Are You Ready to Play Outside? by Mo Willems

....and the winner is! The Hilton and Spencer first graders all voted for their favorite book of 2008 and the winner is Are You Ready to Play Outside? This book also won the Dr. Seuss award for 2008! Way to go first graders! Are You Ready to Play Outside? is a new Elephant & Piggie Book, which all our readers love! Gerald, the elephant and Piggie try to play outside until it rains. The rain ruins their fun, UNTIL they see two worms playing in the rain. Do Elephant and Piggie find happiness in the rain?

The House in the Night by Susan Marie Swanson; illustrated by Beth Krommes

The library awards are out! The American Library Association announced their medal winners Monday, January 26, 2009. The Caldecott winner is The House in the Night. Journey inside the house with the simple text, “In the house / burns a light/ In that light / rests a bed. / On that bed / waits a book". The illustrations are black and white, with yellow accents. Half way through the book the story begins to climb backward, watch the excitement of the students when they realize that the story is "rewinding". Enjoy the illustrations, it is this year's Caldecott medal winner!

What To Do About Alice? by Barbara Kerley

Alice Roosevelt was a very curious young lady. Her father was Teddy Roosevelt. Alice enjoyed "eating up the world." She wanted to go places, meet people, and do things. When Alice was young she watched as the academy girls walked properly down the walk to school. Alice went to school at home, where she had plenty of adventures. When Alice was seventeen her father became the President of the United States. Alice became a Goodwill Ambassador as she visited other countries as a representative of her father's presidency. This charming book follows the story of one of America's sweethearts - Alice, the President's daughter. See why the President once said, "I can be President of the United States, or I can control Alice. I cannot possibly DO BOTH!" Another possible Caldecott winner - tune in at the end of January to see if the illustrator, Edwin Fotheringham wins the Caldecott for his first picture book.

Edward's Eyes by Patricia MacLachlan

From the moment that Jake looked into Edward's beautiful blue eyes, he knew that Edward was something special. Those eyes, Jake knew, looked at the world in a way no one else could. Edward was destined for greatness.

Edward's Eyes is the story of a loving family. However, it is Jake and Edward that have a special bond. Jake loves Edward more than anyone! There is no one like Edward. He can throw a perfect knuckleball. Edward knows how to make people laugh and he always knows the right thing to say at the right moment.

For Jake and Edward, the summer is proving to be a time of great changes. However, Jake learns that not all changes are easy to accept. Friendships, family, love and loss are all beautifully examined in this short, simple book.

Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed by Mo Willems

Wilbur is not like any other naked mole rat in his colony. He wears clothes...and he likes it! Even when the others in his colony tease him, Wilbur continues to pursue his love for clothes. Being different isn't easy. When the other naked mole rats see Wilbur dressed in clothes they say things like, "Ewwwwwwwww" and "Yuuuck". They even bring Wilbur in front of Grandpah, the oldest, wisest and most naked mole rat in the colony. What will happen to Wilbur and to his clothes?

Mo Willems is back! This engaging story promotes individuality and self-pride.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

What is the buzz about these books? I cannot keep them on the shelf in my libraries!! Jeff Kinney has a winner in his series of the Wimpy Kid. His third book came out this week and I had several requests for the book, before it came out! The Wimpy Kid books follow the life of Greg Heffley. Greg is in middle school and like many other middle school students there is a lot to deal with. Greg's mom buys him a diary to help him record his thoughts - he specifically asked her NOT to buy anything that had the word "diary" on it - in Greg's words, "Don't expect me to be all 'Dear Diary' this and 'Dear Diary' that". And so it begins ...

Did you know that the books started out on Funbrain.com in 2004, as daily entries in Greg's journal? What makes these books so popular? "They are just a lot of fun to read.", is a comment from one of my students. Pick one up today and have fun! Kinney also published a Do-It-Yourself Book (the orange one above) that allows you to create your own diary - “First of all, let me get something straight: This is a journal, not a diary.” - from Greg.
Watch for book 4 and 5 to be published soon!

Old Bear by Kevin Henkes

Old Bear falls asleep for the winter. He dreams about all the seasons. In his dream he is a cub in the spring sleeping in the flowers. He dreams about the butterflies and rain in the summer. In the fall everything he dreams about is yellow, orange, or brown, even the fish and the water! Then he dreams it is a beautiful winter day. When old bear wakes up he feels like no time has past, but when he steps outside it is spring ... and he is not dreaming! The illustrations in this book are wonderful. Mr. Henkes may be the Caldecott medal winner again this year for his illustrations (the award will be given out on Monday, January 26, 2009) . Visit Mr. Henkes' website for more information about his books and illustrations.

