Quote of the Week

“Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested: that is, some books are to be read only in parts,others to be read, but not curiously, and some few to be read wholly,and with diligence and attention.”~ Francis Bacon ~

(Established the scientific method as we know it. Groans from all those kids who are required to do a science fair project to demonstarte their understanding of said method!)

Module 10 babymouse Skater Girl

Title of Book:Babymouse Skater Girl; Author: Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm; ISBN: 9780375839894; Published by: Random House Children's Books

Summary:
As Babymouse skated, a talent scout saw her and offered her a place on her ice skating team. Since Babymouse was desperate to have a trophy in the school trophy case, she accepted a spot on the team. Things got a little hairy however when Babymouse learned of the intense practice routine and dietary restrictions she would need to follow to stay on the team. After some soul searching, she decided that time with friends, books and eating cupcakes were more important than a trophy. Her friends surprised her with her own “Best Babymouse” trophy. The fun pink, white and black graphics just add to the kid appeal as do the smallish size of the books.

My Impressions:
OK, I admit the Babymouse books are never going to win a Newbery award, but it’s just so perfect for the second to third grade crowd! (As adults do we exclusively read Pulitzer Prize winners? Someone’s got to be buying all those National Enquirer magazines I see at the check out lines.) It’s cute, and short, and the reading level is easy, and it’s in the hottest graphic novel format, and Babymouse is just too precious! This series hit a home run! FYI-Jennifer L. Holm was the author of a Newberry Honor book Our Only May Amelia.

Flashlight Reading Under the Covers Rating: 5 out of 5

Reviews:
From Booklist. Retrieved from Amazon.com
In the seventh book in the Babymouse series, the intrepid heroine takes up ice-skating, learning that it takes hard work to be the best. When her training schedule begins to cut her off from her friends and from her beloved cupcakes, she must decide how badly she wants to win. Once again the brother-sister creative team hits the mark with humor, sweetness, and characters so genuine they can pass for real kids. Cute, smart, sassy Babymouse is fun and funny, and this book, like its predecessors, will draw reluctant readers as well as Babymouse fans. Coleman, Tina

Suggestions for Use in a Library:
Celebrate You Day! Gather up some arts and craft supplies to decorate cardboard trophies with. (Check Hobby Lobby or Oriental Trading as they sometimes have ready to decorate trophies that will save you some time.) Let each child decide to give themselves a trophy of something they are best at. Then, allow them to make a trophy to decorate to give to someone special in their life for what that person is great at. You may want to have some ideas up to get the creative juices flowing. Best kicker, best sleeper, best dishwasher unloader, best colorer, best towel folder, best boo boo kisser, etc… Try and steer kids clear of generic “best mom” or “best friend” and help them dig deep!

Module 10: Captain Underpants and the Attack of the Talking Toilets

Title of Book: Captain Underpants and the Attack of the Talking Toilets; Author: Dav Pilkey; ISBN: 978-0545027274; Published by: The Blue Sky Press. Available in Spanish. Title: Captain Calzoncillos y el ataque de los inodores parlantes; Author: Dav Pilkey; ISBN: 978-0606249898; Published by: Turtleback Books

Summary:
The beginning of the book is an introduction (in comic book format) on how Captain Underpants came into being. In a previous adventure, our protagonists Harold and George hypnotized their principal Mr. Krupp so now any time he hears fingers snapping, he turns into the underwear sporting, crime fighting Captain Underpants. In this particular adventure, Hoard and George were in detention and they were drawing a comic book. They wanted to make copies of the comic book so they snuck into the Invention Contest and made copies on the copier that has been modified to bring to life anything it copies. And, you guessed it, their comic book was about talking toilets. A teacher snapped her fingers within hearing of Mr. Krupp who rushed to grab his outfit and began fighting those toilets. The end of our story found Mr. Krupp flushed with success (so sorry; I couldn’t resist) singing his trademark Tra-La-Laaaa! as he ran out of the school ready for his next adventure.


My Impressions:
I’m not exactly sure why this book is so controversial. Yes, there was a crazed, hypnotized principal running around in his underwear battling crime. Yes, there was a fair amount of “potty” humor. (Last year I was cursed out by a first grader who repeatedly screamed, “You are a toilet!” at the top of his lungs. And you thought being a librarian was all fun and games!) The underwear and off color humor didn’t bother me at all. What bothered me was the attitude of hate the teachers at the school exhibited toward George and Harold. They actually threw a party when the two boys got kicked out of school. I also objected to the numerous misspellings (“thier”, “pored” for poured and “exsept” for except).


Flashlight Reading Under the Covers Rating: 0 out of 5
Sorry, no way will this former first grade teacher give a book anything other than a “0” when their is spelled “thier”; not even if it has amazingly cool Flip-O-Ramas.

Reviews:
Grade 3-6 This epic novel opens with an introductory cartoon strip that tells the top-secret truth about how two kids, George and Harold, used the 3-D Hypno-Ring to hypnotize their principal, who now becomes Captain Underpants whenever he hears fingers snapping. In this second adventure, the boys are banned from attending the annual Invention Convention and sent to detention to keep them out of trouble. This, of course, is impossible, so they sneak into the school that evening and tamper with all of the inventions to wreak havoc. They also make copies of their newest comic strip of vicious attack toilets and the daddy monster of them all Turbo Toilet 2000. The copy machine is an invention that duplicates into live matter all images it copies and the attack toilets come to life. The wild story actually comes to a logical conclusion, but it really doesn’t matter. The fun is in the reading, which is full of puns, rhymes, and nonsense along with enough revenge and wish fulfillment for every downtrodden fun-seeking kid who never wanted to read a book. The cartoon drawings and the amazing flip-o-rama pages make this book so appealing that youngsters won’t notice that their vocabulary is stretching. Hooray for Captain Underpants! Watch him fly off your shelves. Marlene Gawron, Orange County Library, Orlando, FL From School Library Journal


Suggestions for Use in a Library:
Host a cartoon drawing party. I suggest getting proficient at a few basics like people or trucks using Ed Emberly’s Complete Funprint Drawing Book or Ed Emberly’s Fingerprint Drawing Book. Those are particularly easy to follow and they involve the child’s thumb or fingerprint. Other supplies you’ll need are copies of blank pages that look like comic book panels, markers, washable ink pads (for the thumb prints) and some wet wipes. Do some demonstrations at the front of the room and perhaps plant some very basic story lines (a superhero saves a dog from the bad guy) then let the children loose to create their comic books.

Quote of the Week

“A poet must leave traces of his passage, not proof.”
Rene Char (French Poet)

Module 9: This Is Just To Say

Title of Book: This is Just to Say; Author: Joyce Sidman; /ISBN: 9780618616800; Published by: Houghton Mifflin 2007

Summary:
A fictitious teacher, Mrs. Mertz, gave her students an assignment to write poems to their family in which they asked for forgiveness for something. The family member was then to write a poem back to the child. These poems ranged from the humorous (a child apologized to his hamster because he had to live in a cage and not the jungles of Asia) to the heartbreaking (a child promised her Daddy she would be perfect if he would just come back.) The poems and their responses are remarkably believable.

My Impressions:
Where has this book been all my life?! I may just learn not to despise poetry if I read any more books like it. The teaching possibilities are endless. In this one book virtually all forms of poetry are presented and it wasn’t boring or tedious (words that I associate with poetry) and I got so caught up in the stories of the children it was much later I realized it was a book of poetry I had enjoyed. Wow! If you are reading this and you know Joyce Sidman, will you please ask her two write a part two and three? FYI- one of the poems included the words, “pissed off at you” and another used Jesus Christ’s name as a curse word.

