Literacy Now

Each year bookstore bookshelves are filled with the latest and greatest picture books, and throughout the year many readers try to determine their favorites. Many of the titles contain eye-catching illustrations and deep messages, most that will attract readers of all ages. Some are the creation of perennial favorites, while others provide tantalizing evidence that a new artistic talent has burst on the children’s literature scene. This week’s book reviews of favorite picture books from 2014 from the Children’s Literature and Reading Special Interest Group include ones you may have seen reviewed earlier this year, but these are keepers.

Barnett, Mac. (2014). Sam and Dave Dig a Hole. Illus. by Jon Klassen. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.

The creators of the marvelous Extra Yarn (Balzer + Bray, 2012) collaborate again to feature two nondescript characters, Sam and Dave, who may remind readers of themselves at play. The two determinedly dig a hole in search of something spectacular. Although Sam and Dave can’t see anything worth finding as they tunnel through the earth, readers can see a large diamond right beneath their shovels. Eventually, they continue their digging path in a meandering fashion that leads them far from the treasure. Exhausted, they fall asleep only to be awakened as they fall through a hole made by the faithful dog that has accompanied them. The ending leaves readers uncertain about what has happened since there are changes to the house to which they return. The digital and colored pencil illustrations will surely have readers guessing about what happened while also having the chance to see what Sam and Dave cannot see throughout the story. The text and illustrations mirror many youthful attempts to dig a hole that reaches all the way to the other side of the world.                                                                                             

—Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Barnett, Mac. (2014). Telephone. Illus. by Jen Corace. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books.

Most children will be familiar with the game of “Gossip” or “Telephone” and how messages are often distorted intentionally or unintentionally. Whether because they are misheard or deliberately misinterpreted, the original message often bears little resemblance to the one the hearer finally hears in a game of "Telephone." In this case, one mother bird’s message to her offspring telling him to fly home for supper passes from one bird to another, getting mangled along the way, until an owl somehow manages to correctly interpret a nonverbal message and put things back on track. Filled with watercolor, ink, gouache, and pencil illustrations drenched in primary colors, this is a terrific picture book to introduce the topics of gossip and character assassination. Maybe the moral here is to deliver your messages yourself if you want to make sure they go through correctly.

—Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Bingham, Kelly. (2014). Circle, Square, Moose.  Illus. by Paul O. Zelinsky. New York, NY: HarperCollins/Greenwillow Books.

After galloping through the alphabet in all the most inappropriate places, the star of Z Is for Moose (HarperCollins, 2012) goes off on a tear through various shapes, including a square, a triangle, and a circle. As Moose tries desperately to find a place where he fits, inserting himself in this concept book just as he did in its alphabetical predecessor, Zebra comes to his rescue, only to need rescuing himself. The text is amusing, and the bright illustrations play with the interruptions caused by Moose that occur within a most orderly book about shapes. Fans of meta-fictive techniques will enjoy this one just as much as the first one while hoping the author and illustrator decide to do this all again.

—Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Brown, Peter. (2014). My Teacher is a Monster! (No, I am Not.) New York, NY: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.

Despite what many students believe, teachers are not really monsters, intent on ruining their charges’ lives. They have lives outside of their classrooms, and when you get them by themselves, they can actually be rather fun as this picture book shows. Robert’s teacher, Ms. Kirby, is depicted as rather monstrous with her green skin, fangs, and knotted hair. But a chance encounter in the park allows him to see her differently. The two bond over duck quacking and throwing paper airplanes. Fashioned with India ink, watercolor, gouache, and pencil on paper, the illustrations show how Ms. Kirby has gone from monster to human being in Robert’s eyes. Just as students have their less appealing sides as well as their angelic sides, teachers do as well. Students will enjoy watching Ms. Kirby’s transition and wondering if their own teachers might have a less monstrous side as well. This title is perfect for reading and sharing.

—Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Bryant, Jen. (2014). The Right Word: Roget and his Thesaurus. Illus. by Melissa Sweet. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdman’s.

A must-have title for word lovers, this lively text relates the story of Peter Mark Roget, who created and published a thesaurus that has remained continuously in print since 1852. Writers struggling to find the right word to express their sentiments often turn to a thesaurus for help. Not only has every word in this picture book biography been chosen carefully, but the watercolor, collage, and mixed media illustrations and intricately designed end papers are splendid. Readers will savor this biography of a man relatively unknown in modern times but one who clearly loved words, ideas, and thinking. It’s easy to imagine the young Roget in search of the right word as he wandered the city streets and the countryside with his notes in his pocket.
Essential for classroom libraries, this book is a treasure trove of delight for any budding sesquipedalian.

—Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Cole, Tom Clohosy. (2014). Wall. Somerville, MA: Candlewick/Templar.

The pages of this book are filled with dark, emotion-laden digital illustrations that capture perfectly life after Berlin was divided into half. This division often separated families as in the case of the narrator who dreams of his own father coming to rescue his family, stuck in East Berlin. When his father doesn’t arrive, he secretly digs a tunnel beneath the land that divides the two sides, and relies on the unexpected kindness of a soldier who allows the narrator, his mother, and his sister to pass unscathed. Despite the fact that the Berlin Wall fell in 1989, the author makes the fear and paranoia of those times after WWII palpable here, making it useful for a social studies class and a discussion of the aftermath of the war. Once again, a picture book makes it clear just how much of an impact political decisions have on the humans who have little control over them.

—Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Davies, Benji. (2014). The Storm Whale. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

Even six cats aren’t enough to fill the void when Noi’s father leaves him alone while he goes off fishing. Desperate to share his thoughts, he rescues a small whale washed ashore by a fierce storm and shares his stories with the marine mammal. Although he briefly hides the whale from his father, eventually the two of them work together to return it the sea where it belongs. This poignant story reminds readers of the importance of spending time with loved ones and listening to their adventures. Filled with muted colors, the illustrations evoke a sense of the briny sea air and sandy beach where the book is set. The story plucks away at readers’ heart strings long after they've finished reading it.

—Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Gravett, Emily. (2014). Matilda’s Cat. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

There is no doubt that Matilda loves her feline companion, but she has no idea what the cat enjoys. None of the activities that thrill Matilda—playing with wool, fighting with foes or even climbing trees—appeals to her cat. The one thing that this cat loves is Matilda, a bond that makes her cat tolerate her efforts to entertain it.  The author's simple text and illustrations, created with oil-based pencil, watercolor, and colored pencils, show the poor cat's ever-heightening anxiety as Matilda's games become increasingly wilder. Even the bedtime story she reads to her cat is frightening since it features Dogs (Simon & Schuster, 2010), an earlier picture book by this same author/illustrator. The book features so many delightful touches: the back cover with the cat scratching the wall, the endpapers, and the look of bliss as the two friends snuggle in bed, content to have found something they have in common.

—Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Haughton, Chris. (2014). Sh! We Have a Plan. Somerville, MA: Candlewick.

Four individuals of different sizes move through the woods at night in search of prey. It quickly becomes clear that they are not out for a stroll but are carrying nets—and have a plan—to capture a bird. Over and over, they fail in capturing their prey, while the smallest member of the party attracts a flock of birds without a net but through his friendliness, kindness, and offer of food. Of course, the others never learn from his example and keep hushing him and insisting that they have a plan. Many young readers will enjoy the story on a surface level while others will see its life lessons about the effectiveness of force or gentleness. The repetitive, cautionary "Shh"s and the moody digital illustrations make readers feel as though they are moving through the night stealthily with a plan or two of their own.

—Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Hofmeyr, Dianne. (2014). Zeraffa Giraffa. Illus. by Jane Ray.  London, United Kingdom: Frances Lincoln Children’s Books.

