The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

It won! The Invention of Hugo Cabret is the 2008 Caldecott Medal winner! (January 14, 2008)
It's quite exciting when teachers start talking about a new book that is as amazing as The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick. I'd been hearing about this book from my sister, also a teacher, and then from Ms. Beckett, a third grade teacher at Lindbom. She thinks it could be the first book to win both the Newbery and Caldecott Medals next year and she may be right! I asked her to write the posting for our blog and she did! Read on to see what Ms. Beckett had to say about The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick. I'm sure you'll want to read it soon!

by Ms. Beckett --
Imagine if you will - a heart-shaped key, a blue mechanical mouse, a journal, a machine that can draw, and clocks. Add to that a filmmaker, a sad old man, a bookish young girl, and an orphaned boy with a talent for machines and magic. These objects and characters come together to create a beautiful and thrilling story.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret is one of the most interesting books I’ve read in a long time. It tells the story of a twelve year old orphan named Hugo, who, when his uncle disappears, takes over his job of fixing clocks at a train station in Paris. He lives at the station and has to steal food and sneak around to avoid the Station Inspector. Hugo is also trying to fix a broken mechanical man, called an automaton, which has a secret message for Hugo, if he can repair it. Hugo has high hopes that the secret message will be from his father who recently passed away. Hugo also has to deal with a nosey girl named Isabelle, who hangs out in Papa Georges’ toy store, which is also located in the train station. She eventually holds the “key” that will allow Hugo to make the automaton produce its message.

The book would be fascinating to anyone who is interested in the movies, or magicians, because both movies and magic become very important to the story - but I won’t say how! The best part of the book, though, is the style in which the author tells it. The book has almost three hundred pages of pictures that help tell the story just as much as the words. Brian Selznick, the author and illustrator of this book, does a brilliant job of creating pencil drawings that look so real, you might think they were old black and white photographs from the 1930s, which is the time period of this story. During the Saturday afternoon I spent reading the book, I was constantly torn between wanting to look at each picture carefully and wanting to get to the next part of the story! I kept wondering, “Can Hugo manage to keep his secret safe from the Station Inspector and find out the secret message? Will I ever find out how all of the characters are connected?”

After finishing the book, I now know the answers to these questions, but I don’t want to spoil it by telling you more. If you’re curious, and I bet you are, you’ll have to read and watch this book! I can hardly wait to hear what you think.

You may also want to visit the website The Invention of Hugo Cabret.

Not a Box by Antoinette Portis

How many of you have used a plain box and made it into a spaceship? The bunny in the story turns his box into many items using his imagination. The very simple text makes this an engaging story for most readers. Find out why the bunny constantly says, "It is not a box!" throughout the entire story.

Not a Box won the Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor award for children's literature January 22, 2007 at the American Library Association's annual meeting.

Rules by Cynthia Lord

We all live with rules and 8 year old David is no exception. David's older sister, 12 year old Catherine, writes down rules for David so he will remember them, some of David's rules are:

If the bathroom door is closed, knock! (especially if Catherine has a friend over).

Say thank you when someone gives you a present (even if you don't like it).

Don't stand in front of the TV when other people are watching it.

Some people think they know who you are, when really they don't.

No toys in the fishtank!!

David is autistic and has to be reminded of the rules often. Catherine loves her little brother, but is sometimes embarassed by him. Besides writing rules for David, Catherine also loves to draw anything that she sees. Catherine's best friend spends the entire summer in California, so Catherine is used to spending the summer by herself. However, this summer will be different! Catherine is excited because her new next door neighbors are moving in soon, and they have a daughter who is Catherine's age. Catherine hopes that they will become friends quickly and have a summer full of memories. Then Catherine meets 14 year old, Jason. Jason is one of the patients at the Occupational Therapy office where David goes every Tuesday and Thursday. Catherine soon finds herself helping Jason who can only communicate through a communications book full of word/picture cards. What interesting word/picture cards will Catherine create for Jason? Read this touching story about how Catherine's friendship with her new neighbor Kristi, her new friend Jason and her little brother, David, develop throughout the summer.

This is Cynthia Lord's first novel and it won her a Newbery Honor Medal AND the Schneider Family Book Award

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

This classic story will be in movie theatres next week. Enjoy the book first, before you're tempted to only see the movie. Jess and Leslie are fifth grade classmates and neighbors yet their home lives are so very different. Jess is from a poor family with several children, Leslie is the only child of an educated family looking to leave the fast pace of city life. Together they share a world they've created where their personal troubles and school conflicts are forgotten. They call it Terabithia. Katherine Paterson won the Newbery Medal in 1978 for Bridge to Terabithia yet if you read it now it still seems like a brand new story. You'll never forget the special friendship and imaginations of Jess and Leslie and what they shared and taught each other during their short time in Terabithia. Click here to visit the author's website. Ask yourself -- What kind of bridge did Jess and Leslie have to cross to reach Terabithia? Why did they become such fast friends? Can their friendship help you to become a better friend to someone? Once you've read the book, be sure to go out and enjoy the movie! :-)
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Scholastic Book of World Records 2006 and Sports Illustrated for Kids Year in Sports 2006

Are you someone who would rather read about real things? Do you like to discover interesting bits of information that few people know about? Will great photographs make you want to read a book even more? Then you should be reading the Scholastic Book of World Records. Each year a new edition is published with the world records from that year. Some records are broken, some remain the same. Either way, you'll find something strange but true inside these pages. Would you like to live in the world's richest country? Do you own the world's most valuable comic book? Want to ride the biggest Ferris wheel? How would you like to celebrate "Wiggle Your Toes" day? You'll find all those answers each year in the Scholastic Book of World Records.