The Christmas Boot by Lisa Wheeler, illustrated by Michael Glenn Monroe

Michael Glenn Monroe is our very own hometown artist. When The Christmas Boot came out in the fall of 2007 we were all excited about his newest addition! This is a heart warming story about a lonely old woman who finds a boot on her property. When she puts the boot on her foot it magically molds to her size. The boot is very warm, so when she goes to bed that night she wishes that she had the mate to the boot so both her feet could be warm. When she wakes up the next morning, there is a pair of boots ... not just one boot! The old woman is amazed by the magic of the boot and she wishes for a pair of warm mittens. When she wakes up she finds a nice warm pair of red mittens inside of the boots. Will the woman continue to wish for things AND will she get everything she wishes for? Who does the boot belong to? Read this magical Christmas story and enjoy the incredible illustrations of our own Mike Monroe!

Green Eggs and Ham Cookbook by Georgeanne Brennan

We cannot keep the cookbooks in our library on the shelf! As soon as one comes in, it goes right back out. Green Eggs and Ham Cookbook is no exception. With Dr. Seuss' original words and illustrations this is a pleasure to read, plus you can make some great dishes : Green Eggs and Ham; Cat in the Hat Pudding; Sneech Salad; and Moose Juice and Schlopp. You will enjoy making this wacky recipes with your family.

17 Things I'm Not Allowed to Do Anymore by Jenny Offill

Have you ever done something that your parents were not happy with? Did you get in trouble? Well, the main character in 17 Things I'm Not Allowed to Do Anymore gets into all kinds of trouble and she is not allowed to do those things anymore. The story starts out when she staples her brother's hair to his pillow and she was not allowed to use a stapler anymore. Next she glues her brother's slippers to the floor...while he is wearing them! She is not allowed to use glue anymore and on she goes, getting in trouble for the many things she does. After reading this story to my First Graders today they all voted at the end of the story that she was a very naughty girl and they would never do any of the things that she did in the story!

The Seems: The Glitch in Sleep by John Hulme

Imagine there is a world within our world that actually controls everything we know. The Seems are part of that world. They assign Fixers to take care of any issues that come up that will disturb our world. Becker is called for his first assignment...he must figure out how to get rid of the Glitch that is messing up everyone's sleep. Is he up for the task? If you enjoy this book, pick up the sequel - The Seems: The Split Second: Book 2.

Goldie Socks and the Three Libearians by Jackie Mims Hopkins

We all know the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears right? Now take the characters, spin them a little and we have the new tale of Goldie Socks and Three Libearians. Goldie Socks was on her way to school one day, she was late so she took a shortcut through the woods. She came to a cottage made out of books! Goldie Socks loved books so she decided to try and go inside the cottage - the door was unlocked and she couldn't resist. Once inside the cottage Goldie Socks was amazed at the number of books she saw. The Three Libearians were at work. Papa was a public libearian, Mama was a school libearian, and Baby was a "libearian in training" at his pre-school. The Three Libearians came home for lunch to find someone had gone through their books and sat in the reading chairs. Did Goldie Socks find a "just right" book? Where will the Libearians find Goldie Socks in their cottage, in Papa's chair, on Mama's couch or in Baby's reading tent? We really enjoyed this fractured Fairy Tale, we hope you do too!

Thump, Quack, Moo: A Whacky Adventure by Doreen Cronin

The cows, the chickens, Farmer Brown, and Duck are back in their newest book. It is time for Farmer Brown to create his annual corn maze. Everyone helps out. The chickens build a fence, the cows paint the barn and Duck reluctantly builds the ticket booth. While Farmer Brown creates his corn maze, Duck puts his own special touches on the maze. See what happens when Duck and Farmer Brown take their hot air balloon ride to admire their masterpieces.

Hate That Cat by Sharon Creech

Jack is back! He is now in fifth grade and his teacher is Miss Stretchberry! Jack is thrilled that his fourth grade teacher moved up with his class, he tells her "you really get my brain". Last year Miss Stretchberry taught the class about poetry and had them write their own poetry. This year they will be expanding their knowledge of poetry and their exposure to different poets. In the same narrative format Jack takes us through his poetry journey with a lot of insight. We also meet Jack's parents and hear more of his life story. The cat that Jack hates, is a big black cat that torments him at his bus stop. In Love That Dog (see the review below) we learn that Jack's beloved dog, Sky, is killed by a car. In Hate That Cat, Jack cannot let go of the hurt of losing Sky until he receives a special Christmas gift that helps him get over the pain. Will Jack continue enjoying writing his poetry? What about those big words, onomatopoeia and alliteration? What do these words have to do with poetry? Join Jack on his poetry journey and you may learn a thing or two about writing poetry ... Miss Stretchberry (and your teacher) hope you do! Ms. Creech includes a great bibliography at the end of the book with the poetry books mentioned during the story.