In an attempt to impress the King of France, Muhammad Ali, an Egyptian ruler, sends him an impressive gift, a giraffe. A mere baby when her journey to Paris begins, the giraffe, named Zeraffa, travels first tied to a camel, then on a small ship, next to a large sailing ship, and finally on foot. She and her keeper, a boy named Atir, arrive at their destination in 1827, two and a half years after they set out. The watercolor illustrations show the giraffe's gentle nature and extraordinary colors and eyes and the amazement of the French citizens who were fascinated by Zeraffa’s arrival. Readers will be intrigued by the wonderful protective devices that were devised for Zeraffa, including a fur-trimmed cloak to keep her warm during the winter. It would be hard not to fall in love with this extraordinary creature or the story about her.

—Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Jeffers, Oliver. (2014). Once Upon an Alphabet. New York, NY: Philomel.

It has been said that every picture tells a story, but in this book, the author/illustrator finds a story in every letter of the alphabet. As he brilliantly crafts short—very short—stories for all 26 letters of the alphabet, he even links some of the characters from one story to the next or from one letter (e for enigma and elephant) to another (n for nearly nine thousand) in stylish fashion. Deftly playing with words and concepts, he introduces readers to a problem-solving owl and octopus team while also slipping in some characters familiar to fans of his earlier books. Filled with humor and possibilities, this picture book encourages readers to consider each letter and wonder what might happen next or what happened before the story started. Since this unique ABC book begins and ends with an unlikely astronaut named Edmund who is trying to conquer his fear of heights, readers will feel as though they have been drawn into a story arc that veers into multiple directions. The illustrations consist of drawings created with ink with digitally added spot colors on the letters. Although the book jacket suggests reading the entire book in one gulp or dipping into a letter or story or two at one time, word lovers may want to read it a couple of times in a row and then sharing it with a reading buddy. Because there is so much going on here, it's not intended for beginning readers unless they are intellectually sophisticated.                               

—Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

McCarney, Rosemary. (2014). Dear Malala, We Stand With You. New York, NY: Random House/Crown Books for Young Readers.

This appealing photo essay is essentially a letter of support for social activist Malala Yousafzai from girls from around the globe. Because she chose to attend school, 15-year-old Malala was gunned down in 2012 by the Taliban in Pakistan. The book provides a brief overview of what happened to Malala, and then allows various girls to greet her and express their support and sympathy. It is also a call to action since many of these girls have been inspired to fight for their own education through her example. Shockingly, the book is dedicated to the 65 million girls who are not in either primary or secondary school, a statistic that will make readers think hard about the value of an education. Anyone that takes for granted this nation’s freedoms and those who complain about having to study or complete homework should read this book as a reminder of the life-changing power of an education.

—Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Macintosh, David. (2014). Lucky. New York, NY: Harry N. Abrams.

Delighted that their mother has a surprise waiting for them at the end of the day, Leo and his brother try hard to guess what it might be. The narrator's imagination runs wild with all the possibilities, and he blows everything out of proportion, setting up expectations that will be hard to meet. Once the brothers arrive home, there is, indeed, a surprise, but it doesn’t come close to what the boys had imagined. Many young readers will relate to the narrator's disappointment while also being glad for Leo's ability to put a positive spin on everything. Maybe, in the end, there are lots of different ways to be lucky. The illustrations are filled with bright colors and large font sizes that show the boys' rising excitement throughout the story and the narrator's ultimate disappointment.

—Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Millard, Glenda. Once a Shepherd. Illus. by Phil Lesnie. Somerville, MA: Candlewick.

Although he loves his idyllic life tending sheep and doesn’t want to leave the peaceful meadows where they graze, Tom Shepherd does his duty and heads off to war. When he doesn't return, his wife and the child he never got to see must somehow find a way to carry on. While nothing can help Cherry, Tom's wife, feel better, her pain is eased when a visitor arrives to provide details of how he died and in imagining a world without conflict, made possible, in part, through Tom’s sacrifice. This picture book provides a way to introduce war's painful losses while also providing some hope for a peaceful future because of those losses. Readers will notice the poetic lines and the repetition of the word "once" in an almost fairy tale fashion, and how the text and the lovely watercolor illustrations contrast scenes of war and peace.

—Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Morris, Jackie. (2014). Something About a Bear. London, United Kingdom: Frances Lincoln Children’s Books.

Lovely watercolor illustrations effectively show the differences among various kinds of bears, from the brown bear to the sun bear. Each bear gets its due with information provided about its eating habits, habitat, and characteristics. The animals are the stars here, and the author/illustrator has clearly spent a great deal of time observing them. Back matter includes thumbnail sketches of the bears readers encountered earlier in the book. Even the opening pages are inviting and have a storytelling quality about them: "Let me tell you something--something about a bear" (unpaged). This is an excellent introductory title to include in a science classroom. Readers will surely want to know more about this incredible species depicted through simple text and highly–detailed illustrations.

—Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

O’Connor, George. (2014). If I Had a Raptor. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.

Delighted by how fluffy a baby is, a charming little girl dreams of what it might be like to bring home a baby raptor. Things start off just fine with the raptor playing hide and seek and warming up on the windowsill. But as it gets larger and older, the raptor grows larger and is sure to revert to its natural nature. After all, it is a raptor. Readers will simultaneously smile and shudder at this one, and they certainly will be glad for the presence of that bell hanging around the raptor's neck. Rendered in pencil and watercolor with some additional digital touches, the illustrations delightfully push readers' imaginations. One of the best parts of the book is how much the raptor resembles the more familiar family house cat in its antics.

—Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Offill, Jenny. (2014). Sparky! Illus. by Chris Appelhans. New York: Random House/Schwartz & Wade.

As happens with many youngsters desperate for a pet of their own, the narrator mounts a campaign to persuade her mother to let her have one. After doing research about pets that meet her mother's requirements, her choices are limited, and she ends up with a sloth. The two spend time together, but the sloth's slowness makes it hard for them to share very much. Not surprisingly, even training the sloth to do tricks takes a long, long, long time. There's something appealing about the sloth, though, and even though others may not see the appeal in her pet sloth, the narrator does. The text is wonderfully understated, and the watercolor and pencil illustrations depict the growing bond between a girl and her sloth perfectly. Despite her best intentions, the sloth remains essentially a sloth. Readers will do a second take after reading lines such as this one: "We played Statue and Sparky was very, very good" (unpaged), which is not surprising. This book will brought a smile to reader’s lips as they contemplate this unlikely friendship. There’s just something appealing about Sparky that makes readers root for the two friends.

—Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Rudge, Leila. (2014). A Perfect Place for Ted. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.

Day after day, Ted watches as the animals in the pet shop where he lives leave with their new human companions. Despite his best efforts, no one ever notices him, and he decides to take matters in his own hands, leaving the pet shop behind and looking for a way to gain the attention of others. As he looks for ways to stand out, he finally catches the attention of Dot who is looking for a furry friend and adopts Ted. The book’s conclusion is simply "puuuurrrrrfect" (unpaged), and the illustrations, created in pencil, ink, and collage, show Ted's feelings perfectly. Those last few pages with the surprised faces of Ted’s new housemates are terrific, capturing how cats behave when something new enters their domain. Ted’s perfect place may not be what he had in mind, but clearly, he is surrounded by much love and furry bodies.

—Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Saltzberg, Barney. (2014). Tea with Grandpa. New York, NY: Macmillan/Roaring Brook Press.

Distance can make it hard to maintain strong relationships with others. But this picture book written in rhyming text shows how one granddaughter and her grandfather keep those family ties strong through the use of technology and a daily ritual that they share across the miles that separate them. While young readers will probably realize from the very first page how the two are managing to share a cup of tea, older readers may not. This is a sweet reminder of how innovations can make it easier to communicate and keep the distance from growing. The illustrations are just as appealing as the sweet story that shows how much love there is between these two family members.

—Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Van Hout, Mies. (2014). Surprise. Holland: Lemniscaat.

It's pretty amazing how a bird can express so many human emotions so vividly as this lovely picture book shows on every page. The author/illustrator takes an adult bird through all the stages of life, beginning with “yearning” for an offspring all the way through the “letting go” part when the little bird is sent off on its own. Parents and children will enjoy sharing this picture book and discussing how it mimics life. Especially appealing are the illustrations of the mother bird as she listens to her offspring. Many readers will be able to relate to this bird's experiences and the surprises, cloaked in vibrant colors against a dark background that greet readers on every page.

—Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

These reviews are submitted by members of the International Reading Association's Children's Literature and Reading Special Interest Group (CL/R SIG) and are published weekly on Reading Today Online. 

Winter is on the way, at least for those readers in northern climates. Some Southern readers can only imagine snow, so the following books were selected by the Children’s Literature and Reading SIG of IRA to provide young readers everywhere with the joy and feel and sometimes the inconvenience and hardship of winter and snow. Looking at snow and winter through the eyes of other cultures is included, as winter provides the backdrop for stories in Native American and Inuit experiences, Scandinavian, Ukrainian, and Dominican American, as well as a few fantasy worlds for older teens.

Preschool-Grade 2

Brooks, Martha. (2014).  Winter Moon Song.  Illus. by Leticia Ruifernandez. Toronto: Groundwood Books/House of Anansi Press.

The author learned from a Lakota Indian elder this tale based on brightening the darkest month of the year when the rabbit in the moon appears. In an author’s note at the end she includes that this tale also has roots in China, Korea, and Japan. The story begins as a young rabbit learns the Winter Moon Song. As the young rabbit walks home from rehearsing the song, he stops under the forest cover to observe the moon and is emotionally moved to sing the song, as it should be in nature. The story/song unfolds when Great Mother, Creator Rabbit, saves a young rabbit that has sacrificed himself by throwing himself into a boiling stew pot but Great Mother rescues him and hurls him into the moon where he appears every year during the dark months of winter. The soft watercolor gray and blue illustrations reflect the wintery snow and this subtle tale is a quiet myth to nature and winter.

—Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Johnston, Tony. (2014).  Winter is Coming.  Illus. by Jim LaMarche. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

Sitting from her vantage point in a tree on her family’s farm, a young girl uses sketchpad and pencils to observe the changing season as fall turns into winter. She quietly draws a red fox, a lynx, and a family of skunks, woodpeckers, a mother bear with her cub, rabbits, a doe with two fawns, chipmunks, Canada geese and wild turkeys. She watches as the animals prepare for winter—some foraging for food while others move into formation to fly south. LaMarche’s acrylics, colored pencils, and opaque inks are the perfect media to represent beautiful autumn colors, as fall becomes winter. The poetic language of the telling matches the magic of color and most double page spreads end with the phrase, “winter is coming.”

—Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

McCarthy, Meghan. (2015). Earmuffs for Everyone!: How Chester Goodwood Became Known as the Inventor of Earmuffs. New York: Simon & Schuster.

This is the “true” story of how Chester Goodwood did NOT invent earmuffs! Author Meghan McCarthy researched how Chester Goodwood is credited for this invention but his accomplishment is that he actually improved the design of earmuffs and applied for the patent and is now somewhat inaccurately celebrated for inventing this warm winter headpiece.  The town of Farmington, Maine, annually has a parade at the beginning of each December where all the participants, people, cars, trucks and buses, all wear earmuffs to commemorate Chester Goodwood’s “invention.” Actually, McCarthy has detailed the historical significance of how inventions become legal property for their creators and the importance of patents and protecting the creative rights of inventors, or those ingenious people who improve upon an existing idea. McCarthy includes the back matter of the story including two photographs; one is a photo of the Chester Greenwood Day parade in Farmington and the other is Greenwood himself, wearing earmuffs. Though this story is not so much about winter and snow as it is about history, inventions and inventors, this season is the best time to read the book to children to provide a discussion about the questionable accuracy of history or a great addition to those units of study on inventions.

—Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

McCarty, Peter. (2014). First Snow. New York: Balzer + Bray (release date Jan. 6, 2015).

Caldecott Honor-winning Peter McCarty has returned with a first look at snow told through the eyes of his animal characters, this time featuring a dog named Pedro, who has come a long way to visit his cousins in the north. When his creature cousins and their friends get excited about the first now, Pedro is not so sure. It’s cold! But as they bundle up in warm clothes and show Pedro how to catch snowflakes on their tongues and make snow angels and go sledding, the world of winter and snow opens up for Pedro as well as the fun things to do. Though some of these activities like sledding also appear to be a bit scary, Pedro’s new friends help him “slide” into these new experiences. Fans of McCarty will recognize characters from earlier books, Chloe (2012) and Henry in Love (2010). Through the encouragement and kindness of Pedro’s cousins and new friends, they help him overcome the cold and encourage him to try something new even if he is afraid.

—Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Rocco, John. (2014). Blizzard. New York: Disney-Hyperion.

Based on the author’s boyhood experience during the Blizzard of 1978 in Rhode Island, he has recreated the images from the first snowflake to a total transformation of a world covered by several feet of snow. When the snow starts to fall on Monday, school is dismissed early and John and his sister walk home with the snow seeping over the tops of their books. Each day thereafter the snow continues to fall and the snowplow has not been able to get to their street to clear the way. Since the front door is drifted shut, the kids climb out the window to play in the snow and create snow forts and tunnels. By the end of the week it is not so fun any more and food supplies are running low. John offers to make a trip to the store after convincing his parents that he learned winter survival skills from his Arctic Survival book. Converting tennis rackets into snowshoes, John sets out on his snowy adventure. A double page gatefold spread shows his trek through the snow, stopping at the homes of neighbors to check on their needs from cat food to peanut butter.  Rocco’s digitally rendered watercolor and colored pencil illustrations create the beautiful images of mounds of snow as John drags his sled full of supplies to the neighborhood and becomes a local hero.

—Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Grades 3-5

Duey, Kathleen and Karen A. Bale. (2014). Blizzard. (Survivor Series, Book #3). New York: Aladdin/Simon and Schuster.

Set in 1886 in Estes Park, CO, Haydn has come to visit his cousin Maggie and her parents. This isn’t exactly a social visit. Haydn has been expelled from his school and Maggie finds his city ways and surly personality difficult. When Maggie’s father is injured and her mother takes him into town to see the doctor, the situation leaves Maggie alone with Haydn. Things don’t go well and Haydn has a fight with Maggie. He runs off and decides to find the train station and leave. When Maggie learns that Haydn never arrived at the train station she knows something is wrong and has to go find him. She sets off into the mountain wilderness and luckily finds him, but a winter storm has descended upon the mountain and they must put aside their argumentative ways and find a way to work together to survive.

—Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Giff, Patricia Reilly. (2014). Winter Sky. New York: Wendy Lamb Books.

Siria was named after the star Sirius, after the brightest star of winter, when she was born on New Year’s Day. Sadly, her mother passes away when Siria is a small child and is now the only child of her firefighter father who she desperately wants to protect him and keep safe. When sirens blare to announce a fire and her father speeds out of their seventh-story apartment, Siria sneaks out after him to go to the fire and secretly watch to make sure he is not hurt. Another layer of the story is the friendship Siria has, especially among the people who care for and watch over her in their apartment building. Her friend, Douglas, used to sneak out and go with her to the fires, in addition to a stray dog she has managed to attract. Suddenly, small fires are being set around town and Siria recognizes that these fires are the work of an arsonist. She decides to follow this pattern of fires and conduct a search of her own to find the guilty party.

—Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Houts, Michelle. (2014).  Winterfrost. Candlewick Press.