Flashlight Reading Under the Covers Rating: 5 out of 5

Reviews:
School Library Journal (Retrieved from Barnes and Nobel)
Gr 4-7 - Mrs. Merz assigns her sixth-grade students to write poems of apology, and what emerges is a surprising array of emotions, poetic forms, and subjects from dead pets and biting hamsters to angry siblings and betrayal of trust. The children decide to create their own book of these poems, complete with an introduction and occasional notes by editor Anthony K. Fast-talking Thomas writes a humorous poem patterned after William Carlos Williams's "This Is Just to Say," apologizing to Mrs. Garcia in the office, for stealing the jelly donuts in the teachers' lounge: "Forgive me/they were delicious/so sweet/and so gloppy." Mrs. Garcia's response poem says, "Of course I forgive you./But I still have to call your mother." A more serious concern emerges in "Next Time," written by Jewel: "Please, please come back./Don't leave me spinning alone,/like a slow, sad tornado./I'm sorry, Daddy./Next time I'll be/perfect." In the response poem, Jewel describes her father's wrenching reply telling her that, "None of the stupid things/I have ever done/are even close to being your fault." Sidman's ear is keen, capturing many voices. Her skill as a poet accessible to young people is unmatched. Zagarenski's delicately outlined collage drawings and paintings are created on mixed backgrounds-notebook paper, paper bags, newspaper, graph paper, school supplies. This is an important book both for its creativity and for its wisdom.-Lee Bock, Glenbrook Elementary School, Pulaski, WI Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information

Suggestions for Use in a Library:
Set up a min-poetry writing station. Mount a cookie sheet or something similar to the wall and display with several sets of those magnetic poetry words. The children can make and add to other patron’s poetry. Copy some poetry starters onto colored Xerox paper and let children fill them in with colored markers and add that to your display area.

Module 9: Awful Ogre's Awful Day

Title of Book: Awful Ogre’s Awful Day; Author: Jack Prelutsky; ISBN: 9780060774592;
Published by: Harper Collins 2001

Summary:
Prelutsky chronicles the life of Awful Ogre in this selection of poems that were illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky.

My Impressions:
Hmmmm….I didn’t seem to connect with this book very well. Awful Ogre was likable and everything, but I just couldn’t jump right in. Having said that, you need to know that I abhor most poetry. Illustrator Paul O. Zelinsky did a beautiful job making Ogre horrible, but very likable at the same time. There were some great moments for me though. Awful Ogre’s morning grooming routine reminded me of Mike and Sully (from the movie Monsters Inc.) using “odorant” instead of deodorant. I don’t know why these poems tickled my funny bone, but my absolute favorites were Awful Ogre Dances and Awful Ogre Boasts a Bit.

Flashlight Reading Under the Covers Rating: 4 out of 5

Reviews:
School Library Journal (Retrieved from Barnes and Noble)
Gr 1-5-This collection of 18 witty poems chronicles a day in the life of Awful Ogre. He towers over buildings and ordinary folk with his carpet of grass-green hair; red, bulbous nose; and single, large, green-and-yellow eye. He doesn't sound real cute, but underneath he's one swell guy. In "Awful Ogre's Breakfast," Prelutsky has fun with the normal breakfast routine. The spread depicts the ogre leaning back on his chair, gazing into his bowl of, yes, scream of wheat, complete with tongues and teeth. Children are sure to memorize Prelutsky's inventive verse and will avidly search the illustrations for their hidden jokes. Take for instance "Awful Ogre's TV Time," in which his favorite channel is the Chopping Network. In "Awful Ogre Dances," Prelutsky's prose stretches across the bottom half of the spread in perfect accompaniment to Zelinsky's dozen frames of Awful Ogre lithely (honestly) gliding across the top half. "I dance with abandon/Bravura, and zest,/I carom off boulders/And beat on my chest./I pirouette wildly/And leap into space/With power, panache,/And unparalleled grace." Even though Awful Ogre claims to be the awfulest of all, he remains awfully appealing throughout his rants and misadventures. Consider purchasing an extra copy-just in case he is checked out for an awfully long time.-Lisa Gangemi Krapp, Middle Country Public Library, Centereach, NY Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Suggestions for Use in a Library:
Since Ogre reminded me so much of Shrek and Mike and Sully( characters from Monsters Incorporated), have an ogre movie night. Watch Shrek or Monsters Inc. Maybe even a Shrek marathon for the older ones. Snack on monster eyes (chilled eyes), blood punch (red Kool-Aid), little kid’s finger bones (pretzel sticks) and popcorn because even an ogre loves popcorn, right?

Quote of the Week

One of my Pre-K Spanish classes came to the library the day I installed some automatic air fresheners. One of my little bitty girls gushed in English, “Mmmmmm, it stinks in here.” Got to love that!

Super website!

David Biedrzycki, the author of Ace Lacewing: Bug Detective, has a great website and he does school visits! Head on over there and check it out. http://www.davidbiedrzycki.com/ he’s also on Facebook and Twitter!

Module 8 Ace Lacewing: Bug Detective

Title of Book: Ace Lacewing: Bug Detective; Author: David Biedrzycki; ISBN: 978-1570916847; Published by: Charlesbridge Publishing

Summary:
Ace Lacewing is hired by the mayor of Motham City to find Queenie Bee who has been kidnapped. It turned out Queenie’s younger sister, Princess Pollen kidnapped her as she wanted to bee (pun intended) queen. Princess Pollen was apprehended and Ace saved the day with some help from his girlfriend who happened to be a rare Xerces Blue butterfly and Sergeant Zito a mosquito.


My Impressions:
AAAAHHH! This is too funny! (I kept waking up my poor husband when my laughing jiggled the bed! No, this blog is not sponsored by Stearns and Foster. Although if you have a connection, let me know!) You will want to spend plenty of time looking through the pictures because there are hidden gems in them. (Instead of “Caution”, the police tape has “Police Bug Off” written on it.) Although I’m not sure the 6-10 year old crowd will appreciate all the Dick Tracy and other mystery innuendos, they are sure to enjoy the story itself. Lucky for us, Biedrzycki has written two more (Ace Lacewing Bud Detective: Bad Bugs Are My Business and Ace Lacewing Bug Detective: The Big Swat), because one will simply not be enough!

Flashlight Reading Under the Covers Rating: 5 out of 5

Reviews:
Booklist( From Bowker’s Books in Print)
Gr. 2-4, younger for reading aloud. When Queenie Bee, of Hive Rise Honey, goes missing, Motham City is abuzz. Tough P.I. Ace Lacewing (Bad bugs are my business ) is on the case. Red herrings (mosquitoes, maggots, and walkingsticks in this case) abound, all with different stories, but the trench-coat-and--fedora-clad detective remains undaunted, sleuthing his way through the clues until a sticky surprise revelation. Biedrzycki ( The Beetle Alphabet Book, 2003) makes his debut as an author here, and although his story is sometimes text heavy, it's filled with snappy dialogue, wordplay, and puns that will especially appeal to kids with some knowledge of insects (words such as pupae are used). The slick, computer-assisted art has a cartoon flair; and its shadowy backgrounds have a noir flavor. Biedrzycki uses occasional pops of primary color and an array of perspectives and witty detail to add interest. Entertaining fare for those who appreciate creepy crawlies on the humorous side, this will attract both good readers and fans of seek-and-find books. --Shelle Rosenfeld Copyright Septmber 2005 Booklist

Suggestions for Use in a Library:
This would be appropriate for middle school and older- hold a mystery party night! They sell these mystery kits in a box so you can host your own party.

For younger ones, get some magnifying glasses and washable ink pads and let them have fun fingerprinting themselves.

Have a mystery hunt. Put some footprints down on the floor leading to a children bookshelf. Have there be a clue-e.g. you can check out books here- so the children go to the circulation desk where they are presented with another clue. They follow the clues all over the library until they come to the children’s area where they can pick up their prize- a toy magnifying glass or a coupon to check out an extra book.

Module 8 The London Eye Mystery

Title of Book: The London Eye Mystery; Author: Siobhan Dowd; ISBN: 978-0385751841; Published by: Yearling

Summary:
Ted and Kat’s cousin Salim came for a short visit while on his way to move to New York City where his mom had just accepted a new job. Salim wanted to experience the London Eye ride, but when the ride stopped, he wasn’t in the exiting passengers. The whole family including Salim’s father whom he doesn’t currently live with, descend into Ted’s family’s house to find Salim. Salim was rescued when Ted finally figured out he was in a high rise building that was schedule for demolition.

