Staff Picks for Children

The story is a typical who-done-it mystery. The story begins with 13 year-old, Oz Keiller opening the refrigerator door at his family's restaurant and discovering the body of Aaron Sneider, a journalist. He discovers that Sneider was a reporter who had accused his deceased father of being a spy and a traitor. His father was accused of stealing nuclear secrets from the company he had worked for. If this isn’t bad enough his older brother is arrested for the murder and Oz jumps into action to save him. With the help of his friend, Rusty, they try to solve the mystery and clear his father’s name. During the investigation of the murder, Oz and Rusty, find that maybe his father was being framed for a much larger conspiracy. In solving the mystery their search leads them closer to the real killer and also closer to real danger. There are some unexpected twists to the plot.

Readers will enjoy the action and fast paced story line. It is a likeable mystery that keeps readers motivated to finding out the solution along with the characters.

I would recommend the story for both boys and girls in grades 4th through 7th who enjoy mysteries that are not too complicated.

The cover photo of the chocolate brown pit bull puppy with soulful amber eyes drew me to this book.  Saving Audie is a straighforward but heartwarming true account of this dog, one of many rescued from almost certain death in an illegal dogfighting organization co-owned by NFL player Michael Vick.  Kept for many months in shelters as evidence against the wrongdoers, with only numbers instead of names, the dogs faced an uncertain future.  While many people thought the dogs were dangerous and damaged forever, determined members of animal rights groups saw the dogs as victims worthy of a second chance at life, and pleaded with the court to give the dogs that chance. Upon testing, all but one of the 49 rescued dogs were judged safe enough to be adoptable.  Members of the groups gave the dogs socialization training, fostered them, and worked to find them permanent homes with loving families.

Athough the author provides facts about the illegal ring, she doesn't dwell on it, but rather keeps the focus on Audie and the other dogs, their medical and social rehabilitation,  and their remarkable progress against many odds, including a segment about how Audie got his fitting name.

Colorful pages with text of varying sizes frame poignant, sweet and often funny photographs of Audie and dog friends, as well as the people in their lives.  The book also provides lists and links to more information about pit bulls, animal organizations, dog care, and updates on the "Vick Dogs."

This real story of love, hope, determination and redemption can be enjoyed by almost any age; recommended for ages 6 and up.

This review is dedicated to Howdy and Midnight.

How to Hug is a complete hugging manual for children. It includes instructions on how to properly hug both humans and animals in a comical approach. It is the perfect story for those that hug too long, those that hug too tight, or even those that try to hug the cat! Christy’s humorous illustrations supplement proper hugging techniques on each page. So prepare children for the many impending hugs they will receive this holiday season by sharing How to Hug.

Oluwalase Babatunde Benson is the Number One car spotter in his tiny African village, hence his nickname, No. 1. (In his free time, No. 1 and his grandfather like to identify cars by their sounds before they drive past). While he knows that things like skyscrapers, tap water, and electricity exists, in his village they can only dream of such luxuries. When the village's market cart breaks down, No. 1 comes up with a plan that saves the village and allows them to get to the market to sell their goods, involving an old broken-down Toyota Camry. Author Atinuke has also written a wonderful series about another African girl named Anna Hibiscus. These two series teach young children about modern Africa.

Recommended for grades 2 through 5, younger for reading aloud.

Life wasn't easy for anyone during the Great Depression, but it could be even harder if you were African American. In this work of historical fiction, Hibernia a preacher's daughter, dreams of becoming a singer.  Willie is recovering from a burn that will keep him from fulfilling his dream of becoming a boxer. Otis, an orphan, is struggling to find happiness but finds comfort in his family's radio and the sense of humor that was passed down to him from his father. On June 22, 1937, all of them, including the rest of the nation, are fixed to the radio listening to a boxing match between Joe Louis and James Braddock. It was a matter of African American pride. This book has been widely reviewed and is selected as a 2012-2013 Read On Wisconsin book. Take a peek at this book trailer put together by Whitehorse Middle School, Madison. Recommended for students in grades 4-8.