Love That Dog by Sharon Creech

Jack is a student is Miss Stretchberry's fourth grade class. The class is beginning to discuss and write poetry. Jack is not thrilled about this new development, after all, "Boys don't write poetry. Girls do." Soon Jack discovers anyone can write poetry ... you just have to write short lines. This is a great way to introduce writing poetry to students. They will enjoy Jack's comments throughout the story about how he does not like to write poetry, but when his teacher wants to type up Jack's works he starts to understand maybe he can write poetry. Jack begins to think poetry really isn't so bad, plus all the poems that Miss Stretchberry shares with the class are actually inspiring . Ms. Creech introduces us to poets such as William Carlos Williams and Walter Dean Myers. After hearing a poem by Walter Dean Myers called Love That Boy, Jack writes a poem about his beloved dog, Sky and he writes Love That Dog. The story is a truly enjoyable narrative by Jack. We learn so much about his life, and how we can all be a poet! Jack enjoys Walter Dean Myers' poems so much he invites him to school for a celebrity visit. Will Mr. Myers come? Read Love That Dog, I guarantee it is a winner! The story ends with the beginning of the next book, Hate That Cat (see the review above). Visit Ms. Creech's web site to see what other stories she has written.

All in Just One Cookie by Susan E. Goodman

Have you ever made chocolate chip cookies with your family? Did you ever think about where all the ingredients came from? In this non-fiction book Grandma takes us step by step though how to make chocolate chip cookies while we learn where the ingredients originated. Did you know that it takes twenty-one pounds of milk to make one pound of butter? Learn the fascinating facts about butter, salt, vanilla, flour and the main ingredient that makes the cookie so good - the chocolate chips! Yum - I think I am going to make some chocolate chip cookies right now!!

The Incredible Book Eating Boy by Oliver Jeffers

Henry loves books. Loves them so much that he begins to eat them at an alarming rate. The more books Henry eats the smarter he becomes. Everything is well and good until Henry starts to feel sick and all the things he has learned from eating books becomes jumbled in his mind. What will he do? Will he stop eating books?

Henry finally decides that it might be much better if he simply reads the books instead of eating them. Read the story to find out if this solves his problem.

The images in the book are just as delicious as the story itself. Jeffers used old library books and other papers to create the collages on each page. And watch out - there's a bite right out of the back of the book!

Apple Island: The truth about teachers by Douglas Evans

Why is Mrs. Gross such a crab? Bradley Zimmerman can't stand to go to school, he complains every day that Mrs. Gross is a bizarre teacher, and every day she confirms this when she tells the class things like, there is no need to include the silent letters in their spelling, do not put the b on "climb and dumb". In her New New New Math, upside down math includes 6x9=54 but 9x6=45 AND 1x1=11. Bradley decides, enough is enough and he vows to get to the bottom of this. Bradley sneaks into the "teacher's lounge" and finds a map of Apple Island-where all teachers come from. Then Mrs. Gross enters with another teacher and starts discussing "Operation Misteach". Bradley begins to understand that Mrs. Gross is there to destroy what all the good teachers are teaching the students. The next day Mrs. Gross takes her class on a field trip - to Apple Island! Will the class return home? Can Bradley save the day? The illustrations by Larry Di Fiori are fabulous.

A is for Zebra by Mark Shulman

What? A is for Zebra? Well, look at the ending sound .... all the entries in this book have the unique spin on the normal alphabet book and showcase items that end with the letter. The illustrations by Tamara Petrosino bring all the ending sounds to life. For the letter P you have "hip-hop". Each page has several items or characters that end with the letter featured. The children (and adults) who read this book will laugh out loud at every twist. "Yuck! You stink!", the shark said to the skunk is one of the entries on the K page. Pick up this book and have fun!!

Library of Congress - Rare Digitized Children’s Book Collection

How would you like to go back in time to see the books children read many, many years before you were born? Have you ever explored the kid's books in a used book store and were surprised at how different they are from the books you buy new today? If you click on this link to the Library of Congress Rare Digitized Children's Book Collection, you can actually see books that are over 100 years old! When you click on the cover of the book, you will be taken to the page turner where you can "turn the page" to read the entire book. You'll also be able to zoom in on the page to view the words and illustrations up close. Imagine being your great-grandparents and holding these very books to read! How different reading a book would have been from the colorfully illustrated picture books you now read. There are many types of books in this digital, rare book collection. Some are A-B-C books, Aesop's fables, animal books, poetry, nursery rhymes, fables, and Mother Goose. There is even the original book of the The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum with pictures by W. W. Denslow! Be sure to zoom right in on its cover to see the worn corners and the texture of the cloth that was used to make this century old book - it's very interesting!