My Impressions:
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Ms. Dowd isn’t, but her portrayal of a boy with some sort of autism (?) is remarkable! Ted’s condition was handled in such a real way that it made perfect sense to have that character tell the story. Ted is not glorified in any way, nor does his family treat him like a baby or a saint. He and his sister get into fights just like you would imagine any siblings would. In fact, it’s easy to forget Ted has anything at all until his hand “shakes itself out” or he rattles off weather statistics to calm himself. Another neat thing about this book is it starts with a 3 ½ page description of the mystery and then the events leading up to the mystery unfold. I also love the smallish size of the book- I think that would attract readers. The British spelling (colour, favourite, etc..) did not in any way detract the flow of reading. I would unreservedly recommend this to anyone 14 or older. FYI- the author died in 2007 (the same year the book was published) from breast cancer.

Flashlight Reading Under the Covers Rating: 5 out of 5

Reviews:
Booklist (retrieved from Amazon.com)
*Starred Review* The facts seem simple enough. While their mothers have coffee, Ted and his older sister, Kat, and their cousin, Salim, wait in a queue to ride the London Eye, an observation wheel that allows those locked in the glass-and-steel capsules to see 25 miles in every direction. A stranger from the front of the line offers one free ticket, and since Salim is the visitor, stopping in London before moving with his mum to New York, he takes it. Ted and Kat see him enter the capsule and follow his ride, but to their shock, he doesn’t exit with his fellow riders. This book, very different from Dowd’s searing A Swift Pure Cry (2007), is much more than a taut mystery. In Ted, Dowd offers a complex young hero, whose “funny brain . . . runs on a different operating system” (seemingly Asperger’s Syndrome) and who is obsessed with shipping forecasts and with his inability to connect well with others. After several long days have passed with no sign of Salim, Ted must use the skills he has and overcome some of his personal challenges to find his cousin. Everything rings true here, the family relationships, the quirky connections of Ted’s mental circuitry, and, perhaps most surprisingly, the mystery. So often the mechanics of mystery don’t bear close scrutiny, but that’s not so here. A page turner with heft. Grades 5-8. --Ilene Cooper

Suggestions for Use in a Library:
Perhaps this is out of line, but I would suggest a cancer awareness day in honor of the author’s lost battle with cancer. Invite local doctors and nutritionists and health specialists to come and give talks on how to reduce a person’s risk of cancer. Have a jar for donations to be given to the American Cancer Society. If your town does a walk for Life, consider doing this activity before their culminating walk and making a presentation of the donations at the walk ceremony.

Quote of the Week

Best insult heard in a long time…

“It takes six generation to make a lady and you are five short.” (Mary’s stepmother’s rude remark to Mary, her new stepchild.)

From The Lincolns: A Scrapbook of Abraham and Mary by Candace Fleming.

Amazing author that will hook your kids!

Candace Fleming is my new favorite author! If you are looking for historical fiction told in a way that will get your readers laughing, check out her website http://www.candacefleming.com/ . Her website offers a listing of her books that link to amazing activities including writing prompts. Go check her out!

Module 7 The Lincolns: A Scrapbook Look at Abraham and Mary

Title of Book: The Lincolns: A Scrapbook Look at Abraham and Mary: Author: Candace Fleming; ISBN: 978-0375836183; Published by: Schwartz & Wade 2008; Available in Spanish

Summary:

In a delicious scrapbook form with newspaper clippings, articles, photographs and sketches, Fleming presented the lives of Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Lincoln. Although there were many presidential facts (such as Lincoln and his first vice president didn’t even meet until three days after the election!), most of the facts were about Abraham and Mary the people. Did you know Abraham Lincoln died without a will and Mary would often hold séances to contact her dead sons and husband? The book ended with Robert at his mother funeral while his wife and children stayed home.

My Impressions:

I see the folly now of presenting only the “good” about someone when doing biographies for children. I was blown away by this real look at our 16th president and his “first lady.” (The first to be called such by the way) I was so ignorant about him! Although the information about President Lincoln was an amazing treasure trove, the eccentricities and pitiful behavior of Mary Lincoln eclipsed all those tidbits. There is no need to read this book in page sequence, for each article or picture is its own little story. Luckily for us, she has done a book about Eleanor Roosevelt (Our Eleanor; A Scrapbook Look at Eleanor Roosevelt’s Amazing Life) and Benjamin Franklin (Ben Franklin’s Almanac: Being a True Account of the Good Gentleman’s Life). This book is truly for children and adults! If you buy just one book on Abraham Lincoln this year, this book is worth much more than the $25.00 you’ll shell out.

Flashlight Reading Under the Covers Rating: 5 out of 5

Reviews and Awards:
Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards 2009
ALA Notable Books for Children 2009

School Library Journal (Taken from Bowker’s Books in Print)Gr 6 Up-What did this backwoods boy and this bluegrass girl have in common? Using her signature scrapbook approach, Fleming lays out the answer in a biography that gives equal emphasis to Abraham and Mary Lincoln for an insightful portrait of their lives. Her scholarship over five years pays off with a rich account that is personal and concrete. She recounts Mary's early life as a privileged-but motherless-child, her ambitions for her husband, and her role as "first lady" (a term originally coined for her). Large and small details are juxtaposed with specifics about Lincoln and broadened by Mary's significance. For example, a political decision was made regarding her attendance at the debates; Lincoln wanted to preserve his "common man" image rather than show off his refined and educated wife. Unlike most biographies, which conclude with Lincoln's death, this one follows Mary's story to the end, detailing Robert Todd's role in her commitment to an insane asylum, Tad's death, and her own demise. Presented in period typefaces, the boxed bits of text, sidebars, and numerous running heads and subheads add detail. From portraits to pets, the book contains a wide variety of graphics, including written and visual primary documents that enrich every spread. Notes, resources, and source notes are exemplary. It's hard to imagine a more engaging or well-told biography of the Lincolns.-Janet S. Thompson, Chicago Public Library Copyright October 2008 Reed Business Information.

Suggestions for Use in a Library:
Have a scrapbook day! Invite children to bring in photos (or copies of photos) along with other memorabilia to make a mini scrapbook. (Hobby Lobby often has a 50 %sale on their scrapbooking supplies.)

Module 7 Butterflies and Moths

Title of Book: Butterflies and Moths; Author: Nic Bishop; ISBN: 978-0439877572: Published by: Scholastic Nonfiction 2009

Summary:
Bishop presented facts about butterflies and moths by using amazing up close and personal photographs along with quirky facts about the species presented. Did you know, for example, the Luna moth does not have a mouth? There was a really neat two page fold out of a butterfly flying. Included is the very adventurous story of how Bishop snagged his photos of the snake imitating caterpillar.

My Impressions:
Wow, wow, wow! I learned so much from this book and I’ve been teaching first graders about caterpillars and butterflies for years! Here are some gems- the Atlas moth has a wing span of almost a foot and caterpillars eat their old skin. There is a photograph of a caterpillar that imitates a snake, but the caterpillar did such a good job that I just had to take Bishop at his word. Luckily for us, Bishop has written four other books very similar to this; Frogs, Spiders, Marsupials and Lizards. You’ll want to purchase them all!

Flashlight Reading Under the Covers Rating: 5 out of 5

Reviews:
School Library Journal (Retrieved from UNT Electronic Resources Bowker’s Books in Print) Gr 2-5-"There is no mistaking a butterfly," begins this striking, beautifully crafted exploration of these intriguing winged insects and their "more secretive" brethren. There's also no mistaking the loving care with which this book was made, setting gorgeous photographs against jewel-toned pages, with fascinating, meticulously captioned close-ups and new angles on a familiar subject (such as spectacular fold-out pages showing the mechanics of a butterfly's flight through a seamless series of photos). Bishop has received much well-deserved acclaim for his stunning photographs, but his text, too, stands out, with information-packed prose that shimmers like butterfly wings, capturing the sense of wonder that infuses his photographs. That passion also shines through in an afterword in which he shares the story of how he took the pictures (including a years-in-the-making mad dash to Costa Rica to photograph a caterpillar that can puff its body up to look like a poisonous snake before turning into a pupa). This book is an example of the very best kind of nonfiction-the kind that inspires as well as informs.-Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD Copyright June 2009 Reed Business Information.

