721 Final Reading Journal

Elizabeth Lovsin
LIS 721 Barthelmess
Final Reading Journal

LMNO Peas, by Keith Baker (2010)
Picture Book, 32 pages
This whimsical alphabet book features anthropomorphized peas
engaged in a variety of activities and occupations for each letter of the
alphabet. While the book features the traditional alphabet book format
of listing each letter with associated words and concepts, the presence
of the peas throughout sets this book apart from other ABC books. All
of the illustrations are full of interesting details, and are lighthearted
and colorful. While I think this book would be popular in a storytime, I
also think many kids would best enjoy it at their own pace, so that they
can examine the illustrations in detail. I wonder if the concept and the
title were inspired by a childs actual confusion over a frequently
conflated and confused part of the alphabet.
Z is for Moose, by Kelly Bingham, illustrated by Paul O.

Zelinsky (2012)
Before the story even begins, illustrations on the title, copyright, and
dedication pages tell the reader that Zebra is in charge of getting all
the animals and objects in order for this alphabet book. The problem is
that Moose is overeager and appears at all the wrong moments. When
he finds out that Mouse gets the letter M instead of him, Moose
throws a tantrum and wreaks havoc on the rest of the alphabet. The
plot and the cartoonish drawings let readers know that this is not a
serious alphabet book it is all about being fun and goofy. I think this
book would be most appropriate for children who already know and
feed comfortable with the alphabet, so that they can appreciate how
Moose is messing it up.
People, by Blexbolex (2011)

While I found this book intriguing, it is not a book that I particularly

enjoyed or would be excited to share with children. I think the book is
intriguing due to the style of the artwork, which strikes me as being
old-fashioned, and the juxtaposition of different types of people. It
opens with the very basic, Man/Woman, but then quickly moves on
to such combinations as Corpse/Retiree, which are thought
provoking. I wonder how likely it is that children would stop and
ponder these combinations. While I enjoyed this aspect of the book, it
is not something I would particularly want to read a second time.
Personally, I do not feel as engaged by this type of conceptual book
that has no plot; I get drawn in by a good story or interesting
characters. That said, Im sure there are many children who would be
interested to flip through these pages repeatedly, thinking more about
all the types of people each time. I actually think this book could be
put to very good use as the basis for a discussion activity with older
children.
One Gorilla: A Counting Book, by Anthony Browne (2013)

I really enjoyed this beautifully illustrated counting book. Ten types of
primates are presented, counting from one gorilla to ten lemurs. Then
the reader is surprised to see a human face staring back, and then
many human faces, showing that we too are primates. I love the
amazingly realistic illustrations of the different primates, particularly
the different facial expressions on each. I also love the underlying
message that links humans and other primates together, supported by
expressions like the tenderness on the face of the mother orangutan,
or the mischief in the eyes of the lemurs. I believe this message
encourages empathy and humane behavior, which we could all use a
bit more of. This would be a wonderful book for a wide range of ages,
from children just learning to count to those learning about evolution
and biology in school.
The Black Book of Colors, by Menena Cottin and Rosana

Faria, translated by Elisa Amado (2008)
This unique book represents the colors as conceived by a boy Thomas,
who describes each using all his other senses. The book is entirely
black, with white text. The images are also in black, but are raised so
that readers can run their fingers over them and see their contrast
against the glossy page. The raised images complement the braille
text that is above the printed text. I think this book is a beautiful
experience to help children understand what it is like to experience the
world using the senses other than sight. While the language is simple,
it is evocative and suggests concrete sensory experiences. In my
opinion, this book is much better suited to hands-on perusal than a
storytime setting. I was bothered that, at my library, this book was
included in the nonfiction section for writing systems instead of with
the other picture books. This book is not an informative piece about
braille; it is instead a fictional, poetic exploration of the senses. I think
limiting it to the nonfiction section keeps young readers from finding it
while browsing the general picture book section.
Blue Chicken, by Deborah Freedman (2011)

The interesting thing about this book is the frame story and the metaawareness about the creation of a picture book. I did not notice the
barn outside the window on the title page until I got to the end of the
book and saw the woman painting that real barn while the drawing of
the barn is still visible. I think that frame, as well as the story in which
the characters try to help in the drawing of their home, are rife with
potential to open up valuable discussions with children. I think this
would be a perfect book to use at my toddler storytime, and I can see
older children appreciating it as well. Its a perfect example of a book
that has simple, brief text with content that can be appreciated on
numerous conceptual levels.
Orange Pear Apple Bear, by Emily Gravett (2007)

This book tells a story using only five words: the oft-repeated,
orange, pear, apple, and bear, and the final emphatic there!
The combinations of the different words, paired with the illustrations in
which a bear takes on an orange hue or a pear-like shape, create the
conceptual journey of the book. The illustrations are gentle and softly
humorous. There are numerous concepts to ponder, from the basic
which one of these is not like the other, to the difference between
images in which the bear takes on the characteristics of the fruit from
the images in which he eats the fruit. I have come across this book
before, and debated whether or not to use it in my toddler time. While

I enjoy it and think kids will as well, I feel that it might be best engaged
with up close and with an opportunity for discussion. I think I will try it
sometime soon though, to see how the kids react.
My Heart is Like a Zoo, by Michael Hall (2009)

I think cute is really the best way to describe this book. The images
are stylized animals composed of heart shapes, and its hard to get
cuter than heart-imals. While the images are cutesy and the text is
short, the text also includes many evocative images and literary
devices, like the alliterative hopeful as a hungry heron fishing for a
snack. It is actually the text that makes me really like this book,
because while the heart theme is adorable, the phrases, rugged as a
moose, and gloomy as a lone coyote walking in the fog make you
stop and think, and those like happy as a herd of hippos drinking
apple juice allow you to be fanciful and silly. I think it is really the text
that makes this book special. The reveal at the end that the animals
are all the stuffed animals of a child also adds a fun twist. I would love
to share this with my toddlers at storytime.
Bea at Ballet, by Rachel Isadora (2012)

I started taking ballet lessons when I was 3 years old, and I would have
loved this book then. Not only does it describe different aspects of
ballet itself, but it also describes the types of activities that go on in a
typical ballet class. One of the hardest parts of ballet for the very
young student is learning all the different terms, and the colorful labels
and illustrations in this book would definitely help with that. I
appreciate that Isadora includes a couple male ballet students and
uses the illustrations to depict some cultural diversity. I can easily
imagine a ballet teacher using this book to reiterate some of the basic
terminology and connect with students.
Fiesta Babies, by Carmen Tafolla, illustrated by Amy Cordova

(2010)
This colorful book presents many aspects of traditional Hispanic

celebrations, including clothing, food, music, and dance. While the
illustrations include many stylistic elements that remind me of
traditional Hispanic artwork, the babies presented are of all different
colors and nationalities. This sends a message to readers that all
people can take part in and enjoy these celebrations. I think the brief
glossary at the back is useful, especially for non-Spanish speakers like
myself who dont know what besos or abrazos are. I have seen
this used successfully at a storytime, and would use it again myself.
Animal 1 2 3, by Britta Teckentrup (2012)

Picture Book, 18 pages, including inside covers
This counting book takes a twist on the traditional format of simply
counting animals from one to ten. Instead, each page includes a flap
with the number, and when that flap is lifted it reveals one additional
animal of each type and increases the number by one. Not only does
this add interest to the book, it is also a great practice in counting. The
illustrations of the animals are friendly and include interesting textures.
The brief descriptions add charm my favorite is the creeping bears,
who you realize when you lift the flap are creeping away from a
beehive. I think this book would be great both for storytime and for
reading individually. In my experience kids love any book with flaps
and popups.
Round is a Tortilla: A Book of Shapes, by Roseanna

Greenfield Thong, illustrated by John Parra (2013)
This book explores both the concepts of shapes as well as introducing
Spanish language words in contexts that make it easy to deduce their
meaning. I think it would be much easier for children who do not
speak Spanish to correctly guess the meanings of the Spanish words in
this book, based on the corresponding images, than it would be to do
so while reading Fiesta Babies. To me, the illustrations make this book,
not only because they make it possible to deduce the meaning of the
Spanish words, but also because the Latino elements of the art
complement and support the cultural theme. I think this book would
be particularly valuable as a catalyst to get children to notice the
various shapes and patterns in their own environments.
Press Here, by Herv Tullet (2011)

I love this book. In a truly interactive way, it explores so many
concepts: color, spatial directions, counting, cause and effect,
recognizing patterns, and following instructions. Amazingly, it does all
of this using only colored dots and occasional backgrounds as
illustrations. I wonder if this book was inspired by the interactive
touch-screen technologies that have become so pervasive. It is fun to
imagine a child sitting with this book and shaking it, pressing it,
blowing on it, and following all the other instructions. I was amused to
notice the visible fingerprints on the pages that instructed readers to
press hard. This is an opportunity for kids to realize how much fun
and interaction one can have with a book. I think this book would be
great read with an individual child or used in a storytime, with
participants taking turns pressing and shaking and so on.
Shark vs. Train, by Chris Barton, illustrated by Tom

Lichtenheld (2010)
The frame story of this book is given on the first and last pages: two
boys grab a shark toy and a train toy from a chest of toys, and make
the toys battle. The main story pits the competitive and trash-talking
shark and train against each other in various scenarios. Environments
or tasks more suited to one or the other lead to that characters
victory. As the challenges get more ridiculous, both the shark and the
train feel ill at ease and lose the urge to battle. This is a fun, silly
story, with fun and silly cartoon drawings and a ridiculous premise. Its
the type of book that encourages kids to think outside the box and just
have fun with ideas. Due to that fact alone, I really enjoy it. I also
enjoy the drawings, the word bubbles expressing the characters
reactions, and the increasingly ludicrous challenges. I was amused to
read in the author biography that the story was inspired by Bartons
sons love of sharks and trains I imagine these are very common
interests among young boys (and girls). This would be great for an
independent read or a storytime.
Jimmy the Greatest!, by Jairo Buitrago, illustrated by Rafael

Yockteng (2012)
This book was not what I expected. When I saw the small village
presented at the beginning and read about Jimmy starting to train, I
assumed the story would follow him to become a famous boxer. I was
actually very pleasantly surprised to find that the story ends with him
still in his hometown, happy with his life as he runs the gym, and now a
library. There are so many stories for kids of people leaving humble
beginnings to become stars. I think its incredibly important to present
a story like this, in which success is not found in fame and fortune, but
simply in living life with a purpose. In doing so this book teaches a
different standard of success, one that is a more realistic goal for most
kids to attain, and one that is, in my opinion, likely to be more
personally satisfying in the long term. I loved the cartoonish drawings
paired with the text. Finally, I appreciated the subtle portrayal of the
town as neither depressingly poverty-stricken nor idealistically quaint,
but simply as one of many types of places to live that contains both
good and bad.
Dream Friends, by You Byun (2013)

This is the second time Ive seen this book and I love it even more on a
second reading. The art is so beautiful, and so wonderfully
complements the story of a girl and her dreams. I think beginning the
story with the happy adventures of Melody and her dream friend
before exploring her loneliness while awake helps the reader to
connect and empathize with her. The fact that her imaginary play
actually leads to new friendships in reality can send a positive message
to children about being themselves and being open to others. The
positive reactions of the other children on the playground are a good
model for the acceptance and playfulness we would like children to
practice. I think this book has myriad potential uses, from reading with
a single child, to reading in a storytime, to using as a starting point for
discussion in a classroom. This is one of few books that I actually have
a hard time imagining someone not liking, though Im sure Im wrong
about that.
Farm, by Elisha Cooper (2010)

I appreciate the rich detail with which life on a farm is explained,
particularly because many children who have never been near
farmland have no idea what life there is like, where their food really
comes from, or that people are involved in the creation of food. On a
personal note, I grew up in central Illinois in a neighborhood, but one
that actually had an active cornfield in the middle of it, and many
surrounding areas were primarily farmland. While I dont pretend to
know the realities of life on a farm, I definitely grew up with exposure
to and familiarity with that lifestyle. Many adults I have met who grew
up in cities and suburbs have a lot of stereotypes and misconceptions
about life in more rural areas, and I think it would behoove them to
read a book like this.
That said, I was not a big fan of the artwork in this book many of the
illustrations of people and animals were so abstract and indistinct that
they failed to catch my interest. I also think the text of the book is
quite lengthy, which would make it more difficult to use in a storytime
setting or with children with shorter attention spans.
Underground: Finding the Light to Freedom, by Shane W.

