower Columbia College
The Secret Life of Figgy Mustardo
Author: Wilson Chall, Marsha
Illustrator: Friend, Alison
Katherine Tegen Books, an imprint of Harpen Collins Publishers, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-06-228582-9
P - K,Grades 1 - 3: Figgi is the Mustardo's family dog. The family is busy and leaves him home a lot. When the family is away, Figgy dreams of being a rockin' roll star, a pizza baker and a race car driver. When he wakes up, he makes his dreams a reality and gives a concert to the neighborhood dogs, cats and raccoons, bakes pizza for the animals including the crows and he organizes a race. When George and his parents come home, Figgy is too tired to play. The family starts to worry. They leave again and this time there is nothing for Figgy to chew. Out of desperation, as Figgy sees other families play with their dogs and dogs play with other dogs, he makes a sign that reads "FREE DOG." His animal friends line up and let him know they love him. George and his parents bring a puppy as a companion, but at first Figgy thinks he is being replaced until especially George reassures him he is being loved and George spends time with him. Verdict: The story encourages talking about feelings. Children may have similar feelings of feeling abandoned with family's busy lives or when parents are separated or when they live with grandparents or other family members or with foster families.
Curricular Use:
Reviewer: Sonja Sample, Child and Family Liaison, Lower Columbia College Head Start
Hooray for Hat!
Author: Won, Brian
Illustrator: Won, Brian
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2014
ISBN: 9780544159037
P - K,Grades 1 - 3: A simple, but enjoyable book is what you'll find here. Elephant is grumpy, but then he receives a package of hats. He sets off to show his friends, who also happen to be grumpy. The hats do the trick and each one has a cheer for the hat. Verdict: This was a fun book to read to children. There is good opportunity for them to participate as many lines said by the animals are repeated.
Curricular Use: This was a fun read aloud for young students.
Reviewer: Nikki Williams, CLC Teacher, Castle Rock Elementary
The Full Moon at the Napping House
Author: Wood, Audrey
Illustrator: Wood, Don
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2015
ISBN: 9780544308329
P - K,Grades 1 - 3: Finally! Another Napping House book! The illustrations in the Wood’s books are incredible! They have such personality and a soft glow about them. This book has a lot of repetition and a chain of events leading to everyone being restless in the napping house. Then with a full moon song, the house changes its tune! One by one, in a reverse chain of events, each character is calmed until no one is restless anymore. Verdict: I love the illustrations in these books and it is a fun book to read aloud!
Curricular Use:
Reviewer: Nikki Williams, CLC Teacher, Castle Rock Elementary
My Autumn Book
Author: Yee, Wong Herbert
Illustrator: Yee, Wong Herbert
Henry Holt and Company, LLC, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-8050-9922-5
P - K: The book follows a girl as she notices the changes during autumn. Changes in the trees are described as well as behaviors of animals as they prepare for the colder season. The rhymes make the story easy to follow. The text is simple but also introduces names of trees, common and not so common ones, which helps children expand their vocabulary. Verdict: The book enhances a study on a specific season. It could serve as an overview to autumn.
Curricular Use:
Reviewer: Sonja Sample, Child and Family Liaison, Lower Columbia College Head Start
Figment: Journey into Imagination vol. 1
Author: Zub, Jim
Illustrator: Felipe Andrade & John Tyler Christopher
ABDO, 2016
ISBN: 9781614794455
Grades 4 - 5,Grades 6 - 8: This hardcover, full color graphic novel is based on the Disney character, Figment. The steampunk sci-fi adventure begins with Blairr Mercurial in the lab trying to create a new source of energy. One day while working on a new invention, his memories conjure the dragon, Figment, who comes to life. Blair's attempt to reverse the process creates a mind portal and his boss panics and turns off the machine before it can properly shut down thrusting Blair and Figment into a new world. The complete series is five volumes and readers will definately want to find out what happens next. Verdict: A fun graphic adventure for elementary and middle school students!