Suggestions for Use in a Library:
Grab all kinds of books, audio tapes and DVDs on butterflies and moths (including fiction and the adult non-fiction books) and make a themed display. Have some bookmarks with kid friendly websites on butterflies and moths. Cut out construction paper butterfly shapes and let children write 1 thing they learned from the book and post these with the display.

Have an art extravaganza. Cut out large white construction paper butterfly shapes and provide an assortment of craft materials (small pompoms, colored circle stickers, pipe cleaners and washable markers and crayons) for the children to decorate the butterfly with.

Module 6 Ron's Big Mission

Title of Book: Ron’s Big Mission; Author: Rose Blue; ISBN: 9780525478492; Published by the Penguin Group

Summary:
Nine year old Ron McNair (African American astronaut who lost his life on the Challenger) had a plan to get his own library card at a time when library cards were reserved for whites only. When Ron arrived at the library, he chose several books on planes and walked to the check out desk, refusing an offer from a white patron to check out the books for him. When the desk clerk would not check out the books to him, he climbed on the counter top and refused to come down despite the presence of the police and his mother’s appeal. The head librarian filled out a library card in his name and he was allowed to check out the books.

My Impressions:
If you are going to add just 1 book to your library on African American history this year, it absolutely must be this one. Ron is not portrayed as a hero, just a regular kid very politely standing up against a rule he (and a lot of others in the book) believes is unfair. It showcases not only Ron’s strength of character, but also the head librarian’s. This book has an appeal that reaches out to every possible category of reader. Who hasn’t felt outraged by an unfair law, who among us hasn’t rooted for the underdog and who among us hasn’t rejoiced when an injustice has been righted? In addition, I think every reader can appreciate Ron’s feeling that someone else checking out the books for him just isn’t the same as him checking out the books for himself.

Flashlight Reading Under the Covers Rating: 5 out of 5

Reviews:
School Library Journal (from Bowker’s Books in Review)Gr 1-4-When nine-year-old Ron tries to take library books home instead of just looking at them, he knowingly challenges the rule that "only white people can check out books." The boy does not back down, even when his mother and the police arrive. The librarian finally relents and creates a library card for Ron, who proudly checks out the airplane books he loves to read. The purpose of Ron's "mission" is revealed with dramatic subtlety. There's no hint of racism as he walks through his 1950s South Carolina town on the way to the library where he is its "best customer." The truth emerges when a white patron offers to check out his books for him as the clerk blatantly ignores the boy. Stylized cartoon illustrations convey the town's benign facade while revealing tension through Ron's expressions of determination mixed with fear. The impact of his actions shows in the confusion and anger of onlookers. Readers do not learn if the library will change the rules for everyone, or just for Ron, but the final scene resonates as the child eagerly opens his book to page one. An author's note explains that this is a fictionalized account of a real incident from the childhood of astronaut Ron McNair, who died in the 1986 Challenger explosion. This context lends power and poignancy to the event and adds to the book's value as an introduction and discussion starter for concepts of racism and individual courage.-Steven Engelfried, Multnomah County Library February 01, 2009, OR Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.


Suggestions for Use in a Library:
Put up an aviation themed display. Make sure to include books, videos, magazines, audio books, drawing books and handouts with kid-friendly or educational web sites on aviation. The NASA website http://www.nasa.gov/ even has a Kid’s Club. Put out several inexpensive model airplanes and a themed jigsaw puzzle or two for your patrons to put together.

Module 6 Here Lies the Librarain

Title of Book: Here Lies the Librarian; Author: Richard Peck; ISBN: 978-0545046619; Published by Puffin

Summary:
Jake and Peewee (who just happens to be a girl) run a garage in a pipsqueak little town unkindly referred to as “Rubesburg.” The hiring of not one, but four young, rich, gorgeous, sorority library students to reopen the long closed public library turns Jake and Peewee’s world upside down. One of the new librarians, Irene, takes Peewee under her wing. Jake enters a car race only to have his bellowed car stolen before the night of the race. Although Jake is loaned a car, he is knocked in the head during the race in a vicious attack by a garage competitor of his, so Peewee victoriously finishes the race.


My Impressions:
I’ve got good news and bad news. The good news is: This book is an utter GEM! Don’t be put off by the horrible front cover that does not even HINT at the amazing story that lies within. Now for the bad news; I can’t imagine any young adult ever wanting to read this book. Sorry, but there it is. It’s got fashion (I had to look up hobbled skirt), romance, humor, cars, danger, gen-u-ine crazy people, and about 40 other great things going for it, but I can’t imagine anyone this side of 30 giving this book anything but a parting glance.

Flashlight Reading Under the Covers Rating: 5 out of 5

Reviews:
Gr. 5-8. Stubborn, fearless, and loyal, 14-year-old Peewee (Eleanor) McGrath, who dresses like a boy, lives with her brother, Jake, in Indiana, "way out in the weeds." Together, they run a struggling garage, where Jake is building a racecar. It's 1914, and the electric self-starter has made automobiles more accessible to women. One day, four female drivers, library students all, arrive in a Stoddard-Dayton in need of repair; later, they return to reopen the town library. With these young women as role models, Peewee comes to realize that being female and being independent aren't mutually exclusive. Peck's one-liners, colorful physical comedy, and country dialect, prominent in most of his recent novels, are great as usual. And his characters, if not fully developed, are wonderfully quirky. Yet even with some exciting scenes of old-time dirt-track racing, the pace lags, and the story is choppy. Young fans of Danica Patrick, today's "Queen of the Road," may want to read this, but it will probably be librarians who'll have the most fun. Peck recounts an incident in an endnote in which one of the characters appears at the Indianapolis 500 with Janet Guthrie; unfortunately, there's not enough explanation to know whether or not it's all true. Stephanie Zvirin Booklist Copyright © American Library Association.

Suggestions for Use in a Library:
This story is better suited to a middle or high school audience. In the story, the former librarian’s headstone is engraved with the following; “SHH Here Lies The Librarian After Years of Service, Tried and True, Heaven Stamped Her-OVERDUE. Draw on your audience’s creativity by having a headstone writing contest. What are some possible humorous sayings for the headstone of a vet, doctor, grocer, dry cleaner, auto repair person, etc…

Quote of the Week

“When you get to the end zone, act like you’ve been there before.”

Darrell K. Royal- winningest football coach in University of Texas Longhorn history

Module 5 Killer Pizza

Title of Book: Killer Pizza; Author: Greg Taylor; ISBN: 978-0312373795; Published by: Feiwel & Friends 2009


Summary:

Toby, Annabel, and Strobe were all hired to be employees of Killer Pizza. After a few weeks on the job, they are ushered into Killer Pizza’s basement and offered their real job- hunting down monsters. Guttata horridus horridus to be exact. Guttata monsters bit unsuspecting victims and turned them into more Guttata. The three accepted the assignment and had several showdowns with the monsters. Amanda is kidnapped by them and in the process of her rescue, the Alpha Male Guttata was killed. This destroyed the colony of Guttata who needed his saliva to survive. (Ewwwwwww!!!)

My Impressions:

Yeah Greg Taylor! This is his first books and I hope not the last! Killer Pizza is sort of like Men in Black without the cool uniforms. This is absolutely perfect for those children in 5th-7th grade who want to read horror stories, but aren’t ready for true terror. In one scene, Toby, a secret foodie, battles a Guttata with his $12.41 pizza slicer, chili peppers and the cord to a food processor! There is even an actual recipe for a pizza inside the back cover. FYI- Some very light (if there can be such a thing) cursing and a Guttata did feast on one kid, but nothing graphic is ever discussed.

Flashlight Reading Under the Covers Rating: 5 out of 5

Reviews:

Screenwriter Taylor's first novel seems birthed from an idle thought about pairing pizza making and zombie hunting, a weird mix that actually doesn't play off in as dissonant a manner as one might expect. Toby gets his first summer job making pies at the brand-new Killer Pizza. What he soon learns is that the chain is a front for a secret underground organization dedicated to battling the monsters hiding among the general populace (and, oh yeah, monsters hide among the general populace). A group of guttata (sort of shape-shifting zombies imbued with various ill-fitting powers and convenient weaknesses that make them perfect targets for young monster-hunters) threatens the unwitting citizens, and it's up to Toby and his fellow initiates to train relentlessly and take out the beasts. Toby's transformation from a confidence-light loser to heroic day saver is handled less smoothly than the cinematic and sometimes genuinely scary scenes of guttata bashing. Overdramatic and totally ridiculous, yes, but done in a way that perfectly complements the cheesy horror.--Chipman, Ian May 1, 2009 Booklist (Retrieved from Bowker’s Books in Print)

Suggestions for Use in a Library:
I can’t imagine anything more appropriate than a movie showing of Men in Black (part one) and snacking on pizza.

