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  • Celebrate the season with some fall-minded new releases, reviewed by the Children's Literature and Reading Special Interest Group.

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    Appreciating the Fall, Celebrating the Scary

    by the CL/R SIG
     | Oct 27, 2014

    The fall season brings with it a reason to celebrate the natural and aesthetic beauty. It also offers teachers with a myriad of opportunities to celebrate harvest time and the changing foliage with fall-themed stories to engage K-12 readers. With the sheer number of seasonal possibilities, this week’s book reviews from members of the Children’s Literature and Reading Special Interest Group focuses on books that will both celebrate fall, add a little magic, intrigue and just the right amount of ‘spooky’ twists and turns to delight readers.

    Grades K-3

    Newgarden, Mark & Cash, Megan Montague. (2014). Bow-Wow’s Nightmare Neighbors. New York, NY: Roaring Brook Press/ Neal Porter Book (Macmillan).

    In this wordless and visually appealing picture book, readers will meet a golden-haired dog, Bow-Wow and his neighbors (ghost cats). Upon opening this creative book, readers see white tails against an entirely black background. The adjacent page finds the protagonist, Bow-Wow, resting on his soft turquoise pillow. In the middle of the night, he is awakened by an unusual noise. Little does he realize that his neighbors (ghost cats) snuck inside and snatched his bed, leaving him dazed, confused, and visibly upset—one of the cats bit his tail. Determined to find his bed, he runs down the street and enters a haunted house. As he searches for his bed, his journey is curtailed by the mischievous cats. Through a succession of comic style panels and alternating color/black and white hues, illustrators Newgarden & Cash provide an inventive and entertaining picture book for readers.

    —Reviewed by Mary Napoli, Penn State Harrisburg

    Haas, Jessie. (2014). Bramble and Maggie: Spooky Season. Illus. by Alison Friend. Somerville, MA: Candlewick.

    In the third offering of Bramble and Maggie, the pair (Bramble the horse and Maggie the girl) explore fall together. The Halloween adventures include meeting scarecrows, creating clever costumes (Maggie as a crow and Bramble as a scarecrow), and enjoying fun treats (candy corn and real corn). This beginner reader is divided into three chapters, “Fall,” “A Fall,” and “Trick or Treat.” With pictures on every page, the book is highly accessible to newer readers but also offers somewhat of a challenge with length and vocabulary. The duo is appealing and the plot is engaging because of the humor and adventure.

    —Reviewed by Lesley Colabucci, Millersville University of Pennsylvania

    Graves, Keith. (2014). The Monsterator. New York, NY: Roaring Brook Press/Neal Porter    Book (Macmillan).

    For those who love Halloween and for those who don’t, this interactive picture book has a little bit of “trick” and a lot of “treat.” Master Edgar Dreadbury has lost his taste for Halloween. Bored with the usual makeshift costumes, Edgar ventures out to find something “screamingly scary.” His inner monster nudges him toward an unusual illuminated and inviting storefront. He cautiously enters and notices a machine labeled as the MONSTERATOR which requires a dime to operate. With a laissez faire attitude and a simple “why not,” Edward enters the monsterator. After a loud series of clanks and hisses, he emerges “monsterated.” With a loud roar, he storms through town terrifying everyone and everything in sight. Believing he would be able to reverse his transformation, he returns to the shop, but it has vanished. He becomes content with his monster metamorphosis and finds he is no longer bored. Author/illustrator Keith Graves created a hauntingly funny tale filled with a well-crafted rhyme scheme and creative illustrations. Readers will enjoy searching for 625 monster illustrations and creating their own monster with the moveable page inserts.

    —Reviewed by Mary Napoli, Penn State Harrisburg

    Brendler, Carol. (2014). Not Very Scary. Illus. by Greg Pizzoli. New York, NY: Farrar, Straus, & Giroux.

    This playful cumulative tale also functions as a counting book with lots of alliteration and a surprise ending. Melly the monster is headed to a party at her cousins but on her way notices she is being followed. Readers will wonder with Melly about the characters behind her but the friendliness of the creatures comes through in the illustrations. Grimy goblins and mournful ghosts might sound scary but the muted colors and cartoon style art keep the tone light. A true picture book, the endpapers introduce the monsters and the double-paged spreads keep the pace fast. The party scene at the end includes a pin the drool on the ghoul game and concert by a band called “Gimme Vultures.”

    —Reviewed by Lesley Colabucci, Millersville University of Pennsylvania

    Holland, Loretta. (2014) Fall Leaves. Illus. by Elly MacKay. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

    This book features two young children explore fall from when “birds leave” through “snow falls.” The lush illustrations celebrate the fall changes. The text is written in a poetic style with repetitive wordplay but also contains plenty of content. With consistent formatting, two-word phrases are set on one side of the spread in large font. On the adjacent page, images convey the feeling and information captured in the description. For instance, “leaves fall” discusses kinds of trees and how they fed themselves. The related picture shows leaves falling from trees landing all around and on the children. Carefully chosen colors add to the flow of the story as readers experience the wonders of the season through words and image.

    —Reviewed by Lesley Colabucci, Millersville University of Pennsylvania

    Grades 4-5

    Milford, Kate. (2014). Greenglass House. New York, NY: Clarion.

    In this mystery novel, an innkeeper’s son (Milo) and cook’s daughter (Meddy) pair up to solve a string of thefts after five strange guests arrive over the winter holiday. Milo’s character drives the novel as readers will find themselves both empathizing with and admiring him as he turns detective. Milo is adopted and this aspect of his identity plays out in important ways in the story. At one point, he describes being “wildly, indescribably happy, just knowing that someone who hadn’t known anything about his heritage could know something.” The strangeness of the house itself, the folklore of Naspeake, and Meddy and Milo’s use of role-playing as a strategy (he takes on the name of Negret) all add to the adventure in this charming fantasy novel.

    —Reviewed by Lesley Colabucci, Millersville University of Pennsylvania

    Perkins, Lynne Rae. (2014). Nuts to You. New York, NY: Greenwillow/HarperCollins.

    Perfect for reading aloud, Perkins offers a delightful story about three courageous squirrels. When an elderly gray squirrel (Jed) is swept up by a hawk, his friends (Chai and TsTs) rush to his rescue (Luckily, he was dropped and landed safely not far from home). As the squirrel friends adjust to their displacement, they soon realize humans are cutting down their tree. What will they do? How will they adjust to a new environment if they do move? Through well-crafted characters, an engaging plot, and a satisfying pace, readers will root for the squirrels. Perkins offers readers a glimpse of the world from a squirrel’s point of view while weaving  themes of friendship, loyalty, and environmental issues. Humorous footnotes and creative illustrations add another layer of enjoyment to this witty adventure.

    —Reviewed by Mary Napoli, Penn State Harrisburg

    Segel, Jason & Miller, Kristen. (2014). Nightmares! Illus. by Karl Kwasny. New York, NY: Random House.

    In this first installment of the Nightmares trilogy, co-authors Segel and Miller provide a suspenseful and imaginative story about Charlie Laird’s conquest to defeat his nightmares. Readers meet 12-year-old Charlie, who is convinced that his stepmother is a witch because of his continuous nightmares of being held captive by a witch. He tries to convince his friends that the witch haunting his dreams is real and discovers a portal. When his younger brother, Jack, is snatched away during the middle of the night, Charlie follows the witch into the Netherworld portal. Will he defeat the nightmares? Will he safely return to his own world? Through a series of cleverly crafted adventurous episodes, this novel presents just the right mix of ‘scary and humorous’ themes to keep readers interested.

    —Reviewed by Mary Napoli, Penn State Harrisburg

    Grades 6-8

    Auxier, Jonathan. (2014). The Night Gardener. New York, NY: Amulet Books.

    This novel reads like a fairy tale as two orphans deal with ghosts, nightmares, curses, and a haunted manor. Molly, the 14-year-old older sister, is a gifted storyteller and highly protective of her younger brother, Kip. This is due in part to the loss of their parents but also because of his disability. The sibling relationship, the family history, and the mysterious setting come together when Molly finds a letter from her mom (“To Our Dearest Molly and Darling Kip…”). This sets the plot on edge as the action builds and the two children eventually confront the nightly visitor of the title. Interested readers will be delighted with the author’s note containing information about the Great Famine. The book offers a unique blending of historical fiction and fantasy.

    —Reviewed by Lesley Colabucci, Millersville University of Pennsylvania

    Barnhill, Kelly. (2014). The Witch’s Boy. New York, NY: Algonquin Young Readers.

    Through a mysterious and alluring storyline, middle grade readers will gravitate toward Barnhill's vivid and compelling novel. Imagine living in a small village where everyone you know constantly compares you to your sibling. When Ned's twin brother, Tam, drowns in an unfortunate accident, his mother (who possesses magical powers and is known as “Sister Witch”) is faced with the unthinkable task of healing her son. Sister Witch binds Tam's soul to Ned’s, who as a result, grows up to be socially awkward and is ridiculed by the villagers. Using magic has its consequences and through a series of unexpected twists and turns, Ned is faced with the difficult task of protecting his mother's magic. His initial concern was to “make the magic listen and understand that if his heart wasn't pure, his motivations certainly were.” Ned meets an intriguing set of characters which test his spirit as he struggles through his vulnerabilities. In another section of the forest, there is a young girl (Áine) whose fearlessness and knowledge of the forest makes her a welcome friend. The power of magic contained in the clay pot brings their friendship and this story together. Barnhill’s compelling and heartbreaking fantasy novel features well-developed characters, varied emotions, and an intriguing plot. In one word, her novel is “magical.”