Book 1 of the Books of Beginning Series. This fantasy adventure story starts off with the main characters, Kate - 14, Michael-12, and Emma – 11 left as orphans when they were taken from their home at night during Christmas. The children are passed from one orphanage to another within a ten year span until they end up at a secluded orphanage operated by Dr. Stanislaus Pym. The mansion is located in the remote town of Cambridge Falls and the children find out they are the only ones there. While investigating the house they discover a magical door that reveals a hidden study. In the study they find a magical book that allows them to travel through time. Michael takes a picture and places it inside the book and the children are transported to an early Cambridge Falls. While there they encounter an evil witch, her guardians, the Screechers, and other monstrous creatures.

The Countess, the evil witch, is holding the children hostage and forcing the men to hunt and dig for a hidden treasure. Kate realizes that she has a special relationship with the magic book and she learns by traveling back in time she has the power to change the course of history and discover their parent’s fate. Even though Katie has seen her mother in the past she cannot connect her to the present.

The children realize that they have special powers and are destined to go on a quest to find out the purpose of the book. The cliffhanger leaves the reader waiting for the next book in the trilogy.

The age group for this series is grades 4 through 8.

This is a goofy book, a fast and fun read for young graphic novel fans.  Ace and Bub are beaver brothers, who enjoy life on Beaver Island.  While Ace prepares for the Beaver Island Surfboard Competition, his board is suddenly stolen by strange penguins, who escape to the deep waters offshore.  In hot pursuit, Ace gets only a glimpse of their underwater hideout, but he knows that the penguins are up to something, and it doesn’t look good.   Without his surfboard, he can’t hope to beat the island’s brawny hot shot, Bruce.  So Ace and Bub decide to do some deep-sea diving of their own.  Meanwhile, Bruce is out to sabotage Ace’s efforts in the surfing competition.  Will Ace get his surfboard back?  Can he and Bub figure out the penguins’ evil plan, and save Beaver Island from disaster?  Will Bruce keep Ace from winning the surfing competition?  These questions, and more, are answered with humor, action, and two penguins named Bob.  The artwork is simple but full of life, the story full of sight gags and kid-friendly jokes. 

Readers who enjoy this book may enjoy The Flying Beaver Brothers and the Fishy Business, also released this year.  For more information about the author, visit:  http://www.maxwelleaton.com

Great for reading alone for out loud!  Recommended for kids Grades 1 and up.

Jasmine & Tai-Tai’s grandfather Agong comes to live with their family from a faraway land. One day he tells Jasmine that she is ready for magic. Agong asks Jasmine to make a wish and then he puts his hand over hers and they dip the brush and touch it to the paper. The two tell the story of Jasmine’s wishes through Chinese characters, which can be found in each dreamlike illustration. Jasmine & Agong practice their calligraphy all spring until Agong becomes ill in the fall and passes away. Jasmine is sad until one day Tai-Tai wanders into Agong’s room during naptime and Jasmine tells him he is ready for magic. The Magic Brush is a beautifully written and illustrated story. The back of the book includes a pronunciation key, a short history of Chinese art and a description of some of the Chinese treats Jasmine mentions in her wishes.

Mac Barnett, author of the Brixton Brothers chapter book series, offers up an unusual look into how a book is written and illustrated. He writes about a girl named Chloe who is wandering through the forest. When illustrator Adam Rex decides to draw a dragon instead of the lion Mac has written about, Mac calls him out and fires him. He hires a new illustrator, Hank, who draws a lion which promptly eats Adam. Hank does not live up to the expectations Mac has for his book, and he starts to miss Adam. He fires Hank and decides to do the illustrations himself, but find that his talent is not in the art of drawing, but in writing. Chloe goes through the forest looking for someone to free Adam from the inside of the lion, and runs into several literary characters along the way, none of which are able to help. Ultimately Chloe comes up with a wonderful plan to free Adam, who can finish illustrating the story. This book is reminiscent of "Do Not Open This Book" by Michaela Muntean, which is also about an author trying to write a book while being constantly interrupted.