Let's go on a treasure hunt! Explore The Wonderful Wizard of Oz to find these answers.
1. What chapter will describe how the balloon was launched?
2. What is the caption for the illustration of Dorothy and Toto following page 12?
3. To whom did Mr. Baum dedicate this book?
4. What was the price to pay for Mr. Baum's other book, The Songs of Father Goose?

Using Math to Fly a Jumbo Jet by Wendy and David Clemson and Chris Perry

So much in the world relies on math to understand how it works. If you like to think and problem solve using math, you've probably already noticed how much math there is in our world. Imagine what would happen to the NASA space shuttle if the mathematicians working for NASA made an error when they plan each space flight. How would you feel about flying in a jet on your vacation if the pilot and crew members didn't know how to calculate how much fuel was needed? That would be scary! Using Math to Fly a Jumbo Jet is one title in the popular Mathworks! series. Each title focuses on something that relies on precise math skills to make it work. The series looks at building skyscrapers, doing movie stunts, solving crimes, working in the emergency room, and many more. In each book you'll find important facts and challenging activities. You'll be able to collect data and see how people actually use math in their work. There are actual photographs, too. Oh, and I should also let you know that the answers to the challenges are included in the last pages. When you finish reading any of the books in the Mathworks! series, you'll be thinking about math in a whole new way and seeing it all around you in real-life situations.

Smiles to Go by Jerry Spinelli

If you have read a Jerry Spinelli book in the past you know what an excellent storyteller he is. Smiles to Go is no exception! Mr. Spinelli tells the story in first person, Will is the name of the character and you see his world through his eyes. Will has two best friends, BT (which is a nickname for Anthony Bontempo) and Mi-Su (ME-SUE). Will also has a five year old sister, Tabby, which is short for Tabitha. Will, BT and Mi-Su are in the ninth grade, and as best friends, they do everything together. They play Monopoly and eat pizza every Saturday night, they sit together at lunch every day, BT and Will love to skateboard, Will and Mi-Su love to star gaze. The three of them are always together, even if one doesn't really enjoy what the other two are doing. Tabby thinks she can do everything with Will and his friends. Will is not thrilled with his little sister always being around. BT has five year old twin sisters! Why are they not the little pest that Tabby is? BT and Mi-Su do not feel that Tabby is a pest, they like having her around. What changes Will's mind about Tabby? Why does he now understand how special it is to have a little sister, even if she is a pest? Read Smiles to Go ... as you read you will also discover where Mr. Spinelli got the title of the story. This book is for older readers.

Gossamer by Lois Lowry

Did you ever wonder where dreams come from? How about nightmares? In her latest book, Lois Lowry takes us into the world of the dream-givers. Littlest One, a young dream-giver, is learning how to "touch" and "collect" fragments. Soon she will learn how to "bestow" dreams on her "assignments". We join Littlest on her assignment, with her teacher Thin Elderly. They bestow dreams on an old woman and a young boy by touching objects and giving them happy thoughts while they sleep. Littlest is learning how to be a dream-giver and she is full of questions for Thin Elderly. One of her biggest questions is about the Sinisteed - the ones that "inflict" nightmares. When a Sinisteed cannot inflict on their own, they come as a group called the Horde. Littlest and Thin Elderly work hard to bestow as many dreams on their charges to strengthen them and to help them ward off the Horde. The fantasy world of the dream-givers seems so real, you feel you are part of the story. This was a tough book to put down, it is a definite page turner. Check out the Kidsread.com entry about this fascinating world.

The Talented Clementine by Sara Pennypacker

There she is! That's Clementine and she's a third grade girl with so many worries. In The Talented Clementine she wants to avoid being in the school talent show, Talent-Palooza, Night of the Stars, because she has no talent - or so she thinks. Her friend Margaret has many talents and tries to teach Clementine to tap dance. That doesn't work out at all. Clementine finally has a plan to have her younger brother appear on stage on a leash so she can make him laugh - now there's a talent! Of course, Mom and Dad say no to that idea. Clementine eventually helps out Principal Rice at rehearsal only to discover her real talent.

If you like reading Ramona or Judy Moody books, get ready to enjoy Clementine. The author, Sara Pennypacker, has written three Clementine books so far and there will surely be more to come. This is the second in the series. Find them all at your library and curl up in a cozy place to enjoy laughing with Clementine.