Toby’s secret desire is to be a chef and he tried out several new pizzas, so have a pizza tasting party at your library. Ask your local pizza places to donate (or sell you very cheaply) one or two different kinds of pizzas. Take them back to the library and let the kids sample away. You can even make up different silly categories to rate them on like “most likely to cause someone to pass out from sheer bliss.” Make sure to have your pizza sponsors posters and business card displayed with your pictures and voting results. Remember to send the businesses a nice letter they can frame in their shop.

Module 5 The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

Title of Book: The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane; Author: Kate DiCamillo; ISBN: 978-0763647834; Published by: Candlewick 2009

Summary:
Edward Tulane is a three foot tall china doll that belongs to Abilene Tulane. Edward is very self-absorbed and arrogant. Edward falls overboard while on a cruise with his young mistress and there begins his transformation from a narcissistic bunny to a bunny who deeply cares about his owners. Through a series of adventures, he passes through the hands of a fisherman and his wife, a tramp named Bull and his dog Lucy, an old woman, and a little boy named Bryce. In the end, there is a happy reunion when Abilene, now all grown up with a child of her own finds Edward for sale in a doll shop.

My Impressions:
I know this book received glowing reviews from everyone on the face of the planet, but I hated it. There it is, now you know. Who cares about an arrogant china doll? I know we are meant to rejoice at his transformation from a hard hearted bunny to one who cares about people, but I didn’t. I was more concerned about the sad, sad lives of the people who shared Edward. The tramps who whispered the names of their children to him, the fisherman and his wife who were so desperate for company that they talked to him like he was real. And what about poor little six year old Bryce who ran away from his abusive father after his little sister Sara Ruth dies from neglect? What about them? Who gives a flip about a porcelain rabbit when there are all these people hurting? If you are looking for a bunny book about love, stick with the Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams.

Flashlight Reading Under the Covers Rating: 2 out of 5

Reviews:
School Library Journal Retrieved from UNT Electronic Resources Bowker’s Books in Print Gr 3-6-This achingly beautiful story shows a true master of writing at her very best. Edward Tulane is an exceedingly vain, cold-hearted china rabbit owned by 10-year-old Abilene Tulane, who dearly loves him. Her grandmother relates a fairy tale about a princess who never felt love; she then whispers to Edward that he disappoints her. His path to redemption begins when he falls overboard while during the family's ocean journey. Sinking to the bottom of the sea where he will spend 297 days, Edward feels his first emotion-fear. Caught in a fisherman's net, he lives with the old man and his wife and begins to care about his humans. Then their adult daughter takes him to the dump, where a dog and a hobo find him. They ride the rails together until Edward is cruelly separated from them. His heart is truly broken when next owner, four-year-old Sarah Ruth, dies. He recalls Abilene's grandmother with a new sense of humility, wishing she knew that he has learned to love. When his head is shattered by an angry man, Edward wants to join Sarah Ruth but those he has loved convince him to live. Repaired by a doll store owner, he closes his heart to love, as it is too painful, until a wise doll tells him that he must open his heart for someone to love him. This superb book is beautifully written in spare yet stirring language. The tender look at the changes from arrogance to grateful loving is perfectly delineated. Ibatoulline's lovely sepia-toned gouache illustrations and beautifully rendered color plates are exquisite. An ever-so-marvelous tale.-B. Allison Gray, John Jermain Library, Sag Harbor, NY Copyright February 01, 2006 2006 Reed Business Information.

Suggestions for Use in a Library:
Go to some garage sales and get a few great stuffed bunnies (most will go through the washing machine just fine, just stick in a pillow case). Get some index cards and decorate them up like postcards. Let the bunnies and a postcard go home with patrons. Parents can help their children fill out the postcard with an adventure the bunny had (I went to Wal-Mart today) and then return both bunny and postcard to the library. Pass the bunny to the next patron until those who’d like a chance have had one. Make a little display with the postcards you have received.

Get a fabulous looking bunny (borrow one if you need to). Photograph the bunny at different locations in your town (Wal-Mart, front of the library, post office, local school, museum, etc…). Make sure it’s not too obvious where you are. Make a display of the photos and allow patrons to guess where each photo is taken. (Great for your local history week if you have one). Winners with the most correct answers get a special pass to check out one more library book than they would normally be allowed to.

If You've Got Boys, You Gotta Go Here!

Don’t be scared! This is Jon Scieszka and he’s a fabulous author that’s on a mission to get boys reading. So, head on over to http://www.guysread.com/ for books that your reluctant (or not so reluctant) guy will want to devour! Jon’s organized books by guy friendly themes like "Robots", "Funny", "Repairing shoes but are written only in Spanish" (he’s one funny guy that Jon!), "For Little Guys", "At least one explosion" … what are you doing still reading this blog? Head over right now to http://www.guysread.com/ !!

Quote of the Week

From A Dog Called Kitty by Bill Wallace

“Fear is something you got to overcome. You can’t let it run your life…if you keep running, you’ll be so busy running, there won’t be time for anything else.”

Module 4- A Dog Called Kitty

Title of Book: A Dog Called Kitty; Author: Bill Wallace; ISBN 978-0671770815; Published by Aladdin

Summary:

When the 10 year old protagonist Ricky was a baby, he was brutally attacked by a dog which has led to his phobia. Fortunately for Ricky, a small puppy showed up on his family’s farm. Something stired inside Ricky and he decided to feed the puppy so it would get strong enough so Ricky could drive him away from the farm forever. The puppy however, wiggled its way into Ricky’s heart and the two became best friends. In the climax of the story, the two successfully defended a baby calf from being attacked by a pack of wild dogs. Tragedy struck however, and Kitty was killed at the end of the story in a freak accident.



My Impressions:

No wonder Gordon Korman wrote a book called No More Dead Dogs! I must admit to you that when I read a mystery book I read the last two chapters first so I can sit back and enjoy the story without being anxious and nervous. Having said that, halfway through the story I got a terrible feeling in the pit of my stomach that this poor dog Kitty would die in the book and I just couldn’t relax for the other half of the book. Sure enough, he did. You may think I am cruel beyond words, but poor Kitty’s death in the freak accident just wasn’t satisfying to me as a reader-he didn’t have to die. It would have been much more poignant if Kitty had failed to recover from his wounds while defending his best friend. This book is best suited for grades 4-7. If you are looking for a book where the boy’s dog dies, I would highly recommend Stone Fox by John R. Gardiner.


Flashlight Reading Under the Covers Rating: 3 out of 5

Reviews and Awards:
Winner of the 1983 Texas Bluebonnet Award

From School Library Journal (retrieved from Bowker’s Book in Print)
Grade 3-5. Bill Wallace's story (Holiday, 1980) of the bonding between a boy and a dog is not to be missed. This presentation, read by L.J. Ganser, is so softly dramatic that it not only captures the essence of gentle emotion but essentially transports readers to the Oklahoma farm where Ricky exhibits courage beyond belief. Ricky is terrified by dogs because as a toddler he was mercilessly mauled by a rabid dog and left to die. Sixty-three stitches later with no anesthesia, Ricky is scarred with the emotional and physical memories that constantly recall his tragedy. The softness of Ganser's voice reflects the softness of Ricky's heart when a puppy is left to starve because he responds with a littler of kittens for food but is rejected. Hence, the name Kitty. Ricky musters all his courage and feeds the puppy, building a closeness that only friends realize and conquering his all-consuming fear. With Ricky, readers suffer the loss and feel the anguish when Kitty is accidentally killed at an oil rig. Hope, however, still prevails and happiness does come through sorrow. Ganser brings life and emotion to a powerful story with his dramatic rendition. This touching and encouraging story add a further dimension to the significance of boy and dog relationships, and should be high on public and school library priority lists. Patricia Mahoney Brown, Franklin Elementary School, Kenmore,



Suggestions for Use in a Library:
I would plan a dog extravaganza. Set up a special display with all kings of books on dogs and decorate the area with all things dogs. For the kickoff, invite some guest speakers to come and share- a vet, a police officer with the canine unit and a perhaps a therapy dog. Do book talks on several of the dog books (be sure to include the non-fiction ones as well). Partner up with your local animal shelter and hold a penny drive for the shelter’s use. In lieu of charging late fees for a period of a month or so, accept used towels (shelters are always in need of these). Encourage children to bring pictures of their dogs and post the pictures by the book display. Patrons who bring items that a dog could use (dog food, leash, collar, flea medicine, etc…) will be entered in a raffle for a gift certificate to PetSmart. End your dog extravaganza with a free showing of a great dog movie like The Shaggy D.A. (Disney) while you snack on hot dogs. Arrange for media coverage while you present all the items you’ve collected to a representative of your local animal shelter.