Evans (2011)
This book is a wonderful exploration of the Underground Railroad that I
think is accessible for even very young children. The text on each
page is incredibly brief, typically only a few words. The images, which
would perhaps be emotionally overwhelming if they were realistic, are
stylized enough to allow readers to make their own interpretations and
connections. The first part of the book, covering the nighttime escape
from slavery, is dark in color. The sun rises, bringing color to the
people and their world, accompanying the birth of a new baby and the
arrival to a life of freedom. The symbolism is incredibly obvious for
young children, without being overdone by lengthy textual
descriptions. I think this is the rare type of book that can be
appreciated on multiple levels by people of varying levels of maturity. I
think it is especially wonderful as an introduction of a very difficult
concept to young children.
Garmanns Summer, by Stian Hole (2008)

The first word that comes into my mind to describe this book is
European. It examines both the happiest and saddest parts of
childhood in an incredibly realistic manner, with images that combine
realism and abstraction in sometimes disconcerting ways. This book
reminded me of what it was like to be a child, feeling a strange
disconnect from and fascination with the adults around me, and feeling
like I never fully understood their world. Garmanns preoccupation
with things like losing his baby teeth interspersed with contemplations
of mortality also reminds me forcefully of my own childhood. I think
there are a lot of ideas to explore, and I think this book would be best
for a child to experience one-on-one, as opposed to in a group.
Stuck, by Oliver Jeffers (2011)

This is a great picture book that celebrates the ridiculous. Floyd gets
his kite stuck in a tree, and throws a shoe up to try to knock the kite
loose. When the shoe also gets stuck, he begins throwing a
progressively more ridiculous array of items, animals, and people into
the tree to attempt to get the previous objects unstuck. Finally his kite
falls down, and Floyd frolics off to enjoy the rest of his day, leaving
everything else up in the tree. As previously established, I love books
like this that embrace the ridiculous and encourage children to think in
imaginative ways. I also love that there is no moral imperative or
lesson from this story it is just silly fun.
The illustrations are very interesting to me, because while many of the
images are definitely abstract, they are also incredibly expressive.
Floyds face, for instance, sometimes has a mouth or eyebrows, but
sometimes only has two dots for eyes. Despite this minimalism in
decoration, Floyds face is incredibly expressive and adds a good deal
of humor to the story. The scribbles to represent the leaves of the
trees, the ground, clouds, and occasionally Floyds mental state,
provide an interesting juxtaposition to some of the more realistically
drawn items, like the ship and the houses. The tree also changes color
multiple times. These elements of the illustrations all contribute to a
whimsical mood that is matched by the handwritten text and the story
itself. I imagine this being a favorite book for many kids, one that is
begged for time and again. It would also be great in a group storytime
setting.
Today and Today, by Issa Kobayashi, illustrated by G. Brian

Karas (2008)
I read this book on a gloomy, rainy Sunday, and when I saw the
illustration of that empty chair at the end of the autumn section, all I
could think was, no, dont kill the grandpa! I was angry that the
grandfather died when previous pages had established that he loved
life and created positive moments for his family. I realize thats kind of
the point of the book life is filled with both joy and sadness but I
wasnt emotionally prepared for it on a rainy Sunday.
I love haiku poetry, and I enjoyed all the poems picked for this picture
book. To me, despite the poets name being listed first, Karas is the
true creator of this book for selecting the poems and arranging them to
tell a story with his images he was simply telling his story with
borrowed words. Although I am not particularly knowledgeable about
art, his illustrations remind me of impressionist paintings. A few pages,
such as the summer night, seemed to me to be inspired by one of my
favorite artists, Van Gogh. This only created a stronger emotional
connection for me, which made the death of the grandfather, which
was so subtly portrayed that at first you were not even sure it
happened, even more wrenching. I love this book and think it can be
shared with people of all ages, because each person can understand it
and connect to it in a different way at a different time.
And the Soldiers Sang, by J. Patrick Lewis, illustrated by Gary

Kelley (2011)
Well, I read this book immediately after Today and Today, and based on
my reaction to the death of the grandfather in the previous book you
can imagine my emotional response to this book. I actually had to set
it down halfway through and spend some time petting my cats.
This book follows one fictional Welsh soldier as he goes off to fight in
World War I, experiences the strange Christmas peace between the
trenches, and is then killed by a snipers bullet once fighting resumes.
Although a traditional picture book size, it has the look and feel of a
graphic novel: the images are presented in sequential panels, the text
of the narrative is contained within its own boxes, and occasionally
speech bubbles or inset illustrations are utilized. The narrative makes
frequent use of literary elements like alliteration that make the words
feel like poetry. The illustrations, which are mostly realistic but
sometimes take on a sketchier aspect, match the mood of the words in
portraying the grim realities of war and the brief bright spot created by
the peace. Both because of the format and the content, I think this
book is best suited to older readers in late elementary school and
above. To me, the darkness of war interrupted by a brief ray of hope,
quickly snuffed out, requires a certain emotional maturity to process
and appreciate. This book could be used to discuss the history of
World War I, or to discuss the realities of war in general. Anyone who
uses this book with a group of children must be prepared for a strong
emotional response, which can be more difficult to predict and to
handle in a group setting.
My Fathers Arms Are a Boat, by Stein Erik Lunde, illustrated

by yvind Torseter (2013)
Why have the past few books all been so sad? This book, which
features a little boy who has lost his mother and cant sleep, and his
father, who comforts him, feels unsettling and comforting at the same
time. The text features so many sensory perceptions and observations
that I feel like I must constantly read between the lines to see the
deeper significance. The illustrations are the most disconcerting part
of the book images are at odd angles, the paper cutouts create a 3-D
feel for certain objects, while others are simply pencil sketches.
Everything feels off kilter, which matches the feelings one experiences
after the loss of a family member. The most heart-wrenching element
of the book, in my opinion, is the boys preoccupation with the birds
and the bread hes left out for them. His grandmother told him the red
birds are dead people, and with the seemingly recent death of his
mother, his concern that the birds have access to the bread is painfully
touching. There is hope offered in this book, both in the relationship of
the boy with his caring father, and in the final image of a fresh chunk
of bread left out for the birds. While I think that many of the deeper
resonances of this book would go over the heads of young readers, I
still believe young children would be able to understand the basic story
of loss and comfort.
Take Me Out to the Yakyu, by Aaron Meshon (2013)

This cheerful book was much appreciated by me as a pick-me-up after

all the books about loss and sadness. The story explores the
similarities and differences between American and Japanese cultures,
using baseball as the central theme. Each page spread shows the
same step in the process of going to a baseball game, with the
American experience on the left and the Japanese on the right. I think
the beauty of this book is that it shows some of the differences in
culture and lifestyle (boy, their game food is healthier than ours!) while
highlighting the high number of similarities. The text presents the
Japanese words in such a way that it would be very easy for young
children to infer their meaning, and the images are all friendly, full of
color and rounded shapes. I think this book would be valuable to show
children the connections between differing cultures, or to help teach
them about Japanese culture in particular. I can also imagine this book
being very helpful for the increasing number of children who spend
their lives growing up in more than one country: it can teach them to
find comfort in the similarities while celebrating the differences they
find in various cultures.
What Animals Really Like, by Fiona Robinson (2011)

This book is another example of taking a fairly standard format and
turning it on its head. Instead of listing types of animals and what they
traditionally do in the wild, this book presents a song in which the
animals take control and tell you what they really like to do, instead of
the more stereotypical answers planned out for them. The conductor
of the choir, who from his name seems to be a beaver, but whom I
mistakenly interpreted as a dressed-up naked mole rat, must learn to
relinquish control of his song and let the animals do as they wish. The
animals favorite activities are satisfyingly ridiculous, and the comical
illustrations are full of interesting details. The opening page spreads at
the beginning and end of the book invoke the experience of attending
the theater and seeing the curtain open and close. This book would be
great for a storytime as well as an individual read. In whatever
environment, it is sure to prompt lots of giggles. It also sends a nice
message to children that they do not have to enjoy the activities or
interests expected of them, but that they can instead pick their own
favorites, no matter how ridiculous they may at first seem.
Interrupting Chicken, by David Ezra Stein (2010)

In this story, a little red chicken repeatedly asks her father for a
bedtime story, only to interrupt and derail the stories by placing herself
squarely in the middle of them. Increasingly exasperated, her father
asks her to create her own story, which leads him to fall asleep almost
instantly. Each story that is introduced is a well-known fairy tale. The
illustrations of the chicken and her papa, which are rather cartoonish
and full of broad strokes and bold colors, differ in style from the
sketchy images of the fairy tales. This makes the little red chickens
interruptions into the stories even more noticeable. While this book is
charming and I can imagine children really loving it, something felt
missing in it for me. I think it was that, while the little red chicken is
constantly jumping in and correcting the storybook characters, telling
them the lessons they should learn, she never learns her lesson not to
interrupt. I dont think books have a duty to be morality tales, but
when the main character keeps interrupting to teach other people their
lessons, it seems like an opportunity missed not to have her learn
something valuable as well.
The Strange Case of Origami Yoda, by Tom Angleberger