Based on the Danish folkore characters called nisse folk, small gnomelike creatures, this story is set on the island of Lolland in Denmark. Folk tradition has it that nisse inhabit the homes, barns and forests of Denmark and every year on Christmas Eve, humans are to leave a bowl of rice pudding for the nisse.
As the story opens, 11-year-old Bettina Larsen’s parents are called away on Christmas Eve and Bettina is left to care for the house and farm and, more importantly, her baby sister, Pia. In their rush, Bettina’s parents have forgotten the traditional bowl of rice pudding for the nisse folk. When Pia disappears, Bettina realizes the oversight and goes out into the harsh winter to search for her baby sister.
When she begins her search she finds a nisse family that help her find Pia and Bettina is able to help the nisse in healing an old family wound. The story is told in alternating chapters between Bettina and Klaaka, the nisse who lives in the barn and is upset at not receiving his holiday rice pudding and creating all the trouble. Written in the folkloric language and style of old tales, young readers will enjoy the tiny lives of the nisse and appreciate the spunk and courage displayed by Bettina as she solves the problem of the troublesome Klaaka.

—Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Sidman, Joyce. (2014). Winter Bees and Other Poems of the Cold. Illus. by Rick Allen. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

From award-winning poet Joyce Sidman, thoughtful poems of animals in winter are presented through verse and the wintery soft mixed media including hand-colored linoleum block prints of Rick Allen.
Each double-page spread features a poem, the scientific information to provide background for the featured animal and an illustration to serve as the backdrop. Though most of the poems are about familiar animals, Sidman has included a few poems about lesser known snow critters like springtails, or snow fleas. Edging into winter the tundra swans’ poem opens the book and readies the animals for winter. The snakes begin to coil and hibernate, the moose and wolves tough it out, the bees, birds and other underground creatures settle in for hibernating through the cold months ahead.  The beautiful imagery of words and pictures, with the added benefit of scientific facts, make this another outstanding book from the recipient of the recent NCTE Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children. Visit the author’s website for more background information and uses of poetry with children. Teachers will appreciate the feature article on this book at the Poetry for Children blog that will direct them to the discussion guide created by Sylvia Vardell.

—Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Smith, Alex T. (2014).  Claude on the Slopes.  Atlanta, GA: Peachtree Press.

For those early readers of chapter books, Claude is back and this time he is at Snowy Mountain learning to ski. Accompanied by his friend, Sir Bobblysock, who is always ready for any situation, the two friends are off to a winter holiday on the slopes. Fun turns to danger as Claude’s loud voice causes an avalanche and they are threatened with being buried under tons of snow. The cartoon-like illustrations and short chapters are perfect for emerging readers. Enjoy more about all the Claude books and his adventures at the author’s blog.

—Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Grades 6-8

Freitas, Donna. (2014). Gold Medal Winter.  New York: Arthur A. Levine Books/Scholastic Imprint.

The companion volume to the author’s Gold Medal Summer (2012), this book features Dominican-American figure skater Esperanza Flores, newly acquired member of the U.S. Olympic team. When the original team member is injured and Esperanza is picked to take her place, complications ensue as she tries to find her place on the team. Resentment from other team mates, the constant pressure from public media, and a few interesting flirtations with a member of the team complicated by a certain hockey player make life even more troublesome. Espi is training diligently to perfect a new jump that will help her attain her medal goal but there are so many distractions she is having trouble concentrating on her workouts. Double the pressure as Espi wants to make a great showing as the first Latina to be part of the U. S. Olympic Figure Skating Team.  Followers of figure skating will enjoy this story in addition to young readers who like the sports/romance genre.

—Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Kerr, Philip. (2014).  The Winter Horses.  New York: Alfred A. Knopf.

This Holocaust story is set in 1941, in wintery Ukraine, Russia, during World War II. Young Jewish teen Kalinka has lost everything that matters to her. She is running from the Nazis who hunt her and is living on the steppe in Ukraine where she has encountered two Przewalski’s horses on the Askaniya-Nova preserve where she is hiding. These wild and rare horses have a prehistoric legacy and have never been domesticated. Kalinka is able to bond with these endangered creatures but the Nazis are determined to destroy them all as inferior animals. Award-winning adult author Philip Kerr departs from his adult writing to create this story for younger readers. When the SS take over the preserve they order Max, the caretaker, to destroy all of the animals. When Max discovers Kalinka and the Przewalski horses, they escape together to face the harsh wintery wilderness of Ukraine. The supernatural bond between Kalinka and the horses helps save their lives as the story takes on characteristics of the fantasy elements of folklore.

—Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Grades 9-12

Hubbard, Jenny. (2014). And We Stay.  New York: Delacorte Press.

It is a cold January of 1995 when Emily Beam transfers to the Amherst School for Girls in Amherst, MA. Why has she made this school switch in the middle of the year all her classmates are asking?  Author Jenny Hubbard has written a beautiful novel in verse and prose as the story of Emily unfolds. Just weeks before at her old school, Emily learns she is pregnant. She decides to break up with her boyfriend and in his tragically depressed state of mind, he walks into the school library to find Emily, threaten her with a gun, but ends up shooting himself in front of her. Pressured by her parents to get an abortion and a new start for her young teen life, Emily leaves her school and transfers to Amherst. With the omniscient presence of the poet Emily Dickinson in Amherst and feeling a connection to her namesake, Emily Beam writes about her life, her recent tragedy, being pregnant, and starting over. Making new friends and using her writing to sort out her emotions present a story of a young girl facing the future with courage in the face of tragedy.

—Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Kirkpatrick, Katherine. (2014).  Between Two Worlds. New York: Wendy Lamb Books.

Set in 1890-1900’s Itta, Greenland, 16-year-old Inuit narrator Eqariusaq tells the story of the Robert E. Peary expedition to the North Pole. Based on historical facts from the period, as a small child Eqariusaq spent a year in the United States with the Peary family. Her parents returned years later but never returned as they were killed while in the U.S. in a scandalous incident. As the Peary expedition arrives, it turns out that it is the supply ships that landed and have Mrs. Peary and her daughter, Marie, aboard, though Peary himself has gone ahead. They are excited to reunite with Eqarisusaq, who they call Billy Bah. Billy Bah is now the intermediary between her Inuit family and the explorers. She is often caught between the two cultures. In accordance with Inuit custom, Billy Bah has an arranged marriage to lazy Angulluk. A mature theme within this book is the trading of wives for money or favors and Angulluk trades Billy Bah to an American sailor. Again, Billy Bah is caught between custom and culture. She actually begins to love this red-haired American sailor. As Billy Bah and fellow Inuits move north to assist the expedition in finding Peary and his crew, their lives are often in peril. When Peary’s expedition is icebound for months the skills of the Inuit save the travelers on several occasions. This mature story is one of courage, cross-cultural examinations and decisions about a future life for Billy Bah.

Lewis, R. C. (2014).  Stitching Snow. New York: Hyperion.

From the genre of re-told fairy tales and science fiction, the story of Snow White is transformed when Princess Snow goes missing. Essie, or Princess Snow, is living on the frozen planet of Thanda. Her violent father, King Matthias and her evil stepmother want her back. As the years go by, interplanetary war is rising and bands of revolutionaries are roaming the planets soliciting help. When a space ship crash-lands on Thanda, Essie is able to help the downed pilot, Dane.  Essie uses her special skills repairing, or “stitching” all kinds of machinery, robots and drones. The seven drones work the mines while she maintains their repairs. As a very competitive friendship and eventual romance begins to flourish between Essie and Dane, the true story of running away from her home planet and her abusive father are revealed. This fast-paced sci-fi spinoff from Snow White will keep fans of Marissa Meyer’s Cinder and Cress enjoying a new world and fresh look at an old tale. Teachers might like to check out this site for fairytale resources around the world.

—Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Raasch, Sara. (2014).  Snow Like Ashes. New York: Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins.

Enter the fantasy realm of the Kingdom of Winter from debut author, Sara Raasch. Eight survivors escaped the takeover of the kingdom 16 years earlier when everyone was enslaved and left with no leadership and no magic with which to fight back. Young Meira was orphaned during the war and has been a refugee ever since. She has trained to be a warrior and decides to embark on a journey to find other rebels willing to fight and search for her half of an ancient locket, the Royal Conduit, said to hold the power to help win back the kingdom. Her weapon of choice is the chakram, featured on the cover of the book. Meira’s best friend, Mather, is also the young man she is in love with as well as being the future king of Winter. As their rebel band moves forward to win back the kingdom, Meira is offered as an alliance with the crown prince of Cordell. Relationships are shifting and Meira realizes an awareness of the political aspects of warring neighbors to find peace—or not? This romantic space good versus evil adventure provides a fast-paced read with layers of complex story lines.

—Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

These reviews are submitted by members of the International Reading Association's Children's Literature and Reading Special Interest Group (CL/R SIG) and are published weekly on Reading Today Online. 

In the season of Thanksgiving, it is customary to look over life and count our blessings. We could be thankful for the opportunities to make new friends, for daily interactions, for the inventions that make our life easier, for the soldiers who face insurmountable odds to save their fellow man. We could also say thanks to food, science, for the imagination of the writers who literally take us out of this world. This week’s reviews from the Children’s Literature and Reading Special Interest Group present books on a range of issues connecting the young readers with the world at large.

 

Grades K-2

Brandford, Anna. (2014). Violet Mackerel’s Possible Friend. Illus. by Elanna Allen. New York, NY: Athenum

Violet has just moved into a new home and while everyone is busy unpacking and putting things away, she walks around the house. When she finds a fence, Violet pushes something soft to create a hole in the fence. She worries that she has broken the fence and might be in trouble, but soon, a letter from “Rose” appears in the hole. Thus begins Violet’s adventure in a new home to find new friends. Her elder sister helps Violet a little, but it is up to Violet to make friends with Rose. And they do so in delicious fashion, with letters, thoughtful gifts, but more importantly respect for each other. This is a wonderful book for young readers with moments for the young readers to be thankful about many things in their lives, without once explicitly saying so.

—Rani Iyer, Washington State University Pullman

Mccormick, Scott. (2014). Mr. Pants: It’s Go Time! Illus. by R. H. Lazzell. New York, NY: Dial Books for Young Readers.

It can be hard for younger family members to hold on to their own plans or synch with others. Mr. Pants, however, learns that he could enjoy dressing up dolls with his sister in fairy princess dream factory, shopping with his mom, and finally get to play the laser tag he so desperately wants to play. He is sure he will win. Waiting is really hard for Mr. Pants, but he manages to entertain himself with help from his sister, brother, and cardboard boxes! Bold illustrations and combination of picture book and comic book format is especially appealing for younger readers. This is a good book to keep the youngsters grinning while reading.

—Rani Iyer, Washington State University Pullman

Grades 3-5

Davis, Kathryn Gibbs. (2014). Mr. Ferris and His Wheel. Illus. by Gilbert Ford. New York, NY: Mifflin Harcourt Publishing.

In 1893, just 10 months before the World Fair, America was empty of ideas to impress the world. France had dazzled the world with the Eiffel Tower in the 1889 fair. The contest to produce the next masterpiece had yielded no results. In Pittsburgh, George Ferris and his partner William Gronau had a plan. They measured and re-measured the calculations. It had to be perfect. It was to be America’s pride. The judges could not decide. It was too delicate. It was big. It moved. It was an attraction like none other. Finally, four-months before the event, he got the go-ahead. No banks would fund the venture, so George put in his own savings and convinced few wealthy investors to join him. Work started in January 1893 when the ground was frozen and digging 35 feet down to plant towers of steel seemed to take forever. The axle of the device weighed 70 tons! With two months to go, an enormous circle stood in place. At 834 feet in circumference and rising 265 feet, the marvel was crafted to move with the precision of the finest watch. If you visit any fairs this year, don’t forget to thank Mr. Ferris for his wonderful invention.

—Rani Iyer, Washington State University Pullman

Maihack, Mike. (2014). Cleopatra in Space 1: Target Practice. New York, NY: Graphix.

This graphic novel is about young Cleopatra—yes, that Cleopatra. When she is zapped far, far into the future on her birthday/coronation day is surprised to be treated as the savior. Here, she is enrolled in Yasiro Academy, a high-tech school with boring classes like algebra, biology, alien languages and her favorite, combat training. But, while being trained to be a leader she is still fighting to complete her homework she is learning about making friends and getting along with everyone in her class. Refreshing illustrations and fast paced story will engage all the readers. Best in combat, Cleo is tested repeatedly in this first book of the series. This is the first of the series of Cleo book. This book is included to let students be thankful for who they are. Whoever they are, they are special in every way.

—Rani Iyer, Washington State University Pullman

Grades 6-8

McCallum, Ann. (2014). Eat Your Science Homework: Recipes for Inquiring Minds. Illus. by Leeza Hernandez. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge.

We can eat our science homework! Based on the scientific method, families all around the country can prepare delicious recipes understanding the underlying science. Recipes include Atomic Popcorn Balls, Density Dressing and Veggies Sticks, Invisible Ink Snack Pockets, Loop, Whorl, and Arch Cookies, Sedimentary Pizza Lasagna, and Black Hole Swallow-Ups. Each of the recipes has a scientific explanation of the chemistry provided for them. Entertaining sidebars explain the scientific history and scientific reasoning behind the themes. The scientific explanations are further broken down into real-life easy-to-understand examples. This is a great book for celebrations or even for a class to enjoy cooking and learning science.

—Rani Iyer, Washington State University Pullman

Grades 9-12

Atkinson, Rick. (2014). D-Day: The Invasion of Normandy, 1944. New York, NY: Henry Holt and Company.

When Allied Forces landed on the beaches on Normandy, they changed the course of the war, coming by sea and by sky. The book provides detailed portrayal of the events culminating in the landing and is the abridged version of the adult book The Guns at Last Light. The world would not be the same today if it was not for the bravery and sacrifices of the soldiers on that beach. The book is included here as a salute to the brave American soldiers serving all over the world.

—Rani Iyer, Washington State University Pullman

McCahan, Erin. (2014). Love and Other Foreign Words. New York, NY: Dial Books.

Try some translations with the teenagers in your life and the results can be both amusing and interesting. Josie, a normal teenager, has a language problem. Sheis familiar with the lingua of high school, friends, boyfriends, and all that. But the most difficult is the language of love. As Josie explores this language, she has to unravel her relationship with her sister, Katie, her best friends, and her parents. As her sister Katie prepares for her wedding, cell phone text updates add an important piece to the plot. However, it is with Stu Parks, her best friend, her neighbor, her buddy that in her exploration of the language peaks. After talking to him, telling him everything, and just enjoying the silences, she wishes that he would speak. “I want him to rudely interrupt the silence with the questions about what is on my mind because what is on my mind is this: I don’t know what to say to you now. And I want you tell me, “Everything’s going to be okay.” And the language changes when Stu kisses Josie and forces her to ask herself if this was language of love too. “I feel and suffer my connection to him. Our unique bond of friendship and lifelong history has become all the more palpable because of its injury.”  Josie needs time and space to sort this out. As Josie deciphers the language of love, readers cheer her with laughter and love in this lighthearted, heartwarming story.

—Rani Iyer, Washington State University Pullman

Tougias, Michael & Sherman, Casey. (2014). The Finest Hours: The True Story of a Heroic Sea Rescue. New York, NY: Henry Holt & Co.