The Cheese by Margie Palatini

"The farmer in the dell, the farmer in the dell, hi-ho the dairy-oh, the farmer in the dell." Do you know this silly song? Have you ever wondered just where is the farmer when he is in the dell? Why does the cheese have to stand alone at the end of this song? In The Cheese by Margie Palatini, that's exactly what the rat wonders too. Why should a perfectly good piece of cheddar be left alone in the dell? Even though "The cheese stands alone" is a clearly posted rule at the farm, the rat, the cat, the dog, the child, the wife, and the farmer all are tempted to ignore that rule for a piece of that tasty cheese. You'll chuckle when you read this retelling of the silly song, The Farmer in the Dell, and you'll be surprised with what the rat has to tell you at the end of The Cheese. Be sure to visit Margie Palatini's website to read about her and the other silly books she has written - lots of fun!

Lawn Boy by Gary Paulsen

What do you get when you mix a twelve year old boy with an old lawn mower, a crazy Grandma, a neighbor who is a stockbroker, a group of hard workers, a couple of thugs and a prizefighter? The new engaging novel by Gary Paulsen, Lawn Boy. Join the adventure as this team of characters take care of lawns, and each other. One of my fifth grade teachers asked me to purchase a copy of Lawn Boy for his team, so they could use it as a read-aloud before they began their stock unit in economics. Great choice!

On his twelfth birthday the main character of the story receives an odd present from his Grandma ... his Grandpa’s rusty old riding lawn mower. He has absolutely no use for this present and doesn’t quite understand why his Grandma gave it to him, but she was a bit strange! After a few days, he decides that maybe he could mow a couple of his neighbors’ lawns, earn a little money, and buy a new inner tube for his ten speed. A few short weeks later he has earned over three hundred dollars and more jobs than he can manage on his own. Enter Arnold, the stock broker neighbor. Instead of paying cash for the work, Arnold invests the forty dollar payment in stocks. Arnold also knows a guy who needs work, so if it workers they need, they will get as many as they can to help mow the lawns. The stock rises, the business takes off, and Arnold continues to invest the earnings in stocks. Told in first person, we never learn the name of our main character, but we know he is a twelve year old with his own lawn business, including employees; he has stocks through his customer, Arnold; they all have thugs after them and who is the prizefighter and how does he fit into this story? Pick up this page turner and enjoy the wacky cast of characters, I guarantee you will not want to put it down until you finish the whole story.

The Pigeon Wants a Puppy! by Mo Willems

He's BACK! Starring in his fourth picture book, The Pigeon Wants a Puppy. The Pigeon pleads with the reader to help him get a puppy. He tells the reader that he has wanted a puppy "forever ... At least since last Tuesday?". Once again Mo Willems engages his young audience in the story by having Pigeon speak directly to them. "Oh, don't worry. I'll take care of it! I promise I'll water it once a month.", (to which my first graders said, "What! It's NOT a plant!") then Pigeon says, "Oh ... I get it. You don't want me to be happy, do you?" "I'm a puppy lovin' pigeon!" and on he goes until ...
Oops - sorry! if you want to know what happens you will have to check with your librarian and check it out for yourself. I don't want to spoil the surprise!! Enjoy :) I sure did!

Every Minute on Earth by Steve Murrie and Matthew Murrie

Are you interested in knowing the strange and unusual? Do you like to amaze your friends and family with little known facts? This book was written for just those times when you need a quick book to read that will amaze you as you flip through it. Yes, you can just skip around many non-fiction books! Look at the captions, charts, and graphs. Browse the index to find what is interesting to you. A non-fiction book does not need to be read from the first page to the last. Every Minute on Earth is a perfect book for reading just fun facts. Every fact in this book is something that happens in one minute. Here are a few 60 second fun facts. There are 2,000 thunderstorms on Earth every minute. A sneeze travels 1.7 miles per minute. Wilson makes 3.5 NFL footballs every minute. Aren't those interesting facts to know?

Grace for President by Kelly DiPucchio

As Grace's class looks at a poster of the United States Presidents, Grace shouts, "Where are all the girls?". When her teacher, Mrs. Barrington, points out there has never been a woman president, Grace decides she wants to be president. Her teacher suggests that she run for school president. Grace is thrilled! She gets even more excited when no one steps up to run against her....until Mr. Walker's class decides to join in the election. They select Tom Cobb to run against Grace. Tom is the most popular boy in school. How can Grace win now? Learn how the electoral college works in this inspiring story. Who will win the election? What are the promises that each candidate make to the voters? Pick up this book and find out!

The Big Chickens Fly the Coop by Leslie Helakoski

Michigan author Leslie Helakoski brings us her second book starring the Big Chickens. Check out our review of her first book, Big Chickens, in our September 2007 entries. In the new book, the four Big Chickens are in their coop and decide they want to see the farmhouse. They venture out of the coop and see a roof, a window, and a TAIL? They run all the way back to their coop. "We should always stay home. We could always stay home. We would always stay home ... except ... we've always wanted to see the farmhouse." So, they set out again and run into more obstacles. Can they overcome these obstacles and finally make it to the farmhouse or are they "Big Chickens"? This book is sure to tickle your funny bone. Read and enjoy!