    —Reviewed by Mary Napoli, Penn State Harrisburg

    Grades 9-12

    Carroll, Emily. (2014). Through the Woods. New York, NY: Margaret McElderry Books (Simon & Schuster).

    Canadian author/illustrator Emily Carroll offers a spellbinding graphic novel of five tales. Each singular story is disturbing on its own, but together the collection offers a harrowing warning to the reader. Carroll’s illustrations offer various hues, however the bleeding red and white colors are a backdrop against a mysterious shroud of blackness aligned with the overarching theme. In the story, “A Lady’s Hands are Cold,” a young bride discovers the remains of her husband’s deceased former wife. The eerie icy blue hues coupled with the twisted and spiraling of words makes this a hauntingly beautiful tale. While some illustrations might initially disturb viewers, the overall collection marks a visual masterpiece for graphic novel aficionados and those who dare to walk through Carroll’s “woods.”

    —Reviewed by Mary Napoli, Penn State Harrisburg

    Heppermann, Christine. (2014). Poisoned Apples: Poems for You, My Pretty. New York, NY: Greenwillow/HarperCollins.

    Wake up girls! Don’t let the “happily ever after messages” in your mirror disenchant you any longer. This collection of 50 poems features everyday struggles and issues (i.e. weight, beauty, anorexia, sexual agency) facing adolescents against the classic fairy tale trope. The poems reach an emotional layer of depth to spark dialogue about how peer pressure, identify, and self-awareness is affected by the mirage of beauty myths. Heppermann’s dark, provocative, and clever witty lines twist and mash the core of societal pressures and how girls’ receipt of such messages, whether implicit or direct, inform their relationship with self, their bodies, and others. Each poem evokes a raw voice that transports through a fairy tale character. The collection will undoubtedly appeal to readers’ sense of self-examination but also empower them to challenge the inequalities around them. Black and white photographs contributed by talented artists also capture the mood of this collection. Secondary teachers can include this collection within a critical exploration of fairy tales and invite students to reinterpret and add their own verse.

    —Reviewed by Mary Napoli, Penn State Harrisburg

    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.

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  • Each year we look at the current books that make us linger—and think—a little longer.
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    Taking a Few Extra Minutes for Books That Make You Think

    by CL/R SIG
     | Oct 20, 2014
    With thousands of books published each year, there’s bound to be something for everyone. Many books catch a reader’s eyes briefly, and then he/she moves on to the next one, and the next. After all, there are a lot of pages to get through and a lot of books to read. But each year, among the new releases with their tantalizing covers and book blurbs, there are always books that refuse to leave us alone, that make readers return to them and think about the issues they raised or the stories they have told. These are the books that linger with readers, prompting them to ask questions, to talk to friends about the book, or even to reread certain passages again. Sometimes challenging assumptions, these titles tickle at the back of readers’ hearts and minds and make them wonder. This week’s installment of book reviews from members of the Children’s Literature and Reading Special Interest Group focuses on books that linger with us.

     

    Grades K-3

    Brown-Wood, JaNay. (2014). Imani’s Moon. Illus. by Hazel Mitchell. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge/A Mackinac Island Book.

    Each day Imani faces ridicule from her peers in her Maasai village because of her small size. But at night her mother’s stories and affirmations counteract those negative messages, encouraging her to dream big and reach for the stars. Despite the ridicule and doubts of others, the little girl keeps her eyes on her goals, trying different approaches to attain them. Although she fails more than once, eventually, she succeeds and receives an extraordinary gift. While some readers may be put off by the book's magical realism, it affords the story to a dream-like quality told through the voice of an experienced storyteller accustomed to weaving tales for a rapt audience. Created with watercolors and graphite and then painted digitally, the illustrations are filled with vibrant hues that enhance a playful yet somber tone. The book’s positive message is one that should be shared with youngsters who often forsake their dreams after the naysaying of others or after a failure or two. Readers will want to consider the possibilities if they don’t give up on hard tasks too quickly.

    Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

    Burton, LeVar, & Bernardo, Susan Schaefer. (2014). The Rhino Who Swallowed a Storm. Illus. by Courtenay Fletcher. Burbank, CA: Reading Rainbow.

    Stories, especially when shared with loved ones, often dispel anxieties and offer hope. When a storm reminds Mica Mouse of the previous year's hurricane, her father reaches for a picture book to make her feel better. In this story within a story, the book he chooses happens to describe how a rhino doesn’t know what to do with his feelings after he swallows a storm that threatens the community he loves. Eventually, with the help of several animal friends, he takes a breath, sheds a tear, and begins the slow healing process. Featuring lively illustrations filled with blues and greens and several kind-hearted, caring animals, this story with its rhythmic lines reminds readers that there is always someone willing to help even during tough times. Although it focuses on a storm, the title is ideal for sharing with youngsters dealing with an unsettling event or life crisis. To add to the book’s appeal, the family's book shelves are filled with neatly-displayed books, and Papa Mouse is reading the Gouda Times, a nice touch for teachers seeking examples of readers and the power of a book to provide reassurance during the best and worst of times.                                   

    Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

    Cole, Tom Clohosey. (2014). Wall. Somerville, MA: Candewick/Templar.

    Since this is the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, this picture book appropriately provides a personal perspective from one young boy whose family was separated by the wall that divided the city. Worried about his father and desperate to be reunited with him, the narrator dreams about the man somehow coming to rescue his family, stuck in East Berlin. When that fails to happen, the boy takes matters into his own hands and painstakingly digs a tunnel under the wall. The boy, his mother, and his sister flee to freedom through the unexpected kindness of a soldier who lets them pass through the checkpoint and no man’s land unscathed.  Capturing perfectly the period after the Berlin Wall rose, the book’s dark, emotional digital illustrations put readers in the narrator’s shoes. Although some of these events might seem dated since the Berlin Wall fell in 1989, the author makes the fear and paranoia of those times palpable here, insuring the book’s usefulness for a social studies class and a discussion of WWII’s aftermath. Readers will find themselves imagining how it must have felt to be separated from loved ones by a wall and what it would have been like to have to stand guard to prevent individuals from fleeing from East Berlin to West Berlin.

    Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

    Graham, Bob. (2014). Vanilla Ice Cream.  Somerville, MA:  Candlewick Press.

    Life is full of unexpected encounters that may change lives. In this picture book, a hungry sparrow searching for food leaves a tiny truck stop in India to perch among some bags of rice on their way across the ocean. Tucked in a corner of a rice bag, the bird follows the food onto a ship and manages to survive the turbulent voyage.  Upon disembarking, the sparrow has a chance encounter with Edie Irvine, a little girl who is enjoying the day with her doting grandparents. The grandparents pause to enjoy some delicious ice cream, and the sparrow drops by, causing some confusion, which results in Edie's accidental first taste of vanilla ice cream. This philosophical meditation on life’s unexpected events reminds readers that sometimes chance events have unexpected but pleasant results. The ink and watercolor illustrations are as attractive as the book's message. It’s hard to think of anything more delightful than an initial taste of ice cream flavored with vanilla. Once again, it’s the smallest things that matter.
    Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

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

    Although there’s usually more than one way to get what you want, the three friends in this picture book have a lot to learn about how. Accompanied by a much smaller companion with a big heart, the three of them creep through the woods at night in search of prey. The larger three carry nets—and they have a plan—to capture a bird. Time and time again, they are unsuccessful while the smallest member of the hunting party attracts a flock of birds with his friendliness, kindness, and offer of food. Of course, the others fail to learn from his example. Many young readers will enjoy the story for its humorous elements while others will nod gently, recognizing its life lessons about the impact of force versus gentleness. The repetitive use of cautionary "Shh"s hissed at the youngster as the gang tries to execute its plans and the moody digital illustrations are bound to make readers feel as though they are moving stealthily through the night.

    Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

    Peet, Mal, & Graham, Elspeth. (2014). Night Sky Dragons.  Illus. by Patrick Benson.  Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.

    Yazul and his maternal grandfather treasure the time they spend together making kites, but the displeasure Yazul’s father expresses about his hobby often leaves the boy feeling torn. When bandits attack and lay siege to the family's compound, its inhabitants are close to dying from thirst and hunger until Yazul draws on the hobby his father has dismissed to save the day.  Together with his grandfather, he crafts a daring plan to outwit the bandits with kites and explosive devices that seem dragon-like. The pen and watercolor illustrations of this book are every bit as appealing as the story itself. Readers will cheer Yazul’s bravery and creative thinking while also understanding his desire to please both his father and himself. Originally published in England, the book will make readers smile at Yazul's cleverness and how easily frightened the bandits turn out to be.

    Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

    Grades 4-6

    McDonough, Yona Zeldis. (2014). Little Author in the Big Woods: A Biography of Laura Ingalls Wilder. Illus. by Jennifer Thermes. New York, NY: Henry Holt and Company.

    For generations, many young readers have grown up reading the books in The Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder. So closely do they relate to how the author describes her family's migration from one part of the country to another that many of them feel as though they know the author quite well.  Those fans of the series will be delighted to discover this new Laura Ingalls Wilder biography for young readers. Filled with anecdotes from Wilder's growing up days, many of which found their way into her series, to her time as a school teacher when she was paid $20 a month to her later years when she wrote magazine articles, the book naturally covers some of the same territory as her books, a fact that only endears the book further. This biography provides just enough detail to keep readers' interest, even addressing gracefully the controversy over whether Laura or her daughter Rose actually wrote the Little House books. A writer herself, Rose had urged her mother to share the stories of her childhood with a larger audience. It's fascinating to return to a time when the country wasn't so settled and land could be had for hard work. Readers will also enjoy the adorable illustrations depicting Laura's world and the feisty personality that made others call her a wildcat as well as trying out the recipes, games, and crafts included in the back matter. Required reading for anyone who has read and loved those Little House books, this book will inspire a resurgence in interest in those books and a desire to learn even more about this incredible woman whose whole life seems to have been an adventure.

    Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

    Neri, G. (2014). Hello, I’m Johnny Cash. Illus. by A. G. Ford. Somerville, MA: Candlewick.

    The crucible of poverty, pain, and loss sometimes can result in greatness, as it did in the case of country singer Johnny Cash. This free-verse biography sprawls across the pages, filling readers' hearts in the same way its subject once did. The full-page oil illustrations accompanying different sections in the book are a revelation themselves, showing slices of life and representing the times during which the singer grew up. Readers learn about his formative years in rural Arkansas and the importance of the church and religious songs, as well as the unexpected death of his beloved older brother. Through all the events of his early life, Cash sang. After a stint in the military and a job as a traveling salesman, Johnny caught a couple of lucky breaks, and was on his way to stardom. The author goes to great pains to show how music was the one constant in Cash's life, allowing him to express both joys and sorrows. Since the biography stops just as stardom beckons, covering his next 40 years in a few lines, readers may be curious to find out more about where his music led him. Back matter includes additional information about this great singer, the historical events through which he lived, and a list of music to explore, and it would have been marvelous to have a CD and a photograph of the real Man in Black. It's no easy feat to capture someone as iconic as Cash, but this book does so wonderfully while also setting his story within the appropriate context of the historical events swirling around him.

    Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

    Smith, David J.  (2014). If… A Mind-Bending New Way of Looking at Big Ideas and Numbers. Illus. by Steve Adams. Toronto, ON: Kids Can Press.

    Fans of this author’s earlier titles, If the World Were a Village (Kids Can Press, 2002) and If America Were a Village (Kids Can Press, 2009) will enjoy this new outing in which he looks at ideas and numbers. In engaging fashion, he manages to take big numbers and concepts and condense them to be easily understood. By using objects with which readers are familiar, he simplifies complicated concepts and makes them accessible. Filled with handsome illustrations, this picture book takes a look at the size of the planets and the galaxy in which we live and then uses various types of balls to represent the size of the planets as well as their location in the solar system. He relies on the 12 months of the year to illustrate the Earth's history and a watch to show how long life has existed on Earth. Interestingly, modern humans barely take up five seconds on a wristwatch, putting our importance in perspective. The book covers the consumption of water and energy, but one of the most intriguing illustrations concerns the world's wealth. Astoundingly, 40 percent of the world's wealth is in the hands of only 1 percent of its population. Youngsters will love the last page using pizza slices to depict how we spend the days of our lives. Perhaps not surprisingly, a lot of our time is spent in bed. If only we could stop sleeping, just think how more productive we might be.

    Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

    Grades 7-8

    Brahmachari, Sita. (2014). Jasmine Skies. Park Ridge, IL:Albert Whitman & Company.

    In this sequel to Mira in the Present Tense (Albert Whitman & Company, 2013), 14-year-old Mira Levinson visits India for the first time. Despite missing her longtime boyfriend Jide, she cannot wait to embrace the culture from her mother's side of the family and figure out why her aunt and her mother have been estranged.  While her cousin Priya rehearses for a dance performance, Mira savors Kolkata's sights, sounds, and tastes, slowly finding that the city’s annoying heat, crowded streets, and traffic jams are offset by its charms. Against her will, she is drawn to Janu, her aunt’s protégé and one of the individuals in charge of a refuge established by her aunt. As she soaks in the history and culture of her temporary home, Mira realizes that many of her feelings are changing and some of those changes may result in heartbreak. The writing and character depiction are strong, painting Mira as impulsive and drawn to quick fixes for the nation's poverty and impulsive, extravagant gestures such as giving away her charm bracelet to a poor girl on a train. Once the roots of the estrangement between her aunt and her mother are uncovered, readers will wonder about how what seems to be an act of kindness can turn out to be an act of cruelty.

    Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

    deFombelle, Timothee. (2014). Vango: Between Sky and Earth. Somerville, MA: Candlewick.

    The hero of this book, Vango, has long lived a life filled with mystery and secrets. Even his roots and how he came to the isolated island where he grew up are veiled in mystery. On the day he is to join the priesthood, he is accused of killing one of his benefactors and must flee the country. From there, he heads to various locations, barely one step ahead of those who seem to be determined to kill him. Although there are those who would describe him as paranoid, in Vango’s eyes his subterfuge is grounded in the surety his life is in danger. Readers will love being hurled from one place to another, sometimes atop a zeppelin as it flies through the air, sometimes racing by foot. The book’s fast pace, interesting characters whose loyalty to Vango is unshakeable, and its complicated plot that unfolds slowly and intriguingly, combine to make this a page-turner. Readers will be haunted by Vango and the events in his life when the book concludes. It’s hard to decide whether he is incredibly lucky or incredibly cursed.

    Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

    Jonsberg, Barry. (2014). The Categorical Universe of Candice Phee. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books.

    Twelve-year-old Candice Phee epitomizes the word "quirky" in her approach to life. Somehow, she manages to think the best of everyone, even Jen Marshall, a classmate who enjoys belittling her. Life has handed Candice a lot of lemons: Her younger sister died when she was still an infant, her mother suffers from debilitating depression, and her father and uncle aren't speaking due to a long-standing rivalry over a computer programming issue. But Candice isn't one to leave well enough alone. She figures she needs to make things right, and while the way she goes about doing this is certainly unorthodox—for instance, nearly drowning so her father and uncle can work together to save her—her intentions are good. The passages in which she ponders life's meaning and how her fish regards her as a godlike figure show her philosophical nature while those in which she shares her version of truth are hilarious yet poignant. She’s honest to a fault, even suggesting her teacher, Miss Bamford, wear a pirate's patch to hide her lazy eye. While the book is filled with humor, it also contains nuggets of truths about human nature. Although it's been done before (in Totally Joe, Howe, 2005 and The Encyclopedia of Me, Rivers, 2012), the structure of chapters starting with letters of the alphabet works quite well here, allowing the narrator to veer off in many different directions. By the time readers reach the book's conclusion, they may be emotionally wrung out but also somehow enriched for the time they’ve spent with Candice.

    Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

    Pinkney, Andrea Davis. (2014). The Red Pencil. Illus. by Shane W. Evans. New York, NY: Little, Brown and Company.

    In this novel-in-verse set in Darfur, readers learn about how an unexpected conflict can change someone’s life forever. Twelve-year-old Amira enjoys her peaceful days taking care of her sheep and longing for the chance to go to school. Her mother’s traditional notions about the roles of women mean education is only a dream for Amira. When the Janjaweed attack Amira’s village, she loses just about everything, including her father and her sheep. Old Anwar, a kind elderly neighbor, helps the girl, her mother, and her sister find refuge in Kalma. So traumatized is Amira that the once ebullient girl loses her voice and with it much of her hope. When an aid worker gives her and some of the other children paper and pencils—in her case, a red pencil—she once again finds her artistic and spoken voice. The passages in which Old Anwar teaches Amira the letters of the alphabet are particularly compelling:

    He shows me / that in the English alphabet / his name and mine / begin the same—with an A.// 'Now you,' he encourages, / watching the soil / as I slice its surface / to form the English alphabet symbol / that starts my name. // It's a strong, handsome character, / this English-alphabet A. // My finger strikes two lean, / angled lines, / pressed / forehead to forehead / and holding hands. // I make this A / with my own special stroke" // My A / has big feet / that walk forward on the sand. // My A / moves ahead / on strong, flat sandals. // My A / marches past anything / that dares to block it. // Old Amwar purses his crinkled lips / into a smile that can only mean / satisfaction. // 'Your hand already understands / that writing letters / and drawing are the same,' he says. / 'Letters are pictures that make words.' // I see what Old Anwar means. // My A / lets me feel the truth / of what he's saying. // But still, to be certain, I ask, / 'That is all there is to it?' // Old Anwar's nod / shows me: / Yes!

    Together, the text and the illustrations remind readers how much the simple gift of a writing utensil and the power of literacy can change one girl's future.

    Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

    Wilson, Janet. (2014). Severn and the Day She Silenced the World. Toronto, ON: Second Story Press.

    This title is perfect for sharing with jaded middle graders who no longer think they can make a difference in the world and feel powerless. The book largely focuses on how a 12-year-old Canadian, Severn Cullis-Suzuki, managed to take her concerns about social justice and the environment to a world stage through the help of friends, family, and donors. Severn had fallen in love with the Amazon rainforests during a visit there, and she was horrified when she noted their destruction. After returning home to Canada, she persuaded her friends to join her in raising money for her cause and later to support her travel to the Earth Summit in Brazil in 1992. The friends formed the Environmental Children's Organization (ECO), and gave speeches at the conference. Incredibly, the adults at the conference actually listened to Severn's speech, which was taped, and later shared on YouTube. Her honesty and directness in calling the adults of the world to account for their actions or inactions on the environment and poverty brought many adults in the audience to tears. Perhaps as a blueprint to follow in Severn’s footsteps, the author included the details that went into Severn and ECO's campaign, providing an inspiring example of someone taking action for her beliefs rather than just talking about it. With plenty of photographs of Severn and her friends during their awareness campaign, this book might make a lot of readers feel guilty for doing nothing to change the world around them.

    Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

    Grades 9-12

    Brody, Jessica. (2014). Unremembered: Unforgotten.  New York, NY: Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

    In this follow-up to Unremembered (Square Fish, 2014), Sera and Zen have traveled back in time to 1609 to evade Sera’s creators, the scientists from Diotech who want her back. Although there are those in her new home who suspect her of something sinister because she is so different, the two manage to hide safely away until her boyfriend’s illness and a near-tragedy force Sera to take action that brings her to the attention of her hunters. After the near-death experience of being burned at the stake for witchcraft, Sera races through time to find Cody who just might have the cure for what's ailing Zen. As the betrayals mount and Sera turns to one person after another for help, it's clear she will never be safe and that she can never truly be free from her creators. Teen readers will enjoy this sophisticated and complicated romance with twist after twist and fast-paced action as well as Sera's unexpected attraction to her soul mate Kaelen, who truly is irresistible because he’s been made for her. It’s hard to know what lies ahead for Sera, but readers will surely be rooting for a reunion with Zen.

    Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

    Duffy, Chris (Ed.). (2014). Above the Dreamless Dead: World War I in Poetry and Comics. New York, NY: Roaring Brook Press/First Second.

    Containing 28 poems or poetic writings from the Trench Poets who fought during WWI, this book is the perfect place to start learning more about the war through these verses from the midst of conflict. Although many of the lines describe death and the horrors of war that were unique to this war, known as the Great War, many of the sentiments are universal and applicable to today's modern conflicts. The book is divided into three sections—The Call to War, In the Trenches, and The Aftermath—and there are writings in each section that will gnaw at readers' hearts and make them rethink their stance on war and peace. One of the most powerfully pieces is Siegfried Sassoon's "Repression of War Expression," which describes eloquently the post-traumatic stress disorder experienced by soldiers long after they had left those trenches where shells bombarded them day and night. Pairing the writings with comics allows each artist to offer his/her own interpretation to the lines, adding another level of intensity to the memorable, heart-rending poems, filled as they are with despair, fear, regret, and loss. This book may make readers rethink the wages of war and shed some light on how this one war was fought.

    Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

    Laidlaw, S. J. (2014). The Voice Inside My Head. Toronto, ON: Tundra Books.

    In search of his older sister Pat who has been working at a marine center on Utila, a small island off the coast of Honduras, 17-year-old Luke is sure that she is not dead. After all, he still hears her voice, which guides him as he searches for her and tries to make sense of her last days. Their closeness stems from being raised in a family where they protected each other from their mother's alcoholism and their father's inability to cope with much other than his wife's problems. As the story twists and turns, Luke starts to wonder if he ever really knew his sister since the woman the others describe isn't the one he knew. While he called her Pat, she seems to have become Tricia on the island. The ending will probably surprise readers, who will also enjoy reading the passages in which Luke struggles with his own fears of the water and what might lie beneath it and his concerns about the ferocity of whale sharks. Ultimately, the story has a great deal to do with finding oneself and avoiding assumptions about others. The writing shows confidence and affection for the flawed characters, intriguing individuals with whom readers would want to spend more time. Like Luke, readers will realize that sometimes the truth is easy to see but hard to accept.

    Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

    Salisbury, Graham. (2014). Hunt for the Bamboo Rat. New York, NY: Random House/Wendy Lamb Books.

    In this riveting historical fiction story based on the true experiences of Richard Sakakida, Zenji Watanabe enlists in the army in the summer of 1942. He is immediately assigned to spy on the Japanese in the Philippines due to his affinity for languages. The story begins in the Hawaiian Islands, and from the beginning, it is clear Zenji is kind-hearted and good-natured. What isn't so clear is just how brave he will turn out to be. Eventually, as the Japanese military overruns Manila, Zenji faces extraordinary danger because the Japanese will surely kill him if they catch him. When he is finally captured, his captors torture him cruelly, burning him with cigarette tips and almost drowning him with water. Somehow, through it all, he never confesses to being a spy for the U. S. Army. Readers will be horrified by the treatment of prisoners and riveted by this account of survival against incredible odds. There is hardly a dull moment in the book, even when Zenji concocts an escape plan. Powerful and moving in its own right, this is an excellent addition to the author's Prisoners of the Empire series. It is highly recommend for those who love survival stories and anyone interested in another perspective on WWII.

    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.

     
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  • When teachers spend time reading for professional development, they need the best books around. The CL/R SIG reviewed some recent PD releases.

    • Reading Lists
    • Blog Posts
    • Book Reviews

    Developing as a Teacher Through Books

    by CL/R SIG
     | Oct 13, 2014

    College professors often inform their students of the importance of professional development and the need for lifelong learning. They extol the virtues of professional organizations such as the International Reading Association and the National Council of Teachers of English so they can stay informed about current practices and research findings, as well as be part of the professional conversation. As part of staying connected and abreast of the latest information in the areas of literacy, those same professors may remind their students that their learning and reading should not end once they have received a teaching certificate but should continue throughout their teaching career and beyond in an effort to stave off complacency and find new ways to remake their classrooms. Reading professional books, at least one each year, is one way to insure they examine their practice and breathe new life into their teaching. This week’s book reviews from members of the Children’s Literature and Reading Special Interest Group focus on recently-published professional books.

    Barnhouse, Dorothy. (2014). Readers Front & Center: Helping all Students Engage With Complex Texts. Portland, ME: Stenhouse.

    Although the texts used in teachers’ classrooms matter a great deal, so do the students in those classrooms. Acknowledging the disconnect between the increasingly complex texts teachers must use and their students’ abilities to navigate those texts, the author provides clear tips about individual, small group, and whole group reading instruction that is sure to help teachers figure out ways to address their students’ needs. She even encourages teachers to find ways to listen to their readers and how they work through a text. Each chapter contains a useful tool box with information on planning and implementing strategies. For the practical-minded, Barnhouse also includes charts that enable young readers to note how books work and trace their thinking as readers. With six chapters focusing on reacting in smarter ways, including Noticing Smarter, and Deciding Smarter, steps that occur before the actual teaching, followed by pedagogy chapters,  “Teaching Smarter: Noticing and Naming,” “Teaching Smarter: Stepping Students Up to Do More Complex Thinking in Independent Reading,” “Teaching Smarter: Stepping Students Up to Do More Complex Thinking in Small Groups,” and “Teaching Smarter: Stepping Students Up to Do More Complex Thinking in Read-Aloud and Shared Reading,” the book offers tips for helping students grapple with challenging texts.

    Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

    Duffy, Gerald G. (2014). Explaining Reading: A Resource for Explicit Teaching of the Common Core Standards. (Third Ed.)  New York, NY: The Guilford Press.

    Some books on reading are treasured and simply never go out of style. This is one of those reading resources teachers have come to trust because it makes reading instruction less mysterious and more skill set to be taught to students. With a special focus on students in grades K-8 who struggle with reading, the book contains 30 explicit reading instruction examples linked to the English language arts Common Core State Standards (CCSS). Since the tasks described in the text are authentic, teachers should be able to apply the author’s suggestions readily as they model instruction for students and differentiate their instruction. This updated edition contains new or revised teaching examples and explores close text reading. There are five chapters discussing comprehension and what the author calls foundational principles, but most of the book is dedicated to examples that show teachers how to align their instruction with the CCSS. For instance, Example one focuses on Reading for Key Details (Key Ideas and Details—RL Standard 1). Clear, concise, and highly useable, this resource is a goldmine of helpful teaching ideas.

    Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

    Ganske, Kathy (Ed.). (2014). Write Now! Empowering Writers in Today’s K-6 Classroom. Newark, DE: International Reading Association.

    In this edited book divided into three sections and ten chapters, several authorities on reading and writing share practical tips that will help beginning and struggling writers in grades K-6 feel more comfortable as they learn to write.  Supported by research, the techniques are based on practices that have been found effective in classrooms. There are chapters about how to teach students writing basics and encourage them to write about what they are reading as well as how to address the requirements of the Common Core State Standards. With selections on how to use mentor texts, writing workshop, argumentative writing, persuasive writing, and four chapters on how to excite budding writers, this book offers plenty of new writing strategies while revisiting some tried and true ones. For teachers looking for different approaches, the chapters on digital writing and multigenre writing may be just what they need to reinvigorate themselves and their own writing instruction. It’s possible that the book may even awaken a need to write in the teachers who read it.

    Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

    Lent, ReLeah Cossett, & Gilmore, Barry. (2013). Common Core CPR: What About the Adolescents Who Struggle…Or Just Don’t Care? Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE/Corwin Literacy.

    With seven chapters brimming with practical ideas and conversation about how to reach reluctant or disengaged teen readers, this book is a wake-up call distinguishing fantasy from reality. While it would be satisfying if all of the nation’s high school graduates emerged with diplomas and the ability to read and analyze complex texts, that is not the case. Instead, the authors point out more than a million students fail to graduate from high school each year. That number doesn’t take into account the other disenchanted teens who lost interest in reading years earlier. The authors identify what they like about the CCSS and then show teachers ways to incorporate strategies that will reach those reluctant readers and turn them into readers who are engaged with texts and ideas. Fully aware that change takes time and that teaching is work, the authors will convince readers to look for opportunities to find that one moment, that one assignment or that one book that may change a student’s life, leaving him/her excited about what is being learning. The authors suggest choice and relevance are particularly important when teachers are making assignments and that teachers must use thoughtful questioning as they model what close reading is. This refreshing book does exactly what its title purports—providing CPR for the legions of teachers and students overwhelmed by the Common Core.

    Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

    McLaughlin, Maureen, & Overturf, Brenda J. (2013). The Common Core:  Graphic Organizers for Teaching K‒12 Students to Meet the Reading Standards. Newark, DE: International Reading Association.

