Staff Picks for Children
Recommended books for kids. Comment on a review by clicking on its title. You can also write your thoughts about any book on our Facebook Wall.
You can still access reviews from pre-September 2012 for Adults and Children.
Every Thing On It:Poems and Drawings by Shel Silverstein (2011) Wednesday, April 4, 2012  Although beloved poet and artist Shel Silverstein passed away in 1999, his spirit is alive in this most recent and never-previously published collection of poems and drawings. It’s a wonderful companion to his other works--including the groundbreaking Where the Sidewalk Ends--but it stands on its own in quality. Every Thing On It has everything in it: long poems and short; funny, silly, sweet, macabre, fantastical, ironic, wistful, thought-provoking and slightly naughty ones too, accompanied by well-placed drawings that often provide the punch line for the humorous set-up in a poem. The pieces were carefully selected by the prolific poet’s family, based on how good they sounded when read aloud, as well as how they complemented each other. There are a variety of themes, including thoughts about the writing process, social commentary, wordplay, alphabet play, as well as several invitations for readers to be creative. The very first poem, “Years from Now” is an invitation to read and enjoy: “Although I cannot see your face/As you flip these poems awhile/Somewhere in some far-off place/I hear you laughing—and I smile.” The title and cover illustration comes from another poem early in the book, about a kid who makes the mistake of ordering a hot dog with “everything on it.” There’s a parrot, a bee in a bonnet, a wristwatch, a wrench, and more! Other poems feature dirty feet, a man-eating plant, and sneaky letter snake, and a car with legs! Have you been to a spelling bee? What about a yelling bee? Heard of a police department? How about the "please" department? Meet the Rhymey Bird, Transparent Tim, Little Seth with Garlic Breath, Rude Rudy Reese, Burpin’ Ben, and a genie who’s a meanie, too! April is Poetry Month; enjoy it with Every Thing On It! There’s something in it for any age, but kids ages 8 and up will be old enough to better enjoy the book as a whole.
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Life as a Viking: an Interactive History Adventure(2011) Wednesday, March 28, 2012  This interactive history adventure is part of Capstone Press’ You Choose series. You the readers choose whether to experience a Viking raid, serve in a Viking army, or fight the last battles of the Vikings, with 24 possible endings. This book is packed with adventure and the unknown. Check out other You Choose books such as Life as a Knight, The Titanic, or The Golden Age of Pirates. |
Forge2010 Monday, March 26, 2012  Forge is book two of an impressive trilogy about the African American experience during the American Revolutionary War. While this is not a subject that is typically well developed in our history lessons, it is meticulously well researched by this author and impressively executed with unforgettable characters. In book one, Chains, we are introduced to Isabel and her little sister, Ruth, who are born into slavery but were supposed to have been freed after their slave holder died. Of course, fate would not have it that way. After becoming the property of a couple who are not sympathetic to the American Revolution, Isabel meets Curzon, a slave with connections to the Patriots. Book two, Forge, is told through the eyes of Curzon and picks up after Curzon, Isabel and Ruth were separated. To survive, Curzon joins the Patriot army and has to fight for respect from his fellow white soldiers. While Curzon struggles with fears that Isabel may not be alive, he must suffer from hunger, cold, sleep deprivation and a constant threat from the British Army. The third book in this trilogy, Ashes, is scheduled for release in the fall of 2012. Recommended for grade 6 and up, as well as adult book clubs.