Calling all sports fans! And I mean NASCAR, tennis, hockey, Olympics, snowboarding and bike stunts. All the others are here, too - football, baseball, basketball and soccer. If you want stats on sports for men and women, ask for this book at your library. Of course it must be published each year because all those stats are changing each year. Don't miss the live action photos when you read Sports Illustrated for Kids Year in Sports 2006 - a name you can trust to cover sports!

The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron

Wow!! We just found out this is the Newbery Medal winner for this year! (January 22, 2007)
Lucky is not so sure her name is a good one. She is 10 years old, her mom died, she doesn't really know her dad and she now has a guardian named Brigitte who came to Los Angeles from France to take care of Lucky. Brigitte was married to Lucky's dad a long time ago and he called her to come take care of Lucky. Lucky feels that Brigitte would rather be back in France instead in the tiny town of Hard Pan, California - population 43. 43 people, that's it! The town is so small that everyone knows everybody else's business. Join Lucky as she searches for her "higher power", something she heard about while eavesdropping on the twelve step programs outside of the community center where she works, when she is not in school. Will Lucky find her higher power? Does Lucky get help from her best friend Lincoln or their "tag along", five year old Miles? Read The Higher Power of Lucky and find out.

Have You Filled a Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud

The "bucket man" inspired this story for leading a happy life for both children and adults. The concept in the story is simple: everyone in the world has an invisible bucket that we carry with us always. A full bucket is best and an empty bucket is not good. We can fill our buckets and others with kindness, support, and appreciation. We dip into our buckets and others when we are not kind, supportive, and appreciative.
This book helps encourage positive behavior and character development. Read it over and over and feel the love!

Toys Go Out by Emily Jenkins

Join Stingray (a stuffed stingray), Lumphy (a stuffed buffalo), and Plastic (who is not sure what she really is) as they journey out of the coziness of their owner's room into the world. Their owner "the Little Girl in the high bed" first takes the toys to school for show and tell, then Lumphy goes on a picnic, Plastic journeys around the house to find anything that will tell her what she really is and Stingray, whose tag says "Dry Clean Only", fills the bathrub to see if she is a "floater" or a "sinker". The Toys enjoy wonderful adventures. Pick up Toys Go Out: being the adventures of knowledgeable Stingray, a toughy little buffalo, and someone called Plastic and join their adventures.

Edwina : the Dinosaur Who Didn't Know She Was Extinct by Mo Willems

Mo Willems (author of the Pigeon books) is back with a new book. What would happen if there were a dinosaur living today even though she was suppose to be extinct? Edwina lives happily in a town where everyone knows and likes her ... everyone except Reginald Von Hoobie-Doobie. Edwina does favors for the people; like changing street light bulbs, helping little old ladies cross the street (she picks them up and carries them across the street) AND she bakes chocolate chip cookies for everyone! But what happens when Reginald tries to convince Edwina that she is extinct? What will become of Edwina?

Miss Smith's Incredible Storybook by Michael Garland

Did you ever start reading a story and the characters seem to jump off the page? Well, in Miss Smith's Incredible Storybook that is exactly what happens everytime Miss Smith starts to read a story to her class. The characters all come to life during the story and then return to the storybook when the story is finished. But what happens when Miss Smith is "stuck in traffic" and Principal Rittenrotten opens the storybook to read to the class? Check out Miss Smith's Incredible Storybook and find out. What a great adventure!

Max's Words by Kate Banks

Max has two brothers. One collects stamps and one collects coins. Max really wants to collect something too! So he decides to collect words. He begins with small, familiar words, and then starts to find bigger, unfamiliar words. Before you know he has enough words to make some very creative stories. His brothers can't help but get involved too! This story in one word: captivating! Do you think you collect enough words to make a story?

Spy X : Hide and Seek by Peter Lerangis

Their mom disappeared a year ago – on their birthday. They wonder if she might be a spy. Their father also has to move often for his secretive work. Twins Andrew and Evie worry about their mom often as they struggle to unlock the coded packages she sends to them. Now father is moving them to San Francisco and they fear their mother will never find them again. The Spy X series of mystery adventure books will leave you on the edge of your seat as you are moved along from one cryptic message to another. You can trust no one in this exciting story!

Merry Un-Christmas by Mike Reiss and Mrs. Claus Takes a Vacation by Linas Alsenas

Looking for unique holiday stories? Look no further than these two quirky Christmas stories.