(2010)
Contemporary Realism, 160 pages
When one of the strangest kids in the class begins walking around with
a paper finger puppet resembling Yoda, it is bound to get him noticed.
When that finger puppet starts offering advice and predictions that
prove valuable, it really shakes things up. This book is structured as a
collection of stories told by different students at McQuarrie Middle
School, in a case file collected by Tommy, who tries to figure out if
Origami Yoda is truly magical and therefore offering advice of value.
Even though the central dilemma of this brief novel is whether or not a
paper finger puppet is sentient and offering sage advice, the
characters and the dialogue in the novel feel really genuine. The kids
are highly focused on social interactions, they are sometimes mean to
each other, and their actions toward each other create realistic
consequences. Even Dwight, the weird kid who creates Origami
Yoda, feels like an accurate portrayal of a schools resident odd duck. I
really enjoyed the humor and the geeky references in this book. My
favorite element was the mystery over Origami Yodas true powers.
Even though it is easy to read it with the perhaps cynical
understanding that its just Dwight the whole time, the playing of The
Twist in the final chapter delivers a nice thrill of uncertainty.
Same Sun Here, by Silas House and Neela Vaswani (2012)

When Meena and River become pen pals, they at first seem very
different from one another. They live in different places, come from
different cultures and religions, and are even opposite genders.
However, despite their many differences, each finds in the other a
kindred spirit, and they realize it is their commonalities that bind them
in friendship. Told in alternating letters from the two main characters,
the book is actually written by two authors, one representing each
character. This creates an interesting dynamic in the book, and
obviously more distinct voices for each character. The most interesting
part of the book is the way Meena and River navigate their differences
they honestly tell each other when they are bothered by something
the other wrote, but neither lingers on any awkwardness. Instead, they
most often accept the lessons they learn from each other with positive
attitudes and gratitude to learn something new. I also was struck by
the way certain events in their lives parallel each other, such as the
death of Meenas grandmother and the hospitalization of Rivers mom,
or the institutional struggles represented by the mountaintop removal
and the rent controlled apartment. I really like the way the book ends,
before the two characters actually meet with the new difficulties for
Meenas family, the prospect of the two characters meeting soon ends
the book on a really positive and hopeful note.
Although I found the book interesting and enjoyable, I also found it to
be a slow read. I believe that the interesting structure of the book,
created by two different authors, has the effect of slowing down the
pace of the novel in a way that sometimes does not sustain interest.
My interest increased more toward the end of the book, as the
characters lives took on some more dramatic turns. I think it is
important to be aware of and to communicate to children that
sometimes a book can be a bit of a challenge to get through, while still
being something really enjoyable and rewarding in the end. I think this
is a great book for a broad range of ages, particularly middle grades. I
believe one of its great values is in promoting understanding and the
seeking of similarities between people who might feel that they have
nothing in common.
Lulu and the Duck in the Park, by Hilary McKay, illustrated by

Priscilla Lamont (2012)
This illustrated novel is a very quick read, perfect for young readers
eager to get their hands on a chapter book. When Lulus class is on
their weekly visit to a local park and a pair of dogs creates a rumpus
that destroys the ducks nesting ground, Lulu picks up a rolling egg to
keep it safe. Trying to hide that egg from her strict teacher for the rest
of the day, especially when it starts to hatch underneath her sweater,
proves more difficult than she anticipated. The text of the novel
manages to combine sensory description and brevity, creating a story
that is accessible to early readers. It is enhanced by black and white
illustrations on some pages, portraying Lulu and the other characters
in a gentle comic style.
I really enjoyed this book, both because of the charming story and its
incredible accessibility. Without being babyish, the story is told in
short sentences and simple language that a lot of early and struggling
readers will be able to successfully comprehend. The fact that the
story takes place over only two days maintains a quick pace likely to
keep reader attention. I was wondering where the story was set when I
read that the author lives in England, and discovered that the book was
first published in England as well. The setting of the story, however, is
not obviously English, which I think creates a more universal appeal.
Finally, I really enjoyed that the illustrations depict the main character
as a child of color, but that her race is immaterial to the story at hand,
and is therefore not mentioned once.
Wonder, by R. J. Palacio (2011)

To me, this incredible book is all about the power of our actions. The
major themes of kindness, forgiveness, and bravery are all tied
together by the idea that peoples actions, even the smallest of
actions, have profound and sometimes unseen effects on others.
August Pullman has a genetic condition that has created multiple
health issues and resulted in a face that others refer to as deformed.
This book covers the year Auggie first goes to school with other
children, during the fifth grade. Middle school is a trying time for
pretty much everyone, but for a child so easily marked as different, it
has the potential to be traumatic. I think the beauty of this book is
that it is told not just through Auggies perspective, but also that of his
sister and their friends. In this way, the reader can see that Auggies
social experience, while unique in some circumstances, is mirrored and
connected in many ways with the challenges other children and
teenagers face. All of the narrating characters experience moments of
exclusion, embarrassment, and uncertainty about friendships with
others. Showing these similarities can help all readers understand not
only one or two of the characters, but all of the characters, even those
who find themselves in conflict with others. For every character, the
actions of others have profound and meaningful effects on their
happiness and their own subsequent actions. The net result is a book
that encourages empathy and kindness, and an attitude that looks for
the best in everyone. We could all use more books with such
messages.
I loved this book, and I want to share it with others. One of my favorite
parts is the interaction between parents and their children. The
children who actively display and value kindness have parents who
actively teach it. The one child who is consistently mean to Auggie
has parents who display the same bullying, entitled behaviors. A
couple of the characters have parents who are distant, and these
children recognize and value the loving relationships in Auggies
family, and are positively influenced by their interactions with them to
act kindly as well. This aspect of the book creates a valuable lesson for
parents and parents-to-be, that the recipe for a better world starts with
the way you treat and teach your children.
Heart of a Shepherd, by Rosanne Parry (2009)

When Ignatius Brother Aldermans father is shipped off to fight in
Iraq, and his older brothers go off to school or training, Brother is left to
help his grandparents take care of the family ranch. Faced with tasks
and responsibilities typically reserved for more mature people, Brother
must grow up fast. An introspective young man, Brother is inspired by
his experiences to learn about people and decide what path to take in
his own life.
I had to work to remain open to this book. Realistic fiction is not my
favorite genre, particularly serious or emotional realistic fiction, and
the cover image of a downcast boy with a mullet did nothing to
improve my initial approach to the novel. As I read the book, I became
interested in the portrayals of life on a ranch and I found connections
with the various characters. However, I still had a hard time getting
through the book. The plot events did not keep my attention focused,
and the characters and the narration felt at times to be cloyingly
sentimental. While I did not get properly engrossed in this book, I
recognize that to be a personal issue: the book simply isnt to my
taste. I can imagine numerous readers connecting with the honest
narration and the struggle of having a loved one serving in the armed
forces. While I can conceive of some readers connecting deeply to this
novel, I can also foresee difficulties placing this book in the right hands.
In my opinion, the cover art and lack of a synopsis (on my copy at
least) do more harm than good in promoting the work. I think this is
the type of book that would need to be promoted through library
displays and programs to help it find its readers.
The Children and the Wolves, by Adam Rapp (2012)

The one word I would use to describe this book is disturbing. It is
about three children of middle school age who kidnap a three-year-old
girl and hold her prisoner as part of a plan to harm a totally unrelated
adult poet. The three children, all neglected by their parents, escalate
from casual violence, drug use, and sexual acts to malicious acts of
planned violence. Only one of them, Wiggins, feels any remorse or the
need to make some form of retribution for any of their actions.
I read this book in one sitting, partly because I just wanted to get it
over with. While it is certainly intriguing and full of fast-paced action,
almost every page contains at least one deplorable detail. Ive always
hated the idea of censorship, and while I would never want to deny
anyone access to this book, I feel like my reaction echoes a
stereotypical censors response. Honestly, I dont know the point of
this book, other than to show that neglectful parenting has the
potential to create violent sadists. Everything in this book was
miserable and horrifying, and it seemed to be filled with gratuitous
scenes of every type. Despite the one boy displaying repentance, his
ending leaves the reader devoid of hope or any sense of faith in
humanity. Yes, the narrative is well structured and creates a
suspenseful read, but the content is so dreary and horrifying that the
quality writing cannot, in my opinion, redeem the content. While I
would never deny access to this book, I cannot say that I would
actively recommend it to anyone without someone doing a stellar job
of convincing me of its worth. Although it is characterized as young
adult, I think it is more appropriately deemed an adult book due to its
disturbing content.
Bink and Gollie, by Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee,

illustrated by Tony Fucile (2010)
Beginning Reader, 82 pages
This book toes the line between illustrated novel and graphic novel. It
follows the adventures of two girls, Bink and Gollie, as they play and
explore with each other, without any apparent adult supervision.
Although both characters are girls, nothing about the design of the
book or the activities the two engage in is particularly girly, which
makes it a book boys are more likely to read and enjoy without fear of
mockery. In fact, I thought the character Bink was a boy until I noticed
she was wearing a skirt and checked for a gender indicator on the book
flap. The avoidance of strong gender stereotypes is something I really
appreciate about this book.
While the text on each page is brief, some of the vocabulary is fairly
complex. The character Gollie, in particular, often uses mature words
that Bink does not comprehend. While I believe the vocabulary creates
a challenge for young readers, and more interest for older readers, I
wonder if there is a disconnect between the easy text structure and the
more advanced words. I definitely think the advanced vocabulary
contributes to the charm of this book, but it could possibly create some
difficulties when matching the book to readers. The illustrations are
the other major charm factor. They seem to me to be reminiscent of
the beloved Calvin and Hobbes cartoon strip in character and style,
and I can imagine some older readers, who might not be challenged by
the text at all, feeling invited into the book by the illustrations.
Me Too!, by Valeri Gorbachev (2013)

This adorable easy reader features a Bear and a Chipmunk who share a
day of wonderful winter activities together. To everything that Bear
says, Chipmunk responds with a spirited, Me too! Each page spread
involves one exclamation from Bear and the ritual response from
Chipmunk. The only variations to this pattern are when Chipmunk
says, Mine too! about the snow being up to his knees, and, You
too! when Bear wishes him sweet dreams.
I think the incredibly patterned language of this book makes it perfect
for early readers, who will feel an increase in confidence as they see
the same common sight words appearing again and again. The two
slight variations to the pattern toss in a bit of a challenge for the
novice reader, which can help teach them to read carefully. I love the
illustrations in this book they are so full of action! The two animals
are constantly moving around and Chipmunk seems to be frequently
flying through the air. Their facial expressions are exuberant and
joyful, which creates a really positive mood throughout the book and
shows us that, even when the animals fall down or crash, they are still
enjoying themselves. This type of optimistic attitude is one that most
children appreciate, because it matches their own feelings when they
engage in play. Everything in this book feels bright and cheery, while
also being warm and familiar.
Sadie and Ratz, by Sonya Hartnett, illustrated by Ann James