Everywhere we travel we are sure we are in company of people who know what to do when we are in danger. We know that there are ways to protect ourselves and there are people who are trained to act and save lives during an emergency. It makes our lives much smoother and easier. The book is included to express gratitude for the brave people who undertake complicated and dangerous tasks with compassion and need to help another human being. This astonishing tale of bravery comes from real life events in February 1952, when two oil-tankers were torn apart in ferocious storms near the coast of Cape Cod. The title is divided into three parts: the Chatham Lifeboat Station, the response to the capsizing of Mercer, and the burden of being a hero. Bernie Webber, the man of the hour, lived by the creed he had learned in this coast guard school. He was trained to keep his eye on the ball, no matter what. And prove his worth he did. This is non-fiction at its best, tearing you up, yet keeping your heart glowing. A special thanks to all the coastguards and navy personnel out in the seas.

—Rani Iyer, Washington State University Pullman

These reviews are submitted by members of the International Reading Association's Children's Literature and Reading Special Interest Group (CL/R SIG) and are published weekly on Reading Today Online. 

Teachers and parents struggle to find proper resources to enhance learning and extend learning into students’ homes. Science and math education often becomes a focus due to the Common Core and declining student performance. This week’s reviews from the Children’s Literature and Reading Special Interest Group present books on a range of science and math themes for young readers.

Grades K-2

McGrath, Barbara. (2014). Teddy Bear Addition. Illus. by Tim Nihoff. Watertown,
MA: Charlesbridge.

Teddy bears are favorite cuddle creatures. Using the Teddies to teach addition is a fun idea explored in this book. Through colors, numbers, and engaging rhymes, the author walks through addition for early readers. There are 50 Teddy bears in all, and they are separated by colors. Mathematical terms such as “guesstimates,” “addends,” and “equations” are sprinkled throughout the text and given proper context. The book goes further and introduces place value (ones and tens) and teaches basic addition concepts. The last page introduces addition of big numbers, including carry over numbers. This is a great book for introducing the concept of addition for youngest classes.

—Rani Iyer, Washington State University Pullman

Flatt, Lizann. (2014). Shaping up Summer. Illus. by Ashley Barron. Berkeley, CA: Owlkids Books Inc.

Using great art work and engaging prose, this book introduces youngsters to geometry and spatial sense with examples from the natural world. The illustrations present an activity on each page, and the rhymes engage students. Alligators, bunting birds, miles, orb weaver spiders, skunks, ghost crabs, and more are all featured here. The book contains detailed nature notes for every species covered. With colorful and engaging illustrations, this is a good book for a math or a science station. It can also be used in small group activities while allowing students to engage with math and language arts at the same time. The answers to the quizzes are not provided.

—Rani Iyer, Washington State University Pullman

Throp, Claire. (2014). A Day Inside the Human Body. Chicago, IL: Raintree.

Introducing science in the spirit of the Magic Tree House series is this book’s intent. Readers are invited to explore their own bodies by visiting elements of the human body such as the teeth, lungs, heart, blood, muscles, stomach and intestines, kidneys, bones, brain, eyes, ears, and nose. The language is engaging and presents information in a kid-friendly manner. For example, the blood’s function is described as, “Blood carries food and oxygen around your body and takes away any waste.” Words in the glossary are in bold. The illustrations are clear, and labels provide an engaging framework for reference. Electron microscopic pictures of structures, x-ray images, radiograph images, photographs, and other illustrations are interspersed in the book. The circulatory system is indicated, but the labeling is not complete and does not indicate that blue-colored blood indicates impure blood. This is a good introductory book. 

—Rani Iyer, Washington State University Pullman

Grades 3-5

Blechman, Nicholas. (2014). Animal Kingdom. Somerville, MA: Big Picture Press.

Anyone looking for a well-illustrated book to introduce the concept of ecosystems and higher concepts of species will find this book useful. With eight chapters separated by tabs, the book provides facts and illustrates concepts using extraordinary animal species from all over the world. The chapters cover species, senses, record breakers, food and drink, family, habitats, killers, and man’s best friend. The concept of evolution is introduced through the origin of species. The record breakers section introduces the extraordinary ways creatures have evolved to ensure their survival. Students will be amazed to know the rhinoceros beetle can carry about 85,000 percent of its own weight. The food chain is introduced through a dinner plate, a welcome change from the usual abstract diagrams. The pages are all colorful, and the text and images are engaging. Most importantly, readers obtain more information through the presentation. This is a great title for any classroom.

—Rani Iyer, Washington State University Pullman

Einhorn, Edward. (2014). Fractions in Disguise. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge.

Fractions are both mystery and misery for students. In this math adventure involving fractions, George Cornelius Factor (GCE) is crazy about collecting fractions. The story begins when a brand-new 5/9 goes up for auction. GCE is first in line to buy it and bids half of a million dollars. He has three formidable opponents: Madame de Geometrique, Baron von Mathematick, and the mysterious Dr. Brok. As the bidding heats up, the lights fail, and then when the lights come back on, 5/9 and Dr. Brok are both missing. Mr. Factor eventually produces a reducer, which he uses to develop an elaborate plan to get 5/9 back. This is an engaging book told with all the elements of a mystery, and its humor and suspense can engage even reluctant readers. Educators teaching fractions to their students need this book.

—Rani Iyer, Washington State University Pullman

Phillips, Jennifer. (2014). Girls Research! Amazing Tales of Female Scientists. North
Mankato, MN: Capstone Press.

It is rare to find a collection celebrating several women scientists in a single book. This slim volume presents the lives of famous scientists who broke barriers, making life-changing discoveries that transformed the world. The women include Shirley Ann Jackson, Edna Foa, Anna Freud, Marie Curie, Jane Goodall, Birute Mary Galdikas, Dian Fossey, Gertrude Elion, Jane Cooke Wright, Susan Solomon, Rachel Carson, Tierney Thys, Gretchen Daily, Sylvia Earle, Lise Meitner, Chien-Shiung Wu, Maria Mitchell, and Rita Levi-Montalcini. All the scientists are covered in the book are inspiring and made important contributions to science. This is a great book for any classroom and library.

—Rani Iyer, Washington State University Pullman

Slade, Suzane. (2014). Wile E. Coyote: Experiments With States of Matter. Illus. by Christian Cornia. North Mankato, MN: Capstone Press.

For students in early grades interested in states of matter, this cartoon introduction with familiar cartoon characters will be a welcome book. In true comicbook style, the narrative has a plot: Wile E. Coyote wants to grab the road runner. To trap the bird, he used liquids, solids, and gases. The book has three chapters besides the introduction. The first chapter deals with the properties of the states of matter, the second deals with the changing states of matter, and the third deals with physical vs. chemical changes. Information is expanded and provided in the glossary and the states of matter. Scientific definitions are provided in the text and in their correct context. The text mainly deals with the scientific aspects of the matter and states of matter. However, the illustrations provide the interplay between Coyote and the road runner. Find out if Wile E. succeeds in catching the road runner by reading the book. A great book for reluctant readers, teachers can also use it for differentiated instruction in the classroom.

—Rani Iyer, Washington State University Pullman

Troupe, Thomas Kingsley. (2014). Glowing With Electricity. Illus. by Jamey Christoph. Mankato, MN: Picture Window Books.

What happens when an origami firefly meets a real firefly? They teach each other! Glenda, an origami firefly, knows a lot about electricity and shares her knowledge with Molly. Glenda is hanging in a mobile with all the other insects when a firefly flies up to meet her. The molecular events during electricity are explained in detail. The illustrations are presented in context and help readers visualize atomic structure while the labeling enables them to understand the book’s complicated terms. Told in a narrative format, the book has a glossary and instructions on how to make an origami firefly. This title provides a good introduction to electricity.