    The authors of The Common Core: Teaching K–5 Students to Meet the Reading Standards (International Reading Association, 2013) and The Common Core: Teaching Students in Grades 6–12 to Meet the Reading Standards (International Reading Association, 2013) were particularly interested in helping students learn how to think through the Common Core State Standards.  As part of their exploration of those standards, the authors created graphic organizers for use in their teaching. Available only as a PDF e-book, this helpful resource provides 40 organizers aligned with the Common Core College and Career Readiness Anchor Standards. The frameworks are also connected to several Common Core English Language Arts State Standards for all grades and can.be adapted for use in various primary grades. Teachers can use the graphic organizers to work with their students on topics such as essential story elements and informational text structures. The authors strongly suggest that teachers provide explicit instruction in how to use the graphic organizers, explaining how each one works and modelling its use. Once familiar with the book and its resources, teachers will find themselves using it on a daily basis.

    Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

    Rami, Meenoo. (2014). Thrive: Five Ways to (Re)Invigorate Your Teaching. Portsmouth, MH: Heinemann.

    Most new teachers enter the profession brimming with enthusiasm and determination to make a difference in their students’ lives. Armed with newly-acquired teaching certificates as well as pedagogical skills and knowledge, they can’t wait to teach reading, writing, mathematics, and science. But often their first year(s) of teaching are challenging, making them question their fitness to teach or whether they should stay in the profession. The author has been in exactly that point during her teaching career, often feeling overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of students she was expected to teach, her isolation from colleagues, and unsureness about whether her teaching was having a positive impact on her students. But instead of fleeing the profession or suffering silently, this English teacher took actions that would make her teaching and herself thrive. Drawing from her own involvement in professional communities, she suggests finding a mentor, joining and building a network, insuring that your work challenges you intellectually, listening to what you have to say, and empowering your students. These are also the titles of the book’s five chapters, all of which contain advice, personal vignettes from the author, and teacher stories from those who are still in the classroom. The book is written in a lively, engaging fashion, easily drawing in and retaining readers in search of positive ruminations on teaching, this much-maligned profession. Not only will the book revive your teaching, but it just may make your days in the classroom more joyful.

    Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

    Scoggin, Jennifer. (2014). Be Fabulous: The Reading Teacher's Guide to Reclaiming Your Happiness in the Classroom. Newark, DE: International Reading Association.

    It’s no secret that teaching is not an easy profession. Many teachers leave the profession once they realize that there are so many skills that students need to master and that they are expected to teach. But teaching those skills is often not enough to satisfy teachers who want to do more than just prepare their students for college or a job. While those skills and goals may be important, teaching also involved creating community by sharing one’s identity as a teacher and a reader. The author, who blogs on “It’s Not All Flowers and Sausages,” shares teaching stories that remind readers of the reasons they decided to become teachers as well as effective literacy practices that will bring some of the delights of teaching back into their lives. It isn’t easy to teach new skills or something as complex as reading to youngsters. In conversational fashion with examples along the way, the author encourages readers to come up with their own reading instruction philosophy and then use authentic and relevant assessments. She also firmly suggests that teachers work to create relationships with students and colleagues and insure that their classroom space encourages the best from them and their students.  Especially enlightening is Chapter 7 “Let's Get Fabulous: Why We Need to Take Back Control over Our Teaching” since it empowers teachers, something this profession sorely needs. Reading this book with its seven chapters, all starting with “Let’s Get,” followed by “Real” or even “Physical” in Olivia Newton-John fashion, will not only remind readers just how fabulous they are as individuals, but also serve as a celebration of all that is so fabulous in their own teaching and within their own classrooms.

    Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

    Serravalo, Jennifer. (2013). The Literacy Teacher’s Playbook, Grades 3-6. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.

    Data seems to be everywhere these days, driving classroom instruction and affecting teaching on a daily basis. Sadly, that data and assessments often used today are frequently misused and misunderstood. In four chapters the author shows teachers how to avoid drowning in assessments and use assessments helpful to them. She explains how to collect and analyze useful data as well as how to synthesize the data from various sources, and then develop instructional plans for students based on those assessments. Since following students’ progress is essential to instruction that helps students meet their targeted goals, the book also provides ways to monitor progress. Additionally, to alleviate teachers’ anxieties about how to use the assessment materials they have collected, the author provides two assessment packets from students with different needs. By examining the downloadable data, teachers can follow the author’s suggestions about how to use what is provided to inform their instruction. These examples allow teachers to build confidence in their own abilities to collect and use data in their own classrooms. In some respects, teachers are no different from sports coaches who rely heavily on their own playbooks to figure out their next playing or coaching strategies.

    Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

    Shannon, Patrick. (2013). Closer Readings of the Common Core. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.

    In this edited book of nine short chapters, the author has invited literacy experts to ask and answer some tough questions about the Common Core. Not only do they look at the history and content of these standards, but they also explore their possible impact on today’s teachers, students, and classrooms. As with any change or reform movement, there are certain underlying assumptions, and the authors actually consider those assumptions about students and how they learn that have informed the CCSS. Perhaps most important of all, the authors examine their possible impact on education in this nation, predicting how it is likely to affect schooling in the future. The chapters are thoughtful and somewhat provocative and provide teachers with the information they need to make informed decisions about their own classrooms and students. Readers may find the chapters “Common Core Children,” “Texts and Teens: Separate and Unequal,” and “When Standards Means Standardization” particularly compelling, but all of the chapters provide material over which to mull.

    Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

    Smith, Michael W., Appleman, Deborah, & Wilhelm, Jeffrey D. (2014). Uncommon Core. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE/Corwin Literacy.

    It’s no surprise “Common Core” seems to permeate conversations in faculty lounges and seep through the pages of just about every recently-published text on teaching. It is also not surprising that there is much disagreement and misinterpretation of those Standards. With seven chapters, including a unit on “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” that illustrates the authors’ precepts about the Standards, the book addresses some of the misunderstandings surrounding what has been called “Standards-aligned” instruction, and tries to get to the heart of the Standards. After critiquing some of the exemplar lessons provided for teachers by others with little regard to research from the past two decades, the authors provide helpful research-based teaching student-friendly suggestions, including the use of prereading activities can help students meet the strategic and conceptual demands of texts, strategy instruction that encourages careful and critical text analysis, and inquiry units with questions sure to inspire classroom discussion and critical thinking. Practical, thoughtful, and well written, this book is a much needed addition to the tsunami of words and assumptions swirling around the CCSS. It breathes fresh air into the already-stale conversation about those Standards and their impact on today’s classrooms. Teachers who only have time for one book on this topic should certainly choose this one.

    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.

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  • In honor of National Bullying Prevention Month, Barbara Ward reviews a host of books that address the problem, and its roots.
    • Reading Lists
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    • Book Reviews

    The Best of How Literature Can Address Bullying

    CL/R SIG
     | Oct 06, 2014

    Bullying continues to be an issue for anyone who attends or teaches school these days. Whether it comes in the form of a face-to-face encounter, a shunning campaign launched by classmates, or even through cyberspace, bullying often makes school classrooms an unsafe place for students. The National Center for Educational Statistics claims that during 2014, one in three students reported being bullied during the school year. Experts seem certain that bullying is unreported since victims often feel too embarrassed or fearful to report the incidents. The National Crime Victimization Survey of 2014 reports that of the bullying incidents that were reported, 65 per cent occurred twice in the year. Nineteen percent of those who reported incidents of bullying claimed the bullying occurred twice a month, and 7.8 percent reported bullying incidents occurred every day.

    Obviously, bullying has negative effects on student health and school attendance. The Center for Disease Control reported that students who are bullied are twice as likely as their peers to suffer from depression, sleep difficulties, anxiety, and trouble adjusting to school. They are also twice as likely to get stomach aches and headaches. Readers may want to check out these and other reports and parent and teacher resources on bullying at the Nobullying.com. Additional book-related resources can be found on CJ Bott’s Bullies in Books website at or in her books, two excellent references for anyone wishing to explore bullying in their own classrooms: The Bully in the Book and in the Classroom (Scarecrow Press, 2004) and More Bullies in More Books (Scarecrow Press, 2009). Members of the Children’s Literature and Reading Special Interest Group remain concerned about the prevalence of bullying and suggest that books for children and teens offer one way to explore the issue. Consequently, this week’s book reviews focus on bullying as it is depicted in recent trade books.

    Grades K-3

    Bedford, David, (2014). Two Tough Crocs. Illus. by Tom Jellett. New York, NY: Holiday House.

    Tough as leather, Arnold and Sylvester are at the top of the pecking order when it comes to their watery neck of the woods. Passersby have learned to avoid the area since the two pick on anyone who passes their way and when they run out of potential victims, they even fight each other to determine crocodile supremacy. But their bullying days and ways cease when an even tougher female crocodile arrives on the scene. After putting them in their places, this tougher-than-tough bully ends up being frightened by what she imagines is after her. Despite her cruelty to them, Arnold and Sylvester manage to find some compassion for their former bully and lend a pair of helping hands. While there are certainly plenty of other books that deal with bullying, this picture book, first published in Australia, provides a good place to initiate a discussion with students. It also serves as an excellent reminder that since there is almost always someone bigger and tougher than you out there, being tough is never enough. A little heart and an act of kindness or two, even from a couple of tough crocs, never hurt anyone.

    Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

    Lynch, Jane. (2014). Marlene, Marlene, Queen of Mean. Illus. by Tricia Tusa. New York, NY: Random House Books for Young Readers.