(2012)
This book reminds me of all the weird dark parts of childhood that I feel
like a lot of childrens books gloss over. Hannahs hands love getting
into mischief and have earned the names Sadie and Ratz. When her
little brother, who she refers to only as Baby Boy, begins blaming
things on Sadie and Ratz that Hannah knows they did not do, Hannah
is not sure how to handle it. Something that frustrates me in this book
is that the adults all accept the fact that Sadie and Ratz are to blame,
and respond to any charges against the younger brother by saying that
he is a good boy and couldnt do anything so naughty. I recognize that
Hannah, as the narrator, might be biased in thinking that she always
gets the blame and that this might color her parents portrayal.
Assuming this is not the case, the idea that any parent would tell the
child who is being blamed for something that the other child is too
good to do it seems wildly inappropriate to me. You never really know
what a child that young is capable of doing, and putting one on a
pedestal has the effect of vilifying the other, which is not good for
either one of them.
I realize that is a bit of a ramble, but the reactions of the adults really
bothered me in this book. Outside of that, I really enjoyed many
components of this story. I love the weirdness of Hannah personifying
her hands. I love the thinly veiled air of menace created by the dark
charcoal drawings, the lust her hands have for destruction, and the
constant wish she has to hurt her brother by rubbing bits off of him.
These all feel very genuine to me as the childish expressions of
emotions that can be too difficult to handle or discuss. I also love that
Sadie and Ratz are vindicated in the end, and that Baby Boys own
hands of destruction are unveiled. I think this book could be very
valuable to children who are experiencing sibling rivalry, or
competition and jealousy with any other child.
Penny and Her Doll, by Kevin Henkes (2012)

Penny receives the gift of a new doll from her grandma, and while she
loves the doll immediately she has difficulty coming up with the perfect
name. Finally, after some agonizing and discussions with her family,
Penny decides to name the doll after her favorite flower, Rose.
This book is very cute. The drawings are friendly, colorful, and soft.
There is pink all over the place and most of the shapes are round
instead of sharp. The text matches the gentleness of the illustrations.
Sentences are short and the words are broken up in the lines on the
page to help create a nice rhythm when reading. There is some
repetition in the book, which helps children learn new words and
creates feelings of confidence as they read. The topic, agonizing over
the name of a doll, is something that a lot of children go through with
favorite toys. I can imagine lots of kids being excited to read all of the
Penny books, and growing more confident as readers as they do so.
The Shark King, by R. Kikuo Johnson (2012)

Designated a toon book, by its publishers, this graphic novel for
young readers tells a version of the Hawaiian myth of the shark king
and the genesis of his son, Nanaue, who is always hungry no matter
how much he eats. While it is based on an ancient folktale, the story
reads like a modern superhero tale. Presented in graphic novel format,
it is likely to be popular with readers who enjoy modern adventures as
well as those who like stories from mythology. Most of the text is fairly
simple, with the pronunciations of Hawaiian words offered outside of
the frames, and the illustrations seem welcoming to young readers
without being babyish.
While I can certainly see the appeal this book would have for many
young readers, I personally did not find it entirely to my liking. I did
not like that the father, and eventually the son, abandon the mother to
her isolated home, particularly after it is swarmed by an angry mob. I

also was confused about the zigzag mouth on the boys back. I felt
that there were a few aspects of the story that required more
explanation to make sense or earn my acceptance. However, I find
this lack of explanation is also often present in both stories from
mythology and superhero stories, so perhaps in that way its presence
is appropriate here.
We Are in a Book!, by Mo Willems (2010)

I love all of the Elephant and Piggie books, and this is one of my
favorites. After Gerald and Piggie discover that someone is looking at
them, they realize that they are living within the pages of a book.
While at first they have fun interacting with the reader, they grow
worried when they realize that the book will end, so they ask the
reader to read the book again.
I think the beauty of these books is in their simplicity. The two
characters are presented against a plain white background, and their
dialogue is provided in colored word bubbles gray for Gerald and Pink
for Piggie. Complementing this simplicity of style is the text, which is
brief and very easy to read. All of this simplicity allows the books in
the series to explore some complicated ideas in a safe space. The
meta-awareness of the characters in this book is a particularly complex
theme for young readers that is explored in a fun and engaging way. It
encourages kids to think about how their books are written, and to
imagine their characters existence once the story is finished. I think
this and all of the Elephant and Piggie books are really accessible for
young readers and likely to be popular with many readers.
Outside Your Window: A First Book of Nature, by Nicola

Davies, illustrated by Mark Hearld (2012)
Poetry, 108 pages
Davies created a collection of poetry about nature that follows a
seasonal pattern, accompanied by beautiful illustrations by Hearld.
This is the first collection of poetry that I read aloud in its completion.
The baby was kicking before I started to read, so I was inspired to read
it aloud to her. She was still for the entire book, and then when I
stopped (because I needed a nap pregnancy is hard) she started
kicking up a storm. Now, no one can be sure if she was actually

responding to the poetry reading or not, but its interesting to note her
response nonetheless.
Reading the poetry aloud was beneficial to me. At first I was not very
impressed by the poetry in this collection, but I realized as I read the
poems aloud that there were a lot of great sound effects in many of the
poems. There is tons of onomatopoeia, alliteration, assonance, and
other sound effects, even though none of the poetry utilizes end
rhymes. I think all of these sound effects are powerful and positive for
young readers or listeners, particularly in the absence of end rhymes,
which are perhaps overused in poetry for children. That said, I still
found that the poems were hit or miss for me: some had wonderful
sound effects and powerful imagery, and others I personally did not
think worthwhile. I loved the art in the book, which in my opinion
overpowers the poetry. However, I think that if this book truly is
intended to be a first book of nature, which to me means it is meant
to be read to children instead of read by children, it makes sense to
have beautiful and even overpowering illustrations for young children
to gaze at as they listen to the poems.
UnBEElievables: Honeybee Poems and Paintings, by Douglas

Florian (2012)
Poetry, 32 pages
Florian has created a collection of mostly humorous poems about bees,
paired with stylized paintings and enhanced by inserts of factual
information. The poems make extensive use of rhyme, both internal
and end rhyme, as well as other sound devices like onomatopoeia and
alliteration. It turns out the topic of bees lends itself very well to
wordplay and poetic devices. Some of the illustrations are really
beautiful and look like works of art in their own right. Others look to
me like something a six year old could create, but Im certainly no
expert in artistic matters. Stylistic elements tie all the paintings
together, and they match the lighthearted and celebratory tone of the
poems.
I really appreciate the factual inserts, which in my opinion add context
to the poems that makes them more enjoyable to read. I think this is
the type of format that encourages reluctant readers of nonfiction to
learn more about a topic, perhaps encouraging them to move on to
other nonfiction on the same topic. Personally, I find bees fascinating
and have learned more about them in recent years, but I still came
across some new facts in this book. Finally, I really appreciate the fact
that this book celebrates honeybees, and the last poem in particular
that mentions the mystery of colony collapse disorder. We need bees
more than most people realize, and making bee lovers and bee
champions of young readers might help us learn how to help bees, and
by extension ourselves, thrive.
The Arrow Finds its Mark: A Book of Found Poems, edited by

Georgia Heard, illustrated by Antoine Guillopp (2012)
Poetry, 48 pages
I was not overwhelmed by this collection of found poetry. The
introduction explains the guidelines for the creation of the found
poems. While I think the idea of found poetry is really fun and
interesting, and I love the fact that there is a collection of it at all, I
found the poems in this book to be really inconsistent. Some of the
poems really made me stop and think or recognize the humor or irony
or beauty of their finding. Others, in comparison, just seemed like
meaningless lists or lazy poetry. For instance, Marilyns Montessori
Memo, Empty Promises, and Cross Words were all poems I found
to be really well done. They took language that was created in a
different format and, through restructuring it as a poem, created a new
and deeper meaning. Comparatively, poems like School Poems and
Texto dont feel like theres enough there to count as poetry at all,
and Weekday Morning Haiku just feels lazy. I mean, how hard is it to
craft a haiku (my favorite poetic form, by the way) when the majority
of your syllables are arp? Compare that to the beautiful Lake
Haiku, and it seems almost insulting to the latter to include them in
the same book. Also, I found the artwork to be entirely unappealing.
All that said, I do like the idea of found poems, and I think this book
could encourage children to find their own poetry in the language that
surrounds them, which is all to the positive.
National Geographic Book of Animal Poetry: 200 Poems with

Photographs That Squeak, Soar, and Roar!, compiled by J.
Patrick Lewis (2012)
Poetry, 192 pages
This collection pairs poems about animals with beautiful photographs
of the animal subjects. The poets in this compilation include some of
the most famous poets from literature, modern poets, and poets who
write specifically for children. Even though some of the poems were
not written for children, the animal connection binds them all together
and makes them accessible. The photographs, from National
Geographic, show animals in their natural habitats and capture their
beauty, their power, their weirdness, and their vulnerability.
I think this book was an absolutely wonderful idea. While some
children balk at the idea of poetry, the variety included in this tome is
sure to include something that every child can enjoy. So many kids are
interested in animals, or feel a particular connection with a certain
type of animal, that this book could be the topical boost they might
need to explore poetry. What I most love is that while some poems are
clearly written for children, even those that were not written for kids
still seem to belong in this collection due to the animal connection.
When Thunder Comes: Poems for Civil Rights Leaders, by J.

Patrick Lewis, illustrated by Jim Burke, R. Gregory Christie,
Tonya Engel, John Parra, and Meilo So (2012)
Poetry, 44 pages
This collection of poems and artwork recognizes civil rights activists
from around the world for their work, their sacrifices, and their
influence. While some of the featured figures are very well known,
others are less famous, at least to the general American populace. All
of the poems were written by Lewis, but they are written in many
different styles, tones, and voices, to better reflect the individuals they
honor. Five different illustrators contributed to this book, creating
artwork in a diverse range of styles and techniques to better
complement each poem and each figure.
I think this is a wonderful book to celebrate heroes many of them
unsung who work to make the world a better place. The one thing I
kept thinking as I read through the various poems was regret that I
didnt recognize all of the names, particularly those that did not live in
America. I really appreciate the collection of brief biographies at the
end to help provide context for the poems. I think this book is most
appropriate for middle grades and above, and I think it would be vital
to provide historical context for each figure in order for children to
understand the poems about their lives.
Pocketful of Posies: A Treasury of Nursery Rhymes, by Sally

Mavor (2010)
Poetry, 72 pages
This is the kind of book that makes me feel like a giant waste of space.
The creativity and artistic talent required to make such a work of art is
overwhelming. Mavor took traditional nursery rhymes that I believe
are primarily from the English tradition and illustrated them in a new
way. She used fabrics that she stitched, combined with real objects, to
create folksy works of art that match the tone and subject of each
nursery rhyme. Some of the rhymes are ones most children know, and
others were ones I had never heard before. She did not do anything to
update the rhymes, which I think is wonderful. The collection of the
rhymes in one volume is nothing new, but the artwork created to
accompany them is something truly special. I can imagine revisiting
this book multiple times to examine the illustrations, finding little
details never noticed before. I also appreciate that she managed to
create diverse characters for the rhymes using her little dolls, while
creating a world that feels fanciful and fantastic.
Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night, by Joyce