Module 4- Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Stuart Little

Title of Book: Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Stuart Little; Author: Peggy Gifford; ISBN: 9780440422303; Published by Random House Children's Books

Summary: Moxy Maxwell is required to read Stuart Little before the first day of fourth grade which happens to be tomorrow and she hasn’t even begun the book. Her mother gives her an ultimatum that she is to read Stuart Little before her mother gets home or Moxy won’t be able to go perform with the other petals that night in the synchronized swim contest. Moxy decides cleaning her room and planting a peach tree orchard are more important than Stuart Little. Moxy’s mother allows her to go to the competition so as not to let the other girls down, but she is not allowed to attend the celebration afterwards. Moxy is shown reading Stuart Little with a flashlight in her room at 1 minute before midnight.


My Impressions: Love, love, love this book!! You will be laughing out loud. Who among us has not decided that instead of doing the income taxes, it would be a great time to re-paint the outside of the house and tar the roof while we’re at it. If you know a reluctant reader who is a girl between the ages of 8-12, you must get this book into her hands. The very short chapters (a single word in one case) have hysterical titles like, “Chapter 5 In Which The Word Consequences First Appears” and will not intimidate a slower reader. Instead of illustrations, there are photos which just add to the humor (like the close up of the dictionary where Moxy is looking up the word consequences). Readers will be on the edge of their seat waiting for the next chapter. You will be happy to know Moxy stars in two other fabulous books: Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Practicing the Piano, But She Does Love Being in Recitals and Moxie Maxwell Does Not Love Writing Thanks You Notes.

Flashlight Reading Under the Covers Rating: 5 out of 5

Reviews: “WITH ITS BRILLIANTLY accessible application of a usually complex narrative technique, this work represents a significant raising of the bar for writers of chapter books. Technique or no technique, kids will recognize Moxy—and they will love her.”—Kirkus Reviews, Starred

How many ways can a soon-to-be fourth grader find to avoid reading Stuart Little ? It's the one book that Moxy Maxwell has to read over the summer. Her remarkable imagination, coupled with stubbornness, gets her to the night before school starts. She's kept the book with her, but just couldn't bring herself to dig in. It's not that she doesn't like to read-she just despises being told what to read. It may be no surprise that when she finally picks the book up, she loves it. Gifford's depiction of an overly exuberant nine-year-old may remind some readers of Lois Lowry's Gooney Bird Greene (Houghton, 2002). Moxy is funny, and most readers will empathize with her avoiding something simply because it's required. One might wish for a little more depth from Moxy, more moderation of her self-centeredness, and, after a few chapters, her avoidance tactics grow a tad stale. But the photographs-touted as having been taken by her twin brother-are fresh. (He read Stuart Little the first day of summer vacation.) Moxy's sarcastic captions for them seize the tone of her day. A dryly observant narration, clever chapter titles, and the spot-on illustrations provide added lift to the story. Pat Leach-School Library Journal


Suggestions for Use in a Library:
An important part of the story is when Moxy planted a peach tree orchard. Gather a peach and a variety of other fruits (some with seeds, some without) Have children predict which fruits will have seeds and which will not. Cut the fruit open to confirm. Afterwards, have a scoop of peach ice cream or yogurt.

Quote of the Week

Kadir Nelson from his book We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball.

“Can’t sleep with a bug on your leg-I don’t care how tough you are.” (Amen to that brother; Amen!)

Module 3 Lincoln: A Photobiography

Title of Book: Lincoln: A Photobiography; Author: Russell Freedman; ISBN: 978-0395518489; Published by Sandpiper.

Summary:
This great overview of Abraham Lincoln’s life focuses on the president’s involvement in the Civil War. The book has relevant photographs, drawings, and images. Included is a sampler from his speeches, a listing of historic places associated with Lincoln and bibliography.

My Impressions:
Given the title, I was a little crestfallen to see the number of photos actually included in the book. I was however, delighted to see photos of Tad and Willie Lincoln. I never before knew President Lincoln hated the nickname “Abe,” he was habitually messy, his children were undisciplined, and he was often in debt in his early years. I also learned that the North wasn’t the lovely place for Blacks I always thought it to be. They were still discriminated against and many sold themselves as indentured slaves just to have food and a place to live. I’ve never had a clearer account of the Civil War and the roles President Lincoln played. FYI- There are two photos that show dead soldiers laying in the battlefield.

Flashlight Reading Under the Covers Rating: 5 out of 5

Reviews and Awards:
Newbery Gold Medal 1988

Children's Literature Review (retrieved from Borders.com): Photographs and text trace the life of the Civil War President. Lincoln stood out in a crowd because of his wit, humor and height. The book is richly illustrated with dozens of carefully chosen photographs and prints. It starts with Lincoln's boyhood, moves to his career as a country lawyer, and then his courtship and marriage to Mary Todd. The focus of the book is the Lincoln presidency 1861-65 and a recounting of the complex issues that led a deeply divided nation to Civil War. The story concludes with Lincoln's assassination at Fords Theater on April 14, 1865. 1988 Newbery Medal, 1987 Notable Children's Book. Reviewed by Marilyn Courtot.

Suggestions for Use in a Library:
Freedman references a true account of a letter Grace Bedell wrote to presidential hopeful Lincoln, suggesting he grow a beard because his face was so thin. Read Mr. Lincoln’s Whiskers by Karen Winnick which is a picture book account of that same story. As a fun inexpensive tie in, make a small display with several of those inexpensive games that features a bald and beardless face and children can use a magnetic wand to add magnetic shavings to resemble facial hair.

Module 3 We Are the Ship

Title of Book: We Are the Ship The Story of Negro League Baseball; Author: Kadir Nelson; ISBN: 9780786808328; Published by Hyperion Books for Children: Available in Spanish

Summary:
This book recounts the history of Negro League baseball. The foreword is by Hank Aaron. Rube Foster was the first manager to run his Negro League ball team like the professional white counterparts and it is from his quote, “We are the ship, all else the sea.” that the book derives its title. There are chapters about Life in the Negro Leagues, Negro League Owners, Negro League All-Stars, Baseball in Latin America, World War II, Jackie Robinson, and The End of the Negro Leagues. The large volume is replete with paintings including a two page fold out that looks like a ticket for the First Colored World Series which opens to reveal an impressive painting of the players who played that October 11, 1924. There is a good sized bibliography for those whishing to do further research.

My Impressions:
I was utterly fascinated; and I know nothing about baseball! If one were familiar with all the names, and I do mean all, I can’t even imagine how much more pleasurable the reading of this book would be. I learned so much. I did not realize that until the 1800’s, black players could play on professional white teams. I did not realize that shin guards, helmets and lighting for night games were all used first in the Negro Leagues. I learned that a frozen baseball will not go as far when it is hit. Some of the Negro teams were called clown teams and from the description, their style of play reminded me of the Harlem Globetrotters.