    Marlene rules the halls of her school with a savage word and a piercing glance. And when those don’t work, she uses her height and size to intimidate others. Not one of her classmates feels safe whenever Marlene is around. She bullies them everywhere they go, on the playground, in class, and even on their way to the bathroom. There seems to be no place safe from Marlene. Told in rhyming text that is fun to read aloud, this story reveals the insecurities lie beneath this bully’s exterior. After Big Freddy stands up to Marlene and strips away her defenses, she has no choice but to start acting nicer to everyone around her. With its lively and cartoonish illustrations, this picture book offers a starting place for conversations about bullying behavior and some ways to cope with a bully, including standing up for oneself. Written by the actress who plays television series Glee’s bully, Sue Sylvester, this picture book is impressively filled with insights as well as being amusing.

    Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

    Spagnol, Estelle Billon. (2014). Little Benguin. New York, NY: Holiday House.

    Little Benguin is not like any of the other animals in his community. With a rabbit and a penguin as his parents, his differences make it hard for him to fit in. After all, he doesn’t look like them. Not only do they make fun of him because he's different, but they shun him and won't even play with him. Little Benguin actually has high self-esteem and embraces his differences, but sometimes he feels very lonely and longs for companionship. When a wolf threatens him and the other animals, he uses his abilities as a penguin and as a rabbit to lead the wolf far from the others. Suddenly Benguin is a hero to them. It turns out that what makes him different also helps him survive, a good message for young readers as well as the rest of us.

    Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

    Wells, Rosemary. Stella’s Starliner. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.

    This picture book gently reminds readers there is no place like home and that a home truly is where love resides. The size of a house has little relationship to what makes it a home for its inhabitants. Created with watercolor, gouache, pastel, ink, and colored pencil on sanded paper, the handsome illustrations and simple text make it clear Stella has a happy home. While her father works during the week, only returning for weekends, Stella and her mother share happy times in their silver trailer. Stella is blissful until some bullies, cruel weasels, make fun of her home. The author aptly describes those taunts as hurt "Stella's heart like the sting of bees" (unpaged). But when Stella finds some new friends in a new place, they regard her home quite differently, in a much more positive light. Not only is this picture book a marvelous example of the different perceptions of others, but it also shows how hurtful words can be. This picture book would be perfect for sharing with a class at the start of the year as a reminder not to judge others by where they live or their economic status.

    Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

    Grades 4-6

    Egan, Kate. The Magic Shop Book 1: The Vanishing Coin. Illus. by Eric Wright. New York, NY: Macmillan/Feiwel & Friends.

    Mike's resolve to stay focused during his new fourth grade year isn't sticking too firmly. He keeps making mistakes and getting in trouble because he is easily distracted. But when he and his new neighbor Nora find a magic shop, Mike shows an affinity for various magic tricks. While he still finds it hard to remember his homework, being able to do the tricks and excel at something others with which others struggle boosts his self-esteem. Could the magic tricks he’s learning help Mike put Jackson, a classmate who enjoys picking on him and making fun of him, in his place? The inclusion of detailed how-to tips for the tricks Mike shows off to his classmates will fascinate budding magicians and elevate this one's appeal for fourth and fifth graders, many of whom will want to try the magic tricks for themselves. This is the start of a good series with a different hook through Mike’s talents as a budding magician.

    Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

    Truesdale, Ann. How to Handle Cyberbullies. Illus. by Kathleen Petelinsek. North Mankato, MN: Cherry Lake Publishing.

    This slim but timely volume contains useful suggestions for how to deal with cyberbullying, whether you are a victim, a bystander or even the parent of one of these. Seeming to indicate that much cyberbullying occurs out of thoughtlessness, the book offers fairly generic reasons for this form of bullying that seems to be growing in prevalence, which might provide an opportunity for parents and teachers to discuss different types of bullying with youngsters. Often, it happens because there cyberspace seems to offer anonymity about anything that moves through its. The activities included in the book are useful since they are intended to make readers more mindful of the words they text, but this book is just a starting point. Readers will appreciate the fact that the author addresses how hard it is to avoid this kind of bullying since it follows its victims home where they should feel safe.

    Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

    Vail, Rachel. (2014). Justin Case: Rules, Tools, and Maybe a Bully. Illus. by Matthew Cordell. New York, NY: Macmillan/Feiwel and Friends.

    Fourth grader Justin Case is unsure about what fourth grade will be like or what his new teacher's expectations are. As he tries to put some of his anxieties behind him, he begins to make new friends and feel safe enough to take some risks. But he also realizes that one of his friends might be starting to become a bully, even focusing on Justin. As Justin tries to figure out what to do about Noah and whether he trusts Cash, a charismatic but bossy boy he met during summer camp, he faces some tough choices. This book effectively demonstrates how quickly someone can move from acceptance to being forgotten or even picked on as well as how feelings of insecurity arising from being left out can make someone want to lash out. Justin's ruminations on Noah's behavior and the way his classmates treat him when they think he is a tattletale are spot on, serving as great examples for classroom discussions. Written in a series of diary ruminations, the text with its accompanying illustrations portrays many of the perils of fourth grade. Many readers will relate to Justin's fears. After all, it seems as though each teacher has his/her own different set of rules and expectations, and it can be challenging to figure out what is expected, not to mention what’s going on with one’s classmates. Something that happened during the summer may have long-reaching effects in the fall.

    —Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

    Grades 7-8

    Baskin, Nora Raleigh. (2014). Runt. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

    Relying on multiple voices, including canine, the author describes daily life in a typical middle school. Through the book’s various characters, some of the motivations for different sorts of name calling, bullying, teasing, and abuse occurring in a school setting are explored as well while providing some insight into bullies themselves and those being bullied or standing along the sidelines. In some cases, innocent acts become part of the cruel plots of others, and as the story moves toward its conclusion, readers can easily see that the characters have a great deal in common despite their differences. No one is perfect in this book, and even Elizabeth (dubbed Smelly-Girl since her mother boards dogs, which prompts some of her classmates to tease her about smelling like them) has her own cruel streak toward some of the dogs under her care, brought on by her own trials with her forgetful mother, her own arrogance, and her embarrassment. Part of the story takes place during a hurricane, which allows poisonous online messages to seep through the air for days while many are without electricity. Since the storm affects electricity and Internet access, Maggie, the girl who created a fake webpage denigrating “Smelly-Girl” has second thoughts about her actions, is unable to remove her cruel page until the power has been restored. Using several voices allows readers to gain multiple perspectives on this complex issue and gain insight into human behavior from the behavior of dogs and cats, it can be hard to distinguish each speaker or to come to know all the characters as well as might be desired. Despite the possible challenges of sorting all the characters' behaviors and motivations, there is much to consider here about the behavior of runts and top dogs in the animal kingdom, though.

    Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

    Blackstone, Matt. (2014). Sorry You’re Lost. New York, NY: Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

    Scratch below the surface of a bully’s skin, and there are usually hidden fears or insecurities. In the case of seventh grader Denny (Donuts) Murphy, becoming the class clown and making fun of others is his way of coping with loss. He even pretends to talk to his deceased mother on his phone. But his increasingly bizarre behavior causes his teachers to become concerned. Denny rarely shows up for class, and when he does attend class, he misbehaves and tries to entertain his classmates. The author describes vividly the distance that has grown between Denny and his father, brought out into the open during a parent/teacher conference. The book's honesty and its humor will appeal to middle grade readers as well as prospective middle school teachers since it offers insight into the behavior of many students in those grades and offers explanations for some of their inappropriate behavior. Clearly, losing someone can also mean losing parts of oneself.

    Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

    French, Simon. (2014). My Cousin’s Keeper. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.

    This moving story, originally published in Australia, provides insight into the desperate acts necessitated by trying to fit in. After his best friend moves away, 11-year-old Kieran isn’t sure with which social group he belongs at his school. His insecurity makes him feel disturbingly at sea when it comes to his social standing, and as a result of that insecurity, he's willing to behave in ways that aren't typical of him. A case in point involves his cousin Bon. Being the new kid in class and wearing his hair in a long braid mark him as different from his classmates. Instead of being his cousin’s protector against the bullies, Kieran gladly sacrifices his familial allegiance to the cousin he resents for a bid at acceptance from cool kid Mason and his set. The bullying starts slowly and escalates, of course, and were it not for Julia, another new classmate on whom Kieran has a small crush, who knows what might have happened? Julia bravely intervenes against Mason’s bullying of Bon with little consideration of the consequences for her own social standing. Not only that, but she holds Kieran accountable for better behavior. Tackling bullying’s complexity honestly as well as examining family dynamics, this book offers plenty of material for class discussion while reminding readers to embrace their better sides. Bon's story is heart-breaking in many ways, in part, because he has had little control over his upbringing. No wonder he writes and draws an imaginary world where he, Julia, and Kieran are heroic figures. This one will cause readers to consider how often they stand up or remain silent when others have been singled out for ridicule.

    Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

    Grades 9-12

    Feinstein, John. (2014). The Triple Threat: The Walk On. New York, NY: Knopf Books for Young Readers.