Sidman, illustrated by Rick Allen (2010)
Poetry, 32 pages
This collection of poems by Joyce Sidman explores the world of the
woods at night. Like some of our other collections of poetry, each
poem is paired with a blurb of factual information about the topic of
the poem. Each poem is also accompanied by illustrations by Rick
Allen that manage to be both realistic and dreamily mysterious.
I read this book of poetry last, and as far as the poems themselves go,
it is my favorite. I love the idea of poetry that celebrates the creatures
of the night, and the tone of the poems so perfectly matches the
creatures they portray. There is great variety in the poetry, from the
friendly humor of the Porcupette to the dangerous menace of the Dark
Emperor, in which the very shape of the words on the page portray the
owl and its mousy victim. I was prepared not to like the informational
tidbits on the side panels, but I found this information to be truly
interesting and I learned quite a few new facts. I particularly enjoyed
reading about efts, which I had never heard of before, and then
realizing that the wandering eft can be found beside every poem in the
book. I think this is the type of book kids could explore time and again
and always find a new detail in the illustrations, or a new significance
in the poetry, or a new fact they hadnt fully understood in the side
panels. I also think, after reading many of the poems aloud, that this
collection would make for wonderful bedtime reading. The poems have
such wonderful rhythm and even the more lighthearted entries have a
calming pace when read aloud.
The Blacker the Berry, by Joyce Carol Thomas, illustrated by

Floyd Cooper (2008)
Poetry, 32 pages
This collection of poetry and illustrations explores varying shades of
African American skin through the conceit of berries. Each poem
mentions berries in some way, and each explores one persons
relationship to his or her skin. The collection as a whole shows that
there are a myriad of skin tones that are considered black, and that
each is something to be celebrated. A few of the poems express issues
of racism, such as the Grandma mentioning the idea that coffee will
make you black, and the girl who looks white as snowberries but feels
connected to her black heritage. The theme of berries linking all the
poems together also creates positive connotations of nature, growth,
and perseverance. It also inspired me to eat a giant bowl of berries I
happened to have in the fridge right in the middle of reading the book.
I think this collection of poetry has the potential to be an excellent
conversation starter. Not only do I believe that it would open up
valuable discussions amongst African Americans to speak about their
own feelings about their skin, but I also feel that it would be a great
introduction to issues of skin color and heritage identification for
children of all races and ethnicities. I have mixed reactions about the
illustrations. Objectively, I realize that they are of excellent quality and
that they appropriately complement the poems. Personally, the
combination of the realistic portrayals of people with the grainy
coloring of the pages feels somehow off to me. Despite my personal
preference, I do understand the stylistic choices and think they work
excellently in partnership with the poems.
In Search of Sasquatch, by Kelly Milner Halls (2011)

Book of Information, 48 pages
This is an intriguing example of a book of information, since the topic it
covers is believed by many people to be an imaginary creature. Halls
presents the information that is considered by Sasquatch believers to

be evidence of the animals existence, and encourages readers to
consider the information and decide for themselves what they believe.
In her author biography, Halls declares that she is keeping an open
mind about the existence of the creature. The fact that she is neither
an ardent believer nor a total skeptic does lend her more credibility to
write about this controversial topic.
I can imagine tons of kids being interested in this topic and enjoying
the book that covers it. I liked reading about all the evidence that is
important to Sasquatch believers, and learning about the culture that
has developed in this community of believers. I appreciate the fact
that Halls was careful in her writing to present the information as
beliefs of individuals, often showing photographs of those individuals,
to help reinforce the fact that readers need to make up their own
minds about the topic. I also approve of the inclusion at the end of the
book of source notes, suggestions for further research, and an index
and glossary.
Despite the fact that I enjoyed the content of the book, I did not
particularly enjoy the design of the book. The pages felt cluttered to
me, and I did not think the text and the images in the book were laid
out in the best way. While the headings of the major sections and the
subheadings helped to organize the information, I think a different
design could have made the organizational structure of the book
clearer and more meaningful to readers.
Will Puberty Last My Whole Life?: REAL Answers to REAL

Questions from Preteens About Body Changes, Sex, and
Other Growing-Up Stuf, by Julie Metzger and Robert
Lehman, illustrated by Lia Cerizo (2012)
The question and answer format and the divided and flipped design are
what set this puberty book apart from others. The authors state that
the questions all came from real kids who attended their classes over
the years, and it is easy to believe. The wording of many of the
questions feels authentically preteen, and the topics of some of the
odder questions feel like things real kids would wonder about. It is
great that all these questions are gathered together for curious kids to
explore, and it is particularly positive that the authors encourage their
readers to go to caring adults to ask any additional questions. I think
the question and answer format really lends itself to the divided design
of the book, since kids at this age often feel more comfortable asking
these types of questions in a same-gender situation. I really like that
the authors make frequent suggestions to check out complementary
answers on the other side of the book, which tells kids that it is safe
and positive to learn about the opposite sex. It also can show kids that
they have many of the same questions and concerns not only as other
people of the same gender, but of the opposite gender as well.
One thing I was not crazy about in this book was the illustrations. I
really appreciate that they portray a diverse group of preteens
diverse not only in terms of race and ethnicity, but also in terms of
size, abilities, and rate of development. That is definitely a positive of
the illustrations and needs to be recognized. What I didnt like is that I
felt the illustrations on the boys side were drawn in more of a cartoon
format and tended to utilize more humor. I dont understand why the
boys side got the funny facial hair images and the girls side got
pimple popping and armpit shaving neither presented in a humorous
way.
Truce, by Jim Murphy (2009)

While this book takes on the difficult task of explaining the
international political climate that led to World War I, as well as the
specific episode of the Christmas Truce, it is written and designed in a
way to be very accessible to young readers. I read this right after
reading Bomb, and I was struck by how much easier the language is in
this text, and how the text size and spacing were obviously designed
for younger readers. Despite the younger intended audience, Murphy
does not shy away from the harsh facts of the history. He uses
soldiers own words to describe the horrors they confronted in war, and
includes photographs that show dead soldiers and horses. I think
these aspects of the book are incredibly important so that young
readers can begin to see the realities of war; to gloss over them for
fear of disturbing innocent sensibilities would, in my opinion, be a
disservice to readers. War is already glorified in numerous video
games, movies, and books, and I think it is very important that
nonfiction works paint a realistic picture of the tragedies and suffering
war creates, so that even children can begin to understand its real
consequences.
Now, I realize that my opinion about sharing the truth of war with
children is not shared by many people, but it is obvious from his book
that Jim Murphy would agree with me. From the start of the book, I
was struck by the claims Murphy makes that the war was based on the
lies of countries leaders to the people, and that the war itself never
need have happened at all. Murphy writes from a partisan position: he
offers his own interpretation of the facts, an interpretation that is
surely not shared by all historians. His closing connection between
World War I and the rush to war after September 11, while an
enlightening comparison in my mind, has the potential to be
particularly controversial. Murphy backs up his historical
interpretation, however, with tons of evidence, particularly the primary
sources of the words written by the soldiers involved. The use of this
evidence, as well as the source notes and recommendations for further
research, provide the support Murphy needs to back up his partisan
position.
Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans,

by Kadir Nelson (2011)
Nelsons account of the major events of American history and the role
of African Americans in that history is told as a narrative, by an older
female character whose grandfather was a slave but who lived to vote
for Barack Obama. In his authors note, Nelson states that the stories
told in this book were inspired by the stories handed down in his family
from elder to younger generations, which is what inspired him to use
an elder narrator to tell the history. While the narrator and the stories
of her family are fictitious, she imparts many facts and impressions
from history in a way that some readers might find more palatable
than a more traditional history.
I enjoyed the narrative tone in this book, which also allowed Nelson to
include the feelings and opinions of his narrator in the telling of
historical events. I think it is a nice alternative that could either serve
as an introduction or an enhancement to learning about our countrys
history. The really special part of the book, in my opinion, is Nelsons
illustrations. He created beautiful oil paintings that really bring the
people of his history to life and capture the emotions of the events
they represent. The combination of the narrative with the paintings
creates a unique book that people of many ages could enjoy.
The Impossible Rescue: The True Story of an Amazing Arctic

Adventure, by Martin W. Sandler (2012)

This book provides extensive coverage of a little known event in
history, one that was naturally full of adventure and danger. Despite
that fact, this book did not grip me nearly as much as some of our
other nonfiction, Bomb in particular. I think that this mostly has to do
with the writing style. While Sandler uses the first-hand accounts of
many of the people involved in the whaling ship disaster and the
overland rescue mission, I just wasnt pulled into their stories as
strongly. The personal dramas and struggles did not feel as immediate
or as relatable. A major factor of this could be that this struggle to
survive is farther outside of my personal experiences and background
knowledge and is therefore more difficult for me to understand.
Another factor could be that this is the last of our nonfiction books that
I read, and at this point Id really be happier if a wizard or Miss Marple
were somehow involved in the story.
Objectively, I realize that the book is very well done. Sandler obviously
did extensive research and put great effort into bringing the history to
life. I appreciate the conscious effort he made to highlight the
important role of the indigenous people in the story. The choice and
placement of the photographs, maps, and other images enhances the
text. The design of the book and the writing itself make me think this
book is intended for an older audience, perhaps late middle grades and
above. Many of the vocabulary choices and the presumed background
knowledge, not to mention the size and spacing of the font, would
make this book very challenging reading to younger or struggling
readers. It actually makes me wonder what, if anything, prevents this
from being a general adult nonfiction book as well nothing in its
content or design seem particularly juvenile to me. I do not mean that
I think it is not appropriate or accessible for younger readers, but
simply that I can imagine many adults reading and enjoying it as well.
Bomb: The Race to Build and Steal the Worlds Most

Dangerous Weapon, by Steve Sheinkin (2012)
Initially I was not excited to read this book, because despite the many
awards on the cover it looked a little daunting. I have always enjoyed
fiction more than nonfiction, and while I have found some nonfiction I
really love, I sometimes feel bogged down by facts and dates and have
a hard time staying interested. That was not the case with this book.
It is written in such a strong narrative style that I often felt like I was
reading a work of fiction. My attention was captured from the

beginning, and was maintained through the end. While I certainly
remember learning about World War II throughout my schooling, a
thorough discussion of the development of the atomic bomb and the
espionage surrounding it was never something that made its way into
the textbooks. (Which Sheinkin apparently used to write.) I found it
incredibly interesting, particularly the discussions of the moral and
ethical issues surrounding the development of such a powerful
weapon. It captured my attention so completely that I read it very
quickly, and felt the need to share some of the fun facts with my
husband upon his return from a business trip. Welcome home, indeed.
As I was reading, I questioned the frequent use of quotations and
dialogue in the writing, wondering how Sheinkin could include the
exchanges with any confidence of their accuracy. My concerns were
assuaged when I checked out the end of the book and saw the
extensive source notes, including many primary sources like recorded
interviews and testimonies of the people involved, and a list of the
specific source of every quotation in the book. The inclusion of these
sections in the book certainly testifies to Sheinkins accuracy, and to
his respect for his readers.
I was struck many times by the respect he must have for his young
readers based on the inclusion of all the facts, often without any extra
interpretation, so that readers can make up their own minds what is
happening. For instance, while some people might question the
inclusion of the story of Oppenheimers overnight visit to an old
girlfriend as a married man, it really was an important part of his story.
Sheinkin gave the bare facts, without labeling it as a tryst or giving any
interpretation of what was really going on, allowing readers to come to
their own conclusions. Some kids and teens would recognize it as a
romantic visit, while others might just interpret it as an innocent visit
to an old friend. I think this kind of presentation of the facts helps
widen the audience for this book. While my initial thoughts were that
this book would be most appealing to kids over the age of 12, I can
imagine younger kids with a strong interest in the history of the period
getting through the book quite successfully. I can also imagine many
adults (like myself) getting a great education while reading it. I dont
think there is anything within the text itself or the design of the book to
limit the readership either way.
One final note: I love the inclusion of all the photographs of the people
involved in the history, because it helped me to visualize, which added
excitement and interest to my reading. I do, however, think that some
of the photos were not placed at the appropriate places within the
book. For instance, the photo of Carl Eifler who I could tell just by
looking at him was going to be an interesting character was shared at

the introduction to Part 2, but Eifler himself did not enter the story until
Part 3. As I was reading I was constantly flipping back and forth to the
different photograph sections to remind myself who was who and to
help keep all the people straight. This is a minor complaint about a
book that, overall, was done incredibly well.
His Name Was Raoul Wallenberg, by Louise Borden (2012)