In Merry Un-Christmas by Mike Reiss the main character Noelle lives in a city where it is Christmas everyday. She gets bored with opening gifts and posing for pictures each day. Could you imagine if it was Christmas everyday? The one day she looks forward to most is "Un-Christmas Day." On this day her family undecorates the tree, she gets to go to school, and the mail is delivered. The colorful illustrations add character to this already charming story.

Mrs. Claus is tired of Santa always being the only one who gets to see the world in Mrs. Claus Takes a Vacation by Linas Alsenas. She decides that she needs a vacation too. She takes the reindeer and sleigh off on her own world tour promising to be back before Christmas Eve. Santa worries about Mrs. Claus the entire time she is gone and as time passes he wonders if she will make it back. You'll have to read the story to see if she does...

Flotsam by David Wiesner

Yes! It did win! Flotsam is the 2007 Caldecott Medal winner! (January 22, 2007)
I can't recommend that you read this book, there are no words! For sure go to your library and LOOK through this book just as quick as you can. Inside you will find the magic of a wordless picture book as you create your own story when you 'dive' right into David Wiesner's Flotsam. The pictures are awesome and could most likely win David another Caldecott medal. Those will be announced Monday, January 22, 2007 beginning at 8:00 a.m. For me, the excitement is building - this could be the winner! Share Flotsam with a friend, a grandparent, a brother or sister. Create a story together then 'read' it again to create a new story. The possibilities are endless!

Gifts From the Sea by Natalie Kinsey-Warnock

Aquila Jane MacKinnon is like any other 12 year old in 1850, where she lives is not so common. She lives on an island, in a lighthouse! Quila, which is what her parents call her, enjoyed helping her Mama around the lighthouse and helping Papa tend to the light. Mama actually dies before this story takes place, but there are many references to their life together. Papa and Quila are saddened by Mama's death and are learning to live their lives without her. One day Quila finds something washed up on shore, it is two mattresses tied together with something sandwiched in the middle! Read Gifts From the Sea to find out what Quila found, and how she and Papa adjust to their new life without Mama.

Mercy Watson Fights Crime by Kate DiCamillo

The pig is back! Mercy and the Watsons are back in their third adventure. Mercy wakes up when she hears a SCREEEEECHH!! coming from the kitchen. Mercy knows that sound, it is the sound of her beloved toaster being dragged across the counter, someone is making toast! Mercy loves toast with butter! When Mercy gets out of bed she hears the Watsons snoring, so who is downstairs making toast? Mercy heads down the steps only to find the toaster missing and a strange little man standing in her kitchen. Who is this man and what happened to the toaster? Read Mercy Watson Fights Crime and find out. Also check out the first two books - Mercy Watson to the Rescue & Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride. Kate DiCamillo is an award winning author - check out her web site.

Horns and Wrinkles by Joseph Helgerson

Do you love fantasy and adventure? Then this is the perfect story for you. Join Clare and her cousin Duke as they venture into the world of river trolls, rock trolls, and blue-wing fairies along the stretch of the Mississippi where Clare lives. They get sucked into the adventure when Duke falls in the river and comes out with a horn instead of a nose! This story is the right parts fantasy, adventure, and humor. Check it out!

The Library Card by Jerry Spinelli

Four characters, four lives, four library cards. Read how they are changed by having a library card. Mongoose. Brenda. Sonseray. April Mendez. One homeless and always causing trouble. One new to a rural town and missing walking to the neighborhood library. Another hanging with the wrong crowd doing petty crime. One a TV fanatic struggling through Great TV Turn-Off week. Four short stories. Four intriguing outcomes. Waiting for you to read. Use your library card today and discover what awaits you like these characters in Spinelli's The Library Card.

The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall

This is a summertime story of four sisters. I don't know if you'll like to read it in the summer as I did or if it's better to read it now just as snow flurries are beginning to fly. Either way, you'll be taken on all the sisters' adventures when you read The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall. The girls are with their widowed father on summer vacation at an elaborate estate. Of course the estate has a mansion and huge, award-winning gardens and an owner who is not very pleasant and is most annoyed by the girls. Her son, Jeffery, is enjoying every minute of time because he's usually not allowed to do many things. Join the Penderwick sisters and Jeffery while they have a wild summer vacation! Although this book did not win a Newbery Medal or Honor, it has been included on several best and notable book lists.

Let Them Play by Margot Theis Raven

As we watch our Detroit Tigers play in the World Series, boys and girls are imagining themselves as great baseball players - some in T-ball, others in Little League. Read Let Them Play and learn about a time in our history when all people could not play. In 1955, an all-black Little League team in Charleston, South Carolina had no teams to play against because the white teams would not play them. The white teams left the Little League in protest. Sad isn't it? Hard to believe that could ever happen, yet it did. The Cannon Street YMCA All-Stars, as the black team was called, were invited to the Little League Baseball World Series but only to watch! They hadn't officially earned the right to play because they had never played against other Little League teams. Check this book out at your library and find out how the crowd reacted during the 1955 Little League World Series and what happened when the boys returned home to Charleston. This story of hope, sadness, and happiness is rich with beautiful illustrations by Chris Ellison.