    Freshman Alex Myers has a throwing arm so accurate that his teammates dub him Goldie. When his parents split up, his mother moves him and his sister to Philadelphia, and he must prove himself on the football playing field. Although he is clearly talented, the QB job belongs to junior Matt Gordon, the coach's son, and Alex has little chance to take his spot. As the team makes its way to the state playoffs, Alex finally gets his chance, but he and the coach have a stormy relationship. In addition to the detailed passages of play on the gridiron, readers will like how nice Alex’s rival Matt actually is. Even though he has it made, he still goes out of his way to be welcoming to the new kid on the block. The author nails the unsavory side of athletics perfectly with passages concerning the coach's behavior, expectations, and the way he bullies those around him. All too often his behavior is typical of how some coaches think they need to behave in order to lead a winning team. The inclusion of the battle between the press and the subjects being covered was interesting too, but it seems unlikely that any of the football players would talk to reporters. Usually, groups maintain solidarity, which can allow unethical things to occur. Since this is part of a trilogy, readers will eagerly follow Alex's excursions into two other sports and wonder whether his own father follows up on his promises to be more involved in Alex’s life. Football fans will devour this one even while recognizing the pressure to conform to an adult’s expectations even when those can lead to problems. Sometimes adults are not the role models others would like them to be.

    Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

    Wolf Kam, Jennifer. (2014). Devon Rhodes is Dead. Watertown, MA: Mackinac Island Press.

    Police are puzzled when 15-year-old Devon Rhodes is found dead in a ravine near town, and her best friend Cass Kirschner ruminates upon the role she played in her death. The author keeps readers guessing by alternating “Before” and “After” chapters and hinting at possible reasons for her death. While it's clear Cass is guilty of something, it isn’t so clear where her guilt lies. Young teen readers will race to the book's conclusion to find out what led to Devon's demise. Slowly, incident by incident, the author describes just how bad a friend Devon was to Cass in real life. Clearly, she was selfish, self-absorbed, and thoughtless when it came to Cass. In fact, she bullied Cass and their former friends into doing whatever she wanted, something that actually leads to her death. As she watches Devon engage in increasingly risky behavior, Cass wishes she were free from this one-sided friendship. While the ending is a bit abrupt, the book will keep readers engaged as they try to figure out where to place the blame. Young teen readers may enjoy examining the bullying behavior of someone who is supposed to be a friend but rarely acts like one and then considering their own friends and their behavior toward them.

    Barbara A. Ward. Washington State University Pullman

    Wood, Fiona. (2014). Wildlife. New York, NY: Little, Brown: Poppy.

    Sixteen-year-old Sibylla Quinn heads on a semester-long school trip in the wilderness with several classmates, including her best friend Holly. Sib has never had a boyfriend, and Holly decides to coach her on her relationship with school golden boy, Ben. But Holly is not to be trusted, and readers will have twinges about her dastardly nature almost from the first. While Sib is easy-going and has learned to deal with Holly's personality and need to be the center of things, Lou, another girl on the trip, quickly sizes Holly up as a subtle bully and manipulator who is jealous of her best friend. While Lou continues to mourn the loss of her boyfriend Fred, she finds herself drawn into all the relationship drama. After things heat up between Sib and Ben and she decides to have sex, she also has second thoughts and decides to slow things down. The author describes perfectly how Sib almost loses herself as she allows her need to please Ben and fit in with his crowd as well as placate Holly keeps her from standing up for herself and her beliefs. Well-written, honest, and deeply engaging, this book will make readers care about both Lou and Sib and despise Holly and her machinations. It’s clear Holly’s friendship is the kind Sib can do without and bullies come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and forms.

    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
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  • In surveys of children’s reading preferences, funny books often top their lists, from classic stories of a motorcycle-riding mouse to the more recent pigeon who wants to drive a bus.

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    Motivating Readers With Humor

    by CL/R SIG
     | Sep 29, 2014

    “Have you heard the one about…”

    “Knock, knock! Who’s there?”

    Who doesn’t love a good joke or a great, loud belly laugh? In surveys of children’s reading preferences, funny books often top their lists, from classic stories of a motorcycle-riding mouse to the more recent pigeon who wants to drive a bus. Everyone loves to laugh but humor can often take several directions based on the readers themselves.

    Bad Kitty author Nick Bruel told Publisher’s Weekly, that “his sense of humor developed first as a means of survival, as he believes it does for many people. Learning to adapt to challenges when he was a child, he developed an appreciation for the 'deeply important...personal joy' that comes from making people laugh.”

    This week International Reading Association’s Children’s Literature and Reading SIG reviews new books that will bring about a few laughs. Older readers will appreciate some of the darker humor represented in the high school books and all ages will be reminded that having a sense of humor can help with getting through hard times.

    Grades K-2

    Holt, Kimberly Willis. (2014). Dinner with the Highbrows: A Story About Good (or Bad) Manners. Illus. by Kyrsten Brooker. New York: Henry Holt and Company.

    Bernard Worrywart has been invited to dinner at Gilbert Highbrow’s house. Immediately, Bernard’s mother starts his crash course in table manners and table etiquette with a long list of do’s and don’ts. When the special evening arrives and the Highbrows’ butler greets Bernard, the fun begins. The zany Highbrow family piles everyone into their limousine and heads off to an Italian restaurant. Though Bernard is still very nervous, he begins to sense the Highbrows are all about having fun. From the cowboy outfit Gilbert is wearing to his slurping and burping and throwing meatballs, all of Bernard’s mother’s lessons are coming into question. Bernard, true to his worrywart name, tries to uphold all his mother’s etiquette rules. Colorful oil-painted pictures joined by cut paper illustrations add to the zany energy of each page. A humorous way to introduce table manners, teachers will enjoy this as a read aloud.

    —Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

    Isaacs, Ann. (2014). Meanwhile Back at the Ranch. Illus. by Kevin Hawkes. New York: Schwartz and Wade Books.

    Colorful end papers open the book with a buzzard sitting on a big sign stating; “ Under full penalty of law, exaggeration is forbidden in the state of Texas. No Texan can decorate a plain fact—except if that person is an elected official, or any one who has ever ridden a horse. In such cases, all exaggeration must be restricted to the first twenty-four hours past sunrise.” And so begins a modern folktale employing exaggeration in every illustration on every page! The year is 1870 and widow Tulip Jones of England has been notified that she has inherited $35 million dollars and a ranch in Texas. When she and her three lady servants, now ranch hands, arrive at the ranch, 1,000 bachelor Texans show up in hopes of marrying the widow and her newly inherited fortune.  The hilarity begins when Tulip has to figure out a way to get rid of these crazy Texans and settle into her ranch. Kevin Hawkes’ colored pencil and acrylic illustrations add to the fun with exaggerated characters/caricatures with large Texas features. A very fun story with all the elements of a tall tale and a satisfying ending young readers will delight in hearing this ranch tale.  (Originally published: Back at the Ranch. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2009)

    —Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

     

    Ketteman, Helen. (2014). There Once was a Cowpoke who Swallowed an Ant.  Illus. by Will Terry.
    Albert Whitman and Company.

    While we are still in Texas territory (see above) take a look at this new spinoff from the classic song, “I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly” Texas style! Instead of the traditional creatures swallowed by the old lady, now a Texas cowpoke is gulping down critters from the Southwest. He starts with his stomach on fire by swallowing a fire ant spouting “Yippie-ti-yay! My stomach’s on fire!” as his cheeks puff out and his eyes bulge from their sockets. Next, he swallows an eight-eyed spider that wiggles and waggles inside him. A snake, a roadrunner, an armadillo, a boar and even more animals chase the ant that follows the spider. When nothing works to get rid of the fiery any, the cowboy sends in his hat, his horse, his rope, and finally himself into his own stomach after that pesky hot fire ant. Earth tone illustrations are the perfect supplement for life in the Southwest. Teachers will enjoy the Educator’s Guide to Common Core Connections provided by the publisher.

    —Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

     

    Kulling, Monica. (2014). The Tweedles Go Electric. Illus. by Marie LaFrance. Toronto: Groundwood Books/House of Anansi Press.

    This humorous tale of turn-of-the-century automobiles offers several subtle nods to the future and environmental awareness. Set in 1903, the Tweedles are the last to consider getting an automobile. They are definitely behind the times. When Mr. Tweedle finally decides to enter the 20th century and buy his automobile, he purchases a “green” electric car everyone makes fun of. Gas powered autos are the way to go, they say. Yet as the Tweedles tour around town in their green electric car they smile and insist their choice is the smart one. One day, their neighbor Mr. Hamm accidentally lops off his finger and his car is out of gas so in desperation he calls on the Tweedles to rush him to the doctor. Graphite on paper and mixed media collage illustrations represent the time period well and expressive looks on character faces add to the fun of this book. Shhhhhh, but the story also presents a bit of history as well. Introduce the book with this lively book trailer and use it as an anticipatory question set as to what is going to happen in this story.

    —Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

    Stein, David Ezra. (2014). I’m My Own Dog. New York: Candlewick Press.

    From Caldecott Honor winner, David Ezra Stein, young readers will enjoy seeing life through the point of view of the dog. Living life on his own, fetching his own slippers, throwing his own sticks, telling himself to roll over, he is a good dog. He can even scratch himself except for one spot right in the middle of his back. He goes to the park and finds a young man who can reach that spot and scratch it for him. The young man follows him home so dog decides to keep him. He teaches the young man how to how to walk with a leash and shows him things like squirrels and trees. The dog teaches the young man how to throw sticks. Though he often has to clean up after the young man like licking the drips from his ice cream cones, the man is learning. The pen, marker and watercolor illustrations warmly represent the relationship that is building between the two lovable characters. They end up on the couch side by side as best friends. This is a charming story that represents a point of view not often considered in the pet and owner/master relationship.

    —Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

    Grades 3-5

    Angleberger, Tom. (2014).  Emperor Pickletine Rides the Bus; An Origami Yoda Book.  New York: Amulet Books/Abrams.