Biography, 136 pages
I couldnt help feeling underwhelmed by this biography. While Raoul
Wallenberg is certainly a heroic character and someone I am glad to
learn more about, I simply did not care for the presentation of
information in this book. I dont fully understand why Borden chose to
write her book in free verse. In my opinion this made the text more
difficult to read, and the language she used was not particularly poetic
so that a verse structure made sense. I also felt that Borden often did
not elaborate enough to provide context for readers, young or old, to
understand the diplomatic events taking place. I cannot say with
certainty that it was the verse structure of the text that limited the
amount of information presented, but I feel like she would have been
able to provide more background context and rely less on reader
inference if she had just written in plain old prose. On the plus side, I
really liked all the images used and the way they were combined with
the text to provide additional understanding.
Chuck Close: Face Book, by Chuck Close (2012)

Biography, 56 pages
This book was really interesting for me to read. I had never heard of
Chuck Close before, so I had no idea what his biography would cover. I
think this book really succeeds on two levels. On the one hand, it
provides a lot of information about making art and the artistic process
as it is practiced by a professional. On the other hand, it tells the story
of a man who has overcome numerous obstacles in his life in order to
continue to practice his passion. It is the latter that makes the book
interesting to me, but it could easily be the former that draws a reader
in to this unique biography.
I really enjoy the design and the format of the book. The scenario of
the introduction, that a group of kids from a school is going to visit
Chuck in his studio to ask him questions, creates the structure for the
rest of the book. Each question, written in childlike handwriting, allows
Chuck to discuss his art and his life in depth. While Im not sure if the
questions actually came from children, they certainly sound like the
types of questions real kids would ask this man. His answers allow him
to be inspiring to people on numerous levels: finding a talent to give
you confidence, working hard to show your efforts in whatever way you
can, taking lifes lemons (prosopagnosia) and making lemonade (face
art!), refusing to let challenges get you down, and so on. I was awestruck by the numerous ways Chuck Close is an inspirational figure. I
really like the middle section of the book, in which readers can flip
through the panels to create new combinations of Chucks self-portrait.
The whole concept ties in well with his artistic process and his way of
looking at faces. Im really glad to have been introduced to this book
and to the story of this mans life.
Bon Apptit!: The Delicious Life of Julia Child, by Jessie

Hartland (2012)
Biography, 48 pages
I was so excited when I saw we were reading a book about Julia Child,
because I think she is such an intriguing character. When I began to
read this book, however, all I could think was, not again! I was so
excited for the movie Julie and Julia, only to be disappointed by the
Julie half of the movie that robbed us of precious Meryl-as-Julia
moments. This book is another example of a brilliant idea of a tribute
to Julia Child executed in a way that, frankly, I just dont care for.
To focus on some positives, the facts presented in this book are
appropriate and likely to be of interest to young readers, and match
with the knowledge I have of the subject. The drawings I find charming
and somehow matched to Julias personality and joie de vivre. It is the
combination of the words and the illustrations, however, which derails
the entire book for me. Every page is so cluttered with visuals and
words as to be overwhelming. On many pages it is difficult to tell in
what order the clusters of words should be read, when it is actually
important that they be read in a certain order to make sense! The
entire design of the book feels schizophrenic to me I know that is
perhaps not the most appropriate descriptor, but it is the most fitting
one I can think of. Jamming so much information on each page,
particularly when the words are handwritten, does a disservice to the
readers and to the information the book is presenting. I wish the
creators of this book had spread it out over twice as many pages,
taking the time and care to present the information in a more

accessible way. It is incredibly ironic to me that Hartland describes the
reason for the success of Julias book as: The writing is clear and
precise, the design uncluttered and easy to read. Hartland should
have taken a lesson from that.
Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice, by Philip Hoose

(2009)
The thing that really struck me about this biography was how little I
knew of the full history of an event that I thought I knew well. Rosa
Parks is always cited as the woman who inspired the bus boycott, and
it is surprising how much of the groundwork for the movement was
created before she refused to leave her seat. I also think it is a
disservice to Rosa Parks and to history in general that she is often
presented as a woman who was just tired from shopping and fed up
with the situation. While that day might have been the final straw for
her, this book drives home that she was clearly a devoted activist. The
common implication that her decision was made on the spur of the
moment instead of inspired from a lifetime of activism lessens the
impact of what she did.
If this book made me grumpy about the historical misrepresentation of
Rosa Parkss actions, you can imagine how I feel about the way history
has treated Claudette Colvin. I think it is a real tragedy that I didnt
even recognize her name when I saw the title of the book, nor did I
know her role in inspiring and actively ending the segregation of buses.
While I totally understand the reasons of the civil rights leaders to look
for a representative for the movement that could better stand up to
scrutiny and criticism, it still seems to me that Claudette was used and
forgotten by some of those leaders, and mistreated by pretty much
everyone else. To see how her peers, especially, blamed her for being
a dangerous troublemaker was really heartbreaking. All of this
ostracism mixed up with grief for her sister, fear for her familys safety,
and uncertainty about her future would be enough to break a lot of
people. The fact that she was then the victim of what would, by at
least Illinoiss modern laws, be ruled as statutory rape is tragic. The
fact that she was then further ostracized for the pregnancy resulting
from her interactions with a man who obviously took advantage of a
vulnerable teenager made me livid. Claudette was so obviously the
victim of not just racial, but also gender inequality. Yet she still chose
to take an active role and make herself vulnerable again in order to
fight for her beliefs. I hope that her story spreads and becomes a part
of the commonly shared history of this era, so that she is rightly
recognized as one of the heroes of the civil rights movement.
I realize this has all been personal so far. I also recognize that this
book was well researched by Hoose, who documented his work in the
authors and source notes in the back. I also think the book was well
designed, making effective use of photographs and newspaper
clippings as visuals. I think this would be a really positive book for
middle and high school readers, in particular, to introduce them to a
historical figure deserving of more attention.
Knucklehead, by Jon Scieszka (2008)

I really enjoyed this memoir from Jon Scieszka about growing up in a
crazy house full of boys. I think he did a really good job of recapturing
the concerns and emotions of being a kid. While a lot of the particulars
of his childhood are determined by the era in which he grew up, so
many of the experiences are likely to be shared with children today. I
particularly enjoyed his discussions of the logistics of growing up in a
house with six boys, requiring the shuffling of clothes, Halloween
costumes, chores, and pretty much everything else. I think one of the
reasons his presentations of these stories is so successful is that he
does not question the childhood logic that led to most of his decisions.
He may comment that such antics should not be repeated or were
stupid choices to make, but he does not even try to deny that watching
your little brother eat cigarette butts is funny, or that it is impossible to
resist mimicking the eye poke of the Three Stooges.
I think this honesty and matter-of-factness is incredibly important.
There are quite a few stories within this memoir that contain elements
that, by todays standards, are not considered politically correct or that
many people think should not be encouraged. The boys are constantly
playing games of war, theyre enamored with guns, they set fire to
things, play potentially dangerous tricks on each other, and make
urinating into a fun family game. I really appreciate that Scieszka
presents these anecdotes without apology. He does provide a couple
of do not try this at home warnings, which I think is wise, and he
does mention that the Chinaman Halloween costume was not
sensitive to real Chinese people, but thats about it. While I can
imagine some people feeling he should contextualize or equivocate
some of his experiences, the bottom line is that they are real
experiences from his childhood and he does not need to apologize for
them. On a final note, I really enjoyed the index.
Smile, by Raina Telgemeier (2010)

This graphic novel focuses on the dental adventures of the author and
illustrator Raina Telgemeier, but it also includes a healthy dose of the
common school, friend, and boy drama faced by girls in middle and
high school. While I did not share similar dental experiences to the
young Raina, I felt like a lot of her social experiences really mirrored
my own as I made the transition from middle to high school. Perhaps
due to that, the entire story felt very genuine to me, and seemed like
something a lot of readers would be able to connect with.
This is one of those books that I noticed a lot of my sixth grade
students reading when I was teaching, but that I never got around to
reading myself. It makes total sense to me why it was so popular,
mostly with my sixth grade girls. Even though Raina feels like an
outcast much of the time, particularly with her old group of friends as
they grow older, many of her experiences and emotions are ones many
kids can immediately identify with. The stories she tells are enhanced
by the drawings, which show an often-frazzled Raina attempting to get
through her school days without embarrassment. Rainas new
confidence and assurance at the end of the story, and the picture of
the actual woman boldly smiling at the end of the book, are promising
reminders of the transitory nature of a lot of the problems common in
middle and high school.
With a Name Like Love, by Tess Hilmo (2011)

Historical Fiction, 252 pages
I got excited when I saw that the library from which I procured this
book had placed a mystery sticker on its spine, because I love a good
mystery. Upon completing the novel, I feel that the label was
misplaced. While there is an element of mystery in the book, dropping
clues and character sleuthing are certainly not the focus of the author.
Instead, the focus of the novel is a story of faith and human
connection, and the mystery feels incidental. While this may feel
nitpicky, I think this stickering (I know thats not a word) is a real error
on the part of the library, because kids who are looking for a mystery
might be sorely disappointed with this book, based on their own false
expectations.
I was reading this book for class, and not because I was searching for a
mystery, so the fact that it wasnt really a mystery didnt bother me
too much. I recognize that there is a lot more going on in this story
and it would be silly to judge it based on what it isnt. Regardless of
the mystery factor, I didnt care for the book too much. While I
enjoyed the interactions of the family, and particularly the squabbles
and tender moments between the sisters, many of the other actions of
various characters in the book felt inauthentic or implausible to me.
The most obvious example is the fire that was set to the Loves
campsite. It would make sense that the murderer might set fire to
their camp, since he or she would have already killed once and
wouldnt worry too much about the idea of taking other lives in a
desperate attempt to protect him or herself. But it turns out in the end
that the murderer isnt really a murderer hes a scared boy whose
attempt at saving a life led to the death of a big fat jerk. From
everything we learn about Ray, it seems impossible that he would
endanger the lives of a whole family one primarily consisting of little
girls. So are we supposed to think that Esther the frog killer did it? Her
spectacle with the frogs is reprehensible and suggests a certain
disregard for life, but what danger could the Loves have presented to
her to prompt her to possibly kill their whole family? All of Esther
Carters actions and words felt somehow false to me. Ive met people
who seemed full of hate, but her hatred felt over the top and
misdirected, to the point that a serious mental illness would make
more sense than her just being a mean woman.
I realize it might seem like Im looking for problems in the book, but the
issue is that it just didnt feel honest to me. There were so many
events and actions that felt inauthentic that it constantly took me out
of the story and made me question what was happening. While I
realize that most people probably do not have the same reaction to
this book, we talk a lot about how kids value and seek out authenticity.
So therefore its important to recognize that a child may balk at a book
because it feels inauthentic, and we should respect that as a
worthwhile reason to dislike it.
Inside Out and Back Again, by Thanhha Lai (2011)