Flashlight Reading Under the Covers Rating: 5 out of 5

Reviews and Awards:
Winner of the 2009 Coretta Scott King author Award

Winner of the Sibert Medal Home Page Award 2009

The New York Times - Kevin Baker (From Barnes and Noble)
The painter Kadir Nelson has illustrated several award-winning children's books, including some on black history. This is the first book he has both illustrated and written, and it's absolutely gorgeous. He uses the conversational, first-person voice of a fictional, anonymous player. It's a device that generally works well and allows him to include many of the great old tales of the Negro Leagues; he conveys the humor, showmanship and joy that were an integral part of the game, without soft-soaping how hard it all was…Nelson's visual narrative is nothing short of magnificent.

School Library Journal (reviewing the audio version) Gr 3 Up A lost piece of American history comes to life in Kadir Nelson's elegant and eloquent history (Hyperion/Jump at the Sun, 2008) of the Negro Leagues and its gifted baseball players. The history of the Leagues echoes the social and political struggles of black America during the first half of the 20th century. There were scores of ballplayers who never became as famous as Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb and were almost lost in obscurity because of segregation-and Nelson recreates their history here. The narrative is divided into nine innings, beginning with Rube Foster and his formation of the first Negro League in 1920 and closing with Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier into white major league baseball. In between are fascinating snippets of the events and men who formed the Negro Leagues. Listeners glimpse the pain black Americans endured because of bigotry and segregation, but the true center of this story is the joy of baseball and the joy men felt at being able to play the game. Hall of Famer Hank Aaron, who began playing with the Negro Leagues, provides the foreword. Eloquent narration is performed by actor Dion Graham, and a bluesy guitar introduction and conclusion is reminiscent of the time period. Nelson's stunning oil paintings are included on a CD-but make sure to have the book available as well. Social studies teachers and baseball fans of all ages will covet this delightful winner of the 2009 Coretta Scott King author award and illustrator Honor award.-Tricia Melgaard, Centennial Middle School, Broken Arrow, OK

Suggestions for Use in a Library:
Have baseball theme day in the library. Staff members can wear baseball jerseys and hats and encourage the kids to dress up as well. Allow them to bring their favorite baseball cards for a show and tell time. Ask Wal-Mart or Sports Academy to donate some packages of baseball cards, a ball, glove and bat to be used as door prizes to your story time. Snack on peanuts and popcorn during story time.

Pull other books that were illustrated by Kadir Nelson and compare the style of those books to We Are the Ship. Here are a few to choose from: Mama Miti: Wangari Maathai and the Trees of Kenya, He's Got the Whole World in His Hands, Ellington Was Not a Street, All God's Critters Dancing in the Wings, Hewitt Anderson's Great Big Life, Thunder Rose, Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom, Brothers of the Knight, and Henry’s Freedom Box

Quote of the Week

I snagged this "Quote of the Week" idea from my sister. My favorite quote for this week is from Here Lies the Librarian by Richard Peck.

"I saw that it took a lady to show a boy how to be a gentleman." (Read it slowly, it'll sink in...)

Amazing Resource

My new favorite website!!! It's Random House's librarian link and this amazing lady Pat Scales has a WEALTH of activities and information for you. She has all kinds of events and activities listed; everything from how to do an around the world theme to taking a field trip with books! Enjoy!

http://www.randomhouse.com/teachers/librarians/patscales.html

Module 2 The Lion and the Mouse

Title of Book: The Lion and the Mouse; Author: Jerry Pinkney: / ISBN: 978-03-16013567; Published by Little, Brown and Company Ages 4-8


Summary: A lion is resting in the jungle and a mouse stumbles into his clutches. The mouse pleads for mercy saying someday he may be of some help to the lion. The lion laughs at the thought that one so small could ever help the king of the jungle, but the lion relents and releases the mouse. Hunters come to the jungle and set a rope trap which nabs the lion and leave shim swinging helpless from a tree. The piteous lion roars for help and the mouse comes and gnaws on the ropes which finally dump the lion unceremoniously on the ground.


My Impressions: What a true gem! Pinkney is no stranger to the Caldecott award (silver medals for The Ugly Duckling, Noah’s Ark, Mirandy and Brother Wind, The Talking Eggs and John Henry); I’m so glad he’s won the gold this time! This virtually wordless large format book is illustrated in a cozy, detailed style that is very reminiscent of Jan Brett’s The Mitten. The lion’s expression when the mouse comes to his rescue should be in a picture dictionary for chagrin! FYI- When you buy this (and you absolutely must) be careful to get the edition that has the full two page spread illustrations on the end papers and not the 1 page edition that I ended up with.


Flashlight Reading Under the Covers Rating: 5 out of 5


Reviews and Awards:
Caldecott gold medal book 2010

By ROGER SUTTON editor in chief of The Horn Book Magazine Published: November 5, 2009 Retrieved from
http://readroger.hbook.com/2009/11/lions-are.html

The art of Jerry Pinkney’s new picture book is commanding enough to do without the author’s name or even the title on the front cover. A jacket with no words at all? It’s been done before, but not often — probably most notably with Fred Marcellino’s “Puss in Boots” (1990), which won a Caldecott Honor. That cover featured a big cat, too, but here Pinkney gives us a lion’s head with a magnificent mane, filling the entire frame. The Sun King demeanor is somewhat diminished by the uneasy glance the lion is casting stage right, toward the back cover, where a mouse looks up with a question in its eye. Which creature will be the hero of the tale within? This is Pinkney’s second go at “The Lion and the Mouse,” the first being a brief entry in his “Aesop’s Fables” of almost 20 years ago. But that first pair were only supporting players to Aesop’s text, 200 or so words plus a moral: “Even the strongest can sometimes use the help of the smallest.” The new book has only seven distinct words, all sound effects — an owl, stalking the mouse, “whoooo” and “screeeech”; the mouse, “scratch” and “squeak.” Providing the plot is the “putt-putt-putt” of the jeep bearing humans into the Serengeti landscape (a note says).
And you don’t even need the sounds to see exactly what’s going on. Wordless picture books require great cunning not only to provide a recognizable pantomime but also to lead readers from one scene to the next: how do you know when to turn the page when there are no words to pull you forward? Pinkney’s story begins with a mouse pausing alertly in —what is this? — a big paw print in the sandy ground, one of a set tracking across the title-page spread. We turn the page, dawn is (beautifully) breaking, the mouse is poised, apparently listening. . . . Good thing there is a hole in that fallen tree on the far right, because on the next page the mouse barely dives in when the owl swoops. The mouse moves on, coming to rest on — “Is that a snake?” asked the 4-year-old I was sharing the book with. Pinkney’s sly use of nature’s camouflage causes us to look more closely. Nope: it was a tail, then a furry back, and before you know it the lion has the mouse by its tail, his “GRRR” seeming more puzzled than threatening, the mouse’s squeak an “Oops!”

Winner of five Caldecott Honors, Pinkney has always seemed happier drawing animals than people. Look, in his 2007 retelling, at his studied Little Red Riding Hood next to his lively Wolf. His beasts are not humans in disguise; while both the lion and the mouse have emotions and intelligence in their eyes, they are animal in nature. We don’t know why the lion lets the mouse go free or why the mouse nibbles the lion out of the net planted by the men (poachers? wardens?) from the jeep. But it’s actions in this case that count. That’s the moral of the story.


Suggestions for Use in a Library:

Capture the attention of your patrons by copying the picture where the mouse and lion are eye to eye and then mounting on a wall. Make some speech bubbles and leave them next to the picture for children to post what they think the lion and mouse might be saying to each other.

For your older patrons, after sharing The Lion and the Mouse, read 14 Cows for America by Carmen Agra Deedy. That book is about a tribe in Kenya who after hearing about the devastation to America on 9/11, generously gifts America with 14 cows because there is no nation that is immune from hurt not a nation that is too small to help others. Discuss the similarities of the two books.


See if you can dig up an old Mouse Trap game that you can leave out on a table for a month for the children to explore. Mouse Trap is a game with little chutes and balls and a little trap that comes down on the mouse if you’ve built the trap correctly.

