I have been looking for sports books for my avid sports fans and was so happy to find Mike Lupica’s book, Heat. If you’re a sports fan, particularly a baseball fan, this book may be for you. This book is about a 12 year old boy, Michael, who is a Cuban refugee. He, his brother and his father came over on a boat to Florida and are now living in the Bronx. Michael’s father was a baseball player in Cuba and dreams that Michael’s gift as a pitcher will lead him to play in the Little League World Series. But, all is not right in Michael’s world. His father has passed away, and his brother Carlos, 17, is afraid that the boys will be separated if they enter foster care. So, they hide their secret with the help of their elderly neighbor and Michael’s best friend, Manny. This book is full of great characters. Carlos, who is working two jobs to try to pay the rent and bills is the older brother trying to do the right thing and protect his little brother. Manny, Michael’s best friend is funny and loyal. Ellie, the very pretty girl who is also a big baseball fan is a mysterious character. Their neighbor, Mrs. Cora, is very warm and comforting. I found the writing believable and felt that my middle school son would be able to relate to the characters. Although this isn’t typically a genre I’d read, I couldn’t put it down.
Archives
All posts for the month January, 2013
Where’s Walrus, by Stephen A. Savage
Published January 28, 2013 by Dagmar
If you want to really get those preschoolers shrieking, read them Where’s Walrus. There are almost no words, just a walrus they have to find on each page. I didn’t realize exactly how amusing this book would be with our preschool class, but my goodness it was popular! Walrus is hiding in very funny place, as a dancer, as a bricklayer, as a painter in a park. That tricky walrus sure does know how to get children to laugh. The illustrations are great, like cutouts, with beautiful, bright colors, grey, red, yellow and teal. Highly recommended for young children.
Zoom, by Istvan Banyai
Published January 23, 2013 by Dagmar
If you’re looking for something to quiet those chatty sixth graders, stand up, hold up the book Zoom, tell them that they’ll miss everything if they don’t watch every page, and start turning pages. With each page turn, my students ooohed and aahed until the end of the book. Zoom is a book that I find amazing in its concept, zooming in on the smallest detail and then zooming out over and over again. I absolutely loved it, as did my students. No need for words; and, the silence in that room was just bliss. Highly recommended as a “read aloud” for older students.
Suddenly Supernatural: School Spirit, by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel
Published January 23, 2013 by Dagmar
Here’s a cute series for your tween/middle school girls who love a mystery and some supernatural powers thrown in. This series has been flying off the shelves since I brought it into the library a few months ago. I just had to read it to see what the fuss was about.
At first I found the “mean girls in middle school” a little boring, but I liked the main character, Kat, and her new best friend, Jac, a gifted cellist. Kat finds out that she is able to see spirits like her mother, who is a medium. Although she is reluctant about her new gift, she and Jac end up solving a mystery. This book is fast-paced and fun. I liked the mystery and didn’t mind the “not subtle” hint that there is a sequel on its way. Lucky for my students that there are actually four books in the series – all on my shelves. My only worry with this series is that it will date itself with its references to modern music.
Tuesday, by David Wiesner
Published January 23, 2013 by Dagmar
I’m always happy to hear recommendations from fellow librarians. This latest recommendation from my friend Helen was a huge hit with my second graders. David Wiesner’s Tuesday is a wordless book that made my students laugh out loud. The text begins, with four simple words, “TUESDAY EVENING, AROUND EIGHT.” There are three panels of a peaceful pone and a turtle. The next two pages show flying frogs on lily pads. As you turn each page, you find very funny pictures of the frogs and lily pads flying through the town. Students are roaring with laughter at this point. Then, you see police detectives examine lily pads lying on the road. The next page of the book says, “NEXT TUESDAY, 7:58 P.M.” You see the side of a barn with the shadow of a pig. When the kids realize that now pigs will be flying through town, they are rolling on the rug laughing. The last page of the book shows, you guessed it, flying pigs. Such a fun, creative book.
Extra Yarn, by Mac Barnett
Published January 18, 2013 by Dagmar
I have to admit that I’m a big fan of local Bay Area author Mac Barnett and also the illustrator Jon Klassen (I Want My Hat Back). Annabelle lives in a town with no color. One day, she finds a box with colorful yarn. She knits herself a sweater, when she has some yarn left over, she knits a sweater for her dog Mars. The yarn never seems to run out, and Annabelle never seems to stop wanting to knit. Soon her drab town is covered in wonderful color, everyone has a sweater (or a hat), including the bird houses, the trees, the houses, the pets. Color is everywhere. My students love watching the book come to life as Annabelle knits. But, like every great book, there is a villian. The archduke offers millions of dollars to Annabelle if se will just give up her magical yarn. When Annabelle says, “no”, the Archduke steals the box. My students love this book and are always quiet until the end, when they applaud. It’s a wonderful read aloud for all second to fifth graders in the library or just one on one at home.
What! Cried Granny: an Almost Bedtime Story by Kate Lum
Published January 18, 2013 by Dagmar
Have you ever tried to get a child to bed? Even now, my 12 year old struggles with going to bed. Imagine that you’re this incredibly nice granny, willing to do anything to help your grandson go to bed. Then imagine that his needs are UNending! This very funny book kept my kindergarten and first graders laughing and laughing as granny makes her grandson Patrick a bed (from scratch), a pillow (from scratch), a blanket and a teddy bear only to find that when he has everything he needs, it’s morning. WHAAAT! I’m not sure this book will put anyone’s children to sleep, but it will keep them laughing. Enjoy!
Ranger’s Apprentice, by John Flanagan
Published January 15, 2013 by Dagmar
The Ruins of Gorlan is the first book in a terrific series for late elementary and middle graders called Ranger’s Apprentice. Will is left in a basket at Castle Redmond as a baby with only a note that says that his mother died and his father died a hero. Will grows up as a ward of the Castle Arald. The wards of the castle are assigned apprenticeships when they become teenagers. Will hopes to become a warrior just as he imagines his father was. To be a warrior, he must train at Battle School. However, when the Choosing Day arrives, Will is apprenticed to a Ranger. As Will learns his new trade, he also learns to appreciate the important role the Rangers hold in defending the kingdom.
Ranger’s Apprentice is an intelligent series, drawing readers in and keeping them engaged. There are 10 books in the series and a book of Lost Stories. Highly recommended for fourth grade through middle school.
Snakes, by Nic Bishop
Published January 8, 2013 by Dagmar
Snakes fascinate so many children, including lots of my students. This new book by Nic Bishop is absolutely beautiful. Each page spread is has one full page, full-color photograph and an opposite page with interesting facts that will, including facts about their senses, how they eat and digest and how they survive winters. These are facts that are sure to entertain and inform even a well-read snake enthusiast. In smaller type you’ll find facts about the pictured snake. I can promise you this will be a very popular book in my library and will appeal most to my third through sixth graders.
Over and Under the Snow, by Kate Messner
Published January 3, 2013 by Dagmar
This book is wonderful and so eye-opening for my students, many of whom live in urban Oakland and haven’t had the pleasure of experiencing a snowfall. I love asking my first graders to close their eyes and imagine the cold and the soft snow beneath them. Then, we talk about all the different animals that live above and below the snow. The illustrations, by Christopher Silas Neal, are wonderful.
Synopsis: A father and his daughter ski through the woods. The father explains about all the different animals living above and below the snow, including owls, shrews, deer, deer mice, voles, snowshoe hares, bullfrogs, foxes, chipmunks, black bears and bumble bees.
Kids' Lit Corner 