Told in a collection of free verse poetry, the story of H and her family
fleeing war-torn Vietnam and arriving in America is an intimate look at
the immigration experience from a childs viewpoint. As I was reading I

thought it very likely that the author had actually gone through a
similar immigration experience. Hs feelings were so tangible and
vivid that they seemed somehow too real to be entirely fictional. The
interview with the author at the end of the novel made it clear that she
did in fact base Hs experiences primarily on the events and emotions
of her own childhood. This interview also revealed that Lai chose to
write the book in poetry, after trying out numerous styles of prose,
because she felt that it most accurately reflected the tumultuous
emotions of a child in such a dramatic transition. I agree that poetry
was the most effective choice to portray Hs emotions, and it also
somehow emphasized the language barrier she experienced after
arriving in Alabama.
One aspect of the story I found very powerful was how significant the
kindly actions of a few people were to H and her family. While she
faced cruelty from the Pink Boy and some of her neighbors, and
embarrassment from some of the well-intended but misguided acts of
adults like her teacher, it was the open kindness of Miss Washington,
Pam, and Steven that had the biggest impact on H. Even though they
still faced some cultural and linguistic struggles, these characters knew
they could help H by learning from and about her, instead of
assuming they knew what she needed. This openness enabled H to
share her feelings and adjust to the changes in her life. I think this is a
nice lesson that all people can apply to interactions with, well, with all
other people: dont assume you know someone, actually get to know
them!
No Crystal Stair, by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson (2012)

The author tells the story of her own great-uncle, Lewis Michaux, who
founded and ran an influential bookstore in the Harlem neighborhood.
I enjoyed reading about Lewis Michaux, his ideas, and his spirited
interactions with other people. It seems obvious that he had a
significant influence in many peoples lives, and he did so by sharing
books and knowledge, which is something pretty much every librarian
is bound to applaud. His constant refrain that literacy and knowledge
is the source of power and success is a message that I think people still
need to hear today.
While I enjoyed learning about an interesting person, I did not really
care for the format of the book. I found myself getting confused by the
number of different voices and perspectives, and trying to keep all the
people straight made it more difficult for me to get involved in the

story of his life. The inclusion of the FBI reports and newspaper articles
created further distance from the story. I just prefer a plain old
narrative to the episodic style of this novel. Regardless, this book
could teach a lot of young readers what life was like for African
Americans in the early twentieth century, and how certain segments of
the civil rights movement developed and influenced each other.
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Universe, by Benjamin Alire

Senz (2012)
I really enjoyed this angst-ridden novel of a young man struggling to
discover and accept his own identity. I think Senz perfectly captures
the voice of a frustrated adolescent engaged in this struggle. I know
that many of Aris thoughts and frustrations, as well as the recognition
that lots of those thoughts and frustrations are irrational, are ones that
I experienced in my own teenage years. I believe most people go
through a time where they feel that they are not real or true
people, because they have not yet discovered or come to terms with
who they really are. I think that many young readers, regardless of
exact age, gender, ethnicity, or specific life experience, can find a
kindred spirit in Aris search for himself.
One of the things I love about this book is that I didnt know where it
was going. Part of that is certainly due to the limited information
provided on the book jacket good job, publishers. This allowed the
story to unfold for me naturally, so that my expectations for the book
were always playing catch up with what was actually happening. At
first I thought it was just going to be a story about two boys who didnt
quite fit in, finding their first true friend in each other. Then when the
accident occurred, I thought it was going to become a story about
overcoming a physical challenge with the help of a friend. When they
said Ari was going to recover fairly quickly, well, I didnt really know
what was going to happen. It was during Aris recovery that I began to
realize that Dantes feelings for Ari went beyond friendship. At that
point, I thought the story would become the struggle of two friends
dealing with the fact that one has romantic feelings the other cant
return. It took quite a while before I realized that Aris anger and his
shame, his confusion and his distance, are all tangled up with his
refusal to recognize and accept that he, too, is a boy who loves
another boy. I think this was a genius slow play on Senzs part,
because readers who might not seek out or particularly welcome a
book about two boys discovering their romantic love for each other
would likely also be sucked into the story and the characters before
realizing what was going on. And in my opinion, the heart of this book
is not the love story, but Aris struggle to find who he is.
One final note: I love how supportive both boys parents are of their
sexual identity. Particularly because their support flies in the face of
many stereotypes about how certain groups (Texans, Hispanics,
Catholics, tough army guys, etc.) feel about homosexuality. While
certainly not everyone is supportive of the two boys, the only people
who really matter to them are incredibly loving and supportive. I think
this fact could help inspire some young readers who are afraid of
sharing part of their secret selves with their parents, whatever that
secret might be.
Splendors and Glooms, by Laura Amy Schlitz (2012)

I greatly enjoyed this book, which combined historical fiction of one of
my favorite eras with elements of fantasy and mystery. Three children
living in Victorian England struggle against forces that control their
lives. The most malicious and powerful of these forces are Grisini, a
puppet master and magician, and Cassandra the witch. One of the
things I really loved about this book was the theme of control that
permeated every aspect of the novel. Grisini and his apprentices
literally control their puppets, but Cassandra uses her magic to control
Grisini and others. Grisini uses his own magical powers and his cruelty
to control Parsefall and Lizzie Rose. He obviously controls Clara when
he turns her into a puppet, but Clara also feels controlled by her
parents and their house of perpetual mourning. Even Cassandra, who
has the most powerful magic in the novel, is controlled by the fire opal
that gives her that power. Every character feels powerless because of
someone or something, and the juxtaposition of the puppets with this
constant theme creates some really interesting material for thought
and discussion.
Although elements of fantasy are strong in this book, I understand why
it is primarily classified as historical fiction. The setting of Victorian
England is vital to the book and takes on a character of its own. The
magic feels somehow possible within this setting, in a way that it might
not in a modern context. I wonder if young readers would need any
background knowledge about the era to fully understand some of the
social situations in the story. There is so much going on, however, that
even if a particular episode did not fully make sense to a reader, there
is still so much to enjoy and to think about. This book did take a long
time for me to read, but I think that is because there is so much of
value going on that it encouraged me to take my time and savor the
story.
The Watch That Ends the Night: Voices From the Titanic, by
Allan Wolf (2011)
I expected this book to be a powerful experience for me, and I was
correct. I had a very visceral reaction for the last two hundred pages
or so, which involved significant amounts of crying and shivering as I
grew inexplicably colder. I needed to huddle under a blanket and have
some milk and cookies to recover. Despite the arguably negative
physical reaction, I really enjoyed this book. I was initially skeptical of
the multiple voices and the verse format, but I found it to be a really
effective way to capture the diversity and the humanity of the people
aboard the ship. Some of the voices resonated with me as inherently
poetic, while many of the others read more like prose. Interestingly,
the voices I found most poetic were the nonhuman ones the Iceberg,
the promenades, the Ship Rat and the young children. I appreciated
that Wolf consistently used certain poetic devices with certain voices,
like the serpentine shape of the Ship Rats poems, the onomatopoeia
of the postman Oscar Woody, or the parenthetical asides of Louis
Hoffman. These consistencies helped to differentiate the voices and,
over the course of the novel, allowed each to express more than would
have been possible in their absence.
I really appreciated Wolfs notes at the end of the book, particularly the
character notes, as I had come to connect with and care about many of
the characters. I can see that writing a book like this about such a
thoroughly studied historical event requires the type of documentation
and disclaimers that Wolf includes. Most of my knowledge about the
Titanic comes from the movie and the hubbub that surrounded it. I
had to laugh at myself as I reached the end of the book, because the
whole time I was wondering why Wolf chose to include Margaret Brown,
who seemed like a tame version of the unsinkable Molly woman whose
last name I couldnt remember, instead of Molly herself. When I
reached Browns character note and realized she was the unsinkable
woman, only represented in what Wolf considers a more realistic way, I
felt a bit chagrined. Regardless of how she is portrayed, as Kathy
Batess feisty country girl or as Wolfs probably more realistic
introspective activist, she still ends up as my favorite personality. It
makes me want to read more about Margaret Brown so I can get a

fuller perspective.
I think this book is a wonderful way to bring the tragedy of the sinking
of the Titanic to life for a new generation, over a hundred years after
the event occurred. This is important not only to give modern kids
some historical perspective, but also to give them tools to empathize
with and understand modern tragedies and the ways people react to
them. I also think this is a great complement to the movie, to help
people of all ages understand that the same people and events can be
reinterpreted and presented in various ways, and that no one way is
necessarily right.
Jinx, by Sage Blackwood (2013)

Fantasy, 362 pages
Jinx is an unwanted child in the harsh world of the Urwald, at least until
the wizard Simon takes him in as a household servant and, eventually,
apprentice. As Jinx grows up, he learns that he has special skills and
abilities to rival the powerful wizards and witches surrounding him.
The most interesting part of this fantasy, in my opinion, is the
relationship between Jinx and Simon. They are two abrupt, often noncommunicative characters who dont seem to know what to make of
each other much of the time. I think the question of whether or not
Simon is an evil wizard is an interesting theme of the book. While he
certainly is a crotchety fellow, his motives and actions are often
unexplained and mysterious to the other characters as well as the
readers. I appreciate that he is such a complicated character, and that
the concept of evilness is explored and questioned in his juxtaposition
with the Bonemaster.
I really enjoyed this book, which seems to me to be the most typical
representative of the fantasy genre from our reading list. I loved the
exploration of a new world and its rules of magic, as well as the
interesting characters and their interactions. I can imagine many
young readers, particularly those who love fantasy, enjoying this novel
immensely. The one thing I did not particularly care for about the book
is that I felt it ended abruptly, without providing the closure and many
of the answers I was craving. I assume this is because one or more
sequels are on their way to continue the story. If thats the case,
however, I like to know it going in so that I dont expect the story to be
nicely tied up by the final pages. I would be very interested in reading
any sequels to this book to find out how Jinx and his companions
resolve their journeys.
Summer and Bird, by Katherine Catmull (2012)