Link to this series: |
No Two AlikeWednesday, March 14, 2012  With rhyming text and whimsical but natural landscapes featuring two cheery, bright red birds, this beautiful picture book by the author/artist is a celebration of both the winter season and the idea of individuality: while there are distinct similarities among various things in nature--snowflakes, leaves, animals and plants of the same species, even people—no two are exactly alike. Observant children will be able to point out the subtle differences in the birds as they flit through the pages with their antics. Great for ages 3-7, or anyone who would be inspired by the book’s message. |
Secrets at Sea(2011) Monday, March 12, 2012  Newbery medalist (for A Year Down Yonder) Richard Peck pens an exciting, humorous mouse adventure - - a nonstop entertaining run of mice at sea, sailing with their people, the Cranstons, to England in search of a husband for daughter, Olive Cranston. Helena, the eldest mouse sister, and her family fear discovery, the perils of open water, and the menace of the ship’s cat. Helena narrates the story from mouse perspective (“. . . We mice dream of nothing but cheese and time running out.” p. 43). The romances of mouse societies parallel the human pairings with surprising and joyous outcomes. Rich in detail and language, this is a delightful read for animal fantasy fans. Compare it to Kate DiCamillo’s The Tale of Despereaux. |
Sophie Simon Solves Them All(2010) Wednesday, March 7, 2012  This humorous chapter book takes us in the life of 3rd grade student Sophie Simon. While Sophie is incredibly smart, she struggles with making friends. Sophie finds herself solving problems for her classmates that they have with their parents. The book includes “Sophie Simon’s Encyclopedia of Things She Can’t Believe You Don’t Know Already” and a recipe for Madagascar Ground Boa Taffy. |
Flat BrokeThe Theory, Practice and Destructive Properties of Greed. (2011) Wednesday, February 29, 2012  In this sequel to Liar, Liar by Gary Paulsen, fourteen year old Kevin is broke from having to forfeit his allowance because of his earlier habit of lying. He now schemes to get rich fast by any idea that pops into his head such as starting a poker club, “borrowing” a golf cart that is in the repair shop to do nightly snack runs to college students, convincing his sister to charge her friends for beauty services, cleaning garages for pay and throwing the contents illegally into a company dumpster. Kevin justifies every step with rules he has read out of context from his mother’s business books such as “The successful person has vision that others lack.” He uses this logic to organize the poker games because the other guys are “terrible players” and therefore it is an easy way to make money. When this plan collapses, he maintains his optimism—“It’s looking on the bright side that sets the successes apart from the failures.” He reasons that it was a good thing because now he will have time to work for Amalgamated Waste Management, pay his debt to them and maybe even land a real job there. Humorous throughout, this will attract even reluctant readers who will enjoy a fast-paced, hilarious read. |
The Lincolns:a Scrapbook Look at Abraham and Mary (2008) Wednesday, February 22, 2012  In honor of Abraham Lincoln’s birth month, as well as the 150th anniversary of the 2nd year of the American Civil War, a good book to know about is The Lincolns: a Scrapbook Look at Abraham and Mary by Candace Fleming. The scrapbook format is inviting, and allows readers to take in a little or a lot, in chronological order or here and there, with satisfaction. The book is a window into the lives of some of the most famous and important people in American history, so readers can see their human side as well as the reasons they had such an impact on the course of the country. Newspaper clippings, photos, cartoons, notes (including those in Lincoln's hand) and text depict the personal lives of the Lincoln Family and the tumultuous time in history in which they lived. I also enjoyed reading of the connection the author has with her subject. Included in the “scraps” is Mary Lincoln’s recipe for Abe’s favorite cake--it’s delicious! For anyone celebrating Lincoln’s life this month--even if you don’t make the cake--take a look at the book! Recommended for students Grades 5 and up. |
The End of the World Club(2011) Sunday, February 19, 2012  Book 2 of the Jaguar Stones series In this sequel to Middleworld, 14-year-old Max and his friend Lola are on another quest racing against time to outwit the twelve Lords of Death. Their quest takes them to Spain in search of the long-lost yellow Jaguar Stone. They are to return the stone to Xibalba, the Maya underworld. But they are not the only ones searching for the stone. Max must keep his promise to the twelve Lords of Death, keep ahead of the hellhounds sent to watch him, save Lola from Count Antonio de Lana, and keep his parents out of Xibalba. The book is full of surprises. The intensity gradually builds throughout the last half of the book to an unexpected ending. The comic relief comes from the two characters inhabiting the bodies of the two bowler monkeys, that of Lord 6-Dog and his mother, Lady Coco. Readers of fantasy will enjoy the adventures and anticipate the third book of the series. The age group recommended is grades 4 through 8, or ages 8 to 12.
Link to this series: |
The Red Blazer Girls: The Ring of Rocamadour(2009) Wednesday, February 15, 2012  In the first novel of this series, amateur detectives Sophie, Margaret, and Rebecca (the Red Blazer Girls) band together to discover the location of the Ring of Rocamadour. They meet Ms. Harriman, who delivers the challenge to the three—they must follow clues and solve puzzles to discern the secret of the Ring. The puzzles are given to the reader to try to solve before reading ahead. Link to this series: |
Ruth and the Green Book2010 Monday, February 13, 2012  It's the 1950's and Ruth's Daddy just bought a 1952 Buick! Ruth, her Mama and Daddy will be driving it from their home in Chicago to her Grandma's house in Alabama! The trip starts out pleasant, but as they continue their drive the family encounters white only restrooms and hotels. It's hard for Ruth's family to find places to rest and eat. Ruth feels homesick but a friend they meet along the way tells them to watch out for Esso service stations. When Daddy later stops at an Esso service station, he buys a copy of The Negro Motorist Green Book. "It lists places in lots of states where we would be welcome to sleep, eat, shop, get a haircut - and all kinds of information besides." The story ends on a high note and includes a full page history of The Negro Motorist Green Book. This book would make a great educational read aloud at anytime, but especially during African American History Month. Both children and adults will likely learn some facts about the Jim Crow era. Highly recommended for grades 3-6. |
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