Curricular Use:
Reviewer: Debby Iverson, Library Media Specialist, Coweeman Middle School
SECONDARY
This is the Part Where You Laugh
Author: Hoffmeister, Peter Brown
Illustrator: NA
Alfred A. Knopf, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-553-53810-6
Grades 9 - 12: Travis has many challenges in his life. His mother is a homeless herion addict. His father, well, he doesn't remember his father. After spending time in juvie and foster care, Travis now lives with his grandparents. His grandma is dying of cancer, and his grandpa smokes up all of her medical marijuana and pops her Percocet. Travis dotes on his grandma. Travis' best friend Creature does not have an easy life, either. His mother is a drug addict, he has no father, etc. Creature's creative outlet in addition to basketball is writing "The Pervert's Guide to Russian Princesses". While Creature's short stories may be amusing or titillating to teenagers, I stopped reading after the third installment, as I'm not interested in reading a teen boy's fantasies. Travis and Creature spend the summer preparing for the upcoming basketball season at their high school. Along the way, Travis makes some really poor choices: releasing two caimans (alligator-like reptiles) along the lake in his grandparent's trailer park community in Eugene, Oregon, doing a 35 foot back flip off of a bridge to impress a girl, taking his grandma's Percocet in addition to his prescribed Vicodin to ease the pain from his cracked ribs, punching people when his rage flares up, winding up in juvie again. Travis tries to do the right thing, but ends up falling short due to his poor decisions. I wanted to like Travis, but as the story progressed, I liked him less and less, especially since he felt no remorse for his neighbors losing their beloved pets to the caimans. The issues in the book are very relevanent, and sadly, so many teens face similar issues every day. The book is filled with hard-hitting realities, yet we are left with many unanswered questions. There is little to laugh about in This is the Part Where You Laugh. Verdict: Teens can relate to the issues Travis and Creature face.
Curricular Use: Independent Reading
Reviewer: Debbie Rock, Library Media Specialist, Kelso High School
Red Ink
Author: Mayhew, Julie
Illustrator: NA
Candlewick Press, 2015
ISBN: 9780763677312
Grades 9 - 12: Melon hates her name. And she’s pretty angry at her social worker mom for getting hit by a London bus and dying. But she has The Story. She has heard it so many times as she grew up that she uses it as a sort grief therapy writing it down. Her mother was estranged from her family and even though they went home to Crete regularly, so Melon has minimal support. She’s not happy that her Mum’s boyfriend has moved in and it trying to get her to open up. Her best friend abandons her and she has a grief counselor who doesn’t believe in the family curse that they all die young. She’s never know her father and it is hard being her. However she begins to discover the truth, about the boyfriend (who was actually her mum’s fiancé), The Story was a wishful version of the events of Melon’s birth and the estrangement from her family was not unfair as Melon has been brought up to believe. There is a seen with first sex that make this a pithy coming of age story, but the overarching story is one of love and family. Told in episodes before and after the accident and in snippets of The Story, Red Ink is finally a story of triumphant over adversity and betrayal. Verdict: A good story for students have a suffered loss.
Curricular Use:
Reviewer: Lisa Sudar, Teacher Librarian, Mark Morris High School
The Great White Shark Scientist
Author: Montgomery, Sy
Illustrator: Ellenbogen, Keith
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2016
ISBN: 9780544352988
Grades 6 - 8: Part of the Scientist in the Field series. This nonfiction book follows shark researcher, Greg Skomal, as he spends his summer looking for great white sharks along Cape Cod's Chatham Inlet. It describes tracking & tagging sharks as well as debunks myths about sharks. The text is detailed and interesting, although overall it is a bit "text heavy and photograph light." It would've been nice to see more photgraphs of great white sharks. Verdict: A good addition to middle school libraries. This one is for true shark fans. The amount of text may be off-putting for those with just a casual interest in sharks.
Curricular Use: Can be used with units on animal conservation efforts and sharks.
Reviewer: Debby Iverson, Library Media Specialist, Coweeman Middle School
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