Module 2 Strega Nona

Title of Book: Strega Nona; Author Tommie dePaola; ISBN978-0671666064; Published by Aladdin. Also available in Spanish. Title Strega Nonna; ISBN 978-8424133498; Published by Everest Publishing

Summary: Strega Nona needs some help around the house so she hires well meaning but bumbling Big Anthony. One day Big Anthony overhears her saying a spell that makes pasta out of thin air. When Strega Nona leaves town for a few days, Big Anthony uses his newfound knowledge of the spell to impress and feed the entire village pasta. Poor Big Anthony however doesn’t know about the three kisses that will stop the pasta pot from continually making pasta. The village is just about to be overrun with pasta when Strega Nona shows up and saves the town. Strega Nona wisely gives Big Anthony a punishment that fits the crime…he must eat all the pasta so Strega Nona can return to her house.

My Impressions: This is very similar to the Sorcerer’s Apprentice in the original movie Fantasia. This book was destined to be a classic! Who among us has not dreamed of being the hero, and who among us hasn’t fallen flat on our face in some escapade? The illustrations are delightful and my personal favorite is poor Big Anthony looking miserable and pregnant at the end of the story after having eaten miles of pasta. FYI- The book does feature people praying and one of the men in the story suggests “stringing up” Big Anthony for his crime.

Flashlight Reading Under the Covers Rating: 5 out of 5

Reviews:
Won the silver Caldecott medal in 1976

School Library Journal February 01, 2001 (retrieved from Bowker’s Books in Print) This review is of the Spanish video recording.PreS-Gr 3-Gr 3Tomie dePaola's Strega Nona (S&S, 1975) is as much fun in Spanish as it is in English. This is the tale of a charming Italian village where a friendly witch, Strega Nona, lives. She helps the villagers solve their problems with simple magic. When Strega Nona goes out of town one day her helper, Big Anthony, borrows one of her tricks to start her magic pasta pot going. He becomes a hero in the village until everyone realizes that he does not know how to make the magic stop. Soon the town is overrun with pasta, and only Strega Nona can save the day. This gentle story will bring a chorus of giggles from any audience. Tomi dePaola's classic illustrations have been animated for this production, and the male narrator creates different voices for each character. Operatic background music adds the final touch. This beautifully produced video will delight Spanish-speaking audiences.-Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary School, Federal Way, WA Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Suggestions for Use in a Library:
This book is best shared with younger children ages 5-8. Hit the post-Halloween sales and get a big black cauldron. After reading the story, give each child a paper cut out of a cauldron and allow them to draw or write what they would want to come out of a magic pot. To foster creativity, brainstorm aloud before the activity and don’t allow children to choose money. Display other books featuring Strega Nona and the children’s paper cut outs near the cauldron.

If you are looking for a fabulous way to teach the concept of prequel to younger children, look no further! After you’ve read Strega Nona, read Strega Nona Her Story and Big Anthony His Story.

Great Professional Resource

If you are looking for a workshop to aid in book selection and collection development, look no further than Dr. Peggy Sharp's workshops. She is absolutely phenomenal! Every time I have gone to one of her workshops, I have come away with a list of must buy books, and a notebook chock full of great ideas to use in the library setting. Well worth the money! Check out her website http://www.peggysharp.com/

Module 1 Bunnicula

Title of Book: Bunnicula; Authors: Deborah Howe and James Howe; ISBN; 978-1-4169-2817-1; Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing. Spanish version available. Title: Bonicula; ISBN 978-0613099776; Publisher: Rebound by Sagebrush


Summary: Harold the dog and Chester the cat live peaceably with their family until one dark and stormy night the family brings home a black and white rabbit they name Bunnicula. A white tomato which has been drained of all its juice is the first indication that something is amiss with their new furry friend. Chester tries unsuccessfully to alert the family to the very real possibility that the new family pet is actually a vampire.


My Impressions: Thanks in large part to Stephanie Meyers and the Twilight series, vampire books are hot right now and this one is suited for the elementary crowd (9-11 year olds). The book is written by Harold the dog who begins the story with, “I come to writing purely by chance. My full-time occupation is dog.” A funny story with lots of opportunities for laughing as Chester the cat, armed with a book on vampires, pits himself against Bunnicula. Some of the highlights include the illustration of Chester lying on his back with his arms outstretched trying to look like a vampire and the hysterical misunderstanding of pounding “a sharp steak into the vampire’s heart.” Although the action is fast paced, I found the middle of the story a bit too long. There are three other books in the series, Howliday Inn, The Celery Stalks at Midnight and Nighty-Nightmare.


Flashlight Reading Under the Covers Rating: 3 out of 5


Reviews and Awards:
Young People's Choice Award in 1982. (Source: Bowker's Books in Print)

"Move over, Dracula! This mystery-comedy is sure to delight." -- New York Times (retrieved from Amazon.com)


Suggestions for Use in a Library: Dazzle your library director! Amazingly easy and fun science demonstration is sure to have kids clamoring for more. Although this chapter book is not a good candidate for a main selection, reading a few pages or a chapter would be a great closing for your story time.

A great science tie in would be to do a demo where you take celery stalks and cut them from the bunch into individual stalks (leave the leaves on) and white (must be white) carnations with freshly cut stems and put them in a glass filled with water then add lots of blue food coloring. On a large sheet of chart paper, write the children’s predictions about what they think will happen. Post the chart paper next to the glass with the plants and leave out for a display. Share the results with them during your next story time. (The plants will have drawn in the water with the blue food coloring and will now have blue tinted leaves and petals) Encourage children to write their comments about what happened on the chart paper.

You may want to introduce the younger children (5-8 years old), to James Howe’s Pinky and Rex series.

A Rose by Any Other Name...

A teacher friend said her daughter repeatedly asked to be read the book, "Jump on My Daddy!" A thorough search revealed no such book in the child's bookcase, but after a little investigating, it turns out the requested book was "Hop on Pop" by Dr. Seuss!

Module 1 Caps For Sale

Title of Book: Caps for Sale; Author: Esphyr Slobodkina; ISBN 978-0-06-147-453-8; Published by Harper Collins. Also available in Spanish. Title: Se Venden Corras; ; ISBN: 978-0-06-443-401-0; Published by Rayo.


Summary: Our story finds a peddler, no ordinary peddler mind you, selling caps. Instead of pushing his wares in a cart, he carries them around on his head while yelling, “Caps! Caps for sale. Fifty cents a cap.” Mischievous monkeys come and steal his caps while he is napping under a tree. The peddler’s attempts to retrieve the caps from the monkeys lead to hysterical antics from the monkeys.


My Impressions: What a winner! The easy to follow story, accessible vocabulary and repetitive phrases allow access to a much younger than expected audience. I would recommend 2- 5 year olds. The refrain, “Tsz, tsz, tsz” from the monkeys will be a favorite phrase for the reader. This story just begs to be acted out! You will want to purchase the companion book by the same author Circus Caps for Sale as well.


Flashlight Reading Under the Covers Rating: 5 out of 5


Reviews:

Subtitled A Tale of a Peddler, Some Monkeys and Their Monkey Business, this absurd and very simple story has become a classic, selling hundreds of thousands of copies since its first publication in 1940. A peddler walks around selling caps from a tall, tottering pile on his head. Unable to sell a single cap one morning, he walks out into the countryside, sits down under a tree, checks that all the caps are in place, and falls asleep. When he wakes up, the caps are gone--and the tree is full of cap-wearing monkeys. His attempts to get the caps back generate the kind of repetitive rhythm that 3- and 4-year-olds will adore. (Preschool and older) --Richard Farr -- Amazon.com Review


Good natured nonsense tale in text and pictures. The text is almost unnecessary as text and pictures tell the story of the peddler who fell asleep and had his whole stock in trade of colored caps stolen by the monkeys. And of how mere chance made him do the one thing that persuaded the monkeys to throw away the caps. (Kirkus Reviews) --



Suggestions for Use in a Library: Do you need an ace up your sleeve for your story time repertoire? This is it! Hit the dollar store and get some appropriate colored caps, add a black construction paper mustache and you are all set to act out this story. In advance ask one of the audience members to be the chief monkey who will steal your caps and distribute them to the other monkeys while you are sleeping. Cries of, “Let’s do that again!” are guaranteed. Pair this with Circus Caps for Sale and you are virtually guaranteeing standing room only during your next weekly story time.

This would also be a great book for your English Language Learners to visualize what the phrases “monkey business” and “monkey see, monkey do” refer to.

This book (English version) was also featured in the long time children's television program Reading Rainbow.