Does this book sound familiar? Mrs. Adams read this story during Hilton's First Grade Library Card Sign-up at the Brighton District Library on March 17, 2008.

Master of Disaster by Matt Christopher

Jason Shearer is constantly making wisecracks during soccer practice, and during games when he is usually sitting on the bench. At practice one day Coach asks him if he would like some extra tips for playing goalie. Jason wants to get home and play video games, so he tells the coach he has learned plenty from their goalie at other practices. The coach tells Jason that is good, since the goalie is going on vacation and Jason will be starting in goal for their next game! Jason is a horrible goalie, he truly has not learned a thing from their regular goalie - what is he going to do? Read and find out if Jason's friend Dale, can help him improve enough in goal so he does not become "The Master of Disaster".

Matt Christopher has written over 70 children's books centered around sports. For more of Soccer Cats series check out Matt Christopher's web site.

Feathers by Jacqueline Woodson

Hope is the thing with feathers
that perches in the soul,
And sings the tune - without the words,
And never stops at all.
~ Emily Dickinson


Frannie has been reading this poem in her sixth grade class and just doesn't know what to think about it. What is hope? Does everyone have it? Frannie begins to question everything when a boy who looks white shows up at her almost all black school in the 1970's. Some of her classmates begin calling him Jesus Boy and she wonders what his story is. Frannie is not sure if she wants to find out.

This delightfully written Newbery Honor book deals with hope, race, friendship and family. Follow Frannie in Feathers as she tries to make sense of everything in her world.

The Liberation of Gabriel King by K. L. Going

Poor Gabriel. He's just finished 4th grade and fears going into 5th grade. He's so afraid of 5th grade that he's trying to convince his best friend Frita to stay in 4th grade. Why is he afraid of 5th grade? It's because he's being bullied for his smaller size. What would a best friend do? Frita has an answer. She plans to help Gabe face each of his fears during the summer months so he'll be ready to face 5th grade when school starts again and liberated from those fears - and he has a long list of them.

The setting for this story is 1976 in Georgia. Frita is the only African American student in Gabriel's 4th grade classroom of white students. So as she's helping him face fears such as spiders, alligators, and bullies we learn that Frita also has fears that are much more serious - the Ku Klux Klan. Frita and her parents with Gabe and his parents speak up for the rights of all people at a rally that shows us, the readers of The Liberation of Gabriel King, that friendship and family can help us to be brave and face our fears.

Peak by Roland Smith

Peak is about to do something no 14 year old has ever done before - climb Mt. Everest! Yes, Peak is his name. He tells us that it could have been worse. His parents could have named him Abyss or Glacier. You see, his parents are mountain climbers which helps to understand why Peak is a natural-born mountain climber too. Peak lives in New York City with his mother where he climbs tall buildings, which is against the law. He is arrested for scaling the Woolworth Building and taken to jail. Instead of sending him to the juvenile facility, the judge agrees to let Peak's father take him back to Nepal where he is a well-known mountain climber arranging expeditions to the top of Mt. Everest for his wealthy clients. Peak hasn't seen his father in many years but he agrees to the plan. He doesn't know that his father has another motive for wanting to have Peak live with him.

This book is a chilling (brrr) adventure. You will experience the danger, hard work, bitter cold weather, and the thrill of climbing Mt. Everest with Peak if you read Peak by Roland Smith. Don't wait until this summer to read this story. Read it now, in the cold month of February, while you listen to our Michigan winds howling outside the window and you see the snow blowing and swirling in the yard. Then you'll have a bit of an idea what it is like for all those people who try the ultimate adventure - climbing to the top of Mt. Everest!

Bad Dog, Marley! by John Grogan

Chances are good that you'll love this book! Each time I watch a child turn the pages of Bad Dog, Marley! by John Grogan, the smiles and giggles begin. Three weeks ago at both Hornung and Lindbom schools, Bad Dog, Marley! was chosen overwhelmingly by the first and second graders as the winner of our Mock Caldecott Vote. There's just something about kids and cute, mischievous puppies - they are drawn to each other. This book is the picture book adaptation of the bestseller Marley & Me, also by Grogan. Marley is a yellow lab that is always getting into trouble. One day he proves his worth to the family when he --- well, you'll just need to read it to find out! If you're an older reader you'll probably want to borrow Marley: A Dog Like No Other from your library. Mr. Grogan wrote that one with 4th and 5th graders in mind. Marley is still up to his old tricks but you'll just be able to read more of them.