—Rani Iyer, Washington State University Pullman

Vardell, Sylvia & Wong, Janet. (2014). The Poetry Friday Anthology for Science: Poems for the School Year Integrating Science, Reading, and Language Arts. Princeton, N.J: Pomelo Books.

Teachers who would like to include poetry in their science classrooms need look no further than this phenomenal book filled with useful examples for younger grades. Teachers are encouraged to read aloud a poem once a week and extend science learning. The poems presented in this eclectic collection are intended to help readers consider science through the lens of poem.. For each grade level, poems for the 36 weeks of school are included, written by various authors and covering several different themes. Some poems such as “On Water, My Friend” by Guadalupe Garcia McCall) and “I Will Be a Chemist: Mario Jose Molina” by Alma Flor Ada are in Spanish and English. It will be useful for teachers to have the bilingual poems indicated in the index. For the fifth grade, Avis Harley’s masterful poem on speed is something students will enjoy the most. It can be used in conjunction with a lesson on velocity. This is a great reference book for teachers who are looking for non-traditional ways to engage students in a science classroom.

—Rani Iyer, Washington State University Pullman

Grades 6-8

Ross, Catherine Sheldrick. (2014). Shapes in Math, Science, and Nature: Squares, Triangles, and Circles. Illus. by Bill Slavin. Tonawanda, NY: Kids Can Press, Ltd.

In this engaging and wonderful book, students will see the common shapes and their 3D counterparts. There are plenty of hands-on activities, history, and absolutely no formulas! The chapters are explained through main shapes: squares, triangles, and circles. Both possible and impossible shapes are explained in the text. For instance, on page 76, Phantom Triangles are described. The answers for puzzles and activities are also provided in the book. Real life examples in the form of monuments, buildings, and connecting with nature are all provided for readers. Simple and engaging geometric shapes such as the Mobius strip can be used in conjunction with lessons. This book will be highly enjoyable for advanced math students and for students on grade level and is likely to become much loved resource for parents and teachers. Anyone concerned about the missed opportunity to introduce formulas can find them in the last few pages along with a glossary and index.

—Rani Iyer, Washington State University Pullman

Swanson, Jennifer. (2014). Top Secret Science: Projects You Aren’t Supposed to Know About. North Mankato, MN: Capstone Press.

The six short chapters in the book will hold students spellbound about secret projects performed in the past. Chapter two introduces readers to the dangerous weapons, the Atomic bomb and the Manhattan Project and biological warfare such as “Operation Vegetarian” that produced cakes to introduce Anthrax in cattle. The umbrella weapon introduced in the chapter will remind students of a James Bond movie, where every object is a weapon. Top secret projects such as Operation Paperclip (where Nazi scientists worked to establish NASA), Area 51, and Black Ops are top secret even today. Nobody will confirm or deny any reports of such secret projects. The most emotionally difficult part of the book concerns the human experiments performed in Nazi concentration camps. The last chapter regarding spies and secret messages is mild compared to the ending chapter. This book exploring the darker side of science might find a place in some classrooms and under some situations.

—Rani Iyer, Washington State University Pullman

These reviews are submitted by members of the International Reading Association's Children's Literature and Reading Special Interest Group (CL/R SIG) and are published weekly on Reading Today Online.

As educators, one of our overarching goals is to support literacy communities where leisure reading can motivate all of readers to develop a lifelong love of reading. In this column, the members of the Children’s Literature and Special Interest Group, feature titles that have the potential to both support struggling readers and challenge more confident ones. For example, panel art might motivate reluctant readers while picture books with surprise twists offer unique challenges for more avid readers. Through the use of whitespace, illustrations, varied sentence length, complexity, and text features, the titles afford opportunities to scaffold the reading process. Through interesting storylines and the use of humor, these selections will provide wide appeal to both avid and reluctant readers.

Grades K-2

Bee, William. (2013). Digger Dog. Illus by Cecilia Johansson. Somerville, MA: Nosy    Crow/Candlewick.

With such a positive attitude and big smile, everyone needs a friend like Digger Dog. In this story, Digger Dog loves to dig for bones, but he also teaches the sound of the letter D, all about using comparatives and superlatives, and good adjectives. Most importantly, Digger Dog teaches the rewards of perseverance. On every page, Digger’s animal friends have his back as he tries harder and harder to dig up the biggest bone ever. A surprise-ending, four-page fold-out showing Digger’s bone digging success (a dinosaur digit!) inspires some primary-aged critical thinking as readers are encouraged to wonder about things they cannot see. Humorous illustrations in bright, sunny colors are enhanced by graphic polka dot backgrounds throughout the book. Visual cohesiveness partnered with consistent text patterns make this picture book a winner.

—Emily Ritholz, Reading Specialist, Quarryville, PA

Cohn, Ariel. (2014) The Zoo Box. Illus by Aron Nels Steinke. NY: First Second.

In this comic book style picture book, a brother and sister are left home alone to discover a suspicious box in the attic. The story starts with the parents reminding the children of bedtime, but the kids proceed to put on animal costumes (a tiger for the older sister, Erika). They then open the box labeled “do not open.” The children remain calm when first emerges an ostrich. From there, the story takes one fantastical turn after another. Young readers will enjoy the pacing of this book as they make sense of the bizarre “zoo” the children find themselves in. The amount of text varies from page to page which will help reluctant readers. There are wordless double-page spreads, eight panel spreads with only a few speech bubbles, and pages with plenty of text. This appealing offering will help build familiarity with the graphic novel format and also build confidence in young readers.

—Lesley Colabucci, Millersville University of Pennsylvania

Barnett, Mac (2014). Sam & Dave Dig a Hole. Illus by Jon Klassen. Somerville, MA:   Candlewick Press.

This irresistible picture book invites readers on an adventure with two boys and a dog. Armed with shovels, Sam and Dave are digging for “something spectacular.” As in the best picture books, readers needs the illustrations to understand the story. Humor is embedded in what the pictures convey that the text does not and the plot depends on pictures. The muted tones, varied page layout, and subtle details within the pictures are all key elements in this clever story. The book is meant to be read and re-read which will provide lots of practice for reluctant readers. In addition, young people will likely notice the ending twist before their teachers or parents.

—Lesley Colabucci, Millersville University of Pennsylvania

DiCamillo, Kate. (2014). Leroy Ninker Saddles Up. Illus. by Chris Van Dusen. Somerville,      MA: Candlewick Press.

“Yippee-i-oh!” This transitional reader offers witty wordplay, a creative storyline, and endearing characters. Leroy Ninker has aspirations of becoming a cowboy. Even though he has a hat and nifty boots, he is missing one of the most essential items needed to be considered a “true” and “bona fide” cowboy—his very own horse. His search for a horse comes to fruition when he meets Maybelline, an oversized and friendly animal (with four large teeth). Leroy is instructed to follow some unusual rules. First, he must shower Maybelline with compliments or she won’t gallop or respond to any other commands. Second, Maybelline loves to eat, so he must feed her “plenty of grub” and finally, he should never leave Maybelline unattended. Unfortunately, Leroy leaves Maybelline alone and she runs away. Through a series of adventures and missed opportunities, Maybelline and Leroy finally reunite on Deckawoo Drive at the home of familiar characters (Mrs. Watson, Mercy, Stella and Frank). DiCamillo’s brilliant use of descriptive language and character development coupled with a heartfelt message about friendship make this a must-have for the classroom. The illustrations and the ‘horseshoe marker’ page numbers add to the light-hearted mood of the text. Teachers might be interested in viewing more information about the book, including a teacher’s guide at the publisher’s web site:

—Mary Napoli, Penn State Harrisburg

Hanlon, Abby. (2014). Dory Fantasmagory. New York, NY: Penguin Young Readers.