Fantasy, 348 pages
This book follows the adventures of two sisters who go searching for
their missing parents and end up realizing their place in the
complicated and mythological world of birds. The whole time I was
reading this book I just kept thinking, gosh, this is weird, but I still
enjoyed it. I am a big fantasy fan, and I tend to love all things weird.
This story felt stranger than most, and I think it is due to the writing.
Catmull writes in a way that sometimes feels distant and very literary,
and at other times feels casual and realistic. While many of the
emotions the girls experienced felt genuine, their inner monologues
and the way they conversed with others often felt strange and
unrealistic. Yet the whole situation and their characters are strange, so
I suppose it fits. I most enjoyed the cryptic nature of the book, and the
small mysteries that were revealed along the way.
While I enjoyed the book, it did take me a while to get through the
whole thing, which is not typical for me when it comes to fantasies. I
think this was partly due to the meaty language and the fact that the
girls adventure was often spiritual in nature, and the fact that the
story felt, to me, to lag at certain points. While I can imagine a lot of
kids really enjoying this novel, I can also imagine many getting
frustrated with it and setting it aside. Whenever I would recommend
this novel to a young reader, I would make sure they know that it can
be a challenging, though rewarding, read. Some kids will leap at the
challenge, while others might appreciate the warning and decide to go
for something else.
Ship of Souls, by Zetta Elliott (2011)

Fantasy, 134 pages
D is a boy who feels lost after the death of his mother and his entry
into the foster care system. When he meets a talking bird, he readily
accepts the magic of the situation and agrees to do whatever is
needed to help the creature. At the same time, he befriends two
slightly older children who help him on his mission and give him new
hope for his own life. The story is full of action and emotions, which
makes it a very quick and engaging read. I really appreciate the fact
that it features African American characters, who, in my reading
experience, are not often found in fantasy.
While I enjoyed this slim book, which incorporates quite a lot of themes
and story elements into its pages, I felt like there were so many
missing pieces of the puzzle. First, I kept expecting D to have some
special heritage from his mysterious father that linked him to Nuru or
the mission to save the deserted souls. The cryptic introduction of this
shadowy father figure seemed rife with possibilities. I also felt like
some of the characters actions did not make sense or did not ring
true, because things were moving so quickly. I wanted more
explanation about the mission to save the souls of the dead D
accepted it so quickly that it wasnt really explained, and I wanted a
deeper understanding of what was going on. Finally, I wanted more of
a wrap up at the end of the story. I wanted to see the kids go home
and deal with some of the aftermath of their night out, particularly Ds
reunion with his foster mother.
Despite my feeling that these are deficits in the story, I think this book
has the potential to really connect with a lot of readers. The book feels
like realistic fiction for the first few chapters, which could help draw in
reluctant readers of fantasy. It also features a diverse cast of complex
characters instead of remaining a nerd, a jock, and a rebel, the three
main characters connect with each other not despite, but because of
their differences and their willingness to embrace them. The
complexity of the characters can also help draw in readers who
connect particularly with one of them. Finally, the fact that the story is
so quick and full of action will surely attract many readers. While its
not my favorite fantasy weve read, Im glad to have experienced it.
A Tale Dark & Grimm, by Adam Gidwitz (2010)

Fantasy, 258 pages
Gidwitz takes some of Grimms grossest fairy tales and weaves them
together into one epic story using the well-known characters Hansel
and Gretel. Instead of being two children who get abandoned and
abused, Hansel and Gretel are dynamic characters who learn from their
adventures how to be heroes. I enjoy the Grimms versions of fairy
tales and own an old book that contains all their stories. I actually
went back and forth between Gidwitzs book and my classic collection
to see how his versions of the stories compare to the Grimms versions.
While I did notice many differences in some stories, the most obvious
of which being the fact that Hansel and Gretel are not in most of those
stories, some of his tales stay remarkably close to the Grimms
versions. I appreciate his acknowledgements at the end which
recommend that kids go and read the original versions, because I think
its likely many kids will be pleasantly surprised that the old versions
of the tales are much more risqu than the Disneyfied versions they
might be more used to.
I really enjoyed the format of the book, in which Gidwitz alternated the
basic telling of the tales with his narrators intrusions in bold. Not only
did it add humor and interest to the stories, but his tongue-in-cheek
warnings about the goriness of the stories can serve a dual purpose:
they can draw in readers who delight in the dark bits, and they can act
as a real warning to kids who do not care for blood and guts. The latter
can simply put the book down when they come across these repeated
warnings and find something more to their liking. I think it is a good
thing for librarians and teachers to mention this, so kids know that its
better to put down a book if you think its not to your liking so that you
can find something that is. I do wonder how often this book gets
challenged. It is chock full of murders and goriness and dealings with
the devil, but all those elements come straight out of the classic
Grimms versions. I wonder if the fact that they are inspired by
classic stories makes these elements more palatable to individuals
who might normally object to them.
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, by Grace Lin (2009)

Fantasy, 284 pages
This novel weaves classic folktale elements with the story of a strong
girl going on a quest to change the fortune of her family. As Minli
travels to a mystical mountain to seek advice from the Old Man of the
Moon, she meets a slew of interesting characters who share stories
with her. To me, this book feels like a story about stories, and their
power in our lives. Minli loves the stories her father tells her, but her
mother finds them a waste of time. Minli is inspired by these stories to
seek out a better life, and her mother eventually makes her apologies
to her husband through a story she tells him. The characters use the
stories to share pieces of their past and messages or lessons for their
listeners. Whats more, the stories of the distant past, which feel like
traditional folktales, have very real connections and implications for
the characters living in Minlis time. Not only do characters like Dragon
and the inhabitants of the Village of the Moon Rain have tangible
connections to the villainous Magistrate Tiger, but it is also easy to see
how the wisdom ignored by Magistrate Tiger is waiting to bring positive
change to Minli and her family.
I found the story engaging and really enjoyed the interplay between
the main narrative and the stories told within. I also appreciated the
design of the book, from the beautiful illustrations which perfectly
mirrored the graceful spirit of the fantasy to the special font used for
the inner frame stories. I love the fact that this book, which is steeped
in Chinese culture and stories, features a strong female protagonist
whose main struggle is not getting others to accept that she is a strong
female. I also enjoy that Minlis best assets are her quick thinking and
her kindness, and that just by being herself she manages to make the
best decisions to succeed on her quest. I can imagine young readers
with a keen interest in folktales being very happy to get their hands on
this book.
Cold Cereal, by Adam Rex (2012)

Fantasy, 424 pages
I really enjoyed this humorous novel about an evil cereal company
attempting to manipulate magical creatures and children to take over
the world. While the plot became a bit complex at the end with the
revelation of the history of Goodco and the setup for the following
books, I found the book to be an engaging read and I would be very
interested in reading any sequels.
I really enjoyed the humor of this book, which I think would be a major
draw for a lot of young readers. I also thought that most of the major
characters were well-developed and likely to prompt real connections
from readers. I enjoyed the design of the book, from the basic
illustrations, to the depictions of the TV commercials, to the Cold
Cereal Facts on the book jacket flap. The illustrations enhanced the
book for me, and helped me to better visualize some of the magical
creatures. I think this book is likely to be popular with a wide
readership. Some kids will be drawn to the humor, others to the
fantasy elements, and still others to the odd cereal conspiracy. Like
Rick Riordans books, this one will catch the attention of a reader who
is easily bored by books that do not have much action. This feels to
me like the kind of book that kids will recommend to each other and
come in wanting to read. I would therefore want to have a few copies
on the shelves of my library.

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Elizabeth Lovsin

LIS 721 Barthelmess

Final Reading Journal

Z is for Moose, by Kelly Bingham, illustrated by Paul O.

People, by Blexbolex (2011)

While I found this book intriguing, it is not a book that I particularly

One Gorilla: A Counting Book, by Anthony Browne (2013)

The Black Book of Colors, by Menena Cottin and Rosana

Blue Chicken, by Deborah Freedman (2011)

Orange Pear Apple Bear, by Emily Gravett (2007)

before, and debated whether or not to use it in my toddler time. While

My Heart is Like a Zoo, by Michael Hall (2009)

Bea at Ballet, by Rachel Isadora (2012)

Fiesta Babies, by Carmen Tafolla, illustrated by Amy Cordova

This colorful book presents many aspects of traditional Hispanic

Animal 1 2 3, by Britta Teckentrup (2012)

Round is a Tortilla: A Book of Shapes, by Roseanna

Press Here, by Herv Tullet (2011)

Shark vs. Train, by Chris Barton, illustrated by Tom

Jimmy the Greatest!, by Jairo Buitrago, illustrated by Rafael

Dream Friends, by You Byun (2013)

Farm, by Elisha Cooper (2010)

Picture Book, 48 pages

Underground: Finding the Light to Freedom, by Shane W.

Garmanns Summer, by Stian Hole (2008)

Picture Book, 42 pages

Stuck, by Oliver Jeffers (2011)

Today and Today, by Issa Kobayashi, illustrated by G. Brian

And the Soldiers Sang, by J. Patrick Lewis, illustrated by Gary

My Fathers Arms Are a Boat, by Stein Erik Lunde, illustrated

Take Me Out to the Yakyu, by Aaron Meshon (2013)

This cheerful book was much appreciated by me as a pick-me-up after

What Animals Really Like, by Fiona Robinson (2011)

Interrupting Chicken, by David Ezra Stein (2010)

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda, by Tom Angleberger

Same Sun Here, by Silas House and Neela Vaswani (2012)

Lulu and the Duck in the Park, by Hilary McKay, illustrated by

Wonder, by R. J. Palacio (2011)

Heart of a Shepherd, by Rosanne Parry (2009)

The Children and the Wolves, by Adam Rapp (2012)

Bink and Gollie, by Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee,

Me Too!, by Valeri Gorbachev (2013)

Sadie and Ratz, by Sonya Hartnett, illustrated by Ann James

Penny and Her Doll, by Kevin Henkes (2012)

The Shark King, by R. Kikuo Johnson (2012)

her isolated home, particularly after it is swarmed by an angry mob. I

We Are in a Book!, by Mo Willems (2010)

Outside Your Window: A First Book of Nature, by Nicola

kicking up a storm. Now, no one can be sure if she was actually

UnBEElievables: Honeybee Poems and Paintings, by Douglas

The Arrow Finds its Mark: A Book of Found Poems, edited by

National Geographic Book of Animal Poetry: 200 Poems with

When Thunder Comes: Poems for Civil Rights Leaders, by J.

Pocketful of Posies: A Treasury of Nursery Rhymes, by Sally

Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night, by Joyce

The Blacker the Berry, by Joyce Carol Thomas, illustrated by

In Search of Sasquatch, by Kelly Milner Halls (2011)

presents the information that is considered by Sasquatch believers to

Will Puberty Last My Whole Life?: REAL Answers to REAL

Truce, by Jim Murphy (2009)

Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans,

The Impossible Rescue: The True Story of an Amazing Arctic