I'm the Biggest Thing in the Ocean by Kevin Sherry

What is the biggest thing in the ocean? According to the main character of this book it is him! The giant squid brags throughout the book about being the biggest thing in the ocean. He is bigger than the shrimp, he is bigger than the crab, he is EVEN bigger than the octopus. Just as he is enjoying being the biggest thing in the ocean something bigger comes along. What is bigger than the giant squid? Read this book and find out. The illustrations are very entertaining and the reader (or listener) will enjoy the ending!

Big Sister, Little Sister by LeJyen Pham

Today I had the pleasure of spending the afternoon shopping for books with two sisters, Rebecca and Megan G. Last spring Rebecca won the Reading Rainbow contest and received $1,000 from their sponsor, Starbucks. Rebecca could donate her money to her favorite charity and she chose our school library!

Our library assistant, Mrs. Taube, met us at our local Borders to begin our shopping spree. We then moved on to our local Barnes and Noble to finish our shopping. Rebecca and Megan helped make our book selections. We are very excited about putting our new books into our school library collection.

This book, Big Sister, Little Sister, was one of the books we selected today. We found it very appropriate since we had a big sister and a little sister shopping with us. In the story we see the world through the eyes of the little sister. She compares her life as the little sister to that of her big sister. "The Big Sister usually does things first. I'm the Little Sister. I'm always catching up. -- The Big Sister gets all the new clothes. I'm the Little Sister. I get all her old clothes." and on the story goes. Anyone with a sibling will appreciate this charming story.

Thank you Rebecca and Megan for such a fun afternoon!

Midnight for Charlie Bone by Jenny Nimmo

Harry Potter lovers, meet Charlie Bone!

Charlie Bone is an ordinary boy who enjoys hanging out with his best friend, Benjamin Brown. One day when Charlie's mother returns with a photograph that he needs to create a birthday present for Benjamin, Charlie's whole world changes! Charlie opens the envelope expecting to find a picture of Runner Bean, Benjamin's dog, instead he finds a photo of a man holding a baby. After staring at the photo for a few moments Charlie begins to hear voices, coming from the photograph! The man is talking to someone, probably the photographer, and the baby is fusing. Charlie can hear it all! What is happening?

Charlie's Grandmother Yewbeam notices something is happening to Charlie and she calls a meeting with her three sisters. They are all pleased to see that Charlie is a true Yewbeam....a descendant of the Red King! The Red King had extraordinary powers and those powers - good and bad - have been passed on to his descendants. Charlie's mother is not pleased about this new finding since she is convinced that her husband, Charlie's father, was killed because of his special powers. The Yewbeam sisters set things in motion for Charlie to attend a special school for the Red King's descendants and Charlie's adventure begins.

Charlie meets loads of new people. Some turn into good friends, while others turn into enemies. One of Charlie's truest friends is his Uncle Patron Yewbeam, who does not share his sisters' enthusiasm for Charlie's new found talent. Uncle Patron helps Charlie understand what is happening to him and shares his own special talent! No one really knows which descendants of the Red King will use their talents for good or evil. Join Charlie in his first adventure at Bloor Academy. This is book one of six current books. The author, Jenny Nimmo, has written one book a year since 2002. Is there a new Charlie Bone book coming out soon? Published by Scholastic.

Clever Beatrice : An Upper Peninsula Conte by Margaret Willey

Poor Beatrice. She and her mother have eaten their last bowl of porridge and they have no money for more. Beatrice is such a little girl that she cannot work as a lumberjack to get money but she is a clever girl! She knew there was a rich giant who liked to bet his gold to prove his strength to anyone. He was so sure he would win each bet he made with Beatrice but he didn’t know just how smart she was. You’ll be surprised how Beatrice outwits the giant to earn gold coins. Oh, how it pays to be clever!

This is a tall tale set in our very own Upper Peninsula and written by a Michigan author. You’ll recognize the watercolor map of Michigan that appears on the book's end papers.

True Stories : Girls’ Inspiring Stories of Courage and Heart from American Girl

Calling all girls and boys ages 8 to 15! I know, the title says that this book is about girls with courage but boys would also like to read about these amazing girls. After all, they could be your sister, neighbor, cousin, or school friend. Whoever they are, they’ve shared their amazing true stories inside. Each 2 or 3 page story includes photos and is written by the girl herself. Some have shown courage in dangerous situations like Tanya who had a moose charge at her while building a snow fort with her friends in Alaska. Megan collected videos and donated them to hospitals in her state. Jennifer, a sixth grader who was tired of seeing students being bullied, started an anti-bullying program with her friends and it has really worked! If you have a true story of courage to tell, you may write one too. Everything you need to know to mail in your story is included. Pick up a copy of True Stories : Girls’ Inspiring Stories of Courage and Heart at the library soon!