Imaginative, creative, humorous, and playful are just a few ways to describe this transitional chapter book. Dory, also known as Rascal, is the youngest sibling. Despite the fact her older brother and sister think she is a baby, her imagination and creative sense of play provide her hours of entertainment. Through a series of make-believe characters, Dory and her imaginary friend Mary, find ways to occupy their day (and also annoy her older siblings, Luke and Violet). Her sister threatens Dory that unless she stops acting like a baby, she will be snatched up by the ruthless Mrs. Gobble Gracker. Dory decides to defeat Mrs. Gobble Gracker by pretending to be a dog and engaging in other mischievous acts. Will she defeat Mrs. Gobble Gracker? Will her brother and sister finally play with her? What will be her next adventure? Dory is a well-developed and relatable character. The mix of words and illustrations (along with comic speech bubbles) make this an entertaining read-aloud.

—Mary Napoli, Penn State Harrisburg

Grades 3-5

Gaiman, Neil. (2014). Hansel and Gretel. Illus. by Lorenzo Mattotti. New York, NY: RAW    Jr. /TOON Books.

In this retelling of the classic fairy tale first published by the Brothers Grimm in 1812, Gaiman’s gift of descriptive language offers subtle nuances to provoke readers to question the underlying tone and messages of poverty, war, and abandonment. Gaiman adds an interesting ending where Hansel, Gretel, and their father live prosperous lives, never having to worry about food or shelter. He includes background information about the origin of the tale and a short bibliography of other Grimm collections. Moreover, he shares information about how his collaboration with illustrator Mattotti developed. Lorenzo Mattotti’s initial renderings were part of an exhibit to celebrate the Metropolitan Opera Production of Hansel and Gretel. His haunting illustrations immediately sear through the reader’s emotions. The wordless double page spreads contain swirls of blackness that support Gaiman’s text, but can also be ‘read’ independently. Gaiman & Mattotti’s rendition will intrigue and puzzle readers.

—Mary Napoli, Penn State Harrisburg

Judge, Lita (2014). Born in the Wild: Baby Mammals and their Parents. NY: Roaring Brook   Press.

This unique book presents 26 species of baby mammals. With a balance of storytelling through illustration, repetitive verses, and informational text this book offer a delightful experience for a wide variety of readers. Accordingly, the book can be read repeatedly and on many levels. The basic narrative pages contain just a simple sentence (The baby needs protection. The baby needs shelter) but the pages in between feature paragraphs devoted to each animal. These pages still maintain plenty of whitespace with bolder, colored text used to direct reader’s attention to the focus animal. In this way, readers can pick animals to focus on and read those sections. Readers with more motivation or endurance will find the back matter satisfying (containing further details on each animal, a glossary, sources, and a listing of websites). The art is an additional selling point for this book. The animals are drawn with a softness and realism that makes each one endearing.

—Lesley Colabucci, Millersville University of Pennsylvania

Spinelli, Eileen. (2014). Another Day as Emily. NY: Alfred A. Knopf.

Eleven-year-old Suzy and 4-year-old Parker are pictured on the cover of this book as typical siblings. Suzy is easy to relate to as she spends her summer talking to her pet fish, participating in the library’s “Tween Time,” and becoming friends with an older boy named Gilbert. The character is tested when Suzy becomes jealous of the attention Parker gets for being a hero by calling 911 for a neighbor and gets rejected for a part in a play while her best friend is chosen. Suzy’s story maintains a hopeful tone throughout but her inner struggles with feel familiar with readers. Written in brief poems, the book moves fast. Some readers will want to take their time with individual poems (and possibly investigate Emily Dickinson further) while others will feel satisfied with the quick pace of the story.

—Lesley Colabucci, Millersville University of Pennsylvania

Grades 6-8

Holt, K.A. (2014). Rhyme Schemer. San Francisco: Chronicle Books.

In the tradition of Love that Dog and Locomotion, K.A. Holt’s Rhyme Schemer explores the love/hate relationship between a boy and poetry. Kevin is in middle school and he is a bully. Ironically, he becomes a victim of bullies when his secret love of poetry is discovered. As “the poetry bandit,” Kevin rips out pages from books, then creates and pins up ingenious Found Poetry, which angers and baffles teachers while students cheer on this mysterious Robin Hood of words. Readers empathize with the emotional rollercoaster ride that is middle school. Who has not felt the way Kevin feels when he writes: “I am not a stone./I am not a rock./I am not a giant and unblinking and cold./ There is an earthquake./In my guts.” Kevin survives family problems, school disciplinary action, and self-esteem issues. Middle school students who struggle academically or emotionally will identify with Kevin. In the end, it is everyone’s angel, the school librarian who uplifts and supports Kevin. The book closes with a smile and a very important middle school reminder: Be Kind.

—Emily Ritholz, Reading Specialist, Quarryville, PA

Thomson, Ruth (2014). Photos Framed: A Fresh Look at the World’s Most Memorable Photographs. Somerville, MA: Candlewick.

Photographs capture moments in time and serve as passports to understanding our past and capture our present. There is nothing quite like the experience of gazing at a photograph to convey emotion and its significance of a particular moment in time. In this well-organized nonfiction text, Ruth Thompson provides readers with a visual journey through history. The collection of 27 high quality photographic images feature an iconic self-portrait of photography inventor, Louis Daguerre (1844) to more contemporary images, including the Royal Wedding portrait of Prince William and Kate Middleton. The front matter includes a “note to readers” to pay close attention to the intricacies of each image. The table of contents includes headings, such as “portrait photography, nature photography, photography as art, and documentary photography.” Each double page spread contains information about the photograph and the photographer. There are also color coded questions to facilitate observation and discussion as well as text boxes: Blow Up and Zoom In. Each text box provides further opportunities for readers to observe and consider the details of each image. The adjacent page contains a full color photograph along with a relevant quote from the photographer that captures his/her keen perceptions to keep the reader interested and entranced. This is unquestionably an informative, well researched, and engaging nonfiction selection.

—Mary Napoli, Penn State Harrisburg

Grades 9-12

Lewis, J. Patrick & Lyon, George Ella. (2014). Voices from the March on Washington. Honesdale, PA: Wordsong.

This book bridges non-fiction and poetry beautifully. Readers will learn about the March on Washington through poems in “imagined voices.” These poems present this historical event through the eyes of fictionalized characters—a third-grader from Washington, D.C. to a 16-year-old from Georgia to a Spelman College student. These voices are complemented by poems that capture the events of the time period, including poems devoted to Rosa Parks, Bayard Rustin, and Langston Hughes. The book starts with black and white photos, an in depth introduction, table of contents, and an initial poem titled “Reflection.” The end matter includes a guide to the voices, bibliography, websites, and two indices (one by voice and one by title). While the book has a satisfying arc read as a whole, the variety of poems and the detailed information about all the voices give this piece a special kind of accessibility to a wide range of readers for a wide range of purposes.

—Lesley Colabucci, Millersville University of Pennsylvania

Smith, Andrew. (2014). 100 Sideways Miles. NY: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

Finn Easton and Cade Hernandez are best friends. Their friendship is the heart of this novel which features first love, a tragic death, and the protagonist’s struggle epilepsy. In addition, Finn is also dealing with unwanted notoriety because of similarities he shares with a characters in his father’s famous cult-classic science fiction novel. While events in the story may seem bizarre and even disturbing, the deadpan dialogue between characters and classic teenage sarcasm make for a hilarious read. Fans of young adult literature will immediately “get” these characters and more reluctant readers will be drawn in by the charisma of the characters.

—Lesley Colabucci, Millersville University of Pennsylvania

These reviews are submitted by members of the International Reading Association's Children's Literature and Reading Special Interest Group (CL/R SIG) and are published weekly on Reading Today Online.