    Tom Angleberger brings the final volume of the Origami Yoda to middle readers with Emperor Pickletine. Tommy and his other seventh grade friends are off to Washington, D.C. for their class field trip. However, Principal Rabbski has made a pronouncement that the field trip will be an “origami-free zone.” How can that be? Even as the principal speaks, the kids are folding any paper they can get their hands on. Fortunately, Dwight brought hundreds of lime fruit roll-ups for the trip so Fruitigami Yoda is the new creation.  Making Tommy miserable, Harvey is not only his bus buddy but he also brought evil Emperor Pickletine with him. The field trip takes the gang to the nation’s capital and so a new file has opened for the group to pursue. Visit the author’s website, Origami Yoda, for extensive resources and folding exercises to accompany this popular series for middle grade readers.

    —Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

     

    Comics Squad: Recess. (2014). Comics by Jennifer L. Holm & Matthew Holm, Jarrett J. Krosoczka, Dav Pilkey, Dan Santat, Gene Luen Yang, Raina Telgemeier, Dave Roman, Ursula Vernon, Eric Wight; Edited by Jennifer L. Holm, Matthew Holm, & Jarrett J. Krosoczka. New York: Random House.

    What happens when you bring 10 popular and funny children’s book author/illustrators together and ask them to write about school recess? Readers get a most hilarious group of stories to enjoy over and over.  Babymouse and Lunch Lady are joined by other characters from people to vegetables in this anthology sharing the theme of recess-time antics. The artwork is true to each contributor’s recognizable comic style. Cartoons, invented spelling, caricatures, comic-strips, romance, sports, kickball, homework, pizza, dinosaurs, ninjas, and more are found within the pages of these hilarious stories. Teachers might enjoy using the book trailer to introduce the stories.

    —Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

    Einhorn, Edward. (2014). Fractions in Disguise: A Math Adventure. Illus. by David Clark. New York: Charlesbridge.

    George Cornelius Factor (G.C.F. = Greatest Common Factor) collects fractions. When George learns the coveted 5/8 is up for auction, he is ready to start the bidding. Unfortunately, there are others interested in this rare numeral as well. Baron von Mathematik and Madame de Gomtrique will be bidding against George. However, evil Dr. Brok steals the famous fraction before the others get a chance to buy. Now the adventure really begins as George invents the Reducer, his half ray gun/half calculator that penetrates the disguise of Dr. Brok and the purloined fraction. Ink and watercolor cartoon illustrations add to the fun and mystery of the chase as George heads to Dr. Brok’s mansion. Combining math, mystery and comedy provide a very entertaining read (and read-aloud!) for middle readers and math nerds everywhere!

    —Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

    Jocelyn, Marthe, and Richard Scrimger. (2014). Viminy Crowe’s Comic Book. Comics by Claudia Dávila. Toronto, Ontario, CA: Tundra Books.

    Fast-moving thrills with comedic humor mark this adventure with a ComicCon twist. Blending narrative with comics this tale offers a humorous story for readers who like adventure with a laugh. Addy Crowe along with her pal Catnip the rat are helping her Uncle Viminy Crowe with his booth at the International Comic Book Festival. Uncle Viminy is the creator of the popular comic starring Flynn Goster. In a rather catastrophic lunch disaster ending with a spilled lunch, young Wylder Wallace is embarrassed at his clumsiness, but discovers Addy’s copy of her uncle’s latest book Flynn Goster in Gold Rush Train while she is in the restroom cleaning up. Flynn Goster is Wylder’s favorite!! As luck would have it when Wylder follows Addy to the washroom, they discover a portal to into the Flynn Goster comic. They are now on the Gold Rush Train and tumble into the adventure along with Goster himself. Include all the possibilities that steampunk offers, like robots and a villain named Aldous Lickpenny, and the fantasy adventures takes flight.

    —Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

    Snicket, Lemony. (2014). File Under: 13 Suspicious Incidents. Art by Seth.  Little, Brown and Company.

    Fans of short stories will enjoy this new addition to the works of Lemony Snicket (Daniel Handler) and his tongue-in-cheek humor.  Framed by 13 short mysteries the book will remind some folks of the Encyclopedia Brown mysteries published first in 1963 and continuing through 2012. The author even includes the name of Dr. Sobol for the local veterinarians as a nod toward the EB author, Donald Sobol. The setting is still Stain’d-by-the-Sea and Young Lemony Snicket continues trying to figure out the strange happenings around him. However, this new volume contains 13 short mysteries with answers in the back of the book. He leaves plenty of clues along the way for readers to attempt to solve the mystery themselves. The illustrations are an integral part of the mysteries as clues are embedded into the pictures. Snicket’s signature wordplay for children (and adults) is sprinkled throughout and offers a fun as well as intriguing story for a wide range of readers.

    —Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

    Grades 6-8

    Kinard, Kami. (2014). The Boy Problem (Notes and Predictions of Tabitha Reddy.) New York: Scholastic Press.

    For girl readers who enjoyed Kara in The Boy Project (2012),this new installment about Kara’s BFF Tabitha, though she prefers to be called Tabbi, is sure to please. Tabbi enters seventh grade and is looking for a sign that will lead her to a boyfriend. Not just any boy will do. She wants a boy who will elevate her social status and make it possible for her to hang out as couples with Kara and her boyfriend Chip. As Tabbi looks for the signs to her love interest she finds signs in a Magic 8 Ball and a blob of cheese pizza. She finally decides upon a more mathematical approach. Her math teacher assigns a project in probability and Tabbi sees this as a chance to create the signs she needs through surveys, charts, and other data collecting techniques. Written in the form of a diary and illustrated in cartoon-like characters this lighthearted romp with tween romance and math will produce a lot of laughs.

    —Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

    Paulsen, Gary. (2014). Family Ties. New York: Wendy Lamb Books.

    Popular author Gary Paulsen has added another companion volume to the books, Liar Liar, Flat Broke, Crush, and Vote. Kevin Spencer is back as the main character in another humorous story for middle grade boys. Kevin decides to take on the role of backyard wedding planner when his Uncle Will arrives with his new bride-to-be, her arson-leaning son and their incontinent dog. As the guests arrive, readers will get a real feel for the bizarre family surrounding Kevin. His grandmother Lucille is the first guest followed by Kevin’s grandfather who is now Lucille’s ex-husband. He arrives with his showgirl female companion. More crazy relatives and friends present themselves and Kevin’s plan for a simple backyard wedding starts to get complicated. He is also really trying to impress his own girlfriend, Tina. Adding to Kevin’s chaos he is carrying around a fake baby, actually made of popcorn, as part of a school assignment. Bringing family together, including his father and estranged brother, proves quite a feat, but this dysfunctional family eventually figures out a happy ending.

    —Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

    Williams, Maiya. (2014).  Middle School Cool.  Illus. by Karl Edwards.  New York: Delacorte Press.

    A new alternative school is opening in Horsemouth, NH. The new school is called Kaboom Academy, founded by Dr. Kaboom and housed in a former mental institution. Interestingly, some of the staff are former patients. Determined to create an atmosphere where troubled students who have previously not been successful at public school education, Dr. Kaboom implements techniques such as pills for learning the classics rather than traditional reading assignments. Dodgeballs can rigorously throw themselves and instead of bells to end classes, gongs and cannons go off to let everyone know class is over. The story features the Journalism 1A class and the Daily Dynamite student newspaper. When nine young investigative reporters discover a secret about Dr. Kaboom that could threaten the existence of the school, they are faced with a publishing dilemma. Though the storyline sometimes gets a little anti-public school, the zany antics of staff and students will make this a very fun read. For kids who enjoyed Louis Sachar’s Wayside School stories, this will be a welcome addition to non-traditional schools.

    —Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

    Grades 9-12

    Hale, Kathleen. (2014). No One Else Can Have You. New York: Harper Teen/HarperCollins.

    Author Kathleen Hale brings murder and dark humor together in this story set in Friendship, WI, don’tcha know.  Using the regional expressions like those heard in the movie Fargo, Kippy Bushman has taken it upon herself to find the killer who murdered her best friend and homecoming queen, Ruth Fried. Feeling that Sheriff Staake isn’t on the right track to solve the murder, Kippy is trying to prove Ruth’s boyfriend is not the killer. Kippy begins her sleuthing with Ruth’s diary which proves to reveal many things about Ruth that Kippy was previously unaware. Kippy enlists the help of Ruth’s older brother, Davey, who has recently returned from his tour in Afghanistan. In addition, Kippy is still working through the death of her own mother years earlier. Her relationship with Davey evolves into an awkward romance of sorts as they plod through people and clues in trying to find the real killer. With the charm of small town life and the closeness of family and community readers will find an interesting tale to keep them wondering.

    —Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

    Longo, Jennier. (2014).  Six Feet Over It.  New York: Random House.

    Fourteen-year-old Leigh feels like she is experiencing the perfect storm. Just after the death of her friend Emily and watching as her sister Kai recovers from cancer, her father decides to buy a cemetery/memorial park and move the whole family from beautiful coastal Mendocino, California, inland to the small town of Hangland. If this isn’t too much, now her father expects her to help sell gravesites. As Leigh quickly learns, there are two types of buyers. The Pre-Needs are the people who are planning ahead and buy their lots now. The others she calls At Need and they have recently lost a loved one and need a plot immediately. Leigh is struggling to allow herself to make new friendships. When nineteen-year-old Dario shows up to work as a gravedigger, the hint of romance begins. It is Dario who helps Leigh emerge from her shell and begin to form new relationships. The humor comes in the form of Leigh’s wit and dark humor in addition to the bursts of joy from her father. Like the book in the previous review, dark humor is often best appreciated by older readers.

    —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

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