Sniffles, Sneezes, Hiccups, and Coughs by Penny Durant

Are you beginning to read on your own? Do you like to learn fun facts? Have you ever had a bad cold? Have you wondered why we sneeze and cough? Sniffles, Sneezes, Hiccups, and Coughs is the perfect book for you if you answered 'yes' to those questions. Inside this book you'll learn what causes us to sneeze, how we breathe, and even why we yawn. This 32 page book also has many diagrams and photographs to help you understand sniffles, sneezes, hiccups, and coughs. Drink lots of water, wash your hands often, and read this book. Maybe this year you'll stay healthy and not have to miss school with coughs and sniffles. Ah, ah... choo! I better get some rest.

Miss Daisy is Crazy! by Dan Gutman

Miss Daisy looked like a normal teacher, but her second graders soon discovered that she was not quite your typical teacher. “Miss Daisy is crazy”, said Ryan. “She’s the weirdest teacher I ever had,” said Emily. “She can’t read, she can’t write, and she can’t even do arithmetic. What kind of teacher is that?” “A bad one”, I said.

Is Miss Daisy really crazy or is she just fooling her students into learning things in her class? How does a principal dressed like a gorilla and students playing video games all night, fit into the story? Read the first book in this silly series and find out for yourself. The series is My Weird School, a beginning chapter book series for our young readers. As of this writing there are 28 books in the series!

Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity by Mo Willems

Trixie is back in the second installment of Knuffle Bunny by the fantastic Mo Willems. This time we see Trixie, who has now learned to talk, heading off to school with her very favorite Knuffle Bunny. She cannot wait to show all her friends. That is, until she realizes that another girl in her class has the same (almost identical) Knuffle Bunny. The girls are upset that their bunny isn't unique and end up getting in trouble by the teacher and having them taken away. By accident each girl is given the wrong Knuffle Bunny back at the end of the day, but it isn't discovered until the middle of the night. You'll have to read the story to find out what happens when Trixie realizes she has the wrong Knuffle Bunny.
Willems, once again stuns, with hand drawn characters set against black and white photography. This is a must read for Willems fans!

the OK book By Amy Krouse Rosenthal; illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld

Did you know if you take OK and turn it sideways it is a stick figure? Try it! We did, and then we (Hilton and Spencer 1st graders) made our own OK books! The author and illustrator of this book show us that it is OK to just be "OK" at doing things. They show us it is "OK" to be an OK kite flyer - with the kite stuck in the tree; an OK marshmallow toaster - with burnt marshmallows; an OK pancake flipper - with the pancake flopped on top of his head and much more. The illustrations are great and the students loved making their own OK Book, after listening to this story. Pick up a copy today, and remember it is OK to just be "OK" - you do not have to be perfect at everything! ENJOY...we sure did.

Rainstorm by Barbara Lehman

A week after I wrote this blog, I realized that it had already been reviewed. Like a good friend, every good book deserves extra attention. When two of us like the same book, maybe that means it could be up for an award. Perhaps the Caldecott medal winner this year. :-)

Here's another treasure from one of my new favorite author illustrators, Barbara Lehman. If you are already familiar with The Red Book written by Lehman, you will recognize her artistic style in her newest, Rainstorm. This is another wordless picture book - there are no words to tell the story. If you pay close attention to each illustration, you will soon know the story. In Rainstorm, we follow a young boy living in a mansion - alone and bored. He wanders around the mansion looking for something to do when he discovers a key. He tries the key in several locks and he has a smile on his face when the key unlocks a large treasure chest. It's a treasure chest not full of gold and jewels but a single ladder that leads to his adventure. Now, should I tell you what happens or should I leave it to you to open the book and find out? I'll give you a hint - his days are no longer boring and there is a hint of what is to come when you take a close look at the title page.

Eggs by Jerry Spinelli

Nine year old David misses his mom so much that he lashes out at his grandmother who now takes care of David while his father works out of state. He is determined not to make friends in his new town. David follows every rule ever written - except when it comes from his grandmother. David’s mother slipped on a wet floor and fell down some stairs. Sadly her freak accident lead to her death. David has convinced himself that if he follows the rules his mother will come back to him. Then David meets thirteen year old Primrose. Primrose lives in an abandoned mini van across the street from her home. Her mother is a fortune teller, who Primrose thinks is a fake. Primrose is embarrassed to live in the same house as her mother. David and Primrose bicker and argue like siblings, however they find comfort in their odd friendship. Primrose’s neighbor, Refrigerator John, helps the kids and gives them a safe place to hang out. Join David and Primrose on their adventures which include following the railroad tracks to the big city, trash picking at night - or “shopping” as Primrose calls it - to find things to sell at the flee market and hunting for night crawlers.